YOU Magazine by Ashburton Guardian

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Saturday,September19,2020

AND YOUR LIFESTYLE

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YOU AND YOUR LIFESTYLE | Saturday, September 19, 2020

PHOTOS DONNA-MARIE LEVER

Springtime on the farm

ell hasn’t spring become all mixed up! Finally, after a chilly winter, and an average autumn, here comes all the warm stuff, bringing with it sunshine, lambs, daffodils, oh … and snow. Honestly, 2020 has been that kind of year, so naturally on day one of spring noone really blinked when we all woke up in the farmy foothills to a complete and utter white-out. It was a breathtakingly beautiful sight as though a movie set had been put up overnight, but to the farmers, it was a dire situation that saw them reach for the Panadol. Was it forecast? Absolutely. Did I take that forecast seriously? Nope, not even as a fleeting thought. It was spring people! So here I was, completely caught out

FARMY PRINCESS with DONNA-MARIE LEVER

and scrambling to put together a snow outfit so I could set off and play with the kids and watch the farmers work from the comfort of my window. Unfortunately as I was not prepared, all I could muster together was a bad combination of active-wear and a few non-matching thermal bits and bobs, with a bit of lipstick just in case. Did we build a snowman? Yes, the children and I put in a stellar effort, although they never look as good as they do in the movies and in reality it’s tricky putting the carrot nose in place. I then took it upon myself to do a circuit of the farm to check on everything, or if

I’m being honest, mainly to take some pretty pictures and finally utilise the 4WD function on my car for the first time this year. It was here I discovered a humble new tool used by farmers. I watched on with curiosity as a nearby farmer moved cows through one paddock into another, and in the absence of a dog to encourage them to skip along, he hung his arm out the side of his truck, slamming an empty two-litre milk bottle container against it. It worked a treat and the animals clopped along happily. I couldn’t tell if he was actually playing a tune, or there was any rhythm involved, but it did occur to me, I could use this very technique to run my own little human farm.

So when dinner was ready I could simply bang on an empty milk bottle to get the family’s attention – or maybe when it was time for the children to leave for the school bus, again I’d just grab the milk bottle, possibly two, and tap out a loud tune. I will let you know how I get on with this new routine. One thing I am grateful for is at least when you live on a farm there are no neighbours to stare over the fence and through your windows while you bang on a milk bottle, thinking you’ve gone completely and utterly mad! TV reporter, journalist, mum and born and bred Aucklander Donna-Marie Lever talks about life after marrying a farmer and moving to rural Mid Canterbury

Saturday, September 19, 2020 | YOU AND YOUR LIFESTYLE

Flavour to the core It may not be apple season, but being the privileged, convenient world we live in, we can get apples any time of the year and these recipes are worth running again they’re so naughty, delicious and fresh at the same time.

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Serves 4-6 Topping: 1/2 C flour 1/4 C brown sugar Pinch sea salt 1t ground cinnamon 100g cold butter cubed 1/2 C rolled oats Filling: 6 JAZZ Apples, peeled, cored and chopped 2/3 C caramel (I used Highlander caramel) Pinch of sea salt 30g butter, chopped – Preheat the oven to 180°C.

– For the topping, combine the flour, brown sugar, salt and cinnamon in a bowl. – Add the butter cubes and rub into dry ingredients to resemble breadcrumbs. – Stir in the oats, then set aside in a fridge while you cut the apples. – Toss the chopped apples well with the caramel sauce and salt. – Split the mixture between 4-6 ramekins, top each with a knob of butter then sprinkle the oaty topping evenly all over each. – Bake for 40-50 minutes until the apples are bubbling and the crumble is golden brown. – Serve with lots of ice cream.

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Spiced apple & dulce de leche bars Crumble and base 250g butter, cubed 200g plain flour 150g rolled oats 140g brown sugar 50g coconut 1t baking powder 1t vanilla essence Filling 720g JAZZ™ apples, peeled, cored and quartered 1/2 t ground cinnamon 1/4 t ground ginger 380g tin of dulce de leche (caramel) – Preheat oven to 180°C. Line a 20 x 20cm tin with baking paper. – Place all crumble ingredients in a bowl or bowl of a stand mixer. Mix until completely incorporated. – Press 2/3 of the crumble mixture into the lined tin. Place the remaining mixture in the refrigerator. This will make it easier to crumble up later. Use the back

- - - -

of a spoon to smooth base out evenly. Bake for 15 minutes then set aside to cool. Cut apples into thin slices then place in a pot over a low heat along with the ground spices. Cook for 10 minutes or until apples have just started to soften. Be careful not to let them get mushy. Smear 2/3 of the dulce de leche over the baked base then top with apples. Use your hands to crumble the remaining crumble mixture over the apples. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. Leave in the tin to cool completely before cutting into squares. Place remaining caramel in a microwave proof bowl and microwave for 30 seconds or until runny. Drizzle over bars and chill. Recipe created by Olivia Galletly of The Hungry Cook. For this and more of Olivia’s recipes, visit www. thehungrycook.co.nz

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YOU AND YOUR LIFESTYLE | Saturday, September 19, 2020

MENTALHEALTH

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A constant, unwelcome companion

For most people regular social interaction is something they take for granted, it’s part of day-to-day life, it’s what gives you a sense of community, a sense of belonging. But when you have an anxiety disorder, social interaction can be emotionally and physically distressing. The Guardian’s Sue Newman talks to Carole (not her real name) for whom anxiety is a constant and unwelcome companion.

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Saturday, September 19, 2020 | YOU AND YOUR LIFESTYLE

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the outside. The e, the person she rom the world, is erent. eal Carole has social y and agoraphobia panic disorder. r years of struggling cope, she’s been agnosed and while aving that diagnosis did not change her condition, knowing why she struggled so badly in normal life situations, was a huge relief, she said. She was diagnosed in 2017

at a point where she’d hit rock bottom. “I didn’t even want to leave the house, that’s how bad it got and I constantly felt like I was going to faint. I was exhausted all the time.” Having a diagnosis didn’t mean her symptoms disappeared, but after years of therapy and group therapy, Carole said those symptoms are now usually under control. Her life, however, is all about managing situations and using the right tools to cope. Anxiety is a normal reaction for anyone when they’re faced with danger, but for someone with an anxiety condition, your body adopts a flight-or-fight reaction at times when it is not needed. For Carole those situations can include simple, everyday tasks – going to the supermarket, talking to a stranger, talking on the phone, being in a busy place, driving, going somewhere on her own, or being anywhere where she feels trapped. “In those situations I feel anxious and panicked and that affects me through physical symptoms. When your brain wants to escape a situation, it makes it very hard to remain present and to participate in what is happening,” she said. Physical symptoms can include, blushing, zoning out, a complete brain freeze, sweating, increased heart rate, dizziness, nausea, muscle tension, feeling light-headed and crying. “The symptom that affects me the most is dizziness and lightheadedness. I feel as though I’m going to faint and this is made worse by the social anxiety where I don’t want any attention on me,” Carole said. Therapy has been critical for her in gaining back control of her life. It will never be perfect, anxiety will always be part of who she is and fighting the agoraphobics fear of open spaces will always be a battle, but today Carole knows her triggers and has a range of coping strategies she can call on when needed. Distraction is one of the critical tools she uses when she becomes aware that she’s becoming inwardly focused and that physical signs of her condition are starting. “When that happens, I try to move my focus outwards. For example, when I’m driving and feel stuck at traffic lights, I’ll pick cars and make up stories about where they’re going and what they’re going to do.” Having a focus on being relaxed also

helps. As she works to achieve a state of relaxation, Carole tells herself her brain will keep her safe and that she needs to accept and trust that. “I tell myself it’s okay, I’m safe. I also try to be aware of my thoughts. Excessive worrying doesn’t help in most situations, so I tell myself, there is no new information. It also helps not focusing on the bad things that could happen,” she said. Keeping fit is also another important coping strategy. Regular workouts mean that the physical symptoms that come with exercise – shortness of breath, a fast heart rate and sweating, that are also symptoms of anxiety, become more acceptable and more normalised when related to a physical activity. And there’s medication. While there’s no magic pill, no silver bullet, for her medication has been helpful in managing anxiety. “The pills don’t do the work for you, but they’ve helped lower my anxiety to a more manageable level and they help reduce the physical symptoms,” she said. For Carole, it’s been a long journey to reach a place where she feels her conditions are largely under control. She now knows her triggers, understands what her mind and body are telling her and has coping mechanisms that allow her to take control. Coping with mental health issues means coping with issues that are unseen and that means while you may appear to be functioning normally on the outside, inside you are struggling to cope. And that struggle is often fought alone. For her therapy and, eventually, a diagnosis have brought huge, positive changes. Simply understanding what is happening and why and having a toolkit of coping strategies mean you finally feel you have control over your life, Carole said.

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS WEEK

his year’s Mental Health Awareness Week (MHAW) is September 21 to 27, and the theme is Reimagine Wellbeing Together. This annual event led by the Mental Health Foundation is a chance for workplaces to look at the experiences, actions, relationships and surroundings that make people feel good, stay well and uplift your wellbeing. MHAW 2020 is an opportunity for everyone to redefine and rediscover what wellbeing looks like, during Covid-19 and beyond. The Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand is a charity that works towards creating a society free from discrimination, where all people enjoy positive mental health and wellbeing. It works to influence individuals, whanau, organisations and communities to improve and sustain their mental health and reach their full potential. Mental Health Foundation (MHF) chief executive Shaun Robinson says the theme of the week acknowledges that this year has not been an easy one. “Many of us have had to reconsider the experiences, actions and surroundings that make us feel good, stay well, and uplift our wellbeing,” he said. “Restrictions on living have presented challenges for many of us – and opportunities too. I’m hearing from New Zealanders about the good things they’re doing to acknowledge their own mental wellbeing right now. We want to learn more about the simple, everyday things you’ve done this year to look after yourself and your whanau.” Robinson acknowledged that everyone went through ups and downs in life – that’s a completely normal part of being human. Sometimes our sense of wellbeing might feel strong, sometimes not, and that’s okay, he said. “Wellbeing is for everyone and isn’t just for people who’ve experienced mental illness. One in five Kiwis experience a mental illness each year and it’s important to remember that with the right support many people can and do live well with mental illness.” Robyn Shearer, Deputy Director General, Mental Health and Addiction at the Ministry of Health says “MHAW is a great opportunity for us to reflect on the simple but powerful things we can all do every day to maintain our wellbeing. Remembering and practising what got us through tough times Richard before can help us build resilience for when times Richard Begbie Plumbing & are more Gasfitting ltd challenging.”

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YOU AND YOUR LIFESTYLE | Saturday, September 19, 2020

End of winter is nigh

fter what has felt like a tumultuous year, we have reached the light at the end of the tunnel for the home gardener – spring! While it can often be a wet and windy month, the days are getting longer and temperatures are on the rise, so it’s a very active month in the indoor or outdoor garden.

Houseplants Many houseplants can look tired towards the end of winter – a combination of a lack of nutrients and withstanding growing conditions that have been very cold or very warm (near fires or heating systems). It’s still a little early for repotting, wait until the end of the month as temperatures rise. Pay careful attention to the light where your houseplants are located as very few thrive in dark parts of the home. Continue watering your houseplants as required rather than routinely as overwatering kills more houseplants than any other factor. Always use lukewarm water so there is less shock to the plant. Dust gathers easily on plants with large glossy leaves, so clean them regularly with a moist cloth. Remember, a well-lit bathroom is an excellent part of the house to rejuvenate ailing houseplants as the warm, moist air from showers provides excellent growing conditions.

Vegetable garden

Due to the impacts of Covid-19 and the subsequent nationwide lockdowns, we have been reminded of how empowering self-sufficiency can be. While it is still too early to plant traditional summer vegetables eg tomatoes and cucumbers, you can continue planting year-round vegetables – celery, lettuce, silverbeet, beetroot and spinach. Sow seeds of summer vegetables in pots or seed trays for planting into the garden in late October. Where possible, ie not too wet, start preparing areas of your vegetable garden for summer crops, adding fresh compost to existing soil.

Flowering annuals Remove finished winter annuals (into the compost bin) and prepare for planting summer flowering annuals. You can plant annuals that flower all year round, including alyssum, calendulas, cornflowers, lobelias, pansies, and violas.

Bulbs The last of the spring bulbs will now be flowering. Allow all the foliage on your bulbs to go brown later in the season as this ensures they have sufficient stored nutrients for flowering next year. Note the most successful bulbs in your garden as you may

wish to plant more of these.

Fruit trees All pip and stone fruit trees should be in full flower by now. Remember that apples are usually the last to come into flower. Hopefully warmer and calmer conditions will be favourable for pollination this season.

Strawberries Strawberry plants are now in active growth. Continue removing flowers to hasten the development of the plants and mulch around them with pea straw or crushed bark. This helps keep the plants clean and provides a bed for the berries when they begin to form next month.

Lawns In warmer areas of the country, the grass is beginning to grow. Lawn fertiliser can be applied towards the end of the month and seeds can be sown on bare patches. Add new clean topsoil before broadcasting the seed. Start mowing the lawn regularly to encourage vigorous, healthy lawn growth.

Roses

Most rose bushes are producing new growth and, in some instances, breaking into flower. Apply a side dressing of rose fertiliser around plants towards the end of the month. Fresh compost can be spread around rose beds now, and throughout the growing season.

Container gardens It’s time to consider what to grow in containers over summer months – flowers, herbs, or summer salad vegetables. Prepare by emptying the containers, washing thoroughly and ensuring drainage holes are adequate. Start planting towards the end of September/early October.

Herb garden Herb gardens may be looking rather sad in September, as most herbs prefer a hot, dry climate. Prepare for re-planting in October by removing old plants now and raising the area to be planted and adding fresh compost. For more gardening advice or information on the wide range of Daltons products visit www.daltons.co.nz

Saturday, September 19, 2020 | YOU AND YOUR LIFESTYLE

FREE Daltons Vege Garden

planting and care pack

A big fig

Annie Bishop is this month’s winner with the following question:

My fig tree has gotten huge. Can I prune it back hard to a reachable height and if so when? It fruits really well, but the birds get the crop before it ripens. Should I cover it with net? Fig trees should be pruned back very hard each year as they only produce fruit on new season’s growth. Winter is the best time to do this. First, reduce the main leaders (branches) down to a reachable height, then remove any excessive, inward-growing branches, as well as any branches that are overlapping. Do not be afraid to severely prune any thick wood. This may require a handsaw, although most can be done

with loppers and secateurs as big wood can be quite soft. Most birds simply adore figs so as the fruit begins to ripen in late January/February, cover the entire tree with bird netting (from your local garden centre), ensuring there are no points of entry. If your fig tree produces particularly tasty fruit, take some cuttings from your prunings as they grow very easily from cuttings 20cm long. Simply push these into your vegetable garden or into potting mix. Once rooted, re-plant into the area of your choice or pot up and give to friends or family. You may find it helpful to read our free How to Grow Fruit Trees Guide which includes more tips from our experts: www.daltons.co.nz/how-toguides.

We have one prize pack to give away with everything you need for a thriving vege garden. Each pack is valued at over $70 and contains 2 x Garden Time Vegetable Mix, 1 x Daltons Goldcote Vegetable and Herb Fertiliser, 1 x Besgrow Coir mulch and 1 x Garden Time Chicken and Sheep Pellets, plus a pair of comfortable Red Back gardening gloves from Omni Products www.omniproducts.co.nz.

Be in to win

Email goodies@theguardian.co.nz with Daltons Vege prize pack in the subject heading, or write to Vege pack giveaway, Box 77, Ashburton. CONDITIONS OF ENTRY: •

•

You must provide a gardening question for the Daltons experts to answer. Please include your address and phone number in email and letter options! Giveaway entries must be received by October 1.

For more information on Daltons products visit www. daltons.co.nz

All questions supplied are entered into the draw to win a Daltons prize pack, but the Guardian reserves the right to choose which questions and answers will be published. Daltons post the prize to our lucky winner.