Indulge
June/July 2012
spirit|soul|body
Bronwen Healy
Her Past Is Not Her Future
Bronnie Masefau
Making Anywhere Home
Dee Knife
A Journey of Grace
Elaine Johnston Bouncing Back
A Vintage Winter Food To Share With Friends Do You Have A Passion For Compassion? The Goodness In Seasonal Eating How To Get The Most Out Of Your Exercise Indulge | June/July 2012 | 1
Indulge eMagazine is part of the iluvthoseshoes Project which seeks to empower women in their journey through life by resourcing them, spirit, soul and body. Empower = make more confident; to give authority Resource = source of help; solutions to problems
Publisher
iluvthoseshoes Project www.iluvthoseshoes.com
Editor-in-Chief
Charissa Steffens editor@indulgemagazine.com.au
Creative Director
Natasha Smith info@nspstudio.com.au
Technical Director
David Steffens info@indulgemagazine.com.au
Senior Editors
Nicky Hurle Catherine Johnsen
Proofing
Barrie Nicholson Catherine Johnsen
Fashion Editor
The Cover
Cover Bronwen Healy at Hope Haven Photography Natasha Smith, NSP Studio Photography
iluvthoseshoes Project www.iluvthoseshoes.com
General Enquiries T 0450 066 116 E info@iluvthoseshoes.com
Tanya Epis
Food Editor Angela Frost
Contributors
Dr Cris Beer Kirsten Cooke Bronwen Healy Nicky Hurle Elaine Johnston Dee Knife Candice Schmidt Charissa Steffens
Advertising
Phone 0405 066 116 Email info@indulgemagazine.com.au
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Henderson Accountants Indulge eMagazine is published bimonthly by the ILTS Project Pty Ltd (ACN 147832906). All rights are reserved and the contents are copyright and may not be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher. ILTS Project (“the Publisher”), their related companies and officers herby disclaim, to the full extent permitted by law, all liability, damages, costs and expenses whatsoever arising from or in connection with copy information or other material in this magazine, any negligence of the publisher, or any person’s actions in reliance therein. Any dispute or complaint regarding placed advertisements must be made within seven days of publication. Inclusion of any copy must not be taken as any endorsement of the Publisher. Views expressed by contributors are personal views and they are not necessarily endorsed by the Publisher. All reasonable efforts have been made to trace copyright holders by the Publisher. The Publisher and the authors do not accept any liability whatsoever in respect of any action taken by readers in reliance on the recommendation set out in this magazine.
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Terms & Conditions of Giveaways (pgs. 17&35)
All entries must be received by email before 5pm 30th June 2012 (AEST). The winning email entrants will be notified by email witihin 7 days. Entries will be chosen by members of the Indulge Team based upon the best answers that fit the criteria requested.
You made all the
delicate
inner parts
of my body and
knit me
She is...
TOGETHER
in my mother’s womb.
made with She is... conferences and camps are held throughout Queensland for women of all ages. w: www.sheis.net.au p: 0435 855 892 e: registrations@sheis.net.au
biloela conference 2nd June
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townsville conference 28th July
sunshine coast camp 3rd - 5th August
gold coast conference 18th August
brisbane conference 1st September
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I have loved you with an everlasting love Jeremiah 31:3 I have loved you with an everlasting love Jeremiah 31:3
In this issue...
I have loved you with an everlasting love Jeremiah 31:3 I have loved you with an everlasting love Jeremiah 31:3 I have loved you with an everlasting love Jeremiah 31:3 I have loved youworld with anto everlasting love Jeremiah In our success-orientated it is so easy those of us who strive to ‘perform’ for God. Life is31:3 I I I I I I I I I
derive our identity from our performance. Our not about what we do, it is about who we are. gifts, talents and treasures can end up defining us have loved you with an everlasting love Jeremiah 31:3 as we strive to feel valued by what we do; we thrive This is a revelation that the women in this issue on accolades as we look to be validated by others. of Indulge carry. As I have spent time talking and have loved you with an Jeremiah This is not a new issue… Martha wanted to be everlasting getting to know themlove a little better I have been 31:3 recognised for her hospitality gifts (Luke 10); the blessed by each as they have revealed their identity disciples fought amongst themselves as to who was as a loved child of God. No matter what their have loved you with an everlasting love Jeremiah 31:3 the greatest (Luke 9); our desire to be significant is journey has been, no matter where their lives are well recorded. The problem is that we often miss headed, they know who their Daddy is and because the simple truth that we ARE significant despite of this they can do the incredible things they do. 31:3 have loved you with an everlasting love Jeremiah what we do. It is out of this understanding that they love the unlovable; inspire the every day; sacrifice comfort have loved you with an everlasting love Jeremiah for challenge and reach out to the broken-hearted. 31:3 What if we changed our view? What if we began to see ourselves, not through our performance or the eyes of others, but through ourwith Father’s eyes? Whateverlasting Be inspired as you read through the many have loved you an love Jeremiah 31:3 if we began to understand that our value is not tied wonderful stories in this issue; take time to reflect to what we produce in life, what we own or even upon the heart of these women and soak in the what our plan and purpose love of the Father through stories. May you 31:3 have loved youis?with an everlasting lovetheirJeremiah know how important you are because of who and When we come close to the Father, when we are in whose you are. have loved you with an everlasting love Jeremiah 31:3 relationship with Him, He begins to place within us a true understanding of who we are. Just as He Love did withloved Jesus at Hisyou baptism (Matthew have with 3:16)… an everlasting love Jeremiah 31:3 “This is my son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased.”
Charissa
I have loved you with an everlasting love Jeremiah 31:3 I I
The first comment that the Father makes (publically) to Jesus is about who He is, not what Charissa Steffens have loved you with an everlasting He does. We see Jesus through the Father’s eyes Editor-in-Chief not because of what He will do, but because He is simply His and He loves Him. with It is a breathtaking have loved you an everlasting revelation that can lift the heaviest of burdens from
love Jeremiah 31:3 love Jeremiah 31:3
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Spirit
My Name is Bronwen...
Bronwen Healy - Hope Haven
A Journey of Grace
Dee Knife - Grace Centre Ethiopia
Develop A Passion For Compassion Nicky Hurle
Soul
Making Anywhere Home
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contents Body
A Vintage Winter {Fashion Special} Tanya Epis
A Gifted Shout!
Watermelons In Summer & Oranges In Winter
Bouncing Back
Making The Most Of Your Exercise
See A Need, Fill A Need
Food To Share With Friends
Bronnie Masefau Charissa Steffens Elaine Johnston
Candice Schmidt
Dr Cris Beer
Kirsten Cooke Angela Frost
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www.nspstudio.com.au http://blog.nspstudio.com.au 0431 882 123
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Bronwen Healy Hope Haven
Spirit
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“Until this point I’d had a fairly ‘regular’ upbringing..”
My Name Is Bronwen... Words: Bronwen Healy Photography: Natasha Smith NSP Studio Photography
My name is Bronwen. I am fearfully and
wonderfully made. So are you. In fact, the truth is - we all are. But, I used to be unaware of that. I didn’t know that I was individually hand-crafted by a beautifully loving God for His purposes and for His glory; a loving God who considers me (and you!) to be the apple of His eye and the jewel in His crown. I didn’t know that before I was placed in my mothers’ womb, He knew me. I never knew. In those days and years, when I didn’t know, that lack of knowledge led me to live my life as though I was the one in charge of the number of my days, and sadly – the days of others. I lived my life as though there was no tomorrow. I lived my life without a care until one day I discovered that there were really serious consequences attached to my choices and that EVERY choice has a consequence – good, bad or ugly. One day I had to choose to care… or not. Sadly, I choose not – and I didn’t even realise it. Until this point I’d had a fairly ‘regular’ upbringing – two parents that loved me, though my dad was an alcoholic until I was three. We moved from Melbourne to Brisbane when I was 13 and I attempted to fit in at an elite private girls’ school, but I never really did. I left that school at the end of grade ten to move to a state high school that was renown for its film and television program – because by that stage I had decided to take my life-long love of film and really focus on my desire to “make movies and go to Hollywood” (yes, I HAVE always been a big dreamer!). The school was also renown for its problems with drugs and gangs, but I figured I could focus on my grades and make the goal getting in to university. I did study hard and got the grades to get in to University to study arts and film… and it was then that I thought that I ‘deserved’
a treat and I said “yes” to smoking pot. That “yes” VERY quickly turned into a lot of other “yeses”. I talk about life being like the game of Snakes & Ladders – I took my life into my own hands, put my tip-toe on the head of the snake and very quickly slid all the way down to the bottom… which leads me back to my serious consequences. I was 18. I had moved out of home. I was using drugs most days and I had just dropped out of my second year at University after working hard my whole life to get in to study Film & Television. My boyfriend was a heroin-addict and I truly believed that I loved him. We had been sleeping together regularly (as you often
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do when you haven’t received the heavenly revelation that you are ‘loved, valued and created with a purpose’ so you look for “love” in all the wrong places… well, maybe not you – but I certainly did). As a consequence of that choice I fell pregnant. I’ll never forget sitting in the doctor’s surgery with my then boyfriend – who was heavily under the influence of heroin and half-asleep, as she told me that the pregnancy test was positive. I honestly never stopped to think, “wow, this ‘pregnancy’ is a life – a Godgiven, hand-crafted life”. All I could think of was me. Me, myself and I. All I could think of was how this would ‘ruin’ my 18 year old drug-taking, party-going, self-absorbed life. The doctor gave me two options; to keep the pregnancy (she didn’t even call it a baby) or to have a termination. I looked across at my drug-fuelled boyfriend and immediately decided that neither of us was fit to be parents… he didn’t argue the point and one minute later she was on the phone booking my abortion (termination of pregnancy) appointment for three days later. Three days later a doctor literally ‘scrapped the life out of me’ and I entered the deepest and darkest depression that I have ever known. Considering that for the six years after that I would find myself also addicted to heroin and doing what needed to be done to get the money to get the drugs – including crime, drug growing and dealing, prostitution (selling my body and my soul to strangers for money to buy heroin), it is a BIG deal to recognise that on reflection it was the abortion that fuelled that spiralling down. I never stopped to think. I certainly never stopped to pray. I never knew the consequences… if only I had known. But, I choose now, 18 years later – not to live in regret… or in shame. It’s an every day choice. Nearly 13 years ago, at the age of 24, I entered a Christian rehabilitation program (a sweet conspiracy from heaven, I joke!) and after six weeks of hard-hearted nastiness from me to every person that was there, I ended up giving my heart to Jesus… and He truly did give a brand new life to me. A life free from guilt and shame for ALL that I had done... and I had done a lot. After becoming a Christian (a whole other article could be written on that journey!) I started the healing process. One of the areas that God sweetly and profoundly spoke healing and forgiveness over was the choice to have the abortion when I was 18. He forgave me and then I had to forgive me. For me that forgiveness began by naming the baby and releasing it back to Him in prayer (through MANY tears) and choosing to allow Him to continually pour out His healing balm. I am now a solo parent of three of the most phenomenal daughters on the planet – the delights of my life…true gifts of grace, straight from His heart to mine. It has been a journey. I have been forgiven. I am loved. Indulge | June/July 2012 | 13
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“It has been a journey. I have been forgiven. I am loved.�
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“Your past is not your future� 16 | www.indulgemagazine.com.au
Over the past 13 years I have journeyed with Jesus through many highs and many lows, but I have NEVER walked alone. I have walked with Him. I have walked through and not stayed stuck and trapped and bound. I have walked into the deep and profoundly life-changing revelation that I am loved by Him. That He knows everything that there is to know about me (a slightly terrifying thought) and loves me anyway. Now that is some seriously radical grace. Ten years ago just after the birth of my first daughter I felt prompted to write my story down. At first I thought it was just for me, kind of like therapy. Then I realised that He wanted to use my story to help change other people’s futures. That first book was self-published and released in 2004, titled ‘Trophy of Grace’. Since then over 10,000 copies have been printed and placed into the hands of people in need of hope, help and encouragement. People in jail tell me that it’s “the most read book in the whole jail. You’re one of us that never got caught and your story of how God saved you is saving lives in here”. Then people started asking me, “if you write can you speak?” and I was soon doing public speaking in a wide variety of settings – in the hope that my past WOULD change other people’s futures with my declarations of truth: ‘What you’ve done is not who you are’ and ‘your past is not your future’. Then people wanted to know if I could help them, and their loved ones, to get off drugs… and I looked and looked for places to refer them to. There was very little on offer and nothing specifically for women wanting life change from addictions and/ or the sex industry. So… God gifted me with the dream of establishing a charity that would do just that and in 2007 the Hope Foundation (www.hopefoundation.org.au) was launched. It’s been an incredible journey of trust, stretch, beauty and obedience. I am honoured to share this life journey with SO many brave and courageous women, some of whose stories feature in our book ‘Her Past is not Her Future’. I lead a committed and unified team of women and we genuinely believe that we can, and will, see the world changed one woman at a time!In 2011, after years of regular outreaches and outreach based care we opened our first (of many) drop-in spaces, called Hope Haven. A safe place for the women to come to that is open Monday – Friday from 10-2pm with Bible & book studies, creative workshops, fitness, friendship, connection and lunch every day at 12pm. Every day we see miracles. Every day. We are growing, He is leading and I am awed at all of the beauty that He is bringing forth from my ashes. d
Find out more about how you can support Hope Haven by visiting their website www.hopefoundation.org.au
Giveaway of Bronwen’s Books We have one copy of each of Bronwen’s books to giveaway to three readers. Send us an email at info@indulgemagazine in 25 words or less about ‘why your past is not your future’. Emails must be received by 5pm (AEST) 30 June 2012.
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The Knife Family: Dee and Andrew with their children, Sara, Joshua, Mekonnen, Berhani, and Lydia
A Journey of Grace Words: Dee Knife Photography: Courtesy of Grace Centre Ethiopia 20 | www.indulgemagazine.com.au
I am by no means amazing.
I am simply obedient. God has been the AMAZING in all that has gone on in my journey of grace and much learning and growing. My name is Dee and I am a codirector and founder of Grace Centre for Children and Families in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia. At Grace we serve hundreds of needy families through day care, a clinic, small business program, mentoring groups, counselling, sponsorship, a feeding program and literacy program. The impact on the community of Bahir Dar is huge. Am I living my dream? Every
day. Has it been easy? Heck no. Would I change it? Let me share my journey with you and you will know my answer. Most of my life I believed that I was slightly too short to come into God’s eyeline when He was searching the planet for willing people for the task of “going into all the world.” I lived with an ache for the continent of Africa, but had zero confidence to do something about it. The ache eventually made everything around me unbearable; the comforts and the overindulging world where society told us we
must have the glamorous house, the big car, the life, just did not seem as appealing as I once thought. I became convinced that this was not the life that God had planned for me. In 2004 I went on a Mission Trip with our church to South Africa for 21 days. This was the first time I had ever left the country, the first time that ‘Dee’ had been away by herself for more than a few days. I was married when I was 18 and had moved from being with my mother to living with my husband. I knew who ‘Dee the daughter, wife, and mum’ were - but who was ‘Dee the person’? It was more than a mission trip. In finding myself, God also awakened the calling that He had placed on my life as a child. I had prayed for more than ten years about Africa with a modicum of interest from my husband Andrew, but we had become consumed by the things of this world. The desires I once had as a teenager dissipated, the inner voice that told me there was something greater that I had been born for, was overshadowed by baby vomit and school runs. Andrew and I had stable jobs, a nice car and were saving a deposit to buy a home. Our two kids were in a wonderful school. We were living the life. But when I came back from South Africa, I knew we could not go on living this way.
Andrew and I had always talked about adopting especially during the labour of our son Josh when I distinctly remember screaming - ‘Next time we adopt!’ As it was on our heart, we looked into intercountry adoption. We learnt as much as we could about the country in which our future child/ren were to come from - Ethiopia. Two years later, we were at a crossroads. Was it a house deposit we had saved, or had we saved enough money for tickets to Ethiopia to follow the dream that just kept growing each day? God had spoken to Andrew and we knew it was time. For me, after years of saying “God, please put a fire under Andrew so we can go” to suddenly have the green light, gave me a moment of fear. This was it. My lifelong dream was coming true. Thoughts ambushed me like - “Are you crazy?” “What will people think, bringing your children to a third world county where there is poverty and disease?” “You will fail!” The louder the fear spoke, the more excited we got, the more we knew that this was it! So we sold everything we had and moved to Ethiopia. Sound crazy? It totally was! But we certainly could not have done it sane. See that’s what faith is. It’s not walking in the natural. It’s not conforming. It’s walking how God says. The world would tell us that
“Most of my life I believed that I was slightly too short to come into God’s eyeline...”
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our life before was what we should aim for. It took faith to make the move and say good bye to our supportive church, family and friends. We jumped in with our eyes wide open but heavenward. We knew that God had something more... we didn’t know what, but we had to find out. We moved to Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, in June 2006. Andrew was teaching English in a school run by a Muslim family and we opened a guesthouse for adoptive families visiting the country. We knew that we were not called to teach or run a guesthouse, but it was a step towards God’s plan for us.
“We jumped in with our eyes wide open but heavenward.” Our first few weeks were a challenge; if we hadn’t been sure that God had told us to be there, we may have returned home with our tails between our legs. Andrew went to the market to buy a bed for us to sleep on and was robbed of all we had. At that stage we were already conscious of the value of money. Andrew walked home feeling downcast, concerned about our cold night ahead. We didn’t have blankets yet, but thankfully our two children, Lydia and Joshua, were set with kiddy blow up beds and sleeping bags. As we lay on the cold floor that night listening to the rain, covering ourselves with nappies that we had brought with us, we felt no despair, just blessed to be where God had us. We didn’t have enough to keep us warm physically, but our hearts were warm and we were dry, clean and knew God, which was more than the millions who were just outside our gates and around Ethiopia. That week was a gift to us. It prepared us for the hard times that lay ahead. The joy of being in the right place outweighed that uncomfortable situation.
giving single mothers an opportunity to keep their children; and show the love of our Father, bringing hope to the hopeless through equipping families and forming community. It would be a place where the love of God would transform lives. We started off with just a few families and grew the project one family at a time. We saw the need to offer a holistic program, meeting each specific families needs by equipping, growing and enabling them to be what they were created to be. I have met so many broken women. A few have walked away believing that they were not even worthy enough to hope. The devil fears the potential of the heart God has placed in his girls. And when we realise this potential, realise the gift God has placed inside of us as women, we are not to be reckoned with. Hope is a catalyst. Today Grace has 224 children in day care, special needs or tutoring programs and 25 children in full-time care. We serve 600 meals per day, have 25 women in our small business program, and see 650 people in our clinic every quarter, as well as the nurses seeing the children in care every day. We are providing counselling by our psychologist, mentoring 20 teenage girls and 20 young boys and men and have 20 mothers in our literacy program who are learning to read and write for the first time in their lives. Since coming to Ethiopia almost six years ago, we have grown to a family of seven, being given the incredible privilege of adopting three children: Sara who is now 17 and five year old twins Mekonnen and Berhani. We also have an extended family of people here who add richness and beauty to our life every day.
So would I change it? Would I again uproot my children, leave our family and friends, great job opportunities and beautiful Gold Coast life? I would God had us in Ethiopia for a greater purpose than we do it again in a heartbeat. In His heartbeat. I was born in a world with so many privileges. I am could have fathomed. Within a few months, we met called to a world with so much brokenness. I live a lady named Marcie who had the same convictions to help destitute families. As God brought people and with a burden to make a difference. I pray that I do situations into place, we knew that He was leading us well with the responsibilities that I carry. to Bahir Dar to start a project with Marcie. A project I pray that sharing my story encourages you today, that would work with broken, destitute families, to step out and be all God is calling you to be. Thank 22 | www.indulgemagazine.com.au
you for sharing this journey with me. d
If you would like to support Dee and Andrew and Grace Centre for Children and Families, or would like any more information about what Grace Centre does, please visit their website at www.gracecentres.org.
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I remember a song from the children’s series “Sesame Street” that went something like this: Oh, who are the people in your neighborhood? In your neighborhood? In your neighborhood? Say, who are the people in your neighborhood? The people that you meet each day. After the chorus a variety of characters would happen along and be introduced - a postman, a baker, a fireman, the trash collector... and so we would be introduced to those in our neighbourhood who fulfilled a purpose, but generally went unseen or unacknowledged in the busyness of life. Come on now, you remember the song, don’t you? Well, nothing has changed in the past forty years, except for the fact that these well known people have been joined by a plethora of unacknowledged operators who function in the background of our community, largely unpaid and unaccounted for in the scheme of things, but without whom, we would be much impoverished. Words: Nicky Hurle Photography: Natasha Smith NSP Studio Photography Girls with Purpose Program (Southport State High, Southport)
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Recently in the Canberra Times we received an enclosed booklet called “Canberra’s Caring Community – your 28 page guide to a wide range of community and professional health services across the Canberra region.” It was labeled an advertising feature and inside the pages were filled with announcements and commercial notices about the various groups that are providing services either for free or with costs involved. Some of the ads took up a whole page; others were boxed in and shared the space with smaller, less glamorous, notices.
All, however, were concerned with connecting needy people with organisations and establishments which could assist them in some way to address the dilemmas or predicaments that life had served up. I found the Salvation Army offering a wide selection of services from abuse recovery to employment assistance and family stores; Marymead – a not-for-profit organisation providing support to children, young people and families; ACT Law Society – able to give legal advice, sometimes on a pro bono basis; Grow – a 12 step mental health recovery program; Bosom Buddies – a breast cancer support group; Anglicare – food warehouse and supply; Home Help Service – for those wishing to maintain their independence despite old age or disability; Pandsi – Post and Ante Natal Depression support; and I am only up to page seven. One of the startling features of many of these services is that they rely almost entirely on the community in which they are based to provide volunteers to fill the roles of carer, adviser, supporter, parent, listener and friend. These people have lives like you and I - jobs, family, obligations, debt, tragedies, struggles and challenges. Somehow they are able to find the time and commitment to dedicate part of their lives to the service and support of their fellow human beings. There is a word for people like this and it is “compassionate”. Compassion was a recurring theme in Jesus’ life. On many occasions he was overcome with compassion and had mercy on those around him as a result. Matthew 9:36: When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Matthew 14:14: When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick. Matthew 20:34: Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him. Mark 8:2: “I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat.
“Compassion was a recurring theme in Jesus’ life” This compassionate nature came directly from “the Father of compassion” (2 Cor 1:3) for the specific purpose of setting the example for us in how we should respond to the need we see around us. And so we are called also to have compassion, to rise above our own circumstances and give. Ephesians 4:32: Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Colossians 3:12: Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 1 Peter 3:8: Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. Pray for those in your own community who do this unseen work and ask God how you can best serve those around you with the compassion of Christ. Maybe you already do? If so, may God bless you abundantly. d Nicky is a talented and passionate educator who has taught in both Primary and Secondary school in a career that is a vocational calling. She has a Biblical Diploma and a recently completed Masters in Gifted Education. Her involvement with young people spans more than twenty years in various roles including youth leader and mentor. Nicky is currently a House Parent at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra where, with her husband David, she is responsible for looking after the welfare of residential athletes. She is presently writing her first novel and loves reading, movies and music. Indulge | June/July 2012 | 25
Bronnie Masefau Making Anywhere Home
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Making Anywhere Home Words: Charissa Steffens Photography: Natasha Smith NSP Studio Photography
I have to admit that I was a little excited to be invited to the book launch of Bronnie Masefau’s second volume in her Australian Vintage Living series. I have always admired
people who have the design knack. You know them; you go to their house and you fall in love with… well, everything! Bronnie is a mum, a preacher’s wife, interior designer, a best-selling author and a joy to chat with. Her books are full of decadent photos of beautifully filled spaces and handy tips on how to achieve your own look. Her heart is to inspire and empower women to ‘daily re-fall in love with their lives, families and homes’ through her books and workshops.
On a recent trip to Brisbane I caught up with the Melbourne based Bronnie and we chatted about design, family and faith.
Have you always loved interior design? Yes! I remember going shopping when I was younger with some girlfriends. It was my first girls day out, everyone else bought a piece of clothing and I bought home a beautiful plate. Mum and Dad owned a furniture manufacturing business when I was at home and while mum was at work I would organise and decorate the house. So yes, I have always loved decorating and design.
You identify yourself as a homemaker rather than an interior decorator; why is that? The question that is always put to an interior designer is what type of design do you specialise in – is it contemporary, modernism, eclectic? I really got thinking about this because I work with a whole range of clients; private, commercial, I even have done some government work, and when I got to the core of it I realised there is no one style I do apart from that I put the ‘heart back into the home’.
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So I work with all my different clients and draw out from them what their vision is and that results in the outcome. I have just finished a five bedroom retreat in a Moroccan style, an apartment in Greece, a really contemporary high-end home in Brighton, a three-level beach house in Anglesea; all completely different, because it is about my clients and what brings them joy and is home to them.
What made you decide to publish a book about interior design? It was one of those ‘twelve year suddenly’s’; the dream and desire for writing the book began a long, long time ago. I hadn’t told anyone, not even my hubby. I would just have these quiet times with the Lord and He would show me different visions and I was obedient to that. I would write during these times and I remember once I had a picture of Kayziah on my knee and I was just typing away about whatever came. It has always just been about following God’s leading with it all. There is no formula or Plan B. It has all just flowed along as I have followed God.
How did you transform the dream into the reality of a published book? What was really important for me and is for any person’s vision is; don’t get too far ahead of yourself. I really didn’t want to do that, because I wanted to do it in His timing, not my own. There were times when I almost had to pull myself back because I was trying to lock into a formula and I knew that wasn’t right, I just had to be obedient. It was funny with the first book; every time I went to tell someone about it I just couldn’t speak about it… it was like ‘not now’ which is why no one knew about it: not my hubby or my parents. So for about a year I had this finished book on a DVD, totally finished and no one knew about it. Then all of a sudden I met a new girlfriend and there was a moment when I felt to tell her about it. She was going to a book launch that night and invited me to come. I went and met the publisher; he loved it and wanted to publish it straight away.
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With your busy lives, how do you manage to intertwine family and business successfully? What is really important is consistency; all things in moderation, but being consistent is the key for me. I have always liked the saying “happy mum, happy bub”. If you’re a mum that loves baking, then bake until your heart is content, if you don’t enjoy cooking then buy McDonalds on occasions and take the pressure off. Remove all those stereotypes we place on each other but be consistent in who you are. One way that I do this is that since the kids were babies, I have had this beautiful Chaise lounge which is called mummy’s reading chair. I get up early and when my little boy Nate rises (he is an early riser as well) and he comes down the hall, if he sees me on my chair he knows that is my time with God. Each morning I sit down and have time in the word, so my kids are not just hearing me speak about God, but they are seeing me in God’s word. With working from home, I have to be really disciplined. I can say to my kids about living a balanced life, but if I am showing my kids that I just work all the time the messages are not aligning. My husband also has a very full schedule as we are pioneering a church in Melbourne and he speaks and writes developmental programs and works closely with schools. So we are both busy but we wouldn’t have it any other way. What it does mean though is that we have to be disciplined; we have to work together and plan out how that works with our children so that they have consistency. We don’t allow our kids to make excuses. For example, I am away for the next three days so we wouldn’t allow our kids to say ‘Oh but mummy isn’t here’. My husband would say ‘But what is mummy doing? She is going out and blessing people with her gifts and helping others’, so we try to include them in what we are doing and engage them in the journey. They are so proud of what we do, because for us it is not a sacrifice; we choose to do what we do and we engage them in the process.
How do you get the most out of life? For us the key is always being available. Even though we live a full life, it is important to be present in every conversation and taking every opportunity when it comes. Like with the books. Publishing my books was never about having a book on a shelf, I don’t need that affirmation. The book is actually a tool to equip and empower women to embrace home life… love doing the washing; what do you need to change so you can actually see something that is a mundane task as a blessing? Throughout my book I give little tips, from an aesthetic point of view. We have art work everywhere yet the places people spend most of their time - the kitchen, laundry and bathroom - tend to be sanitary places… put art work in there, fresh flowers, nice smells… enjoy those spaces.
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What are a couple of great tips you would love to share about how to make our homes a sanctuary? One of the simplest things is flowers. Use the flowers as a focal point to bring colour to a room. Using flowers means that you are always in season, because flowers are seasonal produce. I get my kids involved and they help care for the flowers and cut them every second day. How do you get flowers to last longer? Trim them every second day on an angle. If it is a flower like Tulips you use a pin and poke just under the bulb and it draws the water up and keeps them upright. If it is a woody stem, cut on the angle and then cut up the stem to draw the water up. Another trick is having lots of different vases; you just keep snipping the flowers down and change the vase as they shorten. A second design tip would be thinking through your storage options. Don’t just whip into Coles and buy a cheap laundry basket, think about what you like. It is going to be out in the open most of the time, so what do you want it to look like? If a friend walked in for a coffee and it was out on the table, what would you want it to look like? If you see something you want but it is four times the price, wait until you can buy it. Every dollar spent is an investment, so wait and invest in what you really want. Think each space through, look at magazines‌ go to the library and look through as many magazines as you can and decide what you like.
A few years ago you shifted away from your families and headed to Melbourne; how did that affect your family? It was a big shift but it gave us time as a family to become closer knit. Our kids are fully equipped; they make their own lunches for school and we have a roster for everything. I can go away for a week and they will have gourmet meals, flowers will be out and cut and that is because we were put in a situation where we have to rely on each other. The shift also gave us time to work on the book and all our other dreams, that if we had stayed here, we might not have achieved. 34 | www.indulgemagazine.com.au
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Bronnie and her beautiful mum {and manager} 7Eileen
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Your husband, AJ, and yourself are pastoring a church in inner city Melbourne. Can you tell us about that adventure? About eight months ago we felt stirred to step out and pioneer a church in Melbourne city, in Chapel Street. We have ten young families who attend and in the beginning only two were Christians and the rest were new to Christianity. The focus is mission based and we look to build leaders and be influencers. Can you tell us about your current project with Destiny Rescue? I have known Jenni Kirwan (founder of Destiny Rescue) for a while and she approached me and asked if I would be interested in designing their café (in Chiang Rai, Thailand). Destiny Rescue go into the brothels and rescue girls who have been trafficked, but once they are out they need to train them so they don’t end up back in the brothels.
They have set up some vocational training where they teach beading and sewing but some of the girls have expressed interest in learning about hospitality and hairdressing. They have been able to lease premises and Tony Kirwan is such a great thinker because they also leased the property that included accommodation for the girls. They rang me and asked if I would come and I grabbed the opportunity to sow in my gifting and give time to such a worthwhile cause, going over recently for a quick six-day trip. Because they have a limited budget, it adds to the fun as it makes for a highly creative fit out. We just spent the time scouring the markets and looking at other cafes in the area. It is due to open in July so we will head back over there in a few weeks and finish it off. It is such a worthwhile project and I am thrilled to be a part of it. d To follow Bronnie’s continuing journey with Destiny Rescue and to view her three delightful home design books, visit Bronnie’s website at www.bronniemasefau.com.au
Australian Vintage Living Giveaway We have a signed copy of each of Bronnie’s Australian Vintage Living volumes to give away to two readers. To win simply send an email to info@indulgemagazine.com.au and tell us in 25 words or less why you need a little help from Bronnie in home decorating. Emails must be received by 5pm (AEST) 30 June 2012.
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LTR: Anita Riley, Liz Walker, Melinda Tankard Reist, Melinda Liszewski Words: Charissa Steffens Photography: Light & Shade Photography
A Gifted Shout!
On a recent shopping expedition, I was jaw-droppingly shocked to see a largerthan-life image of a woman in barely there underwear as I entered the mall. The
woman was posed in a provocative manner, which if displayed within a work space would be required to be removed; yet here, in the entrance to my local shopping center, she stood undressed in plain sight, apparently fully acceptable, all in the name of marketing. Am I just being uptight? I am sure some would say so - it seems anyone who offers a opinion against such images is immediately labeled along those lines. However, I am not against lingerie or sex; being
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married and having two children I obviously know the deal. My reaction was due to the prominent positioning of this sexualised image in a public space, a space that included my six-year-old daughter. Why should my young child (or anyone else’s) have to process this overtly sexual image? And what does that do to her self-image and identity that is only so delicately beginning to be shaped at age six? These questions are the reason that Anita Riley, cofounder of Gifted Hands Fundraising, recently hosted “A Night in New York” gala shopping event. Anita has been a long-time advocate of fighting human trafficking overseas but has recently developed a new passion. She shares, “After eight years of fundraising for human trafficking I have felt really pressed to fight against the very thing that causes human trafficking – pornography.” Anita and her team of volunteers desire to support causes that value people, particularly women, and restore dignity and hope to their lives. This event highlighted the work of two such organisations: Collective Shout and the Youth Wellbeing Project. Both organisations seek to raise awareness of and prevent the damage that occurs from living in a highly-charged sexual culture.
Collective Shout’s co-founder Melinda Tankard Reist, who is often front and center of the media debate regarding the objectification and sexualisation of women, attended with her colleague Melinda Liszewski. During the evening Melinda Tankard Reist shared about several cases they have dealt with recently that included pornographic images being sold in well know ‘family friendly’ stores and the damage that pornography causes to people. Melinda explained that Collective Shout was established because, “People felt disempowered to make complaints to large companies. We wanted to set-up a one-stop shop to do something.” And do something they have. Since launching in late 2009, Collective Shout has “created social change through citizen activism”. With the help of social and other forms of media, people are speaking out against the placement of images that devalue and objectify women as mere sexual objects. Liz Walker also has a passion to help prevent the damages occurring in our culture through premature sexualisation. Liz began her organisation, Youth Wellbeing Project, out of a desire to see young people navigate their way successfully through the challenges facing them. Liz shared how she “saw the impact of pornography at a young age and was deeply affected by it”. Liz has drawn from her own journey and has established a program that equips teens, parents and educators in the area of sexuality and relationships. It was easy to see by the number of women in attendance that many believe there is a need to speak out against the plethora of sexualized images that we, and particularly our children, are faced with every day. Organisations such as Gifted Hands, Collective Shout and Youth Wellbeing Project are leading the charge for change and I for one am eternally grateful for their courage and voice. ♦ Find out more about these organisations by visiting their websites: Gifted Hands www.giftedhands.com.au
Gifted Hands Fundraising
Youthwellbeing Project www.youthwellbeingproject.com.au
Collective Shout www.collectiveshout.org
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Every woman has a story...
Words: Elaine Johnston Photography: Tanya Epis Hair Makeup & Photography
Bouncing Back After 18 years of marriage my husband left me. He
didn’t know if he loved me or not and needed some time apart. I remember thinking how unbelievable it was. He appeared to have everything: a good job and a hobby as a share investor, 40 | www.indulgemagazine.com.au
a wife who loved him, and three absolutely great kids. We lived in a beautiful home with not too much debt and we had a rental property that the bank owned most of. The feelings of devastation, abandonment and denial were huge. I just couldn’t believe this was happening to me.
My husband was depressed and seemed to be having a mid-life crisis. The next five months were my worst nightmare, but God is good. He was my lifeline and He helped me give strength to the children. My eldest daughter Tina was doing her final exams for Year 12 in high school and had to focus her time in her room studying in preparation for them. Catherine was just wonderful and was very comforting for me with her caring nature. Jennifer was so little, that she just couldn’t understand what was going on. I really believe in marriage and stood with God that He would restore our marriage. Following the five month separation, my husband returned home. One year later we moved to Queensland and started again but it was only a few years later that it all got too negative. My husband suffered depression, to the point where I didn’t want to go home at night as his medication didn’t appear to be working. The stock market crashed one week and his shares lost a considerable sum. He had finished up at his job, and had begun working from home full time on the share market and it wasn’t going well. Marriage requires two people who want to make it work. Our relationship had deteriorated to a point where the marriage was over. The next few months were horrible, horrible and horrible.
How could I help anyone if I wasn’t in a fit state myself? It was a time when I got hold of a scripture and just hung on to it. I would quote it in the middle of the night when sleep wouldn’t come; when grief was so thick and heavy. For I am the Lord your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you “Do not fear, I will help you.” (Isaiah 41:13 NIV) Oh how I cried through this scripture, reaching my hand out in the physical, crying out to God to help me, to lead me and to protect me. Divorce is so cruel and no one wins, least of all the children. As I began to emerge from this devastating place, I found I had such a heart to help people, to encourage and to empathise with those who were going through similar challenges and difficult situations. I knew the isolation, the loneliness and the feeling of broken dreams. After having seen so many Christian families struggle and break up, God put it on my heart to reach my hands out and gather ladies to come to a recovery group. That’s when I started the social group with nine ladies and three men from our church. It was later that our group joined with two other single groups and became known as Gourmet Christian Singles. I never dreamed that it would grow into what it has become today, and as the leader, I am so blessed to see people come along and gain confidence in making friends in a safe environment. We now have over 200 singles on our database and we look outside of our own situation by raising funds from our big events for Yhes House on the Gold Coast, disaster appeals and Watoto Children’s classroom. We welcome guys and girls from all churches on the Gold Coast and afar for fun, food and friendship.
It was during this time that I began to feel God had placed a dream within me to write a book about my experiences, something that I never in my wildest dreams thought I would do. There were many hours of sitting at my laptop, typing, retyping and I always had a candle lit to remind that the Holy Spirit was with me, to help me. I would pray and ask the Lord for strength and to focus on Him alone. My greatest joy now is to see how those who have read it, have been encouraged by my journey. I can see the change in them. It encourages them to become healed, whole and happy. My story tells of the highlights of my life and also the difficult times – of broken dreams, a divorce, a settlement and then a financial disaster. Ouch... But God is a God of fresh dreams, of restoration, and he gives us the resilience to bounce back and enjoy again. Last year at a singles supper night I met a most wonderful man, whom I have enjoyed getting to know and sharing many fun times together. He has become my best friend and we were married in 2011. I was determined to wait for God’s best for me and after seven years of singleness, I look forward now to this new chapter in my life as God blends us together. d
Elaine Johnston is co-founder and leader of Gourmet Christian Singles on the Gold Coast. Elaine has been a part of Kings Christian College for many years. She is a mum to three daughters and grandmother of two. She wants to encourage singles to be happy and content and to enjoy everyday. “This singles group is not about shopping for a new husband/wife but about meeting people, making friends and enjoying life. Doing life together”. For more information on GC Singles and Elaine’s Book “Sensationally Single” go to www.gcsingles.com.au Indulge | June/July 2012 | 41
imagined. Rodney encounters some major challenges for himself and the outmodes (old rusted robots) who are obsolete and sent to the “chop shop” to be destroyed, while those with money become upgrades (and all look the same in shiny new identical outfits). It is at this point of crisis where another of Mr Bigweld’s mottos, “See a need, fill a need”, brings him inspiration. He starts using his skills to fix robots, help those in danger and ultimately fight for good. Through Rodney’s “see a need, fill a need” approach and mobilising others to do the same, ultimately good triumphs over evil, justice and humanity is restored and society returns to being a happy place to live. A great story and a powerful concept.
Words: Candice Schmidt Photography: Grace Centre Ethiopia
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This movie was a great opportunity to speak to my family about what “See a need, fill a need” could look like at home. We spoke about: Care for others – notice if their sibling needs help and then assist them. When we get ready to eat or go out, notice what needs to be done and help. Chores - when needing to clean up, ask the family to notice what needs to be done. Then assign jobs to clean as a family team. Teaching our kids to notice and take personal responsibility for meeting needs sets them up to be great friends, employees, students and ultimately leaders. They also enjoy the blessings of generosity.
Here are a few other areas where this concept can make a difference: My kids were watching the Creativity and business - look around for movie “Robots” recently. It is a a need and come up with an idea to fill great animated story of a robotic boy it. The start of many great inventions! called Rodney who grows up watching There are well known business leaders Mr Bigweld on TV. Mr Bigweld believes who lecture students “Find a need and in creativity and making a difference in fill it”. It is the precise point of need, the world. He especially encourages the that gap in the market, which creates an people “no matter what your parts, you opportunity for a successful business can shine wherever you are!” Rodney to meet consumer needs. Examples leaves home and travels to the big city, include: pursuing his dream of being a great Facebook – Mark Zuckerberg developed inventor, but unfortunately when he software to help Harvard students arrives he realises things are not as he connect socially online. Facebook was
then developed to fulfill the world’s need to be connected socially over the internet. Kentucky Fried Chicken - Colonel Sanders needed to earn money as a pensioner so he took his perfected chicken recipe of 11 herbs and spices and started a business that went global. Church - what needs to be done but is lacking? Too often we complain without realising that we may be able to play a part in the solution. Bring it to the leader’s attention or better still, you step in and organise to meet the need. It could be a phone call or practicing hospitality to a new family or inviting people along to a group or gathering people to help a family in need. College/School - encourage children to open their eyes to the world around them. Rubbish on the ground, a child who is sad or has no one to play with, a teacher carrying a heavy load and give them courage to step in and try to meet the need.
“Everytime you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing.” Mother Theresa What is in your hand to give? The community – locally: It could be baking a big batch of brownies and sharing it with your neighbours. It could be making a meal when someone is sick or offering to look after a friend’s kids to give her a break. One friend collected socks to give to the homeless shelters for their cold feet in Winter. When Queensland had so much tragedy in the wake of devastating floods, people asked, “What can I do?” Some gave time to clean houses, distribute food, others cleared out their homes to donate clothes and furniture, some donated cash or gift vouchers. In the busyness of life we don’t always see the struggles and needs, but ask God to show you. The community - globally: Mother Theresa – she was a teacher and a nun in India and was moved by the presence of the sick and dying on the city streets. “I realized that I had the call to take care of the sick and the dying, the hungry, the naked, the homeless - to be God’s Love in action to the poorest of the poor. That was the beginning of the Missionaries of Charity.” Christine Caine – Christine was travelling to a conference in Greece when she noticed posters of young girls and women who had gone missing. Asking
questions, she discovered these women and children were being trafficked for sex slavery. She was so troubled by what she saw that she gave up time, treasure and talent to start the A21 campaign and fight for their freedom. Not only has her organisation rescued women and children, they have brought traffickers to justice and raised global awareness. The Colour Sisterhood have some great ideas for projects and fundraising ideas that are making a real difference in the community and you can get involved too. See http:// thecoloursisterhood.com/projects/500 As a family you could sponsor a child through Compassion or World Vision and change a child’s life forever. From agonizing poverty, you could assist them in having nourishment, schooling and a better future not only for themselves, but their family and their community. Jesus was the ultimate example. He was the solution to the problem of man being separated from God through sin. We needed a Saviour and he stepped in and gave his life to meet that need. Through him we can now have eternal life, walk free, live a life of purpose and meaning empowered by the Holy Spirit, and encounter the joy and peace of being able to come boldly into God’s presence. We were created to be in community and support one another. The world is full of problems, injustice, loneliness, pain and suffering. You are needed to be a part of the solution. There are people praying right now and God wants to use you to be the answer to their prayer. It starts by opening your eyes to SEE A NEED, then FILL A NEED. In giving out of what you have, you may discover your destiny and purpose and encounter the joy of living for a cause that is greater than yourself. ♦
Candice desires to see people thrive in every area of life. She has been married for 17 years to a Paediatrician and they have lived in South Africa, New Zealand and Canada but have called the Gold Coast, Australia home for the past five years. They have four children between the ages of five and 13. Her passion is to “Live well, laugh often, love much”. She has a Degree in Psychology and a Diploma in Counselling. She loves to help people live to their full God-given potential spirit, soul and body. She enjoys counselling and watching God bring healing and restoration. She is a trained facilitator of 'Toolbox Parenting' which offers families hot tips on parenting well.
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Body
A Vintage Winter Watermelons In Summer & Oranges in Winter Make The Most Of Your Exercise Time Food to Share with Friends 44 | www.indulgemagazine.com.au
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T
his year’s winter collections are full of pops of bright colours and spectacular retro looks that make it fun to stay warm. These great pieces from Laura Ashley are easy to wear and enjoyable. And as the mid-year sales swing into action you will find yourself able to pick up a great statement fashion piece that will suit your budget. My favourite piece for this winter season is the orange trench coat. Enjoy a very vintage winter!
Love Tanya xx 46 | www.indulgemagazine.com.au
A Vintage Winter Clothing supplied by Laura Ashley Robina Town Centre www.laura-ashley.com.au Grey Skirt $149.00 Mustard Pants $169.00 Gold Spotted Top $179.00 Mustard Jumper $89.95 Jewellery by Miglio Jewellery (Liesl Pyke-Nott  0410459855)
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Clothing supplied by Laura Ashley Robina Town Centre www.laura-ashley.com.au Hat $24.95 Black short zip dress $69.95 Grey skirt $149 Jewellery by Miglio Jewellery (Liesl Pyke-Nott  0410459855)
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Clothing supplied by Laura Ashley Robina Town Centre www.laura-ashley.com.au Long black knit dress $89.95 Orange Coat $159.95 Orange Ruffle shirt $59.95 Blue cord Skirt $54.95 Jewellery by Miglio Jewellery (Liesl Pyke-Nott 0410459855)
Indulge Fashion Shoot Team Assistants: Jaxon Glover and Michèle Scott Models: Linda Robinson and Jennifer Miller Makeup: Erin Gallienne Hair & Styling: Tanya Epis Photography & Design: Natasha Smith NSP Studio Photography
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As Mother’s Day once again came and went this year I found myself captivated by yet another amazing ‘mother’. That is, theoretical
‘Mother Nature’. This term is often used to describe an Earth that, like a mother, somehow instinctively knows and looks after her offspring. She is painted as being wise, nurturing and provides only the best for her children. As I contemplated this in the context of nutrition I found this to be the case. After all, our bodies are organic and like all other creatures on this Earth, we require certain nutrients from our food, in particular from fruits and vegetables. With the modernisation of the way we purchase and cultivate produce what we often don’t realise is that our bodies require different nutrients depending on the season. This perennial variation in our bodies’ requirements is evidenced in observing what specific fruits and vegetables are in season.
Words: Dr Cris Beer Photography: Tanya Epis Photography
Watermelons in Summer & Oranges in Winter {Giving Your Body What It Needs All Year Round} 52 | www.indulgemagazine.com.au
Experts have often reported the benefits of buying locally grown, seasonal produce due to health and environmental implications1,2. I had often ignored the importance of this until I looked into it further. Locally grown fruits and vegetables are thought to be higher in mineral and vitamin content due to not being harvested before they have matured and having absorbed their full nutrient quota from soil1,2. Also, the mineral and vitamin content of this produce is intended to match the needs of consumers living in the same area as the produce
“Oranges are principally found in winter months... when our bodies require a greater intake of vitamin C to fight assailants.” itself1,2. This is a type of process in nature called symbiosis; a term I loosely define as harmony in living. For example, take oranges, which are rich in vitamin C and needed for our immune system3. Oranges are principally found in winter months4. These are times when respiratory and other viruses are at their peak and our bodies require a greater intake of vitamin C to fight these assailants. Another example is spinach and kale, which are rich in zinc3, another immune-booster in its own right. These dark, leafy vegetables are found also in winter4. In summer we require a greater intake of water, natural sugar, and electrolytes, which are principally found in summer fruits such as watermelon, grapes, cantaloupe, mangoes and pineapple3,4. This is also the case with salad vegetables with their high water content, making them the perfect summer meal companion. So what are some tips to buying locally grown and seasonal produce? Firstly, look for farmers’ markets in your local area. These aren’t hard to find and are usually listed in the local newspaper. If you are unable to find a farmers’ market in your local area, choose to purchase mainly seasonal produce at your supermarket (for a list of seasonal produce in Australia refer to http://seasonalfoodguide.com). Buying seasonal produce may require choosing to cook certain recipes based on produce availability. For a list of seasonal recipes refer to The Better Health Channel5. Finally, and this is the cherry on the top, attempt to purchase organic fruits and vegetables. These are
grown without harmful chemicals and pesticides and are cultivated in soils rich in nutrients that the produce, and in turn our bodies, require6. Commercially cultivated produce has been shown to be grown in poorer soil quality6. Whilst of course this depends on your budget, I certainly feel that it would be a wise investment. Even choosing to purchase organic those fruits and vegetables that do not contain a thick peel is a great start e.g. spinach, lettuce, tomato, broccoli, cabbage etc. At least with produce that has a thick peel you can reduce the chemical and pesticide load in your body by throwing out the peel e.g. bananas, oranges, and watermelon. With all that said, I think if we would attempt to purchase seasonal produce a little more often and support our local farmers we would undoubtedly make ‘Mother Nature’ proud. Ultimately, this is living the way things were intended. ♦ 1 Greening Princeton Farmers Market, Princeton University https://webscript.princeton.edu/~greening/market/?page_id=58 2 Sustainable Table http://www.sustainabletable.org.au 3 Dr. Decuypere’s Nutrient Charts http://www. healthalternatives2000.com/vegetables-nutrition-chart.html 4 Life Organic Seasonal Produce Tables http://www.lifeorganic. com.au/seasonal.htm l 5 The Better Health Channel http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/ bhcv2/bhcrecipes.nsf/InSeasonView/InSeason?OpenDocument 6 Organic Trade Association http://www.ota.com/organic/ benefits/nutrition.html
Dr Cris MBBS (hons), BBMedSci, ACNEM Primary Course, P.T. As an expert in nutritional medicine Dr Cris specialises not just in the prevention and treatment of illnesses, but in the attaining of optimum health. She believes that this state is achievable for anyone and passionately shares this message as a media personality. Dr Cris believes a person can develop resistance to illnesses by employing simple strategies. Dr Cris has compiled these simple strategies from her broad studies in medicine, biomedical science, integrative and nutritional medicine, health coaching, as well as personal fitness training. She holds recognised qualifications in all these areas. For more information visit www.drcris.com.au Indulge | June/July 2012 | 53
If you’re reading this, you know how important exercise is. However, there are
right ways to exercise and there are wrong ways. In order to get the greatest benefit from your workout and prevent possible injury, you’ve got to do it the right way. What is the right way? You’re about to find out. No Pain, No Gain? You’ve heard the phrase “No pain, no gain.” But this isn’t exactly true for exercise. Actually, exercising doesn’t have to cause pain in order to get you in shape. If you are just beginning to exercise, a little muscle soreness is to be expected. But don’t give up. Work through it, stick with your exercise routine and in a few days the soreness should be gone for good. If you ever do experience severe pain while exercising, stop until it goes away. If it lasts for more than a few days, see your doctor.
Three parts Words: Kirsten Cooke Photo: istockphoto.com
Make the Most Of Your Exercise Time 54 | www.indulgemagazine.com.au
What does a balanced exercise plan look like to you? Is walking 30 minutes four days a week enough? Lifting weights four times a week? In a word, no. There are actually three components of a balanced workout routine: aerobic, strength-training and flexibility exercises. Aerobic or cardio exercises strengthen your lungs and heart. Examples include running, walking, swimming, cycling, and basketball. Strength or resistance training exercises keep your bones and muscles strong and help with coordination and balance.
Strength training refers to weight lifting, weight machines, resistance bands and body-weight exercises. The third part of a balanced exercise routine includes flexibility exercises to reduce your risk of injury and improve your body’s range of motion. Examples include stretching, yoga and tai chi. It doesn’t matter what order you perform your aerobic and strength-training exercises, unless you have specific goals. Just be sure to incorporate all three types of exercise each week.
Warm Up and Cool Down
If you don’t warm up before, or cool down after, exercising you could harm your muscles. The best way to get your muscles ready for exercising is to include a brief time of light aerobics such as brisk walking or steady cycling to get your breathing and heart rate slightly elevated. To cool down, continue exercising at a slower pace or lower level of intensity for about 5 to 10 minutes. Then end with a few gentle stretches to loosen your muscles, ligaments and tendons. A cool-down period will help your muscles recover and help prevent injury or soreness.
Target Heart Rate
To get the greatest benefit from your workout, it is important to exercise at your target heart rate zone. The General Fitness Industry Recommendations are as follows: To determine your target heart rate, you must first find your maximum heart rate. To do this, subtract your age from 220. Your target heart rate is 50-85 percent of your maximum heart rate. To measure your pulse, place your fingers on your wrist or the arteries on your neck and count how many beats you feel per minute, or double the number of beats in 30 seconds. In my 14 plus years experience however, I have found that people who are healthy, not overweight and have no health concerns such as heart disease, diabetes etc, can often tolerate higher heart rate zones, leading to a higher calorie burn and even greater reduction in body fat.
Sports Drink or Water?
Your body requires plenty of fluids before, during
“There are actually three components of a balanced workout routine: aerobic, strength-training and flexibility exercises”.
and after exercise. Try to drink at least 600ml of water several hours before your workout and 200300ml about a half hour before your workout. Then drink about 300ml of water every 10 to 20 minutes during exercise. During normal everyday exercise, water is usually the best for rehydrating. But when you exercise intensely for more than an hour, sports drinks are as good or even better. Sports drinks contain a high amount of carbohydrates, which provide energy. They also help to replace the electrolytes lost from sweating.
Brain Benefit
A growing body of research continues to confirm links between exercise and improved brain function. So in addition to making you stronger and leaner, your time at the gym will actually make you smarter. Kirsten is the owner of Brisbane based Personal Training and Lifestyle Coaching Business, Kirsten Cooke Fitness. With over fifteen years experience in the industry, Kirsten has developed an expert level of knowledge in the fields of Weight Loss, Stress Reduction, and Productivity. As a wife and mother of two beautiful (and full on) boys under 6, Kirsten understands first-hand how difficult it can be to find the time and motivation to exercise, eat well, and take care of yourself. Kirsten’s main focus in her business is to inspire people to get the most out of life, by helping them to make gradual and easy changes to their lifestyle. By empowering them with the necessary skills and knowledge to change their life, her clients are able to improve their health, vitality, selfesteem, energy levels and overall quality of life. Kirsten can be contacted on kirsten@kirstencookefitness.com, or 0420 302 494. Indulge | June/July 2012 | 55
Food To Share with Friends
Food Editor: Angela Frost
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One of the greatest joys in life is to create a delightful meal that can be shared with friends. Here are two delicious desserts that will leave little room at your table!
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Tangy Lemon Meringue Pie
Serves 8-10 | Prep 60 mins | Cook 35 mins PIE CRUST PASTRY 2 cups plain flour 200g cold butter 1/2 tsp salt 1/3 cup iced cold water LEMON CURD FILLING 1 cup castor sugar 1/4 cup cornflour 1/8 tsp salt 8 egg yolks 1 1/4 cups water 1 tbsp lemon zest 1/2 cup lemon juice MERINGUE TOPPING 8 egg whites 1 cup castor sugar 2 tbsp cornflour Preheat oven to 2000c
Pastry Combine all ingredients except the iced water in a food processor. Mix briefly, then add the water until it starts to come together. Place dough onto a board and knead briefly. Cover with cling wrap and refrigerate for 45 minutes. After 45 minutes roll out pastry to fit a 27 cm flan tin. Place in the fridge for another 30 minutes. Prick holes in the bottom of pastry, cover with baking paper and fill with rice - blind bake for 15 minutes. Remove from oven. Set aside. Reduce oven temperature to 1600c. Lemon Curd Whisk sugar, cornflour, salt and egg yolks in a saucepan - place saucepan over a medium heat and whisk in the 1 1/4 cups of water. Whisk until the mixture is thickened. Remove from heat then add lemon juice, zest and butter. Set aside. 58 | www.indulgemagazine.com.au
Meringue Topping In a large bowl beat egg whites until soft peaks form. Add sugar gradually then cornflour until finished. Assemble Spread the lemon curd over the pastry then top with the meringue. Bake in the oven for 20 minutes until golden. Chill before cutting.
Apple & Berry Tray Bake
Serves 8 | Cook 40 mins | Prep 15 mins 300mls thickened cream + extra to serve 175g butter - chopped 3 eggs 1 cup caster sugar 2 cups plain flour 1 tsp vanilla extract 4 Granny Smith apples - peeled, cored and thinly sliced 300g frozen mixed berries icing sugar to dust 1 Preheat oven to 1800c. Line a 31x24cm baking tray (or similar size) with baking paper. Bring cream and butter to just below boiling point in a sauce pan over a medium heat. Cool slightly. 2 In a large bowl beat eggs with sugar until thick. Slowly beat in cream mixture. Sift in flour and fold to combine. Stir in vanilla, apples and berries. Pour into baking tray and bake for 40 minutes or until cooked through and golden. Dust with icing sugar and serve with cream or take to a picnic in the pan.
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“Cooking is a caring and nurturing act. It’s kind of the ultimate gift for someone, to cook for them. It creates all this beautiful stuff, conversation, appreciation, romance. All the most important things in life you do around a dinner table. “ CURTIS STONE
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