ISSUE: APR 2016
9
AUSTRALIA
Grow a
VEGGIE GARDEN
Celebrate
ALTERNATIVE HEALTH
Play Day
WITH Jay LaGa'aia
WITH AN ANIMAL PARTY
Cardboard Box
Healthy Living Edition
CRAFT ACTIVITIES
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APRIL 2016 www.pakmag.com.au
WIN
HELLO
CONTENTS ISSUE NO. 9 APR 2016
P.24 Hello and welcome to our Healthy Living edition of PakMag!
06 What’s On Australia
Most of us strive to live a healthy life but often the chaos of every day can get the
08 Feature: A Play Day With Jay
better of us. This is why we have dedicated our April edition to helping all of our
11 Healthy Living: Alternative Health
PakMag families stay healthier this year with nutritional tips, healthy recipes,
15 Parenting: 20 Ways To Get Out Of
our favourite wellness apps and a feature on alternative health.
We’ve got some great ideas on how to get out of the parenting rut, how to host an
The Parenting Rut
animal-themed party for your little one and how to start your own veggie garden.
19 Health: Childhood Eczema
We also ventured to Hong Kong last month and I share our top things to taste,
21 Healthy Living: 10 Healthy
try and do while holidaying over there with kids.
Until next time, have a great month with the kiddies and don’t forget to tell
Living Apps
23 Bump And Bub: Basic Baby First Aid
everyone, you read it in PakMag.
Bree x
24 Bump And Bub: WIN! 26 Healthy Recipes 28 Craft: Cardboard Box Fun!
BREE JAMES / PAKMAG PUBLISHER
30 Celebrate: Animal Party 33 Private Health 34 Home: Veggie Garden 36 Travel: Hello Hong Kong PAKMAG P 4053 3331 F 4053 3350 E admin@grandpublishing.com.au PO BOX 7433 Cairns QLD 4870 FB www.facebook.com/PakmagAustralia T #pakmag ON THE COVER Jay Laga'aia
38 Vet: Children and Dogs
DISCLAIMER No part of this magazine, including the advertisements within it may be reproduced, in part or in whole without the expressed permission of the editor. Whilst the greatest of care is taken to ensure that the information in the magazine is correct at the time of going to press, readers are advised to check details before visiting. The publishers cannot accept responsibility for errors, inaccuracies or omissions. The expressions expressed within PakMag are not necessarily the views of the publishers, but those of individual writers.
Deluxe Designer Sara
Events Extraordinaire Kelly
Darling Designer Clare
Sales Guru Angelina
Talented Trent
Grand Poobah Bree Office Aficionado Janelle
Sales Star Cherie
www.pakmag.com.au APRIL 2016
Witty Writer Jenna
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WHAT'S ON APR NATIONAL Mister Maker AND THE SHAPES LIVE ON STAGE - Australia Tour WHEN: June and July WHERE: Across Australia MORE INFO
QUEENSLAND Family Fun Day at Daisy Hill Koala Centre WHERE: Daisy Hill Road, Daisy Hill WHEN: 10am – 2pm, 3 April
Lily Can’t Sleep
MORE INFO
WHERE: Redlands Performing Art Centre WHEN: 10.30 am, 20 April MORE INFO
Measure Island WHERE: Science Centre Brisbane, QLD Museum WHEN: 26 March 2016 – February MORE INFO
QSO Super Heroes WHERE: Courier Mail Piazza, Southbank WHEN: 10.00am & 11.30am, 1 & 2 April MORE INFO
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Jungle Book THE Musical WHERE: Brisbane Arts Theatre WHEN: 11.00am & 2.00pm Sessions, 19 March – 14 May MORE INFO
"Elise picks xxxx"
www.whatson4littleones.com.au
SOUTH AUSTRALIA Spectacular Science Show WHERE: Space Theatre, Adelaide Festival Centre WHEN: 1.00pm and 3.00pm 30 April MORE INFO
Autism Awareness Family Fun Day WHERE: Bonython Park, Adelaide WHEN: 11am to 3pm, 10 April MORE INFO
Festival of Mud WHERE: Unley, see website for dates and locations
Blast Off AlBUM LAUNCH
WHEN: 1 to 30 April
WHERE: Unley Community Centre, Adelaide
MORE INFO
WHEN: 11.30am & 2.00pm, 30 April
MORE INFO
NEW SOUTH WALES Mad Hatters Tea Party WHERE: Meroogal, Nowra WHEN: 10.00am – 12.00pm, 14 April
Family Day: LEGO Stop Motion WHERE: Powerhouse Museum, Ultimo NSW WHEN: 10.00am – 12.00pm,16 April MORE INFO
MORE INFO
Mr. Stink WHERE: Sydney Opera House Concert Hall WHEN: Various sessions 9– 24 April MORE INFO
Convict Pirates WHERE: Hyde Park Barracks Museum, Sydney WHEN: 10.30 – 11.30am 11 April to 20 April MORE INFO
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WHAT'S ON APR VICTORIA Inside the Brick Darebin WHERE: Darebin Arts & Entertainment Centre WHEN: Session times vary, 9 – 10 April MORE INFO
Jurassic Creatures
Silk
WHERE: Harbour Town Docklands, Melbourne
WHERE: State Theatre Rehearsal Room, Arts Centre Melbourne
WHEN: Various session times daily, On now to 17 April
WHEN: 10am & 1.30pm, 5 – 9 April MORE INFO
MORE INFO
The Fictional Factory Exhibition WHERE: Art Play, Batman Ave Melbourne WHEN: 10am – 4pm, 6 April – 5 June MORE INFO
NORTHERN TERRITORY Aqua Scene Fish Feeding Sanctuary WHERE: 28 Doctors Gully Road, Darwin WHEN: Various times throughout April MORE INFO
“Opening” Deckchair Cinema – ET screening WHERE: Waterfront Precinct WHEN: 7.30pm, 21 April MORE INFO
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"Elise picks xxxx"
www.whatson4littleones.com.au
WESTERN AUSTRALIA School Holiday Fun with Dr Seuss WHERE: Boffins Books, 88 William Street Perth
Sunflower Sunday for all abilities
WHEN: 2.00pm – 3.00pm, 14 April
WHERE: Point Walter Recreation Centre, Bicton. WHEN: 11.00am – 2.00pm, 10 April
MORE INFO
MORE INFO
TASMANIA Family Day at the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery
Richmond Village Colonial Fair
WHERE: TMAG Dunn Place Hobart
WHERE: Richmond Village, Hobart
WHEN: 1.00pm, 30 April
WHEN: 3 April
MORE INFO
MORE INFO
AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY Disney’s Little Mermaid WHERE: Canberra Theatre WHEN: 8 – 17 April MORE INFO
After Dark Scavenger Hunt WHERE: Australian National Botanic Gardens WHEN: 7.00pm, 10, 17 & 24 April MORE INFO
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A Play Day WITH
Jay STORY Jenna Gallina
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APRIL 2016 www.pakmag.com.au
As the proud father of eight children and one of Australia’s most widely recognised children’s performers, to say that Jay Laga’aia has his hands full is an understatement. The entertainer is probably best known for his role in Play School but he has also featured in Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones, Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith and Xena: Warrior Princess and most recently has created, starred and produced Jay’s Jungle, a half hour show airing on Seven Two weekdays at 8am.
love having “a big family – a I
house needs to make noise.
”
In between doing the school runs and planning his first national tour, Jay also voiced all five characters in 110 episodes of the quirky cartoon Larry the Lawnmower, which also airs on Seven Two. Jay lives in Sydney with his wife, Sandie Jane Laga'aia, who is a maths and English teacher, and his six school-aged children. However, Jay will be travelling up to Cairns 15 May 2016 for the Cairns Children’s Festival where he will be performing two shows at 10am and 1pm. If Jay wasn’t a performer, he admits that he would have been a teacher and, after chatting to Jay about his career, his children, his choice in music and his upcoming show at the Cairn’s Children’s Festival, it’s easy to see why. His charismatic charm shone through, leaving me in stitches and proving why he is one of Australia’s most inspirational and captivating children’s performers to date. What is your favourite thing about visiting Cairns? “Going to a local bakery – it’s a great way to taste the flavour of the city. And if they use real cream, not fake cream on their lamingtons, then it is even better. You know I’ve enjoyed my time if I have dried coconut around the face.” Any tips for parents trying to balance career and children? “First of all, you need to create habits in everyday life that allow you to succeed. Failure in just another term of an attempt to succeed. If you don’t fail, you don’t learn and you don’t succeed.”
Don’t let money be the motivator – it’s always going to be about family and it’s important that you don’t sweat the small stuff. And, finally, they say behind every great man there is a great woman, and this is certainly the case with me (well, not directly behind me).” Can you share with us your best parenting tip? “Try to instil a positive attitude in your kids. There will come a time when you are gone and it’s up to them to pull together and not let anything pull them apart.” How about your best advice on succeeding in your career? “Choose a job you truly enjoy and you will never work a day in your life. Plus, surround yourself with people who are better than you – that way you will be driven to succeed.” What’s in store for 2016? “In addition to preparing for my first national tour and continuing work on Jay’s Jungle, I’ve also recently signed on to be the ambassador of the Queensland Kindy Program for the fourth year in a row.” What about adding more little Laga’aia’s to the brood? “Well, you know what they say, that’s not my call. It’s my wife’s.”
We gave Jay ten questions and he had one minute to answer. Here is what Jay had to say: Favourite colour: Purple Favourite TV series: The Walking Dead Favourite things to do with the kids: Lie in bed and make up stories Favourite place you’ve travelled: Germany Favourite band: Earth, Wind and Fire
IN THE HOT SEAT WITH JAY
As the father of eight kids – Jeremy, 33, Matthew, 23, Iosefa, 17, Jessica, 16, Nathanial, 14, Georgia Rose, 10, Katie, 8 and Isabella, 6, Jay admits that life is certainly chaotic at times, but he wouldn’t have it any other way.
Signature dish: Pumpkin Soup What about your favourite dish your wife makes?: Anything she puts on my plate Android or Apple?: Apple Any special talents: Close up magic Greatest achievement to date: Bringing up kids who don’t do drugs, who don’t smoke and who my mother are proud of.
Make sure you check out Jay Laga’aia’s show at the Cairns Children’s Festival on Sunday 15 May. Also performing at the Cairns Children’s Festival is the jaw dropping, family show Erth Dinosaur Zoo. Cairns Children’s Festival is a giant one-day event at Tanks Arts Centre on Sunday 15 May, 9.00am - 3.00pm. Make a day out of it with a bucket load of free and ticketed activities the little ones will love. “Be who you want to be” is the theme for this year with activities such as building a virtual city at the Minecraft Installation to building an actual city out of recycled cardboard boxes. Explore the Library on the Lawn and Guru Dudu’s “Silent Disco” plus much more! JAY LAGA’AIA SHOWS WHEN: Sunday 15 May 2016 WHERE: Tank 5 COST: All Tickets $15. Children 2-17 years $15. Family (2Ad+2Ch) $55. *Children 2 years + require a ticket. TIMES: 2 shows: 9.30am for 10.00am start & 12.30pm for 1.00pm start RATING: G MORE INFO: www.tanksartscentre.com
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FEATURE
pakmag
Alternative
Health
Alternative health involves any medical treatment or intervention that is used in the place of conventional medicine. Generally speaking, complementary or alternative therapies work on the belief that an illness or pain occurs if the body is out of balance. The body is capable of healing itself and maintaining a healthy state if given the right conditions. There are several alternative therapies out there, many of which you have probably heard of such as acupuncture, aromatherapy, chiropractic treatment, yoga, hypnosis and massage. Then there are probably a few alternative therapies that you may not even know exist. Here are a few:
and promote health and wellbeing. The theory makes sense – after all, when you’re moving, you are releasing endorphins.
ART THERAPY We’ve all seen how the colouring-in craze has taken off but this form of therapy, which uses the creative process to help clients reconcile their emotions, develop self-awareness and reduce anxiety has been around since the 1940s. It is often used in the cases of trauma as it can provide patients with a “visual language” to express how they are feeling.
LAUGHTER THERAPY
LIGHT THERAPY Used to treat conditions such as seasonal affective disorder (SAD), sleep disorders, bipolar depression and eating disorders, light therapy consists of controlled exposure to intense levels of light.
PRIMAL THERAPY
MOVEMENT THERAPY Dance like no one is watching and free yourself from stress. Dance or movement therapy is designed to help relieve symptoms of depression
pain. Repressed pain from our childhood can cause neurosis and/ or physical illnesses including ulcers, sexual dysfunction, hypertension, and asthma. Screaming out these regressed feelings can help patients move forward emotionally.
Toddlers do it. So why shouldn’t adults? Primal therapy, essentially, involves screaming, shouting or crying to release tension in your body. It was made popular after the book The Primal Scream was published in 1970 but is often used to help those with repressed childhood
Yes. This is a real thing. Laughter therapy involves a group of people getting together to laugh like a herd of mad cows. We’ve all heard that laughter is the best medicine and the theory behind this actually makes sense. Laughter therapy is known to lower cholesterol, diabetes and other heart related issues.
WILDERNESS THERAPY Getting out in the wild for a session of wilderness therapy is known to reduce anxiety, boost mood and improve self-esteem. What wilderness therapy entails is treatment where patients are taken into the great outdoors to pursue activities such as survival skills and self-reflection. Considering one of the best ways to reduce stress is to take a walk or a hike, or simply go outside for some fresh air, wilderness therapy would most likely do wonders on the mind, body and soul.
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pakmag FEATURE
DID YOU KNOW? • The World Health Organization estimates that between 65 to 80 percent of the world’s population (over 4 billion people) rely on alternative medicine as their primary form of health care. • 65 per cent of Australians had used one or more complementary medicines in the previous 12 months. • Studies show that the most frequent users of complementary therapies include well-educated women, high-income earners and people with chronic conditions. • Massage therapy dates back thousands of years and has been recorded in ancient writings from the Orient, Asia, Arabia and Greece. • The World Health Organisation currently recognises more than 30 diseases or conditions that can be helped by acupuncture treatment. • Fish oil was the #1 natural product amongst adults, with 7.8 per cent using it in 2012. • There are several practices that fall under the holistic health category. These include: Acupuncture, Aromatherapy/flower essences, Ayurvedic medicine, Bio-feedback, Chelation therapy, Chiropractic, Essential Oils, Guided imagery, Herbology/Herbal remedies, Homeopathy, Hydrotherapy, Hypnosis/self-hypnosis, Iridology, Massage, Meditation/visualisation, Mind, Body, Spirit healing, Movement and Exercise therapy, Naturopathy, Nutrition therapy, Osteopathy, Reiki/energy medicine, Relaxation response, Reflexology, Therapeutic touch and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).
WHY CONSIDER ALTERNATIVE HEALTH?
ALTERNATIVE WAYS TO RELIEVE COMMON AILMENTS: When you get a headache, do you naturally reach for the pain killers? Try these alternative therapies and treatments instead:
FOR HEADACHES To relieve tension headaches caused by clenching your jaw, place a pencil in your mouth to relax the jaw. Or add a drop of eucalyptus oil to the temples to also help with headache pain.
FOR FOOT ODOUR Turns out, vodka is a great cure for foot odour (and you won’t get a hangover using it this way). Soak your feet in a tub of vodka – the high alcohol content acts as an antiseptic and kills the bacteria that causes the odour.
FOR SORE MUSCLES Ditch the Deep Heat or pain killers and opt for a tennis ball. Rolling a tennis ball on your achy muscles helps stretch the muscles and relieve the pain.
FOR ECZEMA There are plenty of alternative ways to help with eczema but one that works the best, according to many parents, is olive oil. Simply apply olive oil directly to the irritated area.
FOR COLD SORES Try lemon balm tea to get rid of cold sores quickly. Simply brew the tea, let it cool and dot the affected area with a cotton ball dipped in the liquid.
FOR MOTION SICKNESS Nothing ruins a road trip like motion sickness. Try sucking on a lemon or olive to help dry out your mouth and sooth the nausea.
FOR URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS UTI’s can be crippling and turn into a series kidney infection quite quickly. Cranberries have always been a common ailment to help relieve the symptoms of UTI’s but baking soda is another option. Mix ¼ teaspoon of baking soda with 250 millilitres of water.
• To aid in performance of everyday tasks • To relieve chronic or generalised pain • To take charge of your own health and medical problems • To stop the reliance on synthetic medicines • To receive healthcare that treats the whole person, not just your symptoms *Always consult your doctor before trying an alternative approach to medication.
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PARENTING
pakmag
20 Ways to
Get out of the Parenting Rut
STORY Jenna Gallina
Parent or not, most people will feel like they are stuck in a rut at some stage in their lives. Once you become a responsible adult with work to attend, meals to make, clothing to wash and bills to pay, you can easily fall into a routine that can quickly lead to a rut. Add children to the equation and life can feel like the movie Groundhog Day. Routine is good for children but it is perfectly okay to mix it up. So, apart from returning to the realm of childhood, giving up on all aspects of responsibility and buying a yacht to travel around the world, how can you get out of a parenting rut? Here are 20 very simple things to try each week (none of which involve purchasing a $300,000 boat and learning to sail).
1. Get dressed up for no apparent
reason. Put on heels and makeup, even if you’re just staying around the house.
Tuesday or Wednesday after school. This breaks up the week.
6. Turn off ABC 4 Kids. Go without the sound of Jimmy Giggle giggling and Hoot the Owl hooting for three days.
7. Go out for a night with friends (and without the kids). Force yourself to stay out until midnight. And dance.
11. Rearrange the furniture in your
main living room. Even if you hate it, you can always change it back.
12. Buy a statement piece for
your living room or bedroom – an inspirational quote on canvas, a set of bright bold pillows for your bed or a cute throw for the lounge.
8. Update the photos you have hanging up around the house.
2. Take a different route to school (just allow yourself a few extra minutes in case you get lost).
3. When doing the grocery shop, start on the opposite end. For example, I always start at the produce aisle and end at the laundry aisle. Swap it around.
4. Eat lunch outside, picnic style. 5. Rather than plan all your fun
activities for the weekend, take the kiddies out for an adventure on
9. Take a day trip with the kids –
somewhere you have never been.
10. After dinner, rather than doing the
regular bath, book, bed routine, skip the bath, put the kids in pyjamas and take them for a walk or out for ice cream.
13. When going out for coffee or a
drink with a friend, purchase a drink you’ve never had (or even heard of)
before. Do the same when going out
for a meal – choose something on the menu you have never had.
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pakmag PARENTING
14. Make breakfast for dinner – eggs, bacon, pancakes. Easy and fun.
You Know You’re a Parent When… 15. Play hide and seek with the kids. Do it in the dark with torches, if the kids are not afraid of the dark.
16. Sleep outside in sleeping bags on a mattress and under the stars. Just check the weather report first.
17. Track down one of your favourite childhood movies and watch it with the kids
18. Hide your phone for the entire day.
Being a parent, even if you’re in a bit of a routine, is the greatest thing on earth. Just remember that everyone goes through times in their lives when they feel bored, antsy and in need of a change. So, parents, rather than finding fault in your routine, let’s relish in the little things that all parents most likely know too well. How many of these ring true for you?
1. Your alarm clock has ten fingers, ten toes and usually greets you with a “Mum, I’m hungry.”
2. You can predict when your child will need to go to the toilet (the
moment you are about to jump in the shower, the moment you strap them into the car and the moment you hit the grocery shop check out counter).
3. You use the word, “No,” at least 10 times a day. “Don’t eat that,” “Take that out of your mouth” and “Put your doodle away” are also common phrases in your daily repertoire.
4. You know at least five quotes from pretty much every Pixar movie ever made.
5. You hide in the pantry and eat chocolate so you don’t have 19. Buy yourself a present on eBay.
Choose snail mail so you half forget you ordered it and it’s a surprise when it arrives.
20. Rather than ending the day with
TV time with the kids, switch it up with board games or card games instead.
to share.
6. You use a towel to mop the bathroom floor every night after your kids take a bath.
7. You can cook dinner, mop the floors and wash the dishes one handed while holding a child in the other.
8. You know where the Green Sheep is. You are also aware of Who Sank the Boat and who Edward and Edwina the Emus are.
9. You can name at least five things that are “awesome” in the
“Everything is Awesome” song (blue skies, bouncy springs, brand new pants, allergies, a book of Greek antiquities…the list goes on).
10. You are yet to understand the notion of “sleeping like a baby” or
“me time”, but you certainly understand the concept of unconditional love. And you wouldn’t trade this feeling for anything in the world.
Often getting out of a rut is all about perspective. Yes, there are days when there isn’t much excitement but this is reality. Not every day can be a party. Rather than focus on the regular routine, think about the little things that make your day different – the funny things your kids say, the extra bedtime cuddles, the weird looks they make when you try to serve them a new veggie with dinner. Sure, you may not be living large on a yacht, but you are sailing the seas of parenthood and this can be just as exciting, if you let it.
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HEALTH
pakmag
+ HEALTH Childhood Eczema STORY Dr Simon Tucker, Consultant Dermatologist at Cairns Skin Centre (07) 4032 6763
Childhood eczema is very common, affecting about one in seven children. Untreated or inadequately treated the itching can cause misery and lead to chronic sleep loss and painful skin infections. Children often need time off school and may face restrictions to normal activities like swimming or other physical pursuits.
WHAT DOES ECZEMA LOOK LIKE AND HOW CAN YOU TELL IF YOUR CHILD HAS IT? Eczema is a patchy red rash of the skin tending to favour the body fold areas like elbows, knees and neck, but it can affect any area including the face. Typically it is extremely itchy, so children with the condition will scratch, leading to breaks in the skin and bleeding.
WHAT CAUSES ECZEMA? It can be difficult to find the cause of eczema and children should be assessed individually to determine what is irritating their skin and the best treatment plan. Often, the condition is genetic - meaning most children who suffer from it will have a parent who was also affected as a child. The skin is extra-sensitive, cannot retain moisture as it should and is much more likely to become inflamed when exposed to common irritants such as soap, sweat, dirt, and chlorine. Some children have allergies that can worsen their skin as well. Common examples are house dust mites found in soft furnishings, cats and dogs, and grasses. Surprisingly, genuine food allergies are rarely a cause of eczema. In the very young, cow’s milk can sometimes aggravate eczema but thankfully children grow out of this tendency by the age of 12 months.
HOW CAN I TREAT MY CHILD’S ECZEMA IN THE HOME? DOS AND DON’TS. • Be constantly kind and gentle to your child’s skin and avoid known irritants or allergens: • Use a non-soap cleanser when showering or bathing. • Wash off dirt, sweat, grass and chlorine quickly after swimming or playing in the yard using plain water. • Try and minimise exposure to house dust mite. Nearly all children with eczema are allergic to this. • Limit contact with cats and dogs if your child is allergic to them. • Moisturise the skin on a regular basis and put on twice as much as you think you need to!
WHEN SHOULD I SEEK HELP? If the above tips don’t work, visit your GP who may prescribe a cortisone cream. These creams can make a major difference when the basics have failed. There is still a certain amount of myth surrounding cortisones in the treatment of eczema but the simple truth is that, used appropriately, they are extremely safe, even for long-term use. In some very severe cases your GP may refer you to a dermatologist. A dermatologist can offer more advanced treatments, sometimes with tablets. These can be very effective but do have a slightly greater risk of side effects and may require monitoring with blood tests.
WILL MY CHILD HAVE ECZEMA FOREVER? Usually, no. The majority of children (about 85 per cent) grow out of their tendency towards it by the age of 15.
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pakmag HEALTH
+ HEALTH
WEIGHT LOSS AND YOUR HEALTH STORY Dr Elizabeth Chappel, Apple Tree Medical
Your Health Hub – Balancing Act
STORY Jenna Gallina
Healthy living doesn’t just comprise of eating salads and hitting the gym every night. Being healthy involves so much more. And it all starts with finding a perfect balance. This is anything but easy. I think most parents would agree that finding and maintaining a healthy balance is next to impossible. In fact, this is something that is an ongoing struggle and there is no one-size-fits-all method of finding a harmonious balance in your life. Here are some of the many things most parents have to balance on a weekly basis.
• FITNESS – am I getting the recommended 150 to 300 minutes of moderate physical activity each week?
• NUTRITION – am I feeding myself and my family a wide
range of nutritional foods from all five food groups (diary, fruit, veggies, meats and grains)?
• MENTAL HEALTH – am I struggling with anxiety,
depression or any other mental illness that is causing distress?
• PHYSICAL HEALTH – do I struggle with pain, weight gain or other physical health concerns?
• SLEEP – am I getting enough sleep each night? • PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT – am I giving myself time to grow as an individual and to achieve personal goals?
• PARTNERSHIP – am I spending enough alone time with my partner?
• FAMILY – am I giving my family the attention they need each and every day?
• WORK – am I giving my employers my 100 per cent each and every day?
• HOUSEHOLD CHORES – am I keeping on top of the
For some, the answer is simple - eat less, exercise more. This approach, however will not work for the vast majority of dieters. The solution shown to be the most successful is gastric bypass surgery or sleeve gastrectomy surgery. This is a somewhat drastic and certainly final resort. Aside from surgery, to date there is no “one solution that will fit all”. Before embarking on any weight loss programme it is worthwhile discussing your intentions with your GP. There are a number of conditions that can lead to weight gain and should be excluded (these can be as varied as thyroid disease, insomnia, polycystic ovarian disease, cushings and some medications).
MY ADVICE? • Keep a daily diary of your food intake, exercise and sleep patterns. Self-reflection can be enlightening and writing things down keeps you accountable. • Aim to avoid any processed foods, including “diet foods”, soft drinks and alcohol. • Going hungry from time to time is ok. Skipping meals is okay. Don’t eat if you are not hungry. • MOVE MOVE MOVE by making every effort to increase your incidental activities • Work on getting good quality sleep every night.
• FRIENDS – am I spending enough time with my friends
If you are still struggling to lose weight, this is the time to make an appointment with a health care provider with a special interest in nutrition and weight loss.
These are only a few of the many things we juggle on a regular basis. Thus, it is no wonder life seems so hectic and hard to control at times.
Apple Tree Medical have three convenient locations in Cairns:
weekly chores and maintaining a healthy clean home? and extended family?
Some days you may feel on top of the world. You may feel in control of every aspect of your life. Other days you may feel like you are failing and like you can’t find that healthy balance if it stepped in front of you.
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As a physician interested in weight loss, I’ve had the privilege of supporting many patients over the years to lose weight and improve their health. Being overweight or obese is associated with numerous conditions including cancer, mental health problems, arthritis, heart disease, diabetes and infertility. The cost burden to the health service alone is immense and despite a huge “diet” industry, we as a nation are getting fatter and fatter.
2 Cumberland Avenue, Smithfield 4038 2777
Again, this is perfectly normal. As Albert Einstein once said, “Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.”
17 Veivers Road, Palm Cove 4059 2120
And, if you happen to fall off the bike today (and eat a whole carton of peppermint ice cream), simply get back on and try again tomorrow.
447-449 Draper Street, Cairns 4051 1074
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HEALTHY LIVING APPS TO DOWNLOAD THIS YEAR STORY Jenna Gallina
Staying on top of your diet, fitness and overall wellbeing is literally just a click away with these user-friendly and popular healthy living apps, handpicked by PakMag.
For healthy eating:
For mental stimulation:
TRAFFIC LIGHT FOOD TRACKER
BRAINYAPP
MORE INFO www.opc.org.au COST Free FOR Apple and Android
MORE INFO www.brainyapp.com.au/aus COST Free FOR Apple
There are so many apps to help you eat more nutritional foods and feed your family healthy meals but we love the Traffic Light Food Tracker which uses red, amber and green to let you know the nutrient level of your foods.
Game on Australia. Keep your brain sharp with this app, developed by Alzheimer’s Australia.
For fitness:
WEBMD MOBILE
FITNESS BUILDER MORE INFO www.itunes.apple.com COST Free FOR Apple and Android Fitness Builder is a great app for beginners as well as those who want to change their workout routine and gain some inspiration. There are over 5,500 images and videos to help you along the way.
For weight loss: CALORIE COUNTER & DIET TRACKER BY MY FITNESS PAL
For symptom checking: MORE INFO www.webmd.com COST Free FOR Apple and Android WebMB is a great app to have when you are concerned about you or your child’s symptoms but always take the advice in stride.
For skin safety: SUNSMART MORE INFO www.sunsmart.com.au COST Free FOR Apple and Android
MORE INFO www.myfitnesspal.com COST Free FOR Apple and Android
Staying sun safe is critical in FNQ and SunSmart is a great app to add to your smartphone’s menu. It allows you to stay on top of the UV rating and when you need to slip, slop, slap.
Weight loss is never an easy journey but the Calorie Counter and Diet Tracker can help with a food diary, exercise chart and more.
For specific diets:
For women: IPERIOD MENSTRUAL CALENDAR MORE INFO: www.itunes.apple.com COST Free FOR Apple and Android Keep track of your menstrual cycle, track your most fertile days and stay in charge of PMS (before it hits) with this handy app.
IBREASTCHECK MORE INFO www.myhealthapps.net COST Free FOR Apple Stay on top of your breasts, ladies, with this handy app that offers breast check reminders and helpful videos.
FOODDITIVE MORE INFO www.tunes.apple.com COST $5.99 FOR Apple Do you follow a specific diet or suffer from a food allergy? Then you need this app. It’s great for a number of diet sensitivities including coeliac disease, gluten, vegetarian, vegan and even halal.
For rest and relaxation: IHOME+SLEEP MORE INFO www.ihomeaudiointl.com/apps/ihome_sleep COST Free FOR Apple and Android How was your sleep last night? This app can tell you! Plus, it will gently wake you up with a summary of your sleep stats and the day’s weather report. Good morning!
www.pakmag.com.au APRIL 2016
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APRIL 2016 www.pakmag.com.au
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pakmag
Basic Baby First Aid STORY Jenna Gallina
One of the things that many parents with babies are concerned about is basic first aid. If your little one is seriously injured or ill, do you know what to do? Would you know who to call and how to react? Many of us wouldn’t. Here are three of the most common concerns for new parents when it comes to their baby’s health and how to handle each situation:
Fevers
There are a number of reasons why your baby could be sprouting a fever – an infection, teething, a cold, a reaction to vaccination, a virus or a respiratory illness. Here is what you need to know: • See your doctor straight away if your baby is under three months old and has a temperature of 38 degrees C or more or if your baby is under six months old and has a temperature of 39 degrees C or more. • Give your baby lots of drinks (breastmilk, formula, extra cooled boiled water for babies over six months). • Offer your baby infant paracetamol or ibuprofen if she seems very uncomfortable or upset. • Keep baby comfortable – leave bub’s head uncovered and let her rest if needed.
Dehydration Dehydration happens when your
baby is losing too much fluid or not
taking enough in. Dehydration often comes with diarrhoea and vomiting
bugs as well as fever or overheating
and signs to look for include a sunken fontanelle, dark yellow urine, sunken eyes, dry skin or lips and lethargy. Here’s what you need to do: • If you do notice signs of
dehydration, take bub to the
doctor. In severe instances your little one may need to be given
fluids through a drip in her arm. • Offer bub plenty of liquids and frequent feeds of formula or
breastmilk. Toddlers and older
children can be offered sips of
oral hydration solution (ORS) such as Hydralyte along with their usual feeds.
Poisoning
As soon as your little one is able to crawl, walk or toddle around, a whole new set of concerns come into play, one of which is poisoning. Poisoning is something that all parents are going to be concerned about and according to Health Direct, children under five years of age have the highest risk of accidental poisoning. Make sure poisonous substances including medicines and household cleaning products, are locked away out of sight and reach of your children. If you suspect poisoning: • Call Poison Control at 131 126. • Head to the ED if you don't know what your child took. • Call 000 if your child is unconscious, convulsing, or having difficulty breathing. • Do not give your child ipecac syrup or anything to try and induce vomiting
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BumUBp
AND B VISIT
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50+. Fly Babee can also be used to help a baby sleep on a plane. Fly Babee clips onto the in-flight bassinet and blocks out light and
distraction. Fly Babee is a safe alternative pram cover as it is 100% breathable and allows for plenty of airflow.
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APRIL 2016 www.pakmag.com.au
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MASTITIS IN MUMS
TONGUE TIES IN TOTS
STORY Dr. Amanda Blinco, Stratford Medical Clinic
If you’ve been told that your little one has a tongue tie,
you are no doubt concerned. A tongue tie is a condition where the tongue movement is restricted due to a short lingual frenum (the frenulum under the tongue).
Tongue ties impact around 2 per cent of babies and can often correct itself. However, in some instances, bub will need to have a surgical procedure to help release the tongue.
DOES MY BABY HAVE A TONGUE TIE? This is actually impossible to determine with a simple photo or in an article. A health professional needs to assess your little one to determine if a tongue tie is present. Pregnancy and breastfeeding comes with plenty of amazing experiences. Mastitis is not one of them.
However, some of the symptoms of a tongue tie include if
Mastitis means inflammation of the breast and can be caused by a blocked milk duct, incorrect attachment of your baby to the breast so the breast is not well drained by a feed, (perhaps due to skipping a feed or rapid weaning), cracked nipples or a pressure area on your breast such as from a poorly fitting bra.
if the tip of the tongue cannot touch the roof of his mouth or
WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR: • A sore, red or lumpy area on your breast • Flu-like symptoms, aching muscles, fever
HOW TO TREAT MASTITIS: 1. Keep feeding bub. It hurts, I know! But emptying the
breast is the most important action to take to treat mastitis. Some mums worry that the milk is unsuitable for baby, but this is definitely false – your breastmilk remains your first choice for baby.
2. Massage your breast – very gently! 3. Express. If your little one is not feeding as often as
your little one cannot poke his tongue out past his lips, if the tongue cannot be moved sideways to the corners of the mouth. You may notice that your little one is having trouble breastfeeding or bottle feeding or that the front teeth in the lower jaw have a gap between them. Another sign is that the tip of your little one’s tongue may look notched or heart-shaped.
WHAT TO WATCH OUT FOR: Breastfeeding problems are often the first signs of a tongue tie. If you experience sore or squashed nipples after trying to feed you little one, this could be a cause for concern. If your bub often loses suction while feeding, is sucking in air or has trouble latching to the nipple, this could also be
normal, or if feeding is too painful then express the excess milk. Take care not to overdo this step – some mums give extra feeds or express more frequently, but this can stimulate an increase in your milk supply and contribute to engorgement.
indications of a tongue tie.
4. Use a heat pack – place a heat pack on the sore area
sure you seek assistance from a lactation consultant,
before a feed to help with milk flow. Use a cold (but not ice) pack after the feed to help reduce pain and inflammation.
However, keep in mind that most mums will have problems breastfeeding at one stage or another and this doesn’t automatically mean your little one has a tongue tie. Make midwife or doctor if you are concerned.
5. Consider pain medications to alleviate the pain. Be mindful that your selection is safe in lactation.
6. Ask for help. If you are becoming unwell, or if these
suggestions have not helped within 24 hours, seek urgent medical advice. Mastitis can progress to serious infection and mums can become very unwell quite rapidly, sometimes within only a few hours of first noticing a problem.
IS IT MASTITIS OR A BLOCKED DUCT? While 20 per cent of new mums experience mastitis, it is common for most breastfeeding mums to experience a blocked duct at some stage during their breastfeeding journey. A persistent lump that does not empty with a feed should be checked out by your doctor promptly.
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lice nut S ze l
HEALTHY RECIPES
c o o h l C a te H o e l a Pa
Ca r r ot a d e t s nd Roa
Soup n i k p m u P
UTEN N. GL . VEGA IRY FREE . DA R A G U FREE S NED . REFI FREE EGG . E E W FR A R . O PALE
PREP TIME 25 mins MAKES 12 - 20 Pieces
NITY IMMU TING S BOO IPE REC
SERVES 4 Recipe thanks to Sunjoo Kim. Check out Sunjoo Kim’s Healing Meals for Mums for a number of family recipes and remedies to prevent and heal everyday illness. INGREDIENTS 3 tablespoons canola oil 300 grams carrots, cut into small chunks for roasting 600 grams pumpkin, cut to similar size as the carrot 2 medium sized onions, chopped
INGREDIENTS CHOC-HAZELNUT LAYER 1 cup hazelnuts, soaked 1 cup raw cashews, soaked 1 cup coconut oil 1 cup coconut milk 3/4 cup cacao 1/2 cup maple syrup or coconut nectar 1 tsp cinnamon 1 tsp vanilla extract sprinkle celtic sea salt 1/4 cup hazelnuts for decoration
CHOCOLATE BASE 2 cups raw almonds 1/2 cup desiccated coconut 1/2 cup raw cacao 16 dates 2 tbs coconut oil 1 tsp cinnamon 1 tsp vanilla extract Pinch of celtic sea salt
HOW TO MAKE
garlic and nutmeg and cook for another 2 minutes.
CHOCOLATE BASE Mix almonds, coconut, cacao and dates in food processor. Add remaining base ingredients and mix until clumps together when squeezed. Pour into lined slice tin, press down firmly with the back of a spoon to create the base. CHOC-HAZELNUT LAYER Soak hazelnuts and cashews overnight. Drain, rinse and blend in food processor until butter forms. In a small saucepan, combine coconut oil and maple syrup (or coconut nectar) over low heat. Remove from heat, add cacao, cinnamon, vanilla and salt and stir to form chocolate syrup. Add syrup to the nut blend in the processor and mix until smooth. Add coconut milk 1/2 cup at a time, blending. Add in most of the extra 1/4 cup of hazelnuts (keep some for the final step) and quickly pulse two or three times. Pour the choc hazelnut mixture into the slice tray and spread evenly with a spatula. Press the last remaining hazelnuts into the top of the slice. Set in fridge for 1-2 hours.
Add roasted carrot, pumpkin, water and stock to the onion
BROUGHT TO YOU BY
4 cloves garlic 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg 500 ml water 700 ml chicken stock Salt and pepper to taste HOW TO MAKE Preheat oven to 180 degrees Celsius. Mix 2 tablespoons oil with carrots and pumpkin and bake for 30 mins. Leave cooked pumpkin in the oven for 15 minutes after turning the heat off. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a medium saucepan and cook the onion for 3 minutes or until soft over medium heat. Add
mixture and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes. Blend the soup and season with salt and pepper. Serve with slices of toasted whole grain bread. 26
Thanks to The Real Foodies for this amazing recipe! The Real Foodies are FNQ food and nutrition bloggers, creating 100% gluten-free, dairy-free, Sugar-free, paleo recipes, with nut-free, egg free and vegan options. Visit www.therealfoodies.com.au or find them on Facebook!
APRIL 2016 www.pakmag.com.au
Si
Avocado and C
ana and n a B le Ci p m
r r idge mon Po nna
Sushi B r e b ites m u c u
PREP TIME 45 mins SERVES 5
PREP TIME 15 mins SERVES 1
Fresh sushi is a delicious healty treat but can become a costly treat when taking the family for lunch. Why not save some money by enjoying these homemade avocado and cucumber sushi bites this weekend!
There's nothing better than waking up to an aromatic, warm bowl of porridge to kick start your day. This recipe is quick, easy and nutritious, making it a perfect breakfast option for a busy weekday morning. You can multiply the portions to serve however many hungry mouths are in your family.
INGREDIENTS 1/4 cup Black and white EQUIPMENT sesame seeds Sushi Mat chives, finely sliced Glad wrap 1 1/2 Cups sushi rice, cooked as per packet instructions 5 Sheets nori 1 Lebanese cucumber, cut into match sticks 1 Ripe avocado, cut into match sticks Soy sauce HOW TO MAKE Lay the sushi mat flat and place a sheet of glad wrap over the top. Lay a piece of nori, shiny side down on top of the glad wrap. Spread a layer of cooled sushi rice on the nori leaving a little extra space at one end of the sheet. Carefully flip the sheet of nori so the rice is touching the glad wrap. Lay the avocado and cucumber on top of the nori in a strip. Lay them on the side of the nori that doesn't have the little extra space without rice. Now we can roll the sushi into a neat little roll. Roll the side of the sushi mat gently over the filling and gently squeeze to hold in place. Continue rolling the sushi all the way to the end where we left a little extra space of nori without rice. Dab this section of nori with wet fingers and roll to seal.
INGREDIENTS 1 ripe banana, sliced 1/2 cup rolled oats 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk 1/2 cup water 1 tsp cinnamon 1 tsp vanilla powder (optional) Handfull of fresh blueberries Maple syrup and extra almond milk to serve HOW TO MAKE Put the rolled oats, almond milk and water in a small saucepan over a low heat. Stir in 3/4 of the banana slices (keeping some aside for the final step). Cook over a low heat for 5 - 10 minuets until thickened and at your preferred consistency. Remove from the heat and stir in cinnamon and vanilla powder. Pour into a serving bowl and top with the remaining slices of banana, blueberries and a drizzle of maple syrup. Serve with a jug of chilled almond milk to pour over as preferred.
Remove the glad wrap and cover one side of the roll with the sesame seeds and chives. Slice into bite sized pieces and repeat with the remaining sheets of nori. Serve with a small dish of soy sauce for dipping and enjoy!
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CARDBOARD BOX FUN! CARDBOARD CASTLE You Need: Cardboard tubes, round cans, a shoe box, wrapping paper, coloured paper, disposable table runner fabric, glittered craft foam, hot glue, Mod Podge and wooden skewers
How to Make: Cover bottom of shoe box with wrapping paper.
Cover various tubes and round cans with coloured paper, wrapping paper and sparkled table runner material. Add some windows and detail to the tubes and shoe box and secure with Mod Podge. Cut circles out of the craft foam and add slits to form a little cone shape and glue.
Add embellishments such as castle towers and flags and glue everything together.
Thanks to: www.creativejewishmom.com
CARDBOARD BOX WASHING MACHINE You Need: Sturdy plain cardboard box, Stanley knife, tracing paper and Sharpie.
How to Make: Draw the details of the washing machine with
a Sharpie. You can use various items around the house to get the right shape such as a bottle cap and a CD for the various
circle shapes. Using the Stanley knife, cut out the door for the
washing machine and add tracing paper to create the washing machine window.
Thanks to: www.bellebebes.co.uk
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CARDBOARD BOX SEWING MACHINE You Need: Cardboard box, hot glue gun, Exacto knife, ruler, paint, dowels and beads, Makedo connecting pieces (or regular brads) How to Make: Check out www.pakmag.com.au to find full instructions on this adorable cardboard box sewing machine. Thanks to: www.littleredwindow.com
CARDBOARD MOUNTAIN BRIDGE You Need: Corrugated cardboard, paint (and brushes), pencil, Mod Podge, hot glue, scissors and a sponge brush How to Make: Draw a mountain pattern on two pieces of cardboard and cut. Cut out three rectangles and glue together to make the bridge before gluing to each mountain. Paint your mountain and bridge and protect with a coat of Mod Podge. Thanks to: www.pinkstripeysocks.com
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A NIMA L
pakmag CELEBRATE
(PARTY) Animal-themed parties are incredibly popular among little ones. There are so many different themes you can consider. Here are a few of our favourites:
JUNGLE - Consider green, brown and yellow as your theme
colours and look into party treats that are themed with tigers, lions and monkeys. You can even find balloons shaped like these popular critters.
FARM - Brown and red reign supreme for farm animal parties.
Invite the entire barnyard with pig, cow, chicken and horse decorations and treats. Use brown paper bags as lolly bags and label with them “Animal food.”
REPTILES - Bring your child’s fascination with reptiles alive with
crocodiles, lizards and snakes. Stick to brown and greens as your colour schemes and add paper lanterns.
UNDER THE SEA - Bring out the coral and aqua crepe paper and
combine with fish, octopus, sharks, whales, dolphins and stingrayinspired goodies.
TEDDY BEAR’S PICNIC - Ask all the guests to bring along their
favourite teddy bear and host a tea party for bubs and bears alike.
AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE - Go green and gold and opt for Aussie-
themed critters such as koalas, kangaroos, crocodiles and dingos.
HELLO KITTY - Kittens are so hot right meow. Make kitty masks and play pin the tail on the kitty. Icingbits Animal Edible Cake Toppers www.icingbits.com
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APRIL 2016 www.pakmag.com.au
Animal Handbell www.woodnplay.com.au (RRP $10.15 ea)
Kaper Kidz - Wooden Animal www.everythingsrosie.com.au (RRP $7.95)
Farmhouse Fun Centrepiece www.instantpartypacks.com.au (RRP $12.95)
Wooden Farm Set www.ellej.com.au (RRP $39.95)
)
Ruby Red Shoes Birthday Card www.ellej.com.au (RRP $5.95)
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Private
HEALTH Here is a question that most of us grapple with when we think about protection of assets - if I have income protection or house insurance, why then don’t I have private health insurance? The cost for an average family of four when you factor in the normal health occurrences, including sports injuries, glasses, dental, and chiropractic needs can quickly add up and be very taxing on the family income stream. Imagine a serious netball or football injury which has caused grief to your knee, your ankle or your teeth - and we’re talking a huge cost. Then there are the formative years with children’s teeth which invariably mean braces and, you guessed it, a big financial hit. If we are serious about insurances and about budgeting and planning for our financial future, then we need to have a good look at why we don’t have private health insurance or, if we do, we need to check on our policy’s benefits, inclusions and premium paid. A consideration for any insurance, including health insurance, is to ensure that it is affordable and provides the level of cover that you need. It might also help your hip pocket. For those that have not joined a health fund yet, remember that the Government adds Lifetime Health Cover Loading (LHCL) of 2% per year for every year you are not covered, applied from your 31st birthday. This can be a big shock if you join at age 40 for the first time and pay an additional 20% LHCL on top of the premium. There is also a Medicare Levy Surcharge for people earning above certain levels of
taxable income and do not hold hospital cover with a health fund. If you or your family fit into any scenarios that we’ve mentioned, consider investigating your health insurance options. Private health insurance may not only protect those that mean the most to you but could also save you some money. With the annual health insurance premium increase arriving on 1 April, now is a great time to look at your health insurance options. Talk to your health insurer about what you are paying and the benefits you receive.
wherever they are in Australia - but our regional location means that we know North Queensland as you do. Our vision is to be the best value health fund and we demonstrate this in a number of ways, including our network of preferred providers across a range of services including dental and optical and our ‘Home Away From Home’ 2-bedroom apartment accommodation for Members who need urgent medical treatment in Brisbane or Townsville. Take the health insurance health check challenge today at Queensland Country.
Take the time to review how you have used your fund in the past two years and how you think you will use it in the future.
Earlville Branch, 514-516 Mulgrave Road Ph: 4033 5299
If you don’t currently hold health insurance, the above still applies. Consider what you need from your health insurance and do some research into premium and benefit options with a range of insurance providers.
Smithfield Branch, Smithfield Shopping Centre Ph: 4038 3999
Queensland Country Health Fund is a regionally based health insurer, headquartered in Townsville. Our Members receive the best health cover
STORY David Smith, Area Manager Far North Queensland
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HOME WITH THE BLOCK’S
CARO & KINGI
Pack of 5 Handmade Seed Envelopes Etsy store: HeyHarriet (RRP $10.05)
Vanilla Mozi Gift Pack One www.vanillamozi.com (RRP $99.95)
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APRIL 2016 www.pakmag.com.au
Set of 3 Vintage Handmade Herb Markers Etsy store: EATcreations (RRP $22.00)
Veggie Garden More and more parents are using their own backyards as the perfect playground for teaching their children about sustainable living. And there is no better way to do this than by starting your own veggie garden. Copper Diamond Hanging Planter Etsy store: LiquoriceMoonStudios (RRP $60.00ea)
Here are our tops five tips to designing your dream veggie garden in your own backyard.
1. Choose ‘child-friendly’ veggies to grow. These are the
ones that require minimal effort and your kids can easily help water and care for them. Our favourites include mint, silverbeet, zucchini, tomatoes, cucumber, spring onion and herbs like basil, thyme and rosemary.
2. Pot plants are perfect containers for many herbs and
smaller veggies and can brighten up the deck or outdoor living space. Hanging pot plants are also good if you are strapped for space and adds a more dynamic aspect to your outdoor area.
3. To complement your leafy green veggies, consider
planting bold coloured flowers or look into garden ornaments – statues, birdhouses, fountains. If you have the space then you may even want to put up a grand entrance, such as white arbor or add stepping stones to break up each veggie patch.
4. To ensure your veggies grow, most need at least eight
hours a day of sunlight plus water and organic material. Ask an expert when purchasing your seeds and soil before planting.
5. To get the kids extra excited about the idea of
gardening, involve them as much as possible. Look into their own gardening set with gloves and a watering can and get them into the habit of watering the plants as part of their daily routine. Ladybird Gardener Playset - Janod www.playmackay.com.au (RRP $39.95)
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Hello
HONG KONG STORY Bree James Hong Kong is a southeastern Chinese city buzzing with people to meet, places to see and food to try! Vibrant and densely populated, it is a major port, global financial centre and home to many expats. The majority of people speak English, and all signage is in English so you do not need to worry about any language barriers. Hong Kong has an amazing food, entertainment and shopping scene making it a great place for families to visit for a stop over to another country or for an entire holiday. As soon as we arrived at the Cairns Airport we were ready for a great adventure and the moment we boarded the Cathay Pacific plane, it felt like holiday time (if you can afford to go premium economy, I highly recommend it). Cathay flies ‘non-stop’ between Cairns and Hong Kong four times a week, so there are plenty of opportunities to pack your bags. The flight was over before we knew it (three movies if you ask my seven-year-old). Our kids loved having their own screen and remotes and the airline staff provided fantastic service with snacks, drinks and yummy meals.
Where to Stay: THE SALISBURY - YMCA www.salisburyymca.com.hk This family-friendly hotel is part of one of the oldest and largest movements for youth in the world; not only are you staying in a great place, but you are staying somewhere that is making a difference. The hotel is simply stunning with a gym, sauna, large pool, squash courts, rock climbing facility, two amazing restaurants, and even a laundry to do your own washing. The rooms are also fantastic. Ours had a large king size bed, and a double pull out sofa for the kids with the option of fold out beds.
Foods to Try: 1. Dumplings 2. Pork Buns 3. Dim Sum 4. Egg Waffle 5. Dumpling Soup
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APRIL 2016 www.pakmag.com.au
Disneyland Hong Kong
What to Do:
We did heaps of great things, and could have done a lot more! Here are my top ten things to do (see www.pakmag.com.au for more detailed information on each) 1. OCEAN PARK www.oceanpark.hk
Big Buddah
Ocean Park is an amazing, worldacclaimed amusement park set on over 91 hectares of land with sensational views of, you guessed it, the ocean. Pair this view with the craziest cliffscaling rollercoaster I have ever been on (known as the Hair Raiser), an awesome cable car and Ocean Express train that takes you from one end of the park to the other and marine and animal life (with pandas, dolphins, sea lions, seals, monkeys and more!) and you’ve got the making of an incredibly educational and entertaining day.
HK Observation Wheel
2. NGONG PING 360 CABLE CAR www.np360.com.hk Embark on a ride of a life-time with the spectacular 5.7 kilometer 25-minute
Ocean Park
Skyrail with views of the airport, South China Sea, and mountainous terrain over to Lantau Island. We had a Crystal Cabin which was a little more expensive but meant we could skip the queue and got a bird’s eyes view with a glass bottom cable car. 3. NGONG PING VILLAGE – LANTAU ISLAND Once you hop off the Cable Car you arrive at Lantau Island, a gorgeous little township with restaurants, two theatres (Motion 360 which showed a cute 3D movie for the kids, and Stage 360, a live show with stuntmen performing classic Kung Fu moves). The best part, however, was the walk up to the giant Tian Tan Buddhathe world’s largest seated, outdoor Bronze Buddha- very impressive! 4. TAI O VILLAGE This picturesque fishing village is home to some of the country’s best shrimp paste but the locals also sell amazing dried seafood; sea cucumbers, fish, shrimp, mussels and more. 5. DISNEYLAND HONG KONG www.hongkongdisneyland.com Turning 10 this year, Disneyland Hong Kong is in the celebration spirit! For Spring (until 29 May) they have an Easter Extravaganza with more than 100 colourful Disney eggs throughout the seven diverse lands. Baymax from Big Hero 6 has recently debuted at Disneyland and he gives the best hugs. The boys absolutely loved the rides and seeing all of their favourite characters. The RC Racer in Toy Story Land, Big Grizzly Mountain mine cars and Space Mountain were clear favourites with the boys. The fireworks and lightshow at the end of the night were amazing to finish a spectacular day of “Happily Ever After”. 6. THE PEAK www.thepeak.com.hk You can catch the Peak Tram or a taxi to the top and take in the incredible views of the city and harbour below.
There are plenty of other things to see to compliment the trek up including the Trick Eye Museum, and Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum. 7. MARKETS There are three main markets - the Ladies Markets, Stanley Street Markets and Temple Street Night Markets with lots of great bargains if you’re willing to haggle.
The Peak
Ngong
8. STAR FERRY www.starferry.com.hk
Ping 3
60 Ca
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This is one of Hong Kong’s most iconic attractions - a must-do at night to view all the pretty city lights. 9. HONG KONG OBSERVATION WHEEL www.hkow.hk/en/ We could view this from our hotel, so it was a given that we would end up on it at some point! It is massive Ferris Wheel, right on the water giving you sensational views of the city.
The Peak Tram
xxx
10. SKY100 www.sky100.com.hk The 7th highest commercial building in the world and the tallest building in Hong Kong, Sky100 offers a panoramic view of the heart of the city and Victoria Harbour - sixty seconds and you are 100 floors high.
The Salisbury YMCA Brunch
Getting Around OCTOPUS CARDS (www.octopus.com.hk) are the best way to use public transport and can be used on trains, buses, some ferries, trams and even taxi’s. You can also use it at a hospital and over 450 other service providers - even McDonalds! Airport Express Link is one of the world’s leading airport railway systems. There is a free bus that picks up from major hotels every 12 minutes to take you to the station. Taxis are really well priced in Hong Kong and easy to find. Most taxi stands give you an indication of price to check out before your trip. Just make sure you use a registered taxi driver.
ll
YMCA Climbing Wa
Train is by far the best and fastest way to get around. Big Bus Tours are great fun to jump on with the kids. You can purchase tours online or you may see representatives on the street. Plus, these tours offer a free return Star Ferry trip.
PROUDLY BROUGHT TO YOU BY CAIRNS AIRPORT AND PAKMAG.
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CHILDREN AND DOGS Keeping Your Family Safe STORY Jane Quinn
Pet ownership is a great experience and children especially enjoy close relationships with their pets whilst learning to love, respect and care for them. With 80 per cent of Australian households owning a pet, it’s extremely important to ensure that we not only teach our children to be responsible pet owners but we also educate them on how to behave safely around animals. It has been estimated that more than 100,000 Australians are attacked by dogs each year and that over 60 per cent of these dog attacks occur either in the family home or in the home or backyard of a family member or friend. With better education, obedience training and “knowing the warning signs” many dog bites can be prevented.
• Stay away from sleeping dogs.
‘THE WARNING SIGNS’
If your children are approached by an unknown dog, teach them to stand still and quiet with their hands by their sides and fingers curled up (like a post) and to avoid eye contact even if the dog smells them.
Children should never be left alone with a dog regardless of how much you “trust” your pet. Even the friendliest dog may bite if annoyed, frightened or hurt. If you can’t supervise the interaction, separate them until you can give them your full attention. During interactions it’s important to observe your pet closely. If any of the following occurs, remove your child from the situation and give your pet some space:
• Stay away from litters of puppies as Mum may be protective.
WHEN MEETING A NEW DOG, ALWAYS TEACH YOUR CHILDREN TO: 1. Check with you (or an adult) before greeting new
• Growling and snapping
people and dogs.
• Raised fur
2. Always ask the owner before patting the dog.
• Rigid body posture • Lip licking, yawning and averting gaze
3. Meet a dog by letting it come and sniff you.
• Cowering and tail tucking
4. Pat the dog gently on the shoulder rather than
• Seeing the whites of the eyes
TEACH YOUR CHILDREN TO: • Treat animals gently and calmly. Never hurt, tease, frighten, surprise or corner an animal. • Never enter a strange dog’s yard without the owner being present. • Avoid grabbing or cuddling a dog around the neck, as this can be frightening for animals. • Leave dogs alone when they are eating or near their food.
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• Take care not to get dogs too excited when playing with them.
APRIL 2016 www.pakmag.com.au
the head.
If your children are knocked down by a dog, teach them to curl up like a rock on the ground and use their arms to cover their head. Keep their eyes to the ground and stay as still and as quiet as possible. If the worse happens and your child does get bitten, it’s important to act quickly. Restrain or confine the dog immediately. If possible ensure that the bite is washed thoroughly with disinfectant and water and seek immediate medical attention.
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APRIL 2016 www.pakmag.com.au