Your Home & Living Qpaint issue 5 by Read Publishing

Home Your

& L I V I NG START PLANNING YOUR NEXT HOLIDAY!

How To

GET YOUR FAMILY BACK INTO A

The Upsides TO DOWNSIZING

ROUTINE

Get Your Health

BACK ON TRACK

Alicia Silverstone PUTTING THE PLANET FIRST

Proudly Brought To You By:

Contents 06 ALICIA SILVERSTONE: PUTTING THE PLANET FIRST

14 THE UPSIDES TO DOWNSIZING YOUR LIFE

18 START PLANNING YOUR NEXT ADVENTURE!

22 BEDROOM STYLE FOR A SMALL SPACE

26 HOW TO GET YOUR FAMILY BACK INTO A ROUTINE

30 GET YOUR HEALTH BACK ON TRACK

34 HOW TO GET HEALTHY HAIR, SKIN AND NAILS FROM WITHIN

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37 STUCK IN A LUNCH RUT?

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ALICIA SILVERSTONE

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PUTTING THE PLANET FIRST

“This way of eating and living is the kindest thing we can do for our planet earth,” Alicia says. We all know and love Alicia from her endearing roles on the big screen, such as the beautiful and ditzy Cher from Clueless and Batgirl in Batman, but these days, the actress has a bigger purpose to share with the world. After making the change to veganism more than twenty years ago, Alicia eventually co-founded mykind Organics, the first ever foodbased, certified organic, Non-GMO Verified, vegan vitamin line. Also a dedicated activist, she works to enlighten others about the benefits of clean living, veganism and a sustainable lifestyle and released her first book, “The Kind Diet: A Simple Guide to Feeling Great, Losing Weight, and Saving the Planet,” in 2009.

Readers wanted more and in 2014, she released book number two - “The Kind Mama: A Simple Guide to Supercharged Fertility, a Radiant Pregnancy, a Sweeter Birth, and a Healthier, More Beautiful Beginning.” The radiant 43 years old has created a lifestyle that flows through to her family, her home, garden and ecofriendly kitchen, which is complete with untreated wooden floors, reclaimed wood shelves and, of course, no chemicals. Your Home & Living magazine sat down with the lovely and inspiring Alicia to find out more about her world. WHAT WAS THE TURNING POINT TO BECOMING VEGAN? It all began at 21, I was spending a good chunk of my time volunteering for various animal welfare campaigns like anti-fur and anti-dissection to animal rescue. I then watched the documentary The Witness. I took a look at my dog Sampson and thought, if I’m not willing to eat you, how YOURHOME

Alicia Silverston is far from clueless. In fact, she is very dialed into a vegan lifestyle, eco-friendly living and a good message in treading lightly on the planet.

can I continue to eat these other creatures that have the same desire to live, are just as funny and have the same reaction to pain as my dog? I went vegan for the animals. DID YOU FIND THE TRANSITION DIFFICULT IN THE BEGINNING? Yes, at first it was difficult because I was kind of alone in my journey. I didn’t know any other vegans at the time and most people didn’t understand veganism. However, I immediately felt and looked better which made the transition easier.

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WHAT’S ALWAYS IN ALICIA’S ECO-FRIENDLY KITCHEN?

Lemons, kale and miso! Bok choy and carrots, seaweed, tofu, cultured fermented veggies, a variety of whole grains, and beans. I always have umeboshi plum vinegar, tahini, organic vegan mayo, steel cut oats, maple syrup, and flaxseed oil. And amazing vegan cheese! With these yummy ingredients, you can come up with some seriously delicious, healing, and glow-y recipes.

YOU SEEM TO HAVE NAILED THE PLANNING AND ORGANIZATION IT TAKES TO STAY ON TRACK EATING THIS WAY - DO YOU HAVE ANY TIPS FOR BUSY WORKING PARENTS WHO WANT TO BECOME VEGAN BUT ARE SUPER TIME-POOR AND FEEL OVERWHELMED KEEPING ON TRACK? My cooking mantra is whole grain, beans, greens, so I channel that into various dishes! Stir fries, tacos, soups, and more. For some healthy family goto health snacks our top contenders are homemade hummus with veggie sticks or brown rice crackers, nonGMO edamame, guacamole from homegrown avocados, and berries! WHAT ABOUT A GREAT TRANSITIONAL MEAL IDEA TO CURB THOSE OTHER CRAVINGS IN THE EARLY DAYS? There’s always some recipe I can whip up or a restaurant I can go to, and I can scratch the itch and still feel good. If I’m craving something creamy and cheesy, I can make my

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Cheesy, Oozy Guacamole Bean Dip or Artichoke Dip from The Kind Diet. It completely satisfies my urge, is quick, and delicious! BEING SO DEDICATED TO THE WAY YOU EAT, DO YOU INDULGE IN A VEGAN COCKTAIL OCCASIONALLY? I love glogg, mulled wine! I have a recipe for it, Warm Spicy Wine, in The Kind Diet. It’s a wonderful winter treat and especially good for the holiday parties. But I’m usually just a bourbon on the rocks gal, sometimes with lots of citrus. I don’t drink much but it’s festive at times and when I do, I want to love the sips I’m taking. WHAT SORT OF HEALTH CHANGES DID YOU NOTICE AND HOW QUICKLY DID THINGS START TO TURN AROUND FOR YOU?

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I adopted this diet for the animals, but the biggest surprise was how amazing I felt! I ditched my asthma inhaler, stopped my weekly allergy shots, lost weight,

and had a new glow from my skin and hair. I felt incredible from having more energy and balanced out moods. This way of eating transformed me. Since then, I have extremely rarely used caffeine, aspirin, or antibiotics. My body healed itself by being plant-based. The health benefits are truly immense physically, mentally and spiritually – softening your heart and spirit. Eating a plant-based diet is a surefire way to help heal and nourish your body, not to mention the added bonuses of radiant skin, bright eyes, and glossy hair! IF OUR READERS WANT TO FOLLOW YOUR APPROACH TO EATING, BUT NEED SOME HELP FINDING WHOLE FOOD RECIPES THAT ARE VEGAN, WHERE DO YOU RECOMMEND, THEY START? When I first went vegan, I wasn’t focused on super nourishing whole foods, instead, I was on a processed, white

HOW DOES IT FEEL KNOWING YOU ARE HELPING SO MANY OTHERS NOURISH THEMSELVES WITH YOUR VITAMINS, WHICH ARE JUST PURE, NATURAL GOODNESS? It feels amazing! I created myKind Organics because I wanted to bring the highest quality vitamins to families everywhere. I hope it inspires people to lead healthier, more conscientious lives and to really be aware of exactly what ingredients (and where they come from!) they’re putting into their bodies and feeding their children. mykind Organics is a leader in innovation and sustainability for farm to bottle vitamins and herbals. Here’s why: we utilize organic farmers, we invented Clean Tablet Technology which binds our capsules with organic plant material (not artificial funk), our gummies are sweetened with only organic fruit and use fruit pectin (made from organic oranges and apples) instead of pig gelatin, our herbals are extracted with water

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flour centric vegan diet. However, my health still improved significantly since I wasn’t eating meat and dairy! But it wasn’t until I adopted a vegan macrobiotic diet (aka superhero in The Kind Diet) that I really felt an astounding sense of calm and peace within myself. On this diet I eat brown rice, dark greens, beans, and seaweed nearly every day! I moved away from having processed foods, flours, and sugars as the foundation of my diet, and replaced them with wholefoods and vegetables. That doesn’t mean those foods are gone completely, now I consume them as treats in moderation. Post superhero diet, my ability to tune into how my body was actually feeling, along with my intuition, became much stronger. I share tons of tasty and healing superhero recipes in my books, The Kind Diet and The Kind Mama, @aliciasilverstone and on my blog, thekindlife. com. And don’t worry, I still have a French fry and a piece of toast here and there!

and organic non-GMO alcohol – not hexane or GMO ethanol, and these goodies are packaged with post- consumer recycled content.

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HOW ELSE DO YOU TAKE CARE OF YOUR HEALTH? DO YOU COMPLIMENT WHAT GOES INTO YOUR BODY WITH A SPIRITUAL PRACTICE OR EXERCISE ROUTINE? IF SO, WHAT DO YOU DO AND HOW OFTEN?

Before we made our own truly clean myKind Organics supplements, I didn’t want to take anything on a regular basis. Now that I have a supplement line that I can trust, I try to take myKind Organics B Complex, mykind Organics B-12 Spray, and myKind Organics Vitamin C Cherry Tangerine Spray. I also take our 40+ multivitamin gummy as a sweet treat that’s also good for me! Some herbal supplements I use as needed include mykind Organics Sleep Well R & R Tablet and Spray, Ashwagandha, Adrenal Balance, and our delicious Elderberry Gummies. When I’m feeling under the weather, or on a cozy

needed day I enjoy a sip of our Golden Milk. I love yoga classes, walking in nature, circuit training classes, and Pilates. Bear and I go on hikes together and enjoy dance parties! HOW BIG IS YOUR VEGGIE GARDEN? It is chock full of deliciousness! This Spring, we grew lots of tomatoes, jimmy and Shishido peppers, an abundance of avocado and kale – always! We had amazing cucumbers, basil, and lots of other herbs. Squash and zucchini are always staples but for some reason they weren’t as good this year. The zucchini plants were lovely and full of gorgeous flowers, but the plant never sprouted yummy zucchini this year. Nothing is healthier than growing your own food. Bear and I make a ritual out of planting and harvesting together. It is wonderful to be able to grow your own vegetables and I love having my son Bear pick peppers or help me tie up tomato plants.

WHAT ARE YOU FOCUSED ON RIGHT NOW? I want the world to change – for people to be kind to each other, animals to stop suffering, and the planet to heal. My wish is people will wake up to our climate crisis and the connection between the state of the planet and their diet. gardenoflife.com

s p i t k c i u Alicia's q

• It is very healthy to eat veggies for breakfast! • I cook in batches! I keep things in the freezer, I keep things in containers, I’m always re-using things. So, rice will find life the next day in a yummy stir fry!

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• Don’t be scared of tofu!

5 ADVANTAGES TO DOWNSIZING

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YOUR LIFESTYLE 14

The Australian dream of the quarter-acre lot with a spacious backyard may be a thing of the past. According to a 2017 Lifestyle Study, cities all over the world are becoming vertical. Once the domain of singles, families are now opting to move into apartment spaces as well. The perks of apartment living vary from sustainability and convenience to outstanding property prices as well as simply providing a great lifestyle. The ability to afford a home with all of the latest modcons and even a gym or pool is attractive to busy families, who are looking to get more time back in their week. Here are 5 reasons to consider buying an apartment and living vertically.

1 LOWER COST + Whether or not you choose to rent or purchase your new apartment home, there will most likely be a lower cost somewhere in the mix. Rent is typically cheaper than a mortgage, but even if you choose to purchase an apartment, you still potentially save money in some areas, because of sustainable design elements, a smaller space, and less responsibility.

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SUSTAINABILITY

apartment complexes are popping up in cities everywhere, and cities mean convenience. There’s no shortage of things to do—from supermarkets to post offices, medical centers to childcare centers, not to mention the dining and entertainment options! City dwelling also means easy access to public transportation and museums, parks, and other public amenities. Apartments are usually built with passive design elements in mind: spatial zoning, ventilation, orientation, etc. Australia’s climate can be diverse, but you can use your neighbors as an advantage. Apartment units are in closer proximity to other units as opposed to detached houses. This could be good news for you winter energy bill, because your unit can retain heat from neighboring units, reducing the amount it takes to heat your own.

2 ACCESSIBILITY + YOURHOME

CONVENIENCE

While a downside to apartment living is not having a large plot of land,

Spending the weekends renovating, managing yard work, cleaning a pool and maintaining your house and land is no longer the dream for busy families. Apartment living means you literally get all of your weekends back.

3 AMENITIES

Unlike detached houses, apartment complexes are often built with amenities like pools, fitness centers, laundry facilities, and even convenient stores. You could always add these added amenities into your home, but it’s not guaranteed to be as financially rewarding. These extras are taken care of for you and are usually of a high standard

4 SAFETY

Homeowners often invest in some sort of home security system, but apartment buildings also invest in the overall safety of its residents with security systems per unit, door keepers, or the basic design of the building. Most complexes have multiple layers of entry: a main door, side/fire door, then your front door. It’s difficult for intruders to get access to your home in an apartment, especially with the close proximity of your neighbors. This is why most apartment complex safety measures prove multi-unit dwellings are safer for single women, children, and the elderly.

5 LESS

MAINTENANCE When you own a home, you are responsible for everything involving that property, from weather damage to pulling weeds to broken pipes. Apartment complexes come with a lot less responsibility for the tenant – the lack of property maintenance is not only a financial break, but also a stress reliever. You’ll never have to clean the gutters or keep up with the landscaping around your apartment block. Sometimes building managers will handle interior damages as well, like pipe or electrical issues. Downsizing to apartment living is not for everyone, but it is a great option to consider. While there isn’t as much opportunity for major renovations, there are a plethora of perks.

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which may be out of reach for homeowners budgets. A luxury pool and barbeque area might set a homeowner back anywhere from $50,000-100,000 but you can enjoy these in your apartment living at the cost of a backyard.

START PLANNING YOUR

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Next Adventure!

These days, the added issue of ‘anywhere’ travel being out of reach, it’s time to look to our own backyard for the next adventure. And, although you’ve probably just come back from a Summer break, it’s the perfect time to start planning the next one - after all, it takes a lot of stars to align to pull off a holiday these days, doesn’t it? Starting out with securing your next leave from work, you probably have to wait for your partner to achieve the same and then check with the kids and their schooling exams and sports commitments as well. That is why it is essential that you plan ahead because there is no other way that all family members will be free on a given date. Once the initial dates are settled (try to avoid the holiday season much as

possible to avoid crowds and higher rates), it’s time to look at what wild adventures our incredible country has to offer.

Did you know you can safari in Australia? Africa’s Big Five are still going to be there when international travel starts up again. But for now, Australians pining for that adrenaline-fueled safari fix will need to look closer to home. We have plenty of comparable experiences, throwing you into the proverbial ring with native wildlife. The trophy experience at Wildman is a brisk airboat safari trailing the dramatic waters of Mary River Westlands. This area claims the world’s highest density of crocodiles – both saltwater and freshwater – so it wouldn’t exactly be unusual to see more than a few toothy grins snapping above the surface, as herds of water buffalo wade the waters and magpie geese go about their business. Kakadu is the perfect region to visit to see red kangaroos, emus, dozens

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Everything was much simpler when you were 20. You could leave for a vacation on another continent in a minute’s notice and you packed only the necessities that fitted into a single suitcase. However, as your family grew, so did holiday preparations.

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of reptile species, bearded dragons, echidnas and a huge array of native bird species.

directly with migrating humpbacks, bringing you face to face with the gentle giants. Consider it the Mozambique of Australia.

Ocean adventures

Touring Tassie

At Western Australia’s Ningaloo Marine Park, you’re encouraged to get up close and personal with some magnificent wildlife. The country’s largest fringing reef is home to a high density of whale sharks, manta rays, dugongs, dolphins, and humpback whales. And you can be as close as actually swimming with these magnificent creatures.

There are several operators tracking the extraordinary bushland and mountains of Tassie, who offer up a number of tours such as searching for the elusive Tasmanian devil, while also mixing it up with winefueled cellar stops, and long productive hikes.

In fact, Ningaloo is the only place in the entire state where you can interact

Or, take the reins and spend a night on Picnic Island. A well-designed guest house has been built on this remote island, along with a

More than kangaroos! One of the most obvious places to get amongst the wildlife in Australia would be Kangaroo Island. Seven times the size of Singapore, the island is home to close to 150 species of native Australian animals and has earned its reputation as the Galapagos of Down Under. Although Kangaroo Island was one of the most ravaged parts of Australia during the devastating bushfires of 2019-20, much of the 145-kilometre long rock is still brimming with life; and curated smallgroup tours like those run

by Exceptional Kangaroo Island are still operating.

Tropical paradise Despite having thousands of beaches to choose from all over the nation, it seems Aussies are still powerless to resist the charms of Queensland’s coast when it comes to a fun-in-the-sun escape. Port Douglas has emerged as Australia’s favourite beach destination. The holiday hotspot, a gateway to the famous Daintree Rainforest and Great Barrier Reef, was voted into the No.1 spot in a survey of 6000 Aussie travellers, who were asked: ‘What is your favourite beach holiday destination?’ The lush rainforest fringing azure waters and access to pristines reefs make this region a must-do on the bucket list. So, book those dates in and get planning, because while we can’t enjoy exploring other countries right now, how lucky we are to be able to get to know Australia better. YOURHOME

300-metre boardwalk which tracks the tiny landmass so you can find the perfect angle to view the various sea eagles, shearwaters, dolphins, seals, and whales that count as regular visitors. Though penguins are the main draw here, with an entire colony calling the island home, making Picnic Island the only place in the world where you can actually sleep amongst an army of those gregarious marine birds.

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Bedroom Style 22

For A Small Space

Also, don’t overlook the benefits. Smaller bedrooms are cozier and you don’t have to waste money on loads of furnishings. And, let’s face it, most of us just go in there to sleep. Ready to embrace your small bedroom?

KEEP IT SIMPLE There isn’t a magic trick to the layout of the small bedroom. Place the bed in the center of the main wall, rather than pushing one side up against the adjacent wall. Having room to walk on either side is key not only for room flow but also to give you space to make your bed well, which also makes a big difference in a small space.

LET THERE BE LIGHT If you go for a moody hue or stick to a crisp pale shade, adding plenty of light sources is key to keeping the room from feeling

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Tiny bedroom getting you down? There are plenty of ways to style your small bedroom that will maximise space and bring new life to your room. It may seem like your options are confined to squeezing in a bed and—if you’re lucky—a nightstand, but there are ways to pack plenty of style into your limited space.

dark and claustrophobic. “Decorative overhead lighting like a pendant or chandelier (instead of ceiling cans), bedside table lamps, a floor lamp, and even reading sconces will add to the ambience,” he says. “Like Andy Warhol said, ‘I believe in low lights and trick mirrors.’

STICK TO NORMAL SIZED FURNISHINGS A smaller space doesn’t mean smaller furniture. Miniature bedside tables, especially next to a larger bed frame and mattress can actually make a small room look smaller. Adding some normal sized pieces to the room, such as an accent chair or surfboard, can make the room feel bigger and will be more useful and functional.

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DECLUTTER

Keep it minimal. All the square footage in the world won’t make a difference if it’s crowded with things and keep it clean. You can still accessorize like you would a larger room, but keeping out the unnecessary clutter is a no-brainer.

BREATHE LIFE INTO THE ROOM Don’t forget to add some life to your space. There’s no reason houseplants should be kept out of the bedroom. Having something vertical like a fig tree can bring the eye up. Plants can make a stuffy room feel fresh.

MAKE YOUR FURNITURE WORK HARDER If you’re really cramped for space or need to make your room work for more than just sleeping, during the day, arrange the pillows against the wall so it becomes a makeshift daybed / couch or workspace. If you happen to have some room, a coffee table makes this setup even more convincing. Pick pieces that can do double duty, such as, instead of a dresser, use large nightstands with drawers that hold clothes. And even if it’s a tight fit, use a small chair in the corner (dining-size can work in a pinch) or a bench at the

TRICK THE EYE WITH MIRRORS. Creating the illusion of space with mirrors is a classic trick that works every time. Perfect for smaller bedrooms, a mirrored wall will visually double the space. Placing one in a high position keeps the effect subtle.

LAYER UP SOFT FURNISHINGS Soft furnishings are a brilliant way to add a touch of luxury to a room, and you can easily change them to give the space a quick, low-cost update. Cushions, throws and rugs all work well, try to coordinate these in an accent colour that complements your bedroomâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s colour scheme. To really up the comfort factor, go for rich fabrics such as velvet, faux fur and silk.

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end of the bed for whatever clothes or pillows get flung around throughout the day. Storage ottomans are great for swallowing up linens and bulky spare bedding which youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d struggle to squeeze into a typical drawer or shelf.

How To Get Your Family Back YOURHOME

INTO A ROUTINE 26

It’s that time of year again. The one that creeps up after the silly season and whacks you on the head saying “Time to ‘adult’ again. Get it together!” Gone are the festive cocktails and relaxed sense of time - it’s back to school time. You start thinking about school supplies — the markers, the erasers, the pencils, the books, and laptops and schedule all the appointments — the haircuts, the uniform fittings, the teacher meetings and sports. We know we need to get our kids back on a schedule that is conducive to a well-functioning household and their school performance and after months off for some, this can be a difficult time for families who have let the routines go out the window. We’ve put together a few tips to help ease back into schedules again and re-adjust body clocks.

Sleep If we don’t start adjusting our kids’ schedules now so that they get used to waking up earlier, those first few weeks of school are going to be pretty miserable.

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Compare your current routine to the back-to-school routine, and assess any gaps to see what’s missing.

Start the week by waking them up first a half-hour earlier, so that they’re tired for bed that night and dial bedtime back a half-hour earlier.

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If their sleep routine is way out of whack, you’ll need to slowly start with half hour changes for a few days. Take another half an hour in a few days time and so on, until they are on their regular sleep routine again. They will need a week to regulate their body clocks before school starts.

Morning routine You know the scene: no one has their shoes on, breakfast is a bust, somehow 30 minutes has turned into 30 seconds, and it’s a mad dash to get out the door. The key here is to slowly reintroduce structure. Otherwise, if you try to change too many things all at once, it’s going to be a huge shock to their little slacker systems and things will get ugly.

We all know that the morning routine currently looks a lot different than how it’ll be once the kids are back to school. Use the same compare-to-find-thegaps exercise here. Lay out a more consistent routine such as wake up at a specific time, have a shower, get dressed, eat breakfast and brush teeth before anything else. It’s time to cut any TV or computer games until their morning routine steps are completed so they have a motivator to help them follow through.

Meals

Exchange activities Encourage alternate behaviors. For instance, if the school schedule is, “No video games after dinner time,” you could start a family game night that replaces game time or a movie. Encouraging different behavior is often more effective than punishing unwanted behavior. Once their body clocks are adjusted, they’re going to have more focus when they go back to school, they’re going to be able to cope with all the changes, and when they get home, there will be less meltdowns.

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Begin planning your meals around the times your child eats at school to get them back into that schedule. If you normally eat around 6 pm during the school term and it’s blown out to be much later, it’s time to bring it back. If your kids are grazing all day at home, bring back in the lunch hour.

H E A LT H

Get Your Health BACK ON TRACK Although the best plan is to put in place a contingency plan before the festive season even starts, many of us are now on the tail end of a month (or more) of being out of our normal health routine. Don’t overturn all your hard work last year. It’s time to leave the sweets and cakes, and possibly too much alcohol, where it belongs - in the past - and get your health back on track.

Thanks and goodbye

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All that festive cheer, time off work, yummy food, catching up with friends,

and sleep-ins are simply wonderful. And here in Australia, the festive season signals the start of our summer holidays, so that means beach time, pool time and sunshine. We love this time of year, so, thank the holidays for the fun they brought you and leave those holiday ways there...with the holidays

Sleep Sleep is your body’s natural repair, regrowth, and recharge agent. One of the main benefits of a good night’s sleep is hormone balance. Having

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your hormones balanced will allow your body to read its signals at their optimum, so you’ll know when you’re hungry, satiated, stressed, tired, etc. Get in the habit of sleeping for an absolute minimum of 7 hours each night, and you’ll find it easier to get back on track after the holidays. Turn off all electronic devices at least an hour before bedtime, enjoy a warm shower or a soothing cup of herbal (noncaffeinated) tea. Whatever your bedtime routine, ensuring you are getting plenty of uninterrupted sleep each night will support you to achieve your health goals in the new year.

It’s not too late

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Re-evaluate your current position and future goals and proceed with your healthy lifestyle. Don’t get stuck in the comfortable trap of eating badly and not making an effort to stay healthy just because you let things slide for a while. Start today.

Clear the fridge You don’t need to keep eating the festive foods until they are gone. Don’t get caught up in that side of food-guilt. Your health is important. “I can’t throw away good food! It’s wasteful!” This could be just another excuse not to start today. You do NOT need to finish your food - Pass it on to friends, compost it or throw it out. Those little treats will call your name loudly if you leave them where you see them. Put your health first and don’t let that little trap unfold everytime a festive occasion comes your way - you’ll be surprised how often you will end up “not letting good food go to waste.” And, trust me, it will go straight to your waist.

Plan meals The quickest way to get back on track is to plan your meals. When you know what you’ll be eating for the week ahead, you are far more likely to stick to it and get back in control of your health after a break.

It can be hard finding motivation to get back on track after the holidays. By focussing on why you want to feel better, you will redirect your mind to the end goal. Perhaps you want to wake up feeling energised, healthy and happy. Ask yourself - is this meal, activity or lifestyle leading me towards or away from that goal?

Move! We all know this one - and perhaps bury our heads in the sand about it, but the bottom line is, we need to move our bodies. The holidays can equal a more sedentary lifestyle and coupled with extra food and drinks, our bodies

can be crying out for some movement. Things like yoga, walking, swimming and stretching can be really beneficial, if you prefer to ease into it again. Pick a movement that you love doing and start with that one. Even 5 minutes will be beneficial to your body.

Hydrate When you are out of your routine, it is easy to forget to drink enough water. And when the weather is freezing or boiling hot, our body needs us to keep up the H2O more than ever. Getting your water intake back to what it should be is one of the easiest ways to support your return to health. Enjoy the journey back to good health and kick off the new year feeling fantastic!

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Remember Your WHY

BEAUTY

How To Get Healthy Hair, Skin & Nails

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FROM WITHIN

To keep your hair shiny, your skin glowing, and your nails long and strong, there are a few things you can do. Due to the influence of the gut-skin axis, there is a strong connection between what you eat and skin issues. The Western diet is full of inflammatory foods including sugar, dairy, and refined cooking oils and carbs, which have all been associated with an increased prevalence of acne. Include lots of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, plant-based proteins (like beans and nuts), fatty fish, and fresh herbs and spices in your diet. Vitamin K-rich leafy greens like spinach and kale, broccoli and cabbage, cherries, raspberries, and blackberries all help fight inflammation and can help heal skin issues.

Gut infections can also play a role in the appearance and condition of your skin. Candida overgrowth can be at the root of your eczema, dandruff, nail fungus, and other skin issues. The yeast cells are able to permeate your gut lining, causing your gut to become leaky and allowing toxins, microbes, and yes, yeast, to escape your gut and travel throughout your bloodstream. Once in your bloodstream, Candida can colonize other areas of your body, including your skin. So, start off with a probiotic to help restore balance to your gut. Your liver, kidneys, and lungs are your body’s major detoxifying organs, so when these become overburdened, toxins begin to ooze out of your skin as a way to flush them out of your body. This can cause all sorts of blemishes and skin-related issues, so you’ll want to make sure your detoxification pathways are functioning as optimally as possible to keep your skin from working overtime. In addition to drinking water, there are other ways you can help eliminate the buildup of toxins in your body.

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Your skin is your body’s largest organ and it’s also your fastest growing organ, which means cell turnover is happening all the time. So, having beautiful hair, skin, and nails is more than just just about looking good, it’s a symbol of your wholebody health.

Eating detoxifying foods can help, including artichokes, beets, broccoli, grapefruit and spinach. Hydration is so important for healthy, supple skin, as all of your body’s cells, including your skin cells, are made up of water and therefore require plenty of hydration to function properly. Without enough water, your skin will become dry, flaky, and wrinkly. Water is also necessary for the detoxification process, helping to flush toxins from your body.

Unfortunately, you lose water quickly throughout the day and any water you drink goes to all your other organs first, before reaching the skin. To keep your skin well-hydrated, be sure you’re drinking at least 8 glasses of water a day, and if you’re very active or outside in hot weather you’ll need to drink even more. Lastly, try switching to non-toxic body products. Anything you put on your skin–lotions, cosmetics, deodorants, cleansers, etc.– can be hiding hundreds of undisclosed chemical compounds that irritate and inflame your skin. And because your skin is so porous, these toxins can easily penetrate your bloodstream and circulate throughout your body, wreaking havoc on more than just your skin.

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These lifestyle tips go beyond skin-deep, so you can feel confident knowing that you are nourishing your body, both inside and out. And by taking control of your health, you will get the added bonus of beautiful hair, skin, and nails so you can look as young as you feel.

RECIPES FROM THE HEART

A n I k c u t S ? t u R h c Lun Caused by a lack of time and stress at work or just drawing a blank when it comes to thinking of new ideas, it’s easier to stick with what you know every day, and sometimes cheaper. The foods people get hooked on range from the ordinary -- burger and fries, pepperoni pizza, a favourite dish from the closest takeaway or some very common contenders, the

ham sandwich and a ham salad. You’re probably the best judge of whether you’re in an eating rut. To one nutritionist, it’s eating the same thing three days in a row. To another, it’s not a rut until you’ve eaten the same food for at least 30 days. Don’t worry, it’s not necessarily a bad thing, as long as your diet includes items from all the major food groups. If you are bored of the same sandwich or salad everyday for lunch, try integrating these delicious ideas into the mix. YOURHOME

Are you having the same lunch that you’ve had almost every single day for the past year? Many of us end up having the same lunch despite the best of intentions.

Avocado Poke Boat Vary the ingredients to include mexican flavours such as beans, corn and tomato for a different lunch option. INGREDIENTS » » » »

1 lime, juiced 1/2 tsp wasabi paste 1 avocado 300g sushi-grade salmon, or smoked salmon, cut into 2cm cubes » 1/3 cup shelled edamame beans

» 2 radishes, trimmed, thinly sliced » 2 tsp black or white sesame seeds » 1/2 cup cooked brown rice » 2 spring onions, sliced

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METHOD

1. Place lime juice and wasabi paste in a small bowl and stir to combine. 2. Cut avocado in half lengthways and remove seed. Scoop out flesh using a large spoon, reserving skins. Cut flesh into 2cm cubes and add to lime dressing. Toss to coat and set aside. 3. Place salmon, edamame beans, radish and sesame seeds in a bowl and toss to combine. Toss through avocado pieces. 4. Divide rice among avocado skins then top with salmon mix. Scatter over spring onions to serve.

RECIPES FROM THE HEART

15-minute Udon Noodle Soup Vary the ingredients with mushrooms, sliced chicken, tofu or some frozen dumplings. INGREDIENTS » » » »

1/3 cup white miso paste 1 tbs grated ginger 1 bunch broccolini, sliced 1/4 small cabbage, coarsely chopped » 2 x 200g pkts precooked udon noodles

» » » » »

4 spring onions, sliced 1 tbs soy sauce 2 tsp sesame oil 1 tsp white vinegar 4 eggs

METHOD

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1. Bring 1.5 litres water to the boil in a large saucepan. Stir in miso paste and ginger and simmer for 5 minutes. 2. Add broccolini stems and cabbage and simmer for 3 minutes. Add noodles, remaining broccolini and spring onions, reserving some for garnish. Simmer for 2 minutes. Season with soy and sesame oil. 3. Soft boil eggs in another saucepan. 4. Ladle soup into bowls, top each with an egg and garnish with remaining spring onion.

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