Issue 06 Renewed Collective Magazine | Australian Wellness Magazine

Endaimonia (n) Greek: A contented state of being happy, healthy and prosperous.

Image by Lum3n

ISSUE

Six

Founder / Editor Sammy McAleese

Designer Sammy McAleese @mindbodylounge

@herbalhiraeth

Contributors Bec Miller Chloe Chivers Mandy Merrifield Dr Aimee Brown

@sondercoffeeperth

MAGS IN THE WILD

Website:

www.renewedcollective.com

Email:

renewedcollective@outlook.com

Instagram:

@renewedcollective_

Here is issue 05 (and our first printed issue!) out being enjoyed by you all. Tag us @renewedcollective_ for your chance to be featured and win a copy of the next issue!

Cover image by Jess Loiterton Printed versions of Renewed Collective Magazine are proudly printed on 100% recycled paper and vegetable inks by our local Perth printer. Sustainability is extremely important to us and we choose the planet over profit. We believe small actions can contribute to bigger change, and that we can all make a difference.

We wish to acknowledge the custodians of the land we live and work on, the Whadjuk people of the Noongar nation and their Elders past, present and emerging. We acknowledge and respect their culture and customs that have nurtured and continue to nurture this land. Copyright Renewed Collective 2021. All rights reserved. All material in Renewed Collective is wholly copyright and reproduction without the written permission of Renewed Collective is strictly forbidden. All content in Renewed Collective is for general informational purposes only, and should not be construed as medical advice or instruction. Our content is not intended to be relied upon to offer a solution to specific problem, or as a substitute for the advice of qualified professionals tailored to your particular circumstances and lifestyle. We are unable to guarantee that our tips and suggestions will work for everyone, every time, as we are all unique and respond differently. Please consult with health professionals if required before starting anything new. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, Renewed Collective shall not be liable for errors or omissions. We have done our best to acknowledge all photographers, and sources of research if required. All information is correct at time of writing. We apologise if anything appears incorrectly. It will be a genuine mistake. Please let us know and we can give you a mention in the next issue.

Contents 7. Editors Letter 8. WELLNESS SHOP - Earth’s Tribe 10. LOW-TOX BEAUTY Mineral Sunscreens 12. @SOCIAL 14. MIND This issue’s recommendations on books, documentaries and podcasts 16. FOUNDATION FOCUS - The Ocean Cleanup 18. INGREDIENT SPOTLIGHT DEA/MEA/TEA & Coconut Oil 20. TINY HOMES A movement is growing and inspiring you to live differently. 23. Q&A - Sleep Rituals - Callie Gift Co - BetterBee Eco 28. FEATURE BIZ - Ora 32. NOURISH - Slow Cooker Butter Chicken - Keto Pad Thai - Chocolate Chip Cookies 35. TEA TIME - Leif Tea Co 36. CREATIVE REVOLUTION Elso Collective 38. SUSTAINABLE AT HOME - Dipp Pools 40. LOW-TOX LIVING - Ecolour Paints 42. MIND BODY SOUL - Ladies, we need to talk about our vaginas. Here’s why. - What are the benefits of hypnotherapy? - How to wind down your body to encourage restorative sleep 46. NURTURE - Conscious Koala - Evia Nappies 48. SUSTAINABLE STYLE - Lost Sols Footwear - BelieveIn Co 50. WANDERLUST 52. EXPERIENCE - Arimia 54. WORDSEARCH

Ed�tors Letter

W�lc�e Who can believe we’ve almost made it to the end of 2021. I honestly feel like this year has been a whirlwind and has flown by so quickly. I’m more than ready for things to get back to ‘normal’, whatever that looks like, but it’s time. I am already looking forward to next year. Hubby and I are selling our house and are ready for a new adventure. We haven’t quite worked out what that will be just yet, but it will reveal itself soon, and that’s what makes life interesting isn’t it? I had so much wonderful feedback about our last issue! The new printed magazine turned out beautifully and I was so proud to be able to hold all that hard work in my hands. We have jam packed this issue with even more goodness, and I’ve even included a new section or two to keep you on your toes. Let’s take a look at what’s inside…

Image by Nathan Cowley

Our Summer issue features Ora, who are redefining modern natural medicine with a range of therapeutic, plant-based products to assist with the health concerns and needs of today’s consumers. We have Q&A’s with the founders of Sleep Rituals, Callie Gift Co and BetterBee Eco, learning more about their businesses and what inspires and motivates them. We learn more about Tiny Homes and the wonderful alternative they are providing some people in our crazy housing market. We have some great experts sharing their wisdom and knowledge on a variety of topics including; tips to wind down before bed, the benefits of hypnotherapy, and we discuss vaginas and the need to destigmatise the conversations around vaginal health. Plus some delicious recipes, great mineral sunscreens options, and all our wonderful regular features and recommendations.

Wishing everyone a safe and enjoyable holiday season. I hope you get to make time for whatever your soul needs, whether that’s relaxing at the beach, exploring off the beaten track, catching up with family or friends, or enjoying some quiet solitude reading that book you’ve been meaning to read all year! I will be back in the New Year refreshed and ready for an epic 2022! Much love,

Sammy

P.S. If you have any recommendations for a future issue, would like to be featured or write an article, please get in touch I would love to hear from you. P.P.S. We are currently looking for stockists to stock our beautiful new printed magazine, so if you know of anywhere please let us know.

@_sammymac_ @renewedcollective_ www.renewedcollective.com

Fe�turing Earth’s

Tr�be

Overhaul your home with this one-stop shop for all your eco-friendly alternatives.

Born in 2018, Earth’s Tribe is an Australian owned and run zero waste store, helping you eliminate plastics and chemicals from your home and life. Offering a huge range of environmentally friendly alternatives for your bathroom, cleaning, kitchen and reusables, baby and mumma, plus a great range of ready to go gifts and bundles. When starting on your zero waste journey it can be seem overwhelming and confusing where to start. Earth’s Tribe offer somewhere you can grab the essentials you need all in one online space. Start small or purchase a bundle to help you get started. For those already on their journey, Earth’s Tribe offer some different products not easily found elsewhere. Earth’s Tribe name evokes a sense of community, and know that supporting their business you will also give back to communities in Australia. Some of these wonderful foundations include Foodbank and i=change.

‘The Earth is what we all have in common.’ - Wendell Berry

1. 6.

1. Reusable Nursing Pads 5 pack - $29.95

2. Hemp Makeup Rounds and Bamboo Holder (10 pack rounds) - $28.00 3. Eco Dental Care Box - $34.95 4. Coconut Fibre Bottle Brush - $8.95 5. Bamboo Cutlery Travel Set - $19.95 6. Insulated Bamboo Bottle 500mL - $32.95 7. Ultimate Supermarket Bundle - $44.95 8. Pamper Box - $40.95

Shop the full range of Earth’s Tribe online now.

4. @earths_tribe

All Images by Earth’s Tribe

www.earthstribe.com.au

Low-Tox

Bea�ty Sunscr�n Summer is here! Although it’s important to be wearing sunscreen on our faces everyday, it’s even more so with the warmer weather having us heading outside to soak up that sunshine. Exercising outside, swimming, and outdoor gatherings, you want to be protected. There are 2 types of sunscreen available and both are very different. Do you know the difference between chemical and mineral sunscreens? Let take a quick look at both. Chemical sunscreens use synthetic compounds like oxybenzone, octisalate, avobenzone and 4-methylbenzylidene camphor to penetrate the skin. These ingredients create a chemical reaction in the skin absorbing the UV rays and then transforming them into heat, releasing them back into the air. The issue with this is your skin needs to absorb these chemicals to be able to provide you protection from the sun, and these chemical UV actives have been known to have an effect on hormones in humans, and the coral reefs in our oceans. It’s also important to check labels and avoid other toxic ingredients like Parabens, phthalates, SLS and fragrance. Mineral sunscreens, which can also been known as physical sunscreens, use minerals as the active ingredients. The most common minerals used are zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, which occur naturally but can also be created synthetically. Mineral sunscreens work by providing a physical barrier on your skin reflecting the suns rays directly back into the atmosphere, hence why they can also be referred to as physical sunscreens. One concern with mineral sunscreens containing zinc is the white cast it leaves on your skin. When its sole purpose is to create on barrier on your skin, the minerals won’t absorb into your skin and completely disappear. Fortunately, brands have been working on reducing the white cast while also still keeping the benefits of zinc in their products. They have come such a long way, and many come in tinted options too which is a great option when using it on your face.

www.ewg.org/sunscreen

10.

References:

We have put together some great options for normal and tinted mineral sunscreens for your face that will hopefully encourage you to make the switch from chemical to mineral easier. If you’ve already made the switch hopefully this will give you a few more options to choose from!

AVOCADO ZINC SPF50 Natural Physical Sunscreen / SPF50 Natural Tinted Moisturiser These very high rated SPF sunscreens come in both natural and tinted versions that are 100% natural and preservative and fragrance free. With added skin boosting ingredients they are suitable for the whole family, and reef-friendly making them safe for our oceans too. Proudly packaged in eco-friendly PCR tubes made from recycled materials. www.avocadozinc.com.au

LIFE BASICS SPF30 All Natural Facial Sunscreen This affordable UVA & UVB broadspectrum sunscreen is mineral based and doesn’t leave your skin feeling greasy. It’s reef-friendly, using zinc oxide and calendula extract to protect and nourish your skin. Available untinted, it can be used alone, or under makeup leaving skin with a beautiful satin finish. www.nourishedlife.com.au

MUKTI Daily Moisturiser with Sunscreen / Tinted Moisturiser with Sunscreen Using Zinc Oxide together wth antioxidants, SPF15 and zero fragrance, Mukti offer both a normal and tinted version of their moisturiser with sunscreen. With 20% Zinc Oxide, this product filters both ageing UVA and burning UVB rays. The tinted sunscreen uses a luminescent pigment that can be wonderful used alone to even out skin tone, or as a primer before applying makeup. www.muktiorganics.com

MOTHER SPF Organic Mineral Sunscreen SPF30 Proudly using only 9 sustainable and organic ingredients, this sunscreen is reeffriendly and 100% photostable meaning it never breaks down in sunlight. The star ingredient is Non Nano Zinc Oxide, which uses specialised zinc dispersion technology ensuring the product goes on transparent and there is minimal white cast when applied. Mother SPF is both effective and a delight to wear. www.motherspf.com

HANAMI

WOTNOT

Super Soothie BB Cream This 4in1 product is all natural, hydrating, perfecting and protecting for skin with the benefit of SPF12+. It’s mineral based with a semi-matte finish. Available in 4 shades, the colour adapting properties make it suitable for a wider range of skin tones.

SPF30 Natural Face Sunscreen Free from chemical UV absorbers, PEG’s, Parabens and artificial fragrance. With organic ingredients this is a great natural option to use with or without makeup. SPF40 Natural Face Sunscreen, BB Cream & Mineral Makeup This high SPF rated sunscreen offers a great alternative if you want full coverage and great protection. Using Zinc Oxide, it is reef-friendly and toxin-free.

www.hanami.com.au

www.wotnot.com.au 11.

l � i c o S @

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Embrace the positive side of social media. The inspiring online communities sharing information that empowers us, and creates positive change. Sharing experiences that bring us together, reminding us that we’re not alone. Here are our some of our current favourites.

Holly has created the ultimate sustainable garden in her suburban backyard, showing us that you don’t need acres of land to live more sustainably. Sharing so many gardening tips and tricks, food preserving and delicious recipes inspiring us to go from garden to plate without any waste. Holly also has an Online Garden Club and YouTube channel if you want to deep dive further into sustainable gardening.

Bethany inspires you to use what’s in your wardrobe and not let it go to waste. Got a dress that doesn’t fit well? Instead of donating it, why don’t you alter it into a top or skirt? Upcycling breathes new life into an item that otherwise would have been tossed out. Bethany also inspires you to embrace your unique size and not look at the number on the tag - you’re not standard, and neither is sizing for every brand out there.

Floralia is a naturopathic clinic and apothecary based in Perth, WA. They have a wealth of knowledge within their walls with various experts in Holistic Health ranging from Naturopaths, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Acupuncture and Holistic Doctors. They are based in Perth, and if you can’t visit in person, their socials share valuable information including natural medicine tips, recipes and recommendations.

Venetia is based in the UK, but shares important information about the fashion industry that everyone should be aware of. Campaigning for fair fashion and bringing to light unethical practices continually occurring within the industry - including greenwashing by big fast fashion brands. Venetia encourages you to treat re-wearing outfits as normal and vintage clothing as something to be appreciated. She is also the creator of #oootd - old outfit of the day.

Mind Welcome to this issue’s recommendations on what to read, watch and listen to. If you have recently found something inspiring, please get in touch with your recommendations, we would love to hear them!

The New Hustle by Emma Isaacs In Emma’s new book she is asking us to question why we do the work we do. To stop making excuses and take radical action towards our goals and dreams. This book is perfectly timed with everything that has recently happened, with people already questioning what they want to do with their lives. We need to take a look at our values and see if what we are spending our days doing aligns with these. Trust your instincts.

Books

We have an opportunity to embrace a new way of working and living, and the time is now. Whether you’re an employee, a leader of a team or self-employed, Emma’s tips will leave you wanting to transform the way you work to benefit everyone. This book is full of inspiration and will challenge the way you think and work going forward. I wanted to instantly re-read it as soon as I was finished to keep the motivation going. A great reminder to embrace change and let life surprise you, it might just lead you on a path you never expected. Available instore at selected bookstores and in all major online booksellers.

The Good Life by Hannah Moloney Hannah is a permaculture landscape designer and educator, and her passion comes through every page of this wonderful read. She has a way with words that draws you into every story she tells. She was born into the garden life and has continually built her knowledge and developed a sustainable way of living. Exploring different aspects of growing a better world, Hannah shares her journey so far, her home and her garden, giving us inspiration and ideas that could work for our own journey’s. She also shares a new term -‘community sufficiency’ instead of self-sufficiency that we normally hear about. Hannah says; ‘Community sufficient means that, rather than one household or property having everything they need to survive, a whole region can informally work together so that everyone can thrive, resulting in a more connected, beautiful and resilient life for everyone.’ This book shares a wonderful way to connect with others and therefore spread a positive message and lifestyle that is sustainable for the future. Available instore at selected bookstores and in all major online booksellers.

14.

This documentary shares a frightening fact that in the past 50 years we have managed to push ourselves outside the state our climate has been in for 10,000 years. We are undermining the stability of the planet and something has to be done. Watching this is quite confronting as it details the damage we have done to our planet and the realisation that things need to change, and change soon. This documentary details new information that I hadn’t come across before, showing the different systems that regulate the planet and their boundaries. Every system has a boundary that shouldn’t be crossed, but can actually be reversed if it hasn’t reached its tipping point. Once it reaches its tipping point there’s no going back. It gives hope that sometimes only small changes can reverse the damage done, but those changes need to be implemented. We need to reframe our economy purely around sustainability, and the future is in our hands. This is a defining decade. Watch on Netflix

Kiss the Ground

Documentaries

Breaking Boundaries: The Science of our Planet

In 1935 the United States President, Franklin Roosevelt created the Soil Conservation Service to help improve soil quality, showing the issue of soil quality has been going on for too long. There are issues of massive erosion throughout the world, caused by ploughing and tilling of the lands, turning the soil into dirt. Dirt cannot grow healthy food, let alone contribute to a healthy environment. This documentary explores how the solution could be right under our feet. Soil has the ability to sequester carbon out of the atmosphere, as well as grow the plants that help regulate and heal the planet. Sharing the stories of inspiring humans who are farming sustainably and proving there is a better way to do things, as well as experts who detail the different ways the soil has been damaged over the years, and the effects it has having on every system of our economy. Regeneration is needed to heal the soil and balance the climate.

Podcasts

Watch on Netflix

Body Bites with Bec

Green Junkie

Bec hosts this podcast for healthconscious women, sharing lessons and expert interviews on all thing’s food, weight loss and optimal health to help women piece together their own healthy weight balance puzzle and thrive at the potential they deserve.

Stephanie is a green living expert and shares her knowledge and tips, guiding you towards a more sustainable life. Not overcomplicating things, Stephanie shares simple, actionable tips that you can implement into your life without much fuss.

Listen on iTunes, Spotify and other good podcast providers

Listen on iTunes, Spotify and other good podcast providers 15.

Focus THE OCEAN CLEANUP An organisation doesn’t usually start up with the aim of closing, but that’s one non-profits aim, and the sooner the better. The Ocean Cleanup is a non-profit organisation dedicated to ridding the worlds ocean of plastic. Every year, millions of tons of plastic enter the worlds oceans, getting caught in currents and creating large ocean garbage patches. The majority of this plastic is entering oceans via river systems around the world. We have already seen the impact it’s having on our environment, animal life and human health. We know we need to stop plastic at its source before it’s even created, but for now we need to help remove it after it has been disposed of. The Ocean Cleanup is dedicated to developing and scaling technologies to remove this plastic from the oceans, as we can’t afford for it to continually build up and it won’t go away by itself. Every piece of plastic still exists in one way or another, and the longer it is left to break down into tiny pieces the harder it is to clean up. Their aim is to clean up 90% of floating ocean plastic pollution, and they are well on their way after achieving a major milestone only recently. In October 2021 they reached proof of technology with System 002. This system was tested in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, located between Hawaii and California and the largest of the world’s five ocean garbage patches. With the assistance of computational modelling, the system comprises of a long U-shaped barrier which acts as a type of artificial coastline to concentrate the plastic. This barrier is towed by ships maintaining a relative speed difference to the plastic so it can be caught and then extracted when full. This process can then be continually repeated until the holding containers on the ships are full. The plastic is then taken back to shore and processed for recycling. The recycled product is used to create durable and valuable products for their supporters, helping fund the continued ocean clean up.

The Ocean Cleanup are currently working on an upscaled version System 003, to help assist with the clean up and hope, combined with source reduction, to remove 90% of floating ocean plastic by 2040. Support their work through donations, partnering with them or purchasing their merchandise. Inventive and dedicated individuals can join their team. Spread their mission and use the power of social media to create awareness and be part of the movement of The Ocean Cleanup.

@theoceancleanup

All Images by The Ocean Cleanup

www.theoceancleanup.com

Clockwise from left: The worlds 5 largest ocean garbage patches, System 002 in action with its unique U-shaped barrier, captured plastic is pulled onto the ships, on the ships deck showing just some of the plastic removed from the ocean.

17.

Diethanolamine (DEA), Monoethanolamine (MEA) and Triethanolamine (TEA) are the most common ethanolamines, which are a chemical group of ammonia compounds used in a wide range of applications including cosmetics, personal care products and household cleaning products. Ethanolamines are clear and colourless and act as an emulsifier or foaming agent helping water-soluble and oilsoluble ingredients blend DEA together.

- Diethanolamine

Ethanolamines can be found in the following products; soaps, shampoos, hair conditioners and dyes, lotions, shaving creams, paraffin and waxes, household cleaning products, pharmaceutical ointments, eyeliners, mascara, eye shadows, blush, make-up bases, foundations, fragrances and sunscreens.

18.

References:

Concerns about these chemicals are valid, with the Material Safety Data Sheet for MEA ethanolamine detailing that skin - Monoethanolamine contact may be harmful, can produce chemical burns and When included in so many may cause inflammation. everyday products, it’s TEA Prolonged exposure can result important to keep an eye out in liver, kidney or nervous for this ingredient. The more - Triethanolamine system injury. DEA is of products you use with this particular concern due to its ingredient adds to your toxic inclusion in some pesticides. load, giving you a higher risk The World Health Organization of an adverse reaction. lists DEA as an unclassified carcinogen. The European Commission also prohibits DEA in cosmetics, to reduce Avoid: contamination from carcinogenic nitrosamines. Nitrosamines are created when ethanolamines are used • Cocamide DEA in the same product as certain preservatives, which • Cocamide MEA break down into nitrogen and form this chemical. • DEA-Cetyl Phosphate Nitrosamines are a class of more than a dozen different • DEA Oleth-3 Phosphate chemicals, which the International Agency for Research • Lauramide DEA on Cancer lists individually as possible and known • Linoleamide MEA carcinogens. • Myristamide DEA • Oleamide DEA • Stearamide MEA • TEA-Lauryl Sulfate • Triethanolamine

https://www.safecosmetics.org/get-the-facts/chemicals-of-concern/ethanolamine-compounds/ https://www.annmariegianni.com/ingredient-watch-list-ethanolamines-mea-dea-tea-potential-carcinogens/ https://datasheets.scbt.com/sc-203042.pdf https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/top-10-evidence-based-health-benefits-of-coconut-oil https://carringtonfarms.com/blog/uses-of-coconut-oil-besides-food/

DEA / MEA / TEA

Ingredient

Coconut Oil Coconut oil is a versatile oil that can be used in a variety of ways, helping both our inner and outer health. Coconut oil comes as unrefined or refined, with benefits depending on the use. Unrefined coconut oil can be dry or wet extracted and is often also known as virgin coconut oil due to its minimal processing. Refined coconut oil goes through the same extraction methods plus some additional processing steps to make it flavourless, and better for use in cooking with its high smoke point. Beyond cooking, coconut oil is a wonderful product to add to your beauty routine. It is rich in antioxidants and is a natural anti-microbial and anti-bacterial agent. It is also high in medium chain triglycerides (MCT) which acts as a protective barrier against environmental and free radical damage. Extra virgin coconut oil is preferred as it’s less processed and very gentle on your skin and hair. Often used as a natural moisturiser, conditioner or hair mask. Coconut oil has unique fatty acids which are able to penetrate the hair’s shaft easily, and its anti-bacterial properties can offer relief from dandruff and an itchy scalp. It contains vitamin E, helping in the recovery of skin abrasions and burns, but is most beneficial in the treatment of eczema. Studies have shown that coconut oil reduced the symptoms of atopic dermatitis and eczema. Whether you are using it for cooking or topically, coconut oil has an array of benefits for your metabolism, hair and skin, and is an affordable and essential product to have in your cupboard.

19.

Image of Aussie Tiny Home of Amy & Greg from Life Done Simple

Written by Sammy McAleese

Tiny H�es A movement is growing and inspiring you to live differently. As people accumulate more belongings and move into bigger homes to fit all their ‘stuff’, some people are turning the other way and downsizing dramatically. Whether it’s sustainability, the price, or just the freedom, tiny homes can help provide an alternative. Tiny homes can be found as many different options, such as shipping containers, permanent granny flats, or a more flexible approach as a tiny home on a trailer, allowing you to relocate wherever your heart desires. Caravans and camper vans are more commonly known tiny homes, although these are generally used only sporadically and not on an ongoing basis. But the last few years have made way for singles, couples and even families to go travelling permanently and live their life on the road. It may seem exhausting to some, but the freedom of exploring unknown places can be exciting. Tiny homes also provide an alternative with our increasing property prices making it difficult for young people to enter into the housing market. People are having to contemplate whether it really is their dream to own a home on a block in a nice suburb. And for some that is truly what they want and that’s ok. But what do those do who don’t want the uncertainty of renting, and want somewhere permanent to call home? Tiny homes can help solve this issue.

20.

With the price of land also on the rise, people are looking for alternative ways of finding land to build or park their new home. Your family might have a large block that you use part of, or by searching within the tiny living communities around Australia, you could just find someone willing to lease you part of their slice of paradise. Sustainability is another main reason for the interest is smaller homes, reducing your footprint and even allowing you to live off grid. By setting up an off grid home you are becoming completely self-sufficient and reducing your reliance on government provided resources. Instead using the rain to fill your water tanks, and the sunshine to power your solar electricity. An important and obvious part of going tiny is the need to reduce your belongings quite substantially. This could be confronting to some, but to others it could seem quite freeing. To only have the items that you love and need, instead of all those things you ‘think’ you’ll use one day. To realise that we actually don’t need much as much as we think we do.

‘The greatest wealth is to live content with little.’ - Plato

My favourite tiny homes are transportable or ones on trailers. These are honestly like a mini home and have everything you could possibly need. The creative process to fit all the essentials and storage would be likened to a jigsaw puzzle, and some amazing builders thrive on this challenge. From small one bedroom homes, to ones that can sleep up to 6 people. The choices are endless. Whether you want a kitchenette or full kitchen, a small but perfectly functioning bathroom, or even a bathtub, there are options for everyone. Another great benefit of being on a trailer is that generally they are classed as a caravan here in Australia, and can be towed on the road with a suitable vehicle. This allows you the freedom to relocate whenever and wherever your heart desires. Tiny living might not be for you, but I think it’s wonderful that it’s becoming noticed and providing an alternative. An alternative to living in a house in a fixed location. An alternative for nomads who want to make it easy for themselves to move if they want to, and take their home with them. To park up and have that familiar space when they arrive at their destination. An alternative to set up and live off grid and truly provide for you or your family in a more sustainable way.

Ironbark Cabins @ironbark_cabins www.ironbarkcabins.com.au

Here are some of our favourite tiny living builders in Australia, check them out if you are curious!

Designer Eco Tiny Homes @designerecotinyhomes www.designerecotinyhomes.com.au

Aussie Tiny Houses @aussietinyhouses www.aussietinyhouses.com.au

Salty Builds @saltybuilds_ www.saltybuilds.com.au

Fox Tiny Homes @fox_tiny_homes www.foxtinyhomes.com.au If you are considering going tiny, don’t forget to to check with your local council regarding rules and regulations. They differ between states and local councils.

Uber Tiny Homes @ubertinyhomes www.ubertinyhomes.com 21.

Image by Tim Mossholder

Sleep Rituals

All Images by Sleep Rituals

Q&A Sleep Rituals Q&A with Founder Mina What inspired you to start your business? Seeing more and more people around us struggling to unwind, relax and sleep! We believe daily bedtime rituals can help manage our day to day stress and prepare our body for a restful sleep. We wanted to create an awareness for daily rituals and their proven benefits on our emotional, mental and physical wellbeing. Why is it important to you to use only natural or organic ingredients? Using natural and organic ingredients is about reducing our exposure to nasty chemicals and pesticides. The majority of products around us these days are neither good for us, nor for the environment. If we all make conscious decisions to use environmentally friendly and organic products it can make a huge impact long term, on our bodies and ecosystem. What’s your favourite product? Our bestseller is the Organic Sleep Mist. It is our household favourite too!

Currently reading? Raising Boys by Steve Biddulph. Favourite travel destination? Japan. Favourite quote? “This too shall pass”. Final words… We all have busy hectic lives but remember to take time everyday for self-care. Daily relaxation rituals can be short, only last a few minutes and in no way need to be elaborate. Long term, these rituals make a positive impact on our health and wellbeing.

What’s your favourite way to look after yourself? Making time for self-care every evening after the kids have gone to bed. Small daily rituals to help me unwind. Sometimes a cup of calming tea, a book or a bath/footsoak!

Sleep Rituals create a range of awardwinning organic products for daily relaxation, calm & sleep. Shop their range online now.

Currently creating? A new fragrance that incorporates my favourite oil cedarwood.

24.

@sleeprituals_organic.pure.eco www.sleeprituals.com.au

Q&A

Callie Gift Co Q&A with Founder Kristy What inspired you to start your business?

Do you have a favourite gift box?

I've always loved gift-giving and weirdly enough wrapping and packing gifts. When I was younger I'd ask to wrap my own Christmas presents so they looked nicer under the tree. When the pandemic started in 2020, I wanted a way to give back and started to help organise gift hampers for family and friends to give to their loved ones. There was an overwhelming response from people who just wanted to outsource the whole process and have their gifts organised for them so I decided to commit to it and start a business.

Definitely the Blooming Love You box, it's the ultimate self care box and I can't pass up good chocolate!

Why is it important to you to use sustainable and ecofriendly products in your gifts? If I'm being completely transparent, I didn't start my business with a sustainable intention. I've always been wildly passionate about sustainability and studied a Bachelor of International Studies where I learnt a lot about the global environmental crisis, but it wasn't until I started getting product samples for the business that I realised just how significant the problem was. Initially, I had suppliers sending every single sample wrapped in single-use plastic, so I made the decision to shift the focus to working with sustainable and eco-friendly brands. We now have a sustainable business model where we partner with other incredible sustainable brands and plant one tree for each gift box sold.

What’s your favourite way to look after yourself? I love bike riding, and am so fortunate to live by the beach so just going for a walk or bike ride is super relaxing. Currently creating? We've been working on creating some products in house so that we know the entire process of making them has minimal impact. We've recently added ecofriendly trinket dishes and candles to the store. Currently reading? Thinking Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman Favourite travel destination? This is so tough to answer! Every time I visit somewhere new I think I have a new favourite. My top 2 destinations are probably Canada and Spain. Favourite quote? "Every action you take is a vote for the type of person you wish to become." - James Clear Final words… I think the main thing people need to remember is that one person can make a difference. Just by asking the question, I've had brands offer to change their packaging, often it costs a little more but I'd much prefer the cost on my bank account over the cost on the planet.

All Images by Callie Gift Co

Callie Gift Co offer a range of sustainable gift boxes, making gifting beautifully simple for you & the planet. Shop online now.

@calliegiftco www.calliegiftco.com

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Q&A BetterBee Eco Q&A with Founders Michelle & Ryan

Ryan: For me the business came about with me not being able to find a hard-working hand balm for men. I did some research and found a few examples of rock climbers etc overseas using particular ingredients to soften tough callused hands. After many months of research and trial batches B.Tuf hand and heel balm was born and quickly followed by No.Bee.O our underarm balms. Thus our business was created as BetterBeeEco to encompass our Eco nature and the use of beeswax and honey in many of our products. Small side note Michelle was running Second Nature Botanicals for our good friends Kirsty and Noel who had moved back to NZ and we eventually brought the Australian part of it and merged with our range to all fall under the BBE label. Michelle: Waste! Literally...Seeing so much waste in our family bin. I wanted to change this and do something that would make a difference. To show our kids that small changes do matter and that it's every person’s responsibility to be waste conscious and live a little lighter on our beautiful planet. BBE has grown from an online business [Unwrapped The Store] selling plastic-free products to us creating our own products and changing our name to BetterBee.Eco. We then bought our friend’s business Second Nature Botanicals and blended all the products together. We are proud to now carry both a home + body collection of natural waste-conscious products. Why do you choose to use only natural or organic ingredients? R: For me personally I just did not like the thought of my family and I using products in our home or on our bodies that had ingredients I did not know the name of let alone the effects they may have on us so we use as natural and as local as possible.

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M: Simply because they are safer, gentler and healthier for us and the planet. Using these ingredients means you wont be absorbing nasty chemicals through your skin or breathing in the fumes in your home. Your home should be your sanctuary. There is so much we don't know about how “nasty” ingredients interfere with our bodies natural processes. What’s your favourite product? R: My favourite products are the perfume range. I never thought as a 38 year old male I would get excited about perfume but I enjoy trying new scents and playing with different oil profiles to create something different. The product I use the most though is the natural cleaning spray. I always have a bottle at work as it keeps the red dirt at bay from my office and smells great. M: The Allure perfume oil! It has been my scent for six years now and it makes me smile every time I smell it. It makes me feel amazing. What’s your favourite way to look after yourself? R: For me its exercise, my previous career I was a personal trainer for 11 years so I use exercise to keep me fit and healthy and find the mental benefits just as rewarding. M: It’s taken me a long time to be ok with saying “no” to people and to take time out for myself. I burnt out last year so it has become even more important to look after myself. Now, I take Mondays just for me. I do a fitness class, write, eat yummy food and relax. Currently creating? R: Currently working on putting out perfume range into a solid wax based state and packaging in a nice slide open metal tin these will be amazing. That and our range of face and hand oils will be hitting shelves soon.

Images by BetterBee Eco

What inspired you to start your business?

M: Our new perfume balms and designing the labels for the neat little slide tins. Currently reading? R: Audio books for me as I do a lot of driving to and from Karratha weekly at work so anything that keeps me entertained for 4 hours at a time. M: This will be a long list! I work as a Children’s Librarian when not working at BBE. This means my reading pile is always high! Picture books are my biggest love though. "Sand Talk" Tyson Yunkaporta, "The Underdogs" a junior series by Jol & Kate Temple, "Follow Your Feelings" a new picture book series by WA author Kitty Black,"How to be a Ballerina" Davina Bell, and lots of new picture books about Christmas! Oh and I'm listening to the new Alice Pung "One Hundred Days"

Favourite quote? R: "Do you” or "if nothing changes nothing changes" M: “Curiosity is the most powerful thing you own” anonymous Final words… In these crazy times stick together, support one another, and in particular try and support local. We try and source as much as we can from Perth to keep our local economy going.

BetterBee Eco offer a range of natural and earth-friendly home and body products. Shop their range online now.

Favourite travel destination? R: Greek Islands or back home to New Zealand (Mt Maunganui look it up you will love it)

Image by Skyler Sion

M: New York! New York! It was everything I imagined and more. Ry proposed to me here, so it will always hold a special place in my heart.

@betterbee.eco www.betterbeeeco.com.au

Fe�ture Biz

Ora Ora are redefining modern natural medicine with a range of therapeutic, plant-based products to assist with the health concerns and needs of today’s consumers. Ora’s mission of Cocreating wellness™ is refreshing and we found out more about this Australian brand with founder Gabriel Perera.

When did you start Ora? I had the idea for Ora about a year and a half ago – mid 2020 and right in the middle of lockdown! I started to put key members of the Ora team together and by end of 2020 / start of 2021, we had our first 6 products developed and in the manufacturing process. We launched just 2 months ago in September 2021 with a focus on health food stores and natural practitioners. What inspired you to start Ora? I’ve had almost 20 years of experience working with some of the best natural products brands in the world including 10 years as a senior executive at Blackmores, but while working in China few years ago I just reached this stage where I really started questioning my own natural product choices. For instance, I'm by no means a vegan but I started a journey with my consumption and was asking, can I be more ecologically conscious about my purchases? What if I try out more plant-based meals each week? How can I take better supplements, that deliver real benefits, but take less of them?

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As we created Ora, we tried to answer many of these questions as possible. We wanted to give people access to supplements that were truly clean, organic, 100% plant-based and sustainably-sourced. We wanted to give people better visibility and transparency of the where their products and the ingredients in them come from and how they are made. But most importantly I think, our vision for Ora is to help give people agency over their health and wellness. I believe people get the best results with natural medicines when they take ownership of their wellness journey, so I think of Ora as a vehicle to inspire and empower people to make better decisions about their health and wellbeing. The wellness community is growing as people become more conscious of what they are putting in, and on their bodies. Tell us a bit about your products and how they can support our health and wellbeing. Most of us live a pretty urban lifestyle. We have nutritional gaps. I certainly don't eat five to nine servings of fruit and vegetables every day, and I don't know many people who do. We want to help people bridge that nutritional gap first and foremost with products like our ACO Organic Certified Ora Greens Superpowder+.

Hormonal stress, adrenal fatigue and low energy levels right now are a massive issues for many of us especially for women. How do we manage this stress of always being on against a background of constant, underlying uncertainty? Cortisol levels are at alltime high levels for many of us these days. As a result, many of our Ora products have an emphasis on adaptogens, the highly prized tonic herbs from Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Herbal traditions that help people manage stress. Why wouldn't we give ourselves additional adaptogenic support throughout our day? And why not make those ingredients certified organic? We’re using new ingredients that haven't been seen in the market before like Shilajit, a Himalayan rock, which believe it or not, is high in Fulvic Acid, giving real nutritional support missing from a lot of our diets. But you as you know, the wellness community is not just conscious of what they put in their bodies but are also increasingly environmentally-conscious. They’re demanding a new, better standard for their health, beauty and wellness products, and expect brands to communicate on not just the quality of their products, but also the environmental impact of their business, their ethical conduct and their position on and contributions to social, racial and gender equality. So, with Ora, we have pushed ourselves to be that better standard. Why is sustainability important to you? Our very strong view is an individual cannot be well if the planet is not well, so a focus around ecoconsciousness and doing better for our planet has been present in our business from day 1. But we have since shifted our focus towards what we’re calling Regeneration, which goes beyond sustainability and the mitigation of harm. We want to take steps towards actively restoring and replenishing the Earth and the communities and ecosystems on it. One way we do that is by dedicating 1% of our revenues to 1% for the Planet, an organisation who helps fund diverse environmental organisations. Through them, we’ve chosen to support an independent, transparent and highimpact Australian reforestation charity called Greenfleet, which is committed to restoring forests and protecting native fauna. But Regeneration is not static – it’s a journey. So we’re constantly reassessing and looking for areas of improvement. Currently, we’re starting the process of carbon accounting and product life cycle assessments, with the goal of becoming B-Corp Certified.

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What aspect of your business do you enjoy most? I’m a natural medicine tragic – meaning, I would find it hard to do much else. I live and breathe ingredients, formulation and the clinical science behind our products (and everyone else’s!) – I’m also super grateful for the opportunity to work with a team that are really, really good at what they do. We’ve all worked together before in different businesses and brands, as well as some new dynamic folks who bring a whole new energy to the Ora brand. What do you find most challenging? We’re a start-up brand and we’re running our business as leanly as we can, which means that we must stretch every dollar, while ensuring that we deliver the very best products, brand experience and quality in everything we do. What keeps you motivated and inspired? It’s the opportunity we have to bring a new standard to the natural products industry professionally and personally, it’s my partner and kids. I also spend as much time as I can in the “company” of inspiring people – whether virtually with friends around the world, or via podcasts, interviews or books – across a wide range of areas. Do you have a morning routine? Yup, mornings are actually pretty sacred to me - it’s when I have my best ideas a lot of the time! I’m usually up around 5am and put on a pot of coffee, followed by my 15-20-minute meditation, which is a non-negotiable for me – I find that it really helps calm my nervous system and gives me more perspective on decision making. Most mornings, I also try to either go to the gym with my partner or for a run around the Northern Beaches area. Once that’s all done, our dog Willow gets her turn at the dog park before we head home to get ready for work. Embarrassingly, I’ll also normally check emails to see if there’s anything that needs immediate attention and spend some time mapping out my day. What’s your favourite way to move your body? It’s hard to pick a favourite. I love the feeling of lifting heavy weights, but I’ve been a competitive runner since I was a teenager, so running has always been quite special to me and remains a crucial part of my exercise regimen. I also find it to be one of the most cathartic activities – if I’m having a particularly difficult day, a run usually helps clear my mind and gives me a much-needed reset. Vinyasa yoga – which I definitely don’t do enough of – is quite literally my lifesaver. Some years ago I had a bad knee injury which doctors said was the end of my running career, but I was determined to return to form better than my 20’s. So I started yoga to try to get my mobility back, and the benefits I saw went beyond just that – particularly around mobility and again, nervous system support. Your favourite way to unwind? Heading out to try out a (usually Asian) restaurant – I have a secret desire to become a food blogger. Do you have a favourite quote? Hard to pick a favourite (I collect quotes) but this is always worth remembering.

‘Health is the greatest gift, contentment is the greatest wealth, a trusted friend is the best relative, a liberated mind is the greatest bliss.’ - Buddha, Dhammapada verse 204, translated by Daw Mya Tin

@orahealthau www.orahealth.com.au

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All Images by Ora

Shop Ora’s range of plant-based medicines online now.

Image by Zen Chung

N�ri�h INGREDIENTS For the butter chicken 2 and a ½ large chicken breasts (500g total) 1 red capsicum 1 onion 4 cloves garlic 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated 1 can coconut milk (400 g) 1 can tomato paste (170 g) 1 tbsp coconut flour or arrowroot flour 2 tsp garam masala ¼ tsp cayenne pepper 1 tsp dried coriander 1 tsp paprika 1 tsp turmeric 1 tsp cumin 1 pinch salt Juice of 1 lime To serve: Coconut yoghurt Cauliflower rice made from 1 cauliflower head Steamed greens of choice

Slow Cooker Butter Chicken Ready in: 375 mins Serves: 4 METHOD (15 mins prep time, 6 hours in slow cooker) 1. Firstly, dice the capsicum and onion. 2. Place chicken breasts and remaining ingredients in a slow cooker. Stir to combine. 3. Cover and cook on low for 6 hours. Chicken should be falling apart and easily shred with a fork. 4. When finished, stir through 4 large tbsp coconut yoghurt. 5. Service with cauliflower rice and steamed greens! Bec’s tips: A dash of coconut aminos or tamari is great to finish this dish off too before eating!

Nutrition per serving: Calories: 413kcal Protein: 33g Fat: 25g Net Carbs: 15g Fibre: 4g

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The chicken can also be cut lengthways or chopped into a few larger chunks if they are very thick breasts which will slightly reduce cooking time.

Keto Pad Thai

INGREDIENTS 1 packet of Slendier slim pasta (konjac noodles) 150g firm tofu 1 x small broccoli 1 small red capsicum 1 x brown onion 1/2 inch ginger peeled and grated 2 x garlic cloves 2 tbsp olive oil 2 green onions (optional for garnish) 10 x almonds (for garnish) 1/2 tsp chilli flakes 1/2 tsp pink salt 1/2 tsp black pepper Sauce Ingredients: 3 tbsp almond butter 3 tbsp rice wine vinegar 3 tbsp fish sauce 1 tsp tamari (gluten free soy sauce) Juice of 1 small lime 3 tbsp stevia

Nutrition per serving: Calories: 457 kcal Protein: 21 g Fat: 37 g Net carbs: 6 g Fibre: 9 g

Prep time: 15 mins Cook Time: 5 mins Total time: 20 mins Serves: 2 METHOD 1. Prepare slendier noodles as per packet instructions and set aside. 2. Use paper towels to dry the tofu and cut into small cubes. 3. Whisk together the almond butter, fish sauce, rice vinegar, tamari and stevia to make the sauce. 4. Coat tofu in half of the sauce and set aside. 5. Chop the broccoli, capsicum, garlic, onion and spring onions. 6. Heat olive oil in a large fry pan/wok. 7. Add onion, garlic and ginger to the pan and saute for 1-2 minutes. 8. Add broccoli capsicum and tofu to the pan, season with salt, pepper and chilli flakes. Saute until tofu is cooked through. 9. Add noodles and remaining sauce to the pan. 10. Toss the mix around for 2-3 minutes over the heat. 11. Serve with chopped almonds and spring onions. Bec’s tips: Feel free to swap tofu to chicken, beef or prawns! Use your protein conversions table to help you with this to keep calories fairly consistent. Slendier pasta is found in the health food isles at Coles and Woolworths. Not in Australia? Search in health food isles of your supermarket for konjac noodles! That contain only around 10-20 calories per serve!

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N�ri�h Chocolate Chip Cookies

INGREDIENTS 4 tbsp coconut flour 1/4 cup stevia 1/4 tsp salt 1/4 tsp baking soda 1 egg 1/2 tsp vanilla extract 75g butter or coconut oil 60g Lindt dark 85%-90% chocolate

Nutrition per serving: Calories: 172 kcal Protein: 3g Fat: 16g Net carbs: 1g Fibre: 2g

Total Time: 40 minutes Cook Time: 10-12 minutes Servings: 6 METHOD 1. Allow butter or coconut oil to soften naturally or microwave for 10-15 seconds until it is soft to touch but not fully melted. 2. Combine coconut flour, stevia, salt, and baking soda, ensuring there are no lumps. 3. Add the butter, egg, and vanilla extract. Combine well to form a dough. 4. Chop the chocolate into choc chip size chucks and stir through the dough. 4. Refrigerate the dough for 10 minutes while you preheat the oven to 170C and prepare a baking tray with baking paper. 5. Scoop out the dough into 6 even size portions and shape into round cookie shapes on the baking tray. 6. Bake for 10-12 minutes, remove from the oven and allow to cool completely before serving or storing in an airtight container. Bec’s tips: The cookies will be very soft when you remove them from the oven. They will continue cooking on the tray and will firm up once cool.

Bec Miller, founder of Health with Bec is a qualified Nutritionist, specialising in weight loss. She helps women worldwide who have ‘tried it all’ quit the yo-yo dieting, slim down and lose the bloat – without the hunger. Bec is also the podcast host of Body Bites with Bec, a podcast for health-conscious women, filled with bite sized lessons and expert interviews on all thing’s food, weight loss and optimal health to help women piece together their own healthy weight balance puzzle and thrive at the potential they deserve.

@health_with_bec www.healthwithbec.com 34.

All Images by Health with Bec

Double the recipe to make 12 cookies.

Tea Time Leif

TEA CO

Find your moments of calm with these delicious loose leaf herbal teas. Leif Tea Co offer a range of handcrafted, organic herbal teas. Nothing nasty to be found here - with no fillers or additives, only natural sustainable ingredients. Their earth-friendly values extend through to the packaging with all products used either recyclable, reusable or compostable. Including the plant-based cello which can be composted! With a huge range of nourishing and uplifting flavours to choose from, there is something to delight everyone’s tastebuds. View their range and purchase online, or find a stockist near you.

@leifteaco

All Images by Leif Tea Co

www.leifteaco.com

‘A moment to savour a blissful day. A moment to rest amidst the chaos. A moment with friends. Or a moment just for you.’ - Leif Tea Co

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Cre�tive Elso C��le�tive Q&A with Creative Founder Elena

Tell us a little bit about yourself, and what inspired the start of your creativity? I have been painting and creating for as long as I can remember and Picasso has long been an inspiration to me. He changed the way people looked and created art. Art became less about painting what you see and more about painting how you feel. I suffer from anxiety, depression and PTSD and I am so grateful for my art. It has really helped me work through my mental health and helped me thrive. Personally, I am known for my evil giggle, dark humour and obsession with true crime. People are surprised to hear that I have a degree in Psychology. I weirdly love science as much as I love art. What’s your favourite part of the creative process? The answer to this will change depending on when you ask me haha. I switch between creating jewellery, art and ceramics. Currently, I have been focusing on my ceramics. Especially during the tough lockdowns here in Melbourne, creating ceramics is such a therapeutic process for me. It really helps calm down my anxiety. What I love most about my pottery process is that I have no idea what a piece will be until I am halfway through. I let my hands guide me as I hand build each piece. What helps you when you’re feeling uninspired? When I am feeling uninspired I will go out for a walk, it is nice to get the body moving and it helps clear my mind. If that doesn't work I love to spend time scrolling through Pinterest. Sometimes the smallest thing can spark my creativity. And other days I will take time off. It is important to remember that as an artist, it is ok to not always feel creatively inspired. Be kind to yourself. What are you currently working on? I am currently busy making as many ceramic pieces as I can in preparation for Melbourne Ceramics' Market Unearthed Clay market on December 12th. I am also working on two new ceramic collections which are almost ready to share. I just finished designing and making two new jewellery collections which will be shot in Byron Bay next month and launch early next year. If only I could travel to sunny Byron Bay! Favourite quote? Growing up, my grandfather used to always tell me "what your mind can conceive and believe, your mind can achieve". It was very powerful growing up believing I could do whatever I wanted to do with hard work and determination.

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All Images by Elso Collective

Elena is an artist, jeweller and ceramicist, combining all her creative loves into her business Elso Collective. Shop her unique and beautiful works online.

@elsocollective www.elsocollective.com.au

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e l b � n i a t � Su @ Home

DIPP POOLS Don’t have your own swimming pool? Grab an inflatable one that’s better for the environment and help keep you cool this summer. Introducing Australia’s #1 environmentally conscious inflatable pool. Dipp Pools was created in Byron Bay, Australia and offer an inflatable pool that’s biodegradable, not made of PVC like other traditional inflatables. Some plastics, especially PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride), are not only bad for our environment, but to human health. The manufacturing process is of most concern as it releases dioxin - one of the deadliest man made poisons, which has been known to affect the immune system and other systems within the human body. After much research, Dipp Pools selected TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane) to use for their pools, as this material is non-toxic, uses no solvents and is biodegradable, leaving no trace of microplastics after it breaks down. TPU also has high grade flexibility, abrasion resistance and resistance to oils, making a great alternative. No loud, fluorescent colours to be found here, so take your pick from one of the stylish designs available. Grab one for the kids to splash around in, enjoy with friends, or just appreciate the solitude by yourself!

@dipp_pools www.dipp.com.co

All Images by Dipp Pools

View and shop their range online now.

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Low-Tox

Living

ECOLOUR Giving your home a coat of paint can give it a new lease on life, but did you know it could be affecting the air inside your home for years afterwards? Many regular paints contain harmful VOCs which can outgas for years after application, impacting your indoor air quality and potentially the health of your and your family. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are emitted as gases from certain solids or liquids. They include a variety of chemicals, some of which can affect your health in the short and long term. VOCs are found in a huge array of products, some of which include; cleaning supplies, building products, office equipment, glues, adhesives, paints and lacquers. Understandably concentrations of VOCs are up to ten times higher indoors than outdoors, and can make symptoms worse in people who have asthma or are sensitive to chemicals. Common symptoms may include; headaches, irritated eyes, nose and throat, dizziness or fatigue.

Ecolour is a 100% Australian owned company producing a huge range of paint, sealing and preparation products. Their paint range offers products suitable for a variety of applications including primers and paints for plasterboard, brick and timbers, plus weatherproof options for exterior areas. Paints can be tinted to just about any colour from any paint chart. If you plan on updating your home with a coat of paint, know that you have options, and if you’ll be living there for awhile it might just be a worthy investment, not only for your home but you and your family’s health too. View and shop the full Ecolour range online now.

@ecolourpaint

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References:

www.ecolour.com.au

https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/what-are-volatile-organic-compounds-vocs

One company is leading the way when it comes to zeroVOC paints. Ecolour are using breakthrough technology to manufacture premium water-based paint that are 100% free of VOCs. Ecolour paints are independently tested and certified as zero-VOC. There are other brands which claim to be low-VOC but can still contain up to 7.5% VOC, so if you have the choice wouldn’t you rather a paint without them altogether? VOC free means it’s safe to use around people who are chemically sensitive, women who are pregnant, asthma sufferers, children and pets.

S I M P L I C I T Y B R E A T H E S...

Mind Body S�l

Written by Chloe Chivers

LADIES, WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT OUR VAGINAS. HERE’S WHY. From periods to pap smears, we’ve come a long way in opening up the dialogue on women’s health. But when it comes to talking about our vaginas, we still fall mute in many areas.

The irony here is that by not talking about something, we’re actually speaking volumes. We’re saying that the topic doesn’t matter. We’re saying it’s not important.

So why is this the case? And more importantly, how do we change it?

So what if your vagina doesn’t feel quite right… and it’s a stigmatised issue to discuss?

32% of women don’t feel comfortable talking about vaginal health, even with their GP. We thought we’d share the costs of feeding the stigma on vaginal health – and how we can all help shatter this taboo.

You’re unlikely to seek medical advice – which could be disastrous.

The final frontier: talking about vaginal health. In the past century, we’ve made leaps and bounds in breaking the taboo on women’s health topics. We’ve destigmatised breast health, spoken loud and proud about fertility, and now, we’re even starting to smash the shame surrounding periods. But when it comes to talking about certain aspects of our dear vaginas, we still seem to clam up. Namely, when discussing vaginal health issues like thrush and vaginal infections – which still have an air of taboo. Yet this stigma has serious costs. Yes, it can feel easier to ignore a stigmatised topic in the moment. But continuing to do so comes with sobering long-term consequences.

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But by openly discussing vaginal health, we’re more likely to know the signs and symptoms of a vagina that’s not so healthy. And this will dramatically reduce our risks of expensive and serious medical issues down the track. Breaking the taboo will also empower us to be more in tune with our bodies – and banish those feelings of embarrassment or shame. After all, you’d never feel embarrassed about a throat infection, so why feel shameful about a vaginal one? In short, the outcomes are only positive!

How we can give vaginas a voice Everyone has a role to play when it comes to amplifying and destigmatising the subject of vaginal health. And it all starts with you. When we reflect on taboo women’s health issues over the centuries, it always came down to courageous individual women who spoke out about their experiences and issues. So perhaps you can be a trailblazer too? We know it can be scary, but other women will thank you for it. And of course, the onus falls on our healthcare practitioners to lead initiatives that help to normalise vaginal health. We also need the Government to play their part through adapting our education system – wouldn’t it be amazing if girls could learn about vaginal health at school? Never underestimate the power of a community to break down barriers, overpower the silence and fuel the revolution in vaginal and intimate wellness. Finally, it’s up to companies in the vaginal healthcare industry. These businesses have a corporate responsibility to pave the way in the vaginal health movement.

Kolorex practice what they preach. As a leading provider of vaginal care products, Kolorex is dedicated to breaking down the taboos about vaginal health. This means never shying away from using the word ‘vagina’ – and embracing every opportunity to talk about vaginal health. Because we know that vaginal health is the last frontier of women’s health empowerment. And we want to be at the forefront.

@kolorex.anz www.kolorex.com.au

Image by Anna Tukhfatullina

Chloe Chivers is a Naturopath at Vaginal Care brand, Kolorex. She is currently educating women and trying to end the stigma about vaginal health.

Mind Body S�l

What are the benefits of hypnotherapy?

Written by Mandy Merrifield

Our state of wellbeing is made up of a complex combination of our physical, mental, emotional and social health, which contribute to our level of happiness and satisfaction with our lives. There are numerous practices that we can adopt to influence our wellbeing in a positive way such as regular exercise, socialising with friends, getting enough sleep and meditation. But what if we told you that hypnotherapy can also be used as a long-term wellbeing strategy? To find out we asked qualified Hypnotherapist and founder of Simply Well Hypnotherapy, Mandy Merrifield to uncover everything there is to know on the practice of hypnotherapy and the benefits it can have on our wellbeing. Hypnotherapy is an ancient healing modality and a mindbody intervention that dates back to the 18th century. It’s become one of the most sought-after natural therapies today. It instils deep change within individuals by creating an ongoing cycle of self-improvement and transformation, working with our unconscious mind, the part of the brain that beats our heart and allows us to breath when we sleep, lets us drive to familiar destinations without using navigation every single time and moves all the muscles in your feet and legs when we walk. This extremely powerful part of our minds is said to be responsible for up to 95% of our brain power, and for the most part we do not use it consciously. Gaining access to this part of the brain can deliver some powerful results.

Fear can become one of the biggest debilitating consistent response patterns and is a powerful demotivator, which can hold us back, contribute to poor decisions, make us withdraw from situation and relationships as well as ruin our careers. Hypnotherapy can help us manage fear by addressing the underlying trauma and the limiting beliefs or decisions that have set this fear in our subconscious, to reprogram our response pattern to become calmer and more confident, as well as make good decisions and appropriate responses. Finally, it can help tackle other issues such as addiction, weight loss, apathy, chronic pain, anxiety, depression, self-esteem and confidence. It can also teach us to relax, release stress and regulate our emotions as well as help us channel positive attributes such as creativity and abundance and wealth creation. All of these uses of hypnotherapy can have powerful positive effects and greatly impact our lives from the following long-term benefits on our wellbeing: -

Improved quality of life Pain management Relaxation Calmness Improved quality of sleep Managing and reducing anxiety Eliminating bad habits and addictions Losing weight and living a healthier lifestyle with more energy and vitality Achieving goals and success – in personal life and career

So there you have it, hypnotherapy is more than just the misconception of being ‘put under a spell.’ With a multitude of uses, it can spark some really powerful results and contribute long-term benefits that positively impact our lives and wellbeing. It is easy to see why it has been around for centuries and is today one of the most sought-after natural therapy practices for people’s wellbeing.

There are a lot of myths around hypnotherapy that can put people off exploring this practice as an option for their wellbeing. These include: Making people do things they don’t want to do, such as quacking like a duck or flapping their arms like a chicken A session not having any effect on a person if they fall asleep Losing their memory of the experience Not being able to ‘come out’ of a trance state Thinking hypnotherapists like herself are ‘wacky’ magicians Despite these misconceptions, hypnotherapy can be used to positively impact our lives and wellbeing. For starters, it can give us a quick boost of energy and motivation to get our to-do list knocked out of the park. It can also unblock procrastination, fear of failure, assist with time management, fear of success and self-sabotage which can have a huge effect in how we function in our personal space as well as in the corporate world. Another benefit it can help us with is to reprogram negative voices into motivation, success and positivity to help us achieve our goals. 44.

Learn more about hypnotherapy through Mandy and her practice Simply Well Hypnotherapy.

@simply.well.hypnotherapy www.simplywellhypnotherapy.com

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Move your body. Movement can help to decrease tension and aches in your joints and muscles. Easy mobilisations such as shoulder rolls and “Cat Camel'' stretches are great to get movement throughout your spine. Combine this with some gentle neck circles and gentle rotations through your thoracic and lumbar spine are all great ways to move your body and spine before you get into bed.

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Check your mattress and pillow. Having a good pillow that supports the curves of your neck whilst you are sleeping is important. Also take into account your body position when you sleep, trying to avoid laying on your stomach. This allows your muscles and joints to relax in an ideal position, supporting the curves in your spine, so you are less likely to wake during the night or the morning with pain and tension.

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Written by Dr Aimee Brown

Do you find yourself feeling tight, achey or tense at the end of the day? A lot of us spend many hours a day sitting at a desk, or in our cars, or on the couch at night. Maybe your day is up and moving more, but it still may not be in ways that are ideal for your body. It is also important to keep in mind that doing the same thing over and over again for a prolonged period, regardless of if you are in good or bad posture when doing it, can also cause areas of tension, pain or dysfunction in your body.

Mind Body S�l

How to wind down your body to encourage restorative sleep

Take time to calm your mind and your nervous system. It is as easy as doing a short meditation (which can be guided) or simply some slow and deep breathing. After you have done your stretches, lay down, and take some time to breathe and calm your mind!

As always - please remember that these tips are general in nature. You should always speak to your health care provider with any specific concerns about your sleep! Dr Aimee Brown is a Holistic Chiropractor, Personal Trainer, Ultramarathon Runner & Mother of three, based in Manning, Perth who is passionate about the mind & body connection. Aimee takes a multidisciplinary approach to treatment, looking at all aspects of wellbeing from diet & lifestyle to mindset, sleep & exercise. Learn more about Aimee or book in an introductory consult via her website.

Often by the end of the day we are tired, and ready for a good night's sleep. We know we need it to function at our best. But we are also holding lots of stress and tension throughout our bodies. So what can you do to help your body and mind wind down before you get to bed each night, and help yourself to get a more restful sleep? Here are some of my favourite simple ways to help you sleep! •

Stretch! The end of the day our bodies are typically tight and tense. It is best if your muscles and joints can move and relax before you head to bed. Taking some time to stretch at the end of the day before getting into bed can make a big difference. Stretch your upper body and lower body. Stretches for your neck and shoulders, as well as your back and legs are also great. Do whichever ones feel good for you, to work on particular tight areas. Remember to hold each stretch for at least 30 seconds for it to have maximal impact.

@draimeebrown www.draimeebrown.com 45.

Nurture Conscious

Ko�la

This unique business gives conscious parents an option to reduce their environmental footprint by up to 80%. When it comes to baby clothing, finding options that are sustainable and affordable when they are growing so quickly can be difficult. Conscious Koala offer a solution with ethically made, organic cotton baby clothing within a circular rental subscription. This simple concept allows you to sign up to a monthly subscription and you receive a bundle of beautiful baby clothes in the size you require. Once your little one has outgrown the size, return the bundle and request the new size you need. The returned clothes are laundered in plant-based cleaning products ready to continue their life with another family. Designed by Tina, the founder of Conscious Koala, the pieces are made with GOTS-certified organic cotton, using natural dyes and no chemicals. Quality is extremely important, ensuring the longevity and the circular model can be sustained for as long as possible. Once the pieces can’t be reused, they are repurposed via a textile recycling program, diverting the waste from landfill. As parents begin realise the importance of preserving our planet for future generations, brands encouraging a more circular economy and environmentally-friendly way of living will begin to take the lead, challenging the way we have done things previously.

Head to the Conscious Koala website to learn more.

@consciouskoalakids

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Images by Conscious Koala

www.consciouskoala.com

Nurture Evia

Nappies

This family owned business is providing families with a better alternative to disposable nappies. Started by 2 mums in Victoria, Australia, Evia Nappies offer a range of affordable modern cloth nappies, swim nappies, wet bags and reusable wipes. These reusable nappies are adjustable and designed to fit your child anywhere from 4kg to 18kg. The small upfront investment will pay off in the long term, growing with your child from newborn to toilet training age. Disposable nappies can take over 500 years to decompose, so if you are conscious about the impact of single use nappies, perhaps look at the alternative, you might just be surprised at how easy they are to use. Plus with the huge range of designs, the only hard choice will be picking which ones you like best!

Shop their range online now.

@evianappies www.evianappies.com.au

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Sustainable

Style Lo�t S�ls Footwear Lost Sols are on a mission to show that the footwear industry can be sustainable, repurposing recycled materials and even apples (yes apples!) to create their shoes. Lost Sols was born from a desire to be creative, but also a need to help protect our precious planet. The footwear industry can produce so much waste, especially low quality shoes that wear out after only a few outings. We are so fortunate that advances in technology offer so many new options to repurpose materials and waste. Lost Sols are vegan, eco-friendly, ethical and use materials including recycled rubber, recycled vegan leather and apple leather made using the apple waste leftover from juicing. Abiding by the Business Social Compliance Initiative standards ensures the highest environmental and ethical processes are in place throughout every stage of manufacturing and production. This certification ensures the businesses they work with align with their values, and all workers are treated fairly and ethically within their offshore production teams. Lost Sols proudly partner with ‘Share the Dignity’ - who provide essentials to women during their menstrual cycles. Also, with every pair of shoes sold they will plant a pair of trees with @onetreeplanted - a nonprofit organisation focused on global reforestation. Embracing simple but beautiful designs along with their environmental values, Lost Sols are leading the way when it comes to sustainable footwear, encouraging consumers to invest in classic styles that will transcend seasonal trends and last many years to come.

@lostsolsfootwear www.lost-sols.com

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All Images by Lost Sols Footwear

Shop the Lost Sols range of footwear online now.

Style BELIEVEIN CO With the fashion industry as one of the most polluting industries in the world, I truly believe that those wanting to change the system are creating a new movement back towards the traditional ways of making and producing clothing. True sustainability within the fashion industry encompasses a whole range of systems and processes, making it challenging for those wanting to create real change. BelieveIn is one of those brands and founder Ella is on a mission to show there is a more sustainable way of creating activewear that is good for everyone. Created from her home in Sydney, founder Ella started BelieveIn at the beginning of 2021 with a belief and desire to do good. The brand’s philosophy is to believe in yourself and know that every small step counts. Sustainability is about finding small, actionable steps that can fit into our everyday lives. Know that you can make a difference, no matter how small the changes.

All Images by BelieveIn Co

BelieveIn is committed to being a brand that is sustainable, ethical and environmentally friendly, and steps are continually taken to ensure every item is as eco-friendly as possible. This is not only from an environmental perspective but also economical. Generally if you choose to use different, better materials, then both you and your customer will have a more significant investment in the product. BelieveIn aims to provide an alternative and offer the best of both worlds - sustainable activewear that won’t break your bank. After extensive research Ella was able to find a material that is made up of 73% recycled PET and 27% spandex, which is certified by the trusted Taiwanese government and Global Recycled Standard. PET filament is an outstanding environmental-friendly fibre made from post-consumer polyethylene terephthalate, also known as plastic bottles. These bottles have been processed and made into yarn. These unique recycled textiles used for their leggings and sports bras are made by a Taiwanese manufacturer that specialises in producing high quality and eco-friendly textiles. The manufacturer also uses state-of-the-art and innovative technologies, specifically a supercritical dyeing technology that is water and organic solvent free. Pioneered using supercritical CO2 instead of water for the dyeing process, this eliminates waste and allows for a more efficient process. Did you know that generally, 100-150 litres of water is needed to dye just 1kg of fabric?! That is a crazy amount of water considering how much fabric is needed by brands every single day. Finding an alternative can only be good for everyone, including our planet.

Ensuring the next step of the manufacturing process was as ethical as possible, BelieveIn partner with a cutand-sew facility in Nanhai, China. This facility creates small product runs and focus on quality and ethical working conditions, not speed and overworking of their garment workers. Ella shares a great story from the start of her journey, that I think rings true for anyone trying to do something different. She said ‘everyone, including the suppliers, told me to start with 'normal' materials and then once I progressed and had more funding available to switch to the recycled materials. The 'normal' materials are a lot more affordable. Part of me was sad thinking about why doing the right thing costs more, but the other part of me was this is worth the work to make things better.’ Doing the ‘normal processes’ aren’t working anymore, and what looks logical to everyone else doesn’t feel right because you know there is a better way. BelieveIn is helping people see that the better, more sustainable way is the way forward and will hopefully one day become our new normal. BelieveIn’s first range was launched with great success in October 2021. These beautiful designs will take you from workout, to lunch with friends with ease and style! Check out the limited edition range on their website, available for purchase now.

@believein.co believein.co

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PHOTO TRAVEL SERIES

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Ex�loring new c��tures, t�ting new f�ds, disc�ering new c�ties and experiencing different landscapes. 50.

The world is wa�ting to be ex�lored... �t won’t be �he same, b�t �t w��l be so wor�h �t...

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Experience

ARIMIA Written by Sammy McAleese

Nestled between the ocean and bush deep in WA’s South West, you’ll find Arimia Estate with its award-winning food and wine, organic farm and guest house. Winding your way along the dusty dirt road, you are unsure of what to expect, but perhaps the understated journey lends to the pleasant surprise at the end. Our first stop was the guest house, which comfortably sleeps 8. With views over the vineyard, the silence and limited reception, you are encouraged to relax and enjoy the ones you're with, whilst taking in the spectacular views. The next day we enjoyed a tour of the farm with owner Ann, who is so passionate about the positive impact they having on the land, growing quality, award-winning produce. The organic farm is proudly sustainable and ethical, with the kitchen prioritising waste reduction and operating completely off-grid. The estate produces wine, olive oil, pork, trout, eggs from their own chickens, and a huge range of vegetables from the sustainable garden. They collaborate with other producers including a beekeeper, who place their bee hives on the property which helps pollinate their produce, and in exchange receive some quality honey to use in the kitchen. It’s so wonderful to see that they prioritise farming first, and that dictates what they have on offer in their restaurant. All produce is seasonal and the menu is determined by what the garden has on offer at the time. After our garden tour we then were taken into the restaurant to enjoy an incredible lunch with wine pairings. Every course was beautifully presented with careful consideration given to the balance of flavours in each dish. Every dish was delicious and was a testament to the quality produce and innovation by the chef and kitchen team.

Arimia is located at 242 Quininup Rd, Wilyabrup, WA. Head to their website where you can book a stay in the guest house, wine tastings at the cellar door, or a table for lunch in the restaurant. @arimiamargaretriver www.arimia.com.au 52.

All Images by Sammy McAleese

The knowledge of Ann and her team has created an incredible destination and proof that we can live more sustainable, not only as individuals but as successful businesses. We can improve the land and create something sustainable that can be passed onto generations in the future. We can leave the world a better place than we found it.

Image by Alex Azabache

GRATITUDE WORDSEARCH L

APPRECIATION

FAMILY

HOME

NATURE

SLEEP

BOOKS

FREEDOM

HUGS

NOURISHMENT

SMILE

CHOCOLATE

FRESH AIR

INSPIRATION

OCEAN

SUNSHINE

COFFEE

FRIENDS

JOY

PEACE

SUPPORT

COMMUNITY

FUN

KINDNESS

PLAY

THANKFUL

COMPASSION

GOOD HEALTH

LAUGHTER

REST

TRAVEL

EXERCISE

GRATITUDE

LOVE

RITUALS

TRUST

EXPLORING

HAPPINESS

MOVEMENT

SATISFACTION

VALUES

Issue 06 Renewed Collective Magazine | Australian Wellness Magazine | Summer 2022