Depression Busters

LESS SCREEN TIME AND MORE SLEEP ARE CRITICAL FOR PREVENTING DEPRESSION.

Analysis of data from international health resource, UK Biobank, involving 85,000 people, has found that lifestyle factors such as less screen time, adequate sleep, a better-quality diet and physical activity strongly impact depression.

Investigating the link between lifestyle factors and depression, the international research team led by Western Sydney University found a significant relationship between physical activity, healthy diet, and optimal sleep (seven to nine hours) was associated with less frequency of depressed mood. Increased screen time and tobacco smoking were also significantly associated with higher frequency of depressed mood. A higher frequency of alcohol consumption was surprisingly associated with reduced frequency of depressed mood in people with depression. This may potentially be due to the self-medicating use of alcohol by those with depression to manage their mood.

Lead co-author, Professor Jerome Sarris, NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University said “While Lifestyle factors such as less screen time, adequate sleep, a better -quality diet and physical activity strongly impact depression.

people usually know that physical activity is important for mood, we now have additional data showing that adequate sleep and less screen time is also critical to reduce depression.

“The findings also suggest that dietary pattern is partly implicated in the exacerbation of depressed mood.”

The results may influence public health policy by highlighting the important relationship between promoting a range of health-promoting activities, in particular, maintaining optimal sleep and reducing screen time (which is often an issue in youth), while having adequate physical activity and good dietary quality, which may reduce the symptoms of depression.

bite size

A little bit of this... A little bit of that.

Hinterland ice cream

Farmer-owned dairy icon, Norco, has launched a premium ice cream range called ‘Hinterland’, a delectable collection of six decadent flavours featuring delicious family favourites with an indulgent twist.

Hinterland is 100 percent Australian farmer-owned premium ice cream with milk and cream sourced directly from local Norco farmers. Flavours include Burnt Butter with Caramel Sauce, Cookies & Cream with Belgium Chocolate, Decadent Vanilla Bean, Espresso with Chocolate Almonds, Salted Dark Chocolate Fudge, Golden Jersey Caramel Macadamia.

RRP $10.50 and available in Woolworths stores nationally. norco.com.au.

Brekkie balls

Now there’s an easy way to start the day right, with Food for Health’s Probiotic Brekkie Balls – the nutritious, delicious breakfast snack that comes in three mouth-watering flavours: Mango & Coconut; Cinnamon, Vanilla & Maple; and Blueberry & Vanilla. Best of all, the 40g balls contain significantly less sugar than other snack balls on the market. The secret to Food for Health’s guilt-free range is the absence of dates, which have a very high natural sugar content. Instead, Brekkie Balls use Aussie-grown oats as the base ingredient and each Brekkie Ball contains less than five grams of sugar.

Available in the health food aisle of Coles and independent supermarkets. RRP $12 for 5 x 40g balls. foodforhealth.com.au

Sweet spot

Perfect for whipping up sweet treats with kids, a selection of tasty desserts you can create as a family. Barker’s NZ has teamed up with family food creator, Kidgredients to create delicious desserts that the whole family will love. Using Barker’s NZ new range of Dessert Sauces, these decadent desserts will be hard to resist: Caramel Freakshake using Barker’s NZ Butterscotch Caramel Sauce, Strawberry Coconut Ice Pops with Barker’s NZ Luscious Strawberry Sauce and an amazing Neapolitan Log drizzled with Barker’s NZ Rich Chocolate Sauce.

More at barkers.com.au and instagram.com/kidgredients

Crispy goodness

Established in Australia over 30 years ago, The Good Crisp Company focuses on developing great tasting snacks for kids and adults that are made with good ingredients as well.

Comprising three great flavours: Original, Sour Cream and Chives and Smokey BBQ, the range is low FODMAP certified and are suitable for the low FODMAP diet, glutenfree with no Artificial flavours or colours and free from GMO ingredients. They also use Palm Oil sourced from a RSPO certified supplier. Follow The Good Crisp Company on Instagram for all sorts of delicious recipes.

Available from Coles and selected retail and grocery stores nationally. thegoodcrispcompany.com.au

Fast food lovers and health food lovers alike are in for a new treat with the launch of Mr Lee’s instant Congee. The modern twist on the traditional east Asian meal can be made in just three minutes and is low in sugar, low in fat and made with absolutely no nasties. Available in original and chicken flavours, the instant rice porridge is available online at Mr Lee’s Pure Foods and Amazon, as well as in Harris Farms Market stores in Sydney.

RRP $4 per cup. mrleesnoodles.com/au/

Single serve chocolate

There are approximately 22 whole teaspoons of sugar in a 1L bottle of regular tonic water. Now, Nexba, Australia’s leading Naturally Sugar Free drinks brand is changing the game. Nexba has officially launched Australia’s only tonic water range that’s both sugar and artificial sweetener free. Plus, it contains at least 95 percent Aussie ingredients!

RRP $2.65. Available nationally at both Coles and Woolworths. Nexba.com

Tasty tonic

Premium Belgian chocolate company, Guylian has launched a brand-new chocolate block, designed to offer chocolate lovers a great tasting indulgence with portion controlled bars to enjoy anytime and anywhere. The new individually-wrapped Guylian bars have allowed for a 75 percent reduction of the CO2 footprint per 100 grams compared to a standard aluminium foil packaging. In addition, with the new Guylian Belgian Chocolate bars made out of 100 percent sustainable cocoa, as Guylian takes a first step to reach its ambition to use 100 percent sustainable cocoa by 2025.

RRP $4.50. Available in IGA Supermarkets and participating independent retailers nationally. guylian.com

Sweet treat

Perfect on protein pancakes or in healthier twists on desserts, Lakanto Monkfruit Maple Flavoured Syrup is naturally sweet, containing just two net carbs and 24 calories per 30ml serve.

This makes it suitable for diabetics and healthy eaters alike to enjoy the sweetness of syrup without spiking their glycemic index. Monkfruit’s natural sweetness has a similar flavour profile to sugar, unlike many artificial sweeteners. It is also perfect for a range of diets and requirements including keto, gluten free, paleo, plant-based, vegan, low carb, low sugar and non-GMO.

RRP $14.95. Available nationwide in Woolworths and leading independent supermarkets and health food stores. lakanto.com.au

Bark with bite

Modex uses nature’s antioxidant, Pycnogenol®, optimised to help performance, endurance and recovery. Modex is natural, gluten free, and made to be used every day to help reduce oxidative stress, maintain mental concentration, help to increase muscle performance and support a healthy immune system. This supplement contains the purest form of maritime pine bark extract to naturally help support and rebuild your body during strenuous exercise. Unlike many Vitamins that last less than an hour in your body, Pycnogenol keeps working for up to 24hrs in your body. Australian-made and TGA listed.

1L bottle RRP $69.95. modexnatural.com

Mouth-watering Mexican

La Banderita has teamed up with MasterChef, author and host of “Everyday Gourmet”, Justine Schofield with some delectable recipes to make summer entertaining a breeze.

Justine will showcase how supremely soft and authentic La Banderita tortillas are; bringing mouth-watering Mexican food to the table for family and friends to enjoy. In addition to deliciously soft flour tortillas, La Banderita is excited to introduce two new products to Australia just in time for the entertaining season including authentic Totopos made from nixtamalised corn and sea salt; and La Casera yellow corn tortillas that are perfect for creating homestyle tacos or authentic dishes like taquitos. From Moreton Bay bug tacos and kingfish ceviche to crackling pork belly carnitas, the possibilities of cooking delicious Mexican meals at home with an Aussie twist is endless.

Revolution in weight-management

New from Optislim is the OptiBiome range. OptiBiome simultaneously promotes gut health as well as weight-loss in a hunger-free weight management program.

Three ingredients work together to create the perfect environment to support people on their individual weight-loss journey: Konjac Root (Glucomannan), a dietary fibre that gently expands in the stomach and provides a feeling of satiety and fullness; Chicory Root Fibre which helps stimulate the growth of positive bacteria in the gut; Chromium, a mineral that helps contribute to the maintenance of normal blood glucose levels and mediates the peaks and troughs of dieting by enhancing the bodies use of insulin.

OptiBiome is initially available in four varieties (espresso, vanilla, chocolate and a variety pack), with 10 shake sachets per pack. Each sachet is a 60g meal replacement and is recommended to replace two meals per day with a regular wellbalanced meal and snacks. OptiBiome also has a hunger-busting snack bar to keep hunger at bay between meals.

Visit labanderita.tv

Vitamin C supplements

The New Zealand premium supplement brand, GO Healthy has extended their popular Vitamin C range with the addition of four new products: GO Vitamin C + Manuka Honey Chewables, GO Vitamin C 500mg + Echinacea, GO High Strength Horseradish, Garlic Plus Vitamin C and GO Vitamin C 500mg Soft Capsules. Best known for its potent antioxidant powers, Vitamin C has been shown to assist in reducing the common cold duration while decreasing the severity of symptoms. Lesser known is how important Vitamin C is for the production of our adrenal hormones, assisting the way our bodies respond to stress by helping to reduce the level of stress hormones, cortisol and adrenalin.

GO Healthy’s new Vitamin C range is available from Chemist Warehouse and leading pharmacies nationally. gohealthy.com.au

Crispy crackers

Deliciously light and crunchy, our Wafer Crackers make the ideal entertainer for a delightfully lighter snack. Together with the added goodness of Beetroot and Turmeric, these tummy-loving, FODMAP friendly vessels are made to be tastily topped and enjoyed. Dairy free, egg free, no flavours or preservatives, fructose free, gluten free, GMO free, kosher, no added MSG, no artificial colours, nut free, soy free, vegan, wheat free and yeast free.

Available from Coles, Woolworths and independent supermarkets nationally. RRP $3.90. orgran.com

Zero waste hair care

Honua Bars have launched their range of zero waste, soap-free shampoo and conditioner bars.

By making the switch to Honua Bars, consumers can save up to 12 single-use plastic bottles from ending up in landfill each year. Formulated and made on the Gold Coast from high quality, sustainably sourced ingredients, they’re full of nourishing ingredients like coconut oil, cacao butter, hydrolysed oats and panthenol (Provitamin B5) to make your hair silky soft and beautifully detangled. Range includes Liliko’i and Hibiscus Star fruit, Mint Chocolate, Lemongrass and Lemon Myrtle, and Citrus Paradise varieties.

Nature’s stress relief

Byron Bay-based Oil Garden offers an extensive selection of 100 percent pure essential oils, organic skincare, diffusers and accessories designed to help you harness the true properties of nature. Oil Garden Stress Relief Essential Oil Blend Roll On uses the calming effects of Sweet Orange, Mandarin, Lavender, Bergamot and Cedarwood essential oils blend to help relieve nervous tension, fatigue and mild anxiety, providing a sense of calm and comfort.

Oil Garden 100 percent Lavender Pure Essential Oil uses lavender’s calming properties which can aid in relaxation, inner peace and healing while also assisting in the treatment of headaches, stress, insomnia, insect bites, eczema and inflamed skin.

Available nationally through Kmart, Chemist Warehouse and Coles stores and selected health food stores, pharmacies and online. Oil Garden Stress Relief Essential Oil Blend Roll On, RRP $19.99, Oil Garden 100 percent Lavender Pure Essential Oil, RRP $29.99. oilgarden.com.au

Wine not? Expert endorsement

Australian parents can confidently care for their baby’s delicate skin and hair thanks to the Cetaphil Baby range, officially endorsed by the Australian College of Midwives (ACM). The Cetaphil Baby range includes Cetaphil Baby Gentle Wash & Shampoo 400mL (RRP$12.99); Cetaphil Baby Gentle Wash & Shampoo 230mL (RRP$8.49); Cetaphil Baby Daily Lotion 400mL (RRP$10.49); Cetaphil Baby Moisturising Bath & Body Wash (RRP$8.49); Cetaphil Baby Massage Oil 200mL (RRP$7.49); Cetaphil Baby Shampoo 200mL (RRP$7.49).

Visit cetaphil.com.au/cetaphil-baby

First choice for flower walls

At Urban Flower Wall Co we love nothing more than helping you create an event to remember.

Their walls are perfect for weddings, parties, corporate events, baby showers, engagements, launch parties or any event you can think of. They create truly stunning walls that are ideal for photobooths, entry-way and statement backdrops.

urbanflowerwallco.com.au @urbanflowerwallco

Power pack

Dutch food and wine innovators, Vacu Vin present a new range of ‘Active Wine Coolers’. Say goodbye to lugging an esky down to the beach or carrying clunky wine buckets filled with ice to the park for a picnic. The unique product range is designed and manufactured in the Netherlands, ensuring premium quality and craftsmanship. The new range of wine coolers is no different, actively chilling bottles of wine while you enjoy time outdoors. Available in a variety of festive colours and patterns. The range is now stocked at a variety of homewares stores around Australia.

From $27.95. vacuvin.com

Proudly 100 percent Australian, OzKleen stands out in a class of its own, not just for its environmentally conscious values, but also because OzKleen cleaning products “actually work”. Free from chlorine, ammonia and phosphates, OzKleen’s range covers the entire house.

New from OzKleen is Dish Power, which cuts through tough grease and grime and refreshes your dishes leaving a fresh grapefruit fragrance. Safe for septic systems, OzKleen Dish Power contains no hidden nasties.

OzKleen offers a safe, innovative alternative to the hazards of many household-cleaning products, so make the switch and have a clean and worry-free home.

Optislim Coconut & Lemon (48 Hour Detox)

Optislim 48-hour Coconut and Lemon Detox helps improve digestion and eliminate toxins more effectively, and is also a high source of Vitamin C to boost skin quality. It uses a combination of cleansing super fruits such as lemon juice, coconut MCT’s, Coconut water, Coconut oil, Papaya, Pineapple and Aloe Vera.

Optislim 48hr Coconut Lemon Detox is a delicious, formulated beverage designed to provide great results as part of our 48-hour detox program. Used in conjunction with the Optislim detox meal plan can hugely benefit your body, helping you lose weight, keep hydrated, improving your digestion, boosting energy along with restoring the body’s natural ability to eliminate toxins.

Some of the benefits of using the Optislim 48hr Coconut Lemon detox program include kick starting weight-loss, re-energising the body, reducing excess water weight and belly bloating, plus boosting metabolism.

RRP $24.95. optislim.com.au

Beauté Pacifique’s latest product is SuperFruit Moisture Enforcement Serum.

The SuperFruit Moisture Enforcement Serum is essentially a four-in-one product. It’s a unique waterbased product which works to powerfully hydrate the skin, prevent blemishes, minimise redness and also enhance the skin’s upper barrier.

It utilises two types of Vitamin B, Niacinamide and Panthenol as key ingredients, which work to reduce the appearance of skin blemishes and congestion. Hyaluronic Acid is also in the formulation, often described as a miracle ingredient, which holds 1,000 times its weight in water to lock in moisture. It plumps the skin and visibly reduces fine lines.

SuperFruit skin saviour Bite size……… Little Beauties

STACK YOUR PACK WITH THIS SEASON’S BEAUTY MUST-HAVES AND YOU’LL BE SITTING PRETTY ALL YEAR ROUND.

Mother knows best

With its 100 percent natural, certified organic formula, Mother SPF is a skin-loving, environment-protecting alternative to mainstream chemical sunscreens. Formulated with just nine ingredients, including powerhouse UV mineral filter, non-nano zinc oxide, this SPF30 sun is made in Australia with 100 percent solar power, the tubes are made out of the recycled plastic that normally would be left for landfill and are also 100 percent recyclable providing a closed circular packaging loop.

RRP $42. Available online at motherspf.com

How we roll

The Lonvitalité Platinum Contour Roller is designed to leave you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated whenever you need it most. The relaxing motion from the device will reproduce a salon spa massage in the comfort of your home as the flawless design perfectly massages the facial muscles to reduce tension and stress. These contours will also assist with the skins natural functioning as the platinum roller heads move along the face, lymphatic drainage will occur to fights puffiness and inflammation. Great results with 10 minutes of use per day.

RRP $129. mecca.com.au

Power up

Shawelle Power Oil is a soothing and restorative evening oil for dry, dehydrated and sensitive skin. Reduces the appearance of pigmented skin, puffy eyes, dark circles, redness and large pores, and improves the appearance of premature ageing caused by prolonged UV exposure. It uses a rich concentration of Vitamins C, E and B to support delicate skin structures and GLAs, Omega-6 and 9 and polyphenols to intensively soothe dry, damaged skin and support skin renewal.

RRP $79. shawelle.com

Brow perfection

Achieve a defined and flawless brow with the Garbo & Kelly Beauty Brow Perfection Pencil. Designed by brow expert Carolyn Fox to be long wearing and easily matched your brow colour, this pencil is water resistant and comes in a wide range of colours and tones.

win with slim*

Hair LATHER YOUR LOCKS WITH SOME POST-SUMMER CARE WITH OUR PICK OF THE LATEST PAMPERING PRODUCTS.Apparent Guard Duty

Cool Silver

Ideal for post-summer treatment from the impact of pool and ocean, REF’s new Cool Silver Shampoo and Conditioner are sulphate-free with botanical extracts and violet pigments to protect, strengthen and neutralise yellow tones caused from minerals or oxidations. It gently tones lightened, natural or sun-bleached hair and protects against colour fading. Featuring organic Blueberry Oil, Linseed Oil and blue and violet pigments. The Cool Silver series is developed for natural blondes, bleached and natural white hair to eliminate unwanted yellow tones. RRP $35.50 each. We have three packs of REF Cool Silver Shampoo and Conditioner combo to give away, RRP $71 each. White Sands Liquid Texture Medium excels with all hot tools due to its thermal guards, colour enhancers, and moisture resistance. This styling spray allows you to put every type of hot iron directly on hair infused with this wet product. The result: as more heat is applied, the shinier the hair becomes. Tresses are left vibrant, voluminous, frizz free and enhanced with incredible shine. Liquid Texture Medium instantly transforms into the ideal product for round-brush styling on wet or dry tresses.

RRP $34.95. whitesandsaustralia.com.au

TO WIN:

Email competition@slim-magazine.com.au with REF in the subject line. Include your contact details.

For more information and stockists, visit luxbc.com.au

Curls’ Best Friend

Boost your bounce and lockout frizz with the Rumbie & Co Curl range, developed by Rumbie Mutsiwa, CEO of Australia’s leading curl specialist salon, Rumbie & Co, Sydney.

Perfect for Wavy, Curly and Afro hair types – at home with Rumbie & Co are designed to add moisture and defrizz, while activating the natural curl pattern. With no silicones, sulphates, parabens or drying alcohols, this low lather gentle formula effectively cleanses without stripping the natural oils and weighing the hair down. Leave in Curl Spray smooths, hydrates and defrizzes unruly hair, conditions and protects.

RRP $40. rumbie.co @rumbieandco

Wax Wonder

Pure Pact hair care introduces a range of waxes, shine butter and moulding clay for maximum style support and a matte finish. Pure natural Beeswax and Candelilla Wax provide body and texture whilst nourishing the hair.

A salon-focused, preservative-free range of environmentally responsible products, Pure Pact waxes deliver exceptional control and texture with a choice of shine or matt finishes. Based on an advanced cosmetic technology to combine essential oils, plant extracts, natural clays (kaolin) and waxes, the range delivers pliable re-workable water-soluble finishing solutions for every hair type and condition.