WA Life & Style by VAS Media

WA LIFE&STYLE magazine LIFE I FITNESS I FASHION I WELLNESS I HEALTH I FOOD I WINE I TRAVEL

FLY IN FLY OUT

HOUSEWIVES...

THICKER

THAN BLOOD...

CAN FRIENDS BE THE NEW FAMILY?

FITNESS

LONDON TO SPAIN BACKPACKERS TRAVEL GUIDE

THE LONG HAUL

TIPS TO COPE WITH THE DOWN SIDES OF TRAVEL

FITNESS

yoga BIKRAM

WORLD OBSESSION WITH MIND & BODY

EAT MORE

look

hotter Male Behavior

Decoded THE REASONS BEHIND FIVE

BAFFLING GUY MANOEUVRES1 WWW.WALIFESTYLEMAGAZINE.COM.AU

Telephone 08 95283468 Appointment preferred 13A /10 Livingstone road Rockingham Western Australia E: Info@aneniabridalcouture.com.au W: www.aneniabridalcouture.com.au

CONTENTS ON THE COVER Fly in fly out housewives... ................................................. 6 HOROSCOPES...................................................................... 8 RELATIONSHIPS Male behavior Decoded ................................................ 10 The reasons behind five baffling guy manoeuvres FASHION Playsuits, Rompers, Jumpsuits & Onesies........................ 20 LIFE MATTERS Is social media DESTROYING OUR LIVES?...................... 26

on the cover PHOTOGRAPHER: Craig Eccles C.E. Photography

MODEL: BIANCA CHLO

OUR TEAM Editor: Erica Cavery Photographer: Craig Eccles C.E. Photography www.cephotography.com.au Advertising Director: Lilly Cable Marketing Manager: Gabby Coleman Graphic Designer: Nakita Ridley Web Designer: Justin Champan Printed by: RAM Print Australia

Disclaimer: WA Life & Style Magazine is an independent publication; the editors, journalists or publishers hold no warranty nor makes any representations to the truth, accuracy or sufficiency of any description, photograph or statement contained therein. The publishers and editors take every care in the preparation; however they are not responsible for any misprint, error, mistake or typographical error printed in WA Life & Style Magazine. WA Life & Style Magazine accepts no liability for any loss which may be surfed by any person who relies either wholly or in part upon any description, photograph or statement contained therein. Contents of advertisements are the responsibility of the advertisers

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FITNESS BiKRAM yoga...................................................................... 30 WORLD OBSESSION WITH MIND & BODY EAT MORE look hotter........................................................ 32 Fitter, Happier...................................................................... 34 A Guide To Effective Weight Loss and A Healthier Lifestyle Cycle for life........................................................................ 40 Home Training or Personal Trainer................................... 44 Which shows More Results? Written By Leesa Petfield

WELLNESS & HEALTH Depression .......................................................................... 46 the signs, help and treatment FOOD, WINE & ENTERTAINMENT A short Batman film history............................................... 50 & Review The Dark Knight Rises Foodies’ Day Out in Freo................................................... 54 Red wine to try ................................................................... 58 Review & story on winery Fudge Brownies for Everyone’s Dietary Needs............. 60

FAMILY Thicker than blood... .......................................................62 Can friends be the new family? Bullying:...............................................................................66 Poor Parenting or Part of Human Nature Less about the perfect age, more about the perfect time for pregnancy..............70 TRAVEL London to Spain................................................................74 BACKPACKERS TRAVEL GUIDE The long haul.....................................................................78 Tips to cope with the down sides of travel Maitraya Luxury Private Retreat......................................82

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ON THE COVER

FLY IN FLY OUT

housewives... Written by Justin Blackford

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wo-year-old Theo Skelton runs excitedly towards the back fence as he hears the growl of the tractor beyond. Mum Leah follows with a smile, says “all right”, and hoists him up on to her shoulder, so that he can see the huge red machine churn the sand behind the family’s Baldivis property. “It’s Theo’s favourite thing at the moment,” says Leah, 28. “We go for walks in the evening when it’s cooler so that he can see the tractors.” With Theo’s dad, Matt, away at work, often for long periods of time, it’s up to Leah to single-handedly care for and entertain the energetic toddler. And Theo’s fascination with heavy machinery is a welcome distraction. To Theo’s delight, there is no shortage of tractors around here. Former agricultural community Baldivis, 40kms south of Perth City, has almost doubled in size since the Skelton family moved into their newly built home three years ago. One of hundreds of new developments springing up across WA, Baldivis’ rapid growth is testament to the state’s booming mining and energy sectors. “There are lots of FIFO families around here,” says mum-of-one Leah. “It’s a lifestyle that works for us, but it isn’t always easy.” Leah’s husband, Matt, 27, is one of an estimated 56,000 WA fly-in, fly-out workers who sacrifice much of their family time to ensure a financially stable future. A Mechanic for a large mining company, Matt works long hours on a four-week on, one-week off roster at Yandi, 90 kms north-west of Newman. Together for nine years and married for four, the FIFO lifestyle took some getting used to for the couple. “Matt started working away shortly after Theo was born,” says Leah. “It was difficult in the beginning, especially as we were new to parenting, but thankfully I had my parents and a support network around me to help out when Matt wasn’t here.” Leah worked full time at a local bank before taking time off to have Theo. She now works two days per week, but plans to take a year’s unpaid leave to dedicate her time to raising her son. It is an option that would not be avail-

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ON THE COVER

‘‘

WE COULDN’T AFFORD THE HOUSE AND ALL THE BILLS IF MATT DIDN’T WORK AWAY. WE ARE REALLY LUCKY BECAUSE IT ALLOWS US THE THINGS WE NEED, AND TO SAVE FOR THE FUTURE

able to her without a FIFO income. “Fly-in, fly-out is great in that way because it allows me to stay at home with Theo,” says Leah. “If it weren’t for Matt’s job, I would have had to go back to work full time shortly after having my son. But my working, plus Matt’s working away wasn’t working out for us. I want to enjoy being a mother.” The FIFO lifestyle is bittersweet for the Skeltons. While they have everything they need financially, and Leah is able to stay at home with Theo, they miss out on the day to day support of a husband and father. “We couldn’t afford the house and all the bills if Matt didn’t work away. We are really lucky because it allows us the things we need, and to save for the future,” says Leah. “But I know that it makes Matt sad knowing that he is missing so many of Theo’s milestones.” “Matt missed out on Theo learning to crawl and his first steps too,” says Leah, with a downward glance. “I was with my parents at the time, so I’m glad there was someone there to see it with me, and we managed to get it on video for Matt to see.” “We haven’t been able to spend

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Christmas together as a family yet. Although, Theo is still too young to understand what Christmas is about. It’ll be more difficult as he gets older.” Matt’s long absences make it vital that the family keep in touch as much as possible, says Leah, and the couple speak every second night, or when Matt’s shift patterns allow. Down time can be lonely for her husband, she says. “We just chat about one another’s days and generally try to keep Matt involved with what is going on at home,” Leah says. “We chat on the phone as much as we can. I put Matt on speaker phone so that Theo can hear his voice, and we’ll make sure they speak on the phone regularly as Theo gets older.” As well as talking on the phone, Leah uploads pictures of Theo to Facebook – something she says is important, to ensure that Matt can still see Theo most days. “Facebook has been great for us too, especially when Theo was a baby, because it means Matt gets to see him. My Dad also works away so it’s a good way for us to keep in touch with him too.”

The family’s time together can often be limited, making it ever important to spend quality time together when they can. “I make sure Theo knows when his dad is coming home, you have to get them excited about it. We count down the days. Theo is always delighted to see his dad and I know that means a lot to Matt. They spend a lot of time together when Matt is home.” FIFO Families Director Nicole Ashby, whose husband works in the offshore oil industry, says open and clear communication and staying connected are vital to maintaining a strong family unit. “It’s important that both partners are honest and express their feelings, and that couples set aside time to discuss issues that may be on their minds,” says the mum of three. “Utilise technology when you can; Skype, Facebook, Words with friends and texting.” “When a partner is home, make sure you have some quality time alone, like a date night. Families should also set goals around FIFO and how long they intend to live the FIFO lifestyle for, and regularly remind themselves of the goals.”

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HOROSCOPES

July 2013

aries

Mar 21 - Apr 20 We praise candour and admire honesty, but just imagine what life would be like if everyone said what they thought. We often fall out with one another quickly and easily enough, even when we know only a tiny fraction of what’s going on in someone else’s mind. If we could hear the whole unexpurgated version of their opinion and they could hear ours, how could we ever exist again? Some truths definitely need to be told this week. But not all truths have to be aired. A little discretion could yet take you a very long way. There’s much important news about what’s going to happen for you in July in your new FREE video forecast (plus get your 6 month ahead and spoken forecasts, all free, too)

libra

Sep 24 - Oct 23 In an attempt to avoid stress, some people accidentally create a lot of tension. They adopt, for example, policies which they believe will help them lead an easier life. Then they put themselves under a great deal of pressure to adhere to these, somewhat defeating the object of the exercise. Trouble has a way of getting to us all, no matter how we try to keep it at bay. This week, you need to find a way to stop seeing it as something you can outwit, escape or deflect. See it as your friend and then disarm it with a smile. There’s much important news about what’s going to happen for you in July in your new FREE video forecast (plus get your 6 month ahead and spoken forecasts, all free, too)

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taurus

Apr 21 - May 21 They say there is no place like home. But not every home is a happy home. For some, home is where the heart is and for others it is where the heartache is. Now I must be clear. I have no prediction for you about tension, stress, separation or sorrow. I just need to let you know that where there have been elements of these less-than-desirable experiences in the not-so-distant past, there will soon be a real possibility for healing. Becoming more comfortable in this area of your life will make a big difference to your outlook. There’s much important news about what’s going to happen for you in July in your new FREE video forecast (plus get your 6 month ahead and spoken forecasts, all free, too)

scorpio

Oct 24 - Nov 22 The artist, MC Escher, used to draw impossible objects. Staircases which went up if you looked at them one way and down, if you squinted slightly and saw them from another point of view. He drew lines and shapes which appeared to make perfect sense, until you paid them closer attention. You are starting to feel as if you are trapped in one of his pictures now. Every time you make up your mind about which direction you need to go in, you begin to realise that you can’t. But actually, if you just decide that you can, you can! There’s much important news about what’s going to happen for you in July in your new FREE video forecast (plus get your 6 month ahead and spoken forecasts, all free, too)

gemini

May 22 - June 22 Planet Earth turns on its axis once a day. Then once a year, this spinning ball travels around the Sun. The Sun itself describes a very slow orbit around some distant point in our galaxy. All those wheels within wheels. No wonder it often feels to us as if we are all going round in circles. You are beginning to wonder if you will ever make any real progress with a project or plan. It has taken up much of your time and energy but how far have you really got? But, despite your fear, you are not right back where you started from. There’s much important news about what’s going to happen for you in July in your new FREE video forecast (plus get your 6 month ahead and spoken forecasts, all free, too)

sagittarius Nov 23 - Dec 21

For many people, weekends represent a chance to forget about the trials and troubles of daily life and enjoy the company of friends and family. Monday mornings, therefore, symbolise a return to the old routine and that is not always a welcome transition. That experience of being back with something that you were quite glad to have left behind, is never pleasant. But sometimes it can be positive and productive. Even a brief break can produce precious perspective. This week, a little inspiration will take you a long way. There’s much important news about what’s going to happen for you in July in your new FREE video forecast (plus get your 6 month ahead and spoken forecasts, all free, too)

cancer

Jun 23 - Jul 23 What’s happening behind your back? What’s going on just out of your sight? What secret conversations might be happening in places where you can’t overhear them? And what would it matter, even if any of this were actually going on at all, which it isn’t. Your time is too precious to waste worrying about circumstances you can’t control or ways in which other people’s agendas may not be as clear or as faultless as you might wish. Even if a situation is ‘less than ideal’, it is less ‘less than ideal’ than you fear. So relax this week. There’s much important news about what’s going to happen for you in July in your new FREE video forecast (plus get your 6 month ahead and spoken forecasts, all free, too)

capricorn Dec 22 - Jan 20

You carry such a weight on your shoulders yet you handle it with such poise and grace. Even if you complain, you only express a small fraction of the disgruntlement that you feel. You hold so much together, you are solid as a rock, you are splendid and you are strong. Or at least most of the time that’s what you are like. Once in a while, things aren’t so easy and the cracks start to show. Sometimes you can patch them over, sometimes you have to open them up a little and do a structural repair. But that’s nothing to fear now. There’s much important news about what’s going to happen for you in July in your new FREE video forecast (plus get your 6 month ahead and spoken forecasts, all free, too)

leo

Jul 24 - Aug 23 Is there someone, somewhere, who is better than you? How about someone who deserves more? Is there a real reason for you to have to settle for second-best? I’m asking these questions only in an attempt to provoke a reaction. You may not have all the wealth in the world or all the power but that’s just due to a temporary quirk in the cosmic distribution system. Whilst you can’t just go out and claim what has not yet been delivered to you, you can at least hold your head high and trust that it will only be a matter of time. There’s much important news about what’s going to happen for you in July in your new FREE video forecast (plus get your 6 month ahead and spoken forecasts, all free, too)

aquarius

Jan 21 - Feb 19

Very few things can ever really happen in just one way, at just one time. Even life’s supposedly unrepeatable experiences and opportunities have a way of coming back round sooner or later. That doesn’t mean that we should take anyone or anything for granted; we should always seize the moment. We should never be lethargic or blase. Yet nor should we worry if something seems to be slipping from our grasp. Either it needs to be let go of or you will find yourself able to catch hold of it again when the time is right. There’s much important news about what’s going to happen for you in July in your new FREE video forecast (plus get your 6 month ahead and spoken forecasts, all free, too)

virgo

Aug 24 - Sep 23 Other people don’t quite see the world in the way that you see it. That’s not because you are wrong and they are right, rather to the contrary. You have an ability to notice nuance that seems to fly right over the heads of other observers. You can read situations deftly and accurately. You can detect, from a small clue, some piece of information that is likely to prove highly significant. This week, such abilities will stand you in good stead; just don’t expect all your expectations to be immediately understood. There’s much important news about what’s going to happen for you in July in your new FREE video forecast (plus get your 6 month ahead and spoken forecasts, all free, too)

pisces

Feb 20 - Mar 20 Vegetarians are often teased by meat-eaters who say, ‘How do you know that plants don’t have feelings too?’ And, there’s no answer to this. We don’t know any such thing. Trees and flowers may well have emotions, even opinions and, as sensitive human beings, we should surely make an effort to be as responsive as possible. But then, there comes a point where we all have to draw a line for the sake of our sanity. When you draw that line in your life now, make sure that those who matter most to you are on the right side of it. There’s much important news about what’s going to happen for you in July in your new FREE video forecast (plus get your 6 month ahead and spoken forecasts, all free, too)

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RELATIONSHIPS

MALE BEHAVIOR DECODED THE REASONS BEHIND FIVE BAFFLING GUY MANOEUVRES Written By Ellie Wilson

We’re constantly told that women are the ones to watch out for when it comes to confusing behaviour, but a lot of you may have had similar problems with the men in your life. Here are a few explanations behind five of the worst to help you understand your man. WHY HASN’T HE ASKED ME OUT YET?

You’ve laughed at his jokes, you always make an effort to look nice; you’ve made sure he never sees you with another guy, and still – radio silence. What’s the hold-up? The main thing to keep in mind is that guys are generally pretty straightforward, unsubtle creatures. There are three possible answers to this question: he’s just not into you, he’s too shy to approach you, or he hasn’t figured out that you’re into him. There may not be much you can do about the first one, but if your problem is number two or three, your way out is to just go for it. Ask for his number! Guys get sick of having to be the one to do the asking all the time. Get pro-active about dating and the results may surprise you. Don’t let it get you down if he says no - just practice on the next one who catches your eye.

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WHAT’S WITH ALL THE GUNS?

You’ve seen the kind of video games he plays and the movies he watches and it’s all explosions, yelling and blood. Why is he so obsessed with shooting computer-generated people in the head? Put simply, they’re made to appeal to a pretty basic instinct: hunting. Men are wired to be competitive, to think up elaborate strategies, and to chase things down and kill them. Plus, sometimes blowing stuff up is a good stress reliever, even if it’s simulated. If you’re worried that all that Call of Duty will make him more violent in real life, it’s unlikely – most players of violent games don’t show any increased tendency towards real violence. If he regularly chooses gaming over time with you, or talks constantly about the violent stuff he watches, that’s a different story, and you might want to talk to him about where you sit in his list of priorities or why it appeals to him so much. Otherwise, let him have his shoot-‘em-up time – and if you ever feel like joining in on multiplayer, do it. He’ll be thrilled.

WHY IS HE SO INCONSISTENT?

He calls you and asks you to hang out, you have fun, and then you don’t hear from him for weeks. He says he misses you and gets jealous about other guys, but he’s never available when you want to see him. If you’ve spent months waiting for a concrete answer, listen up: he’s using you. Remember, men are straightforward - a man who makes a point to pay attention to you is a man who wants you, and vice versa. A man who texts you every now and then when he feels like it is not thinking of you as girlfriend material. Guys who act this way are stringing you along, enjoying the game and hoping to use you as a booty call sometime when they run out of other options. You fall for his lines and make excuses when he neglects you because he puts in just enough effort to keep you hoping he’ll eventually be yours. So even if he says he loves you, stop it! Tell him you’re over it, delete his number, unfriend him on Facebook, and move on to someone who deserves you.

WHY WON’T HE LEAVE ME ALONE?

On the flipside, there are the guys who just won’t take a hint when you’re clearly not interested. You get them in clubs and bars, online, or even the guy you met at a friend’s party who wasn’t quite what he seemed at first tipsy glance. If you’re trying to show signals of disinterest without hurting his feelings, you may be doing more harm than good – this type of guy tends to be pretty clueless, and he’s likely to take even vague friendliness as a sign that you’re into him. Sometimes a man can be desperate enough to take whatever he can get. It’s not always a sob story, though – there are guys who will do this out of arrogance and entitlement, assuming that you’re “playing hard to get” because they can’t fathom why a woman wouldn’t want them around. You need to tell him straight out that you’re not interested in him. Don’t even give him the “let’s be friends” speech; just tell him to back off, and then ignore him. If he keeps trying to contact you after you’ve told him to stop, and it’s creeping you out, don’t be afraid to speak up! Get the police involved if you don’t feel safe. You have a right to be left alone.

WHY WON’T HE THROW OUT HIS OLD CLOTHES?

My ex-boyfriend had an ancient pair of jeans that were missing the bottom half of one leg, and the more he knew I hated them, the more he delighted in wearing them in public. It drove me mad until they ripped in such an awkward place that he had to give them up. You might have seen the same thing with old shoes, favourite t-shirts, or the Superman doona he’s had since he was eight. This is pretty much the same as you holding onto old stuffed toys or the CD of that embarrassing boy band you played until it was scratched beyond recognition – it’s a comfort thing. The difference is that men don’t naturally notice looks as much as women do, so they don’t care whether they look shabby and outdated – unless they’re trying to impress you. You wouldn’t throw out your favourite teddy bear just because he thought it was lame, so why should he give up his clothes? It’s fine for you to ask him to scrub up every now and then, and he’ll be happy to make an effort if he knows you like it. Just be understanding and respect that everyone gets attached to his or her ragged old things.

If you’re still baffled by something, remember: men are not as complex as you think they are. They tend to think in fairly straight lines, and if you keep that in mind, their behaviour becomes a lot easier to understand. Try not to overanalyse him, and above all keep communication flowing so that everything is out in the open. The men in your life don’t have to be confusing! WWW.WALIFESTYLEMAGAZINE.COM.AU

ON THE COVER

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fashion

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ON THE COVER

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ON THE COVER

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ON THE COVER

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FASHION

PLAYSUITS, ROMPERS, JUMPSUITS

& Onesies

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Playsuits, Rompers, Jumpsuits and Onesies; no I’m not talking about those cute all in one outfits you buy for babies, although I do admit they are pretty adorable. I’m talking about the all in one outfits that have stolen the hearts and wardrobe space of women all across the globe. What started out as a novelty look worn by a select, daring few has rapidly become every girl’s favourite go to piece. Whether they are elegant trouser styles, which can be seen strutting down the red carpets of events like the Golden Globes and ARIA awards, or a shorter summery cut perfect for a day at the beach or a casual coffee date; it seems that these all-in-one wonders are here to stay. written by Ashleigh Holman

tarting out as childrens’ play clothes in the early 1900’s, Rompers, as they were called back then, were the perfect practical piece for frolicking in the garden and playing in the sand pit. They were considered a great alternative to dresses and skirts as the built in shorts were designed to be super comfortable and modest. However, as practical as they were, at this time Rompers were considered only young childrens’ clothes and certainly not for adults. Then came the 20’s and with that a shift in fashion and style, no longer were the all-in-one designs only for babies and toddlers, stylish young women began to sport Rompers too. The fresh chic designs made it socially acceptable to wear these styles and as they became more and more popular new designs began to surface. Meet the jumpsuit, a longer legged style that was all the rage during the disco era of the 70’s. I mean who can even think of Studio 54 without picturing a sexy wide legged jumpsuit with a plunging neckline. These dressier all in one outfits were considered super sophisticated and oozed sex appeal. Nowadays they have even been seen on celebrities at many red carpet events such as Kate Beckinsale at the 2012 Independent Spirit Awards where she wore a fantastic raspberry Dione Von Furstenburg jumpsuit. However, after the 70’s the trend began to fizzle out and it wasn’t until 2006 that the all-in-one style made a reappearance. During this year a number of fashion designers and department stores showcased these vintage trends, although it was only a select few who bought into the look. However in 2009 Marc Jacobs, Max Azria, and Mara Hoffman were among a group of designers who showcased the style in their spring collection and it seems this is when they really became popular. No longer was the style considered old

or vintage, as new, chic and modern styles began to hit retailer’s world-wide. Now in 2013 it seems that these all- inone babies are a force to be reckoned with and don’t show the slightest hint of giving up their reign as the comfortable, practical and stylish staple. There are a variety of different types and styles of Jumpsuits and Rompers/ Playsuits. You have your casual summery styles which are often in the romper/playsuit cut. These are typically shorter and looser and are often made in patterned and brightly coloured fabrics to suit the warmer months. Then you have your dressier types which can also be romper and playsuit cuts however they are often more fitted with structured lines and dressier details. These are typically worn as an alternative to a dress for a night out or party. For a more elegant and classy look you would opt for the dressier styles of Jumpsuits which are often made from silk or chiffon. Often they will have a lower neckline or dressy detailing such as sequins, diamantes, beading or lace. These types are appropriate for black tie occasions, weddings, balls and even a dressy restaurant. Lastly you have your casual jumpsuits which are often worn in winter or autumn with a light jacket or cardie. Sometimes these styles can be cropped at the leg and they are most likely looser in fit. They will also be made from casual fabrics such as cotton and will have a laid back cut and very little detail. So now you know about the different types of jumpsuits and rompers that are out there you may be asking, “Where can I find them?” With online shopping taking off and new e-boutiques surfacing every day there is certainly an online store out there that will have what you’re looking for. Whether it’s an affordable and casual romper for sum-

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mer or a classy jumpsuit for your next big function the wonderful World Wide Web will have you sorted. However, if you’re not one to shop online or want to try before you buy then don’t sweat there are a number of amazing stores locally here in Perth that stock an array of these all-in-one babies. For your more expensive luxury styles head to King Street in the City where you will find the stylish Sass and Bide store. If their summer line is anything to go by you won’t find it hard to come across a classy and fashion forward Jumpsuit or Romper. Their designs are super cool, always amazingly crafted and sport beautiful detailing. For quirky pieces head into Miin a small boutique on Murray Street in the City. This little, out-of-the-way store stocks a wide range of clothes from casual street wear to cocktail and ball dresses. You will often find labels in there you have never seen before and quirky pieces that won’t have you looking like everyone else at the next party. However if you’re looking for something without a jaw dropping price tag then opt for smaller independently owned boutiques. Places such as Scarlet Fashion in North Beach, R’nay at Hillarys Boat Harbour and Frankii at Cockburn Gateway all stock an array of playsuits, rompers and jumpsuits in a variety of shapes and styles. However as popular as the playsuit and romper trend is, be prepared for the fact that jumpsuits are often harder to find and these stores may not always carry them. If you’re still not sold on the pieces in the boutiques or you are finding that they are a bit too expensive then head into stores like Target, Temt, Ally and Cotton On. These major retail stores are brimming with cute, summery, casual playsuits and rompers in a variety of patterns and styles. Just remember that again jumpsuits will be harder to find as they aren’t as commercial or popular as their shorter cousin the playsuit. Brooke from Milk Fashion in Doubleview stated that playsuits are much more popular as they are very versatile and flattering on most body shapes. She also recommends brands such as Finders Keepers and Seduce as she has found that they tend to have a better fit. When it comes to patterned or plain, it seems that we love them all,

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with Brooke claiming that both sell very well. She also claims that whilst like any trend it will probably eventually date, playsuit and jumpsuit styles have been going strong for 2 years now and they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t seem to be showing any sign of stopping. With all this in mind itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hard to see any reason why this trend wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be popular. You have everything you would want in a piece of clothing: practicality, comfort, versatility and style. However like so many other coveted pieces the all-in-one family does have it down falls. To find out about what you thought of this incredibly popular trend I asked some local women about their playsuit/romper/jumpsuit experiences. After speaking to several people it seems that the general opinion is it is often hard for girls to find playsuits, rompers and jumpsuits that fit them properly as the all in one style is not as forgiving as separate pieces. Megan Davies, a local Perth Uni Student said that finding the right fit is quite difficult for her as the length of the body is never long enough. She also mentioned that whilst strapless styles are her least favourite, they are the only style that she has found that fits her as the absence of straps allow her to wear it slightly lower which gives her more length in the torso area. This seems to be a common problem when buying all in one pieces as many girls comment on the fact that they find it difficult to find styles that fit. However, what about those girls who do find the right styles? When asked if she liked the look of playsuits, rompers and jumpsuits Megan stated that whilst she finds it hard to wear them herself, she likes them on others and thinks that the romper/playsuit is the perfect casual summer staple. A number of other local Perth women claimed that they loved playsuits as they were super comfortable and easy to wear. However when asked about jumpsuits it seems that they are not as popular with Megan stating that she has never liked the longer styles and only tall slim types can really wear them. But what does your guy think about this stylish trend? I hit the streets of Perth to find out if your man is really telling the truth about loving your all-in-one look. When asked what he thought of the

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all in one styles local Perth Uni Student Tom Smith replied saying that he initially thought that they looked silly and almost pyjama like however he has recently seen some styles that he doesn’t mind. It seems that types that are looser around the leg and almost look like a dress or skirt are much more appealing to males than the tighter styles. It is also apparent that although playsuits are being more accepted by guys, with one local Perth male stating that they can look classy and pretty, Jumpsuits are still not as popular, with most guys who were interviewed another stating that they looked weird and unflattering. So can anyone wear this trend or is it a style suited to a select few body shapes? Apart from those who find it hard to get the right body length all-in-one pieces can really suit any shape, it just depends on what style you go for. Author of Bettyconfidential.com states that petite frames should opt for slimmer fitting styles, with scoop or V neckline as this will help to elongate your frame. They should also avoid excess fabrics and added details such as ruffles as this will just swamp their frame. For curvier girls she suggests styles with cinched in waists as this helps to show off your figure. It is also recommended that they opt for types with looser fitting shorts, especially for bottom heavy girls. You should also look for styles with minimal detailing on the pockets as this too can draw attention to this area. However, it seems the most important thing to remember is to make sure that you pick a style that suits your personality. Local Fashion Stylists at Shopnfriends Image Consultancy say that if you prefer feminine styles then look for floral and lace detailing whilst women who prefer cleaner, classic looks should opt for structured styles in darker, solid hues. Just remember that you will always look your best when you are wearing a piece that suits your personal style. So it seems that this is a trend that doesn’t look to be disappearing any time soon. The practicality, comfort and effortless style that an all-in-one piece offers is a one in a million find. If you come across one that suits both your body and your personal style, my advice is to snap it up quickly, you certainly won’t regret it.

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LIFE MATTERS

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Is social media There’s no denying that social media has crept its way into just about every aspect of our lives. Twitter, Facebook, Myspace, Bebo and countless other websites let us interact almost instantly with hundreds, if not thousands of people at a time. It’s not even a stretch to imagine getting advice on a recipe, mid-meal preparation, from forty people simultaneously. Social media has changed the way we do business, the way we communicate and the things we buy. There have been some amazing advancements recently which make keeping in touch with loved ones, and not so love ones, much more simple and convenient.

DESTROYING OUR LIVES?

Are our lives better for it though? Every day about 10.5 billion minutes are spent on Facebook worldwide. That’s 19,963 years, in a single day, and only on one of the websites in question. But the real question is, is this social media phenomenon damaging our real world relationships, and are there any other ramifications? Would the world be better off without the tweets, IM’s and status updates? Ten years ago the first thing that would come to one’s mind when thinking about social media was probably children in their teens, sending messages to one another that they’re too scared to put down on paper or say face to face – be it complimentary or otherwise. That’s if you even knew what social media was back then. Of course things have changed a bit now and it’s not just the younger generation that’s using social media, but everyone. This means that not only are children no longer getting the same amount of exposure to real life people that made a mentally healthy child 20 years ago, but they’re also exposed to a whole lot more than just ‘sweet nothings’ from a fellow class mate. That’s not to say that everything on the internet is potentially dangerous for children, but it certainly does make them grow up faster, and someone needs to tell them that it’s actually ok to be a child for a little while longer. Social media does not do this! This is not even the main issue here though, because it’s not about what they are exposed to so much as what they are not, and that’s interaction with other children. Learning how to interact with other people comes from actually interacting with them, not sending sta-

tus updates or instant messages. In a recent study done in the USA 39% of children actually preferred socialising online than they did in person. That’s 39 % of the next generation who will probably be socially awkward when it comes to real life affairs – you decide if that is a problem or not. Children are not the only people being affected though, as recent study out of Norway suggests. The researchers published a paper describing and measuring addictions to Facebook, and the startling thing is that this so called addiction is more prevalent in young adults than it is in children. Some people have become so obsessed with keeping in constant contact with others that they have actually classified it as an addiction. And with the mobile era upon us, it means that we don’t even have to get to a computer to satisfy our twitters cravings. This has the potential to destroy family time or other special occasions, with 24 % of a recent survey admitting that they have missed important moments in person because they were trying so hard to share the special moment with the world. It does seem somewhat ironic. The next point worth noting is how easy it is to lie on social media sites. One thing that anyone will tell you is that it’s much easier to lie to someone on the internet than it is in person and that’s just what people are doing. In the same survey that 24 % of people admitted to missing important events, 28 % of the British participants admitted to lying or extreme exaggeration while 24 % of the Americans said they weren’t always one hundred percent honest. Now imagine if you added all WWW.WALIFESTYLEMAGAZINE.COM.AU

LIFE MATTERS the people who weren’t honest about that because let’s face it, if they’re not honest online, why would they be in a survey. The sad truth is that it’s not just honesty that’s been thrown out of the window either, it’s manners too. For some reason people think it’s quite acceptable to attack individuals or businesses they don’t know anything about. There’s definitely a place for free speech on the internet, and having a forum for airing ones opinions on businesses is excellent, but there needs to be a modicum of restraint. If people are actually telling the truth to begin with, then they really should find a constructive way to express themselves without damaging other people unnecessarily. Social media certainly doesn’t encourage this. At very best it gives peo-

‘‘

ANOTHER PHENOMENON THAT HAS REARED ITS UGLY HEAD WITH THE DAWN OF THE SOCIAL MEDIA TAKE OVER, IS SPYING. IT’S NOT A NEW CONCEPT REALLY, BUT WITH EVERYONE’S DETAILS ALL IN ONE PLACE IT SURE DOES MAKE IT EASY TO DO......

ple a platform to express how they feel, and at worst, because of the pressure to constantly have something to say, it forces them to be negative. It wouldn’t be fair to say that everyone behaves like this while using social media, but it is fair to say that all people behave differently while they’re online – and most of the time they’re not better people for it. Another phenomenon that has reared its ugly head with the dawn of the social media take over, is spying. It’s not a new concept really, but with everyone’s details all in one place it sure does make it easy to do. It’s not just that your photographs, thoughts and links to other people are available for the world to see, but also that internet marketers actually use your web browsing history, search history and who knows what else on your computer to display adverts that they think are appropriate. The scariest thing is that most of the time they are in fact appropriate. How many times do you think you’ve bought something as a direct result of something you were shown that you didn’t actually ask to see? It’s probably a lot more than you might imagine. Most of us think that

social media is free because we don’t actually have to pay to use it but that is far from the truth. If no one was making money on it then why would they continue to operate? We are being force fed information on what products to buy, where to buy them from and when to buy them. This is how we ‘pay’ for social media so think again if you think it’s free. The social media craze has successfully commercialised friendship, which is no mean feat. It is strange to think that someone out there is making money because you clicked on ‘add friend’. With the constant stream of information available to the world it’s also not a stretch to imagine all manner of stalkers using social media as their own personal tracking devices. A status up-

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date from a child stating where they are and where they will be next is all a predator needs to know exactly when they will be somewhere unsafe. There are of course safe guards in place to stop just anyone looking at your information on most of these sites but by default they are normally not in place. Deciding how much information is too much is a fine line but most people these days don’t even give it a second thought when they arrange a meeting with friends in a publicly accessible area of their profile. Even before we spent our days and nights mass communicating there wasn’t enough time in the day to get everything done, so we came up with a solution, text speak. The truth is that text speak was initially used because of the way mobile networks charged per SMS that we sent, so we can’t blame social media for this one. However, it has perpetuated it, for better or for worse. People are slowly losing the ability to spell and it’s not even to save space anymore, its pure laziness. The ‘lols’, ‘brbs’ and thousands of other acronyms and abbreviations may make life easier in the short term, but what hap-

pens when new dialects of text speak start to immerge – no one will be able to understand each other! That may be a farfetched idea but the point is that people are slowly forgetting how to speak and write correctly because they are not judged by the way the write online. While there are these downsides to social media, one can’t help but see the up side too. Facebook has created a way to keep in touch with people that you haven’t seen for many years and wouldn’t have been able to contact otherwise. Even if the contact is not as meaningful as a face to face encounter, it’s still good to chat to an old friend once in a while. Announcements to the world of engagements, pregnancies, marriages and just about anything else can save a whole lot of time and

money on the phone bill, not to mention bring an immense amount of happiness to so many people. Mass communication is also a fantastic way for businesses to get information across to potential customers quickly, effectively and at a low cost – so much so that many businesses only exist because of social media websites. Twitter is a great example of this with its tagging systems that allows people to get information based on keywords they have specified – they’re only getting the information they asked for in this case and not being bombarded with stuff they didn’t ask for. Not only that but when someone finds a good product or service the company has more chance of being rewarded for it because they can spread the word very easily. This means that the companies we spend our hard

earned money at are constantly forced to do better. Myspace has given countless artists a platform to launch their music careers from, without which no one would ever have heard of them. For many years it was a place where musicians and like minded people could find new music to listen to and promote themselves to the masses. More recently Youtube has also become a platform for launching careers, and not just in the music industry either, but art, movies and many others as well. It also gives endless hours of enjoyment to the surfer looking to kill a little time as well as having instructional videos which are often used to learn new skills or better ones self. With all that in mind it’s obvious that there is a load to be gained from social media and no

one could ever argue it. With this we are taken back to the original question. Is social media destroying our lives? A question that is actually impossible to answer however. Perhaps that’s because it is the wrong question altogether and the answer is not as simple as a yes or no, in fact, it is both yes and no. What we should really be asking ourselves is how we can use social media to better our lives and to better the lives of those around us. There’s one thing that we can all be certain of, and that is that social media is here to stay, whether we like it or not. So instead of worrying about the amount of time we spend using it, maybe we should all worry more about how we use it rather, and start to make positive changes to the online community, and as a result, ourselves too. WWW.WALIFESTYLEMAGAZINE.COM.AU

FITNESS

BIKRAM

yoga WORLD OBSESSION WITH MIND & BODY

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The world’s obsession with conventional yoga, the beautiful balance between mind and body and the discovery of perfect harmony within oneself has calmed down now, with only the die-hards and Madonna still clutching their mats and saying “nomesta” to each other under any pretext. In its place a new form of yoga is now grabbing the imagination of everyone from A list celebs to middle-class leisure centre lovies. It is called Bikram yoga (named after its founder Bikram Choudrey)) and if finding perfect harmony whilst sweating like a donkey trapped in the London underground during the rush-hour is your kind of fun … then this could be just what you’re looking for. At first glance a Bikram yoga class looks like a bad 80’s porno movie; lots of hot, sweaty women in lycra contorting their bodies into a variety of positions whilst moaning “oooh so hot!” But this bizarre form of yoga, hitherto only practised among the sporting elite, is taking the world of keep-fit by storm. Bikram yoga is a 90 minutes series of 26 yoga postures and 2 breathing exercises, carried out in a room heated to

pros

DETOXIFICATION OF THE BODY In a hot room practising Bikram yoga your body will produce excessive sweat; this cleanses the body of toxins. REJUNIVICATION The main principle of any type of yoga; Rejunivication is something the body feels after is has done any form of exercise. RESTORATION OF HEALTH TO MUSCLES Bikram yoga uses breathing techniques to help with restoring oxygen flow throughout the body. This promotes the healing and restoration of muscles, joints and organs in the body. BETTER STRETCHING Because the heated room gets so hot the body is able to stretch better. The heat promotes the stretching of muscles, tendons and ligaments. The body is more flexible in heat. RELAXATION Holding the postures of Bigram yoga helps your body relax. The deep breathing techniques used promote relaxation, relieves stress and helps relieve tension.

40 degrees Celsius and 40 per cent humidity. The combined heat and humidity increase muscle flexibility and can help to prevent an injury (which is why it is so popular with professional sportspeople) Bikram yoga is also very detoxifying, releasing large numbers of toxins through the breath and through the skin by sweating. The beauty of Bikram yoga is that it is designed for everyone from absolute beginners to the more advanced practitioner. So, if you are not very flexible and have never done yoga before, don’t worry, you will almost certainly not be alone. Because of the combination of heat and the sequence of postures, the practise is very intense and has dramatic and immediate results; making Bikram yoga highly addictive. It is also claimed that hundreds of thousands of normal people around the world have been cured of physical ailments, anxiety and stress … and dropped several dress sizes in the process. But is it actually any GOOD for you. Here is a brief, but by no means exhaustive, look at the pros and cons of Bikram yoga.

cons

THE HEAT The intense heat can cause some students to become overheated, ill or dehydrated. BE VERY AWARE OF THIS! BOREDOM The postures, though there are several, are repetitive, so can become rather monotonous. A 90 minute beginner’s course goes through each posture about 3 times. LOSING WIGHT TOO FAST The body burns fat and sugar faster as a result of an elevated body core. This can have an adverse effect to those who intend to lose weight as part of a calorie controlled diet. Losing weight too fast can be dangerous to your health. LACK OF MIND-BODY-ONENESS Bikram yoga is more of a workout than a spiritual practise; so the fundamental concept of yoga, the mind-body-oneness, is lost. THE CONTROVERSY A large number of medical and traditional yoga practitioners consider Bikram yoga to be unsafe. The high levels of heat and lack of spiritual awareness make Bikram yoga a controversial practise.

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FITNESS

EAT MORE

look hotter Looking good is not necessarily about eating less. This myth is often at the heart of failed diets and the cycle of us feeling bad and not looking as healthy as we could. Actually, eating more can help us look better. Eating the right foods, in the right quantities allows our bodies to repair, grow and thrive.

diet poor in vitamins, minerals and healthy fats as well as plenty of water can look tired, dry and you can forget about shiny hair or strong nails. Pile your plate up with a range of colourful vegetables, and you will be giving your body the gift of so many nutrients. Tuck into good fats such as avocado and eggs and soon you will have a healthier glow. Want to reduce cellulite, bulges and tired skin? Then you need to

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eat more fresh food, fruit and vegetables. Skip the expensive face creams and fad diets. Save money on all the beauty products that are simply masking the real issues. Instead, get your wallet out at the local fruit and vegetable markets and the supermarket. Think about smart eating and rather than restricting calories, eat more of the right stuff. Regular exercise is another huge part of looking good. Exercise not only tones

the body, but also keeps your heart healthy, blood pumping well, releases endorphins which in turn make you look and feel happier â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and exercising outside also gives you Vitamin D through the sunlight. The more you exercise, the more food you can eat! If you exercise regularly then you will need more calories for your body to get enough energy and repair itself properly. Exercise allows you to eat more of all the yummy foods listed below.

FOLLOW THESE DIET TIPS:

Another very important factor is our metabolism. Strict diets that restrict calories can slow down our metabolisms making it harder to lose weight. So actually eating more can help stimulate our metabolism, and digestive tract. Eating more of the right foods allows our bodies to work more effectively and burn fat efficiently. So stop counting calories and make the ones you eat count. So, how can you eat more and look hotter?

• Shiny Hair Hair that shines, has strong roots and beautiful ends require protein: more specifically biotin and omega-3 fatty acids. Our hair is made of protein so include salmon, flaxseed, soy, eggs, and beans in your diet. Hair that is healthy not only shines but also it grows faster, healthier and you can spend less money on expensive hair treatments. Getting healthy hair naturally is actually quite easy if you eat these foods. Hair and scalp really thrive from Brazil nuts and walnuts as they are full of omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E. Getting these foods into your diet gives your hair a well-earned meal and shiny hair will soon be yours. • Glowing skin Say no to pimples, spots and inflammation. Get some berries on your plate! Blueberries in particular have the most antioxidants per serving compared to other berries. Eating blueberries (but really any berries) will give your skin the boost it needs to glow. To banish dark circles under your eyes stock up on Greek yogurt – it is rich in amino acids. Eating Greek yoghurt gives you not only a healthy and filling snack, but it also offers your skin the treatment it needs. Use broccoli or strawberries in your diet and get those rich antioxidants like vitamin C into your body - these help improve your blood circulation which in turn stimulates healthy skin cell regrowth. Spinach is another super-food so put spinach in your omelette, pasta bake, smoothies and salads. Spinach contains an antioxidant called carotene which helps skin to repair and prevents aging. Spinach also contains folate, potassium and fiber which can help skin recover from the sun. • Perfect nails Nail growth is stimulated by protein and iron. So fill up your plate with poultry, fish, eggs and nuts. Vitamin E is also great for strong nails, so a tomatoes and avocado sandwich is a great meal. Beef is a great source of iron so look for lean, organic beef and watch your nails grow stronger. The 3pm munchies can be turned into a good thing: keep some nuts nearby for a nail-strengthening snack or stock up on canned tuna and salmon. • Toned muscle We all know that protein is important for muscle tone, therefore think about getting plenty of lean meat, low-fat dairy, nuts and seeds into your diet. Fruit and vegetables have plenty of nutrients but are low in calories so the weight loss added to the muscle tone is what makes you look good. Oatmeal is a food that many people forget – yet it is a super food! Rich is fibre for digestion and weight control, as well as high in protein for muscles tone. Oatmeal can be eaten as breakfast or as a snack throughout the day. It is so filling you only need a small amount but the benefits are amazing. • Overall health Keep hydrated by drinking 8 glasses of water each day. When you are hydrated, your metabolism functions at its best, keeping you looking trim and toned. As well as water, think about adding water-rich foods into your diet, such as grapefruit, melon, soup and the like. Also, treats such as dark chocolate can be very beneficial. The higher levels of coca in dark chocolate give you flavonol which is an important antioxidant. A little bit of what you fancy does you good – and if you must have a sweet treat – get some dark chocolate! WWW.WALIFESTYLEMAGAZINE.COM.AU

FITNESS

Fitter, Happier A GUIDE TO EFFECTIVE WEIGHT LOSS AND A HEALTHIER LIFESTYLE

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One of the great unspoken marriage rituals is the prewedding diet. If all goes according to plan then you’ll look back on this one day for the rest of your life, and when you cast a wistful gaze over wedding photos in years to come you want to see yourself looking your stunning best; a trim, taught and terrific bride looking radiant and madly in love. Now while this is certainly understandable and reason enough on its own to want to get in shape before you take your vows, there are a whole raft of other reasons to want to enter married life in the best shape of your life, and to stay that way too.

Better Sex Life

Although very few people these days wait for their wedding night to sleep with each other (you’ve got to try before you buy right?), most still want their honeymoon to be a blur of mind shattering orgasms, inappropriately acquired rug burns and non-stop lovemaking punctuated only by short pit stops to refuel on champagne and oysters. If this isn’t you quite yet then don’t be disheartened, losing weight can be a fantastic way to improve your sex life and bring the aforementioned bedroom escapades closer to reality. The more comfortable and confident with your bodies you and your partner are then it stands to reason that the way you express your feelings for each other physically is bound to improve too. Also, as you get fitter your sex life has a much better chance of becoming more energetic, adventurous and longer lasting. Also, it turns out that sex is great exercise in and of itself, so practise makes progress, and there are surely very few more pleasurable ways to workout.

Healthy Body, Healthy Mind

In addition to the physical benefits, losing weight and getting in shape can have a host of positive mental repercussions too. Studies have linked excess weight to negative effects such as a loss of energy, an increase in stress and anxiety and even depression, all of which can have a serious impact upon daily life. Ask most married couples and they’ll tell you that marriage can be a big enough test at the best of times. Maintaining a good state of mental health can be vital for a long and happy marriage as it better enables you to cope with various stresses and strains of modern life that are bound to crop up from time to time. Now while it’s true you can’t work out all your inner demons at the gym, keeping fit and healthy will definitely help contribute to a happier life for you and your other half.

Future Health Issues

Whatever else it may entail, getting married means that you have at least one other person in your life to think about, and for many it also means starting a family and therefore children to bear in mind. Along with negative mental side effects, being overweight has also been linked to an increased risk of health issues

including Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, memory and concentration problems, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes and coronary heart disease. So while getting in shape will certainly help you look and feel better in the short term, maintaining a healthier lifestyle will also contribute to a reduced risk of conditions that can affect the quality of life for you and your family years down the line.

MAKING A DECISION AND PLANNING FOR IT

Once you have made the decision to commit to losing weight and getting in shape, and it is a commitment, there are a number of things to think about and plan to give yourself the greatest possible chance of succeeding.

Long Way To The Top

Although TV informercial presenters and peddlers of the latest trendy diet book would have you believe otherwise, the truth is that there is no quick and easy way to miraculously shed the kilos and have your dream body instantaneously. The most effective way to lose weight and keep it off is to make a series of healthy lifestyle changes. It can be challenging and takes time and effort, but with a few smart choices and a bit of determination it is a very attainable goal for most people.

Decide Your Motives

A key factor in successful weight loss is your motivation. Resisting naughty food and sticking to an exercise regime can be a struggle at times, and you are far more likely to say no to that slice of cheesecake and to resist the urge to sleep in instead of going to that gym class if you have clearly defined motives and goals. As corny as it sounds, the desire for real change can only come from within and you are far more likely to succeed if you want it for yourself and are not just trying to please others or live up to expectations that you don’t really believe in.

Set A Weight Loss Goal

When attempting to lose weight it is very important to choose a realistic and personally desirable weight loss goal to achieve and maintain over a long period of time. If you love food and have always struggled with your weight then

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FITNESS it’s probably unrealistic to think that you can transform yourself into a 0% body fat gym equipment model with abs of steel. Setting unattainable goals means you’re much less likely to achieve them, become frustrated, give up on your regime and put weight back on. Everyone naturally had different body types, so choose a goal that will put you in better shape without going to silly extremes.

Pace Yourself

It’s important to remember that getting in shape is not a race. Effective, long lasting weight loss happens gradually and is the result of making better decisions and lifestyle choices on a daily basis. Not only are crash diets unsustainable (in that you are highly likely to put the weight back on when they’re done), but some are downright unhealthy and dangerous. Take your time, be patient and persistent and the results will come eventually.

THE METHOD BEHIND THE MADNESS

Making the decision and finding the motivation to lose weight is an important first step, but knowing what decisions and changes to make to achieve your goals can often be difficult and confusing. However, there are a number of straight forward, scientifically proven steps that can be taken to ensure yourself a slimmer, healthier future.

Don’t Skip Meals!

A lot of people think that eating less is an easy way to lose weight and thus often skip meals. While this is technical true, skipping meals (especially breakfast) is disastrous for those trying to lose weight as it forces you subconsciously to crave calorie rich foods. Studies using MRI images of brain activity show that a full person shown images of healthy food (eg. a salad) and unhealthy food (eg. a nice, sugary donut) responds equally to both, whereas a hungry person (who has skipped a meal) shown the same images shows a highly increased response to the donut while desire for the salad remains unchanged. In short this means that if you skip a meal you unthinkingly crave calorie rich foods and are thus much less likely to resist temptation, such as that tray of danishes sitting sneakily in the staff room at lunch time.

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Protein Plus

A relatively easy dietary change to make is to increase the amount of protein-rich foods in your diet. Things like lean meats, beans, legumes, eggs and fish all fall in to this category. The reason why this is good for weight loss is that protein keeps you fuller for longer and thus makes you less likely to snack between meals. The science behind this is that when you digest protein it releases large amounts of a hormone called PYY which supresses hunger and effectively switches off your urge to eat. In short, protein rich meals with the same calories as ones higher in carbohydrates will fill you up for longer and cut down on that nasty between meal munching. A handy tip to get your day off to a good start is to avoid carb heavy breakfasts like toast and cereal and opt instead for things like egg whites, baked beans, mushrooms and lean ham (instead of bacon).

Dairy Delights

The dairy aisle of the supermarket has been traditionally regarded as a nogo area for those battling the bulge, what with its vast array of fatty chunks of cheese and calorie-laden creamy delights. However, it turns out that dairy products can actually be very useful in shedding the pounds thanks to the unlikely properties of dairy calcium. While being digested in the small intestine dairy calcium binds to the fat in the other food you have eaten to form a soapy substance that can’t be absorbed and passes right through you, thus bypassing your hips and ending up safely down the toilet. Increasing the levels of healthy dairy items in your diet, such as low fat yoghurt, skim milk and reduced fat cottage cheese can have a hugely positive effect and even double the amount of fat excreted!

Avoid Atkins

Although it’s over recent years that carbs are the enemy and should be avoided at all cost, fact of the matter is that we need them as part of a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle. Adopting a carb free diet often involves eating a lot of meat and can mean you end up consuming large amounts of saturated fats which can lead to further health issues down the line. Beyond that, if you lead an active life and especially if you exercise a lot then you need the energy that carbohydrates

provide. Rather than cutting them out entirely, try and restrict your portion sizes and choose high fibre, low GI options. Your body will thank you for it.

Downsize Your Crockery

A very simple and easy step to help you eat less is simply to serve smaller portions on smaller plates or bowls. This will trick your brain in to feeling fuller sooner and result in you scoffing on average around 22% less than if meals were served in a larger portion size on a bigger plate.

Restrict Your Choices

Unfortunately, when it comes to weight loss evolution is working against you.

Our shared history as scavenging hunter gatherers means that we instinctively desire a large variety of different foods. Good news if you’re trying to survive and ice age but less desirable if you’re a modern urban dweller presented with an all-you-can-eat buffet. When presented with this vast array of gastronomic treats your average homo sapiens will consume 30% more food than if offered a relatively limited choice, so by all means steer clear of Sizzler and the evils of the food court Chinese restaurant.

Soup Up Your Diet

An unlikely secret weapon in the weight loss arsenal comes in the form of lovely

thick soup. Solid food eaten and washed down with a drink will drain out of the stomach quickly and leave the diner hungry and looking to eat once again. However, a thick soup with the exact same calorie count as the aforementioned solid meal cannot drain out so speedily and will thus sit in the stomach for a much greater period of time and leave you feeling fuller for longer and, as stated before, much less likely to snack between meals.

Feel The Burn

It’s certainly not ground-breaking news to suggest that exercise is very important when it comes to the task of losing weight, but there is an entirely new way

to look at it that should give encouragement to even the most gym-phobic of people. Yes you burn off fat while you work out, but thanks to a phenomenon known as “afterburn” you continue burn calories at a higher rate for 24 hours after exercising. This remarkable effect can be achieved with relatively little effort, say an hour’s brisk walking, and will mean you will literally be losing weight in your sleep, provided of course that you stick to a healthy diet. Regular exercise is key, even if you’re not running a marathon every night after work. It’s also important to find a form of exercise that you enjoy as the hardest part of working out is often finding the motivation to do so. WWW.WALIFESTYLEMAGAZINE.COM.AU

FITNESS Joining a gym that does classes taking part in other group fitness activities can be a very good move if you struggle to get going on your own.

Increase Activity

Even if you find that you’re struggling to find time to exercise there are still lots of everyday things that you can do increase the amount of calories you burn off in a day. Try using the stairs instead of escalators or a lift whenever possible, move around the room while on the phone, get on the bus at a later stop or get off at an earlier one, walk around the block before heading in to work, go for a walk at lunch or even pop on your ipod and dance about like a fool while doing your housework. Anything you can do to make your life less sedentary is a good thing and can result in the loss of a significant amount of weight over the course of a year.

Calorie Counting

They say knowledge is power, and this is certainly true when it comes to knowing about what’s in the food you eat. Counting the calories in the options available to you and choosing the healthy ones is hugely important, and a series of small changes throughout the day makes a big difference. For example, choosing black coffee over a large milky latte, toast and vegemite instead of a sugary pastry or sausage roll, leaving croutons, cheese and creamy dressing out of your salad, avoiding fruit smoothies and juices (which are surprisingly unhealthy) and snacking on fruit and nuts instead of chocolate and chips between meals all add up to a huge reduction in calories come the end of the day.

Write It Down

Now while it may at first seem a little OCD to keep a food diary in which you write down everything you consume during the day straight after you eat it, there is a very good reason for doing so. Many people who blame their inability to lose weight on a slow metabolism have a perfectly normal metabolic rate but are unwittingly ingesting far too many calories throughout the course of the day. Even if you record your food diary at the end of the day you are likely to forget 60% of what you ate. In short, if you are having trouble losing weight than you are simply consuming more calo-

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ries than you burn off and your body is storing the excess as fat. Keeping a wellkept food diary helps you become more conscious of what you are actually eating and makes it easier to make positive changes in this routine.

The Devil Of Drink

By now most people are aware of how bad and full of “empty calories” alcohol is for those trying to be good. However, while very few people have the iron will required to go completely teetotal in the quest for a better body, there are a few things one can do that require less intestinal fortitude. Simply cutting down on the amount you drink is an obvious first step. Try and aim for several alcohol free nights a week or, if possible, restrict drinking solely to the weekend. Also, you can make smarter choices in the type of drinks you swill, such as opting for wine over beer or having your spirits with soda water instead of a sugary mixer.

Manage Your Lapses

No one is perfect and we’re all human, so it’s important to realise that even the most determined person is going to fall off the wagon sometimes and indulge in a horribly unhealthy treat. This is entirely normal. The key thing to do is not panic, get depressed and give up. There is nothing to be gained by retreating to the safety of your sofa accompanied by an entire tub of Connoisseur Café

Grande ice-cream and a dessert spoon. Instead, accept the fact that you have lapsed and realise that the best course of action is to return to your healthy eating plan. Also, try and remember the following acronym; H.A.L.T. This stands for Hungry, Angry, Lonely and Tired and refers to the situations that are most likely to result a lapse. Minimizing exposure to these scenarios and being aware of the possible consequences of them when you are can be very helpful in avoiding situations that can undo a lot of the good work you’ve done.

Controlling Your Post Weight Loss Diet

Keeping weight loss gains over a period of time is something that people often find very challenging. While it is likely that you’ll be able to eat more than while on your reducing diet and still maintain your gains, it’s important to understand that you will never again be able to eat whatever you like whenever you like without the risk of gaining weight. A sad realisation indeed for those that enjoy their food, but a necessary one nonetheless. Weighing yourself regularly and recognising small weight gains is a good way to be able to correct your behaviour before things get out of hand and ensuring that your new, slimmer physique is around for many years to come.

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FITNESS

CYCLE FOR LIFE If there’s one thing the recent London Olympic Games have taught us, it’s that any sport can look appealing. Written By Erica Enriquez

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FITNESS

f there’s one thing the recent London Olympic Games have taught us, it’s that any sport can look appealing. Sure, the sportspeople we cheered for on TV were at the top of their game in their respective countries, but that’s not the point. You don’t have to be an elite athlete to follow a sport with the same gusto and enthusiasm as any Olympian, once we find a sport or activity that suits us. So it’s with the memory of the Olympic Games that Cycling comes to mind. As competitive as it looked on the cycling track, it can also be the most relaxing way to travel. And with summer up ahead, it’s a great way to get out and about to experience if not your surrounding cycling paths, then at least your local neighbourhood. If you’ve never been on a bike before, or haven’t saddled up since you were a kid on a BMX (and take note, many adults are now riding BMX’s in extreme sports tournaments), then don’t worry. There are a few handy hints to get your head around before heading out and purchasing your first (or first in a long

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ducted, close to 90% indicated they felt their general health had improved since starting to ride for transport. Not only that, but a transportation research study conducted by Monash University’s Institute of Transport Studies and Bicycle Victoria found that 27% of Australians who commuted by bike for the first time during a ride to work day (‘Ride to Work Day’ being an annual event, promoting riding to and from work throughout VIC) were still commuting by bicycle five months after the event. This shows that cycling is not only easy to pick up, but easy to maintain as part of a regular exercise routine. How often you ride your bicycle depends on you, however don’t forget that cycling is more than just a great way to work out. The Cycling Resource Centre notes that there are positive social implications to regular bicycle riding. It promotes community pride and involvement, by establishing quiet streets free from the hustle and bustle of traffic, and provides a way for people to become socially active within their community. The benefits, then, of

CYCLING, WHETHER FOR PLEASURE OR COMPETITIVELY, IS GROWING AT A RAPID PACE, AND WITH THE SUPPORT OF GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES FOR BETTER INFRASTRUCTURE FOR CYCLISTS, THE TREND WON’T SLOW DOWN ANY TIME SOON”

time) bike. Christopher Jones, Founder of Bicycles Network Australia (www.bicycles.net. au) suggests setting a budget before purchasing the first thing off the market. Have a look online, visit your local bike shop and talk to reputable salespeople. It’s their job to find out what kind of bike would best suit your needs. Do you need a Cruiser that looks great as you casually coast down the road, or do you need a City Bike you can take with you to and from work, weaving in and out of traffic (carefully)? Or perhaps you’d prefer a Touring Bike that will allow you to cycle long distances? “Shopping around gives you the confidence that you are getting the style of bike you need, and also gives you more brands to choose from”, Jones says. It’s also important to include accessories into your bicycle budget, for items such as helmets and cycling clothes/gear.

Jones also notes, “It is crucial to get the right bike size and the bike shop should take the time to find the right size for you rather than just guessing”. Once you’ve decided on what to buy and how much you’d like to spend on your new set of wheels, it’s time to shop around. Jones believes that feeling comfortable with your salesperson and choice of bicycle store will ensure you are getting the best bicycle for you. “Smaller regional bike shops will have fewer staff and the owner may also be the mechanic and salesperson in one”, he warns. “They may be an excellent cyclist and mechanic, though untrained as a salesperson”. Jones also says that although a salesperson may be able to talk the talk, they should be genuine in trying to understand what you need. When you’ve finally got your bike, the fun really begins! The exercise benefits of cycling are far too many to mention. The Cycling Resource Centre (http:// cyclingresourcecentre.org.au/), says, “Cycling has been shown to significantly reduce the chance of developing

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lifestyle diseases such as obesity and diabetes. Integrating cycling into everyday life, by using the bike as a form of transport has been shown to be a very sustainable method of regular physical activity”. Cycling is also good for anyone of any fitness level. “It is a relatively gentle sport for the body”, Jones explains. “Where runners may suffer knee problems, on a bike, the body is locked into position with fluid movements”. Cycling can also be found to increase stamina, muscle tone and, because it involves the whole body, it can improve armto-leg, feet-to-hands and body-to-eye coordination. According to a 2011 survey conducted by the Cycling Promotion Fund and the National Heart Foundation, they found that of their survey participants who had ridden a bike for transport in the month in which the survey was con-

quieter, calmer streets, can be seen in a reduction of stress. Online bicycle information site www.adultbicycling.com believes that being outdoors on a bicycle helps people experience nature and therefore take a person’s mind off the stresses of everyday living. Cycling is also beneficial for the environment, as there is no fuel powering the cycling except that of your own strength, so there are no harmful gas omissions. Remember, though, that for all the cycling you do, it’s important that you follow the road rules designed to keep cyclists, motorists and pedestrians safe. “It is best to treat riding a bike as a normal vehicle on the road, also as a vehicle that doesn’t offer the material protection of a car or truck. This means defensive driving, as a cyclist is more vulnerable that other road vehicles” Jones says. He also recommends that

whenever you are out on the road, you should aim to be visible at all times, via brightly coloured clothing or a safety vest. Make sure your bike is fitted with reflector lights on the front and back of your bike, and use your bell to warn other cyclists and pedestrians of your approach. You may see a few people cycling without a helmet, and although there are some who believe helmets hinder rather than protect a cyclist, it is against the law to ride a bike without one. The main thing, Jones notes, is, “Anticipating and avoiding problems is far better than dealing with the consequences, no matter who is right or wrong”. There are plenty of bike trails and tracks to check out in Western Australia. TopTrailsWA (http://www.toptrails.com.au/ index.php) is a great resource on the best trails to try across the state, from

mountain tracks to wilderness trails. The Mudna Biddi Trail Foundation (http:// www.mundabiddi.org.au/) is for the true nature-lover, as the trail starts in Mundaring and takes riders through unspoiled bushland. There are also sections of the trail you can choose to take according to your fitness level and bicycle experience. According to the Cycling Resource Centre, the use of the Perth Bicycle Network (PBN) has increased by 490% from 1989-2012. The PBN is made up of Local Bicycle Routes (LBRs), found on quiet suburban streets, Principal Shared Paths (PSPs) which can be found on railway and freeway reserves and Recreational Shared Paths around the Swan and Canning Rivers, along the west coast and a ‘City to Sea Greenway’ between Perth City and the coast. Cycling, whether for pleasure or com-

petitively, is growing at a rapid pace, and with the support of government initiatives for better infrastructure for cyclists, the trend won’t slow down any time soon. Couple that with the fact that it’s better for the environment and it’s a great way to commute and exercise at the same time, it’s a wonder not more people are getting on their bikes and riding off into the sunset, much like we did when we were kids! Jones recalls his passion for cycling even as a child. “I started BMX as a young kid, the Nicole Kidman film BMX Bandits was big and everyone had a BMX”, he says. “There has always been a bike and I just enjoy being on a bike, whether for sport or fun”. So what are you waiting for? Reduce your stress levels, burn off some calories, see the environment around you and get out there and cycle! WWW.WALIFESTYLEMAGAZINE.COM.AU

FITNESS

HOME TRAINING OR PERSONAL TRAINER

Which shows More Results? Written By Leesa Petfield

re you motivated enough to train at home, or do you need that motivational push from a trainer? Do we hire a personal trainer to help us with achieve our goals, or do we achieve these goals ourselves? Many people buy gym equipment, but never use it, and if you pay for a trainer, are you more likely to use them? We all want to become fitter and healthier, like the way we look and feel more confident, but which way to we go and the big question, “Which will show more results?” There are many reasons to have a personal trainer to help you with your fitness program, and there are many justifications on training yourself at home! When it comes to training, it really depends on the individual’s needs and desires, and of course, our lifestyles. Lifestyle plays a very essential role in whether we have a personal trainer or train at home. Both options are versatile, but for many women, heading to the gym can be difficult. With children, careers, and general life responsibilities, finding time in our busy schedule to work out, even just for one hour, can be hard. Training at home

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“SIMPLE HOME EXERCISES” Upper body: push ups, chin ups, lateral raises, chair dips, bent over row Lower body: wall squat, lunges, step ups, bucket squats Core exercises: sit ups, crunches, side - bridge, planking Jump Rope: beneficial exercise that works upper and lower body, as well as abs. Treadmill: walking or running, great cardiovascular exercise Exercise Bike: Good workout, using all the bodies’ muscles

can have its down falls too, with many house hold distractions, so keeping the motivation going requires very strong will power. Self-motivation and self-belief are the two chief ingredients that Kat Jackson has found to be the greatest players in training at home. Deciding 2012 would embrace some major changes in her lifestyle, Kat set about planning her training program. She lost a massive 22 kilos. I went from size 16 to size 10, training at home, said Kat very proudly! It’s not an easy journey, but if you eat and exercise right, you will reach the goals you set. I planned my training program and diet through much research, set my goals in place and achieved incredible results. I have become a much stronger person, both mentally and physically. Training at home is convenient for Kat, “I can train when it suits me, she says, and I don’t have to stress about getting to the gym!” I work out in the morning, as I find this gives me an immense boost of energy for the day. My training program consists of walking, running, cycling, skipping and strength workouts. Running has become a favourite for me, and I recently completed my first 5km marathon, in which I came third in the ladies section. The marathon actually gave me something to aim for in training, and now I’m looking for more marathons compete in. Eating the right foods is extremely vital in achieving your goals said Kat, plenty of fruit and vegetables, and NO junk or take-away foods! Support from family and close friends is paramount, and it’s this kind of close support that you need when you start training and eating right. Support is one area that personal trainers, specialize in. Trainers will design a personal fitness program for you, keep you focused and encourage you to reach your goals. They will show you how to use all gym equipment safely, teach you the best way to exercise

and guide you on nutrition. Once you have reached a certain level of fitness in your training, your trainer will redesign your program, advancing you to the next stage. Personal trainer and owner of the Woodford Fitness Centre, in Queensland, Erin Bartlett said, “The biggest commitment for people, is walking through the front door of the gym!” Once they have achieved this part, the training side is easy. Erin offers 24/7 support for her clients, believing that if the girls or guys she is training feel they are falling off the wagon, they can contact her anytime for that much needed support. Not all trainers or gyms offer this kind of encouragement, said Erin it’s something personal she likes to propose. Catherine Dodt has been training with Erin, since January this year, and has lost an incredible 10 kilos. Catherine said she found it hard to start training, especially with children and work. But, motivation, being positive and really wanting to lose weight, over- rode all other factors, and Catherine said, “I just found the time”. Having a personal trainer like Erin has been awesome, comments Catherine, “She is really positive towards helping me accomplish my goals!” Erin occasionally runs Challenges at the gym, and Catherine recently came 5th in the 12 week Challenge out of 40 women. She lost 6 kilo’s throughout the Challenge, and her smile says it all! Either way, training at home or having a personal trainer, will produce the results. It predominantly depends on how bad you want to achieve your goals, and how hard you are willing to work at it! Just remember, if training at home set your goals, schedule your workouts, follow your diet and be positive. If you are motivated and focused enough about becoming fit and healthy, you will succeed.

THINGS TO LOOK FOR IN A PERSONAL TRAINER Personality is a major importance in working with your trainer, make sure you both get along and you feel comfortable asking your trainer questions. Your personal trainer must be accredited through an organisation or college. Your personal trainer must have experience, especially in connection to your fitness ambitions. Your personal trainer must be an attentive, focused and a very good listener, understanding your goals. Your trainer should ask you about any specific medical conditions before commencing your training program. Your trainer will assess your progress, and will make changes, if necessary.

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WELLNESS & HEALTH

depression

THE SIGNS, HELP AND TREATMENT

Written By Maria-Lee Deligiannis

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epression is a serious mental illness – and its incidence is more common that we think. Statistics from Beyond Blue say that around one in six people will experience depression at some point in their lives – over 3 million people. What is even more worrying is the high percentage of women and young people who suffer from the disease. But sufferers don’t exist in isolation – importantly these statistics point to the fact that many people know someone who has suffered from depression. If you think you or a loved one might be suffering from depression or want to know more, read on. It is normal to experience sadness or stress because of traumatic life events, but these feelings usually fade with time. The danger is when feelings of sadness and negative changes to your routine last for longer than usual. If you notice these symptoms in yourself or another person and they have persisted for more than a few weeks, make sure you seek help by seeing a doctor or calling a help line. Depression itself has suffered from a questionable reputation – some believe that depression is not a ‘real’ illness or that it can be cured easily by ‘snapping out of it’. However, mental illness experts confirm that it is a disease and requires a long period of treatment and medication. To illustrate, it is like telling a person in a wheelchair to get up and walk. So in fact, ‘snapping out of it’ is impossible – there is no quick fix. The healing process can only start once you talk to someone you trust about your feelings. If left untreated, depression can also lead to tragic consequences – self harm and suicide.

THE SIGNS It is important to remember that everyone is different, so not all warning signs and symptoms will be apparent in all sufferers. Symptoms can also change throughout the day. CAUSES OF DEPRESSION The jury is still out on what causes or triggers depression, which is a similar situation to many mental illnesses. But there are some credible theories as to who is more likely to suffer from depression. However, keep in mind that the following are theories and not definite facts. These theories are not all accepted by experts and there might be other causes that researchers are yet unaware of. Further, there are different sub-types of depression, which will have different causes. One common theory is that a person is 2 to 3 times more likely to suffer from depression if they have a close relative who also suffers from depression. That is, it may be an inherited disease. There is strong evidence leading to the conclusion that the risk of developing depression is about 40% if a biological parent has been diagnosed with the illness. But the evidence also showed that 60% of the risk also came from the person’s traumatic or stressful life events, which act as a trigger to the genetic predisposition. The research also indicated that depression is unlikely to occur without a traumatic life event. Another theory shows the strong influence of personality traits to the development of depression. If a person tends to be either highly anxious, shy, self-critical or sensitive, they are at a much greater risk of developing depression. What is important to this

SOME COMMON SIGNS ARE: • Feeling tired most of the time or a loss of energy • Moody or irritable most of the time • Appetite changes – eating much more or much less • Sleep disturbances – difficulty getting to sleep or difficulty staying asleep • Memory difficulties – forgetting things and loosing concentration easily • Loss of interest in going out, spending time with others or intimacy • Negative and suicidal thoughts

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WELLNESS & HEALTH

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IF A PERSON HAS MILD DEPRESSION OR IS SHOWING A FEW DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS, SIMPLE THINGS LIKE EXERCISING, EATING HEALTHY AND SCHEDULING FUN EVENTS WILL DO A WORLD OF GOOD

theory is that the more a person internalises their worries and stresses, the more likely they are to develop the illness. This operates like the air in balloon - the more air that fills it; the more likely it is to explode. The research also showed that people with low levels of social contact were more likely to suffer from it. Theories exist as to why women are more at risk of developing depression than men – but these only offer partial explanations. Around 20% of all women will have experienced depressive symptoms in their lifetime. Women apparently tend to internalise or ignore stress in favour of other obligations, like looking after their children. The fluctuating levels of oestrogen women produce during their fertile years may also cause anxiety, which may lead to depression. Research also points to the fact that women in unhappy marriages, divorced women or those with a number of children to look after

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make up a high percentage of all depressed women. This again indicates that stressful events can lead to depression if left untreated. Other possible causes of depression include: biochemical malfunctions in the brain, physical illness, the ageing process and stressful life events. But there is no single cause for depression. Instead, it’s a combination of stress and a person’s susceptibility to developing depression. TREATMENT Treatment for depression depends on an individual’s needs and the type of depression they have. Before any treatment is prescribed, a detailed assessment needs to be done to ensure that the person is getting the right help that they need. If a person has mild depression or is showing a few depressive symptoms, simple things like exercising, eating healthy and scheduling fun events will do a world

of good. Depression that results from biological malfunctions in the brain (melancholic depression and psychotic depression) will most likely to need to be treated with antidepressants or mood-stabilisers. Depression that results from personality traits and stressful life events (non-melancholic depression) will most likely need to be treated with psychotherapy and meditation, as well as antidepressants. If you think you or someone you know is showing depressive symptoms, don’t leave it be – seek help from the websites and help lines below.

INFO Useful links: beyondblue.org.aureachout.com.au Help lines: Beyond blue info line: 1300 224 636 Lifeline: 13 11 14

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FOOD, WINE & ENTERTAINMENT

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A SHORT

Batman

film history Written By: Kent Sobey

& REVIEW THE DARK KNIGHT RISES

THE HISTORY: Few franchises have been made and remade so many times and still manage to keep us interested. Since 1943 Batman has been on our screens, without special effects or cinematic trickery, in a costume that looked like it was probably made for a Halloween party - in his first 15 part serial. He then made another appearance in his next 15 part serial called ‘Batman and Robin’, wearing an equally terrible looking costume. It didn’t get much better from there when a feature length movie starring Adam West and Burt Ward was made in 1966 which was based on the two TV shows. It wasn’t until 1989 that Tim Burton would have a go at it and recreated the franchise with Michael Keaton and Jack Nicholson at the helm, playing Batman and The Joker respectively. It took a much more serious angle than any previous attempts to portray the Caped Crusader but was still on the light side of the action genre, with the Joker being a somewhat silly and over the top character. The series then continued 3 years later with Keaton reprising his role as Batman and Danny DeVito taking on the role of the bad guy, Penguin, in ‘Batman Returns’. The cast also included Michelle Pfeiffer and Christopher Walken who had both already become fairly well known by that stage. A further 3 years later the next instalment in the series happened, ‘Batman Forever’. This time Val Kilmer starred as Batman with his side kick Robin being portrayed by Chris

O’Donnell. The two of them were joined by Nicole Kidman, Tommy Lee Jones and Jim Carey in another all out star studded cast. While the content may have been serious, the addition of Jim Carey as The Riddler meant that the franchise was destined to once again have an element of silliness that would ultimately undermine the dark tone that Batman was always suppose to have. In 1997 that particular series came to an end with ‘Batman & Robin’, the second to be directed by Joel Schumacher. Gorge Clooney, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Uma Thurman and Alicia Silverstone all made an appearance this time in what became known as the worst Batman movie ever. Despite the terrible reception the movie got, Gorge Clooney, who replaced Val Kilmer as the titular character was set to play Batman again in a fifth instalment in the series, but ultimately it was cancelled. Chris O’Donnell, who had now played Robin twice, was also set to return for the next film which would have been called ‘Batman Triumphant’. It was then 8 years before Christopher Nolan was to release the monumentally successful Dark Knight series, starting with ‘Batman Begins’. He started with a completely clean slate, not taking anything from the previous movies into account, and it worked out pretty well for him. The tone was now much darker than before which allowed for a whole different type of story to be told, one that Batman fans had been begging for. Everything was redesigned from the Batmo-

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FOOD, WINE & ENTERTAINMENT bile to the Batsuit and everything was given an explanation so we got to see exactly where it all came from. Christian Bale took on the role of the Dark Knight and was widely regarded as the best to date, as was the film. Unlike the previous instalments, ‘Batman Begins’ set up the story for what was always going to be a trilogy. One thing they did have in common though was the huge cast. Liam Neeson, Michael Caine, Katie Holmes, Morgan Freeman, Ken Wantenabe and Gary Oldman were a few of the big names in the film that certainly added to its success. Finally the Dark Knight was living up to his name. In 2008 the first of the sequels, ‘The Dark Knight’ was released. Nolan decided to once again use the Joker as the villain but the differences between Jack Nicholson’s Joker and Heath Ledger’s were remarkable. For his performance as the Joker, Heath Ledger is widely regarded as the best villain in any Batman media ever. There was nothing silly about him, instead he was downright scary and once again Batman had a formidable foe that might just beat him - there are several points in the movie where that in fact seems likely. Once again the cast was incredible with the addition on Aaron Eckhart as Harvey Dent and Maggie Gyllenhaal replacing Katie Holmes as Rachel Dawes as well as many recurring from ‘Batman Begins’. ‘The Dark Knight’ had done what nobody thought was possible; it was even better and more critically acclaimed than Nolan’s first Batman film. 4 years after the massive hit, ‘The Dark Knight’, Christopher Nolan and Christian Bale teamed up again to release the third and final film in the trilogy, ‘The Dark Knight Rises’. THE REVIEW: The film kicks off 8 years after the events of the previous film. Since Batman stopped the Joker and Two Face, things in Gotham are looking up, even if he had to take the fall for Two Face’s crimes. Organised crime is almost completely eradicated and there is almost no need for Batman at all. There has not been one sighting of the Batman in all that time and the police are still on the hunt for him, thinking that that devastation caused by Two Face was in fact his doing. Bruce Wayne has also become a complete recluse who refuses to leave Wayne manner for anything.

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ENTER BANE... If there was ever a villain as well portrayed as the Joker it was Bane. Tom Hardy who took on the role of the masked mercenary did such a good job that he could actually be described as terrifying. Everything from his voice, to his speed and size are perfect. His fearlessness and utter disregard for human life are immediately evident from his first introduction. He is a villain that is capable of taking the dark nature of the series to a whole new level. It would be a tough call to decide whether he or the Joker was a better villain, which only goes to show just how good Christopher Nolan is at creating bad guys – with the help of some extremely talented actors of course. Bane is definitely a highlight of the film. The next new introduction to the series is Catwoman. Played by someone who you probably wouldn’t have expected in this type of movie, Anne Hathaway, who turned out to be a terrific choice. Despite spending most of her career in romantic dramas and comedies, she makes an excellent super hero. Unlike previous attempts to portray her, she is not actually cat like this time. Instead, she is just an amazingly talented thief, which has earned her the nickname, ‘The Cat Burglar’ – she is never actually referred to in the film as Catwoman. This probably helps to keep the serious tone of the film intact without making it too much like a comic book in which almost anything is possible; which was always one of the strong points of this series. A lot of the time extra characters like Catwoman can be accused of not actually adding anything substantial to a movie, and filmmakers are accused of just putting them to give the mainly male audience something pretty to look at. In this case however, the movie would have a definite gap without her and she adds a whole lot more than just good looks. She is another first class choice from Christopher Nolan. The star of the show, Batman, takes a fairly long time to actually make an appearance in the movie, but when he does it will send shivers down your spine. The introduction of all the new characters is so good that for a short while you might actually forget who you are there to watch, and when he does finally make his way onto the screen it’s like finding a 50 dollar note in your pocket - it was always yours but you don’t remem-

ber putting it there. While the supporting cast of all three films has always been amazing, Christian Bale is the star of the show for a reason. His portrayal of Batman is so good that you’ll find yourself wondering if anyone will ever be able to make a another Batman film again – or any super hero film for that matter. Bruce Wayne has given up everything for Gotham City and for the most part everyone in the city thinks Batman is the reason that their beloved Harvey Dent is dead. Christian Bale has a gift for showing Bruce Wayne’s pain in a way that no other actor could have – you can really feel it. His sense of duty outweighs everything else though and he knows that he has to give even more – which only adds to his pain. It is safe to say with every film Christian Bale got better at playing Batman, and by this third and final one, he is a master. His performance in ‘The Dark Knight Rises’ is one that will be remembered for a long time to come. The only complaint that one could possible make here is that Batman does not get enough screen time – it’s certainly not as much as in the previous films. All too often trilogies become trilogies because there was a profit to be made after the first films had a bit of hype and made some money their selves. This is not the case with this film because from the start it was panned as a three part story. That doesn’t in any way mean that they rely on each other to make sense, because they do each follow their own story. However, it means that there are elements from the previous films that this one could draw on to make them fit well together. Not only that, but there are a couple of questions from the first film that needed answering, and although it’s subtle, they are in fact answered this time around. Besides the fact that plot line for this iteration will have you forget just how long the film really is because it’s so good, the tie in with the previous films adds a whole level of entertainment for old fans. Action films of this nature often have a very weak plot lines and tenuous links to previous films but this one does it all right. There’s no point in watching a Batman film that doesn’t have gadgets or Batman doing what he was trained to do. Fortunately there is no lack of new goodies that Batman gets to play with, courtesy of his old friend Lucius Fox form Wayne Enterprises. With the addition of a brand new vehicle which changes

the way Batman gets around, you’re not likely to think at any point “ah, we’ve seen this before” and get bored. Even though Bruce may be getting on in years, he still knows how to throw a punch too. There’s no denying that in the two previous films Batman may have been a little bit tougher, but given the time line the movie has taken, it actually makes sense. Again, this adds to the realistic and dark nature of the film. This is a film where the stakes are much higher than they have ever been for Bruce Wayne and he is battling not only

with psychological issues, but physical ones too. It all serves to make Batman’s journey that much more enthralling and brilliant to watch. The bottom line is that this film has to be one of the best endings to one of the best trilogies ever. Christopher Nolan, Christian Bale and all the other talent involved have created something that will last for many years to come and you’ll be hard pressed to find many franchises that hold up against it. If you haven’t seen this film or the rest in the series, then you need to see them! WWW.WALIFESTYLEMAGAZINE.COM.AU

FOOD, WINE & ENTERTAINMENT

FOODIES’ DAY OUT IN FREO

Behind Fremantle’s crusty exterior of convicts, shipping containers and tourist town status, lays a seaside suburb with deep European migrant heritage, gorgeous architecture and an artistic, forward thinking population. It’s a cultural melting pot that’s begging for foodies to dig in and enjoy. From breakfast to dinner and every bite (and coffee) in between, it’s a great foodies day out. Here’s our guide to spending a day in Freo, well fed and away from the masses.

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uilt by convicts in 1864, the tranquil Fremantle Arts Centre on Finnerty Street shows no trace of its colourful history. Initially a lunatic asylum, the building has changed guises many times, from housing social misfits to being a technical school. In 1958 it was saved from demolition and became a museum, eventually leading to the arts centre it is today. While admiring the handsome gothic architecture, you might come across the centre’s cafe and hidden gem for breakfast, Canvas. Tucked away in a shady courtyard, Canvas’ kitchen cooks a mean shakshuka of baked eggs smothered in tomato sauce and garlic but-

ter. For a less exotic start to the day, the house made waffles served with fruit compote go down a treat. After eating breakfast, do check out the onsite gift shop. One of the better gift shops in Freo, Found is prime hunting ground for the perfect souvenir. Walk off the meal, or continue the munching, at the Fremantle Markets. Filled with everything from iron on patches to healing crystals, the market is if anything, quirky. However the main attraction The Yard, is worth pushing through the crowds for. Cooled by the heritage, Victorian roof, the yard’s patchwork of produce never fails to impress. The stalls always have the latest in seasonal fruit – bargain mangoes, stone fruit

and berries beckon to be tasted on the spot. Fierce competition means prices are quite reasonable. The vendors are friendly and are itching to make sales, so shop around for the best deals. While window shopping, nibble away on organic donuts, cupcakes, cheeses and freshly cooked paella. For ramen aficionados, Perth’s best ramen (yes, we called it) can be found at Dosukoi. Look for the crowd of students and Japanese locals slurping their way through bowls of their signature chewy noodle soup. However if a wait up to an hour is too long for lunch, a few minutes’ walk away is the outdoor Mad Hatters Market.

Located in Kings Square from Wednesday to Sunday, you can feast alfresco on Scottish burgers, homemade Thai salads, fairy floss and cheesy fries while being serenaded by live, new age music. It’s a fantastic way to experience the real Freo and bask in the easy going, relaxed atmosphere. While in the area, pick up maps, free bike hire and information from the Fremantle Visitors Centre. Continue the shopping at Kakulas Sister, a veritable Aladdin’s cave of spices, imported products and gourmet titbits, bound to set any food lover’s heart racing. If you look between the shelves, you’ll find hard to find ingredients like chipotle chillies, annatto seeds and Dutch cocoa. The good

buys lie in the bulk section laden with bins of every imaginable flour, bean and grain. Sweet tooths will love the exotic range of chocolates and dried fruit, while diary lovers should make a beeline straight to the deli counter, where cheeses are cut from the wheel. There are Italian sweets in the fridge, New Norcia bread behind the counter and freshly roasted coffee to take home. After all that shopping, it’s probably time for a coffee, so head over to New Edition for a break. From the Persian carpets to the high ceilings New Edition oozes character. Along with an amazing variety of books spanning fashion, culture, travel and poetry, the shop also has an itty bitty WWW.WALIFESTYLEMAGAZINE.COM.AU

FOOD, WINE & ENTERTAINMENT

info

• Canvas at Fremantle Arts Centre 8.30am–4pm, 7 days. Kitchen closes 2pm • Fremantle Arts Centre 1 Finnerty Street, Fremantle WA 6160 Open daily 10am - 5pm. Free admission • Dosukoi Japanese Noodle & Bubble Tea Located in the main hall of Fremantle Markets, Stall 7 • Fremantle Markets Corner South Terrace & Henderson Street, Fremantle The Yard is open Fridays 8am – 8pm, Saturdays and Sundays 8am – 6pm. • Mad Hatter Markets High Street, King’s Square, Fremantle 10am - 4pm, Wednesday - Saturday 12am - 5pm, Sundays • Kakulas Sister 31 Market St, Fremantle • New Edition Bookshop & The Grumpy Sailor 82 High Street, Fremantle 7.30am – 5pm, Monday – Friday 8am – 5pm, Saturdays 9am – 4pm, Sundays • Kailis Fish Market Cafe Fishing Boat Harbour, 46 Mews Road fremantle 7 days from 8am • Cicerello’s Fisherman’s Wharf, 44 Mews Road, Fremantle 10.00am - late, 7 days • Little Creatures Brewery 40 Mews Road, Fremantle 10am - 12am, Monday – Friday 9am - 12am Saturday 9am - 11pm, Sunday

cafe named The Grumpy Sailor that pumps out a very decent espresso. So grab your caffeine, kick back and relax amongst the books and communal tables. With collector teaspoons, tiny cupcakes and a good cookbook collection, you could easily while away an entire afternoon in here. As the Fremantle Doctor blows in and the sun begins to descend, follow the ferris wheel lights and head over to the water for a quintessential Fremantle experience minus the day crowds. The boardwalk is dominated by fish and chip eateries; all started

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by the Italian and Greek migrants who laboured in Freo’s fishing industry. Though the sardines may now be hard to find, the humble fish and chips remains. Kailis does an excellent batter encrusted fish but it’s their indulgent grill menu that gets top billing. Try their seafood platter, complete with a half lobster, chilli mussels and to-diefor grilled sqiuid. (Adventurous eater? Check out the Kailis fish and chip gelato.) For families Cicerello’s is the best pick, if not only to stare into their amazing aquarium. Cicerello’s fish

and chips are more traditional with heavily battered fish, thick chips sprayed with vinegar and wrapped in paper. There’s even a little fishing boat where you can dine on board. As the sun meets the horizon, drift over to Little Creatures. Loved by locals and city slickers alike, this shed of a pub is Fremantle personified. Grab a pint of pale ale and watch the sky turn from a fiery orange to velvet blue over their famous prawn and pesto pizza, kangaroo kebabs, shucked oysters and bucket of more-ish frites. This is Fremantle at its best.

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FOOD, WINE & ENTERTAINMENT

Red wine REVIEW & STORY ON WINERY

to try i

In today’s ever more environmentally conscious society finding a quality Vineyard that not only produces premium wines but produces them using sustainable and organic methods can only be great news for Wine lovers with an environmental continence. Harris Organic Wines offers just that. Proudly boasting to be the only certified Organic vineyard in the Swan Valley, there 2007 Shiraz is well worth the efforts of a Cellar Door visit. An easy to drink full flavoured Red which is produced using 100% no artificially

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Helen McGowan

chemical enhancement, but relying’s on everything Mother Nature has offered; in the good soil, natural rain fall along with good land management. Acclaimed Wine writer Ray Jordan wrote when visiting the Swan Valley in 2010 “I think this is the best wine yet from this producer” High praises indeed from someone who certainly does know his wine. Duncan and Deborah Harris have owned and managed this small but well established Vineyards single handed since 1998. The Modestly sized and Pretty Baskerville Winery

is both welcoming and informative to The Harris’ vision and commitment to the sustainable winemakers practices. Duncan banters, I am the man that prunes the vines, picks the grapes, makes the wine, bottles the vintage, seals the cork, slaps on the label and stands behind the counter! He certainly does put the hours in, although does admit to being grateful to the Backpackers that lend a hand grapes picking, in return for a good meal and a roof over their head for a few nights at a time. Duncan began making preservative free desert wines

in 1994, realising his passion he purchased the Baskerville property and started from scratch, planting the first Shiraz vines in 1999. By 2001 Duncan was a full time Winemaker. This was; A very Good Year, for the Harrisâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; also welcoming their New baby Daughter in the November. Now thirteen years or so on of winemaking, Duncan and Deborah can proudly show off their Gold Medal winning wines. Being Certified Organic, Harris Wines have had to adapt its growing of the grape vines. VSP or Vertical-ShootPosition produces a little less fruits how-

ever when using no chemical it is vital to the grapes ripening and health to have good air flow, more traditional vines hang downwards towards the ground and have fuller foliage and large bunches close together, however require artificial enhancement to prevent the crop being potentially exposed to disease risk, especially to mildews. Using no irrigation system and relying on rain fall alone does unfortunately mean having to cut away some of the fruits to enable the best grapes to ripen naturally, a price Duncan feels is well worth it, as not only does he pro-

duce quality Organic Wine but use less water per bottle to do so, all having a positive effect on the planet. Proving that premium quality wine can still be produced using sustainable methods. Award winning Harris Organic Wines opens every day except Tuesdays for Wine tasting. With a few others more unusual wines worth a try such as their Chilli Red and preservative-free dessert wines. To the front of the Cellar Door is a pretty vine garden with seating for customers who canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t wait to open a bottle and enjoy the beautiful surroundings. WWW.WALIFESTYLEMAGAZINE.COM.AU

FOOD, WINE & ENTERTAINMENT

FUDGE BROWNIES for Everyone’s Dietary Needs

With everyone these days having different food needs, it can be hard bringing a dessert which everyone can (and will) enjoy. These Fudge brownies solve that recipe – they can be vegan, gluten free, dairy free and are completely eggless and low in fat. All you have to do is choose your ingredients to suit your guest. These Fudge Brownies have a moist consistency that makes each bite unbelievable in texture and taste. The creamy layer of chocolate frosting on top is an added bonus for frosting lovers and takes these brownies to a whole new level. 62

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Fudgy Vegan Fudge Brownies

MAKES 16 BROWNIES THAT CAN BE GLUTEN FREE AND/OR VEGAN! • 2 cup plain flour/gluten free flour • 1/3 cup cocoa • 1 tbsp baking powder • 1/3 cup brown sugar • 1/2 tsp salt • 1/3 cup neutral tasting oil • 1 3/4 cup milk of your choice • Preheat oven to 180°C/355°F • Grease an 8x8 inch baking dish and then line with baking powder. • I n a large bowl sift the flour and cocoa and mix through the baking powder, sugar and salt. • I n a medium mixing bowl, mix together oil and milk and pour into dry ingredients. • S tir the wet and dry ingredients together until the batter is just combined. •P our brownie batter into baking dish and bake for 25-35 minutes or until cooked through and a skewer inserted removes clean. • Allow to cool completely before frosting and slicing. • T he brownies are best stored in the fridge in an airtight container and eaten within 1-2 days.

Vegan Chocolate Frosting WORKS FOR BROWNIES OR CAKES!

• 3 tbsp non-dairy spread or softened butter/margarine • 3 tbsp cocoa powder • 1 1/3 cup icing sugar/powdered sugar • 1 tsp vanilla extract • 1-2 tbsp milk • I n a medium bowl, beat non-dairy spread (or butter/ margarine) and cocoa powder, gradually mixing in icing sugar and vanilla and adding milk as needed to create your desired consistency. • To suit vegan/lactose intolerant guests: Choose a non dairy spread (such as nuttelex/flora) and a non dairy milk (soy/rice/almond etc) • To suit gluten free/wheat free guests: Choose a gluten free flour blend and make sure your cocoa powder contains no traces of gluten.

Basic Scones

• plain flour, for dusting • 3 cups self-raising flour • 80g butter, cubed • 1 to 1 1/4 cups milk • jam and whipped cream, to serve • Step 1 Preheat oven to 200°C. Lightly dust a flat baking tray with plain flour. Sift self-raising flour into a large bowl. • Step 2 Using your fingertips, rub butter into flour until mixture resembles breadcrumbs. • Step 3 Make a well in the centre. Add 1 cup of milk. Mix with a flat-bladed knife until mixture forms a soft dough, adding more milk if required. Turn onto a lightly floured surface. Knead gently until smooth (don’t knead dough too much or scones will be tough). • Step 4 Pat dough into a 2cm-thick round. Using a 5cm (diameter) round cutter, cut out 12 rounds. Press dough together and cut out remaining 4 rounds. Place scones onto prepared baking tray, 1cm apart. Sprinkle tops with a little plain flour. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden and well risen. Transfer to a wire rack. Serve warm with jam and cream.

Melting Moments

• 125g butter, softened • 3/4 cup (115g) plain flour • 1/4 cup (45g) icing sugar mixture • 1/3 cup (50g) custard powder • 60g butter, softened, extra • 2/3 cup (110g) icing sugar mixture, extra • 2 tsp finely grated lemon rind • 1 tbs lemon juice • Step 1 Preheat oven to 160°C. Line 2 oven trays with baking paper. Use an electric mixer to beat butter until pale and creamy. Add the flour, icing sugar and custard powder and use a wooden spoon to stir to combine. • Step 2 Use your hands to roll teaspoonsful of the dough mixture into balls. Place the balls 3cm apart on the lined trays. Use a fork dusted in icing sugar to gently flatten. Bake in preheated oven, swapping trays halfway through cooking, for 15 minutes or until just cooked through. Remove from oven and set aside for 30 minutes to cool. •S tep 3 Use an electric mixer to beat the extra butter and icing sugar in a bowl until light and fluffy. Add the lemon rind and juice and beat until combined. Spread the butter mixture over the flat side of half the biscuits and sandwich together with remaining biscuits.

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FAMILY

Thicker

than blood... CAN FRIENDS BE THE NEW FAMILY? Written by Rachel Boros

The Oxford Dictionary defines ‘family’ as “parents and children living together. However, it also goes on to add “a group of related things.” The definition of ‘friend’ is listed as a person “with whom one has a bond of mutual affection” and also “a familiar or helpful thing”. 64

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ccording to Relationships Australia, a recent survey showed that 88 per cent of Australians say friendships are the most important relationships in their life. One in three people live alone, therefore rather than a spouse, parent or sibling, many indicate that friends are the closest relationship they have. When we are young, our family are all we know. We are influenced by our parents, siblings and any other family that are in our lives regularly. As we move into adolescence and adult hood, other relationships can overtake and become our main influence. Family and Friends While our biological family may still remain a vital force in our lives, we get different things from our friends. These relationships, if nurtured successfully can provide immense reward and benefit, and can give as much as family gives. I spoke to a friend of mine, Julie Sweet of www.certificatesonline.com.au and I asked “Can friends ever be as close as family?” “Yes, in my opinion they can be. I feel that subjectively family are my unconditional ties that bind and nothing can replace my family of origin, however when friends offer that unbiased input, that sounding board with no agenda, support that comes in a different form from family at times, there is nothing quite like it.” Julie goes on to add “More so friends can be objective and mine have always been there for me, to whom I am extremely grateful. My friends validate me as well as providing the ‘other side’ and this is refreshing, they don’t just agree or say yes when they feel differently and that kind of truth to me is paramount in any relationship. My friends also have that innate ability to be able to deliver things that aren’t a trigger and sometimes are better received than what it would be having come from family members. To me my friends are my family.” The idea that friends can offer unconditional support, much like family might do is a big factor in viewing friends as family. When big life events happen (you get engaged, new job, promotion at work,

have kids and so on) who to you call first? Family? Friends? Both? And who is there to support you the most? Friends are not necessarily the ‘new’ family as in taking the place of existing family. Rather they can be an extension of your family. Many people still treasure, love and adore their family, however due to geographical distance or simply a different path in life, may find that their friends become closer and are viewed as family. Friends instead of family However for others their friends do become their only ‘family’ if any biological family members are no longer around. A colleague I once worked with had already lost his mother and his Dad was in a home with Alzheimer’s. He had no siblings and any Aunts and Uncles still alive lived on the other side of the world. Therefore his friends were his family. When he got married it was his friends chipping in and helping out, not sadly his parents or other family. For people who move away from home, making new friends is vital. Imagine moving to Perth, with no family. Eventually you make friends and over the years you become very close. When your heart gets broken, you lose your job or you are sick, who looks after you? If you are lucky enough to have some great friends, you will be all set! What happens when you get married and start a family of your own? You don’t have your own Mum or sisters around you for support so who do you turn to? Hopefully, your friends! Imagine raising kids without any family nearby. Do you have an empty 1st birthday party for your child? Who do you ask for advice? Friends become your life and while modern technology such as Skype, Facebook, email and low cost international calls do make it easier to remain in contact with your family, it is often your friends who live nearby that you talk to more regularly. I myself live on the other side of the world to my family and see myself somewhat in the middle. I love my family to bits and we talk regularly. When I got engaged, when I got a new job, when I found out I was pregnant, my family in the UK were the first people I told. I email my Mum and sisters often for advice or to tell them what I’m up

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FAMILY

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to, or how my husband is going and so on. Yet on a day to day basis, it is my friends who picked me up several years ago when a relationship broke down (before I met my wonderful husband of course!) and it is my friends who lent me pregnancy books! It is my friends who I talk to about my career in detail. And it is my friends who I celebrate my birthday with, not sadly my family. A recent arrival to Perth all the way from Ireland, Dympna says “Yes, I have friends who are like family to me... if you can think of someone who you can ring at 3am you have found a friend that is like family.” Moving away from our family seems to be a huge factor in viewing friends as family. The loneliness or isolation can push us to work harder at relationships and find meaningful friendships. And it really seems to depend on how each of us defines friendship, and

‘‘

where I feel so lucky to have people I feel incredibly close to, yet without the ‘ties that bind’ of family. They can also offer solutions in a different light, knowing you as a friend first and a family second, instead of the other way around. My “brother”/best friend is a blessing in that I can see him on a daily basis and he has helped me through good and bad times, being there in person when you really need someone, instead of talking down the phone.” Sometimes family can be ‘too close’ and we choose friends to get us through tough times or to turn to for advice. It can often be hard to talk to our own parents about a romantic relationship we are having, or if something goes wrong at work. Some people struggle due the dynamics of the family and don’t want to appear as a failure to our family, or feel they always get the same unhelpful answers from their family, who

ways and it’s also about what you offer to others to enrich their lives. Having people in your life you care about, people you love to catch up with, love hearing their news, will grieve with them during their tough times and celebrate with them during their good times – this is a great part of human relationships, whether it is family or friends. One other point is that in the eyes of the law, what is seen as family? If you don’t have a will, and you pass away, your next of kin will be legally entitled to any assets you own. No matter how close you are to your friends, unless you have stated otherwise in a legally binding document, it is not them who will have much say in what happens after you go. Family and next of kin are always legally first. And finally, medically, family share blood types and so on. If you were to ever need a transplant or blood transfusion, it is often family that are an immediate match.

“YES, I HAVE FRIENDS WHO ARE LIKE FAMILY TO ME... IF YOU CAN THINK OF SOMEONE WHO YOU CAN RING AT 3AM YOU HAVE FOUND A FRIEND THAT IS LIKE FAMILY.”

whether these friendships can be family-like. Jess, a freelance copywriter told me “Living in a completely different city to my family, I rely on my friends as my immediate, go-to ‘family’ on a day-today basis. My best friend has become the brother I never had and we quite often refer to each other as “my brother” or “my sister” and our relationship can sometimes feel like that of real life siblings - arguing, joking, teasing each other. The best thing is though, that we are now friends/surrogate siblings as adults, so we don’t hold any jealousy like siblings might when they are younger. Another close girlfriend of mine is like a sister to me and we often refer to each other as such. I could tell her anything and she would give me the honest advice, much as a sister would.” When asked why she thinks friends can be as close as family, Jess replied “I think the beauty of friends being as close as family members, is that sometimes you do feel the need to escape the family bubble and share some things with people outside your family circle. This is

often have their best interests at heart but views on life are quite different. Family is not chosen and some have very little in common except blood lines and obligation. Our friends however, we often choose because we have similarities in our thinking. We might be drawn to certain people as friends because we share views on things or see the world the same way. Friendships can change and mew bonds can be formed. Can friends be the new family? It seems that as with most social and psychological issues, everyone is different. While some people view friends very much as an extension of their family, others firmly see their friends as taking the place of family. This relationship view point can also change, it is not static. It can come and go in waves depending on where we live, if we move, how old we are, what is going on in our lives and what access to technology we have. Of course it’s not all about what you can get either. Friendships work both

You need to know your family’s medical history to see if you are at a higher risk of certain diseases. Friends, no matter how close you are, are just not family when it comes to your health. But, back to social and psychological reasoning, and for some, friends can be the new family and offer everything and more that you might get from your biological family. And in other cases, friends simply become an extension of existing blood family. One thing is constant though: no matter who is in your life, whether it be family, friends or both, treasure your relationships and nurture them as life is hard enough. Going it alone is no fun. Having people around you that care about you, would offer a shoulder to cry on in tough times, lend you $20, maybe even babysit your kids once in a while…. These people are to be loved and appreciated. What you also offer to them is important and you can enjoy their successes and help them through their own tough times. Friends and family make life much more vibrant, exciting, enjoyable and rewarding.

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FAMILY

None of us know what the future holds for our kids and whether we’ll make the right decisions as parents. We find ourselves constantly comparing our techniques with others and second guessing the choices we make when raising them. A common worry for parents is bullying. While we want to raise our kids as assertive and strong minded young adults, most parents don’t want to create kids who will be bullies either. But could our parenting have less to do with how they turn out than we thought? It is possible that our nature plays a larger role than commonly believed, with our genes or biological drives more to blame.

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Bullying:

POOR PARENTING OR PART OF HUMAN NATURE

By Heather Holland

enetic theorists say that 61% of bullying behaviour can be attributed to genes, with aggressive behaviour more influenced by genes than environment. Also highly related to genes, are the personality traits of extraversion, social competence, self-esteem, cooperativeness, impulsiveness and empathy. We know that these traits play pivotal roles in bullying, for example a lack of empathy for the feelings of others is often seen in those who bully. Some evolutionary theorists suggest that bullying may not be caused by poor parenting and environment but rather it is adaptive in nature, enabling social and sexual dominance. If you believe in evolution then you believe that humans are also animals, biologically driven to survive, a continuous battle to be the fittest. What is quite frightening with evolutionary theory is that they suggest bullies do in fact understand empathy, and they can express it when they desire. However in certain situations they choose to override empathy, and hurt others for personal gain or satisfaction. You could say that they have developed quite an elaborate social understanding and competence, with some bullies the most quick witted and devious of the group.

Between their bursts of exuberance which intimidates all others, clearing a path down the school hallway, they often have moments of calm collection, where you can see the cogs turning in their heads, planning their next bold move, judging and deliberating, deciding how to pounce. You could liken bullying to a predatory behaviour, a method for taking down threatening individuals who might stand in the way of social and sexual dominance. The problem with this theory however, is that bullies don’t always pick on the strongest. Often they pick out the weakest on which to focus their aggression, those who don’t really pose any physical threat. That being said they could pose an intellectual threat, after all we now know that in our modern world brains often take you further than brute strength. I’d like to believe that the cause of bullying is a combination of the genes and the environment a child grows up in. It would be scary to think that my child would develop into a bully and I was helpless to stop it. At the same time, I would hope that the upbringing I lovingly provided wasn’t completely to blame. Despite the genetic research, very often upbringing and the way we nurture our kids is the first to be scrutinised. Stories appear in the media about vio-

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FAMILY

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EVIDENCE OF BULLYING AS A LEARNED BEHAVIOUR COULDN’T BE MORE APPARENT IN SUCH CIRCUMSTANCES WHERE THE BULLY HAS ALSO BEEN A VICTIM OF BULLYING. lent shows and games leading to aggressive and insensitive kids who lack empathy for others. There is also much controversy surrounding the way in which parents choose to discipline their children. Smacking as a form of punishment is commonly thought to lead to kids using physical means as a way of resolving disputes. The development of morals as early as the second year of life provides some evidence for bullying as a learned behaviour. It is when toddler understanding of right and wrong begin to emerge, and of course this won’t happen unless parents or significant others, teach it. Making sure that we discipline our kids correctly is paramount they must learn that bad behaviour will have negative outcomes. If we don’t teach correct behaviour early then the result is maladaptive and improper moral and social development. This will be exhibited in children who bully using antisocial aggressive behaviours towards others. They have not developed an understanding of how to behave and they have not experienced negative consequences for their actions until it is too late. While bullying could be learned at school or other such environments, the blame is often directed at parents and the home environment. There is also modelling to consider. According to literature on child development, raising your child so that they do not bully involves a lot of attention to detail. Many of us are aware that arguing in front of your child is a big no, no but you also need to be aware of

how you talk about others. I don’t believe myself to be a bully but if I look at some of the behaviour I might exhibit in front of my child perhaps I could be in danger of raising one. Even though I don’t actually harm anyone, behind closed doors if I speak badly about others or gossip I am modelling behaviour that my child might eventually copy, leading to bullying behaviour in the future. Evidence of bullying as a learned behaviour couldn’t be more apparent in such circumstances where the bully has also been a victim of bullying. Whether this occurs at home from parents or siblings, or at school or other social venues, victims of physical or emotional harm, may in turn use such aggression on others to avoid further victimisation in the future, or as a way to improve their social standing with others. Luckily this does not occur with all who are victimised, with many learning that bullying is extremely harmful and not behaviour to be repeated. There is no doubt that the issue of bullying is incredibly complex. The cause of bullying behaviour and the types of bullying are extremely varied. This makes pinning the blame for how a bully is made very difficult. It is hard to say whether genes and nature play the larger role, or whether it’s the environment they grow up in, with parenting and life experiences shaping their behaviour. We can’t ignore that there is a natural variation in personalities across the country as well as internationally. There will always be those who bully and those who are the victims. Unless we can discover the true cause or source of bullying we may never be able to completely eliminate it. If bullying is a learned behaviour then perhaps we can unlearn it, but if it relates to genetics then educational programs such as those in schools may have little effect.

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FAMILY

LESS ABOUT THE PERFECT AGE, MORE ABOUT THE PERFECT TIME

for pregnancy

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Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s more likely that there is a perfect time, rather than a perfect age to fall pregnant. With women marrying later coupled with the need for financial security, they often wait longer to get pregnant. They want the right time to start a family, regardless of what age they are. Besides this, reproductive technologies are getting more and more advanced, and sometimes having a healthy baby in your forties is plausible.

f you fall pregnant by accident and decide to keep the baby, you will adapt and endeavour to make this the perfect time for you to have a child. If you are planning to start a family you are no doubt considering numerous facts as well as awaiting certain planets to align. Again, looking for the perfect time. Most would argue that between 25 and 35 is the perfect age to have kids. Past 35 women are bombarded with concerns about waning fertility as well as birth defects and chromosomal abnormalities. Before the age of 25 you may be in danger of breeding delinquent children with behavioural problems, and never being able to resurrect any sort of career. This makes the window of opportunity for many of us quite narrow, especially if you are waiting for Mr Right, a ring and chasing career and financial stability. It could be easier to place the perfect age at that which is most popular. In Australia the most common age to get married is 28, which is in line with most women having their first child at age 29. Perhaps this is a reflection of women not wanting to start families straight away. They delay marriage as they spend more time dating and having fun, with their interests in travel and gathering life experiences important too. If you are contemplating starting a family, you are less likely to pick an age but more a time in your life, a time that would be most beneficial to raising a child, both for you, your spouse and the infant. When I talk to friends with and without kids, married and unmarried it seems that largely they are all still quite traditional, wishing to be married before starting a family. Most likely women require relationship stability before hurling themselves down the path of motherhood, and wish to bring children into a loving and strong family unit. As well as relationship stability, they might want to have a secure home and lifestyle in place before planning for a baby. It is nice to have bought your own home and have a career

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FAMILY to support this. Many of the mothers I have come across are on leave from their jobs, often planning their move back into the workplace. There is no doubt that while babies can be raised on a budget, a little extra cash is needed for certain necessities and child care requirements. Having an established, child friendly home with a garden, is something many parents like to have ready. You may have firm ideas about when you’ll fall pregnant and start a family but aside from falling pregnant by accident, the urge to have a baby can just creep up on you. Even if your career hasn’t developed as much as you might like, even if you don’t own your own home, or may not be married, you could just feel that the time is right. Certain aspects of your life may have aligned making it the perfect time for you regardless of more conservative goals. In my case, the urge struck when I was 23, younger than the Australian societal norm. I had wanted to start a family for a while and eagerly awaiting this next stage of my life. The bulk of my education was over and I had something of a career but need to climb any corporate ladders. Ultimately I still didn’t know what I wanted to do. I began a new course at university but soon discovered that it wasn’t for me, I was treading water, all my goals were vague, all except one. It was then that the goal of falling pregnant and starting my new life came into sharp focus. We carefully considered our situation, we didn’t own our own home but we were financially stable, our relationship was strong and we both wanted the same things from life but we weren’t married. We wanted to be young parents and we felt ready. It was the perfect time. There are of course biological factors to consider when trying choosing the perfect age for pregnancy, as well as psychological and financial benefits and drawbacks. To decide on the perfect age for pregnancy women can use these following points as well as talking a good look at their personal situation.

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In your 20s...

- Strong, flexible body – get back to pre-baby body quicker - More energy - Peak fertility - Healthiest and greatest number of eggs - Fewer birth defects - Grandparents are usually younger, e.g. in their 50s - Great grandparents might meet kids However... - Career can get pushed aside - May feel left out of social activities - More concerns for changes in appearance that pregnancy brings - Fewer friends with kids

In your 30s...

- Have accumulated a wealth of knowledge and experience - Education usually completed and career launched - Financially quite stable - Still fit and energetic - Falling pregnant should still be quite easy - Get more hand-me-downs from friends already with kids - Grandparents retired and can help with childcare However... - Feel the most pressure to start a family - Number and health of eggs start to decline - More likely to worry about birth defects and abnormalities after age 35 - Recovering a pre-baby body might be harder

In your 40s...

- Usually in a stable long term relationship - Have accumulated a wealth of knowledge and experience and feel very ready to be a parent - Financially stable - Still fit and healthy - Get more hand-me-downs from friends already with kids However... - Falling pregnant may be harder due to drop in number of healthy eggs - More chance of birth defects, chromosomal abnormalities, or miscarriage - May have less energy - Pregnancy might be more physically draining, and recovering a pre-baby body harder

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TRAVEL

London to Spain

BACKPACKERS TRAVEL GUIDE

’ve always enjoyed backpacking, but I’ve never really been any good at it; to me backpacking is the mobile version of camping; and if God had wanted us to camp he would never have invented room service. Apart from camping with the scouts in my childhood my first real experience of backpacking was way back in 1990 when, as a young reporter, I attempted to backpack to the first Gulf war in Kuwait. Aware that the world’s media was currently sipping non-alcoholic champagne cocktails at the Plaza in Riyadh I figured

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my only chance of anything exclusive would be to head to east Turkey where sources (my Granddad) had told me the 2nd front, the actual invasion of Iraq, would begin. To cut a long story short I finally arrived in the lawless bandit country of eastern turkey about 3 months after the war had ended. Having no money with which to get home, I tried to get myself kidnapped by the PKK (one of the nastier Turkish separatist groups) but the PKK (unlike the PLO) were not in the market for broke journos and instead of being chained to a radiator for 5 years al la John Mc-

Carthy, I found myself in the majestically named Hotel California in the Hezbollah stronghold of Batman (an experience only slightly less uncomfortable than the radiator) Suffice to say, I got back to Blighty ok. I digress to point out I’m not entirely inexperienced when it comes to backpacking and have enjoyed the best and experienced the worst of this particular form of travel. And to get to the point, I have to say by far the best route I’ve ever backpacked is London to Spain. Backpacking to Spain from London is safe, cheap, and probably the most action-

packed route in Europe. From the majestic glory of Buckingham Palace to the staggering beauty of the Pyrenees; from the bars of Earls Court to the throbbing discos of Torremolinos; the best of Europe unfolds in front of you like a Disney travelogue for the adventurous. Let’s start at Paddington; which is roughly the centre of backpacking life in the biggest capital city on earth. Like all train stations, the immediate area surrounding Paddington is dirty, sleazy and not the sort of place to hang around after dark. But it’s here you’ll find decent ho-

tels at affordable prices and, unlike Kings Cross, the pushers and pimps understand the words “get lost!” There are underground stations all around, so armed with your oyster card (A pre-paid pass that gives you unlimited travel on the tube and buses. Load it with £5.00 to begin with) head for Convent Garden. The London underground is probably the easiest underground train network in the world to navigate. It is worth pointing out that the electronic voice informing you to ‘Mind the gap’ is referring to the area between the train door and the station

platform and not the unreasonably expensive department store in Regent Street. In some London underground stations ‘The Gap’ is so wide you should be warned to ‘mind the valley’ The maps are printed in a user-friendly way that hasn’t changed in 70 years and are easily understood. I mention Convent Garden because so many people make the mistake of associating the area with the astronomically expensive ballet and opera houses. The secret of Convent Garden is that all those brilliant singers, musicians, mime artists and assorted other genius you WWW.WALIFESTYLEMAGAZINE.COM.AU

TRAVEL see busking on the street are invariably moonlighting from their real job at the National Opera House. At this point allow me to let you into one of those other secrets that make travel such fun. Have you considered renting an apartment? No, of course not, far too expensive. Well you are wrong; check out websites offering private apartments, there are plenty of them in every city in Europe. Something like windu or homeaway/co.uk or thinkspain.com offer unique accommodation at very affordable prices by hiring out privately owned apartments. I know it sounds expensive but an apartment at £54 a night shared by 4 is very economical, believe me. And if you want to save even more money why not rent out your own apartment? Have a quick look at www.homeexchange.com or stay4free.com for details. If you are tired of London you are tired of life, the saying goes; but we’re heading to Spain. So let’s grab a sarnie (sandwich) at any café

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that advertises tea (expensive and pretentious coffee bars don’t carry adverts for tea) and head to Dover. Trains run frequently from Waterloo and a ticket is about £24.00; unless of course you intend to claim political asylum in which case any UK benefits office will advance you a travel warrant. Backpackers to Spain should avoid airlines at all cost. The only affordable tickets will be on one of the no frills, low budget airlines. A ticket to Spain for £30 may sound good but once you add on the cost of getting to a far-away airport, luggage, and charges for printing your boarding pass you end up with a price roughly the same as a business class ticket on British airways. The best, and cheapest way to cross that grey matter called the English channel is by boat (when I say boat I mean a ferry; unless of course you’re an Iraqi Kurd coming from Calais … in which case an inflated tyre will do.) Ferry crossings to France or Holland are more frequent than changes of government in Italy

and the prices are incredibly low. A single person crossing costs as little as £10 but be prepared for a rough crossing. There are never enough seats in steerage and those that are available are usually taken up by the same chav family you will see on every ferry crossing. If you have a bit of money to spend, a fantastic option is to cruise to Spain by ferry. Brittany ferries sail several times a week for most of the year from both Plymouth and Portsmouth to Santander in Northern Spain and from Portsmouth to Bilbao. These ships have more in common with cruise liners than the conventional ferry and boast restaurants, bars, cabins with en-suite bathrooms and on-board entertainment. A return to Spain for two sharing a two-bed cabin with bathroom starts at £236.00 Once on the continent, whether in France or Holland, you are in train heaven … and here’s where the fun really begins. Europe’s train network is vast and inexpensive. A single ticket from Paris to Venice, Amsterdam or

Rome is roughly 35 euros. And from any of those cities onto Madrid or Barcelona is roughly the same price. So don’t land in France with an itinery that isn’t flexible. Remember the golden rule of backpacking; the greatest adventure you will ever have will always be the unplanned one. The downside of Europe’s extensive rail network is that buying tickets can sometimes be challenging. Invariably you will be crossing borders, so tickets sometimes have to be purchased in two or three different legs; but don’t worry … this is all part of the fun. Even though most of Europe speaks languages unfamiliar to the Englishspeaking world it is a very safe continent; so if you do get lost you’re facing no great danger, and if you find yourself in Rome when you should be in Madrid; hey! … enjoy it

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There are, of course, numerous websites from which you can purchase all your train tickets in advance. They are simply far too numerous to mention all of them but I’ve always found raileurope.co.uk and mytrainticket. co.uk have all I need. Once you are in Spain the world is your tapas bar for there is no other country in Europe that is better for the backpackers. Trains criss-cross the country by the hour and are very reasonably priced. Buses, invariably the best way to get around, will pull over in the street if you put your thumb out and even the price of a hire car is probably the cheapest in Southern Europe. The climate, especially along the coast, is agreeably sunny and warm (even in spring it feels like a British summer’s day) and the Spanish peo-

ple are among the friendliest in the world. If you can, try and pick up a few words of Spanish. It is a Latin based language so not impossibly difficult to learn. Culturally Spain is no different to any other countries in that each area has its own quirks and colloquialisms. If you are in Barcelona for instance God is usually referred to as Lionel Messi. If you can make it down to the southern coast (the Costa del Sol) you’ll find it easier to learn the language and speak in the local dialect in most of the bars. Beer is called beer, the local gourmet meal is fish and chips and the TV will be showing Coronation Street. This is because most of the bars are owned by Brits. They are easy to spot … they’ll be the ones complaining that the locals make no attempt to learn bloody English.

ONCE ON THE CONTINENT, WHETHER IN FRANCE OR HOLLAND, YOU ARE IN TRAIN HEAVEN … AND HERE’S WHERE THE FUN REALLY BEGINS. EUROPE’S TRAIN NETWORK IS VAST AND INEXPENSIVE.

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TRAVEL

The long haul

TIPS TO COPE WITH THE DOWN SIDES OF TRAVEL 80

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s much everyone loves a holiday, going somewhere far away can be a trial. Sometimes a horrible long trip can be enough to ruin the best adventure. But don’t let a long flight or a nasty layover put you off planning your next trip. With a healthy Australian dollars and plenty of cheap flights, now is the time to get traveling, so here are

1. Do your research!

There’s so much to do already, I know. Between flights, hotels, tours and maybe even visas, there can be a lot to do before you get on that plane. But a little planning for the transit phase of your holiday can potentially make a lot of difference. Firstly, do you have long flights, or even a long train trip? If so, try to find out what your facilities are, and what is included. It’s good to know if you’ll get free drinks and get fed, or if you need to plan to make sure you don’t starve or pay a fortune for pre-packaged food on your ten hour flight. Some of you may find air flight really uncomfortable, and if you’re one of those people that can’t handle being squeezed into a seat for hours, then find out in advance if you can pay extra for exit row seats, or if you can choose your own seat if check in early so you can get that aisle seat. It can also be very helpful to know what’s going on if you have a layover. If you have a short one between long trips, then it can be very important to know how much time you have to get to your next flight. If you’ve only got an hour or so to get between flights, finding out if you might have to catch a bus to another terminal in advance might be the difference between making your connection or missing your flight. If it turns out it will take forty-five minutes to get to your next gate, then skip the duty free shopping and the coffee and head straight there first.

some tips to help you make that crazy flight more bearable, and to make sure that a ten hour layover won’t ruin your getaway. If you’re lucky enough that you’ve got a short, direct flight, then it might not make much difference, but if you’re aiming a little further afield, and or you’re flying budget, then putting some thought into coping can make life much easier.

Alternatively, if your layover is going to mean a lot of waiting, then having a good idea of what you can do to kill time is a good move. Is there nothing but a coffee shop? Then make sure you’ve something to entertain you, and if it’s an electronic device, be certain you’ve got the charger in your carryon and that you have the right adapter for your airport. There’s nothing worse than getting comfortable at the Starbucks in the airport in Asia on your way to Europe and realizing you can’t watch the movies you downloaded because you have the wrong charger. Sure, you can buy one, but who wants to fork out for a second charger in transit when you can buy a universal beforehand and cover your bases? It’s also very good to know if your limbo is a paradise or a wasteland. Is there shopping? Shower facilities or a spa? Some airports even have a pool, which can be a great distraction for the kids if you’re traveling with your family. If you think you’ll need a nap and you’re on your own, or don’t fancy sleeping on airport chairs, then check ahead whether there’s a hotel at the airport, and if you can, book ahead. Knowing when you’ll be there is also crucial when you’re planning – if you want to spend your four hours of waiting time shopping but you don’t realise you’ll actually be there at 3AM, you can end up being very bored and frustrated.

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TRAVEL

2. Know your schedule

Between different timezones, 24-hour time and superlong flights, it’s easy to lose track of time. Don’t forget to check how long your flights actually are. What seems like a 5 hour flight on paper could easily be a few hours longer if you’re changing time zones. Knowing how much time to kill can also help you plan what it’s worth bringing with you – don’t lug that giant book on the plane with you if you’ll watch a movie on the plane and get your nails done in the airport. In these days of slowly decreasing baggage limits, the decision to take your laptop or a couple of books might cost you money, so decide if it’s going to be worth it. Making sure you’ll have time to get from one gate to another, or at least knowing if you can take your time or if you need to dash, is important too. Nothing will spoil a holiday like missing your flights, so check in advance.

4. Travel your own way

Can you sleep on planes? No? Then don’t expect to nap and be prepared with something to do, or get enough sleep beforehand. I personally can never sleep in transit so I make sure I get plenty of sleep before and a steady flow of caffeine during, and plan to crash on arrival if necessary, but you may sleep like a rock in transit. Lucky you. Do you get travel sickness? Are you a nervous flier? Be prepared with whatever you need to stay well. Pack any medication you may need, make sure it’s in your carryon and easily accessible, and has prescriptions if necessary. If you have allergies, and travel with an epi-pen or something similar, don’t be afraid to have a quiet word with the airline crew. If there’s a chance you could end up in a bad way, particularly if you’re traveling alone, telling your air hostess where your epi-pen could save your life. Again, erring on the side of caution might require you to give up a little privacy, but it may be worth it in case of emergency. If you need darkness to sleep, or screaming babies drive you crazy, then invest in a solution. Get your eyemask, your neck pillow, or noise cancelling head phones ready. Chances are you won’t regret it. Similarly, try to look after yourself in transit. It can be a good idea to take extra water or snacks on the plane, though some airports make this difficult now – I only recently traveled through Kuala Lumpur and found they do their security screening right at the gate, which means you can’t grab a bottle of water for the flight. Lastly, are you a planner or spontaneous? If you’re a planner, do your planning and make sure you’re prepared so you won’t stress out. If you’re spontaneous, make sure you’ve got enough bases covered so you won’t hit any big snags. Trust your own instincts and travel your own way, and you’ll usually have an easier time of it.

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3. Consider your worst-case scenario

No one likes to dwell on this, but at least give the problems you might have enough thought to plan a little. Pack some simple clean clothes in your carry-on, in case your neighbour spills coffee on you during your flight, so you don’t have to suffer through a day traveling in dirty clothes. Check that you have all the things you absolutely can’t lose in your carry-on, in case your luggage gets misplaced, and also make sure you don’t get stuck having to offload it because you’ve over-packed. Things like prescription medicine, valuables and travel documents should always stay with you. Depending on where you’re traveling, it’s also a good idea to know what happens if you have trouble with your paperwork. Being prepared to pay extra, or fill out a new form and having details and cash on hand can often smooth the way considerably, so know where your information is in case you get asked where you’re staying, or your travel dates, or whatever customs and immigration might need to know. It can be frustrating, but we’ve all seen enough episodes of border control to know that it’s best to cooperate, and knowing your plans can make that much easier.

5. Pack smart

I’ve mentioned this already, and pretty much everyone has been through the pain of weighing luggage and trying to fit that one last pair of shoes, but don’t get caught overweight if you can avoid it. Don’t get caught with that Swiss Army knife in your carry-on, or flying international with your favourite perfume that’s over 100mL, because it can be upsetting to lose expensive or meaningful items to security. Take some long haul comforts – there are great travel packs available, so a trip to any cosmetics store usually has something to offer. Something so you can wash your face, freshen up and brush your hair can make you feel a lot less like death when you get to your destination, and something to keep you warm so you don’t freeze in cold airports can also make life more comfortable. Extra tissues and some vitamins pre-flight to ward off, or help deal with, the spread of sniffles while you’re traveling are a great idea too.

6. Take control of your jet lag

If you’ve traveled before, then this is a little easier, as you’ll probably have an idea of whether jet lag really hits you. Long flights will probably tire you out anyway, but knowing if you’re susceptible to bad jet lag can help you plan ahead. As far as basic rules for knowing if you might get jet lagged on your travels, only flights that cross time zones will cause jet lag. Flights north to south shouldn’t cause jet lag. Adjusting to a new time zone is easier if you’re traveling east-to-west than west-to-east. Essentially, it’s usually easier to cope with gaining time (that is, if you leave Melbourne, for example, and come back to Perth, at a time which is technically only a hour later but has actually taken three hours of flying), than losing time. Becoming adjusted to a new timezone can take up to a few days, though, so if you’re not sure if you get easily jet lagged or know that you will, planning to start slowly with your travel is a good idea. Similarly, it’s good to try to get into the swing of your new time zone as soon as possible. If you arrive feeling jet lagged in the afternoon, try to avoid having a nap and go to bed a little earlier than usual, so you can start to work in the new sleep pattern. But generally, just do what feels best for you. In terms of prevention, and managing your jet lag, alcohol and caffeine will make jet lag worse, as will being dehydrated and not getting a decent meal. All of which are temptations you’re more than likely to succumb to, or problems you’ll encounter, if you’re making a long trip. Make an effort to drink conservatively (both alcohol and caffeine) and to keep your fluids up, even if it means annoying the cabin crew with requests for more water.

7. Make the most of your travel tools

Look into useful travel gadgets that suit your needs. What you might get good use out of will be very different depending on where you’re going and what you’re doing, but a trip to your local travel store can save you some serious luggage space. There’s no need to go overboard – you don’t need survival gear if you’re going to Singapore, and you don’t want to bankrupt yourself on travel gadgets because then you won’t have anything left for holiday shopping! But a few of the right things can make life lighter, easier, safer and cheaper (though I don’t think there’s anything that does all that at once). For transit purposes, a good travel wallet, the right adapters and chargers, and some container under 100ml for international travel are absolutely essential. There are some brilliant apps for all your travel needs. Flight tracking apps can be great if you want to check out airport facilities, and keep on top of possible delays or multiple flights. For alleviating boredom, everything from Scrabble to magazine subscriptions can help, as can apps like Spotify for music, or even podcasts. When you arrive, downloadable maps, travel guides like those that Wallpaper or Lonely Planet offer, along with very handy booking apps like Hostelworld, which allows you to manage your accommodation and keeps all your bookings in your account, accessible on your phone or device – very handy if you’re going somewhere new every few days. TripAdvisor has user ratings of sights, restaurants and place to stay, and can be great help in deciding what to get for dinner, or if it’s worth making it to that museum. They’re also great fun to kill time in transit, so you can start thinking about what you’ll do once your plane touches down. Similarly, there are so many great travel websites with advice for traveling of every kind, both for while you’re traveling and when you get there, that you should make sure to take advantage of them. Sites like The Matador Network, Fathom, and Not For Tourists have great travel tips and suggestions for what to do when you get there. There’s really something for everyone - if you’re interested in fashion, you can check out Garance Doré’s city guides, for example, or if you’re into art and design, Wallpaper guides might be the way to go. All of this might sound like a lot to think about, but one of the keys to a safe and relaxing holiday is to do the work beforehand. You may be crazy in the days leading up to your trip, but when you get on that plane, you can slow down and get comfortable knowing everything is sorted out. Starting out on the right foot can make all the difference to your trip, and the stress beforehand of checking you’ve packed your charger twenty times will float away when you get there in one piece and you can start your holiday right away.

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Fishermen’s Lodge Activities             

Fishing - basic gear provided Foot ball oval & cricket pitch Canoes, kayaks and dingy at the private lake Basket ball hoop Foot balls, soccer balls, basket balls Bikes (helmets not supplied) Beaches within walking distance Access to a safe swimming lagoon Whale watching (July – Oct) Life jackets Windsurfer and paddle board provided Surfing - body board and surf boards provided 500 acres of natural bushland – Australian wildlife - kangaroos, bandicoots, emu

Maitraya

Luxury Private Retreat Guests will need to bring their own snorkelling gear if required.

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   

Gas Oven/stove top Cupboards   Non Smoking Indoors LinenProvided  Toaster/electric kettle  Bedside lamps  Bikes upon request Rainwater  Iron / Ironing Board  Shower  table 6 chairs Refrigerator/freezer  Washing Machine  Kitchen Gas Heater ust a 20 minute drive from the histor- ing the waves. It is also great for 4 Wheel swimming location that player  Laundry Facilities player winds. icTelevision/DVD and visually spectacular Albany Driving, camping and fishing!  Stereo/CD from southerly

is protected

lies Maitraya - meaning ‘place On gloomier days Maitraya’s indoor The house itself have 8 double bed Non Smoking Indoors  Linen Provided of loving kindness’. Maitraya’s heated 13m swimming pool, spa and rooms which can be configured as a RATES  nevBikes king upon  Rainwater main homestead sits high above sauna is the perfect place to relax or request 2 king singles beds, a TV room the roaring Southern Ocean, raw and er escaping the stunning views and (also with foxtel) and a fully equipped Kitchen table 6 chairs  Refrigerator/freezer PEAK: School Holidays, Holidays, $ 300 per nightThe forlarge up to 4 kitchen untouched GreatPublic Southern coastline sounds of the ocean. theadining area which has the baand stunning ranges offering tre room, fully equipped with foxtel sics such as oils, tea, sugar, spices, some January Television/DVD player Easter, December &mountain people breathtaking 360 degree unparalleled and DVD facilities offers another way sauces and most importantly GREAT OFF PEAKviews. The homestead’s front lawn is lit- to unwind $ 275for per night fortoup to the 4 coffee! Along the way is a majestic adults and keep RATES erally beach banks and dunes covered kids quiet – the fully enclosed children’s formal dining room as well as a formal people does the job! For the ac- lounge and corporate board room. in native withHolidays, many lookouts play area also PEAK:flora, School Publichigh Holidays, $ 300 per night for up to 4 in the clouds as well as a bird hide in the tive types the tennis court and cricket All these rooms surround the ‘heart’ of Easter, December & January people banks themselves. Walk just 200m along nets as well as sporting equipment, Maitraya, its Atrium. This tropical garden FEATURES OFF PEAK 275 and per night for oval up towill 4 warms the house in winter and cools it in Maitraya’s private beach track and children’s $bikes football you will be looking down at the pris- keep have them contented. A short summer with its pitched glass roof. Perpeople  Balcony  is always 900 metre Sealed tine Nanarup Lagoon which drivePrivate or relaxing natureAirstrip stroll down the fect for great cocktail hour or hide and calm, safe and tranquil – perfect for drive way leads to Maitraya’s very own seek, the Atrium and it’s variety of plant  Valley view’s  Birdlife, Bushwalks / trails FEATURES children and adults alike. Further down private manmade lake, set amongst life (including banana’s!) is a treat. the beach guests’ are met with the expaper barks, willows and peppermint Whether your getaway is for a night or  Private Lake Balcony  900 metre Sealed Airstrip tremelypopular Nanarup Beach known tree’s it is aPrivate beautiful setting for picnics a week, for young or mature Maitraya for its great surf that learners through to and has been witness to many a mar- has something for you, your family and  Valley view’s  Birdlife, Bushwalks / trails pros enjoy. The beach goes for miles riage proposal! Set on its banks are ca- your life. Take time to relax and rejuveand it isnot Private unusualLake to have the whole noes and a tin row boat - it screams fun nate, explore and have fun, it is here to stretch interrupted only by dolphins surf- and enjoyment and offers an alternate be enjoyed and treasured.

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ON THE COVER

iss Humanity Australia is an innovative pageant that advocates humanitarian causes through raising funds and awareness, being inspirational role models, inspiring young women to participate in charitable initiatives and overall enriching the perception of beauty, spirit and compassion. Miss Humanity Australia is an advocate for promoting and fundraising for charities whilst seeking to inspire and encourage young women to be a part of “Beauty on a Mission” initiatives, to be exceptional role models and the advancement of women while positively impacting their communities. “Beauty on a Mission” is an integral component of the Miss Humanity International Pageant® and is awarded to the delegate who has been involved in the most outstanding humanitarian project. “Beauty on a Mission” encompasses the values and qualities of our pageant and delegate whilst our delegates are involved in charity initiatives. Together we can ‘Change the World One Cause at a Time”.

To enroll in the 2014 Miss Humanity Australia Pageant please register at www.misshumanityaustralia.com