Living & Lifestyle

New Label For Winter PJs

March 23, 2017 By editor

Pyjamas by Papinelle.

With winter almost upon us, it is time to start looking for sleepwear to keep you cosy and warm at night.

Undercover Sleepwear in Forbes has brought in a new label, Papinelle, for win- ter sleepwear.

The designer is based in Paddington, Sydney and uses beautiful cotton and delicate fabrics, including quality flannelette and twill. The label has a variety of pieces to mix and match to suit your own comfort and style. Papinelle specialices in pyjamas, nighties, robes and loungewear, and has a small range of girls and boys pyjamas from size 1 to size 7.

Owner of Undercover Sleepwear, Marg Duggan, feels this label will sit well with all other sleepwear labels in store to offer all customers a choice and option for everyone. She says sleepwear can cross over to lounge wear to relax around the home over the weekend.

Marg is also a specialised and experienced bra fitter and a qualified Amoena fitter. Check out the Facebook and Instagram page, or call 6851 4405 for enquiries.

Opening hours are Monday to Fri- day 9am to 5.30pm and Saturday 9am to 12.30pm.

Ten Tips For a Happier, Healthier Life

March 23, 2017 By editor

1. Eat primally: Common sense dictates that the best diet is one based on foods we’ve been eating the longest. Studies show that a diet made up of fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds, as well as meat, fish and eggs, is best for weight control and health.

2. Keep hydrated: Water makes up two- thirds of the body and performs a plethora of functions, including acting as a solvent, carrier of nutrients, temperature regulator and body detoxifier. Drink enough to keep your urine a pale yellow colour.

3. Eat mindfully: In our fast-paced world, we often eat while distracted and shovel in more than we need. Avoid eating when dis- tracted, eating more slowly and taking time to taste food properly. Also chewing thoroughly – not only will it help to savour food, but it also assists the digestive process.

4. Get plenty of sunlight in the summer…:Sunlight, and the vitamin D this can make in the skin, is associated with a wide spectrum of benefits. As a rule of thumb, vitamin D is made when our shadow is shorter than our body length, ie when the sun is high in the sky. While burning is to be avoided, get as much sunlight exposure as possible for op- timal health.

5… and in the winter: Low levels of sunlight in the winter can cause dark moods. It pays to get some external light exposure in the winter, say during lunchtime.

6. Get enough sleep: Sleep has the abil- ity to optimise mental and physical energy. About eight hours a night are linked with reduced risk of chronic disease and improved longevity. Shutting down the computer or turning off the TV early in the evening is often all it takes to get to bed earlier.

7. Walk regularly: Aerobic exercise, including walking, is associated with a vari- ety of benefits for the body and the brain. Aim for a total 30 minutes of brisk walking every day.

8. Engage in some resistance exercise: Resistance exercise helps to maintain muscle mass and strengthens the body. Do exercises at home, such as press-ups, sit-ups and squats.

9. Practise random acts of kindness: It is good for givers and receivers alike. It could be a quick call or text to someone, showing a fellow motorist some consideration, buy- ing someone lunch or giving a spontaneous bunch of flowers.

10. Practise the art of appreciation: It is easy to fall in the modern-day living trap of acquiring material. Spend more time focusing not on what we don’t have, but on what we do, and give thanks for anything from our friends and family to a beautiful land- scape or sunset.

(Source: Psychologies website)

End Summer With A Feast

February 23, 2017 By editor

February may be coming to an end, but there’s still plenty of time to make some magical summer food.

From the veggies you can pick up at a farmer’s market or in a shop ― such as zucchini, eggplant and basil — to the sweet summer fruits and berries that are still hanging around, you’ve still got plenty of options. And of course, the weather’s still warm enough to fire up your barbeque.

Here are some ideas to make before the summer ends. Why not invite your friends over to celebrate summer with the best seasonal food on offer.

Just Google these ideas to find recipes where needed.

If you have basil growing in your garden, try making pesto.

What about making a buttermilk blueberry pie or peach donut cupcakes for dessert?

With Summer vegies you can make zuc- chini pancakes, sweet corn polenta with eggplant sauce, grilled sourdough with herbs, tomatoes and honey drizzle or mac and cheese stuffed fried zucchini, Round it off with that all time favourite strawberries and ice cream or peanut butter and jam ice cream sandwiches.

For your next breakfast try to make fried egg BLT, and for the kids make raspberry and white cherry yogurt pops or pineapple mint popsicles.

Salads are a great summer food to enjoy – what about an avocado, onion and toma- to salad or a lemony roasted potato salad. Be more adventurous and try a grilled egg-

plant and zucchini salad with feta, chickpeas and mint or grilled watermelon salad!

Keen on a burger – try a grilled beef and mushroom burger and fried green toma- toes… While you are busy on the grill, try grilled halloumi and peaches with dukkah.

Last but not least celebrate summer with a colourful fruit salad with all your favourite fruits in it.

Bon Appetit!

Keeping Resolutions Is Achievable

January 25, 2017 By editor

If you love food, here’s a little guide to shaping up, minus the dieting.

Make friends with food: Think healthy, moderate eating!
Make your own food: Know your ingredients and influence what ends up on your plate.
Focus on the experience: If you enjoy what you eat, you’re less likely to fall into the restrict and binge cycle.
Reinvent your favourite naughty dishes: If you like ice cream, try making it with coconut milk and stevia instead.
Keep it social: Invite your friends to bring a dish.
If you are struggling to stick to your resolutions – try these tips:

• Make one change at a time.

• Break it up into smaller goals.

• Lift your Spirits.

• Give your willpower some wiggle room: avoid making 100% resolutions.

• Write down things you’re proud of, right down to ‘I get out of bed when I don’t want to.’

• Draw on the strength of images: put up a photo of a thinner you on the fridge, or a picture of a Caribbean beach in your wallet to remind yourself of the holiday you’re saving for.

(From WebMD and other internet sources)

Vital Support On Offer Over Festive Period

December 22, 2016 By editor

With the final week of 2016 upon us, it’s a time to reflect, but for some this time of year is challenging. Fortunately, many online and phone services, like headspace and Cancer Council will remain open this festive season. The holiday season can pose many challenges for people affected by cancer. The new Cancer Council Online Community provides the opportunity to connect, share experiences, and find information and support in a safe forum. It’s available 24/7 from any online device, regardless of location.

Cancer Council NSW’s Lead Supportive Care Manager, Hannah Baird said the online community aimed to reduce isolation by encouraging people to share their stories with others in similar situations. “What we are seeing through our peer support programs is more and more people are turning to digital platforms for information and support, to connect with others who can relate to what they are experiencing.”
The Cancer Council 13 11 20 telephone information and support service is available over the holiday period. For more
information visit: www.cancercouncil.com.au/OC

The beginning of a new year can also be a turbulent time for many young people. They may be facing some big life changes like starting a new school, awaiting exam results to get into higher education, or commencing employment. When normal routines change and daily structure is altered it can cause pressure. During these times, it is valuable for families and friends to be aware of signs and symptoms that something might be wrong with their loved ones. Being withdrawn, expressing ongoing worry, or irritability are just a few changes to look out for.

If you need support or advice, headspace can help. The National Youth Mental Health Foundation, headspace, provides support to young people aged 12-25 years who are going through a tough time. This includes support for mental health, physical health, work and study, or alcohol and other drugs. It is also open to parents. Visit headspace.org.au or access help via eheadspace.org.au for online and telephone
support between 9am-1am seven days-a-week.

Mr Pisa Gelato At Café Aglio & Olio

November 24, 2016 By editor

Café Aglio & Olio will be holding the last of their popular series of High Teas on Sunday, 4th December from 11am to 2 pm. This is a perfect opportunity to have a day out to relax and unwind after a busy week. Bookings are required as all food is made to order. The cost is $38 per person or $42 for a gluten free option. There will be savoury and sweet high tea favourites, as well as fruit to follow. Do not miss out by calling 6851 5599 to book.

One of the best treats of summer is ice cream. The latest addition to Café Aglio & Olio is Mr Pisa Gelato from Sydney. With a commitment to fresh, high quality gelato, Mr Pisa Gelato has grown from a gelato stand outside the Sydney Opera House to a thriving company selling to 500 restaurants, stores and businesses.

Mr Pisa Gelato won the highest scoring gelato and highest scoring frozen product at the Dairy Institute of Australia’s 2016 Awards of Excellence. Pop in any time, the café is open Monday to Friday from 7:30am to 3pm, and on Saturday from 8am to 2pm.

Health Benefits: Use it or Lose it

November 24, 2016 By editor

It is not something you would probably like to focus on this time of year when life seems to go into top gear as year-end approaches. While we get organised for Christmas and make plans to welcome in the new year, you will also be saying good bye to your health insurance benefits for the year on 31st December. Make time to check with your health fund to see what benefits you have and what you did not use during the year. Most health funds do not roll over the benefits that are left unused as at 31st December. So the portion of your benefits not used by the last day of the year is lost on 1st January the following year. These are benefits for which you have already paid and are entitled to.

None of us want to pay for something that we don’t use. It might be a good time to go for a dental check up if you did not during the year. Or do you need an eye test, would you benefit from a pair of reading glasses, or prescription
sunglasses or consider getting contact lenses. What about your annual physical, or prescription refills or any other check up you did not get around to during the year.

Don’t delay and make appointments today to ensure you get an appointment before year end to capitalize on the benefits you have already paid for.

Shades Of Grey…

August 25, 2016 By editor

As with fashion, home decorating goes through interesting cycles of what’s in
and what’s not. Key periods in styling will always be remembered through the colours and designs that were in vogue in a time period, i.e green laminated benchtops takes us back to the seventies.

Over the last few years decorating with neutral tones and adding the WOW factor with accessories became trendy. This has allowed everyone more freedom to style and update their looks much more frequently with a minimum of fuss and expense.

But I feel the tides are changing again. After attending the recent launch of the new Haymes Paint colour collection for the new season, I fell in love with a whole new palette of colours I think will be the new direction with soft greys to deeper silver and more blue-grey tones. Instead of always selecting a more stone-base neutral with varying shades of creams and browns, we will now be selecting softer tones.

These new shades will combine beautifully with the move towards using black as an accent colour, as well as adopting a new sophisticated feel to our styling efforts. The grey colour wheel also works perfectly with accents of red to make a retro inspired statement. It can also look soft and feminine when paired with lilac and silver and a touch of bling. Yellow looks amazing when splashed in a room of grey, and I love it when orange is combined with grey to look vibrant, and seriously stylish and sophisticated.

I think it will not be long before there is a new must have colour. We will select this colour to make our homes a true vision of neutral beauty and it will allow us to unleash the decorator within as our possibilities of choice become limitless.

By Karen Creith

Bowen Therapy Relieves Pain Naturally

August 25, 2016 By editor

Forbes Bowen Therapy & Wellness treats the whole body and offers natural, holistic approaches to pain relief, respiratory problems, digestive issues and other physical and psychological ailments. They can help whether you’re suffering from nerve and joint pain, reflux, sinus pressure, migraines, sleep disorders, scoliosis or any other form of pain. They perform a series of focused massages with frequent pauses to allow your body to heal naturally. Many
of their clients feel the results after the first visit, and most symptoms are relieved after just a few appointments.

Developed by Tom Bowen, The Bowen Therapy technique is based on a series of massages targeting certain points on your body. It is a gentle massage with frequent pauses to help promote your body’s natural healing. When they massage the soft connective tissue, impulses are sent throughout your body to improve circulation and lymphatic drainage. Contact 0427 592 771 for an appointment.

Between The Sheets

July 21, 2016 By editor

Bedrooms are no longer just a place to lay your head after a long day of toiling. Whether we work outside of our home or inside its walls raising children, our bedroom can be a room of great importance and significance to our wellbeing. A bedroom can be a private sanctuary that we can retreat and withdraw to when needed. By escaping from the outside world for a while, a beautiful bedroom can allow us to relax and unwind, taking pleasure in the fact that we are safe and secure in a tranquil space that we have created for ourselves.

By surrounding yourself with items you love and cherish, your bedroom can become a true reflection of your own personality. Because your bedroom is a private space you can really express your own personal style in a much more dramatic way.

A bedroom is not on show to the world like the main entertaining areas of your home, so decorating choices can be bolder. Get daring and express yourself with colour, prints and patterns. When choosing your bedding and curtaining don’t be afraid to mix patterns and prints as well as incorporating different textures into the choices you make.

Purchasing a quality mattress and bed will ensure that you will have that sensational night’s sleep you have been longing for. But for an instant update, just change your bedding. A new quilt cover can work miracles in changing the overall look to a room. Throws and cushions add texture, warmth and bring the whole theme together.

And in my opinion the more cushions you pile on the bed, the better the effect. This is a design rule that I follow to the letter, as all my friends will attest to when they see my own bed. Remember to decorate with pieces you love and that hold special significance to you, as well as incorporating photos of loved ones to really create a story about your life. I personally love groupings of photos arranged in block formations with the same framing to give a really designer look to our everyday family photos.

A well-placed rug in a bedroom will have maximum impact in giving your private space a really luxurious feel. Imagine placing your feet on a soft shag rug each morning when you step out of bed.

Making sure you have enough storage is also critical to gaining maximum efficiency from how you are going to use your bedroom. There will be no solace sought in the space if clutter is intruding on your life. Lamps and soft lighting will give the space an intimate feel, add an armchair and your room is ready to go. So grab your latest copy of my magazine or the current novel you are reading, curl up in your favourite chair or lay on your new bed surrounded by cushions and start enjoying the fruits of your labour.

By Karen Creith
www.karencreith.com.au