It’s episode 10 this week! Kiwi celebrities, Kombucha and Eye health!
This week we chat to Gary Brown, creator of the NZ Walk Of Fame! Gail Matthew from Kombucha City NZ shares how she created her very tasty health drink! And Associate Professor, Dr Andrea Vincent discusses inherited Retinal Disease in association with Retina New Zealand Inc.
It’s episode 9! Rarotonga, Mortgages, and Music!
Today Guest Presenter Mike Hogan from the Travel Guys chats with Rachael Mackey about Rarotonga
The Smarter Mortgage Lady Rachael Thompson is back to discuss what to do if you have less than 20% deposit.
And award winning Accordion player Tracey Collins discusses how she’s disrupting the music scene, in a good way!
It’s episode 8! Rarotonga, Mortgages, Living Green and Champagne!
Today Guest Presenter Mike Hogan from the travel guys chats with Rachael Mackey about Rarotonga
The Smarter Mortgage Lady Rachael Thompson is back to discuss your options if you have 20% deposit or more!
We meet Sigrid & Nigel McLisky from Living Green sharing how they created a product range for people with sensitivities
And finally, Real Housewife of Auckland Anne Batley Burton shares another Champagne Etiquette tip!
It’s episode 7! Rarotonga, mortgages, staycations and champagne!
Today guest host Mike Hogan from the Travel Guys iChats with Rachel Mackey about the Cook Islands!
The Smarter Mortgage Lady Rachael Thompson shares tips for first home buyers
We take a second look at luxurious staycation spot – The Doubletree by Hilton in Karaka
And finally Real Housewife of Auckland Anne Batley Burton shares another Champagne Etiquette tip!
Brought to you in association with Beds n Lounge Direct!
Hi: Monique Bradley here. I’ve been on a low carb / keto journey since I learned I was carb intolerant in 2017. YES! It’s a thing! (If you want to find out more, please get in touch.)
I have to be honest: I’ve always been a scone addict and while white flour scones are delicious, my body, my blood sugars and my gut disagree!
These wee lo carb / keto and gluten free gems are my adaptation of a bunch of tried and tested recipes that I’ve experimented with since I’ve been on this low carb / keto journey.
For me, the hardest thing about the journey has been that feeling like ‘I’m missing out on my favourite treats’, but as they say, ‘necessity is the mother of invention’, so through sheer desperation, this recipe was created. It’s a fantastic ‘base’ recipe for a scone and I’ve added in a few ideas for optional extras if you want to mix it up a bit.
Remember though: this is not a perfect replacement for a white flour scone. Nothing beats that kind of carb-loaded goodness, but it IS a nice alternative when you have a hankering for some baked goods or a high tea. Good luck and let me know how you go!
Optional: a sprinkle of cayenne pepper and mozzarella cheese or bacon bits for a savoury scone, or sugar free choc chips, some blueberries, a squeeze of lemon juice and a bit of zest, or simply add 1/2 a tsp of vanilla essence for a sweeter more flavoursome option.
Mix all the ingredients together till a dough forms.
You can then either flatten out your dough between 2 pieces of baking paper and cut into circular or square scones OR roll them up into balls and place in your air fryer like I did below
If you’re cooking them in the oven, pre-heat your oven to 180 degrees using Fan-bake.
Place each scone on a greased baking tray or on a piece of baking paper.
They will cook in roughly 12 – 15 minutes – depending on your oven – so check them at 10 minutes. They’re done when they are golden on the top, like the image above.
I pre-heated my air fryer for 3 minutes on the baking heat, then placed by dough balls straight on the plate. I cooked them for 8 minutes at the baking heat of the 160 degrees, then checked to find they were still a tiny bit gooey inside (though still delicious….!).
I put them back in the air fryer for another 2 minutes at the same heat, and they were perfect!
Once they’re done, leave them to cool slightly as they are quite delicate and prone to crumbling. Cooling helps them hold together better.
Add butter or your favourite low carb toppings and enjoy!
Thanks to the team at beds n lounge direct for submitting this article to help you get a better nights sleep! beds n lounge direct are our official furniture partners, so have read of the article and find out which mattress could help you get a better nights sleep NOW!
Picking a mattress can be a challenging task with many factors to consider. From comfort levels to time of life, there are many different needs to take into account and if you’re sharing a bed with a significant other who may also have different preferences, how do you find the perfect mattress? In this article we plan to demystify the whole process with an easy to follow range of preferences and some solutions to make your mattress purchasing experience easier!
The most important factor when choosing a mattress is your sleeping position. There are technically four kinds of sleepers; side, stomach, sleepers and those that are a mix of all three.
Back sleepers need a mattress that is firm enough to provide support while being soft enough to be comfortable.
If the mattress is too soft, your body and your back will bend, causing aches and pains.
For side sleepers, a medium soft mattress is a great choice as it gives you support without creating pressure points on your shoulders, ribs and hips.
Most sleep specialists do not recommend sleeping on your stomach as it can impact the curvature of your spine.
If you are a stomach sleeper, it may be worth investing in a firmer mattress, distributing your weight more evenly while preventing hyperextension of the spine.
For multi position sleepers, a medium mattress provides the best overall support and comfort while allowing your body to adjust naturally as you sleep.
Basically – if you’re uncomfortable as you sleep, you’ll find your way to a better sleeping position automatically.
While the feel and firmness of a mattress primarily depends on your sleeping position, it’s also important to consider your body type, weight and size, and how much space you need too. Partner disturbance can be a big challenge, as can time of life so here’s some additional information to consider.
For midlife women – as an example – a latex topped mattress or gel infused memory foam layer on a mattress is a great option providing both bounce and cooling qualities.
Gel infused memory foam provides a restful sleep experience especially for those with higher body temperature or who tend to sweat as they sleep, and it also has a better open cell structure than standard memory foam or latex, making it more breathable and airy.
Mattresses with pocket spring systems allow each spring to work independently from each other supporting the correct positioning of your body and only responds to the pressure applied to that area. This helps to prevent “roll-together” while reducing the transfer of movement to other areas of the mattress.
Adjustable beds and mattresses are a very popular option, initially designed to cater to people that suffer from certain conditions that may cause pain or discomfort, now becoming increasingly more popular for all! They give you the freedom and flexibility to individually change your position from prone to upright, including adjusting the position of your legs, without affecting the positioning of your sleeping companion! Adjustable mattresses can also prove practical for people that are prone to snoring as this could be a result of incorrect sleep positioning, so if you have a snorer in your household, this could be a great option.
There are many other factors to consider.
The knowledgeable team at beds n lounge direct have many years of experience when it comes to both sleeping and mattresses, so get in touch and let them help you find your way to a better night’s sleep!
And as you’re buying at wholesale prices, it’s a great decision worth sleeping on!
Thought you saved enough to buy a home? Think again.
Let’s face it. We are in a housing crisis right now.
While some of us may already own a home, we still want our kids and loved ones to be self-sufficient and survive in this dog-eat-dog world. But in this economy?
It’s not like we have any control over the price of property and housing, right?
Maybe, if we close our eyes and pretend nothing’s wrong, the housing market will go down?
Let’s just sit back and laugh at the inevitable.
Does being around people drain you? Do you find yourself having to fake interest in a conversation? Do you get random bouts of anxiety after a long day?
Then you may need to step aside and recharge.
As a kid, I used to feel spontaneous bursts of emotions, fatigue and irritation mostly. Other than being an extremely hormonal teenager, I realised that I had always felt drained and unsettled around other people or large crowds. I was really only able to balance myself once I had learnt about introversion and extroversion; You might think that these are just labels, but they actually help describe people’s energy levels around social interaction!
So if you’ve figured out you’re an introvert like me, I’ll give you some advice to keep in mind. It’s good to keep note of when you start to feel tired before you end up feeling completely exhausted.
Naturopath and Kombucha City founder Gail Matthew looks at how you can boost your immunity to prevent getting sick or speed up your recovery post illness.
With Covid-19 and winter flus and bugs continuing to take hold right across New Zealand, there has never been a more important time to focus on ensuring you have a strong immune system. Whether you are trying to avoid getting sick in the first place, or whether you want to build up your strength after an illness so you don’t get sick again, there are steps you can take to support your wellbeing. Here’s a four-part action plan.
When you have a severe illness such as Covid or an extremely bad flu, it puts extra stress on your body, impacting your adrenal glands. Adrenal glands are part of your body’s hormone system and control your body’s response to stress.
If our adrenal glands go into overdrive to deal with the extra stress created by being sick, they have nothing left to support our recovery or to help our body fight the next bug or virus that comes our way.
One way to support your adrenals is with herbs – Withania (also known as Ashwaganda or Winter Cherry) is one of the best herbs for this purpose but Licorice and Rhodiola are also good.
Most health shops will be able to sell you an over-the-counter adrenal support supplement.
It’s also important to do everything in your power not to put more stress on your body. Routine is key to this – our bodies respond well to rhythm and routine. Get up at the same time, eat breakfast at the same time, and go to bed at the same time, before 10pm or earlier if you feel tired. Make sure you get lots of rest – even 15 or 20 minutes sitting on the couch counts. Mini breaks can really help, especially when you are in recovery mode.
Don’t exercise unless you feel up to it. Exercise is good for you unless your body is really tired. A handy rule to follow is that if you go for a short walk and you feel fatigued, you shouldn’t be exercising. If you go for a short walk and you feel energised, you are ready to exercise again.
As well as the herbs that work with your adrenals, there are other natural helpers that will support you to build up your immunity.
Taking Echinacea for a short period is a great way to boost your immune system. With natural remedies, the earlier you start taking them, the more effective they will be. So, if you feel a niggly sore throat coming on, hit the Echinacea. It’s best to use the
Vitamin C and zinc also help with immunity. Liposomal Vitamin C is more effective than regular Vitamin C because it is more easily absorbed by the body.
Finally, if you feel as though you are lacking in energy, it would be a good idea to start taking a high-quality Vitamin B complex.
Another way to support your immune system is to ensure you are getting a wide spectrum of vitamins and nutrients from your food.
Eat lots of vegetables – aim for a ‘rainbow plate’ with lots of different coloured vegetables to increase the range of antioxidants you are consuming.
Fermented food will increase the microflora in your bowel which boosts your immunity by creating an environment where it’s easier for your body to absorb the nutrients from the food you eat. Stock up on some delicious kombucha from Kombucha City, or add other fermented foods such as cultured yoghurt, sauerkraut, kimchi, miso, sourdough bread or fermented sausage to your diet.
Fall in love with soup. If you are recovering from illness it can be taxing for your body to breakdown whole food but it can absorb nutrients from soup. Soup is a great way to get a variety of vegetables into one meal. Also, because you are eating the liquid the vegetables were cooked in, you are not losing any of the nutrients. It’s fine to blend the soup if it makes it easier for you to eat.
Sleep is essential because it allows your body to rest and recover.
Listen to your body and do what it wants. If you are falling asleep in front of TV, head to bed instead of watching the last 15 minutes of your show. If you are tired at 6pm, it’s ok to hit the sack early. Or even better, schedule in time for an afternoon nap so you can make it through the evening.
Get into a healthy sleep/bedtime routine. Start getting ready for bed at 9.30pm so you will have your head on the pillow ready for sleep by 10pm. Follow a similar pattern each night – for instance, turn off the TV, put your cup in the dishwasher, then brush your teeth and wash your face so that you train your body to know when it’s time for sleep.
Boosting your immune system will help you fight off infectious diseases and feel healthy all the time, making it easier to enjoy all the gifts and challenges life brings.
Does waking up to cold feet and chilly weather make you want to curl back under the covers? We’ve got a few delicious recipes to warm up your morning!
As working women, we understand that not all of us have hours to spare preparing a nutritious meal, so we’ve collated a few simple, and time-efficient recipes for you.
Quick and easy, this delicious porridge recipe is full of nutrients and fibre to jumpstart your day! There’s nothing like a warm bowl of porridge on a chilly morning!
Ingredients:
Steps:
This super easy recipe can be prepped the night before for a quick getaway in the morning! No need to make a mess in the kitchen while you’re in a rush!
Ingredients for the base:
Instructions:
Peanut Butter & Jelly
Apple Pie
Banana Nutella
Almond Joy
If you’re craving something a little more sweet and filling, try this healthy French toast recipe!
Ingredients:
Steps:
Need some topping ideas? Click here.
If you try these recipes out, post them on instagram and tag us! Let us know what you think!
Heading out to the east coast? Cruising down the Bay of Plenty? Check out Waihi’s best kept secret!
This little cafe is mostly known by the locals, and is slowly becoming more well known by travellers through social media! The Secret Garden in Waihi Beach brings a touch of Bali to the comfort of our own country!
So of course, we had to try it out and let everyone know: Is it worth the hype?
If you’re seeking a tropical Bali getaway, then this is for you! Circling the cafe are wooden gazebos with low Indonesian tables, designed for sitting on the ground while eating a meal. These give an authentic feel to the place, and brought me back to memories of my home country from when I was a child. Trees surround each table, providing some privacy from other tables around. I personally LOVED this part of the cafe. It was peaceful, it was unique, and it was quiet.
Bean bags are provided for comfort, and the gazebos provide great shade from the sun. The trees sprout fresh fruit and figs, and Balinese statues It’s a beautiful place to take photos, and soak in the experience of Bali in New Zealand.
While they offer European cafe-style meals, and Mexican dishes, I ordered the Pineapple Smoothie bowl, which was absolutely delicious and loaded with nutritious ingredients, such as granola, cacao nibs, and coconut flakes. The staff were also incredibly kind, which was not what we were expecting as their online reviews had criticised staff for being rude and disinterested.
Let us make it clear that this was NOT the case.
Everything was absolutely beautiful, and the food tasted amazing! If you’re heading out to Waihi, or passing through to the Bay of Plenty, make sure you stop at The Secret Garden for a light snack or lunch. We would definitely come here again!
You can visit The Secret Garden at 17 Wilson Road, Waihi Beach, 3611.
The Secret Garden on Facebook.
Now this is one that everyone’s mums and grandmothers know how to make. The Classic, Old Fashioned Pancake recipe is sure to cater to everyone’s tastes.
Rejoice, dairy-free and vegan pancake lovers! This recipe contains no animal or dairy products, so you can enjoy the taste of pancakes without compromising on your lifestyle.
This one is a unique recipe. Unlike the traditional recipes, this one doesn’t use flour, eggs, or butter in the batter. Instead, the core ingredients are healthy and nutritious, and can even be enjoyed by the gluten-free lifestyle.
Not sure what to put on your pancakes? Here are some ideas:
Let us know if you enjoyed these easy pancake recipes!
Naturopath and Kombucha City founder Gail Matthew shares why detoxing boosts your health and gives some suggestions to get you started.
Our body has an amazing natural detoxification system, with the liver, colon, kidneys, lungs and the skin all working together to get rid of toxins.
However, the toxins we are exposed to every day from our food, water and the products we use are greater than any other generation in history and, if left to build up, they can overwhelm those organs, leaving us feeling unwell or at risk of disease.
That’s why it’s good to give our bodies regular breaks from toxins. But that doesn’t have to mean fasting or just drinking juice for three days. Rather than a restrictive, possibly dangerous, detox, it’s better to take a few simple and achievable steps to support your body to get rid of the nasties you don’t need.
Try following the suggestions below for two weeks – or if that seems too hard, even a week of focusing on reducing your toxic load will make a difference.
Once your two weeks is up, you might find that it’s easy to maintain some of these good habits. Many people report that regular detoxing improves their immune system and their digestive health, helps them sleep better, gives them more energy and boosts their mood. What’s not to like about that?
Winter is finally here! And for us Kiwis, we all know what that means: powerful winds, freezing weather, and cold, wet rainstorms.
While it’s easy to stay warm with a simple hoodie or sweater, if your looking for that extra element in your wardrobe to stay fashionable, you’ve come to the right place!
Layering doesn’t have to be just a plain t-shirt under the itchy sweater you got last year for Christmas. Mix in different fabrics and lengths. A silk shirt will keep you warm and comfortable as a base layer, while a cashmere-silk blend sweater will look classy and keep you warm without generating too much heat. Additionally, a coat would add that extra element to your look, perfect for that added layer of warmth and style. Choose different lengths to either complement or contrast with your inner layers.
Of course, polyester coats are not everyone’s forte. There are a range of winter outerwear, such as leather coats and jackets, padded or puffer jackets, sherpa lined coats (sherpa lined denim jackets if you’d prefer), parkas for a more casual look, or quilter coats and jackets. If you have a disdain for hoodies or sweatshirts, these are your go-to outwear pieces.
Number one tip for winter is to avoid cotton at all costs! While cotton is extremely breathable and comfortable, it is a fabric that retain water and moisture, making it an unsuitable fabric for winter weather. Aim for wool, silk, fleece, nylon, or polyester to keep you warm.
You would think the more fabric you wear, the warmer you’d be, right? Incorrect. Baggy clothing allows air to flow more freely inside, trapping cool air and moisture close to your body. Instead, choose more snug-fitting pieces, especially for your first and second layers. Fleece-lined leggings or skinny jeans will keep your legs warm, and also balance out various or oversized layers on your body.
