Look after yourself

How scary - Australia's STD rates are going nuts. That's terrible news and I feel for anyone who is single. The STD article on smh.com.au interested me beyond the STD stats: 1000 new cases of HIV are detected every year, chlamydia cases doubled between 2004 and 2008 to 60,000, etc.

The real quote that bowled me over was by Federal parliamentary Secretary for Health Mark Butler, who said "We know that as a nation we seriously under-do prevention. Of the slightly more than $100 billion that we spend as a nation on health every year ... around two per cent is spent on stopping people getting sick in the first place."

WHAT THE? TWO PER CENT? That is so shocking I'm thinking of moving to France, they have a handle on things much better there. And better cheese. And wine. And...

If more people saw a naturopath, acupuncturist or holistic doctor every now and then we'd be a lot better off. Yes it's a simplistic view, but it's called being in tune with your own body and seeing professionals who don't reach for a prescription pad every time you sneeze or have a back ache. It also sure as hell beats giving billions of dollars every year to the pharmaceutical companies so they can produce more and more pills to numb and dumb us down.

OK. Rant over. Have an awesome weekend peeps. Drink lots of water. Go for long walks. Learn to relax and switch off without the TV. Eat well. It's called prevention and it looks like it's up to us xxx

The burgers are better

I'm a big fan of meat. Beef is a fave because it works in so many dishes: stir-fry's, meatballs, lasagna, bolognaise, stews, bbq's, fajitas, burritos, salads and more. And since discovering the incredible flavour and health benefits of organic beef over a year ago, I've been on a not-so-secret-squirrel mission to convert everyone I know to the green side. Here's a few facts that might make you think twice before buying conventional meat...

* Even if the cattle are allowed to roam, the grass they're eating may well contain pesticides (think Roundup for weeds, doesn't that seem delicious?)
* Their feed usually contains preservatives and chemicals to prolong the life of the food
* A fast cow is a money-making cow, just like conventional chickens and many other farmyard friends. So they're fed hormones to speed up the growing process. Kill 'em quick! Growth hormones are banned in the EU, so we actually make hormone-free beef just for them while we get the rubbish. Thoughtful...
* Instead of preventing their herd from disease by looking after them properly, they simply vaccinate every one of them unnecessarily with antibiotics.
* And of course you've heard about the research labelling organic food no healthier than conventional. I just wish these studies would highlight what artificial chemicals and pesticides can do to the body, and how eating another animal's pumped-up hormones messes badly with our own. We get it, we're not getting any more nutrients (supposedly) by buying organic, but what we're avoiding is poison and toxins which can only lead to illnesses...

So amigos, what'll it be? And if you're worried about the cost, then eat a little less and consider the excess a part of your health insurance.

J'adore skincare

My skin has been on a rollercoaster the last few months. I have pregnancy to blame for the most part, but then there's the change in seasons and my lack of consistency in the skincare I use. The worst moment was the morning after covering my face in rose hip oil because it felt dry. Let's just say it wasn't dry in the morning, and there were about ten new pimples to prove the point. I don't blame the oil, I should have known that I'm producing pur-lenty of oil just being pregnant!

Everything has calmed down nicely since I started my latest routine. It's natural, gentle, and has woken my skin up from it's oily nightmare. I start the morning with Natio Ageless Dual Action Cleanser and Exfoliator or Trilogy Very Gentle Cleansing Cream (I alternate between the two). Then I give myself a nice dollop of Natio Ageless Daily Moisturiser UV Protection SPF 30+ which smells and feels sublime.

During the day I'm still obsessed with JW Organics Phyto-Mineral Rose Facial Mist, as in, I can't be far from it for long! At night I cleanse with Soto Facial Cleanser, tone with Soto Clarifying Toner (I need it as I have blackheads, but it's so easy going) and moisturise with Yes To Carrots C Through The Night Moisturizing Cream.

Even after a week of the harshest cold, my skin looks and feels healthy... except for the odd breakout along my jaw, but that's all thanks to my crazy hormones! Yikes!

(All Natio products are available May 31st...)

The nut hunter

The other night, as a part of my birthday shenanigans, I had a divine dish of rabbit with pearl barley, bacon, chestnuts, sultanas and parsley. It was so deliciously balanced - the tender wabbit, salty bacon, earthy chestnuts, sweet sultanas and almost-bitter parsley. Perfection on a plate.

So I imagine the meal would be fairly easy to recreate at home, except I wouldn't know the first thing to do with a chestnut. And they're in season now, so why not make the most of them, right? Here's what I found...

* Buy fresh nuts still in their glossy shell from the markets
* Keep in a cool place and use within a week
* If you don't have a fireplace to roast them in a tray over a fire, whack them on the bbq in between downpours until the skins blacken
* No bbq? Score an X on the bottom of each shell and simmer in water for 10 minutes
* If opening them is a problem, go here for good tips
* Try them plain, or throw them around a pan with butter and a sprinkle of salt and cinnamon
* Or make them into all sorts of soups, sauces, mains, sides and desserts. Try Gourmet Traveller for amazing recipes, or Taste and Cuisine also have interesting ideas for the tasty nuts

Joyeux anniversaire

I just had a deliriously fabulous birthday weekend. Friday night with friends galore and pizza, Saturday night with hubby and a tasty rabbit followed by a self-saucing choc pudding and Sunday with the fam and a couple of roast chooks and more choc cake. I'm a lucky girl to be surrounded by so many incredible people.

And the kicks I get from inside my belly? They give me that so-happy-I-could-burst feeling. Happy gemini season everyone x

(Pic above is of my niece whizzing around her country maison... what a sweetie)

The naked cake

I'm pro-cake. I mean, what's not to love about sponge, fruit, chocolate, icing, cream and sauce? If I feel like cake, which thankfully isn't every day, I'll indulge. No guilt attached. But if I can't be bothered making it myself, I'll make sure I buy it from somewhere or someone that knows good ingredients. Natural ingredients - butter, eggs, flour, etc - make a natural cake. Unnatural ingredients - colouring, flavouring, preservatives, hydrogenated oils, etc - make a fake cake. Do not want.

I was wandering the aisles of the supermarket the other day and I saw a range of icing in a can which comes out looking like coloured whipped cream. Seems like a fun idea for kids parties. So I looked at the ingredients list and almost had a coronary: not a single natural ingredient on the list. No dairy, no eggs, just processed oils, sugar and a whole bunch of numbers. I shouldn't have been surprised, but I was. I still expect better. HOW is this stuff legal? Because people don't die immediately from the shock of eating something so industrial, it takes a few more years...?? It was a shocking reminder to stick to whole foods and ingredients, even when pigging out on a naughty something, especially where kids are concerned. Pass the brownie, baby!

Small poppet, major passion

You know, when I was 16 I didn't know about adventure. I had a few hobbies which I attempted lazily to keep going after high school, but to no avail. I had passion, but only in spurts; direction but only for a time. And although boats aren't my thing (though I love to sail... in easy waters... with a pro in yelling distance) I wish I had had half the passion and courage of Jessica Watson in my teens.

I'm still coming to terms with what this 16 year old Aussie did. She sailed solo around the world... non-stop and unassisted. That's 210 days in a tiny boat (not the one pictured, obviously) with crazy weather, no shower, no physical human contact but she did it all with such adventure, such a positive attitude and sailed home last weekend to lots of hugs and burritos. She turns 17 today and I'm so thrilled at what she's done for a generation hooked permanently up to their phones and puters and bad hair and diets. Love it.

Here's an excerpt from her blog:

Some time way back in the Atlantic, I remember I wrote about all the things I missed about home. So I thought I'd make a list of some of the things I'm going to miss out here. The first thing is pretty obvious, I'm going to miss getting up and going sailing every day! I'm going to miss being out of range of my annoying brother! I'm going to miss doing things at my own pace and singing at the top of my voice without clearing the room.

I'm going to miss the kick I get from overcoming challenges by myself, flying along in the dark. A new sunset every night and the time I always take to watch it. I'm going to miss watching the waves and sea. I know it's
been nearly 7 months and I'm still not bored by it. The tumbling white tops when it's windy and the glassy reflections when it's not. I'm going to miss seeing Albatross circle around Ella's Pink Lady and beanie days for when finding a hair brush is just too much trouble!

Stretches for slouchies

Well... I've been keeping it a bit quiet, but now that there's only four fast months to go I might as well tell you peeps I'm pregnant. A petit frankie! I can't tell you what I'm having in case Mum reads this, but we're super excited about our little spring baby.

So this morning I was in prenatal yoga - the instructor is so knowledgeable and fabulous - and I learned a tonne as usual. Here's two good tricks for those who work slumped over a puter all day...

* Every hour or so, do this stretch and your body will correct your posture. Clench your hands into fists, bring them together in front of your chest so your thumbs are underneath the rest of your hand, level with your elbows. As you breathe in lift them over your head, pressed together, then release as you breathe out and bring your arms down behind your back. So good.

* If your posture is very slumpy, stand with your back to the wall and press your shoulder blades into the wall. If only the centre of your blades touches the wall, put your arms back against the wall, as stop signals, with arms bent at right angles. Move your arms slowly up the wall, count to ten, then back down slowly. It's hard at first, but do a set of six each day and you'll be upright in no time.

Mushroom hazelnut filos

Snack of the month? Yes I think so. Oh dear these were good. I made them while we were away and they don't take long at all. I'd start with ricotta, but you can add anything you like, just make sure the flavours are balanced. Try spinach, leek, red onion, pine nuts, walnuts, parmesan, blue cheese...

Here's how I made mine: Preheat oven to 200C. Slice five medium mushrooms, 1 small brown onion, 2 cloves garlic and 1 stick celery, start with onion in a frypan of butter and oil, then add the rest. Cook until soft, but not 'cooked'. Mix in a bowl with a packet of fetta, handful of crushed hazelnuts, parsley, splash evo, pinch allspice and seasoning.

Cut thawed filo pastry into strips about 6cm wide, use two sheets together for each triangle. (Whatever filo you're not currently using, top with a damp tea towel otherwise it dries out and crumbles.) Brush sheets with melted butter, place spoonful of mixture on top corner, and fold in triangles all the way down. Brush with more melted butter to seal shape into place, put on baking tray. Bake all your yummy bites (about 20 in all) for 15 minutes until golden.

Goddesses unite

This morning I had a flip through the pics from Cannes... our Russ, our Cate and a bunch of glam peeps rocking the rouge carpet. So many plastic foreheads, as per usual, but thankfully Cate seems to have a few laugh lines. What really shocked me out of my dazy morning was the beautiful Natalie Imbruglia. I've always loved her, but to see her in a stunning dress, sweet new hair cut and plenty of laugh lines... well I'm stoked. That's not a common accessory to a main event. Love 'em. She'll look like goddess Helen Mirren when she's older, and that's definitely something to anticipate.

Holiday at home

Howdy amigos, I'm back! Sorry for the time out, I was away with hubby on holidays in the bush and it wasn't easy to get online. Anyhoo, we had such a gorgeous, refreshing, lazy holiday in the country about four hours north of Sydney. The house we rented was such a beautiful space - big kitchen, log fire, stellar views and no neighbours. Bliss!

I love winter escapes, they're usually a lot quieter than summer breaks, so the relaxation is twice as nice... and beneficial. Highly recommended! But if you can't get away in the next few months, here are some cute ways to turn your weekend into a delicious getaway.

* If you have a partner, book them out for the whole weekend... no work, no gardening, no nuthin'. If you're single, book a friend from Saturday afternoon til Sunday lunch.
* Tell your friends and family you're looking forward to a quiet weekend at home. They may or may not get the hint, but at least they'll understand when you don't answer your phone.
* Friday night, turn off all phones until Sunday night. This is absolutely essential!! Feel free to check them once or twice and return only urgent calls. No emails, no facebook, no internet whatsoever preferably.
* Work out what it is you love about holidays and get lots of it. Hire a few DVDs, borrow a good book, plan a bush walk, line up some drawings or paintings, give yourself a face mask, mani and pedi or dust off the board games.
* If you like to cook, sort out your recipes ahead of time. Pick your faves, preferably slow-roasts but nothing too tricky, and get a few treats and snacks on hand. And perhaps a bottle of two of red.
* Don't talk about work or issues with family or friends. Instead, talk about your dreams, laugh as much as possible and try to find out three new things about your lounge room vacay buddy.