Food labelling

I don't mind the occasional takeaway, but sometimes when I peel back that plastic lid, I wonder what I've gotten myself in for. Yes there are regulations as to what can and can't be included in food, but honestly, the number of colourings, flavourings, preservatives and nasty oils that must be thrown in to boost the longevity and 'flavour' sometimes scare me.

So I'm loving the major food labelling review being undertaken by the government at the mo. Go Kevin 07! They're looking at actually labelling ingredients and nutritional information on all restaurant and take-away foods. Information is key to health, so I can only imagine the incredible impact this will have... not only on what's added to food, but how conscious consumers then shop. They're also considering labelling all GM foods and country of origin on packaged/tinned food. Aren't we sick of "Australian owned" labelling where half the ingredients are imported from who-knows-where? Fingers crossed they make the smart choices so we can be informed on all accounts.

Truth, however disenchanting, is better than falsehood, however comforting. Schweitzer

Smashing launch

Last week I had the great pleasure of meeting the co-founder and Chief Creative Officer of Smashbox Cosmetics, Davis Factor. All round incredible guy, supremely talented photographer and visionary, it was such a treat spending time with him and hearing all about the creation of Smashbox Cosmetics. I've been reading about Smashbox for years in US beauty mags, but finally I've been able to try it for myself - it's available locally at Kit Cosmetics.

David and his brother Dean are great-grandsons of the legendary Max Factor, so they know a thing or five hundred about cosmetics. In the early 90s Dean was flying out to New York to shoot celebs in studios, as LA didn't have any (it was the city everyone flew to for outdoor photoshoots). Because he's so clever, he and his bro decided to set up Smashbox Studios in LA, where celebs and their make-up artists flocked to for shoots. Celebs (think Angelina, Madonna, Drew, Gisele) were having cosmetics constantly created for them, so after endless requests for particular colours, the Factor brothers launched Smashbox Cosmetics in 1996.

Today it's adored for its primers, foundations, powders, mascaras and general ability to make women look flawless. Seriously. One of their most unique line of products is the intuitive bronzer, lip and cheek colours. Genius. I've been using them and even my hubby stands back with a "oh wow" look on his face. Hooray for Smashbox, we're so glad you could make it!

Comfort chicken

Roast chicken with rice or potatoes is a favourite comfort food of mine. During summer I have it with an avocado, tomato and fetta salad, but I like a bit of carbs when the nights chill out. And man are they getting chilly!

Sunday night I made a roast chicken that turned out real nice. It went something like this: clean one organic chicken, place in roasting dish. Rub in mix of finely chopped half brown onion, five garlic cloves, one chilli, small knob of ginger and lime zest. Pour in a good splash of vegetable stock, drizzle with fish sauce, tamari and sesame oil. Pop in a 200C oven for two hours with a lid, remove lid half an hour before taking out of oven. Twas lovely with rice and green beans.

Roast chicken has the greatest leftover potential of any cooked meat. So last night I made a soup and threw the chicken and juices in. Just make sure you scrape and discard the fat off the top off the leftover juices before you eat. I sauteed a chopped leek with some garlic in butter and oil, added frozen peas and lemon zest. When leek was soft and peas were bright green, I added the chicken juice/jelly, a cup of vegie stock (also leftover from the night before) and a cup of water. Simmer for ten minutes, then throw in a bit of fresh parsley. Mix with a hand blender and taste - add salt and pepper accordingly (with a good vegie stock you shouldn't need much). Throw in shredded leftover chicken, simmer a further two minutes and serve with a drizzle of evo.

Long weekend, longer legacy

Happy long weekend peeps! Enjoy Anzac Day, and in case you didn't know much about our great day, here's what it's all about...

* Anzac day marks the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War.

* In 1915, the soldiers set out to capture the Gallipoli peninsula so as to open the Dardanelles to the allied navies. They landed on April 25th, meeting major resistance from Turkish defenders. It was meant to be a bold strike to knock Turkey out of the war, but the tough campaign dragged on for eight months. Over 8,000 Australian soldiers were killed.

* Although the Gallipoli campaign wasn't a success, the Aussie and Kiwi fighters and heroes left an important legacy that should be remembered every year.

* Since that time, the meaning of the day has been further broadened to include Australians killed in all the military operations in which we've been involved.

* Lest we forget.

(All info is from awm.gov.au)

Munch me happy

Too many people suffer from depression, especially during winter. And while the woolly months feel like the perfect time to indulge in not-so-great comfort food and vino rosso, you're more likely to smile your way through the grey days if you make whole foods your friends. They can be superbly comforting too. And, of course, a glass of vino on the side won't hurt... (but a bottle might).

* A sizeable five year study in the UK looked at 3,500 people and found that those with a diet high in processed meat, fried foods, sweet desserts and refined grains (white bread, sugar-packed cereals, etc) had a substantial 58% greater risk of depression.

* On the other hand, people who ate plenty of whole foods - especially vegetables, fruits and fish - had a 26% lower risk of developing depression.

Look after your brain, strengthen your muscles, keep your skin looking younger, your weight under control and brighten your bushy tail by cooking most of your own food at home with whole, fresh ingredients... it's worth it in the short and long run.

Holidays forever

I know a few people who rarely take holidays, preferring to save up their annual leave for a few hard-working years and then letting it rip with two months overseas. This is not my style, but I do understand how easy it is to work crazy hours for nine or 29 months and then realize you seriously need a break. But by then stress may have become chronic, the cold a common occurrence or you're so wound up that the first three days are spent in bed. Not so fun.

So while you're enjoying this long weekend coming up, take a minute to plan something with your partner or a friend. Spain in Spring? New York for New Years? Or perhaps a week of back-to-nature camping in the mild QLD winter. Besides a week away, try and be open to last-minute long weekends with someone who makes you laugh and isn't afraid to play board games. Your mental and physical health (not to mention relationships) will benefit beyond your wildest dreams.

Just make sure your vacay isn't as busy as the job you're leaving behind. Turn on your phone only occasionally, leave the laptop at home and scrap the to-do list. Life's for living, not for working.

Light my fire

Candles are amazing - they can set a mood, completely relax and bring the nicest ambiance to any room. But unfortunately many candles are toxic, and when you've got a few burning for hours at a time, that's not so sexy. Here's what you need to know...

* Parrafin candles, the most common form, are made from a by-product of petrol. Mmm. Lovely. They're apparently as bad for you as second-hand smoke. Ditch.
* A study in the US found that frequently lighting parrafin candles in an unventilated space could lead to health problems, including asthma, allergy-like symptoms and an irritated respiratory tract.
* Some cheap candles still use lead in their wicks. And then we burn them. And inhale. Eww. Make sure there's no wire in the middle of the wick before you buy.
* Soy candles are a better idea, but where are the soy, palm or coconut oils coming from? If the crop isn't ripping apart a country's resources, then these are definitely a good idea.
* Fragrances aren't good for you, no matter what they're called or where they're found. If you want a scented candle, find one with pure essential oils.
* Beeswax candles are the absolute best choice for your homey. They are made from a renewable resource - a by-product from honey - last up to three times longer than parrafin, twice as long as soy, they're hypo-allergenic, they clean the air (they release negative ions) and are a beauty to behold. Just make sure you only buy 100% beeswax, nothing less.