Drugs and driving – do they mix?

Not a lot of people read the warnings on the thin piece of folded paper with the teeny tiny writing inside their tablet box.

Drugs and driving – do they mix?

ot a lot of people read the warnings on the thin piece of folded paper with the teeny tiny writing inside their tablet box.

Do small testicles mean big health problems?

Just to be clear, generally speaking, small testicles are usually not a big health problem. Testicles come in all shapes and sizes. Whether lopsided or symmetrical, they’re all unique. But some men may worry about their size – are they too large or maybe too small?

Is camping the answer to a happier family?

A recent survey has shown that taking your kids camping can improve your relationship with your kids your partner and the entire family’s wellbeing.

Untouched tribes – exploring alternative lifestyles

Lachlan Cornell It is easy to forget that there are so many different lifestyles that people choose to live. And I don’t just mean cultural differences – although this may have a lot to do with it. I am talking about those who have little to no contact with the modern world and actively choose to live like this. If I were left in the jungle alone to fend for

The medical cannabis debate

Research into the safety and efficacy of cannabis for medical use has traditionally been very difficult. This difficulty has been exacerbated by the factors that made the drug illegal in the first place. Today, thousands of Australians are using medical cannabis to treat chronic pain and anorexia. Advocates of medical cannabis use say the drug is an effective and safe way to treat certain conditions, critics say fear there isn’t

Can LSD increase productivity?

Lachlan Cornell Life can be exhausting. Most of us lead busy lives, trying to juggle 19 things at once – usually with little success. Even if you consider yourself a multi-tasking wizard, there are always ways to improve your productivity and efficiency. And LSD might just turn out to be one of the best ways. Researchers have been conducting experiments on the effectiveness of LSD microdosing. Initial reports highlight the

Why my mum sees a psychic

Lachlan Cornell Rhonda is a gifted intuitive reader and medium practising from her home in the Tweed hinterland. I was trying to understand why someone would go and see someone like Rhonda, so I thought I’d ask someone who does go and see her. That happens to be my mum. Here is what she had to say: Why do you go to see Rhonda? To be honest, like you, I

Is juice healthy?

Lachlan Cornell Juice has been a staple household item for years, however when the truth about sugar revealed itself, juice dropped in popularity. With the health-focused lifestyle that followed, people wanted to find a way to incorporate juice back into their diets without the added sugar. Enter, freshly squeezed, cold-pressed or home blended juices. Now, these are a staple, usually for busy professionals who (think) they don’t have the time

Modibodi breaking down stigmas

The Continence Foundation of Australia The Continence Foundation of Australia is the national peak body promoting bladder and bowel health. Their vision is to have a community free of the stigma of incontinence. The hygiene issues around incontinence can be severe, yet people endure it because of this stigma. Thankfully now there are more than government agencies offering solutions and promoting information around the issue. Businesses have started to take charge

Exploring sugar alternatives

Lachlan Cornell In the 1960s a war raged between saturated fat and sugar. Both industries were paying scientists exuberant amounts of money to downplay the effect of their substance on heart disease. Sugar won. fat was labelled the villain and marketing was quickly geared towards ‘FAT-FREE’ labels whilst sugar wore a smug grin on its face. And the industry wore this grin for decades to come. Internal sugar industry documents

The secret about superfoods

Lachlan Cornell Superfoods are an unofficial category of foods that are thought to be nutritionally dense and superior to other foods. Blueberries, salmon, kale and açai are four of the most popular foods to gain the honour of being considered a superfood. Due to the unofficial status, there are no specific criteria that a food must check to be considered a superfood. The popular opinion amongst scientists is that superfoods

Take charge of stress and discover true emotional healing

Aura-Soma Our top five steps Whether it’s that daily tension in your shoulders, the heart-pounding that just won’t stop, the work-life-kids juggle or just trying to find a parking space – stress can spike up and whittle us down so that before we know it, it’s become our new normal. But by incorporating Aura-Soma into our lives we can enjoy wellness and a greater sense of calm every day.

The 7 chakras

Lachlan Cornell Originating from Sanskrit, it literally means “wheel” by association with its function as a vortex of spinning energy interacting with various physiological and neurological systems in the body. Chakras are energy centres within the human body that help to regulate all its processes, from organ function to the immune system and emotions. There are 7 chakras positioned throughout your body, from the base of your spine to the

Identifying crystals by colour

Crystal identification can be challenging for those who acquire them for healing and spiritual purposes and will often need to seek expert advice. There are many ways to identify crystals, one of the most simple is by colour. Here is a simple guide for those interested in the different meanings of crystals based on their colour. The information is a culmination of multiple sources such as Crystal Castle and the

Learning about complete sensory deprivation

Lachlan Cornell A sensory deprivation tank also called an isolation tank or flotation tank is used for restricted environmental stimulation therapy (REST). It is a dark, soundproof tank that is filled with a foot or less of saltwater. The water in a sensory deprivation tank is heated to skin temperature and nearly saturated with Epsom salt (magnesium sulphate), providing buoyancy so you float more easily. Think of the salinity in

Some like it hot, others like it cold

Lachlan Cornell In modern society, many people do not spend a lot of time outside. This reduces the potential influence of weather on their mental health. However, there’s no doubt that different people prefer different types of weather. And in turn, this can affect your mental health in the form of seasonal affective disorder (SAD). SAD Despite its symptoms having being mentioned in scientific literature in 1845, SAD didn’t acquire

Recognising chronic kidney disease

Lachlan Cornell Most us know we should live a healthy lifestyle – exercise regularly, eat a balanced diet, get enough rest, be social and so on. However, sometimes we don’t grasp just how important all these things are. This is especially true when talking about silent diseases such as chronic kidney disease. Known as a ‘silent disease’ – as there are often no symptoms and the kidney/s can lose up

Exploring Feng Shui

Lachlan Cornell In English, Feng Shui literally translates into ‘wind water’ – Feng (wind) and Shui (water). Feng Shui originated in China over 6000 years ago and could be described as a practical philosophy. It’s an ancient method of designing and creating spaces that allow for the natural follow of Qi (natural energy) within a space. It involves layout, framework, colours and materials of buildings and interiors. The history of

Nanotech to the rescue

Lachlan Cornell In 2013, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) published an article highlighting the potential benefits nanotechnology could have on people with diabetes. You can view that article here. The idea was that the nanoparticles inside the body would be able to detect glucose levels and respond by releasing the appropriate amount of insulin. This removes the need for Type 1 diabetics to prick their fingers – drawing blood –

Dealing with anxiety

Lachlan Cornell Anxiety is very common, especially among younger people. Often people who experience anxiety are reluctant to seek support because they brush it off as nothing serious or don’t believe there is an issue. A survey of 1449 people, conducted by Beyond Blue, found that two out of five people who checked their symptoms using an anxiety screening checklist had experienced mild to severe anxiety in the previous two

Overcoming addiction

Addiction is generally defined as a behavioural pattern that involves a person who compulsively engages in drug-taking, gambling, drinking or gaming (amongst other outlets). Even when destructive side effects kick in and people feel like they’re losing control, addicts usually can’t stop doing the thing they’re addicted to without help and support. These people often find themselves in a downward spiral of destruction which often results in unemployment, homelessness, prison

Hiking and mental health

Lachlan Cornell There’s now a growing body of research showing that group walks in nature have remarkable mental health benefits including easing depression, combating stress and boosting mental well-being. For some sufferers of depression, medication is still required to get them out of bed. But once up, a hike with friends can be the best medicine to support their recovery. An expansive study, by the University of Michigan (USA) and Edge Hill

We all benefit from community spirit

Lachlan Cornell Growing your own veggies has a multitude of benefits not only for yourself but for the environment as well. Despite Australia having one of the highest minimum wages, we constantly hear about the struggling ‘Aussie battler’. Growing your own fruit and vegetables as well as participating in community garden projects is a simple solution to saving some money on your weekly grocery bill. A guide to growing your

How we can learn from the Finnish sauna culture

Lachlan Cornell Sauna use and heat therapy have been around for hundreds of years. Yet modern science is only beginning to scratch the surface of its potential. A couple of years ago, Dr Rhonda Patrick published an article stating that sauna use could be linked to longevity. Not long after this was published the University of Eastern Finland released a study where they tracked the lives of 2300 middle-aged men.

Linking poor diet to major health issues

Lachlan Cornell The Australia Bureau of Statistics, released a report in December last year, stating that more than two-thirds of Australians are now overweight or obese. In light of this, NobleOak surveyed 1000 Australian adults to gauge eating habits and nutrition awareness. The research reveals that people spend 32% of their weekly food budget on fast food and are not fully aware of the health risks of a poor diet.

Low impact vs high impact exercise

Lachlan Cornell If you’re new to working out, just getting back into the game, or have concerns with joints or injuries, low-impact cardio is a safe and effective method of exercise. Low-impact exercises focus on keeping one foot on the ground and alleviating stress or pressure on your joints. But be warned — just because it’s low-impact, doesn’t mean you won’t be sweating! Here are some low impact exercises for

To coffee or not to coffee?

Lachlan Cornell There is a constant barrage of opposing studies and articles, duelling each other over whether coffee is good for us or not. It seems that the result is often the same. These articles are merely a point of reference for friendly arguments between coffee drinkers and non-coffee drinkers. A couple of words stand out after each barrage has settled. Balance & moderation. Caffeine Coffee is made up of

The history of tea

Lachlan Cornell During a long day spent roaming the forest, searching for edible plants and crops, a weary farmer poisoned himself 72 times. But before the poisons could end his life, a leaf drifted into his mouth. He chewed on it and it revived him. And this how we discovered tea – or so the ancient Chinese story goes. Tea doesn’t actually cure poisons but who wants to ruin a

Does camping improve mental health?

Lachlan Cornell Often when we think of self-healing, we either seek professional help or drastically change our routine. Both are admirable and effective. However, there is a way to elevate your mental health and wellbeing that disguises itself as a leisurely activity. Camping. Camping is a great way to cut us off from some of the usual suspects of our mental health issues – namely FOMO (fear of missing out),

Stroke awareness month

Lachlan Cornell There is one stroke every nine minutes in Australia and more than 475, 000 Australians are living with the impact of stroke. The number in the US is close to 800, 000. A common misconception is that strokes just happen to elderly people but strokes can happen to anyone at any age – even babies can have strokes. A stroke occurs when blood, which carries oxygen to the

Fighting hay fever

Lachlan Cornell Hay fever is one of the most underrated annoyances. And now spring is here, hay fever is right around the corner. And around 3 million of us Aussies are about to get hit by it. However, there is no need to jump straight for the nasal sprays and anti-hay fever tablets. There are a few ways you can avoid triggering your symptoms this spring. Christian Farrington from Health

Medicinal mushrooms in modern science

Lachlan Cornell Mushrooms are powerful and diverse and remain an enigma to many in the medical field. The deep cultural significance of their use along with their ability to heal is quickly changing this ignorance into further exploration of their use within modern science. Perhaps the time lag for modern science to start exploring mushrooms for their medicinal properties is due to their diverse nature. Some can feed you, some

Is health the main motivation for weight loss?

Lachlan Cornell Two-thirds of the adult Australian population are overweight or obese. Weight loss is a topic that covers two areas of health that are equally important. Firstly the obvious, physical health. “Obesity is a major contributor to many chronic diseases and symptoms – around four out of five people who reported conditions such as diabetes, pre-diabetes and sleep apnoea were classified as obese,” Dr Hendrie said. Secondly, mental health.

Netflix and mental health

Lachlan Cornell Do movies and video games affect your child’s mental health? It’s been a common question raised since children have had access to movies and video games from such a young age. The simple answer is, yes they do. With Netflix having 139 million subscribers and reaching the eyes of much more than that, their accessibility to endless TV shows is dangerous. The ability to binge-watch TV shows seems

Sea snail compound reduces cancer risk

The remarkable ability of a small Australian sea snail to produce a colourful purple compound to protect its eggs is proving even more remarkable for its potential in a new anti-cancer pharmaceutical. Researchers at Flinders University, Southern Cross University and Monash University in Australia have isolated one compound in the gland secretions from the Australian white rock sea snail (Dicathasis orbita) which has not only antibacterial and anti-inflammatory qualities but

A simple guide to obtaining great health

With so much info out there surrounding the topic of health, it is important not to feel overwhelmed by it all. Explore what feels good for you and what you’re morally aligned with. Everybody is different, so what works for one, doesn’t necessarily work for the other. As a simple rule of thumb, health can be obtained by practising these 3 simple steps… 1. A HEALTHY DIET – Eat a

Talking about detox

Lachlan Cornell For thousands of years, human beings have been trying to rid their bodies of perceived toxins. Native Americans have long used various forms of ritual cleansing and purification, such as the sauna-like sweat lodge. Harvard Harvard Health says ‘Today’s renewed interest in self-administered detoxification reflects concern about a variety of things, such as emerging pathogens, lead in toys, mercury in fish, smog in the air, pollutants in rivers

Shamanic Energy Healing

Lachlan Cornell I asked Shamanic Energy Healer, Sarah McLeod, a few questions regarding her practice. She is also the founder of an experience known as ‘Vision Weaving’ and has clients spanning across five continents. What makes Shamanic Healing different from other forms of energy healing? ‘I call my work Shamanic energy healing because that is the closest thing I can get to describing an experience that defies description. Really, all

The language of medicine

Around 10% of Australians* have household or family members that have trouble getting information about their medicines because English is not their first language. To tackle this information gap, community pharmacists working in culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities around Australia are helping their customers this Be Medicinewise Week (19-25 August) to get to know the language of medicines. It can also be overwhelming having to manage multiple medicines, especially

What is gut health?

Lachlan Cornell The gut microbiome has been gaining attention in both the medical and food industries over the past fifteen years. Due to this increased awareness around the importance of gut health, you may indeed already have an idea of which foods are settling your tummy. And that’s great. But what really is gut health and why is it so important? So, what is gut microbiome? Ruairi Robertson from Healthline

Traditional Chinese Medicine

Lachlan Cornell Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), sometimes known as Classical Chinese Medicine (CCM), is a stem of holistic medicine that originated in China over 3500 years ago. TCM encapsulates the modalities of herbal medicine, acupuncture, gua sha, cupping therapy and massage. In more recent times, TCM has started to include selected parts of Western medicine that enhance and expand the overall approach, making it more well rounded and effective. Philosophy

What is Attunement Therapy?

Lachlan Cornell Attunement Therapy is a modern healing modality founded on some of the most ancient biological principles relevant to human physical and emotional health. It’s been developed over 14 years by Tristan Bray right here in the Byron Shire! ‘Evolution has wired us to be physically connected with other people on a regular basis to maintain a healthy body, to de-stress and to heal’ Tristan says. Attunement Therapy is

Let’s hear some ap-paws for therapy dogs

The bond between people and animals is one that spans millennia. Dogs are known as the friend that’s always there, offering a relationship of non-judgment, unconditional love and loyalty. For founder of Australian charity Animal Therapies Ltd Wendy Coombe, it was Jack, her Border Collie, that helped build her life again, literally from scratch. Ms Coombe says she had a very successful senior management career at a large ASX-listed corporation,

Whats new in deep vein thrombosis?

We are all familiar with those Anti-DVT flight socks but for those with high risk of DVT, more drastic measures have to be taken. Often these measures have been unaccessible to those at moderate risk, however, the emergence of new blood thinners has made this treatment more assessable, not to mention considerably safer. Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) occurs when a blood clot forms in a deep vein in your body,

The history of massage

Using touch as a healing method is a tradition of antiquity. Both eastern and western civilisations found that massage could heal injuries, relieve pain and cure illness. And of course, as a way to reduce stress and induce deep relaxation. For over 5000 years, massage therapy has developed and transformed into what we know today. It’s truly amazing how these ancient techniques still remain beneficial today. Not to mention all

My dry-raw-caffeine free July

What was I thinking? Eve Jeffery I hadn’t even heard of ‘Dry July’ until a friend of mine suggested that we meet for a date. She said she wasn’t going to be able to drink though because she was having a month off. I thought that sounded like a good idea and that I’d go dry too. The idea of giving up something for a month appealed to me a

How to manage multiple medicines

If you take multiple medicines you likely understand the feeling of ‘what is the red pill for again?’, ‘how many of the blue pill do I take?’. It can be overwhelming and straight-up dangerous. The same goes for supplements. There are more people now than ever taking multiple medicines as well as dietary and health supplements. Lots of people are so cavalier towards medicine, that it actually works against them

How to stop burnout

Burnout is a common term thrown around in the business world. To some, it seems unavoidable, as if it were just accepted that this happens if you work a full-time job. This, however, is far from the case and there are some blindingly simple solutions that can help you snuff burnout from your vocabulary. Scary statistics New data from WorkScore shows that employees who take their annual leave are more

Balance is the key to a healthy diet

Eve Jeffery A dietitian’s job description is far and beyond helping people lose weight. In the course of a career a dietitian might work with patients who have burns, cancer, both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, people who are injured in accidents, those with gastrointestinal disorders, cystic fibrosis, allergies, intolerances, people in aged care, paediatric nutrition, women and men with fertility and pregnancy issues and those with gut health

Sleep quality is just as important as quantity

With so many wellness trends constantly emerging, sleep often gets overlooked as an integral part of our heath. We all sleep and yet there are a plethora of us that aren’t getting quality sleep. So much so that the major political parties have now agreed, after years of lobbying from the Sleep Health Foundation and the Australian Sleep Association, to hold an inquiry into Sleep Health Awareness. The report from

What is Holistic Dental?

When it comes to dentistry, choosing a traditional approach or a holistic one can be confusing. Sometimes called biocompatible dentistry, holistic practises offer an alternative to traditional dentistry methods. Although both traditional and holistic methods focus on the link between oral health and our overall wellbeing, holistic dental takes a more overall approach. What should I expect? Holistic dentists have the same training as regular dentists but can also incorporate

The Power of Meditation

Meditation is as individual as you are How often do you spend time getting to know yourself? In the modern world, we’re more ‘connected’ than ever; to the internet; to our phones; to networks of people across the world. But what about connection to ourselves? Meditation is an increasingly popular way to gain focus, de-stress and find a deeper sense of self. Meditation encompasses a range of techniques that focus

Chronic pain and medicinal cannabis

Eve Jeffery It’s hard for people without chronic pain to be able to understand it. Imagine the last time you sprained your ankle or stubbed your toe. Bad maybe, but with a sprained ankle or a stubbed toe, there’s a part of your brain that knows in a day or two, or a week, you’re going to feel better again. The difference with chronic pain is you know you’re not

Secrets to a long life from centenarians

Only staying active will make you want to live a hundred years. -Japanese proverb To gain an insight into the secrets behind a long life, we need to look inside the lives of those who have lived the longest and continue to remain youthful in their health and active in their contribution to their community. Japanese people have extraordinary longevity, especially those on the island of Okinawa, where 25/100,000 people

Everything you need to know about cold showers

Cold showers have been a hot topic since Wim Hof hit the scene; running a half marathon above the Arctic Circle in bare feet and climbing mount Kilimanjaro in his shorts. Training your mind can be a powerful thing to overcome many obstacles in life and cold showers are a small thing you can do in that direction. There are many benefits that dedicated cold shower takers often talk about

Natural Flu Defence

Winter gets a bad rap, it’s the season where people tend to pick up bad habits and fall victim to the common cold or flu. Whether you’re into flu vaccinations or not, there are plenty of other ways to gain immunity this winter. There are four major immunity herbs that work in varying ways to give you the most thorough protection. Echinacea Echinacea is a herb that is best taken

Beauty Ideals: What are you focusing on?

When diet and fitness are taken to the extremes you will often find they achieve the opposite effect from what they were intended. If your ‘wellness routine’ – AKA the habits you have adopted to make your life better, start to cause you stress and anxiety, they need to stop. This is called the performative wellness trap. Wellness and anxiety shouldn’t even be in the same ballpark yet their lines

10 Tips to Stay Healthy This Winter

True health is a balance of mind, body and spirit. Ancient wisdom and modern science offer us a wealth of ways to support our holistic well being. It’s this balance that keeps us mentally, emotionally and physically healthy, allowing us to be the best version of ourselves. Try a few or all of these ideas over the winter season to see which ones work for you. 1. Take a bath

Looking at meditation differently

Everything we do as human beings has a purpose. So what is the purpose of meditation? On the surface people may meditate for many different reasons but, excluding those who are meditating due to social pressure, if you go to the source of everyone’s reason you will find that they have a similar motivation … to raise their quality of life. According to Taoist Wellness Theory, the key to health

Ancient Chinese Philosophy for Modern Day Life

There are many stories from ancient China that carry a lot of wisdom into the busy lives we live today. The following stories originate from ancient Chinese philosophy, offering a unique and beautiful message for your contemplation. 2 Monks and a Woman A senior monk and a junior monk were travelling together. At one point, they came to a river with a strong current. As the monks were preparing to

To find your way through the forest of thoughts, all you have to do is remember

Paul Bibby Have you ever arrived home and realised that you have virtually no memory of the journey? It’s not just that you don’t remember specific turns or landmarks, the whole thing is basically a blank – both what was going on inside your head and in the world around you. Some call it being ‘on autopilot’ or ‘zoning out’, but for me the phrase ‘being lost in a forest

Holistic hedonsim and the rewards of pleasure

Q&A with Vicki Veranese at Retreats Byron Bay Can you tell us a little about what people can expect from Retreats Byron Bay? At our property CasaVeras, nestled in the hinterland between Byron Bay and Mullumbimby, we have created a space where you can enjoy platters of amazing food and delicious drinks, while you indulge in a filtered rainwater outdoor bath or soak just your feet. You can relax in

Low sperm count linked to pregnancy stress

New research has identified a link between stressful life experiences for the mother during the first 18 weeks of pregnancy and a lower sperm count in male offspring. The new study led by The University of Western Australia reveals the first few months of pregnancy is when male reproductive organs are at their most vulnerable stage of development. The findings come from Western Australia’s Raine Study, a multi-generational study that

Is the humble egg really to blame for strokes?

A new study reveals that the humble egg is not associated with stroke risk. The University of Eastern Finland recently released a study that debunks the myth that eggs can cause strokes and further clarifies that eggs are not linked to high blood pressure. In fact, there is some evidence that they could be beneficial. The study indicates that eggs could actually protect against high blood pressure and the benefits

Tried everything but your skin just won’t clear up?

Q&A with Barry Donnelly: Naturopath and principal practitioner at the Good Skin Clinic Could you describe what you do? I specialise in skin diseases and as a naturopath our treatment program is significantly unique. I developed this program over the past 13 years. It is designed with the intention of clearing the most serious of skin diseases, such as, psoriasis and eczema within a 6 to 12 week time frame.

Stroke prevention – what can you do?

Aslan Shand One in four people will have a stroke in their lifetime. A stroke is caused by a sudden interruption in the blood supply to the brain and impacts on your ability to move, feel, and think. According to Associate Professor Seana Gall from the University of Tasmania and Stroke Foundation Clinical Council member there will be more than 56,000 strokes in Australia this year. Take action ‘But there

Are we what we drink?

Rachel Jeffery, Accredited Practising Dietitian When we are active, we are very conscious to eat well, but we do not often think about the things we drink. All of us are made up of around 50-80 per cent water, so it is very important that we replace fluid lost from our body everyday. Water is needed in our bodies for digestion and absorption of foods, dissolving nutrients, eliminating waste products

A little walking can go a long way

Creating neighbourhoods, cities and towns that promote the opportunity to walk to the shops, the doctors, the library or the many other spots you may need to go is one of the keys to helping people keep healthy. That’s the finding of recent research from Deakin University who were looking at the the impact of living in a walkable neighbourhood. ‘Better walkability was associated with better physical function for residents

Get cleaning – mould season is here

Becky Thompson Warm weather and humidity – just what we’re known for in the Northern Rivers – is a perfect recipe for mould. The long-awaited rains have finally arrived so locals should be on the lookout for this unwelcome visitor in their homes. As the floodwaters subside in Queensland, mould is already rearing its ugly head; just as it did to us after the April 2017 floods. We mostly recognize

Don’t let snoring ruin your sex life

Aslan Shand Do you ever wonder what the point of sleeping is? For some people it takes up half their lives. So much time that could be used to learn another language, a musical instrument or secretly binge on you most favourite TV series from Game of Thrones to – well whatever takes your fancy. But it turns out that that ‘time wasted’ isn’t so wasteful after all.

Eating for sustained energy through out the day

Rachel Jeffery, Accredited Practising Dietitian It’s been a long day and you still have several hours performing at your peak before you can take a break. So how do you keep your energy levels up throughout the day and night. The key is to eat well, snack regularly if you do not have time for a big meal and keep up your fluids. Here are some tips to give you

Fruit and nuts take the energy test

Can what you eat enhance your performance as an athlete? This is the question that is being put under the microscope at the University of South Australia’s Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity (ARENA). More specifically they are examining the impact of almonds and some dried fruits. ‘The bioactive components in almonds and some dried fruits may play an important role in maintaining peak fitness in elite athletes,

The meat vegans might eat

Desmond Bellamy Winston Churchill was one of the first public figures to believe that we would one day grow animal parts without the animal. In 1931, he predicted that by the 1980s people would grow chicken breasts and wings rather than raising the entire bird. Although his timeline was a little off, Churchill’s vision for the future is now rapidly becoming reality. In 1940, not quite 10 years after Churchill’s

Breath testing for cancer

While there have been rumours of dogs and bees being able to detect cancers from the smell of peoples breath and urine for many years, a clinical trial using a breath test for cancer is being launched, but it doesn’t involve any animals. The trail will analyse molecules that could indicate the presence of cancer at an early stage. This is the first test of its kind to investigate multiple

Relationship conflict: It doesn’t have to end in tears

Graeme James Is your relationship one of trust, mutual respect and a source of deep satisfaction? Do you share goals and hopes for your future together? Do you allow yourself to be influenced by your partner? Or instead is your relationship one of conflict, perhaps characterised by bitterness, or physical and emotional distance? How can it be that something that once seemed so right could some how end up feeling

Why detox?

Byron Bay Detox Retreats team Cleansing, fasting and detoxification all have one goal in mind – to rid the body of toxins and allow it time to heal naturally. The body is actually in a constant state of detoxification. Little do we realise, our body is working every minute of every day to eliminate all of the elements we ingest that do not serve us. However, when the body is

Sing for the trees: a journey of healing

Susan Hale All across the world people are singing, using their voices to recharge the earth. People are singing to create awareness and galvanise action. The Civil Rights Movement is a historical example of the power of song to create change. Singing is part of the joy of being human, of connecting us with ancient traditions and reminding us that we all are part of the chorus of life. People

Why physiotherapy?

Nigel Pitman Physiotherapy is an evidence based clinical health science. Practitioners aim to use treatments that have been demonstrated to be effective through evidence based scientific research. This is then underpinned with clinical reasoning and experience that compliments any treatment and can be further individualised for the client and their needs. Physiotherapists are specialists in the management of movement disorders. Observation and hands-on assessment are utilised to evaluate an individuals

Taking ‘science’ with a grain of salt

Desmond Bellamy Research isn’t cheap, and someone has to pay for it. But when the money comes from the industry that produces and sells a food that’s the subject of the research, there’s a potentially serious problem. Case in point: we know that eggs are high in cholesterol. (There’s as much in two eggs as in half a kilo of steak) and the egg industry has, for some time, been

Grief: reconsidering the need to ‘let go and move on’

Graeme James Loss is something that happens to us all whether it’s through death of a loved one, a relationship breakdown, ill health, changing jobs, moving house, or a myriad of other changes in life. Even simply growing older can feel like a loss. Hello grey hair and good-bye youth! Sometimes we can feel loss coming our way, and at other times it can hit us out of the blue.

Connecting with Spirit: Who, What, How and Why?

Mediums, Channellers, Psychics, Clairvoyants and Intuitives: What is the difference? How do they work? And why would you see one? Louise Shilton The art of channelling spirit is becoming more accepted as a way of receiving guidance for humankind from beings of higher consciousness in the non-physical realms. Channellers are no longer limited to channelling before cosy gatherings of open-minded individuals. With internet technology, they can share channelled messages with

Acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine

Ele McIntyre Traditional Chinese Medicine, or TCM, has been around for thousands of years and incorporates various treatment methods, including acupuncture, herbal medicine, tuina chinese massage and acupressure, moxa heat therapy, food therapy, and qigong. Originating in China, TCM is now practiced throughout the world. The aim of TCM is to achieve balance and harmony in our lives. The concept is to proactively keep the body healthy, or to help

So what exactly is Hypnotherapy?

Matthew Lee Tet Hypnotherapy is used in a clinical sense, to help people remove or alter old thought patterns, negative beliefs, unwanted habits and many other issues. Hypnosis for therapy. Hypnosis on stage and T.V. is for amusement. The two are the same in the sense that the hypnotist’s goal is to induce trance. We’ve all been in trance before. Think of a time you were driving home and all

Foods to avoid when pregnant

When you are pregnant, your diet assumes even greater importance. Not only do you want to nourish yourself and your unborn child, you also want to avoid foods that may be damaging to both of your health, says Anna Millichamp, Cape Byron Medical Centre’s paediatric dietitian. The main risks being targeted by the above restrictions are risk of infection with Listeria, Salmonella, Toxoplasmosis and contamination with mercury. Listeria Monocytogenes Listeria Monocytogenes

Could you take the journey to veganism?

Angela McDermott My mother was from Belgium, my father was from Hungary and both of them were great cooks. Goulash, stuffed cabbage rolls, Jarlsberg cheese, ox tongue, sour cream, paprika chicken, speck, salami and liverwurst were staples and I loved them all. The kids in my primary class wanted to swap their Vegemite sandwiches for my salami sandwiches. No way mate, Vegemite tasted disgusting. I’ve never liked steak, but I

Are there any limits to our souls?

‘We all have that inner strength inside of us. We just never get tested to see how incredible we all are.’ Turia Pitt This quote could be thrown among the social media Instaquote movement and wouldn’t cause much of a stir these days. However, when you know the story behind these words, it becomes quite clear that there’s something greater to us human beings than the flesh and bone that

Diet obsessions turned food fiascos

To eat everything in moderation or to stick to a regimented diet? To swear off alcohol or to enjoy a drink every now and again? To go gluten free or not? Grain or no grain? Meat or no meat? Vegan or vegetarian? Whoa! The overwhelming choices are greater than ever on the food front. Thanks to more television shows about food, an overabundance of ‘food porn’ on social media, and

To live longer, move more

Charles Eugster was a dentist for most of his working life. On retiring, Charles decided to begin exercising more, from gym work to rowing to athletics. Now 96, Charles is the fastest man over 200 metres in the 95+ age category. Helen Frith competed in the 1960 and 1964 Olympic Games and to this day continues to compete in Masters Athletics. Her mum, Ruth, whom Helen lived with before Ruth

A healthy gut

The foundation of your overall health An imbalance or absence of certain bacteria in the gut can affect the entire body, weakening the immune system and playing a role in all sorts of health issues including heart disease, cancer, allergies, poor sleep, problems losing weight, low energy, and depression. The good news is that getting your gut back in balance isn’t complicated. Cutting out the sugary, processed foods and adding