Better Homes And Gardens Chicken And Sweetcorn Soup
The post TikTok Famous Artists Josh And Matt's Fun Upcycled Homewares Collection appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Now you can purchase one-of-a-kind pieces with the moustached pair's touch thanks to their collaboration with Australian resale marketplace Gumtree.
Gumtree Collections with Josh and Matt marks the marketplace's first interiors line, and the first of many artist collabs Gumtree is planning to help promote circularity. All proceeds will be donated to Planet Ark, to support circular economy education programs.
Josh and Matt's 25 piece collection exudes their signature maximalist style; Pops of contrasting colour, mixed materials, and organic shapes that feel like mod while refusing to commit to any particular design era. And if you think choosing upcycled furniture isn't really worth the effort when compared to purchasing something brand new, think again: By keeping pre-loved items away from landfill, Josh and Matt's line saved approximately 1,136kg of carbon emissions (CO2), which is the estimated equivalent to the CO2 emissions of powering one Australian home for 23
days (according to data from the Environment Protection Authority Victoria's Australian Greenhouse Calculator).
The Sunset Lamp (available as a pair) is a personal favourite:
A recycled glass vase is given a new life with polymer clay flowers:
In a joint statement about the collection, the duo said it was inspired by their interest in space and the universe. "Many of the pieces are modular and interactive, which is how we like to design home décor and accessories," they said. "We wanted to show that there's beauty in everything and with a bit of love and care, you too can find items on Gumtree to upcycle and make a positive impact on the home and planet. Creating DIY objects around our home during lockdown was how Josh & Matt Design was born, and this collection feels like an extension of that. It embodies who we are and our creative journey so far."
More upcycled homeswares inspiration: Nash + Banks Founder Niccii Kugler
The post TikTok Famous Artists Josh And Matt's Fun Upcycled Homewares Collection appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post 6 Virtual Dating Do's & Don'ts appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Don't:
Have a date from where you work. After all, you wouldn't invite your date to your work office, would you?
Your body and muscles have a memory retention "work mode." It's a different energy, and you're less likely to be your true self.
Do:
- Sit on the floor (it has so many health benefits!), your favourite chair, lounge, balcony or place in the garden – avoid your bedroom.
- Get a stand for your phone so you are relaxed.
- Try to show your whole body.
2) How to Dress
Don't:
Be lazy with your outfit. Sure, you might be at home – relaxed and comfortable on your couch. But it's not an excuse to be in your trackie. Sitting at your work desk, you might get away with something nice on top and nothing below, but you have to put your best foot forward on a date.
The physiological effects associated with non-verbal communication show up in what you wear (and can alter your confidence).
Do:
Dress as you would on any date. Make exactly the same effort from head to toe.
3) Location, Location, Location
Don't:
Have a virtual date with a messy house. You won't have a second chance to make a first impression.
Do:
- Clean up – show your date you made an effort. Ask your housemates/children to keep the noise down and give you privacy. Nobody likes the feeling of competing for attention.
- Look at where you are talking from – record beforehand to see what other people see.
4) What to Do on a Virtual Date
Don't:
Limit your date to conversation – it's hard for many people to talk in a virtual world for long periods. Make dates visual and exciting rather than a rinse and repeat experience.
Do:
Think of creative ways to share positive dating experiences. Check out virtual tours through art galleries, nature reserves, zoos, museums – you can take the tours together, chat along the way, and find more common ground.
Read this post for more specific online date ideas for your budding relationship.
5) What to Talk About
Don't:
Spend the whole time talking about negative COVID-related doom and gloom. That goes for any negative stuff in your life – including your ex and work. Remember, it's a date… not a counselling session.
Do:
Keep dates light. They should be a fun and uplifting experience. Be mindful of what you share.
6) How to Look Good on Video
Don't:
- Use filters: we've all spent enough time on zoom to know when someone's using a filter. Although the beauty filter and bunny ears may sound tempting, they're easy to spot and can make you look insincere.
- Edit your profile photo within an inch of its life – it's important to look good and stand out, but you need to look like yourself.
Do:
Position yourself in flattering light or invest in a ring light. It makes all the difference and showcases the real you!
Blooper Reel: 4 Bonus Do's and Don'ts
- Don't eat (unless you're eating together)
- Don't pass wind (we can hear you!)
- Don't leave your earbuds in when you take a loo break
- Don't get drunk!
6 Safe Online Dating Tips For Women
The post 6 Virtual Dating Do's & Don'ts appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Annabel Karmel's Krispie Fish Fingers with Lemon-Mayo Dip appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Makes 6 – 8 portions
- Suitable from 12 months
- Suitable for freezing (uncooked)
INGREDIENTS
225g skinless sole or plaice fillets
45g Rice Krisipies
3 tbsp parmesan cheese, freshly grated
¼ tsp paprika
Freshly ground black pepper
2 tbsp plain flour
1 egg, beaten
2 – 3 tbsp sunflower oil, for frying
For the dip
2 tbsp mayonnaise
2 tbsp Greek yoghurt
1 tsp fresh lemon juice
METHOD
1 Cut the fish into finger-size pieces. Cover and place in the fridge.
2 Put the Rice Krisipies, parmesan and paprika in a food processor and whiz to fine crumbs.
3 Transfer to a plate and stir in a little black pepper. Spread out the flour on a separate plate.
4 Toss each of the fish pieces in the flour, dunk in the egg and roll in the Krispie crumbs until well coated. Place them on a clean plate. Cook them straight away or freeze.
5 To cook, heat the oil in a large frying pan and add the fish fingers. Fry for one and a half to two minutes on each side, until golden and cooked through.
6 Transfer to a plate lined with kitchen paper to cool slightly before serving.
7 To make the dip, mix all of the ingredients together in a small bowl. Serve with the fish fingers.
The Carouselthanks Annabel Karmel for this recipe.
The post Annabel Karmel's Krispie Fish Fingers with Lemon-Mayo Dip appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Splurge or Steal? When to Buy Expensive & When to Buy Cheap appeared first on The Carousel.
]]> 1. Eye shadow
Unfortunately you need to splurge here as the expensive ones have a richer colour, they last longer, don't smudge as easily and are less drying on the eyelid.
2. Foundation
You need to splurge here for number of reasons. Firstly it's a lot easier to get the right colour if you get advice from a makeup expert rather than just randomly choosing a colour from the super market. Secondly some of the more expensive brands sit better on the skin, they have less impurities in them so they are less irritating which means less risk of breakouts or skin rashes. A good foundation can also slow down the aging of the skin and soften your wrinkles when applied.
3. Lip glosses
These rarely last and need to be reapplied few times a day so why spend big bucks on them? As long as you like the colour and it looks good then feel free to buy it no matter how cheap it is.
4. Mascara
They are lots of fantastic inexpensive brands out there which provide colour and volume. Depending on the length of your eyelashes, I recommend trying few of the inexpensive ones to find the right brand for you but this is definitely a product you don't need to splurge on.
5. Make up removers
So many people over spend on makeup removers. I think this is one area where you can save some dosh. You can use baby oil to remove eye makeup even if you have sensitive eyes. There are also great make up removal wipes you can get from your super market for under $10.
6. Cleanser and Moisturizer
Once again there is no need to spend hundreds of dollars on cleansers and moisturizers, especially when even dermatologists and skincare specialists recommend basic pharmacy-stocked cleansers and moisturizers to their clients. They are some fantastic hypo allergenic products you can get from your local pharmacy so feel free to shop around without a wallet heavy with cash.
7. Anti-aging skin care such as AHA or Vitamin C, Retinol
I believe you need to buy the good products so you may have to splurge a little more here. Look for products with active ingredients and also take the opportunity to seek expert advice prior to use.
8. Bronzer
You need to splurge as there are not too many nice inexpensive ones on the market that give the right shine and colour. Cheap bronzer usually equals an orange complexion.
9. Make up brushes
Always spurge here as the expensive ones will last you longer and you will get your money's worth out of a quality product if you apply your make up with these brushes regularly.
Matty Samaei is one of the most experienced & highly respected practitioners in the non-surgical cosmetic field. Her elite and discreet business, The Medispa by Matty, based in Neutral Bay, Sydney, strongly reflects Matty's philosophy and absolute commitment to the highest levels of safety and expertise.
The post Splurge or Steal? When to Buy Expensive & When to Buy Cheap appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post 5 Early-Bird Black Friday Deals You Can Get Right Now appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Black Friday is officially the largest shopping event in Australia. For the first time ever, it is set to overtake Boxing Day in 2021 with total sales estimated at more than $3.8 billion. There will be literally hundreds of thousands of deals available on the big day, covering every conceivable product category.
The sale officially begins at midnight on 26 November, but plenty of canny retailers have kicked things off early in a bid to get a head-start on the competition. This includes Amazon, eBay, The Good Guys, Bing Lee, Harvey Norman, Myer, David Jones, EB Games and most other major retailers.
Whether you're after a shiny new piece of tech or some fresh summer threads, there's no shortage of early-bird bargains to choose from. To save you time, we've highlighted 5 of the best pre-Black Friday deals and sales you can get right now. Happy shopping!
50% off Echo Show 5 : The Echo Show is the perfect bedside table assistant. You can use it to set alarms and timers, check your calendar, make video calls, read the news and even stream music or TV shows. As a warm-up to Black Friday, Amazon is selling it for half-price – get it for just $59 instead of the usual RRP of $119.
At least 50% off fashion : Alongside tech, fashion is one of the hottest product categories during Black Friday with all major brands and retailers offering big discounts.
You can currently score up to 50% off sitewide at most of your favourite stores including Myer, PrettyLittleThing, Cotton On, ASOS, The Iconic, SHEIN, White Fox Boutique, boohoo, Nasty Gal and heaps more. Some brands are offering up to 80% off right now.
- Up to 70% off iPhones: Apple products are notoriously stubborn when it comes to price cuts, but there are some excellent Black Friday pre-sale offers if you know where to look. The Good Guys is currently offering 26% off the iPhone 12 Mini (128GB). If you don't mind owning an older model, various retailers are selling pre-2020 iPhones for up to 70% off the original RRP. For example, AllPhonez has the 64GB iPhone X for just $625.
- 60% off select toys: If you have kids or know someone who does, Black Friday is a wonderful opportunity to sort your Christmas shopping on the cheap. Some early-bird deals that caught our eye include 51% off Monopoly Super Mario Celebration Edition at Amazon, 20% off LEGO sets at lego.com and a massive 70% off Everfit trampolines at eBay.
- Dirt-cheap appliances at Harvey Norman: Like most retailers, Harvey Norman isn't waiting around for Black Friday to reveal its best deals. Some noteworthy offers you can shop right now include $300 off Theragun PRO Massage Guns, $500 off Philips 65-inch 805 Series 4K UHD TVs and Dyson Pure Cool Me Air Purifying Fans for $324.
Needless to say, this is just the very tip of the iceberg. You can check out loads more pre-sale deals by heading to Finder's in-depth Black Friday sales hub.
Chris Jager is the senior reviews editor at Finder, specialising in consumer technology. With over 15 years of experience as a full-time journalist, Chris has provided expertise to many leading technology publications, including PC World, Australian Gamepro, Good Gear Guide, ARN, IT News, PC Authority, CRN, GameSpy, Gizmodo, Business Insider, MSN, Kotaku and Lifehacker Australia. Before joining Finder, Chris was the editor of Lifehacker Australia for five years. He has a Bachelor of Communications in Journalism from the University of Western Sydney. Outside of Finder, you'll find him playing with retro 80s computers while juggling three pre-teen daughters.
The post 5 Early-Bird Black Friday Deals You Can Get Right Now appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post 9 Unbelievably Delicious No-Bake Dessert Recipes appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>We've been inspired by many no-bake recipes lately and we thought we would round up our top nine – so, turn your oven off and your appetite on! Happy cooking!
Nine No-Bake Dessert Recipes
Forget The Calories: Raw Chocolate Avocado Tart
Click here for the recipe!
Gluten & Refined Sugar-free Chocolate Fudge
Click here for the recipe!
Super Cute No-bake Piñata Heart Cakes
Click here for the recipe and to WATCH the video!
Healthy, Raw Berry & Chocolate Torte
Click here for the recipe!
Healthy & Delicious Watermelon Cake
Click here for the recipe!
Watermelon With Sweet Coconut Cream, Figs & Berries
Click here for the recipe!
No Bake Chocolate Mousse- Two Ingredients Only!
Click here for the recipe and to WATCH the video!
Raw Paleo Puddings
Click here for the recipe!
The Healthiest Chocolate Brownie Ever!
Click here for the recipe and to WATCH the video!
The post 9 Unbelievably Delicious No-Bake Dessert Recipes appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Match A Candle To Your Mood appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Channel your creative energy with just a whiff of this gorgeous candle. Scented with neroli and orange, you won't want to snuff this candle any time soon. Try Circa Home Candle in Neroli & Vanilla, $29.95
If You're Feeling Anxious
Settle your senses with a candle that will draw balance into your thoughts. This new launch from Smith & Co is perfect for calming your mind, and contains a green base aroma and floral top notes. Try The Aromatherapy Co. Smith and Co Candle in Unwind, $29.95
If You're Feeling Confident
Known to centre concentration, ylang ylang and jasmine is the perfect pick to burn in the morning as you get ready. This limited edition buy from Ecoya also features a citrus note of bergamot to awaken the senses. Try Ecoya Candle in Summer Rain & Wild Jasmine, $39.95
If You're Feeling Happy
A delicious candle can seriously pep up your mood or keep you on that happy high. Palm Beach's Watermelon candle is unapologetically sweet, and oh-so-addictive… and yes , it does smell like watermelon lollies. It's a must-have. Try Palm Beach Collection Candle in Watermelon, from $16.95
If You're Feeling Sexy
A rich rosy scent is perfect for setting the mood when you've got a night in with your partner. The woody base of agarwood and sandalwood will immediately warm up the room, making you both feel equally as relaxed. Try Glasshouse Fragrances Candle in Arabian Nights, $42.95
The post Match A Candle To Your Mood appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post 7 Traditional French-Inspired Recipes appeared first on The Carousel.
]]> Classic Coq Au Vin
Click here for the recipe
Confit Marron Crayfish, Truffled Celeriac & Wattle Seed
Click here for the recipe!
Delicious Bouillabaisse
Click here for the recipe!
Hearty Beef Bourguignon Pie
Click here for this recipe!
Orange & Cinnamon Creme Brûlée
Click here for the recipe!
Layered Crepe Cake With Watermelon & Rose Jam, Chantilly Cream & Berries
Click here for the recipe!
Plum Galette Recipe
Click here for the recipe!
The post 7 Traditional French-Inspired Recipes appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Chef Andrea Tranchero's Five Tips For Cooking Perfect Pasta, Every Time appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>All you need is boiling water, right? The concept is very simple, but are we always doing it the right way? Here, Barilla Australia Executive Chef, Andrea Tranchero shares with us his top tips to cook perfect pasta every single time.
But first, some fun facts about Australians' pasta cooking habits taken from a recent survey:
- 31.1% add olive oil to the pasta cooking water
- 61% add salt to the pasta cooking water
- 72.9% bring water to boil before cooking pasta
- 46.4% combine pasta and sauce as you serve
- 18.9% save some of the pasta cooking water and add it to the sauce
- 5.3% check pasta is cooked by throwing it against the wall
- 29.1% rinse pasta after cooking it
1.Salty water
Bring a large pot of salty water to the boil, you need approx. 7 grams of salt per litre of water. This helps to season the pasta as it cooks. Once boiling, add pasta.
Top tip: Have patience and wait until the water is boiling with big bubbles, this is what helps the pasta cook correctly.
2.Don't waste your olive oil
Oil and water don't mix, so adding olive oil to your pasta cooking water is a waste! In fact, adding oilto the cooking water will coat the pasta, making it harder for the sauce and pasta to bind well at the end of the cook.
Top tip: Save your olive oil for the end – add a generous amount of oil and grated parmesan cheese to serve.
3. Al dente
Cook the pasta according to the pasta instructions (there's no need to throw the pasta against thewall to check if its ready!). Simply following packet instructions should result in a perfectly al dente taste – not crunchy, but firm with a little bite.
Top tip: Don't rinse your pasta! This washes away the starch which is what makes your sauce silky and helps it combine with the sauce.
4. Combine in the pan
Just prior to being cooked, transfer your pasta to the sauce to finish off the cooking, adding a spoonful of the cooking water. The heat of the pan will help the pasta take on the delicious flavours of the sauce, and the reserved cooking water will help the pasta and sauce combine.
Top tip: Make sure to reserve a spoonful of the pasta water once cooked. The salty water not only adds flavour to the dish, but helps the sauce thicken and adds a delicious creamy texture to the pasta.
5. Serve immediately
Don't let your pasta sit on the kitchen bench. Once cooked, serve and eat immediately while the pastais hot and glossy.
Visit https://www.barilla.com/en-au for plenty of delicious pasta recipes!
The post Chef Andrea Tranchero's Five Tips For Cooking Perfect Pasta, Every Time appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Lorna Jane's Salmon Goat's Cheese & Rocket Tarts appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Prep time 15 mins
INGREDIENTS
1/2 head cauliflower
1/2 cup almond meal
1 egg
1/2 Bunch parsley, finely chopped
1 tablespoon Parmesan
1/4 teaspoon Himalayan salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 packet smoked salmon
100 grams goats fetta
50 grams rocket
1 bunch asparagus
Lemon wedges to serve
METHOD
1 Pre heat oven to 170C
2 In a food processor combine cauliflower, almond meal, egg, Parmesan and pulse until dough like texture. Add parsley and season well. Press mixture into 4 15 cm round ramekins lined with baking paper.
3 Bake for 25-30 mins until golden and firm to touch.
4 Top with rocket, salmon, asparagus and goats cheese. Serve with lemon wedges.
The Carouselthanks Move Nourish Believe for this recipe.
The post Lorna Jane's Salmon Goat's Cheese & Rocket Tarts appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post The Toddler Technology Trend: Should We Be Worried? appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>And they're using it at an increasingly younger age. My latest research shows that many children as young as 1, now own their own device and play with it daily. Other figures show that approximately 30% of 6 month old babies play with tablets and smartphones on a regular basis.
It seems technology is the new blankie for this generation of children!
Why children have a natural affinity for technology
One of the reasons children love technology so much is that it's perfectly matched to what they love to do- that is, to explore!
When a child encounters something new and interesting, they'll naturally work much like a scientist to explore it. They'll trial a range of strategies and ideas, and work out the relationships between the different results.
This kind of problem solving approach is perfectly matched to how technology works. Devices and apps are designed so that there are never-ending avenues to explore and master.
While technology can be option overload for adults, it's like a playground for children, full of exciting new sounds, colours and images to investigate.
Apps to help early learning
Good quality learning experiences give children the best start in life. Good educational apps can support this. However with over 75,000 education apps currently available, the difficult job for parents is working out which apps are quality. App developers can make big promises about the educational value of apps, however developers are generally not educators. Apps available for the under 5's currently range from the good, the bad and the awful.
When searching for apps that actually provide a quality learning experience for your child, there are 3 key features to look for include:
- Age appropriate content
- Fosters creativity, problem solving and
- Promotes positive messages
Through my own findings I've discovered a great new app that ticks these three boxes, PlayKids. The variety of e-books, songs and videos it presents promote the developmental domains important for young children. The various programs it includes, such as The Wiggles, Mister Maker and Sesame Street support communication skills and cognitive learning. The e-books, songs and games support language development. The drawing activity encourages social skills as it extends to traditional drawing and play with their parents, friends and family. Plus the range of content the app presents positive messages about family, gender, ethnicity and relationships.
On a final note, build on strengths
Some adults are concerned that if children use technology at a very young age it will take away from their hands-on learning, developing good social skills and will lead to a sedentary lifestyle. This may be the case if a child is on a device 24/7. It could also be correct if they play with their puzzles alone in their room all day, everyday. The key is balance in what they play, who they play with, where they play, and in the toys, ideas and processes they engage with.
The trend toward embracing technology at a young age is here to stay, so the challenge is to learn how to make it work for you and your child. Avoid the many gimmicky tech products available for tots and ensure children have good quality learning experiences when on their device.
Written by Dr Joanne Orlando – A leading expert in the field of children and technology. In particular, her work focuses on the educational and social effects of children's uses of technology.
The post The Toddler Technology Trend: Should We Be Worried? appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Black Friday Aussie Style And Where You Can Get The Bargains appeared first on The Carousel.
]]> 
As you may know, the Black Friday sales were traditionally the day after Thanksgiving in the USA. Black Friday was named for getting the store 'back in the black" meaning profitable. The sale became popular across the US. Australia started to pick up the sale starting online and several years later it is now part of our November sales.
We don't celebrate the traditional US Thanksgiving but we Aussies do love a bargain. This year Aussies have reinvented the Black Friday sales campaign to make it an extended shopping event with a spectrum of amazing bargains before during and after the traditional US Black Friday event.
So what is the word on where you can get the bargains?
Many Aussie brands and my favourite online platforms have kicked off their Black Friday sales events with an array of offers from Monday 22 November through to Cyber Monday 29 with deals dropping daily.
eBay has commenced its fabulous deals including an extra 5% off sale prices for eBay Plus members with many Aussie Big Brand offering great deals. Nespresso up to 20% off and use code PLBF5 for the extra 5% off for eBay Plus* members.
Just Wines up to 60% off and what a timely saving that is with the holiday season upon us. If you are an eBay Plus member there are specific sale items for eBay Plus only. Not yet an eBay Plus member, take advantage of the 30-day free trial.
Amazon has kicked off its sales across every category. If you like to support Aussie Small Business check out the Amazon small business category for some unique gift ideas. Remember the deals are constantly being updated so check back regularly.
Some fabulous specials that caught my eye on Amazon were great deals on smartwatches. Samsung Galaxy watch 56% off the recommended retail price (RRP) was $449 Now $199 or 49% off Bosch tools.
Aussie Style Black Friday is not limited to the online pureplay platforms. If you have a favourite brand or boutique check them out as you will most likely find they have kicked off their sales early. At the very least they will have sales from Friday 26 – Monday 29 now that Aussie retail is making the most of the Black Friday shopping frenzy prior to Christmas.
If you are doing your Christmas shopping online, do remember to take advantage of the express shipping options to ensure you get your items on time.
Savvy Shopping Tip: Black Friday sales are not just a great time for Christmas shopping, do your festive entertaining shopping too. Food and wine will also be on sale so bag and bargain and take advantage of the sales with less than five weeks to go until Santa visits.
The post Black Friday Aussie Style And Where You Can Get The Bargains appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Planting The Seed To A Healthy Lifestyle appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>I remember my New Year's resolution so clearly. I was edging towards 60-years-old and retiring from my high-stress corporate job that took 70-hours off my life every week. It was at beautiful Byron Bay, specifically Belongil Beach, where I decided I needed to make drastic changes in my life – especially with my Type 2 diabetes.
After being diagnosed in my early 40s, my diabetes progressively got worse over the years. I became dependent on insulin… something that is not common of Type 2. In the 10 years leading up to my diagnosis, I was working almost double the average work week, I'd taken up smoking, drinking and only eating once a day. Mix that with not knowing Type 2 was prevalent on my father's side and you're not exactly looking at a recipe for success.
My path to change was not for the faint of heart and required perseverance. My health and fitness have bounced around on the spectrum… dramatically. As a young man, I was at the top of my game and had engrained into me that carb-loading was the was the way to go. Of course, when work came before workouts later in life, I became out of shape. Fast forward to retirement and I'm back to where I was… with a few grey hairs.
A change in mindset combined with physical activity, gave me the motivation to do a complete overhaul of my diet. The Ketogenic diet introduced me to the wonders of olive oil. I was consuming around 1L to 1.5L (2L in extreme cases) in a month! Something I believe significantly reduced the levels of insulin required to manage my disease.
Originally resveratrol (a plant compound that acts like an antioxidant) was dubbed to be the elixir of youth with its abilities to increase sirtuins, something that you want when it comes to anti-aging. It is an ingredient that can be found in red wine… but to drink the 1000mg of resveratrol that I personally take you'd need to drink around 50 bottles a day. Which of course is not feasible for anyone! However, virgin pressed olive oil has slid past as the cream of the crop as a natural powerhouse producer of polyphenols which are packed with antioxidants and potential health benefits.
Whilst I love olive oil on my food, with the amount that I ingest per month it becomes a lot easier to take it in 20-40ml capsules. This was a process that I was having to do myself but it can be quite tedious when you're in a hurry to get somewhere.
As an avid olive oil lover, I was thrilled to discover ellinol – Mediterranean wellness capsules were launching in Australia. The new supplement gives you all the goodness of the Mediterranean diet without needing to change up your diet. You're getting all the goodness of those essential organically grown and harvested ingredients such as citrus polyphenols in one capsule which is just ideal for those who are time-poor, but still health conscious.
My advice to those looking to change is just to start. Set small achievable goals to start with, and just remember that changes you make now are going to give you a more enjoyable future. As a man who was on the top of the ladder, sometimes you need to climb back down and plant a seed to achieve a healthier lifestyle and future.
The post Planting The Seed To A Healthy Lifestyle appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post 7 Recipes To Keep The Whole Family Warm appeared first on The Carousel.
]]> Nettle & Feta Filo Pie
Click here for the recipe!
Roasted Mushroom & CauliflowerSoup
Click here for the recipe!
Comforting Chicken, Noodle & Leek Soup
Click here for the recipe!
Buffalo Mozzarella Lasagne By Neil Perry
Click here for the recipe!
Luca's Ragu
Slow-cooked Beef Cheek and Eggplant Casserole
Click here for the recipe!
Life Changing Lamb Shanks
Click here for the recipe!
The post 7 Recipes To Keep The Whole Family Warm appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Beautiful Freckled Portraits Will Blow You Away appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Now, Brock has told his Instagram followers why he is fascinated by freckles.
"In the past I've been asked 'why freckles?' and I say that freckles are like fingerprints, no two faces of freckles are the same and this is what fascinates me," he said on h Instagram. 
Image: Brock Elbank"
I've always loved freckles," Elbank said, "What I find interesting about individual characters that I have been fortunate enough to photograph is that many have struggled with their freckles since their infancy and either hated them or grown to live with them or even like them in adulthood."
The idea struck Elbank whilst he was living in Sydney. He met his friend's son Eddie whose face was full of the most freckles Elbank had ever seen. Thus the inception of #Freckles.
"Many of the subjects shot so far are such incredible-looking humans … amazing-looking individuals from all walks of life," he said. "People really are the most incredible subjects to photograph."
See for yourself how stunning these people are and you will never again want to cover up your own spots (you might even want to draw some on).
Or follow Elbank on Instagram or Tumblr.
The post Beautiful Freckled Portraits Will Blow You Away appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Blue Swimmer Crab Crab In A Pasta Blanket With Broth Recipe appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>PASTA DOUGH:
- 6 Yolks
- 1 Egg
- 1 Tablespoon Evo
- 1 Tablespoon of Milk
- 2 Cups of Flour, Add all Ingredients into Kitchen Aid Mix till all Combined
Using the pasta rolling attachment for the kitchen aid, roll down to number 2 blanch and refresh. Cut to ten centimetres by ten centimetres, keep between go between sheets with a light coating of extra virgin olive oil
CRAB SOFRITO FOR CRAB MIX:
- 2 Eshallots Finely Diced
- 1 Garlic Finely Diced
- 1 Red Chilli Finely Chopped
- 1 Lemongrass Stick Finely Diced
- 10g Ginger
100 g vegetable oil
Confit all of the above for 45 mins on a low heat
Add 50 g of the above mix into 350 g of raw crab meat with 25 g of butter
Vacum seal and steam at 85% for ten minutes
Reserve for later
DASHI BROTH For your Blue Swimmer Crab recipe
Pan Fry Gently Konbu Sheets Until Bubbly
In 20 ml veg oil add 50 grams of lemon grass slowly add in 1 litre of water
Bring to 90 degrees
You will also need 1 eshallot charred
1 small knob of ginger
Add to broth once reached 85 degrees and simmer for 1 hour
Once the hour is up please add strained liquid to 50 g of bonito flakes cling wrap container and let infuse for ten minutes
Strain and reserve
Finger lime 20 g for garnish
10 g of nearly sliced chives
15 g of dill tips
To bring the dish together heat 80g of the crab mix with 5g of butter and keep warm
Refresh the pasta in boiling water for 1 minute add the warmed crab to a hot bowl
Place the pasta sheet over the warmed crab heat the broth and pour over the pasta sheet place the finger lime on top lightly sprinkle the chives round the broth and place the dill tips neatly over the pasta
The Carousel would like to thank the Stables for the recipe.
The post Blue Swimmer Crab Crab In A Pasta Blanket With Broth Recipe appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Slow-cooked Beef Cheek and Eggplant Casserole appeared first on The Carousel.
]]> INGREDIENTS
1⁄2 cup (125 ml) olive oil
1 onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 kg beef cheeks
1 cup (250 ml) white wine
1 cup (250 ml) puréed tomato
2 bay leaves
1 sprig fresh rosemary
1⁄2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon black peppercorns
4 cups (1 litre) water
2 large eggplants
salt
freshly milled sea salt, to taste
freshly ground black pepper, to taste
METHOD
1 Preheat oven to 160°C.
2 Heat half the olive oil in a heavy-based flameproof casserole dish on the stovetop and sauté onion and garlic until onion is translucent. Add beef and brown lightly on all sides. Add wine and simmer until mostly evaporated. Add puréed tomato, herbs, spices and water, then stir well. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes.
3 Put the lid on the casserole dish and bake for 2 hours. (Alternatively, cook for 1 hour in a pressure cooker on the stovetop.)
4 Meanwhile, cut eggplant into large cubes, sprinkle all over with salt and leave in a colander for 20 minutes. Rinse under cold running water and dry on kitchen paper.
5 Heat remaining olive oil in a frying pan over medium heat and fry eggplant until lightly browned. Drain on kitchen paper.
6 When beef has been cooking for 2 hours, remove from oven and add eggplant with another 1–2 cups (250–500 ml) water (as required). Season with salt and pepper then return to oven and bake for another 30 minutes.
7 When serving, pull beef cheeks apart into 6–8 portions
8 Serve on mashed potato or rice, or with a green salad as a low-carb option.
Recipes and images from The Mediterranean Diet Cookbook by Dr Catherine Itsiopoulos, RRP $34.99, Macmillan Australia.
The post Slow-cooked Beef Cheek and Eggplant Casserole appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Da Orazio Pasta Bucatini All' Amatriciana With Dry Aged Pancetta appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>1L tomatoes pure
300gr good quality dry aged pancetta (pork belly) diced
300gr white onions finely slices
5 cloves of garlic minced
5 fresh chillies chopped
Few bay leaves
200 gram pecorino
1kg bucatini
200ml Extra Virgin Olive Oil
50ml red wine
Salt & pepper
METHOD
1 Start by friyng together the oil, onions, garlic ,chillies and bay leaves. Add pancetta. Cook through gently then add red wine. Reduce down then add tomatoes. Let it cook slowly until all the fat reaches the surface of the sauce.
2 Cook the pasta. Strain it and toss it with sauce. Add pecorino. Enjoy!
The Carousel thanks Da Orazio Pizza + Porchetta Head Chef, Orazio D'Elia for this recipe and Jason Loucas for this image
The post Da Orazio Pasta Bucatini All' Amatriciana With Dry Aged Pancetta appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The Carousel's health expert Jaymes Gleeson talks exclusively to the esteemed TV presenter and author Dr Michael Mosley about why intermittent fasting really works.
Five years ago Dr Michael Mosley started a health revolution with The Fast Diet, introducing the world to the incredible power of intermittent fasting. Since then, Dr Michael Mosley has been on a journey to bring the latest groundbreaking science to modern-day diets. His international bestselling book The Fast 800 brings the ultimate guide to fasting, weight loss and long-term good health, and the magic number of calories: 800. Now, the companion cookbook The Fast 800 Easy written by Dr Clare Bailey – GP and Dr Mosley's wife – and acclaimed food writer Justine Pattison has arrived.
Speaking about his journey to The Fast 800, Dr Mosley says: "It started with realising that the low fat diet wasn't really the way to go and that a diet with healthy fats and a decent amount of high quality protein is much healthier and more satisfying.
"I then moved into eating legumes. Today I eat much less white and brown rice and much more lentils. I then realised if you're going to lose weight and need to lose a significant amount like I did back in 2012, then you're going to have to do something a bit drastic, not simply making minor modifications to your diet.
"And that led me to the benefits of rapid weight loss and that in turn led me to the Fast 800. On top of that I include exercise, particularly high intensity training. Short bursts of intensive exercise can be hugely beneficial so if you're going out for a walk, go brisk and push yourself a bit. And also the role of breathing for managing anxiety and helping you sleep. All of these things have evolved over time and I incorporated them all into the Fast 800 approach. So it's a multi-dimensional approach based initially around rapid weight loss but at it's heart having the mediterranean-style diet."
So what would you say to those people struggling to lose weight?
"This approach completely does work, this has been the subject of numerous randomised controlled trials and people are able to lose weight and keep it off in the long term following this approach," says Dr Mosley. "We know from studies, people lost an average of 10kgs and even after 3 years they were still 7kg down and thats life changing. Even if you lose 3kg, that can have significant benefits to your health, it will improve your sleep, it will decrease your risk of developing diabetes and heart disease. Even quite modest weight loss can have big changes to your life, so do it, do it now. Most of us have a lot of years to live and we want those years to be healthy."
The Fast 800 Easy (RRP $35) by Dr Clare Bailey and food writer Justine Pattison, is a companion cookbook to Dr Michael Mosley'sThe Fast 800. The book includes 130 brand new, quick and simple recipes for the 800-calorie fasting days. As well as making mealtime fuss-free, there are options to adapt meat dishes for vegetarians, and the other way round; plus easy additions to boost recipes either for non-fast days or for feeding the whole family.
The post Exclusive Dr Michael Mosley Interview: The Fast 800 And Why It Works appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Everything You Need To Know About The Latest Home Trends appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>If you want to get the hottest new trends to transform your home, then check out Inside Out Editor Eliza O'Hare's top tips.
Eliza is the editor of Inside Out magazine and she's an expert on how to keep up with the latest trends from mud rooms to tiny homes, smart technology and even the favourite kitchen colour.
Inside Out magazine is also celebrating its magical 21st birthday, so check out the latest issue which includes 21 Australian Design Moments.
Tell us the top trends for kitchens and why?
Absolutely ….colour is a huge trend. Black and delicious deep navy blue kitchens are really dominating at the moment but colour in general is a big trend. One of the biggest reasons is that there are now easily accessible colourful materials on the market. Laminex has incredible ranges of materials in delicious colour palettes and we can get our hands on coloured marble really easily as well. And appliances are getting on board as well with great colourways from people like Smeg and La Cornue and AGA. So why not?
Tiny Homes have become the new go to holiday home. Will we see more sustainability being used in interiors and homes? How?
This is right. Sustainability is really part of the conscious purchase decision at home now. That's changed in the last ten years or so – it was once difficult and expensive to try and incorporate sustainable materials, appliances and design into a home, so fewer people were able to do it on an existing budget but the homes and design industry has turned that around and are serious about both sustainable production and manufacture practise, good materials and products that tread lightly on the planet.
What trends are we seeing in colour ways?
Colour intensity is a thing – pieces with rich colour saturation can be a hero piece in a room – a classic example is power-pop armchair, or a dramatic rug. It's really directed, intentional use of colour in a space.
Tell us about mud rooms?
Well, I can tell you that everybody needs one. This room is actually a very old-fashioned concept from a time when an extra entrance to the house was helpful for deliveries, messy boots, cold weather coats, getting in from the snow and washing pets. Basically where you got rid of the mud before entering the house proper. Clever! It's now extended to be part laundry, part wash house and part storage and really handy if you've got a house full of kids and pets.
How are people using plants indoors nowadays?
This is a whole love affair that kicked in way before Covid but really flourished while we were all at home to love our plants. They really do bring immediate personality and calm to a space and can be used in clusters of striking planters and pots almost as a living art work. We all need more plants.
How is smart technology transforming homes?
This one is really about making life easy. Seamless, one touch or no touch and just getting things done. From being able to see into your fridge from the supermarket while you shop to check if you've got milk to programming heating before you get home – the aim is to maximise comfort with your connectivity. Living smarter. You just need to make sure you've got excellent internet coverage.
What trends have dropped out of favour?
Look this is a hard question because small elements of everything always stay around, it's just how much of it you use… and everything comes back! Look at arches … which were out of favour for a while there but everywhere right now.
Top tips to trend proof your home
And that leads into this – just don't go too hard on any one thing. Unless you're OK with dating your renovation, try and mix in a few different design elements to keep things eclectic not academic. Also I'd try not to throw everything you own out and buy a whole house full of new furniture at once, that's overwhelming, expensive and pretty likely to date.
Inside Out Mag turns 21 and to celebrate they are featuring The Top 21 Australian Design Moments
The post Everything You Need To Know About The Latest Home Trends appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Melbourne Fashion Week Hits The Streets appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Below you can see the Pop Up runway shot taken by Liana Hardy.
There was also a blaze of cover when fashion mixed with sea life at the Melbourne Aquarium runway show.
VIP Guest Highlights
From model Montana Fox to the ever so fashionable Melissa Leong of MasterChef fame, there were plenty of VIPs who turned out for the opening night at the Plaza.
Accessories We Loved at Melbourne Fashion Week
If you are going to get a dose of inspiration for how to accessories and the colours that are trending, it's taking a look at what's on show at fashion week. Here we've picked a few of our favourites.
What's Next for Melbourne Fashion Week
The show will take to the Yarra River tomorrow with the Riverview Runway set on Seafarers Bridge. Featuring leading Australian labels that are known for their impeccable tailoring and forward-thinking design, this show will offer up new wardrobe inspiration to wear now right through to the warm summer months.
In the evening, independent the Modest Fashion Runway event will take place at 7pm, followed by the Underground Runway at the MCG Carpark at 7.30pm and 9pm.
Picture Credit: Photographer Liana Hardy at the Pop Up Runway
The post Melbourne Fashion Week Hits The Streets appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Fitness Tips With Laura Hannaford appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Our next break is just around the corner. It's that time of year spend quality time with family and friends over a meal and a drink…or most probably a few! Even if your workout routine doesn't take a back seat, it will be challenged with an overload of sensory flavours.
Easter Fitness Plus Balance
The key to staying on top of holiday fitness and resisting over-indulgence of food is knowing to maintain balance .
It's most likely many of us will be tempted to take the foot off the break and enjoy the festive season. I know I will – it's totally normal. Just remember, you don't want to go overboard and ruin all your hard work and results!
Try forward planning. You can do this by mitigating your indulgence a little in the lead up to your break. Like everyone else, I too will be busy celebrating my family and friends and eating more chocolate than normal!
So, really think ahead and plan! In the weeks leading up to Easter, I ensure my training is regular and my food choices are a healthy option. There are times I will crave some type of "bad food" and I'll remind myself to consider the hard work out I just did and consume a smaller portion instead. It's okay to reward yourself, but make sure your training does not take a step backwards.
Mindful Easter Eating
With no shortage of chocolate and hot cross buns on Easter Sunday, my top tip is to be conscious of how many you eat and aim to replace these temptations with your regular, healthy snacks, or a piece of fruit and plenty of water. Staying hydrated will help stop sugar cravings.
Also, make sure that every other meal you eat over Easter is healthy and in sync with your workout and fitness/health program. Make sure you give your body the nutrients it needs. If you constantly remind yourself about 'balance' then you won't have to work that much harder on the treadmill to undo all the bad food you ate and all those extra calories.
So enjoy yourself this Easter, I know I'm going to, but remember to think ahead, add a pitch of balance to that cheeky meal and when Easter is over you will feel really proud that you were able to have a guilt free Easter celebration!
Have a Happy BALANCED Festive Season!
The Carousel would like to thank Lauren Hannaford for her article.
Lauren Hannaford is a former Wiggles Character, Dorothy the dinosaur, elite gymnast and fitness model. She is also founder of the fitness program FHIT by Lauren Hannaford. She is all about encouraging Australians, women, families, mothers and even teens/children to lead healthier and more active lifestyles. Her passion for health and fitness evolved over the years, branching out into dancing, fitness modelling, personal training and today a fitness entrepreneur.
The post Fitness Tips With Laura Hannaford appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Matt Preston's Delicious Spaghetti Bolognese Recipe appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>There are a few recipes in this book that I've struggled to improve, and this is one of them. Sure, we've specced up the mince and have tried to find ways to shorten the cooking process without impacting on the richness of the dish, but it remains very similar to the bolognese that has been one of my most popular recipes since it appeared in my first cookbook ten years ago. I have also not changed my views on bolognese's origin. While the dish has roots in Italy, it was Italian migrants living in the UK, Australia or the US who created the dish as we know it – a combination of tomatoes, mince and spaghetti.
The gastronomic city of Bologna is famed for its tortellini, mortadella, gelati and zuppa inglese; a city so associated with rich food and good living that its nickname is 'Bologna la grassa', or 'Bologna the fat'! However, the dish of spaghetti bolognese is largely unknown there. Sure, they serve meat sauce or 'ragù Bolognese' over wide pasta (ideally a rich, fresh egg tagliatelle, but it can also be fettuccine or pappardelle), but these sauces are made with little, if any, tomato at all.
The first recipes for ragùs to serve on pasta appear in Italy at the end of the eighteenth century. While there had been standalone stews in Italy before, the ragout was a sexy new French idea. It didn't arrive with Napoleon's invading troops in 1796, as is commonly thought, but was adopted by the royal court in Naples. Vincenzo Corrado, a cook at the court, includes recipes both for ragù as well as a tomato sauce for spaghetti in his Il cuoco galante ('The gallant cook', 1773), but Alberto Alvisi's was the first to put a ragù with pasta in his recipe for ragù per i maccheroni. Alvisi was the cook to the Cardinal of Imola, Gregorio Chiramonti from 1783 to 1799. Alvisi's meat sauce was made with diced beef, pork or chicken giblets flavoured with lard, onions, cinnamon, black pepper and tomatoes. This is then baked with the pasta, or maccheroni.
After this point, ragùs to be served atop pasta became commonplace. There are versions from Bari and Sicily. In Naples and Abruzzo they made a tomato sauce with meatballs; and in Genoa they had il tocco, a rich ragù made from cooking a slab of beef for an age with tomatoes and onions. Niccolò Paganini, the great violist who also had a prodigious appetite, shared his recipe for this sauce with ravioli in a letter from 1839. Other than his choice of pasta and not mincing the beef, it's pretty much a modern-day bolognese.
While these ragùs have some similarities to our bolognese, the first recipe actually to partner the name 'bolognese' with pasta wasn't published until 1891.
Pellegrino Artusi's groundbreaking Italian cookbook La scienza in cucina e l'arte di mangiar bene ('Science in the Kitchen and the Art of Eating Well', 1891) was an attempt to document the culinary unification of Italy, but his recipe for maccheroni alla Bolognese is very different from what we would call a bolognese. Artusi doesn't use tomato, and his ragù was made with livers, cream and little cubes of beef. He even recommended adding truffles and mushrooms. The pasta used also wasn't the flat tagliatelle or fettuccine that they demand in Bologna today but denti di cavallo (aka horse teeth!), a type of wide, ridged rigatoni.
So, with a tomato-free meat sauce from Bologna and endless instructions to use wide or thick pasta for this ragù, it's clear that Italy was not on board with our spaghetti bolognese. It's worth remembering a few things here. First, before World War II, 80 per cent
of Italians ate a plant-based diet, as meat was so expensive. Second, tomato-based sauces like Naples' simple marinara were largely a southern Italian thing – the first recipe for a 'red' or vegetarian tomato sauce with pasta was published in 1770 by Francesco Leonardi. And finally, for many Italians, fresh pasta was a Sunday or feast day meal. Polenta, bread and rice were more common everyday staples.
These factors help underpin the theory that spaghetti bolognese was the creation of Italian migrants in the United States, United Kingdom and/or Australia. Meat was so much cheaper in these nations – food represented just 25 per cent of the weekly household budget, rather than 75 per cent back in the old country – and ingredients like tinned tomatoes, dried spaghetti and cheap cardboard tubes of parmesan were readily available in the early twentieth century. Add in the fact that so many of these migrants from around the turn of the nineteenth century came from Italy's south, home of tomato sauce on vermicelli or spaghetti, and it almost seems inevitable that a meat-based tomato sauce for spaghetti would be created as an everyday meal.
Many point to Elizabeth David as the one who introduced the English-speaking world to 'ragù Bolognese' in her Italian Food (1954), but even a cursory study of papers in the British Newspaper Archive shows that bolognese was well established by then. It is there in a fulsome restaurant review in the Daily Herald (1936), and the earliest UK recipe I can find for something called spaghetti bolognese pops up in the Daily Mirror in 1938 (although it uses kidneys and tomato ketchup?!).
By 1939, cans of spaghetti bolognese were being sold for 9 pence a tin, showing the dish must have achieved some form of mainstream acceptance. The recipe came from Gennaro's, a London restaurant that the Tasmanian Mercury reported in 1937 was a 'favourite haunt for Australians with epicurean tastes'. Here in Australia, Cribb & Foote of Ipswich had been selling tinned spaghetti with tomato sauce and cheese since 1925.
Mentions of spag bol in the UK rise dramatically after World War II. However, in 1958, The People reported that Londoners were more adventurous eaters than other Brits because they were 'eager to try exotic foreign things like spaghetti Bolognese and yoghourt'. There's also a great story from 1949 about a UK hotel manager seeking to please twenty Italian tourists by serving spaghetti bolognese, only to find when he walked into the dining room that the Italians had refused to eat it as they didn't know what it was. The English guests, on the other hand, had devoured it, confirming that spag bol was still unknown in Italy but already popular in the UK.
While we are getting all anecdotal, the shortening of spaghetti bolognese to 'spag bol' or 'spag bog' was, The Times of London opined, because people were nervous about pronouncing or spelling bolognese (or bolognaise, as it is known in the UK, where they adopted the French spelling).
The US history of bolognese is a little more sketchy. Over the almost 18 million digitised newspaper pages held by the Library of Congress, spag bol gets only a handful of mentions, compared to well over 120 hits for spaghetti and meatballs. It seems that spaghetti and meatballs was really the US's spag bol.
And so to Australia. Put the words 'spaghetti' and 'bolognese' into the National Library of Australia's newspaper archive, and you immediately hit gold.
There's a recipe for tomato sauce with cheese on spaghetti in the Queensland Times in 1925, and in 1931, in the Italo-Australian, there's talk of a department store, Mark Foy's, selling spaghetti with 'juicy' bolognese sauce for Lent. This is the earliest mention of spag bol I can find anywhere – not just here in Australia. I'd also argue that the fact it is being used as a selling point in an advertisement implies readers were already happily familiar with the dish.
The tagliatelle bolognese on the menu at Romano's in Sydney in 1938 had morphed into spaghetti bolognese by 1939 (Daily Telegraph). Through this we can see that spaghetti bolognese was firmly established as a dish in Australia by the late 1930s. Further evidence comes in May 1939, when Il Giornale Italiano reported on the opening of Luigi's Spaghetti Bar in Kings Cross and mentioned chef Chinelli's tagliatelle alla Bolognese; in a copy of the Sydney Morning Herald from July 1939, where we see four smartly dressed Sydney women seated around a chafing dish of spaghetti bolognese at the fashionable Prince's; and, in the same year, the founder of Sydney menswear institution Lowes is pictured in the Daily Telegraph, dressed in white tie and tails, in the process of tossing spag bol for his guests. The only issue is that there is little written about what was in these early spag bols. We have to wait another ten years or so for that.
In 1952, spag bol was on the counter lunch menu at Mario's (The Sun, Melbourne), and later that year it popped up as a recipe in the Australian's Women's Weekly, although the writers of the wonderful Australian Food History Timeline website point out that this was for a spag bol pasta bake topped with melted cheese. The sauce, however, is instantly recognisable as the one we know and love today. Even more telling, in an edition of Farmer and Settler (1953), writer Lucie Hamilton suggests a recipe presented for spaghetti bolognese is 'still the best I've come across', implying that's there's nothing new about spag bol in Oz. Pretty much all the recipes from around this time feature the familiar core of tomatoes, mince and spaghetti.
All these are recipes that appeared before Elizabeth David's ragù Bolognese that is so often cited as the first mention of the dish in English.
Ironically, however, it is The Mail in Adelaide that published the first proper recipe for a spaghetti alla Bolognese that we'd recognise, on 13 May 1950. It came from Joy Campoli, the wife of acclaimed violinist Alfredo Campoli, who played with Dame Nellie Melba. In Joy's recipe, minced steak and onions are fried and then slow cooked with tomato, water and tomato puree for four hours to make a sauce for spaghetti that she advises should never be overcooked. She learnt the recipe from her mother-in-law, the lauded Italian opera singer Elvira Celi, who had toured with Enrico Caruso and played to great acclaim from Buenos Aires to New York.
If I could cut this story right now, I'd suggest we have overwhelming evidence to claim spaghetti bolognese is a proudly Australian creation, but my ethics annoyingly insist that this would be a sin of omission. For, even though the earliest recipe for spaghetti bolognese appears in an Aussie paper, and so many of the earliest mentions of spag bol are Australian, it was at Elvira Celi's urging that the Campolis moved to the UK from Rome in 1911, and not Adelaide. So, sadly but honestly, Joy Campoli's recipe has to be credited as coming from Friern Barnet, north of London. We might have to share a little of the honour.
Matt Preston's Delicious Spaghetti Bolognese Recipe
1⁄2 cup (125 ml) olive oil
100 g pancetta or bacon, finely chopped
2 carrots, peeled and finely chopped
2 large celery stalks, finely chopped
2 brown onions, finely chopped
1 tablespoon brown sugar
4 garlic cloves, crushed
1⁄4 cup (70 g) tomato paste (puree)
500 g pork mince
500 g pork and veal mince
500 g beef mince
2 cups (500 ml) red wine
2 × 400 g cans diced tomatoes
3 cups (750 ml) chicken stock
2 cups (500 ml) tomato passata
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
6 cm piece of parmesan rind
4 cm piece of pith-free lemon peel
3 bay leaves
sea salt and freshly ground black pepper cooked spaghetti (or your choice of pasta),
to serve
grated parmesan, to serve
Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a large stock pot over medium-high heat. Add the pancetta or bacon, carrot, celery and onion, and cook, stirring, for 8 minutes until the vegetables are soft.
Add the sugar, garlic and tomato paste and cook, stirring, for 5 minutes or until the tomato paste starts to darken slightly. Transfer mixture to a large heatproof bowl.
Heat 1 tablespoon of the remaining oil in the pot. Cook the pork mince, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, for 5 minutes until lightly browned. Transfer to the bowl with the vegetables. Repeat in two more batches with the remaining oil and pork and veal mince and beef mince. Set aside.
Increase the heat to high. Add the wine to the pot and bring to the boil. Simmer for
5 minutes or until reduced by half. Deglaze the pot as you stir. Return the mince and veggie mixture to the pot. Add the tomato, stock, passata, Worcestershire, parmesan rind, lemon peel and bay leaves. Season well with salt and pepper.
Cover and bring to the boil, then reduce the heat to very low. Tilt the lid so the pot is partially covered, and cook, stirring occasionally, for 3 hours or until the sauce has reduced and thickened and is a glossy dark red colour. Serve with cooked pasta and grated parmesan.
TIPS
If we truly want to claim spaghetti Bolognese as an Australian dish we should start using kangaroo mince rather than pork or beef. Feel free to add extra finely chopped smoked streaky bacon if the mince is very lean. The addition of other indigenous ingredients however like lemon myrtle instead of lemon peel or a little ground wattleseed to add a back note of nutty, mild bitterness against all the salty, umami flavours may also be well worth experimenting with. If you do, let me know how you go by DMing me @mattscravat.
I should note that three hours might still seem like a long time for a 'shortened' recipe. In my defence, my original bolognese is a four-hour-plus cook!
For more information on Matt Preston's new cooking book, visit here.
For more on Matt Preston on The Carousel, visit here.
The post Matt Preston's Delicious Spaghetti Bolognese Recipe appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Architect Rob Mills' Innovative Great Ocean Road Designs appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Rob Mills Architecture's Great Ocean Road Residence was announced the winner of the Los Angeles based BLT Built Design Awards Architectural Design – Residential category.
And Hampden by RMA won an honourable mention in the 2021 Architecture MasterPrize, among a record number of entries from around the world for the coveted awards.
Both add to an impressive list of awards for the Australian architect and designer.
Architect Rob Mills said he was thrilled and honoured by both awards.
"The measure of the awards is the quality of the other award-winners and the quality of each jury," he said.
RMA's world-leading designs draw from the unique qualities of the Aussie landscapes on which they are built, and harness natural light, air and space.
Great Ocean Road Residence was designed to withstand a harsh marine environment in its unique cliff-top position, while Mills has called Hampden by RMA – a limited collection of nine private three-bedroom residences in the coveted suburb of Armadale – one of his favourite projects in part because of its "intrinsic connection to location".
The first sod has only just been turned on Hampden by RMA, yet three apartments have already been sold.
Buyers Lucy and Stephen Chipkin, who are moving from Sydney's Woollahra to the exclusive Melbourne address, cannot wait to live in their new apartment.
"The apartment has been beautifully designed in the style of Rob Mills, whose work we have come to appreciate greatly," Lucy said.
"Our home has a light and airy feel and generous living spaces. The detailing is outstanding."
The awards put the Aussie-based RMA into a top international class, with fellow BLT Built Design Award winners including architectural icon Tadao Ando and stunningly beautiful projects such as the Dutch Charity Lotteries office building.
The Los Angeles-based BLT Built Design Awards are judged by an international jury panel of 40 experienced architects, designers, developers, academics and media representatives, and recognise the expertise of professionals involved in the realisation of outstanding projects, especially those who have gone above and beyond.
RMA's Great Ocean Road Residence is a spectacular example of innovative, environmentally sensitive design which features fire-rated construction and geothermal heating – as well as solid construction which provides silence against the ocean winds. The interiors feature a mix of hard, warm and natural textures, with cantilevered ceilings and grand proportions.
Hampden by RMA was also selected by a jury after a rigorous judging process of thousands of exceptional entries across the globe, and will feature in the Architecture MasterPrize Book of Architecture, and the online 2021 Honorable Mentions Gallery.
The large-scale apartments have a 7-star energy rating and are designed to embrace natural light, with an abundance of greenery and best-practice principal of wellness embedded in its walls.
Rob Mills Architecture and Interiors has previously won the 2017 American Architecture Prize Firm of the Year Award in Residential Interior Design, along with an amazing four honourable mentions in the same awards.
RMA was recognised in both the architectural design and interior design categories for its Armadale Residence, and in commercial interiors for both One Hot Yoga & Pilates Sydney and One Hot Pilates Melbourne. RMA was previously also named Interior Practice of The Year at the 2016 World Interiors News Awards.
About Rob Mills : Acclaimed Australian architect Rob Mills specialises in high-end residential architecture and innovative interior design. The internationally recognised firm uses a holistic approach to deliver distinguished residences in the most sought-after locations across the nation.
The post Architect Rob Mills' Innovative Great Ocean Road Designs appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post How Universities Across the Globe Encourage New Methods in Education appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Here are a few examples of how universities implement new educational trends.
Using Extended Reality Technologies
Immersive technologies are evolving at an astounding rate. According to research studies , the global AR and VR market will reach $209.2 billion by 2022. Its contribution to the education system is immense.
In higher education, practically explaining complex concepts can be challenging. Traditional lectures focus on uniform exemplifications that do not resonate with all students. Taking notes and passively listening to professors can be frustrating since there is no room for critical thinking and creativity.
That is where immersive technologies can help. VR prioritises experiential and self-directed education, where students learn by doing. One such example is healthcare. For example, La Trobe University uses AR to help anatomy students understand the human body and various clinical cases.
"Augmented reality allows students to visualise and manipulate anatomical structures and develop a deep understanding," university professors emphasise . They also explain the cost-effectiveness of these technologies. The price of a textbook often exceeds $100, while AR tools cost $10 per user.
Making a Shift to Remote Education
In the past, future university students chose schools by geolocation, not their preferences. Fortunately, with the rise of fast internet connections and cloud technologies, the approach to education has changed. Learning has started migrating to the digital landscape.
For universities, remote learning provides numerous benefits. Some of them are:
- Remaining competitive and keeping up with online universities
- Expanding reach and attracting international students
- Boosting the quality of education by increasing course availability and learner engagement
- Faster growth since it does not require them to invest in on-campus building developments
Higher education institutions understand the value of remote learning. The world's most reputable universities, including MIT, Australian National University, and Harvard, have started investing in Massive Open Online Courses .
MOOCs are online courses that enable unlimited access and free course materials. Global students can connect and communicate via forums and social media discussions.
Remote learners can also leverage student-contributed platforms to access university-specific learning materials. Former university students upload their study notes, essays, and learning guides there. If one attends the University of New South Wales remotely, they can access UNSW resources from their homes.
Encouraging Collaborative Learning
The Coronavirus pandemic has encouraged the fast shift of universities to the digital ecosystem. However, just publishing educational content online is not enough. Higher education institutions need to focus on engaging students and motivating them to participate actively. In other words, they should invest more in collaborative learning.
For example, many online universities and those offering MOOCs use technology to improve student collaboration. Digital platforms enable students to connect with their peers, professors, and teaching assistants. Above all, they can get the most out of their projects by working in groups. Via discussion boards, forums, and social networks, they can ask questions in real-time and solicit peer feedback. Educators can monitor and manage these discussions.
Such rich online learning systems combine social skills and digital collaboration. As such, they boost student morale and engagement.
Leveraging Adaptive Learning Technologies
University students have different needs, interests, problems, and learning preferences. Therefore, one-size-fits-all strategies do not work with them. Higher education schools are starting to understand the value of individualised learning.
That is where adaptive learning technologies shine. In short, adaptive learning is all about delivering personalised learning experiences that address students' unique needs. It relies on artificial intelligence, machine learning, and big data analytics.
These tools track adaptivity factors, such as learner performance, level of knowledge, demographic data, learning style, content preferences, etc. Based on these variables, adaptive technology tailors learning experiences to a student's specific requirements.
Educators can also use AI to predict learners' future requirements based on their past performance and questions.
Many universities across the globe are investing in adaptive learning systems. One of them is the University of New South Wales. In cooperation with six other Australian universities, it designed adaptive tutorials . Their main goal is to tailor the feedback and lessons to each learner, providing highly targeted learning experiences. That approach to education has significantly improved student performance. According to statistics , it reduced failure rates from 31% to 7%.
Wrapping Up
With the rise of the EdTech industry, educational methods are constantly changing. The technologies mentioned above are just the tip of the iceberg. Their primary goal is to make higher education more learner-friendly and inclusive. AR technologies provide real-life experiences, while AI personalises the learning process. Cloud technologies facilitate the transition of universities to the digital landscape and cater to remote students.
Do you have any thoughts on new teaching methods in higher education? We are looking forward to hearing from you!
The post How Universities Across the Globe Encourage New Methods in Education appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post The Best Carrot Cake Recipe Ever appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The Best Carrot Cake Recipe
Makes 2 loaves
INGREDIENTS
350g light muscovado sugar
400ml groundnut oil (or vegetable oil can be used as an alternative)
5 eggs
400g carrots, grated
200g roasted walnut halves, roughly chopped
200g golden sultanas
400g self-raising flour
2 tsp ground cinnamon
2 tsp ground nutmeg
For the frosting
250g unsalted butter
100g cream cheese
600g golden icing sugar
1 tbsp vanilla extract
For the topping
Handful of golden sultanas
Handful of walnuts
METHOD
1 Preheat the oven to 150°C/fan 130°C/gas mark 2. Grease 2 regular 25cm x 11cm (loaf tins with butter and line with baking paper.
2 Add the sugar and oil to a mixer with the eggs and whisk until combined. Mix the carrots into the mixture with the walnuts and golden sultanas.
3 In a separate bowl sieve the flour, cinnamon and nutmeg. Fold the flour into the egg mixture until fully combined.
4 Pour the mixture into the loaf tins and bake for 40-45 minutes. Halfway through cooking, use a sharp knife to cut lengthways along the top of the loaf to create a dome like effect. Once cooked, remove from tins and allow to cool on a wire rack.
5 For the frosting, place the butter and cream cheese in the mixer. Add in the icing sugar, mixing it in by hand first to avoid mess. Add in the vanilla extract and mix. Decant the frosting into a bowl and pop in the fridge to firm up.
6 When firm take a palette knife and, holding the loaf in your hands, spread the frosting on starting around the sides and then piling it high on top. Smooth over the frosting for an even finish. For the final touch, sprinkle golden sultanas and walnuts on the top and dust with icing sugar.
COOK'S NOTESIf you want you can use other exotic coloured carrots from the market for a bit of variety.
Click here for more mouth watering dessert recipes!
The post The Best Carrot Cake Recipe Ever appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post 3 Magical Indigenous Australian Experiences appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Australia is home to one of the oldest populations in the world – the Aboriginal Australians – and they have plenty of stories to share. From camping, Dreamtime, hot springs and fishing; these three destinations are a must-visit!
Talaroo Hot Springs – The Savannah Way
Discover the wonderful Ewamian culture of Savannah Way's Talaroo Hot Springs. With the recently opened outback caravan park and campground offering 16 powered and 14 unpowered sites around purpose-built amenities and a camp kitchen – set just 200 metres from the beautiful Einasleigh River – you can soak in one of North West Queensland's most unique and globally significant geological wonders.
Yagurli Tours – Burketown
Home to the Gangalidda people, Burketown gives tourists an immersive look into Aboriginal culture with stargazing tours, the Gambumanda Sunset Cruise, Marrija 4WD Cultural Tour through to Malara Fishing Charters, hot air ballooning, and more!
Delta Downs Station – Normanton
Since its establishment in 1889, it's been without doubt one of Australia's most popular Indigenous experiences. As the first place to ever have traditional owners running a cattle station, Delta Downs Station is as historical as it gets. Live the best of both worlds with access to the bush as well as the beach. Whether you're swimming in crystal clear waters, fishing, bird watching, and more, you're sure to get the full Indigenous Australian experience.
(Feature image credit: Culture Trip)
The post 3 Magical Indigenous Australian Experiences appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Setting Boundaries is the Key to Healthy Eating appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>My work as a coach has revealed one important truth – a lot of busy women I know are really good at avoiding saying 'no' and it's a major cause of overeating.
If you struggle with this, you're probably underestimating the impact it's having on your eating and on your confidence.
What Are Boundaries and Why Do We Need Them?
A boundary can be defined as what's ok and what's not ok with you.
Simply put, they are the limits you set with other people, which indicate what you find acceptable and unacceptable in their behaviour towards you.
Think of your boundaries as protective "emotional borders "you build between others and yourself.
It's your way of communicating to others that you:
- know and understand what your limits are
- respect and value your time
- can make good decisions for yourself
- honour your needs and desires
- are in control of your time, and
- do not allow others to define your schedule.
Healthy boundaries come from your own sense of self-worth and your values.
The Cost of Not Setting the Boundaries That You Need.
If you are putting yourself at the bottom of your priority list you may be eating your feelings.
If you are saying 'yes' to everything and everyone:
- You may feel exhausted and frustrated from saying 'yes' too often.
- You may feel resentful because you think that you are being taken advantage of.
- You may feel that you are missing out on fulfilling your own needs.
- When you don't not fulfil your needs, you end up feeding your cravings.
When your needs are being met, you don't need to feed your emotions.
How to Set Healthy Boundaries
Setting boundaries starts with being clear on your values, beliefs, and the standards of behaviour that you would like to adopt or be more consistent and congruent with.
When setting boundaries:
- There is no need to defend, debate, or over-explain your feelings.
- Be firm, gracious and direct. When faced with resistance, repeat your statement or request.
- Back up your boundary with action.
- Stay strong. If you give in, you invite people to ignore your needs
Then, it's about finding the right words to set boundaries in situations where you're fearful of other people's reactions or any other consequences.
Setting healthy boundaries can be challenging at first, especially if you are accustomed to saying yes, all the time. It is however, a skill that can be learned with practise.
I suggest these three steps for creating boundaries to feel in complete control around food with ease and confidence.
Step 1: Self Awareness
The first step to set boundaries is self-awareness. Identifying where you need more space, self-respect and energy.
Ask yourself the following questions:
- Where could I be saying 'no' more?
- Where am I most afraid to say 'no' and is this a place where maybe I need to be saying no the most?
Tip: Pay attention to the situations when you are low on energy, feel butterflies in your stomach, or want to cry.
"When you say 'yes' to others, make sure you're not saying 'no' to yourself." —Paul Coelho
Step 2: A Formula for Setting a Boundary
Here's a general formula for getting it right.
When X happens, I feel X, because X. I need X, and would appreciate it if you would X.
Here's how it might sound:
I feel angry when you interrupted my holiday with work issues because I value my time off and mental health. What I need is uninterrupted time to clear my head and come back more productive, so I'd appreciate it if you would not contact me at all about work when I'm on holiday.
Step 3: A Formula for Saying No
Saying 'no' is another way to set a boundary. It's shame or guilt or a fear of disappointing people that prevents us from saying 'no'.
"No is a complete sentence." —Anne Lamont
For example: if someone asks you to lunch, but you're trying to eat healthy and don't want the temptation, you can simply say 'no' without any justification.
Here's how it might sound: "Thanks for asking me, but I'll give it a miss today. I hope you enjoy it!"
Now it's your turn:
- Think of a situation where you want to say no.
- Use the formula above to write a neutral, clear and diplomatic statement that you could use in that situation.
The bottom line
Setting healthy boundaries will help you to feel calmer, and better about yourself, and you'll feel a lot more satisfied with life.
"Daring to set boundaries is about having the courage to love ourselves even when we risk disappointing others." —Brene Brown
Now that you know the cost of not setting the boundaries that you need. It's time to get clear on the best places to start setting them.
- How can you create healthy boundaries to help you release emotional eating and guilt?
If you would like help with building healthy boundaries to feel in complete control around food with ease and confidence, book a FREE 30 min Coach session.
It's free. And it might change your life.
Click here to grab your coaching spot with me now!
The post Setting Boundaries is the Key to Healthy Eating appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Quick & Easy Roast Chicken appeared first on The Carousel.
]]> Serves 4
Preparation time 10 min
Cooking time 60 min
INGREDIENTS
1.6kg whole chicken
1 lemon, halved
2 tablespoons Olive Oil
METHOD
1 Preheat oven to 220°C. Lightly grease a roasting pan. Place a wire rack into roasting pan. Trim excess fat from chicken. Discard neck. Rinse chicken (including cavity) under cold running water. Pat-dry with paper towels. Season cavity with salt and pepper.
2 Gently squeeze the juice from half the lemon over chicken, rubbing juice into skin. Place both lemon halves into chicken cavity. Tie legs together with kitchen string.
3 Brush both sides of chicken with Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Season chicken all over with salt and pepper. Place, breast-side up, onto rack in
roasting pan. Roast for 1 hour or until juices run clear when chicken thigh is pierced with a skewer. Stand, covered, for 10 minutes. Serve with roast vegetables, if desired.
The Carousel thanks Squeaky Gate for this recipe.
The post Quick & Easy Roast Chicken appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post What Can You Expect From November's Full 'Beaver Moon'? appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>November's full 'Beaver Moon' is almost here… AND it's coupled with a partial lunar eclipse – so spiritually be prepared for a major shift or transformation, and a warning – watch your spending!
The full moon is in Taurus, which means the focus will be on money and possessions, but the eclipse encompasses values and self-reflection so people should be wary of selfishness and over-spending.
The celestial combination is a call for people to think of others and show compassion rather than focus on material objects.
Considering everyone's life changes during the COVID-19 pandemic, it's time to clear the way for a major shift away from selfishness and towards thinking about other people and the planet – look at the big picture.
The moon is in Taurus which is ruled by Venus, and Venus loves beautiful things, luxury and spending money.
Do be careful not to overspend. If you must buy things look at those that will appreciate in value like artwork, furniture or vintage cars. Don't buy bric-a-brac or trinkets.
There are likely to be real physical effects for everyone but particularly for Taureans, Leos, Scorpios and Aquarians as they are fixed signs – and especially around money. However, it's not a time for materialism, but kindness.
The energy during a lunar eclipse is erratic and volatile – which needs a focus on inner work, especially with hidden secrets being revealed soon after the lunar eclipse when the solar eclipse occurs on December 4th.
Eclipses force us to confront our own shadow nature or the dark side of our personal subconscious, so also watch your dreams.
While the energy now is more erratic, it's not dangerous. But it is important to be wary of behaviours that may be out of the norm or more volatile than usual.
Lunar eclipses are also a sign from the universe that a big or life-changing event will soon visit us on earth, and it can be unpredictable and unexpected.
Change won't always occur on the exact date of the eclipse, sometimes it is weeks or months before or after it that something truly transformative happens.
Challenges to your physical body, laws, structures and organisations are likely and people might seem less reliable than usual.
As hard as it might seem, it's best to go with the flow rather than try to maintain the status quo.
It could be uncomfortable initially but as time goes by, the changes will start to 'bed in' and feelings of security will emerge again. Be patient and it will all sort itself out.
And why is this full moon known as the 'Beaver Moon'? Ms Smith said it has its origins in North America where beavers started preparing for the long winter, building shelter near the banks of rivers and streams. Hunters would set up beaver traps to make furs for the cold weather.
Here, it's also a time for us to start building sturdy structures for our future… this moon is all about protection.
The moon likes privacy – it's important to have plenty of alone time, space being in your own home, and being comfortable, safe and secure.
The moon is also associated with the 'feminine' and coupled with a lunar eclipse, issues surrounding our mothers could arise.
Your mother might have ideas about what she thinks is important in your life, different values to you, for example.
So, when can you see the partial lunar eclipse? The eclipse happens when part of the moon enters earth's shadow which appears very dark on the side of the moon facing earth. What people see depends on how the sun, the earth and moon align, although it should be spotted at its peak around 8.02pm AEST in the night sky as a tiny streak as earth's shadow hovers over the moon.
What does the Beaver Moon Lunar Eclipse have in store for your star sign?
Aries (March 21 to April 19):
The Lunar Eclipse in Taurus can have far-reaching effects on your money, possessions and value systems. It's not the time to take risks now and it's even more important that you be financially responsible. Take steps to secure your valuables and your money. Also, the things you value might change, and your priorities move away from material things to things like honesty and integrity.
Taurus (April 20 to May 20):
This Lunar Eclipse is all about you dear Taurus! It will give your core belief systems and identity quite a shakeup. Situations in your life that are meh or blah, won't survive the tsunami of a Beaver Moon Lunar Eclipse. Beavers build dams and redirect water flow. You might find shaky structures in your life toppling so new more suitable structures can be built. A flood of new energy can enter your life now and you may change your clothes, hair or makeup to suit your newfound beliefs.
Gemini (May 21 to June 20):
It could be an emotional time for you as your Beaver Moon is in the house of the unconscious. Weirdness can reign supreme and perhaps you don't know why you feel emotional or overwhelmed. Watch your dreams and little Freudian slips that come out of your mouth for clues. Soon all will be revealed but, in the meantime, have plenty of time alone and retire to a quiet place for some R&R.
Cancer (June 21 to July 22):
There could be a shakeup or turbulence with groups, friends or clubs. Something might be going on in your community that upsets the apple cart. It's possible you may not find out straight away but come early December, you'll probably work it out. You can change direction of your hopes and dreams now and reworking these will stand you in good stead. All will be fine; I see a bright future.
Leo (July 23 to August 22):
You normally work well with the public; however, your instincts tell you it's time to get the balance between your public work and your personal life. It's a constant juggling act! Yes, providing and caring for others is important and you need to look after yourself as well. Now there's a shakeup in your career and it's a good time to ensure that you're doing something that makes your heart sing.
Virgo (August 23 to September 22):
Vivacious Virgo travel could be on your mind now! You could be feeling bored or out of sorts so it's time to broaden your mind! Travel, study or spirituality are all possibilities you might like to pursue. Soon you'll come to a decision about moving forward to expand your horizons. You're capable of much more and need new experiences with people from vastly different backgrounds.
Libra (September 23 to October 22):
Your intimacy zone and shared resources are affected by this Lunar Eclipse. Although you greatly desire intimacy and closeness with another, you can also put up a brick wall to keep that person out. Maybe you're afraid of being hurt again? Trust has to be earned according to you, but this Beaver Moon will uncover a few chinks in your emotional armour…it's for the best! Resources you share with others such as loans or taxes, may also bring a few issues to a head.
Scorpio (October 23 to November 21):
Your feelings are intense, and you could find yourself depending on other people for support. Your important relationships both personal and business could be more emotional than usual or something with your mother may come up over the next several weeks. Not to worry, move forward and be independent, it's time to strike out on your own now so you can find happiness and security.
Sagittarius (November 22 to December 21):
Savvy Sag there's a shakeup in your daily routine including your work or health. This Beaver Moon Eclipse wants you to think about working from home or getting more privacy in your day-to-day life. Your daily life needs tweaking so you're not at cross purposes with want your heart desires. Soon there will be opportunities to make a physical change so you can be more in alignment with yourself.
Capricorn (December 22nd to January 19):
Your inner child might be upset about something so it's time to express your emotions in a healthy way rather than acting out or building a mountain from a molehill. Give your inner child a chance to play – go out, socialise and enjoy yourself. It's also a fine time for romance or creativity, so give these parts of yourself a chance to be expressed. Any turbulence is pushing you onto the right path.
Aquarius (January 20th to February 18):
This eclipse brings back the past concerning home or family. You may remember things from childhood or hear news of someone you knew a long time ago. Some belief systems or habits you learned when young are no longer valid, so it's time to divest yourself of these. There are changes around your home and family, so let the past go. Your mother could be on your mind now.
Pisces (February 19 to March 20):
Your communications might be confused or misunderstood now. Try to stay grounded in practical REALity and tone down any turbulent emotions you might be feeling. It's not a good time now for promotion, marketing or study as emotions could get in the way or you get 'the wrong end of the stick'. There could be contact with distant family or something in your local area is a bit of a nuisance. It's ok, all will be fine in the end.
For December's video horoscopes visit: https://www.absolutesoulsecrets.com/horoscopes/monthly-horoscopes/
The post What Can You Expect From November's Full 'Beaver Moon'? appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Actress Tammin Sursok Talks About Her Career, Family And May Gibbs appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Best known for Pretty Little Liars, The Young and the Restless, and Home and Away, Australian actress Tammin Sursok has been relishing her new role as an ambassador for the latest May Gibbs lifestyle range. In fact, the sweet, uncomplicated world of Cuddlepot and Snugglepie has been a million miles away from the tough challenges of 2021 for Tammin and her family.
Here, the mum of two, who currently is based in Brisbane, tells us about the new range, the challenges of motherhood and how her husband is faring after coming down with COVID.
You've lived in the US for the past 15 years what brought you back to Australia this year?
I moved to Brisbane with my husband Sean and daughters Phoenix, 8, and Lennon, 3 this year so I could shoot a film. We had 48 hours to turn everything around, get on a plane out of LA and go into quarantine. I thought great, afterwards we can then see my parents and brother in Sydney, however then lockdowns happened and we've basically been stuck here ever since.
Has it been tough not being able to see your family in person?
Yeah it has. I speak to mum everyday, but talking to her and dad almost feels harder as time goes on as I so want to see them face to face. They haven't seen the girls now for two and a half years in person. I'm excited for when the time comes, but also now a bit numb to it, as you just don't know when there will be more closures. However, everyone is in the same boat. I'm still so glad I'm back here, as there was a lot fear in the States, lots of Covid cases and deaths when we left, so to come here has felt like real life again.
What do you like about the latest May Gibbs brand? It must be nice to be involved in something so lovely?
Absolutely. There's a great range of lifestyle products featuring kids clothing, crockery, blankets, pillows, cushions, colouring books and Santa sacks. The illustrations are so sweet, recognisable and really enhance the vivid tales. Plus, I love how the stories are all about friendship and resilience whilst showing kids just how beautiful Australia's native flora and fauna really is. The new collection looks so classical and elegant, featuring the dreamy khaki, brown and grey tones of our bush, but with a bit of a modern pop of colour here and there as well. They're so well designed, you can really treasure everything and pass them down to generations – I certainly will be.
With Sean being American, why is it important to be involved in something as typically Australian as May Gibbs' tales of Cuddlepot and Snugglepie as far as your daughters go?
It just brings up so much nostalgia, and I feel like I'm handing down a part of me which has gone into their hearts and souls. You always want your kids to experience the same magic you experienced in own childhood. We don't live a very typical life in that we travel around with our productions as Sean is a producer-director as well. So, it's important the girls know how I grew up and what my Aussie roots are.
It must have been really hard when Sean was diagnosed with COVID in January this year. What's that been like for him and the family?
It was a wake-up call for us, we were like, 'Oh my god this is really dangerous.' The kids and I were so lucky not to get it. Sean was over the worst of it by March but he still has some long-term effects. He developed some kind of inflammation in his body and joints and has become allergic to certain foods. Every time he eats something his stomach is in a lot of pain so we're doing currently doing testing. We don't know what part of his body it will inflame next.
That's been the biggest issue through all of it – not knowing how it's going to affect you. My husband is young and had no pre-existing conditions but it was really hard on his body. In the States we knew so many people who got Covid and for some it wasn't an issue, whilst for others massive.
What part of motherhood for you is the most challenging?
The hard thing has been retraining myself to parent my girls using empathy and understanding along with consequences and solutions. Instead of just yelling during frustrating times, I try to calm myself down. On the other hand, I didn't know I could love this deeply – it's such an intense feeling!
What else can we look forward to seeing you in acting wise?
Our film Braking for Whales is now on Apple TV and a series I shot called Aussie Girl is being released in the US next month which will be exciting. Plus, there's a few other shows in the pipeline here. I've also been working on my Podcast Women on Top which has been great. For me next year can't come quick enough!
The latest May Gibbs collection is available from Big W.
The post Actress Tammin Sursok Talks About Her Career, Family And May Gibbs appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Your One Step Guide To Smoother Lips During Summertime appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>While many of us spend significant time and money caring for the skin on our face, we often neglect the basics for a soft, smooth pout. So what's the answer?
A lip balm!
As we head into summertime, the warm air, air conditioning and sunlight can often make our lips crack and peel, and our lips can be vulnerable to sunburn without realising. Even driving the car, with sun streaming in the window, can impact the health and moisture of your lips .
When looking for the best product to help combat dry lips, a non-sticky balm is a great option to soothe and moisten lips, while still providing a light sheen. Good products should be reapplied every few hours, including a layer before bed for maximum hydration and soft, plump lips in the morning.
Take a look at our top picks of moisturising lip balms to see you through the summer and beyond.
Dermal Therapy's Lip Balm Enriched with PawPaw soothes and relieves severely dry & chapped lips, providing intensive hydration. RRP $6.46 | https://dermaltherapy.com.au/products/lip-care/lip-balm-enriched-pawpaw. Available at leading Chemists Australia-wide including Chemist Warehouse and My Chemist.
Carmex Naturally is a natural certified lip balm that is clinically proven to visibly smooth and soften the lips after just one application. Available in pharmacies and supermarkets Australia-wide in three fruit flavours: Pear, Berry & Watermelon. RRP $ 5.99
Synergie Skin Lip Service is designed to nourish and condition your pout with a blend of hyaluronic acid, lanolin, peptides and anti-ageing stevia for plump, soft lips. RRP $44.55 | Available online at https://synergieskin.com/shop-products/lipservice/
The post Your One Step Guide To Smoother Lips During Summertime appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post The Best Self-Care Practices That Matches Your Zodiac Sign appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Still, if you're curious about what astrology has to say about this, read on and find out the best self-care practices that will match your zodiac sign.
Aries (March 21-April 19)
Affirmations. Nothing perks you up better than giving yourself love and positivity first thing in the morning. Don't fret about yesterday, nor worry about tomorrow. Focus on the present and everything this beautiful day has to offer. Just like what Viola Davis tells the four-year-old girl in the movie The Help: "You is kind, you is smart, you is important".
Taurus (April 20- May 20)
Look good, feel good. Sometimes when you look like a drag, you feel like a drag. So give yourself a little pick me up. Get a new haircut, some mani/Pedi, and use that makeup you bought before it expires! Remember, no one loves you like you. No one can pamper you the way you do!
Gemini (May 21- June 20)
Stay away from drama. Life's complicated as it is. There is no need to mess it up some more. Mind your own business and keep yourself busy. Find a hobby, bring out the writer, the chef, the baker in you. But steer clear from gossip. Because an idle mind is the devil's workshop.
Cancer (June 21- July 22)
A rejuvenating bath is what you need. It's time to finally give yourself that bubble bath you've long been putting off. You deserve it. Throw in some Epson salts, use crystals, open up those essential oils. Put in some soothing music and a glass of wine by your side. Then dive in. Expect your blues and anxiety to melt away within minutes.
Leo (July 23- August 22)
Unleash your creativity. Dying to finish that painting you've started? Or that novel with a zillion drafts? How about that song whose only missing piece is the bridge? You're the most creative of all the zodiacs. Don't waste it!
Virgo (August 23- September 22)
Stop bottling things up. You hate conflict, so instead of speaking your mind and being honest about how you feel, you just nod in agreement most of the time. Know that this will drive you nuts in the long run. Keep it real, stop faking your emotions- for your own good.
Libra (September 23- October 22)
Be grateful. No matter how bad things get, always count your blessings. Millions of people are dying to be in your shoes. Keep a notebook and jot down all the things that you are thankful for every single day. Big or small, a blessing is a blessing.
Scorpio (October 23- November 21)
Banish negativity in your life. Get rid of people, places, things, and situations that drain the life out of you. Life's too short to be wasted on regrets, fear, and despair. Live every day like it's the last day of your life.
Sagittarius (November 22- December 21)
Stop being too uptight. Loosen up a bit. Take up those belly-dancing lessons you've been postponing the past year. Not only will it loosen up those tight muscles in your thighs, booty, and hips, you'll also unleash your sensuality and awaken your creativity.
Capricorn (December 22- January 19)
Get enough sleep. You work too hard. Sleep is the last thing on your priority list. Wrong. It should be on top. If you are not well-rested and hardly have any sleep, your chances of having a productive day are basically ruined.
Aquarius (January 20- February 19)
Do some yoga. It will do wonders for your body, heart, mind, and soul. Focus is the key to success. If you're too distracted and longing for calm and wish to get rid of the chaos in your heart and mind, yoga is your answer.
Pisces (February 20- March 20)
Don't carry your troubles to bed. Get a long hot shower, put on your most comfy pj's, add some lavender scent on your pillow, and that amethyst crystal beside you. Have everything you need to create the perfect bedtime ritual. You need it.
The post The Best Self-Care Practices That Matches Your Zodiac Sign appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Melbourne Fashion Week Shines A Light On Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Designers appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>
Some of these brands include TradingBLAK, Gillawarra Arts, Ginny's Girl Gang, Jarin Street, Nungala Creative and Take Pride Movement. The models will Models will rove at locations of Aboriginal significance including Birrarung Marr, Federation Square, Southbank and the Promenades of the Yarra River.
This evening the show will be running from the SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium in King Street, Melbourne, from 6pm, 7.30pm and 9pm.
The runway will feature an underwater backdrop from the aquarium which will keep audiences mesmerised. They fashion on show will focus on sustainability, with local designers featured including ELK, búl, SZN and Sister Studios.
Last night's show
Last night, fashion and art merged with an immersive runway experience within the gallery spaces of National Gallery of Victoria at the Ian Potter Centre in Federation Square. Guests moved through the gallery space and viewed looks from J'Aton Couture, Carla Zampatti, ALPHA60, Romance Was Born, Maticevski, Christine, Reina Melbourne and dot COMME.
Melbourne Fashion Week runs from 15th to 21st November and features more than 250 designers and 300 retailers across 100 different events and sessions.
To find out more about Melbourne Fashion Week, visit here for the full program.
For more from The Carousel on Melbourne Fashion Week, visit here.
The post Melbourne Fashion Week Shines A Light On Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Designers appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Dreading Christmas? How To Go From Overwhelmed To Jolly This Silly Season appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>So, how can you go from feeling stressed to excited about the silly season?
Here are three strategies to try:
1. Start with what's important:
Before getting caught up with the runaway Christmas train, take a moment to think about what's really important for you this year. What is most meaningful to you about Christmas? Is it the opportunity to reconnect with family you've not seen due to lockdowns? Or to have some quiet time to yourself? Or to spend quality time with your kids?
Thinking about your own internal compass and what really matters to you is a great way to reset your approach so that you're focused on doing what's important to you, rather than what you think other people might expect of you. After the year we've all had, there's no point in wasting time or energy on what you think you 'should' be doing.
2. Acceptance is not approval:
Are you feeling stressed out about things outside of your control? If you're struggling with not being able to see family overseas or interstate, accept that it's not something you can change.
Acceptance isn't the same as approval, but when we accept something, we can let go of wasting energy on fighting reality and wishing things were different, and focus instead on what we can control. We can think more clearly and be more resourceful with what we DO have.
3. Create agreements rather than expectations:
If you feel like everything is falling on your shoulders, and you're frustrated that others in your family aren't stepping up to help, it's time to be proactive in creating some productive agreements ahead of Christmas. Most people will defer to the person with the experience and proven track record of success to do the unpaid work. If that's you and you don't let people know you want or need help, typically they won't offer it freely.
Sit down with your family 'team' and talk about what's most important to you about Christmas this year. And what's most important to them. You could actually be making a whole load of assumptions about what the 'ideal Christmas' looks and feels like for others. Perhaps your family would actually be happy to forgo gifts this year, and just have a really nice homemade meal together instead. Or perhaps you'd all rather go out for Christmas lunch rather than spend time in the kitchen. You might be surprised by the creative ideas your team comes up with, and new favourite Christmas traditions could even emerge.
Decide as a 'team' about what's most important – making it into a 'family Christmas project'. Allocate project tasks based on interest, skill level and ability and reinforce that everyone's unique contribution to the Christmas project is valuable.
For me, as a mum of three boys, I make a point of sitting down with them late November and working through this process. I ask the children what they love about Christmas and why it is a favourite time of year. The goal is to understand what is meaningful and can be focused on and amplified and what is 'excess' and can be avoided or eliminated. When the boys were younger, it was all about the presents and the 'once a year' food. Now it's more about spending time with family and friends and relaxing. So, I don't agonise over gifts and get caught up in last-minute shopping to balance the present budget for each child. We focus on setting up the Christmas tree and decorations together, cramming in as many Christmas movies as we can leading up to the big day and have a lovely family meals together.
It's a brilliant way to simplify the whole festive season, reduce the parental performance pressure and build gratitude for the things that really matter.
Now's the time to communicate with your loved ones and reset ahead of the festive season. Let's make 2021 the Christmas where you reconnect with joy, however that might look for you.
About the author: Danielle Dobson is an author, speaker, coach and advocate, on a mission to break the Gender Code – the code of beliefs we hold as a society which says women are carers and men are providers, and we are intrinsically different. Her book, Breaking the Gender Code, gives women practical strategies to rewrite their own 'code' for creating the life they actually want. Danielle also works with organisations to help them unlock the potential of the women on their teams, and to attract the right female talent.
To find out more about Danielle and her book, Breaking the Gender Code, visit here.
For more from The Carousel on Christmas, visit here.
The post Dreading Christmas? How To Go From Overwhelmed To Jolly This Silly Season appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Meet The Woman Solving The World's Plastic Problem With Crustacean Shells appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>So The Carousel's Sustainability Editor Ilona Marchetta talked with Kimberly Bolton about this new innovative technology from Carapac and how we might be seeing it in the produce aisle of major retailers very soon.
Ilona: Carapac won this year's Taronga Zoo Hatch Accelerator Program – Congratulations, Kimberly!
Kimberly: Thank you so much. Ilona, it's fantastic to be joining you here today.
Ilona: Tell us about Carapac – what is the technology?
Kimberly: In a nutshell, Carapac has developed a sustainable, durable and plantable plastic alternative that is actually made from crustacean shell waste.
Ilona: That's very interesting – crustacean shell waste?
Kimberly: Yes – crabs, lobsters, shrimp, prawns, all the shells that you don't eat, we can actually use that food waste and make a range of different packaging solutions from that.
Ilona: Why crustacean shells?
Kimberly: That's a very good question. When we were looking at the market currently, and looking at other bio-degradables, we found that they still take up to five years to actually break down and that they're not necessarily made from sustainable inputs. So, we were looking at a range of other biological sources that we could use and take inspiration from, to actually make a sustainable packaging that breaks down when you need it to, and come from a sustainable source.
So, after doing a lot of research, we actually found that crustacean shells could be a really valuable input for our materials and form a really fantastic solution. And we're actually sourcing the crustacean shell waste from frozen food processing facilities. So if you think of all the shrimps, crabs or whatnot, that you find in your frozen food aisles, we access the shells that are already taken off at the processing facility level and we use that to actually make our material and there's about 8.1 million tons of that crustacean shell waste generated from the frozen food industry across Asia Pacific annually.
Ilona: You mentioned that not all biodegradable materials are made equal, so what are some of the benefits of using the shells over some other materials?
Kimberly: A lot of other biodegradables in the space typically, are not necessarily made from sustainable inputs, even if they are bio-based. To elaborate on that a little bit, for example, some PLA and corn based materials, they actually have to clear specific land to grow the specific corn to actually make the packaging material, which can be very environmentally intensive. So we wanted to make sure that we were making a plastic alternative that actually was made from waste or sustainable inputs, that can actually break down when you need it to.
So consumers can take their Carapac packaging, and actually simply just plant it in the soil and on the top level in a pot plant or the garden and it takes three to six weeks to completely break down and it breaks down into the soil and releases nitrogen fertilizer. So it's actually fantastic for plants. And once it's in those soil conditions, it can also provide other benefits for plants such as acting as a bio pesticide and what not. And this is very different to other traditional bio plastics and compostable materials that need very specific conditions to actually break down.
What's more is our material is also designed to be ocean dissolvable. So, if someone doesn't have a garden or pot plants at home, they can actually dissolve it in a cup or bucket at home and wash it down the sink after a couple of hours. We've also made sure that our material is water resistant. So if there is a bit of rain or moisture in the environment, it's not an issue. It's more that when our material is actually submerged in water it will actually break down very quickly and provide nutrients within the water and natural, organic nutrients, which is fantastic.
Ilona: I love that. So I've heard a couple of things there. One is that a lot of other bio materials are still energy intensive or environmentally damaging to produce. So we're kind of solving one problem but creating or perpetuating another problem on the other hand. Whereas what you've got here is something that's truly sort of circular, it would otherwise be waste, we would just be tossing it away. But we've grabbed it, and we've used it to create another resource essentially, and then one that we can be disposed of in a way that doesn't hurt the environment.
Kimberly: 100 per cent, and just on that disposal part as well, a lot of other biodegradables and compostables require very specific conditions and Australians and across the world, there's not necessarily access to infrastructure to actually allow for those conditions and that collection to take place. So we wanted to make sure that anyone who gets a hold of our packaging can actually dispose of it in a really easy and sustainable way.
Ilona: I totally hear you on that, because every time I get a package from some clothing stores, and I won't name them and you know, it's very proudly a compostable bag, I live in an apartment, I don't really have access to compost. And so I've got a collection of bags that are compostable for the next time I visit a friend who actually has some way that I can dispose of these bags. And definitely I think, I'm thinking of coffee cups as well takeaway coffee cups, where people don't realise that you actually still need to dispose of those in a particular way. They're not just, you don't just toss them and they disappear. Yeah, yeah, definitely.
So you've actually got some packaging on you there, can we have a look at what it looks like?
Kimberly: I have a very snazzy little retail bag for you. So you can just pop that over your shoulder. And for shopping purposes. We also have a beautiful sandwich back that people can use in the lunchbox. So you pop your little sandwich in, and then it's self-sealable, you just fold it up and press it down. And you can pop that into your lunch bag. I also have a beautiful cling wrap material over here today.
So we actually have a range of different packaging materials, a lot of different fixable ranges, as well as semi rigid and adhesives and obviously the cling wrap that I just showed you here. But our first target is really addressing packaging in the fresh food and food space. And so for example, salad bags and a range of different potential punnets, for strawberries, and tomatoes, and all of that. The reason why we've chosen this first go-to market product is that our material also has natural embedded anti microbial properties that can extend the shelf life of those food products by an additional two weeks. And this sort of technology can actually save up to 40% of the existing food waste in the system, and has the potential to save Australia about a million tons annually in greenhouse gas emissions.
Ilona: This is this is like a miracle solution that you've got here. How did you how did you get onto this path?
Kimberly: It all actually started from the University of Sydney's Inventing the Future program, where they combine people from completely different backgrounds and different faculties and challenge you to solve a big problem. And my team got to tackle the plastic product. And I have always been very passionate about solving environmental problems in a practical way. And so in this project, we actually developed the idea for the solution, and have been running with it ever since. There was definitely an 'aha' moment, 'Oh my gosh, this can actually work'. And the more we researched into the actual properties of the different components that we can get out of the crustacean shells and the actual packaging and solutions, the more we've been amazed by the potential and the technology. And it's just been a very exciting journey since then.
Ilona: It sounds like it and so you've won the Hatch Accelerator Program, what's next for Carapac?
Kimberly: We've spent a lot of time developing the technology and the packaging and developing a different range. So now going forward, we're thrilled to have won the Taronga Zoo Hatch program grant. And that money is all going towards setting up a manufacturing facility so that we can scale our production and get our packaging on shelves.
Ilona: Amazing, and how far away do you think that is?
Kimberly: So it's a bit of an iterative process because we need to go through a range of different trials at different levels, but you should be very excited to find your Carapac packaging on shelves in about a year and a half's time.
Ilona: That's great, we'll all be looking out for it. Thank you so much for chatting to us today. It's been so exciting to hear about carrier pack and it sounds like a really great solution for a really big problem.
For more information about Carapac, visit here.
For more from The Carousel on sustainability, visit here.
Sarah Wilson On Tackling Our Huge Plastic Problem
The post Meet The Woman Solving The World's Plastic Problem With Crustacean Shells appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Gorgeous Lemon Myrtle Cake Recipe appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Auntie Susan's Lemon Myrtle Cake Recipe
INGREDIENTS
155 g (5½ oz/1 cup) macadamia nuts
180 g (6½ oz) butter
150 g (5½ oz) sugar
2 eggs, at room temperature
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda (baking soda)
300 g (10½ oz/2 cups) freshly milled flour
185 ml (6 fl oz/¾ cup) buttermilk
2 teaspoons dried lemon myrtle *
edible flowers, to decorate (optional)
Icing
3 egg whites
210 g (7½ oz) caster (superfine) sugar
210 g (7½ oz) butter
2 teaspoons dried lemon myrtle
*Most supermarkets stock lemon myrtle, and it's a cinch to order online. You can also use lemon myrtle teabags – just remove the leaves from the bag and grind them to a fine consistency. This icing can be used for any cake or muffin. Substitute lemon myrtle with any flavour you like.
METHOD
1 Preheat the oven to 160˚C (320˚F). Grease a 20 cm (8 in) round cake tin and line the base and side with baking paper.
2 Spread the macadamia nuts evenly on a baking tray and roast for 12 minutes, or until golden brown, then set aside to cool. Turn the oven up to 170˚C (340˚F).
3 Using an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter until smooth. Add the sugar and cream the two ingredients for 5 minutes, or until light and fluffy. Add 1 egg at a time, making sure the previous one is incorporated before adding the next. Beat for a further 5 minutes.
4 In a food processor, blitz the macadamia nuts to form a rough breadcrumb consistency. Add the remaining ingredients, except the edible flowers, and the nuts to the butter mixture and beat until smooth. Pour into the cake tin and bake for 40–45 minutes, or until lightly golden. Gently press on the top of the cake – if it bounces back, it's ready. Remove from the oven and let it cool for 10 minutes before turning out onto a wire rack to cool further.
5 To make the icing, fill a medium saucepan one-third full of water and place over medium heat. Bring to a light simmer. Put the egg whites and sugar into a stainless steel bowl. Using a whisk, briefly mix until the sugar has been incorporated. Place the bowl over the simmering water to create a double boiler and, stirring constantly, heat the mixture until the sugar has dissolved.
6 Using an electric mixer or hand-held electric beaters, whisk the egg mixture at high speed for 10–12 minutes; it will become white, glossy and thick. Keep whisking until the mixture is cool.
7 Switch to a paddle attachment if you have one, then mix on medium speed, adding the butter in four batches. Beat until thick and creamy, then add the lemon myrtle and stir until combined. Spatula onto the cake with enthusiasm and decorate with edible flowers, if using.
The post Gorgeous Lemon Myrtle Cake Recipe appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Why Oral Wellness is the New Frontier of Healthcare appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>According to leading aesthetic and regenerative dentist Dr Fadi Yassmin, "Dentistry is about more than creating the perfect smile; smile architecture and oral wellness are intertwined. Whole-body wellness starts with the mouth. Being disease-free starts with healthy gums and teeth."
Keeping your teeth and gums free of nasty bacteria and inflammation prevents chronic disease and supports healthy ageing. Signs of poor oral health include tooth decay, red, puffy gums that bleed when you brush and bad breath.
Poor oral health is commonly known to lead to tooth loss, making chewing and swallowing difficult and contributing to poor nutrition. However, according to the Oral Health and Dental Care in Australia Report (2021), the bacteria behind poor oral health can affect the health of your heart and lungs, contribute to diabetes and increase your risk of stroke. The report also highlights that by their fifties, the average Australian has ten decayed, missing or filled teeth; losing teeth and signs of poor oral hygiene, such as bad breath, can impact a person's confidence and self-esteem.
What causes poor oral health?
Lifestyle factors can contribute to poor oral health, including consuming sugar, tobacco and alcohol, not brushing and flossing regularly and missing your dental check-ups.
How do I look after my teeth and gums and my oral health?
Eating a healthy balanced diet, brushing your teeth twice a day with fluoridated toothpaste and flossing daily help keep your teeth and gums healthy. "Committing to oral hygiene is the first step to oral wellness," says Yassmin. "This is the starting point to turn around a patient's health and it is the best approach."
Don't forget regular check-ups with your dentist to help you stay ahead of any problems. If you haven't been to a dentist in a while, you may be surprised by new technological innovations.
"The game-changer for me in my clinic is supporting my longevity dentistry approach with diagnostics and digital tools," says Yassmin. "Keeping up to date with the latest technology allows me to provide the best results. Having a good understanding of dentistry and best in class technology such as artificial intelligence for digital dentistry and diagnostic radiology helps me improve the oral wellness of my patients. We are continuously scoping the industry for the newest technology to support us in our work at FY Smile, but we realise that good oral health and wellness starts by doing the basics right first."
Keeping your teeth and gums healthy through regular brushing, flossing and eating well will help you and your dentist not only look after your smile but take care of the rest of your body as well.
For more information visit www.fysmile.com.au
About Dr Fadi Yassmin
Dr Fadi Yassmin graduated from Sydney University in 1993 and has since then developed a reputation of one of the leading dental implant and cosmetic practitioners in Sydney. With a Masters in Aesthetic Dentistry from Kings College London, is a Master Clinician in Implantology (gIDE UCLA) and a post-graduate diploma in orthodontics from the city of London Dental School, Dr Yassmin ensures that he keeps up to date with all current treatment techniques and that he and his staff are committed to serving the needs of their patients. He is a Digital Smile Design instructor and KOL in the aesthetic space due to his profound knowledge of multi-disciplinary treatments.
The post Why Oral Wellness is the New Frontier of Healthcare appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post The Wonder That Is Melbourne Fashion Week appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Is it just me who feels like each new season is filled with so much hope, and excitement? I think it has a lot to do with the fact that the change in weather means a change in wardrobe. Everything I have been wearing for the past few months feels tired and gets shoved into storage. The rest comes out of storage and after everything is pressed and hanging in its assigned place for the season I can start to see the gaps last year's style just isn't filling. Then like a prayer from above along comes Melbourne Fashion Week, inspiring me with styles I never knew I needed, but trust me I do.
With Melbourne Fashion Week kicking off this week, I am excited to see collections from leading and emerging Australian designers in unique spaces. This year they will be featuring city-wide runways in iconic Melbourne locations, Federation Square, the aquarium, and the royal botanic gardens. Along with combining my two favourite things – food and fashion, for a runway and dining showcase featuring feminine details, playful prints and a fresh take on ready-to-wear staples.
Leo Lin is a show that always inspires with looks inspired by the Australian landscape. She finds the perfect balance between old world meets new, and masculine meets feminine.
Australian fashion royalty, Ginger and Smart influence the season with designs for spirited women. Always offering a sense of cool confidence and discovery that underpin the luxury contemporary design aesthetic of each collection.
It is positive to see the industry moving in the right direction towards inclusive sizing and models. Collective Closets and Harlow are a few who will be showcasing their collections at MFW offering sizes 8- 26.
Ngali is a designer with a lot of buzz and it is easy to see why. Ngali designs each silhouette to celebrate the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artworks adorning the garment.
After months of lockdown and yoga pants it is time to treat yourself to some style. Get behind our talented Australian designers, and look fabulous doing it.
What's on today
Day three will see Pop Up Runway 2 focusing on the themes of self-determination in action and Blak voices through fashion, this runway will showcase a diverse selection of established and emerging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander brands.
This evening will see a Melbourne Fashion Week first – SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium's mesmerising underwater world acts as the backdrop for a once-in-a-lifetime runway experience.
Slow fashion and sustainability will be in focus at the Aquarium Runway with local designers to be featured including ELK, búl, SZN and Sister Studios.
Melbourne Fashion Week runs from 15 to 21 November and features more than 250 designers and 300 retailers across more than 100 different events and sessions.
Find out more here:
https://mfw.melbourne.vic.gov.au/
The post The Wonder That Is Melbourne Fashion Week appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post The Plus-Size Debate at Melbourne Fashion Week appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>
It was the inaugural Opening Night Runway at Regents Theatre's Plaza Ballroom last night. Throngs of diverse models took to the runway, proudly waving pride flags and sporting gender-inclusive pieces that spoke to a new era of comfort dressing. And while the evening ended on a diversity high note with LGBTIQ+ advocate and plus size trans model AJ Clementine taking to the runway, it remains debatable how far reaching that diversity goes and if their push for size inclusivity is genuine or just a one night wonder.
Model Keeara Byrnes, who wears a size 14, echoed these concerns following the outrage of Sydney's Fashion Week and its dismal attempt at showcasing a diverse line-up of sizes on the runway. According to Byrnes, plus size models were invited, but only to sit in the audience, and the same thing is happening in Melbourne.
"A lot of my friends who are also considered 'bigger models' were invited along as a PR exercise. It was a false show of diversity, because the shows that said they were being diverse were actually only using models that were a 12. That's not "plus size", that's a normal healthy woman," Keeara said.
"It annoys me that we still have to have these conversations. Sydney had little to no diversity. We were not represented on the runway. It was all just a publicity stunt."
While fashion stylist and CEO of Threadicated, Danielle Johansen, agrees that Fashion Week has always been a showcase of mostly white and skinny models, she doesn't necessarily subscribe to the idea that all labels must cater for all sizes.
"I'm a size 10 and even I have felt excluded from brands that I had otherwise felt matched my style and budget. It's disappointing when you don't fit the mold of a brand you love," Danielle says.
"However, I believe each brand is allowed to choose who they design for, what styles and shapes they use. I'm weary of dictating a brands aesthetic. There is also the other side of the spectrum of brands that only design for size 18 plus, so they are also excluding smaller sized models and consumers. I believe there is a brand for everyone, you just have to find it."
With Melbourne Fashion Week just started, it's too soon to tell if they will match their diverse city landscapes with a diverse line-up of models that can make fashion relevant and in-line with society sizing norms. I propose that it is less about the models, and more about the diversity in brands being showcased and the knock-on effect it will have on the runway. I look forward to more discourse and debate on the topic. Perhaps we will one day see a Fashion Week that is inspired by the beauty of our shapes, angles and curves.
Melbourne Fashion Week runs from 15 to 21 November and features more than 250 designers and 300 retailers across more than 100 different events and sessions.
The post The Plus-Size Debate at Melbourne Fashion Week appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Inside Matt Preston's Secret Tips To Fail-Safe Flavoursome Cooking appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>
It's some of the fun facts the renowned foodie and TV personality provides us with with fabulous Aussie-style recipes in his new book – Matt Preston's World of Flavour. Personally, I love the interesting facts he's gleaned such as Australia's most-searched-for dishes, and other myth-busting tidbits about their origins and setting the culinary record straight.
But what counts most for Matt is his love and appreciation of flavour and there's 100 recipes in his book bursting with it and he explains to The Carousel why the 'pursuit of flavour' is one of his most enjoyable endeavours.
Here, we asked Preston a few more questions and here's what he had to say:
You describe the "holy grail" as passing on recipes with an amazing flavour in your foreward. Can you tell us a bit more about this?
"We've favoured dishes with resonance for the modern Australian kitchen, because I want as many of these recipes as possible to become beloved regulars on your table and, more importantly, for you to subsequently identify them as 'your' recipes. That's the holy grail for any recipe writer: to pass on the amazing flavours we've tasted and loved ourselves."
What are the most flavoursome recipes that have been shared by you and can you describe the meaning they have for you?
"The spaghetti bolognese is a recipe I'm particularly proud of – it's wonderful to have people come up to me and tell me it's their kids favourite. The superior flavour comes from long, slow cooking and a couple of insider tricks!"
When it comes to food, has the 'pursuit of flavour' been the most enjoyable endeavour?
"Totally – and it doesn't matter whether that comes in a dodgy lane way in Mexico City or some posh gastronomic temple."
You talk about your beloved recipe books – do you have many that were published before your were born? What are they and why do they still resonate? Is there a favourite in your collection?
"The oldest family recipe book I have is a handwritten one from 1765. I always get a thrill cooking the 'macherony' cheese from this book knowing it's 250 years provenance. It's an amazing way to feel a direct connection to my culinary heritage and my ancestors. With the other books in my collection, I especially cherish those with handwritten notes written in the margin of the printed recipes – ideas on how to improve it!"
How would you sum up Australian cuisine?
"Tasty, welcoming, fresh and bright."
What's the best way to eat oysters?
"Simple, uncooked with a few carpels of finger lime for the contrasting acid pop… Oh, and as close to the lease as possible. Eating shucked oyster just pulled from the sea – that romance just enhances the flavour and whole experience."
You've made an Aussie prawn and fish pie? What's the secret to making seafood pies?
"Just use properly fresh seafood. Don't overcook the seafood – remember different seafood can take different times too cook. Be generous with the herbs and follow a good recipe – like the one in my new book, World of Flavour.
The fish pies I grew up with were grey, fishy-smelling monstrosities that scarred me! Also, try making them with celeriac in the mash or hard boiled eggs in with the seafood – that's a Mrs Beeton trick from 150 years ago!"
What's the most underrated Aussie recipe? And why?
Lemon delicious – it's a magic, self-saucing pudding that can hero any of our signature flavours like passionfruit, lime or any number of different lemons.
Your avo smash on corn fritters is sublime. Can you explain our obsession with avos – is it one of your obsessions too?
"I so love avocados – I love that they used to be called 'alligator pears.' I love them sliced, mashed or even turned into a dairy-free dressing for salad with lime juice, salt and oil.
The fact they grow so well here is part of the attraction — but also avocado is such an easy vegetable to add to any breakfast. And they add such delicious creaminess! They are like nothing else raw in the veg world."
When it comes to flavour, what are among your favourite international cuisines and what's the flavour that attracts you most?
"Well, here are my favourites:
Indian – caramelised ginger and garlic as the base for so many gravies – the sourness of tamarind and kesuri methi. These dried fenugreek leaves are so good in any barbecued meat.
Thai – I love the alchemy of blending the flavours of fish sauce, Thai basil, lime, palm sugar and chilli together, especially with toasted pumpkin and roast peanuts, or with prawns.
Mexican – lime, chilli, corn, avocado, smoked chilli – like chipotle – all so good with a little pork action."
I love Knickerbocker glory…what does this recipe evoke for you?
"Childhood – when the tall glass of the sundae used to seem to tower above you and you had to stand up at the end to get your spoon right in there."
What's the secret to your amazing pork crackling?
"Prepare the pork skin – dry it, salt it and then rest it overnight. Then rub it clean and dry.
Apply enough heat. I used to smash the pork in a very hot oven first up but now I favour the reverse sear method and do that at the end. Remember the power of your grill function too but it's risky as the crackle will burn if not watched closely."
How do you stop your Pavlova from going flat?
"Don't over or under whip your eggs. Set a boundary for where you'll pile your meringue – and stick to it. Sweep upwards with a palette knife around the edge! Above all, Follow the recipe in the new book!!!"
Cookies – is there a tip for making crunchy cookies?
"For crispy cookies, it's all about the recipe, the heat, especially the sugar – you need white for crisp; and brown for moist – and the length of time in the oven. Cookies that spread out when cooking tend to be crispier so don't chill the dough before baking. The best crispy cookies in my repertoire are my 'dinkel cookies' from a Swedish recipe. Lace thin and crack like thin ice on a winter puddle.
You want crunch – just add macadamias!!!"
For more information on Matt Preston's new cooking book published by Penguin Books RRP $39.99, visit here.
For more recipes from The Carousel, visit here.
9 Healthy Recipes From Award-Winning Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary
The post Inside Matt Preston's Secret Tips To Fail-Safe Flavoursome Cooking appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post 5 Inspiring Celebrity Weight-loss Stories appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The enviable figures of the Kardashians do not come easy. Hard work and dedication has been the secret to Khloe's 16kg-loss.
She tellsPeople she works out "almost every day" and is currently on a five-days-a-week training plan. Khloe also says that these gym sessions with family trainer Gunnar Peterson help her 'emotionally'.
In addition to exercise, she has also made changes to the food she eats. Khloe reveals that in one month she lost 5kg as a result of just cutting dairy from her diet and changing nothing else.
The model says, 'I'm obsessed with cheese and milk, but eliminating them from my diet made the biggest difference'.
General lifestyle changes have also been a part of her new health plan, the Strong Looks Better Naked author said 'I'm way healthier now than I ever was. I stay really hydrated by drinking five litres of water and taking vitamins every single day'.
2. ADELE
The Hello singer admits she's always struggled to keep her weight in check.
She's tried just about everything over the years, including running with the dog, a vegetarian diet, and even a dalliance with lifting weights: "I'm not like, skipping to the f***ing gym," she laughed.
"I don't enjoy it. Blood vessels burst on my face really easily, so I'm so conscious when I'm lifting weights not to let them burst in my face".
But now, the mother of Angelo, believes she's found the key to long-lasting success – by simply cutting out tea.
The world's hottest comeback singer used to take 20 spoonful's of sugar a day, two each in her 10 sickly cuppas.
That is triple that of a woman's recommended daily dose of six teaspoons, or 24 grams.
The chartbusting singer says: "I used to drink ten cups a day with two sugars in each so I was on 20 sugars a day.
"Now I don't drink it and I have more energy than ever."
Reportedly now 30kg lighter, Adele has also given up booze and generally eats more healthily all-round.
3. MELISSA MCCARTHY
Previously dangerously overweight, Bridesmaids star Melissa McCarthy, is shrinking before our eyes – and she hasn't stopped yet.
As for her secret to losing a reputed 22kg in record time, mum-of-two Melissa says she simply changed her outlook on food.
"I truly stopped worrying about it," she told Life & Style magazine.
"I think there's something to kinda loosening up and not being so nervous and rigid about it that, bizarrely, has worked.
"I could have figured that out before now, but whatever."
Melissa also credits training with a martial arts instructor for the box office hit Spy as a kick-starter to her weight-loss journey.
But her biggest inspiration of late is the launch of her stunning new clothing line, Melissa McCarthy Seven7.
4. SNOOKI
The Jersey Shore pocket-rocket started her health-kick after giving birth to her first child Lorenzo in 2012.
But she's really ramped up the lifestyle since the arrival of her second child Giovannatwo years later.
Today she hits the gym with her trainer at least four times a week for 45-minute, or hour-long sessions.
With the help of her trainer and his customizable meal system Anthony Michael Fit Food, Polizzi is doing away with the carbs in her diet and loading up the pre-packaged meals with lean protein and veggies.
"I train with my sister-in-law," says Snooki, now 23kg lighter than she was at the height of her reality TV fame.
"We basically do weights every single day and we target different areas. Whether it's biceps, shoulders, abs legs, each day is a different thing and it's fun to do it together as much as we can."
5. ROSIE O'DONNELL
After the American comedian, actress and author suffered a heart attack in 2012 she underwent 'vertical sleeve gastric surgery' the following year to kick-start her weight loss.
Lifestyle changes followed, including an exercise plan and a healthier diet – reduced red meat, carbohydrates and sugar.
She added that she is now generally more active, taking daily walks. She told People that in those two years since her surgery she'd gone from 109 to 80kgs.
The post 5 Inspiring Celebrity Weight-loss Stories appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post New Fashion Trend To Try: Bold Buttons appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>This season, the bigger (button) the better – with almost novelty-size shapes playing out. Either amp up your button behaviour, or pare it down – either way, bare the button.
C/meo Collective All Falls Down Bustier
Hot off the fashion press, this slick bustier is a muted take on bold buttons. In a creamy biscuit colour and atypical to the usual gold; six black buttons sit front and centre to make this the perfect buttoned bustier.
Witchery Asymmetric Button Henley Top
For a unique slant on the trend (literally), this top laughs in the face of its straight counterparts, and opts for a suave row of asymmetrical gold buttons. Take that straighty-one-eighties.
Camilla and Marc Ceramic Button Skirt
You can almost hear the "oui, oui's" and smell the buttery croissants; this skirt is evocative of Parisian streets and French chic. A buttoned take on the classic pencil skirt, ten golden buttons sparkle this into a standout piece.
Misha Collection Carmela Playsuit
For the ultimate glam, look no further than this Misha Collection playsuit. Recently donned by the babein' Jourdan Dunn, the stark white buttons are dramatic in their size, but not in their colour, blending in to the backdrop of the same colour.
Zimmermann Havoc Stud Flare Pant
Trust Zimmermann to make the perfect pant, and then embellish it with perfectly placed gold buttons. These fabulous flowing slacks are wide legged with a hint of flare, as bold gold rivets line scooped pockets, making for a tremendous trouser.
Christopher Esber Looped Elemental Mini Skirt
Now, these are buttons. In real-life these gigantic, resin, mottled seafoam and aqua buttons are nothing short of incredible. Despite the rather hefty price-tag, this is a statement skirt well worth your pennies.
Country Road Military Button Coat
This coat – now on sale thank you very much – is the perfect snug cover-up with a spike of glamour thanks to its gilded double-breasted buttons.
The post New Fashion Trend To Try: Bold Buttons appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Yoga Pose Of The Week: Eagle Legs Pose appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>As we go through the process of full Eagle Pose – we have done the Eagle arms so now it's time to bring in the legs, but as a separate pose. Once we've done this, we can bring it all together to create the amazing focus and balance of what the full Eagle Pose is and what it represents.
We want to work smarter, not harder, which is why the arms and legs – as two separate parts of the body – have different roles.
Garuda is known as the king of the birds. This standing pose is also referred to as a balancing pose which works to strengthen the legs, whilst boosting energy within your body. With regular practice this pose can be included in yoga flow sequences.
Benefits of Eagle Legs
- Strengthens and stretches the ankles and calves.
- Stretches the thighs and hips.
- Improves concentration.
- Aids in good breathing practice.
- Improves sense of balance.
How to get there:
- Begin in the Mountain Pose – see here – Tadasana
- Keep your feet at hip distance apart.
- Knees are slightly bent.
- Core is engaged – belly button to spine.
- Bend your knees and sink your bottom to Chair Pose
- Bring the weight into your left foot and look forward to a focus on something – Drishti point.
- Keep your hands on your hips.
- Lift your right leg and cross it over your left thigh as high up as you can.
- Squeeze your thighs together.
- Hook the top of your right foot behind your left calf.
- Keep your spine straight.
Deep breaths here for 20 seconds
To exit the pose:
- Engage your core – belly button to spine.
- Press down through your left foot and activate your thigh.
- Uncross your leg.
- Standing tall.
While standing in Tadasana for a minute, notice both sides of your body before repeating this on the other side.
Contraindications
Pre-existing ankle, knee or lower back injury.
Variations
Cross one foot over the other, have the crossed over foot either flat or ball of foot on the floor.
Hold onto a chair for stability.
Press your bottom against a wall for stability, refining the pose.
Enjoy practicing Eagle Legs. If you're wobbly with your balance, that's OK – have a giggle!
Always be kind to yourself, move with ease and grace. You are the most important person in your life.
Namaste
For more from The Carousel on yoga – including Eagle Arms – visit here.
Yoga Pose Of The Week: Eagle Arms Pose
The post Yoga Pose Of The Week: Eagle Legs Pose appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post The Perfect Breakfast: Try This Macadamia Muesli Recipe appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Macadamia nuts are a rich source of Vitamin A, iron, protein, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, and folates. They also contain moderate amounts of zinc, copper, calcium, phosphorus, potassium and magnesium. Plus they contain antioxidants like polyphenols, Amino acids, flavones, and selenium.
Macadamia Muesli Recipe
Serves 2- 3 PAX
- 200g oats
- 180g roasted macadamia
- 50g coconut flakes
- 160g golden raisins
- 100g sultanas
- 1/2 cup of honey
- 3tbsp butter
Toppings:
Yogurt or milk
Instructions:
Mix all the dry ingredients. In a pan warm the honey and butter. When it's hot pour it in the dry mix and stir it well.
In a tray put the granola and cook it for 20 min 100 degrees or until goes lightly golden brown. Let it cool down.
The Carousel would like to thank Upper East Side Bondi for this recipe.
The post The Perfect Breakfast: Try This Macadamia Muesli Recipe appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Clean Eating: Green Breakfast Salad With Herbed Eggs appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Avocados are a great source of good-quality fat that have an amazing way of keeping us feeling satiated for longer, meaning that after this breakfast you won't be reaching for any naughty mid-morning snack.
Serves 2
INGREDIENTS
4 eggs
1 tablespoon finely chopped flat-leaf parsley leaves
1 tablespoon finely chopped coriander leaves
1 tablespoon sesame seeds
1 tablespoon roughly chopped hazelnuts
1 tablespoon roughly chopped cashew nuts
1 tablespoon roughly chopped almonds
1 tablespoon pumpkin seeds
2 large avocados, roughly chopped
1 small handful of kale, stalks removed and leaves finely chopped
2 tablespoons avocado oil
finely grated zest and juice of 1 lemon
METHOD
1 Lower the eggs into a saucepan of boiling water, reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for 3–6 minutes depending on how firm you like them. Drain, then peel off the shells under cold running water. Leave to cool.
2 Place the parsley, coriander and sesame seeds in a bowl, add the peeled eggs and roll them in the herb mixture to coat them all over. Set aside.
3 In a separate large bowl, toss together the chopped nuts, pumpkin seeds, avocado and kale until well combined. Dress evenly with the avocado oil and lemon juice, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
4 Divide the salad between two serving bowls, top with the boiled eggs and garnish with the lemon zest. For extra visual amazingness, cut the boiled eggs in half to allow the yolk to ooze all over the delicious salad before serving.
Tips
If you feel the need to beef this dish up a little, try adding a slice of one of my amazing gluten-free loaves from the Bakery chapter. Boiled eggs (in the shell) can be stored in the fridge for up to 1 week, so make up a big batch to have on hand for this breakfast, as well as for snacks throughout the day.
Recipes extracted from Eat Clean by Luke Hines. Available now, Plum, RRP $39.99.
The post Clean Eating: Green Breakfast Salad With Herbed Eggs appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Guide to the Best Breakfasts in Sydney – Yeah we know you love AVO on toast appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>District Brasserie, CBD, Chifley Square
It's new and bang on-trend. With its in-house bakery, you can go from croissant to cocktail hour then dinner without moving. We want to roost here. It's everything Sydney dining should be about. Look out for anything 'truffle' Thanks to a trip to Canberra, Frisbee, the Jack Russel truffle dog sniffed out these magical orbs for you to try with your breakfast.
The AVO: First it's on District Brasserie sourdough baked that morning. Two generous, big chewy slices char grilled and topped with fresh luscious avocado, dotted with barrel aged fetta, olive soil, sliced fennel, halved cherry tomatoes, provençal dressing and micro herbs ($17) top with a biodynamic cornucopia poached egg (+$6). Its heaven on a plate, better on the fork.
Your plus one: The Turalla truffle, creamy scrambled egg, maple bacon on crème fraiche and chives ($21) or perhaps the sautéed mushrooms with shavings of mizithra cheese, soft poached eggs on toasted sourdough ($19). If you really want to go decadent but light – the smoked salmon and lobster croissant served with a perfect soft boiled egg on the side could be your go to.
Garçon, Tramsheds, Forest Lodge
It's hard not to get addicted to the amazing coffee from The Little Marionette; but breakfast is grazing and gazing spot thanks to Chef Brian Villahermosa (ex Movida) with some of the best people and dogwatching action at the Tramsheds.
The AVO – First let's start with remarkable ancient grain sourdough, stone milled and baked on site by master baker Chez at Dust Bakery. Two slices are stacked and covered with lashings of smashed avo, two technically perfect 62 degree soft eggs. The whole deal is then covered with shaved feta resembling a snow field. The shower of togarashi gives it all a kick. ($13.5)
Your Plus one – Brunch Bao's are moreish one handed morsels stuffed with spicy chorizo, tortilla and mojo verde. We loved slow poached salmon under a doona of oh so creamy scrambled eggs. The addition of sea blight & pickled green tomato adds freshness and acidity to balance a glorious dish. ($17.5).
Blackwall Café, Chiswick – On a sunny morning the glass doors are pulled back, copper tables are gleaming and the views onto boats bobbing around on the harbor is a pretty sight with a cup of All Press coffee in hand
The Avo – Athin single slice of local Butler and Bentley bread is topped with lashings of avocado and luscious slices of house smoked trout. The trout is from Decosti. Chef Arnold Williams cures it overnight in a dark brown sugar and salt mix then it's hot smoked over apple wood for 1.5 hours. Topped with a leafy dressing of herbs and lemon it's the bomb.($18.50).
Your plus one: Two perfectly poached Blackwall eggs on toast schmeared with caramalised onion, dotted with yoghurt and cherry tomatoes with a herb salad is our next favourite dish. ($17.50) If you like fritters, two rounds of pumpkin, fetta and spinach are your go to. Add a generous thick slice of haloumi or smoky bacon to make the whole thing amazing!
Two Chaps, Marrickville – So good we went back the next day! The bakery at the back turns out a range of specials along with wild ferment sourdough from certified organic flour. Its produce driven menu is unconventional with a community of artisan producers at its heart.
The AVO – A single gorgeously thick crusty but chewy slice of house baked sourdough is topped with beetroot hummus, generous slices of avocado, pieces of smoked feta, pine nuts, then dressed with spinach and chermoula. ($16) Top it with a poached egg (+$3), add mushrooms ($4) if you dare, this is our pick of the pack.
Your plus one; You can't go past two golden rounds of house made hash browns on a pool of green goddess sauce made from super green goodness a few crispy Brussel sprouts, kale and capped with a poached egg. Or try a 'hot sandwich'; a house baked seeded ciabatta roll layered with beetroot relish, mushroom, haloumi and a sunny side up fried egg.
The Hyde, Potts Point
Sitting in a comfortable booth looking out on huge windows into the Cross this is a great people watching spot. It's a contemporary fit out with white chairs, copper hanging lights and food from Milanese chef Christian Colognesi.
The Avo – Avocado Spread ($15) is two generous slices of toasted Brasserie soy & linseed bread topped with a scheamer of avocado, lime, basil, piped goats curd and covered with halved slices of cherry tomato. This one is an ode to Italy. Classic.
Your plus one: Good scrambled eggs are hard to find. The chef does a cracking job; simply add wild mushrooms onto dark malt bread. The signature dish here should be 'Fried Eggs and Greens' its'WOW' on a plate. Two perfectly sunny side up eggs on sourdough separated by a fan of vertical crispy kale, on the other side is another slice of sourdough topped with sweet crushed peas then sprinkled with fairy pea dust. Its magic – you might be tempted and at $16 is a bargain!
Hotel Centennial, Woolhara
Things step up a notch here hatted chef Justin North. Maybe it's the pistachio sofas, Scandi design, light filled room or the beautiful people worthy. It's a beautiful spot to dine. Don't forget your pashmina.
The AVO – A deconstructed dish with thick char grilled fingers of Flinders Rangers soul origin sourdough, fanned half of an avocado, a tumble of colour from house made pickles including pink cauliflower, red cabbage and charred eggplant dip dusted with furikake. Dead posh. ($18)
Your plus one: This might be the dish which turns avo lovers into omelette fans. A perfect cylinder of biodynamic eggs crowned with Queensland spanner crab and drizzled with burnt butter 22, Tasmanian truffle and local mushrooms OMG! A side of shaved fennel and orange salad is the perfect combo. Mushroom fans should go for baked mushroom and Cornocopia eggs cocotte which is served to the table in its own skillet with grilled eggplant purée.
The post Guide to the Best Breakfasts in Sydney – Yeah we know you love AVO on toast appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post 5 Wacky And Wonderful Wes Anderson Films appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>
1. Moonrise Kingdom
Unlike most Romances, the couple in focus are two troubled twelve year old runaways. With an orphan boy who escapes from a scouting camp to unite with his pen pal and love interest. Inspired from Wes Anderson's first crush as a twelve year old. Based in 1965 on a made up island, this quirky romance highlights themes of fantasy, childishness and first love. A wacky twist on a classic coming of age.
2. The Grand Budapest Hotel
This is a period piece with a twist. Essentially the story recounts the owner of an ageing high-class hotel years of serving as a lobby boy. It has plot twists of stolen paintings, lusty widows, prison escapees and the stirring of fascism. With the elaborate setting of a 1930's, 1862 and 1985 we are taken on a journey through time that you will not regret watching.
3. Fantastic Mr Fox
Based on well known author Roald Dahl's comedic tale of a tail-less fox, Anderson created a fantastic stop motion with a cast of puppet animals. Whilst the plot is about a chicken stealing , over confident fox it is also a portrayal of eccentric families and a reflection of modern life. My favourite thing about this movie is the sound track which is upbeat and quirky.
4. The French Dispatch
Set in a fictional French city over the 50s and 60s and 70s, this is a multi layered love song to journalism and the exploits of a weekly magazine. Highlighting stories like a artist sentenced to life imprisonment, student riots and a kidnapping resolved by a chef. This film is one of Anderson's most densely packed and structurally complex films, attempting to synthesise European history and the creative process.
5. Rushmore
This was Anderson's second film inspired from his days at his private high school. This coming of age is a tragic comedy about an eccentric teenager who does a range of peculiar extra curricular activities. Such as the bee keeping society, to writing and producing plays. He stumbles in a love triangle with a pretty teacher of an elementary school called Rushmore. Considered one of Wes Anderson's best films with a range of visual imagery, this is a must watch.
https://thecarousel.com/news/whats-on/the-openair-cinema-to-watch-movies-and-take-in-the-warmth-of-spring/
The post 5 Wacky And Wonderful Wes Anderson Films appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Thai Paleo Satay Chicken Skewers appeared first on The Carousel.
]]> Serves 4
Preparation time 30 minutes (plus 2 ½ hours marinating and soaking)
Cooking time 10 minutes
INGREDIENTS
1½ teaspoons lime zest
1½ tablespoons lime juice
1 tablespoon coconut oil, melted, plus extra for cooking
2 tablespoons tamari
1 ½ tablespoons fish sauce
3 garlic cloves, crushed
1½ tablespoons finely grated ginger
1½ tablespoons ground turmeric
1½ teaspoons ground coriander
1 teaspoon ground cumin
800 g (1lb 12¼ oz) organic free-range chicken thigh fillets, cut into 2.5 cm (1 inch) cubes
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
Coriander leaves, to serve
Lime halves, to serve
Cashew Satay Sauce
155 g (5½ oz) cashew nuts
120 g (4¼ oz) almond butter
2 tablespoons finely grated ginger
1 long red chilli, seeded and finely chopped
2 tablespoons tamari
1 tablespoon sesame oil
1 tablespoon maple syrup
Sea salt
METHOD
1 Combine the lime zest and juice, coconut oil, tamari, fish sauce, garlic, ginger, ground spices and in a large bowl and mix well. Add the chicken and toss until thoroughly coated in the marinade. Transfer the chicken and marinade to a large, sealable plastic bag and marinate for at least 2 hours.
2 Soak 8 bamboo skewers in a shallow dish of cold water for at least 30 minutes, then drain.
3 To make the cashew satay sauce: Combine the cashews and almond butter in the bowl of a food processor and pulse until the nuts are well ground. Add the ginger and chilli and process until well blended. Add the tamari, sesame oil and maple syrup and blend well. Gradually pour in 4 tablespoons of water and pulse until the sauce becomes smooth. If the sauce is a little too thick, simply add more water. Set aside. Season with a little salt if desired. Preheat a barbecue or grill plate to medium-high.
4 Thread the marinated chicken cubes onto the prepared skewers and season with salt and pepper. Grill the skewers, basting with the marinade, for 3 minutes on each side until browned and cooked through. Season with salt and pepper if needed.
5 To serve, warm the satay dipping sauce, if desired. Scatter the coriander leaves over the skewers and serve with the lime halves and the satay sauce on the side.
The post Thai Paleo Satay Chicken Skewers appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post The Magic Of Crystals And How They Heal appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Guide to Crystals and their Healing Powers
Rose Quartz
Known for its pretty pink colour, the rose quartz is the love gem and is said to enhances all types of love, whether that be self-love, love for others, or unconditional love. So these lil beauties can help you to enhance your self love and bring more love from others into your life.
Amethyst
This mystical purple stone is said to be protective and healing. Protecting the wearer from negative energy and helping to relieve stress and strain. It is also said to help open intuition making the wearer more aware of their surroundings.
Clear Quartz
The clear quartz is the master healer and all about clarity. Its healing properties involve clearing your mind, body, and spirit of any clutter and is said to enhance concentration and memory. Therefore bringing balance to ones life. This stone can also be paired with other crystals to enhance their abilities.
Jade
Like its gentle green colour, Jade is a very soothing and pure stone. It is said to help enhance stability, emotional balance and peace to the owner. It is also the stone of good luck and wisdom.
Tiger's Eye
This honey, gold stone is known for its ability to give courage, inner strength and confidence to the wearer for them to self trust and self validate. Historically, warriors and the roman soldiers wore Tiger's Eye when they went into battle because it was believed to bring strength and protection. Its name relates to its resemblance to the eye of a tiger or cats eye.
Aqua Marine
Aquamarine is a very cleansing Crystal and is said to help let go of negative energies and promote inner peace. Its calming energies help reduce stress and quiet the mind. Aqua" is the Latin word for water and "marine" means "of the sea, which signifies the Aquamarine stone meaning and its link to ancient water kingdoms.
https://thecarousel.com/world/author-helen-jacobs-helps-you-access-your-intuition-and-find-your-purpose/
The post The Magic Of Crystals And How They Heal appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Adam Liaw's Chicken Paprikash Recipe appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Ingredients
- 50 g butter, plus 25 g extra for the pasta
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 green capsicum, seeds removed and diced
- 5 cloves garlic, sliced
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tbsp flour
- 2 tbsp sweet paprika
- 1 kg chicken thigh fillets, cut into 10 cm pieces
- 500 ml chicken stock
- 150 ml sour cream
- 500 g fusilli, orecchiette or other short pasta
- 1 tbsp finely shredded parsley leaves
Method
Heat a large casserole dish over medium heat and add the butter, onion and capsicum and fry for about 5 minutes until the onion is softened. Add the garlic and fry for a further 2 minutes until the garlic is fragrant. Add the tomato paste and stir to combine. Toss the chicken in the flour and add to the pan with the paprika as well. Add the chicken stock and bring to a simmer. Simmer covered for 15 minutes, then stir through the sour cream.
While the chicken is simmering, cook the pasta according to the packet directions, drain and toss through the extra butter. Serve the chicken alongside the pasta, scattered with parsley.
Delicious Sashimi Salad Recipe From Adam Liaw
The post Adam Liaw's Chicken Paprikash Recipe appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Shifting Gears – From Surviving To Thriving In Motherhood appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The story and inspiration behind Flourish for Mums 21 ways to thrive with self-care and acceptance
Evolving into motherhood changes the lens on life.
Before having my own children; I had the privilege of working with thousands of mothers and their children; as a Speech and Language Pathologist. Too often, mothers' confided they were feeling like they were failing. They blamed themselves for their child's difficulties and bore a burden of multi-layered guilt. The feelings of insecurity as to whether they were doing and being enough were ever-present; as they fought their inner battle of being a "good" parent.
My heart went out to these amazing mothers, who often without realising; showed such courage, strength and determination fuelled by an impenetrable maternal love. I was humbled by them.
Then, in my first 2 years and 7 months of motherhood, I had 3 children. I quickly felt a deeper connection to all the mothers I had worked with; experiencing much love, joy, and fascination; together with the strong undercurrents of mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical fatigue; as I fought my inner battle, trying to be a "good enough" mother, wife, daughter, sister, friend, and leader of my Speech Pathology company.
I was functioning as best I could – in survival mode.
Motherhood; was the steepest personal learning curve of my life. It gave me no choice but to dig deep and do some major soul searching. This process led to a newly found liberation. I released the burden of unrealistic expectations and came to the joyful realisation that I too was learning, just as my children were.
And, with great humility; I understood that my children and the thousands of children I had worked with over the years; were my greatest teachers.
My four-year-old daughter came to me one day and asked,
"Mum, why do kids have mums?"
I was a little surprised at that question; I wondered; hadn't she noticed how much is done each day as part of the mothering role?!
"Well, kids have mums for lots of reasons; we help keep you safe; we teach you things; we help you to be able to do different things, we do our best to help you grow with healthy foods…" I trailed off and asked her the question in return.
"Why do you think kids have mums?"
She looked up at me with open simplicity, her round moon face reflecting the light while her innocent wide eyes seemed so sure. She gently responded,
"To love them".
I paused. Not just any pause. A heart-struck pause. The kind that you feel throughout your core; that tells you to listen up and pay attention as wisdom beyond words had just been shared.
My lesson that day has carried forward – get your mind out of all the "stuff" that needs doing, and simply come back to human connection. Kids have mums to love them. Full stop.
(Excerpt from Flourish for Mums: 21 ways to thrive with self-care and acceptance)
Focussing on what was truly important, I awakened, to understand my duty to love my children; also extended to authentically loving myself. This was the shift, from surviving to thriving.
I wrote Flourish for Mums as a gift, to honour all mothers, and to celebrate and support women wearing the 'mother' label. Being a mother is not all that we are; it expands who we are.
Mums, you matter. You are valued. You are loved.
Let us flourish together!
The post Shifting Gears – From Surviving To Thriving In Motherhood appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Green Friday Is The Sustainable Antidote To Frenzied Online Sales Events appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>While we all love a good bargain, all this frenzied consumption is the antithesis of conscious consumerism and sustainability.
'Green Friday' is a concept which gives mindful shoppers something to participate in while everyone else is gorging on sales from November 26-29th.
Green Friday is brought to us by the same duo behind huge 're-commerce' online marketplace Releaseit, Peter Krideras (ironically, a Click Frenzy co-founder) and Stephen Kulmar.
Green Friday encourages us to shop more slowly and consciously
This new day encourages consumers to resist the urgency and frenzied mania of the November sales sprint and to instead slowly (and consciously) peruse Australia's sustainable and ethical brands such as Flora & Fauna, The World's Biggest Garage Sale, Frank Green, Releaseit, Glamcorner and The Well Store.
Each collaborating brand is forging ethically-curated specials or initiatives during the 4-day period. For example, Flora & Fauna will donate $1 from every order placed on the Friday to plant trees with Greenfleet and regenerate Australian native forests.
Yasmin Grigaliunas, CEO and Co-Founder of The World's Biggest Garage Sale says: "Our mission is to change hearts and minds about the value of dormant goods and within that, challenge consumers to shop mindfully, consciously and sustainably. We know that it is the time of year for shopping up a storm and stocking up on gifts, but if every person just took one second to rethink and to purchase one secondhand gift, just imagine the positive impact we could have on the planet and on our wallets."
Peter Krideras commented on his association with the movement he's now trying to buck, saying: "For me, the last few years have been about developing a future solution, hence my focus on re-commerce businesses. I can't claim to have all the answers or that we even have the perfect model, I'm just trying to do my bit and events like Green Friday are a start in the right direction."
If you'd like more information about Green Friday, visit here.
For more from The Carousel on sustainability, visit here.
New Sustainable Beauty, Books and Fashion That Are Hot This Month
The post Green Friday Is The Sustainable Antidote To Frenzied Online Sales Events appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post 3 Tips to Live a More Fulfilled and Productive Life appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Being fulfilled is an amazing feeling, but not many people find it easy to achieve. Fulfillment seems like an easy concept on the surface, yet is an integration of so many factors. At the same time, it is important to note that fulfillment is relative. What one person deems as being fulfilled may not be the same for another person.
Also, contrary to what many people may think, fulfillment is not just about making a lot of money. It's about having a grasp of what matters the most to you. And well, if that is money, then there's no problem with that.
Here are 3 simple tips to help you live a more balanced, fulfilled, and productive life.
Make the Most of Your Mornings
There's something incredible and deeply mystical about mornings. Most successful people capitalize on their mornings because it often sets the course and tone of the day. It also has a powerful ripple effect on the rest of their days.
When you start your mornings right, doing your own morning routine (because this differs from one person to another), this habit evolves into a cycle and helps you live a more fulfilled and productive life.
However, you don't have to follow the norm of 'morning routines' or do what other people are doing in the morning. You can settle into your mornings via exercises, meditation, affirmations, or as simple as a nice cup of coffee. Figure out what works best for you, and follow it to a tee.
Build Strong Relationships
To a large extent, relationships form the core of life. And no matter how you try, you just can't avoid interacting with people. The kinds of relationships you build with people are a congruent factor for your fulfillment in life.
Brian Swan , co-founder of the Unstoppable Branding Agency, emphasizes the essence of relationships. He recalls how he met Rhonda Swan— his present wife, while surfing at Mission Beach in San Diego, and how she has been a huge impact on his success today.
" I was a corporate robotics engineer working in the Semiconductor, Biotech, and Aerospace industry, while Rhonda worked for a fortune 500 pharmaceutical company. We initially lived the American dream, with a nice house and solid real estate investments, until Rhonda said something that would drastically change the course of our lives. She said, 'I want to have a family, but I'm not going to put my kids in daycare.' That statement challenged me, and I sought to create a different life for myself and Rhonda ," he recounts.
Building relevant relationships are like a kind of investment. You never can tell who will be of value to you in the future, or who you'll still cross paths with.
Embrace Positivity and Happiness
Maintaining positivity and happiness is a great start to living a more fulfilled life. Try to stay happy and positive regardless of whatever situation you find yourself in. When navigating through life, you can either choose anger or happiness. Happiness is a choice, and it's a foundation on which to build other essential things of life.
Despite running a very busy schedule, Brian has been able to effectively play his role as the co-founder and business development manager of Unstoppable Branding Agency . He reveals that maintaining a state of happiness and positivity has been immensely useful for him to get through each passing day, be a great husband to Rhonda, and be a thoughtful father to his daughter, Hanalei Swan.
There's a way that positivity changes our approach to life and makes us more fulfilled. Even when we find ourselves in the most depressing situations, finding a way to stay happy gives us a sort of reassurance and hope to await better days
Wrapping Up
A fulfilling life is not far-fetched. It depends on the things you prioritize the most, how you create a balance out of them, and how you handle life itself. Fulfillment is the key to life, and it is usually found in those acts that spark our true being and essence.
Do what works for you, and create a blissful life out of it.
The post 3 Tips to Live a More Fulfilled and Productive Life appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Top 3 Tips to Attain Wealth in Every Area of Your Life appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Most of us have been conditioned by society to limit our beliefs about wealth to money alone.
And that's why many people only concentrate on hustling through life just to make ends meet, with a lot of money to their name. Now, when they finally achieve that, they often realize that they lack other essential areas of life. And gradually, that emptiness crawls in.
Here are 3 tips to help you achieve true wealth
1. Deconstruct Your Beliefs About Money
The first step to deconstructing your limiting beliefs about money is accepting that a lot of the conditioning we received as kids is rooted in falsehood. We've got to realize that we are deserving of so much more and we've got what it takes to reach our potentials, but we are limited and boxed into mental spaces where all we seek is money.
When we break free from this box, it opens up our mindset to reach out for a true balance of wealth. However, the process of deconstruction may not be easy because the years of programming have been rooted deep in us. Regardless, it is possible if you are willing.
Leah Steele , a spiritual business coach and wealth strategist, believes that wealth encompasses your health, spirituality, belief system, and your relationships. All aspects of life need to be balanced to achieve real wealth.
2. Practice Daily Wealth Consciousness
A daily wealth consciousness practice is a moment in which you question your long-held beliefs around wealth, abundance, and implicit programming. After years of conditioning by society to keep you in a regressive mindset of wealth scarcity, it takes a gradual process to reconfigure one's mind.
Leah speaks of her own wealth consciousness practice. " I constantly listen to things that inspire me. I read them over and over ." After making consistent affirmations and committing to restructuring her mindset, Leah has been able to undo the damage that much of modern society falls victim to.
Also, journal it. It has been discovered that people who vividly describe, write, or picture their goals are 1.2 to 1.4 times more likely to accomplish their goals than those who don't. When you write down your intentions, your feelings, your experiences, you begin to absorb the information more deeply. You start to see the patterns, the things that hold you back, you begin to shape your dreams and from there, you create your reality.
3. Align You Are Being With Wealth
Aligning with wealth is not a magical concept. It's something similar to affirmations. Affirmations simply help to awaken your mental state and eventually spur you to action. It's like a kind of reinforcement.
Contrary to what many people may think, you still need to do the work. Affirmations only help to increase your self-confidence that indeed, you can make your wealth dreams come true.
In a study published by ResearchGate , it was revealed that; practicing self-affirmation activates the reward centers in your brain. For instance, if you say to yourself "I will make more money," it fires up energy centers that'll propel you to actually work towards making more money.
Wrapping Up
In summary, these seemingly simple lifestyle tips can change the direction of our entire lives, and replace rigid social programming with freedom and liberation. With one step at a time, and preparing yourself physically, mentally, and emotionally, and of course; putting in the hard work, you're well on your way to becoming financially abundant and indeed— wealthy!
The post Top 3 Tips to Attain Wealth in Every Area of Your Life appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post ELK's Marnie Goding Tells Us How This Brand Is Moving To Sustainable Practices appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Other exciting eco-conscious moves the brand is making include a shift to more plant-derived and recycled leather along with its ongoing work to trace all its materials back to farm. So, it was a good time to catch up with ELK co-founder and creative director Marnie Goding and ask her more about the brand's sustainability journey.
Tell us about ELK, what defines the label?
"We are a Melbourne based fashion label in our 17th year. We started the business at a time when there was huge opportunity for handmade, contemporary accessories – there wasn't anyone else really competing in the market. We launched selling our designs through both wholesale and retail channels and have since evolved the collection into a full fashion offering.
"We have three retail stores and a broad, predominantly female demographic with customers aged from 25 to 75 and we offer sizes 6 to 20. We are proud to cater for such a beautiful, diverse audience. Our customers appreciate quality and unique design and connect with us as a sustainably focused, family-owned label. We are known for our use of colour and print – and for our commitment to operating with transparency.
"We have an extensive network of independent wholesale stockists right across the globe from here in Australia to Japan, Canada, the US, New Zealand and the UK. We are not trend driven and instead focus on contemporary design, quality, ethical production, use of considered materials and to working with responsible producers," said Goding.
What inspires you?
"The living environment and art are constant inspirations. We love colour and print and are moved by the incredible palette mother nature offers. We produce most of our prints in-house but also collaborate with artists around the world to create bold and exciting textile designs.
"From a business sense we have a collective passion to always do better, go further and be curious. I have a restlessness that pushes us and our teams towards continual improvement. We are inspired by the broad changes we see in our industry as we move toward a more circular fashion economy, along with the innovation and technology that is driving new ideas, and new ways to reduce our environmental impact."
I love the bold colours of the label. Do you have any styling tips?
"We love mixing and matching colour and pattern but that's not something that everyone is comfortable with – head to toe print is a commitment! It is important when choosing a bold colour or print to choose something that will suit your colour tone and you will feel comfortable wearing so it doesn't get relegated to the back of your closet. The rules we subscribe to are – to colour block using similar tones and hues and to use accessories to create contrast and interest. When wearing print, to balance the outfit with complimentary accessories or use neutral options to ground the look. The most important thing is to have fun, don't be scared of layering and to always add accessories…. the more the better!"
Great tips! What are some of your favourite pieces throughout the years?
"I still have many pieces in my wardrobe that after many years I pull out each week. I love our basic items that I can rely on for comfort and can layer with bright colours or prints. Our French linen program is extensive but my stand out favourite is our heavier weight, linen Dahme pants. Also our classic Purno hightop sneakers, our large Edda bag for work each day and then stacks of our bangles in resin or timber are all on high rotation."
When did sustainability become important to you and how is this expressed in the business?
"Elk was founded on clear, ethical principles and sustainability has always been a key element. Our greatest environmental impact is through the products we make but we also have impact through running our operations.
"We became more acutely aware of the impact we were having around eight years ago when during a factory visit we realised there were issues around waste management with one of our jewellery makers. This trip and our experience kick started a deep dive into all of our makers, materials and production processes right through our supply chain. There is a lot our producers are doing right but more importantly our research has shown us what needs to stop, change or be improved and they are all on this journey with us.
"We are focused on reducing the effects our business has on the environment through the careful selection and research into materials, production processes, freight, packaging and facilities management. We record and report on this work through an annual transparency report which is released in April each year. The report is a summary of our progress and serves as a roadmap for the future."
What are some of the challenges of running a fashion label with a sustainability ethos?
"The challenges are many and varied. Our operation in Australia has seen many improvements and changes which have been relatively easy as we are on the ground and can action initiatives quickly. Because we almost exclusively produce offshore though, we have to rely on many different ways to measure, assess and report on our impact and on our projects.
"We have a dedicated Head of Ethics and Sustainability; Erika Martin, who heads up the work we are doing. It is an enormous task to liaise with suppliers, to ascertain how, where and with whom they work, to keep a current audit trail and follow non compliances throughout the supply chain, to consider and understand social, environmental and governmental policy….and the list goes on.
"Erika and her department is central to us achieving our 2025 goals. It is difficult in limited words to define how challenging it is producing in so many countries, with such a broad scope of work in an industry that is also rapidly changing. Government and policy changes, advancements in research and innovation, external environmental pressures and so many other elements see us constantly trying to adapt to make the best decisions at the time."
"Much of our commitment to ensuring we operate ethically and transparently is to undertake in person visits to each of our makers. For now and in the short term this is not possible. We have partnered with organisations like Sedex and others to help us maintain as much visibility into these factories as possible. This has been one of the biggest challenges throughout the last two years as staying connected to our makers is vital.
"The reality is that our business runs on the sale of new products. So, our mantra is to offer a better alternative to conventional. We don't use hard line sales tactics and instead encourage our customers to buy what they need or really love and make sure it is made well and from more sustainable materials. Simply put – if you buy a pair of our denim jeans that we make in Vietnam with Saitex you are making a better choice than buying a pair from another brand that makes their denim in more conventional ways. We are also working on our Elk ReWear initiative and a take back program in an effort to improve our circular practices.
"Overall we are accountable to ourselves, to the people who make our products from the factories to the farmers and then to our customers. We have a list a mile long and we know what we need to do, yet some things are taking a long time. It is particularly challenging at the moment with all of the interruptions; we just want to get on with the job. The wonderful thing is that our customers are incredible. They understand what we are working on because we make sure we tell them. Positive change whether fast or slow is still positive."
A lot of brands are scared to highlight what they are doing in the area of sustainability for fear of getting it wrong or not doing enough. What do you think about this?
"We were one of those businesses and prior to releasing our first transparency report in 2019 the whole team were terrified because the report spoke not only to the positive things we were doing but also to the challenges we faced and high lit what we were not doing well. Anything that a business or brand can do to make positive change should be celebrated – it's the businesses that are not doing anything that should be fearful.
"In our experience, our customers and peers were nothing but supportive because our communication was honest and thorough. We offer an ongoing long form report for those that want to dig deep into the detail and a snapshot for those that just want the sound bites. I think it's an old-fashioned mindset to be fearful of being transparent. Customers assume if you say nothing about what you are doing to change or improve that you aren't doing anything at all.
"I think what is more dangerous is brands that don't say enough or make shallow and potentially misleading claims. Information should be backed up and verified or supported by third party accreditation, greenwashing should be avoided at all costs. After all for our industry and for our future, responsible business should be the norm. It can be celebrated, discussed and role modelled – genuine, effective change is what is needed, not used as a pure marketing or sales driver."
How do you practice sustainability in your everyday life?
"We aim to live and work a conscious life always maintaining an awareness of the impact we have on the environment. We shop, consume and live to avoid the generation of waste. We buy only second hand if possible, repair when needed and buy the most sustainable option if we have to buy new. We eat mostly organic and seek out locally produced foods, we have reduced our meat consumption, avoid the use of single use plastics and we grow some of our own food including herbs and vegetables. I drive an electric car and our home and our workplaces are either solar powered or we buy renewable energy."
What's next for ELK?
"We see good growth for us with an awesome team and some great new tech and development opportunities in front of us. As a Melbourne based business, so many of our big projects were put on hold through covid and we feel like we lost at least a year of progress.
"Hopefully 2022 will be less interrupted and we will see a couple of new retail stores open, some big improvements for our online store, new ranges of course and then significant progress as we move towards achieving our 2025 ethical and environmental goals. We have a great business, and after a couple of tumultuous years we are looking forward to pushing on to recover and strengthen everything we do.
"Ultimately our goal is to be a key player in the Australian fashion market offering consumers product that connects the dots. We are working to make pieces that customers can be confident are made with quality, using materials that leave the smallest footprint and in ethical conditions. We will continue to do this transparently and hopefully we may influence others to think about the way we all live on planet earth striving always to live a more conscious existence."
For more information about the ELK fashion label, visit here.
For more from The Carousel about sustainable fashion, visit here.
The post ELK's Marnie Goding Tells Us How This Brand Is Moving To Sustainable Practices appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Adam Liaw's Australian-Chinese Classic Honey Chicken appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Ingredients
- 500 g chicken breast, cut into long strips
- 1-2 litres oil for deep-frying, plus extra for wok frying
- 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds, to serve
Alkaline batter
- 1 egg white
- ½ cup plain flour
- ¼ cup cornflour
- ¼ tsp bicarbonate of soda
- ½ cup cold water
- ¼ tsp salt
Honey sauce
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 cm ginger, grated
- ¼ cup Ligurian honey
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- ¼ cup water
- 1 tsp cornflour
Method
Combine the chicken with the ingredients for the batter and mix to combine. Set aside for at least 15 minutes. Combine the ingredients for the honey sauce and stir well.
Heat the oil in a large saucepan to around 175C. Fry the chicken in batches for about 5 minutes until cooked through, then heat the oil to 200C and fry the chicken again in batches until brown and crisp.
Heat a wok over high heat and add a touch of oil, then add the honey sauce. Bring to a simmer and simmer for about 2 minutes until thickened. Add the fried chicken and toss to coat in the sauce. Remove to a plate and scatter with sesame seeds to serve.
The post Adam Liaw's Australian-Chinese Classic Honey Chicken appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Christmas Shopping Inspiration For Fashion And Beauty Lovers appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>I do love receiving a gift pack from my favourite brands. Gift packs often include the top-selling items with the opportunity to try some of the items you perhaps would not normally sample. If you know your gift recipients favourite brands then this is a great option. Most beauty brands have a Christmas gift pack or even an advent calendar.
Jo Malone has some great seasonal gift packs including Christmas crackers and Christmas ornaments with wonderful goodies for the gals and a gorgeous essential pack for the blokes.
Jo Malone – Online Exclusive Christmas Cracker RRP $78, exclusive to Australia A gorgeous stocking-sized treat filled with an English Pear & Freesia Body & Hand Wash (15ml), Wood Sage & Sea Salt Body Crème (15ml) and Poppy & Barley Cologne (9ml).
Jo Malone – Men's Essentials Collection RRP $55 Something delicious for the men in your life with a Grapefruit Body & Hand Wash (50ml), Wood Sage & Sea Salt Cologne (9ml) and Cypress & Grapevine Cologne Intense (9ml).
On the theme of gifting a collection of lovely items, how about pulling together your own gift pack? I love to customize a gift box or hamper for my friends and loved ones.
Country Road has an inspired gift range with some of their most iconic brand items being reimagined for the festive season. I love the summer feel of the soft tropical colour palette and the nautical blues. With Summer upon us, a great pack could include some slides, a hat and a bag with perhaps some sunscreen, a lip gloss and a good book – voila a relaxing gift pack. This range is hit stores this month and has the added benefit of being personalized as an option. Prices for the Country Road gifting range start from $14.95.
Now that really looks like thoughtful and inspired gift-giving.
If hitting the shops is still sounding all too hard, give the gift of an experience (Threadicated personal styling service or Red Balloon has some great options) or even just an invitation for your lohttps://www.redballoon.com.au/ved one to attend a simple lunch date to share some time together (now that most of us have emerged from our lockdown lifestyle).
Remember, It is the thought not the noughts! Dare to think outside the box, be inspired and have a wonderful holiday celebration.
The post Christmas Shopping Inspiration For Fashion And Beauty Lovers appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Cat Heaven: The Purrfect Café in Japan appeared first on The Carousel.
]]> 
Enter the cat cafe. These businesses in Tokyo offer the time-poor and space-poor Japanese a chance to spend an hour playing with animals. You can pay by the hour to go into a room with dozens of friendly purring feline friends. For those moments, you can feel as if you have your own pet who is just waiting to see you and brighten up your day.
We've gone inside one of these cafes to show you what it's like to find animal companionship in the world's largest city.
This cat cafe is on the sixth floor of an office building, opposite the busy Ueno train station in the heart of Tokyo.
As we enter, we're given instructions by the friendly young woman at the counter. "You can touch but please don't pick up!"
You pay to visit the cat cafe based on how long you spend there. It works out to be about $12 an hour.
We are warned not to try to pat this cat, called Milky. "It's danger cat," the woman at the counter explains. "Bite, bite, bite… don't touch please!"
Some of the other people in the cat cafe are happy just to sit there and pat the animals. This woman wants to play and is waving around a toy for one of the animals.
This child is happy just to do his own thing in the corner, knowing that the cats are around him.
There are about 25 cats in total, with a variety of ages, breeds, gender and friendliness.
A 'menu' and a booklet in both Japanese and English tell you a bit more about the animals. It has their photo, name, birthday and a bit of personality information.
Everyone we speak to at the cafe has their own favourite cat. It really does feel a bit like owning a pet, and they come back to see the same one day after day.
Michael Turtle is a journalist and travel blogger who writes about his experiences around the world at Time Travel Turtle .
The post Cat Heaven: The Purrfect Café in Japan appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post 29 Amazing Animal Facts That Will Surprise You appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>
2. A snail can sleep for three years at a time.
3. There are 1 million ants for every human in the world.
4. A pig's orgasm lasts 30 minutes. Lucky pigs.
5. A blue whale weighs as much as three elephants and is as long as three Greyhound buses.
6. A bat can eat up to 1 thousand insects per hour.
7. Octopuses have three hearts.
8 Sharks kill fewer than 10 people per year. Humans kill about 100 million sharks per year.
9. Wild dolphins call each other by name. "Oi, Flipper!"
10. Elephants have a specific alarm call that means "human".
11. Dogs' sense of smell is about 100, 000 times stronger than humans'. However, they have only one-sixth our number of taste buds.
12. Animals with smaller bodies and faster metabolism such as chipmunks and squirrels see in slow motion.
13. The now extinct colossal penguin stood as tall as 2.03 metre basket ball legend LeBron James.
14. The male gentoo and Adelie penguins "propose" to females by giving them a pebble.
15. Polar bears have black skin and see-through fur.
16. Reindeer eyeballs turn blue in winter to help them see at lower light levels.
17. Honeybees can flap their wings 200 times per second.
18. A sea lion is the first nonhuman mammal with a proven ability to keep a beat.
19. Male koalas have two penises, and female koalas have two vaginas.
20. At birth, a panda is smaller than a mouse and weighs about four ounces.
21. The flamingo can only eat when its head is upside-down.
22. A female ferret will die if it goes into heat (is horny) and cannot find a mate.
23. The venom of the king cobra is so deadly that just one gram of it is enough to kill a person 150 times over.
24. The bat is the only mammal that can fly.
25. The leg bones of a bat are so thin that no bat can walk.
26. The only mammals to undergo menopause are elephants, humpback whales and human females.
27. Cows can sleep standing up, but they can only dream lying down.
28. A housefly hums in the key of F.
29. Sea otters hold each other's paws when they sleep so they don't drift apart.
Check out http://www.wwf.org.au to find out how you can help the animals.
https://thecarousel.com/living/pets-and-outdoors/39-amazing-facts-about-pets/
https://thecarousel.com/environment/27-amazing-facts-about-wild-animals/
The post 29 Amazing Animal Facts That Will Surprise You appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post This Website Makes It Easy To Build Stunning And Sustainable Homes appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Building and construction is responsible for 39 per cent of all carbon emissions in the world, and our buildings are also responsible for 50 per cent of global resources extraction and 50 per cent of landfill, according to the World Green Building Council.
Jeremy Barnett, Managing Director of Planitree, an online green building marketplace, says: "Buying green building products is a challenge for consumers." He adds: "The market is fragmented, and professional specifiers and consumers are forced to research hundreds of websites, compare prices in multiple currencies, understand taxes and import duties, and manage freight costs and delivery times."
"The entire planet's building stock is estimated to double by 2050, so we better build greener, faster," he emphasises.
Planitree is dedicated to making green building shopping easier for both consumers and industry professionals. If your mind automatically goes to solar panels and insulation batts as you read that, and therefore your eyes are glazing over, think again. The Planitree website is full of the more fun home building items like lighting, furniture and paints, and is helped by an aesthetically pleasing design. It offers beautiful virtual stores, multi-site ordering and cross-border fulfilment capability.
A tree will be planted for every transaction carried out via Planitree!
When you shop at Planitree, the products are delivered carbon-neutral – and remarkably – there's a tree planted for every transaction!
Ecosium's 'The Big Desk' is a case in point. Ecosium, a Planitree supplier, makes high-quality desks which are built to last from sustainably-grown Australian native timber that is PEFC and FSC certified, and rated Super E0 (the lowest VOC emission rating obtainable) by the Engineered Wood Pproducts Association of Australasia. Ecosium products are packaged with 100 per cent recyclable paper and cardboard packaging – and zero plastic.
For furniture which will help solve the globe's plastic problem while still looking gorgeous, see Wehlers 'R.U.M. Original Orange' designer chair from Denmark, made from sea plastic collected predominantly from the Scandinavian seas and harbours.
If you dream of your having your own rooftop terrace, you'll appreciate Tilt Industrial Design's 'Tilt Skylight' – the only operable glass skylight available which can be utilised with a standard staircase. Created for architecturally designed projects, Tilt Skylights enable roof terraces to become seamless extensions of the home, along with increasing natural light and ventilation.
"The line between sustainability and wellness can also be blurred, and we see that in a lot of the products on Planitree," says Barnett. "Sustainability is good for the planet and wellness is good for humans. Biophilic design principles are increasingly being applied by leading architects in buildings to promote wellness for humans. Methods include the use of natural materials, paints with low VOCs and products that increase our connection to nature by promoting natural light and ventilation, such as Tilt Skylight."
"Each of us can be part of the solution by choosing eco-friendly products for our own home, while architects and builders can source project-sized quantities of materials safely and conveniently.
"We're very new but have already onboarded 40 suppliers from 15 countries. The next step is to ramp up the number of suppliers to increase choice for buyers," he adds.
Planitree recently gave Australians the chance to own shares in the company through an equity crowdfunding campaign on Birchal.
For more information on Planitree, visit here.
For more from The Carousel on eco-friendly innovations, visit here.
These Emerging Business Concepts Could Change The World For Good
The post This Website Makes It Easy To Build Stunning And Sustainable Homes appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Why November The Best Time To Bag A Bargain appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>For those of you who love to hold out until a couple of days before Santa pays us a visit, you might consider making November your new Christmas shopping panic month. It may be your last chance to ensure you get those gifts delivered, wrapped and ready for the big day. COVID has impacted us in so many ways. Deliveries and shipping will be under more than the usual seasonal pressure as we edge closer to Christmas. Shop now to avoid disappointment.
Why is November such a prime shopping time?
Over the last few years, a range of shopping events has gone from strength to strength, attracting major retailers, etailers and boutique stores alike. Let's discuss what is coming up, some of the offers and some Savvy Shopping Tips to ensure you get the best bang for your buck.
Click Frenzy
Naturally, with Click Frenzy The Main Event commencing from November 9 for two days, shoppers are flocking to save on their favourite brands with bargains like 50% off Sheridan sheets, up to 75% off Shaver shop's premium brand items, and save 20% on fashion, shoes and accessories at David Jones so you are ready to glamorously meet the demands of the celebration season ahead.
Check out Click Frenzy Main Event for all of the amazing bargains, fashion, electrical, tech and just about anything your heart desires.
Savvy Ho t Tip: Click Frenzy Main Event sale officially finishes at midnight on November 11 however, many of the participating brands continue their sales on their own websites for many days after the official sales closes.
Singles Day
Singles Day is considered the biggest online sale in the world. Why is it called Singles Day? Because of the date. The eleventh of November or 11/11 (all those number ones). It began in China to celebrate being single, spoiling yourself and considered the opposite of valentines day! It is now 24 hours of online shopping mayhem with many retailers internationally and in Australia offering great deals.
Many Aussie stores are participating ranging from Hello Fresh which is offering up to 40% off meal kits during Singles' Day to The Iconic which is taking 30% off amazing items in fashion, home, beauty and kids categories. Remember to check out the shopping platforms too like eBay, Amazon and Catch.
Savvy Hot Tip: receive even deeper discounts by checking for already reduced items (often end of season brand items) that include the Singles Day discount. The Iconic is including the 30% off sale on many of their already reduced items. Look for the 30% off at checkout label on their sales items.
Black Friday Cyber Monday weekend
To top off the month, Black Friday and Cyber Monday weekend commences Friday November 26. Traditionally, the tech sales were launched on Cyber Monday however this sales weekend has become such a big event, the great prices are available throughout.
Savvy Hot Tip: Pureplay online stores like Kogan often commence their sales the week before many of these shopping events so make sure you check them out even before the sales events start to get in early.
This year complete your shopping in the November festival of sales and have a December more dedicated to enjoying the celebrations. It has been a challenging year and we deserve a little indulgence this year more so than ever.
The post Why November The Best Time To Bag A Bargain appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Lorna Jane's Kale, Black Rice & Raspberry Salad appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Serves 2
INGREDIENTS
1 cup (200g) black rice
150g (5 ounces) purple kale,
trimmed, chopped coarsely
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 cup (75g) fresh raspberries
1/2 cup (50g) roasted walnuts,
chopped coarsely
50g (1. ounces) soft goat's
cheese, crumble
Raspberry vinaigrette
1/2 cup (75g) fresh raspberries
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
1 tablespoon filtered water
1 teaspoon raw honey
METHOD
1 Rinse rice well; drain. Cook rice in a medium saucepan of boiling filtered water, about 25 minutes or until tender; drain. Rinse under cold water; drain.
2 Meanwhile, preheat oven to 200°C/400°F.
3 Combine kale with the oil on an oven tray, season; roast about 10 minutes or until crisp.
4 To make the raspberry vinaigrette, blend or process the ingredients until smooth and well combined.
5 Combine rice and kale with the vinaigrette in a large bowl; toss well to combine. Serve sprinkled with raspberries, nuts and cheese.
Cook's Notes:
Nutritional count per serving protein (17.6g),
Carbohydrate (87.7g), total fat (52.6g), fibre (11.1g).
Try another delicious recipe by Lorna Jane here.
The Carousel thanks Lorna Jane's NOURISH: The Fit Woman's cookbook for this recipe.
The post Lorna Jane's Kale, Black Rice & Raspberry Salad appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post 10 Beautiful Secret Beaches appeared first on The Carousel.
]]> 
Kanawa Beach, Indonesia
Not far from the island of Flores in the southeast of Indonesia is a tiny outcrop called Kanawa. It's only accessible by boat and is used mainly by local divers. The waters are crystal clear with hundreds of varieties of fish and red starfish cover the sand beneath the surface. There are bungalows in the island you can stay in and meals are served on tables right on the beach.
La Pedrera, Uruguay
The coast of Uruguay is the summer hotspot for nearby Argentines but most head to the bustling Punta del Este beach which feels more like the Gold Coast than South America. But just a short bus ride away is a small beach area called La Pedrera. A few hotels and restaurants make this an easy place for tourists to stay but don't expect crowds or anything fancy.
Rabbit Island, Cambodia
Rabbit Island is a thirty minute longtail boat trip from the town of Kep on the mainland of Cambodia. The whole island can be walked in about an hour and there is just one beach with accommodation – generally bungalows that just get an hour or two of electricity in the evening. The water is beautifully warm and the local restaurants keep their crabs floating ten metres offshore. With a snorkel, you can see your lunch before it is collected and cooked.
The Blue Lagoon, Malta
The Blue Lagoon is in the middle of a small rocky outcrop between the two main islands of Malta. It's popular with local families who take their boats out there on the weekends and the summer months. The name is not a misnomer – the water is bright blue when the sun is shining down on it and you can swim in the roped off area while music plays from the vessels moored around you.
Chaung Tha, Myanmar
Myanmar was closed to tourists for many decades and now, as it opens up, most people are heading to the famous sites like Bagan and Inle Lake. But an uncomfortable six hour bus journey from the capital will get you the Chaung Tha beach. Although there are plenty of large hotels along the shore, it's virtually deserted except for the vendors selling fresh food and kites on the sand.
Pink Beach, Indonesia
The island of Komodo in Indonesia has some of the oldest and most dangerous animals on earth marauding around it. But if you can put aside your fear of the Komodo Dragons, you'll find the spectacular Pink Beach on one side of the island. The red coral in the water is crushed by the waves and mixed with the sand to give the whole beach a pink hue – hence the name. It's hard to get to so there's a good chance you'll have it to yourself.
Paraty, Brazil
The Brazilian beaches are famous enough and for good reason. but if you're looking to escape the crowds you can head to Paraty, about 250 kilometres west of Rio de Janeiro. The best way to experience the waters here is to hire a kayak and paddle to the nearby islands. The jungle reaches almost the whole way to the water and it feels like summer will never end along this part of the South American coast.
Pucon, Chile
Naturally, you expect most beaches to be a sea level. High in the Andean mountains of Chile, though, it's the lakes which are home to the sunbeds and surfboards. With the active snow-capped Villarrica volcano looming overhead, tourists sunbake on small black rocks. It's not particularly warm up here but when the sun is out it's hot enough to spend an afternoon at the lake's beach and enjoy the incredible scenery.
Kotor, Montenegro
The coast of Montenegro is a popular summer holiday destination for Russians and Eastern Europeans but it's a hidden gem for the rest of the world. The old town of Kotor, set on a bay, has small beaches which give visitors access to the warm still waters. Mountains rise up around the bay and old stone fortifications have been built into the hills above the town. The occasional motorboat will go by but otherwise it's peaceful and relaxing.
Ko Mae Ko, Thailand
This small island off the coast of Koh Samui, in the eastern waters of Thailand, is believed to be the setting for Alex Garland's iconic novel 'The Beach' (as opposed to Phi Phi Island on the western side, which was where the movie was filmed). You'll only be able to get here by boat and there is no way to legally stay the night. The beach on Ko Mae Ko has become more popular with tourists recently but there are dozens of nearby islands you can also explore instead.
Michael Turtle is a journalist and travel blogger who writes about his experiences around the world at Time Travel Turtle.
The post 10 Beautiful Secret Beaches appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Trashed Your Game Console or Mobile? Recycling Tips For Kids appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>That's why TechCollect, an industry-funded, free to the public national recycling service for computers, computer accessories and TVs (e-waste), has provided these tips to help educate kids (and parents) on responsible e-watse recycling, courtesy of Carmel Dollisson, TechCollect CEO…
1. Be aware of your e-waste footprint
"Australians are consuming technology at a rate like never before, and electronic waste is one of the fastest growing types of waste," explains Carmel. "We buy more than four million computers and three million televisions annually – and we each contribute about 19.71 kg of e-waste (e-waste being any device that requires a power source or battery so includes toys and games, small household appliances, white goods, air conditioners etc.) per person per year!"
2. Understand e-wastes effect on the environment
"It's important that we keep e-waste out of landfill so that it doesn't damage our environment; if e-waste enters a poorly managed land fill it may break down and enter the soil, leading to environmentally poor outcomes," Carmel explains. "But just as importantly, we lose the valuable non-renewable resources they contain – which is why we need to recycle responsibly. E-waste is made up of resources that can be almost entirely recovered and used to create new products."
3. Consume responsibly
"It's important to be a responsible consumer, and support the brands that have a commitment to the environment, those that use a percentage of recycled materials in their products, or offer take-back programs," Carmel advises. "Once you have decided which brand, you should think about what you are going to do with your old device. Make sure it goes to a good home, or take it to a designated drop-off point for responsible recycling. You can even ask where it is going to be recycled and what happens to the materials that are recovered. We all have a part to play and it's important to take responsibility for the e-waste we consume."
4. Find a recycling centre
"You can help the environment by recycling your old gadget that you have lying around your home or school. Remember that putting it in a bin is not the solution, it must go to a recycling centre for recycling. Visit TechCollect to find out where their nearest TechCollect e-waste recycling point is, check out Planet Ark's website or your local council for locations. Pop a date in the family or school calendar and spend an afternoon helping the environment!"
5. Get the facts
"Kids should visit TechCollect to find out more about e-waste and what they can do to help the environment. There are also several activity sheets that make learning fun. At TechCollect, we are passionate about education as we believe the next generation plays a key role in tackling the issue of e-waste."
To find out more about responsible e-waste recycling or to find your local TechCollect drop off point visit here.
The post Trashed Your Game Console or Mobile? Recycling Tips For Kids appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Janet DeNeefe's Delicious Beef Curry Recipe Balinese Style appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>In keeping with Hindu dietary restrictions, beef is seldom served in a Balinese household. That doesn't mean it's forbidden though! Meat in Bali, is always cooked with a pile of fresh spices that tenderize, preserve, uplift and nurture. It's also about aiding digestion and a dash of tamarind, a few sprightly gingers and lemongrass will always help that process.
This recipe is a Balinese version of rendang and spotlights the acclaimed trio of galangal, turmeric and ginger, that constantly feature in Indonesian cooking. It has all the virtues of a slow-cooked stew; comforting, full of flavour, tender and deeply aromatic. It is also a joy to cook as the aroma that floats around the house, while the curry is simmering in the pot, is glorious.
Serves 4
INGREDIENTS
Spice Paste
8 red shallots, roughly chopped
8 garlic cloves
6 long red chillies, seeded and roughly chopped
4 tablespoons chopped galangal
2 tablespoons turmeric
2 tablespoons chopped ginger
6 candlenuts, dry-roasted in a wok
1/2 teaspoon cummin
3 tablespoons oil
2 lemongrass stalks, bruised and tied in knots
3 kaffir lime leaves
3 salam leaves
500 ml coconut milk
1 cup water
500 g beef topside, in curry-size chunks
1 tablespoon tamarind pulp, mixed with a 1/4 cup water and strained
2 tablespoons grated palm sugar
fried shallots to garnish
METHOD
1Pound the spice paste ingredients to a smooth paste in a mortar, or blitz in a food processor with a little water if necessary to get the mixture moving.
2Heat the oil in a wok over medium heat and fry the spice paste for 30 seconds. Add the lemongrass, lime leaves and salam leaves and toss around for another 30 seconds, until glossy and fragrant.
3Pour in the coconut milk and water and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer and continue cooking for another minute, then add the sliced beef, tamarind and palm sugar.
4Simmer for 2 hours, until the meat is tender and the sauce is thick and reduced.
5Serve with steamed rice, topped with fried shallots.
The Carousel thanks BALI The Food of my Island Home
The post Janet DeNeefe's Delicious Beef Curry Recipe Balinese Style appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post 3 Personality Traits That Make You Instantly More Attractive appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>A positive attitude, a balanced extroversion and confidence have been revealed as the most attractive qualities, in both sexes.
Psychologists say these three personality qualities not only make someone more attractive to the opposite sex but also prove they can get on with anyone.
Possessing these traits will help you win people over professionally, romantically and platonically.
The good news is that, to a large degree, these qualities can be self-taught too.
Learn to be more positive and you're well on your way to a happier and longer life, say studies.
Optimistic people are also more professionally successful, mentally and physically healthy, and socially attractive. Similarly, people who are always kind are also perceived as being more attractive.
Striking a good balance of extroversion will also help you to appear better socially, happier and more willing to explore opportunities.
Psychologist Adrian Furnham, Ph.D., for Psychology Today, found that extroverts are more likely to have better "mating success".
Extroverts simply have "big social networks, a history of good relationships, an inclination to explore opportunities, and dispositional happiness," adds Adrian.
Being confident was voted as the most attractive personality trait because, say psychologists, it puts others at ease in your company and also helps elevate your social status.
In fact, both men and women rate confidence as a very attractive personality trait in a potential partner, according to a study out of Arizona State University.
The post 3 Personality Traits That Make You Instantly More Attractive appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Quinoa & Roast Veggie Salad With Yoghurt Dressing appeared first on The Carousel.
]]> Preparation time 45 mins
Serves 3-6
INGREDIENTS
Salad
1/4 cup cooked quinoa
4 handfuls of mixed rocket and baby spinach leaves
1/4 butternut pumpkin, chopped into roughly 2x2cm pieces
1/2 large sweet potato, chopped into roughly 2x2cm pieces
Handful of walnuts
Fresh corn, boiled and cut off the cob
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
1/2 cup of pomegranate seeds
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
2 tsp sea salt
Handful of fresh rosemary leaves, stalks removed
2 cloves of garlic, very finely chopped
4 sprig of fresh rosemary
Yoghurt dressing
4 tbsp natural no added sugar yoghurt
drizzle of olive oil
2 tbsp lemon juice
pinch sea salt
pinch cracked pepper
leaves off one sprig of oregano
1/2 clove of crushed garlic
METHOD
Roast veggies
1 Preheat oven to 180°C
2 Place, pumpkin and sweet potato in a large bowl
3 Add olive oil, balsamic vinegar, sea salt, fresh rosemary and garlic and mix into veggies well
4 Place veggies into a baking dish and roast in the oven for approx. 1.5hours or until cooked through
Salad
1 Cover the base of a flat salad bowl with the spinach and rocket leaves
2 Add quinoa and mix through the green leaves
3 Top with roast veggies, corn, feta cheese, pomegranate seeds and walnuts
4 Drizzle yoghurt dressing
The Carouselthanks Fiveam for this recipe.
The post Quinoa & Roast Veggie Salad With Yoghurt Dressing appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Double Brie With Smoked Almond Toffee appeared first on The Carousel.
]]> Serves 20-25
Preparation time 5 minutes
Cooking time 10 minutes
INGREDIENTS
1 kg Double Brie
3/4 cup smoked almonds
3/4 cup sugar
1/3 cup water
METHOD
1 Remove Double Brie from refrigerator at least one hour before serving. Place on a serving plate and allow to come to room temperature. Cut half the smoked almonds in half, leaving the rest whole.
2 Combine sugar and water in a saucepan and heat, stirring with a wooden spoon until sugar dissolves, then boil, without stirring until a golden caramel colour. Take care that toffee does not burn.
3 Working quickly, stir in almonds and drizzle the smoked almond toffee over the Double Brie in a thin layer. Before it completely sets, use a skewer to draw out strands of toffee, spinning them around the top of the cheese to garnish as per spun toffee. Allow the toffee to cool and set before serving. This can be assembled up to two hours before serving.
Note: it is important to drizzle the toffee in a thin layer as otherwise it may be difficult to cut. If so, crack the toffee with the back of cook's knife first before cutting.
The Carousel thanks King Island Dairy for this recipe
The post Double Brie With Smoked Almond Toffee appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Postcards From The Land Of The Rising Sun: Learn The Art of Washi Paper Making appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Have you ever loved something so deeply, so richly, so completely, surrendering your whole body to it? I have. Struck by love at first sight only twice, each time the flame burned blindingly brightly in the beginning, and then slowly faded till it burned out. But the rare great loves intensify and burn brighter with knowledge and time. For me, washi was love at first sight and our relationship has endured, becoming one of the greatest love stories of my life!
Thirteen years ago, belly full of baby, was the first time I encountered washi paper. So intense was the infatuation that I took every course from tea box making (with washi) to calligraphy (on washi) to lantern making (shaping washi). But like any infatuation I wasn't too interested in going deep, I was just satisfied to be around it, to touch it, to feel it and most importantly to possess it. And possess it I did. I would go to Ito-ya, the venerable craft store 12 stories high in Ginza, and hit the washi floor like an addict looking for my latest fix.
When I left Tokyo 10 years ago I left with bales of washi, initially using it liberally and then worried I may never live in Tokyo again, I tucked them in under my bed for a long hibernation. It had gone straight from an infatuation to an unrequited love, the kind you only take out on rainy days.
It's been 10 years and my bales of washi have moved from Vienna, to Sydney, to Seoul, back to Sydney and are now on a ship on the Pacific making their way back home. My unrequited love has been languishing in basements and garages, dormant for years. My first day back in Tokyo I went running to Itoya, but stayed a little distant from the washi, not wanting to caress it for fear of falling in too deeply again.
It's been 10 years and my bales of washi have moved from Vienna, to Sydney, to Seoul, back to Sydney and are now on a ship on the Pacific making their way back home. My unrequited love has been languishing in basements and garages, dormant for years. My first day back in Tokyo I went running to Itoya, but stayed a little distant from the washi, not wanting to caress it for fear of falling in too deeply again.
If I was going to start my affair again with an ancient art that was first invented 1300 years ago, I had to go to a shrine and pay homage and asked to be let back in. As I neared my heart started pounding in anticipation, and my pace quickened. And then I saw it, standing there, glistening in the afternoon sun, waiting for me since 1653, the Ozu Washi.
Walking in I saw people making washi in a class and I had to restrain myself from rushing in. Even though my heart was racing I had to pace myself, let the washi uncover herself to me. I ventured forth and rushed to the second floor and then the third, trying to taking it all in. Even though I knew I would come back to this well many a time, like any infatuation, you want to swallow it whole in the moment and nothing is ever enough to satisfy you.
As I rose up, I found myself at the apex in The Soul of Washi museum. An old man hunched over raised his eyes slowly and followed my gaze. He came to me, recognizing a kindred wa (Japanese) shi (paper) spirit. He said he would put on a movie in English to explain how washi was made. I politely declined. He put it on anyway and disappeared. Annoyed.
Then the story pulled me in and I was transfixed by the process and the history of washi paper making. I never did know any of it and was happy enough to swim in the shallow end. And then I learned that washi paper is strong enough to last a 1,000 years and flexible enough to use in any way. That is was protected as a cultural heritage icon by UNESCO. That is was created by farmers in the villages by hand and they used the sun and the rain to make patterns on it. And that it took 10 days to make just one sheet! The perfect union of human and elemental effort.
If I had to think back to a moment when I fell in love, it would have to be when the old man had me run my fingers over the paper that had little holes for patterns. He told me that this type of pattern was made by putting the almost finished washi in the rain! I had this washi in my possession for the last decade, and I had could never bear to part with it. From time to time, on those rainy days, I would take it out, run my hands over it and admire it's irregularity and it's simplicity. And today I found out that the one I loved so much, the one I took out on rainy days, is the one I had always possessed.
Ozu Washi
For 360 years this store has continued in this location! You can come here to shop for washi, or learn about washi in their museum, see beautiful collections using washi in their Gallery or take one of their many classes on washi making!
103-0023 Tokyo, Ch ūō, Nihonbashihoncho, 3 Chome−6−2
Monday – Saturday 10:00-18:00, Sunday closed
ITOYA
There is no store in the world that has a more beautifully curated collection of goodies for the paper, craft and travel accessory junkie. Floors of beauty laid out for the taking! And one of the meccas for pens of all types and if you are like me and love a LAMY, you will find the best collection here outside Germany.
2 Chome-7-１５ Ginza, Ch ūō, Tokyo 104-0061
Monday – Saturday 10:00-20:00, Sunday 10:00-19:00
About Ruchika Sahai
After having lived in nine countries, fourteen cities and travelled through forty eight more, it amazed me to walk into Tokyo and immediately find a home. No matter how much I wander, wonder and learn, the well here seems bottomless, adding to my voracious appetite for exploration.
It is in Japan that I have found and discovered my ikigai – the intersection of what you love, what you're good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for.
And it is Japan's Ikigai I want to share with you! There is so much quiet passion, respect and reverence for what most of us consider mundane, which elevates a simple task to an art form. They are domains where the Japanese dominate – from BAPE conquering the fashion world, to the fluffy Japanase cheesecake conquering our taste buds! We can all learn from the Buddhist philosophy around community and the Shinto principles of nurturing the environment, both contributing to peace and longevity.
With the Olympics coming up in Japan, I am confident it will rise up to take it's place in our collective Ikigai sweet spot!
Let me take you there!
The Land Of The Rising Sun: Nezu Museum Garden In Tokyo
The post Postcards From The Land Of The Rising Sun: Learn The Art of Washi Paper Making appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Greek Getaway: The Private Island Of Jackie Onasis appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Jackie O wasn't able to escape, though. The paparazzi followed her and one day she was photographed while sunbaking without any clothes on. The nude picture of her went around the world and was reprinted in magazines in dozens of countries.
Today we travel to this small island to discover what that moment would have been like.
This is the first clear view of the island we have, as we pull into one of the main coves. There's a small beach and a big fence – designed to keep visitors away. There's clearly a lot more greenery on Skorpios than other nearby islands.
The only way to get to Skorpios is by boat. We've arrived on a catamaran that doesn't look out of place in this part of the Ionian Sea. It's a hot day and there are hundreds of craft out on the water.
It's estimated that the island is worth somewhere between 150 and 200 million dollars. It has stayed in Aristotle Onassis's family since his death although it has, in theory, been sold to a Russian oligarch. The sale still needs the approval of Greek authorities, though.
It's a beautiful place for a dip and no surprise that it's popular with the other yachts that come and go while we're here. You have to assume that the island's owners and its glamorous past are a large part of the allure, though.
Next to a small sandy beach, the small white building known as Myconos house (and once called "The Pig House") is closed but looks well-maintained. This was where Jackie's photo was taken.
The paparazzi would probably have used a boat like this to take their photo of Jackie Onassis. There's certainly no other land close enough. This boat has pulled up close to the shore, though, while the photographer would have been much further away.
These days the official population of the island is just two people. But pathways along the water's edge are cleared of vegetation and debris and, despite a large amount of vegetation, nothing is overrun. Over 200 types of plants were apparently brought by Aristotle Onassis to the island many years ago.
Michael Turtle is a journalist and travel blogger who writes about his experiences around the world at Time Travel Turtle .
The post Greek Getaway: The Private Island Of Jackie Onasis appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Banana French Toast with Chocolate & Salted Caramel appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Serves4
INGREDIENTS
50 g almonds
50 g caster sugar
180 ml pouring cream
120 g each dark chocolate (56% cocoa solids), chopped
120 g milk chocolate, chopped
12 thick slices of brioche
3 bananas, thinly sliced
4 eggs
100 ml milk
100 g butter, coarsely chopped
Salted Caramel
200 g caster sugar
60 gm butter, coarsely chopped
125 ml (1/2 c) pouring cream
1 tspn sea salt (or to taste)
METHOD
1Preheat oven to 180°C. Roast almonds on an oven tray, shaking occasionally, until browned. Transfer to an oiled oven tray and set aside. Stir sugar and 60 ml of water in a small saucepan over medium-high heat until sugar dissolves, bring to the boil and cook until dark caramel forms (3-4 minutes). Pour over the almonds and stand until set. Then process in a food processor to a fine powder.
2Bring cream to the boil in a saucepan over medium-high heat, add dark & milk chocolate, remove from heat, whisk until smooth and combined. Stir in almond mixture, transfer to a container, cover and refrigerate until firm.
3For salted caramel, stir sugar and 60ml water in a saucepan over medium-high heat until sugar dissolves, bring to the boil and cook until caramel forms (6-8 minutes). Add butter (be careful as hot caramel will spit) and whisk to combine. Add cream (be careful as mixture will foam and rise), sea salt and whisk to combine. Keep warm.
4Preheat oven to 100°C. Whisk eggs and milk in a bowl to combine. Dip brioche slices in the egg mixture, turning once, until soaked, then shake off excess.
5Heat half the butter in a large frying pan over medium heat until foaming, add the brioche slices and cook, turning once, until golden (2-3 minutes each side). Transfer to an oven tray and place in oven to keep warm. Wipe out pan and repeat with remaining butter and brioche slices.
6To construct the french toast, take two slices of brioche and spread thickly with the chocolate mixture, top with chopped bananas. Place one slice on top of the other and add the final slice to the top. Return to the oven to keep warm. Construct the remaining serves of french toast in the same manner.
7Serve hot with a shake of icing sugar and drizzled with warm salted caramel.
The Carousel thanks 'the food union' for this recipe
Adapted from a recipe by Emma Knowles & Alice Storey – Gourmet Traveller
The post Banana French Toast with Chocolate & Salted Caramel appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Vegans Can Have Fun Too! The Perfect Vegan Travel List appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>So here's a list of unique vegan experiences for you to try.
Vegan Wine Tour in Sonoma County, California, USA
You might be thinking wait…it's possible to have non-vegan wine? I know, it's a first for me too, but evidently some wines use animal by-products the production stage. But in the heart of the Californian wine country you can enjoy lunch, and chocolate and wine tasting.
For more information: https://www.labellevietours.com/vegan-wine-tours
Fork and Walk Tour in Berlin
Learn about the history of communist Berlin while indulging yourself in fully vegan restaurants, street food and find dining with everything from fusion dumplings to vegan currywurst (seen above).
Farm Sanctuary in New York
Don't worry, you aren't eating the cows! These are actually rescued cows – along with plenty of other rescued farm animals. Learn the realities of what farm animals face in the modern factory-farming industry while staying in one of the cosy cabins or luxurious tiny houses.
For more information: https://www.farmsanctuary.org/the-sanctuaries/watkins-glen-ny/sanctuary-accommodations/
Raw Food Menu aboard a SeaDream Yacht
Watercress Tang, a liquid mélange of watercress, Anjou pear, lime and pineapple; Asian Cashew Curry Salad; Blood Apple Blaster, a blend of apple, ginger, red beet, lime juice and agave; and Vegetable Lasagne, a medley of pasta-like noodles made from spinach leaves and coconut meat, layered between a spicy cauliflower mash topped with a sun-dried tomato marinara. I could continue, but it's much better if you discover it for yourself…I wouldn't to ruin it for you.
For more information: https://seadream.com/
Stay in the Stanford Inn by the Sea in Northern California
Enjoy a 100% vegan restaurant with a view over the Pacific Ocean, stroll through the organic gardens, participate in the yoga retreats, go on nature tours, take cooking classes or pay a visit to the wellness centre. The choice is yours – and whatever that choice is, you're sure to feel relaxed after it.
For more information: https://stanfordinn.com/
Eat Drink Vegan, LA
At this festival, you have a variety of highly curated restaurants and food vendors, 250+ vegan beverages and a plant-based market all at your disposal. No wonder it's knows as the "Vegan Coachella"!
For more information: https://www.eatdrinkvegan.com/
Desert VegFest, Greater Palm Springs
Vegans mark your calendars for December 7th because Desert VegFest is your #VegChella! An all vegan festival featuring delicious food pop-ups & food trucks, vendors for holiday shopping, films, informative speakers, music and more!
For more information: https://www.desertvegfest.com/
Belly Good Café , Port Macquarie
How does a taco bowl or a coconut wrap or a curry sound? You can grab one after a surf and then head into the installed sauna after you're done. That sounds like a Belly good time to me.
Vegan Nirvana World Peach Cuisine, Huntington Beach
Step inside this unique space/alien themed vegan café home to chick-free tenders, bacon-free BLTs and chicken-free burritos. It's a must-try!
The post Vegans Can Have Fun Too! The Perfect Vegan Travel List appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post How To Grow Your Own Turmeric appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Turmeric is not only great for a unique, rich taste, but also for its powerful medicinal properties. Its main ingredient, curcumin, is said to help lift your mood and ease depression, fight inflammation and keep blood sugar levels steady for diabetics, and most importantly fight off viral infections, amongst other health benefits.
How To Grow Your Own Turmeric
Watch the video below to get organic gardener, Shelly Pryor's top tips on growing your own turmeric.
Want to test out a turmeric recipe? Why not try Gwinganna's Chai Golden Milk Recipe?
Turmeric paste: Ingredients
- 2 tbsp ground turmeric
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- 2 cardamom pods, seeds removed, ground
- pinch ground cloves
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
- 1/4 cup filtered water
- 2tbsp coconut oil
Cashew milk: Ingredients
- 1/2 cup raw cashews, soaked overnight
- 2.5 cups filtered water
- 2.5 cups rice milk
- 1 cup coconut cream (to make your own, simmer four parts shredded coconut in one part water)
- honey to taste
Instructions
Grind all spices together until fine with no chunks. Place spices in a pan on the stove with a little water to form a watery paste. Cook over low heat for a few minutes until fragrant and water has absorbed. The paste will thicken. Add black pepper and coconut oil, remove from heat and mix together to a paste. This paste will be the base for the drink.
Blend drained cashews and water in a blender to make cashew milk. Place milk into a large saucepan and add rice milk and coconut cream. Add paste in small amounts until it reaches a flavor you like. Sweeten with a little honey and serve warm. Leftover paste can be stored in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
Makes approximately 3 pints.
NOTE:This delicious warm drink can help cleanse the liver, is full of antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties. To make a smoothie, blend paste with any non-dairy milk and banana.
Try this yummy Mushroom Soup from Gwinganna below:
Gwinganna's Super Easy And Healthy Mushroom Soup Recipe
The post How To Grow Your Own Turmeric appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post It's Cervical Cancer Week And Yes – It's Time To Catch Up appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>By raising awareness of cervical cancer during this week, the World health Organisation is hoping to build on its Vision of a world where cervical cancer is eliminated as a public health problem by 2030.
So, here are the top five things every woman aged between 25 and 72 (or anyone with a cervix) needs to know about cervical cancer:
It is preventable
This might come as a surprise but cervical cancer — which is a cancer that starts in lining of the cervix — is one of the only truly preventable cancers when cervical screening is kept up to date. No one with a cervix needs to suffer from cervical cancer, it is entirely preventable.
There are alternatives to cytology
Conventional screening methods, such as cytology – or pap smears – and HPV DNA testing, are effective tests which can detect changes in cervical cells that lead to cancer. These screening methods have made it possible for cervical cancer to be prevented but they some women find them uncomfortable and because of this, they don't book a screening in regularly.
There are some alternatives to these kinds of tests which have been invented including TruScreen – a Sydney-based medical company – which has developed an alternative technology to detect cervical cancer. This method is based on a quick screen of the cervical area and these will make it quicker and easier for women to be screened.
It is the 4th most common cancer in women worldwide
Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women worldwide with about 569,000 new cases diagnosed annually and over 311,000 women die from cervical cancer every year.
Over 85 per cent of women who die from cervical cancer come from low- and middle-income countries, and new low-cost technologies such as the one from TruScreen will help to tackle cervical cancer and working towards elimination in these countries.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) wants to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health issue by 2030
November 17 is the one year anniversary of the World Health Organisation's (WHO) Cervical Cancer Elimination Initiative to completely eliminate cervical cancer by 2030.
WHO says: "Cervical cancer is one cancer the world can actually eliminate: it's time to do it."
The initiative is global in scale and can only become a reality if every woman has access to screening technologies and more importantly – everyone with a cervix goes to have a screening once a year.
It is National Cervical Cancer Awareness Week
The theme of this year's week is "Time to Catch Up" — because with the uncertainty and impact of the pandemic, more and more women have fallen behind in keeping up-to-date with their cervical screening. It's crucial that these routine screenings are conducted because cervical cancer can be prevented with simple screening test like this.
If you have a cervix and you're aged between 25-74 then it's "Time to Catch Up" and contact your doctor for a cervical screening and take one more step to eliminating cervical cancer for good.
For more from The Carousel about your health, visit here.
The post It's Cervical Cancer Week And Yes – It's Time To Catch Up appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post An Insider's Guide To The Hottest Places In California Right Now appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>For one, it's always summer. Also, you can order everything with a side of tacos. Finally (and my personal favourite), Insta-worthy views of a spectacular sunset are pretty much everywhere.
Thanks to Visit California and Air New Zealand, I was recently introduced to some of the hottest places to stay, eat and play in The Golden State right now. I travelled in the week leading up to and during Coachella, and there was an awesome vibe throughout the entire region.
Take note if you're planning a trip – these places won't let you down.
STAY
The Andaz, West Hollywood
With past guests and permanent lodgers including Led Zeppelin, Keith Richards and Paul Stanley, these hallways have seen their fair share of debauchery.
The Andaz was renovated and rebranded in 2009 to pay homage to its rock and roll history, making it a super interesting place to stay in West Hollywood if you're a music lover.
The hotel really looks after its guests – expect complimentary wine tastings in the lobby of an afternoon, and tea, coffee and pastries in the morning. Upon throwing your luggage down and freshening up, you'll want to head straight for the rooftop pool bar for a cheeky cocktail set to the highest view of the Hollywood Hills in town.
Monarch Beach Resort, Dana Point
This AAA Five Diamond resort and spa is where the seriously cashed up stay when visiting Orange County. You'll be enthralled as soon as you enter the lobby but don't stop there – continue walking through for breathtaking views of the Pacific and the rest of the grounds of the stately resort.
With its own private beach, championship golf links, restorative spa experiences, a gym with a back-to-back timetable, and an array of bar and dining options, Monarch Beach Resort has something for all types of holiday-goers.
EAT
While the US in general isn't revered for its food, California is one state that bucks that trend. I definitely ate some of the best food that I've had in my life on this trip.
Being a devout carnivore, I took up the opportunity to have a steak everywhere I went. Hand on my heart, the steak at Sunset Tower Hotel in West Hollywood and The Ritz Carlton in Dana Point were To Die For.
The beauty of dining at Sunset Tower is the incidental star-spotting (I spied Robert Pattinson while there). If you need another reason to dine at The Ritz Carlton in Dana Point, may I simply say just three words: those sunset views.
For a relatively clean, green brunch, stop into King's Highway, a roadside diner attached to the Ace Hotel in Palm Springs. If fresh food is your thing (and it's my thing) you'll appreciate the emphasis on locally sourced produce. My tip: the date shake.
Now onto greasier fare. If you're in San Diego, get yourself on down to the original Crack Shack in Little Italy. You might be wondering what the hell a fried chicken place is doing on a hottest list, but hear me out. Crack Shack was opened in 2015 by Top Chef All Star Richard Blais. The chickens have led a happy, pastured life and the menu is what I would call 'dude food fancy'. While I didn't get a chance to personally down a burger, the locals swear by it.
Speaking of food, I want to give a nod to Air New Zealand. Aeroplane food isn't something travellers normally look forward to, but I made sure I was awake for each service after I had my first meal. If you're only going to eat one thing, make it the cheese.
I travelled both Premium Economy and Business at various points. While nothing will ever beat the comfort of sprawling out flat in Business, the roominess provided by Premium Economy was nothing to complain about.
PLAY
California is an absolute playground when it comes to leisure and recreation.
If luxe is your thing, you'll want to know that the TAO group have just opened Beauty & Essex in the Dream Hotel complex in Hollywood. The entry is inside a bric-a-brac shop, making the experience that much more fun. Inside you'll find the staff have likely come straight to their shift from a shoot. Make no mistake though – Beauty & Essex is more than just a pretty face. The food is divine (try the tuna tacos), and the cocktails are perfection.
For an open air poolside party featuring big name DJs and views, head to SkyBar in West Hollywood. Opened by Rande Gerber in 1996, SkyBar has somehow managed to retain its sleek reputation in this fickle town. If you're there after sun down, be sure to take a jacket.
For some non-alcoholic fun in Palm Springs, consider the San Andreas Jeep Tour. You'll barely notice three hours going by as your guide takes you through the history of the California desert. My only word of warning is to avoid this in the height of summer if you're bothered by the heat, and be sure to wear a hat and sunscreen. Although plenty of water, snacks and cool towels are provided, that desert sun is a force to be reckoned with.
And of course, if you're planning a trip to California in April, there is that tiny little phenomenon of a music festival in Palm Springs called Coachella. The festival's residual effect can be felt through the entire state: surprise side shows, pop-up pool parties, and endless conversation about whether you are or aren't going to Coachella this year mean that you can still soak up the vibe without putting on a wristband.
If you are attending the festival and you're not a celebrity, here's my quick Coachella survival guide.
- Ilona travelled to California courtesy of Visit California and Air New Zealand.
The post An Insider's Guide To The Hottest Places In California Right Now appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Postcards From The Land Of The Rising Sun: Nezu Museum Garden In Tokyo appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>After having lived in nine countries, fourteen cities and travelled through forty eight more, it amazed me to walk into Tokyo and immediately find a home. No matter how much I wander, wonder and learn, the well here seems bottomless, adding to my voracious appetite for exploration.
It is in Japan that I have found and discovered my ikigai – the intersection of what you love, what you're good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for.
And it is Japan's Ikigai I want to share with you! There is so much quiet passion, respect and reverence for what most of us consider mundane, which elevates a simple task to an art form. There are domains where the Japanese dominate – from BAPE conquering the fashion world, to the fluffy Japanese cheesecake conquering our taste buds! We can all learn from the Buddhist philosophy around community and the Shinto principles of nurturing the environment, both contributing to peace and longevity.
With the World Rugby Cup and the Olympics coming up in Japan, I am confident it will rise up to take its place in our collective Ikigai sweet spot!
Here Ruchika takes us to the Nezu Museum Garden in Tokyo.
Growing up, The Secret Garden was one of my favorite books and in our home, we have just such a one. I admire the wisteria at spring and the calla lilies in the fall and the orchestrated bohemian chaos of it. Gardens are so beautiful, and that is where my thoughts on them started and stopped as they served that goddess of my eye. But this, this is completely different, it served the soul by entering it through the artery of streams, beams of light, canopy of leaves, flowing moss, patterns in the stones, the guardians and the omens marking their way until it reached you, nourished you, saved you.
This Japanese garden, seen through droplets of rain, orchestrated one revelation after another, both on the outside as well as on the inside.
Without knowing it, but intuitively feeling it, each feature felt like it was governed by a heavenly order. And it is. Each Japanese garden follows the rules outlined in the 11th century manual, Sakuteiki, which illustrates the art and science of putting things in a place that brings good fortune. Forget Malcom Gladwell's 10,000 hours of practice – the Japanese have been doing it for ten centuries! It is natural that after over ten centuries of practice the Japanese garden is at an elevated state of perfection.
I never made it inside Nezu museum, so taken was I with the gardens. In the middle of Tokyo city, hidden behind big walls, this secret garden is only available to those who labor to uncover it. Early morning at 10 we were the first feet to tread through and it felt like it was made just for our consumption. A modern glass teahouse sits upon it's throne and you can perch yourself there to reflect on the exquisite beauty laid at it's feet.
If there is one corner of the garden to seek, trace the path with your ears until they lead you to the sound of Suikinkutsu, a traditional relaxing melody made by water droplets from a Tsukubai (water basin) echoing in small pots placed underground. Sit there for a while until all you hear is the drops resonating through your body like a balm.
We owe a debt to Nezu Kaichiro, a titan of the railways, a politician and a philanthropist, for buying this piece of land in 1906. Perhaps it's because he came from Kaikoku, a village that lived in the shadow of Mount Fuji, that he designed the garden in the shinzan-yukoku style of deep mountains and mysterious valleys. Our childhood plays out in so many ways throughout our lives, and for some of us it is in destructive ways and for others it manifests itself in this magnanimous way.
Nezu practiced the art of Japanese tea ceremony throughout his lifetime and so it comes as no surprise that he created this space for the contemplation and collection of art, meditation and nature. One can feel spirits, perhaps because the foggy morning leant itself to it, or perhaps because we were walking alone but in the company of a million others. For the first time I truly felt at one with the universe, where the past, present and future came calmly together in one moment. After all, each Japanese garden is meant to represent a whole world of illumination in one.
If only I could have known Nezu, met him to thank him, asked him about his childhood home, his love for this garden. If only. But then he left the best part of himself behind for us to meet as we wander through the path he planted for us. And little did I know at that time that Nezu and I are to be bound together forever. You see he was born on August 1, 1860 and a 110 years later to the day, I was born on August 1, 1970. From now on when I celebrate my birthday, I will celebrate Nezu and the gift of serenity he gave me.
EXPLORE:
Nezu Museum
Japanese architect Kuma Kengo designed the new museum to create a modern and minimalistic harmony between the building, the art, and the garden.
6 Come 5-1 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-0062
Tuesday, Saturday, Sunday 10:00-5:00
http://www.nezu-muse.or.jp/en/
EAT:
Nomu Cafe
Hands down the most exquisite cafe I have been to and you have to follow up the beauty of Nezu with the juxtaposition of the beauty of Nicolai Bergman. Plus, the dream cake is to die for!
5-7-2 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-0062
Open every day from 10:00 – 20:00
https://www.nicolaibergmann.com/en/locations/locations-aoyama-flagship-store
Ruchika Sahai
Postcards From The Land Of The Rising Sun: Learn The Art of Washi Paper Making
The post Postcards From The Land Of The Rising Sun: Nezu Museum Garden In Tokyo appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Yoga Pose Of The Week: Eagle Arms Pose appeared first on The Carousel.
]]> 
Eagle Arms Pose is only half of Eagle Pose and it gives you such a great stretch across shoulders, arms, and neck. The full posture – Eagle Pose – requires you to stand on one leg and balance, whilst focusing on your arms as well, but why start with the hard stuff?
Although a simple yoga pose, Eagle Arms mostly focuses on opening the shoulders and waking up the upper back muscles. You can practice this pose anywhere, anytime, and it will make you feel much better – as though the weight of the world has been lifted from your shoulders.
This pose is commonly used in a yoga class in a warm up routine, or even at the end of a sequence, to enhance all of the upper body moves. It's a great preparatory pose for more advanced asanas as well.
Benefits of Eagle Arms:
- Improves balance and focus.
- Aides in postural and body awareness.
- Fantastic stretch for shoulders and upper back.
- Strengthens core.
- Makes you focus on your breath.
- This pose opens the back of the chest, and rib cage, while contracting the front of the chest.
How to get there:
- Take a seat, you could choose from sitting with legs crossed, sit on a chair, or even kneel, whatever your body says is OK.
- Core engaged – draw belly button to spine.
- Spine straight.
- Spread your arms out to the sides.
- Circle arms up, hands meet above your head.
- Bring your arms down in front of you, elbows touch and hands as well.
- Take left arm under right arm, joining them at the elbows.
- See if you can bring palms in to touch, or just hold onto right thumb.
- With a deep breath in, lift hands and elbows up.
- With a deep breath out, allow your arms to move forward. (it's a movement of the arms, not the hips).
- Maintain a straight spine, and breath into those areas that you are noticing.
- Long breaths here, as you hold the pose for about 15 seconds.
To come out of the Eagle Arms pose:
- Deep breath in, bring your arms in towards you.
- Exhale, release hands and circle arms.
Take some nice long breaths before repeating on the other side.
Variations:
If you're unable to cross arms, or hold opposite thumb, try this instead:
Give yourself a big hug, while holding onto opposite shoulders, lift elbows and press them forward.
This will give a good stretch in almost the same places.
Precautions:
Pre-existing injury to wrists, elbows or shoulders. If your lower back becomes sore, sit on a chair rather than the floor.
Enjoy this Eagle Arms pose!
Always be kind to yourself, move with ease and grace. You are the most important person in your life.
Namaste
For more from The Carousel on yoga, visit here.
The post Yoga Pose Of The Week: Eagle Arms Pose appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post 3 Ways Mums Can Redefine Self-Care appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>I became a mother to three children; who all arrived in the world in two years and 7 months. My initial self-care definition was to sleep when I could, eat as regularly as I could, and get some movement in, while I strived to get back to 'real exercise'. My self-care luxury treat was to get a manicure every month. I was in survival mode; adjusting to what seemed an enormously overwhelming responsibility of looking after three amazing small humans; whilst still leading a company and wanting to tick the boxes of being a good wife, daughter, sister, and friend.
But where was my tick box for being in a strong, nurturing relationship with myself? It didn't exist! Yet. And it doesn't, for many mums – but that is set to change.
When it comes to mums, self-care is often deemed too hard; an additional chore; expensive; and wait for it… not important enough. 78% of mums report putting everyone else's needs before their own; often at the expense of their own health and wellbeing. Becoming consumed by societal, cultural, and personal expectations; takes mothers on a path of disconnect from themselves.
Self-care in the world of motherhood needs urgent redefining and reprioritisation. Why? Because quality and deeply fulfilling self-care are accessible to all mothers; AND it is the crucial cornerstone for thriving in life. This then flows on, to a more present nurturing of others; and importantly it role models healthy self-care; as an essential and important life skill for our children to experience, witness, and learn too.
The beautiful thing about self-care; is that it is a super personal and unique way of rediscovering and reconnecting with your ever-evolving self, and honouring that. It is retraining your brain, with an updated priority, that you matter too, and that you are valued.
Here are 3 ways to kick start your deeper level of self-care
- Begin the day with you. Allow yourself some time each day before the children wake up; to spend time with you; in whatever way you want. For example journaling or listening to music, enjoying a shower followed by a full-body moisturise, stretching, mindful meditation.
The list goes on – and the key is to begin the day on your terms; for you.
- Set a daily 'pause' alarm. This alarm is a reminder for you to pause, and take five minutes for yourself doing 'nothing'. You might do nothing by observing any nature around you; lying down, or sitting with eyes closed listening to relaxing music.
This serves the important purpose of breaking your 'auto pilot' circuit and resetting your energy.
- Finish the day with some quiet moments reflecting on what you are truly grateful for in the outer world. This may be your child, or your good friend. And then review the day with an honest acknowledgement of something you are grateful for in your inner world such as time you took for yourself and how you practised patience and self-kindness.
This broadens your perspective to see and appreciate the good stuff going on which we can often take for granted. It also creates energy to invite more good stuff into our lives.
Mums, with self-care, redefined, and accessible to us all; it gives us no choice but to collectively flourish, and enjoy the flow-on benefits to those we share our world with.
About Sonia Bestulic
https://linktr.ee/soniabestulic
Check out Sonia's PodcastChatabout Children with Sonia Bestulic
www.chataboutchildren.com
Read Flourish For Mums – find out more here:
soniabestulic.com.au
Self-care Is Not Chocolate: How To Make Yourself A Priority
The post 3 Ways Mums Can Redefine Self-Care appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Glenn Nutley Shows Us How To Create The Perfect Winged Eye appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>
Step 1
Get your shadow shields firmly in place.
Then apply your Gel Liner to create a heavier more dramatic effect.
Glenn starts with the underneath. The most important line is creating that line that follows up from the under eye and then you make the top of the eye match it.
Using that line that you've created from the bottom lash line, continue it to the top, just like joining the dots.
Then create a line from the top straight down to the lashes. Then follow the guideline you've created for yourself and fill in the line.
Use an angled brush to create the best line.
Then take another angled brush to gently press some black powder into the eyeliner gel to set it in place. So your winged eye look will last longer.
It's also a great way to blur your eyeliner line so it doesn't look too drawn on which gives it more of an edgy fashion look, says Glenn.
Take a pointy cotton bud and clean up and fix the lines with the Bioderma Micellaire water so you have a clean edge.
Step 2
Once you have tidied up add your lashes. Glenn recommends Model Rocks Lashes, they have a huge range for you to select from so you can choose your desired look.
Then apply the lashes with tweezers for precision. Then whilst they are drying create a strong brow look.
Start by brushing the brow hair upwards so the hairs are all going the same direction. Then use a natural shade in an eyebrow pencil or powder, similar to your own brow colour to fill them in.
Then take your mascara, Glenn recommends L'oreal Voluminous Butterfly Intenza Mascara.
Pull the lashes up so you mascara the natural lashes to the false lashes.
Step 3
Take a big blending brush for your eyes and use a light shimmery nude eyeshadow and blend it all over your eyelid to set it and add a soft sheen.
Then take a slightly smaller blending brush and use a very small amount of product in either a burnt maroon colour like Glenn does using Charlotte Tilbury or a soft brown and gently apply a very small amount of shading in the socket line to add a bit of definition.
Then use a nude coloured pencil to the inner rim of your eye rather than a dark colour so the focus remains on the winged eyeliner.
This will make you eyes look brighter and more awake adding an extra pop!
And there you have it, how to create the perfect Winged Eye look by Glenn Nuttley.
Credits:
Celebrity Hair & MakeUp Stylist Glenn Nutley is in New York with the stunning actress Madison Pettis.
Glenn Nutley
IG @glennnutley
Madison Pettis
IG @madisonpettis
Video Production BP Major
IG @BP Major
The post Glenn Nutley Shows Us How To Create The Perfect Winged Eye appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post 10 Tips To A Happier Day appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>
1. Meditate For A Happier Day
Want a happier day? Instead of reaching for your phone each morning and scrolling social media, try a 10-20 minute guided meditation. You don't even have to get out of bed to do so. According to Transcendental Meditation teacher Tom Cronin, "Meditation improves our ability to manage anxiety. The more we practice, the greater our mental resilience."
2. Set Your Intention For A Happier Day
You can do this before you even get out of bed, too! Either before or after meditating, repeat a mantra to yourself as to how you would like today to play out. it could be as simple as, "today I will greet everyone with a smile and a calm demeanour, no matter what mood they are in", or "today I will go easier on myself if I don't get my 'to-do' list fully finished." Set that intention and remind yourself throughout the course of the day. You'll find yourself having a happier day, we promise!
3. Be Sure To Hydrate
Skip that morning shot of caffeine and instead reach for a herbal tea or tall, room temperature glass of water. Studies have proven that remaining hydrated helps with cognitive health and mood stabilisation throughout the day. Aim to drink around one to two litres of purified water each day.
4. Stretch It Out
Who doesn't feel a little stiff and grumpy first thing? Some simple stretching will easily help your body come around to suppleness in readiness for the day ahead, as well as improve your mood and lead to a happier day. Begin with a calm, gentle pose such as Child's Pose, then head into Downward Facing Dog, which stretches almost every muscle in your body. Even better, jump out of bed an hour earlier and head to a sunrise yoga class. There are few things more peaceful and calming!
5. Listen To Music
Boost your mood and your circulation by playing your fave tunes and dancing around the living room! Several studies show that music has a direct effect on cheering us up. Add the endorphin-boosting cardio of dancing around the house and you've got a winning combination for a happier day!
6. Smile
You know the old saying, 'fake it til you make it'? This applies here. If you've woken up in a crabby mood, try forcing yourself to smile at your reflection in the mirror. A study performed by a group at the University of Cardiff in Wales found that people who could not frown due to botox injections were happier on average than those who could frown. Myriad other studies reinforce the theory that even a fake smile can boost your mood. For instance, Researchers at the University of Kansas published findings that smiling helps reduce the body's response to stress and lower heart rate in tense situations; another study linked smiling to lower blood pressure, while yet another suggests that smiling leads to longevity.
7. Don't Leave The House Messy
Few things are lousier than coming home to a messy kitchen, living room or bedroom. Do your best to be organised in the morning and make your bed, de-clutter the living areas and leave the kitchen sparkling. It will be so lovely to come home to and will certainly make the last few hours of your day happier!
8. Practise Gratitude
We tend to think of gratitude journalling as something we do at the end of the day, and that's wonderful. But how about we flip it around and journal about what we are most looking forward to out of the coming day? Having something to look forward to brings us hope and certainly makes for a happier day!
9. Wear A Bright Bold Colour
Sure, throwing together a stylish black number is quick, easy and a no-brainer. However colour therapists tell us that adding a dash of bright, bold colour can enhance our mood dramatically and lead to a happier day. If you can't tear yourself away from your LBD, simply brighten things up with a pair of bright red stilettos, or an electric blue scarf, or even a red cardigan.
10. Do The Hardest Task On Your To-Do List First
A few years ago, I had a long chat with Aussie legend Turia Pitt. She let me in on a little secret. When she was in hospital covered in bandages that needed to be replaced daily, she asked the nurses to begin with the ones that hurt the most. After that, she said, it was all downhill and the dread was far less overwhelming. She now uses that practise in daily life. Doing the toughest task at the start of the day means it's out of the way and you don't spend the entire day thinking about it with utter dread. Instead, you'll coast through the eight hours and have an altogether happier day!
The post 10 Tips To A Happier Day appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Drizzle Your Oat Pancakes With Coconut Syrup appeared first on The Carousel.
]]> Preparation time: 4 mins
Cooking time: 3 mins
Serves: 16
Ingredients:
● 4 eggs
● 2 cups milk
● 2 cups self-raising flour
● 1 cup oatmeal
● 1/2 cup brown sugar or coconut sugar
● Coconut Syrup for drizzling
● Yoghurt to serve
● Berries to serve
Method:
1. Mix all the ingredients in a bowl or food processor until a smooth, 'spoonable' batter is formed.
2. Grease a non-stick frying pan and pre-heat pan over a medium heat.
3. Drop in 60ml quarter cup measurement of the mixture, cook for 2 or 3 minutes on either side until golden brown.
4. Serve with thick yoghurt, a handful of your favourite berries – all drizzled with coconut syrup – or maple syrup.
For more from The Carousel on recipes like this, visit here.
The post Drizzle Your Oat Pancakes With Coconut Syrup appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Immune-Boosting Mango and Turmeric Smoothie appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>| Makes | 1 Serving |
| Total Time | 5 Minutes |
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Container | Low-Profile 2.0-litre Container |
Ingredients
- 1 cup frozen banana, cubed
- 1 cup frozen mango, cubed
- 2 tbsp freshly chopped ginger
- 1 tbsp freshly chopped turmeric
- 4 tbsp of organic dairy free Coconut Yoghurt mango
- lemon juice
- 2 tbsp organic honey
Directions
- Add all the smoothie ingredients into the Vitamix container in the order listed and secure the lid.
- Blend on high until well combined; add water sparing if necessary.
- To serve, place ice cubes into a glass and pour over the smoothie.
- Garnish with a dried lemon slice and dusting of toasted coconut!
To Serve
- 1 slice of dried lemon
- Ice cubes
- Toasted coconut
The post Immune-Boosting Mango and Turmeric Smoothie appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post 40 And Still Fabulous: The Real Age Test appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>A person may be 49 according to their birth certificate, but thanks to leading a healthy lifestyle and being happy, they may only have a physiological age of 41. In contrast, another person may only be 41, but due to a poor lifestyle which includes smoking, drinking, sun exposure, and lack of exercise, in physiological terms they may be a decade older than they really are.
Your chronological age cannot change, but there's plenty you can do to influence your physiological age. And this is where the RealAge Test can help as a guide. Devised by the American longevity experts, Dr. Michael Roizen and Dr. Mehmet Oz, the RealAge Test involves answering a series of questions that look at your lifestyle choices, daily habits, diet, state of health, and family history. Information from the questions can be used to determine if you are biologically younger, older, or the same as your birthday age i.e. your chronologic age.
The test is based on a medically valid standard, which was developed by reviewing 25,000 medical studies identifying 125 different factors that can influence rate of aging. The test is free, and can be taken online; all you have to do is register with the website, go through the questions honestly, and submit the completed questionnaire. After taking the test, you are sent a detailed report with personalized recommendations, health and wellness information, and suggestions to help you improve your "score" and make your RealAge younger.
I have taken the RealAge Test three times. The first time was as a new 40-something, for an article I was writing on anti-ageing. I was happy with the result, posting a physiological age 32.4, when my chronological age was 40.1. The second time, however, I took it was while researching the first edition of this book. Age 44 at the time, I had a few new health issues which I knew would likely influence the result. One is slightly elevated cholesterol, which had affected my diet, the second was having had a skin cancer removed, which had affected the amount of sun exposure I was getting, and the third was a joint problem in both shoulders, affecting my exercise regime. Although my chronological age at the time was 44.3, my RealAge score turned out to be 36.9 – still good.
The most interesting element, however, was the recommendations I received regarding my calcium intake, and my exercise level. My calcium intake was a little low because I was avoiding dairy foods as a result of my cholesterol problem, and this needed to be addressed as it was putting me at risk of osteoporosis in late life. My strength training had also suffered because of my shoulder problems, which was also adding to my osteoporosis risk. The result prompted me to seek the advice of a sport physiotherapist to see what I could do to improve my upper body strength training, without irritating my shoulders, and look at ways to improve my calcium intake without contributing to my cholesterol woes.
I have since taken the test a third time to update this book at age 50.6. This time my RealAge score was 45, not quite as good as I hoped, but some of the recommendations were interesting. Among them were, in the health environment, that I should keep in touch with my doctors more often and have more regular checkups because I had asthma as a baby, and to ask my doctor about taking daily aspirin because of the family history of heart disease. And when it came to diet, I needed to eat more grains, and more fruit. The truth is that everything you do today contributes to how healthy you are tomorrow. It's not about living with a 'my body is a temple' attitude, just doing the right things most of the time for your mind, body and soul.
This is an extract from Joanna E. Hall's e-book40 and Still Fabulous: The Next Chapter.Buy the bookhere.
The post 40 And Still Fabulous: The Real Age Test appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Lamb Cutlets With Mint, Zucchini & Black Quinoa Salad appeared first on The Carousel.
]]> INGREDIENTS
12 lamb cutlets or lamb chops
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 teaspoon finely chopped rosemary
100 g (3 1/2 oz/ 1/2 cup) black quinoa
60 ml (2 fl oz/ 1/4 cup) extra virgin olive oil
2 long red chillies, seeded and thinly sliced
2 garlic cloves, crushed
400 g (14 oz) zucchini (courgettes), thickly sliced on the diagonal
1 tablespoon lemon juice
12 mint leaves, finely chopped
2 spring onions (scallions), thinly sliced
200 g (7 oz/1 punnet) yellow cherry tomatoes, halved
METHOD
1 Place the lamb cutlets on a tray. Rub the olive oil over the cutlets and then sprinkle with the rosemary.
2 Put the quinoa in a saucepan with 250 ml (9 fl oz/1 cup) water and bring to the boil. Cover with the lid, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and set aside, with the lid still on, and allow the grains to gently steam for 4–5 minutes.
3 Meanwhile, heat the extra virgin olive oil in a non-stick frying pan over medium heat. Add the chilli and garlic and cook for 1 minute before adding the zucchini. Sauté for 8–10 minutes, or until the zucchini begins to soften and turns golden brown. Remove from the heat.
4 Transfer the cooked quinoa to a salad bowl and add the zucchini, lemon juice, mint, spring onion and tomatoes. Season generously with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper and stir to combine.
5 Preheat a barbecue grill or chargrill pan to medium–high. Cook the cutlets for 2–3 minutes on each side, or until cooked to your liking. Transfer to a warm serving plate and season with sea salt. Cover with foil and rest for a few minutes. Serve the lamb cutlets with the zucchini and quinoa salad.
The post Lamb Cutlets With Mint, Zucchini & Black Quinoa Salad appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Shakshuka With Kale & Goat Cheese appeared first on The Carousel.
]]> INGREDIENTS
1/4 cup (2 ounces/60 millimetres) olive oil
1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
1 heaping cup chopped kale
5 cloves garlic, sliced
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon chipotle powder
1 (28-ounce/900-gram) can whole peeled tomatoes, undrained
Sea salt to taste
4 eggs
1/2 cup (2 ounces) goat cheese, crumbled
1 tablespoon parsley, chopped
1 tablespoon basil, chopped
Method
1 Heat oil in a 8 to 10-inch cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add chopped onions, kale and garlic and stir until soft. Add cumin, chipotle powder and stir for another minute. Add tomatoes and their liquid to the skillet. Reduce heat, simmer for 15 minutes.
2When tomato mixture has thickened slightly, stir in a dash of salt. Make a little hole in the sauce with a wooden spoon and crack egg into the cleavage, repeating three more times with the remaining eggs across the surface of the sauce. Cover the skillet and cook for 4-5 minutes, depending on how runny you like your yolks. Remove from heat and finish with goat cheese and herbs.
3Serve with buttered toast.
The Carousel T hanks 'Kinfolk' for this recipe
The post Shakshuka With Kale & Goat Cheese appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Editor's Top Picks: 10 Of The World's Best Islands appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>1. Maui, Hawaii
With its golden beaches and enticing bamboo forests, Maui is a popular destination for sun worshippers and nature lovers alike. Travellers will find breathtaking views of the island at the top of the Haleakala Crater, a dormant volcano that marks the highest point on Maui at 10,000 feet above sea level. After a long day at the beach, travellers can reset at the Montage Kapalua Bay resort, which features a multi-tiered lagoon pool and other luxury amenities.
2. Santorini, Greece
The Greek island of Santorini is one of Europe's most intriguing islands. Stunning sunsets and scenery, white, red and black sand beaches, impressive traditional houses, and views of the island's dormant volcano are more than enough to draw travellers in from all corners of the world. Be sure to check out the romantic sunsets at Amoudi Bay and book a stay in one of the towns on the cliffs, including Fira and Oia.
3. Jamaica, Caribbean
Jamaica provides travellers endless opportunities to play under the sun at one of the island's four major resort areas; Montego Bay, Ocho Rios, Negril and Port Antontio. Take a walk along the entire length of the crescent-shaped Seven Mile Beach or experience. Or experience the vibrant reggae culture, and hustle and bustle of the island's capital, Kingston.
4. Providenciales, Turks and Caicos
Best known for its crystal clear water and pure white sands, a slice of paradise in the Turks of Caicos is the island of Providenciales. On the north side of the island, close to Grace Bay, travellers can discover the most beautiful beaches, as well as a long coral reef rich in aquatic life. Towards the south of the island you will find Chalk Sound, a large lake with striking turquoise water and an array of small caves.
5. Bali, Indonesia
The Indonesian island of Bali is a favourite destination for Australian travellers, both for its adventurer offering and its relaxation perks. The waters off the coast of Bali's white beaches are an ideal spot for diving, while the dense jungles, teeming with monkeys and hidden stone temples, call out for exploration. Be sure to visit the Tirta Gangga gardens, located in the former royal palace.
6. Majorca, Spain
Majorca, the largest island in the Balearic region of eastern Spain, may make you think of beach resorts, but there are plenty of other ways to enjoy both its coastline and the rest of the island. Take your time exploring the hills of Serra de Tramuntana. Recently made a World Heritage Site, this mountain range, running down the west of Majorca, is perfect to be explored by foot or bicycle.
7. Mauritius, Africa
The African island of Mauritius is often described as a sparkling crystal in the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean. The island's pristine white beaches are protected by stunning coral reefs, which encircle almost the entire coastline. Mauritius is a melting pot of cultures and this is reflected in the diversity of cuisines on offer across the island. No trip to Mauritius is complete without a visit to Trou d'Argent Beach accessible via a short hike.
8. Phuket, Thailand
Already popular with Australian travellers, Phuket, Thailand offers picturesque beaches and lush rainforests, all whilst in easy reach of Australia. This fun island provides an unbeatable combination of jaw dropping scenery, superb hospitality and great value accommodation. Whether it's world-class diving in the Andaman Sea, golf at international-standard championship courses or exciting eco-adventures in tropical forests, Phuket is a place to extend your horizons.
9. Bora Bora, French Polynesia
Bora Bora, is the one of the most sought-after destination for a magical trip in French Polynesia. With its surprising landscape combining high mountains and atoll sceneries, Bora Bora is named "the Pearl of the Pacific" thanks to its extreme beauty and paradise beaches. As a couple or with your family, for a honeymoon or just a vacation, Bora Bora offers everything that you can dream of in the same location. Be tempted by the original concept of the overwater bungalow, such as the ones bookable on TripAdvisor at the Sofitel Bora Bora Private Island, for a stay closer to the lagoon. The underwater life in the reefs around Bora Bora are world class and offer the perfect location, to snorkel and dive.
10. Fernando de Noronha, Brazil
Fernando de Noronha,is a volcanic archipelago about 350 kilometres off Brazil's northeast coast. It is named after its largest island, a protected national marine park and ecological sanctuary with a jagged coastline and diverse ecosystems. Visit Baia de Sanco one of Brazil's best diving spots where you can get close to sea turtles, rays, dolphins and reef sharks.
The post Editor's Top Picks: 10 Of The World's Best Islands appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post 20 Tips To Feng Shui Your Bedroom To Boost Your Love Life appeared first on The Carousel.
]]> 1DO revamp your bed.
Air out your mattress, turn it over and kit it out with inviting linen, luxurious cushions and a throw rug, preferably in sultry earth tones. Also centre your bed if possible, so that it's in a position that encourages romance, making sure that it's accessible from either side and ideally not pushed up against the wall.
2 DON'T look elsewhere.
Mirrors on the ceiling or in front of the bed may be all the rage in Hotel California but in feng shui it's not only tacky but majorly bad juju! Save the kink for the kitchen and move your looking glass to a more discreet location.
3 DO get rid of the "single" mindset.
Ditch any images of lonely people and replace them with sensual, romantic artwork and pictures of happy couples. You can also create couple-dom by placing items and ornaments in pairs, from a picture of a loved-up twosome to matching candles. Place them in the south-west corner of your room or against the wall opposite the foot of your bed. A round mirror, which is the shape of unity, also gives the room a sense of fulfilment and completion.
4 DON'T fill your room with electrical appliances.
The television should be the first to go – being a late-night viewing junkie is a surefire way to kill the romance in your existing relationship and ensure that you don't get any in the future! So curl up with a good book, buy a clock radio that runs on batteries and ditch the electric blanket – in winter, use a good old-fashioned hot water bottle or have an extra doona.
5 DO create romance with rose quartz and amethyst, just two of the crystals associated with love.
Strategically place these pretty ornaments throughout your bedroom – on a windowsill, dresser or side table to create romantic and harmonious vibes.
6 DON'T mess with metal.
As a conductor of electricity, metal tends to interfere with the "chi" or energy flow of the room. So if you have a bed with a metal frame, swap it for a more organic wooden structure.
7 DO tinker with other parts of the house to bring love into your life.
Construct a "Relationship Gua", a shrine of sorts, in the corner traditionally designated to love and romance. This is the far-right corner of your home, using your front door as a reference point. Again you can use some simple feng tools, such as rose quartz crystals and pictures of loving couples, as well as written affirmations and jasmine surrounding a cosy two-seater couch.
8 DON'T invite external forces.
If your bedhead is directly under a window, it's a primo position for letting negative energy into the room. Move the bed, quick smart!
9 DO be careful what you wish for!
Be specific in your mind about the sort of relationship you want. You could formalise your intentions by collecting images, key words and anything that, to you, symbolises romance and pasting them on to a collage. Place it in a spot that you will see every day. If you're in a relationship, you can ask your partner to contribute their ideas.
10 DON'T leave yourself open.
Try not to place your bed directly in line with a doorway. If it's unavoidable, hang a rose quartz crystal, or a clear one, somewhere in between.
11 DO think pink!
You may not be thrilled about this girlie colour but, like it or not, it's a feminine hue that smacks of romance. You don't have to deck out your digs to resemble a cupcake – a hint of pink here and there will do the trick. You can also turn up the heat with a splash of red and crimson – the colours of passion and lust.
12 DONT play with knives!
Get rid of any sharp metal objects within the bedroom such as knives, swords or scissors. It may be a little kinky and oh-so Angelina (pre-Brad) but, ultimately, these items are symbols of aggression and animosity.
13 DO move your bed
Move it to a "romance friendly" position, aligned north-south if possible, not east-west.
14 DON'T treat your room as a gym.
Exercising, as well as storing weights and other sports equipment in your room, particularly under your bed, creates an atmosphere of hard work and toil, which will eclipse the romantic vibes you're trying to foster. The only workout going on in your bedroom is best left to your imagination!
15 DO go with the flow.
Take a deliberate walk from your front door to your bedroom, checking to make sure that the flow of energy – "chi" in feng shui – is even and unimpeded. Once you've cleared a path to your bedroom, suss out the other areas of the house, particularly the space leading to your "Relationship Gua" and, if necessary, rearrange the furniture.
16 DON'T live in the past.
Purge your home of any residual energy from past relationships. Go through the entire place, not just your bedroom, and remove remnants of exes – and that includes everything from the oversized T-shirt you still wear to bed to photos, trinkets, letters and any gifts that may evoke feelings of melancholy or disappointment.
17 DO look after the doorway to your heart.
Make sure both the front door of your home and the door to your bedroom open easily and completely. Doors that become stuck, squeak or can't be opened fully will also obstruct your romantic energy. Doors with faulty or loose doorknobs also symbolise losing your grip and can cause a hard time with romance.
18 DON'T make it a family affair.
Photos of parents, the kids and other family members, while sweet and sentimental, are a major romance killer. Who wants Mum keeping an eye on your bedroom action!
19 DO follow your nose!
Create the perfect mood with sensual incense or a candle burner. The aroma of jasmine, lavender and vanilla are olfactory aphrodisiacs.
20 DON'T get wet! Apart from making you want to get up and head for the loo in the middle of the night, any running water, whether a fish tank, fountain or even a picture that shows water, makes for a shaky relationship. Move the water features into the lounge room
Have you feng shui'd your bedroom? Tell us your experience in the comments below!
The post 20 Tips To Feng Shui Your Bedroom To Boost Your Love Life appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Lyndey Milan's Delicious Steamed Fresh Ginger Pudding Recipe appeared first on The Carousel.
]]> Preparation time 10 minutes
Cooking time 75 – 80 minutes + 5 minutes standing time
Serves 6-8
INGREDIENTS
90g butter
1/3 cup golden syrup
¾ teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
3 teaspoons freshly grated ginger
¾ cup (180ml) milk
1 whole egg
1 egg yolk
11/2 cup self-raising flour
Cream, to serve
Syrup
1/2 cup golden syrup
3 tablespoons water
11/2 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
45g butter
METHOD
1Grease a 2L pudding steamer or heat proof ceramic bowl with butter.
2Combine butter and golden syrup in medium saucepan and stir over low heat until smooth. Remove from heat and stir in soda.
3Combine grated ginger, milk, whole egg and egg yolk in a jug and whisk to combine. Mix milk mixture and self-raising flour into saucepan in two batches. Mix until well combined.
4Pour mixture into prepared steamer or bowl. If using bowl, cover securely with pleated baking paper and foil. If using steamer, secure with lid.
5Place pudding steamer in a large saucepan with enough boiling water to come halfway up the side of steamer, cover saucepan with tight-fitting lid. Boil for 75 – 80 minutes, replenishing water as necessary to maintain level. Stand pudding for 5 minutes before turning onto plate.
6To make syrup, combine ingredients in small saucepan over medium heat, stirring until smooth. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, simmer, uncovered for 2 minutes. Alternatively, combine ingredients in a microwave safe jug and cook at medium power for 4 minutes and whisk well.
7 Serve pudding with syrup and cream.
COOK'S NOTES
If using a ceramic bowl rather than a pudding steamer, ensure the paper and foil cover is tight and secure. This is very important as it will prevent water ruining the pudding when topping up the saucepan with boiling water.
The post Lyndey Milan's Delicious Steamed Fresh Ginger Pudding Recipe appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Whiskey Ginger, Lime & Gin Fizz, Lemon-Lime & Bitters Punch appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>This is inspired by my time shooting Lyndey Milan's Taste of Ireland. I discovered a love of Irish whiskey!
Serves 1
INGREDIENTS
30ml Irish whiskey
5ml lime juice cordial
ginger beer to taste
Few drops of bitters
Lime zest twist
METHOD
1Combine whiskey and lime juice cordial in a glass. Top with ginger beer. Add a few drops of bitters and a lime twist.
KAFFIR LIME GIN FIZZ
This recipe has a double dose of lime flavouring. The lime juice gives it the tang and a kaffir lime leaf is added for garnish.
INGREDIENTS
1/2 cup water
1 cup sugar
6 kaffir lime leaves, crushed
Ice cubes
1/4 cup lime juice
1/4 cup (60ml) gin
1/4 cup (60ml) tonic or soda water (or more to taste)
1 small kaffir lime leaf, extra, for garnish
METHOD
1Make a syrup by combining water, sugar and kaffir lime in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the sugar is dissolved then reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes or until slightly thickened. Strain and cool.
2Place ice cubes in a glass, then pour over 2 tablespoons kaffir lime syrup, lime juice and gin. Swizzle then top up with tonic water and garnish with kaffir lime leaves.
LEMON, LIME & BITTERS PUNCH
A refreshing drink for all the family. It looks good and tastes better!
Makes1.25 litres
Preparation10 minutes (plus 10 chilling time)
INGREDIENTS
3 lemon infusion tea bags
2 cups (500ml) boiling water
600ml lemonade
30ml lime juice cordial
1/2 teaspoon aromatic bitters
1 cup ice cubes
1 lime, sliced thinly
METHOD
1Combine tea bags and boiling water in a large jug, stand to infuse for 5 minutes. Remove tea bags; cool to room temperature, then refrigerate until cold.
2Add remaining ingredients to jug and serve immediately.
The post Whiskey Ginger, Lime & Gin Fizz, Lemon-Lime & Bitters Punch appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Deliciously Healthy Yum Som-O Recipe From Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Makes 1 portion
This healthy take on the Thai classic makes a light, refreshing meal that's bursting with flavour. Pomelo is packed with immunity-boosting vitamin C as well as body-balancing potassium, whilst the zing of chili helps fire up your metabolism and reduces inflammation. Yum som-o makes a wonderfully fresh side dish or a light main meal.
Ingredients
Pomelo 100 g
Chicken mince 80 g
Shallot, sliced 5 g
Red chili, sliced 2 g
Kaffir lime leaf, sliced 1 g
Mint 1 g
Spring onion, sliced 2 g
Lime juice 1 lime
Fish sauce 5 ml
Palm sugar 5 g
Chili paste 5 g
To garnish
Cucumber, sliced 3 pieces
Long bean 5 pieces
Coriander 1 g
Method
1. Bring a saucepan of water to the boil, add in the chicken mince. Cook thoroughly, strain and leave to cool.
2. In a small bowl, add the chili paste, palm sugar, fish sauce, lime juice and chilies. Whisk together with a fork until the sugar dissolves into the mixture.
3. Put all the remaining ingredients together in a bowl, add the dressing and toss thoroughly.
4. Present the dish on a plate and garnish with cucumber, long beans and coriander.
Kamalaya is a multi award winning wellness sanctuary and holistic spa on the tropical southern coastline of Koh Samui offering inspired healthy cuisine alongside a choice of tailored wellness programmes including detox, weight loss, stress & burnout, sleep and personalised yoga.
Kamalaya has launched a brand new wellness program 'Structural Revival'. Behavioural patterns in our modern lifestyles, natural ageing and trauma tend to create postural misalignments that can lead to tightness, tension, discomfort and even pain. The Structural Revival Program is designed to realign the body and improve posture in order to reduce tension, rehabilitate injuries and re-establish highest levels of function and vitality.
Want to age beautifully? Read Kamalaya Co-Founder, Karina Stewart's top tips for health ageing here…
The post Deliciously Healthy Yum Som-O Recipe From Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Kamalaya's Famous Mung Bean Risotto Recipe appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Mung Bean Risotto Recipe
Ingredients
- 100g Mung beans, cooked
- 20g Pumpkin, peeled and diced
- 20g Carrot, diced
- 20g Asparagus, diced
- 20g Long beans
- 20g Onion
- 200mL Coconut milk
- 5mL Truffle oil
- 10mL Olive oil
- 3g Garlic, crushed
- 10g Spring onion
- 1g Sea salt
- 1g Black pepper
- 3g Sunflower sprouts
Method
- Soak the mung beans overnight and drain the water before using them the next day. Add fresh water and cook them for about an hour until they become soft.
- Then bring the coconut milk to simmer and add the cooked mung beans, garlic, pumpkin, long beans, carrot, and asparagus. Simmer for approximately 5 or 10 minutes until the vegetables start to soften.
- Add sea salt, pepper, truffle oil and chives to finish.
- Put the risotto in a bowl and garnish with sunflower sprouts.
Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary & Holistic Spa
Kamalaya is located amid a lush, tropical landscape on the southern coast of Koh Samui, Thailand. Founded by John and Karina Stewart in 2005, the resort offers a holistic wellness experience that integrates healing practices, therapies and philosophies from East and West, a breathtakingly beautiful natural environment, inspired healthy cuisine, holistic fitness practices and customised wellness programs ranging from Detoxification to Stress & Burnout, as well as Optimal Fitness, Sleep Enhancement, Yoga Synergy, Emotional Balance and since 1st November 2018, Structural Revival.
After winning theSpa Cuisine of the Year 2018 at the 14th Annual AsiaSpa Awards, Kamalaya's co-founder Karina Stewart said: "We passionately believe in the practice and application of 'food for health, food as medicine' and our cuisine is therefore a vital part of our holistic wellness concept."
Kamalaya's Culinary Director Kai Mueller adds: "I always found it fascinating and exciting to learn from Karina and collaboratively develop tasty and satisfying dishes that follow the guidelines of ancient Asian healing traditions and current nutritional research. Food is such a powerful tool for healing and maintaining wellbeing on all levels! For me, it's really the dedication and talent of our team of kitchen and service hosts that add the special 'Kamalaya flavour' to our dishes and I'm truly grateful to see their enthusiasm recognised".
Kamalaya.com
The post Kamalaya's Famous Mung Bean Risotto Recipe appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post The Ultimate Guide To Non-Invasive Beauty Treatments appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The popularity of non-invasive beauty treatments has surged in recent years and there are a few reasons for this. The first is people have been achieving the same results with non-invasive beauty treatments as they'd normally be achieving with an invasive surgical procedure.
As well, non-invasive treatments are completed in a short time and they're not as expensive as surgery. Another interesting reason these treatments are seeing a huge surge in popularity right now has been touted as our increased use of Zoom during our COVID lockdowns. Clinics report many customers are rushing in to get a treatment after seeing themselves on their computer screen in Zoom meetings over and over again.
So, here's our list of the most popular non-invasive skin treatments:
Microdermabrasion
Microdermabrasion is a non-invasive cosmetic procedure. A specialist sprays or rubs fine crystals onto your skin with a wand and this gently exfoliates the surface, removing the top layer. The aim is to make the skin appear younger.
The procedure is not painful and usually takes 15 – 30 minutes for the face and neck. Afterwards, there may be some slight swelling or sunburn-like symptoms for a few days.
To really see the full benefit of microdermabrasion, it's a good idea to do a number of treatments with a skin care specialist. This treatment makes your complexion look smoother, brighter and more even in colour. Microdermabrasion also helps with age spots, melasma or dark spots, uneven skin texture and scars etc.
Dermal Filler Treatment
Dermal filler treatments can greatly benefit your facial appearance because the dermal filler gives volume and fullness to your skin. When used properly, these treatments diminish the most common signs of ageing such as facial wrinkles, thin lips and skin folds or laxity due to a loss in volume.
You can use dermal fillers to plump different areas of your face including your lips, jaw, neck, around your eyes, forehead, cheeks and your chin. Often a specialist will use different fillers for different areas. Most fillers work by replenishing the hyaluronic acid levels in your skin and pulling in moisture from your body to add to the smoothing effect.
After your skin is injected with dermal filler, you should protect it with a gentle sunscreen to limit the risk of sun damage afterwards. When choosing a clinic for a dermal filler treatment, it's usually better to go with a well-known clinic which has been doing these treatments for some time because they know exactly what they're doing.
Anti – Wrinkle Treatment
Anti-wrinkle treatments are minimally invasive and are considered a safe, and effective treatment for fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes. It can also be used on the forehead and for frown lines between the eyes.
Anti–wrinkle injections (Botox) was originally approved in the US in 1989 for the treatment of eye muscle problems and in 2002, the FDA approved the use of Botox for cosmetic treatments for frown lines between the eyebrows.
Anti-wrinkle treatments works by blocking muscular nerve signals and this in turn weakens the target muscle, limiting or nullifying muscle contractions. When you have a treatment, it results in less unwanted wrinkles in the targeted area. It can be used to reduce crow's feet, forehead furrows, frown lines and skin bands on the neck.
Anti-wrinkle treatments work differently to dermal fillers because filler treatments are more about adding fullness, volume and hydration to your skin. Where anti-wrinkle treatments work to limit the muscle movement and stops constant expression contracting that can cause further and deepening of lines and wrinkles.
Where to go for treatments?
One skincare company which has been around for more than 20 years is Clear Skincare Clinics– an Australian and New Zealand company which has been providing these three popular non-invasive beauty treatments since 1999, enabling millions of people to access affordable skincare.
Last year Clear Skincare Clinics performed treatments on over 420,00 people in Australia and New Zealand. The company's treatments are developed by doctors and implemented by highly trained therapists and nurses.
There are more than 85 Clear Skincare Clinics across Australia and New Zealand, providing a full range of treatments including microdermabrasion, dermal filler and anti-wrinkle treatments. As well as clinical treatments to treat acne, sun damage, laser hair removal and skin dehydration.
To find out where there's a Clear Skincare Clinics near you, visit their store locations page .
For more from The Carousel about skincare treatments, including the anti-ageing technique called HydraFiller, visit here.
The post The Ultimate Guide To Non-Invasive Beauty Treatments appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post 7 Destinations To Cleanse, Detox, Relax And Revitalise appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Here are 7 NSW destinations to unwind and reboot.
Billabong Retreat, Hawkesbury
Reconnect to nature, increase your energy levels and rebalance your body with a stay at Billabong Retreat. This popular eco retreat – just 45 minutes from the Sydney CBD – will help you find peace of mind and discover inner wellness. Enjoy daily mindfulness, stress relief, cleansing and yoga workshops, buffet-style vegetarian meals and treehouse accommodation overlooking the billabong.
The Byron at Byron, Byron Bay
Nestled in subtropical rainforest near the town of Byron Bay, this resort strikes the perfect balance between relaxed luxury and a sustainable wellness escape. Just a short stroll from the spectacular Tallow Beach, there's a collection of standard, superior and deluxe spa rooms available with windows looking out to greenery, deep freestanding bathtubs and Californian King beds. The restaurant menu is a fresh fusion of produce from Byron Bay and the regional surrounds sourced through local farmers.
Elysia Wellness Retreat, Hunter Valley
Escape the demands and distractions of everyday life and reset in the heart of wine country at Elysia Wellness Retreat – just two hours from Sydney. From afternoon naps in your luxury suite to tai chi on the lavender-lined hill, this retreat offers a range of wellness options. Explore the retreat's extensive facilities – opt for a hit of tennis in the afternoon, a swim in the heated indoor pool or loosen up your muscles with a yoga class. As the sun sets, nourish yourself in the beautiful restaurant, then find a book to read from the library and relax in front of the fireplace.
Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa, Blue Mountains
This remote conservation resort, three hours drive from Sydney, has established its reputation as one of the best retreats in Australia, with luxury villas, stunning valley views and a world-class wellness sanctuary. Leave the stresses of the modern world behind and unwind on the magnificent property, which stretches across 2,800-hectares. Each of the freestanding villas come complete with a private pool, fireplace and expansive veranda. With private in-villa dining and treatments available, including non-touch sound therapy, there's really no need to leave the comfort of your villa if you don't want to.
The Greenhouse Retreat, Central Coast
The Greenhouse Retreat offer bespoke wellness stays in contemporary holiday homes on the Central Coast, 1 hour and a half drive from Sydney. Guests can create customised wellness stays with yoga, catering, massages and more. Order one of their healthy grazing plates or book the Greenhouse private chef for your stay, plus personal training sessions or yoga.
Mt Hay Retreat, Shoalhaven
This tranquil haven, which is not far from the quaint town of Berry, is a working farm surrounded by native bushland, lush green pastures and beautiful gardens. A 2 hour drive from Sydney perched high on Mt Hay, this adults-only, low-to-no contact retreat features five private, light-filled sanctuaries with breathtaking views. The interiors of each suite are contemporary and have deep freestanding bathtubs where you can take in the majestic natural setting. There's also an indoor heated 33-metre lap pool for a morning dip.
Mistere Retreat, Tweed Shire
This secluded sanctuary in the coastal hinterland of Northern NSW, a 30 minute drive from Kingscliff, is a stunning city escape, dense with rainforest, natural waterfalls and wildlife. Soak up the sweeping views, relax in spacious accommodation and unwind at your own pace. The stylish villas have earthy hues, fireplaces and wide windows, helping you to reconnect with the natural world. Explore the beautiful walking trails, sink into a bubble bath or meditate outside with the rolling hinterland as your backdrop.
For more wellness escape inspiration, check this story out.
The post 7 Destinations To Cleanse, Detox, Relax And Revitalise appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Bill Granger's Baked Leek and Goat's Cheese Risotto appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 25g unsalted butter
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 leeks, cut lengthways and finely sliced
- 2 garlic cloves, crushed
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 2 teaspoons chopped rosemary leaves, plus extra to serve
- 250g arborio rice
- 850ml chicken stock, heated
- 120g soft goat's cheese, rind removed and chopped
- 50g freshly grated parmesan cheese
Salad
- 100g rocket leaves
- 1 celery stick, sliced lengthways and cut into batons
- 1 head yellow chicory, leaves torn
- 1 head purple chicory, leaves torn
- 1 red apple, cored and cut into thin wedges
- handful walnuts, roughly chopped
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Instructions:
Preheat the oven to 200°C/gas mark 6. Heat a large ovenproof dish over medium heat. Add the olive oil, butter, onion, leek, garlic and sea salt, and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5–6 minutes, or until the vegetables are softened. Add the rosemary and rice and stir over the heat for another minute. Pour in the stock and bring to the boil. Remove from the heat and stir in the cheeses. Cover and bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the rice is cooked al dente. Remove the cover and place under a hot grill for 5 minutes, or until the top is golden.
Place the rocket, celery batons, chicory, apple and walnuts in a bowl and toss to combine. Dress with the lemon juice and olive oil and season well with freshly ground black pepper.
Sprinkle with rosemary and serve with the apple and celery salad.
Serves 4
Not only does a lower consumption of red meat lower the risk of bowl cancer, but eating more fruits and veggies in general can reduce the risk of coronary heart disease, strokes, and diabetes.
If you do choose to eat meat, try and limit it to 5600 grams of cooked meat per week and avoid processed meat. Fill two-thirds of your plate with wholegrains, vegetables, fruits, beans and nuts and no more than one-third with animal protein such as poultry or lean red meat.
For more details, meat-free recipe ideas and to sign up, visit meatfreeweek.org.
These recipes were supplied by Bill Granger for Meat Free Week
The post Bill Granger's Baked Leek and Goat's Cheese Risotto appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Common Hormone Imbalances: Estrogen Dominance appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>So many of the typical complaints many women suffer from may potentially be traced to this issue or at least have some of their 'root' in this increasingly common problem. To better understand what this is as well as why it has become so commonplace, let's discuss a little deeper…
Estrogen Dominance and Relative Estrogen Dominance
Before we go any further, we need to clarify something. There are several potential scenarios we may actually be referring to when we discuss 'estrogen dominance.' One may be where a woman actually is producing (and/or consuming/absorbing) excess amounts of estrogen, causing her body to exhibit signs of too much estrogen. However, there is also the case where estrogen may be at a 'normal' level, but relative to other hormone levels that may be too low for good health (such as progesterone), estrogen begins to 'dominate' the picture as it is at a higher 'relative' level compared to these other important hormones. Both situations can cause similar and related issues and we will discuss solutions and ways to tackle both here in this article. Remember however, some instances of hormone imbalance and excess may require medical attention and/or prescription medication therapy (such as hormone replacement), so it is always wise to work with a qualified health care practitioner when trying to manipulate hormone levels.
Hormones in Our Life Cycle
While it is possible for a woman to be estrogen dominant at any point in her post-pubertal life, it is most commonly seen in women over the age of 30. Actual estrogen excess can happen earlier in life due to excess estrogen exposure (such as from hormone laden food products, pseudo-estrogens in plastic bottles, cosmetics, and more) but relative estrogen dominance tends to happen when our hormone levels start to naturally decline, which usually starts happening sometime in the early 30s (even earlier potentially when someone is chronically stressed or malnourished). This hormone decline tends to accelerate at around age 35 and often by a woman's early forties, progesterone has fallen considerably from its peak some twenty years earlier around age 20. Remember from our previous article that if you are chronically stressed also, this can exacerbate progesterone decline, as the body will divert hormone precursor material from making progesterone to making cortisol instead!
Estrogen, whilst declining too, doesn't tend to drop as rapidly for many women until the actual event of menopause, which happens on average at around age 51, so that can set them up for this 'relative estrogen dominance.' As we discussed in the intro article, estrogen or relative estrogen dominance is often associated with common complaints such as fibroids, fibrocystic breasts, PCOS, PMS, bloating, water retention, weight gain, endometriosis, feeling sluggish and lethargic, irritability, and more. I think we can agree that not many of us enjoy these repercussions!
Solutions
The good news is that all the things we discussed in the introductory article apply here and will make considerable difference if applied consistently, but a few additional points for you to consider here may be especially helpful, including:
1. If it's feasible, consider having your hormone levels checked via a blood test. Optimal values for hormone levels exist and your levels can be compared to these by a qualified healthcare provider. For those individuals over the age of 30, if progesterone levels are considerably low, you may need to look at testing your cortisol levels, working on your stress issues in your life, and potentially look at using bioidentical progesterone (typically available by prescription) or other herbals supports (which may be available by capsule or topical cream) that may encourage healthier progesterone levels.
2. Consider an 'estrogen detox.' That means ensuring that all estrogenic foods, cosmetics, plastics, etc. are out of the house and you actively support your organs of elimination (i.e. the bowels, the liver, the kidneys, etc.) by eating plenty of cruciferous vegetables, herbal teas such as burdock root, milk thistle, and dandelion, and also encourage sweating through exercise, infrared saunas, hot Epsom salt baths, and more.
3. Ensure that your cholesterol levels are adequate (again available through a blood test). Whilst too much cholesterol MAY put individuals at greater risk for cardiovascular events, too low of cholesterol levels can contribute to chronically low hormone levels (such as progesterone) as all of our hormones are made from cholesterol.
See below for more hormone imbalance stories
Welcome To The Land of Hormonal Imbalance, Otherwise Known As Modern 21st Century Life!
Do you suffer from estrogen dominance? Tell us about your experiences in the comments below!
The post Common Hormone Imbalances: Estrogen Dominance appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Pilates Move Of The Week: Muffin Tops Be Gone With The Side Plank appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Starting position:
Lay on your side facing forward with your supporting arm flat (elbow under shoulder) and free arm resting on your hips. Legs either stacked on top of each other, or one leg in front of the other whilst engaging neutral spine. Focus on the positioning of your body and prepare to lift yourself off the ground leading from your hips.
Exercise Execution:
- Engage your supporting arm and obliques as you position your neutral spine, stabilising your upper and lower body.
- Without rotating your ribcage, lift yourself off the ground leading from your hips, and elevate your top arm and leg (optional) towards the ceiling.
- Keeping your ribcage and shoulders stacked and vertical, add a twist at your hips slightly towards the ground until the muscles around your hips start to contract.
- Maintain this position to failure, and repeat this movement on your opposite side.
Breathing:
- Inhale to prepare. As you engage your stabilising arm and obliques, force an exhalation through pursed lips to contract and control your upper body and abdominal muscles to elevate your hips off the ground.
- Holding in this position, lift your top arm and leg into the air, continuing a long steady series of inhales and exhales.
- Maintain this position to failure, and repeat on the other side to balance out the sequence.
Reps:
Start out with 2-3 sets of 12-15 repetitions to failure and increase if desired.
Advancements:
Whilst your top leg is elevated into the air, wave your leg up and down, backward and forwards in a slow controlled movement to deepen the activation in your glutes, whilst further challenging your shoulder and obliques in a less stable position.
KX Tip:
To add KX intensity to the exercise, twist your torso and further rotate through your hips to squeeze and strengthen your entire midsection. Rotating your top shoulder towards the floor, thread your top arm underneath and under your chest until your entire ribcage faces the ground, lifting your hips slightly for a deeper effect. We call this "threading the needle". Add 12-15 rotation on each side for that real burn in your belly!
Aaron Smith is the CEO & Founder – KX Group. KX is a boutique fitness company with 17 studios across Melbourne and Sydney, offering dynamic pilates, barre and yoga. KX also run international retreats to Vanuatu and Bali.
Model: Pia Muehlenbeck
The post Pilates Move Of The Week: Muffin Tops Be Gone With The Side Plank appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post 6 Ways To Transform Your Dating Life Using Emotional Intelligence appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Dating is easier for some than it is for others but whatever outcome you are hoping for you can improve the quality of your dating life using emotional intelligence.
There is nothing wrong with having high standards when it comes to your love lives. You have your own wish list, deal-breakers and non-negotiables that can either make or break a potential match. You may have become a master at finding potential people to date and initiating the approach but somehow the process of dating just feels like a routine of the same date with different people.
Research has shown emotionally intelligent people have healthier, quality, happier relationships, more opportunities in their career and often feel more content in life. Here's how to use emotional intelligence to transform your dating life.
1) Looks may be important but they won't keep a relationship together. Superficial dating will result in superficial relationships. No matter how much attraction you feel it is never a solid enough foundation to build a relationship on.
2) Nobody measures up to your first love or the holiday romance. The way you felt was real and beautiful in the moment but trying to recreate a past feeling and holding out to feel that way again is cutting yourself off from other new and potentially deeper feeling experiences.
3) People aren't made to order. If you're dating trying to follow a recipe requiring all the ingredients before you even attempt to step into the kitchen you are missing out on creating your own masterpiece. Sometimes the simplest things taste the best and feed the soul.
4) Be better than the competition. Like it or not everyone is in the same boat fishing in the same waters. Your curbside appeal might get buyers through the door but beauty on the inside closes the deal. Dress to impress, bring the best version of yourself to the table but most of all be a kind person, act with empathy and show compassion for the people you are dating.
5) Intimacy and sex are like salt and pepper. They are totally different but complement each other. Rushing sex before having the chance to become intimate with one another can fast track to the end rather than start the beginning. Get to know the person you are sharing your body with.
6) Respecting boundaries just as you have distinguishing points of attraction and separate values to others it's important to recognise everybody has individual boundaries. Be aware of your boundaries and communicate with foresight paying attention to Digital and social media how much you feel comfortable being shared and how much the devices are used in front of each other, Time how much you have to give or need, Past relationships what you feel comfortable sharing or knowing, Sexual expression no go zones and when the time is right, Managing conflict what you need, how long you take to reset and best form of communication.
The key to mastering emotional intelligence and applying it to your dating life requires self-awareness and self-reflection of your emotions and how they impact you and your dating life. Managing your expectations, being respectful and thoughtful, communicating in a non-defensive manner and positively impacting others are the secret ingredients to dating using your emotional intelligence.
The post 6 Ways To Transform Your Dating Life Using Emotional Intelligence appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Delicious Sashimi Salad Recipe From Adam Liaw appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>刺身サラダ
There was probably a time when a sashimi salad would have thrown Japanese food purists into a conniption. Some are probably shaking their heads about it right now. But that doesn't change the fact that these salads are some of the most popular items at casual and modern Izakayas around the country and all over the world. The tender fish and fresh vegetables are perfectly offset by crispy shreds of wonton.
SERVES 2
PREPARATION TIME 15 MINS
COOKING TIME 1 MIN
INGREDIENTS
- About 2 litres oil, for deep frying
- 6 wonton wrappers
- 300g mixed sashimi (kingfish,tuna and salmon)
- 1 small red onion, peeled and very finely sliced
- 4 cups mixed salad leaves
- 1 cup finely shredded daikon
- 1 cup snow pea shoots
- ½ cup Onion and Garlic
- Vinaigrette (page 102)
METHOD
1 Heat the oil to 200°C. Very thinly slice the wonton wrappers and deep-fry in batches for about 1 minute until crispy and lightly browned. Drain well.
2 Toss the sashimi, onion, salad leaves, daikon, snow pea shoots and about half the dressing together. Place in a mound on a plate and top with the remaining dressing and the wonton crisps.
Some believe the rise of sashimi salads in Japan came about from the popularity of the yee sang, a modern raw fish salad that's become a Chinese New Year staple around Singapore and Malaysia – a dish that was originally inspired by Japanese sashimi. And so the wheel turns.
ONION AND GARLIC VINAIGRETTE
玉ねぎとニンニクのドレッシング
the onion adds body to this dressing, helping it stick to salad ingredients, the pungency of raw onion that makes you cry when you cut it gives the dressing a lovely gentle spiciness.
MAKES ABOUT 1½ CUPS
PREPARATION TIME 10 MINS
COOKING TIME 0 MINS
INGREDIENTS
- 1 small onion (preferably white, but you can use a brown onion)
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2 tbsp caster sugar
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- ¼ cup rice vinegar
- ¼ tsp freshly ground black
- pepper
- ½ cup grapeseed oil
METHOD
1 Finely grate the onion and garlic on a Japanese grater. If you don't have a Japanese grater, mince them very finely with a knife.
Combine with the sugar, soy sauce, rice vinegar and pepper, and whisk lightly to combine and dissolve the sugar. You don't want to emulsify this dressing as it may become too thick. Add the oil all at once and rest in the fridge for a few hours to mellow. Shake before use.
White onions have a sweeter and less pungent taste than brown onions, which makes them perfect for this dressing.
The Carousel thanks Adam Liaw for this recipe from his book The Zen Kitchen.
The post Delicious Sashimi Salad Recipe From Adam Liaw appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Give Your Smile Some Style: 7 Reasons To Visit A Dentist appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>So, you think you have a pretty good eye for fashion. You think you're down in the style stakes and know how to rock a sharp pair of Manolos and a classic Chanel sleeveless pink knit. Well, that's all great but here's the thing. The most important fashion item you have isn't something you put on your body. It's in your mouth.
And that's because it is your smile. Yep. Those teeth you neglected and abused during lockdown – we know, staying in your pjs till noon, not showering for a couple of days, leaving the Zoom vision off during business meetings – and only brushed once a day are the best fashion accessory you will ever have. And here's another tip, a great smile never goes out of fashion.
Which is exactly why you need to take care of those teeth. They need to last you your entire life. And unless you have a hankering for false teeth – like somebody who was born in the 1920s before modern dental hygiene became a thing or George Washington, who had a wooden set of falsies – you need the help of a professional. In other words – get yourself to the dentist, girl!
Take a look here at our list of the Top 7 reasons you should visit your dentist regularly.
- Check on the Health of Your Teeth and Gums Overall
People often think a dentist only works on your teeth but that's not correct. Dentists also check your gums, your current fillings, any cracks in your teeth and the condition of your mouth overall. If they notice your gums aren't in good shape, they can give you treatments to help with this so it won't develop into a major problem.
Dentists also check if your teeth are showing excess wear from grinding, acid in your diet or tooth brushing that's too vigorous. The dentist can help you change your habits so your dental health improves.
It's usually recommended you see your dentist every six months. But if you've kept up your visits for some years and your dental health is at a high standard, your dentist may say they only need to see you every 12 months.
The other major benefit of seeing your dentist regularly is they're able to find areas of concern which could turn into larger issues for you later on down the road. For example, if they find a small cavity developing, they can often fix this immediately before it becomes a problem.
If the dentist finds you or your children suffer from a high number of cavities, they'll check on why this is happening. It could be because you're allowing plaque to build up and they can show you how to remedy this. Many people who don't see their dentist regularly can experience plaque build-up and gum diseases and they're not aware they have a problem. A dentist can also screen for early signs of oral cancer and other major health issues.
- Keep Your Teeth Strong and Healthy
If you don't go to see your dentist regularly, you can get to the point where one of your teeth is so decayed it needs to be extracted. We only have one set of adult teeth so let's take good care of them.
- Learn More About Correct Dental Hygiene
Most people brush their teeth once a day and never floss.
The dentist will reinforce how important it is to brush your teeth after each meal and to make sure you floss correctly at least twice each day. This way, you can help fight the bacteria in your mouth and promote better dental hygiene.
One condition which often develops is gingivitis – caused when plaque isn't removed properly from your teeth during cleaning. Your dentist can clean your teeth correctly to remove the plaque because if it's left on your teeth for long periods of time it can cause serious inflammation and other effects.
If you have children, it's so important they learn the rules of dental hygiene early. The more regularly children go to the dentist for check-ups, the more likely they'll learn not to be afraid of going to the dentist. They may even come to enjoy it!
- You'll Get Help With Any Other Related Issues
Often, we don't know it but some of our other health concerns are related to our dental health. For example, if you're not sleeping well, experiencing headaches or grinding your teeth – these can all be related to your dental health.
If you're grinding your teeth, your dentist will be able to help with this. Being able to target and treat these issues is another major benefit of regular dentist visits.
- Eliminate Bad Breath
When we have bad breath or halitosis – it's not just a matter of waking up with it each morning or thinking you only have it because you've eaten the wrong food. Halitosis often occurs from poor oral hygiene habits or other medical conditions. So it's important to visit the dentist, who can help fix this. Let's face it, no one wants bad breath!
- You'll Have Peace of Mind
It's always worthwhile to have your teeth checked so you can rest assured everything is in good shape because our dental health has such a major effect on our overall health. Regular visits to your dentist will lead to far greater peace of mind for you and your family.
- Make Sure You Have a Good Smile
They say smile and the world will smile with you. So, let's look after one of our most valuable assets. Your smile is part of your character – a part of the way you greet people and it's something people remember about you.
Reap the Benefits of these Top 7 Reasons to Visit Your Dentist Regularly
Everyone can be incredibly busy these days but making the time to see your dentist is just one of those things which makes a lot of good sense. You wouldn't leave your car un-serviced so it's even more important to see your dentist regularly.
If these top 7 reasons to visit your dentist regularly have shown us anything, it's that seeing our dentist is one of those things we need to make a priority.
Finally, make sure you do your research. You can start by finding a good dentist. While health insurance providers such as GMHBA offer dental cover that can reduce your out of pocket costs when visiting a professional dental practice in your area.
Yoga Girl Rachel Brathen And Her Perfectly Healthy Lifestyle
The post Give Your Smile Some Style: 7 Reasons To Visit A Dentist appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Dermatologist Dr Nina Wines's Advice On A Healthy Daily Skin Routine appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Sydney-based Dermatologist Dr Nina Wines shares her best advice for a healthy daily skin routine and talks about the benefits of Clinique Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Serum.
What's your best advice for a healthy daily skin regime?
I am like a broken record when I say consistency is the key. It is never too late to start caring for your skin. Don't over complicate your routine and avoid harsh procedures that have minimal evidence of benefit but can cause permanent damage to your skin. Remember always that healthy skin is an outside and in thing. Meaning, what you put into your body effects the skin just as much. Your skin will tell all of your stories. If you're not caring for yourself physically and mentally it will be written all over your skin.
Tell us about the new Clinique Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Serum
The new Clinique Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Serum is a triple-threat formula using 3 different but synergistic approaches. It includes a combination of ingredients to repair, re-plump and resurface fine lines and wrinkles.
The serum was designed with an expert panel of scientists and top dermatologists to provide visibly younger-looking skin.
What are the benefits and what is different about it?
It's different in that has 3 arms to its action. Most creams contain ingredients focusing on just one mechanism for improving wrinkles. This serum has triple the action and results. CL1870 Peptide complex is a revolutionary selection of peptides that boost skins collagen production to strengthen the dermis. This works synergistically with hyaluronic acid to fill up wrinkles and retinoids to resurface them.
How do you use it to get the most benefit for your skin and how long does it take to see results?
Consistency is always my message. Early results can be seen as early as 10 days, but for superb results will be experienced with long term use. At 4 weeks texture will be improved but by 16 weeks studies show visible reduction in lines. That said I believe true lasting success in anything requires long term dedication. This is a cream that you could use for decades and not be disappointed.
More about Dr Nina Wines
Dr Nina Wines is the co-founder and principal dermatologist of one of Australia's leading dermatology practices & Sydney's largest specialist skin & laser clinic, Northern Sydney Dermatology, she has gained a reputation for being honest, ethical, innovative and up-to-date in advances in her field. She also regularly provides expert dermatological information to the media and is Clinique Australia's Local Derm Pro.
The post Dermatologist Dr Nina Wines's Advice On A Healthy Daily Skin Routine appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Meet The Women Of The Future appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Since 2013, the awards have been helping exceptional young women aged between 18 and 34 develop projects that transform lives. This year there was a wide array of entries, with strong themes around disability, conservation, and consent.
Their stories are showcased in the December issue of The Australian Women's Weekly. As well, each finalist will appear in a new a six-part series on podcast Short Black with Sandra Sully.
The Editor-in-Chief of The Australian Women's Weekly, Nicole Byers, said there was a record number of entries this year. "They are inspirational, they all do incredible work, they are committed, smart and full of excellent ideas and they're shaping the way to help create positive change for a better future," she said.
Chair of the ABC Ita Buttrose, Youth advocate Yasmin Poole, Australian National University Chancellor Julie Bishop, TV presenter Narelda Jacobs, Federal Shadow Minister for Education and Women Tanya Plibersek and La Trobe Financial's Caterina Nesci were among the judges.
The Women of the Future Finalists are:
Hannah Diviney, 22, Sydney, NSW:
Founder of Missing Perspectives, a global publishing platform which seeks to address the marginalisation of women and girls across news, media and democracy decision-making on a global scale.
Last September, Hannah launched a petition asking Disney to create a princess with a disability. Hannah was diagnosed with cerebral palsy when she was just 12 weeks old, and she'd always questioned why she never saw people like her in films or on television.
"I grew up without seeing myself in any movies, or TV or books I watched or read. Growing up without representation can be really damaging," she says.
Her petition hit a nerve. It now has more than 42,000 signatures and Hannah's crusade to increase the visibility of marginalised women and girls, particularly those with a disability, has attracted the attention of Reese Witherspoon's Hello Sunshine, which spotlighted Hannah and six other activists from the global publication platform she helped build, Missing Perspectives.
Launched in June 2021, Missing Perspectives provides a space for young women around the world to share their stories, and increase their role in media, democracy and decision-making.
"The power of representation is something I can deeply appreciate as a disabled woman who has often felt invisible in the mainstream media," Hannah says.
Missing Perspectives is run by a small team of volunteers and reaches readers in 100 countries. It is Hannah's most recent success, but it's not her only project. In 2012 she co-founded the Krazy Kosci Klimb, which challenges young people living with cerebral palsy to reach the top of Mount Kosciuszko. The event is now run by Cerebral Palsy Alliance and Hannah acts as an ambassador.
Camille Goldstone-Henry, 30, Bondi, NSW:
Founder of biodiversity tech start-up Xylo Systems , a cloud-based platform to connect, track and manage conservation projects.
"We are losing a species every three to five minutes on this planet. There are thousands of conservation teams and researchers working to save our species, but they don't have an easy way to connect and share information and make informed decisions," says Camille.
"Xylo Systems will aggregate data from various sources and provide insights on some of these conservation projects so decision makers can have a 360-degree view of what is happening and optimise resources to save these species," she adds.
Camille started the project in July 2020 with the support of incubators for environmentally friendly start-ups. By the end of 2020 she was a top six finalist in the Wild Idea Incubator, backed by the NSW government, and she was a top six finalist in HATCH, the Taronga Accelerator Program.
Taronga's Director of Welfare, Conservation and Science, Nick Boyle, says, "There are so many groups working on the same thing, sometimes competing for the same resources and funding. There's an opportunity for this to have a system that says: Group X is already working on this." Taronga is supporting Camille to test her platform.
Camille says the money from the Women of the Future prize would help fund the programming needed to bring in that more "deep-tech, AI learning that requires very specialist software engineers to teach the system to make decisions".
"We've only got 10 to 15 years left to enact real change and I believe technology is the way forward," she says.
Angelique Wan, 24, Surry Hills, NSW:
Co-Founder of Consent Labs, a youth-led not-for-profit organisation that revolutionises the discussion around sexual consent, harassment and assault.
Consent Labs' aim is to reduce the high rates of sexual harassment and assault in Australia. Consent Labs reaches young people in high schools and tertiary institutions as well as ongoing education by delivery programs to their parents and educators. The organisation will speak to over 10,000 students in this year alone, and has expanded to six states across Australia.
"Going to a single-sex girls' school, I personally subscribed to the toxic culture that is so pervasive in those environments," said Angelique. Only she didn't realise it was toxic.
Once she got to university, she began to look around and ask why things were the way they were. "Every time we went out for an innocent dance with friends we ended up being groped by someone random. At this time in our lives, when we were 19, this was the norm. Sexual harassment was the norm but we didn't have the vocab to call it out at the time," she says.
Angelique works at Consent Labs full-time and is supported by 20 volunteers and 40 workshop facilitators who go out and deliver the program. "I've known from the moment the concept for Consent Labs started to form that it had the potential to be something big because I knew that this was what young people wanted and they weren't being given.
"Consent Labs is working towards the goal of reducing the prevalence of sexual harassment and assault in Australia, and the way you achieve this is by ensuring comprehensive consent education is accessible to all students," Angelique adds.
Mannie Kaur Verma, 28, Glen Waverley, Victoria:
Co-Founder of Veer Foundation, an organisation which works to prevent domestic violence and to support victims in marginalised communities.
Mannie co-founded a not-for-profit organisation earlier this year to empower young women and girls to leave abusive relationships. Mannie was nine when her family moved from a small town in India to Australia because her father hoped to give his two daughters every opportunity in life. Over six years as a young lawyer, Mannie quickly discovered that not every migrant family had the happy success story hers did.
She saw many young women, particularly migrants, who were subjected to violent and abusive relationships. It shook her to her core, and she asked herself why didn't they leave? "A lot of women come here on partner visas, so they are dependent on their partners. They don't know anyone here except for their partner's friends, so when they're suffering, they have nowhere to go. They have no networks. No support systems. No access to resources," she says.
"A lot of these women wouldn't even know where to begin if they left the abusive relationship. They don't know how to open a bank account. They don't know how to find a job. I met a woman who didn't even know how to post a letter," Mannie adds.
Veer Foundation provides a network of resources to help vulnerable women leave violent relationships. The organisation aims to do everything from helping women identify they are in a violent relationship, to educating them on the basic skills needed to claim their independence, such as opening a bank account, to sourcing pro bono legal advice and empowering them through training courses to give them the essential skills to enter the workforce, enhance their emotional wellbeing and build their confidence.
Molly Rogers, 27, Northcote, Victoria, and Emma Clegg, 28, Malvern East, Victoria:
JAM the label – a clothing brand born out of the need for inclusive clothing for young people with disabilities.
Molly Rogers and Emma Clegg met while studying occupational therapy at university and bonded over a shared passion for their work. They were both casual disability support workers for teenagers, Jack and Maddie, at the time, and would often discuss how difficult the teens found dressing, as they both used wheelchairs.
"Not only was it difficult for them, but anything that was easier for them to get dressed in was not cool and wasn't something that we would have wanted to wear when we were teenagers. Why should they have to compromise on fashion just for functionality?" Emma says.
Soon realising this is a common experience for the one in five Australians with disability, Molly and Emma launched JAM the label in 2019 (named after Jack and Maddie), a clothing brand born out of the need for inclusive clothing for young people with disabilities.
Design features include shirts that close with magnets instead of buttons, jackets that zip up on the sides, and pants that have extra room for comfort when seated and a subtle drop crotch for discretion when using continence aids.
Since launching small with just one product, JAM is now stocked by three external retailers, including EveryHuman, Averee and THE ICONIC.
"Our dream for JAM is to be the number one inclusive fashion brand in Australia. We want everyone in Australia to have the opportunity to wear clothes that make them feel cool, that they're very proud to be wearing, and we don't think that should be any different for people with disability," says Molly.
Martina Ucnikova, 34, Perth, WA, and Jessica Smith, 34, Perth, WA:
She Runs, a not-for-profit that supports women's political and civic participation through the power of education and connection.
When Jess and Martina met while working in politics in WA, they would discuss the lack of female and diverse representation in politics, and they decided to start She Runs, a not-for-profit organisation that empowers women to be at the forefront of political life in Australia.
She Runs helps West Australian women learn the practical skills and build the networks necessary to run and succeed in their own campaigns for change.
"We want to minimise the hard obstacles to participation in politics, especially for those from diverse backgrounds who would otherwise be excluded or discouraged," Martina says.
Last year, She Runs received an innovation grant from the US State Department which enabled Martina and Jess to run events and classes for two years. By October this year 40 women had graduated from the She Runs program. Martina and Jess would like to be able to take the program to women in regional WA.
"There is something about the in-person connection – especially bringing people from different walks of life with different political persuasions into a room," Martina says.
Jess adds, "We've seen a lot of stories come out in Australian politics over the last year or two about women experiencing discrimination, harassment and even assault in politics. We really strive towards a more inclusive environment for She Runs."
Are Media is a content and experiences company with brands including The Australian Women's Weekly, Better Homes & Gardens, Woman's Day, Marie Claire, TV WEEK, New Idea, Now to Love, Australian Gourmet Traveller, BEAUTY/crew and ELLE. For more information visit aremedia.com.au
For more from The Carousel on innovation, visit here.
All Female Cast Recognised At The 2021 Australian Of The Year Awards
The post Meet The Women Of The Future appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Donny Galella's Secret Tips For Race Day Fashion appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>
Rule Breaker
"Break the rules a little bit, guys don't always have to wear a suit. I went for a custom-made blazer by Sartorial Bay in Paddington, and some Target chinos. I've matched my tie back up to my pants. I know that showing a bit of ankle is all the rage, but I've gone for a little bit of a sock today, so just having fun."
Bow To Burgundy
"It's all about that beautiful plum, merlot colour, which is everywhere today and big colour for the season. The current Miss Universe, Monika Radulovic, is wearing a burgundy Karen Millen dress and a gorgeous headpiece by Loco Poco Designs."
A Curtsey To Crowns
"The headband look is very Dolce and Gabbana inspired; it's all about opulence with crowns and tiaras. We're really moving away from feathery headpieces to very sculptural pieces and those crowns. Viktoria Novak is probably Australia's biggest milliner right now and I've probably spotted about 500 of them today!"
Get The Low-Down
"For me as a stylist, it's all about high-low, we all don't have big budgets to spend on race day, so wear something old, add something new. The gorgeous host of The Biggest Loser, Fiona Falkiner, is wearing a vintage dress with a Loco Po headpiece and Target clutch and shoes."
Stick To The Season
"For Autumn, my absolute 'do' is you must wear a headpiece, always wear something on your head, even if it's just a small something. If you are going to wear a hat make sure it's felt not straw, straw is Spring. And embrace colour, today's more about colour."
Mr Nice Guy
"For guys, either wear a suit, nice shirt and tie or mix it up with a blazer and pant. But remember you're going to the races so keep it elegant and classy, that's the most important thing."
The post Donny Galella's Secret Tips For Race Day Fashion appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Get Renee Bargh's Glamorous Look appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>
Beauty Editor Glenn Nutley shows us his step-by-step guide to her stunning hairstyle for a photo-shoot, including the secret to getting a longer-lasting curl. Check out the results here.
Click here for more ways to create modern curls!
The post Get Renee Bargh's Glamorous Look appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Australia Unearthed: World's First Drone Shots of NT's Kings Canyon appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>
Along the way the've filmed Orangutan's in the swamp forests of Northern Sumatra, pearl diving and burial caves in the Cook Islands, skiing live volcano's in Vanuatu, Great Whites in South Australia and the tops of ancient Kauri tree's in New Zealand.
Here, with the first video in our series Australia Unearthed, we are excited to bring you the first ever professional drone film footage of the spectacular Kings Canyon in the Northern Territory thanks to Wayoutback, Northern Territory Parks, and the local Anangu.
Drones can be noisy, obtrusive and prone to sudden destruction or disappearance – but visually a drone offers a new dimension. The ability to reveal the immensity of the place from above, or to cover ground fast or and drop down to float slow and low along canyon walls – is a filmmakers dream.
For those travellers, all of the local legends we come across, and their special places, Australia Unearthed is an exploration of the unusual, the unexpected and sometimes subtle discoveries to be found on this, the world's largest island continent.
Australia's Northern Territory holds many of Australia's most impressive wild places
Once encountered the landscapes of Kakadu, Litchfield and Uluru Kata Tjuta National Parks are unforgettable. Many travellers leave shaking their heads, with visions of impossibly dramatic vistas, wildlife and stories from ancient cultures, forever etched in their minds.
The heart of the 'Red Centre' is the 600 million year old monolith the Aboriginals call Uluru. Uluru might possibly be the most imposing and yet dramatically beautiful natural landmark to be found anywhere in the world. Once it sat on the sea floor, but today rises 348 metres above a flat desert plain – significantly higher than any of Australia's tallest buildings. What we can see of Uluru is only a small part of a single huge rock. Like a landlocked iceberg it also extends down beneath the surface – how far no one really knows but experts estimate there is more than 2.5 square kilometres underground.
About 250,000 tourists visit 'The Rock' each year. More impressive is the fact that humans, Aboriginals, probably gazed at it with the same kind of wonder at least 10,000 years ago.
It's no surprise that on this 'Australia Unearthed' journey the film-makers jumped at the chance to join their friends at Wayoutback Tours to film Uluru and Kata Tjuta National Park – and because of the nature of their tours, to revisit a few of the lesser known locations we think people should know more about.
Unlike the name 'Uluru' if you mention Watarrka most visitors to Australia's Red Centre won't have a clue what you are talking about – despite the fact that it's a National Park covering a massive 725 square kilometres area (bigger than Singapore) – and that it's just down the Road from the townships of Yulara and Alice Springs.
Ok it's just 300km's down the road, Northeast from Yulara and a bit further Southwest from Alice, into what some might call desert – but there is a resort, importantly a pub, Camels?! and plenty of great camping spots.
With only 60,000 visitors a year even finding their way to Watarrka's centrepiece, Kings Canyon (most on day tours), we think it's a place worth putting on the travel plan and a place worth going out of your way for.
Ecologically the Park is interesting because it's location straddles demarcation lines bordering several different ecosystems. In some places the flora and fauna of the Western desert overlaps with the more varied kind from the MacDonnell ranges, in others the harsh vegetation of the Simpson desert creeps in.
Geologically this convergence is means that flat desert dune country meets dramatic canyons and bush clad gorges that dig and weave themselves into mountain ranges in a battle of the elements that in one way or another has been going on for hundreds of millions of years.
Fossils litter the place, there are rare reptiles, ancient plant species from different geological times, and somewhere in amongst all this, toward the end, modern animals and humans turned up.
At the centre Watarrka, or Kings Canyon as it is widely known is a giant rift in the earth eroded by inland lakes over 440 million years.
The Canyon, and Kings Creek were both named by Explorer Ernest Giles. Apparently Ernie named them both not for his King and country – but for his mate, Mr Fielder King. Nice.
'Watarrka' is the Aboriginal name for the native 'Umbrella plant' (Acacia Ligulata).
Aboriginals have continuously occupied Watarrka for at least 20,000 years so it's also interesting to think that the 'Umbrella plants' have been around in the Australian landscape for this duration – they are still quite common in many city suburbs and even in offices (where they are used mostly to absorb hot air…)
A dense stand of Watarrka grows at the entrance to the canyon and I'm sure back then without umbrella's and selfie sticks they were bloody useful in the 40 degree heat.
The crew first filmed Kings Canyon in 1996 and apart from the terror of something walking across their swag big enough to wake them up in the middle of the night.
On that trip they lugged an old 'tubie' Betacam camera, a massive tripod and a bag full of batteries up 'heart attack hill' (500 hundred steps, felt like thousands…) up, around, down, through and back again. It took hours and they barely made it out before dark sunburnt and exhausted.
Since then they've photographed up the easier valley floor walk, but not the much more challenging Canyon rim walk.
Sensible people get up and into it early – like the Wayoutback guide who was obviously a politician or lawyer in a past life and convinced his passengers to stagger out of their swags at 4 am, pack up and climb to the canyon rim for sunrise.
This is something we should all do given the chance. During the early morning and late evening the harsh blue light softens to exaggerate the rich red and yellow tones of the sandstone cliffs, and amongst the deep shadows life seems to awaken in a whisper of buzzing, the echo of shrill bird calls, or the short, sharp bark of a Dingo. It's at these times that you can understand what a refuge this place is and must have been for humans and animals alike over thousands of years.
As a film location it's always a magnetic, almost overwhelming landscape – there are just so many angles to take in, so much detail.
Drones are great for shooting into, and around the moment of sunrise but options get limited as the shadows harden with light gaining strength. Like most camera's even high end drones struggle with extreme contrast – so without the luxury of time to do both, the option to shoot with a high midday sun and afternoon light made some sense.
Other challenges for flying drones in remote areas include losing signal – they need signal from several satellites to keep under control, running out of battery – each only last about 15 minutes, and with a top speed of 70 km per hour and a 3km range, losing perspective of where you are.
Despite crash avoidance software positioning close to walls can also be extremely challenging without crashing into them (the avoidance software many drones only works facing forward)
Luckily the pilot Alex had got his coffee and muesli bar mix just right and pulled off some amazing flying manoeuvres while below we focused on the travellers.
It was interesting that over the 8hrs with the heat, and all of the backtracking, waiting and several kilometres of walking, there wasn't any muttering or complaint.
More often when Adam the Wayoutback guide wasn't rattling off facts and history, there was a kind of spellbound silence, an air of reflection and a reverence over the small group.
It's difficult to understand the concept of 'Dreaming' or Dreamtime' – even if these words don't in themselves convey the correct meaning of what the Anangu regard as Tjukurpa or the 'Law'.
But when you visit Watarrka you can sense that, amongst an immense passing of time, if it was your place, the land, the hills and creeks, each animal, each rock and tree could have a precise meaning and a significance bridging both the imagination and waking life.
The crew said they like to think that respectfully they all took just a small piece of Watarrka home that day and that these unique images in some way add to the significance of this incredible site – Watarrka, Kings Canyon Unearthed.
Film and Photography by Off The Map Productions, Post production by Filmotion Productions and Studio 1.
Established in 1999, Wayoutback Australian Safaris has forged an enviable reputation for running authentic small group experiences, incorporating indigenous culture for adventure travellers. From Uluru, the red heart of Australia, to the Tropical waterfalls and wetlands of Kakadu National Park, Wayoutback Australian Safaris deliver quality experiences throughout the Northern Territory.)
The post Australia Unearthed: World's First Drone Shots of NT's Kings Canyon appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Sharon Williams: A CEO'S No Bull Approach to Business appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>"He said that since you're pregnant, you'll be off then, which was more than a little ungracious of him," recalls Sharon. "But then the company's major competitor called a couple of days later and said 'I hear you are leaving. Would you come and work with me? I waddled in nine months pregnant to meet him and he said that since its your first baby why don't you have the baby and then come back to us.'
Two weeks later, just a few days after giving birth, Sharon wheeled a pram and her newborn daughter Charlotte into her former competitor's offices. "I started contracting for him for $40 an hour," Sharon says.
"I realised I had a business on my hands and that I should register it. I was trying to come up with my name when the word ''Taurus'' popped into my mind. It was my star sign and I looked it up and it said: likes beautiful things, loyal, earthy, strong, tenacious and stubborn. I thought, yes that sounds like me."
That was the modest beginnings of Taurus, a company that Sharon has transformed into one of Australia's leading bespoke marketing and public relations firms, supplying business to business marketing solutions to both small family-run businesses and global ASX-listed companies located on six continents.
This down-to-earth, divorced mother of three has carved her own niche in a highly competitive industry, shaping a business model that has helped more than 1000 companies achieve greater recognition, market penetration, brand power and improved sales goals.
One of Sharon's greatest strengths is turning negatives into positives, both in a business sense and personally. She's now entering her 27th year in business and has seen the impacts of the Global Financial Crisis and the invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan as well as dealing with divorce, the death of her sister and half-brother and baby niece and being diagnosed with breast cancer.
"What experience has taught me is that you have to prepare for new phases and challenges and that might be in your personal life or in business," Sharon says. "I have run my own business for all that time, and it is still in business and one of the learnings from that is that you have to constantly reinvent yourself and refresh your approach in response to outside influences.
"In short, the world is a constantly changing place and if you want continued success then you need to change with your target audience, with their needs, their likes, their ambitions and their influences. You must be constantly ahead of your game.
"You have to be ethical and honourable about being on your game for clients and make sure they are getting great advice that they will benefit from. And then being on your game as a professional and keeping a standard and watching for the next great innovation and, hopefully, being the first come up with those things.
"That also means that when times are tough that you have strategies in place that will help you get through them. For example, having had breast cancer and having lived through the GFC, I have an emergency fund in the bank.
"I didn't have that before, but it means that while the pandemic has been difficult and challenging for all sorts of reasons, at least I have a fall back that I can rely on and money that I know I can use to bankroll the company if I need to."
Settling for the status quo is not a part of Sharon's plan. "The world is full of builders, stabilisers and destroyers," she says. "You've got builders who create, stabilisers who keep things going and then there are destroyers who in a clever way break things down and throw it up in the air to reinvent and restart the cycle to make it all happen again. I have had to be all three of these in my career. And I love it.
"I'm a single parent with three children who depend on me. I have clients who depend on me to give them advice, and the right advice. And I have staff who depend on me to pay them so they can support their families and pay their mortgages. And that is a great privilege."
All this experience and accumulated knowledge went into creating a simple yet sophisticated methodology that underpins her approach to business. It's called the Taurus Bullseye, a patented and trademarked approach to defining business goals and then setting out to turn them into reality.
"The Bullseye is the centre of the dartboard or the centre of a target if you like," explains Sharon. "Business objectives is where we start and it's always about money goals. Whether you are a business or a charity, or a philanthropic quest, you need money to pay bills."
We send out a questionnaire to new clients and their objective is always the first thing we ask about. Then we move on to marketing and communications and the layers that we need to address to make those goals happen. Then we turn that into a 90day plan with a clear direction to success."
And successful Taurus is. A quick scroll through their website reveals an impressive client list with eminent names such as Commonwealth Bank, Dicker Data, Invocare, Clean Up Australia, Blackmores, QBE, MLC and a host of other instantly recognisable brands and companies.
"We work with small start-ups and with ASX-listed multi-nationals," says Sharon. "Some have been with us for more than 26 years and some have started, become successful, sold and started again. There's one business that is now on its fifth company with us. But the link between success and our clients is the methodology for what it is you want to achieve and then set it in stone and work towards it.
"I get no greater satisfaction than meeting with a client after a year and popping the cork on a bottle of champagne to celebrate what magnificent work we have all done. That is an amazing feeling."
Sharon runs her business with three important core values that are as much about her as they are the company. "We have three core principals to how we operate here at Taurus: we work with people who we like; we work with people who believe in what they are doing, and we work with people who are going to pay us on time.
"This might sound a little bolshy or arrogant but if we don't like you when you contact us or if we don't share an alignment of core values then it's simply not going to work. If you can't respect us or respect my team when we come to you with an open mind and advice then, again, it won't work.
"If I don't believe in what you are doing, then how could I possibly take it on and work to make it a success? I must believe in what you are doing. And finally, this is also a business, and I must pay people's salaries so, quite reasonably, I want my clients to pay me on time. That is part of our philosophy. We always pay people on time, and we don't owe money anywhere. That is simply good business practice."
Sharon was born in London, England. Her parents divorced when she was just six. "Nobody got divorced in those days, so I was a bit of a pariah at school," says Sharon. Her childhood was spent with her grandmother, who lived next door and under the influence of her great aunt who founded and ran a successful private girl's school.
"I had this wonderful and amazing education at an all-girls school," recalls Sharon. "And with people who were much better off than us because my family actually ran the school so I attended for free, even though my sister and I walked home to a shoe box maisonette and Mum had no idea how she was going to buy us shoes or pay the bills. I took my own children back to show them where I lived and they couldn't believe anyone even lived like that."
"As a result I always believed that I could do anything that I set my mind to. I was constantly with and watching women who were very capable and accomplished. There wasn't time for insecurities because they were working so hard doing it all, running a business, Mother, wife, thought leader, no time for ''poor me'' – they all just did it. Taking care of their men, driving change, creating opportunities for others selflessly, so I grew up with the mindset that I could do or achieve whatever I wanted in life."
Those attitudes supplied a solid foundation for Sharon later in life that allowed her to overcome the emotional upheaval of her parents marriage and divorce. "At 16, I wasn't confident in my ability to run a relationship," she says. "I always had this feeling that I was going to be let down. But I was confident that I would always be able to go forward if those relationships didn't work out and I was lucky enough to meet Guy, Father to my 3 children.''
"I saw my mother work hard. I saw my grandmother and my great aunt work hard – and this was during the 70s when there wasn't even a Property Act for women in the UK – and I just never expected that I could do something.
"I find the discourse about women being held back and not being able to achieve things a little irritating because I believe we can do anything we want to. It's only us holding ourselves back. I have had an amazing life with men supporting me – not financially – but supporting me in my ambitions and business goals. So I don't buy into all that gender stuff."
That's not to say that Sharon's life is without difficulty. She was diagnosed with breast cancer eight years ago and is still carrying a tumour. But she won't be defined by that experience.
"I'm not in a bad space," she says. "I will define Cancer and not allow it to define me''
''In retrospect, I could have bought more property. I could have invested better. But I have a place to live. I have a successful business and for the past eight years I have thought that I am on borrowed time anyway with breast cancer, and I am still here. I guess I haven't done too badly. My approach is that I have to own it all – the bad stuff is my fault, and the good stuff is my fault, too. I take responsibility for my decisions."
On Sharon's computer is a post it notes on which is written in large letters: INSPIRE, ENTHUSE and MOTIVATE. This is another part of her approach to business. And it applies just as much to Sharon as it does her team of 15 dedicated team members some of whom have been with her for over 20 years.
"I wake up every morning excited about what I and my team are going to achieve as individuals and as a team, about how they are going to excel and push and be the best version of themselves that they possibly can be. I wake up and think about how we are going to do wonderful work today. It's a really lovely experience, to live like that each day."
The post Sharon Williams: A CEO'S No Bull Approach to Business appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Here's Everything You Need For Your Melbourne Cup Sweep appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Simply decide on the cost you'd like to allocate per horse ($1, $2 etc), and the way you want to split the total prize pool – winner takes all, or percentage share for first, second or third etc.
For example, if you sell each horse for $5 that gives you a pot of $120. That means you could allocate $70 for first, $30 for second and $20 for third.
If you're in a smaller group, it might pay to keep the cost per horse lower so you can sell more than one ticket per person.
Then you just need to print out our handy sweep wall chart below, put 24 numbers in a hat and write the name of who's drawn what horse in the space underneath the comment section.
WHERE TO WATCH THE MELBOURNE CUP
The race is broadcast live on Network Ten – Tuesday, November 2nd at 3pm. If you want to stream it, then visit 10play here.
It's also being streamed live via the TAB to all members. Or you can head to the website of Racing Victoria, Racing.com, or the streaming site Kayo.
For audio-only streams check out TAB Radio, RSN Racing, Sky Sports Radio, and ABC Grandstand.
Your Melbourne Cup Office Sweep Wallchart
1. Twilight Payment (2)
Weight: 58kg
Jockey: Jye McNeil
Trainer: Joseph O'Brien
2. Incentivise (16)
Weight: 57kg
Trainer: Peter Moody
Jockey: Brett Prebble
3. Spanish Mission (14)
Weight: 57kg
Trainer: Andrew Balding
Jockey: Craig Williams
4. Verry Elleegant (19)
Weight: 57kg
Trainer: Chris Walker
Jockey: James McDonald
5. Explosive Jack (4)
Weight: 54kg
Trainer: Ciaron Maher and David Eustace
Jockey: John Allen
6. The Chosen One (5)
Weight: 54kg
Trainer: Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman
Jockey: Damian Lane
7. Delphi (3)
Weight: 53.5kg
Trainer: Anthony and Sam Freedman
Jockey: Damian Oliver
8. Ocean Billy (13)
Weight: 53.5kg
Trainer: Chris Waller
Jockey: Damien Thornton
9. Selino (24)
Weight: 53.kg
Trainer: Chris Waller
Jockey: Ron Stewart
10. Johnny Get Angry (22)
Weight: 53kg
Trainer: Denis Pagan
Jockey: Lachlan King
11. Knights Order (9)
Weight: 53kg
Trainer: Gai Waterhouse and Adriean Bott
Jockey: Daniel Stackhouse
12. Persan (11)
Weight: 53kg
Trainer: Ciaron Maher and David Eustace
Jockey: Luke Currie
13. Carif (8)
Weight: 52.5kg
Trainer: Peter and Paul Snowden
Jockey: Blaike McDougall
14. Master of Wine (6)
Weight: 52.5kg
Trainer: Michael, Wayne and John Hawkes
Jockey: Fred Kersley
15. Pondus (1)
Weight: 52.5kg
Trainer: Robert Hickmott
Jockey: Rachel King
16. Grand Promenade (21)
Weight: 52kg
Trainer: Ciaron Maher & David Eustace
Jockey: Kerrin McEvoy
17. Miami Bound (17)
Weight: 52kg
Trainer: Danny O'Brien
Jockey: Patrick Moloney
18. Port Guillaume (23)
Weight: 52kg
Trainer: Ben and JD Hayes
Jockey: Harry Coffey
19. She's Ideel (20)
Weight: 52kg
Trainer: Bjorn Baker
Jockey: Craig Newitt
20. Future Score (15)
Weight: 51.5kg
Trainer: Matt Cumani
Jockey: Dean Yendall
21. Tralee Rose (12)
Weight: 51.kg
Trainer: Symon Wilde
Jockey: Dean Holland
22. Floating Artist (10)
Weight: 50kg
Trainer: Ciaron Maher and David Eustace
Jockey: Teodore Nugent
23. Great House (7)
Weight: 50kg
Trainer: Chris Waller
Jockey: Michael Dee
24. Sir Lucan (18)
Weight: 50kg
Trainer: Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott
Jockey: Glen Boss
For more from The Carousel on the Melbourne Cup, visit here.
Melbourne Cup Carnival: What to Wear and When
The post Here's Everything You Need For Your Melbourne Cup Sweep appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Hollywood Starlet Madison Pettis Gets A Wet-Look Gold Eye appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>This is not just any gold eye! Glenn uses an age-old trick with cold-pressed and certified organic rosehip oil from Aussie cult brand RosehipPLUS to give Madison's metallic eye a wet-look finish.
About Madison Pettis
Madison has been a child-star since her days of playing Sophie Martinez on the Disney Channel sitcom Cory in the House, as Peyton Kelly in the 2007 hit film The Game Plan and more recently in Lab Rats and Smart Alec with her latest project, Mostly Ghostly II coming out soon.
Madison lives in Los Angeles, California and is buddies with Aussie teen sensations Alli and Cody Simpson.
In this Video:
Glenn: So today I'm here with Madison Pettis, you'll know her mostly from Game Plan and Lab Rats. And her newest project is Mostly Ghostly II which has just come out recently.
Madison:Yes, it's on itunes, Netflicks, dvd, go check it out.
Glenn: So today we're going to do a story focusing on a gold eye with this amazing product that gives a very kind of liquid gold looking effect…
Madison: So pretty…
Glenn: We're also going to be using this amazing product called RosehipPLUS, it's completely organic, cold-pressed and cruelty-free to animals. So we'll be talking about all the great properties and great benefits of natural rosehip oil.
One of the things I love about this product is that you can actually use it on any part of the skin that's dry. I love to use it on the cuticles, any dry area. Some people use it on their elbows if they have any dry rough patches from eczema it's so natural and organic it's not going to harm you in any way. And the only time you can't use it is on broken skin. So Madison, how do you find your skin?
Madison: I'd say it's pretty normal to combination
Glenn: Both the day cream and the night cream area relatively light I actually use the night cream myself like in the daytime as well because I find its not too heavy. But the day cream is very light so we might start with that for you because you don't want anything too heavy underneath your makeup because then it makes it slide off.
Glenn: So we're going to start with the day cream which is really, really light and you can apply it quite liberally because it's not going to really get greasy or anything and it's very natural so it's not going to make you break out or anything.
Madison: It's smells nice…
Glenn: It does, doesn't it…it smells like roses! (laughs) The beautiful thing about this product is that it has been around since the days of Marie Antoinette, it's nothing new, it's one of the oldest tricks in the book. But now it has been made into a product that's commercially available.
Because of the gold shadow that I'm using today, I really want it to stick, so I'm using an eye primer, and I'm going to take it all the way from the lash line, to the brow bone, and press it in with my finger. And this is going to make the eye shadow last a long time.
So now for the eye, I want it to be a really wet look, so I'm using this gold metallic powder. So while I've created the base with the primer, I'm not powdering it, I'm going to put the shadow straight onto that so it really sticks. So make sure there's no creases or lines in the primer first, and then we're just going to press that straight in. bottom lash line
So now I'm just taking a darker brown shadow right into the bottom lash line just to give the eye lots of definition and a finishing point and to open the eyes up little bit.
And the same dark brown shadow that we used in the bottom lash line we're just going to blend into the socket line as well.
So Maddison what do you think?
Madison: let me see. Oh my gosh it looks amazing, make smy eyes pop so much.
Glenn: yeah that colour has got a lot of punch to it.
Madison: My skin looks so dewy from the Rosehip oil
Glenn: It's good isn't it? It's kind of light it's not very greasy so it doesn't make the base slip off which is perfect. And also take this RosehipPLUS rollon for little touchups during the day?
Madison: Oh wow, that'll be perfect for my nails and everything.
For more great products from RosehipPLUS click here.
Credits:
Hair, Make-up & Photography: Glenn Nutley
Styling by: Dana Goldenberg
Director & Producer: BP Major
Celebrity: Madison Petis
Knitted dress by Emma Ostergren @emmaoclothing1
The post Hollywood Starlet Madison Pettis Gets A Wet-Look Gold Eye appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post 7 Ways To Balance Yourself In Times Of Change appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>1. Taking time to just BE
Taking time every day to do nothing and just be has got to be one of my favourite things… just to be with myself, resting in silence, peace and serenity… even if only for 10 minutes! During these moments of stillness and presence, I find myself reconnecting to myself and to life all around me and gratitude naturally arises within. The immersion in nature during this process is something I find most supportive – listening to the sounds of birds, smelling the scents of plants and flowers and allowing all of my senses to expand as if absorbing myself in nature helps bringing me fully into the present moment, slows me down and helps to bring things into balance with a clear perspective.
2. Sleep Well
Make a good eight hours of restful sleep a night your number one priority! Getting enough sleep is vital for prevention, management and treatment of various health imbalances. An inadequate amount of sleep (that is less than eight hours on a regular basis), has been associated with a weaker immune system, higher risks obesity, heart disease, depression, diabetes and even colon cancer (according to a study by University Hospitals (UH) Case Medical Center and Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine that has been published in 2011). Nowadays it might be difficult for some of us to get a full eight hours of sleep on a regular basis, but we might want to prioritise it once we understand how important sufficient sleep is for our overall health – physically, emotionally and psychologically. Research has shown that we recover best when we go to bed between 9-10pm, allowing our body to wake rested in the early morning.
3.Get Moving
Make sure you get sufficient movement in every day – whether it is walking, swimming, dancing or stretching. It should be something you really enjoy doing. A good 45 minutes daily – ideally outdoors in nature will have a large impact on your overall health and wellbeing.
4. Load up on veggies, eliminate sugars
Food also affects our moods and emotions. Improper diet and specific eating habits will contribute to disruptions and imbalances, while improving our diet, nutrition and eating habits can have a positive impact on our emotional balance. To ride your way through challenging times try to eliminate sugar from your diet altogether. This includes corn syrup, fructose, and sugary foods and beverages such soft drinks, pastries and candy as well as refined carbohydrates, which are basically just broken down into sugar. These foods provide only short-lived energy bursts with little to no nutrient value. They also disrupt blood sugar balance, which leads to mood swings. At the same time increase your intake of fresh fruit and vegetables for their rich nutrient content. Dark green vegetables are particularly good because they are high in magnesium, which is necessary for the healthy function of the nervous system, muscular relaxation and replenishment of adrenal glands.
5. Take a fresh Breath
One great way to slow down and to stay in balance is to 'pause' what you are doing and take 10 long and deep abdominal breaths (full, deep, expanding inhalations and slow, long, relaxed exhalations). Ideally, pause for 2-3 minutes every hour throughout the day… the difference in our vitality and wellbeing will be phenomenal…try it and see!
6. Bend, Sit and Breathe
Gentle mind-body practices such as yoga, meditation and Pranayama (breath therapy) will help you become free of stored anger, tension and stress. Practiced regularly, they are a very effective way to bring about and sustain emotional balance.
7. Smile
The best mantra for a positive emotional state is to SMILE. Even when you are going through a troubled mental process, make a physical effort to smile and breathe. This will ease your body and hence your perceptions, and will increase clarity of thought.
Kamalaya's Embracing Change Program
The "Embracing Change" program is the first of Kamalaya's wellness programs dedicated to exploring one's inner self, with Kamalaya's Meditation and Life Enhancement Mentors tailoring up to five sessions alongside carefully selected treatments to support and augment life transformation.
Mentoring sessions will be spread across five and seven night program durations during which guests will learn to recognise and understand their emotional habits, as well as release emotions, heal, rebuild and strengthen before learning to sustain their personal practice.
This is an ideal program to enrich (enhance) your emotional potential. In addition to the core mentoring session, the addition of Kamalaya treatments and therapies such as Traditional Chinese Medicine, homeopathy, as well as Asian Foot and hand massage, flower remedies and reiki, work synergistically to assist the process of letting go as well as re-establishing healthier levels of emotional balance. This program is ideal for anyone seeking support for life change and life challenging situations of any kind, as well as for targeting emotional eating habits, relationship issues including loss or break-ups, work related difficulties, anxiety and grief, the program can also address longstanding issues of guilt and inner conflict.
Karina Stewart, co-founder of Kamalaya and Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine says, "Our emotional state is pivotal to our experience of life, and often we can neglect our emotional balance with external factors such as stress, ill-health, and fast-paced lifestyles aggravating our responses. Kamalaya's Embracing Change program has been designed to create an adequate focus on the body, mind and heart helping one respond creatively and healthfully to everything life delivers through greater emotional balance. Further supported with Kamalaya's complimentary holistic activities, nurturing environment and healing cuisine, we believe the program is a valuable addition to Kamalaya's wellness portfolio."
Written by Karina Stewart, co-founder of Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary and Holistic Spa Resort & Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
The post 7 Ways To Balance Yourself In Times Of Change appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Unsung Heroes: The Distinguised Life of Aussie Soldier Tony Quirk OAM appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Once, while serving in Afghanistan – Australia's longest military engagement – Tony had the opportunity to witness something that struck him with awe. From a seat in a Chinook helicopter high above an Afghan valley, Tony saw the passing of history and a sense of both wonder and gratitude for the experience.
"We were flying high above a valley in Afghanistan," Tony once recalled, "Vast mountains were rising up on either side of us and I looked down and there was a group of nomads, perhaps the last of their kind, with their animals and tents made from camel hide. It was like looking back in time a thousand years."
That's when the unique nature of his job really sank in for Tony, reinforcing the choices that he made decades before when he left the family farm to seek a life of adventure and challenge in the army.
That experience was a result of Tony being part of a small team of Australian soldiers who went to Afghanistan in the early 1990s to clear landmines – they were known as the mine mappers following the Soviet withdrawal from that country.
Of course, it's not all picture postcards and panoramic views either. On New Year's Eve, 2000, Tony and a mate were in a shallow rifle pit in Timor Leste as part of the Australian contingent providing security for the Timorese and a United Nations force known as INTERFET.
They'd heard rumours of an imminent attack by band of marauding Indonesian-backed militia, and Tony was part of the force "standing to" in case the attack materialised. "We were sitting in our weapons pit and had to stay there, totally silent, just waiting," he once recalled to a newspaper. "And then the heavens opened up and the rain came down in a torrent. It wasn't a fun way to ring in the new Millennium I can tell you."
These are just a few of Tony's memories. There are many others from a military career that spanned 33 years. Many are memories of comradeship and laughter. Many are the kind of memories that haunt soldiers in their quieter moments for the rest of their lives but are best left in the past.
As a combat engineer, one of Tony's specialities is bomb clearance. As such he was seconded from the ADF to the US Army after the 9/11 bombings to help train US personnel in bomb clearing operations. In that role he served with US forces, helping train soldiers on their way to serve in Afghanistan and Iraq and helping establish the US Anti-Mine, Anti-Booby Trap Centre.
He was based in Minnesota and, because of constant travel to other US bases, rarely saw his wife who was also stationed at the same base, contributing to tension in their relationship. As a result, he was one of only a select few foreign soldiers to receive the prestigious Meritorious Service Medal from the US Government.
His next deployment came just 10 days after the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami that claimed 230,000 lives. Tony and his team were sent to Banda Aceh, the Indonesian region that suffered the most deaths, to help with relief efforts, restoring fresh water supplies, and providing shelters and disease prevention measures for devastated survivors.
That, he once said, was a highlight of his career. "It was fantastic to see how people responded to that crisis," he once said. "Australian soldiers, when they knocked off, would go back out into the community and help families whenever and wherever they could."
As proud as Tony is of his service and what it means for his country, it also took a toll. Tony, Warrant Officer First Class, Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM) and recipient of an OAM, suffered recurrent bouts of PTSD and anxiety in his later years because of his service experiences. That's how he happened to meet Carol, the feisty, steadfast woman who would become his second wife.
Carol was a volunteer nurse's aide at an ADF health facility in Brisbane when she first met Tony in 2014. They struck up a conversation and then a friendship, which they then consummated with Cornetto ice cream.
"I thought Tony was such a good-looking guy," recalls Carol, who is slightly older than Tony. "Tall and well-built, Tony was younger than me, but we just had something that sparked between us. The people who ran the place discouraged relationships between the staff and in-patients, but we struck up a friendship anyway. We'd meet up outside, so they didn't know. Tony always bought me a Cornetto and we would sit on the steps and eat them as we talked."
It might be hard to find a sweeter beginning for a romance. "Because I was older than him, I never really thought I'd be with Tony for the rest of my life," says Carol. "I thought I'd get to play with him, that he might be my toy boy for a while, but the reality is that we clicked, and we've been together almost every day since."
Tony Quirk – more accurately, David Anthony Quirk – was born in Cassino, a town of about 11, 000 people in the Northern Rivers region of NSW. But soon after he was born, Tony's parents Lou and Helen, both now in their eighties, moved with their young family to Albury on the Victorian-New South Wales border where they purchased a farm.
As much as he loved being in the outdoors and as much as he revelled in the self-reliance required to be a successful farmer, Tony, one of four brothers, also knew that agriculture wasn't the life for him. By the time he was 17, another life in the Australian Army was calling and, like many other young Australians in the post-Vietnam War era Tony answered that call enthusiastically.
It was a physical and disciplined existence and one that suited a young Tony Quirk perfectly. "The army and being a soldier was Tony's life," says Carol. "He loved being in the military. He was born to be a soldier and he was so proud of what he and his comrades had done."
Of course, being a born solider doesn't make you indestructible. Carol first noticed slight changes in Tony's behaviour about five or six years ago. "It was nothing very big, just odd little moments when he wouldn't eat his food or when he stopped in front of the shower without getting in," recalls Carol. "At first I thought it had something to do with his PTSD but after a while I began to suspect that perhaps it was something else."
It was, in fact, early on-set dementia. Diagnosis proved difficult. Doctors for a time believed Tony's symptoms may be related to a vitamin deficiency. But eventually they pin pointed Alzheimer's Disease as the root cause.
As Tony's condition advanced his communication skills declined and he sometimes became frustrated and aggressively reactive if he didn't understand what was happening around him. That made finding care difficult and, in many cases, disappointing for Carol.
"That was very hard for Tony," she recalls. "I was with him most of time but every now and again I needed some respite, and we would put him into care but if he was confused, he could become argumentative in unfamiliar surroundings. I remember putting him into respite care one weekend only to be called back a few hours later to find three police officers holding Tony down on the floor."
Hearing Carol's familiar voice was and is a key aspect of Tony's equilibrium. Aged just 57, he is now a resident at NewDirection Care in Bellmere, Queensland, where he lives in a community house with others.
The care he receives there helps him though he is not communicative. Carol, who now lives only a few minutes away from the Bellmere facility not only visits every day, but also volunteers at the facility helping with regular events for the residents.
"Everything that happens here at Bellmere puts the residents at the centre of what is happening, everything is for their benefit," says Carol. "It's simply the best environment for someone like Tony, who, because of his relatively early age, doesn't really fit in at other facilities, which are more focused on aged care. We'd tried other types of care in the past, but nothing came close to the facilities and staff care at Bellmere."
There is more than a hint of melancholy in Carol's voice when she talks about Tony, undoubtedly the love of her life. "It was so strange to think that I was the one who was older than him, and yet here he is needing all the care and help – the man who might have pushed me around in a wheelchair in my old age is now in a wheelchair himself.
"I don't know whether he recognises me or knows who I am, but I sense that he does. When I visit him, I tell him the stories that he has told me. There's one that is among his favourites – he has four children, all now adults, and when he was in the US, he would take the family on canoeing holidays.
"One time, they took the children on a canoe trip down a river and when they arrived the locals thought they were all mad and would surely be drowned. When they came back safe the locals were so impressed, they erected a plaque in their honour.
"When I tell him that story. He smiles and he looks up at me and it's like my Tony is back. So, yes, I'm sure he knows somewhere in his heart who I am and how much I care for him. I only live a few minutes away from Bellmere so I can see him as much as possible. He's my soldier and we'll spend as much time together as we can."
Tony Quirk's OAM, as provided by the Office of the Australian Governor General His Excellency General David Hurley.
Warrant Officer Class One David Anthony (Tony) QUIRK, Queensland
For meritorious service as the Regimental Sergeant Major of the 1st Combat Engineer Regiment, Squadron Sergeant Major of the 21st Construction Squadron and Engineer Task Group, 2nd Reconstruction Task Force, and as Career Manager Royal Australian Engineers.
Warrant Officer Quirk has provided outstanding service to the Army in a succession of senior postings. His meticulous planning has ensured mission success on every deployment. His professionalism and dedication have consistently inspired subordinates to achieve their fullest potential and constantly encourages them to accept greater responsibilities. His focus on combat engineering techniques, training and personnel development has made a significant contribution to Army's growth and ultimately operational success. His exceptional devotion to duty is an inspiration to all members of the Australian Army and the Australian Defence Force.
The post Unsung Heroes: The Distinguised Life of Aussie Soldier Tony Quirk OAM appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post It's World Vegan Day And Australians Are Moving Towards This Way Of Eating appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Interest in veganism around the world has doubled during the past five years and shows no signs of slowing down. According to a recent industry report (released by thinktank Food Frontier and Deloitte Economics), the number of plant-based meat products on Australian supermarket shelves doubled in 2020, and the plant-based meat industry has the potential to grow to a three-billion Australian dollar industry by 2030.
But while Australia has one of the largest vegan communities in the world – largely fuelled by environmental concerns – Australians still consume more meat per capita than pretty much anywhere else in the world.
As plant-based eating has become more mainstream around the world, the movement is no longer just for hardcore vegans and vegetarians but instead, consists of many millennials who are 'plant-based curious' and looking to make healthier and more ethical food choices.
Despite the wider acceptance of the vegan diet, misconceptions about whether it constitutes a well-rounded, nutritious and safe diet for ourselves, our family and the planet still remain.
Tammy Fry dispels some of the myths around plant-based eating
Tammy Fry, a certified nutritionist and co-founder of The Fry Family Food Co., is a passionate advocate for plant-based eating and says the myths about vegan diets are still believed by many: "These days, many of the myths surrounding plant-based eating can quickly circulate in the public and create uncertainty, which, once it takes root, is extremely difficult to dispel," she said..
"There are ongoing assumptions that the only source of protein comes from meat, and that the only source of calcium is from dairy, which is far from the truth. For me, it's about opening people's minds to alternatives that can still provide your body with the nutrients it needs and giving them the choice.
"While a plant-based diet may not be for everyone, there are certain benefits that can help us lead a healthier, happier and kinder life," Tammy adds.
The Top Five most Common Myths about a plant-based diet and why they are myths, from Tammy Fry:
- Myth #1: If you're only eating plants, you won't get enough protein
False! If your kilojoule intake comes from fruit, vegetables and a wide variety of plant-based foods that are rich in all essential amino acids to form a varied and balanced diet, you will get enough protein. Foods such as chickpeas, lentils, quinoa, tofu and edamame are great sources of protein. A simple meal of baked beans on toast provides all the essential amino acids found in a typical meat dish.
- Myth #2: A plant-based diet is impossible for kids
One way to get kids interested (and loving!) vegetables is involving them in the selection, preparation and cooking process. It's less about persuading kids to eat their greens and more about finding kinder alternatives that offer the same delicious taste without appearing like rabbit food. Gradually introduce plant-based alternatives by making familiar, much-loved meals, such as veggie burgers and lasagna.
- Myth #3: Eating soy increases your risk of developing cancer
Several studies show that soy, a staple of East-Asian diets, has been linked to decreasing cholesterol and the risk of breast cancer.[2] Soy is an excellent source of protein and calcium amongst other essential amino acids and can be found in whole soy foods including edamame, soy milk, tofu and tempeh.
- Myth #4: If you don't eat meat, you'll become anaemic
Iron deficiency (anaemia) affects around 34 per cent of women and 5 per cent of men in Australia.[3] Leafy greens, lentils, fruit, nuts and seeds are rich sources of 'non-heme iron', while meat contains 'heme-iron' which is more readily absorbed by the body. Iron absorption can be enhanced by eating foods that contain vitamin C, such as potatoes, strawberries and (of course) oranges.
- Myth #5: B12 is only found in animal products
B12 helps keep nerves and blood cells healthy, and for omnivores this is typically consumed via animals who drink dirtier water and foods with high levels of B12, which is then absorbed by your body. While it is not found in plant-based foods due to it being stripped from plants as part of the sterilisation and thorough cleaning followed by manufacturers and products, it can be consumed via a plant-based diet. Supplements and foods fortified with B12 such as some plant milks, soy products and cereals can help ensure our bodies receive the vitamin.
Now, more than ever, there are plenty of delicious meat-free options for people who choose a plant-based diet.
[1] https://www.chefspencil.com/top-most-popular-countries-and-cities-for-vegans-in-2020/
[2] https://nutritionstudies.org/soy-myths-vs-facts-is-soy-healthy-or-not/
[3] Figures taken from the Royal College of Pathologists of Australia, "Position Statement: The Use of Iron Studies, Ferritin and Other Tests of Iron Status", September 2017 and originally sourced from Australian Bureau of Statistics data, 2012, and H.E. Salvin, S.R. Pasricha, D.C. Marks& Speedy, J. "Iron deficiency in blood donors: a national cross-sectional study", Transfusion 54(10) 2014.
For more from The Carousel on the vegan diet, visit here.
Why Is Vegan Beauty Important?
The post It's World Vegan Day And Australians Are Moving Towards This Way Of Eating appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Cheat Sheet: 5 Salon-Looking Hair Tricks And Techniques appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The truth is there are a lot of tips and tricks that can help you get a straight-from-the-salon look, without actually booking an appointment.
You can take care of your hair at home, which is one of the best ways to learn more about your hair and even save some money. It definitely pays off!
Here are five tips and tricks to get you started.
1. Home remedies to the rescue
Apart from a whole bunch of high-quality hair care products that can be found in professional salons, there are many home remedies that are as effective as those expensive products. Dealing with an oily and flaky scalp is more than frustrating, and the best way to solve this problem is to use a mixture of apple cider vinegar, distilled water, and olive oil – two tablespoons each. This combo will do wonders for your scalp.
On the other hand, beer, mayonnaise, and a raw egg make a winning combination when it comes to severely dry and damaged hair. Beer and a raw egg provide protein, while mayonnaise gives your hair the most amazing shine.
2. Know your products
Using wrong products on your hair can do more harm than good, so know your hair well before opting for appropriate products. Your hair will benefit from quality hair care products since they provide enough moisture, reduce split ends, and give it a fabulous, shiny look.
Combining professional hair care products with previously mentioned home remedies is key to success – your tresses will have that stunning, straight-from-the-salon appearance in no time!
3. Know the right amount of products to use
Using proper amounts of hair care products is absolutely vital. Covering your head entirely with shampoo, conditioner, and mask is probably the worst thing you can do. Applying them topically is exactly what needs to be done to make the best of each product.
For example, you should apply the shampoo on the first few inches of your hair at the scalp since that's where oil build-up occurs most often. When talking about conditioner, start applying it from the middle of your hair downwards because your ends are more prone to breakage, and therefore need extra care.
4. Shampooing on a daily basis is just fine
Even though there has been a lot of controversy over the issue of shampooing (the 'No-Poo' movement), hair care experts claim that it's completely fine to wash your hair on a daily basis.
However, you should make sure that shampoo you use works with your hair type – you don't want it to be too aggressive since it can result in overdrying and damaging your hair. The best way to take care of your hair is to opt for an organic shampoo which doesn't contain any sulfates or other detergents that are likely to strip healthy proteins of your hair. If you ask us, that's the safest way to get a wonderful, salon-like hairstyle you'll absolutely adore.
5. Dirty hair is easier to style
Yes, you read well! Hair stylists often prefer if you don't wash your hair the same day you need an updo, simply because dirty hair is much easier to work with. It's simpler to style and requires less time to get it done, so have that in mind the next time you decide to make a gorgeous French twist or a glamorous bun. Of course, you shouldn't wash it five days before the event – it would be too greasy and oily. A day or two prior to some special occasion is just fine!
The post Cheat Sheet: 5 Salon-Looking Hair Tricks And Techniques appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Adam Liaw's Brasilian Beef Tartare Recipe appeared first on The Carousel.
]]> INGREDIENTS
1 tsp extra virgin olive oil, for frying plus 1½ tbsp for mixing
300g fillet steak
½ tsp flake salt
1 small brown onion, finely minced
2 cloves garlic, finely minced
1 tbsp brandy
¼ tsp smoked paprika
4 slices brown bread, crusts removed, halved into rectangles and toasted, to serve
30g butter, to serve
1 tbsp Vegemite, to serve (optional)
¼ cup finely minced chives, to serve
1 tsp Korean chilli powder, to serve
2 tbsp dijon mustard, to serve
METHOD
1 Heat a heavy frypan over high heat and add the olive oil. Season the steak with salt and fry on all sides for just a few seconds, until seared. Chill in the fridge for 10 minutes.
2 Finely mince the steak with a sharp knife. Transfer to a bowl and mix through the onion, olive oil, garlic, brandy and paprika.
3 Toast the bread and spread with butter and a very fine scrape of vegemite. Top with the tartare mixture and scatter with chives and chilli powder. Serve with the dijon mustard.
Chefs tip
Other countries might not have the same food preparation standards as Australia, so when travelling to exotic destinations make sure the meat is well cooked. Chat to your doctor before your trip about what precautions to take abroad.
The Carousel thanks Adam Liaw for this recipe
The post Adam Liaw's Brasilian Beef Tartare Recipe appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Unexplained Weight Gain? You May Suffer From Insulin Resistance appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>It helps us to get up and go in the morning, to be able to get things done during the day, to have energy and feel 'good,' etc. Of course problems can arise when cortisol gets depleted from continuous stress and imbalanced lifestyles and/or is chronically elevated (usually before it gets depleted and drops to a very low level) due to stressors, often then instigating something called insulin resistance. Today we're going to further explore the relationship between cortisol and insulin, how they interact, why we want adequate but not too low or too high levels of either, what are some common signs and symptoms of imbalance, and again, a few easy steps to consider if you may be showing signs of cortisol and insulin imbalance!
Cortisol and Stress and the Connection to Insulin
Cortisol is instrumental in helping us deal with stress. For instance, in stressful conditions, cortisol provides the body with glucose by tapping into protein stores via a process we call "gluconeogenesis" in the liver. This energy can help an individual fight, deal with, and/or flee a stressor. However, elevated cortisol over the long term consistently produces elevated glucose release, leading to increased blood sugar levels and that's where the connection to insulin problems can begin!
Theoretically, this mechanism can increase the risk for type 2 diabetes and this can be clearly seen in the skyrocketing rates of diabetes across much of the globe. Since a principal function of cortisol is to thwart the effect of insulin—essentially making the cells insulin resistant—the body remains in a general insulin-resistant state when cortisol levels are chronically elevated. Over time, our pancreas (our producer of insulin), struggles to keep up with the high demand for insulin (which is like a chemical 'chaperone' to help bring sugar into our cells). This means that glucose levels in the blood remain high, the cells cannot get the sugar they need, and the cycle continues. What is kind of especially 'crazy' about this is that ironically we have plenty of sugar to feed the cells, but because they have become insulin resistant, it cannot get into them, so they literally are 'starving.' This often prompts us to then reach for quick, sugary 'fixes' in a misguided attempt to try and get that sugar into our hungry cells! Of course it isn't much of a leap then to figure out that in such a situation, weight gain can happen very easily and relatively quickly!
Thus, signs and symptoms such as feeling 'tired but wired,' craving sweets, a growing waistline, having trouble falling and/or staying asleep, elevating blood sugar and insulin levels (measured in blood tests), fatty liver, hypoglycemic feelings (such as lightheadedness, irritable or what I like to term as 'hangry' (i.e. a little bit hungry and angry at the same time!), and trouble getting up in the morning, may all be potential signs of cortisol and insulin imbalance.
What To Do?
Again, this involves taking control of your stressors by actively minimizing additional stresses and implementing stress management techniques such as many we've discussed in this series of articles. Eating healthier, taking time for exercise and ensuring you are getting proper rest, are all foundational things you should be attending to as a starting point. For those of you with considerable cortisol/insulin issues, discussing the matter with a qualified health care provider is a great place to start. Exploring supplemental options here such as phosphatidylserine, vitamin C, and others may go a long way in helping things come better back into balance too.
The post Unexplained Weight Gain? You May Suffer From Insulin Resistance appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Mums Returning To Work: Four Questions To Ask Yourself appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>It's the modern mum's conundrum. Contemplating returning to work after a career break or Maternity Leave, typically leaves women grappling with a full range of new and varied issues. It is a transition that comes with no rule book: a hefty adjustment with a fully loaded mixed bag of emotions and logistics to balance. Transition can be stressful, exhilarating and complicated all at once, for not only the mum but for the partners, children and often the extended family too. But don't be dismayed – you've come to the right place for advice.
Rita Holland has more than 20 years working in career development and transition, and is the Director at Job Search Matters. Rita, too, is continuing through her own career transition, having just launched her own company, and is a single mother (for the past eight years) of two teenage boys. So before you start handing out your CV, Rita suggests you ask yourself these four questions…
1. What's driving your decision to return to work?
Do you want an income, a job, a career, or something else? Invest time and effort in being honest with yourself about what's driving your motivation to return to work. Consider whether you 'need' or 'want' to be working? Do you have financial goals, a drive to return to a stimulating role to expand your expertise, or are you craving adult company? "Women return to work for a range of reasons," explains Rita. "There are no 'set of solutions' to suit all women and families. Being honest with yourself about what's driving the need for change significantly helps create better solutions. But be prepared to compromise something – there are rarely perfect solutions. For example, there are many ways to earn money if you need to pay bills. And that job search strategy will be different to a job search strategy for a woman that is ideally seeking social or intellectual stimulation."
2. What purpose and meaning do you want in your life, including work?
Let's get real about this. Most people do not wake up one day with an epiphany and have this 'find your passion' challenge all sorted. It rarely happens. Life isn't like the movies! However, can you articulate what you value in the deepest parts of your soul? What activities, behaviours or values anchor you to what is meaningful for you? What is your understanding of your personality, values, strengths and interests? "Women, even before they have children, typically play multiple roles," explains Rita. "They are daughters, partners, sisters, aunties… They then become contributors to community efforts like parent helpers at school and sport team managers, as well as being a mum.
If you haven't already done so, consider determining what your vocational interests are so that you can be the person you wish to be. For most of us, finding meaning takes thoughtful effort – a mix of risk taking, curiosity, research, input from other people and processes, and self reflection. Have you identified the work areas you would enjoy spending time in? How do your personality traits influence what you enjoy and your personal work needs? For example, do you have administrative interests and enjoy being an organiser and directing others? Or do you enjoy contributing and connecting to the well-being of others? Or perhaps you love working with customers, and helping them? Find what fuels your energy. What's your legacy going to be? What kind of difference do you want to make for tomorrow, next week, next month, next year and beyond? Connect with all the things you are, rather than punish yourself for all the things you are not!"
3. Am I ready to start my job search?
Assessing your readiness for change is a great start! Returning to work after having a child often feels scary and exciting all at once, especially if you feel you have been out of the workforce for a while or have limited support networks. "Some mothers find returning to work easier than others," explains Rita. "It's normal, no matter how strong-minded you are, to have mixed feelings about making the decision to return to work. Know that most people experience barriers and relapses in their job search efforts and cycling back and forth through stages 1-4 (below) is typical and completely ok. Be kind to yourself when you do. Learn from what happens, and allow the experience to strengthen you, whatever outcome."
4. How do I get from stage 1 to stage 2?
Mums who are successful in getting started are likely to have the following characteristics
- Feel energised and motivated to take responsibility to make changes.
- Believe it is important to return to work.
- Do not use the word 'fail'.
- Learn from their efforts and mistakes.
- Have and use a support network of friends, family, neighbours and colleagues.
- Are positive thinkers and know they will be successful.
- Are ready to make small steps.
Set yourself a SMART goal – make it:
- Specific and Simple.
- Measurable.
- Achievable.
- Realistic.
- Time-framed.
About Rita
Since the late 1990's, Rita Holland has forged her own career as one of Sydney's more successful career transition thought leaders and coaches, and leadership development coach to public sector and corporate executives.
Job Search Matters offers coaching programs to graduates and professionals in work, looking for work or planning to re-enter the workforce after an extended absence. This means that, with Job Search Matters, you have a trusted adviser to give you the help you need to develop and execute your career transition with confidence in a changing world of work.
Outside of work, Rita enjoys (mostly but not always) being a mother to two teenage boys, cooking to feed these eating machines, socialising, getting out and about around Sydney, trying to keep fit and healthy and listening to music.
Rita Holland holds a Bachelor of Science (Psychology) from Adelaide University. In 2007 she received a Masters in Applied Science in Psychology of Coaching from Sydney University. Rita Holland is a Member of the University of Sydney Coaching and Mentoring Association and a member of the International Coach Federation.
Have you recently returned to work? Tell us about your experience below…
The post Mums Returning To Work: Four Questions To Ask Yourself appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post 5 Ways To Combat Hair Breakage And Banish Split Ends appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Shelve the heat tools
Maintaining your hairs natural health and lustre becomes increasingly difficult the more you use heat styling devices. Even everyday blow drying will have a detrimental impact on your hair condition if you don't protect it. Minimising the use of hot tools is the best course of action, but if the thought of going cold turkey on the straightening iron is too much to bear, then you must use heat protective products to minimise damage.
Paul Mitchell Hot Off The Press, 200ml RRP $24.95
Practice gentle towel drying
We have all been guilty of vigorously towel drying our hair when getting out of the shower. The problem with this is hair is at its most vulnerable when soaking wet, so a heavy-handed towel dry can cause irreparable hair breakage. Instead, gently squeeze the moisture from your hair with the towel before allowing it to air dry or blow-drying with your fingers.
Don't over wash your hair
Over washing your hair, especially with the wrong products, can strip your hair of its natural hydration and nutrients, leaving lack lustre strands fragile and weak. A professional hairdresser can do a thorough assessment of your hair health and needs and provide you with a tailored home care plan that incorporates the ideal wash cycle. In between washes use a professional Dry Shampoo to keep hair fresh and fabulous.
WE RECOMMEND: Paul Mitchell Dry Wash 252ml RRP $25.95
Drink your way to healthy hair
With so many advances in modern hairdressing, boosting your hair health is as easy as drinking a cup of tea. Australian hair health brand trico.lab has created certified organic, naturopath approved, herbal teas specifically to boost hair health and condition.
With ingredients used to assist with fighting hair loss and shedding, the unique blend of trico.lab Regenerate tea may help stop hair follicles from swelling shut and provides regenerative properties to prolong the growth cycle of your hair.
WE RECOMMEND: trico.lab hair Regenerate organic tea 60g RRP$34.95
Treat yourself
Help your hair retain its natural moisture and stay healthy and hydrated by adopting a moisture boosting hair care regime. Moisturising shampoos, conditioners and treatments help repair, nourish and restore and dehydrated hair deep into the hair shaft helping reduce flyways and frizz.
WE RECOMMEND: Marula Oil Rare Oil Intensive Hair Masque 200ml RRP $43.20
https://thecarousel.com/beauty/hair-skin-body/cheat-sheet-salon-looking-hair-tricks-and-techniques/
The post 5 Ways To Combat Hair Breakage And Banish Split Ends appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post 70s Inspired Look Book For Spring appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>
Flares
Flares have to be the most flattering pair of jeans, curving in all the right places. Often high wasted and super comfy, here are a couple of funky flare looks to fit into and are all the rage right now.
Halter Tops
This heart breaker halter from yesterday people not only highlights the 70s warm and sunny floral pattern but also the flattering halter top which you can pair perfectly with a snug pair of flares and is super trendy.
Crochet
Whether it be going for a relaxing day at the beach, or picnic in the park, crochet can look good as bikinis, pants or shirts and is something a little different than the usual cotton.
Go Go Boots
Choose your favourite colour and you can strut your stuff or go for a boogie with a pair of these funky boots.
Flowing dresses
Just like Anita Pallenberg, you could waltz around in flowing white dresses and bangs in your hair this spring.
The post 70s Inspired Look Book For Spring appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Would You Buy A Haunted House? Here Are 10 On The Market! appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>But you'd be surprised.
According to a survey by Realtor.com, 33% out of 1,000 people said they would buy a haunted house. And if you're part of the curious 33%, you're in luck just ahead of Halloween. There are currently 10 available ones that you can snap up.
#1 Robbie Williams' Spooky Manor
#2 Silence of the Lambs
#3 The Devil's visit to Ireland
#4 L.A.'s Black Dahlia Murder House!
#5 The Gardette-LePretre Haunted Mansion!
#6 Colorado Ghost Town!
#7 The Arizona Boulder People!
#8 Haunted New Orleans Magnolia Mansion!
#9 Thousand Islands Haunted Mansion
#10 Amityville Horror House!
If you're seriously considering buying one of these doomed domains (weirdo), click here. Here you'll get all the details of each haunted house.
The post Would You Buy A Haunted House? Here Are 10 On The Market! appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Adam Liaw's Tuna Tataki Salad appeared first on The Carousel.
]]> Serves 4
Prep 20 minutes
Refrigerate 10 minutes
Cook5 minutes
INGREDIENTS
3 good-quality tuna steaks (about 200g each)
1 tsp peanut oil
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 red onion, peeled, halved and very thinly sliced
1 Lebanese cucumber, peeled in intervals and very thinly sliced
4 red radishes, trimmed and very thinly sliced
100g mixed baby salad greens
2 tbsp lemon juice
1 sheet nori, toasted and crumbled (see Tip)
1 tsp mixed black and white sesame seeds, toasted (see Tip)
For the dressing
2 tbsp mirin
1 tbsp sake
1/4 cup soy sauce
A pinch of caster sugar
1 tsp grated ginger
METHOD
1 To make the dressing, combine the mirin and sake in a small saucepan and bring to the boil, then remove from the heat and transfer to a bowl. Add the soy sauce, sugar and grated ginger. Mix well and set aside.
2 If the tuna steaks are very big, halve them along the grain.
3 Heat the peanut oil in a heavy frypan until very hot and sear the tuna for about 20 seconds on each side. The tuna should still be quite raw in the centre.
4 Transfer the tuna to a press-seal bag and pour over a tablespoon of the dressing. Refrigerate for at least 10 minutes.
5 Slice the tuna across the grain into thin slices.
6 Toss together the tomatoes, onion, cucumber, radish and salad greens.
7 Place on a plate with slices of tuna.
8 Mix the remaining dressing with the lemon juice and pour over the tuna and salad. Scatter with the crumbled nori and sesame seeds.
TIP / To toast nori, hold a sheet with tongs and wave it over an open gas flame for just a few seconds until it becomes brittle. To toast black sesame seeds, mix them with a few white sesame seeds. When the white seeds turn golden, the black ones will be toasted, too.
The Carousel thanks Adam Liaw for this recipe from his book Adam's Big Pot.
The post Adam Liaw's Tuna Tataki Salad appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Foodie Destinations To Add To Your Bucket List appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Well, now you've got a few more things to add onto your list! Eat a coconut shrimp taco in Mexico, a truffle in Croatia or even a spit-roasted wild pigeon in Italy!
So, if you're striving to bring more diversity into your travels, here's the list, laying out the best but lesser-known gems for gastronomes.
Todi, Italy
Umbria is heaven for foodies and the medieval hill town of Todi is a shining example of what the region has to offer. The town itself is a beauty, with meandering narrow streets and revered frescoes in grand churches. But the cuisine merits a visit all by itself. Umbrian food puts an emphasis on fresh, high quality ingredients used in simple recipes and with a lot of good meat. A classic dish is palomba alla ghiotta, spit-roasted wild pigeon with sage, rosemary and garlic. Expect out-of-this-world local olive oil, foraged greens and mushrooms and juicy fat figs warmed by the Umbrian sun.
Motovun, Croatia
Istria is known as the land of truffles, and Motovun is the jewel in its crown. This pretty hilltop village with extensive views is surrounded by woods perfect for foraging and hunting. Looking out over them while sipping a crisp local wine and tucking into fine cheeses and hams in the charming main square is a must.
Sayulita, Mexico
Sayulita is a treasure trove for tasty street food, as well as having a huge range of restaurants to choose from. Take in the colourful atmosphere and relaxed vibes of this lazy jungle beach town while enjoying a Margarita in one of the brightly-decorated cafes. Expect affordable, filling fare, with every kind of taco under the sun, from coconut shrimp to organic steak.
Kagoshima, Japan
Kagoshima is generally known for Sakurajima, a very active volcano that sits just opposite this seaside city on Kinko Bay. But its unique cuisine makes it a great destination for foodies. Varied, interesting local dishes include 'black pork', 'Satsumaage' (fried fish cakes) and tempura sweet potato. Shabu Shabu, a hotpot dish of thinly sliced meat and vegetables boiled in water is a must-try – think flavourful meat and delicious vegetables boiled to perfection and then dipped in aromatic sauces.
Tanunda, Australia
Tanunda is at the heart of the Barossa Valley wine region of South Australia, a gorgeous landscape of rolling hills and vineyards as far as the eye can see. You can feel the influence of the 19th-century German settlers here, with lots of German bakeries and sausage shops. But there's also a variety of fine dining options that have cropped up to cater for the wine connoisseur crowd and most of the local wineries are open seven days a week for tastings and sales.
Aït-Benhaddou, Morocco
Sitting along the old trading route between the Sahara and Marrakech, the ancient fortified settlement of Ait Benhaddou has the dramatic appearance of being carved into the desert. Wander the streets of earthen clay architecture glowing orange in the African sun and head to the perfectly preserved Kasbah before tucking in to a tasty lunch. Expect authentic Moroccan dishes full of spices and mouthwatering flavours.
Rockport, USA
Rockport's quaint, laid-back atmosphere has lured visitors for some time but it's not just lobster rolls with lighthouse views. This mid-coast haven is big on slow food and offers some blissful waterfront dining options. Look out for sustainable local produce and an impressive assortment of food trucks offering high quality goodies.
The post Foodie Destinations To Add To Your Bucket List appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Chef Michel Roux Recipe: Pan Fried Red Snapper With Piperade And Aioli Sauce appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Earlier, I'd met Michel Roux because I took three of the LA Raiders football players there when I was working for Today newspaper back in the early 1990's. Michel was a fan of grid iron and came out to meet them. However, he wasn't so happy when we took some shots of us for the newspaper – a shot of me being held above the heads of these giant men – which caused havoc in the Le Gavroche kitchen. Michel told me he ended up making three, not one, cheese souffles.
Since then, Michel has become as famous as his father Albert and uncle Michel. His food is and always was delicious. Try his delicious Pan Fried Red Snapper with piperade and aioli sauce and you'll see what I mean. And, if you head to London, be sure to visit Le Gavroche.
Serves 4
INGREDIENTS
2 red snapper approx. 800gr each, scaled
Aioli sauce
120gr baked potato
2 egg yolks
150gr grape seed oil
75gr olive oil
5gr chopped garlic
Piperade
200gr red peppers, peeled
200gr green peppers, peeled
200gr red peppers, peeled
200gr red onion, peeled and sliced
600gr ripe tomatoes, peeled, deseeded and sliced
30 gr chopped garlic
METHOD
Snapper
1. Cut off the dorsal fins of the red snapper tail with scissors. Lay the fish on one side and, using a filleting knife, open it up through its back to the belly, gliding the knife over the bones. Repeat on the underside of the bones.
2. Check for bones, remove with tweezers if needed.
3. Rinse the fillets under a trickle of cold running water. Thoroughly dab the fillets dry with kitchen paper or a cloth.
4. Cook the fillet of red snapper skin side down with a little olive oil in the pan for 3 to 4 minutes on medium heat, turn and cook for 30 seconds on the other side.
Aioli Sauce
1. Rub 120gr baked potato pulp through a sieve in to a bowl.
2. Add the chopped garlic cloves, the raw egg yolks and pinch of salt. Mix together.
3. Add the olive oil and grape seed oil in a thin, steady stream, mixing constantly.
4. When about half of the oil has been incorporated, add some drops of water to emulsify. (Instead of the water you can add saffron strands infused in 3 tbsp boiling water for 5 minutes or so). Gradually incorporate the remaining oil, then season the aioli with a pinch of cayenne and salt to taste.
Piperade
1. Put into a pan 3 tablespoons olive oil and heat gently. Immediately add the onions, cover the pan and sweat for 15 minutes.
2. Remove the stalks from the peppers, halve them lengthways and discard the white membrane and seeds. Slice the peppers, but not too thinly, and add them to the onions, together with the chopped garlic. Cover the pan and cook over low heat for 10 minutes, stirring from time to time.
3. Add the sliced tomatoes and cook uncovered, for about 15 minutes, until their juices have evaporated. The vegetable mixture should be melting and soft but not liquid. Season to taste with salt and cayenne.
The Carousel would like to thank Michel Roux for his recipe.
https://thecarousel.com/food/recipes-food/recipe-for-a-delicious-seafood-stew-marmite-dieppoise/
The post Chef Michel Roux Recipe: Pan Fried Red Snapper With Piperade And Aioli Sauce appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Adam Liaw's Mango Kulfi With Pistachios appeared first on The Carousel.
]]> Serves6-8
Prep 10 minutes
Cook 10 minutes
Freeze 4 hours
INGREDIENTS
1 cup milk
A large pinch of saffron steeped in
2 tbsp hot water
1 can (375ml) evaporated milk
1 can (395g or 300ml) sweetened condensed milk
300ml thickened cream
2 cups fresh mango pulp (blended from the flesh of 2-3 large mangoes)
1 cup shelled pistachios, lightly crushed, to serve
METHOD
1 Place the milk, saffron and its steeping water in a small saucepan, bring to the boil and remove from the heat. Watch this carefully as it can easily boil over.
2 In a large bowl, combine the evaporated milk, condensed milk and cream then pour over the hot milk and saffron and whisk everything together. Whisk in the mango pulp and place the bowl in the freezer for two hours, or until softly set.
3 Whisk firmly to break up any ice crystals.
4 Line a 2-litre capacity loaf or terrine tin with cling wrap (leave some hanging over the edges) and pour in the kulfi, pressing it into the corners if necessary.
5 Make sure the top is smooth and flat.
6 Freeze for a further 2 hours, or until firmly set.
7 Turn out the kulfi and scatter with pistachios. Cut thick slices to serve.
TIP / To make the mango pulp, remove the flesh from the mangoes and process for a few seconds in a food processor, or finely chop it on a cutting board.
Reserve any juices and recombine them with the pulp.
The Carouselthanks Adam Liaw for this recipe from his bookAdam's Big Pot.
The post Adam Liaw's Mango Kulfi With Pistachios appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Adam Liaw's Salt & Pepper Squid appeared first on The Carousel.
]]> Serves4
Prep 10 minutes
Cook 5 minutes
INGREDIENTS
About 2 litres vegetable oil, for deep-frying
500g squid tubes, cleaned
3 tbsp rice flour or cornflour
2 cloves garlic, peeled and roughly chopped
1 bird's-eye chilli, sliced
2 spring onions, trimmed and sliced
1 tsp salt flakes
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
Coriander leaves and lemon wedges, to serve
METHOD
1 Heat the oil to 200°C in a wok or large saucepan. Cut down one side of the squid tubes and open them flat.
2 Lightly score the surface in a cross-hatch pattern, cut into bite-sized triangles and toss in the flour.
3 Shake off any excess flour and deep-fry the squid in batches for about a minute per batch, or until just cooked and lightly golden. Drain well.
4 Remove the oil, leaving about a tablespoon in the wok. Heat the wok over medium heat and add the garlic, chilli and spring onion. Toss in the wok for about a minute, or until the ingredients are lightly browned.
5 Add the squid and toss constantly, scattering with the salt and pepper.
6 Remove the squid from the wok, scatter with coriander leaves and serve with lemon wedges.
TIP / You can use the same mix of salt, pepper, garlic, chilli and spring onion to season fried chicken prepared as for Yurinchi (page 159), or prawns dusted with cornflour and shallow-fried.
The Carouselthanks Adam Liaw for this recipe from his bookAdam's Big Pot.
The post Adam Liaw's Salt & Pepper Squid appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Kylie Kwong's Steamed Fish Recipe With Ginger And Spring Onions appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Serve as part of a banquet for 4 – 6.
Ingredients:
- 4 x 100 g (3 ½ oz) firm white-fleshed fish fillets
- 1/3 cup water
- 2 tablespoons shao hsing wine or dry sherry
- 2 tablespoons ginger julienne
- 1 Chinese cabbage leaf
- ½ teaspoon white sugar
- 2 tablespoons organic tamari
- ¼ teaspoon organic toasted sesame oil
- ½ cup spring onion julienne
- 1 ½ tablespoons peanut oil
- ¼ cup coriander leaves
- Pinch ground white pepper
Method
Place fish in a shallow heat proof bowl that will fit inside a steamer basket. Pour water and wine or dry sherry over fish, then sprinkle with half the ginger. Place bowl inside steamer and position over a deep saucepan or wok of boiling water and steam, covered, for 5 – 6 minutes.
Cut Chinese cabbage leaf into 4 squares and slip inside steamer. Cover and steam for a further 2 – 3 minutes, or until cabbage has warmed through and fish is just cooked. The flesh should be white; if it is still translucent, cook for another minute or so.
Remove cabbage from steamer and arrange on a serving plate. Using a spatula, carefully remove fish from steamer, and place on top of hot cabbage. Pour any liquid left in bowl over fish, sprinkle with sugar and drizzle with combined tamari and sesame oil, then sprinkle with remaining ginger and half the spring onion. Heat peanut oil in a small frying pan until moderately hot, then carefully pour over fish. Sprinkle fish with remaining spring onion, coriander and pepper, and serve immediately.
The post Kylie Kwong's Steamed Fish Recipe With Ginger And Spring Onions appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post 5 Tips To Refresh Your Mindset From Your Own Backyard appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>COVID-19 has presented many challenges and changes for people throughout the world, including the restrictions on travel.
Traveling solo allows you to step out of your comfort zone. You cannot see the complete picture unless you step out of the frame. That's what happened when I went on the first trip. It opened a lot of ideas and helped me move quite a lot of the trauma.
But even within a pandemic, we can still have those experiences and the most important thing to do is to consider where you can find fulfilment in your own 'backyard'.
I love travel and I miss it, but it's important not to let being unable to travel upset us. Where we live is beautiful, and there's lots to see.
5 tips for a refreshed mindset from your own backyard
Yogita encourages people to consider how they can achieve a refreshed mindset by exploring their own backyard.
1/ Keep an open mind: To liberate yourself from the challenges and the beliefs you currently have, look at the world with an open mind. In your home town, this might include trying a new experience, perhaps a meditation class, thai chi in the park, or even roller skating!
2/ Acceptance: People within your own community have different cultures and beliefs. Take the time to appreciate the diversity of society by seeing things from other's perspectives. Attend church or a Buddhist temple, or even enjoy a new cuisine that you've never experienced.
3/ Dress differently: Step outside your comfort zone with the clothing you wear! Many of us have clothes we've bought on a whim but we've never worn possibly due to being self-conscious. If you usually wear blacks, try florals, and if you usually wear florals, try blacks or metallics!
4/ Street smart: Trying new things can make you feel vulnerable, but it's all part of finding your authentic self. But even while trying new experiences, ensure you keep your safety in mind.
5/ Self-Love: When you live with an open mind, you automatically feel a strong sense of self love. Listen to your senses, and remain present. Go for a new bushwalk, enjoy a face mask at home, or try a new nail salon – do something that enriches your soul.
For more information on Yogita Ridgley and to purchase "Finding Me, Myself and I" visit https://travelingwithmemyselfandi.com/shop/.
The post 5 Tips To Refresh Your Mindset From Your Own Backyard appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Welcome To The Land of Hormonal Imbalance: Modern 21st Century Life! appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The reasons for these imbalances in the body are many and varied and we've enlisted the help of health expert, Fiona Caddies to decipher the hormonal minefield and talk us through the most common signs and symptoms. For women in particular, hormone imbalance can be addressed with simple proactive steps to reduce the impact and incidence in your own life. This is one article EVERYONE should read! Stay tuned for our four-part series on common hormone imbalance coming up on thecarousel.com.
Hormone Imbalance: This Isn't Just About Menopause Anymore
When many people talk about fluctuating hormones or hormonal problems, the mighty M-word, 'menopause' springs to mind. While menopause is indeed a landmark event in a woman's life that causes dramatically changing and declining hormone levels, for many people, hormone imbalance starts many years, even decades before the onset of menopause. In trying to find some humour in what is an often difficult and painful time in a woman's life, some have even likened many hormone imbalance/menopause complaints to being the 'seven dwarves of menopause,' as illustrated in this popular cartoon parody below:
Without making light of any of the struggles associated with menopause, this cartoon is also educational in that these symptoms can be common to hormone imbalances in general. There are of course many others, including: weight gain, fatigue, infertility, lowered or changing body temperature, fibroids, fibrocystic breasts, irregular or changing periods (from your own previous menstrual 'norm'), endometriosis, ovarian cysts, PCOS, irritability, mood swings, and more.
Too often we've been taught to believe that these are just things that most women 'have to put up with' and they are part of 'normal life.' In reality, there is little that is truly 'normal' about them. But, when our bodies are in hormonal balance, these types of symptoms should be minimally present, if at all.
Interestingly, in cultures that are still largely more traditional in terms of lifestyle, pace of life, minimal exposure to toxins, processed/refined foods etc, it is apparent that menopause is often marked by a LACK of any real symptoms. Unfortunately cultures like these are on the decline as more and more developing countries are adopting more Western lifestyles and influences and sadly, losing aspects of their traditional lifestyles (which, often times, may be much 'wiser' than our 'modern lifestyle' tends to be).
The pace of life seems to be ever-increasing and the number of toxins and chemicals we are exposed to also continues to grow while we all strive to be mindful of taking steps to try and keep ourselves in better hormonal balance. It is important to realise that all of us, men and women alike, depend on our hormones for vitality, regeneration, and health and as these decline and/or become imbalanced, it's no great surprise that our health can take a nosedive too.
So what can you realistically do to encourage betterhormonal balance in your life?
Thankfully, there are a number of relatively easy steps you can take, starting with:
1. Avoid soft plastics and especially avoid microwaving with soft plastics (avoid microwaving period!). Many plastics are full of hormone disrupting agents such as BPA,which can leach into the contents of these bottles and containers, thereby exposing you to them directly through your consumption of their contents. These substances can have damaging effects on your endocrine system and are relatively easy to avoid.
2. Be mindful of the personal care products you use and purchase. Many cosmetics and bath and beauty products have little to no regulation over their ingredients and, you guessed it, they may contain hormone disrupting agents such as parabens, excessive levels of heavy metals that can wreak havoc with thyroid and other hormone production, and other noxious substances.
3.Avoid all foods with added hormones and antibiotics and minimise artificial stimulants. This means purchasing free range, organic, and/or kosher meats, wild-caught fish, and hormone-free, preferably grass-fed dairy products. Put simply, if the animals are consuming these items, you will too if you eat their flesh or milk products, so be mindful. As for stimulants, sugar and caffeine are two of the most regularly abused substances by most people. Both tend to provoke cortisol secretion and as a result can also yield wild swings in insulin levels, further provoking dysregulation and a 'roller-coaster' ride when it comes to energy levels. Herbal support is a wiser choice if you feel fatigued or need a boost when it comes to coping with stress. Widely-used herbs such as ashwagandha, rhodiola, and many others can help as can having regular snacks containing some fat and protein to encourage more consistent blood sugar levels.
4. Minimise and control your stress. Actively structure your day as much as possible to take breaks, try and recognise, minimise and/or control your stressors, to ensure that you are not in constant 'fight or flight' mode. Hormonally, we are not meant to be in a highly stressed state continuously. This wears out our adrenal, thyroid, hypothalamus axis (HPA Axis), puts extra pressure on the body to divert hormone production from progesterone into cortisol (setting up sex hormone imbalance), and can also increase odds for insulin resistance and weight gain. Remember, that excess adipose (fat) tissue also acts as its own 'hormone gland', often producing extra estrogen and further fueling hormone imbalance. So staying at a healthy body weight for your height and bone structure will also help support a situation that won't promote further hormone imbalance.
5.Exercise! Exercise is, of course, a great way to de-stress but it also helps to burn off excess cortisol in your body. Exercise also pumps up growth hormone production, which helps us to regenerate and repair our body more effectively and efficiently.
6.Practice deep-breathing and meditation on a regular basis. It is no coincidence that many of the Eastern meditative arts such as yoga, qi gong, tai chi and the like, place a huge importance on attending to the breath. By simply shifting our patterns of breathing from typical shallow chest breathing to deep, diaphragmatic breathing, we actually shift our brain-wave patterns, better oxygenate our bodies, help to remove metabolic wastes, and down-regulate production of cortisol and stress-related neurotransmitters. This happens remarkably quickly too so should be incorporated into your daily mantra! A simple 5-15 minute session of deep breathing can have a considerable impact on your physical and mental state – for the better of course!
7. Be mindful and careful with your oral contraceptive use. While every woman's right to choose how she manages her reproductive health is valued and promoted as highly personal, it is important to be informed and educated on the potential side effects and risks of certain contraceptive options. One issue that unfortunately frequently arises with prolonged use of birth control pills is hormonal imbalance. These pills, of course, work by disrupting the natural ebb and flow of hormone secretion in a woman's cycle so it isn't at all surprising that hormone imbalance can result from their use. What is also important to note is that the liver must metabolise our hormones into metabolites that are typically excreted through the urine and bowels and over time, these prescriptions can stress the liver, thereby affecting its ability to successfully 'detox' our hormones, and can further increase the risks of longer term hormone imbalance. Remember, we also need our liver to help us detox all kinds of toxins, medications, etc. so anything that impedes the liver's function can have significant, long-ranging effects on our health. This may be especially important for women who are planning to have children later on in that after they stop taking the contraceptive pill, they may need a period of adjustment to try and re-regulate their cycles and sometimes, this can take many months, especially if a woman has been on the Pill for years. Working on supporting the liver through the use of appropriate supplements, detox-promoting foods and beverages, etc. may be especially helpful in this situation.
8.Be good to your liver! Using liver supportive herbs and bitter foods such as dandelion greens, cruciferous vegetables, milk thistle, eggs, burdock root, and others is a great way to help support your liver to do its essential job of helping your body to detox and metabolise those excess hormones optimally!
For individuals dealing with significant fatigue and other hormonal imbalance issues, it is recommended that you consult with a qualified practitioner, holistically-oriented health expert or specialist to help you explore and discuss your treatment options.
Are you struggling with hormonal imbalance? Or have you had experiences rectifying these? Tell us your thoughts below…
The post Welcome To The Land of Hormonal Imbalance: Modern 21st Century Life! appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Environmentalist and Model, Laura Wells Top Tips To Help Our Oceans appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>
1. Get outside more often, be curious and explore your surroundings.
The closer you get to nature the more connected you will be to our planet and the more you will want to do to protect it!
2. Beaches and waterways can be exposed so it's really important tobe aware of your surroundings.
Always tell someone where you are going. Be mindful of tidal and weather conditions, wear appropriate clothing (including a facemask), stay hydrated with a reusable drink bottle and ensure sun protection by wearing a hat and marine-friendly sunscreen.
3. When packing your bag for your day out, pack handy reusable items as well.
A cutlery set, tupperware container and coffee cup, along with your water bottle, will ensure you can reduce your plastic footprint when buying snacks or takeout to refuel
4. Document the trash that you collect!
Ocean Conservancy's Clean Swell app will allow you to document and share your cleanup efforts. Clean Swell tracks each item of rubbish that you collect, this information is instantly loaded to Ocean Conservancy's global ocean trash database and provides insights to researchers and policy makers to help them identify trends and inform solutions
5. Take a reusable collection bagwith you.
Protect your hands from sharp items such as fishing hooks and broken glass with a sturdy pair of gloves and be sure to wash your hands really well once you're done. Never pick up anything that you're not comfortable with and be sure to notify your local Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) if you find anything that might be hazardous.
6. And, once you've collected your rubbish, pleasetake the time to sort and dispose of it properly.
Recycle what can be and throw everything else in a secure waste collection bin. And don't forget that most states and territories have depots where you can recycle eligible bottles and cans that you collect for a 10 cent refund. New South Wale's Earn and Return container refund scheme is a nice way to be rewarded for all your hard work, and if you don't want the refund you can always donate it to a worthy cause.
7. Lastly, look at what you're doing at home…
What you use around the home can wash down to your local waterways, use eco-friendly cleaning products and biodegradable beauty products including shampoo, conditioner and soap. And remember that the trash in your street gutters is also very likely to end up in your local waterways, so keep your streets clean too!
Garnier is committing to 'Green Beauty', an initiative that aims to radically reduce the beauty brand's environmental impact by 2025.
https://thecarousel.com/beauty/fashion/would-you-wear-upcycled-sunnies-to-save-the-great-barrier-reef/
The post Environmentalist and Model, Laura Wells Top Tips To Help Our Oceans appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Author Helen Jacobs Helps You Access Your Intuition And Find Your Purpose appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Think Less, Feel More
Often throughout life we have been told to suppress, ignore or disguise our feelings, leading to our thoughts overshadowing how we feel. Positive feelings of happiness, contentment and openness show that we are aligned with our purpose. Therefore feelings of sadness, anger and dissatisfaction outline that we need to reconsider where we are in life. We must trust these feelings and find a balance between what we think and how we feel.
Ask yourself, how do you feel about your life right now? What does this feeling tell you? Do your thoughts align with your emotions? You can validate and feel your own emotions, as opposed to letting anything outside of yourself tell you how you should feel.
Intuition
Once you have uncovered how you really feel, it is essential that you trust these feelings. Trust your gut! Ever had a bad feeling about someone or someplace, yet there is nothing " logical" to explain why? Do not label these feeling as "silly". Imagine this intuition as a wiser version of yourself, which truly wants what's best for you always.
Ways to get more in touch
Journal
By regularly writing in a journal you are forced to come to terms with what you are thinking and feeling. If you date when you write, journals can become tangible evidence of your progress as you uncover your purpose. You can write down goals and try to align your emotions and actions to help you achieve this. Or simply use it as a place to vent how you are feeling. Try writing down all the things that do make you feel good and see if you can do those things more regularly.
Have Fun
So often we forget to have fun amongst the sea of commitments we tie ourselves to. But fun can be found in most situations. Having fun reminds us to be in the present moment and not stress about the past or the future. Fun allows us to feel good, which as Jacobs writes " is like an energetic magnet to bring us more of the same feelings". Ask yourself, where can you have more fun? How can you bring more fun into your life? Do you feel comfortable in having fun?
Connect With Nature
Whether it be a park, a bush walk, a farm or a beach, nature is often a place that is away from the stressful city life and can help bring feelings of peace. Whilst it may be hard to connect wth nature in an urban area, try bringing the outdoors in by pot plants, fresh flowers, or crystals. Nature, unlike humans is never in a rush and reminds us what it means to just be in the moment.
Meditate
No excuses. No more " I cant seem to silence my mind", thats what meditation is for. Meditation does not have to be sitting in silence or in a pose. Meditation is about mindfulness and can be found even in mundane moments of our busy lives. It is the act of quieting your mind and sinking beneath the chatter to listen to your inner wisdom. It can simply be lying down and letting your mind at ease, or walking in nature. As long as you give yourself some time to let your mind be quiet and present.
You're Not Off Path, Purpose Cannot Be Measured.
If you knew you couldn't fail or get it wrong, what's the thing you would most like to do with your life?
Whilst there may be external circumstances that can affect your mood, you can change your expectations set upon yourself through perspective. There is never one path for you, nor are you on the wrong path. This is a judgement from your mind. Your experiences are all beneficial for your learning. What is important is that you acknowledge the lessons you have learned in life and that you understand the importance of your unique gifts. Our life does not happen to us, it happens for us.
"Discovering who you are is one half of your purpose and the other half is to live it". – Helen Jacobs
About Helen Jacobs
A trained journalist, Helen Jacobs was a successful PR and marketing exec who left her thriving career to become a full-time psychic medium, hosting popular workshops and events to provide thousands of readings for people all over the world. In addition to her work as a medium, Helen mentors and teaches women how to change their lives and find a more meaningful path for themselves.
The post Author Helen Jacobs Helps You Access Your Intuition And Find Your Purpose appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Roast Chicken With Pear, Lemon And Fennel Seed Stuffing appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Serves 6 Preparation time 20 minutes Cooking time 1 hour 25 minutes
Roast Chicken With Pear, Lemon And Fennel Seed Stuffing
INGREDIENTS
50g butter
1 onion, chopped
3 tspn fennel seeds
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 1/2 cup fresh sourdough breadcrumbs
1/2 chopped cup dried pears
2 tspn finely grated lemon rind
1/4 cup chopped parsley
1 egg, lightly beaten
1.6kg whole chicken
METHOD
1 Melt the butter in a frying pan over medium high heat and cook the onion until tender, about 7 minutes. Increase heat, add fennel seeds and garlic and cook for a further minute. Remove from heat and transfer onion mixture to bowl. Stir through remaining ingredients. Season with salt and pepper, set aside to cool.
2 Fill chicken cavity with stuffing, close with toothpicks or skewers. Tie drumsticks together and fold under wings.
3 Place chicken on a roasting rack over a large baking dish. Bake in 190C preheated oven for 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until cooked through.
If you like this chicken recipe try the Roast Chicken recipe here.
The post Roast Chicken With Pear, Lemon And Fennel Seed Stuffing appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Ellen deGeneres Launches Skincare Range appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Three years in the making, the range is priced from US$22 to US$48 and is promoted as 'kind to animals, kind to the planet and kind to your wallet'.
Ellen worked on formulating the products with beauty expert Victoria Jackson, who has her own range called Victoria Jackson Cosmetics.
The range includes a cleanser with kakadu plum and chamomile and the exfoliant has a fruit acid blend, bamboo silk and volcanic sand.
Ellen, who came under criticism for claims against her of workplace harassment, is about to wrap up her popular TV show after 19 seasons.
In a statement about her new skincare range, she said she'd struggled to find skincare products for her 'increasingly sensitive skin.'
"I've tried pretty much everything out there and finally decided to launch my own line, not wanting to compromise the things that matter most to me – caring for yourself, animals and the planet,' she explained.
'Kind Science isn't about anti-ageing because ageing is a good thing, it shows you've lived a lot, learned a lot and hopefully laughed a lot. I want to keep laughing, just with fewer laugh lines and wrinkles.'
The post Ellen deGeneres Launches Skincare Range appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Hainanese Peranakan Chicken Rice By Adam Liaw And Malcolm Lee appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Two chef collaborations, one savoury and one sweet, have teamed up to create the celebratory menu inspired by the Lion City. The chefs Adam Liaw And Malcolm Lee share their recipe for Hainanese Peranakan Chicken Rice.
Hainanese Peranakan Chicken Rice Recipe
Seven components:
- Chicken Rice
- Poached Chicken
- Chicken stock with crab meatballs
- Chilli and ginger sauce with crab fat
- Black sauce
- Buah Keluak Sambal
- Achar
Ingredients:
- Rice 400g
- Chicken Stock Thin 440g
- Salt 12g
- Chicken Oil 140g
For the rice:
- Sliced Old Ginger 20g
- Slide Galangal 20g
- Thai Pandan Leaf 32g
- Brush Lemongrass 20g
Rempah for rice (blend everything together):
- Lemongrass 35g
- Shallots 90g
- Garlic 24g
- Ginger 20g
- Galangal 20g
Steps:
- Fry chicken oil with blended rempah till fragrant
- Add in sliced ginger, galangal and brush lemongrass, continue frying
- Add in washed rice, fry well
- Add in stock, salt and pandan leaf
- Boil until stock reduces to the same level as the rice
- Transfer the rice to tray
- Steam for 45 minutes in a steamer
- Once steamed, cover and let it rest for 15 minutes
- Stir and serve
Ingredients:
- Whole Fresh Chicken (1.5kg) 1pcs
- Big pot of water
- Spring Onion 130g
- Ginger 130g
- Garlic 130g
- Salt TT
- Rock Sugar TT
- Kombu 30g
- Dried Scallops 40g
Steps:
- When the water boils, place the chicken in and out of the water about 3-4 times.
- Simmer the chicken for 40-50 minutes, depending on the size of the chicken.
- Immediately ice bath after the chicken is cooked.
- Poach the chicken again to bring it back up to room temperature.
3) Chicken stock with crab meatballs
Ingredients:
- Chicken Bone 2kg
- Old Garlic 200g
- Bamboo Shoot 200g
Steps:
- Wash the chicken bone
- Add water and chicken into the big pot, cook for 4 hours
- Add in old garlic, cook for another hour
- Strain
- Cook the strained liquid with bamboo shoot for 45 minutes
- Season to taste
Chicken crab meat balls ingredients:
- Fresh Crab Meat 80g
- Chicken Leg, minced 200g
- Light Soya Sauce 10g
- White Pepper A pinch
- Spring Onion 20g
- Sugar TT
- Salt TT
- Potato Starch 10g
- Water 14g
Steps:
- Mix everything together
- Smash the meat a little to make it bouncier
4) Chilli and ginger sauce with crab fat
Ingredients:
- Chicken Stock 55g
- Shallot 14g
- Garlic 27g
- Young Ginger 47g
- Red Chilli 54g
- Red Chilli Padi 4g
- Salt 8g
- Sugar 11g
- Fresh Lime Juice 23g
- Fresh Mud Crab 500g
Steps:
- Steam the crab and separate the crab fat, put the crab meat aside
- Blend all ingredients together, including the seasoning and crab fat
- Add lime juice to taste
Ingredients:
- ABC Indonesia Sweet Sauce 83g
- Garlic 16g
- Ginger 11g
Steps:
- Blend the garlic and ginger, add oil and fry till the oil splits and fragrant
- Add ABC sauce, once boiling, turn down the heat to a simmer
- Simmer for 15-20 minutes
Sambal Chilli ingredients:
- Red Chilli 125g
- Red Chilli Padi 25g
- Shallot 20g
- Garlic 20g
- Toasted Belacan 45g
- Sugar 5g
Steps:
- Blend altogether
Buah Keluak ingredients:
- Buah Keluak Meat 250g
- Salt 3g
- Sugar 6g
- Oil 100g
- Chopped Garlic 12g
Steps:
- Fry garlic in oil
- Add buah keluak meat, cook till oil splits
- Add in seasoning and sambal chilli
Achar Rempah ingredients:
- Shallot 30g
- Garlic 10g
- Galangal 3g
- Turmeric 6g
- Lemongrass 4g
- Dry Chilli Paste 21g
- Belachan 4g
- Candlenut 6g
Steps:
- Blend altogether, add oil and fry till oil splits and fragrant
- Leave it to cool down
Sauce ingredients:
- White Wine Vinegar To taste
- Japanese Cucumber 100g
- Carrot 50g
- Honey Pineapple 50g
- Sugar To taste
Steps:
- Add salt to carrot and cucumber, mix and leave it for 15-20minutes
- Wash away the salt to remove the moisture
- Dry the carrot and cucumber and add in the achar rempah, white wine vinegar, sugar and lastly mix in the pineapples
- Serve
The post Hainanese Peranakan Chicken Rice By Adam Liaw And Malcolm Lee appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Travel Beauty: The Best Products to Pack in your Holiday Bag appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The world of luxury beauty products is an enticing one and as I rifle through my mountains of product I get inspired all over again.
So here goes …
Not so luxurious but you can't do without a trusty set of wipes to cover any eventuality. Try Simple Kind to Skin Cleansing Facial Wipes.
Then for a total skin lift, try HydroPeptide Miracle Mask. Whack this on as soon as you fasten your seatbelt – who cares what you look like?
Some luscious skincare. Lucky that Antipodes has the perfect mini pack for travellers. Vanilla Pod Hydrating Day Cream, with such star ingredients as antibacterial manuka honey and antioxidant-powered Malborough sauvignon blanc grapes is one of the star ingredients.
Priori Eye Creme Q+SOD fx230, for that poor dehydrated eye area. This little must-have is a rock star in its own right. Apply once or twice daily around your eyes to protect and rejuvenate the most sensitive part of your face.
Perfect for all skin types, Nimni Day Cream is an incredible skin firming product with a potent blend of antioxidants and is super hydrating and feels ever so luxurious on your face.
Thalgo La Beaute Marine ÉVEIL À LA MER – an energising marine mist. For essential refreshing spritzes as the flight unfolds.
For any inter-flight anxiety, carry some Bach Rescue Remedy Drops.
A dash of fragrance always lifts your mood. Try the gorgeous Chloé fragrances (the classic Chloé, Roses de Chloé and L'Eau de Chloé). Available from department stores; or call 1800 812 663 for more information.
To keep lips looking hydrated and lush, try Lanolips Lip Ointment with Colour SPF.
And pre touchdown, go for a quick face-freshen with Laura Mercier Foundation Primer Radiance.
Follow this up with super the handy Maybelline New York Fit Me Shine-Free Foundation Stick, for flawless and fast coverage.
For your hands you can't go past Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Hand Cream. I am obsessed with the gel consistency that leaves no greasy residue.
The post Travel Beauty: The Best Products to Pack in your Holiday Bag appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Stressed Thyroid & Exhausted Adrenals? Here's Why appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Now while it may seem that the ideal solution is just to eliminate all stress, of course that really isn't feasible for the vast majority of us nor is it really necessary, thankfully! The body is equipped to deal with stress and that is inherent in our physiology. The problem is however is that it ISN'T equipped to deal with stress hour after hour, for almost the whole day long and then repeated the next day, and the next and so on.
So let's explore some of the repercussions of constant stress on our neuroendocrine system, involving the thyroid and adrenal glands, and look at a few simple measures we can take to try and turn things around.
The Brain Stem, Thyroid, Adrenal and Reproductive Glands Communication System
When you look at systems like this, the body truly is a marvel of communication. Chemical substrates secreted from one part of the body move to another, causing a chain reaction of events to happen there, then go to other places and often return to where the chain of command began (which is usually our brain). So, when you think about it, it also seems very unfitting that when we are trying to address a fatigue problem or a thyroid problem or even an ovarian problem, we would simply just try and 'target' that gland and think that is going to be enough. All of these organs and others such as the hypothalamus, pituitary, adrenals, and testes communicate in various feedback loop systems (some of which we don't even fully understand yet) with each other.
Chinese medicine talks a lot about 'Qi'— our vital inherited and acquired energy/life force – and it is helpful to understand that our whole body, when healthy and vital, should be 'brimming' with Qi. So, if stressors are depleting our energy faster than we can rebuild it through good food, enough rest, enough activity, etc. our 'Qi' can become depleted overall, causing a downturn in the functioning of whole systems and feedback loops. In this case, the adrenals and thyroid tend to especially take a strong 'hit.'
Our modern state of overwork, inadequate rest and exercise, toxins, poor diet, etc. is a recipe for depletion. We are chronically pushing our neuroendocrine systems into 'sympathetic overdrive' (i.e. the 'fight and/or flight response'), with inadequate amount of time being spent in parasympathetic mode (i.e. our 'rest and digest' phase). A hundreds years ago, when life was much more communal and not plagued by many of the modern stressors that we often face now, people didn't have nearly as many problems with exhaustion, premature hormone decline, and even many lifestyle linked illnesses such as cancer. Thus feeling chronically tired even after a good night's sleep (or several), needing stimulants like sugar or caffeine to get through the day, low body temperature, hypoglycemic episodes, weight gain, muscle loss, heart palpitations, low sex drive, infertility and more may all be indications there are serious issues at play with your neuroendocrine regulation.
Following the lengthy list of suggestions from the first article in this series a 'first-line' therapy for fatigue is definitely warranted here. Start with looking at your habits when it comes to sleep, stress management, and exercise. Implementing simple things like deep breathing, meditation and progressive muscle relaxation may be extremely helpful. A great resource that discusses therapies such as these and others to help you tackle stress is the Relaxation and Stress Reduction Workbook (Mary Davis, et al). I think every busy person nowadays would do well with a copy at home!
Exploring herbs and supplements to help support a healthy and more regulated stress response may be warranted and necessary for many individuals to also consider such as holy basil, rhodiola, magnesium, licorice, and others. Discussing your options with a qualified healthcare provider of course is encouraged when considering to incorporate such items into your daily regimen!
The post Stressed Thyroid & Exhausted Adrenals? Here's Why appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post How Fitness Experts Stay Motivated appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Celebrity trainer Luke Istomin is the go-to body sculptor for celebrities visiting Sydney and counts Hugh Jackman, Nicole Kidman, Leonardo DiCaprio, Joel Madden and Ricky Martin as his clients. But, Luke admits that even he has days – and weeks – where he loses his exercise mojo. So, how do fitness experts stay motivated? Steal Luke's simple tricks the next time you're struggling to get out of bed…
As a health editor I hang out with a lot of personal trainers and the one thing I'm amazed at is they seem it have endless energy, getting up at 5 in the morning, training people all day and then doing their own work out in the evenings. So I'm here with Luke Istomin in a Fully Fighting training studio in Australia to find out what there secret is to keep going. Um so Luke, there must be mornings you don't wanna get out of bed ether so what are the top 3 motivational tips that we can all steal?
Luke: The top three Amy! I guess, three and three, only I would say have a goal and re assess it every three months. Whether it's personal financial or spiritual, whatever it's going to be and keep yourself on track
Amy: So you could write that down on a posted and stick it somewhere for you to see?
Luke: Pretty much anywhere you want, on a fridge on a mirror a wall somewhere, your bedroom wall, somewhere you see it everyday.
Amy: Somewhere you can't avoid it!
Luke: 100%
Amy: So even personal trainers need reminders need a bit of a nudge sometimes?
Luke: We sure do! The second goal is I heard a saying years ago and it's stuck with me ever since, whether you think you can do it or you can't, you're right so basically that's the power of self belief, have a goal believe in yourself, believe you can do it and don't be afraid to accept criticism.
Amy: So on the mornings that you don't want to get up is that what you repeat to yourself?
Luke: I do at 4:40 in the morning, I do every day.
Amy: So what's your third and most important motivational tip?
Luke: The third tip I guess is be prepared to accept that everything won't go to plan, there are going to be set backs, limitations, people try it pull you down but stay strong on your goals and be prepared to accept life
don't go it play the whole time
Amy: So even you have bad work outs sometimes ?
Luke: Bad work outs, bad days, bad months, bad times we are all humans. I guess try to understand why things are happening if you have a bad work out, where you not prepared? did you sleep enough? address the small problems for next time and go again.
Amy: I'll remember that time I attempt it skip a work out haha!
The post How Fitness Experts Stay Motivated appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Halloween Cocktails And Shocktails (Tricks & Treats) appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Vampire's Kiss
INGREDIENTS
- 30mls Patron Silver Tequila
- 30mls Cranberry Juice
- Good shake of grenadine
METHOD
Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake well and strain into a shot glass.
Witches' Brew
INGREDIENTS
- 40mls Bacardi Rum
- 15mls Chambord
- 90mls Ginger Ale
METHOD
In a pint glass, combine ice, Bacardi and ginger ale. Top with a float of Chambord and garnish with a lime wedge.
Green Goblin
INGREDIENTS
- 30mls Vodka
- 15mls Malibu Rum, 1oz Midori
- 60mls Pineapple juice
- 15mls Blue Curacao
METHOD
Combine all ingredients into a cocktails shaker with ice and shake vigorously for 15 seconds. Pour into a Petite Cuvee glass and garnish with a cherry.
Ghostly Spirits
INGREDIENTS
- 50 mls Strawberry Puree
- 50 mls Raspberry Puree
- 30 mls Cranberry Juice
- 15 mls Grenadine
METHOD
Combine all ingredients into a blender with ice. Pour and serve into a petite cuvee glass.
The Carousel thanks Carnival Cruise Line for these recipes.
The post Halloween Cocktails And Shocktails (Tricks & Treats) appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Halloween Jack O Lantern Cupcakes appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Share your Halloween desserts ideas with us on Instagram @carouselfood and we'll re-share some of our favourites!
INGREDIENTS
30g | 1oz cocoa (unsweetened)
1 large egg
120g | 4oz self raising flour (or use plain flour and half a teaspoon of baking powder)
65g | 2oz butter
65g | 2oz sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla essence
1/3 cup water or juice from your oranges
METHOD
1Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl and beat on high speed until the mixture lightens in colour
2 Slice a small sliver from the bottom of each orange to create a flat base
3 Cut the top away and core out 6 large oranges, leaving a small amount of orange flesh inside – keep the tops in tact
4 Spoon the mixture into each orange filling approx 2/3 full
5 Bake at 350 for 20 minutes or until the top springs back when touched – Allow to cool
6 Cut a green candy strap into a star shape
7 Use a skewer to make a hole in the centre of the top of the cut off orange slice
8 Place a pretzel stick through the candy strap and into the orange slice, before affixing to the cooked, cooled cupcake
9 Use a marker to draw Jack o Lantern faces on the front of cooled cupcakes & serve
Cooks tip
I'd recommend making these no more than 24 hours prior to serving and store them covered at room temperature.
For more videos and recipes from our Baking Editor, Elise Strachan, click here!
The post Halloween Jack O Lantern Cupcakes appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Expert Tips On How To Take Care Of Your Quarantine Hair appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Having a stylish hairstyle is not just about looking good. It's an emotional statement! It's important to make sure you are not styling your hair based on your mood and how you are feeling.
Recently, friends and clients have been sending me pictures of different styles and colours asking for advice on how to achieve certain looks. I even received photos from overseas family members after having cut their husband's or children's hair, hoping for my positive comments (approval). It's funny because the lack of open hairdressing salons is almost giving people freedom to experiment with their hair. This is normal…
However, hairdressers are less enthusiastic when it comes to dyeing your own hair! It's going to be quite impossible to fix at home when something goes wrong! And the reason many of us professionals are against it is:
- It's an emotional choice without professional advice
- The product itself can be damaging, not necessarily the clients
- Boxed dyes which may contain harsh chemicals are best left in the hands of trained professionals.
- They can produce end results that will be hard to live with until fixed
During this hard time, please remember to reach out to your hairstylists who are here for you, to offer advice on how to maintain your hair and to keep it healthy, shiny, and looking good every day until you meet again.
"You want the right product for your type of skin, and the same goes for your hair. It's just as important,"
says Isabelle Brard
Colour tips to fight COVID-19
Need your colour done but can't see your hairdresser? No need to worry, there are many easy-to-use products that you can take home that will make your journey without us a lot easier. Here are some products that you can try out:
Colorwow products– to cover up roots
Schwarzkopf Toner– to enhance your hair colour with various tones of mousses, fix fading, and prevent unwanted orange an yellow hair.
Styling tips to get your day started on the right foot
Washing and styling your hair is important, it's like washing your face.
You want the right product for your type of skin, and the same goes for your hair. It's just as important, so reach out for the best products for your hair type and ask for the right advice. Nobody knows your daily hair routine better than you, but your hairdresser should know your hair type to help you to get the right product.
Here are some good products that I recommend using:
Angel en Provence
A shampoo, conditioner, and treatment product that is perfect for all types of hair, especially before you style them. As a bonus, they're packed with natural ingredients and essential oils.
SCHWARZKOPF BlondeMe
Keratin restorative shampoo, conditioner, and treatment. Suggested for sensitive hair, to bleach hair, for highlights, balayage, and for fine and thick hair.
To get the best results, before you style your hair:
- Comb your hair properly after your shampoo. Do not use a hard brush, but a large comb to smooth the hair and avoid breakages.
- Always pre-dry your hair before styling with a brush. If you want volume, dry your hair while your head is lowered in order to lift the roots and then style with a brush until the desired look is achieved.
- Your hairdryer is the main tool to dry your hair properly. Before you use any other tools like your round or flat brushes, tongs and straighteners, make sure your hairdryer is light to hold, it will make your life easier. Try to hold it with a little distance from your scalp in a circular motion to avoid burning yourself and drying out your hair.
- Straighteners and hots tongs are very difficult tools to use without experience. In saying that, I know many of you love them. I recommend using a heat protector spray on wet or dry hair and some Angel silky Oil on mid lengths and ends especially for fine and sensitive hair. I wouldn't recommend using hots tongs and Straighteners more than twice a week, so please seek advice with your hairdresser.
Quick tips for straight hair to create messy soft curls
- On dry hair, take small sections of hair and twist them around your finger and support them with a clip.
- Once that is done, put a very little amount of hairspray, add heat with your hairdryer and wait for an hour before styling with slow, smooth motions.
- Remove each clip and move your hair with your fingers to create a natural flow.
- For a curlier effect, sleep with the clips overnight.
About Isabelle Brard
Isabelle Brard is a creative hairdresser and educator, who was born and raised in Paris, where she also commenced her professional career.
Isabelle developed her passion for hair and beauty under the guidance of Master Parisian hairstylists, photographers, and fashion designers. She has always loved challenges, innovation and creativity.
Today, she is back in Australia working in Mosman, Sydney. T
The Carousel would like to thank Isabelle Brard for her article.
https://thecarousel.com/beauty/5-ways-to-combat-hair-breakage-and-banish-split-ends/
The post Expert Tips On How To Take Care Of Your Quarantine Hair appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Shape Shifters: Wedding Gowns To Flatter Your Curves appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The Hourglass
You have: Every girl's dream silhouette! A characteristic small waist with equally proportioned shoulders and hips creates curves in all the right places.
Go for… You can wear almost any style. Dresses with a cinched in waist and detailing, like a belt or flower, will show off your best features. A corset with a sweetheart neckline will support the bust and emphasise your small waist – add the ball gown and you have jaw-dropping romantic. But equally, a slender fitting fishtail that flares from below the knee will work to add even more curves and ooze glamour. Even a simple slimline gown will work all your bends beautifully.
Avoid: Empire lines, which drop from below the bust, and anything else that disguises your small waist.
The Oval
You have: Narrow shoulders with a wider waist and tummy, and slender legs.
Go for… V-necks will create shape and keep the focus on the décolletage. Corsets with seams, pleats or ruching will elongate the torso and give support for bigger busts, while creating shape for smaller busts. Styles with a longer bodice, like mermaid-cut, fishtail and trumpet styles will make the focal point your bottom half and create shape. If you want the emphasis on your bust while avoiding tummy-hugging fabrics, try an empire-lines, which skims over the tummy. Soft fabrics like chiffon or ruffles will also add a feminie feel.
Avoid: Too much detailing or embellishments on the top-half, including layers, ruffles or applique around the waist – this will only draw the eye to that area and add bulk to this section.
The Inverted-Triangle
You have: Broad shoulders with a narrow waist and hips.
Go for… The trick is to balance the bottom half with the top while creating curves. Elongate the bust with vertical lines – a V-neck, sweetheart neckline or A-symmetrical ruching. Strapless gowns actually work best. Styles with a cinched in waist, embellishments like a flower sitting on the hip or extra fabric will all work to create an hourglass shape. Ball gowns or A-line skirts, mermaid-cut, fishtail and trumpet styles that flare out below will add shape to your bottom half and balance out the top, as will a flowing train or skirt.
Avoid: Heavy detailing on the bust – it will make this area the focal point.
The Diamond
You have: A small bust with narrow shoulders and hips, and a wider midsection.
Go for… Enhance your narrow shoulders by focusing on details up top – V-necks, vertical lines and empire lines with embellishments, ruching or creping will all create interest. A short bodice that flares from the waist will create an hourglass shape. Choose light weight fabrics like tulle or chiffon overlay, which fall softly from under the bust for a soft silhouette. Heavier fabrics like Duchess satin and more structured styles will also help to flatten a tummy.
Avoid: Horizontal necklines, detailing on the widest part of your waist and cinched-in waistlines – they will all emphasise this area.
The Triangle
You have: Narrow shoulders, a small bust and a generous bottom half.
Go for… The ball gown was made for you (with lots of love!). The ball gown is the quintessential wedding dress and perfect for the Princess Bride – a formfitting corset or bustier highlights your slender top half, gives support and creates shape for small busts. Heavier fabrics will add depth and to the top half to balance proportions, as will embellishments and floral applique. You are also one of the lucky few who can wear a plunging neckline and an empire line that falls below the bust and flows gently over your curves will look stunning. Disguise a bigger bottom half with a full ball gown skirt that flares from the waist or hips, or a show-stopping train.
Avoid: Styles that are fitted from the waist down.
The Rectangle
You have: Shoulder, waist and hips are all proportionally similar.
Go for… Styles that will create shape and movement around your upper body. Sweetheart and plunging necklines add curves and interest to the top half, while strapless gowns with lots of shape like fishtail, ball gown and mermaid-cut create a gorgeous silhouette. Ruffles, detailing and soft and sheer delicate fabrics like lace and chiffon will also add a feminine feel.
Avoid: Vertical seams, sheaths, drop waists like the 1920s Vintage style gowns – they will emphasise a straight up and down shape.
The post Shape Shifters: Wedding Gowns To Flatter Your Curves appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Best Pilates Exercise To Get Strong Arms, Legs, Lats & Abs appeared first on The Carousel.
]]> Starting position:
Lay on your back with your fingertips at your temples, elbows wide, and legs in table top position – keeping your neutral spine flat and flush with the ground.
Exercise Execution:
1. Engage your abdominal muscles, tightening your midsection between your hips and ribs
2. Extend your left leg out of table top position, forward and upwards at a 45 degree angle towards the sky whilst simultaneously bringing your torso into a crunch position, and twisting your left shoulder and elbow towards your right knee.
3. Return to your starting position flat on your back.
4. Repeat this movement focusing on extending your right leg, and twisting your right side towards your left to balance out the exercise
Breathing:
1. Inhale to prepare. Engage your abdominals and force an exhalation through pursed lips as you extend your left leg forwards and upwards whilst simultaneously bringing your torso into a twisting crunch position. Inhale to slowly roll back down.
2. Exhale again as you repeat this movement balancing out the exercise with your right leg, and right side of your body
Reps:
Start out with 2-3 sets of 12-15 repetitions (or to failure) and increase if desired.
Advancements:
Turn your oblique bicycle twist into a fluid progressive movement to add in that cardiovascular hit! Whilst maintaining your crunch position, set a goal to complete 30 seconds of continuous movement before resting, counting how many cycles you can get through. Try to smash your goal every time to complete this exercise!
KX Tip:
To add KX intensity to the exercise, let's bring in a bosu ball! Try completing this movement whilst lying on a bosu ball to REALLY feel those abs come alive. When coming out of each twist, try to lightly tap the ground with your extended legs and arms, before coming back into the oblique twist. OUCH!
The post Best Pilates Exercise To Get Strong Arms, Legs, Lats & Abs appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Yoga Pose Of The Week: Easy Seated Pose appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>"Sukha" — meaning 'easy'
"Asana" — meaning 'pose'
The easy seated pose is a basic seated yoga posture, sometimes referred to as Simple Cross-Legged Pose. It looks easy and is intended to be comfortable and calming.It is a very common pose for practicing breathing techniques (pranayama) and meditation purposes, and being in this pose is a beautiful way to start or finish the day. Sit comfortably, unwind and think completely relaxing and nourishing thoughts.
Sitting on the floor provides a position of stability, which helps to open so much of the body, but it's not suitable for everyone. If you find it difficult to sit up straight, check out the variations listed and choose a prop to help you, especially with comfort levels and keeping your knees in an ideal position.
It can be!As a child, sitting in this position is second nature but as we get older, we are more attuned to sitting on a chair, or the couch, rather than on the floor. Thus we develop tight hips.
The easy seated pose is a preparatory posture for alternative or even more advanced yoga poses.We all start somewhere with our practice, so why not begin somewhere basic and go from there.
Benefits of Easy Seated Pose:
- Creates mobility through knees and ankles
- Strengthens back muscles
- Helps alleviate tight hips
- Increases energy
- Creates better breathing
- Improves digestion
- Enhances moods
How to get there:
- Start in Staff Pose to lengthen and strengthenyour body
- Maintain a straight spine
- Cross your legs, place each foot beneath the opposite knee
- Slightly activate the core – draw belly button to spine
- Place your hands on your knees, with palms facing down
- Ensure you have even distribution of weight on either side of your body
- Try to avoid leaning forward or back — find a neutral point and hold
- Look straight ahead and find a Drishti point – a focal point — something to stare at and focus on
- Hold this pose for as long as you like — it's so nice to just 'stop' and let go
- Allow your breathing to be nice and even, breathe in through your nose, and mentally count to 4 or 5, breathe out through your nose and mentally count to the same number
To exit the pose:
- Keep slight core activation
- Uncross your legs
- Stretch your legs and then straighten them out in Staff Pose
- Relax out of the pose.
If you would like a counterpose, Bridge Pose is fantastic.
Variations
If sitting up straight is uncomfortable for your spine or your knees are up too high, you may need some assistance via props.
Grab a cushion, folded blanket, yoga block or a bolster to sit on and make yourself comfortable.
Precautions:
Avoid crossing your legs if you have knee discomfort.
If you have any lower back discomfort, use a prop.
Enjoy this pose!
Always be kind to yourself, move with ease and grace. You are the most important person in your life.
Namaste
(Feature image credit: Verywell Fit)
The post Yoga Pose Of The Week: Easy Seated Pose appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Halloween Sugar Skull Makeup – Not As Tricky As It Looks appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>"Sugar skulls, or Calavera are traditionally made from sugar, which is mostly white so the base or bulk of the skull prior to decorating was white," says makeup artist Napoleon Perdis. "When a sugar skull is celebrated through art, the base of the skull is typically depicted as white because of the sugary material it's portraying. So, when recreating on the face with makeup, the best way to mimic this white sugary base is to use a lighter foundation."
How do you get your eyeshadow to stay on all night for this look?
"Don't use shadow alone, use a pencil or a gel liner as a base over the eye before applying your shadow; the combination of a good base and shadow means your look will last the distance. Smudge a black pencil or gel over the lash lines and mobile lid then use a brush to blend and fuse it out to achieve your desired effect. When applying your shadow on top, before to use a pressing motion to achieve total coverage and intense payoff." Try Napoleon Perdis Halloween Heroes, $59
What products should people have in their purses to touch up this look?
"The lip colour that was used as a base for the lips, in Shevy's video for example this was a red lipstick, then a black eyeliner to touch up the stitches – as you eat (and drink!) you'll lose the detail, so be sure to touch up not only your red lippie but the stitches too. A translucent powder is also important, as you don't want that pale base to look shiny. A translucent powder can be applied over any detailing on the skin so you won't ruin your hard work!"Try Napoleon Perdis Camera Finish Close-Up Complexion Perfecting Powder, $55
What's the best way to remove all the sugar skull makeup?
"First, dampen a makeup wipe with eye makeup remover then wipe over the eyes, lips and anywhere else on the face there's detailing, then repeat this until you're beginning to remove most over your makeup. A double cleanse is important here; cleanse #1 will remove the remaining traces of makeup and cleanse #2 will actually clean your skin (as a cleanser won't clean your skin if there's makeup blocking its surface). After your double cleanse work some eye makeup remover onto a cotton tip or pad the remove and final traces of makeup from the eyes."
Tell us if you've got any tips for sugar skull makeup?
Plus check out some Halloween food here.
The post Halloween Sugar Skull Makeup – Not As Tricky As It Looks appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post These 5 Outdoor Styling Trends Are Going To Be Big This Summer appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Thanks to spending a lot of time at home in recent months due to a global phenomenon you may have heard about (I'll give you a hint, it starts with 'c'), we've taken this appreciation up a notch and become positively obsessed with our yards, gardens and balconies.
It makes sense; for those of us who worked from home during the pandemic, our outdoor spaces may have been the only real delineation we had between 'work' and 'play'. For others who simply spent more time at home because, well, where else was there to go, we were moved to do something more visually exciting with whatever landscape we had to work with to stop our eyes from starving for something novel to feast upon.
From out of all this intense focus on our outdoor spaces a few key trends are emerging – and you can nail them all in one go with a shop at Amart Furniture.
Let's take a look at the hottest outdoor styling trends this Summer
An updated Mediterranean colour palette
Watch any season of The Block and you'll notice black has featured heavily for quite a number of years now as a simple way to bring elegance and sophistication to an outdoor setting.
This Summer black is going to make way for white to provide a fresher backdrop for the updated Mediterranean colour palette that is about to be HUGE both inside and out of the home. Forget the gaudy gold, hot pinks and neon oranges that dominated the old palette; This newer palette still rests on sea blues and greens, with a hint of contrasting pink, yellow and orange in warmer tones.
The hanging egg chair
This one isn't a new trend but it's also not going anywhere anytime soon, and I'll tell you why: the humble hanging egg chair is an incredibly versatile statement piece for both small and large spaces. For narrow balconies that might only fit one piece of furniture, this style of chair is it. And for larger spaces, a hanging chair with a rug helps create division between areas and adds a focal point of interest.
Rattan anything
Rattan, a hallmark of 1970s interiors, had a modern day revival circa 2019 when it suddenly made an appearance across the Instagram accounts of every influencer famed for a grown up sense of style. While rattan's cousin, cane, has been prolific in outdoor furniture for what feels like forever, rattan has been less obvious and by that same token, it has retained a little more of an edgier and luxe vibe.
The key to nailing this look is not going overboard with multiple pieces in different styles of rattan materials, but instead choosing just one statement piece or a set using an identical rattan material.
A hint of old world glam
Frequent lockdowns and the halt on international travel gave us all an appreciation for a simpler life. But gosh darn it – you know what we've gained an even greater appreciation for? That ball gown we only got a chance to wear once, that glittery pair of heels we bought and then ignored, and any excuse to wash our hair and put make up on, really. Lockdowns have meant that we've grown used to doing fancy stuff at home, and we see this in the emerging trend to merge cosy and functional with glam and luxe. A bit like Gucci's lamb wool lined Princetown slipper.
After all, if you are going to go to the effort of dressing up for a FaceTime wine, you want the right props around you.
Insta-worthy break out areas or backdrops
Instagram currently has around 1.074 billion users, which is 73.5 million more than it did last year (eMarketer, 2020). Social photo sharing isn't going anywhere. As we all grow a little more prolific in the art of getting 'the shot', we're also becoming a little more attuned to the aesthetics of our spaces, and how they show up in photos. Expect to see more of anything that makes a good backdrop such as vertical gardens, feature walls and tall furniture with interesting lines.
The post These 5 Outdoor Styling Trends Are Going To Be Big This Summer appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Carrie Bickmore Is Out Running Again appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Carrie Bickmore is a journalist, TV presenter and busy mum of three, and she says exercise is a big part of her life: "For me, exercise is one of the best ways to combat stress, I move for my mind as much as my body."
"I've had to get creative with new ways of moving in the past 18 months due to restrictions," adds Bickmore. "With gyms closed and limitations on time outdoors, plus juggling remote learning and work, I noticed exercise was one of the first things to disappear from my week. But I am happy to be back moving more, going for walks with the kids, working out in the driveway and going for bike rides."
Research also finds 40% of Aussies suffer from aches and pains
The latest research also found that since restrictions were put in place, an alarming 40% of the nation are suffering more from niggles – those small aches and pains, with almost one in four
(23%) Australians highlighting they don't have enough time to implement rest and recovery into their daily routines – things like stretching, hydration or taking supplements, like
Blackmores Super Magnesium+, which can support muscle health, endurance and energy levels.
Additionally, 12.4%n of Australians don't consider rest and recovery important to their everyday, and 20% only incorporate it if they are sore, and yet rest and recovery is imperative to repairing, rebuilding and strengthening muscles.
In reference to this, Bickmore says: "When I am feeling tired or mentally drained, I take it easy. But I know I feel so much better when I move so I am getting back into it slowly, especially with the weather
getting warmer."
Another brand partner for Blackmore's MOVE campaign is Danielle Bazergy
Danielle Bazergy is a Movement Squad member and brand partner — and she's keen to help Aussies find a movement and recovery routine which makes them feel good.
Danielle has worked in many different areas in the health and wellness industry including coaching, presenting and creating educational content for her audience. She is an experienced strength and conditioning coach whose goal is to have the most positive impact possible and ensure that anyone who works with her becomes the happiest and healthiest version of themselves.
Danielle has worked closely with industry leaders and experts such as Women's Health, Nike and Fitbit. She has a strong understanding of why movement is not only essential for physical health – it's also essential for your mental health. Specialising in female strength, elite fitness and fundamentals for movement, Danielle has a wealth of knowledge for all things health and fitness related and she thrives on continuing to expand her knowledge and experience in the industry.
Here are Danielle's Top 5 Tips to get you moving and active: 
Tip 1 Plan: Schedule your workouts into your calendar like you would a meeting. If you can, even schedule in a class with a friend. I'm the kind of person who thrives on structure (most of the time) and while it's something I often need to keep me on track, I make sure I don't put too much pressure on myself to stick to it perfectly and to listen to my body when needed. Discipline is important but nurturing yourself is more important. Taking time to rest if you need to is one of the best things that you can do for yourself, physically and mentally. Achieving everything that you set out to do in the week isn't always realistic – things pop up, you may not be feeling 100% up to train on some days, so set yourself realistic goals and plans but don't get too fixated on always having the perfect week.
Tip 2 Accountability: It's something that I really utilise to keep me consistent and get the most out of my training. Whether it be the use of fitness trackers, training with a buddy, entering some kind of challenge with yourself or your gym, or even logging your workouts down in a training diary. We're only human and the motivation won't always be present, so having something/someone to keep you accountable can be a really helpful tool when motivation is low. I struggled quite a bit with staying on track with my training when I was recently relocated to Queensland with my partner's work. I had no real structure in my days, I was away from home and I didn't have my normal support network and training buddies with me. So, I signed myself up to do the Blackmores Virtual Sydney Running Festival recently which gave me something to work towards again. I started with my running training, then once I got some momentum with it, I started feeling like myself again. Accountability along with some discipline and consistency is the real key.
Tip 3 Move the way you want to: Exercise isn't about punishing your body, it's about celebrating it, helping it, and enjoying what it can do. I find taking supplements like Blackmores Super Magnesium+ can further help you to continue to move the way you want to and support general health and wellbeing.
Moving the way you want to is really all about exploring different types of exercise to see what you enjoy the most because at the end of the day, you're going to want to stick to something so much more when you enjoy it. This can even mean doing multiple styles of training in the week. Each week I will normally do 3-4 Strength & Conditioning sessions, 1 Pilates class, 1-2 runs and a couple of walks. I enjoy the structure and progressive elements of my S&C training; however, I really do love a bit of variety as well, especially for my mental wellbeing.
Tip 4 Incidental exercise: This can look like a variety of approaches; taking the stairs, walking to work/school/gym or cleaning the house. Personally, I like to go for walks with friends for a catch up, walking/running while taking phone calls or listening to a podcast and walking to the shops/beach where I can. Increasing the amount of LISS (low-intensity steady state) training I was doing was one of the best things I've incorporated over the last couple of years as well. Similar to this approach, I'll try get in a little foam roll, glute/core workout or stretch when watching TV. If you're the type of person who seems a little too busy and your training is the first thing you'll kick to the curb when you don't have time, implementing these little techniques can be really effective.
Tip 5 Sleep: People tend to underestimate the value of sleep. It's essential for memory, mood and both physical and mental restoration. Consistently lacking sufficient quality sleep is not only going to influence your decision-making abilities and your mood throughout the day, you're also going to find it much harder to see results from your training and diet. Get in your 8 hours. Create a sleep routine by waking up and going to bed at the same time every day. Switch your phone to do not disturb and keep it out of your bedroom. Limit blue light before bedtime as it suppresses the body's release of melatonin (hormone responsible for sleep/wake cycles). My sleep was one of the first things I focused on when we recently went into lockdown again. I no longer needed to be waking up at 5am daily, so I made sure I was getting in at least 8 hours every single night, and I was very quickly reminded of just how important sleep is. I've been waking up naturally with more energy, never felt the need to nap, and my overall day-to-day mood had improved dramatically.
For more about the Blackmore's Running Festival visit here.
For more from The Carousel on getting active, visit here.
Easy Exercises For A Full-Body Workout At Home
The post Carrie Bickmore Is Out Running Again appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Cauldron Cupcakes, Candy Apples And Chalkboard Pumpkins appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>I LOVE Halloween – it's the one time of year I can bake "bad" and get really creative with things that aren't so pretty, dainty and delicate. Over the years, I've made so many weird and wonderful Halloween creations from Blood & Bone Dessert Cups to Jack o Lantern Smash Pinatas that I decided to dedicate an entire chapter in my new book Sweet! Celebrations JUST TO HALLOWEEN!
Because sometimes it's good to bake bad… right?
For Halloween, I like to make a few elements that I can throw together into a fun, sophisticated and suitable spooky party – this dessert table is the perfect in fuss-free, make ahead sweets and treats that will have everyone thinking you're the next Martha Stewart!
DIY Chalkboard Pumpkins
INGREDIENTS
1 Pumpkin
Chalk paint
Brush
Chalk
METHOD
Paint your pumpkin with the chalk paint. Once it's dry, you can draw spooky figures. This will be the centrepiece, lifting it up nice and high off the table will really makes it stand out.
Spooky 3D Mirror
INGREDIENTS
Mirror or old picture frame
White paint
Doll hands – visit a second hand store for an old, inexpensive doll
Glue
METHOD
Take a little bit of white paint & brush it roughly all over the mirror.
Grab your baby doll hands and use glue to attach them to the mirror.
Let it dry thoroughly before sticking the mirror on the wall – Creepy.. Right?
Cauldron Cupcakes
INGREDIENTS
Little plastic cauldrons
Candy
Mini cupcakes
Green buttercream frosting
Round candy
METHOD
First pour a small amount of candy in each cauldron.
Place one mini cupcake on top of each pile of candy. The cupcake should be slightly popping up over the top edge of the cauldron.
Frost with green buttercream frosting and add little round candies to give it that bubbling effect.
Creepy Candy Apples
INGREDIENTS
Green apples
Melted milk or dark chocolate
Twigs (lean and dry!)
Chocolate sprinkles
METHOD
Melt your chocolate in a bowl.
Wash and place the twigs in the apple's core.
Dip your green apple in the chocolate, about half way.
Finish it by adding a touch of chocolate sprinkles.
Crawling Rose Bouquet
Your favourite flowers!
Holiday spiderwebs
Plastic bugs, flies and spiders
METHOD
Using fresh flowers adds a nice scent but fake works well here too and you can make them in advance!
Drape spider webs all over your bouquet.
Add spiders, bugs and anything else creepy you can find!
Candy Jars
METHOD
I layered a variation of green, white and black candy in my jars. I also added some broken up skeleton bones to make them look like graveyards full of bodies!
Science Beakers
INGREDIENTS
Science beakers (tip – these are often sold in sets of shot-glasses!)
Green pudding mix (or you can use jelly with a tablespoon of added condensed milk)
Round green candies
METHOD
Mix up instant pudding mix according to manufacturer's directions – (add green food colouring if using vanilla pudding mix) Alternatively, you can make green Jelly and add a tablespoon of condensed milk or whipping cream to give an opaque effect.
Add to your mini beakers
Top with green round candies – Easy!
Happy Halloween!
The Carousel thanks Elise Strachan host of My Cupcake Addiction and author of Sweet! Celebrations for these amazing Halloween recipes!
The post Cauldron Cupcakes, Candy Apples And Chalkboard Pumpkins appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post How To Choose A Gift Hamper For Every VIP In Your Life appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>For some of us, gift-giving comes naturally and we do it with cheer. For others, it cues dread and vexatious thoughts about getting it all wrong. If you're more the latter, don't despair, I'm about to let you in on a little secret: There is a gift that you can never go wrong with. Yes, seriously.
Want to know what it is?
A hamper.
Christmas Hampers make for brilliant gifts for several reasons. Firstly, they give the gift of food, and food is synonymous with care, thought and consideration. Food is life! Secondly, hampers give the recipient the chance to sample a luxury sweet or savoury treat that they normally wouldn't buy for themselves and probably haven't tried before. Thirdly, they're completely risk-free; you have absolutely no chance of offending anyone with a hamper. Did I just hear a sigh of relief?
The world might be catching on – the number of Australians googling the term 'gift hamper' in December 2020 was double that of the preceding year. That trend looks set to continue in 2021, with even more Aussies searching the term during the country's peak periods for Covid lockdowns than they did in the lead up to last Christmas.
There's still a bit of an art to selecting the right gift hamper depending on your relationship with the recipient. A work acquaintance calls for a different bundle of goodies than a life-long friend or your child's kindergarten teacher.
With more than 25 hampers ranging from the conservative to the completely OTT, Australian Gourmet Gifts has something for everyone. We've taken the guess-work out of it by hand-picking a hamper for every Very Important Person in your life. You're welcome.
The Mother-in-Law
Whether you've already won her over or it's a relationship you're working diligently to build, you need a hamper that oozes special attention and appreciation.
Try: The Penfolds 311 Chardonnay Extravagance Hamper
Why we love it: This is the hamper equivalent of the warm and fuzzies. It's packed full of savoury and sweet gourmet foods you'd associate with mum, including jams, melting moments, relish and olive oil. And this particular drop of wine consistently scores high with judges. It's guaranteed to crack even the toughest of cookies.
The Sports Coach
You palm your kids off to them at least once a week during the on-season with the mighty expectation that you'll get your offspring back with minimal injury. It's a big job that deserves more than just a verbal thanks.
Try: Little Creatures Beer Hamper
Why we love it: Is there anything sportier than a beer?
The Nanny
Last minute schedule change-ups, occasionally forgetting to mention your child is unwell, and, let's be honest, you've run over your agreed time more than just once. But she or he cops it on the chin each time with a manner so pleasant it puts Mary Poppins to shame.
Try: The Gourmet Sensations Hamper
Why we love it: It's alcohol-free so it's appropriately PG-rated, however that doesn't mean it scrimps on taste; With cheese, olives, jam and a couple types of crackers, as well as chocolate and biscuits, this hamper hits every one of the five tastes.
The Gluten-Free Sibling
They usually pack their own lunch or snacks when they visit because it's just easier than reminding you each time or risking being left with nothing to eat. It's not easy being a sensitive soul.
Try: Gourmet Vegan and Gluten-Free Sensations Hamper
Why we love it: It's not uncommon for those with dietary requirements to miss out when it comes to food. Not so with this hamper! Your gluten-free recipient gets a heap of fun gourmet stuff like popcorn, cookies, chocolates, and salty snacks. It's a lovely way to make someone who is probably often excluded feel like part of a fold.
The BFF
She's your ride or die. She supported you through every break up, celebrated every one of your career achievements as enthusiastically as if they were her own, and you know she'll give you an honest opinion on that skirt with those heels every time.
Try: Moet Extravagance Hamper
Why we love it: While other champagnes come and go, Moet steadfastly remains our favourite way to celebrate anything girly. Packed alongside all the pretty lovely things that come with this hamper – a luxury honey and a lavish cheeseboard to name just a few – and you've got a decadent gift for your sista from another mista. Now all you need to do is ask her what time she'll be uncorking the champs.
The Boss
Choosing a gift for the boss can be a little bit like solving Rubik's cube; Turn this way and it may seem too familiar, turn that way and it's too impersonal. Then there's the risk of over-spending. And under-spending. But if you get it right, it puts you in good stead for the new year ahead. No pressure!
Try: Barossa Red and White Wine Hamper
Why we love it: Comprising both a red and white from a 5 Star Barossa winery along with full-sized premium sweet and savoury treats, this hamper both gives and commands the sort of respect you need for a solid working relationship.
The Team
Late nights, constantly moving deadlines, and your pre-coffee mood. Your team put up with a lot from you – probably more than they're paid to.
Try: The 7 Star Executive Luxury Hamper
Why we love it: Containing a high quality red, white and sparkling, craft beer and a non-alcoholic cabernet, as well as all the sweets and savouries you could want or an outstanding grazing board, this is the hamper of all hampers. Bring this outrageously ostentatious baby into work and they'll forgive you for all that over-time you asked them to do.
The post How To Choose A Gift Hamper For Every VIP In Your Life appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Melbourne Cup Carnival: What to Wear and When appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Time-honoured traditions are often steeped in rules and dress codes, and spring racing is no different. The race you're attending will dictate your race day outfit as they all have a different dress code, and these apply to most Australian racecourses. So, below I share my advice on what to wear when along with all the do's and don'ts of race day fashion.
Saturday 30th Penfolds Victoria Derby Day
This is thoroughbred racing at its very best. The dress code: sophisticated monochrome, black and white only.
Tuesday 2nd Lexus Melbourne Cup Day
This is the big one: on this famous Tuesday in November. The dresses code: statement pieces, glamour, colour and dazzle!
Thursday 4th Kennedy Oaks Day
The tradition of Kennedy Oaks Day is beauty, femininity, style and grace. The dress code: a trend towards floral, spring time and feminine silhouettes.
Saturday 6th Paramount+ Stakes Day
Friends, fun and the finale of Cup Week, Paramount+ Stakes Day is not to be missed. The dress code: a more relaxed day by the track with a sense of fun.
Here are some Dos and Don'ts of race day fashion:
Do:
Choose a tasteful, sophisticated outfit because a high standard of dress is always required.
Accessorise with headwear, a clutch and jewellery to complete your look.
Wear sunscreen because you will burn even on a cloudy day.
Have a backup outfit ready in case there's a race day prep disaster or unseasonal weather.
Have fun and experiment with your race day fashion!
Wear a heel with a wedge or block heel for all-day comfort.
Break your shoes in before the big day.
Make sure you have the right undergarments on.
Consider trousers as they can be just as chic as a dress.
Opt for an outfit you can re-wear.
Bring a jacket to drape over your shoulders as the weather cools in the afternoon.
Don't:
Wear anything casual like denim, sportswear, untailored pants and jackets, leggings, sneakers or thongs.
Show too much skin – bare midriffs (including cut-outs) are a no-no, as are strapless dresses or spaghetti straps in members' areas. Avoid shorts and revealing playsuits.
Choose an outfit with rips or tears, even if they're designer.
Pick a shoe that will sink into the dirt or give you blisters – you'll be on your feet a lot, and you don't want to end up barefoot.
Overdo your makeup.
If you're still needing a little more guidance, reach out to Threadicated's stylist for help, or request one of their fashion stylists style you for the big race.
The post Melbourne Cup Carnival: What to Wear and When appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post 5 Fun Ways You Can Celebrate Halloween As An Adult appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>It's the time for parents to spend some quality time with their younger ones while they take them trick or treating, time for friends and family to get together and a time where it's totally acceptable to expect people to provide you with free candy!
Contrary to what people think, there is no single way to celebrate this holiday. There are numerous different ways to get into the spirit, and here are five ways people celebrate Halloween.
1. Scare yourself with spooky activities
Every year, thousands of haunted houses and haunted carnivals are set up. If you are feeling extra adventurous, you can even visit actual places that have been known to have supernatural elements to it. If not that, there's always a haunted hayride to enjoy with your friends. The options are endless as many people get the Halloween fever and everywhere you go, you can witness numerous spooky attractions. You can even wear your costumes while you're visiting haunted houses so you can end up scaring and confusing the haunted house attendants themselves!
2. Host a scary movie screening night
If you feel that you are too old for trick or treating and too lazy for Halloween parties, then watching scary movies is your best bet! You can get dressed to the nines and host a movie screening of horror classics such as Rosemary's Baby, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, IT and many more. You can come up with a whole theme and decorate your house or room in scary mementos. You can also choose your favourite snacks and serve them to everyone. You can even have your friends dress as their favourite character. If costumes are too much for you, then ask everyone to come wearing their very best PJs for the spookiest movie night ever!
3. Stick to a classic Halloween Party
What even is Halloween if you're not attending a crazy Halloween party? Costumes are a huge part of Halloween, but they're not the only part. If you don't feel like slathering your face in makeup or dressing up as a sexy bunny, you don't need to follow the typical Halloween persona. Whether they are slinky bodysuits that you desire or gorgeous maxi dresses, the choice is yours on what to wear. A winning combination for a perfect Halloween party differs from person to person. While some people go all out and give in to the Halloween fever with kooky decorations, spooky food and much more, others like to keep it classic and continue seeing this as a reason to get with their best buds and party.
4. Let your inner kid take over
Wasn't Halloween the best when you were little and it was all about the fun stuff? You got loads of free candy from strangers, you carved pumpkins and played fun games like bobbing for apples. Well, who says you can't still do those things? If nostalgia has hit you hard on this day, then let your inner child take over and celebrate Halloween the old school way. There are numerous events you can attend where you can compete with other people for the best costume, go bobbing for apples and carve pumpkins in fun shapes. As for the candy part, you're an adult now so nobody is asking you to limit your candy ingestion. So get one of those trick or treat candy bags and treat yourself.
5. Treat your taste buds to a spooky cuisine and crazy sales
With so many amazing options for recreation available on this day, who says you have to choose only one? You can plan an amazing day fully involved with Halloween activities and spend it with your better half, friends and family. Restaurants often bring out spooky variations of their best items on this day. Halloween also often brings out crazy discounts from numerous brands, so it's also a good time to take advantage of all the sales while everyone else is busy in the Halloween frenzy.Everyone has a different taste and so it's not necessary that your Halloween plans should be the same as everyone else. Whether you enjoy being terrified while visiting a haunted murder site, love watching scary movies or enjoy carving pumpkins, just remember to spend this holiday doing something that brings you happiness and joy.
The Carousel would like to thank Christine Rudolph, a fashion and lifestyle blogger, for sharing this story.
The post 5 Fun Ways You Can Celebrate Halloween As An Adult appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Scare Up Some Desserts With These 9 Halloween Recipes appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Halloween is the perfect excuse to scare up some delicious desserts, so get cooking and try some of our yummy recipes below!…
Halloween Recipes: Spider Jelly Bombs
Halloween recipes: Blood & Bone No-Bake Poke Cheesecakes!
Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Brownies
Halloween recipes: Hack The Trend! OREO Milk & Cookie Shooters
Halloween recipes: Bryn's Caramel Almost Kit Kat Slice
Halloween recipes: Fudgy Gluten Free Brownies
Halloween recipes: Gluten Free Shortbread
Halloween recipes: Choc-Chip & Chia Muffins
Halloween recipes: Decadent Chocolate-Dipped Fruit
The post Scare Up Some Desserts With These 9 Halloween Recipes appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Self-care Is Not Chocolate: How To Make Yourself A Priority appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Believe me, you are not alone…..
A lot of busy women find that their stressful life gets in the way of their self-care practice.
The thing is when you don't feed your emotional needs you are likely to feel irritable and resentful and this can turn into an invitation to use food to soothe your emotions.
Emotional eating can be so seductive and comforting when you feel stressed and many women fall into the trap of eating to soothe themselves when they feel sad, stressed or when experiencing uncomfortable emotions.
But eating problems aren't really about food. They are about self-nourishing.
What are you hungry for?
When we constantly feel hungry and overeat, sometimes it's not about the food. It's about how you use food to self-soothe; numb yourself against the pain of living.
After all, we are all hungering for something…
- You may be hungry for balance.
- You may be hungry to do something other than work.
- You may be hungry for "self-nourishment"
You can't pour from an empty cup – take care of yourself first.
Most of us have been conditioned to take better care of others than we do ourselves. When your life gets busy, it's all too easy to cross yourself off your priority list entirely.
- You may feel selfish putting yourself first and taking care of your own needs when there is so much to do already.
- You may be considering it optional, something that you can make up on the weekends, or sometime in the future.
- You may also be stuck in the mindset trap of thinking that self-care is an indulgence and something that you can do later.
The fact is: you will not satisfy emotional hunger with food because emotional eating is a result of emotional triggers and unresolved issues that need addressing.
-Irena Geller
Selfcare Isn't Just Important, It's Crucial.
What self-care is:
How do you limit your caretaking of others and start prioritising at least some of your own needs?
- Ultimately, self-care is about understanding that your body is the one place on the planet that you have dominion over and creating self-awareness.
- Self-awareness — the ability to recognise, understand and label one's own feelings, along with the ability to accurately self-assess — is a foundational skill for a life of well-being.
Let's dive in and explore a few simple steps you can take to start making yourself a priority.
Step 1 – Make a commitment to yourself.
The way you care for yourself really counts, taking care of YOU is not a luxury.
Self-care also means abandoning the idea that there is an authority that knows more about what your body needs than you. (Your lack of self-care may come from the belief that you don't know what's best for you.)
- The way you prioritise yourself affects your health and fitness goals as well as the time that you can devote to them.
- When you are at the bottom of your priority list, it affects your eating.
- Emotional eating, including stress eating, skyrockets when you aren't getting what you need in other areas of your life.
Step 2 – Turn down the volume of your daily life.
Turn down the volume of your daily life — by spending time alone, by escaping from media and conversations and other requests for attention — so that you can listen more acutely to your authentic inner voice.
That, in itself, is a loving act of self-care.
For example:
Start with mindfulness practice:
Identify your feelings, accept the unpleasant ones and focus on your breathing so you can fight the automatic urge to reach for a snack.
- Close your eyes, take a deep breath and identify what you are feeling and where in your body.
- Listen to the signals your body is sending- stress-energy-sleep-love?
- Try and identify what you are really craving, focus on your breathing so you can fight the automatic urge to reach for a snack.
- Become aware of how you are speaking to your self – try and be gentle and compassionate to you.
Step 3 – Build your own self-care routine.
Build a self-care routine that is yours, what I mean is find your own rhythm and routine that ticks all of your boxes, not your neighbours or your best friends.
Check that it ticks the below boxes:
Satisfying
- Make it supportive but also fun, so that you look forward to dipping into your self-soothing bucket when a craving strike, as opposed to turning to food for therapy.
Sustainable
- Make it simple so it's easy and sustainable to practice even on your busiest and most stressful days.
The next step is to write down 10 things that you find self-nourishing.
Examples: walks, walking on the beach, sunsets, massage, swimming, colouring in, singing, dancing…. you get the drift.
Now, separate these into 2 separate lists: everyday acts of self-care and monthly acts of self-care.
Step 4 – Schedule your self-care activities.
Now that you have committed yourself to self-nourishment activities, schedule a time every day to make sure you do it.
- Then schedule a time at least once a week that you do a weekly act.
- Then schedule a time for an activity you want to do monthly.
- Plan ahead and block out times the same way you plan your appointments.
And lastly, Remember you are your most important engagement!
When you take care of your emotional needs, you will be bursting with energy, feel emotionally balanced, spiritually enhanced and ready to cope even when life gives you lemons!
What does this mean to you?
Find your own self -care style, whether you prefer to walk in the rain or sit in the park or to wonder at the sunset – make it yours so that you can look forward to these activities.
Taking a break from your daily grind and doing things for you helps you refocus and taking regular breaks are the epitome of self-care.
Now I would love to hear from you…
- What are your self-care strategies?
I would love to hear your feedback, thoughts and any questions you have on this article.
Please tell me in the comments below.
The Carousel would like to thank Irene Geller for her article.
The post Self-care Is Not Chocolate: How To Make Yourself A Priority appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post 5 Big Lessons from 5 Years in Business appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>1. I AM AS QUALIFIED AS ANYONE TO BE HERE
When I started my business, I put a lot of people on a pedestal, believing that they were "legitimate businesswomen" and I was not. I thought I needed to take years to prove myself, that I needed more clients, more experience, more followers, a bigger email list, etc, etc to validate what I was offering.
Then I got inside the businesses of the women I looked up to and realised that they felt exactly the same!! Imposter syndrome is rife. Everyone feels it and it prevents so many people from sharing their gifts with the world. I deserved my seat at the table just as much as they did.
2. WE LEARN BEST BY DOING
I'm a sponge for information about business and personal development. I'm a voracious reader, I listen to podcasts and love conversations with my business buddies who are experts in their field to soak up their wisdom. I've supported clients through big things like launching podcasts, new programs, hiring staff, firing staff, international expansion, opening new premises and many more.
I've also done many of those things in my own business too and the biggest learnings come from real life experience – being the one to take action. We can talk ourselves out of anything. Fortune favours the brave so it's important to be willing to take action.
3. ACCOUNTABILITY IS ESSENTIAL
As business owners we have no boss or manager setting KPIs – we can do anything or we can do nothing. Having someone to talk through and commit my goals and intentions to ensure that I take action (and the reassurance that I get from them makes doing scary things less scary) I am fortunate to be surrounded by very wise business buddies to thrash my ideas out with. I have a mentor and am part of a mastermind group and my business has expanded as a result.
4. CONSISTENCY & RELIABILITY = A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS
In business and life outside of business, the things we do regularly are more impactful than the things we do occasionally. If I don't consistently do activities like proactive business development, follow ups, social media posting, bank reconciliations… all the fun stuff, then I see an impact on my business revenue.
Reliability builds businesses. Doing what you say you are going to do, showing up on time, delivering when and what you have committed to and communicating if you can't. It sounds so simple but you would be amazed at how many people don't do this – which makes you stand out when you do it.
5. THE BIGGEST GROWTH HAPPENS WHEN I AM TRUE TO MYSELF
When I stopped playing small, when I backed myself the way I backed the women that I support, that was when big, positive changes happened in my business. Being clear on what it is that I want to do, not what is easy, not what I've "always done", not hiding in the wings where it was safe, asking for what I want – pursuing it and being brave.
Leap and the net will appear is one of my mantras and it has served me well. A little bit of woo woo mixed with a whole lot of action. Whenever I trust in myself, make a change and open up space for something incredible to happen, it always does.
I hope that these learnings help and inspire you. I have shared more about this milestone on my podcast – Your Business Boost. You can follow and listen here .
Michelle is a business strategist with a 20 year career as a trusted advisor to female entrepreneurs across an array of industries including media, fashion, design, travel, coaching, sales, training and recruitment.
She has supported hundreds of women as they up- level their businesses. Her superpower is being able to cut through the overwhelm that comes from running a business alone, removing the roadblocks and identifying the right opportunities and resources to bring their ideas to life.
Connect with Michelle at www.michellebroadbent.com.au
The post 5 Big Lessons from 5 Years in Business appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post The Best Beauty Gadget Ever appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>If you just had a 'wow this is something I never knew I needed' moment, then believe us, you are not alone.
The Tweexy is a wearable nail polish holder made of rubber, designed to mould around your fingers and fit any bottle, so you can keep your paint stable while you tend to the important stuff: your manicure.
This ingenious rubber invention comes in a variety of different colours, so you can look glam whilst applying your polish – so it's practical and looks fab, not two words you often hear side-by-side!
This gadget will save us from being confined to painting our nails at the table and desk, or taking the risk of ruining our sofas and bedspreads.
We no longer have to paint in fear of a spillage.Thank you Tweexy.
Available on Amazon for $14.95.
The post The Best Beauty Gadget Ever appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Living Their Best Lives With Blind Cricket: The Gift Of Sport appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Thankfully, most sporting associations across Australia are developing new pathways for children with a disability to become involved. This includes the Victorian Blind Cricket Association's Blasters program – a six-week cricket skills development course for children with vision impairment.
The program is designed to teach kids the basics of Blind Cricket – which is played just like normal cricket but it's played with a ball which makes sounds. As well, in Blind Cricket the ball is bowled underarm and must bounce twice, so it can be heard, before it reaches the bat.
As well as getting the kids involved in a sport, the Blind Cricket games have the added advantage of helping boost kids' confidence, along with their physical capabilities. It's become increasingly popular as both a national and international sport and it means all kids – including those with a vision impairment – can aspire to one day playing cricket for Australia.
Travis Zimmer grew up playing lots of sports
Like most Aussie kids, Travis Zimmer grew up playing lots of sports including cricket, tennis, athletics and football. But when he started having vision problems in his teens, he quit team sports – in part because he didn't want to let his teammates down.
Now aged in his 40s, Travis has rekindled his love of sport through Blind Cricket, which he says makes him feel like a kid again: "Blind cricket is one of the best things I have ever done," he said.
"It is inclusive, there is no judgment and it has brought so much happiness to me and a sense of worth in sport," he added.
"I withdrew from team sports because I didn't want to let people down because of my vision impairment. Now I want to grow this great sport so more people feel like they can play," Travis said.
Travis continues, saying Blind Cricket is not just about sports — it also helps children with a vision impairment by improving their physical fitness, improving their confidence and boosting their social skills and teamwork. Basically it's a lot of fun for everyone involved.
Blind Cricket is popular worldwide
Blind Cricket is played throughout the world, especially in cricket-mad India where more than 25,000 people with a vision impairment play the sport.
There's also a national competition in Australia. The Victorian Blind Cricket Team, with the help of its new sponsor 13cabs, is already gearing up for the next National Cricket Inclusion Championships against its interstate rivals.
National disability taxi service 13cabs is excited to sponsor this season's Victorian Blind Cricket Association, as the Victorian squad prepares to take on NSW and Queensland. 13cabs' NDIS-trained drivers are specialists in assisting blind passengers and the fleet also includes wheelchair accessible taxis. You can see more on their website here.
Victorian Blind Cricket Association runs social cricket events as well
As well as the Blind Cricket Blasters Program, the Victorian Blind Cricket Association runs social cricket events as well. Travis is now the Victorian Blind Cricket Association's community engagement officer and he said he's keen to see more people of all ages, including children, learning how to play Blind Cricket. People are allowed to join in with varying degrees of vision impairment.
"Our focus is to develop pathways for young kids to play sport," he said, "especially Blind Cricket through the Blasters program and then hopefully go on to play for a team in the VBCA competition – or potentially represent Victoria at the National Cricket Inclusion Carnival, or even ultimately play for Australia at a World Cup and Blind Ashes."
Blind Cricket was first played in Victoria in 1922, when some vision impaired cricket enthusiasts decided to have a bash with some rocks in a tin can. Early audible balls were made of wound cane filled with lead and bottle tops, as the sport progressed into a national competition.
The Victorian Blind Cricket Association is holding an open day to celebrate the 99th anniversary of blind cricket in Victoria and it encourages more people – both children and adults – into the sport. The Open Day will be held on November 27th at Kooyong, Melbourne, Victoria.
To find out more about the Open Day, visit here.
For more from The Carousel on sport and cricket, take a look here.
Watch The Australian Women's Cricket Team Smash A World Record
The post Living Their Best Lives With Blind Cricket: The Gift Of Sport appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Beauty Do or Don't: Dark Eyes Plus Dark Lips appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>But some on-trend celebrities seem to have been ignoring their makeup peeps and throwing out the beauty book of late.
First, Beyoncé glammed it up for the Grammys with a traditional smoky eye – complete with inky liner – that she wore with a glossy, garnet-red lipstick.
Girl to Watch Ireland Baldwin (her dad's Alec; her mum's Kim Basinger; she was always going to become an it girl) then hit the red carpet with an even deeper shade of red on her lips, which was similarly paired with smouldering eye makeup. True, it was a deep brown rather than grey or black eye shadow … but it still packed an eye-catching punch.
And, because it takes three to really make a trend, Rimmel face Rita Ora next hit up New York Fashion Week wearing winged-out charcoal eye shadow and an intense shade of orange-red lipstick.
So, is it time to re-write that makeup rules guidebook?
Not so fast, says Makeup guru Elsa Morgan.
"Generally speaking, both a strong lip and eye is something I steer clear of," she says. "I think it looks so fresh and beautiful to have a rich deep lip colour matched with just gorgeous skin, beautifully groomed brows and a more subtle eye – while a full-on smoky eye or super-strong eye liner looks best paired with a nude lip, whether that be a pale matte lipstick or a clear gloss."
Nevertheless, Elsa concedes that there are times when rules can be broken, including this one. "Especially in winter, I think we can get away with a little more makeup and an intense eye plus lip can look glamorous and sexy for a night out."
She does, however, insist on sticking to one of her all-time top beauty rules: "Make sure the skin always looks fresh, flawless and still quite natural, otherwise the overall effect will appear too heavy-handed."
The post Beauty Do or Don't: Dark Eyes Plus Dark Lips appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post How To Create Cruella's 70's Punk Inspired Hairstyle Just Like The Movie appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Cruella's signature two-toned hair has been reimagined in more ways than one taking inspiration from the 70's punk fashion scene including that of Vivienne Westwood.
The film signals the return of iconic 70's hair styles including the sharp shaped bob, impact fringe, big messy volume via the power back-comb and a defined loose natural curl.
Nadia Stacey, the mastermind behind the chaotic hair of Cruella, shares the inspiration for the development of various looks and unique hair styles for lead characters played by Emma Stone and Emma Thompson.
What was the inspiration behind the hair looks and overall hair design/approach?
The film is set in 1977 in London. The Punk scene was big, Vivienne Westwood had opened her first store on The Kings Road and fashion was changing. I wanted Emma Stone's character to be influenced by this scene. A kind of creative chaos in the look. I also had to create over 10 different styles alone for Emma and I needed to sometimes hint towards the shape or style of the original Cruella because she has a lot of fans!
Tell us about the process you went through to develop the looks for the lead characters?
Each character needed a strong silhouette, something synonymous to them. Emma Stone's character is more of a punk and influenced by that fashion whereas the Baroness, Emma Thompson has perfected her look in the 1950s/60s, so it meant that we had a whole range of styles to draw from. Naomi Donne, a personal hair and make-up artist to Emma Thompson, created exactly what I wanted for the Baroness and developed all these different styles based around a theme. Lots of pulled back, not a hair in place, sculpted styles while Cruella has a wildness to her look. You must think of the character, who would they reference for their look, who would inspire them?
How important was it for the actors to be on board with your vision in order to carry out the various looks? What did Emma Stone think/say when she saw your vision for the first time? It's vital they like, and more importantly feel right, in your creations. It's them that must feel the character as a whole and believe in the look. Emma is fantastic to collaborate with, she has strong ideas but is equally very open to any of my ideas and willing to try so the madder the looks became the more she was up for it. We had such creative free reign from our director Craig Gillespie too so it meant I could really try and push the boundaries.
What was your favourite look to create?
There are so many, and they are all so varied so it's hard to choose a favourite. There is one which is based on 18th century Marie Antoinette style – that seems crazy for Cruella but that's the kind of creative freeness I had. The black and white sides are styled up towards the classic shape but then it goes off to the side and the shape changes – everything I did I wanted to put a twist on it. I do love the bob shape with the bangs too, that feels very punk to me.
How do you ensure actors' natural hair is taken care of under wigs?
We must prep the hair underneath with a product that will flatten and slick the hair down to make it as flat as possible, so I like to use conditioner or masks because I think the hair is benefitting all day under the wig.
How did you ensure the wigs/hair pieces used for natural looks stayed looking natural? Any tips for styling wigs?
All the wigs are real hair, so you must treat them as such. If I was putting in rollers or using irons or any styling implements, I would always use a heat protecting spray like the HASK Keratin Protein 5-in-1 Leave-In Spray. It helps protect and keeps the hair conditioned and smooth for styling.
How do you look after wigs on-set?
Depending on the style, some were heavily sprayed with Hairspray to set them but generally I like to keep the hair free to move which I feel if you are trying to give the appearance of real hair it is important that it moves like real hair, it makes it more believable so in that case I like a lightweight spray that will smooth out and control without being too heavy.
How did you keep hair colour bright and healthy?I think preparation before styling is key. It's the maintenance of keeping hair in good condition before you even think about styling that will make it healthy and shiny so it's all about the shampoos and conditioners and masks you use.
Did you have to dye any of the actors' hair during filming and if so, which HASK products did you use during the process and why?
We didn't dye anyone's natural hair, but we dyed wigs and hair pieces and because the hair is so treated previously it can dry out very quickly the same as over processed hair. For me the life savers are the HASK hair oils because they are so absorbing so they don't sit heavy in the hair. Also, the macadamia one smells incredible!
What was the biggest challenges/issues styling hair on-set of this film, and how did you overcome them?
We had 3 black and white wigs for the whole shoot for Cruella and over 10 different designs and because of the fast pace of the shooting schedule I had to style these 3 wigs repeatedly, so they were in and out of rollers, hair pieces added to them, they really went through it! There are also a lot of stunts and action sequences so we needed products that would hold the styles. I also had nearly 100 different cast members with multiple looks so to look after Emma Stone full time and design all those looks was a challenge!
Which HASK products would you recommend to keeping hair healthy that has had either a lot of products (like hairspray) or heat tools?
I like the Tea Tree & Rosemary Oil shampoo and conditioner to take out any impurities but also keep the hair soft and conditioned but again weightless and not heavy with product. I also love the Tea Tree & Rosemary Oil 5-in1 Leave-In spray to heat protect as the styling begins again.
What was the most memorable moment of being on the set of the film Cruella?
There are so many to choose from and the film has so many iconic moments, but I think nothing will beat seeing Emma as Cruella for the first time. All those weeks of prep and seeing her in full hair and makeup was amazing.
How can people at home recreate Cruella's iconic curls?
If they are blessed with curly hair then the new Curl range is fantastic, all the benefits of HASK products specifically targeted for curls. They should add curl enhancing mousse to wet hair and dry with a diffuser to really encourage the curls, tip your head upside down when drying to create lots of volume, when you tip you head back the hair will be wild but that's what Cruella would want! Then use curl defining cream just to define and take away some of the frizz, it's humidity proof formula will keep your curls looking lovely. If you have straight hair, I will use a thermal protection spray like KERATIN protection 5 in 1 spray to protect before you use a curling tool, rollers or tongs. Create the curls and use the curl defining cream as above.
What were your three-must-have products when styling hair on-set?
I love the Monoi Coconut masks and would give the wigs a treatment as much as possible to revive the hair and put back the condition lost in over styling. I also used this on Emma Stone underneath the wig to condition her hair during the day. The HASK Rose Oil and Peach Colour Protect Shampoo and Conditioners were great because the black and white hair needed to be really defined and strong, so I needed to punch the colour up. Also, the white side of the hair could start to look yellow with over process and felt that these shampoos really worked to protect that. All the HASK 5-in-1 Leave-In Spray because it allowed me to maintain the frizz without adding heavy product all day to the styles. Sometimes a shoot day could be 12 hours long and too much product would ruin the style, these sprays (all the 5-in-1 Leave-In Sprays actually) are perfect for on set checks.
Which products were key to creating the looks and why?
HASK's Keratin 5 in 1 spray for the heat protection because of all the styling. They are the best. The hair masks for protection of actors' hair under wigs and for a once a week treat or to send them home with them. The nourishing Coconut ones are great. The Rose oil and Peach colour protect because the black and white hair IS Cruella!
Which products did you use on Emma Stone and why? What were the benefits and why were you using them? Did Emma have a favourite HASK product she loved?
All the above were used on Emma for all her different Cruella looks. She had so many different looks and processes that as ever my goal is to protect her hair and so have always used the HASK masks on her under wigs. The Tea Tree & Rosemary Oil 5-in1 Leave-In Spray is something I use on her a lot as it is so lightweight and free of all the nasties which is great when I need to spray products on her on set, so I feel confident that I'm spraying natural products around her.
How did you use HASK's Dry Shampoos during filming and why?
We had to create lots of punk styles on the extras and supporting cast and that means lots of body in the hair, so you need something to take out any grease or too much moisture to be able to great the styles. It was good to get some of the Charcoal Dry Shampoo in the root to rid all the excess oil and give a good base to start creating! That worked well too in some of the punkier styles for the Cruella wigs too
Which other actors were HASK products used on?
The HASK products were used across the film. The crowd team where they had over 6,000 supporting actors had the products and were using them regularly. We also had to create sprayed red style for Paul Walter Hauser and use the HASK Charcoal Dry Shampoo for texture. I liked to use the Tea Tree & Rosemary Oil 5-in1 Leave-In Spray for Kirby Howell Bapiste's afro wig too.
HASK Products
- Tea Tree Oil & Rosemary 5-in-1 Leave-in Spray, $14.99
- https://www.priceline.com.au/hask-tea-tree-oil-rosemary-5-in-1-leave-in-spray-175-ml
- Tea Tree Oil & Rosemary Shampoo, RPP: $14.99
- https://www.priceline.com.au/hask-tea-tree-oil-rosemary-invigorating-shampoo-355-ml
- Tea Tree Oil & Rosemary Conditioner, RPP: $14.99
- https://www.priceline.com.au/hask-tea-tree-oil-rosemary-invigorating-conditioner-355-ml
- Keratin Protein 5-in-1 Leave-in Spray, RPP: $14.99
- https://www.priceline.com.au/hask-keratin-protein-5-in-1-leave-in-spray-175-ml
- Monoi Coconut Oil Deep Conditioner, RRP: $4.99
- https://www.priceline.com.au/hask-monoi-oil-nourishing-deep-conditioner-50-g
- Charcoal Dry Shampoo, RPP: $9.99
- https://www.priceline.com.au/hask-charcoal-dry-shampoo-122-g
The post How To Create Cruella's 70's Punk Inspired Hairstyle Just Like The Movie appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Lemon & Coconut Cheese Cake appeared first on The Carousel.
]]> Preparation time overnight
Make time 30 minutes
Stand time overnight
Serves 12
INGREDIENTS
Base
2 cups macadamias
1/2 cup shredded coconut
1 Tbsp coconut oil (+ extra to grease)
zest of 1/2 lemon
12 Medjool dates, pitted
Lemon & coconut filling
3 cups raw cashews, soaked overnight – rinsed well
3 Tbsp coconut oil
1 cup of coconut milk + extra
1/4 cup honey
juice of 1 lemon
METHOD
Base
1 Flip the base of the springform pan upside down so you don't need to worry about the lip when removing the cake later. Grease the base and sides of the tin with the extra coconut oil and set aside. Process nuts and coconut until crumbly. Add coconut oil and lemon zest and mix well. Add the dates, one at a time and process until no large chunks remain.
2 Pinch the mixture together between your fingers – if it holds its shape it's the right consistency. If not, add 1 Tbsp cold water at a time until the desired consistency is achieved.
3 Press crust down evenly into the base of the prepared tin. Place in the freezer while you prepare the lemon + coconut filling.
Lemon & coconut filling
1 Blend all ingredients, starting with 1 cup of coconut milk, until smooth. Gradually add extra coconut milk until the entire mixture is smooth and churning consistently. You may need to
regularly stop the blender and scrape down the sides with a spatula to allow for a well combined mixture. Taste. Sweet enough? Tangy enough? Adjust if desired.
2 Remove prepared base from freezer and evenly pour lemon filling on top. Return to freezer for 6 – 8 hours or for best results overnight.
To serve:Slice evenly when frozen through and let soften at room temperature for 1 hour before serving. Top cake with coconut chips, shredded coconut and lemon zest. Best kept in the freezer until needed. Will keep in the fridge for 2 – 3 days.
Nicole Joy is an inspirational foodie who shares her story of rediscovering her love of food, particularly the sweet kind, through her successful blog and sellout dessert classes she hosts. Nicole believes in nourishing the body and soul with delicious, wholesome ingredients, and advocates that healthy eating does not mean compromising on flavour. A former school teacher and entrepreneur at heart, Nicole's broad-ranging experience includes successfully developing her own jewellery line, being crowned Miss World QLD, hosting a children's program on Channel 9, and establishing her own sleepwear label. Her anticipated new book, Why it's perfectly acceptable to eat dessert for breakfast, is available online at www.nicolejoyinspire.com
For more cheesecakes, click here.
The post Lemon & Coconut Cheese Cake appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Spooky Halloween Costumes & Decorations For Babies & Kids appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Children don't need an excuse to dress-up, but Halloween gives the little terrors a super long leash to scare their mini mates and load up on treats! Let their imagination go wild and get into these totes wicked Halloween dress-ups and accessories…
Infant/Toddler Cap'n Stinker Pirate Costume, $22.49, Target.
Unicorn Vest Toddler Halloween Costume, $11.69, Kmart.
Bunny Bloom Short Sleeve Dress, $49.95, Rock Your Baby.
Pumpkin Paper Garland 3m $2 Novelty Warning Tape 10m $2.50 , Decorative Tinsel Pumpkin or Ghost $2.50 , Foam Tombstone $2.50 , Tinsel Garland 2.7m $2.50 , LED Spider String Lights 5pk $6 , Light Up Paper Lantern $3.50 , Treat Bowl $2 , Paper Cups 8pk $2.50 , Paper Plates 12pk $2.50 , Paper Napkins 20pk $2.50 , Plastic Tablecloth 137x182cm $2 , Beware Sign with Music & Lights $9 , Spider Web Decoration $2 , Carry Bag 35x38cm $1 , Witches Hat Headband with Pigtails $3.50 , Light Up Headband $3.50 or Children's Cape 114cm $5.
All from The Reject Shop – while stocks last
Plastic Pumpkin, $0.99 cents, Kmart.
What are your little terrors dressing up as for Halloween? Tell us below!
The post Spooky Halloween Costumes & Decorations For Babies & Kids appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post These Emerging Business Concepts Could Change The World For Good appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>From edible coffee cups that help solve our plastic problem to re-usable take-away containers, some of the most exciting business ideas we'll see in coming years are emerging from out of this program.
In this interview, Hatch Program Manager Danielle Fryday talks about the benefits of the program for participants, some of the great ideas in past years that are now getting off the ground, and this year's exciting line-up of concepts that, if successful, will go on to provide solutions that protect and care for the environment.
Important links:
HATCH Pitch Event registration – Thurs 28 October: https://sparkfestival.co/2021-program/view/617/hatch-pitch-event-2021
HATCH Teams 2021:
-
- Carapac: https://carapac.com.au/
- Sine Surf: https://sinesurf.com/
- Spottr: http://www.spottr.tech/
- The Pedal Club: http://www.thepedalclub.com.au/
- Visible: https://www.linkedin.com/company/visibleagency/
- Xylo Systems: https://www.xylosystems.org/
HATCH Teams 2020 mentioned:
-
- Good-Edi: http://good-edi.com/
- RePlated: https://www.replated.co/
Main photo credit: Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash
The post These Emerging Business Concepts Could Change The World For Good appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Bill Granger's Top Five Quick Family Meals to Cook in Under 45mins appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Cookbook author and father of 3 beautiful girls, Bill Granger, is known for his love of simple, good whole food. No fads, he recommends to just use the freshest of ingredients and do as little as possible to them. Bill says during the week, it's all about cooking in the oven and shares these 5 quick meals can which can be done in under 45mins.
1 Braised chicken. Braise 500grams of chicken pieces in olive oil on the stove. Then pop into a baking dish with with chopped potatoes, some herbs, (parsley, thyme or oregano) and garlic, and bake at 180degrees for 45mins. Once cooked, throw in some olives and serve with salad and greens.
2 Baked fish with potatoes. Thinly slice potatoes, roast for half an hour. Throw in some cherry tomatoes, cook for another 10 mins, place some fish fillets over the top and cook for another 10 mins.
3 Baked tuna risotto with tomatoes, tuna and zucchini.
4 Stir fry chicken with basil. Stir fry some chicken strips with garlic, onion, basil and green beans. If liked, add some fresh chilli to the wok towards the end. Serve with rice.
5 Soy beef with Asian greens. Sear 2 sirloin steaks in oil for a few minutes on each side. Add soy sauce once the steaks are cooked. Rest for 5 mins and get on with steaming some buk choy or other Asian greens. Throw into a bowl and add some soy, lemon over the greens. Slice the steak into strips and serve with steamed rice.
Click here for another tasty recipe from Bill Granger.
Have you tried Bill Granger's quick family meal recipes? Tell us in the comments below!
The post Bill Granger's Top Five Quick Family Meals to Cook in Under 45mins appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post How To Improve Your Mood With Food appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Now, before you say that you don't have the time, money or interest to eat healthily, hear me out!
Truth is, we make poorer nutritional choices when stressed. Rather than grabbing coffee, sugar and junk food as we get busy, I recommend nutrient-rich, healthy foods, to help improve your mood and reduce stress levels. Cravings for junk food increase when stressed, and this can have short and long-term consequences such as anxiety, depression and other mental disorders.
Our brain and gut "talk" to one another. Our mental health and food intake are connected through chemicals called neurotransmitters such as; dopamine, norepinephrine, acetylcholine and GABA, which are critical for mood, anxiety, concentration, reward and motivation. Building a healthy shopping and food preparation habit into your daily/weekly routine is important. After all, prioritising your own health and wellbeing, ensures you're the best version of you, for your family, work and friends.
Here are some important foods to incorporate:
Healthy Munchies:
Replace the chips, muffins, processed food with fresh products such as carrot sticks, edamame, celery sticks, sunflower seeds, and fruits. Fruits and vegetables are rich in antioxidants such as vitamin C and carotenoids. Vitamin C, B vitamins, calcium, magnesium, and zinc are important for optimal cognitive and emotional functioning. As we come into summer try frozen fruit (berries and grapes are yum), air-popped popcorn, chickpea nuts, and fruit dipped in dark chocolate for a special treat.
Potassium-rich food:
Potassium is an important mineral that is involved in muscle contraction and relaxation. Potassium-rich foods such as banana, pumpkin seeds, spinach, broccoli, potatoes, and avocado can stabilize your blood pressure and reduce stress.
Probiotics foods:
Probiotics are products that contain healthy bacteria such as yogurt and kefir. Fermented foods also have this good bacteria but are not as widely studied as probiotics. Fermented foods include kimchi, sauerkraut, miso, tempeh and kombucha. Good bacteria is not only important for a healthy gut and digestion, but also elevates our mood and helps reduce stress. Pass the yogurt please! (Tip: add some low sugar protein powder and berries for a yummy high protein snack or dessert).
Omega-3-fatty acids:
Omega-3-fatty acids form an integral part of neuronal cell membranes & are powerful anti-inflammatories. Omega-3-fatty acids have been shown to be effective as either stand-alone or adjunctive treatment for ADHD, major depressive disorder, bipolar depression and PTSD (plus an added benefit is that they are good for your skin, gut and immune health). Omega-3-fatty acids are found in fish, seafood, grass-fed animals, hemp seeds and fish oil supplements.
Switch to a healthy eating environment:
Swap these baddies for some goodies:
- Soft drinks to sparkling water/juices – add herbs, spices and berries to jazz them up
- Milk chocolate to dark chocolate
- Flavoured latte to herbal or green tea
- Chips to veggies sticks, roasted chickpeas or Brussel sprout chips
- High sugar to high fibre cereal, like rolled oats or All-bran
- Fatty meats to fish
- Takeaway burgers to homemade sandwich/wrap
Here is an example of a healthy diet to boost mood and reduce stress:
Breakfast: start the day with some smoked salmon or other fatty fish on rye or sough dough bread. Add some salad and fruit. The omega 3 fatty acid from the fish will decrease inflammation in the body.
Morning munch:
Brazil nuts with a piece of fruit.
Lunch:
Include a side salad or soup to your normal lunch prep. The antioxidants and vitamin Bs from beans, citrus, dark green vegetables can reduce inflammation and stress.
Afternoon treat:
A piece of dark chocolate because the flavanol from dark chocolate has been shown to improve cognitive function. Combine with a green or herbal tea.
Dinner:
Add some healthy carbs such as sweet potatoes, pumpkins, or brown rice which can help you sleep better and reduce stress the next day.
Ladies, you are vital and therefore need to be vital!
Dr Liz Isenring is an Advanced Accredited Practising Dietitian, Honorary Adjunct Professor at Bond University and CEO of LINC Nutrition. She is the author of 150 published scientific white papers and books, and has been the recipient of $4 million in grant funding. Her work has helped hundreds of thousands of people in more than 40 countries.
www.drliznutrition.com.au
Access your free Gut Map and Path to a Stronger Immune System here.
The post How To Improve Your Mood With Food appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Upcycled Homewares Inspo With Nash + Banks Founder Niccii Kugler appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Niccii's impeccable taste is evident in her choice of wares so we were excited to lift the lid on how she embraces sustainability in her own life, especially when it comes to her home.
What inspired you to start Nash + Banks?
My boys inspired me to start the business. Their births were the spark that lit the fuse. The initial seed was planted when I worked for an NGO in the cloud forests of Costa Rica. Having children really heightened my awareness of the increasing cost of our overconsumption. I felt a responsibility to our boys to invest my time, energy and skill set into shaping a better future for them. I decided that I would start, with small steps, and seek out better options wherever I could. It was a bit of an experiment, to begin with. I just went hunting for brands that offered alternatives that were either ethical, sustainable, natural, handmade, low waste, vegan, made locally, or social enterprises that gave back. I was looking specifically for interesting and well-designed products, that fit my urban-meets-coastal aesthetic, and were made with purpose.
What I discovered was an inspiring community of change-makers, innovators and artisans all dedicated to rewriting our future. However, the process of sourcing, researching and vetting the products and brands was time-consuming and I couldn't find one lifestyle platform that offered me what I was looking for…so I decided to create one myself. It's been an adventure since the day I started the business – a challenging, inspiring, uplifting, work-intensive adventure – that I wouldn't change for the world.
Related reading: Inside the Thrifty Wardrobe of A_C Official Founder Tessa Carroll
What does sustainability mean to you, and how do you practice it?
That's a great question and not always an easy one to answer because sustainability as a concept – and as a practice – is complex and ever-evolving. One definition that struck a chord for me early on is: Enough for all, forever. It speaks to the definition by the UN World Commission on Environment and Development that: "Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." The implication of this extends beyond just environmental factors alone into a complex intersection that also includes social and economic issues as well. Initially, I found this overwhelming, so I broke my approach down to work step by step at making better choices where I could and then expanding these into more and more aspects of my day to day life.
Personally, I've made a commitment to continuing self-education and self-improvement in this area. I do what I can in my private life and in our business to find alternatives that contribute to this ethos. For example, actively migrating everything from our energy provider, bank and superannuation to our toilet paper, household products and more, to companies that offer demonstrated commitment to ethical and sustainable practices.
Give us a sneak peek inside your home and tell us about any great pieces that you've upcycled or thrifted.
I'm obsessed with the vintage steamer trunk that we picked up from a second-hand store when we first moved in together. It has the address details of the original owner and has clearly had a few adventures in its lifetime! I bought it from Doug Up On Bourke, I can't remember how much it cost – we bought it more than 12 years ago and it's s travelled to every apartment and house we've lived in since.
Another of my favourite pieces is the Genisis Bowl that artist and interior design Ruth Levine created for me to celebrate the arrival of Banks into our lives. She formed a mould around my pregnant belly when I was heavily pregnant and then transformed it into a beautiful piece of art. The black and white pattern that covers the bowl was created using some photos that Ruth took of Melbourne street art – a little reference to the artist Banksy. Ruth's works are created by transforming and repurposing recycled materials into beautiful unexpected, handmade artworks.
On the bookshelf in our living room, we have an antique Underwood typewriter that previously belonged to my parents. I remember hiding Easter eggs in it as a kid. It's a beautiful nod to an era before computers and technology. It still works and is a testament to a time when things were built to last.
I have a wonderful Maywood Alaia 50/50 DUKE Surfboard that has pride of place in our living room. It was handcrafted in Burleigh Heads by the legends at Maywood as part of their AWARE Collection made using 100% recycled Australian paulownia and reclaimed cedar. Maywood is a Nash+Banks brand.
We have a number of stunning Kantha Quilts that we sourced when we were planning our wedding. Kantha (meaning 'patched cloth') is a traditional craft that originated in the Bengal region of eastern South Asia and captures a long history of making something useful and beautiful out of discarded cloth. I'm a total sucker when it comes to textiles that are upcycled, so these are like beautiful treasures that I will hold onto forever. We used originally to cover the bales of hay at our wedding and now they have been repurposed as picnic blankets and throws.
What is inspiring you at the moment?
I am continuously inspired by the innovation and leadership demonstrated by grassroots and youth-led organisations, local councils, communities and businesses in developing and implementing effective action on climate change.
The post Upcycled Homewares Inspo With Nash + Banks Founder Niccii Kugler appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Passionfruit White Chocolate & Cashew Cheese Cake appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Ser v e s 4
I NGREDIENTS
B ase
3/4 cup (110g) raw almonds
1/4 cup (50g) pistachios
1 cup (90g) desiccated coconut
8 Medijool dates (170g pitted)
1 vanilla bean, seeds only
3 tbsp of passionfruit seeds only
Pinch of salt
Cheese ca ke
440g cashews, soaked overnight
250g lemon and lime juice
250g homey, raw honey or agave
270g extra virgin coconut oil
2 vanilla beans, seeds only
1/2 tsp of salt
1 tbsp. each lime and lemon zest
1 3/4 cup passionfruit seedless pulp (approx. 6 passionfruit) reserve seeds for base
Garnish
200g block of good quality white chocolate, shaved (optional for lactose free)
2 small passionfruit, halved and placed on top
1 Tbsp. each of lime and lemon zest
METHOD
1 Soak cashews overnight in water, or pour boiling water over cashews and soak for two hours.
2 Remove passionfruit pulp and place in a bowl, microwave for 30 seconds on high, then strain through a fine sieve. Reserve the juice and seeds. Zest and juice the lemons and limes, set aside.
3 Line the base of a 26cm spring form cake tin with baking paper.
4 To make the base place almonds pistachios, desiccated coconut, dates, vanilla, passionfruit seeds ad salt in a food processor. Process until the mixture resembles a fine crumb and comes together when pressed.
5 Place crumb into the cake tin and press down evenly to form the base. Chill in freezer.
6 Melt the coconut oil in the microwave at 10 second bursts until it becomes liquid.
7 To make cheesecake layer, place drained soaked cashews, lemon and lime juice, honey, vanilla, salt, melted coconut oil and zest into the food processor. Blend until very smooth and well combined.
8 Pour half the mixture unto the cake tin and tap to level out the filling. Place in freezer to set for 1 hour.
9 In the meantime blend the other half of filling with passionfruit pulp until well combined. Then pour over chilled first layer, and set in freezer for at least 2 hours.
10 Prepare the garnish, using a vegetable peeler to shave white chocolate into ribbons. Cut passionfruit into halves
11 When cake is set remove from freezer, and with a wooden skewer release the edges of the cake before removing it. Scatter shaved white chocolate and zests around the centre of the cake and top with halved passionfruit. Enjoy frozen or chilled.
The Carousel thanks Passionfruit Australia for this recipe
The post Passionfruit White Chocolate & Cashew Cheese Cake appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Steph Adams Reveals the Biggest Mistake Bloggers Make appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Steph Adam's has worn a few colourful hats in her career. She has worked as an Art Director over Vogue Australia, Vogue Living, Net-a-Porter, British Vogue, Elle UK, Conde Nast Traveller, Marie Claire, and Harper's Bazaar UK. But it's been her blogging at www.stephadams.com that's garnered her the biggest fan-base.
So what's her secret to success? We pressed her keys to find out…
What was it like working on glossy fashion brands in London and Australia?
"They have all been different experiences. It was harder in London as it's a completely different climate, so this obviously effects the look and feel of the magazines over there. It's very different to the Australian magazines. Also, Europe is right at the door-step, so a lot of the shoots are in Paris (2hrs by train), Florence and Milan. They have a lot more coverage of celebrities as London is the heart and melting pot of the Fashion Industry."
Why did you move from magazines to online?
"At the time I was working at Gourmet Traveller as an Art Director in Sydney, when my now husband had come over from London and proposed, so it meant I had to move to the UK. I started my design studio, working for myself as a designer, while I built up more experience in London working also as a freelance designer for various magazines. It wasn't until I worked at Net-a-Porter [www.net-a-porter.com] as an Art Editor in London that I realised that online was the way forward. Don't get me wrong, I still love to read a good magazine though!"
Tell us about your website…
"My style is really classic and the readership ranges in age from 16 – 60+. I always try to post what I love. It ultimately came about from the set-up of Steph Adams Creative, where I'd post my client work, which covered all walks of life, from Beauty and Fashion to Lifestyle and Travel. It seems to have grown from there.
What's the key to your online success?
"Post what you love, be authentic and true to your own style."
Biggest mistake bloggers make?
"Posting always about themselves. Thinking that everyone can be a blogger."
How do you feel about bloggers posting undeclared 'reviews' for their advertisers?
"It depends if it's authentic or not. I think you can tell when it's genuine."
Blogs versus mags: WDYT?
"I think they should start working together. I attended a conference in New Zealand at the beginning of this year that talks more about how online is the way forward and the ones that keep their heads in the sand will only be left behind."
Do you make money from your website?
"Yes, through sponsorships, affiliates and collaborating with different brands."
Do you have staff to help with your site?
"I design, write and illustrate. I upload two-three times per week. I have contributors and a PR working for me."
The Future: What's next?
"The site is something I enjoy doing and that I'm passionate about. I'm really just taking one step at a time."
What's your secret to success? Tell us below!…
The post Steph Adams Reveals the Biggest Mistake Bloggers Make appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Coconut & Ginger Cheesecake appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>She says: "I love cheesecakes and have never been a fan of the New York-style ones that are baked. I much prefer the chilled ones, so here is a recipe that is great to make ahead and keep chilled in the fridge until you need it.
Make sure you buy creamed coconut, available in blocks or in individual sachets, and not coconut cream, as the latter contains too much coconut water and your cheesecake won't set. I've used a springform cake tin with a loose bottom, which you shouldn't need to grease with butter if it's nonstick, but you can easily prepare these individually in pretty glasses."
Serves 6–8
Prep time 15 minutes, plus chilling
Cook time 3 minutes
INGREDIENTS
50g (13/4oz) unsalted butter
200g (7oz) ginger biscuits, or use digestive biscuits with 1 tsp ground ginger
3 chunks of stem ginger in syrup, including some of the syrup from the jar
300g (101/2oz) cream cheese – I like Philadelphia
150g (51/2 oz) creamed coconut – the ones in blocks or sachets
250ml (9fl oz) double cream grated rind and juice of 1 lime
50g (13/4oz) coconut flakes or desiccated coconut, toasted (see My Secret, page 182)
METHOD
1 Gently melt the butter in a saucepan, then pour into a food processor with the ginger biscuits and stem ginger. Blitz until combined. Tightly press the crumbs into the base of an 18cm (7in) round springform, loose-bottomed cake tin and spread out so that it's an even thickness all over. Pop in the fridge to chill and set while you make the cheesecake filling.
2 Beat together the cream cheese, creamed coconut, double cream, lime juice and around 3 tablespoons of the stem ginger syrup, or more if you like it sweet. (If you happen to be using crystallized ginger instead and don't have any syrup, add some icing sugar to taste.) Spread on top of the ginger crumb base and put back in the fridge to set for a few hours.
3 When you are ready to serve, sprinkle the cheesecake all over with the toasted coconut and lime rind.
My Secret
I like to make speedy candied peel for sprinkling on top of the cheesecake. Cut pared lime rind into strips, remove any white pith and heat in sugar syrup for around 10 minutes. Carefully (because they will be very hot) strain the strips, roll them in caster sugar and allow to cool and crisp up. Store any extra in an airtight container for other sweet treats.
Recipe and image from Secrets From My Indian Family Kitchen by Anjali Pathak, Hachette Australia. On sale from the 12th of May, $39.99
The post Coconut & Ginger Cheesecake appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post All The Essentials You'll Need For A New Baby appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>If it's your first time on the pregnancy merry-go-round, your ears might already be ringing with loads of free advice from other people about what products you simply must have. But keep calm, take a few deep breaths, sit back and read our guide here where we tell you what are the essentials.
What kinds of clothes do newborns need?
Babies grow out of their clothes very quickly so only buy a few in each size at first. As far as sizes go, 000 is intended to fit babies from 0-3 months and size 00 is for babies from 3-6 months. Some bigger newborns might be ready to go straight into a size 00.
It's also a good idea to choose clothes for your newborn baby which are easy to put on and off and at the same time they're comfortable for your baby. Another great tip is to dress your baby in layers because if anything happens and the top layer gets dirty – no problem – you just take that layer off and you've always got a couple of spares in your baby bag.
Clothes should be comfortable, soft and easy to take care of. Stretchy jumpsuits that fasten at the front are best, as well as tops with envelope necks, which are easier to get over your baby's head. It's also important to look out for clothes with a low fire hazard label.Newborn rompers and jumpsuits should have this label.
Clothes made from cotton are a good choice. Cotton clothes will keep your baby cooler in hot weather than clothes made from synthetic fibres. Cotton also washes well and is gentle against your baby's sensitive skin.
Metro Baby has a beautiful range of organic cotton clothes including bodysuits, beanies, growsuits, onesies and a whole lot more.You can take a look at their full clothes range here.
How many clothes do newborns need?
You'll need plenty of changes of clothes because your baby can get dirty a few times a day.
Here's a guide as to what you'll need to see you through for a newborn baby:
- six singlets
- six jumpsuits
- two jumpsuits for nightwear
- three tops
- two cardigans or jackets (just in case)
- three cotton bunny rugs and three muslin wraps
- a couple of cotton hats
- a few pairs of socks.
Feeding your baby and introducing solids
As babies get older, they start to need solid food so they can get enough iron and other essential nutrients for all the growing they need to do.
For about the first six months of life, babies use the iron stored in their bodies from when they were in the womb. They also get some iron from breastmilk and/or infant formula. But babies' iron stores go down as they grow. And by around six months, they can't get the iron they need from breastmilk or infant formula alone.
Introducing solids is also important for helping babies learn to eat, giving them experience of new tastes and textures from a range of foods. It develops their teeth and jaws, and it builds other skills which they'll need later for language development.
Most babies start to show signs they're interested in food by around six months but it can be a bit later for some babies. It's not recommended you introduce solids before four months though.
Here's what you'll need both for breastfeeding and feeding some early solids for your new baby:
- Lots of bibs – including plastic ones
- Burping cloths
- Breast pump
- Bottles – including anti-colic bottles
- Breast pads
- Thermal bottle carrier
- Lots of dummies
- Plastic knife, fork and spoon set
- Nipple shields
- UV Sterliser
- Bowls, plates and cups with a suction cup
- Sippy cups
- Storage pods
- Food warmer
- Pacifiers
- High chair or nursing chair
Take a look here at the wide range of products for nursing and feeding your little one at Metro Baby.
When to give your baby a bath
Babies need baths only two to three times a week and it's nice to make it a special and exciting time for them. You can bath your baby at any time of the day and it's a good idea to choose a time when both you and your baby are relaxed and you won't be interrupted.
Some people recommend turning off your phone as it's dangerous to leave your baby unsupervised – even a few seconds – when they're in the bath. They can drown quickly in very shallow water so stay with them at all times. Also, make sure you use a thermometer or check the water temperature with your wrist to check it's OK for your baby.
If bathing relaxes your baby, you can use it as a way to settle your baby in the evening. Some babies sleep longer after an evening bath. You can bathe babies in a baby bath or the main bath in your home. Before bathing your baby, make sure everything you need is within your reach.
Here's what you'll need to bath your baby:
- Baby bath
- Sponge
- Bath toys – anything from a plastic cup to a rubber duckie
- Bath book
- Room and bath thermometer
- Wash cloths
- Towels, mini towel or hooded towel
- Bath rinser
- Non-slip bath mat
- Baby shampoo and baby oil
- Step stool for mum or dad
Take a look at the full range of Metro Baby's bath products here .
What you'll need for the nursery
You'll need a baby cot and it's a good idea to know you can reduce the risk of sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI) by sleeping your baby in a cot in the same room as you for the first 6 to 12 months.
You might need a fan or a heater as well to keep the room at a comfortable temperature. The safest place for a plug-in floor fan is on the opposite side of the room, away from your baby.
Here's a list of what else you'll need in your baby's nursery:
- Change table and change mats
- Cot and mattress
- Fan or heater
- Change table
- Nursing chair
- Small table
- Night light
- Cot accessories such as sheets, mattress protectors and blankets
- Toys, mobiles and stuffed animals to keep your baby company
For the full range of items for your nursery, look here at Metro Baby.
Other essentials for your baby
We've covered a lot of the items you'll need but here's a few more, including some extras for your baby's safety and health:
- Child car seat which meets the Australia/NZ standards
- Nappies – both cloth and disposable – you'll always need these
- Pram and/or stroller
- Carrier or sling
- Toys and games
To see the full range of learning toys and games from Metro Baby, visit here.
Metro Baby is Australia's one-stop online baby shop. With exceptional customer service, they stock a curated selection of specialty baby products from the most renowned and reputable brands locally and internationally.
For more from The Carousel about breastfeeding, visit here.
The A-Z Of Hipster Baby Names
The post All The Essentials You'll Need For A New Baby appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post 3 Easy Ways To Boost Your Mood With Healthy Food appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>There's no doubt about it: what we eat, has a direct impact on our physical health.
But did you know that those same choices can also influence your mood, mental alertness, memory, and emotional wellbeing?
"The food you eat can be either the most powerful form of medicine or the slowest form of poison"-Ann Wigmore
How eating affects your mood
Your brain needs a constant supply of fuel. That "fuel" comes from the foods you eat — and the quality of that fuel has an impact on how you feel and function.
What you eat directly affects the structure and function of your brain and, ultimately, your mood.
Food, emotions and food choice
The field of Nutritional Psychiatry is relatively new, however there are observational data regarding the association between diet quality and mental health.
With mounting evidence suggesting that as well as affecting our physical health, what we eat may also affect the way we feel.
The Gut-Brain Connection to Mood
Your gut reflects how you are feeling emotionally. If you're stressed or anxious this can make your gut slow down or speed up.
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that helps regulate sleep and appetite, mediate moods, and inhibit pain.
Since about 95% of serotonin of your serotonin is produced in your gastrointestinal tract, and your gastrointestinal tract is lined with a hundred million nerve cells, or neurons, it makes sense that the inner workings of your digestive system don't just help you digest food, but also guide your emotions.
Improving your diet may help to:
- Improve your mood
- Give you more energy
- Help you think more clearly.
Here are 3 ways to boost your mood with food – what I call "Happy Eating"
Step 1: Mood food awareness
The first and most important step is to understand your personal mood-food connection.
Start paying attention to how eating different foods makes you feel — not just in the moment, but the next day.
Keeping a mood-food journal can be very helpful in providing a clear picture of how your food choices affect your health.
For example: record the following in your journal
- Awareness of your food choices, why you make them
- Assess how you feel mentally and physically after certain meals
Step 2: Eat a Mediterranean diet
A five-year study of the Mediterranean diet, is among the first providing convincing evidence that you can directly alter your brain health by deciding to change what you put in your mouth.
This way of eating includes the following foods to enhance your mood:
Include healthy gut foods like: fruits, vegetables and wholegrains, beans, pulses, live yoghurt and other probiotics.
- Vegetables and fruit contain a lot of the minerals, vitamins and fibre we need to keep you physically and mentally healthy.
Include high-quality protein like: eggs, organic chicken breast, organic lean beef, fish-all types, turkey breast and legumes (peas, beans and lentils).
- Protein contains amino acids, which make up the chemicals your brain needs to regulate your thoughts and feelings.
Include healthy fats like: oily fish, poultry, nuts (especially walnuts and almonds), olive and sunflower oils, seeds (such as sunflower and pumpkin), avocados, milk, yoghurt, cheese and eggs.
- Your brain needs fatty acids (such as omega-3 and -6) to keep it working well.
Step 3: Make Smart Food Decisions
The aim here is to avoid decision fatigue when it comes to food choices.
Prepare the food yourself, so you can control the ingredients.
- Bring your lunches from home: this eliminates having to make decisions when you are hungry
- If you are going out to lunch or dinner, try and plan what you will have before hand and make this decision when you are not hungry
- Bring your snacks from home: fruit, nuts, protein bars, veggies cut up with hummus
When you eat "clean" you will be amazed at how good you feel not only emotionally but physically too.
I encourage you to start your "Happy Eating" plan today.
Now it's over to you……
- How will you eat today to reflect the way you want to feel?
Please post your comment below and share this article with some that may find it helpful.
The Carousel would like to thank Irena Geller for her contribution.
The post 3 Easy Ways To Boost Your Mood With Healthy Food appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Review: Nespresso Vertuo Carafe Set appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>To get started you might like to purchase the Vertuo carafe set including a glass jug, two glasses and some carafe pour-over style pods.
The box contains an instruction booklet, a glass carafe with a silicone lid and strap, and an extra-long silicon stirrer.
The attractive and modern glass carafe easily sits underneath the Nespresso Vertuo coffee machine. They were designed by the internationally acclaimed German artist Konstantin Grcic.
The strap is ideal for holding the carafe and pouring your hot coffee. You can pop the lid on if you'd like to keep your coffee warm or for later in the fridge. The stirrer is perfect to use with the glass and to stir in additional ingredients.
The carafe is made of double-walled borosilicate glass to ensure the right thermal insulation. Did you know these carafes are hand-blown, so each one is unique?
It's best to use the dedicated carafe pour-over style pods. These make 535ml of coffee, which equals 2 or 3 glasses.
The coffee pods have a clever barcode that lets the coffee machine know how to brew the coffee and adjusts the parameters.
Nespresso has created 9 additional blends to complement their 30 plus blends designed to work with Vertuo coffee machines.
You might like to try stronger double espressos, new decaffeinated varieties and blends which work black and with milk. Australians have a preference for flat whites, lattes and cappuccinos, so you'll be able to have a go at these at home.
- New to the Espresso range: Il Caffe (classic Italian espresso), Orafio (warm cereal and caramel notes), Toccanto (candied fruit notes and florals), Double Espresso Dolce (smooth double-shot).
- New to the Decaffeinated range: Altissio Decaffeinato, Fortado Decaffeinato and Melozio Decaffeinato.
- New to the Mug range: Inizio (toasted cereal and wild floral notes)
Look out for the popular Nomad travel mugs which are perfect for gift giving.
The Nespresso Vertuo Carafe is an innovative way to enjoy pour-over style coffee with friends or family while exploring some of the new blends.
The carafe set is dishwasher safe.
The carafe set (double-walled carafe accessory, silicone lid and stirrer) and 2 sleeves of 14 carafe pour-over style capsules are available from Nespresso online and in Nespresso boutiques.
The post Review: Nespresso Vertuo Carafe Set appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post How To Get Magnetic Eyes With Earth Colours appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>
When doing eye shadow, it is important to find the right shades that are ultra flattering and will enhance your eyes. Whilst it is true that certain shades match different eye colours, shades like the earthy warm colours of Trinny London's new mother earth range can look good on any eye.
Trinny London's Mother Earth Collection use's rich pigments from soft peaches to rich copper. They are build-able and blend-able, so you can control and match to your eyes and make them pop. Layer by layer, blend the soft hues to build allure.
Unlike other brands, Trinny eye shades are multi- purposeful by using moisture enriched formula with the precision of powder. By using your fingers, you can gently blend into your eye and apply with the ease of a cream for a natural, crease resistant and or smokey finish. For best results use two or more shades from this gorgeous collection. Personal favourites include Hope the soft golden peach shade and Truth, their warm caramel chestnut brown.
They come in little compact containers that easily stack upon one another for storage and you will also feel good using them knowing that they are cruelty free and vegan.
The post How To Get Magnetic Eyes With Earth Colours appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Crumbed Squid Rings Recipe appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>This Crumbed Squid Rings is a dish that's on every pub and club menu … sadly what's served often resembles greasy, deep- fried rubber bands! Wiping the membrane out of the inside of the squid tubes is the key to tender, rather than chewy, squid. The other important tip is to let the oil temperature recover between batches, or the coating will absorb too much oil and be soggy rather than crisp.
INGREDIENTS
1kg small Loligo Squid, cleaned
1 cup plain flour
Salt flakes and freshly ground black pepper, to taste 2 eggs, beaten
3 cups fresh breadcrumbs (see notes)
Vegetable oil, for deep-frying
Lemon wedges, for serving
METHOD
1 Slice the squid tubes into two or three sections, turn them inside out, wipe firmly with a clean, damp cloth to remove any membrane, then slice into rings. Cut tentacles in half.
2 Season flour well with salt and pepper and place in a bowl. Place egg in another bowl and breadcrumbs in a third bowl.
3 Dust squid in flour, shaking off any excess, then dip into egg, drain well and coat in breadcrumbs. Place on a plate, cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
4 Heat oil in a wok or deep-fryer to 180oC.
5 Deep-fry squid, in batches, for 1-2 minutes, until golden and crisp; drain on paper towel. Skim oil between batches to remove any loose crumbs.
6 Sprinkle with salt and serve with lemon wedges.
Notes: To make fresh breadcrumbs, pulse day-old bread in a food processor until finely crumbed. It's a great way to use up stale bread and you can keep them in the freezer to use whenever breadcrumbs are required.
Alternative species: northern calamari, southern calamari.
The Carousel thanks the Sydney Seafood School for this recipe.
The post Crumbed Squid Rings Recipe appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Banish Dark Circles Under Your Eyes With 7 Simple Steps appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Sadly some people suffer from this condition due to medical reasons such as anaemia, or as a result of a hereditary excess pigmentation.
But dark circles can also be caused by fatigue, allergies, dehydration or even lifestyle choices such as drinking and smoking or excess caffeine, salt and refined sugars.
The best way to eliminate this factor is to make sure you eat a healthy balanced diet and get plenty of rest.
Eating fresh produce, fruit and vegetables and nourishing meals with spices such as turmeric and ginger is very beneficial.
Drink plenty of water (room temperature) which aids the body and its digestive system. Cold water can actually inhibit optimal digestion because the body has to waste more energy on warming the temperature of the water.
Watch your salt intake and just use a small pinch of sea salt before meals or avoid altogether.
Drink plenty of hot water and lemon, it's a great way to start your day and also reduces your adrenal stress levels.
Once you have made these changes to your lifestyle you can then try these seven simple methods to say goodbye to those dark circles for good.
Celebrity nutritionist Kimberly Snyder and best-selling author has taken a deep look into what causes them and how to get rid of them.
Top 7 Tips To Banish Dark Circles
1. Place fresh cucumber slices or cooled green tea bags soaked in almond milk or rose water on your closed eyelids for a cool, refreshing treat
This will naturally help reduce inflammation around your eyes, relieving those ageing signs of fatigue.
2. Add more celery, collard greens, asparagus, and bananas to your diet.
Kimberly's second book, The Beauty Detox Foods, offers a detailed list of over 50 foods that will help you transform your body and uncover your naturally beautiful, healthy glow—and these are great ones to start with in combating dark under-eye circles. They balance important electrolytes such as potassium (it controls fluid levels in the body to lessen the puffiness around your eyes, which exacerbates the dark circles), while adding healthy fibre and essential beauty nutrients that help alleviate this specific issue.
3. Incorporate adaptogens into your routine
By definition, adaptogens are plants and herbs that boost your resistance to stress, anxiety and fatigue. Kimberly recommends a tea made from ashwagandha to help to relieve the stress in the body that is often a root cause of those nasty dark circles. The powerful adaptogenic herb, otherwise known as Indian ginseng, is so rejuvenating! Some other great adaptogens to add into your diet is maca, which you can add in a powdered form into smoothies, and tulsi, which you can also find easily in a tea form.
4. Take fresh, cool natural antioxidant water with you everywhere you go
Add some sliced orange, cucumber, lemons, or lime for extra vitamin C, to help naturally reduce inflammation and puffiness, and support your supple, healthy skin. And, bonus: It's a naturally flavoured, refreshing drink that you won't mind sipping all day long.
5. Make sure that you are getting plenty of rest
Your body goes into hard-core repair mode during a healthy sleep cycle, regenerating damaged tissue. Try to eat dinner at roughly the same time every night and follow an evening routine (shower, meditation time, evening elixir, whatever) to get into a regular cycle so your body "knows" it's sleepy time. (Kimberly does this with her four-month-old son and with herself. We all need routine!)
6. Make sure you use a good SPF30 non-nano zinc oxide sunscreen for sunny days
And don't forget to wear your dark glasses!
7. Take an excellent probiotic
Kimberly likes to use the SBO (soil-borne organism) varieties, which mimic nature and can survive stomach acid and implant in our gut. A balanced gut microbiome helps to support the absorption of B vitamins, which are also essential to beautiful, healthy skin all around.
The post Banish Dark Circles Under Your Eyes With 7 Simple Steps appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Herbal Stress Buster: Why Ashwagandha Is The Hot New Elixir appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>But there's one hot new potion that the celebs can't get enough of – the traditional Indian herb ashwagandha.
You'll find it in the trendiest beverage hotspots in LA, even in Gwyneth Paltrow's signature smoothie.
But what is it exactly? We asked plant expert and holistic nutritionist Anne Baker to lay it all out.
The benefits of ashwagandha
Anne says ashwagandha is a shrub with bright cherry-like fruit, although it's the roots of the plant that people most often ingest.
While it was originally sourced from India, it can grow anywhere as long as the climate is about 21 degrees, the soil is rich, and the sun is shining.
Generally speaking, adaptogens—the class of herb to which ashwagandha belongs—help protect the body against the effects of toxic stress, and that's definitely this shrub's primary benefit, Anne says.
She cautions that rigorous scientific studies are sparse (the natural herb lobby isn't exactly a thing—and if it were, they certainly wouldn't be rolling in the same amount of money as the big drug companies). But there is evidence that ashwagandha—which also goes by "winter cherry" or "Indian ginseng"—modifies cortisol levels and can have a balancing effect on glutamate, an excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain.
"Besides managing stress, it can help with chronic fatigue, insomnia, anxiety, mild obsessive compulsive disorder, restless leg syndrome, and fibromyalgia," Anne says.
All of which gets at one of the major potential benefits of taking ashwagandha: "In the Western world, [scientists] abstract the active ingredient in an herb, synthesize it in a laboratory, and use it in a drug that has a specific action—typically shutting something in the body off," she explains. "But when you use the whole herb, it can be used to treat many different conditions instead of targeting just one, like a drug does. [Herbs] support the body, as opposed to suppressing something."
How to take ashwagandha
Whether you buy ashwagandha as a tincture, capsule, or in powder form (all of which are effective), you want to make sure that what you're buying is legit, she says.
She recommends doing your research and sticking with a reputable company that clearly explains where its ashwagandha comes from.
In tincture or powder form, ashwagandha can be slightly bitter, which is why a lot of people like to mix it in a smoothie (a la Gwyneth) or with some almond milk and a little honey.
When should you notice a difference?
Don't expect to pop an ashwagandha pill and feel all of your stress magically dissipate. It's a tonic, not a medicine, adds Anne, meaning you'll only notice the results after taking it daily for at least a few weeks.
"It greatly varies from person to person when the effects manifest, because it also depends on personal lifestyle habits as well as the potency of the ashwagandha they're taking," Anne says.
The post Herbal Stress Buster: Why Ashwagandha Is The Hot New Elixir appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Edward Meller's Yael Star Talks About Her Love Of Shoes appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Congratulations – Celebrating 40 plus years in business is no small feat (excuse the pun!) What has been the most fulfilling part of your journey?
The most fulfilling part has been working alongside my father for the last twenty years and watching the business grow, change and evolve with the ever changing market and being able to remain both successful and relevant.
How difficult is it to succeed as a woman in retail?
I don't think It is any more difficult for a woman than a man to succeed in retail. An individual's drive, passion and hard work not their gender will most often determine success. I do think that women often face a unique set of challenges; personally for me it has been finding the balance between being a mother and wife and pursuing my career.
Would you say Women love Women run business?
I think as women, of course, we appreciate businesses run by other women because we know just how hard it is to juggle a work and home life.
Can you tell a woman of style by her shoes? Why are shoes such an important part of a woman's outfit?
Shoes are the key to completing an outfit. The wrong shoe can destroy the look completely, no matter how beautiful the dress etc. might be. Shoes alone can transition an outfit from day to night; casual to chic. Someone's footwear choice is an insight into someone's style and tastes from daring to conservative.
Where do you get your inspiration? Tell us about your trips to India.
Our inspiration comes from the streets of Europe and New York Taking these inspirations and then interpreting them for the unique Australian market is key.
India is an amazing place to visit. It's so full of life; the people are so lovely and the craftsmanship is astounding. It's the fun and creative part of the job where we get to play with colour and material and build the product from scratch.
What part of your job do you enjoy the most and why? Is it the creating, merchandising or marketing?
The creative parts of the job are by far my favourite. However, I really enjoy doing a little bit of everything. It keeps me challenged. I also love spending time in our stores selling the product we create and curate to our loyal customers. There's immense satisfaction in seeing something go all the way from conception to realisation and then home with a happy customer.
https://www.edwardmeller.com.au/
The post Edward Meller's Yael Star Talks About Her Love Of Shoes appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Bondi Rescue's Anthony 'Harries' Carroll Shares His Top Sun-Smart Tips For Kids appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>But when they're out and about in the harsh Aussie sun together, 'Harries' also knows he can't drop his guard for a second.
Here, he shares his top 3 tips for ensuring his boys are always happy and protected.
1. Make sunscreen a daily habit
I apply sunscreen to my kids every morning. I talk to my three-year-old about the importance of not getting burnt and how sunscreen is protective. He likes to rub it in himself and knows that we can't play outside until his sunscreen is on. Leo wears sunscreen without any problem. We have had no reaction whatsoever. Teaching them about sunscreen and helping them to rub it in together and learning to be sun smart are an excellent way to avoid fussy kids moments. Being in the sun all day is part of my job as a Bondi Lifeguard, and it has made me very conscious about being sun safe. I am always on the lookout for the newest and best sunscreen available.
2. But let them feel like they're calling the shots
I take them shopping to choose their own hat that they want to wear – sometimes half the battle is that they just want to pick it themselves. In summer we wear hats everywhere. At the beach, we set up an umbrella so the kids can be in the shade, but still be able to make sandcastles.
3. Vitamin D deficiencies can happen to anyone
A year ago I was diagnosed with having very low vitamin D. It came as a real shock because naturally, I thought the one vitamin I would not be lacking is the "sunshine" vitamin, vitamin D; no-one spends more time in the sun than me! I started using Solar D because I need to remain 100% sun safe but needed to improve my vitamin D. My last visit to the doctor proved I was back at a healthy level, and I have not been sunburned once.
Check out his instagram.
The post Bondi Rescue's Anthony 'Harries' Carroll Shares His Top Sun-Smart Tips For Kids appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post 5 Hottest Careers For Beauty Enthusiasts appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Here are the 5 hottest beauty careers which are particularly lucrative at the moment.
Microblading
Permanent makeup has been all the rage lately. There's a range of procedures that result in permanent and semi-permanent makeup looks: lip blushing, eyelash extensions, cheek blushing, micropigmentation for the face, micropigmentation for the scalp…
The best way to earn significant amounts of money would be to master all these techniques and offer your clients the whole range of services, but you gotta start somewhere. The best stepping stone towards a successful permanent makeup career would be microblading – an eyebrow styling method similar to tattooing. The procedure itself involves drawing thin lines between the natural brow hairs, modifying the shape of the eyebrow and filling it in. Using extremely thin microneedles, organic pigments are injected into the skin between the dermis and the epidermis (not as deep as tattoo ink).
Of course, this is not a simple technique and you need a training, such as a high-quality PhiBrows training and a certificate in order to become a microblading artist. Luckily, many cosmetology schools now offer training courses (some are even online) which last around two days and provide you with theoretical knowledge on the procedure, preperations and aftercare, as well as practice on props and live models. The price of these courses is around $3000, but bear in mind that this is the only investment. You can start working from home without any additional expenses, and you'll pay it off in no time – the price of a two hour session starts at $250, and as you gain experience and make a name for yourself, you can raise your price up to $800.
The results of microblading last up to two years, so you can also count on returning customers.
Dermal Therapist
Skincare is the most profitable branch of the beauty industry; people of all ages and genders take care of their skin. Skin treatments are particularly popular at the moment and there are countless procedures out there. Although they are not quite dermatologists, dermal therapists are extremely busy.
The procedures a dermal therapist offers are non-invasive: microdermabrasion, pulsed light treatments, chemical peels, skin needling, photo rejuvenation etc. Of course, training is mandatory. There are different courses available in beauty and cosmetology schools that provide you with knowledge and training necessary to start working. Skincare clinics are popping up everywhere, you'll find a job in no time.
Makeup Artist
This is a classic, but it's still worth mentioning. Makeup artists are always in demand, especially during prom and wedding season. Best part is, you can start working without any formal training. Of course, you need to have experience, know the products and keep up with new techniques, as well as have good communication skills.
Initial investments might be significant, though. Makeup can get expensive and in order to be prosperous, you need to have all the necessary products in all shades. But once you buy your initial kit, you'll soon be making enough to expand it further.
Soap Making
Natural cosmetics are making a comeback. More and more people are turning to hand-made, traditional cosmetics instead of chemical infused drugstore products, especially people with sensitive skin or during pregnancy.
Colourful soap bars, glittery bath bombs and scented bath salts are flying off the shelves. The trick is to make your product look appealing and it's bound to sell. If you have education in chemistry, making cosmetics might be the most profitable way to cash it in.
Dog Grooming
Pets have been around forever, but lately, they are getting crazy amounts of attention. Dog grooming has become an extremely profitable career. Owners are willing to pay large amount of money for trims and washes, as well as dog outfits (there's another idea!).
There are no defined formal education requirements to become a dog groomer, it's enough to love animals and practice, practice, practice.
The Carousel would like to thank Tilly Grant for her story. Tilly is a beauty blogger from San Francisco with the addiction to healthy lifestyle and non-toxic beauty products, as well as everything beauty related. She has been in the beauty and makeup industry for years and loves to give tips based on her experience.
The post 5 Hottest Careers For Beauty Enthusiasts appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post How To Get Celebrity Skin appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The 'photo facial' is a fast and effective way of removing the ravages of time without surgery.
The "photo facial," is a special laser-like skin treatment that can rid you of ruddy cheeks, shrink pores, diminish age spots, reduce broken capillaries and spider veins and assist with sun damage to get you camera ready just in time for holiday photo ops.
An IPL ( Intense Pulsed- Light ) Photofacial delivers a bright blast of light at very high energy levels through a hand-held device.
Photo facial is by no means new, the treatment is, however receiving renewed interest for being fast and practically painless which is great for time (and cash )poor ladies.
The number of IPL photo facials you need will vary depending on the condition you're treating, the results you want, and how your skin responds. Photo facials work best in conjunction with a regular skin care routine that you develop with your beautician.
For many people, this time of year is when your skin looks its worst. Leftover weather damage from the winter months can leave skin looking red, mottled and dull.
Post-treatment you will see marked improvement in the overall look and texture of your skin which will continue over time.
Most clients have no downtime, and makeup can be applied immediately after to cover any residual redness.
The post How To Get Celebrity Skin appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Find Out What Kim & Kanye Ate At Dan Hong's Restaurant appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>I don't cook at home. My wife cooks at home. But sometimes I cook on the bbq. I like to let the produce speak for itself. I cook very simple things. Last time I cooked some wagu rump on the bbq with some nice fat asparagus. I served the steak with wasabi mayonnaise.
Can you reveal any secret foodie locations in Sydney?
Is anything secret anymore? Out in Western Sydney for people who don't go out West. Fairfield, Canley vale and Cabramatta have the most authentic South East Asian food you can eat. I love going to Fairfield for Laotian food.
I think Laotian food is an untapped cuisine that people don't really know about. But you gotta love the funk to enjoy Laotian food. It's like Thai food but with using things like fermented crab.
Biggest mistake?
Is always not remembering to taste. It's something so simple that can be the difference between a good and a great chef. As chefs, we can often forget this, and it's doesn't matter how beautiful your dish looks, it all comes down to the flavour. It's the reason why people keep coming back to your restaurant.
Who inspires you most and what dish did you love the most?
Ramen Ikkyu, chef, Harunobu Inukai are awesome. I am also inspired by Chase Kojima from Sokyo who does an awesome Okonomiyaki. Obviously David Thompson is the master, and his stir-fry was great with the fried egg. Anything with a fried egg on top is delicious.
Your mum owned and operated restaurants. What inspired you to be a chef, was there a moment when you thought, I want to be a chef ?
There wasn't a moment to be honest, I just didn't know what I wanted to do and my mum suggested I become a chef. I grew up around restaurants, but I never thought of being a chef. I really enjoyed cooking at home and my mum suggested I become a chef. My passion really came when I became an apprentice, learning new things from chefs above me.
Which cooking school did you attend?
The Hotel School at the Intercontinental, which doesn't run a cooking course any more. Usually apprentices go to Tafe once a week and work full time. I was lucky to do school for 6 months full time. I did all my theory first and then went and worked in restaurants. That's how I came to work in so many restaurants.
What inspires you when you are creating a new recipe?
Everywhere, could be going to another restaurant, eating street food overseas, eating on the street in China town, or going to my mum's house for dinner. I'm really inspired by everything I eat.
Am I right in thinking you spend your holidays in Asia looking out for new food experiences?
I go to Asia when I can, I go to Indonesia too, as my wife is Indonesian and we like to visit her family. I went to China, that was really cool.
What's the weirdest flavour combination in your cook book?
There's a dish that has pig's ear and tripe, but that's not really a weird combination. There's nothing too weird in the book because, I have tried all these weird combinations at Mrs. G's. And even though I might like them, the general public don't, so they don't make it onto the menu.
So can you tell us what weird flavour combination do you think tastes really great?
I like blue cheese and chocolate together. One time I did a flourless chocolate cake with blue cheese ice cream, I used gorgonzola and I thought it was delicious. But it was a bit too weird.
It's a dream for many chefs to work with Justin Hemmes. What have you learnt from him?
That he knows what diners in Sydney want. He has a midas touch when it comes to knowing what people want and being ahead of the game in terms of restaurants, style, atmosphere and vibe.
So you must know what people want to eat?
I don't know what people want! I'm just lucky that people like my food.
The public has an insatiable appetite for new food, new flavours. What trends do you see in the near future?
I think Middle Eastern and Turkish cuisine are next. They are popular now but the next step is to make an up market restaurant, with a good wine list and great vibe.
What are you craving right now?
A sandwich or a ban mih, (vietnamese pork roll.)
What did Kim and Kanya order when they came to your restaurant?
They had chicken wings, a few dim sum, some pork dumplings, chicken dumplings, pork ribs, fried rice. Kanya came twice, which was pretty cool, I guess he liked the chicken wings!
Hang over cure?
Mc Donald's breakfast.
Try some of Dan Hong's amazing recipes below…
Mr Hong's Famous Lotus Ice Cream Sundae with Raspberries & Honeycomb
Mr Hong's Lotus Cheeseburger
Fried Chicken with Kimchi Mayonnaise
Mr Hong by Dan Hong (Murdoch Books) $49.99 is available now.
The post Find Out What Kim & Kanye Ate At Dan Hong's Restaurant appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post 9 Healthy Recipes From Award-Winning Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Kamalaya Co-founder and Chief Wellness Director Karina Stewart, who is a Master of Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine, takes pride in the delicious detox food served and has over the years personally ensured the meals are both tasty and packed with goodness.
It's this attention to detail that has helped Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary & Holistic Spa win multiple awards such as 'Best Overseas Health & Wellness Retreat'for the fourth time inLuxury Travel Magazine's Annual Gold List Awards.
Best known for its range of wellness programs, Kamalaya offers a wide choice of activities to help you attain a healthy lifestyle spanning from Sleep to Fitness.
Kamalaya is also well known for its healthy cuisine, and to create a little taste of Kamalaya at home, here are our favourite detox recipes to try at home…
9 Healthy Recipes
Detox Pumpkin Soup
Try this healthy detox pumpkin soup, here.
Try this Delicious Yum Som-O Recipe From Kamalaya
Click here.
Mung Bean Risotto
Popular among all the Kamalaya guests is its famous Mung Bean Risotto Recipe. Click here for the recipe.
Detox Pumpkin Curry
Kamalaya's Healthy And Delicious Detox Pumpkin Curry, click here to try out the recipe.
Zucchini Spaghetti with Curry Pumpkin Sauce
Kamalaya Zucchini Spaghetti with Curry Pumpkin Sauce dish is full of vitamins, minerals and anti-oxidants to keep you healthy. Try it out here.
Beetroot Tartare
You can't go wrong with this easy-to-make Beetroot Tartare dish. Check it out here.
Gluten-Free Quinoa And Chia Bread
Try making your own detox bread. This recipe is easy to make, check it out here.
Kamalaya's Green Detox Salad
Perhaps the easiest of them all, you can't go wrong with this detox salad by Kamalaya co-founder Karina Stewart. Check it out here.
Kamalaya Green Detox Juice
If its an antioxidant-packed drink, then this elixir of goodness is made for you. Click here for the recipe above.
Read The Carousel Publisher Robyn Foyster's story about her trip to Kamalaya and tips to help you change bad habits.
For more information on Kamalaya, click here: Kamalaya.com
https://thecarousel.com/travel/kamalaya-wellness-retreat-what-you-need-to-know-before-you-book/
The post 9 Healthy Recipes From Award-Winning Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post How To Achieve The Perfect #Onfleek Brow appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Want to get the look but have no idea where to begin?
Bella Baker and Lily Benoit joined The Carousel team to go on a mission to find the perfect product for beginners:
The 'Goof Proof Brow Pencil' is exactly what the name suggests, and the ideal starting point for brow beginners. It has been designed to gradually deposit colour and only adhere to the hair, making it truly 'Goof Proof' and stress free.
Pencil? Gel? Wax? Powder? In a world of so many options it's easy to get confused, but we've got you covered on what's what:
The Pencil: use this for a low maintenance brow look and for ease of application. Benefit has the 'Goof Proof' and 'Precisely, My Brow' pencils in a range of colours for all brow shades.
The Wax: use this to add structure and intensify the shape and look of your brow. You can find a wax product in the 'Brow Zings Eyebrow Shaping Kit'.
The Gel: use this to add texture to your look. Available in 'Gimme Brow' and 'Ready, set, brow!' as well as the 'Ka-brow' cream-gel.
The Powder: use this to create definition in your brow. Benefit's 'Brow Zings Eyebrow Shaping Kit' also features a powder product.
When choosing which product is best for you: 'customise your brows to suit your personality and lifestyle'.
THREE EASY STEPS TO BEAUTIFUL BROWS: THE DO'S AND DON'TS
Everyone wants the beautiful brows so here are three simple and easy steps to achieving this, for all brow types:
- Leave your brows to the professionals! Hannah says to avoid tweezing and trimming your brows by yourself at all costs and make use of the experts. If you do choose to tweeze your own brows, make sure to avoid the 'no go zone' (above your natural line) like your life depends on it.
- Invest in an eyebrow tint. An eyebrow tint is a super easy way to make your brows look like they have more hair and in turn, appear thicker and fuller, and who doesn't want that?
- Buy one to two brow products to start creating your desired look – try to find options that have long wear power and are easy to use. The Goof Proof Brow Pencil has a 12 hour waterproof formula which retails at $42 and comes highly recommended.
Tips To Go From Day Time To Play Time By Changing Up Your Brows
Benefit Australia's National Brow Artist Hannah Terrett recommended for your day time look, stick to your pencils and powders for a simple, light look. She added: "To step this up when transitioning to 'play time' invest in a cream to wax formula which will allow for more colour, structure and an overall bolder brow look."
And there you have it: tips to achieving the perfect brow from Benefit's Pink Palace in Sydney.
The Carousel would like to thank Bella Baker for her article.
The post How To Achieve The Perfect #Onfleek Brow appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Yummy Pear, Avocado And Rocket Bruschetta Recipe appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Serves 2
INGREDIENTS
4 slices sour dough bread
1 ripe avocado
1 ripe Packham pear, quartered, cored and sliced
1/2 cup baby rocket leaves
50g shaved parmesan
lemon wedges to serve
METHOD
1 Lightly toast the sour dough bread if desired. Roughly mash 1/4 of the avocado onto each slice and season with a pinch of salt.
2 Top with slices of pear, rocket leaves and shaved parmesan. Grind over black pepper and serve with lemon wedges.
The Carousel thanks Rediscover Australian Pears: Volume 2 cookbook. Buy the book here.
The post Yummy Pear, Avocado And Rocket Bruschetta Recipe appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Kamalaya Detox Juice Recipe appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Coconut water contains electrolytes, making it a natural hydration beverage for hot climates and post-exercise training. It also aids in reducing fevers, calming the nervous system and emotional imbalances, and flushing the liver. It is a potent detoxifying agent, which neutralises toxins in the blood
Makes approximately 350 ml (1 serve)
INGREDIENTS
Coconut water 300ml
Fresh pineapple juice 50ml
Basil leaf 5g
METHOD
Place all ingredients in a blender with a few ice cubes and blend on medium speed until well mixed (around 30 seconds).
Kamalaya as a multi award winning wellness sanctuary and holistic spa on the tropical southern coastline of Koh Samui offering inspired healthy cuisine alongside a choice of tailored wellness programmes including detox, weight loss, stress & burnout, sleep and personalised yoga.
Want to age beautifully? Read Kamalaya Co-Founder, Karina Stewart's top tips for health ageing here…
The post Kamalaya Detox Juice Recipe appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Top 10 Must-Do Experiences In Scenic Queenstown, New Zealand appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>
Showcased below, to whet your appetite, are some of our top recommended Queenstown outdoor experiences, scenic vistas, and fantastic food and wine things to enjoy.
For snow bunnies, a winter ski trip with your family at The Rees Hotel which is located near four top ski fields and whose 5-star concierge will arrange all your ski, rental and spa arrangements before you arrive.
The Rees Hotel's William Rees Explorer Package is an unforgettable Queenstown experience with panoramic views.
Nestled alongside the pristine waters of Lake Wakatipu, The Rees Hotel has a private jetty which gives you exclusive access to jet boating, golf transfers, and fishing excursions that the lake has to offer.
Queenstown is the base for a huge range of extreme (or soft) adventure activities including bungee jumping, jet boating, white water rafting, and skydiving.
Queenstown is a popular golfing destination and one of the city's most spectacular golf courses.
Try the delicious cuisine at the Rees Hotel's award-winning True South Dining Room which specialises in seasonal dishes created by executive chef Corey Hume.
Queenstown is the ultimate bike riding destination with a variety of scenic trails, quaint historic towns, soaring mountain peaks, and epic views around every corner.
Queenstown's boutique wineries are worth a visit.
Hike towering mountain ranges and explore Queenstown's scenic trails.
Photo credit: Destination Queenstown
The post Top 10 Must-Do Experiences In Scenic Queenstown, New Zealand appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post A Very 'Brady' Girls' Weekend Away In Gourmet Christchurch, NZ appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Cindy was quick to point out she was looking for a husband, Jan was looking for adventure, whilst Marcia was keen to try some of New Zealand's famous gourmet treats and wineries. Christchurch has rebuilt itself after two devastating earthquakes. The first in 2010 and the more lethal earthquake which killed 185 people, in 2011.
A super fast three hour flight across the Tasman sees us tucked up in our Novotel beds at 1am. Ever responsible Marcia forgets her toothbrush, but the Novotel are able to deliver one promptly to her room at 1.30am. The 200 room hotel is everything you expect from a Novotel, clean, comfortable, friendly and efficient.
Christchurch is a city rebuilding, reinventing, recycling and rejuvenating, so parts of the city centre are still rubble, making it easy to park amongst the empty sites which are dotted with amazing pop-up artworks, murals, and mini gardens.
Wherever you look, Christchurch is recycling. From shopping centres made out of shipping containers to the Anglican Cardboard Cathedral. Made from cardboard, an amazing architectural design feat and well worth visiting.
Cardboard cathedral and one of the many murals in the city
Christchurch restaurants and bars:
C1 Espresso Cafe serves up fabulous cafe style food and a signature blend coffee amongst the modern, recycled, industrial style interiors, which used to be the old post office. Owner, Sam Crofskey, tells how he has come back from the devastation of losing his cafe and home, to creating a welcoming cafe for everyone of all ages to come and connect. At night they serve burgers and curly fries delivered to your table through an uber cool tube system. On the top level there is a beehive and vineyard, and Sam has plans for a boutique eight bedroom hotel above the cafe. For Marcia, Sam embodies the true spirit of the new Christchurch.
The new Christchurch is slowly creating interesting, innovative pubs and restaurants. Revival Bar is a great place to have a drink and socialise with the friendly locals who warm themselves by outdoor fires under the counters. The interiors are filled with recycled finds and furniture made of old televisions and train seats. After a quick gin and tonic we step next door for some Latin American flavours at Tequila Mockingbird. We all order the most thirst quenching margaritas, Marcia and Jan take a chance, and spice it up with the salt and chilli rimmed version – the perfect combination of sweetness and heat. Our slow cooked pork shoulder arrives and it is truly melt-in-the-mouth, whilst the Wakanui beef cheeks in red wine and chocolate silence the table – a difficult thing to achieve with a table full of women.
The fresh produce markets are a real treat and are reminiscent of our Brady childhoods. Lolly stalls, fresh cakes, pastries, fresh coffee and a wonderful warm village atmosphere complete with bicycle riding mintsrells. Be warned the donut stand is highly addictive.
Friendly market stallholders
Shopping! The Tannery, Food & Brewery, Beauty & Fashion:
What's a girls' weekend without some shopping and pampering? We stop in at The Tannery in Woolston and meet owner, Alasdair Cassels, who describes the old Christchurch as a "shrinking dinosaur". After 20 years of council rejecting his development plans, the earthquake has breathed new life into town, allowing him to build a wonderful shopping and eating destination. "High St labels now have a home outside of the city centre" and he has modelled the 60 shop development on Sydney's Victorian Strand arcade. We discover new and established fashion labels such as Trelise Cooper and Karen Walker, a cool second hand shop, gifts, as well as fabulous food providores. There is even a tattoo shop, should Jan really want to cut loose.
The Tannery has its' own brewery and the world's only wood-fired kiln, made of zinc. The restaurant serves up a delicious selection of pub food, which goes well with a few glasses of the KariKari Estate Calypso Chardonnay. In true girls weekend style, we indulge in some beauty treatments at the purpose built, Beauty at The Tannery. The Brady girls are so relaxed and charmed with Kiwi hospitality, that Cindy performs a few animal yoga poses in between pedicures. Lucky for Cindy, there is no photo evidence.
For more shopping visitReSTART and Rekindle
Wine tasting and Gourmet Platters abound:
Our journey to the alpine village of Hanmer Springs is (conveniently) delayed by a some wine tasting and lunch at Pegasus Bay winery. Our pitstop at one of the best wineries in New Zealand involves tasting beautiful whites and reds and then enjoying a typical ladies lunch of share platters in picturesque scenery. Our prevailing thought? It's going to be hard to go home.
Pegasus Bay winery, lunch is served!
Black Estate winery, just outside of Hanmer Springs, is the perfect place for the modern wine buff. We are greeted by a naughty little cat called Bluey, who leads us into a contemporary black, barn-like cellar door and restaurant. The Black Estate label started in 2007, but their wine is produced from 20 year-old vines. They are known for their dry riesling, which gets drier every year, and they only produce wine from the grapes they grow. The 60 seat restaurant boasts spectacular views of Hanmer Springs, and they not only deliver on wonderful wine, but the food and service is also brilliant.
If all this modern wine and food sounds indulgent and expensive, never fear, Black Estate can create generous platters with local produce. A two-pack bottle of riesling for under $50 makes a perfect gift for those back at home. Be warned though, this restaurant gets booked quickly and people are turned away, as we take our seat.
If you wish to book ahead, email: Rita wine@blackestate.co.nz
For the Thrillseekers, Christchurch and surrounds offer many different adventures from quad bike riding, rafting, jet boating and of course bungy jumping. We headed down the gorge on a Jet boat and everyone was keen for this adventure, except for Cindy, who enjoys a quiet coffee whilst enjoying New Zealand's natural mountains. Each to their own!
Picturesque New Zealand
Hanmer Springs – A Perfect Alpine village:
The Brady Bunch would be right at home in the alpine village of Hanmer Springs. Just an hour and a half out of Christchurch, this is the perfect place for a winter family holiday. Affordable accommodation at the Heritage makes this easy for families to eat, sleep, ski and indulge in the thermal pools and spas across the road. Carol and Alice can have a kiwi style beauty treament or massage, while the kids pool hop from the various waterslides to the 38degree spa. If this all seems too cold for you, try warming up with a modern style Indian meal at Malabar.
Hanmer Springs thermal pools (above)
Anne Marie Cummins travelled to Christchurch as a guest of Christchurch Tourism.
For more information: http://www.christchurchnz.com/destinations/
The post A Very 'Brady' Girls' Weekend Away In Gourmet Christchurch, NZ appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Rebecca Gibney Talks About Anti-Ageing And Her Beauty Secrets appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Who is your beauty icon in Australia and overseas?
Like a lot of women, I think that Cate Blanchett is extraordinarily beautiful. Cate is not flashy, she is extremely elegant and sophisticated, a natural beauty, someone who cares about her appearance and skin.
Another actress I admire is Meryl Streep, she is not afraid to age and she is doing it gracefully. She's willing to take risks and look the part in her films and then always looks regal and gorgeous on the red carpet. This is a woman who is not trying to look younger, she is just trying to maintain who she is as she ages, which I think is a really fabulous way to do it.
What do you use to take off your stage makeup after shooting?
I use the Olay Regenerist Revitalising Cream Cleanser and a hot towel. I then use the Olay Regenerist Advance Cleansing System Specialist cleaning brush – it works really well at lifting everything off.
When we can travel again, what are your tips for surviving long haul flights?
As soon as I get on the plane and have settled I remove all my make-up. It's important to stay hydrated so I try and drink lots of water, I also eat very lightly. I like to apply an Olay Regenerist Facial Treatment Mask (once everyone has fallen asleep). Then just before I land, I apply a really good moisturiser.
What's in your makeup bag?
• SPF 30 – I put this on in the morning but also carry it with me in my bag in case I need to reapply throughout the day
• A really good lip balm
• Eye lash curlers – half way through the day they are great for waking up the eyes
• Powder – to remove any shine as the day goes on
• Blush – depending on whether it has worn off
When I'm not shooting I like to keep things natural to give my skin a bit of a rest, but I refuse to go out the door without mascara on!
Favourite fragrance and why?
I go through stages. L'Occitane has some beautiful citrus fragrances which I really love. I'm also partial to the original Marc by Marc Jacobs, it was my go to for a long time. At the moment I am wearing Dot by Marc Jacobs – it has a really fresh scent.
Who is your Favourite fashion designer?
My favourites are Max Mara and Bianca Spender, I own a lot of their pieces. I also love Victoria Beckham, she has such an incredible style – I just love her designs! And I love Carla Zampatti. She was always stylish and classic.
What beauty treatments do you get?
I recently tried Pelleve Treatment for the first time, about three or four weeks ago. I do get regular monthly microdermabrasion and facials and as a luxury treat I love a hot stone massage.
What is your can't live without anti-ageing product
Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream, I use it every night – it's fantastic! The SK-II Facial Treatment Essence is great too; it is my go to toner, morning and night.
Do you have a favourite beauty expert?
Not really, I am always looking for new products and treatments, like most women I am always flicking through magazines to see what's new out there. My make-up artist at work, Deb Lanser, always has great advice and often shares tips and tricks with me. Other than that #mybeautifulmum has always been a great source of beauty advice, she was the one who introduced me to Olay or Oil of Ulay as it was known back in the day.
What are your 5 must have cosmetic products
1. Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream
2. Eye Lash Curler
3. A good lip balm
4. Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting UV Cream SPF 30
5. Hair brush and styling mousse
Favourite lip colour
My favourite lip colour at the moment is Chantecaille Lip Colour in Camellia, it's a nude colour. But my colour preference changes daily, a few nights ago I went to the opening night of Strictly Ballroom and I wore a red lip – Ultraflesh Fusion in Bombfire, it was a really great red.
Are you a heels or a flats person?
In my every day life, I am a flats person – it's about comfort. But when I am going out I love a heel – after all you can't beat a fabulous frock and heels to make you feel like you can take on the world. Also if I have an important meeting I will always wear a heel.
Who is your favourite male actor?
In the old days I loved Spencer Tracey and Peter O'Toole and people of that era, I grew up watching all the oldies with my mum. These days it's actors like Colin Firth, people that have an amazing acting range. I also like Sean Penn, he has great ability and is incredible to watch. In terms of Aussie actors I can't go past Hugo Weaving, I could watch him do anything.
What is your beauty mantra
I have a very holistic approach to beauty, I think that hydration, exercise, and good skincare are all important factors when it comes to looking your best.You can't expect to look beautiful on the outside if you're not taking care of what's on the inside.
What is your life mantra?
It is pretty simple really – live in the moment!
The post Rebecca Gibney Talks About Anti-Ageing And Her Beauty Secrets appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Kamalaya Energy Salad appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Baby spinach 5g
Rocket leaf 5g
Baby cos 15g
Garlic oven dried 1g
Ginger julienne 3g
Avocado small cubes 15g
Wakame fresh 15g
Wolfberry 5g
Sunflower seed 5g
Millet meal 5g
Asian pear, peeled, small cubes 25g
Green oak 10g
Red oak 10g
METHOD
1. Combine the baby spinach, rocket leaves, baby cos and the green and red oak leaves until evenly distributed in a bowl.
2. Once the salad leaves have been mixed together place in a serving dish and top with the avocado cubes, ginger, fresh wakami, wolfberry and asian pear. (Cubes diced 1cm by 1cm work well for the avocado and asian pear).
3. Lift the salad gently to allow the added ingredients to disperse before sprinkling the oven dried garlic, sunflower seeds and millet meal as a final topping.
4. Serve with balsamic vinaigrette, apple cider vinaigrette and our wasabi dressing.
Kamalaya as a multi award winning wellness sanctuary and holistic spa on the tropical southern coastline of Koh Samui offering inspired healthy cuisine alongside a choice of tailored wellness programmes including detox, weight loss, stress & burnout, sleep and personalised yoga.
Want to age beautifully? Read Kamalaya Co-Founder, Karina Stewart's top tips for health ageing here…
The post Kamalaya Energy Salad appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post 4 Ways to Get The Killer Look With Minimum Makeup appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>There is something truly liberating and empowering in letting your true colours shine through, so board the minimal train with us and master the art of a killer look that entails so little makeup, you'll be left surprised.
The foundation of flawless complexion
When your primary goal is not to hide and cover up imperfections, but actually fix what can be fixed and embrace the rest, the emphasis inevitably lands on great skincare. If you haven't been paying attention to the skin that's been in dire need of some love and pampering, it's high time you started.
Cleansers, face washes, great moisturisers with high SPF (nothing less than 20 should make the cut), serums, masks and regular but gentle exfoliation are the key to a skin that has nothing to hide. When choosing your 'weapons' make sure they're suitable for the battle – dry skin needs a different regimen than oily or acne prone. Once your skin is in spick and span shape, all you really need is a bit of coverage that can be found in a sheer foundation with minimum coverage or a great BB cream, if that's more your cup of tea. The point is, once the skin is prepped and pampered, it doesn't need much to shine.
A little colour goes a long way
Never underestimate the power of a great blush. As one of the makeup artists extraordinaire Pat McGrath says: "Blush! It's the fastest way to create the illusion of those high cheekbones we all lust after." Beyond glass-cutting cheekbones, blush also gives us that healthy and plump look that the no makeup trend is all about. Choose something with a bit of shimmer, that way your blush can serve as a highlighter as well and bring that dewiness we know you crave.
There are two things to bear in mind when working with blush – one, make sure you pick the shade that best suits your skin tone, and two – one or two sweeps across the cheeks are enough – you want to look naturally plump and not like you're in a high school play. 
Eye batting lashes
This is a feature every girl in the world wishes she had – lashes for days. Of course, mascaras that promise amazing results and then end up delivering a hot clumpy mess are definitely not helping us achieve that goal.
However, there is an answer to our prayers and it lies in the miracle we call eyelash extensions. Now you can turn to companies like Sydney Eyelashes and get those naturally full and curly eyelashes that will stop traffic while looking completely natural, of course. The best part is – they're customised to your needs and desires, and once you get them, you're all set for two weeks minimum. Minimum effort – maximum effect!
All about the pout
Second only to the eyes, your lips are one of your most prominent features, and they should be treated with the utmost care. Lip exfoliation is crucial to getting that plump, (dead cell-free) kissable pout, so the first thing you want to do is show those lips some love with gentle but effective exfoliation.
Bonus round
Always brush and fill in the banks (if there are blanks to be filled) when it comes to your brows. Don't overdo them (that's a natural look no-no).
However, the most important thing you need to put on before you leave your home every morning is your pluck and your confidence. It may seem corny, but it's true – without confidence a smile and a whole lot of positivity, there's no conquering your fears or the world. Love the skin you live in – it's the only one you have.
Read also How To Achieve The Perfect Brow
The post 4 Ways to Get The Killer Look With Minimum Makeup appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Dr Ginni Mansberg: What Women Really Need To Know About Menopause appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Not only did they lose their periods and premenstrual tension (something that should have been an enormous relief ), but many felt that they lost their femininity, too. With unpredictable hot sweats, grey pubic hair and dried-out vaginas, they often felt unattractive and useless.
What possible value did they have? Besides caring for their elderly husbands and doing free babysitting for the grandchildren? So when the 1980s rolled around and millions of women started taking the all-new hormone replacement therapy medication (HRT), the promised 'elixir of youth', things started looking up for menopausal women.
Not only were they free of hot flushes (and remarkably free of wrinkles, too), but they were simultaneously riding high on a feminist revolution. This came courtesy of the trailblazers who had fought for their access to universities and career jobs, and the contraception that meant they didn't have to care for a dozen children.
Plus the hairdressers who allowed them to banish grey hair, and the lawyers who got them out of marriages they didn't want to be in anymore. Not to mention the social security that meant being single wasn't a one-way ticket to the poor house.
Menopause meant finally letting go of the angst and self-doubt that had plagued them as younger women, and being ready to enjoy the next phase of their lives, a bit calmer, a bit sexier and a bit more financially secure than their mothers had been at the same stage.
But, as in all good stories, there was a twist. This is the tale of how one misguided press release, from a study claiming to be something it wasn't, triggered a feminist own-goal and saw the 'elixir of youth' rebranded as 'a potentially deadly beauty treatment' overnight. It was a moment that killed off a vital industry and led to an avalanche of suffering for millions of women.
The early termination, in 2002, of the Women's Health Initiative independent science over misogyny and the profiteering of drug companies from women's insecurities. The headlines blared that HRT was not the panacea for natural ageing but instead, they claimed, it caused breast cancer.
Overnight the use of HRT plummeted: women threw their pills in the bin; governments put out warnings; lawyers started suing; doctors refused to prescribe HRT and then lost the know-how to do it; and pharmaceutical companies rolled down the shutters on their women's health divisions.
So, women were told that hot flushes and painful vaginas weren't such terrible symptoms to endure. Suck it up, Princess, they were advised.
Menopause Societies around the world tried to protest . . . Stop. You've got it wrong. The WHI has been misinterpreted. But their voices were too soft and their messages came too late. Women had lost agency and had lost choice. By the time the next bomb exploded, in the form of a review published in the medical journal The Lancet, further emphasising the HRT–breast cancer link, the collective women's health movement shrugged.
Here we go again!
How did all this happen?
I have worked in news rooms. I understand how tough it is to explain the findings of a study, when you have just an hour to digest the press release and script the results, next to nobody to interview and another story to be written at the same time. I don't blame the journalists. But doctors let women down: from the authors of the WHI, who knew that the conclusion of the study and its accompanying press release were wrong, yet waited many years to set the record straight; to the peak bodies, who saw the study findings for what they were but were too timid to push back hard against the harmful messages, choosing instead to shout into their own tiny menopause echo-chambers.
Pharmaceutical companies let women down by being so easily beaten into submission, pulling up stumps and walking away from women's health altogether.
But times, they are a-changing. Menopause seems to be having a little #MeToo moment. Finally, in the era of #TimesUp, women are standing up for themselves and each other. An unexpected side revolution has been the desire to take back the power around menopause.
Let's all be a part of that movement.
The Carousel would like to thank Dr Ginni Mansberg for this extract of her book "The M Word How To Thrive In Menopause". In part two, Ginni delves into some surprising statistics about menopause.
Published by Murdoch Books.
The post Dr Ginni Mansberg: What Women Really Need To Know About Menopause appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Flight Attendant Makeup Tips And Beauty Tricks appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>I don't know about you, but I always go sans-makeup when it comes to boarding long-haul flights. However, I've always admired the flight staff that have to look their best on the job, no matter what time of the day it is.
I spoke with Margaret Lai, Flight Purser (read: head flight attendant) of Cathay Pacific for her best beauty tips. If there's anyone that knows about flying, it's her – she's been part of the in-flight crew for 7 years, and flies mainly the Hong Kong to New York/Toronto route, which takes about 16 hours.
Step 1: Start with a base.
"I have really dry skin, so I often tackle this with a rich moisturiser or hydrating mask before I board," explains Lai. "I also wear SPF at all times, even on board, because being in-flight doesn't make you less prone to the effects of the UV rays."
"We're encouraged to wear loose powder on top of liquid foundation so it stays on longer. We also have to wear blush at all times, and are encouraged to wear colours that flatter our skin-tones and uniforms."
This clever compact houses a long-wearing liquid foundation and sponge so you can top up any time of the day. Try Estee Lauder Double Wear Makeup To Go.
Step 2: Add eye makeup.
"Eyeshadow must be applied at all times," continues Lai. "The colours we use must comply with the grooming standards laid out by Cathay Pacific, such as black or brown mascara or eyeliner. Natural looking false eyelashes may be used. For nails, we can have colours ranging from red, pink, nude, to traditional French manicure."
This mascara ticks all the boxes – it adds volume, lengthens and lifts in one swipe. Try Revlon Ultimate All-In-One Mascara.
Step 3: Pucker up with lippie.
"As per our grooming standards, lipstick must be worn at all times. Lip gloss may be used on top of the lipstick but must not be used alone. Pale colours such as nude as well as extreme colours such as dark purple are not acceptable."
Go bold (or go home) with a striking red lippie that will stay on for up to eight hours. Try Max Factor Lipfinity Long Lasting Lipstick in Just Deluxe5
Step 4: Style your hair.
"Long hair must be tied back neatly into a bun or secured at the nape of the neck. If you have short hair, it must be kept well-maintained, neat and tidy at all times. Natural curly hair is allowed but any hairstyle that is spiky, frizzy, shaggy, tight spiral perms, ragged and uneven ends are not acceptable."
"We also have strict rules on hair colour. It must be natural hair colour ranging from dark brown to black. Dyed hair must be kept in the same even colour tone, meaning no highlights and ombre style. Hair colour that has turned to grey naturally can be kept as grey or dyed back to the original colour."
Your bun has never looked more sleek with this nifty tool. Try Scunci Bun Maker
Margaret's top beauty tips…
Waterproof is the way. "I always use an eye primer and waterproof products to ensure my eye makeup lasts the distance."
Forget about glitter. "Any cosmetics we use, such as blush, eye makeup or lip colours, can't contain glitter or sparkles."
Prep your lips for a long-lasting colour. "I always prep my lips with a moisturising lip stain and then outline lips with a lip liner, slowly drawing into the centre of the lips. Then, apply lipstick evenly with a lip brush and blot lips for the first time. My tip is to top lips with a thin layer of translucent powder using a sponge, before applying a second layer of lipstick with a lip brush. You then blot the lips for the second time and apply a final layer."
The post Flight Attendant Makeup Tips And Beauty Tricks appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Mr Hong's Korean Fried Chicken Recipe with Kimchi Mayonnaise appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Here Dan Hong shares his recipe and tells us why he loves fried chicken.
I really like Korean fried chicken and will visit any place in Chinatown if there's the slightest possibility it could be good. Korean Fried Chicken (KFC) influenced this recipe.
Serves 4
INGREDIENTS
Marinade
300 ml (101⁄2 fl oz) Shaoxing wine
3 tablespoons salt
1 tablespoon sugar
2 garlic cloves, finely grated
1 teaspoon finely grated ginger
Coating Mixture
100 g (31⁄2 oz/2⁄3 cup) wheat starch
100 g (31⁄2 oz/2⁄3 cup) plain (all-purpose) flour
100 g (31⁄2 oz) cornflour (cornstarch)
100 g (31⁄2 oz) rice flour
3 tablespoons onion powder
3 tablespoons garlic powder
Kimchi Mayo
100 g (31⁄2 oz) kimchi (store-bought)
300 g (101⁄2 oz) Japanese mayonnaise
The Spatchcocks
2 whole spatchcocks (poussin), cut up into wings, breasts, thighs and drumsticks
vegetable oil, for deep-frying
2 tablespoons spicy salt
METHOD
Marinade
Whisk all the marinade ingredients together in a bowl until the sugar and salt dissolve. Put the chicken pieces in a bowl, add the marinade and toss to coat. Cover with plastic wrap and leave to marinate for at least 4 hours. Overnight in the fridge is even better.
Coating Mixture
Mix everything together in a bowl until combined.
Kimchi Mayo
To make the kimchi mayo, purée the kimchi in a food processor until smooth. Transfer to a bowl, add the mayonnaise and whisk to combine. Set aside.
The Spatchcocks
Fill a deep-fryer or large heavy-based saucepan one-third full with oil and heat to 170°C (325°F) or until a cube of bread dropped into the oil turns golden in 20 seconds. Remove the chicken pieces from the marinade and cover each piece in the coating mixture until it feels dry. Deep-fry in batches in the hot oil for 5-6 minutes, or until the skin is golden and crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon, drain on paper towels and sprinkle with spicy salt. Serve immediately with the kimchi mayo.
Recipe and image from Mr Hong by Dan Hong (Murdoch Books) $49.99 available now.
The post Mr Hong's Korean Fried Chicken Recipe with Kimchi Mayonnaise appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post In-flight Essentials: Perfecting Your On-Board Survival Kit appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>I am always updating it with new arrivals and my latest finds are sitting primed and ready for take off.
First and foremost I am obsessed with wipes and the Palmer's Moisturizing Facial Wipes are not exception.
They fit the bill, as they are double sided: one side cleanses and the other lightly exfoliates; they also remove waterproof mascara as well as moisturise; almost too good to be true.
Next in line, and weighing in at just 30mls, is Palmer's Cocoa Butter Perfecting Facial Oil.
And for touch down, a handy little tube of Palmer's Color Correcting CC Cream with SPF 15 is the perfect lightweight base to smooth out skin tone and give a much-needed boost to tired looking skin.
The post In-flight Essentials: Perfecting Your On-Board Survival Kit appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post How To Beat Insomnia: The Perfect Back Pose appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>
In our latest wellness video, Amy Molloy learns a yoga pose which will help her to 'rest and digest', all in the interests of beating insomnia.
Wellness Expert Amy Molloy joins yoga teacher Vicki Smart from Preshana yoga in Sydney to learn simple a pose to lull her back to sleep, and she won't even have to get out of bed to do it.
Now shop the video:
Amy wears: In the Flow crop pants, Ebb to street bra and singlet. Vicki wears: In the Flow pants and Cool Racerback Tank, both Lululemon www.lululemon.com.au
The post How To Beat Insomnia: The Perfect Back Pose appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Kamalaya Zucchini Spaghetti with Curry Pumpkin Sauce appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>A nutrient dense pasta-free spaghetti (the zucchini is the 'spaghetti') with a pumpkin based sauce. Rich in fibre, vitamins A, C, the B group vitamins and carotenoids; and minerals: iron, magnesium, manganese, copper, zinc, phosphorus and potassium.
These nutrients are immune boosting and anti-inflammatory and will help to protect you from colon cancer, heart disease, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. It's also great for controlling blood sugar levels and promoting healthy digestion.
Serves 2
INGREDIENTS
Zucchini 150g
Pumpkin, peeled 200g
*Young coconut water 300ml
Curry powder 1g
**Paneng curry paste 5g
Raisins 8g
Small cauliflower rosettes, blanched 50g
Garlic, finely chopped 1 clove
Shallot, finely chopped 1 piece
Mint (fresh), chopped 5g
Lime juice 5m
Sea salt pinch
Black pepper, to taste
*You can use vegetable stock if coconut water is not available. You could also use a combination of the two. **To make your own detox-style Paneng Curry Paste, look for the recipe in the Extras section at www.kamalaya.com/recipes
METHOD
1. Use a mandolin to cut the zucchini into strips for the 'spaghetti' (not too fine). Cut the pumpkin into thin slices.
2. Sauté the pumpkin in a little coconut water for about 30 seconds, then add the curry powder and paneng curry paste along with the rest of the coconut water (or stock) and simmer until the pumpkin is cooked through (about 5 minutes).
3. Remove from heat, allow to cool slightly and then blend for 40 seconds on a medium speed. Season with salt, pepper and the lime juice.
4. To prepare the zucchini, heat a little water or vegetable stock in a frying pan and sauté the garlic and shallot until it is simmering, then add the zucchini strips (add a little more water or stock if necessary). When the zucchini is cooked al dente, add the pumpkin sauce and the blanched cauliflower, stir through. Finally, add the raisins and mint, stir through and remove from heat.
5. Serve garnished with a little extra mint.
Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary & Holistic Spa was named "Worldwide Health & Wellness Destination of the Year" at the 2017 World Spa & Wellness Awards Kamalaya is situated on the tropical southern coastline of Koh Samui offering inspired healthy cuisine alongside a choice of tailored wellness programmes including detox, weight loss, stress & burnout, sleep and personalised yoga.
Want to age beautifully? Read Kamalaya Co-Founder, Karina Stewart's top tips for health ageing here…
The post Kamalaya Zucchini Spaghetti with Curry Pumpkin Sauce appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Pamper Your Skin With The Best Of Jurlique's Latest Range appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Jurlique's botanicals are grown in a farm in South Australia using biodynamic farming techniques which are free from pesticides and any of the nasties. Founded thirty years ago by Ulrike and Jurgen Klein, who were ahead of their time given the trend now towards clean beauty. The same could be said of their clear focus on sustainability as their farm has sent zero waste to landfill since 2016 and they've planted 12,000 trees since 2012.
That's why this Australian product has always been a favourite of mine, and I particularly love the rose mist sprays and the oils.
Jurlique's Latest Range
Jurlique Smoothing Body Exfoliating Gel
Jurlique Smoothing Body Exfoliating Gel's secret ingredient is a Walnut shell powder which helps gently remove dead skin cells. It's infused with Rosa Gallica Flower Extract that hydrates and smoothes your skin.
Cost $48
Jurlique Smoothing Body Exfoliating Gel 200ml
Jurlique Softening Rose Body Cleansing Cream
Jurlique Softening Rose Body Cleansing Cream has a rich creamy texture and contains botanical oils including Macadamia Oil which helps keep your skin moisturised. The formula is soap-free and has a beautiful rose scent.
Cost $36
Jurlique Softening Rose Body Cleansing Cream 200ml
Jurlique Rose Body Oil
Jurlique Rose Body Oil contains Safflower, Macadamia and Jojoba Oils which helps to hydrate your skin. The added benefit is you can also use the product as a luxurious massage product.
Cost $65
Jurlique Rose Body Oil 100ml
Jurlique Daily Exfoliating Cream
Starting your day with a good exfoliation is the best way to invigorate your skin. The Jurlique Daily Exfoliating Cream is a blend of oats and crushed almonds. There's also Macadamia and Sesame Seeds in the formula and potent antioxidants.
Cost $60
Jurlique Daily Exfoliating Cream 100ml
Jurlique Moisture Replenishing Day Cream
Jurlique Moisture Replenishing Day Cream is a highly nourishing face cream which keeps your face hydrated throughout the day and contains wonderful ingredients such as Shea butter and beeswax as well as chamomile, calendula flower and organic oils such as Jojoba, avocado and safflower.
Cost $89
Jurlique Moisture Replenishing Day Cream 125ml
The post Pamper Your Skin With The Best Of Jurlique's Latest Range appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Adrenaline Fuelled Trek Around New Zealand's North Island appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>After flying into Auckland, a friend and I picked up a Volkswagen Passat wagon. We had a two-and-a-half hour drive to Tauranga ahead of us.
We arrived in Tauranga late in the evening. We were quick to settle into the hotel, deciding on an early night, as the wedding was the following day.
The wedding itself was beautiful, of course and the bride arrived in style in a split-screen Kombi. There was some need for a slow morning recovery on the following day, but after that was done, it was time to explore.
Mount Maunganui is spectacular. You can climb to the top and admire the view, or do as we did and relax at Mount Hot Pools at the base of the hill and look up at it. The hot pools are warm and incredibly salty, but also very therapeutic. Brilliant for sweating off a hangover, as it turns out.
It was easy to spend a couple of hours marinating in this gorgeous location, chatting to the locals who enjoy going to the pools regularly. The great thing about talking to local residents is that they know more than many tourist websites will ever reveal. When I mentioned we were looking for the most impressive waterfalls in the area we were told to head out of town to Omanawa falls.
After driving about 45-minutes out of town, we eventually found the unsigned entrance to the track. Unfortunately, due to safety concerns, the full track was closed but luckily there were more falls nearby. We spent the afternoon bushwalking and checking out McLaren Falls and the surrounding area. As you would expect in New Zealand, we did find some sheep wandering around one of the national parks.
Day three was "Action Day" and involved another absolutely spectacular drive, travelling 64km to Rotorua via State Highway 2, State Highway 33 and State highway 30. Quad biking and clay bird shooting were on the itinerary and we were excited to arrive at Adventure Playground Rotorua where both activities were on offer.
High school trigonometry comes into play as you need to work out the speed and trajectory of the clay pigeon on the fly. Body braced against the kickback, I fired the first shot and smashed the bright orange target.
I managed to hit quite a few during the first round, but I could feel my arms getting tired and was actually quite relieved to finish up and move on to the next activity.
The nerves faded quickly but the adrenaline rush continued to build as we were put through a safety briefing ahead of a quad bike tour through the rainforest.
This would be the climatic end to this action-packed day.
After getting a feel for how the quad bikes responded to brake and throttle inputs, we hit the track and followed a steep path down into a deep gully. We were smacked in the face with large overhanging leaves as we climbed up a hill to an amazing lookout spot. We only briefly took in the view before heading back down into the muddy trenches.
Navigating the ruts was tricky, and tackling the steep parts and sharp corners called for steady hands on the brake and throttle. Like any good off-road adventure, there were times we had to stop and assess the best path to navigate through water or around obstacles.
Of course we got bogged but unlike cars, quad bikes are light and all you need is a couple of brawny blokes on hand to lift it back on track. Our guide had a bit too much fun flicking up mud and dirt with his quad, covering us as we followed behind him. I was digging the dust out of my nose for hours.
That night we headed back to Auckland to grab a few hours sleep before an early flight. The drive back was relaxing, even as our muscles began to seize after the physically intense shooting and quad biking experiences .
The post Adrenaline Fuelled Trek Around New Zealand's North Island appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Best Burger Recipe Ever – Mr Hong's Yummy Lotus Cheeseburger appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>To make this recipe properly, you will need a mincer attachment for your food processor. If you don't have one, you can ask your butcher to help you out.
Serves 5
INGREDIENTS
The Patties
400 g (14 oz) grain-fed beef brisket, top layer of fat removed
400 g (14 oz) grain-fed beef chuck, excess fat removed
200 g (7 oz) dry-aged beef fat
The Caramelised Onions
50 g (13⁄4 oz) unsalted butter
3 large white onions, thinly slice
1 tablespoon brown miso
The Rest
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
5 slices of American-style processed cheddar cheese
10 smoked bacon slices, about 10 cm (4 inches) in length
5 soft sesame seed hamburger buns, 13 cm (5 inches) in diameter
Japanese mayonnaise (Kenko brand)
3 large gherkins (pickles), sliced on a mandolin to 2 mm (1⁄16 inch) thick
Heinz Tomato Ketchup
METHOD
For the patties, slice the brisket and beef chuck into nice long pieces that will fit inside the mincer. Transfer the slices to a bowl and put in the freezer for about 1 hour, or until the meat has just started to firm up. This will prevent the meat and fat from getting too hot and melting when going through the mincer. Carefully feed the meat through the mincer, making sure to alternate pieces of brisket, chuck and fat.
Put the mix in the fridge to firm up for 1 hour. Moisten your hands with a little vegetable oil, divide the mixture into about 5 x 140 g (5 oz) patties and flatten them out evenly between your hands. Make sure each patty is about 5 mm (1⁄4 inch) wider than the diameter of the bun because they shrink when cooked.
For the caramelised onions, melt the butter in a shallow saucepan over a medium heat, then add the onions and a pinch of salt. Cook over a medium heat, stirring continuously until the onions have softened and cooked down to a dark brown colour.
Add the miso paste and gently stir it through until well combined. Transfer to a container and keep warm.
Preheat a chargrill/grill plate to high for the bacon. Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F/Gas 4). Meanwhile, to prepare the hamburger buns, place a bamboo steamer on top of a saucepan of simmering water over a medium-low heat.
To cook the patties, add a little oil to a large frying pan over a high heat. When the oil starts to smoke, season the patties on both sides with a little salt and place gently in the pan. Fry for about
2 minutes on one side and then flip. Cook the second side for 30 seconds. The patty should develop a nice brown crust.
Top each patty with two slices of cheese, cover the pan with a lid and leave for 1 minute on the heat, which will melt the cheese. While the patties are steaming, grill the bacon on both sides until nicely charred, but not crispy. Soften the hamburger buns in the bamboo steamer for about 30 seconds.
To assemble the burgers, put a tablespoon of Japanese mayonnaise on the bottom half of a bun, smoothing it out evenly with the back of a spoon so it covers the entire base. Spread with an even layer of caramelised onions, then add a cooked patty, cheese side up.
Arrange two slices of bacon side by side on top of the cheese, then place the gherkin slices on top in a single layer that covers all areas of the patty. Finally, top the patty with ketchup, starting from the middle and moving in a spiral direction working towards the outside. Finish by putting the bun top on top. That's it.
Recipe and image from Mr Hong by Dan Hong (Murdoch Books) $49.99 available now.
The post Best Burger Recipe Ever – Mr Hong's Yummy Lotus Cheeseburger appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post The End of Anti Ageing As We Know It? appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>According to Google the most skin related searches are not questions about anti-ageing but rather more of the quick fix answers that require the here and now . 'How to get rid of acne?'' topped the list, for instance, and this is quickly followed by 'How to get clear skin?' and 'How to get rid of bags under your eyes?'
Could this be a social media driven obsession we are looking good right now? A 30 year old woman will have more photographs taken of herself in a day than her mother would in a year, so she clearly cares what her skin looks like now not in 10 years time.
The latest news hot off the press in London is the FACE GYM. The focus is on fast fix facials. Cleansing, Face masks and the new technique of massage to give your face a hard work out.
Quick fix facials put more focus on immediate results. Use of collagen face masks and peels are the choice of Millennials. The slow move away from eternal,youthful perfection to a spirit of positivity, confidence and psychological and emotional health are the buzzwords of the ever growing beauty industry now.
Skincare innovation is following in kind and Hyaluronic-acid-heavy and anti oxident packed formulations which make for softer smoother complexions are booming alongside UVA and UVB sun protection.
The post The End of Anti Ageing As We Know It? appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post 7 Lessons Netflix Show Bridgerton Teaches Us About Love appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Does love and romance like Daphne and Simon still exist?
Was love easier then or now?
Is the reality of gossip, lies and scandal more entertaining than fiction?
Bridgerton has millions of fan for its alluringly charming, filled with attractive and diverse leads, and oh-so-prone to scandal. But while we've been swept up in the pomp of dating in regency London, have you stopped to consider how much it holds a mirror to our own experience of modern love?
Yes – it turns out when it comes to love we're not all that dissimilar from the Daphne's and Simon's of the world, albeit without the lavish lifestyles and fancy dress. From the timeless ways we express love to the gossip and lies that still run rampant, Louanne Ward, Australia's leading matchmaker, and dating expert, shares seven modern love lessons to take away from the binge-worthy series.
- Love hasn't changed, but the way we court has.
Love is love, and no matter the era, we still love the same. From physical touch to affectionate compliments and wanting to spend all our time together when we're in love we all fall into the same behaviours and have done so for centuries.
What has changed is how we obtain it. While in the Bridgerton days courting was a formal, impersonal, transactional process, we now court, and 'hook up' with, hundreds of potential love interests with the swipe of an app. We've swapped handwritten love letters for non-stop texting (often with more than one option' on the go). We leave our options open and our emotions closed – playing hard to get is now a way to flirt, and in the modern competition for love, attention is the prime commodity, rather than regal status.
Yet simultaneously, we face different challenges. While Daphne was a virgin before marriage and a sexual past considered dishonourable, fewer modern relationships follow the same tradition of abstinence. And while sleeping with women out of wedlock was acceptable for men, modern times in many cases continue to cast judgement disproportionately over women who do the same.
Indeed, the fundamental feeling of love remains universal, but Bridgerton teaches us that in the 21st century its conventions are far removed from those of our ancestors.
- We still, keep up appearances.
Just as love is love, humans are humans. This means whether it's the goings-on in the Bridgerton and Fetherington's families, or stalking your ex's latest fling on Instagram, we just can't resist peeking into other people's lives. We've been judging and gossiping about others since the beginning of time, while keeping up our own appearances, too. Instead of hiding behind frocks and jewellery we now outwardly express the best parts of our lives via social media profiles showcasing lavish lifestyles, holidays and filtered images. Meanwhile, the challenges and turmoil that happens behind closed doors remain just as secretive, ensuring we only show people what we want them to see. No longer waiting for the "gossip rag" reminiscent of Lady Whistledown's publication we now have minute by minute access through digital and social media to scandals, gossip, and tragedy not forgetting reality TV in the mix, all making us more blood thirsty for the perfect disaster of other people's lives.
And when it comes to dating, we follow suit. Not dissimilar, the Bridgerton era sees grand gestures and money as the ultimate show of status. Meanwhile in modern dating, we bring carefully curated dating profiles, large social circles, and designer threads to the table. In both centuries, it's only natural to expect we'd want to present the best version of ourselves to a potential partner – the only difference is what that 'best version' looks like.
- Vulnerability is not weakness.
We all know 'that' honeymoon scene. Where, despite being married just hours earlier, Daphne feels Simon does not love her. She begins second-guessing worrying she pushed him into marriage, wondering why he won't speak to her or show affection. At the same time, Simon is contemplating the same. If only they'd speak their minds.
Yet once they finally communicate and express their feelings, they both acknowledge they 'burn' for each other – showing the power of vulnerability. All it takes is for one person to let their guard down to allow the other to do the same. In turn, Simon and Daphne were able to comfort each other, deepen their connection, alleviate their tension and let's not get started on the sex. This scene teaches us that no matter the social situation, being brave, stripping away the facade and opening up can take us out of 'fight or flight' to allow us to truly listen to and express our feelings
.
- You can't build love with lies and betrayal.
Your parents probably told you a thousand times that the truth is better than a lie, but the adage rings true to this day: honesty is the best policy. If only Marina Thompson had followed this, too.
Of course, it's human nature to lie, especially to avoid pain and seek pleasure. Marina's secret pregnancy triggered a string of lies, deceit, betrayal and manipulation. Capturing the heart of Colin Bridgerton, luring him into a trap motivated by self-preservation without foresight of consequences. The revelation of the pregnancy was not the cause of a broken romance. When Lady Whistledown published the truth of the unwed mother to be it was not the shame to the family that caused Colin to break the engagement. His revelation to Marina that had she been honest he would have married her regardless was evidence that the truth sets us free. Unaware she was betrayed by her trusted friend Penelope Fetheringham motivated by a secret crush it opened Pandora's box for many viewers who've experienced the backfire of a lie and the sting of betrayal.
In modern courtship, the same rule applies. Even lying on a dating profile is a recipe for disaster – with many matches able to know more about you than your great aunt before the first date (thanks to the internet, of course). Embellishing your account, filtering your appearance, or telling a small white lie about your age or height, albeit seemingly trivial, means you could break the trust from the start. This makes it far harder to begin a healthy relationship and, as we learnt in Marina's case, means you risk ruining it from the get go with the right person altogether.
- Resolve past issues
Whether it's the petticoat she wears or the way he's always on his phone, there will always be quirks about our partners we dislike. But issues left unspoken can quickly escalate into significant long-term problems that can destroy your happiness and your relationship with the ones you love.
For example, Simon's bitterness towards his father and a vengeful deathbed promise nearly cost him his relationship with Daphne (and his chance to be a father himself). It proves no matter the grievance the energy, turmoil, and negativity wasted harbouring resentment toward another hurt you more than them. This teaches us how crucial it is to address past pains, work to reconcile them in your own life and forgive the past rather than hold onto it.
- Loves knows no boundaries
Good looking.
Money.
Social status.
They've got it all… right?
From how close they are to the throne to the number of friends on Facebook, we're all still drawn to particular social, vocational and materialistic traits (both in present and past times). But these surface-level attractions are not the foundation for a long-lasting relationship, as Daphne Bridgerton proved.
Prince Friederich may have had it all on paper, but Daphne knew her heart belonged to Simon, even sacrificing her desire to have children believing he couldn't. True love looks beyond the romanticised idea of the person and into true compatibilities like core values, emotional connection and life goals. Simon and Daphne's story teaches us that in a modern world where we judge love interests based on a 150-word profile, taking the time to get to know someone beyond their photos can open us up to new opportunities with people we would've initially never even considered!
- Love is a decision
Every person, no matter when they were born, is given the power to choose who they give their love to. Even today people marry for reasons beyond love or learn to love someone they never intended to. When Daphne was disclosing to her mother her plans to separate from Simon due to their poor communication and his dishonesty, Lady Violet reminded her of this by sharing the reason her late husband (Daphne's father), made the marriage work was because of their decision to love each other every day, despite the trials they faced.
From the 19th century to the 21st, every relationship will face challenges, and it, therefore, becomes a choice to commit to riding the tough times (and embracing the good times). Ultimately, we decide who we do and don't give our love to and in turn accept that the people we choose to love won't always make us happy or live up to our expectations. It becomes a choice to look beyond the negatives, put effort and value into the relationship every day and commit to the good, and the bad.
From the over-the-top costumes, diversity of characters and the awareness of old-fashioned courtship, Bridgerton has taken a timeless topic and stolen the hearts of a modern generation of single women, single men, and couples alike. Among the lessons it teaches us. Are how love fundamentally remains the same centuries later but has evolved with modern challenges, social expectations, and innovations.
Through it all, the biggest takeaway is that we will all bear the scars, and relish the highs and lows, of love, lust and attachment. No matter the year on the calendar, the fashion of the time, or the family you come from, we are all party to the challenges and triumphs of love. And that is the true beauty of life.
The only question that remains is: What will love look like in the next century, or even decade, to come?
The post 7 Lessons Netflix Show Bridgerton Teaches Us About Love appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Pilates Move Of The Week: Let's Twist Again Like We Did Last Summer With A Little Salsa In Your Hips appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Starting position:
Start in a full plank position, stabilising on your tippy toes, keeping your palms flat and directly under your shoulders whilst engaging neutral spine (if you have trouble staying in a full plank due to sore wrists, this can also be done on your elbows). Focus on the positioning of your body, and start thinking about the connection you're about to make between your arms and legs.
Exercise Execution:
- Engage your abdominal muscles as you position your neutral spine, stabilising your upper and lower body.
- Without lifting your waist too much to the sky, rotate your hips inward and bring your knee across and under your torso towards your opposite elbow engaging your obliques with a tight squeeze.
- Keeping your abdominals engaged, return your foot to the ground and resume a full plank position.
- Repeat this movement with your alternate knee
Breathing:
- Take slow, deep breathes, whilst in full plank.
- Inhale to prepare. As you rotate your hips and draw your knee across your torso towards your opposite elbow, force an exhalation through pursed to contract and control your abdominal muscles.
- Inhale as you return to a full plank position, releasing your abdominals slightly, and prepare to balance out the movement with your alternate knee
- Exhale again as you re-engage your abdominals and complete the sequence.
Reps:
Start out with 2-3 sets of 12-15 repetitions and increase if desired.
Advancements:
Add a push-up between each alternative knee drive, or at the top of your push-up, twist your entire torso into a slide plank elevating one arm to the sky.
KX Tip:
To add KX intensity to the exercise, turn this movement into a dynamic mountain climbing by adding some speed. Group your knee to elbow movements into quick bursts of 15 reps followed by 1 push-up for a total of 5 sets for that belly shredding cardio hit!
Aaron Smith is the CEO & Founder – KX Group. KX is a boutique fitness company with 17 studios across Melbourne and Sydney, offering dynamic pilates, barre and yoga. KX also run international retreats to Vanuatu and Bali.
Model: Cherida Forde, KX International Retreats Trainer.
The post Pilates Move Of The Week: Let's Twist Again Like We Did Last Summer With A Little Salsa In Your Hips appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Pumpkin Soup Gwinganna's Asian Style Thai appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Gwinganna's Asian Style Thai Pumpkin Soup
Serves 8
INGREDIENTS
500g pumpkin, chopped
1 medium sweet potato, chopped
1 large onion, diced
2.5 litres vegetable stock (see recipe below)
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 knob ginger, chopped
sea salt & pepper
pinch nutmeg
1 tbsp curry powder
½ cup (50g) each carrot, zucchini, parsnip & celery, shredded
½ cup (50g) bean sprouts
4 kaffir lime leaves
¼ bunch coriander chopped
METHOD
1 Sauté pumpkin, sweet potato, onion and garlic with a little vegetable stock.
2 Add spices, rest of stock and simmer for 30-40 minutes.
3 Purée soup in a blender and check seasoning. Add the shredded vegetables just before serving and sprinkle with
chopped coriander.
To make vegetable stock
Combine trimmings including pumpkin skins, sweetcorn cops, carrots, onions and celery (no leaves, they make the stock bitter) with 3 litres of filtered
water. Add a bayleaf or two, some peppercorns and a pinch of sea salt and boil for about 30 minutes. Strain.
The Carousel thanks Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat for this recipe
The post Pumpkin Soup Gwinganna's Asian Style Thai appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post 10 Worst Fashion Moments appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Charli XCX
Where do we start?! Wearing a white suit is a ballsy manoeuvre. Add satin to the equation and that's just downright insane. You know, if you've gone that far, you might as well chuck in a pink bow tie and a fur stole too. Just go for it.
Miley Cyrus
She has become famous for her wacky style choices, and whilst we applaud the creativity and the confidence, this piece from the 2015 MTV VMA's is just unforgivable.
Madonna
She has always been a fan of racy outfits, however we thought that at a more mature age, she'd have hung those all up. But no, on the red carpet one year at the Grammys she graced us with yet another inappropriate outfit.
Lady Gaga
Okay. We can explain. Obviously she was doing some quick washing up before she left home and left the gloves on! Let's hope she won't make that mistake again.
Bleona
This one, however, we cannot explain. Bleona has absolutely earned her spot, alongside Madonna, on the list of bad Grammy ensembles. The torso of a metal mannequin and tail of a platypus? Why would you want to look like that?
Iggy Azalea
Apologies Iggy, we are really sorry to be the ones to tell you, but your dress looks remarkably like an over-sized feather duster. If you need a second opinion next time, just give us a call. We're here to help.
Rihanna
Obviously Rihanna was taking style inspiration from household items too. Lampshade? Yeah that's the one. It breaks our heart to feature Rihanna on the worst list, she's a style queen, but this was just way too bad.
Ariana Grande
Hair and beauty on point, but the dress? Way to ruin a look. It seems like the white fabric ran out, so she nicked someone's silver handkerchief to fill in the gap. Bad idea…
Joy Villa
Yet another Grammys shocker, this plastic orange dress is unbelievable. This is the stuff you see on the streets, when they corner off an area for road works. Maybe the stylist bailed on Joy last minute so she asked the tradies next door to whip her up a dress real-quick.
Dencia
We saved the best 'til last, naturally. This is offensive to the eyeballs. The visor makes sense though, you do have to squint to look at that outfit. Even if we put all the colour aside, what made Dencia think socks and peep toe heels were OK? That's a basic rule. Come on!
The post 10 Worst Fashion Moments appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Executive Chef Of Nour Paul Farag's Amazing Cauliflower Recipe appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>To start off you will need one whole cauliflower, the hero of the dish. Cut into thirds if it is particularly large or half if it's on the smaller side. Make sure to salt the cauliflower generously and then roast for 15 minutes in the oven at 200 degrees.
For the sauce you'll need:
- 50ml verjus
- A handful of salt
- A few drops of lemon juice
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 5g ras el hanout
- 2 tbsps garlic oil
- A handful of grapes
To make the sauce:
- Boil the verjus, sugar and lemon juice
- Heat up your garlic oil in a tray
- Add the grapes and let them blister in a hot pan or woodfire oven
- Add the grapes and ras el hanout to the verjus
- Adjust seasoning and reduce down
For the smoked almond crumb you'll need:
- 100g panko
- 200g blanched almonds
- Garlic confit oil
To make the smoked almond crumb:
- Smoke the blanched almonds for around one hour
- Then roast the almonds for 25 minutes then place in the freezer
- Once frozen then blitz the almonds
- Add garlic confit oil and salt then roast together with panko until golden brown
- Adjust seasoning after roasting
To serve this dish you need to fry your cauliflower in a fryer at 190 degrees and then toss in the sauce and mix well. If you happen to have Labneh at home, place this underneath the cauliflower to bring an added creaminess. Top the dish with your smoked almond crumb and use a grilled cauliflower leaf to garnish.
The post Executive Chef Of Nour Paul Farag's Amazing Cauliflower Recipe appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post 5 Top Tips To Help You Avoid A Post-COVID-19 Burnout appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>COVID-19 has provided some wonderful insights on how work can be done differently, provided an opportunity to reflect on what is really important in life and given us a reason to slow down and smell the roses a little more.
Before you dial your life and routine back up to full speed, here are 5 tips to help you transition to a new way of being and avoid a post-COVID-19 burnout.
Spread social engagements out
When you're not allowed to do something, you want to do it even more, so be aware of the temptation to fully book your schedule. Spread out your coffee catch ups with family members, work colleagues and every person you've met in your life! Protecting your energy is important so that you can be present and engaging with those you care about. Waiting an extra week or two to catch up with Gladys will be worth it to avoid bemoaning that she is your tenth coffee catch up this week, and accidentally yawning at the table.
Be ok with saying "no"
If your time in isolation has led you to rethink some of your commitments or relationships, now is the time to set new boundaries that honour and value you. Time is a commodity that can never be replaced so investing it wisely can provide a better return on investment. Get clear on who you want to spend time with, what you want to spend time doing and you will enjoy more experiences in life to remember than those you'd rather forget. Try this strategy next time you're asked to do something – If you can't give a firm Yes (within seconds), then it's a No.
Avoid exercise 'over-training'
Post COVID has a 'New Year's Resolution' vibe about it, so don't fall into the trap of setting fitness goals that are too large, unrealistic and set you up for failure. You are likely to have had three to four months away from the gym so the 'go hard or go home' approach to exercise won't be sustainable or enjoyable long term.
Excessive exercise depletes your energy, puts extra stress on your body and hormone production and can make exercise feel more like a chore than a gift for life. To get a clear picture of the right type of exercise for your body type you can work with a practitioner to understand your personalised HealthType profile, otherwise begin by simply listening to your body. Start with what is realistic for your capabilities and calendar, get some runs on the board before stepping it up a notch, and then add another session or two to your weekly schedule.
Boost your immune system
Whether you have been engaging in some iso-drinking during at-home happy hours, or have enjoyed a post-COVID Moet or two with friends, now is the perfect time to give your immune system a boost.
There's many simple ways you can incorporate immune boosting foods into your current daily nutrition, including adding super greens powder to your morning smoothie, increasing your daily intake of fruit and vegetables by an extra one to two servings a day, or doing a mini overhaul and reducing your intake of processed foods, sugars, cereals, breads and dairy.
Some great foods that are rich in antioxidants for a strong immune system include:
- Blueberries – rich in antioxidants
- Dark chocolate – contains theobromine antioxidant
- Broccoli – vitamin c and antioxidants
- Sweet potatoes – rich in beta carotene
- Spinach – vitamin c and e
- Ginger – anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties
- Garlic – prevention of colds
- Oranges – vitamin c
- Almonds – vitamin e
Also, a good way to reduce your stress is to enjoy herbal teas. One of our favourites is Pukka, which is launching a free (contactless) tea and plant delivery service in Sydney and Melbourne.
Date yourself
Schedule regular 'me time' in your calendar where just YOU, no one else, can enjoy your own company doing things that are good for your soul. Partake in things you love such as a walk in nature, reading a good book under a blanket, swimming in the ocean, take yourself to a fancy restaurant, go to a show, do some gardening or just sit under the stars. No explanations, just whatever you want. Maybe once a month, maybe once a week, whatever you can start with and keep showing up for you.
Fiona Hurle is a coach, speaker, author and mental health advocate. After a highly regarded corporate career resulting in sickness and burnout, she turned her focus to developing a health and wellness business tailored to supporting corporate women's wellbeing.
Check out www.fionahurle.com for more information
The Carousel would like to thank Fiona Hurle for her story.
The post 5 Top Tips To Help You Avoid A Post-COVID-19 Burnout appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post What Does October's Full Moon And 'The Finger Of God' Have In Store For You? appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>This month's full moon and 'The Finger of God' are signifying the importance of doing inner work – with many life changes afoot for Australians.
At the moment many people are coming out of lockdowns and enjoying new-found freedoms, but it's important not to celebrate too early. Many people have felt isolated and have been repressing emotions and events… the changes they are now going through actually represent a time when people need to be mindful that the heavens are challenging you!
The Full Moon will be in Taurus – encouraging stability and steadfastness. After all these times of volatility, a little bit of calm and 'steady as she goes' is helpful to many now. Do watch for stubbornness however and don't be a 'stick in the mud'. There are many changes happening now, but some people will refuse to acknowledge these and seek to stay stuck in the past.
At the time of the full moon there are also strong influences coming from what's called 'The Finger of God' or a 'Yod' in astrology. This aspect pattern involves Uranus, Mercury and Venus which brings stressful situations where adjustments must be made.
The 'Finger of God' can bring a compromising situation which is an 'appointment with power' as hidden energies are dredged up from the subconscious. Star signs most affected by this are Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Virgo and Libra.
Focus on inner work, meditate, work on resolving small things in yourself… and get plenty of rest.
In the southern hemisphere, October's full moon was once known by early Aussie settlers as the pink moon because it signifies the arrival of the first spring flowers – but this month's full moon won't actually be pink in colour!
This moon will also be the first full moon after the September Equinox – which marks the start of Spring in the southern hemisphere.
On the positive side, it's a great time for gratitude and appreciation for what nature has given us. You can feel the magical, fresh energy in the air right now with Spring upon us… it's an opportunity for spiritual growth and goal setting.
In the northern hemisphere, the full moon is called the Hunter's Moon as it's the end of the harvest season and marks the hunting that was done during this time of year. Hunters would use the light of the moon to track down game and stock up for the coming winter.
What does the rest of October hold for your star sign?
Aries (March 21 to April 19):
Your Minor Grand Trine is pointing to transformation in your career or general life direction. It's huge and changes are needed to get you to finally fulfil your heart's desires. Doing something just for money doesn't cut it anymore, you need to feel fulfilled! There are new beginnings also around your important relationships and partnerships. Watch for overspending with the Full Moon in your House of Money by taking care of your possessions and finances.
Taurus (April 20 to May 20):
It's time to expand your life through study, travel or spirituality! It doesn't matter if you're a lawyer, banker or whatever… there's another side of life you're being called to. Your potential is so much larger than you currently know, and the stars are encouraging you to surge forward into new vistas. It may be you need to cut off some old redundant parts of life, so you have space for wonderful new things coming. Your everyday life, work and health have a new start. Relationships are transforming too.
Gemini (May 21 to June 20):
Starting the month, the great cycle of endings and beginnings is blessing your joint resources and intimacy zone. As one door closes, another opens, and you're being tempted to walk straight in. The universe wants you to spiritually grow and expand. Do not wait, lest you put on weight waiting! Expansion may also involve transformation in your everyday routine – habits, work and health. Well done… do it! Better times are coming!
Cancer (June 21 to July 22):
A new cycle begins in an important REALationship. Let go of the past to embrace the future. This is BIG and the heavens want you to grow as a person! If you have legal matters, changes happen to move these forward. Creativity and intelligence help you positively plan for the future. Your home and family have a new start and there's also changes regarding your groups, friends and connections. Onwards and upwards to fulfil your heart's desires!
Leo (July 23 to August 22):
A major change occurs in your everyday life. Perhaps there's a productive impulse to improve your work, habits or wellbeing? A change in diet, a new exercise regimen or perhaps you become an efficiency expert at work? Whatever happens, your daily grind improves, and you look to the sky rather than the ground just in front of you. A surge of hope and optimism comes shining through. Communications, study or distant family members have a new start. Your life mission is key!
Virgo (August 23 to September 22):
You have a lot of very powerful aspects this month ensuring transformation, especially concerning women! If you're a woman, then buckle up beautiful for a full-on ride! Change visits your leisure and pleasure zone, and this could involve romance! Entertainment becomes more important and it's time to socialise and meet new people. There's a new start with your finances or possessions and a revolution is at hand expanding your horizons. Travel, study and spirituality are now on the agenda!
Libra (September 23 to October 22):
Home and family are key this month! There's substantial change… are you thinking about interior decorating or renovations? $$$ could be spent and your daily life becomes more spiritual, even if you feel a bit confused at first. The overall effect is positive! Take care of your health and wellbeing by changing your diet or exercise routine. You become even more perceptive and there's an internal new beginning in your core beliefs or identity.
Scorpio (October 23 to November 21):
The way you communicate is transforming and you may even become more mysterious than usual! You have an attractive aura aided by beautiful Venus. Are you thinking about retraining or study? It's a great idea! If you wish to promote yourself or a business, best delay until after the 18th when Mercury agrees with you! Your sense of spirituality is growing and there's transformation around important relationships. So do watch for clues in your positive transFORMation!
Sagittarius (November 22 to December 21):
A new financial cycle will soon begin! Do watch your spending now however, it's not the time for frivolous purchases. Also, if there's someone who is unavailable to you, it's not the best time now to make a move. You may receive spiritual messages from your subconscious, so be on the lookout in your dreams or those quite little life moments when you stop thinking for just a bit. Friends and groups have a new start whilst your wellbeing, work and habits are transformed.
Capricorn (December 22nd to January 19):
You're transforming at the core of your being now and others might notice a softer, more harmonious side to you. Your identity is upgrading and it's great! You might invest in new clothes, hair or makeup to showcase the new you in the best possible light. You're more likely to attract new friends and connections now with Venus blessing your House of connections. Your career or general life direction benefits as you emerge from your shell.
Aquarius (January 20th to February 18):
There are internal rumblings and no I don't mean your stomach! Deep down within you've had enough of something that isn't working well. This is fab because a new path is being prepared now for you to walk. Life can be easier and far more pleasant! The sun is shining on you, and everything gets bigger and brighter as your general life direction becomes more beautiful! This will positively affect your $$$ and your career! New horizons call you!
Pisces (February 19 to March 20):
New friends and connections are the stuff that makes your world go around! You could let go of relationships that no longer suit, to make space for some wonderful new people to enter your life. Some of these people may somehow be 'exotic' or have connections to foreign lands. Thoughts of travel, education or spirituality flit across your mind. Intense emotions around joint resources or intimacy are possible, so do watch how you communicate this month. Try to be just a tad more objective.
For this month's VIDEO horoscopes visit: https://www.absolutesoulsecrets.com/horoscopes/monthly-horoscopes/
What Is Mercury Retrograde And Does It Affect Our Eating?
The post What Does October's Full Moon And 'The Finger Of God' Have In Store For You? appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post How To Get Adele's New Beauty Look appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>In an effort to recreate Adele's flawless, winged eyeliner look, there's been a 450 per cent rise in Google searches for 'Adele eye makeup' and searches for 'Adele makeup tutorial' have shot up by 110 per cent.
Luckily, the makeup artist Pat McGrath, who did Adele's makeup for both the video and the Vogue shoot, has shared everything she used to create the look. Perhaps not so lucky, the price of all the products used adds up to £357. But you can recreate it and you don't have to spend quite this much. We'll show you here what Pat used and then you can either buy some of these or work out some alternatives you can use.
Pat used: Pat McGrath Mothership IX: Huetopian Dream Palette, £120
Pat used the matte rose shade Secret Eden in the crease of Adele's eye, with dark burgundy Xtreme Plum Noir blended in the outer corner of the crease for depth and on the lower lashline for a smudged smokey effect.
For the metallic shine in the centre of Adele's eye, Pat used shimmering rose gold Astral Venusian Orchid, creating a high-impact metallic sheen. From the same palette, Pat used shimmering nude Skinshow Nude Xtasy as a highlight on Adele's brow bone and inner corner of the eye for a touch of luminosity.
Pat used: Pat McGrath Permagel Ultra Glide Eye Pencil in Xtreme Black, £23
Adele is known for a statement winged eyeliner and for the Vogue cover, Pat used this pencil liner from the root of the lashline to map out the shape of the wing, then used a brush to blend the line into the desired shape. "Dampen a pointed cotton bud with makeup remover to correct any mistakes and cleanup the outer corner of the wing," advises Pat.
Beauty Pie's gel eyeliner pencil glides along your lid just as nicely, leaving an ever so subtle shimmer in its dark wake.
Pat used: Pat McGrath Perma Precision Liquid Eyeliner, £26
To make the line more intense, Pat used a liquid liner to trace the sketched shape, then glided the tip of the pen from the centre of the lid to the outer corner of the eye. "For a lifted effect, ensure the lower part of the wing is in line with the outer corner of the eye, extending upward to create the wing shape," she says.
Pat used: Pat McGrath Dark Star Mascara, £26
Pat used the impactful Dark Star Mascara to intensify Adele's lashes. For a similar effect for a fraction of the price, try this lash-boosting budget buy. It makes even thin wispy lashes look full-bodied.
Pat used: Pat McGrath Divine Blush and Glow Trio in Galactic Sun, £41
Pat dipped into all three of the shades in this palette, for a bespoke, multi-dimensional blush and highlighter look. For a similar take try Beauty Pie's quad which houses a bronzer, two blushes and a highlighter. Swirl them together to copy Adele's look.
Pat used: Pat McGrath Permagel Ultra Lip Pencil in Buff, £25
Earlier in her career Adele was famed for statement red lips, but he rocks a subtle nude just as well. Pat used this pencil from the outer edge of the lips, blending towards the centre to add depth to the colour.
Pat used: Pat McGrath Mattetrance Lipstick in Christy, £36
This was Pat's nude hue of choice but rather than apply it straight from the bullet, she put it on the back of her hand then used a fingertip to firmly press it into the lips for a long-lasting finish with a soft edge.
Pat used: Pat McGrath Skinfestish Sublime Perfection Foundation, £60 
For Adele's picture-perfect base, this was Pat's foundation of choice. It's on the pricey end of the spectrum and gives a medium, soft coverage, with a silky texture that glides onto the skin.
So take a look at these products and see what you can do – you can either buy the originals or replicate Adele's look with some products which are similar. Good luck.
For more from The Carousel about Adele, visit here.
British Singer Adele's Weight-Loss Secrets Revealed
The post How To Get Adele's New Beauty Look appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Mr Hong's Famous Lotus Ice Cream Sundae With Honeycomb appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>This Lotus Ice Cream Sundae With Honeycomb dish became my signature dessert when I was at Lotus and it had a loyal and devoted following.
At the time, everyone in Sydney was trying really hard to do something molecular and Alex Stupak-esque with desserts. While I admired the American chef's inventive creations, I wanted to do something fun and tasty with real texture, and something my customers could relate to.
Serves 6
INGREDIENTS
Chocolate fudge
340 g (113⁄4 oz) caster (superfine) sugar
70 g (21⁄2 oz) liquid glucose
35 g (11⁄4 oz) cocoa powder
325 g (111⁄2 oz) dark chocolate, cut into small pieces
75 g (21⁄2 oz) unsalted butter
15 g (1⁄2 oz) xanthan gum
Honeycomb
170 g (53⁄4 oz) caster (superfine) sugar 
1 tablespoon honey
65 g (21⁄4 oz) liquid glucose 
2 teaspoons bicarbonate of soda (baking soda) 
Raspberry sauce
500 g (1 lb 2 oz/4 cups) frozen raspberries
175 g (6 oz) caster (superfine) sugar
To serve
Vanilla ice cream
fresh raspberries
salted peanuts
METHOD
Chocolate fudge
Fill a large saucepan with 390 ml (131⁄2 fl oz) water. Add the sugar, glucose, cocoa powder and 1 teaspoon salt and heat over a high heat. Bring to the boil, then add the chocolate and butter. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook until the chocolate and butter melt. Whisk to combine and then bring back up to the boil. Using a hand-held blender, mix in the xanthan gum, which will thicken the fudge. Remove from the heat and allow to cool, then transfer the fudge into a covered container and put in the fridge, where it will keep for up to 2 weeks.
Honeycomb
Line a small baking tray with baking paper. To make the caramel, add the sugar, honey, liquid glucose and 11⁄2 tablespoons water to a small saucepan and put over a high heat. Resist the urge to stir, just allow the heat to begin to transform the sugar. If crystals start to appear, you can give the saucepan a little swirl, or use a wet pastry brush to brush down the side of the pan.
Once a light caramel is achieved (about 155°C/310°F on a sugar thermometer), quickly whisk in the bicarbonate of soda, then immediately pour the mixture onto the prepared tray. Leave to cool at room temperature until it hardens. Break the honeycomb into smaller pieces and store in an airtight container. Do not refrigerate, as the sugars will melt and soften the honeycomb.
Raspberry sauce
Add the raspberries and sugar to a small saucepan and cook over a medium heat, stirring occasionally, for about 20 minutes or until a semi-thick consistency is achieved. You don't want to cook the sauce too long as this will create jam; there should still be a little freshness about it.
To serve
Warm the chocolate fudge in a microwave until hot. Spoon some raspberry sauce into each of six serving bowls. Add 2 scoops of vanilla ice cream and top with some shards of honeycomb, raspberries and peanuts. Serve the chocolate fudge in a jug on the side so everyone can pour as little (or as much) as they like.
Recipe and image from Mr Hong by Dan Hong (Murdoch Books) $49.99 available now.
The post Mr Hong's Famous Lotus Ice Cream Sundae With Honeycomb appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Slow-roasted Tomato Sauce for Spaghetti appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Makes 5 cups pasta sauce
INGREDIENTS
80 ml (⅓ cup) extra virgin olive oil
2 kg (4 lb 8 oz) very ripe tomatoes, cut into 1 cm
(1/2 inch) slices
2 red onions, sliced
2 cloves garlic, crushed
50 g (1/4 cup) salted baby capers,
well rinsed and drained
8 anchovy fillets, each cut into 3
120 g (¾ cup) pitted kalamata olives
freshly ground black pepper
sea salt
1 tablespoon tomato paste (concentrated purée)
500 g (1 lb 2 oz) spaghetti
40 g (1/2 cup) grated parmesan cheese
1/2 bunch flat-leaf (Italian) parsley, chopped
1/4 bunch basil, leaves shredded
GARNISH
40 g (1/2 cup) toasted pine nuts
1 handful flat-leaf (Italian) parsley, chopped
extra parmesan cheese
METHOD
1 Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F/Gas 6).
2 Use two large roasting dishes (non-stick if possible) to layer the ingredients. Start with a splash of the olive oil, then divide the tomato, onion, garlic, capers and anchovies between each dish, add another splash of oil and scatter on the olives and pepper. Finish with another splash of olive oil.
3 Place the dishes in the oven, then turn the temperature down to 170°C (325°F/Gas 3). roast for about 11/2-2 hours, or until soft and a little caramelised, but not so that all of the liquid has evaporated. turn the mixture every 20 minutes or so to avoid burning. When cooked, combine the contents of both dishes, taste for seasoning and add the tomato paste. add salt sparingly, as the capers, anchovies and olives will all provide saltiness.
4 Cook the spaghetti in plenty of salted boiling water, drain, reserving 1/4 cup of the pasta water. in a large bowl, mix the cooked pasta with the roasted tomato sauce and parmesan, adding some of the extra cooking liquid if necessary. Mix in the parsley, basil and a dash of extra virgin olive oil. transfer to a large
platter.
5 Scatter the pine nuts and parsley on top and serve hot or at room temperature with extra parmesan cheese.
Recipe: Antonia Haralambis
All Monday Morning Cooking Club profits from The Feast Goes On will go to charity. www.mondaymorningcookingclub.com.au facebook.com/MondayMorningCookingClub
The post Slow-roasted Tomato Sauce for Spaghetti appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post 9 Must Have Fashion Basics Every Woman Should Own appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>It's worth putting your focus on basics this season, take a look at your favourite labels and shops and hone your choices down to just a few key pieces.
The trick here is to build on these pieces with a few interesting add ons and of course accessories. The basics should be great quality, and if they are, you can comfortably wear them everyday without fear of being branded unfashionable. Dressing in basics is classic and that never goes out of style. Great classic dressers? Audrey Hepburn of course, and more recently, Gwyneth Paltrow.
Here's what you need to get your wardrobe started.
1. A pair of fabulous, skinny, dark denim jeans.
These ones are from JBrand. Make sure yours fit perfectly – update every year if you need to – and they will take you through day and night.
2. A classic white shirt.
It should fit well, not pull on any buttons, and it should be long enough to tuck into jeans without fear of it coming out the back when you bend over. The way to wear it this season is to team with a wide, a-line skater skirt, and wear a chunky necklace over the done up collar. Our pick? This signature Equipment shirt.
3. A black blazer
Add a blazer to any outfit to deliver instant polish. It's the fastest way to dress up a pair of jeans and is a great cover up for dresses and skirts. It even makes a pair of shorts work-worthy. Aim for quality rather than quantity, as this is a piece which, if bought correctly, can last a decade. We like this J. Crew blazer.
4. A black pump
Pointy or round, make sure it's high enough to be a definitive heel but not so towering that you don't want to wear it everyday. This will be your go-to heel. We like these Jimmy Choo pumps, which are high but not enormous, and will be comfortable enough unless you want to run in them.
5. A leather jacket
It doesn't have to be a biker jacket, though biker styles are very versatile. Just make it interesting. Leather jackets will work equally as well over jeans as they would an evening dress. In fact, it brings home that very cool trend of romantic + tough. Try this Tigerlily biker on for size.
6. Red lipstick
No. It's not a beauty item. It's categorised as fashion in this case because it can add to an outfit so dramatically, in an instant. Go for a blue-based red, according to Nigel Stanislaus the Maybelline Creative Director who says that blue-based reds suit every skin tone and make teeth look whiter. Now that's convinced you, hasn't it! Try Chanel's Rouge Allure lipstick in Passion.
7. A Little Black Dress
It's your fall-back dress. The one you pick up when your morning gets the best of you and you have less than 10 minutes to get dressed. A black dress that suits YOU. Now, this must be shopped for, because everyone has a different body shape so will suit different things, but our faves this season are:
8. Striped t-shirt
To wear under a blazer. Or dressed down with jeans. Or dressed up with a pencil skirt. Or made tough with leather leggings. The point is, a striped tee is versatile. Go for a good one, like this pick from Bassike which comes in both short and long sleeves. It will serve you well.
9. The structured bag
It should be roomy, so you can fit all you need, but structured so that it doesn't bulge out of shape. It can be any colour but black is the most versatile. We love this Rachael Ruddick bag because it's practical but beautiful – exactly what you're after in an everyday investment.
What are your favourite key pieces for this season? Tell is in the comments below!
The post 9 Must Have Fashion Basics Every Woman Should Own appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Surviving The Transition From High School To Uni appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>This sudden burst of independence can be exciting, but it's high risk for students who are still trying to adapt to this new found (almost) adulthood. Transitioning from high school to university can be tough even for the best students, so rather than focusing on 'having fun' for the rest of summer, encourage your child to make the most out of their break by balancing their fun with preparation for added responsibilities.
Seek out a young "mentor"
Most parents know at least one friend or family member with a child who has already started university or recently finished their course. Ask that student to share parts of their university experience with your child – even better if they go to the same university. Encourage your child to ask questions about anything and everything, not just coursework. This will give them an idea of the distractions and obstacles they may face while studying their degree.
Research, research, research
It is very important for your child to research job prospects before embarking on a degree; it's all part of understanding what they are committing themselves to. A job within that industry is the ideal return on investment for spending three or more years at university.
Once they have looked into and discussed the possible job prospects, encourage your child to research the course itself. What classes will they have to take? How do other students rate them – relatively easy (or hard)? What are your child's strengths and which subjects do they think will require a bit more time to grasp? How heavy is the semester workload – will they be able to handle a part-time job in addition to study? These are just a few of the questions you need to ask them.
Teach them those life skills they won't learn in the classroom
There are some things that won't be taught at university, but will help your child manage university life better. Here are a few examples.
Share a few easy recipes with them – a cheap home-made meal always tastes better than a cup of instant noodles.
As a parent, you've always been in charge of your son or daughter's health. You scheduled their dental and medical check-ups, and took them to the doctor when they had a fever. University can be stressful, and students sometimes put their health on the back shelf. Encourage them to be proactive with their health and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Don't forget that universities offer a range of services to help students maintain this balance, from medical services to sports and recreation activities and facilities.
Regardless of your financial situation, it is essential to familiarise your child with managing their money. If you will be giving them money, communicate how frequently they will receive any allowance and then encourage them to decide if a part-time job is necessary. Take them through the easy budget planner at moneysmart.gov.au so they can learn how to budget.
Don't miss out on Orientation Week
O-week is a rite of passage for university students and it's a time for them to learn more about university services, societies and clubs they can access. Encourage your child to really dive deep into the university way of life and start making friends. O-week isn't just about campus parties it's also about asking questions and learning where you can go for support.
What if university sounds too daunting?
If your child does find university overwhelming, encourage them to speak to their student centre or course coordinator before they drop out of university. Starting university straight after high school isn't for everyone, often gaining work experience or completing a pathway program makes the transition easier. Pathways such as our diploma programs give students the extra learning support, class sizes of no more than 20 students and the transition time they need to adjust to studying at university. Universities also give course credit to students who have completed pathway programs, giving them recognition for subjects completed.
The post Surviving The Transition From High School To Uni appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Four Ingredient Twix Pie Recipe appeared first on The Carousel.
]]> INGREDIENTS
1 x 375g tin of caramel
1 x large pre-made pastry shell
3 x regular sized Twix bars
100g x milk chocolate melts
METHOD
1 Whisk your canned caramel until it's smooth and creamy and pour into the pre-made tart shell
2 Cut the Twix bars into different lengths and stick hem haphazardly into the caramel, being careful not to the the caramel overflow from the shell
3 Melt your chocolate and place into a zip lock bag.
4 Cut a small tip off the bag and drizzle all over the top of the pie to hold everything together.
Now tuck into your Twix Pie – it's totally yummy!
For other pie recipes, click here.
The Carouselthanks My Cupcake Addiction for this recipe.
The post Four Ingredient Twix Pie Recipe appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Who Says You Can't Have A Hollywood Smile? appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Stains and discolouration can accumulate despite sipping through straws and brushing after meals. Luckily, a host of new high-tech products make whitening and brightening easier and less costly than ever
Is the quest for a bright, sparkling smile as effective as we are lead to believe?
Well the simple answer is yes.
There are three main "whitening" approaches.
Toothpastes containing anti-staining agents or hydrogen peroxide cost a little more than regular toothpastes and are for daily use. They successfully lighten a couple of shades and certainly keep stains to a minimum but daily continued use is necessary for optimum results.
Home-use bleaching kits involve placing a hydrogen peroxide solution in bleaching trays which are worn over patients' teeth at night for two weeks These claim to lighten tooth colour by up to six or eight shades and are the second most popular treatment but has slower results.
And lastly the quickest and most effective method is in salon LED Teeth Whitening, in which a hydrogen peroxide solution within a gel tray is placed in your mouth and pressed snugly against the teeth while you bite down on the tray. A strong LED light then activates the solution within the tray. Teeth can whiten significantly up to 4-5 shades lighter. Now that Beauty Clinics are offering this service the price per treatment has reduced considerably.
These techniques all target stain particles from food and drink which get trapped in the surface layers of tooth enamel.
So within your lunch break you can go from yellow to Hollywood white and give Julia Roberts a run for her money!
The post Who Says You Can't Have A Hollywood Smile? appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post New Sustainable Beauty, Books and Fashion That Are Hot This Month appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Beauty
Blue Light Defence & Moisturising Mist by Susanne Kaufmann
From computers to phones to television screens, the hours we are exposed to blue light every day add up and is something to be mindful of for the sake of our skin. Blue light is linked to pigmentation and accelerated signs of ageing. Austrian natural beauty brand Susanne Kaufmann has just released Blue Light Defence & Moisturising Mist and we can't wait to get our paws on it. The spray contains the ingredient Soliberine, derived from the Butterfly Bush, which has been shown to protect the skin from the damaging effects of light rays, infrared rays and blue light. The bottle is made from 100% recycled 'post consumer material) and the spray is packaged in fully recyclable FSC certified paper.
KISS (Keep It Simple Skin)
New Australian clean beauty brand KISS launched just this month and encourages consumers to keep their skin care routine simple with a compact range of just six products, all at an affordable price point. The 'essentials' range consists of the Whipped Clean exfoliating cleanser, the Secret Agent moisturiser and an eye cream that contains probiotics. Three serums – Quinoa Face Lift, Wrinkle Iron, and an anti-pigmentation – provide the ability to address specific skin concerns. KISS is all-natural, cruelty-free, vegan, free of parabens, phthalates and sulphates, and comes in environmentally conscious recycled plastic packaging.
R+Co BLEU
Salon-favourite hair care brand R+Co has released a range of non-toxic high-performing formulations in packaging that is 100% recyclable, and made of 100% post-consumer recycled material or recyclable bioresin sugarcane plastic. Each product contains the proprietary Bleu Molecule Complex designed to build strength and shine, and micro-encapsulated sugar molecules that gradually deliver active ingredients. Notable active ingredients include avocado, abbyssinica and sunflower seed oils, and the powerful antioxidant tocopherol to protect hair from the elements. It's about time such a revered brand took a sustainable turn and we can't wait to see if it follows suite with its other collections.
Awaken by Tailor Skincare
Fans of the cult New Zealand beauty brand Tailor Skincare have been waiting a long time for this one; The brand has just released its first ever eye cream. Aptly titled 'Awaken', the formula is a combination of caffeine extract, golden mica and hyaluronic acid to brighten and provide lasting hydration to the eye area. Like all Tailor Skincare products, Awaken is all-natural, cruelty-free, vegan, free of parabens, phthalates and sulphates, and comes in environmentally conscious recycled plastic packaging. Your Tailor Skicare routine is now complete.
New Archie toothpaste refill flavours
We know what you're thinking – what's so exciting about toothpaste? Well, we love refills because they reduce waste. And while refills for home cleaning are fairly common these days, they're still much harder to find when it comes to personal grooming. Archie have just dropped two new refill flavours – Yummy Strawberry and Blue Cola – in the brand's 99% natural formulation. Purchase one of Archie's forever glass toothpaste dispensers and you'll never need to buy a plastic tube again.
Read: 5 Sustainable Swaps that Are Also More Beautiful
Read
Our Sunburnt Country by Anika Molesworth
Engaging, informative and a call-to-action: Our Sunburnt Country by 2015 Young Farmer of the Year and current Deputy Chair of Farmers for Climate Action Dr Anika Molesworth is the non-fiction book to pick up this month. Taking a rare from-the-ground-up look at the effects of climate change on a topic everyone can find a way to relate to – food – Anika effortlessly connects the dots between macro events like changing weather patterns to government policy right through to personal choices like where to shop and how to dispose of waste. Those with little knowledge but a desire to learn more will appreciate Our Sunburnt Country as an easy to digest yet comprehensive entry point to many of the complex climate change terms and topics of the moment.
Related reading: How A Mindful Money Manifesto Can Help you Live More Sustainably
Wear
Nude Lucy's new activewear range
Who hasn't been talking about the launch of Nude Lucy's conscious activewear this month. Made from premium recycled fabric, the 16 piece collection embodies everything we love about the label – practical, stylish, minimal – AND it helps divert waste from landfill. "The ethos of it is to sit back with the apparel and the feeling we create in our brand, which is this easy, relaxed, slow pace of life," says Nilou Zibaee, Head of Brand. "So rather than speeding up it's about slowing down, creating balance through movement, realignment, restoration, meditation & well being. The colours are muted, earthy tones, the finish is matt, the detailing is minimal, and the quality is sustainable. It's designed to be comfortable, versatile and extend beyond your workout." Count us in.
Blue Light Blockers by Local Supply
The new blue light filtering range by Local Supply is every bit as cool as we've come to expect from the premium sustainable eyewear brand. Like all Local Supply pieces, the collection is made from luxury-grade, plant-based materials using zero-waste manufacturing.
The post New Sustainable Beauty, Books and Fashion That Are Hot This Month appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post 5 Top Tips For Healthy Ageing appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Also, see below for more healthy and nutritious recipes from Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary & Holistic Spa.
Plus find out about Kamalaya's new wellness program 'Structural Revival'. The Structural Revival Program is designed to realign the body and improve posture in order to reduce tension, rehabilitate injuries and re-establish highest levels of function and vitality.
Stay Fit And Active To Enhance Your Brain And Body
From my experience in the field of lifestyle medicine and as a TCM practitioner, the foundation for healthy ageing begins with keeping an active lifestyle which includes a minimum of 30 minutes of daily walking or some other form of fitness routine that increases circulation, respiration, oxygenation, and elimination. Of course, this is a minimum guideline which can be built upon to include stretching, strength training, and more intensive fitness routines as well as softer styles such as yoga and qi gong. The benefits are not only physical such as enhancing brain and organ functions in the body, but also emotional & psychological balance and wellbeing, and it is the pillar to any stress management program.
Eat A Nutritious Diet To Boost Your Metabolism
A well-designed nutrition program that increases foods that promote healthy metabolism and vital body functions without adding a burden to our metabolism while eliminating or reducing foods and beverages that are known to be detrimental to our health is critical. Food can be our greatest ally in support of healthy ageing or it can be a huge burden. Top on this list is to eliminate refined sugars which are so widely available, cut down animal product foods to a minimum, increase fresh vegetables, fruits, grains and legumes to a maximum, and avoid chemical additives as much as possible.
Start To Meditate Daily And Enjoy Contemplation
Most of us are busy with so much activity, productivity, stimulation and the fast pace of life that it becomes more and more difficult to discern the truly important elements in our lives, the ones that are essential to our humanity, to the purpose of our lives and what is truly most fulfilling at different stages of our lives. Developing a daily meditation practice, a time to be with ourselves in a quiet, non 'doing' way, a contemplation within is perhaps one of the most important aspects for living a truly fulfilling life over the course of a lifetime. The health impact is immense but perhaps most importantly, we become more fully who we are meant to be in the process.
Share Life's Joys With Friends And Family
Establish and nurture a healthy social circle of close family, friends, colleagues with which to enjoy personal time, sharing life's joys, triumphs, celebrations, and at times, sorrows and difficulties. We are by nature social creatures and spending time with loved ones can add a quality to our lives that is impossible to overestimate, as well as adding years to our lives.
Surround Yourself In Nature's Beauty
Spend time in nature surrounded by the natural beauty that exists all around us and of which we are a part. The healing power of nature is an essential component is so many of the world's ancient healing traditions and when we immerse ourselves in nature; it is effortless to experience just how rebalancing, recharging, and uplifted we begin to feel. It is one of our most precious resources we need only connect with to experience its gifts.
Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary and Holistic Spa is a multi-award winning wellness sanctuary and holistic spa on the tropical southern coastline of Koh Samui offering inspired healthy cuisine alongside a choice of tailored wellness programmes including detox, stress & burnout, personalised yoga. Visit www.kamalaya.com
Kamalaya has launched a brand new wellness program 'Structural Revival'. Behavioural patterns in our modern lifestyles, natural ageing and trauma tend to create postural misalignments that can lead to tightness, tension, discomfort and even pain. The Structural Revival Program is designed to realign the body and improve posture in order to reduce tension, rehabilitate injuries and re-establish highest levels of function and vitality.
Check out Karina's healthy recipes below:
Kamalaya Baked Apple with Mango Coulis
The post 5 Top Tips For Healthy Ageing appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Humble Beginnings: Where the Duchess of Cambridge Grew Up appeared first on The Carousel.
]]> 
Adapted from the latest royal book 'William and Kate's Britain' by Claudia Joseph, this is a guide to Kate Middleton's remarkable climb up the property ladder….
6 Station Road, Hetton-Le-Hole, Houghton-Le-Spring, Tyne and Wear DH5 0AX
The pit village of Hetton-Le-Hole was the birthplace of the Duchess of Cambridge's grandmother Dorothy – and was the home of her ancestors. Kate's great-great-great-grandfather, John Harrison, migrated to the town in the 19th century and worked at Hetton Colliery. Barrington Terrace, which has long since been demolished, became the family home – it witnessed the birth of Kate's great-great-grandfather John in 1874 and the death of his mother Jane from tuberculosis, seven years later, at the age of 42, leaving her husband, a widower, with ten children between the ages of two and 21. By 1890, tuberculosis (which in those days had no treatment) had cut a swathe through the family, killing his 18-year-old daughter Isabella. Grief-stricken at losing both his wife and daughter, he succumbed to the disease in 1889, having probably caught it at his daughter's bedside (his 17-year-old son James was the fourth victim the following year).
Used to hardship (he was 14 when he became an orphan), Kate's great-great grandfather John, worked his way up to become a deputy at Lyons Colliery and married his wife, also called Jane. They too lived in Barrington Terrace, where they brought up their seven children, including Kate's great-grandfather Thomas. However John's career in the mines was cut tragically short when he was trampled by a runaway pony pulling a coal truck. After lying flat on his back for months, he was forced to give up work, spending the remainder of his life in considerable pain, supported by walking sticks.
The couple moved to Broomhill Terrace after John retired but it, too, has been demolished. While three of Tommy's brothers moved down to London, he remained in the North East, working as a house joiner and living in Station Road. He married his wife Lily, mother of a daughter Ruth, in 1934, and Kate's grandmother Dorothy was born the following year. During the war Tommy served in Malaya but when he returned to Britain, he was off to London, setting in train the journey which would lead his great-granddaughter to the throne.
57 Clarence Street, Southall UB2 5BJ
This street in Southall, once home to the jazz singer Cleo Laine's parents, boasts one of the Duchess of Cambridge's ancestral homes: her great-grandparents Charlie and Edith Goldsmith lived there during World War I and her grandfather Ronald (later to marry Tommy's daughter Dorothy) was born there and lived there until the age of six. Sadly Charlie (nicknamed 'Putty' by his mates) returned from the Great War suffering from emphysema and died in 1938, leaving his widow in penury. She moved to a condemned flat in Dudley Road, a scruffier street, parallel to Clarence Street, which has since been demolished. Southall is now a predominantly Asian area but in those days it was a white working-class suburb, providing labour for the sprawling brick factories, flour mills and chemical plants, the railway depots and engineering works that had sprung up around the Grand Junction Canal (once the main freight route between London and Birmingham), Brunel's Great Western Railway and the Uxbridge Road.
20 Kingsbridge Road, Norwood Green, Southall UB2 5RT
The childhood home of Prince William's mother-in-law, Carole Middleton who lived there from the age of 11 until she met husband Michael. Carole's parents Ronald and Dorothy bought the three-bedroom house in 1966, (a year after the birth of their son Gary), for £4,950 – the equivalent of £135,000 today – and stayed there for the next 25 years until their children had grown up and left home.
75 Huntercombe Lane North, Burnham, Berkshire SL1 6DX
The Berkshire village of Burnham has attracted a number of celebrities including TV presenter Ulrika Jonsson, comedienne Tracey Ullman and comic Jimmy Carr – who went to Burnham Grammar School. It was to here that Ronald and Dorothy retired, once Carole and Gary had flown the nest.
33 Arborfield Close, Slough, Berkshire SL1 2JP
This leasehold flat, in a modern 1970s block in a cul-de-sac in Slough, is where the Duchess of Cambridge's parents Michael and Carole Middleton moved in together. In those days Slough was a sprawling industrial suburb populated with factories – it was the headquarters of Mars and Citroen and home to Dulux paint. The apartment was in a convenient location for the couple, who both worked eight miles away at Heathrow Airport (Michael was a flight dispatcher for British Airways while Carole was an air hostess) but by the time they got married, in 1981, they had moved to the more salubrious village of Bradfield Southend.
West View, Cock Lane, Bradfield Southend, Berkshire RG7 6HR
The village of Bradfield Southend is synonymous with Kate's childhood: she lived there for the first 13 years of her life, going to the local toddler group, pre-school and Brownies in St Peter's Church hall (she was in the 1st St Andrew's pack) and attending Bradfield Church of England primary school, next door to her home. Her parents bought West View – opposite the village green and down the road from the Queen's Head pub – for £34,700 in 1979, the year before they got married, and sold it 16 years later for £158,000. Set back from the road, with a large garden, the Victorian house was converted into two semi-detached homes, with bathrooms at the back, during Edwardian times. When the Middletons moved in, it had three bedrooms on the first floor. Keen to improve their investment, Michael, who was good at restoring houses, converted one of the bedrooms into a bathroom, doing the plumbing himself and built another two bedrooms in the loft. Like many other homeowners, the couple also extended the kitchen and built a playroom for the children.
Oak Acre, The Avenue, Bucklebury, Berkshire RG7 6NS
Ten miles from Windsor Castle, Bucklebury is the parish where Kate grew up from the age of 13 until she left home. The quintessential English village, which would not look out of place in the TV series Midsomer Murders, is home to John Madejski, the multi-millionaire owner of Reading Football Club, DJ Chris Tarrant, singer Kate Bush and TV personality Melinda Messenger. Michael and Carole Middleton moved there in 1995 (they bought the five-bedroom, red-brick house Oak Acre, for £250,000) and have lived in the village ever since. They sold their original home in 2012 for £2.3 million and now live in a £4.85 million manor, two miles down the road, which is secluded from prying eyes and was where Prince George spent the first few months of his life (Carole took him to Bucklebury Farm Park).
About the author: Claudia Joseph trained as a fashion journalist at the London College of Fashion before becoming a news reporter. She has worked at Tatler, The Times, and the Mail on Sunday, and contributes regularly to a number of British newspapers and magazines. She also commentates on royal matters on radio and TV and is author of Kate: The Making of a Princess. She lives in London.
William and Kate's Britain by Claudia Joseph is published by Splendid Publications and available to order from Splendid Books and Amazon.
The post Humble Beginnings: Where the Duchess of Cambridge Grew Up appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Deliciously Sweet Gin-Amisu Recipe By Award-Winning Chef Anna Polyviou appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Ingredients
- 150ml of Tanglin Honey Bean Coffee Gin Liqueur
- 150g of mascarpone
- 150ml of thickened cream
- 25g icing sugar, sifted
- 1tsp of vanilla paste or 1 vanilla bean pod
- 3 Savoiardi (Lady Finger biscuits), diced into 2cm cubes
- 250ml of store-bought caramel macadamia or caramel ice cream
- 100g of good quality milk chocolate, to finely grate
Method
- Whisk together the mascarpone, thickened cream, icing sugar and vanilla until the mixture is combined and lightly aerated.
- Divide chopped Savoiardi among 6 serving glasses and pour 1tbs of the Tanglin Honey Bean Coffee Gin Liqueur over the biscuits in each glass. Top each glass with a generous spoon of mascarpone.
- Sprinkle grated chocolate over the mascarpone mixture, top with a spoon of ice cream, and finish with the rest of the mascarpone, dividing evenly among the glasses. Grate over chocolate to serve.
The post Deliciously Sweet Gin-Amisu Recipe By Award-Winning Chef Anna Polyviou appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Selling Your Car? Why Choosing The Right Time Of Year Will Get You More appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Don't worry – most don't. You see, when it comes to selling a car, there's a whole host of things you can do to move it quickly and at the price you're asking. Very few realise, however, that choosing the right time of the year is one of them. Just a few months can make a massive difference to how long your car sits around and how much money ends up in your back pocket.
So, when is the best time? If you want to massively simplify things, the best time of year to sell your car is simply when your target is buying. How we start to decipher that lies in the following factors…
-
- PETROL PRICES
The price of fuel at the time you're trying to sell is going to massively impact your sale. When fuel is higher in price larger, gas-guzzling, cars are notoriously harder to sell. Conversely, smaller, more fuel-efficient cars become easier to sell. Sometimes you have no choice and have to wear the losses, but if you do, usually it's only a month or two before fuel prices change again.
- PETROL PRICES
-
- SELL IN SPRING
Spring is when Australians come out of hibernation and move into 'getting stuff done' mode – including buying cars. It's the same reason why it's the most popular time to buy and sell a house. Conversely, the country shuts down during the summer holidays, so avoid the Christmas and January holiday period.
- SELL IN SPRING
-
- TARGET MARKET BEHAVIOURS
This requires thinking about why your target market would be buying your car. If it's a convertible or a sports car's popularity will go through the roof in the warmer months. Cars that are popular with students sell in November at the end of the study year, as many parents are in the market to buy their studious son or daughter a car. This is also often the case at the start of the studying year in February.
- TARGET MARKET BEHAVIOURS
-
- DEALER PROMOTIONAL PERIODS
The end of the financial year is when dealers promote and discount the most to try and rack up their revenue against targets for the financial year. This is also when many people are more likely to consider a new car versus a used car, or at the very least it will drive down the value of your used car as its new equivalent is available at a discounted price. If, however, you're planning to trade in your old car for a new one, this is one of the best times to do it, as dealers will be hungrier to give you a great deal on your car to secure a sale.
- DEALER PROMOTIONAL PERIODS
-
- ANYTIME OTHER THAN THE FIRST 3 YEARS
The single biggest factor that will affect your finances when you sell a car is depreciation. On average, a new car loses 11% of its value the minute it leaves the dealership. It then loses 15–25% of its value each year for the first five years. As a result, a five-year-old car is typically worth a third of its original new car value. So the worst time to sell is within the first three years, when you're losing the most in depreciation. If you've also financed your car with a loan or lease, you're likely to still be in negative equity at this stage, too.
- ANYTIME OTHER THAN THE FIRST 3 YEARS
Ultimately, the best time of year for you to sell your car is going to vary depending on what car you're trying to sell and who your target market is. Use the guide above, rule out the worst months and hopefully you'll end up selling quicker and getting the most for your sale. Happy car selling!
The Carousel would like to thank Blue Toro for this article.
The post Selling Your Car? Why Choosing The Right Time Of Year Will Get You More appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Marion Grasby Shares Her Mum's Best Recipe appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Tell us how your mum inspired you to cook.
My mum is a trained chef and her passion for food and cooking is what certainly influenced my love of food from an early age. She would take me market shopping and show me all the amazing Asian herbs and vegetables. I just loved the colours and the exotic aromas even when I was very little.
What are some of her top tips she passed on to you or favourite recipe?
Less is more when it comes to everyday Thai cooking. One of my favourite childhood dishes is a simple prawn fried rice and my mum's is the best (of course!) LOL.
What's it like working with your mum?
I feel so lucky and grateful to have my mum working with me. She's now the quality control chef for my Marion's Kitchen products, which means she heads up the team that tests each batch to make sure everything is tasting as good as it should. She's super professional and very proud to be starting a new job in her sixties!
How would you describe your mother daughter bond?
We're very close and we love to have a good wine session!
What are some of your most cherished memories of you and your mum?
Cooking together of course. It's when we're at our happiest!
Thai Fried Rice With Prawns
This dish was like the ham and pineapple pizza of my childhood. I never got sick of it and could eat a mountain of it at a time. Of course, it always had to be cooked by my Thai mother. No other fried rice ever tastes as good as hers. So this is her recipe, which has been handed down to me. It's these simple home-style recipes I learned from cooking alongside my mother that I treasure the most.
Thai Prawn Fried Rice
Serves 4
INGREDIENTS
2 Tbsp vegetable oil
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
½ brown onion, sliced
300g peeled & deveined shrimp
3 cups day-old cooked rice
1 Tbsp fish sauce
1 Tbsp light soy sauce
¼ tsp sugar
black pepper
¼ cup roughly chopped cilantro
¼ cup finely sliced scallions
1 lime, cut into wedges
1 small cucumber, sliced on the diagonal
Omelette
2 eggs
1 tsp fish sauce
black pepper
2 Tbsp vegetable oil
METHOD
1 For the omelette, whisk together the eggs, fish sauce and a generous grinding of black pepper. Heat oil in a wok or skillet and pour in the egg mixture. Cook for about 2 minutes until almost set, then flip over. Cook for 10 secs and remove from heat. Slice the omelette into thin strips and set aside.
2. For the fried rice, heat vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet until smoking hot and stir fry garlic and onion until fragrant (about 20 secs). Add the shrimp and stir-fry until cooked. Add rice, fish sauce, soy sauce, sugar and another generous grinding of black pepper. Stir-fry until well combined. Toss through the omelette strips, cilantro and scallions. Remove from heat and serve with lime wedges and cucumber.
The post Marion Grasby Shares Her Mum's Best Recipe appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Incidental UV Exposure – It's Not Always Fun In The Sun appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Incidental UV exposure is the latest industry buzz that has us flocking to our beauticians to stave off the sun's harmful effects on our skin.
So what does 'incidental UV exposure' actually mean? If you ever wait for a bus, have coffee with friends, hang out the washing or drive to and from work, chances are you have picked up some serious incidental UV exposure all year round.
As we spring into summer, there's no time like the present to do some well-timed damage control.
Having a monthly facial and not following up with a home routine using the right products is a bit like going to the dentist and not brushing your teeth between visits.
Enter the latest wave of anti-ageing sun creams and serums combined with powerful SPF designed purely to speed repair and boost your skin's defences against the elements. Murad from LA stocked at Peach & Co Beauty and Laser Clinic in Edgecliff, Sydney, is a results driven collection created by the renowned dermatologist Dr Murad. Catering to all skin types, the inventor of glycolic acid believes in a holistic approach to skin that covers not only the products you use but diet, exercise and mental health to ensure that your skin maintains a youthful glow.
The Environmental Shield range within the Murad product line is geared to limiting the long-term consequences of incidental UV damage —hyperpigmentation, fine lines, loss of elasticity, and dryness.
The pros of using UV protection daily are enormous – allowing you to help safeguard your skin against skin cancer as well as the signs of ageing.
So you can have fun in the sun but only if you switch up your skincare regime to give you UV protection at all times.
The Carousel would like to thank Rebecca Peach-Davies for this article.
The post Incidental UV Exposure – It's Not Always Fun In The Sun appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post The Secret To Eternal Youth Revealed appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Scientists at Utah State University found that exchanging older ovaries for younger ones in mice increased longevity, reports The Sunday Express.
There was also a reduction in all the usual health problems linked to ageing, including arthritis, heart disease and poor brain and liver function.
Professor Jeffrey Mason, who led the decade-long research says: "In our study mice didn't look old when they were old."
His team implanted ovaries from 60-day old mice into ones that had lived for a year.
The older mice had been through oestropause, a transition similar to the human menopause.
When these old mice with new embryos were tested four months later, their metabolisms and immune systems were similar to those in animals much younger.
The oldest mouse, at 1034 days old, was said to look as young as a rodent half her age.
She also lived longer than the average 650-day lifespan for mice.
Professor Mason hopes to use stem cells from women in their twenties to grow a new set of ovaries that could be implanted later.
The latest findings back up the results released by The Kato Ladies' Clinic in Tokyo in 2010.
The Japanese study discovered that giving older mice young ovaries increased their average lifespan by more than 40 per cent.
Dr Noriko Kagawa stressed that there was still a lot of research to be carried out but the initial discoveries were promising.
"All the mice in both experiments that had received transplants resumed the normal reproductive behaviour of young mice," she said.
"They showed interest in male mice, mated and some had pups.
"Normally, old mice stay in the corner of the cage and don't move much, but the activity of mice that had had ovarian transplants was transformed into that of younger mice and they resumed quick movements."
The post The Secret To Eternal Youth Revealed appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Roasted Duck Breast With Tamarind-Chilli Sauce appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>I am eternally fascinated with palm sugar and tamarind, and adore the marriage of these two distinct, gutsy flavours: sweet and sour but decidedly complex and charming. Enter shrimp paste and here you have Madame Salty with loads of personality! I decided these cheeky divas would be a great match for roasted duck. The sauce is rather like the dressing for rujak but with a dash of sesame oil. See what you think!
Serves 4
INGREDIENTS
1 tablespoon coriander seeds
1 tablespoon sea salt
1 teaspoon shrimp paste
4 duck breasts, skin on (about 300 g each)
2 baby leeks, roots trimmed and cut in chunks
3 red shallots, peeled
2 lemongrass stalks, bruised and tied in knots
1 medium carrot, cut into large chunks
625 ml chicken stock or water
fried shallots to garnish
Tamarind-Chilli Sauce
750 ml chicken stock
2 tablespoons tamarind pulp soaked in 80 ml water, strained
2 teaspoons fish sauce
7 tablespoons palm sugar
3 long red chillies, finely sliced
1 teaspoon sesame oil
Heat the oven to 180°C.
METHOD
1Grind the coriander seeds in a mortar, then add the salt and shrimp paste and grind to a mixture resembling coarse sand. Rub the mixture all over the duck breasts, then set aside.
2Put the leeks, shallots, lemongrass and chunks of carrot in a baking dish large enough to fit the duck breasts. Pour in the stock or water and add the duck breasts skin-side up on top of the vegetables.
3Roast in the oven for at least 11/2 hours, until the meat is cooked through and the skin is crisp. Top the dish up with a little water during cooking if it looks dry (although the juices should reduce a little as they will be added to the sauce, to give extra depth).
4While the duck is cooking, prepare the sauce. Put the stock, tamarind water, fish sauce and palm sugar syrup in a saucepan and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook until reduced to a glossy, gravy-like sauce. Taste for a good balance of sweet, sour and salty flavours.
5When the duck is cooked, remove it from the dish and cover with foil. Pour the juices
from the dish into the sauce and add the chilli and sesame oil. Simmer for another minute.
6Serve the duck breasts drizzled with the sauce and topped with fried shallots.
The Carousel thanks BALI The Food of my Island Home
The post Roasted Duck Breast With Tamarind-Chilli Sauce appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Why You Can (and Should) Wear Orange Lipstick appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>But did you know there's an even easier way to give your complexion a boost of summery brightness? Simply swipe on some orange lipstick.
Just look at what it does to the gorgeous faces above.
On Karolina Kurkova (left), a lip lacquer in a juicy marmalade shade, shot through with shimmer, enhances a gorgeous sun-kissed look; for a similar effect, try Estée Lauder Pure Color High Intensity Lip Lacquer in Melting Sun, $51.
On Emma Watson (middle), a solid, super-saturated lipstick in a papaya-like hue is all that's needed to add life and colour to her black-clad look; Revlon ColorBurst Matte Balm in Mischievous, $18, will give you a similar effect.
And on Holland Roden (right), a coral take on the colour infuses her peaches-and-cream complexion with a pretty flush; for this style of orange lippie, go for Lancôme Rouge in Love in 146B Miss Coquelicot, $52.
As you can see orange lipstick complements a spectrum of skintones (it also looks amazing when it pops against darker skins). And it's best worn as the sole makeup focus; by all means, brush on some peachy blush or bronzer, and define your eyes and lashes – but leave the green and blue eye shadows out of the picture. The orange lip of the moment is a strong enough statement on its own.
In other lip need-to-know news, Dior has just released its range of Addict Fluid Sticks. These pigment-packed, high-shine liquids, which are painted on with a doe-foot applicator (cue easy precision), coat lips thickly (while managing to feel light and comfy on), and last a good few hours. They're available in 16 shades but my star is – you guessed it – an orange.
Aventure is ultra-bright, but its warm coral undertones keep it from looking brash. In fact, it's one of the chicest oranges I've seen in a long time. Another of the it-shades in the range is Mirage , a pretty pale peach, that would be the perfect dash of orange if you want to slowly build up to this statement lip look.
Dior Addict Lacquer Stick is $60
Click here to create the perfect orange lip!
https://thecarousel.com/beauty/make-up/beauty-do-or-dont-dark-eyes-plus-dark-lips/
The post Why You Can (and Should) Wear Orange Lipstick appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Why Are We Obsessed With the Korean Beauty Regime? appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The long answer? Well, that requires a little bit of explaining. Over the course of the last few years, Korean skincare and makeup have made their way to the international mainstream. According to K-beauty statistics, the market size for Korean beauty products was valued at $10.2 billion in 2019 and is set to reach a whopping $13.9 billion by 2027.
Everyone knows about K-beauty, and everyone has heard of the infamous ten-step beauty regimen that Korean beauty gurus employ every day to keep their skin looking and feeling like a springtime's bloom.
But what is it that makes these products and this beauty regime so popular and beloved by all who try them? The reasons are numerous, so we've made a list to help you understand.
All the steps make for a luxurious experience
Our skincare is usually rushed. We'll practically rip our makeup off in the evening, give our face a quick wash, and maybe use a moisturizer if we're not feeling too lazy. This is all understandable – after all, we're tired after a full day of hard work. However, this kind of carelessness takes its toll very quickly, and it's not until we get a bunch of blemishes and wrinkles that we start thinking about changing something.
A full K-beauty regime with all of its ten steps gives us a completely different experience and a different mindset. Instead of rushing through everything, we get to luxuriate, we get to nurture, we get to glow and cherish our own beauty.
All the steps have a real purpose and can be adjusted
Just as a reminder, here's a quick rundown of the ten steps for your evening routine:
- Oil cleanser
- Water cleanser
- Exfoliator
- Toner
- Essence
- Ampoule
- Serum
- Sheet mask
- Eye cream
- Moisturizer
While it sounds extensive, each and every step of Korean skin care has a purpose and can be adjusted to suit your needs. For example, you only need to exfoliate your skin once or twice a week, and you don't really need to use an oil cleanser if you didn't wear any makeup that day. You can also use a sheet mask only once or twice a week, and if you're using essence, you don't always have to use a serum as well.
It's perfectly fine to tailor everything to your skin. This whole regimen isn't as much about the ten steps, as it is about the philosophy behind it: take good care of your skin and you'll retain its youthfulness well into old age.
We're putting skincare over makeup
Modern YouTube beauty gurus are fun, but we've all become a little sick of their cakey, excessive makeup that hides their skin instead of enhancing their beauty. Heavy makeup is on its way out because Korean beauty helped us realize the importance of skin care. The fact of the matter is this: if you take great care of your skin, you won't need much makeup to look absolutely stunning.
The results are obvious
It might be a little difficult to get used to such an extensive regimen, but once you do, you'll quickly see the results. This gentle, careful nurture will become obvious on your face because your skin will simply look fresh, velvety, and above all, healthy.
It's entirely possible to smooth out some of your wrinkles, bring back that youthful plumpness, and even out your skin tone until everything looks bright and smooth. Who wouldn't want to look gorgeous like that?
The formulas are clean
A lot of Western skincare has a ton of cheap, filler ingredients that don't really do anything for your skin and can even be actively harmful. Korean skincare is generally a lot cleaner because the companies use quality ingredients and don't put in any useless fillers that are only going to clog your pores.
With K-beauty, you can expect to enjoy good formulas that are genuinely nurturing for your sensitive, delicate skin. If you want the products you buy to actually do something beneficial, you've got to make sure you're purchasing the ones that are legitimately well-made.
Better bang for your buck
With all these benefits, you'd expect K-beauty to be as pricey as diamond. However, this is not the case at all – a lot of Korean beauty products are actually fairly affordable. While you definitely have some high-end brands that are super expensive, plenty of the things you can find can fit almost any kind of budget. You won't break the bank attempting to introduce this amazing routine into your daily life.
Allow us to summarize this in a single sentence: Korean beauty relies on prevention rather than the cure. Instead of letting your skin get all wrinkly and uneven, Korean women take special care to simply never let their youth get away from them in the first place. That's why this beauty regimen is so awesome, and that's why you should try it.
The post Why Are We Obsessed With the Korean Beauty Regime? appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Celebrate Halloween with These 'Boo'Tiful Cupcakes appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Makes: 12 – 14
Ingredients:
Cupcakes –
- 125g dark chocolate, chopped
- 1 cup water
- 125g butter, diced and softened
- 1 1⁄4 cups
- 3 extra large eggs
- 2 cups plain flour
- 11⁄2 tsp baking powder
- 1⁄4 cup cocoa
Decoration –
- 150g butter, diced and softened
- 125g Vanilla Buttercream Icing Mix
- 125g Chocolate Buttercream Icing Mix
- 6 tsp water
- Edible eyes
- Liquorice Strips
- Black fondant icing
Method
- Pre-heat oven to 170°C (150°C fan-forced). Place large cake cases into muffin pans.
- Combine chocolate and water in a saucepan and heat gently until the chocolate has melted. Allow to cool.
- Place butter and sugar into the bowl of an electric mixer, beating until pale and creamy. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well between each addition.
- Sift the flour, baking powder, and cocoa. Gradually fold into the butter mixture until well combined. Add cooled chocolate mixture, beating until smooth. Spoon mixture between cake cases and bake for 30 mins. Remove to a cooling rack to cool completely.
- For the buttercream icing, divide butter into 2 mixing bowls then beat each until soft and creamy. Gradually add
vanilla icing mix and 3 tsp water until the mix is smooth. Transfer to a piping bag with a round nozzle and pipe peaks on each cupcake. Repeat with chocolate buttercream icing mix. Decorate with edible eyes, liquorice strips and fondant icing shaped into witches hats.
Enjoy your scary Halloween cupcakes
The post Celebrate Halloween with These 'Boo'Tiful Cupcakes appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Sneak Peek Inside Nadia and Jimmy Bartel's Geelong Home appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>From the web series Australia Lives Here, we can share a sneak peek inside Nadia and Jimmy Bartel's Geelong home.
Pegged as the ultimate 'open for inspection', the web series, to be hosted by presenter and stylist Jules Sebastian, gives viewers an intimate look inside the beautiful, inspiring and sometimes quirky homes of high-profile Australians.
AFL glamour couple Nadia and Jimmy Bartel kicked off the series with 'fly on the wall', which gave viewers a look at their newly built home in Geelong, Victoria, featuring an incredible outdoor entertaining area complete with fire pit and lap pool.
Along the way, you'll see the favourite rooms and personal decorating styles of high profile Australians, and hear what they've learnt about the property game. Viewers will also get to know the neighbourhoods they live in as well as some of the celeb's favourite local hangouts.
Jules says, "I've always had a love of real estate and a keen interest in the way homes are styled. Someone's home, and how they live, tells you so much about them. Personally, being in the throes of project managing the build of our family home, I have a whole new appreciation for the stories behind a property!"
"So much blood, sweat and tears go into creating your home. I'm sure I'll hear some inspiring, and no doubt crazy, stories along the way and I look forward to sharing these with Australia."
The series has been created by realestate.com.au
Tracey Fellows, CEO of REA Group, parent company of realestate.com.au, says, "We all know Australians love property and celebrities are no exception – they have some fascinating property stories to share.
"Australia Lives Here has been designed to inspire and entertain. No matter where you are in your own property journey – buying, renting, investing, renovating or simply dreaming big – the series will fuel your passion by giving you an all access look at how some of our favourite Australians live," Tracey says
To check out the celeb homes, visit here.
The post Sneak Peek Inside Nadia and Jimmy Bartel's Geelong Home appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Scott Pickett's Thai Chicken Mango Salad appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Thai Chicken Mango Salad
Serves 4
INGREDIENTS
For the marinade
3 stalks lemongrass, trimmed and sliced
1 bunch coriander, stalks trimmed, rinsed well and dried
100 ml fish sauce
100 ml sweet chilli sauce
2 tb chilli jam
3 tb ketjap manis
3 tb low salt soy
1 tb black peppercorns, crushed
75 grams sugar
1 walnut-sized piece of fresh ginger, peeled and julienned
For the salad
1 kg boneless chicken thighs
1 mango, peeled and cut into cubes
Mixed washed and dried leaves (iceberg, coral, tatsoi, oakleaf)
Coriander leaves, fried shallots and Vietnamese mint notes
** The quantity of marinade is sufficient for a kilo of chicken, or more. Use boneless thigh fillets. Any leftover chicken is good cold. It makes a good sandwich.
METHOD
For the marinade
1 Chop the coriander and mix well with all the other ingredients.
2 Marinate the chicken for three to four hours.
For the salad
1 Grill the chicken gently. When it is cooked through, and its edges charring a little, place on a board and slice each portion into four or five slices.
2 Dress with the shallot, soy and mirin dressing.
3 Mix together the lettuces, add the chicken pieces and the mango. Finish with coriander and mint, and scatter over the fried shallots.
The Carousel thanks Scott Pickett for this recipe from his book A Cook's Story which can be purchased now from certain book stores and online.
The post Scott Pickett's Thai Chicken Mango Salad appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Peta Shulman's 5 Top Wellness Tips appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>More often than not, it is because they have had there own health struggles, which have taught them how to take care of themselves, and from there, others. Such is the case with Goodnessme Box founder Peta Shulman.
The box itself epitomises all it is to be healthy. It encourages people to eat clean, nourish their body with pure whole foods, and join the wellness revolution.
The creator of such a healthy and holistic product, must surely be the picture perfect image of wellbeing?
Not quite. In 2010 Peta found herself bed-ridden for three months with barely enough energy to walk to the kitchen. Desperately fatigued, suffering from constant headaches, muscle aches and heavy limbs, Peta was diagnosed with an autoimmune condition.
These difficulties prompted her to prioritise her wellbeing above all else, and learn all the best tips and tricks to make her feel her absolute best. Luckily for us, she has shared her wisdom with The Carousel.
5 Health and Wellness Must-Do's
1. 8 hours sleep – sleep is absolutely critical to my overall health and wellness. My body is susceptible to getting run down easily. I find if I take the time to replenish and recharge it makes all the difference in the world. I know with 8 hours sleep I function at my best.
2. Bone Broth – I have a small mug each and every morning. With 70% of your immune system located in your gut, it is super important to look after your digestive system.
3. Probiotic and Zinc – I take a high strength probiotic from the BioCeuticals range and zinc twice every single day.
4. Make time for friends and family – It can be very easy when running a business to become absorbed and have little to spend with others. Relationships are so critical for support and for emotional wellbeing and I'm lucky to have a very tight support network around me.
5. See a health practitioner – I don't believe in self-prescribing or self-diagnosing, whether that be with supplements or cutting out food groups. Food can be so powerful as a way of healing so make sure you find out what is right for your body. I see my health practitioners regularly as my body is constantly changing.
The post Peta Shulman's 5 Top Wellness Tips appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Chorizo & Seafood Paella appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Making a sofrito
A sofrito is one of the building blocks for all good paella and many other sauces in Spanish cuisine such as romesco. It's basically a jam of onions, garlic and capsicum along with herbs and bay leaf. You can make this and freeze it as it could be seen as the Spanish version of a stock when cooking rice.
- 125ml olive oil
- 2 white onions finely diced
- 2 garlic cloves thinly sliced
- 4 bay leaves
- Bunch of thyme
- 4 large red capsicums: seeded and finely diced
- 4 ripe tomatoes peeled seeded and cored and diced
Making sure all your ingredients are finely diced put in your paella pan and softly-fry or sofrito over a very low heat. The whole process should take around an hour or more. The mixture will gradually turn into a jamy, darker coloured paste. Once it has darkened, take off the heat, let cool and store in a container.
Making a paella
INGREDIENTS
- 750 ml (3 cups) water
- ¼ tsp Spanish sweet or smoked paprika
- pinch saffron threads (Iranian or Spanish)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 100g semi-cured chorizo, sliced into ½ cm rounds
- 2 squid or calamari tubes, sliced into 1 cm rounds
- ¼ cup sofrito – recipe above
- 1 cup bomba rice or marisma rice
- 100ml white wine
- 8 large green prawns
- 16 black mussels
- salt
- 1 roasted capsicum, diced
- chopped parsley, to serve
- lemon wedges, to serve
METHOD
- Place a paella pan over a medium heat. Add the olive oil and chorizo and cook for 5 minutes until it releases some oil and looks crisp, remove and set aside, add the sofrito and cook for 5 minutes, stirring regularly before adding the squid and cook for 3 minutes. Add back the chorizo along with the saffron and then the rice.
- Stir to make sure the rice is coated in the paprika colored oils then pour in the wine and cook until evaporated.
- Pour in the water, stir, then spread the rice evenly over the base of the pan and bring to the boil.
- Cook for a few minutes until the rice begins to swell and absorbs some stock.
- Add the prawns and two pinches of salt. Stir gently for the last time and reduce the heat to a steady simmer.
- Cook for 3–4 minutes until the rice begins to show as the stock reduces.
- Add the mussels and continue to cook for 8–10 minutes until the water has been absorbed and the rice is tender.
- Reduce heat to low and cook for a further 5 minutes until a crust (known as a socarrat) forms on the bottom of the pan.
- Sprinkle over the roasted capsicum, remove from the heat and rest for 5 minutes.
- Sprinkle with chopped parsley and serve with lemon wedges.
The Carousel thanks The Bohemian Bar & Restaurant in Melbourne for this delicious recipe.
If you want to become an expert at making a delicious paella, you can register for paella cooking class with Bohemian Head Chef Lorenzo Casu and Spanish paella Master Chef Gerard Rodriguez!
The post Chorizo & Seafood Paella appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Tasty Balinese-Style Paella Recipe By Janet DeNeefe appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>I devoured paella nearly every day when I visited in 1991, and in Madrid in the midst of probably my tenth version, I had an epiphany, or rather one of those 'what's all the fuss about this dish' moments, and realised I could create a superb Balinese paella adding a little mystique of the spice islands. Our paella is an elegant celebration of seafood as well as a meeting of Bali and the Mediterranean – the flash of the flamenco is introduced to the shimmer of the legong, Bali's famous traditional dance. It has been one of the most popular items on our menu since we opened our large wooden doors in 1992. In actual fact, our dish is not truly a paella, but a spiced mixture of fish, prawns, calamari, clams and vegetables in a rich tomato sauce, served on a bed of fragrant yellow rice. My advice when cooking this recipe is to be patient and walk, or rather, flamenco through the list of ingredients. If it makes you feel more confident, do what the cooks in the Casa Luna kitchen do, be cheeky, laugh, and crack some ribald Benny Hillstyle jokes. Add a glass of wine to that and you will make yourself a masterpiece!
Serves 4
INGREDIENTS
1 kg tomatoes, roughly chopped
1 teaspoon tomato paste (optional, for a deeper colour)
8 garlic cloves
8 red shallots, roughly chopped
1 leek, roughly chopped
1/2 teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 teaspoons grated palm sugar
2 bay leaves
3 tablespoons oil
125 ml oil
6 raw prawns, shelled and de-veined but heads left in tact
200 g white fish fillets, cut into fat chunks
6 garlic cloves chopped
2 medium red shallots, chopped
1/4 medium onion, chopped
2 long red chillies, finely sliced
3 teaspoons finely chopped ginger
200mls chicken stock
1/2 teaspoon fish sauce
6 clams, boiled in salted water until opened
6 calamari rings
1 small carrot, julienned
15 snow peas
4 kaffir lime leaves
sea salt
freshly ground black pepper
2 cups hot Fragrant Yellow Rice (page 000)
lemon basil leaves
wedges of lime
METHOD
1Put the tomato sauce ingredients other than the oil in a food processor and blitz to a chunky sauce.
2Heat the oil in a wok over low heat. Stir in the tomato sauce and bay leaves and simmer for around an hour, until the oil rises to the surface. Taste for seasoning and spoon into a bowl. Wipe out the wok.
3To make the paella, heat the oil in the wok over medium heat and toss in the prawns. Fry for a minute, or until their flesh has just turned white. Remove from the wok with a slotted spoon and set aside on a plate.Throw the chunks of fish into the wok and lower the heat a little. Toss around for about 2 minutes, until just sealed all over. Remove to the plate of prawns. Add the garlic, shallots, onion, chilli, lime leaves and ginger to the remaining oil in the wok and toss around for 30 seconds. Add 6 heaped tablespoons of the tomato sauce, along with the chicken stock , lime leaves and fish sauce and bring to a simmer. Return the fish and prawns to the wok followed by the clams in their shells. Simmer for a minute, then add the calamari, carrot and snow peas. Cook until the calamari turns white. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
4Serve the seafood and sauce on a bed of hot yellow rice. Scatter with lemon basil leaves and serve with wedges of lime.
The Carousel thanks BALI The Food of my Island Home
Click here for more yummy seafood dishes
The post Tasty Balinese-Style Paella Recipe By Janet DeNeefe appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Janet DeNeefe Shares Her Coconut Panna Cotta Recipe appeared first on The Carousel.
]]> INGREDIENTS
30gm white sugar
1/4 cup water
1 1/4 cup coconut milk
1 leaf of titanium strength gelatine or 2 teaspoons gelatine
2 fat pieces orange rind, grated
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 pandan leaves, tied together in one knot
400ml whipping cream
METHOD
1Place the cream in a large bowl and set aside.
2Dissolve the sugar with the water over a low flame in a heavy-based saucepan. This will only take a few minutes.
3Add to the dissolved sugar, the grated orange rind, vanilla, pandan leaves and coconut milk. Over a low flame cook gently for 15 minutes.
4Meanwhile soak the gelatine leaf in cold water for 5 minutes or until softened. Squeeze water from gelatine and add to coconut milk mixture, stirring to dissolve gelatine.
5Strain the mixture through a fine sieve onto the cream, stirring to combine.
6Lightly oil 6 x 1/2 cup (125ml) dariole moulds or ramekins. Place on a tray and pour in the slightly cooled cream mixture. Otherwise pour into 6 elegant glasses. 7Refrigerate overnight or until set.
8To serve, run a knife around inner edge of ramekins, then turn out onto plates and serve immediately.
The Carousel thanks BALI The Food of my Island Home
The post Janet DeNeefe Shares Her Coconut Panna Cotta Recipe appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Kamalaya's Tropical Papaya Bee Smoothie Recipe appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Makes 1
INGREDIENTS
Goat yoghurt 225ml
Papaya, chopped roughly 125g
Bee pollen 30g
Honey 1 tbs
METHOD
1. Blend the goat yoghurt, papaya and honey with a few ice cubes, until smooth and creamy.
2. Serve in a tall glass, sprinkling the bee pollen on top.
3. Stir the bee pollen through when you're ready to drink.
Kamalaya as a multi award winning wellness sanctuary and holistic spa on the tropical southern coastline of Koh Samui offering inspired healthy cuisine alongside a choice of tailored wellness programmes including detox, weight loss, stress & burnout, sleep and personalised yoga. It was recentlynamed "Worldwide Health & Wellness Destination of the Year" at the 2017 World Spa & Wellness Awards.
Want to age beautifully? Read Kamalaya Co-Founder, Karina Stewart's top tips for health ageing here…
The post Kamalaya's Tropical Papaya Bee Smoothie Recipe appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post How to Fix Your Broken Relationship with Food appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>I struggled with a dysfunctional relationship with food for many years, with bouts of restriction and going all out on food.
I had long list of diet rules that if broken always lead to feeling bad about myself and eventually had a negative impact on my confidence and self-esteem.
Our relationship with food is complex and to complicate things further the world we live encourages women to diet and then blame themselves when these diets fail.
It's time to rewrite your food rules and build a more positive, and enjoyable relationship with food.
Let's explore what it means to have a healthy relationship with food and some ways to get you started on your freedom journey.
Taking the first step to fixing a broken relationship with food can feel frightening and difficult but well worth it in the long run.
What Does A Broken Relationship with Food Look Like?
A broken relationship with food tends to have a lot of rules and restrictions that create feelings of deprivation and often manifest as specific commands about what, when, and how you should be eating.
Signs of a broken relationship with food include:
- You often feel guilt and shame about eating
- You label foods as "good "or "bad" or "healthy" and "unhealthy"
- You have a list of rules regarding the foods you can and can't eat
- You find yourself restricting and/or binging food
- You lose connection with your body's natural signals
- You override your body's natural hunger signals
- You have a history of yo-yo dieting
- You often eat in secret
What Does A Healthy Relationship with Food Look Like?
A good relationship with food has absolutely nothing to do with the quality of your diet or the types of food you eat, but rather how and why you choose the foods you eat.
Signs of a healthy relationship with food include:
- You listen and respect your body's natural hunger signals
- You eat when you're hungry and stop when you feel full
- You feel no guilt upon eating foods that are typically labelled "good" or "bad"
- You don't obsess over the number on the scale
- You don't let the opinions of others dictate which foods you eat
- You don't feel the need to justify your food choices.
- You understand that you're not defined by the foods you eat
- You enjoy all food in moderation
- You choose foods that make you feel your best
- Calories are not the focus of your food choices
Long Term Approach to Eating
Imagine a life in which you don't have to justify your food choices to yourself or anyone else.
The key to a healthy relationship with food is flexibility, welcoming all foods with no restrictions, seeing the value in food beyond calories, and remembering that your value as a human isn't dictated by the food you eat.
Developing a long-term approach to consistent, sustainable healthy eating, should be created for yourself and be specific to your needs and lifestyle.
Here are some ways to help you say good bye to food rules, end the "food fight" and say hello to eating healthy.
1. Let Go of Perfection
Once you let go of the notion that there is a "perfect" way to eat, you can develop your own long-term approach to sustainable nutritious eating, based on your own needs and lifestyle.
That way, you don't go "on" a diet or "off" a diet, but simply develop an eating program that is satisfying, healthy, and maintainable.
Letting Go of Perfection Means:
- Ditching all food rules and restrictions
- Use your natural as guiding principles, as opposed to hard-and-fast rules
- Aiming for healthy eating not perfect, there is no such thing as perfect eating
- Understanding that some days your body may need more food than others (especially with increase in physical activity)
- Being kind and compassionate towards yourself for eating something you enjoyed, rather than feeling guilty
- Not allowing what you ate yesterday to dictate today
2.Flexibility with Food Choices
Flexibility is an important aspect of a healthy relationship with food and relates to the amount of food you consume.
- Do you label certain foods as "good" and "bad"?
These quick labels let us feel in control of what we're consuming. But in reality, they don't mean much at all and are constructs that serve no health purpose.
Being Flexible Means:
- No rigid rules surrounding eating and food habits
- Trusting your body, it knows where you need to be and can deal with a little bit of variation
- Going with the flow and accepting that some days you may deviate from your preferred foods
- It's ok to eat more some days and less on other days
- Being spontaneous with your food choices
- Feeling relaxed at social occasions
- If you feel like dessert after dinner, you have it without judgement or need to compensate
- Giving yourself the freedom to make unplanned food choices that may not have been your #1 preference
3.Relaxed Eating
Incorporates choices and beliefs about food through a filter of self-love and body wellness that is balanced, not extreme or all consuming. It's not about controlling the food intake but about relating to the food you eat.
"Relaxed eating is supported by relaxed thinking about your food, your weight and your body and is a true manifestation of self-trust and self-expression." (Kronberg, Sondra)
Relaxed Eating Means:
- Giving yourself unconditional permission to eat the foods that make you feel good physically and mentally
- Responding to your body's natural hunger signals and intuitively providing for its needs
- Eating when you feel hungry and stopping when you are satisfied.
- Trusting that no foods are off-limits, and you feel no guilt upon eating foods that are typically labelled "good" or "bad."
- The ability to be at ease with the social, emotional and physical components of food and eating
- Having the choice of eating more or less or differently than usual without judgement, punishment or the need to compensate.
- Responding to changes in your routine, your moods, and your physical demands with compassion and ease
Wrapping Up
As you navigate your relationship with food, remember that food isn't inherently good or bad. It's the labels you put on it that give it power.
Once you can let go of these labels and guilt, you will let go of so much stress and anxiety and realise that food and eating is fun!
The bottom line
Your relationship with food is personal, unique, and requires regular work to keep it healthy.
- Do you want to feel freedom around meals and peace with knowing that your relationship with food works?
Even if you don't know where to start, I can help you build a healthier and more enjoyable relationship with food.
Register for my free masterclass 3 Strategies for Healthy Relationship with Food , where you will learn one important secret that will transform your life completely.
Click here to get instant access to it now!
The post How to Fix Your Broken Relationship with Food appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Make-up Artist Rae Morris: Contouring Tips For The Mature Woman appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Here are celebrity make-up artist's contouring and anti-ageing tips for applying make-up:
Never smile when you apply blush as it creates lines around your eyes and unless you're a teenager, after you relax your smile, your blush will be closer to your jawline than your cheeks! Keep a relaxed face and apply blush high up on your cheeks in a soft "C" shape that follows your cheekbone.
The most anti-ageing thing that a women can do to her face to make her look younger is to even out her skin tone. It is honestly the most effective anti-ageing technique. It's even more anti-ageing then Botox!
Try colour correcting concealers.
Red/Peach – neutralises dark under-eye circles on fair/medium skin tones
Pink – brightens eye area and masks fatigue
Yellow – neutralises hyper pigmentation and dark spots
Green – counteracts redness from rosacea, acne, broken capillaries, and sunburn
Orange – counteracts dark under-eye circles on darker skin tones; also neutralises veins
As women get older, we get more sun spots, more pigmentation, and our skin tone becomes uneven, so evening out your skin tone means creating a flawless canvas. You need to find a foundation that give you coverage that males your skin tone all one colour. Remember not to heavily powder your face – something our mother's taught us that we need to forget.
You need to create a beautiful dewiness with foundation as powder will fall into creases and create more lines. Look to screen icons such as Jane Fonda and even Helen Mirren as great examples of wearing your make-up well. Powder should really only be used to make your skin look less oily, not to set your make-up.
Jane Fonda has perfected the art of creating glowing skin
For older women, be warned – contouring can age you. If you already have hollow temples, don't contour this area as it will create a deeper temple and have an ageing effect.
If you have a narrow face or hollowing cheeks, be careful when contouring your cheekbones. By creating a diagonal contour line along the cheekbone, you will draw attention to that area of the face. However, if you want to create a more lifted cheek, just angle your contouring shade slightly up by starting at your ears and subtly lifting the shape to be more horizontal as you taper and blend the product.
Another anti-ageing tip is to contour the jawline. A youthful jawline has a straight line from the jaw to the chin and as we age our faces tend to droop in between, so this is the area where you want to create a straight line with soft shading.
A great product to try to add some subtle contouring is the NYX Cream highlighting and contour palette an easy to use product top help you subtly highlight, contour and illuminate.
I love creating a soft eye contour with a matte brown or grey eye shadow on your top eyelid. Simply keep your eyes looking straight ahead and create a soft c-shape with the product that sits slightly above the lash line.
Try Maybelline Color Tattoo Leather 24HR Eyeshadow . It's a smooth cream matte eyeshadow that is long lasting.
The post Make-up Artist Rae Morris: Contouring Tips For The Mature Woman appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Pilates Move: Back to Basics With The Crunch appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>As there are so many ways we can complicate our exercise regime, sometimes it's great to just go back to basics.
Starting position
Lie on your back with your knees bent 90 degrees, feet hip width apart with the soles of your feet flat on the mat. Place your arms out long with your palms on your side.
Exercise Execution
- Draw your belly button down towards your spine and wrap your abdominals around to activate your core.
- Start by tilting your head slightly so that you can feel your chin pulling slightly down towards your chest and imagine you are holding a golf ball under your chin and your head starts to lift off the map.
- Continue the lift as your shoulders rise up off of the mat and allow the palms of your hands to slide towards your knees. Go as far as you feel comfortable.
- Slowly articulate down the opposite way, one vertebrae at a time as your middle back, upper back and then head rest back down. Repeat!
Breathing
Exhale as you crunch up, inhale as you relax down.
Reps
Start out with 2-3 sets of 12-15 repetitions and increase if desired.
Advancements
- Hold at the top of the crunch for 2-3 secs to isolate the contraction in the abdominals and ad 2-3 pulses at the top of the movement.
- Place your hands on opposite thighs and one side at a time turn it into an oblique crunch twisting to the opposite knee when you crunch up. Repeat on the other side.
KX Tip
To add KX intensity to the exercise, start the exercise with both knees in a table top position (right angles in the hip and knees). As you crunch up, extend one / both legs out straight to 45 degrees to work the lower abdominals in the process. Hold at the top and pulse for 3- 5 seconds before returning back to the starting position. Also, extra resistance can be added to the exercise by adding weight (medicine ball, weight etc.) to the upper body by holding it on your chest.
Aaron Smith is the CEO & Founder – KX Group. KX is a boutique fitness company with 17 studios across Melbourne and Sydney, offering dynamic pilates, barre and yoga. KX also run international retreats to Vanuatu and Bali.
Model: Pia Muehlenbeck
The post Pilates Move: Back to Basics With The Crunch appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Inside A New Off Grid Tiny House With Sweeping Views of Tassie appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Compass Hut's newest accomodation is Arc Pavilion, a 7.5-meter long tiny house on wheels designed, crafted and curated by its owners, Kylie and Tamika Bell. The self-contained home operates on solar and Tesla battery storage, and is designed according to sustainable principles with a north orientation, double glazed windows and insulation.
The home's small footprint includes an edible garden and outdoor areas with stunning views across the coast to Bass Strait – you can even see the Spirit of Tasmania coming and leaving.
The space includes a luxurious queen-sized bed, french linens, over-bed skylight and artwork on display.
The ensuite bathroom, semi-open-plan to the bedroom, boasts an unusually high, fully glazed double-shower space that looks out to a fully enclosed, private Japanese maple garden.
Guests can enjoy a fully-equipped kitchenette including a wine fridge and minibar.
The living area includes a TV and wall-mounted tablet that enables guests to check in on how the off-grid system is operating via the Tesla app – although with the choice of those outdoor views or a Danish Morso fireplace indoors, why would you want to look at a device?
Kylie and Tamika leave their personal stamp on the home with their own 2D and ceramic sculptures. The sisters also built and designed most of the furniture and cabinetry.
Arc Pavilion is the second tiny house on wheels on the family's 84 acre farm, joining the even smaller Barnhaus, also 100 percent off grid.
Photos: Kylie Bell
The post Inside A New Off Grid Tiny House With Sweeping Views of Tassie appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Why Your First Love Story Might Need Some Reconsidering appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>A recent conversation with a friend I was close to back in my high school days, brought back to life some vivid truths about my first relationship; and my first love.
Listening back to my old friend recanting the exhausting hours and hours she spent counselling my poor, tortured boyfriend as he thrashed back and forth trying to work out how to please me, she said, thoughtfully, "You know, I honestly think he really just wanted to make you happy." My mind ploughed back into the scenes she'd described, memories I'd not thought of for thirty years, the minute detail was still fresh like yesterday. So too were the emotions, his and mine, but now I could view them, from a place of more compassion and wisdom.
With the wisdom of hindsight, and over a decade of my self-healing journey, I can see now that the 16-year-old boy I nicknamed 'Scooter' – much to his annoyance – didn't stand a chance. We had bursts of romance and affection of course, but mostly we had nasty public bust-ups. Paul Newman and Joanna Woodward, we were not destined to be – we were more the Madonna and Sean Penn of our friendship group – minus the fame, cash and artistic talent.
The thing is, this is not quite the story I'd told myself (or others) over the years when it came to talking about 'my first love'. My version was usually crunched down to soundbites like "We were a disaster!" or "He was full of shit in the end."
Short, sharp and drowning in bias.
Eventually, he disappointed me, after a fling with another girl, during a break I forced us to have. The part of me that believed in love, even prided herself on the fact that we'd lost our virginity to each other at 17 years old, was utterly heartbroken. Finally, I was proven right, I told myself, he was always going to hurt me in the end.
As my boyfriend's dad described us years later when my mum awkwardly bumped into him at the post office – "those two together, was like throwing petrol onto a fire!" he said.
So here's the thing, amongst the many magical revelations I've had since embarking on my self-exploration campaign, is that for many of us, our so-called first love is profoundly influenced by what we experienced with our actual first love: the one with our father.
Anyone that knows me, or read my book This is Not a Love Song, understands that the love and influence my dad had on me, was boundless. But like most humans he was deeply flawed and, in many ways, he didn't know how to be the kind of father a little or teenage girl needed. The fact that my parents split when I was still a baby; a laundry list of disappointments – cheating being cited as mum's final straw, meant that what I soaked up regarding what love with a male might look like, was that it will end. Not if, just when. Dad moving to Sydney to live with another woman and her son, only added to my preoccupation of not only constantly pining for more time with him, but I believe it also programmed a belief in my subconscious, that love will always be just out of reach for me. And history certainly showed me that this was indeed often my outcome. But what more recent history has shown me is that the thoughts we carry in our conscious or unconscious mind, have a startling way of showing up in the physical world. What that means is that I am more in control of my outcomes than I'd ever previously considered.
For anyone still grappling with the mystery of romantic love, I urge you to re-think your first love story. Whether that's with male or female lovers (or both), be honest about what you experienced with a parent of that same-sex. What belief systems or expectations did that love story instil in you? Is there a link to your romance history? And remember too that our parents had their own first love stories – and undoubtedly these influenced their ability to offer love and to receive it. So any perceived rejections never had anything to do with you.
This is Not a Love Song is a memoir about mental health…and love. Intertwining two tales: the raw, personal soul- searching of a young woman with a 'stranger than fiction' psychological thriller.
When Amber started working in the world of magazines, she never dreamt their focus would turn so close to home, when her best friend falls for (and marries) a Danish prince. In the wake of a fairy tale, royal wedding she finds herself surrounded by a sea of perfumed sharks.
Wondering who to trust, she falls for the charms of a romantic rogue. When Mr Wrong unleashes a barrage of bad publicity, it looks like there's no salvaging her reputation. A lifeline is thrown when she's offered a role on Survivor. On the island, she finds her inner hero, and yet another dangerous romance.
Using manifesting techniques, she secures her "dream job" in radio. But the bubbly voice she portrays on air is just a sham-off-air, Amber sinks into depression while juggling a violent boyfriend and a toxic work culture. When a "Gotcha" call presents a wholesome love story, Amber finds herself caught up in another fairy tale, but all is not as it seems.
When the appalling truth is uncovered, Amber is forced to take a stark look at the part she's played in inviting so many smiling assassins to take centre stage in her life. She sees how the power of your thoughts, and manifesting, can bring both your greatest dream but also your worst nightmare.
This is Not a Love Story is available to buy as an ebook or paperback via www.amberpetty.com.au or Booktopia
The post Why Your First Love Story Might Need Some Reconsidering appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Learn To Meditate With Chris Hemsworth Guiding You All The Way appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>This is timely because it was World Mental Health Day on Sunday and we should be looking out for helpful strategies we can use to improve our mental health every day. This new video is definitely one such strategy. Hemsworth, the very well-known actor guides us through learning how to meditate and release stress.
These videos were formerly exclusively available on Centr but now they're available for everyone to hear. That's right, you won't need a subscription to Chris' holistic health and wellness app to appreciate and unwind while listening to Chris' soothing voice.
There are more videos available at Centr's 7-day Learn to Meditate Series, all narrated by Chris himself and highlighting different meditation techniques. There are seven videos in the series so you can gradually move from learning one style of beginner meditation and then moving on to the next.
How To Adapt Meditation And Mindfulness Into Your Daily Life
The post Learn To Meditate With Chris Hemsworth Guiding You All The Way appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Burn More Calories By Skipping With Social Media Sensation – Lauren Flymen appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>We've seen many fitness trends come and go over the years – and especially during the pandemic. People have been buying up dumbbells, then kettlebells, followed by resistance bands. But the latest fitness trend to take the world by storm is skipping, or jump rope as it's called in America. It's one of the most efficient calorie-burning workouts we know of – in fact, hour-for-hour it's even more effective than a spin class.
Even celebrities have taken it up including Katy Perry, who uses skipping for cardio fitness on tour. She told the Daily Mail: "I hate working out, but I love jumping rope. I think it's because it's like dancing; there's a rhythm."
The benefits of skipping have been known for a long time. Boxers have used it to increase their agility. Skipping also works well for our new way of working where we might still be working at home but we still want to keep fit. You don't even have to leave the house, but if you want to you get your daily vitamin D and 10,000 steps all at the same time when you go to your courtyard or garden, then that's a bonus.
Lauren Flymen is a woman who has changed her life by taking up skipping. She took to it with a vengeance after she was furloughed or told she had to take unpaid leave from her job as a sales manager for a business supplies company during the pandemic. The 29-year-old from St Albans in the US now uploads regular skipping tutorials to her 417,000 followers on Instagram, mixing it up between fancy footwork tutorials, beginner guidance and seriously impressive clips of her routines.
Lauren only started skipping in April 2020. She's said it was a way to distract herself from her postponed wedding and honeymoon which were due to take place last year but were put on hold by lockdown (she finally got married in September 2021).
"Jump rope turned my life around in lockdown," Lauren says. "Not only am I now the fittest I've ever been and in the best shape I've ever been, it gave me a reason to get out of bed when I wasn't working, it gave me something to focus on, and it gave me the satisfaction of something towork towards with unlocking new skills. It kept me healthy, it connected me with people around the world and gave me a sense of togetherness."
Lauren first became interested in jump rope when she saw fitness influencer Carmel Rodriguez incorporate skipping with fancy footwork into her Instagram workouts. "I then came across other accounts such as dance roper Jimmy Reynolds and jump rope champion Tori Boggs and a whole wider community of skipping/jump rope enthusiasts sharing progress with each other and helping each other to learn skills that I'd never seen before," she explains.
"I created a separate jump rope account on Instagram within a couple of days of getting my rope so I could tap into the community and share my videos without embarrassing myself in front of my friends on my personal account," she says. "I realised early on that by filming myself and sharing my journey, I would learn quicker and enjoy the experience more," she adds.
When she set up her dedicated skipping Instagram account, Lauren Jumps, Lauren had no followers, but quickly amassed people who wanted to join her jump rope journey including Made in Chelsea star Louise Thompson, who has her own fitness brand Pocket Sport.
"I am a sporty person," says Lauren, and I grew up doing dance and sports such as squash, netball, lacrosse and athletics so I guess I'm quite coordinated although, that said, skipping made me feel very uncoordinated at first. It's so much harder than it looks. I'm quite a determined person and hate being rubbish at things so I guess I do pick things up quickly due to this."
A quick browse of Lauren's Instagram shows off some fancy footwork that skipping novices can only dream of, such as jumping leg cross move 'the toad' and '360 turns' where you pivot full circles while skipping, but she's definitely put the time in. She spent several hours a day skipping at the beginning and now spends around an hour a day five days a week perfecting her skills. It took a few months to progress to the advanced level she's at now, which has earned her brand deals with fitness names such as Hexxee Socks and TCA activewear, as well as her own range of skipping ropes with Dope Ropes, £19.
Such was a demand for tutorials on her intricate skipping skills including 'crossovers' and 'side-swings' that at the end of 2020 she quit her job to pursue skipping full time.
So, here's a few more facts about skipping and what it can do for you…
Is skipping good for improving your cardiovascular fitness?
That's a big yes, as Lauren's experience bears out and not only because she said she's the fittest she's ever been. "My cardiovascular endurance was lacking so it was a slight shock to the system taking up skipping. At first, I couldn't jump for very long without feeling exhausted. I find it so much easier now and my sessions are often up to an hour with little rest."
She adds that a good level of strength was useful: "I'd steered clear of cardio for a while because I didn't enjoy it and preferred weight lifting. Before skipping I was lifting weights four times a week so I had a level of fitness from that," Lauren says.
How many calories do you burn when you skip?
Lauren doesn't track her calorie burn, but when we spoke to Ryan Pickard, co-founder of 12×3 boxing gym in London, he told us that ten minutes of skipping it can have the same health benefits as 45 minutes of running and can burn up to 1200 calories per hour, almost double that of a spin class. Lauren tends to skip for an hour at a time.
What kind of jump rope is the best to use?
Lauren's followers will have noticed that she jumps over a brightly coloured beaded rope, with beads along the length of the PVC rope, rather than the string ones you might remember from primary school, or the naked PVC ropes you've probably seen in the past. Lauren recommends a PVC rope for speed, but if you want to learn tricks, a beaded rope is the way to go. "Beaded ropes are heavier than traditional ropes so are easier to control," she says. "Other ropes tend to be designed to move with little effort which is great for some tricks but not when you're a beginner who needs to take things slowly or you actually want to manipulate the rope for tricks."
For more from Lauren you can visit her on her Instagram page called laurenjumps here.
How To Trick Your Body Into Losing Weight – Medical Expert's Guide
The post Burn More Calories By Skipping With Social Media Sensation – Lauren Flymen appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Inside The Thrifty Wardrobe of A_C Official Founder Tessa Carroll appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>With such a gorgeous design aesthetic, we suspected A_C Official founder Tessa Carroll would have an equally gorgeous approach to living sustainably and we were keen to get inside her thrifty wardrobe (how about that $20 Hugo Boss find!).
Here are Tessa's own words about her approach to business, choosing to work with the materials that she does, and living a sustainable life.
"A_C Official was born out of a love for design and a commitment to the earth.
The brand's design principles are based on a Circular Economy, producing contemporary but timeless styles for the modern market who recognises the need to safeguard our future. The journey from concept to construction is a considered one, ensuring the production of our accessories is kind to the planet, people and animals.
I stopped consuming animal products in a bid to reduce my environmental impact.
From there I recognised the need to avoid animal leather except that's where the problems began. It didn't seem right that I had to choose between 'animal leather' and 'vegan leather' which is really just made of plastic. The word 'vegan' will always mean cruelty-free but this is relation to the life of the animal, and not in relation to its sustainability. I knew I wouldn't be the only one who didn't want to be buying a 'plastic' bag so I set out to create my own.
Sustainability to me is a way of life. It doesn't mean I am perfect at it.
It is a journey. Sustainability to me is how you consider your impact on this planet and make choices that limit the effect. It varies from choosing to sit in and drink my coffee, to insisting my sushi is packed in paper bag and without soy sauce in plastic (thankfully they always have bottles on the tables). These are tiny changes but honestly every bit counts. We don't need 100 people doing 'sustainable life' perfectly – we need millions of people doing sustainable life imperfectly but trying.
Thrift-shopping is my jam.
I generally use only thrifted items for my campaigns because honestly, that's where a lot of my inspiration comes from (plus thats generally where I shop personally!) I believe with the right accessories you can elevate any outfit.
For my most recent shoot I found this impeccable Hugo Boss men's suit for $20.00 (!!!!) in a Salvos in Richmond.
Some of my own key pieces that I love and wear myself are a $9 pair of Connies that had never been worn. I found these babies in the little boys section (I'm a pint sized 5.2 blonde with a 6.5 foot!).
Another is this incredible vintage Ralph Lauren belt I bought at the Camberwell Markets for $11. The colours of it inspired my latest collection so much so that I am working on a limited edition range for 2022 with tan lined black bags.
Last of all, my ultimate second hand piece is this insane 70's fringe jacket I bought in a Swap Meet in Brooklyn NYC for $100. I would spend it over again on this jacket – it's my power suit and one I bust out for special occasions like when Fleetwood Mac toured in 2019.
As crazy as it sounds, right now I am inspired by the constraints that we are finding ourselves in.
Sometimes when you're a designer you crave boundaries as they give you a framework to leap from. Lockdowns have taught me to step into the present and create content that I would never have otherwise created. For my latest campaign I managed it remotely with my incredible model Jae Lin. To do this, I had all my garments and styles delivered to her apartment and then spent the day on FaceTime while she tethered her camera to the computer and shot herself on a timer. Sure, we could have achieved a similar aesthetic outside of lockdown but the process distilled how clear my vision is for the brand and the collection.
It's easy to get caught up in our 'have-nots' but honestly, the simplest things are inspiring to me at the moment. I just have to remember to keep an open mind."
The post Inside The Thrifty Wardrobe of A_C Official Founder Tessa Carroll appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Silvia Colloca's Spaghettini Recipe with Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Italian author and TV presenter Silvia Colloca shares her delicious Spaghettini recipe and shows how you can pair it with the right wine.
Silvia Colloca's Spaghettini with Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves, skin on, bashed with the palm of your hand
- 3 spring onions, roughly chopped
- 1⁄2 red chilli thinly sliced, plus extra to garnish
- 200ml Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio
- 1 small handful of baby capers, well washed
- 650g of cherry tomatoes
- 1.5kg of vongole, well washed
- 400g spaghettini
- 1 handful of flat-leaf parsley, roughly chopped
Method
1. Bring a large saucepan of salted water to the boil
2. Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large heavy-based saucepan over high heat. Add the garlic, spring onion and chilli and toss until the garlic starts to become golden and fragrant
3. Add the vongole, tomatoes, capers, pour in the Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio and cook for about 2 minutes until the alcohol has evaporated
4. Cover with a tight‒fitting lid and allow the shells to open. They will start to open after 1‒2 minutes. As they do, fish them out with a slotted spoon and set them aside in a clean bowl. Discard any that don't open
5. In the meantime, drop your spaghettini into the boiling water and cook for 4 minutes, to just before al dente. Remove the spaghettini with tongs and drop them into the wine and tomato sauce, dragging along a little pasta cooking water
6. Start stirring gently for 1‒2 minutes—the sauce will thicken ever so slightly as the spaghettini soak up all the juices. Turn off the heat, then return the open vongole to the pan, along with the precious juices they released while resting. Scatter over the parsley and extra chilli and eat straight away
The post Silvia Colloca's Spaghettini Recipe with Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post The Self-Confidence Boosting Workout appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>"We all know that our physical actions have a great effect on our mental state – so it's possible to give yourself a great self-confidence boost and feel more powerful through a careful selection of different exercises that can help calm you down, focus, ground you and amp you up for whatever challenge lies ahead, be it a job interview or another day in lockdown," said Sam.
"Before starting – make sure you get yourself into the right zone. Select your best couple of motivational tracks – this might be hard-hitting to get you pumped up or an emotive tune to get you in a more zen zone, depending on your intentions. Put on your powerful workout clothes – whether tight or loose, revealing or covering it doesn't matter- as long as the outfit makes you feel strong. Also, clear the area and make sure the family, housemates (if you're at home) or other members (if you're in the gym) leave you alone so you can focus."
Step 1: Loosen Up – Your body needs to be ready but relaxed
Prepare the body with a simple but effective power warm-up as follows:
- Leg Swings (swing leg bag and forward) – 10 on each leg
- Arm Circles – 10 on each arm
- Jogging on the spot, bouncing on your toes – just like a boxer waiting to go in the ring – 20 seconds.
Step 2: Let's do it! The confidence-booster workout
1) Ground yourself – Sumo Squat x 10
Take your shoes off (if you can). Stand with your feet slightly wider than hip-width apart and turn your feet out, externally rotating your hips. With your hands stretched out in front, push your hips back and squat down, keeping your back straight and your upper body lifted.
The wide stance of the sumo dominates the room – the position is very grounding, which is the first step to feeling more confident. If you want to boost it up a notch, if you are squatting at home then hold a 2L water bottle or weight in each hand. In the gym, you can use the barbell. Keep your chest tall and proud and allow your bare feet to provide a calm and grounded feeling.
2) Amp it up! – Shadow Boxing (1 minute)
Pick a point on the wall or an object in the distance, focus your mind and your energy. Move around. Use your legs, move your head, relax the shoulders, throw some punches, move move move. After you punch, your hand should return to meet the other one in a guard position near your face. Shake your limbs out. Repeat! Breathe and put some purpose to your movements. You can mix up your punches – straight punches, hooks and bend your knees for some low blows – just ensure you keep a strong boxer's stance throughout.
Shadowboxing helps you to focus, release nervous energy and anger, tackle your demons and the fancy footwork will make you feel invincible.
Alternate 10 x Sumo Squats and 1-minute of Shadow Boxing three times!
3) Feel powerful – Power pose
The Wonder Woman is a pose that involves standing with your legs shoulder-width apart, chest out, with your arms placed on the waist. Hold the pose for two minutes.
In 2012, Harvard Business School professor Amy Cuddy gave a now-famous TED Talk on the benefits of power posing or changing your body language in ways that can make you feel more confident. A power pose is said to create hormonal changes, decreasing stress and giving you the confidence you need to ace whatever challenge you're about to take on.
4) Breathe your way to winning – Deep breathing exercise
Once your breathing has returned to normal after exercise, take a seat and take a moment to focus on yourself and your breathing. This breathing exercise will help you become calm, focused on the day ahead and will help fill your body with positive energy.
-
- Take Deep Breaths – 4sec in, 4 sec hold and 4sec release – Repeat for 2mins
- Free-breathing – Imagine your success – What are you going to do well today, what are your priorities, what are you going to knock out of the park – pick your top 3 targets and focus on them.
- Take Deep Breaths – 4sec in, 4 sec hold and 4sec release – Repeat for 2mins
The post The Self-Confidence Boosting Workout appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post 4 Ways to Create Lasting Memories of Your Pregnancy appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>On the other hand, if we take the time to turn these precious moments into lasting memories, we can preserve them for us and our loved ones to cherish for years to come. Not exactly sure how to do it? Don't fret! Here is a list of four amazing ways to create lasting memories of your pregnancy you can use as inspiration to record one of the most exciting phases of your life.
Capture sweet memories with some creative snaps
Pregnancy photoshoots can be lots of fun, and the best part is that you can really let your creativity and personality shine through the photos. Play with angles by taking photos of your bump from the top-down perspective, snap some black and white photos of your bump's silhouette for a more artistic feel, or take a series of selfies and create a week-to-week timeline.
You can also have a countdown photoshoot where the sibling will pose with a sign with the number of weeks written on it. Or, if you're a first-time mom, you can also include the dad-to-be in the photos and take a couple of touching shots together. The truth is, there are so many amazing ideas to inspire your photoshoots , so feel free to browse around until you find something that really speaks to you.
Track your progress with a pregnancy journal
Oftentimes, moms-to-be will describe their journey to motherhood as a rollercoaster of emotions – emotions that need to be expressed in one way or another. One of the healthiest and most effective ways to do this is through journaling.
Logging your thoughts, feelings, and day-to-day activities into a pregnancy journal can help relieve stress and help you gain a fresh perspective on things. Keeping a pregnancy journal can also be a way of forming a bond with your little one. You can also write about the moment you found out you're pregnant to the way you broke the news to your family and friends to how you decided on the baby name. Store this journal someplace safe, and feel free to share it with your child when they are a bit older.
Turn to apps to connect and share your experience with other moms
During your pregnancy journey, you may find yourself feeling concerned about how you're going to handle your new role as a mother. "Will I be able to take proper care of my baby?" and "How am I going to manage my time during the first couple of months?" are just some of the numerous questions that start occupying expectant moms' thoughts during their pregnancy journey.
The good news is, the answers to these and many other questions are at our fingertips. With just a few clicks, you can easily download the popular Mumli baby development app that you can use to connect with other moms, share your experience, and snap the most precious moments in real time and then log them with ease. You can use other helpful tools such as forums and groups made and run specifically by moms. Either way, you'll be getting some valuable advice while also being reminded that motherhood is a pretty special experience.
Get a cute personalized box to store all your little one's keepsakes
As a mom-to-be, you may want to hold onto all the precious little baby items and clothes for as long as you can. After all, they grow up so fast, and the best way to record this amazing journey and create sweet, lasting memories is to store all your little one's keepsakes.
Cute personalized boxes are the ideal way to keep the mementos of this precious period of their life. You can use them to store everything from baby clothes to all the little precious knick-knacks. Alternatively, you can make a baby time capsule which you'll stuff with your little one's keepsakes and open on a date you select.
Wrapping up
Creating a new life is one of the most amazing and exciting things a woman can experience, so it makes sense that you'd want to capture some of its most important moments and make them last as long as possible. Stick with the tips above as you prepare to welcome your bundle of joy and record this incredible change. Trust us when we say – you will be glad you did.
The post 4 Ways to Create Lasting Memories of Your Pregnancy appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Seven Steps To Designing A Timeless Interior appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>
1.Simplicity
It's important to feel cocooned and comfortable in a space, which can be achieved without overfilling an interior. Providing breathing space for key pieces helps achieve balance and hierarchy in a timeless interior. This can assist in maintaining simplicity which can be elegant and beautifully unexpected.
2. Materiality
Colour, texture, and durability should always be considered in relation to the overall narrative and experience of a residence. Using natural materials, or colours that resemble natural elements can create a timeless warmth and energy in a room. The use of linen for window treatments is a timeless solution.
3. Invest
Invest in pieces you love, whether it's a piece of art or furniture. Buy once, buy well, and look for timeless pieces that you can enjoy for years to come. Keeping a wish list of your favourite found items can help when pondering over whether to spend or save.
4. Work from the floor up
If you are renovating, assess at the condition of your flooring first. Restoring floorboards can help maintain authenticity in a home. If you are starting from scratch, choose a timeless flooring that will ground the home. My personal favourite is a solid timber wide board with a natural finish for its warmth and character. It is also a beautiful material to live with through the seasons.
5. Hunt and Gather
Surround yourself with items and objects that bring you joy or have a sentimental value. The easiest way to create a unique and authentic interior is to source your pieces from a variety of places, whether they are new or vintage or something you have collected during your lifetime of travels.
6. Creating intimacy 
When designing a small room or space, don't be afraid of creating intimacy. The solution isn't always to make a space feel bigger, it could be to celebrate the small scale by creating a sense of intimacy through ambient lighting, a rich collection of tones and textures, and a comfortable furniture configuration.
7. Technology
Technology has the ability to enrich our lives and enhance our living experience. Good quality sound, lighting, heating and cooling creates the most comfortable environment to spend time in when working from home, entertaining or watching a movie with loved ones.
For more from Rob Mills Architects, you can visit here.
Darren Palmer's Easy Luxury Interior Tips for Homemakers
The post Seven Steps To Designing A Timeless Interior appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post 9 Must-Visit Destinations In Japan appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>With this in mind, The Carousel is steering its focus to Japan – the land of the rising sun.
Tokyo
There's plenty on offer in Japan's capital city which is one of the most exciting cities in the world. People say it is Japan all in one city. Tokyo evokes visions of the old and new, neon-lit and fast-paced, genteel and spiritual – and everything in between. One of the big highlights is watching a Sumo tournament. Sumo, a Japanese style of wrestling, is Japan's national sport. Six tournaments are held in Japan each year, with three in Tokyo, held in January, May and September. The tournament lasts around 15 days, and are well worth watching.
More information: https://tokyotokyo.jp/
Osaka
Referred to as the country's food bowl, it has plenty of street eats such as fried octopus balls. One of Osaka's highlights is the 16th-century shogunate Osaka Castle, which is its main historical landmark. Surrounded by a moat and park with plum, peach and cherry-blossom trees, it's a feast for the eyes. It's also a foodie destination for those who can't get enough of Japanese cuisine. Super Nintendo World has opened at Universal Studios Japan (USJ) in Osaka. The themed area of the park allows you to experience the game world of Nintendo in a life-size fashion and interact with characters beyond their traditional home of video game consoles.
More information: https://osaka-info.jp/en/
Hokkaido
Japan's great white north offers wild, white winters with world class powder and bountiful summers—a haven for dedicated foodies, nature lovers and outdoor adventure fans seeking an adrenaline rush.
More information: https://en.visit-hokkaido.jp/
Kyoto
Kyoto, once the capital of Japan, is a city on the island of Honshu. It's famous for its numerous classical Buddhist temples, as well as gardens, imperial palaces, Shinto shrines and traditional wooden houses. The birthplace of Geisha culture, this is a place for history lovers. Beyond the city limits, Miyama is one of the last towns with thatched-roof farmhouses, many of which are still inhabited.
More information: https://www.kyototourism.org/en/
Tohuko
This is the land of volcanoes, mountainous terrain and skiing. It's home to the tiny, pine-covered islets of Matsushima Bay, and Lake Towada, a huge crater lake renowned for its bright-blue colour and surrounding forests. The hotly anticipated Hirosaki Museum of Contemporary Art opened in July in a historic brick warehouse built a century ago as a sake brewery. It can be found in the castle city of Hirosaki, famous for cherry blossoms and for apple production.
More information: https://www.tohokukanko.jp/en/
Kinosaki Onsen
About 3 hours from Osaka, Kinosaki Onsen has maintained its serene atmosphere and authentic old Japanallure. The town's wonderfully preserved architecture and authentic hot spring ambience along every street and alleyway will have you falling in love at first sight. The Kinosaki Ropeway was recently awarded one star in the Michelin Green Guide Japan. The observation deck offers a panoramic view over the town as well as out onto the Maruyama River and Sea of Japan.
More information:https://visitkinosaki.com/
Wakayama
Close to Osaka's Kansai International Airport, Wakayama is Japan's spiritual heartland, attracting enlightenment-seeking pilgrims and beach-bound sun worshippers in equal measure. The prefecture's towns are home to some of Japan's best ramen, beautiful hot springs and beaches, and shrines and temples.Koyasan is one of the most sacred sites of Japanese Buddhism. A new initiative in the town has launched, where a local rickshaw driver will guide you through Koyasan's historical temples and streets .
More information: https://en.visitwakayama.jp/
Kochi
Kochi prefecture's location on the Pacific Ocean has made it a gathering place for surfers and divers from all over Japan and the world. On the southwestern edge of Kochi, a tropical paradise known as Kashiwajima features sublime waters and coral reefs around the 4km long island. The Muroto area of its rugged coast has recently earned UNESCO Global Geopark status for its geological formations.
More information:https://visitkochijapan.com/en
Oita
Situated in Kyushu, Japan's third largest island, and with a rich artistic and spiritual heritage and natural wonders like Yabakei Gorge, Oita is an unspoiled area of Japanworth serious exploration. Jutting out to the north of Oita, Kunisaki Peninsula is home to historic spiritual sites nestled against lush mountainsides, while inland Kokonoe is a town full of rustic countryside charm and plenty of rare flora and fauna. The Hyotan hot spring baths are some of the most highly regarded in all of Japan.
More information: https://www.discover-oita.com/
Which one's your favourite? Let us know in the comments.
The post 9 Must-Visit Destinations In Japan appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Mangosteen, Dragonfruit And Kiwi Tart with Coconut Cream appeared first on The Carousel.
]]> INGREDIENTS
For the pastry
250g (9oz) plain flour, plus extra
for dusting
50g (1¾ oz) icing sugar
pinch of salt
finely grated rind of 1 orange
1 free-range egg yolk, beaten
125g (4½ oz) cold unsalted butter,
cut into cubes
50ml (2fl oz) ice-cold water
For the crème patissiere
4 free-range egg yolks
60g (2¼ oz) caster sugar
15g ( ½ oz) plain flour
15g ( ½ oz) cornflour
350ml (12fl oz) coconut milk
For the topping
4 strawberries, hulled and finely sliced
1 kiwi fruit, peeled and finely sliced
2 mangosteens, stems removed,
then split to remove the globes of white,
creamy fruit
1 dragonfruit, halved, flesh scooped out
and sliced
50g (1¾ oz) blueberries
2 tbsp peach or apricot jam
1 tbsp just-boiled water
METHOD
1 Sift the flour and icing sugar for the pastry into a large mixing bowl, then stir in the salt and the orange rind. Add the egg yolk and mix well, then
add the butter cubes and rub into the flour mixture with your fingers until it resembles breadcrumbs. Add 2 tablespoons of the iced water and mix until you get a loose dough; you may not need all the water. Once the dough comes together, clingfilm it and whack it in the fridge for at least half an hour.
2 For the crème patissiere, place the egg yolks, sugar and both flours in an electric mixer or a large bowl and whisk for about 10 minutes until smooth, pale and creamy. Heat the coconut milk in a saucepan until it boils, then take off the heat and leave to cool for 30 seconds.
3 Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F) Gas Mark 6. Pour half the coconut milk into the egg and sugar mixture while whisking at a high speed for 5 minutes.
Pour the mixture back into the saucepan with the rest of the coconut milk over a medium heat, whisking all the while with a hand whisk. Heat until simmering – at this point it should be thickening rapidly. You want it to resemble a stiff jam. Take off the heat, leave to cool for 10 minutes, then cover with clingfilm touching the top of the crème patissiere. Place in a sink full of cold water, but not so that the saucepan floats. Cool completely.
4 Meanwhile, lightly dust a work surface with flour. Roll your pastry out to 1cm ( ½ in) thick, so that there is enough to line a 22cm (8½ in) springform tart tin or quiche tin and overlap the edges a little. There may be an excess – this can be frozen to be used another time. Carefully place the pastry in your tart tin, pushing it down on to the base and into the edges. Cut greaseproof paper out to fi t inside the tart case and around the edges and add ceramic baking beans. Bake for 15–20 minutes, so that the pastry is browned and crisp. Remove from the oven, lift the paper and beans out of the pastry case and leave to cool in the tin on a wire rack.
5 To assemble, spoon the crème patissiere into the pastry case so that it comes two-thirds of the way up the sides. Decorate the tart as you wish with the prepared fruit and blueberries. Lastly, mix the jam with the just-boiled water to loosen and use to lightly glaze the fruit and the pastry crust. Leave to cool before serving.
Chinatown Kitchen by Lizzie Mabbott is published by Hachette Australia, RRP$35.00, ebook RRP$19.99.
https://thecarousel.com/food/bill-grangers-top-five-family-meals-cook-45mins/
The post Mangosteen, Dragonfruit And Kiwi Tart with Coconut Cream appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post How to Prevent Maskne aka Face Mask Acne appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Over the last couple of weeks with the stricter local laws, I've personally noticed an increase in facial breakouts and cracked lips.
Frequently wearing a mask means you are trapping in your breathe, carbon dioxide, perspiration, and your beauty products. Remember: breathing is a natural form of detoxification.
Wearing a mask is the perfect environment for bacteria to thrive in and breakouts to occur. The moisture and heat is trapped in. Unfortunately, the increased humidity under your mask is the perfect breeding ground for acne bacteria, which loves a warm and moist environment.
You might also notice an increase in oil production, irritation and friction on the face.
Here are some tips on how to avoid maskne:
- Limit makeup while wearing a mask
- Avoid wearing lipsticks and lip glosses
- Regularly switch over your masks and wash reusable ones
- Wash them with a hypoallergenic and fragrance-free detergent
- Consider trying a different material – switch from a disposable or low-thread cotton mask to a silk one
- Only wear a mask when required to by law
- Double cleanse at the end of the day
- Use oil blotting paper
I've grown to detest wearing a mask for a number of reasons. I'm constantly forgetting them, so I have backups in the car and my handbag. They are horrible to wear in a humid subtropical climate with all the sweat and trapped heat.
Unfortunately, masks can muffle your voice and block your facial expressions. Did you know that 80% of communication can be non-verbal? As a result, mask-wearing can lead to miscommunication.
Some people have admitted to me that they take a long time to eat their meal in an effort to delay having to put a mask back on while at their desk. Others have mentioned that they have been snacking and emotional eating.
Whenever I wear a mask, the facial recognition feature on my mobile phone no longer works.
I long for the day when I can pack my reusable masks up in the spare room cupboard. Where they will be soon forgotten about it.
P.S. Don't forget to cut off the straps of any disposable masks, to ensure they don't enter the waterways and become entangled around wildlife.
The post How to Prevent Maskne aka Face Mask Acne appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post The One Easy Thing You Can Do At Home To Make A Big Difference To Climate Change appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>But there's something else, something quite easy and seemingly small that you can do at home that, collectively, could make an even bigger contribution to the global effort to limit the earth's warming to 2 degrees. That is:
Switch to refills. Wherever you can.
That's it.
While governments and businesses can lead the charge in the take-up of renewable energy, this will only address 55 percent of emissions. The other 45 percent is attributed to the production and transportation of our food, clothes, cleaning products, skin care, medicines, hair straighteners, and so on. (Source: The IPCC and the Ellen Macarthur Foundation).
In other words, if we can make less stuff – including the packaging that we put stuff in – and if we can stop carting stuff around so much, we will affect a dramatic reduction in emissions.
Here's why making stuff hurts the environment: Standard mass production processes rely on the extraction of 'virgin' or raw materials from the environment (from trees, grains, crops etc) and they tend to use a lot of water, a lot of energy (emitting greenhouse gases) and then generate a lot of waste (contaminated water, spent grains etc).
Now consider that much of this production is to make a plastic container that can only be used once to house a cleaning formula, a body wash, or a packet of chips. After much effort and environmental damage to produce one single use container, we go and toss it when we're done. I can hear you say: "But what about recycling?!" Yes, a recycling bin is the best place to dispose of plastic but plastics are typically only recyclable once (the quality degrades). And you may have heard that less than 10 percent of plastic is actually ever recycled (according to National Geographic) – many forms of plastic, including the spring pumps typical of skin care packaging, are not easily recyclable.
Recycling has an important role to play in lowering emissions, but it is not the solution.
We've got to get better at producing less, and re-using what is already made. This means taking a low-emissions approach to product design, which inevitably also means we design 'waste' out of the system (because if we can reuse, reappropriate or re-purpose something, we've eliminated the need to produce it or make something else from scratch).
This is where refills come into the picture.
The concept is simple: Order a liquid or powder formula in a 'forever' container (or better yet, use a container you already have), and when you run out, refill that same container by sourcing the formula in a sustainable or circular form of packaging. Some companies, like Pleasant State and Resparkle provide their refills in biodegradable or compostable packets, while others like ZeroCo ask you to mail the refill packets back to them so they can be re-used. Refill home pick-up and delivery services are also emerging – ReCo is possibly the first in Australia. Buying from a bulk grocery store is another way to source formulations without any packaging.
Refills also typically come in concentrated formulas; Did you know that from skin care to cleaning solutions, many of the products we buy are mostly water? If we buy our products in a single use container, we buy a big bottle for a formula that is only about 5 – 10 percent active ingredient. The other 90 percent of that packaging is to house water. Talk about a waste of energy.
The Ellen Macarthur Foundation, a leading authority on the circular economy and climate change, estimates that replacing single use bottles with a refill option would affect an 80-85% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions due to packaging and transport savings.
Emma Lewisham, a New Zealand beauty brand declared the world's first to produce a carbon positive product range, offers refillable product vessels that have up to a 74 percent smaller carbon footprint than that of the original packaging*.
"A linear business model that extracts resources and then wastes them is not sustainable," says Emma Lewisham, founder of the benchmark-setting beauty brand. "For a business to truly be sustainable, it has to be circular. This means that we design out waste and pollution, we keep the materials we use in circulation, and we regenerate the ecosystems we operate in. And all of this is to be powered using renewable energy. This is business in the 21st century."
I have personally made the switch to refillable laundry and dishwashing detergent, body wash, hand-wash, and toilet and all-purpose cleaner. It's incredibly satisfying to see my recycling bin stay relatively free of plastics and to know that i'm contributing to a circular economy.
The post The One Easy Thing You Can Do At Home To Make A Big Difference To Climate Change appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Madeleine Shaw's Beetroot and Sweet Potato Soup appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Serves 4
INGREDIENTS
3 sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into bite-size chunks
3 beetroots, peeled and cut into bite-size chunks
2 tbsp coconut oil, melted
1 tbsp ground cumin
1 onion, finely chopped
500ml bone broth, chicken or veggie stock
200ml water
5 tbsp walnuts, chopped
10g finely chopped fresh dill
salt and pepper
METHOD
1 Rub the chunks of sweet potato and beetroot in 1 tablespoon coconut oil, the cumin and a grind of salt and pepper.
2 Heat 1 tablespoon coconut oil in a large saucepan over a medium heat for 1 minute, add the onion and sauté with a pinch of salt for 5 minutes.
3 Throw in the sweet potato and beetroot and sauté for 3 minutes, stirring constantly so nothing burns, then add the broth or stock, and the water. Bring the temperature to a simmer for 30 minutes, purée with a hand blender, and serve with walnuts and dill scattered over.
Recipe and image from Get the Glow by Madeleine Shaw. Published by Hachette Australia, Hardback RRP $45.00, Ebook $19.99.
Madeleine Shaw Tells How to #GetTheGlow And #BeatTheBloat
The post Madeleine Shaw's Beetroot and Sweet Potato Soup appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Here Are 4 Simple Ways To Shift Your Mindset For Business appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Having a robust mindset affects your health, success, well-being, relationships, and ultimately, your income. Hence, you need to be conscious of what you feed your mindset. The mindset can be likened to a child that you nurture. Whatever values, attitudes, belief systems, and orientation that you nurture your mindset with, is what it will eventually grow to be.
Your mindset is quite essential in your business as well, and it pretty much determines if you'll be profitable. For every step you take in your business, your mindset has to first accommodate it before actualizing it.
Here are 4 simple ways to shift your mindset to sell more and generate more revenue.
1. Think Positively
Nothing good can come out of a negative mind. If you want to actualize any goal at all, you need to be optimistic about it and have the mindset that it will work out. Once you're pessimistic from the onset, there's a high chance that you won't actualize that goal.
Founding member and global top leader of Healy world— Max Gloeckner , emphasizes the essence of surrounding yourself with positivity and positive thinking. In his journey into positivity, the study of energy, meditation, and spirituality, Gloeckner discovered Healy— which is a frequency device that can tap into the body's bioenergetic field and send specific frequencies to harmonize the emotions, mental state, and physical body of an individual.
With a team of over 100,000 people, Gloeckner has been able to change lives, instill positivity and self-development, and also enlighten people on the importance of positive energy.
2. Embracing Change
Let nobody deceive you, change is inevitable. We grow out of change, and oftentimes, people wait to a point where they have no other option than to change. However, what would happen when we pivot to a moment when things are alright?
Being alright means it's comfortable and within a comfort zone. Now, there is only little room to grow and expand outside that comfort zone, and there are always new learnings and new opportunities for us to grasp. If you ever want to sell more and generate more revenue, you need to be willing to accommodate all of the changes that come with the expansion.
3. The Power of Affirmation
Speak words into existence.
An affirmation opens a door and propels your mindset towards a positive shift to accommodate good things into your life.
Gloeckner advises that there's so much power in affirmations. You just have to wield it to your advantage. He recalls manifesting many amazing opportunities into his life, from businesses, traveling to extraordinary places, and creating new networks around the globe. And not long after, most recently— Healy, which provided a solution to the understanding and physical feel of energy and frequencies. He was able to create more balance emotionally, mentally, and physically " I have changed into a much more aware state of being with more intuition and I've felt more balanced since I work with energy and let the frequencies work on me ," he claims.
These positive words and statements help to challenge negative thoughts and also nurture your mindset.
4. Set SMART Goals
Setting SMART goals helps you to streamline and build your mindset the right way. SMART is an acronym that represents S pecific, M easurable, A chievable, R ealistic, and T imely. When your goals follow these principles, you focus and feed your mindset more.
Strides is a goal-setting app that allows you to set SMART goals and keep track of them. Just like the name suggests, you make strides with it. Strides has features like dashboards— that allow you to view all your goals and habits, and also progress bars— that show streaks, and other great features that allow you to track your goals and stay focused.
The post Here Are 4 Simple Ways To Shift Your Mindset For Business appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Annabel Crabb's Heavenly Sweet Puffy Pancakes appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Ingredients
- 3 large eggs
- 180 ml (¾ cup) milk
- 100 g (2/3 cup) plain flour
- pinch of salt
- 1 tablespoon caster sugar
- 30 g unsalted butter
- berries (or a more old-school mix of banana, apple, and orange) and Greek-style yoghurt, to serve
- icing sugar, for dusting – optional
Honey & Orange Syrup
- 3 tablespoons runny honey
- 25 g unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons pulp-free orange juice
Instructions
Whizz up the eggs, milk, flour, salt, and sugar using a blender, or just whisk well by hand. However you do it, keep going until you have a nice smooth batter: it should be pourable and quite thin. Set the batter aside for at least an hour at room temperature, or overnight
in the fridge.
To make the syrup, put all the ingredients in a small saucepan and set over low–medium heat until the butter is melted and the mixture starts to froth, then pour into a heatproof jug. (The syrup will keep for a few days in the fridge.)
It is best to have your batter at room temperature, so take it out of the fridge an hour or so before you start to cook. Preheat your oven to 220°C (200°C fan), and put a 22–26 cm ovenproof skillet or frying pan with reasonably deep sides over high heat. When it is hot, add the unfeasible amount of butter prescribed and swirl it around until it starts to bubble; the butter might even get a slight nuttiness and start to brown. Don't sweat – the most important thing is to have a blisteringly hot pan. Quickly and carefully, pour the batter right into the middle of the pan: the batter should sweep the melted butter out to the sides of the pan to prevent any sticking and also give delicious crisp edges – a small pool of browned butter will gather in the middle of the batter and that is fine. Give the pancake about 30 seconds over high heat for the base to set and then transfer to the oven and bake for about 15 minutes or until puffed and golden. (If you don't have an ovenproof frying pan, you could make this in a Pyrex dish with reasonably high sides: heat it in the oven, add the butter, return the dish to the oven so the butter gets really hot, then add the batter and bake in the same way.)
Meanwhile, have the syrup poised for action. Place a bowl of berries or other fruit on the table – and another bowl of yoghurt, if you like. (Or, if a guest asked on accepting the invitation 'what can I bring?' and you answered 'a giant fruit salad thanks', then you're all set.)
Get everyone seated and have a big chopping board or plate ready to go. Use your thickest oven gloves to remove the skillet from the oven and, with a bit of a tilt and jiggle, the pancake should slip right out onto your serving board or plate. A dusting of icing sugar is an option here, but that would be mostly about looks rather than necessity – you are about to douse it in syrup, for goodness sake. You have about 30 seconds before the thing starts to deflate, so hurry it to the table and use a bread knife to cut it into wedges (like a pizza).
Let people help themselves to fruit and yoghurt, and pass the syrup around. This is the kind of thing where you should not wait for others to start. Get stuck in!
The honey and orange syrup came about when Wendy realised she was splashing more than ten dollars' worth of maple syrup on every family-sized puffy pancake at home, so looked for a less spendy option. But if you want to buy yourself a few extra minutes in bed, by all means, go with maple syrup.
More About Annabel
Annabel Crabb is one of Australia's most beloved journalists. She is the ABC's chief online political writer, writes a weekly opinion column for Fairfax, is the author of the bestselling bookThe Wife Drought and is a sought-after speaker and presenter. As host of the ABC's enormously popular seriesKitchen Cabinet, Annabel has broken bread with Australia's most influential political leaders and shared her magnificent desserts in kitchens around the country. As well as being a writer and entertainer, Annabel is a celebrated baker and mother of three. She lives in Sydney.
Try more recipes in Annabel Crabb and Wendy Sharpe's Special Guest book!
Annabel Crabb's Appetising Lime And Rocket Halloumi Spaghetti
The post Annabel Crabb's Heavenly Sweet Puffy Pancakes appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post The World's First Carbon Positive Beauty Range appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>And that's not all; The New Zealand brand has also been recognised for its 100 percent circular business model.
Incredibly, in the spirit of collaboration the brand has shared its Intellectual Property, enabling small and large competitors to capitalise on the time and effort already invested to start making widespread change within the beauty industry.
Iconic environmentalist, ethologist and United Nations Messenger of Peace, Dr Jane Goodall has backed the brand, stating: "Emma Lewisham is demonstrating what it means to be a truly sustainable business. Through their carbon positive and circular business model, Emma Lewisham is creating environmental prosperity and showing their peers that this business model is not just possible but paramount if we are to make a meaningful difference."
The beauty industry currently produces 120 billion units of waste every year, with the majority of this being non-recycled; this has the largest impact on the industry's carbon emissions.
What's this difference between Emma Lewisham and other 'carbon-positive' brands?
Carbon certifications can be granted at the corporate level and the product level.
While many businesses globally have measured their Corporate Carbon Footprint (CCF), very few have dedicated the time and resources to measuring the Product Carbon Footprint (CPF) – which is what Emma Lewisham has just done.
Related reading: Tips On Eco-Beauty Shopping From The Brands Trailblazing Sustainability
How Emma Lewisham achieved a carbon positive product range
Emma Lewisham spent 12 months working with world-leading independent environmental certification agency, Toitū Envirocare, to measure the carbon emissions emitted at each stage of its product's lifecycle and have the brand independently verified as carbon positive at a product level.
Emma Lewisham went further than accounting and compensating for the product footprint to achieve full Toitū climate positive product certification.
The brand sought to measure its emissions throughout its entire supply chain, including the harvesting and production of raw ingredients used, transportation, product packaging and end-of-life for each product in order to put reduction plans in place before positively offsetting what could not be reduced by an additional 25 percent – making it the world's first beauty brand to be verified carbon positive at a product level.
Founder Emma Lewisham says she made reduction, not off-setting, her priority.
"It's not just about measuring and then offsetting our impact," she said. "We are focused on reducing our carbon footprint to the lowest number possible and implementing strategies, such as moving to a circular business model to illustrate this is more than just offsetting for us. We are doing the work. We'd love to be in a position where we eliminate the need to offset altogether.
"There was no roadmap to follow in becoming a circular designed luxury skincare brand. We have had to reimagine our business processes, technology and our product packaging. This is a new model of beauty. It has required strenuous investments in both time and capital; however, there was no other option for us. We believe businesses are uniquely placed to drive change and possess the power to use their resources for the good.
Emma is also passionate about educating brands and customers on the unaddressed reality of recycling – that almost no 'recyclable' beauty packaging is actually being recycled. For Emma Lewisham, recyclability is defined not by the potential but by what actually happens in practice.
"What people don't know is that virtually no curbside recycling systems actually recycle beauty packaging. Although products might 'technically' be recyclable, the economics just don't stack up – so to landfill it goes."
"If we are to ensure packaging is recycled, we (brands) must take ownership of our materials and work with our customers to take back all packaging globally to be recycled through specialised recycling partners who ensure this happens. Labelling a beauty product '100% recyclable' without a takeback programme and reputable recycling partner in place – should be considered an irresponsible business practice."
More reasons we love this eco-beauty brand
- Measuring its emissions at a product level has allowed Emma Lewisham to assign a carbon number to each product – showing exactly how many kilograms of carbon (kgCO2e) is emitted to make each individual product.
- All of Emma Lewisham's products are manufactured using 100% renewable energy.
- Toitū Envirocare has established that Emma Lewisham's refillable product vessels have up to a 74%* smaller carbon footprint than that of the original packaging.
- The products are fantastic.
The circular beauty blueprint
The blueprint includes refill designs, sterilising processes, recycling and returns processes, packaging supplier connections, take back procedures and carbon calculation guides. From today, all brands have access to Emma Lewisham's extensive research, processes and innovations.
On the decision to immediately share their knowledge, Emma says: "We genuinely want to see change. The problems we face are so much greater than the success of one business or brand, and if we are going to solve them, collaboration is key. We must tear down the barriers of competition once and for all – unifying around a greater vision where future generations may thrive.
"This has to be the future of beauty."
The post The World's First Carbon Positive Beauty Range appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post How To Get Kate Middleton's 'Bond Girl' Look appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>At the UK's premiere at Royal Albert Hall, Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, (almost) stole the entire show!
In her sparkling golden dress, glowy skin, bronzer, a smokey-eye, bold brow, lush lashes and glossy lips; Kate Middleton left commentators and spectators alike speechless.
Want to recreate her beauty look? We don't blame you. Here at The Carousel, we've outlined all that you'll need to capture her glow.
Nu Skin Nu Colour® Bronzing Pearls, RRP: $67
Nu Skin Nu Colour® Powerlip Polish Duo Lip Shine Visionary, RRP: $46
Nu Skin Nu Colour® LightShine Curl & Lash Mascara, RRP: $48
Nu Skin AP 24® Whitening Fluoride Toothpaste, RRP: $26
Nu Skin Sunright Insta Glow Tinted Self-Tanning Gel, RRP: $46
If you've seen the new Bond film, let us know your thoughts in the comments. And if you've tried the look, show us on Instagram by Dm'ing us photos @thecarousel.
The post How To Get Kate Middleton's 'Bond Girl' Look appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post How Wim Hof's Methods Helped Leah Scott Deal With Crippling Anxiety appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>When Leah looks back on this journey, she says she would never have expected this man – Wim Hof – would have influenced her the way he has. These days, Leah is an accredited Wim Hof Method instructor and she runs her own retreats and workshops under the name – Wild Things Anatomy. She uses the Wim Hof Method because it was so effective for her and she's been so inspired she wants to continue his work here in Australia and overseas.
Here, Leah has given us some of her thoughts on the process she went through over the past few years, after participating in the Wim Hof work:
Through a process of deep transformation and reawakening, I've been able to shed my past conditioning and re-evaluate what is important in life. This process caused me to question what I'd previously just accepted was how my mind and body worked and led me to explore new ways of thinking and living. I experimented with various bio hacks, but nothing came close to Wim's breathing technique and ice water swimming in nature. It is the perfect balance for mind, body and spirit healing.
Initially I trained myself in the local mountains and rivers, before being fortunate enough to be trained by Wim himself in 2018 and then teaching alongside him in Thailand in 2019. This path has enabled me to bring a high level of respect, quality and safety to my teaching. Having trained myself in extreme environments around the world, I'm able to see the things that those I teach miss, see whether they have pushed themselves enough in the cold, or if they could go just that little bit deeper.
How important is it to breathe? The first pillar of the Wim Hof Method, breathwork. We want to train our breathing so we can become more efficient at oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange. Consciously guiding our respiratory system gives us a stronger heart, lungs and diaphragm. It helps us maintain a healthy cardiovascular system promoting blood flow throughout the body and allowing oxygen into our muscles and organs, including our heart and brain, breaking down nutrients and releasing energy. We become conscious of how our nervous system works, adapting, building resilience and flexibility throughout the day. Breathwork is the tool that enables deep inner work, to release stress and trauma that gets stuck within.
For me, the second pillar of the method, cold exposure provides an unparalleled level of self-awareness, self-regulation, and self-discipline. It tackles the biggest health problems in the world, cardiovascular related diseases, comorbidities, cold's, flus and viruses, mental health issues like anxiety, stress and depression. It teaches us how to take control of our internal environment so that we are okay when our external world doesn't go to plan.
We learn and grow when we train our adaptive mechanisms outside of our comfort zone. The cold, as a tool, takes you there and will help you truly learn about yourself. It has taught me how to respond and cope with the difficult things in my life. It helps me intuitively sense and comprehend others too. I live truthfully, vulnerably, confident, childlike and incredibly grateful.
Thirdly, this method asks you to commit. No other modality has given me the peace, freedom, strength and presence that the Wim Hof Method has. Overall, I have a better relationship with myself, greater love and acceptance and more emotional stability and inner peace.
I think it is a gift to be alive at this moment. However, I'm conscious that for others it is an incredibly intense time. That's why sharing this Method feels like the right path, an authentic one, because I believe these practices – breathwork and cold training – together with the supportive communities they foster, help us to stay grounded and connected. To one another. And to the world.
Be alive, feel alive, challenge yourself and live your best life.
Leah x
You can join a retreat or workshop with Leah and her Wild Things Anatomy team. For more information visit here: www.leahscott.net
For more information about the Wim Hof Method, visit www.wimhofmethod.com
Anxiety Breakthrough: How To Reclaim Your Inner Calm
The post How Wim Hof's Methods Helped Leah Scott Deal With Crippling Anxiety appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Beauty Editor's Guide: How To Get Angelina Jolie's Elongated Eyes appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>
If you can possibly tear yourself away from staring at Angelina Jolie's envy-inducing voluminous lips, you might notice that she also has gorgeously large, round eyes.
Not that this might be obvious at first, as the actress is impressively skilled at using makeup to elongate her eyes – and create her signature feline-eyed look.
Makeup can be a powerful tool in altering the look of your facial features, as El showed recently in her video on how to make small eyes look bigger.
And if you have round eyes? Here's how to cosmetically correct them … oh, and look smokin' hot at the same time.
Step One: Forget foundation – for now. When planning a heavy eye makeup look, it's best to leave base until later, so as to avoid any makeup fall-out ruining your flawlessly applied foundation. But do reach for your concealer – and dab it all around your eyes. This will create a perfect makeup base, as well as cover up any discolouration. If you're prone to extremely dark circles, you could also layer on a light-reflecting concealer, to add some lovely brightness to the shadowy under-eye area.
Step Two: I like to do my brows before getting to work on a statement eye. It frames the area and, depending on how strong you go with your arches, gives you something to balance your eye makeup with, so you don't go too overpowering either way. My top brow buy right now is Benefit Gimme Brows.
Step Three: Take a beige shadow – a shimmery one if you're after an evening spin on the look – and apply it all over your upper lids using a fluffy eyeshadow brush. Using a different shadow brush, next blend a slightly darker neutral tone through the crease, to contour in some definition.
Step Four: Now it's time to create the feline flick that anchors this look. The easiest option by far is to work with a gel or cream liner, and an angled liner brush, like Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner in Black Ink, and M.A.C 263 Small Angle Brush.
Draw the flick first, from the outer corner, and then pointing up towards the tip of your brows – how far you take it entirely depends on how dramatic you want to go. Now, etch along the base of the upper lashes – to about two-thirds of the way in. Ensure this line is slim and sleek in order to keep everything looking narrow and elongated.
Step Five: Curl lashes and apply mascara to upper lashes. I'd try Bourjois Queen Attitude Mascara – the angled brush and stretchy formulation help you to create a winged-out effect.
Now, pop a half-strip of false lashes on the outer half of the upper lash line – tryM.A.C 20 Lash,.
Step Six: Time to turn attention to the lower lashline. Angelina often wears a golden tone of liner on her inner rim – Rimmel London Scandal'Eyes Waterpoof Eyeliner in Bronze would be a good dupe here.
Next, apply mascara – but only a little. Remember, the general idea is to lengthen things out, so we don't want lashes that look heavy and droopy.
Step Seven: To get the slightly smoky effect seen in the image above, take a small fluffy brush, dip it into a dark grey or black shadow, and lightly whisk it over the upper eyeliner, and then along the lower lashline.
Step Eight: Voilà! All you need to do now is get your foundation on, contour your cheekbones a little for some Angelina-like sharpness, and dab on a nude lip gloss. That's it – as you want to keep the focus on the fabulously sleek new eyes of yours!
The post Beauty Editor's Guide: How To Get Angelina Jolie's Elongated Eyes appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post It's No Longer Men's Football Or Women's Football – It's Just Football appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Danny Townsend, managing director of the new A-Leagues brand, says it's a very simple idea at its core: "We're committed to growing the game in Australia – for everyone. That means delivering a world-class experience on and off the pitch and inspiring the next-generation of A-Leagues superstars to fulfil their highest potential. This is just the beginning of our ambitious, long-term vision for the growth of football in Australia," he said.
Sure to be one of the stars of the new A-Leagues brand is Kayla Morrison. After years of hard work and persistence, this ambitious 24-year-old has ended her rookie year as an A-league footy player with a grand final win in Melbourne, a Victory Medal and Player's Player of the Year in 2020.
After playing internationally in the US, Sweden and Australia, Morrison has now signed on for another season and is excited to be a part of the newly announced A-Leagues in Australia, marking a more diverse and inclusive time for football in Australia.
With the new A-League Women season kicking off on December 3rd, Kayla gives us a glance into her day-to-day life.
My daily routine has ramped up as we're starting preseason and preparing for the games ahead.
It's an early 6am start for me. I'll make breakfast to ensure I have enough energy for the gym or football training – a pre-training smoothie and add oats, milk, cream, banana, chia seeds, peanut butter and Greek yogurt. Blend and drink.
I'll then head over to AAMI Park for gym or training which will either involve the exercise bike or big lift, and finish with some cardio or a team training session, where touches on the ball and regaining match fitness are the focus.
I love to have a chat and catch up with the girls in the change room, usually about what's good on Netflix or any drama happening in our lives.
After gym or training it's home to eat and relax
After gym or training, I'll head home to shower, eat and relax. I have a protein shake, and my go-to breakfast of avocado toast with bacon. I'll get into my recovery boots and either watch TV or read some fashion magazines. Then I'll make myself some lunch, typically a wrap with turkey, ham, spinach, cheese and jalapeños.
If the day's focus is only on the gym, I'll try and get another session in. If I need some work on the ball, I'll head out to the field around 1pm. These sessions are usually focused on more technical work, specified to what I need. If I feel like I just need to get my legs moving, I like to go on hikes or walks with friends.
My other love, besides football, is fashion. I love shopping and styling outfits. When we aren't in lockdown, I love putting on a rad outfit and going to meet with friends for dinner or hangs. As we can't go out for dinner right now, I've been cooking more at home. Dinner for me typically includes protein, veggies, and carbs, helping me fuel for the next day.
After dinner, it's time for Netflix where I'll lay on the couch surrounded by 10 pillows, fuzzy blankets and watch whatever the girls have recommended to me, usually a thriller movie or a crime doco… creepy!
Then I head to bed pretty early and unwind reading a book or looking at fashion photos until I fall asleep, getting ready to repeat it again tomorrow!
To keep up with all the latest from the A-Leagues, visit here.
A Day In The Life Of AFLW Player Tayla Harris
The post It's No Longer Men's Football Or Women's Football – It's Just Football appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Panna Cotta With Coffee Syrup And Almond Toffee Shards appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Preparation time 20 minutes (plus allow to chill overnight)
Cooking time 45 minutes
INGREDIENTS
Panna Cotta
200 ml milk
600 ml thickened cream
80 gm caster sugar
1 vanilla bean, split, seeds scraped
4 gold strength-strength gelatin leaves
Coffee syrup
200 gm caster sugar
100 ml espresso-strength Coffee Sereno Blend*
Coffee almond shards
200 gm caster sugar
80 gm almonds, coarsely chopped
½ tsp very finely ground coffee beans
METHOD
1 Place milk, cream, sugar and vanilla pod and seeds in a saucepan over low heat, stirring to dissolve sugar. Bring to just below boiling point, then remove from heat and stand for 15 minutes to infuse. Soak the gelatine leaves in cold water for 3 minutes to soften.
2 Meanwhile, gently reheat the cream mixture over low heat. Squeeze gelatine to remove excess liquid, then add leaves to cream and stir until dissolved. Cool slightly, then strain and pour into six 150ml serving glasses. Cover with plastic wrap and chill overnight until set.
3 Meanwhile, for coffee syrup, bring sugar and 100ml water to the boil in a small saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring to dissolve sugar. Brush down sides of pan with a wet pastry brush and cook over medium heat until a caramel coloured (5-10 minutes). Add coffee (being careful as hot caramel may spit) and stir over low heat until syrupy (1-2 minutes), then set aside to cool.
4 Meanwhile, for coffee almond shards, bring sugar and 100ml water to the boil in a small saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring to dissolve sugar. Brush down sides of pan with a wet pastry brush, cooking over medium heat until caramel coloured (5-10 minutes). Stir through almonds and coffee, pour onto a sheet of baking paper and set aside to cool (10-20 minutes). Break into shards and set aside.
5 To serve – pour some syrup over the panna cotta and serve with the coffee almond shards. Serve extra syrup in a small jug.
Recipe courtesy of Gloria Jean's Coffees – whole bean coffees are available for purchase.
The post Panna Cotta With Coffee Syrup And Almond Toffee Shards appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Ottolenghi Latest: Recipe For Stuffed Aubergine In Curry And Coconut Dal appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Serves 4
"Only two ingredients – lemon and milk – are what it takes to make paneer at home. It's an experiment worth trying (it certainly feels like conducting a chemistry experiment), both for a sense of achievement and for unrivalled freshness. Yotam has published a recipe in the Guardian, but many others are also available online. If you buy your paneer – which makes the most satisfying filling for the grilled aubergines here, as it soaks up the coconut sauce – try to find a soft variety, which has a texture like compressed ricotta. Other varieties, which are harder and slightly rubbery, are more suitable for making vegetarian tikka kebabs, but they will also do if that's what you've got. For a vegan option, use extra-firm tofu. Try to get a good-quality, chunky Indian mango pickle for this. Both the aubergine slices and the lentil sauce can be prepared the day before, if you want to get ahead. In fact, you can make the whole dish a day ahead, up until before it goes into the oven, chill in the fridge and then just bring to room temperature before warming up.
The coconut dal is a great recipe in its own right. Double it, if you like, and serve with our curry-crusted swede steaks (see p. 63), and some rice. Pictured overleaf."
Ingredients
- 3 large aubergines, stalks removed, each aubergine cut lengthways into 6 x 1⁄2cm-thick slices (750g)
- 3 tbsp olive oil 220g paneer(or extra-firm tofu), roughly grated
- 2 limes:finely grate the zest to get 1 tsp, then juice to get 2 tbsp
- 45g hot mango pickle, roughly chopped, plus extra to serve
- 5g coriander,roughly chopped, plus extra to serve
- 100g large (not baby) spinach leaves,stems removed (60g)
- salt and black pepper
Coconut Dal
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 5 banana shallots,peeled and finely chopped (250g)
- 45g fresh ginger,peeled and finely chopped
- 2 red chillies,finely chopped
- 30 fresh curry leaves (if you can't get any, you can also do without)
- 1 tsp black mustard seeds
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1⁄2 tsp ground turmeric
- 2 tsp medium curry powder
- 2 tsp tomato paste 100g dried red lentils
- 1 x 400ml tin of coconut
- milk(at least 70% coconut extract)
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 220°C fan.
- In a large bowl, toss the aubergines together with the oil, 3⁄4 teaspoon of salt and a good grind of black pepper. Spread out on two parchment-lined baking trays and bake for 25 minutes, flipping halfway, until softened and lightly browned. Set aside to cool.
- For the coconut dal, put 2 tablespoons of the oil into a large sauté pan on medium-high heat. Once hot, add the shallots and fry for 8 minutes, until golden. Add the ginger, half the chilli and half the curry leaves (if using), cook for 2 minutes, then add the spices, tomato paste and lentils. Stir for a minute, then add the coconut milk, 600ml of water and 3⁄4 teaspoon of salt. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat to medium and leave to simmer for 20 minutes, stirring once in a while, until the lentils are soft and the sauce is thick. Pour into a medium baking dish, around 28cm x 18cm, if making the aubergine rolls, and set aside.
- In a small bowl, toss together the paneer, lime zest, mango pickle, 1 tablespoon of lime juice, the coriander and 1⁄8 teaspoon of salt.
- Place one spinach leaf on top of each slice of aubergine. Put a heaped teaspoon of the paneer mixture in the middle, then roll up the aubergine, from the thinner end at the top down to the thicker bottom end, so the filling is encased. Put the aubergine roll seam side down in the lentil sauce, and repeat with the remaining aubergine slices, spinach and paneer. You should end up with about 18 rolls, all sitting snugly in the sauce. Press the rolls gently into the sauce, but not so far that they are submerged, and bake for 15–20 minutes, until the aubergine is golden-brown on top and the sauce is bubbling. Remove from the oven and leave to rest for 5 minutes.
- Heat the remaining tablespoon of oil in a small pan on medium-high heat. Add the remaining chilli and curry leaves and fry for a minute, until the curry leaves are crisp and fragrant. Spoon over the aubergine rolls, drizzle over the lime juice and serve with the coriander sprinkled on top.
Ottolenghi FLAVOUR by Yotam Ottolenghi and Ixta Belfrage Published by Ebury Press RRP $55. Find your local book store here.
https://thecarousel.com/food/ottolenghi-flavour-recipe-sweet-and-sour-onion-petals/
The post Ottolenghi Latest: Recipe For Stuffed Aubergine In Curry And Coconut Dal appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Financial Literacy Is Vital For Women Says Caterina Nesci Of La Trobe Financial appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>
The Carousel's publisher and InProfile CEO Robyn Foyster asked Nesci what inspired both her and La Trobe Financial to back the cause of women's financial literacy to such a high degree? Nesci said financial literacy in general is one of La Trobe Financial's key objectives – and it was a major motivation behind becoming a sponsor for the Australian Women's Weekly Women of the Future Awards.
"When Nicole Byers contacted La Trobe Financial and invited us to be a sponsor for these emerging women of the future, we were thrilled because this campaign is in line with our values and it's one of those projects that will enable us to make a difference to people's lives," said Nesci.
Obviously you're going to be judging these incredible women, what sort of support do the women get for being part of the awards?
I understand they're going to be able to win a number of prizes worth $100,000. We're also offering $40,000 in our credit fund and this could be awarded to an invention or go to a special charity the women select.
That's wonderful. Financial literacy is so important for women isn't it?
Exactly, we're helping the women to become more empowered and take control of their finances. I come from an Italian background so I learnt these lessons early on in life because at the age of 18, I had to get a mortgage. I wanted a fancy car like an Alfa Romeo but no, no, I had to get a mortgage.
So those learnings from a young age have helped me and I want to do the same for other women – and we at La Trobe Financial want to do the same – helping empower women.
Yes, one of the highest statistics for homelessness is women in their 50s and that's a pretty shocking statistic isn't it?
Absolutely, and it's never too late to take charge of your finances. It's just taking charge – investments don't have to be complicated. There's so much literature out there it's just a matter of getting your hands on it and understanding it. It doesn't have to be complicated.
Can you tell us more about your new role at La Trobe Financial?
In June 2010, I was appointed head of Marketing and my mandate was to build the brand and that was significant then because no one knew us, but we've been operating since 1952. So, roll the clock forward, and ten years later we have a brand – a strong brand – and people now know us.
Recently, I've been given the mandate to build our international partnerships and also our environmental, social and governance credentials – which is what people understand as ESG.
On top of all of that, I'm Head of Foundation which is all our philanthropy work.
It is so welcoming to hear that companies like La Trobe Financial are actually doing such great work – both in philanthropy and in supporting really good causes. It must be very rewarding being in that role Caterina?
It is quite rewarding. For example, to be able to deliver our financial literacy campaign for women, I'm using what I've learnt over the past 10 years and I'm able to give back to the community – give back to women what I've learnt and this is so rewarding.
Tell me a bit more about La Trobe Financial and what it does?
To date, we've donated or gifted 17 million from our Charitable Foundation since it was formed in 1978. The company itself was formed in 1952 on the principle of serving the under-served market with the philosophy of others before self. So that principle and the philosophy, over the generations – seven decades – has become our DNA, our values and our culture.
It's also embedded in our foundation so it's an integral part of the company.
La Trobe Foundation has donated money to many different causes and we have four key areas we donate to which include financial literacy, supporting Indigenous Australians, health and Life Sciences.
An example is when the COVID pandemic started last year, we donated a million dollars to our front-line workers for equipment and merchandise for their safety.
We also help out in times of hardship so we've had the bush fires and the floods and now the pandemic.
Caterina, I'm such a fan. I think what you're doing is great and I only hope more companies follow suit and do what La Trobe Financial's doing. It's been wonderful having you live on InProfile.
Thank you Robyn, it's been a pleasure too.
Now in its ninth year, the prestigious Australian Women's Weekly Women of the Future Awards recognises and celebrates Australia's incredible young female trailblazers with one very deserving winner announced at an Awards Luncheon later this year.
Entries are now closed for the 2021 Women of the Future Awards. For more details on how to enter next year, visit: nowtolove.com.au/womenofthefuture2021
Women Of The Future Judges: How They Got To Where They Are Today
The post Financial Literacy Is Vital For Women Says Caterina Nesci Of La Trobe Financial appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Talking About The Single Mother's Social Club With Author Jacinta Tynan appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Jacinta shares why she believes single parenting is an opportunity for new beginnings, and a call to step up in ways you never thought possible. Yes, she says there are challenges and sadly, still a stigma in some quarters but the upside is full of joy and potential and allows single mums to step into their power as a woman and as a mother.
Robyn: Tell us the inspiration behind writing the book?
Jacinta: I wrote the book because when I became a single mother I left home with my two little boys who were only four and six at the time and I was really struck straight away by how different the experience is from the stories that we hear about single motherhood. There is still very much an implication, I think, with single mother's that there is something lacking in your life, you're not doing life quite right and yes there are cases whether you are separated or divorced or recently widowed, it isn't planned. It isn't quite what we had in mind for our family for most of us. For some, of course, it is planned. But the single mother's that I know, and I spoke to dozens of them for the book, are the most stunningly capable, resourceful, accomplished, wise women you'll ever meet; who are embracing and loving life. But that's the story you rarely hear, so I wanted to share that side of single motherhood. I wanted to make single mother's seen and heard and validated and I also wrote it for mothers who are perhaps are contemplating single motherhood. They are thinking of having children by themselves and I wanted them to feel embolden that it is safe to come over to that side and know life will still be great. I also wanted to provide a resource for single mothers that I couldn't find when I was in that situation.
Robyn: It's incredible that there are not many of those resources available given single parenting is such a common thing. And there shouldn't be a stigma, but there is, isn't there?
Jacinta: I have to say that this was one of the binding themes of all the women I spoke to. One of the things they had in common was this stigma. They all talk about that. It's less overt than it was in our mother's generation. In fact, if you were a single mother then and you had a baby outside of wedlock, you were called a 'fallen woman'. Just think about the nuance of that language. It's basically saying your child doesn't deserve to exist and if you were divorced the children were from a 'broken home'. People still say that, actually. You've just got to watch the language there because the implication of that language is quite sinister. So thank goodness we have moved on in some ways from there.But while we think we have come so far and we are raising all these different family models, but actually, not really. For mothers who feel the stigma, it is more insidious. It shows up and is whipped up by the media. You'll see headlines involving single mothers. It will say 'Single Mother' on the headline, it doesn't say 'Married Mother'.
Robyn: 'Proud Mother of two' is what they should say.
Jacinta: Yes that's right. So there is still this subtle, or not so subtle suggestion that you are just not quite hitting the mark there. There is still the narrative of the two parent nuclear model is still the only model that we should all be aspiring to. If that works great but if it doesn't work out and it means the difference of having a child or not having a child, then it is not the be all and end all. I wanted to put it out there that there is a different way, and it is a wonderful way.
Robyn: The upside of being a mother, whether you are a single mother or not, is a wonderful thing.
Jacinta: Yes, absolutely. And that is another reason I wrote the book because you do hear all the negatives about being a single mother and again it wasn't my experience. Of course it is a struggle, it is tough. It is really challenging financially and everyone takes a financial hit when they become a single mum. It can be lonely. It can be really tough bearing the emotional load of bringing up your kids. So many things are challenging but the upside, I think, far outweigh that.
One of the things a lot of women talked about from my interviews with single mothers is the autonomy they experience. When you are a single mum, you get to make the decisions for your kids. You don't have anyone else intervening. You get to set the temperament of your home like a thermostat, and you get to control that thermostat. That's not to be taken for granted. If you have another adult at home, even if you get on with them, you've still got someone else intervening. You get to bond with your kids without any distractions or without anyone else demanding your time. Many single mums talk about the great connection they have with their children. Being a single mum is an opportunity to grow and evolve and step up as a woman and as a mother and have this blank slate to create your future.
I can guarantee that if you are a single mum you have been through some kind of destruction in your life and I divide the book into sections – instruction, reset and creation. There's an invitation to go within and work on yourself.
Robyn: It's a brilliant book and resource for parents and chance to be inspired by other mothers who share their experiencing of being a single parent.
Jacinta: That was my intention – Thank you Robyn.
About Jacinta Tynan
Jacinta Tynan is one of Australia's most experienced news presenters and journalists, most recently with Sky News Australia. As well as presenting live, rolling news, Jacinta created, produced and hosted 'Change Makers', interviewing people and organisations making a positive difference.
Jacinta is also a columnist with Sunday Life magazine and contributes to various other publications including SMH and Escape. She's a popular and engaging MC and speaker and has also made regular guest appearances on programs including Today and Sunrise.
She has published four books including Mother Zen – described as a manifesto of modern motherhood – and Some Girls Do..My Life as a Teenager, an anthology of some of Australia's top female authors writing the true story of their adolescence.
The post Talking About The Single Mother's Social Club With Author Jacinta Tynan appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Ottolenghi FLAVOUR Recipe: Sweet And Sour Onion Petals appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>In this new cookbook, he and Ixta Belfrage explore the three principles of creating great food – and it's all about the Process, Pairing and Produce. Get these three things right and you will be able to create standout meals. Enjoy our extract below from Ottolenghi FLAVOUR published by Ebury Press.
Ottolenghi FLAVOUR Recipe: Sweet And Sour Onion Petals
These onions – sweet inside, charred at the edges and swimming in a tart pomegranate syrup – started their life at Testi, a north London Turkish restaurant that we love, where a similar dish is made by charring onions next to lamb on the grill, then tossing them in şalgam, a juice made from the sour- salty brine of fermented purple carrots and turnips, and finally sweetening them with pomegranate molasses. The bitter-sweet onions are served alongside the meat, cutting through its fattiness like a sharp knife.
Our onions are made with reduced pomegranate juice instead of molasses and şalgam. They would obviously sit well alongside grilled meats, but we find them totally delicious also in a vegetarian context, with or without the goat's cheese, which is optional. They will go really well with hummus, for example, like our hummus with lemon, fried garlic and chilli, an aubergine salad and some bread.
SERVES FOUR
As a starter or part of a mezze spread
INGREDDIENTS
500g golf-ball-sized red onions (about 12), peeled, then halved lengthways
75ml olive oil
400ml pomegranate juice (100% pure)
10g chives, finely chopped 70g young and creamy
rindless goat's cheese, broken into 2cm pieces (optional)
2⁄3 tsp Urfa chilli flakes (or another variety of chilli flake if you can't get them)
salt
METHOD
1. Preheat the oven to 200°C fan.
2. Heat a large non-stick frying pan on a high heat until very hot. Toss the onions with 2 tablespoons of oil and 1⁄4 teaspoon of salt and place them, cut side down and spread apart, in the hot pan. Place a saucepan on top to weigh the onions down and create an even char, then turn the heat down to medium-high and cook, undisturbed, for about 6 minutes, or until the cut sides are deeply charred. Transfer the onions to a parchment-lined baking tray, charred side up, and bake for about 20 minutes, or until softened. If your onions are larger than golf-ball size, this may take longer. Set aside to cool.
3. Meanwhile, put the pomegranate juice into a medium saucepan on a medium-high heat. Bring to the boil, then simmer for about 12 minutes, or until the liquid has reduced to about 70ml and is the consistency of a loose maple syrup. Set aside to cool; it will thicken as it sits.
4. Combine the chives with the remaining 45ml of oil and a good pinch of salt, and set aside.
5. Pour the pomegranate syrup on to a large platter with a lip and swirl it around to cover most of the plate. Use your hands to loosely separate the onions into individual petals, then place them haphazardly over the syrup. Dot over the goat's cheese, if using, spoon over the chive oil, and finish with the Urfa chilli flakes.
Ottolenghi FLAVOUR by Yotam Ottolenghi and Ixta Belfrage Published by Ebury Press RRP $55. Find your local book store here.
The post Ottolenghi FLAVOUR Recipe: Sweet And Sour Onion Petals appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Lockdown Whiplash: How to Mentally Prepare For Things Re-Opening appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>With a hint of normality in the air and light starting to crack through at the very end of the lockdown tunnel, a new set of challenges are now making themselves known, such as the mounting stress and anxiety of re-entering society and the new post-pandemic normal.
Chances are you've been feeling it, and you're not alone – it's a very real thing that many of us are facing as we navigate uncharted territories for the first time, again.
The thing is, going back to normal isn't as easy as it sounds. COVID-19 quite frankly turned our lives as we knew them upside down and, as creatures of routine, with brains that take comfort in what's known and familiar, it's human nature to experience some apprehension in times of change. With that in mind, as restrictions are slowly lifted it's important to remember you don't have to throw yourself into the deep end; That leaving home, socialising and heading back into the office is something that as best as you can, you should approach slowly, with a few key tips below to help:
-
Aisling Quigley Check-in with yourself regularly
Monitor yourself for feelings of anxiety or overwhelm as you hear news updates, receive invites, or have conversations about restrictions easing and plans being made. How does that make you feel? Do you notice you tense up and feel panic rising, or is there excitement there? Information is power. Listen to your experiences and use them as clues as to how you should respond. Check-in with how you're feeling and with that information take appropriate action – those feelings don't lie.
- Go slow & start small
There can be such a rush to feel like you need to do all the things, and see all the people, especially having been deprived or gone without for so long. But everything doesn't need to be done at the same time. We haven't been used to lots of activities or people, so our energy levels and nervous systems are likely to get overwhelmed quickly. Go slow, maybe commit to one thing, and start small, maybe seeing one person or a small vs. large group, test the waters and build from there.
- Stop "should-ing" all over yourself
If we had a dollar for every time we felt we "should" do something it's likely we'd all be very wealthy. Just because everyone you know is out, living their best lives on social media, doesn't mean you need to feel the pressure to. What feels nourishing, what feels depleting? How do you do more of what lights you up, vs. what drains you? Go easy on yourself and leave your "shoulds" behind, it'll make all the difference.
- Share how you're feeling
Often, we can feel like alone in our experiences, or, without realising it – that our partners/friends/families/colleagues should be mind-readers; An almost impossible task when we're faking feeling great for the sake of making others comfortable. Vulnerability sparks vulnerability, and it's likely that if you share, the other person will feel a lot more comfortable in sharing too, or at the very least will better understand how they can support you better or point you in the direction of someone who can. If you're not comfortable sharing, you might journal about it and just get how you're feeling out of your head and physically onto a page. Surrendering instead of bottling or suppressing things can lift a huge weight off us and prevent us feeling stuck.
- Recognise you're not alone
Especially with something we've been anticipating for so long, it can feel isolating to wonder why you're not pumped or overjoyed to rush back to normality, but "FOGO (Fear of Going Out)" and "FONO (Fear of Normal)" have become commonplace in light of the pandemic. Many people are reporting feelings of social anxiety for the very first time. If you are struggling, remember you're not alone, and that it's ok. It would be more surprising to effortlessly float back into life post-pandemic life.
- Stock up on patience and flexibility
It is likely emotions will be high and all the finer details of how we operate and function as societies and workplaces will hit some roadblocks, so be patient and know that some flexibility may be required. Things may feel a little clunky for a while as we all navigate this new world together, and it will take time. Organisations, venues and event organisers, business owners, and members of the public do not have it all figured out, so be patient and stay flexible as best as you can.
- Set boundaries & manage expectations
Know your limits, recognise what's off-limits for you and stick to that as best as you can. Have the conversations you need to upfront to avoid the awkward interactions down the line and to give others the context and perspective to understand why maybe you haven't responded to their invite, or haven't shown up to the picnic. If they are truly a good friend, they will understand.
- Keep up your self-care habits
Have you discovered that a meditation or journaling practice has really benefited you? Or that a walk around the block or by the beach has really helped over the past number of months? Prioritise it. Tending to those practices that reset your nervous system and act as the respite you need from the demands of life and the voice in your head will become even more important. Don't ditch them just because we're back to real life again. Take what you've learned and embed it.
- Celebrate joy
Once you do start experiencing some level of normality in whatever way that feels comfortable to you, recognise the moments of joy, the moments of uplift and celebrate the moments of true connection. Take in the conversations, the shared experiences and all the benefits that are to be uncovered, as they arise. Reflect on how good it feels and allow that to come to mind the next time your anxiety, stress or overwhelm may arise. If you can't, know that's ok too.
If you're feeling worried or uncertain about what you're feeling, remember that the return to life post-pandemic is likely something that will likely significantly challenge your social, physical and mental health. If you feel you're in need of some support, there are so many resources out there available to help in whatever way you need. It's ok not to be ok and even better to ask for help. Check out some of the resources below to help you do just that:
- Beyond Blue aims to increase awareness of depression and anxiety and reduce stigma. Call 1300 22 4636, 24 hours/7 days a week, chat online or email
- Lifeline provides 24-hour crisis counselling, support groups and suicide prevention services. Call 13 11 14, text on 0477 13 11 14 (12pm to midnight AEST) or chat online.
- Headspace is the National Youth Mental Health Foundation, helping young people who are going through a tough time. www.headspace.org.au/
About Aisling Quigley
Entrepreneur, mindfulness and meditation facilitator Aisling Quigley is on a mission is to positively impact the mental health of 1 million people over the next 10 years, through her corporate workshops, retreats, online meditation courses and community initiative, The Sunrise Collective.Working with world-leading brands like Kmart, Bunnings & Cystic Fibrosis Australia, Aisling shares evidence-based tools, practices, and concepts to help people find connection and community and transform their lives and wellbeing in meaningful, tangible ways. www.aislingquigley.com.au
The post Lockdown Whiplash: How to Mentally Prepare For Things Re-Opening appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Rebecca Klodinsky On Growing Her Cult Swimwear Brand IIXIIST appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>If it sounds like Rebecca Klodinsky is living her best life, you're right.
The founder of multimillion dollar swimwear brand IIXIIST confirms she's got it pretty fantastic at the moment.
But don't think for one second any of it came easily. Behind the seeming glitz and glamour of running a successful fashion brand is an incredibly hard-working woman with a lot of grit, resilience and tenacity. With a toddler in tow, to boot.
In fact, nothing about Rebecca's success was handed to her on a silver platter, so much so that for the first few years of running her now $7 million business, Rebecca did pretty much everything on her own.
"I built my first website myself," she said. "I didn't have the money to pay someone so I taught myself to code by watching YouTube videos.
"And that's probably my biggest tip for anyone starting out in their own business: It's easy to get someone else to do something but if you do as much as you can it teaches you good financial hygiene."
Rebecca was in her early 20s and completing a double degree in psychology and forensics when she started her label, then called Frankii Swim. It was born out of necessity; She spent a lot of time at the beach and it was annoying to have to change clothing to swim after doing a pilates class. And so her signature multi-purpose triangle bralette was born.
"It was really scary to make that conscious decision to stop pursuing a guaranteed career or profession to follow something so unknown," Rebecca said. "I've only ever been an online business and e-commerce was just dawning, there was no Instagram and no Shopify. This was back when there was still lay-by.
"It was a leap of faith, I guess. And then I was so hungry and determined to keep it going, and I was rewarded with the pleasure of seeing it work."
It was 2015 when the brand had its first celebrity moment. Kylie Jenner ordered directly from the website. Soon after, Rhianna's 'people' called in. And it was every bit as satisfying as any business owner might dream it to be.
"At first we thought it was fake," Rebecca said. "But you know, we thought if it WAS actually Rhianna, we better give her some pieces! Seeing it was so cool, and it did change things. I thought: People can see me, I'm not just quietly working away on the Gold Coast. My ears pricked up to the fire that I had started.
"But it was the right time for it, I caught a wave. Instagram was new, and the brand ticked a lot of boxes for consumers that otherwise weren't being ticked. The growth just happened, I didn't have to pay anyone for endorsement."
If you're a start-up in the fashion space reading this and you're seething, Rebecca can understand.
"I don't know how, in this climate, they're doing it. Pre-COVID I would have encouraged anyone thinking about starting their own thing to just do it. But COVID seems to have prompted everyone to do it and every market is so flooded. It's scary."
With the competition growing, Rebecca attributes the brand's ability to maintain a 333% profit to offering a consistent product.
"We have a strong customer base and they know what to expect," she said. "We don't jump ship when there are new trends. There's no tie dye or terry towelling; It's just a classic design."
Sustainability, which has become uber-trendy in swimwear in recent years, is one thing the brand has always stood for. Today it emphasises small production runs, 100% recycled ocean waste fabrics, eco-friendly dyes and manufacturers that are 100% child labour free. It's no wonder the brand has a cult celebrity following.
If you need another reason to love the brand, Rebecca promises that it does not photoshop its models.
"I actually don't really have any angst about what we post on Instagram – although my social media team does," she said. "If it were up to me, I'd be posting photos of my lattes. It's just important to me that we post as freely as we can, and we're open, transparent and easy-going. And also that we use clean and sophisticated language. I don't want to speak to every person as though they are 18-25."
With a team of just five, Rebecca has long left behind the idea of running her business like a big corporate.
"I've grown as a person since starting the business and I've relaxed and found my bearings in life," she said. "I just have people around me who are like-minded so it's not like dragging your feet into work every day. The team are excited when a call from Hayley Bieber comes in."
A typical day starts with a workout and then the morning is spent with her son, a toddler who she has full-time. By 8am she's in the office, and work usually entails checking grid content, going over look books and choosing models.
"There's not a lot of structure, I just know what's what at all times," she said. "l tackle what needs to be done in that moment. As long as I can be left alone for three hours in the morning, we're good."
She admits she's 'very very on, all the time' when it comes to work but doesn't consider it a downfall.
"I'm so lucky to be able to do what I want for myself and to have done it for such a long time, I feel I have freedom," she said. "I don't collapse into bed exhausted at night. I've never thought about quitting. Although around Fashion Week I did think it would be nice to have a boss and be able to call in sick for one day."
Her relationship with Geelong Cats player Lachie Henderson means she splits her time between Melbourne and the Gold Coast. She credits him as an immense support last year when she got out a bout of endometriosis for the first time so severe that it required emergency surgery, and then she contracted COVID.
"Lachie is so supportive, and he's respectful of my work ethic," she said. "I am nuts and bonkers but he sees the return that I reap. Equally, I wouldn't come on to the AFL field when he's playing and be all demanding that he do bath time for baby. We have respect for the other person's job and life."
In terms of what's next for the business, Rebecca * might * consider a children's range and loungewear.
"However, I'm a big believer in if it's not broke, don't fix it," she said. "I don't have any aspirations to take over the world. I just want to do a good job have all that I need and that's enough for me."
The post Rebecca Klodinsky On Growing Her Cult Swimwear Brand IIXIIST appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post A_C Has Released Handbags Made From Silicone And Cactus Leather appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The brand has also announced it will move to an 'on demand' business model to avoid over-production.
Last year, A_C was the first brand in Australia to work with Desserto, an award-winning plant-based leather alternative derived from the cactus plant 'Nopal', or 'Prickly Pear' as it is most commonly known. While Sileather® is not a new innovation in textiles, its use within the fashion industry is, with A_C leading its entrance to the market.
Sileather® is a PU and PVC-free sustainable performance fabric that combines the texture of leather with the superior advantages of 100% silicone – inherently durable, long lasting, luxurious to touch, waterproof and easy to clean. The production process is 9x less carbon intensive than PU, and unlike PU and PVC fabrics, Sileather® does not use solvents or chlorine in any of the production process. Lastly, it does not leak VOC emissions throughout its life and is 100% recyclable.
Related reading: Is Vegan Leather Really Eco-Friendly?
A_C has partnered with local recycling centre EcoActiv to recycle each bag once it has reached its end of life – offering a 'buy back' program when customers return their bag to the brand in exchange for a gift voucher for their next purchase.
"My intention is to provide a bag that can return to the earth the way it came," says A_C founder and designer Tessa Carroll. "Working with Desserto cactus leather, I am able to offer a partially biodegradable plant based 'green-leather' to the market while introducing Sileather® permits me to give a second life to my products through end-to-end recycling. The design journey from concept to construction is a considered one. Working with recyclable, innovative, plant-based textiles is integral to upholding both A_C and my personal values."
The new collection, titled 'Sankalpa' includes a bucket bag, shopper and belt bag in Black cactus or Tan silicon leather. Each piece is incredibly versatile, featuring all the functional essentials for everyday use like generous internal pockets, dog clips and removable straps; while a sleek and minimalist aesthetic, custom hardware and contrast edging means they're elevated enough for a night out.
"Much like my previous collection, this range was designed with intention and is a physical representation of the brand's purpose," says Carroll. "A_C's mission is to create timeless modern classics where the only thing 'new' is the innovative textiles used."
The post A_C Has Released Handbags Made From Silicone And Cactus Leather appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Ottolenghi Recipe: Berry Platter With Sheep's Labneh And Orange Oil appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>"This display of the season's best can double up as a light dessert or as a brunch centrepiece. You can make your own labneh but it requires draining the yoghurt for a good 24 hours, or you can make everything easily on the day using shop- bought labneh or some Greek-style yoghurt mixed with a little double cream. The berries you use are totally up to you, depending on what's good and not too expensive. You can use fewer types, or some frozen berries, if you like, especially for those which get blitzed in the recipe. You'll make more oil than you need; store it in a glass jar to drizzle over salads or lightly cooked vegetables."
YOTTAM OTTOLENGHI
Serves 6
Ingredients
- 900g sheep's yoghurt, or cow's yoghurt as an alternative
- 1⁄2 tsp salt 100ml good-quality olive oil
- 10g lemon thyme sprigs, plus a few extra picked thyme leaves to serve
- 1 orange:finely shave the skin to get 6 strips
- 200g blackberries
- 250g raspberries
- 300g strawberries,hulled and halved lengthways (or quartered if they're larger)
- 50g caster sugar
- 1 lime:finely grate the zest to get 1 tsp, then juice to get 1 tbsp
- 200g blueberries
- 150g cherries,pitted
Instructions
- Put the yoghurt and salt into a medium bowl and mix well to combine. Line a colander with a piece of muslin large enough to hang over the sides and place the colander over a bowl. Transfer the yoghurt to the muslin and fold over the sides to completely encase the yoghurt. Place a heavyweight over the muslin (a few tins or jars will do), and transfer to the fridge to drain for at least 24 hours (and up to 48).
- Meanwhile, put the oil into a small saucepan, for which you have a lid,
on medium heat. Heat gently for about 7 minutes, or until tiny air bubbles form. Remove from the heat, add the thyme and orange strips, then cover with a lid and leave to infuse, ideally overnight, though half an hour will also do the job. - The next day, put 50g of blackberries, 100g of raspberries and 100g of strawberries into the small bowl of a food processor along with the sugar and lime juice and blitz until completely smooth. Put all the remaining berries and the cherries into a large bowl along with the blitzed fruit and gently combine. You can serve it straight away or leave it in the fridge for a few hours, bringing it back to room temperature before serving.
- Spread the labneh out on a large platter. Spoon over the berries, then sprinkle with the lime zest. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons of the infused oil, along with a couple of the orange strips and the extra picked thyme leaves.
Recipe extracted from Ottolenghi FLAVOUR by Yotam Ottolenghi and Ixta Belfrage.Published by Ebury Press RRP $55. Find your local book store here.
https://thecarousel.com/food/entertaining-wine/berry-torte-1015/
The post Ottolenghi Recipe: Berry Platter With Sheep's Labneh And Orange Oil appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Chargrilled Salmon Salad – Luke Nguyen appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Serves 4-6 as part of a shared meal
INGREDIENTS
200 g (7 oz) salmon fillet, skin and bones removed
150 g (51/ 2 oz/1/ 2 cup) Pickled vegetables
1 handful watercress sprigs
5 perilla leaves, roughly sliced
5 mint leaves, roughly sliced
5 Vietnamese mint leaves, roughly sliced
1 teaspoon Fried garlic chips (see Basics, page 357)
3 tablespoons Nuoc mam cham dipping sauce (see Basics, page 358)
1 tablespoon crushed roasted peanuts
1 tablespoon Fried red Asian shallots (see Basics, page 357)
1 red bird's eye chilli, sliced
Salmon marinade
1 garlic clove, crushed
2 teaspoons caster (superfine) sugar
11/ 2 tablespoons fish sauce
1 red bird's eye chilli, sliced
METHOD
1Combine all the marinade ingredients in a bowl, stirring until the sugar has dissolved. Add the salmon and turn to coat. Cover and marinate for 30 minutes.
2Chargrill the salmon over medium-high heat for 3 minutes, or until medium rare, making sure it is well coloured on the outside. Remove from the heat and allow the salmon to rest for 5 minutes.
3Flake the salmon flesh into a bowl, removing any small bones. Add the pickled vegetables, watercress, herbs, garlic chips and dipping sauce. Mix together well, then turn out onto a serving platter.
4Garnish with the peanuts, fried shallots and chilli and serve.
Travel through Vietnam with celebrity chef Luke Ngyen's lavish new book, The Food Of Vietnam. The location and food photography is sublime, and showcases Luke's foodie adventures through this beautiful part of Asia. Luke serves up classic Vietnamese dishes plus his twists on traditional recipes. You will want to cook everything in this book, it's not to be missed. Reviewed by Anne Marie Cummins
Images and recipes extracted from The Food of Vietnam by Luke Nguyen published by Hardie Grant $69.95 available in stores nationally.
Also, you can join celebrity Chef Luke Nguyen on a new culinary experience in Saigon.
The Australia-born "MasterChefVietnam" host, cookbook author, restaurateur and television personality is partnering exclusively with The Reverie Saigon on this in-depth exploration of the vibrant dining destination that is bustling Ho Chi Minh City.
The post Chargrilled Salmon Salad – Luke Nguyen appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post What Is Mercury Retrograde And Does It Affect Our Eating? appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>According to astrologers, the movements of the Sun, Moon, stars and planets have an effect on what happens on earth. Mercury is believed to affect transport and communication. When it is in retrograde, many say that it produces negative impacts, so avoid making any crucial financial decisions and definitely don't travel.
If you're not into astrology it's understandable if the decade's first Mercury Retrograde slipped right under your nose last weekend. You may have heard people complaining, even dreading Mercury retrograde, but what even is it?
The word retrograde on its own signifies a planet moving backwards in its orbit – although this is simply an optical illusion. Each planet in the solar system orbits in the same direction, but when the Earth overtakes an outer planet like Mars and Saturn, from our perspective, it looks like those planets are moving backwards. For Mercury, since it is an inner planet, a state of retrograde is achieved when it itself laps the Earth. And since Mercury orbits the sun in a mere 88 days compared to other planets (who take longer), Mercury Retrograde occurs three to four times in a year.
Occurring from February 17 to March 10, it's possible to avoid going on holiday or making an investment, but there's one thing we can't help but do. Eat. How does Mercury retrograde affect our eating habits? Does it even affect our eating habits?
Doordash, the food delivery service, conducted a study on hungry Melburnians to see how and if there were changes. This is what they discovered:
- 44% of orders were for fast-food. Looks like Melburnians were on the hunt for comfort food.
- Although fast-food as a whole was the most popular, it was Indian Cuisine that topped the demand making up 18% of orders.
- Most orders came from CBD Melbourne
Top Meals
- Indian
- Chicken
- Burgers
- Asian
- Italian
Does Mercury retrograde stress people out? Is that why they're opting for fast, comforting food? Or is it simply a coincidence?
Although Mercury retrograde itself is an optical illusion, Melburnians' changing cravings is not. Whether or not you believe in its adverse effects, it never hurts to stay at the very least cautious.
The post What Is Mercury Retrograde And Does It Affect Our Eating? appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Sweet And Tasty Dorothy The Dinosaur Cake (Perfect For The Kids!) appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>
Feeds 12 Wiggles
Ingredients:
- 3 x 510g pkts vanilla cake mix, plus listed ingredients
- 200g white chocolate Melts
- 2 tbsp liquid glucose
- 3 x 400g tubs vanilla frosting
- Green food colouring
- 340g pkt yellow Candy Melts
- Small silk flowers
- Tube of black writing icing
- Parent
Grease two deep 23cm square cake pans. Line bases and sides with baking paper. Make cake mixture following packet directions; divide between pans. Bake as directed.
- Parent
To make modelling chocolate, melt chocolate Melts in a microwave following packet directions; cool. Stir in glucose (chocolate will harden). - Child
Wrap modelling chocolate in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 3 hours. - Parent + Child
Spoon frosting into a bowl. Add drops of food colouring, stirring with a spoon, until frosting is Dorothy green (see picture). - Parent
Using the picture as a guide, cut a Dorothy shape out of the cakes. From the first cake, cut out Dorothy's body; place on a presentation board. From the second cake, cut out two identical shapes for her head, then stack them on top of one another, securing together with frosting; position on the board above her body. (If necessary, trim a little off Dorothy's head so it's not so high.) - Parent + Child
Cover cake all over in frosting. - Parent
Trim a few Candy Melts to make smaller dots. - Child
Copy the picture and put Dorothy's spots, flat-side up, on the cake. - Parent
Knead modelling chocolate, then roll out to a 30cm round. Using a knife, cut a 25cm semi-circle for Dorothy's hat. Cut out eyes, teeth, gloves and spikes for her tail. - Parent + Child
Copy the picture and put on Dorothy's eyes, teeth, gloves and spikes. Gently shape Dorothy's hat to fit around her head. Using a little frosting, stick flowers on her hat and on one glove. Draw on her pupils and eyebrows with the black writing icing.
The post Sweet And Tasty Dorothy The Dinosaur Cake (Perfect For The Kids!) appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Macadamia Milk Iced Coffee appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>INGREDIENTS
1/2 cup espresso coffee
2 teaspoons caster sugar
1 cup macadamia milk*
1/3 cup ice cubes
1 scoop vanilla ice-cream
METHOD
1 Place coffee and sugar in a jug. Stir until sugar has dissolved. Add macadamia milk and stir to combine.
2 Divide ice and ice-cream between glasses. Top with coffee macadamia milk and serve.
Macadamia milk is available at some specialty stores & supermarkets.
The Carousel thanks Australian Macadamias for this recipe.
The post Macadamia Milk Iced Coffee appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Matt Moran's Asparagus And Cos Salad With Bottaga And Soft Egg appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Asparagus and cos salad is a recipe for 4 people – enjoy!
Start by cooking the soft boiled eggs, bring a pot of salty boiling water to a boil, and add 6 room temperature eggs to cook for 7 minutes.
Once cooked, remove from the pot and place into ice cold water to stop the cooking. Gently peel the eggs, cut them in half and keep at room temperature.
To make the dressing, mix the mayonnaise, zest of 1 lemon, juice of 1 lemon, half the capers and chopped parsley in a bowl and season with salt and pepper.
Next, gently peel the asparagus and place in boiling, salted water for 2 minutes until tender and cool in ice cold water.
Once cooled, cut in half and with the cos lettuce, dress with the lemon caper mayonnaise dressing. Season well and arrange on a plate with the eggs and sprinkle over the capers, bread crumbs and grated Bottaga.
Ingredients for Asparagus and cos salad
- 2 x bunches new season asparagus
- 2 x baby gem lettuce – washed and cut in half
- 6 x eggs
- Bottaga
- 1 x lemon juice
- 1 x lemon zest
- 150gm mayonnaise
- ¼ bunch parsley
- 40gram capers
- 50gm toasted panko breadcrumbs
- Sea salt
- White pepper
The Carousel would like to thank Matt Moran and Tom Haynes for their recipe. You can check out more of Matt's recipes here
And check out the Chiswick Restaurant, too.
The post Matt Moran's Asparagus And Cos Salad With Bottaga And Soft Egg appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post How Well Do You Really Know Your Coffee? appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Whether they are long, short, milky or dark, there is huge variety of coffee drinks that start with an expresso at their base.
One of the most ordered coffees in Australia is a latte. If you order a 'latte' in Italy, you'll receive a cold glass of milk! Here, James Hoffman, author of The World Atlas Of Coffee, schools us on everything we need to know about coffee, where they came from and how to drink them.
This translates from the Italian as 'restricted' and the idea is to produce an even smaller and stronger cup of coffee than an espresso. This is done by using less brewing water for the same amount of ground coffee. The grind of the coffee should be finer so the brew time remains long enough to extract all the desirable aromatics from the coffee.
LUNGO
The lungo, or 'long' coffee, was until recently considered deeply unfashionable in the speciality coffee world. It was usually brewed using an espresso machine but using two or three times the amount of water to the same weight of coffee to make a much longer drink. The resulting cup was much weaker and, while a longer-lasting experience for the consumer, it was considered inferior due to the lack of body and mouthfeel. In fairness, most coffee brewed this way is terrible, and tastes very bitter and ashy.
However, recently there has been a movement within the speciality coffee industry to brew lighter roasted coffees this way, resulting in a complex and balanced brew that I think can be delicious. If ever you are struggling to balance the acidity in an espresso blend, try making it into a longer drink by adding more water to the same amount of coffee. The grind will need to be made a little coarser to allow a faster flow and prevent overextraction.
This drink takes its name from the idea of 'marking' or 'staining' an espresso with some milk foam. In Italy it is not unusual to see a busy barista line up several cups of espresso on the bar for the customers. If one of the customers likes just a drop of milk in their drink, it is important to add a small dollop of milk foam as well to mark which cup it is. If you pour just a little milk into a freshly made espresso it will disappear under the crema, and you won't be able to tell which it is. In the last decade or so, many quality-focused coffee shops have done something quite different with the drink. They have turned a macchiato into an espresso topped up with foamed milk. This is often done at the request of the customer, who wants a longer, weaker and sweeter drink, but sometimes it is done because the barista likes to show off and pour latte art in very small cups.
To further confuse matters, Starbucks have a drink called a Caramel Macchiato. This is an entirely different drink, much closer to a caffe latte that has been 'marked' or 'stained' by caramel syrup. This has created some customer confusion, especially in North America, so it is now common to see coffee shops refer to what they offer as a 'traditional macchiato'.
There remain a great many myths around the cappuccino. One to get out of the way quickly is that the name has nothing to do with the hoods of monks' robes, nor the bald spot on their heads. The original name for the drink was a kapuziner, and it was a Viennese drink in the 19th century. It was a small brewed coffee mixed with milk or cream until it attained the same shade of brown as the Capuchin monks' robes. Essentially the name implies the strength of the drink.
Another recent myth surrounding the cappuccino is the rule of thirds. The rule of thirds is passed around to this day, and describes a traditional cappuccino as being one-third espresso, one-third milk and one-third foam. I was taught this very early on in my coffee career but this recipe has no root in tradition. I have read quite a few books about coffee and the first reference to the cappuccino rule of thirds I can find was written in the 1950s. It describes cappuccino as 'an espresso mixed with equal amounts of milk and foam.'
I think a great cappuccino is the pinnacle of milk-based espresso drinks. A rich layer of dense, creamy foam combined with sweet, warming milk and the flavours of a well-brewed espresso are an absolute delight. The closer to lukewarm you can enjoy a cappuccino, the sweeter it will be, and I confess that the best ones I've drunk disappear in a few greedy mouthfuls – impossible if the drink is too warm.
ONE CAPPUCCINO A DAY
There is a tradition in Italy of having just one cappuccino in the morning, then drinking only espresso for the rest of the day. I believe this is a fascinating example of culture reflecting diet. Like most southern Europeans, most Italians are lactose intolerant. However, a lactose-intolerant person can consume a small amount of milk without a problem, hence the daily cappuccino. A second
or third cappuccino, however, even a small Italian one, could result in some gastric distress, so Italian culture prevents the excessive consumption of milk by making it a small cultural taboo to keep drinking cappuccino throughout the day.
This drink did not originate in Italy. When espresso first spread around the world, it was a bitter, intense and extraordinary coffee experience for most. For some people, the bitterness was a problem so they added hot milk to make the drink sweeter and less bitter. The caffe latte was created to satisfy the customers who wanted the coffee experience with less intensity.
Typically there is more liquid milk in a caffe latte than a cappuccino, making the coffee flavour less intense. It is also traditional to have less foam in the milk. I am always careful to describe the drink as a caffe latte, rather than just a latte, because many people travel to Italy and if they order a latte there, they will suffer the humiliation of simply receiving a glass of milk.
Different coffee cultures around the world have contributed different drinks, and while the argument continues over whether the flat white was invented in Australia or New Zealand, it is undeniably from Australasia and has been spread by those who have travelled to Europe and North America to open businesses there. In the UK, the name first became synonymous with the offerings of quality-focused cafés, to the point that it was adopted by the major chains and put on their menus. The drink probably had lowlier origins, however.
By the 1990s it was common, almost everywhere outside Italy, for a cappuccino to come with an enormous head of dry, meringue-like foam. Sometimes this would rise up from the top of the cup like a mountain, carefully dusted with chocolate powder. Many consumers were frustrated to be sold a cup of coffee that seemed to be mostly air and began to ask for a flat, white coffee. No foam, just coffee and milk. These became sufficiently part of the culture there that when people started focusing on quality more and more, and on better milk texture and latte art, the flat white was remade as something delicious.
The best description I can offer is that a flat white is like a small, strong latte. It should have a strong coffee flavour, and is usually made with a double ristretto or a double espresso, topped up with hot milk to make a 150–175ml drink. The milk has a little foam added to it, but not very much. This makes it relatively easy to pour intricate patterns, known as latte art, into the drink.
The story goes that the American soldiers stationed in Italy after World War II found the espresso served there too strong. They often asked for their espresso to be served with some hot water, or just be diluted down to the point that it resembled the coffee they were used to at home. This style of drink picked up the name 'caffe americano'. Although it resembles a cup of filter coffee, I think the americano is inferior. However, it remains popular with café owners because it allows them to serve filter coffee-strength brews without having to buy additional equipment. My recommendations for making an americano are simple. Pour some fresh, clean hot water into a cup, then brew a double espresso on top. If your espresso machine has a steam boiler, it should be able to deliver the hot water, although if you have not taken water from the machine for a while it may taste unpleasant.
Some people claim that you should never add very hot water to an espresso, and always brew the espresso on top of the hot water. I don't think it makes a great deal of difference, I just find the resulting coffee is cleaner and looks better.
The one disadvantage of diluting espresso is that you increase the perceived bitterness slightly. For that reason, as soon as you finish brewing the americano, I would recommend scooping the crema off the top of the drink and discarding it. Crema is delightful to look at, but there are many tiny pieces of ground coffee trapped in the foam so the crema contributes additional bitterness to the drink. Removing the crema before stirring and drinking definitely improves the flavour of an americano. (I would also recommend tasting an espresso after you remove the crema – the difference in flavour is dramatic. While I actually prefer the taste of an espresso without crema, I don't want the extra work and am happy enough to enjoy it as it is. With an americano, however, I really do think the extra work is worthwhile.)
This is one of the few coffee-based drinks that does not have Italian origins. In fact, it comes from Spain, most likely Madrid, where it is commonly served. Traditionally the Spanish brew their espresso slightly longer, often a little weaker than the Italians. To make a cortado, about 30ml of espresso is combined with an equal quantity of steamed milk. This is traditionally served in a glass. The drink seems to have spread and been reinterpreted in a few different ways, but this is the basic idea behind it.
The post How Well Do You Really Know Your Coffee? appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Guillaume Zika's Roasted Coffee And Chocolate Mousse Recipe appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Guillaume Zika's Roasted Coffee And Chocolate Mousse Recipe
INGREDIENTS
200g white chocolate
325g dark chocolate 66%
Eggs
Sugar
Milk
180g isomalt
4 bunch round mint
25g roast coffee beans
Chocolate mousse
250g milk
25g coffee bean
200g dark chocolate
115g water
2 egg yolk
37g sugar
Mint Ice Cream
500ml Milk
75g Sugar
6 Egg Yolks
100g Fresh Mint
Burnt White Chocolate
200g white chocolate
Crystallised Chocolate
180g Isomalt
125g Dark Chocolate 66%
METHOD
1 Boil the milk then pour on top of the coffee beans in a container, clean wrap and store in the fridge overnight to infuse.
2 Mix egg yolk and sugar together. strain the coffee beans from the milk, boil the milk then pour on top of the egg mix. Transfer to a thermomix then cook for 8min at 80 degrees. When cooked, pour on top of the chocolate and add the water. Cool down on ice then blitz again. Feel up a foam gun with the mix then charge with one gas. keep on ice.
Mint Ice Cream
1 Pick 100g of fresh mint (keep the stem), blanch for 10 seconds in boiling salted water. Cool on ice then press the mint to remove all the excess water. Keep aside in the fridge.
2 Boil milk then pour over the stem of the mint and infuse for 30mins.
3 In a separate bowl mix the sugar with egg yolks. Strain the milk, bring to the boil again and then mix with the sugar and egg mixture. Cook in a thermomix for 8mins at 80 degrees then add the mint leaves. Cook for a further 4mins at 80 degrees on full power. Freeze in a paco jet container and spin to use.
Burnt White Chocolate
1 Put white chocolate on a tray lined with baking paper and put in a oven at 170 degrees. Every 3 minutes turn the chocolate until is becomes a dark brown colour. Set in the fridge then blitz to break it up. Keep in the fridge.
Crystallised Chocolate
1 Melt the isomalt in a pan until it stops bubbling, add the chocolate and lay flat on a tray. Cool down then blitz. Keep in the freezer.
Finish
1 Quenelle 1 scoop of mint ice cream on the bottom of a bowl, cover with the chocolate mousse. Sprinkle with burnt white chocolate and crystallised chocolate.
The Carousel thanks The Cottage Point Inn's resident head chef Guillaume Zika for this recipe.
The post Guillaume Zika's Roasted Coffee And Chocolate Mousse Recipe appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Lonely Planet's Global Coffee Tour Book Highlights Our Love Of Coffee appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Who are the best female jazz singers in New York and where do they perform? How convenient is public transport in Taiwan, when you're travelling with a surfboard?
How far in advance can you buy train tickets in Mongolia? Where exactly is the bus terminal in Santa Marta where we can find buses for Cartagena?
By attempting to answer the above questions, for years, the travel/food/drink/culture obsessed Lonely Planet guides and their online Thorn Tree forums have kept us well-informed on everything travel-related, whether it's the best things to see and do in a city, the best places to stay at, or something as innocuous and seemingly inconsequential as the right way to eat poutine (with chopsticks for the convenience versus with a fork following convention).
So when they realised that travellers were far more inquisitive about the best coffee places around the world, than they were about beer or wine, the folks at Lonely Planet sat up and took notice!
And thus was born Lonely Planet's Global Coffee Tour , the new book for coffee lovers and coffee tourers, by coffee-loving travel writers as well as well-travelled coffee journalists.
With a selection of amazing cafes, roasteries and plantations from 37 countries across Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and Oceania, Global Coffee Tour is not just another coffee table book – it's a look into the world's best coffee shops and roasteries (organised by city) and plantations (organised by region), the coffee you should taste or buy when you're there, and (in quintessential Lonely Planet style) the local sights and the things to do nearby.
It's a look at lesser known and far-flung places that will lure you to them because of the great coffee, but it's also a way to explore your own city through the inevitably wide-awake eyes of a coffee lover!
To celebrate the launch of the book, Lonely Planet did what any woke travel big shot would do: they organised a coffee cupping event at Mecca Coffee in Alexandria.
Although it looks like an Instagram-ready industrial-chic coffee shop, Mecca Coffee is actually much more – it's a specialty-coffee importer, roaster, and wholesaler based in Sydney. Of course, Mecca is one of the seven Sydney-based entities featured in the book, which also helped ramp up the 'Australia's coffee capital: Sydney v/s Melbourne' debate (for those interested, Melbourne has eight coffee shops/roasters featured in Global Coffee Tour ).
Highlighting Australians' love for specialty coffee as well as an inherently increasing desire of people to know where their food and drink come from and which designers they support, the coffee cupping event was the perfect environment for coffee connoisseurs to understand the roasting process and the entire coffee seed-to-cup process.
With 700 coffee roasteries across Australia (according to BeanScene magazine), Sydney is now leading the way with a number of roasters conducting classes, workshops and cupping sessions, in order to create and provide a better cup of coffee. Mecca had a great set-up for that!
As drool-worthy coffee aromas wafted through, a tasting table set with six different varieties of coffee (sourced from Colombia, Peru, and Burundi among other places) with hints of kaffir lime, bitter orange and tropical fruits, welcomed us. All that incredible coffee and a super-knowledgeable staff at Mecca made the cupping session an absolute delight.
The massive and not-so-massive roasters at Mecca were on in full gear, roasting the beans at precise temperatures (there's a complicated science to it!).
At the very back, the storage room was filled with unroasted coffee beans that have a slightly greenish tint and a gripping backstory of where they were sourced from.
This was, overall, a super-insightful session by Mecca Coffee, and the presence of Lonely Planet's Global Coffee Tour book made it even more relevant. Coffee drinkers nowadays are more invested in their coffee, its origins and its story. The story of the people who work at the plantations, who source the beans, those who diligently roast the beans, the people who study the science of what makes a great coffee, and those who bring that perfectly aromatic cup of specialty joe to you. Both, Lonely Planet's book and Mecca's perseverance in delivering patrons great coffee, are testaments to that!
Lonely Planet's Global Coffee Tour | $29.99 AUD |
The post Lonely Planet's Global Coffee Tour Book Highlights Our Love Of Coffee appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post The Perfect Carrot Cake Recipe Just In Time For The Weekend appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The Perfect Carrot Cake Recipe
Preparation time: 30 mins
Cooking time: 35 mins Serves: 10
Ingredients
Carrot Cake
21⁄2 cups self-raising flour
11⁄2 cups Caster Sugar
1⁄2 cup pecans, finely chopped 1 tsp cinnamon
11⁄2 cups sunflower oil
4 extra large eggs
21⁄2 cups grated carrot
Caramel Sauce
1⁄2 cup Caster Sugar 1 tbs water
1⁄3 cup thickened cream
Spiced Buttercream
150g unsalted butter, softened
250g Vanilla Buttercream Icing Mix 1 tsp mixed spice
3 tsp water
To Decorate
Fresh bay leaves
Candied or fresh orange slices
Method
1. Pre-heat oven to 160°C fan-forced. Grease and line 2 x 20cm cake pans.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, pecans and cinnamon. Mix well.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together oil and eggs until well combined. Add to flour mixture with the grated carrot. Mix thoroughly.
4. Divide batter between prepared pans. Bake for 35 mins, or until an inserted skewer comes out clean. Cool in pan for 10 mins before removing to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, refrigerate covered until required.
5. For the caramel sauce, place sugar and water in a saucepan, stirring to dissolve sugar. Increase heat and boil without stirring until a golden colour is achieved. Add cream to pan, swirling to combine and remove from heat.
6. For buttercream, place butter in a bowl and using electric beaters, mix until smooth. Add icing mix, spice and water, mixing well.
7. To assemble, place one of the cakes onto a serving plate. Top with half of the buttercream and a half of the caramel sauce. Place second cake on top and smooth over the remaining buttercream. Drizzle with caramel sauce and decorate with bay leaves and candied orange slices.
Lyndey Milan's Roast Turkey With Italian Sausage Seasoning And Vegetables
The post The Perfect Carrot Cake Recipe Just In Time For The Weekend appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Glenn Nutley's Top Contouring Tips appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Glenn: Today we are doing a story with Jodie Sweetin from the series Fuller House on Netflix.
So today Jodie is really interested in learning about contouring.
Jodie: I have a round face so I want to learn how to get a little bit of definition whilst still making it look natural and not really severe.
Glenn: So you get some shape without it looking drastic?
Today I am using this contouring pallet by Laura Mercier. It is a cream pallet, so we have started with a nice clean base of foundation and the first contour we are going to do is underneath the cheekbone. I am using the lighter shade at the moment.
I am basically going to draw a line straight along the cheekbone from underneath the ear. So we will continue this line slightly coming back up underneath the cheekbone at the front. You want to create a little bit of a Nike Tick, I call it.
Jodie: There is a cheekbone?
Glenn: We are going to push it right out. So there is a little dip there as well, we are going to blend it out so you won't see it but it's like a little tick mark. Ok good. There is a little dip there as well.
Now I am going to take a blending brush and I am going to take it up into the cheekbone so that you can't see where the line starts and finishes. I also like to take a bit of contour across into the temple as well.
So now we are going to highlight to create a little bit of extra definition. I am taking this concealer pallet and I am using the lightest shade that has a slightly pink undertone and I am going to go across the top of the cheekbone. A little bit right in the centre of the chin, and down the top of the nose. Which you can pat with your finger.
Jodie: I am so excited to see what it looks like. Oh there is a cheekbone!
Glenn: The shape is slowly arriving.
We are going to switch from using all the creams to a powder. We are going to set what you have here at the moment with a translucent powder. So I won't get rid of any of the definition that we have created and the highlights and the contours because this powder is basically see through. It is just going to hold it all in place.
I like to layer my contours so that they are not all cream or all powder and then they are less drastic in their appearance and we can just build on them.
So now I am going to do a powder bronzer. My favourite powder bronzer is the NARS Laguna because it is quite an ashy bronze.
I am using a fan brush to put it on because it gives it a really soft, subtle effect. It is easier to create the lines without having to fix your mistakes afterwards.
Now for the powder highlight. I am actually going to be using a shimmery kind of texture. This is a mac shimmer, I am just dusting it with a really soft brush, along the top of the nose, along the top of the cheekbone and a dash on the chin. All the higher points.
Jodie: Does it give it a bit of a sparkle?
Glenn: It gives it a bit of a sparkle but it is mainly there to create dimension. It is really going to lift it up and contrast the shadow that we put underneath the cheekbone. So be very careful when applying blush after you have contoured because it can actually flatten out the contours if you aren't careful.
Jodie: I tend to have rosy cheeks that are always my concern.
Glenn: Well then it's good for you to use a little bit of blush as well because then when the makeup starts to wear off, it will match your natural skin tone a little bit better. I am just going to use a very subtle pink and then just the tiniest little pop. Take a look.
Jodie: Oh that looks amazing. That looks really beautiful, really natural, but I feel like I have way more definition that I would ever have naturally with my cheekbones.
Glenn: Without it looking like it is drawn on right.
Jodie: That's always the thing that I would be afraid of. I would have no idea how to do it myself, I feel like I definitely have learnt some things. I have tried to do it before but I looked like a Picasso painting. A weird art edge and an eye up here. It was not pretty, this is beautiful though. Now that you know the tricks though you should be able to do it at home.
Credits:
Makeup/photography: Glenn Nutley
Model:Jodie Sweetin
Hair: Crystal Pray
Stylist: Shannon McClure
Producer/Director: BP Major
The post Glenn Nutley's Top Contouring Tips appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Delicious Traditional Seafood Bouillabaisse Recipe appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>INGREDIENTS
For the stock
5lt cold water
1 kg fish bones
1 lobster head – (crab shells if not available)
2 leeks – cut and washed
2 brown onions
1 head celery
4 bay leaves
6 peppercorns
500gm peeled tomatoes in can
8 saffron threads
2 cloves garlic
1 bunch parsley stalks
150ml white wine
1 pinch salt
For the bouillabaisse
1 moreton bay bug green. Cut in half
4 XL green yamba king prawns – peeled with head on
160 gm snapper fillet skinned and cubed
1/2 kg boston bay mussels – scrubbed and debearded
4 XL scallops roe off
For the rouille
2 egg yolks
400ml xv olive oil
1/4 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon mild paprika
2 cloves garlic
Salt and pepper
METHOD
For the stock
1 Sweat all diced vegetables in large saucepan. Add bay leaf, peppercorns, bones and shells and sweat for 5 minutes.
2 Deglaze with white wine and add the cold water, tomatoes and saffron.
3 Bring to simmer and skim from time to time. Let simmer for 30 minutes and turn off.
For the bouillabaisse
1 In a heavy based pan ladel in 1 litre of stock. Add the bug tales, prawns, mussels and snapper.
2 Bring to simmer then add the scallops. Season with black pepper and 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil.
3 Squeeze half a lemon and half a hand full of rough chopped parsley.
4 Serve with crusty baguette and finish with the rouille.
For the rouille
Make the same way you would make a mayonnaise.
The Carousel thanks Gallagher Hotels for this recipe.
The post Delicious Traditional Seafood Bouillabaisse Recipe appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post No Dairy Coffee & Praline Almond Ice-Cream appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Makes about 1 litre
INGREDIENTS
2 × 400 ml cans coconut milk
¹/³ cup cooled decaf espresso
1 tablespoon maple syrup
½ cup almond spread
1 vanilla bean, seeds scraped
Praline Almonds
1½ cups whole blanched almonds
2 tablespoons maple syrup
1 eggwhite, whisked until foamy
good pinch of ground cinnamon
METHOD
1 To make the praline almonds, preheat your oven to 200°C/180°C fan-forced. Line a large baking tray with non-stick baking paper. Combine all the praline ingredients together in a medium bowl until the almonds are well coated. Spread out over the prepared tray in a thin layer. Bake for 8–10 minutes or until the nuts are golden and crisp. Remove from the oven and cool completely on the tray. Break the praline into pieces and set aside.
2 Line the base and sides of a 18 cm × 28 cm rectangular pan with non-stick baking paper.
3 Combine the coconut milk, espresso, maple syrup, almond spread and vanilla seeds in a jug and pour into the prepared pan. Cover with cling wrap and freeze for 1 hour or until set firm around the edges.
4 Transfer the partially frozen coffee mixture to a food processor and process until very smooth. Return the mixture to the pan and level the surface. Cover with cling wrap and freeze for 1 hour more. Process until smooth again and return the mixture to the pan.
5 Stir half the praline almonds through the coffee mixture in the pan and level the surface. Cover with cling wrap and freeze once more until firm. Scoop and serve with the remaining praline almonds.
The Carousel thanks Clean Living Fast Food by Luke Hines and Scott Gooding, published by Hachette Australia ($29.99) for this recipe.
The post No Dairy Coffee & Praline Almond Ice-Cream appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Reinvigorating Our Passion For Cooking And Real Food appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Renowned author and culinary aficionado Michael Pollan identifies key questions regarding our engagement with the world:
- What is the single most important thing we could do as a family to improve our health and general well-being?
- What is the most important thing an ordinary person can do to help reform the food system, to make it healthier and more sustainable?
- How can people living in a highly specialised consumer economy reduce their sense of dependence and achieve a greater sense of self-sufficiency?
- How, in our everyday lives, can we acquire a deeper understanding of thenatural world and our species' peculiar role in it?
The answer, he suggests, could be simply returning to the kitchen, and to cooking.
More than ever, we live in a time-pressured culture awash with sugar, cheap grains, and heavily processed food, and because of our hectic schedules have readily 'outsourced' our culinary skills to corporations. The less you cook, the more 'edible food-like substances' – processed food – you'll eat. Such products have no place in a thinking person's diet, so we simply must get back in touch with real food by reinvigorating our passion for cooking.
As Pollan observes, "we always find time for the things we value—and we've come to devalue cooking" . Many see it as a chore, and viewed as such never consider it to be the wonderfully creative act it is; nourishing those most precious to us while reinforcing familial solidarity – the most precious of benefits in today's atomised culture.
Cooking as Artistic Pursuit
"Cooking is like painting or writing a song. Just as there are only so many notes or colours, there are only so many flavours – it's how you combine them that sets you apart" Wolfgang Puck
The antidote to the stultifying nature of consumer culture is the act of creation. To start with nothing, then create something, whether it's writing a poem, a piece of music, painting a picture, sculpting a vase, or cooking a meal, endow upon the creator an ineffable sublimity. The creation itself doesn't have to be of any particular high standard; it is the act of creation itself, especially that of a meal, which is its own reward.
Enjoy the process, from choosing fresh produce at the markets to chopping fresh herbs, take a moment to breathe in the fragrances (remember, wars have been fought over the spices we now take for granted), and put some care and love into the meals you prepare. Cooking, like painting or creative writing, allows you a glimpse of the sublime when approached with such a mindset.
"Everyone has to eat. All cooking that aims higher than a boiled egg is an attempt to make an art of a necessity. In this sense, it is surely the first art that human beings ever attempted. And it's still the most universal" Jonathon Jones
Proactive and Reactive Eaters
The choice of the how we nourish our brains and bodies is the most important decision we make each day. To repeatedly make such a decision based upon expediency, and not its healthful potentiality, could be argued, is a form of pathology: CCD – chronic careless disorganisation. If you've ever run out the door with a piece of toast hanging out of your mouth you can relate.
We need to become 'proactive eaters': planned and prepared, not 'reactive eaters': unplanned and susceptible. Unplanned reactive eating, born of CCD, is one of the most common issues in weight loss clients I encounter. It's a mistake that many of us make, and one that is openly supported and encouraged by food corporations and marketers eager to profit from our poverty of culinary skill.
When you consider the tremendous cost of not cooking (a nosedive in health and cellular function, less energy, sleep problems, concentration issues, brain fog, unexplained headaches, mid-afternoon sleepiness, increase in body fat, accelerated ageing etc.) it's clear we need to make a little more time for it. And as Pollan observes, "when you realise how pleasurable it can be, approached in the right spirit, you might just begin to devote some of your leisure to it."
Think Nationally, Act Locally
To the extent that people are willing to cook for themselves, it will allow diversification and localisation of agriculture to expand. In a very real way, by choosing processed food and inferior quality produce from large supermarkets we are helping to ensure the domination of our agriculture by giant monocultures of grain and animal factories. Enormous companies only buy from big farms, and such farms provide a bulwark against the effort to diversify and localise agriculture.
Buying Produce and Cooking as a Political Act
In many ways, reforming Australian agriculture into one more locally based and less reliant on mega agribusiness depends on rebuilding a culture of support for local food markets and home cooking. The choices you make regarding how you feed yourself and your family have far-reaching consequences. Such choices will affect the way in which our society will evolve, the quality of our environment and its ability to provide the natural framework for a diversified agriculture to flourish, and crucially, our sense of how our eating connects us to the world.
Many of us have lost touch with the physical processes and the beauty involved in the transformation of nature's gifts into a cooked meal – and this has altered our understanding of what food is.
Food has a deep connection to human creativity, it bonds the family unit together spiritually, it sculpts our bodies and builds our brains; it makes us who we are. It should not come pre-made in a package, fully formed. Food is not just another commodity, it is a profound part of what connects us to each other, and the process of its preparation is a big part of what makes us human.
J.A. Gleeson is a Personal Trainer at Tribe Social Fitness, Sutherland Shire, Sydney.
The post Reinvigorating Our Passion For Cooking And Real Food appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Cotton On Body's Philanthropic Coffee Scrub appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>A coffee scrub is fast becoming the body care du jour, with the humble coffee bean a skincare saviour for many. However, this is a caffeine hit with a difference.
Lifestyle brand Cotton On BODY, who has forayed into the beauty sphere with their Botanicals range, has a coffee scrub made from beans grown and cared for by women in Southern Uganda. This altruistic approach has become synonymous with the Victorian Company, who run a philanthropic arm, The Cotton On Foundation, focused on developing and supporting projects in Southern Uganda and others globally.
The idea was born in 2012 when the Cotton On Foundation began working with locals to establish coffee farms in Southern Uganda, an initiative which saw the launch of Mannya Trading Company in 2014, which has since become a sustainable income stream for local Ugandans.
On a trip to Mannya, Cotton On BODY Trend Director Stephanie Keen planted the first coffee seedlings with the Foundation teamnine years ago.
"We got on the back of a truck and drove out to the coffee plantation and spent the day digging holes and planting the seedlings."
"They put a basket on my head and I could hardly hold it with my arms, and then I saw a Ugandan woman beside me who was digging holes in the heat with a child on her back the entire time – that really stuck with me. It showed the women aren't afraid of hard work and they're dedicated to providing for their families and creating a more sustainable future."
Inspired by the trip, Stephanie set about developing the Cotton On BODY scrub using the Mannya Trading Co beans, which are completely harvested by hand – from picking, to drying, hulling and roasting – ensuring only the very best quality coffee beans are produced.
"We think it's important you know what you put on your body, so you'll love that our scrub has been made with the very best ingredients," Stephanie said.
Most importantly, this is one for the women, with all proceeds raised going to help women in the region. 80% of women perform 80% of the quality control work in the Mannya Village Community, with 90% reinvesting 90% of their earned income back into their family.
This philanthropic twist on a skincare staple is a much-needed step in the right direction for beauty. Not only is it a premium product (that smells amazing) but packs a charitable punch. We'll cheers our long blacks to that.
The Cotton On BODY coffee scrub retails for $9.95.
Have a look at the video here:
The post Cotton On Body's Philanthropic Coffee Scrub appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post 29 Insanely Delicious Recipes For Seafood Lovers appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>We've rounded up some of our all-time favourite seafood recipes to pop in your go-to recipe book.
Enjoy!
Punchy Spicy Prawn Jar With Jalapeno Salsa
Click here for the recipe!
Kingfish Ceviche With Avocado, Jalapenos, Lime & Bread
Click here for the recipe!
Peel-&-Eat Piri Piri Prawns
Click here for the recipe!
Crumbed Sardines With Smoky Relish And Saffron Aioli
Click here for the recipe!
Thai Inspired Oyster Duo
Click here for the recipe!
Gwinganna's Healthy Coconut Crusted Snapper
Click here for the recipe!
Blinis With Egg & Smoked Salmon
Click here for the recipe!
Zucchini & Potato Rösti Stack With Smoked Salmon
Click here for the recipe!
Japanese Tuna Salad With Bonito Dressing
Click here for the recipe!
Salt, Sugar And Honey–Cured Salmon With Wasabi Mayo
Click here for the recipe!
Tsar's Surf & Turf
Click here for the recipe!
Crayfish Miso Soup
Click here for the recipe!
Uni Don: Sea Urchin With Japanese Rice & Pickled Beetroot
Click here for the recipe!
Gravlax With Fennel, Cucumber & Mustard-Dill Dressing
Click here for the recipe!
Spaghetti With Prawns, Clams & Chilli
Click here for the recipe!
Super Healthy Grilled Mackerel with Barley, Eggplant and Garlic Yoghurt
Click here for the recipe!
Roast Monkfish With Irish Style Cabbage, Potato Sauce & Scallion Butter
Click here for the recipe!
Confit Marron Crayfish, Truffled Celeriac & Wattle Seed
Click here for the recipe!
Roasted Rock Flathead Tail With Burnt Green Garlic Salsa
Click here for the recipe!
Snapper With Fennel & Roman Beans
Click here for the recipe!
Panfried Salmon On Garlic Mash And Green Beans
Click here for the recipe!
Prawn & Avocado Burgers With Homemade Sauce!
Click here for the recipe!
Indian Style Whole Roasted Salmon Cooked in an Earthenware Pot
Click here for the recipe!
Fish en Papillote
Click here for the recipe!
Grilled Tuna With Olive Tapenade
Click here for the recipe!
Poached Salmon With Dill And Crème Fraiche
Click here for the recipe!
Peter Gilmore's Seafood Masterpiece, Xo Sea
Click here for the recipe!
Steamed Whole Bream With Green Chilli & Coriander
Click here for the recipe!
Pescatora Risotto By Criniti's Head Chef John Lanzafame
Click here for the recipe!
The post 29 Insanely Delicious Recipes For Seafood Lovers appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Lyndey Milan's Exclusive Interview With Aussie Icon Stephanie Alexander appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>I first admired Stephanie from afar, back in the 80s as an avid cookbook collector, reader of anything to do with food in magazines and newspapers, caterer, cook, diner and entertainer. I attended her cooking classes at Accoutrement in Sydney and furthered our acquaintance at a Harvest Picnic in Melbourne after I moved into the media. We went on to become not only colleagues but friends. However, that is just by way of background.
For what is significant is that in the last 35 years or more I have never eaten any of Stephanie's food, whether prepared by her, in her long-gone restaurant or café, or from her recipes, which I didn't really enjoy. That is big. Not only reassuring that her recipes work, but rather that she has such a great sense of flavour, texture and balance. Stephanie uses the word delicious often, and that can always be applied to her food.
Stephanie began her career as a librarian and that is evident in the wonderful order, carefully recalled memories and evocative essays in her new book Home which is just released. She is a lover of words and books and so is a wordsmith herself. Fortunately also with a librarian's good archive of notebooks, documents and clippings. Along with memory and a sense of humour.
The author of 18 books including the monumental Cook's Companion, truly an Australian classic which has sold over 500,000 copies, you may think Stephanie, at nearly 81, might rest on her laurels? No way. The success of Cook's Companion and its second edition enabled her to establish The Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation, now in 1000 schools, to introduce the pleasure of growing, cooking and eating of food to primary school children. This led to more books, her most recent, The Cook's Apprentice, in 2018 being aimed at younger cooks just starting out.
However, around three years ago in discussion with the publisher of Home, she agreed she would write a new and different book. Something reflective, revealing where recipes came from and why they were important, her history, her life and her food life giving full rein to her literary style with formal essays as well as recipes. Stephanie felt she had a lot to say, having lived, as she says "for a long time and so it became a pleasure and an indulgence to be able to look back and see connections I hadn't seen at the time". Blissfully, she was encouraged to write long introductions to the recipes.
Home is the result of a two and a half year process. An enjoyable one at that. Stephanie was working with the same editor she worked with on Cook's Companion, Caroline Pizzey, someone Stephanie describes as "a serious cook too". She praises the photographer, Armelle Habib for her "painterly style". Coronavirus gave her additional time and space.
It was a joy to interview Stephanie for the launch of this book, to delve deeper into what makes her tick. She has written often of her mother, Mary Burchett who was an excellent cook but who also liked to eat and record things physically. She would make sketches of what she ate including when she and Stephanie's father first visited Japan. This founded her respect and love for the written word. As Stephanie says "You can paint with words". So in her 30s in London and later in life in her restaurants she always had a notebook at hand. Looking back at them they combine shopping lists and then thoughts. When she travelled she always kept a notebook, not as a meticulous diarist, it might be something she had seen on the side of the road. Often in the evening she would read over these scrappy notes.
Her love of books came from her father. Self-educated having left school at 13, he "had a lifelong respect for knowledge and always told me everything could be found in the library….. look it up in the encyclopaedia Stephanie". He had started a small subscription library in Ballarat, later in Ascot Vale and also spoke on radio. A tree-change to the Mornington Peninsula after a stint working for a politician saw him also involved in establishing rate payer funded libraries. One of the first was the Peninsula Library, which had a tiny bit of money so needed volunteer labour. "Dad loved the Dewey Decimal System (for classification of books), so he volunteered at weekends. I helped on Sunday nights before I went to Uni." Stephanie wanted to do Arts but didn't want to be a teacher. The only other thing offering for girls was to become a librarian.
Stephanie's Mother was big on the importance of understanding books written about Australia – May Gibbs, Elizabeth Durack's Way of the Whirlwind, Shy the Platypus as well as other children's classics. She was always read to at night and so became herself a great reader. Little wonder that in her evocative new book Home, Stephanie quotes from the children's classic Milly Molly Mandy in the introduction to one of her simplest but most delicious recipes Potatoes oven-baked in their jackets with herbed labna or butter.
Not that this book is aimed at children or new cooks, probably appealing more to people who love to both cook and read and will find things that appeal. "People who have lived through some of the same experiences and will have memory or recognition of how important these things are in our lives" she explains. However, Stephanie hopes her essays "will seduce and drag a few into the kitchen". There are "new younger enlightened food lovers who have some catching up to do".
Again Coronavirus has played into this, with people cooking for themselves and, of course, for Stephanie that means pleasure. Her essay "living in the time of coronavirus" is worth reading. The more so because Stephanie lives in Melbourne, the most locked down city in the world. Yet it meant she could spend a full year polishing the manuscript and the reader is the beneficiary.
Yet in here are recipes as easy as tomato on toast. But it is also a lesson in the love of good, simple things and an insight into Stephanie's philosophy. Many things like her sensational anchovy butter can have many applications. You can learn how to roast a chook with all the trimmings. Or she may lead you further to make ravioli from scratch, bone out a quail or make a cassoulet, though it is her "cheat's version". There is a nod to the past with her chocolate ripple (which my mother made) and also global flavours from her years of travelling like the Pipis with manzanilla sherry, saffron, jamon, butter beans & crushed croutons or Zucchini carpaccio with lemon oil we feature here.
This is a book you can dip in and out of, refer to, or settle down and read. Whichever way it is timeless as is real, good food. As Stephanie writes in the introduction "Above all, my life's work has been to convince as many as possible that cooking a lovely meal without anxiety adds so much to the joy of living". This book delivers that in spades.
Stephanie Alexander's Zucchini carpaccio with lemon oil recipe
Serves 4
200–300 g zucchini 12 mint leaves
60–80 g parmesan or ricotta salata
extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon small capers
sea salt
freshly ground black pepper
2 teaspoons vincotto
2 teaspoons lemon-infused extra-virgin olive oil
1 handful young rocket leaves, stalks removed
Slice the zucchini lengthways into 5-mm thick strips. Set the slices out on a tray to rest for a few minutes. Bundle the mint leaves one on top of the other and slice through the bundle very finely. Set aside.
Take your preferred cheese and, using a vegetable peeler, shave plenty of fine slices and set aside for now. Select your presentation platter and set it alongside the stove.
Line a plate with paper towel and have it ready beside the stove. Select a large well-seasoned frying pan and tip in a little olive oil, just a teaspoon or so. Sauté the capers over medium heat for a few minutes until they open up like little flowers. Scoop the capers onto the paper-lined plate and set aside.
Add a very small amount of olive oil to the same pan over medium heat. Add some of the zucchini slices side by side but do not crowd the pan – you will need to cook in batches. The slices need less than a minute so stand by with your best tongs or palette knife to turn them quickly. Once turned, allow another 30 seconds and then remove the zucchini to the serving platter, arranging the slices close together and perhaps slightly overlapping. Repeat until all the zucchini has been very lightly fried. You may need to add a little more olive oil as you go, but be extremely careful not to overdo it.
Dress the zucchini with the fried capers and a scattering of mint, then season with salt, pepper, a few drops of vincotto, and a few drops of lemon-infused olive oil. Serve immediately with the cheese shavings and the rocket.
The post Lyndey Milan's Exclusive Interview With Aussie Icon Stephanie Alexander appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Shaken Or Stirred? What Stylists Thought About Fashion At James Bond Premiere appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Daniel Craig showed us he certainly has the ability to make a statement by wearing a bright red velvet jacket and Kate Middleton also stunned in a fashionable golden dress.
We asked two stylists what their favourite outfit was and why?
Danielle Johansen, CEO and founder of virtual styling platform Threadicated said:
"The cast and guests all seemed to gravitate to glamour from years gone by at the No Time to Die premiere today.
"Daniel Craig's Bond will forever be synonymous with Tom Ford, and tonight he followed suit (pun intended). His double-breasted velvet Tom Ford tuxedo jacket was the perfect piece to bring the old-world glamour we have known Bond to uphold. While most men tend to stick to a classic navy, grey, or black suit, I feel a jacket in a bold colour, fabric or print is a must-have in the wardrobe for when the moment strikes.
"Lea Seydoux custom made Louis Vuitton cape gown was equal parts ethereal and glamorous. The belted waistline graced her curves, and drew the eye to the beautiful neckline, with its cut-out detailing and high neck.
"No crown was needed for Kate to sparkle, she looked elegant yet brought Hollywood glamour in her Jenny Packham metallic gold sequined caped gown. William looked dapper in a classic black velvet tuxedo.
"The asymmetrical design of Lashana Lynch's Vivienne Westwood gown would be an extraordinary design feature alone, however, the bold yellow hue is what really makes this dress. Complementing the dress perfectly was the elegant emerald jewellery by Ara Vartanian. Making bold fashion statements on the red carpet must be something they teach you when they cast you as Bond.
"Phoebe Waller Bridge's jumpsuit was a classic with a modern twist. The glittering black Azzaro jumpsuit popped against the contrasting chic cream coat draped over her shoulders."
For more from Danielle, visit www.threadicated.com.au
Stylist Gessica Marmotta had this to say:
"Given the last couple of years, there is a fresh and eager determination to live like there's no tomorrow, to spend frivolously and dress like it's a party everyday. I like to call it a 'Revenge on style', permanently isolating the slovenly wear of the last couple of years and into a world of glamour.
"The roaring 20's and Old Hollywood glamour era of the 30's comes to mind and were exemplar's of all things glitz and glamour, which seems to be prevalent in the fashions at the premier.
"Daniel Craig in that luscious red velvet jacket fits his debonair Bond character perfectly and Kate Middleton, although I would not place her in sequins normally, pulled this magical dress off so well.
"Loved the rebel edge Phoebe Waller-Bridge embodied with the fabulous sequin jumpsuit and white cape. Lea Seydoux for me takes the cake – a sexy goddess in that exquisite gown – the epitome of glamour and style.
"Is glamour back? It sure is, and as a person that has consistently dressed up every day during lockdown, I say Amen, I feel at home".
For more from Gessica go to: www.gessicamarmotta.com or @stylebygessica
Start Shaking Your Martini Here's A Sneak Peek Of The Latest James Bond Movie
The post Shaken Or Stirred? What Stylists Thought About Fashion At James Bond Premiere appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post What The Harvest Moon, Spring Equinox And Mercury Retrograde Means For Us? appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Spiritually we can expect these events to have a big impact on our emotions and relationships and it's important to try and maintain as much balance as possible.
We have three big cosmic events all occurring around the same time: the rise of the famously bright full Harvest Moon (September 21st), the important seasonal marker Spring Equinox (September 23rd) where we have equal hours of day and night, and Mercury Retrograde (September 27th) which is notorious for throwing people off balance.
Astrologically these events are messing with our emotions during a time when no matter where we are in Australia, we are all already experiencing some level of concern or upheaval with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
At the moment with many people in southern states being in lockdown and feeling isolated, they will be repressing emotions and events… and the balance they are seeking is further disrupted by the stars.
There is a lot of change going on as we approach October with lockdowns being eased – this is a time when people need to be mindful that the heavens are challenging you!
Focus on achieving balance, especially as your emotions are being challenged. Work on resolving small things in yourself… and get plenty of rest!"
Harvest Moon: September 21st
Every full moon has its own name based on the month or the season in which it appears – a name for each full moon allows people to reflect on each season and to contemplate how it affects them and the natural world.
The name Harvest Moon refers to the time farmers finish their harvest in North America before frost arrives.
Although astrologically it doesn't matter what name a full moon has, I would encourage people to think about things they want to harvest in their own lives.
Spring Equinox: September 23rd
The Equinox, when the midday sun is directly above the equator, giving every location on the planet 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness. It's the Spring Equinox here in the Southern Hemisphere and the Autumn or Fall Equinox in the Northern Hemisphere.
It's an important seasonal point, when the sun crosses the celestial equator heading south to create longer, warmer days as the southern hemisphere begins to tilt towards our star: we all notice it!
Spiritually, Spring Equinox represents the seeds that you have planted over the winter months – whether that be physical or in your unconscious – things you have been mulling over or ideas you have been planting now have a chance to come to fruition.
Libra season begins on the 23rd, so we are being urged to come together and give thanks to the people who continually love and support us as we move to the next season and look for balance.
Mercury Retrograde: September 27th to October 18th
Mercury Retrograde in Libra begins on September 27th, and even though this is the planet's third retrograde this year, this seemingly "backward step" event is especially important as we prepare for October's huge change.
Mercury is the speedy planet that controls communication, technology and travel – and when retrograde, brings disruption, miscommunication and technological chaos relating to missed appointments, phone problems, arguments and mental confusion.
The three Mercury retrogrades this year are a bit unusual in that they are all in air signs, particularly affecting the mental realms of our thinking.
However, in October Mercury, Jupiter, Saturn and Pluto all turn direct giving us a huge surge forward of energy. We'll be compelled to expand our lives in the search for self-fulfilment.
Hold off any major decisions, purchases, and judgments and to use the time to slow down and reflect on your ideas surrounding love, beauty and peacefulness.
This is the last Mercury Retrograde for the year, and Librans will be most affected.
Relationships may be tested due to misunderstandings or something weird happens, like your ex coming back!
Libra loves love so you two might get back together? But do remember why they're an ex! The ball is in your court however so do be aware of reoccurring patterns in relationships. Reassessing your and your partner's needs will be a top priority at this time.
Libra is ruled by Venus who also looks after finances and business, so take extra care in these areas and watch your spending. Check your receipts and invoices during this time.
Pay attention to what is going on in your life, you can quite literally feel the energy when Mercury goes retrograde and when it turns direct, restoring order to your life once again.
For this month's VIDEO horoscopes visit:
https://www.absolutesoulsecrets.com/horoscopes/monthly-horoscopes/
What Is Mercury Retrograde And Does It Affect Our Eating?
The post What The Harvest Moon, Spring Equinox And Mercury Retrograde Means For Us? appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Bad Hollywood: Maps To The Stars appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Hollywood has always had a love-hate relationship with itself. It's rife with narcissism, insecurity, self-absorption, career obsession, the bizarre, the irrational, the weird and the whacky – all wrapped up in a flurry of red carpet fashion faux pas and off-duty Starbucks guzzling yoga-come-rolled-out-of-bed daywear.
The haute-couture façade tries to hide the dark and troubled side of Hollywood – often failing – as in David Cronenberg's noir satire 'Maps To The Stars'. Yes, Tinseltown is one tough crowd full of the vacuous and the vicious and here, we take a look at the dark side of fame through 'Maps To The Stars' – which presents a steep history of Hollywood's naval-gazing flicks.
'Maps' dives deep into this dark side of Hollywood through the monstrous egos of a family chasing celebrity, fame, and the ghosts of their troubled past. 'Maps' is a dark and satirical ensemble comedy with a storyline full of characters seemingly incapable of decency, but with some courageous performances by a stellar and quirky cast including Julianne Moore, John Cusack, Robert Pattinson and Mia Wasikowska. This star-studded line-up each gets to sink their teeth into characters who are desperate to deeply disturbed, and pathetic to pathological and who spend their time manipulating, wheeling and dealing and virtually no time doing the great work they aspire to. 'Maps' follows in the footsteps of other Hollywood autobiographies; films like Sunset Boulevard (1950) and The Bad and the Beautiful (1951) – but Cronenberg's flick is far more wicked.
Julianne Moore
'Maps' storyline centres around the damage Tinseltown fame can have on child-stars, with Beiber-esque, drug-ravaged Benjie (Evan Bird), pyromaniac burn-victim Hollywood-obsessed Agatha (Mia Wisikowska), and Havana Segrand (Academy Award winner Julianne Moore) as the heroine of narcissism – an ageing actress living in the shadow of her famous late mother. These cornerstone roles are surrounded by a bevy of other damaged-goods characters like therapy-wielding passive-aggressive psychologist (John Cusack), a neurotic stage mum (Olivia Williams) and slightly rough-around-the-edges brooding chauffeur (Robert Pattinson) – a callow limo driver on a shallow crusade to sleep his way into Hollywood's screen writing guild.
Robert Pattinson
As the narrative takes us through the irony and ugliness of Hollywood with some disturbing plot twists and confronting delusions and psychoses, a nip of incest (of course) and a slap in the face of the family unit; it also manages to shine a light on the notion that even celebrities are afflicted with the same insecurities and issues as us everyday folk (like Havana's unashamed bout of constipation), and from a fashion point of view, dips in and out of 'bad Hollywood glamour' and aforementioned off-duty-yoga kit. Case in point – Havana. The stark contrast of Havana's too-short-too-tight-too-young fashion choices screaming desperately of clinging to her waning youth, are worlds apart from Julianne Moore's polished, age-appropriate red carpet fashion icon status. Here we take a look at the parallel fashion universes of Moore, and her character Havana.
Julianne Moore
Meanwhile, back to the plot… Havana decides she needs a new "chore whore" (aka personal assistant) and hires young burn victim Agatha after a bizarre connection through mutual friend Carrie Fischer (who makes a brief appearance sans Star Wars gold bikini) whom Agatha bizarrely befriended on Twitter before moving to Los Angeles. In 'Maps', Agatha is sporting a pitch-black past – and a fashion style to match. Her long black leather gloves and grey-to-black tonal style choices early in the film hide her scars, but also parallel the numbing-out effect that the bevy of meds she takes has on her deranged personality. As the meds are flushed down the toilet and Agatha's psychosis returns, her banal fashion sense goes down the S-bend too and is replaced by far more skin (and scar) bearing outfits as she finally succumbs to her deeply disturbed urges.
Mia Wisikowska
Cusack features prominently as a TV celebrity-come-psychologist dealing in his own brand of 'hands-on' therapy (which sees Moore in her underwear and in compromising positions with Cusack on a regular basis – watch the movie to find out more!) with largely celebrity clientele. He owns this quirky role in the way only John Cusack could and dotes on his child-star son, Benjie, in an over-protective yet detached manner. Benjie – who is constantly throwing his toys out of the cot – is the epitome of spoilt celebrity brat who suffers from delusions (of grandeur and the hallucinogenic kind).
Julianne Moore
Incest is central, as is abuse, addiction, violence, manipulation and fear…all the things that Hollywood feeds off at its worst. The narrative is full of ghostly visions – mostly Havana's dead star-of-the-screen mother – and smacks of Cronenberg's view on the industry in the sense that our Hollywood silver-screen icons throughout the ages are central to this 'collective psychosis' we call Tinseltown. There are moments of dark humour from a script by Brace Wagner, but mostly 'Maps' is nightmare surrealism which borders too close to a docudrama of Hollywood culture for us to not sit up and take notice.
The post Bad Hollywood: Maps To The Stars appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Wake Up To Better Natural Sleep With A Latex Mattress appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>We spend more than a third of our lives asleep. In fact, it is a biological necessity for living our best lives which means the environments in which we sleep are vitally important.
Just as sleep is a natural process, latex is a natural product drawn from the sap of flowering plants. It is, as mattress industry leader Peacelily has discovered, the perfect natural material on which to stretch out for the vital, natural sleep we all need.
Not only did Peacelily win this year's award for Australia's "Best Natural/Organic Mattress in a Box," Peacelily's mattresses are sustainable, biodegradable, and give a scientifically verified pathway to nourishing, rejuvenating sleep that will give you the foundation for a happier, healthier life.
Constructed with 100 percent natural latex, award-winning Peacelily mattresses are Australia's premier platform for safe, soothing, and environmentally friendly slumber. Natural latex is anti-microbial, antibacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-viral.
More than that, Peacelily mattresses are completely free of toxic industrial chemicals. Peacelily uses a special natural adhesive developed from hand-tapped, naturally occurring rubber plant sap which means, unlike most conventional spring-coil or treated-fill mattresses, there is no "off-gassing."
Harsh synthetic chemicals often exude post-production gases that can be toxic in the long term. Hand-crafted, natural latex mattresses from Peacelily completely avoid these potentially dangerous substances, ensuring a secure, protective, and opulently comfortable sleeping environment for you and your family.
To further enhance the protective qualities of their natural latex mattresses, Peacelily only uses certified 100 percent organic cottons at a sumptuous 350gsm thread count. These cottons meet the Global Organic textile Standard (GOTS). The combination of natural latex and organic cottons gives durability, comfort, and a luxurious-to-the-touch resting experience.
As a supportive surface, natural latex is by far the best choice to eliminate pressure spots during sleep. It moulds to your body's contours providing a gentle, embrace-like comfort and support that enhances your body's natural alignment and promotes optimal spine and lower back strength and resilience.
Additionally, natural latex mattresses supply an all-round breathability that whisks away body heat while you sleep, preventing overheating and promoting all round air circulation that encourages healthier, disturbance-free sleep patterns. And you can also buy a Latex Mattress Topper.
Peacelily mattresses are Australia's best choice mattress brand, are attractively affordable and provide canny parents with a natural product that will give their children safe and environmentally friendly sleeping environments for decades to come. That's why Peacelily backs their mattresses with an industry-leading 25-year guarantee and gives customers a 100-night sleeping trial. Quite simply, Peacelily is a better natural mattress for better natural sleep.
The post Wake Up To Better Natural Sleep With A Latex Mattress appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Bringing The Riviera Home appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>
The Riviera In Your Home
"The vision for The Riviera was simple," says Adrian. "It had to have wow factor."
Mission accomplished, and it's easy to see why this home has won many awards for its luxe-meets-relaxed design.
"The flagship five-bedroom, five-bathroom abode has set a new benchmark for contemporary coastal cool," adds Adrian. "The sprawling, east coast masterpiece is the personification of luxury resort-style living. It is anchored by an expansive open-plan kitchen, dining and entertaining area that seamlessly flows from the inside out, delivering the ultimate lifestyle home."
In a nutshell – The Riviera is all you need for the ultimate luxury lifestyle, practical living, space for family and friends and room to put your personal touch on every inch of the design.
Designing the Riviera
"I love this home," Adrian smiles. "It's so welcoming and inviting. It's the kind of home you feel like you could just move in and live in."
Indeed, the magnificence of the Riviera's design hits you the moment you enter and are greeted by a 5.8m void connecting each of the upstairs wings. A sense of subtle glamour and resplendent minimalism is imbued throughout every corner of the home.
The Riviera Al Fresco
From here, The Riviera's layout unravels to reveal the ultimate entertainer's paradise, beyond which a lush, palm-tree-lined horizon frames a wall of ceiling-to-floor, bi-fold doors. Its oversized concrete tiles and Calcutta stone splash-backs are cleverly juxtaposed with warm oak accents and walnut timber panelling. You'll also relish in the inky cabinetry and monochrome artworks that are offset by wall niches adorned with lush indoor greenery.
Open Spaces Cleverly Implemented
Central to The Riviera design is its open timber staircase, which adds to the openness of this exceptional abode. An utterly standout feature, with its spine wall-mounted concrete-look tiles the stairs add elevated style, detail and intrigue.
"It's both the functionality and flow that really set the Riviera apart," says Adrian. "One of the great things about this home is that it's modern but it doesn't feel austere.
"That comes down to balance. Initially, I was a little concerned about the size of the dining room because it is quite large, but the transition of the entry that steps down into the dining area helps to define the space. We wanted to put all the wow factor into the ground floor, into the areas you entertain in. This is where people spend most of their time, so the space really accentuates and celebrates the social heart of the home."
Adrian's design totally nailed the brief – from the bigger picture to the finer features, every detail has been considered to ensure this home isn't only aspirational, but practical, too.
Smaller features such as louvre windows to promote cross ventilation, highlight glass to allow maximum light, and even the cladding used on the home's exterior, have been selected because they serve a functional purpose, as well as looking stylish and subtly opulent.
"With the Riviera, we knew we needed to create something special," Adrian says. "We wanted to take a step away from our core Designer product range and give ourselves that point of difference. What we're good at is making everything work and not leaving anything to chance. We've had architects and builders come through and they see us now as a serious competitor and threat. Because we can design to that level and also back it up with our build quality and attention to detail."
That the compliments and commendations for the Riviera keep pouring in, Adrian says, shows that Metricon is continually lifting the bar and pushing the design envelope. For Adrian, this is the most rewarding part of the job.
"For me to sit down and get creative and design something completely different was really exciting," he admits. "Then to see it hit the ground and know that people are loving it, that's what makes it all worthwhile."
The Riviera Details
From the expansive open plan entertainer's kitchen with butler's pantry, overlooking the massive dining room situated at the heart of the home, to an extra-large alfresco entertaining space that can be completely opened to create seamless integration between indoors and outdoors, this home is hard to surpass.
Upstairs you'll discover an abundance of riches: an extravagant master suite with private balcony, resort-style ensuite and large walk-in-robe, a media room, and three other bedrooms – all with their own ensuite and walk-in robes.
If you wish to live in absolute comfort with Metricon's thoughtful touches and stylish inclusions which make a houseyour home, The Riviera is what you're looking for. Metricon's team of interior design experts at Studio M will help you explore our extensive range of fixtures, fittings, colour finishes and material selections so the home is uniquely yours.
The Finer Details
TOTAL AREA – 52.52sq
This refers to the entire floor plan of the house, including the garage and any outdoor areas.
HOUSE AREA- 43.27sq
This refers to the indoor living spaces of the home, not including the garage or any outdoor areas.
MIN BLOCK WIDTH
16m
HOUSE WIDTH
13.19m
HOUSE LENGTH
24.26m
House Details
- 5 bedrooms
- 5 bathrooms
- 3 living areas
- 2 carspaces
- Walk-in Pantry
- Master Bed at Rear
- Outdoor Room
The Riviera is currently on display in Central NSW, at Morriset Park. Metricon is planning on building a Riviera show home in Melbourne soon – so keep an ear out for news on when it will be opened!
The post Bringing The Riviera Home appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post What Your Dad's Celebrity Star Sign Reveals appeared first on The Carousel.
]]> THE ARIES DAD
Energetic, fun-loving and enthusiastic, the Aries dad effortlessly takes care of his brood without ever feeling as though it is a chore. Full of mischief and excitement there's never a dull moment when he's around and he enjoys making his family laugh. Bold and adventurous the Aries dad will always encourage his children to have fun while doing their best and to suck the marrow out of life!
Ideal Gifts For Your Dad
Fit bit, stunt driving course, chilli hamper, GoPro Hero, retro arcade machine, Vintage T-shirt, joggers.
Celebrity Dad Robert Downy Jr., Paul Rudd, Ewan McGregor.
THE TAURUS DAD
Patient, grounded and supportive Taurus dads are fabulous father material! They are firm yet loving, observant without interfering and instil a sense of pride and honesty in their children. Responsible, reliable and protective Taurus dads will never miss a match or school play if they can help it and will always have time to help with homework, listen and offer sound advice.
Ideal Gifts For Your Dad
BBQ or indoor griller, home beer brewing kit, jetpack flight, iPhone multi tool case, power tools, monogrammed beer, spirits or wine glass.
Celebrity Dad Channing Tatum, Dwayne Johnson, David Beckham.
THE GEMINI DAD
Expressive, quick-witted and good humoured these dads are the ones their children's friends want to hang around with because they're cool, vivacious and young at heart. Always armed with a joke or intriguing story Gemini fathers are also a font of information. Enjoying change and valuing education, he will always encourage his children to embrace new situations and broaden their knowledge.
Ideal Gifts For Your Dad
Mobile device Smart Strap, Lumosity app, leather monogrammed journal, streaming music starter set, book voucher, kindle.
Celebrity Dad Johnny Depp, Mark Wahlberg, Peter Dinklage.
THE CANCER DAD
Compassionate, demonstrative and understanding the Cancer father is really mum and dad rolled into one! He will gladly take on all of the roles of his partner and, if circumstances allow, happily stay at home and raise the children. Family is everything to him and he will do all that is in his power to ensure his home is a happy haven with an endless supply of hugs and reassurance.
Ideal Gifts For Your Dad
Framed family portrait, personalised jigsaw puzzle, walking food tour, Daddy Diaper Bag, molecular gastronomy cookbook, sport foosball table.
Celebrity Dad Will Ferrell, Tom Cruise, Tobey Maguire.
THE LEO DAD
Flamboyant, majestic and ever so cool, the Leo dad is the superhero of the zodiac instilling their children with admiration and awe. With his generosity, playful manner and larger than life personality his offspring will often emulate and strive to be just like him. Reassuring, affectionate and devoted Leos are naturals with children and will always make an effort to ensure their offspring feel special.
Ideal Gifts For Your Dad
State of the art coffee maker, engraved whiskey glass, deep sea fishing trip, plush bathrobe, camera drone, skincare kit.
Celebrity Dad Ben Affleck, Chris Hemsworth, Sam Worthington.
THE VIRGO DAD
Dedicated, nurturing and responsible, children bring out the best in these analytical, organised dads. It's in a Virgo's nature to be of assistance so nothing makes him happier than when he's helping with homework or teaching children to ride a bike. These guys are outcome-oriented and will always bring out the best in their children by encouraging them to give tasks their all but in kind and supportive way.
Ideal Gifts For Your Dad
Nutri bullet, valet stand, satellite radio, organic wine gift basket, coffee table book, emergency LED flashlight.
Celebrity Dad Jack Black, Adam Sandler, Guy Ritchie.
THE LIBRA DAD
Diplomatic, sociable and good-natured the Libran dad is the peace maker of the family and the one with the ability to see everyone's point of view. He is easy going but as the upholder of justice will see red if his children are subjected to bullying or any sort of unpleasantness. Similarly he will impart his children with kindness and morality teaching them right from wrong at a tender age.
Ideal Gifts For Your Dad
Leather jacket, fair trade alpaca scarf, iPhone pong reach case, Voombox, Tracker device for misplaced keys and phone, tablet wall mount dock.
Celebrity Dad Will Smith, Matt Damon, Hugh Jackman.
THE SCORPIO DAD
Intense and protective but also mischievous and cheeky the Scorpio dad is a big kid who connects with his children through humour and pranks. He instils high standards in his children and expects them to do their best, but also makes them feel empowered and assertive. Affectionate, loyal and dependable his influence will ensure that your children are assertive, confident and strong.
Ideal Gifts For Your Dad
Leather satchel, chess set, latest Xbox console, speed radar detector, Game of Thrones T-shirt, Wi-Fi video monitor surveillance camera.
Celebrity Dad Matthew McConaughey, Gerard Butler, Ethan Hawke.
THE SAGITTARIUS DAD
Optimistic, intrepid and knowledgeable the Saggie dad is a swashbuckler, philosopher and tour guide rolled into one! His 'cup half full' philosophy is contagious and responsible for raising children with resilient, easy going and cheerful personality traits. Although he has fair boundaries he'll rarely say, "no" and will encourage his children to treat life as one big adventure!
Ideal Gifts For Your Dad
Helicopter flight, fishing rod, South American BBQ cooking classes, antique-looking world map, Bill Bryson book, tandem skydive.
Celebrity Dad Ben Stiller, Brad Pitt, Judd Apatow.
THE CAPRICORN DAD
Capricorns are often seen as being serious and overly disciplined and they are … except when it comes to their children! The Goat also has a reputation of aging in reverse so his offspring are bound to bring out his youthful qualities. He'll gladly play the goofball but endowed with such a responsible nature he will also inspire his children to be ambitious and possess a strong work ethic.
Ideal Gifts For Your Dad
Leather satchel, Georg Jensen bottle opener or key ring, Apple/Smart watch, gadget hub, wine hamper, cashmere jumper.
Celebrity Dad Orlando Bloom, Denzel Washington, Jude Law.
THE AQUARIUS DAD
Eccentric, intelligent and unorthodox the Aquarius dad strives to raise his children in an authentic, unique way. It's important that he teaches his children to embrace their individuality and dance to the beat of their own drum. Leading by example, he seeks no one else's approval which effortlessly instils his children with strength of character. He will also teach them to love and respect people from all walks of life.
Ideal Gifts For Your Dad
3D printer, light aircraft training flight, food dehydrator, paddle boarding classes, hot stone massage, Spanish cooking classes.
Celebrity Dad John Travolta, Ashton Kutcher, Justin Timberlake.
THE PISCES DAD
Spiritual, sensitive and easy going the Pisces dad acutely feels every spectrum of emotion his children experience. It is a priority for his children to feel safe and loved and he will often show his affection and tell them how much he loves them. Blessed with a rich imagination and a love of music and poetry he will nurture any artistic talents and ensure his children lead a compassionate, soulful existence.
Ideal Gifts For Your Dad
Record player, dolphin watching tour, foot spa, yoga class membership, a 'mixed' tape with all of your favourite tunes, easel and sketch pad.
Celebrity Dad Daniel Craig, Javier Bardem, Bruce Willis.
The post What Your Dad's Celebrity Star Sign Reveals appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Silky Smooth Mussel and Saffron Veloute appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Serves 10
INGREDIENTS
250ml dry white wine
2 onions, thinly sliced
6 cloves of garlic, crushed
5 fresh bay leaves
5 sprigs of thyme
5 stalks of parsley
2.5kg blue mussels, scrubbed and beards removed
125g butter
100g plain flour
1.9 L fish stock, warm
1/2 tsp saffron strands
5 egg yolks
375ml double cream
METHOD
1 Combine wine, onion, garlic and herbs in a large saucepan and bring to the boil. Add mussels, cover with a lid and steam over high heat for 3-4 minutes or until mussels open. Remove from heat and set aside to cool slightly.
2 Heat butter in a saucepan over medium heat, add flour and stir until mixture comes together, then cook for another 2 minutes or until mixture smells nutty. Whisk in fish stock and stir until mixture comes to the boil, then reduce heat and simmer gently for 40 minutes.
3 Meanwhile, remove mussels from shells and reserve meat. Strain meat and liquid through a fine sieve and set aside.
4 Add mussel juice to soup and stir to combine. Return soup to heat and keep warm. Soak saffron in 2tbsp hot water for 15 minutes, then add to soup.
5 Whisk together egg yolks and cream, add a ladle of soup and whisk again to combine, then add mixture to soup and stir to combine. Ensure soup doesn't boil. Add mussels to soup and serve.
Wine match Try this recipe with the 2011 Eddystone Point Riesling, the sharpness of the reisling cuts through the rich creamy veloute.
The Carousel thanks Eddystone Point Wines for this recipe
The post Silky Smooth Mussel and Saffron Veloute appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Waterfalls, Wildlife and Wine With Wander's Immersive Experiences appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The brand's first location is in Queensland's Magnificent Scenic Rim. Titled 'Wander at The Overflow 1895', the experience is set in private bushland along the shores of Lake Wyaralong and overlooking a winery, in luxury, design-led eco-accommodation less than 1.5 hours' drive from Brisbane or Gold Coast airports.
The weekend stay offers immersive nature-based experiences curated by locals that take in the stunning mountains of the ancient volcanic caldera of the Scenic Rim, awe-inspiring views, waterfalls, grasslands and wildlife. Think farm-to-table food sampling, yoga, meditation, massage, bespoke walks, and, of course, wine.
The company promises sustainable luxury and simplicity in your own private one or two-bedroom pods that have a 'light environmental touch'. The pods are prefabricated to a high standard of energy efficiency, they're off-grid, and they feature rain water harvesting and greywater recycling. There is no concrete, and there is plenty of composting.
The pods are also seriously comfy and insta-worthy, with their pillow-top king beds and organic linen, floor to ceiling glass and open plan dining and lounge area.
After months of virtual travel experiences, we can't wait for Wander to release more of its immersive sustainable Australian experiences.
The post Waterfalls, Wildlife and Wine With Wander's Immersive Experiences appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Pilates: Lose Those Love Handles With The Corkscrew appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Again, make sure you're on a mat or soft surface for this exercise to support your back and hips on the down phase.
Starting position:
Lie on your back with your arms long by your side, palms facing the floor and your legs long pointing up to the ceiling.
Exercise Execution:
- Activate your core by drawing down through your navel and lifting up through the pelvic floor.
- Using your arms for support, lift your hips up towards the ceiling bringing your feet over your face. Lift to where you deem comfortable and hold at the top for 1-2 secs.
- Bring your feet slightly off to the right side by about 15-30cm until you start to feel off balanced. Continue the movement and stay in control by slowly rolling down your spine one vertebrae at a time whilst the pressure stays on that right side oblique.
- When your right hip is back on the mat, bring the legs long to 45 degrees from the floor straight out in front, allowing both hips to be now stable on the mat. Then slowly lift the legs back up to the starting position. LIFT and REPEAT on left side.
Breathing:
Inhale to prepare as legs are long to the ceiling. Exhale as you lift your feet up and over the face. Inhale as you pause at the top for a brief second and then exhale as you slowly roll down. Continue the exhale as the feet lower to the floor. Inhale to return to the legs to the starting position.
Reps:
Start out with 2 sets of 8-10 repetitions each side and increase from there. This exercise should flow quite naturally.
Advancements
1. Bend at the elbows and point your hands to the ceiling to have less support throughout the exercise.
KX Tip:
To add KX intensity to the exercise, place a pilates circle or toning ball in between the ankles to activate your inner thighs throughout the exercise. At the top of the movement pulse the circle/ball 3 times to isolate and contract the inner thighs before continuing. You can do the same at the bottom of the movement as well.
Aaron Smith is the CEO & Founder – KX Group. KX is a boutique fitness company with 17 studios across Melbourne and Sydney, offering dynamic pilates, barre and yoga. KX also run international retreats to Vanuatu and Bali.
Model: Cherida Forde, KX International Retreats Trainer
More pilates moves of the week…
Pilates Move Of The Week: Tighten Up Your Booty With The Bridge
Pilates Move Of The Week: Get Those Abs Rock Solid With The Shoulder Stand
Have you tried the pilates move of the week? Tell us below!…
The post Pilates: Lose Those Love Handles With The Corkscrew appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Fine Macadamia Shortbread Hearts appeared first on The Carousel.
]]> INGREDIENTS
150 g best quality unsalted butter, softened
2/3 cup (75g) icing sugar
1 cup (150g) plain flour
½ cup (75g) cornflour
½ cup raw macadamias, roughly chopped
METHOD
1 Preheat oven to 160°C. Line a large baking tray with baking paper.
2 Place the butter in a bowl and sprinkle over the icing sugar. Using a wooden spoon, rub the sugar into the butter. Add combined sifted flours and continue to mix with the spoon until combined.
3 Place the dough on a lightly floured surface. Sprinkle the macadamias over the dough and knead very gently to combine them through the mixture. Shape the dough into a ball and flatten to form a disc.
4 Roll the dough out between two sheets of baking paper until it is 1cm thick. Remove the top sheet of paper and cut out hearts using a heart-shaped cutter. Place the hearts on the lined baking tray. Combine the scraps and repeat this procedure, until all the dough is used.
5 Place on the middle oven rack and bake for 10-15 minutes, watching carefully, until they just begin to turn golden. Remove from the oven and cool for 5 minutes before moving them individually with a metal spatula to cool completely on a wire rack.
6 Store in an airtight container.
The Carousel thanks Australia Macadamias for this recipe
The post Fine Macadamia Shortbread Hearts appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Happiness: One Smile Stimulates The Brain Like 2,000 Bars Of Chocolate appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>
The happy life is using your own strengths to enhance your internal happiness over different aspects of your life such as at work, with kids, family or friends. Feelings are momentary and are not always reoccurring in our personality. So we can learn how to trigger positive feelings more often.
Your brain is a muscle, use it or lose it
The brain you are born with is not a fixed thing. Science has proven that the brain has endless potential and can be trained to improve skills and intelligence to be kinder, happier person. If you hear negative chatter in your voice, you need to monitor this negative voice and counteract act with a positive one. Imagine yourself pulling out the negative thoughts like weeds in a garden.
Get Rid of Your Resentments and Negative Emotions
People carry their resentments and jealousies towards other people. Negative emotions towards others do not benefit anyone. Whilst other people may have done you wrong, you will benefit by letting go of these negative thoughts. The mind is not just the thinking mind, it is the emotional mind and they are intrinsically linked.
The Power of Music
Happy music which usually has a fast tempo and written in a major key has been proven to enhance happiness! So why not make a playlist of some of your favourite upbeat songs to listen to light up your mood!
The Power Of Smiling
According to Ron Gutman, the author ofSmile: The Astonishing Powers of a Simple Act, "British researchers found that one smile can generate the same level of brain stimulation as up to 2,000 bars of chocolate." Smiling stimulates the positive chemicals in your brain. A smile also signals to other humans that you are a happier, likeable and more attractive individual.
The Power of Exercise
Whilst exercise can improve your physical health and capacity to sleep better. It can also improve your mood! As exercise releases endorphins, those powerful chemicals in your brain that energise your spirits and make you feel good. Go out there and get active!
Here is Martin Seligman's book for more information on authentic Happiness. RRP: $19.99
The post Happiness: One Smile Stimulates The Brain Like 2,000 Bars Of Chocolate appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Gluten Free Quinoa And Chia Bread Recipe From Kamalaya appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Here, the co-founder Karin Stewart explains why it's so popular.
The quinoa and chia seed bread is one of the delicious gluten free bread options on Kamalaya's healthy breakfast menu.
Quinoa as well as chia seeds are rich in complete plant protein containing all the essential amino acids the body needs for healthy growth and repair mechanisms.
This bread is low GI and contains neither gluten, dairy, egg nor sugar, so it's perfect for anyone with a food allergy or intolerance.
Quinoa And Chia Bread Recipe
INGREDIENTS
300g quinoa seeds
60g chia seeds
60 ml coconut oil
3g baking soda
3g salt
10g lemon juice
METHOD
1 The first important step is to soak the quinoa seeds in cold water overnight in the fridge.
2 The chia seeds also need to be soaked; usually 15 minutes are enough until they become gel like. Rinse the quinoa seeds and fully drain the water through a sieve, before you put them in a food processor for 3 minutes. The consistency of the mix should resemble batter with a few whole seeds in it.
3 Now you can simply add the chia gel and all the other ingredients into the food processor and mix them for about 3 more minutes.
4 Finally, put the mix in a loaf tin lined with baking paper and slowly bake in an oven at 170 degrees, for 90 minutes.
5 Before taking it out of the tin, let it cool down for 30 minutes
The Carousel would like to thank Kamalaya Resort for this recipe.
The post Gluten Free Quinoa And Chia Bread Recipe From Kamalaya appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Dream Wedding Dresses by the Master of Ceremonies, Oscar de la Renta appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>His heavenly frocks were worn by style icons over six decades, from Audrey Hepburn and Jackie Kennedy to Sarah Jessica Parker, Michelle Obama and most recently, he designed the beautiful Amal Clooney's wedding dress. He died on Tuesday October 21, 2014, at his home in Connecticut, surrounded by friends and family. He was 82 and had contracted cancer in 2006.
"He died exactly as he lived: with tremendous grace, great dignity and very much on his own terms," said step-daughter Eliza Bolen and son-in-law Alex in a handwritten note on the company's website. "While our hearts are very much broken by the idea of life without Oscar, he is still very much with us. Through Oscar's example we know the way forward. We make Oscar very proud of us by continuing in an even stronger way the work Oscar loved so much."
The internet and social media was immediately flooded with posts from those who wanted to pay tribute to the fashion legend, and quoted de la Renta who was known for his elegance and refinement.
Famed for his bridal style, we couldn't resist bringing to you a sneak peek into his heavenly dresses. Flick through the gallery for some truly beautiful wedding inspiration.
Oscar de la Renta's best quotes:
"I design clothes for women to wear. I am not interested in shock tactics. I just want to make beautiful clothes."
"Walk like you have three men walking behind you."
"Fashion is about dressing according to what's fashionable. Style is more about being yourself."
"There is no sound more feminine than a woman in a taffeta dress."
"I've lived every day to the fullest, and I've had a marvelous time. I've tried to be nice to the people I care about, and ignore the ones I don't. I enjoy what I've done."
"The qualities I most admire in women are confidence and kindness."
"Fashion is about the present and the immediate future. I think in terms of now."
"Being well dressed hasn't much to do with having good clothes. It's a question of good balance and good common sense."
"Any girl from any walk of life dreams of that special dress, and I try to make that dream a reality for her." (Re: designing Amal Alamuddin's wedding gown.)
"I don't really know how to do casual clothes."
"I hate pretty. It's a very empty word. It gives a bad name to beauty."
"What women have achieved in the last 50 years, I wish men would have achieved in the last 100."
The post Dream Wedding Dresses by the Master of Ceremonies, Oscar de la Renta appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Natalie Bassingthwaighte's Sustainable Shopping Hacks appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>"Since becoming a mum, I have been so aware of how much waste our family makes collectively," says Natalie. "And whilst I can't change the entire world, I can change my own, and that starts in my home, with my family."
In an effort to do this, the Aussie icon has teamed up with a company called The Swag which was started by a Sydney mum called Peita Pini. The Swag makes non-toxic, sustainable, machine-washable and compostable food storage and produce bags which keep fruit and veggies fresh for over two weeks.
So here are Natalie's top 4 hacks for more environmentally conscious grocery shopping and a lighter footprint:
- I always leave reusable carry bags near the front door of my house, and in my car passenger seat. Knowing I won't need any plastic items to help store my food is the best feeling. It's about making these new conscious habits as convenient as possible, because you are competing with a more convenient, quick and easy – but unsustainable – shopping habit!
- Forgot your reusable produce bags? I've learnt that paper bags traditionally used for mushrooms are brilliant. You can use them for EVERYTHING. You can either reuse the paper bags for snacks in your kid's lunches, or compost them.
- Make a list (and stick to it)! Grocery stores are strategically designed to entice you. But if you have a list, you're less likely to get distracted, and will be in-and-out a lot quicker. Making the list means you are mentally preparing yourself to go to the grocery store, and therefore more likely to remember your reusable shopping and produce bags!
- When I can, I shop locally at the farmers markets. Not only is this a fantastic opportunity to talk to the kids about growing, harvesting and purchasing food (it's cost on the wallet and the environment) but you have to bring your own packaging and storage methods with you, which I love because it makes everyone accountable. I also find the produce at the markets a lot better quality and lasts significantly longer – especially in The Swag, where I often get more than two weeks of fresh, crisp fruit and veggies – meaning I don't have to shop as often as I have the confidence to buy in bulk, knowing it won't go to waste in a few days.
Environmentally conscious grocery shopping
With the average Australian throwing away approximately $1,050 worth of food per household each year, using grocery bags and lunch bags such as the ones from The Swag means we can combat both food waste and plastic pollution. As you can see from her shopping hacks, Natalie is serious about looking after the environment as much as possible and she says The Swag products have been a big help when she was looking for solutions.
"I've been looking for ways to help make micro changes that add up to powerful and positive impacts and The Swag was a no brainer," Natalie says. "From storing my produce in The Swag so that they last longer, to composting and replacing single use plastics with non-toxic reusable items, I know I'm making a difference to this planet and leaving behind a legacy I would want my children to be proud of and follow in their own way. Even just one step at a time."
Natalie adds she tries to include her whole family in the process or being more environmentally conscious – especially the kids: "The more we teach them about our planet and the issues we are facing long term, the easier it is for them to understand that they can play a part in changing the world.
"I start the conversation when and wherever I can! When I shop at the markets or the grocery store, I explain why we don't use plastic bags and why we need to be responsible for our own storage and packaging," she says.
For more information, visit www.theswag.com.au
Why is Sustainable Jewellery Such A Hot Trend?
The post Natalie Bassingthwaighte's Sustainable Shopping Hacks appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Mount Sturgeon, The Grampians: Country Chic With Designer Yeojin Bae appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Earlier in the day we'd cruised to the ruggedly beautiful southern Grampians from Melbourne in a fuss-free three hours. That's one of the joys of the midweek jaunt – next to no traffic. It's almost as good as the feeling of knowing you're relaxing while everyone else is still stuck in the office.
Mt Sturgeon and its eight bluestone cottages beckon, but before reaching our final destination we duck into Dunkeld, call in at sister stay the Royal Mail to collect the keys and have a drink in the bar. Well, it's a lengthy drive! Mr Smith picks up the encyclopaedic list and immediately his eyes get that look. He's a connoisseur of fine wine and this offering is no slouch. He chooses a local Hochkirch Maximus pinot noir and declares it to be one of the best he's ever drunk.
Bottle of unfinished pinot in hand, we're given a map and directions down a dirt road to our secluded former workers' cottage. Built from stone, it has an air of simplicity and country comfort. A much-loved chocolate leather couch sits by the fireplace. There's no TV and we soon discover our phones are out of WiFi range – seems we have no choice but to leave work behind. But as cosy as this scene is, what lies beyond the front door is really the highlight here – a commanding view of Mount Sturgeon and the jaw-dropping surrounding landscape.
But make no mistake about it; the reason we're here is to taste the acclaimed food at the Royal Mail Hotel. Although initially disappointed that we couldn't score an elusive booking in the main restaurant, we've managed to talk ourselves around to the fact that the less-structured bistro menu next door is more suited to our hunger levels, while still hailing from the same kitchen.
Freshly baked bread and spiced almonds kick off our meal. Mr Smith then polishes off a plate of Milawa organic chicken with cauliflower and wild rice; I have blue cod with fennel and globe artichoke. The star of the meal so far, though, has been a perfect side dish of roasted Jerusalem artichokes and chestnuts, grown in the hotel's kitchen garden.
That's when we notice our friends at the next table. We would have been embarrassed if it weren't for the fact that they hadn't seen us either. It's with relief etched in every word that they inform us that after two years of trying they'd finally secured a Friday night spot at the degustation table. They would be dining in the main restaurant the following evening.
Although just a little bit jealous – okay, maybe a lot jealous – we console ourselves with dessert: a decadent chocolate hazelnut mousse with honeycomb for me and for Mr Smith a beurre bosc pear tart with vanilla anglaise. Its flaky pastry reminds him of the tarts his mother made in France.
One of the many joys of staying at Mt Sturgeon is that a member of staff whisks you home, so there's never an argument over who's doing the driving. That also means there's no problem enjoying an indulgent night cap by the roaring fire in the bar before we're ferried on the short return journey to the cottage. Back at base camp, we fall into a deep sleep, lulled by full stomachs and the smell of the fire.
A light drizzle the next morning means we can contemplate the day ahead from bed without an attack of the guilts. Finally, we unpack the breakfast basket, stocked with local sheeps-milk yoghurt, stewed and fresh fruit, and muesli. As delicious as it looks, Mr Smith and I decide to head to the pub to read the papers and enjoy a coffee. Somehow we're still lingering at midday when a rush of locals and travellers begins gathering for the lunch service. Who are we to upset the apple cart? A hearty serving of crispy fish and chips later and we know we've made the right choice.
After lunch we hit the road for Halls Gap. The asphalt is deserted as the rain gets heavier, but as we wind along towards the Grampians National Park the surrounds become increasingly breathtaking in their lush dampness. We make for McKenzie Falls, walking through the drizzle along a well-marked path to a picturesque waterfall. The smell of rain in the wild surroundings is remarkably refreshing. We stop at picturesque Mount Zero Olives, adjacent to the Grampians National Park, settling into the café with warm cups of tea and the best berry cake I've ever eaten, before stocking up on bottles of the latest release virgin olive oil.
Soon enough we are back at the cottage, and a car and driver are waiting to ferry us to the bistro. Taking a cue from the previous evening I settle on an entrée of slow-cooked egg, salt fish and mussels, then choose two home-grown vegetable side dishes: an amazing potato and turnip gratin and those Jerusalem artichokes again. Mr Smith is swayed by a recommendation of boneless rack of lamb with parsnip and pecorino. Of course, it's all washed down with more local wine selections from the cellar. We make the epic decision to skip dessert, instead taking a bottle of wine back to consume in front of our blazing fire.
Blankets draped around our shoulders, Mr Smith and I sit outside our cottage on the final morning making the most of that breakfast basket and taking in the magnificent, silent scenery. We feel as though we've experienced something unique during our time away from the city: a chance to enjoy dramatic nature and also taste some magnificent food and wine. It's truly the best of both worlds.
For bookings or further information about Royal Mail Hotel & Mount Sturgeon or any other Mr & Mrs Smith hotel visit www.mrandmrssmith.com or phone the expert Travel Team on 1300 89 66 27.
Have you visited Saffire, Royal Mail Hotel & Mount Sturgeon? Tell us about your experience in the comments below…
The post Mount Sturgeon, The Grampians: Country Chic With Designer Yeojin Bae appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Shape Up & Ski Out – Colorado's Rocky Mountain Range appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Hollywood is a constant contradiction, a bizarre juxtaposition of health fads and hard partying.
And just a two hour flight away is another misnomer – a holiday for those without the slightest interest in resting, perfect for those keen on exorcising the demons of the workplace with, well… exercise!
At the foot of the upscale ski resort of Beaver Creek, nestled amidst Colorado's Rocky mountain range is the Westin Riverfront Resort and Spa.
Stylish, modern in both architecture and attitude, LEED certified for their environmentally friendly approach and boasting a private gondola to the lower slopes, skiers and snowboarders alike will relish the chance to play in the powder regularly scattered across 1800 acres of skiable terrain just three minutes after slipping on their freshly warmed boots.
But what sets this resort apart is the plethora of non-alpine activities on offer, either to those who don't want to build an entire holiday around charging down a mountain on giant tooth picks, or to those who simply can't get enough of those exercise endorphins. The resort offers an extraordinary range of sports activities and fitness options that until now have simply not been available at an altitude of 7,400ft.
These include a dedicated spinning studio, a fully equipped reformer based Pilates clinic, a "hot yoga" room, mountain bike tours, triathlon training program, a professional grade gym, a sports medicine clinic, and a heated outdoor lap pool which also boasts adjacent spa baths lest one should forget to do at least a little relaxing. The result is heaven on earth for the fitness fanatic.
There is further bliss to be found in the on-site Spa Anjali, home to every imaginable variety of beauty treatment and massage for soothing those tired post-ski or post-sport muscles. Or you can enjoy some more traditional apres ski indulgence at the hotel's stylish modern bar and gourmet Mexican restaurant, Maya by chef Richard Sandoval. The bespoke guacamole, tailored to your personal taste, is a devilishly more-ish delight that still finds favour with "sugar free, dairy free, wheat free" types. And believe me there are plenty of high achieving healthy holidayers in Beaver Creek.
The ski resort has built a reputation for offering an elite level of personal service, their tongue-in-cheek slogan "Beaver Creek – Not Exactly Roughing It…" makes light of the resort's commitment to spoiling their well-heeled skiers, that thankfully never crosses the line to being pretentious or snobby. With the number of skiers on the slopes kept astonishingly low, Beaver Creek represents the perfect place to learn without pesky strangers constantly whistling by.
Meanwhile experienced downhillers will relish the chance to fly down seemingly deserted slopes, reaching lifts where queues are virtually unheard of. If you do find yourself waiting even a moment there is quickly someone on hand with a complimentary hot chocolate or fresh baked cookie. Not exactly roughing it indeed. Nothing here is hard work, well unless you opted for spinning straight after skiing of course…
The post Shape Up & Ski Out – Colorado's Rocky Mountain Range appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Dancer & Model Renee Stewart Gets A Sultry Smoky Eye appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>A natural beauty, Renee prefers to normally keeps her look 'fresh-faced'. The daughter of Supermodel mother Rachel Hunter and Pop Rock Legend Rod Stewart gets a lesson from Beauty Editor and photographer Glenn Nutley in how to match a sultry smoky-eye makeup look which perfectly complements her olive skin. There's no question the result is stunning and well-worth a photo shoot to mark the occasion.
The beautiful Renee is based in London where she studies her main passion of dance at the London Contemporary Dance School. Having launched her modelling career in New Zealand in 2010 at the age of 17, she hopes to eventually sign with a professional dance company, saying that dance is "just an amazing way to be able to express yourself through movement."
Renee has experienced footsteps to follow in with supermodel mother Rachel Hunter, who began modelling for Bendon in 1986 before going on international stardom. Renee said she was "proud" of her mother's professional modelling work; "It's exciting that we get to both share the same experience – a couple of years apart", she said.
Take a look at the gorgeous shots from Glenn Nutley's shoot with Renee here…
In this Video:
So today we are here with dancer and model Renee Stewart and we are doing a beautiful smokey eye technique and a photo shoot that is focussing on her bronze skin. So to get a really black smokey eye, I'm going to start with a cream base and to achieve that cream base I'm going to use this L'Oreal colour rich pencil and that is going to gives us a really strong black base for the power shadows to set into and to make sure the black smokey eye lasts for a lot longer. Close your eyes for me. Always smooth out any any base or concealer that you put on before because you don't want those lines to get set in. You can even go straight with a pencil straight to the eye and blend it or if you prefer you can actually put the product on your skin of your hand and then with a brush take the product and blend it into your eye. You do get bait more control this way.
Once you have created the shape you take a different brush, a clean brush and blend out the line where it starts so you don't have a crisp sharp line as a smokey eye should be very faded and you should never see where it starts and finishes and you can also use your finger to blend. So cream eye shadow can tend to move and crease so so what you need to do is set that with a powder so before it has a chance to move and crease I'm going in and pressing on the powder to keep that in place and Im using a black powder that has a gold bronze shimmer in it so give the eye a little more dimension but its still going to read as a black smokey eye. Now another clean brush and we are going to blend the powered line in this time and before we were blending the cream line now the powder. I like to go backwards and forwards over the eye like a wind screen wiper motion and keep going so you can't really see where the line starts and finishes. I'm now taking a flesh colour eye shadow which is close to the base colour and I'm setting the foundation across the braw bone and thats going to help us easily blend in the eye shadows.
Next we are going to look up for me and take the black dark eye shadow underneath the eye as well to continue the line all the way around the eye. Smokey eye always continues underneath as well, I'm doing this with a bullet brush so I have lots of control and once again take a clean brush also bullet shape but a little softer and I'm going to blend that line underneath as well, smokey eye should always have soft edges as well never harsh lines.
So to give a smokey eye more impact i usually like to put a black inner lid liner this can be done a lot of ways one being a black rim pencil which is probably the easiest way. I like to use a gel liner, these are water proof generally and they stay a lot easier. Now if your game you can also continue this to the upper inner rim this just gives the eye a bit of extra pop and impact so the last step to complete this smokey eye look is going to be the mascara. I'm using the new L'Oreal Butterfly Wings mascara which has really short bristles which is really great to get into the base of the lashes.
What do you think of Renee's sultry smoky eyes? Tell us in the comments below!
The post Dancer & Model Renee Stewart Gets A Sultry Smoky Eye appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Never Mind The Calories – This Is The Healthiest Chocolate Brownie Ever! appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>There is no denying that the raw food movement is taking over. So with that in mind, I present you with one of the most life-changing brownie experiences any raw food lover can have. I often recommend this decadent sweet treat to my clients, as it is the perfect way to indulge minus the refined sugar and nasty processed additives.
The only equipment needed to make these Raw Chocolate Brownies are your blender and your fridge, then as Bannie says "Get in my belly!".
Makes approx 16 brownies
INGREDIENTS
2.5 cups of organic medjool dates chopped and pitted
1 cup of dry roasted almonds
1 cup of organic almond meal
1/3 cup of organic carob powder
1/2 cup of organic raw cacao nibs
2 tablespoons of extra virgin cold pressed coconut oil
Shredded organic coconut for top.
METHOD
1 Melt the coconut oil in a saucepan on a very low heat until liquid, set aside. Then, in a food processor blitz the chopped dates, almond meal and walnuts until combined and slightly chunky.
2 Pour the carob powder into the bowl with the coconut oil and stir to combine. Once combined, pour the oil/carob into the food processer with the mixture and blitz until batter is smooth.
3 If the mixture is stuck together and no longer blitzing, pull it out of the food processor and knead the mixture until evenly combined.
4 If you haven't already transferred the mixture to a bowl, do so now and stir through the cacao nibs.
5 Place the mixture into a lined baking dish, pressing down firmly with your fingers so it is even.
6 Place in the refrigerator for several hours until set.
7 Sprinkle with shredded coconut and slice into pieces and serve.
The post Never Mind The Calories – This Is The Healthiest Chocolate Brownie Ever! appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Three Ways to Wear Wet-Look Hair appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>However, the been-swimming-all-day style is popular with models such as Shanina Shaik, Behati Prinsloo and Lily Aldridge who all looked as though they'd come straight from splashing in the waters of St Tropez – having had enough time to quickly slip into an après-beach dress and slap on some gorgeous maquillage, but not enough to style up their hair in any serious way.
But the edgy look worked. Paired with a glamorous gown and pitch-perfect evening makeup, wet-look hair balances out the high-octane factor, giving things a just-enough touch of laidback chic.
Okay, I hear you: isn't this one best left to models only?
Well, you sure do need confidence (and perhaps some nice bone structure) to carry it off (for most of us, a good hair moment is about swingy, shiny strands). But it's worth the effort. Because here's the real sell of the wet-look style: it's a great go-to for those days (and nights) when you don't have time to wash your dull, dirty hair.
Inspired to try it? There are several ways you can spin the look.
Shanina's style is the most extreme, as it verges on looking dripping-wet, even ultra-oily . But if it's an all-over dewy effect you're going for, this look can set things off beautifully. For starters, work a high-gloss gel through hair at the crown, pulling it back as you go, and then work a heap of serum through the lengths. Finally, mist on hairspray to set, and to also give an extra shiny boost. It's that simple.
But if that's all too producty for you, consider Behati's semi-wet style . To achieve it, rough-dry hair. Then take a water mist (even a facial kind will do) and spray all over crown. Comb hair back at the top and sides, making sure there's no partline, and mist on a few layers of super-shiny hairspray to keep hair atop in glossy place. Your mid-lengths and ends of hair should be left dry and loose – making for a great contrast between slick and textured, shiny and matte.
If you prefer a style that's as chic as it is slick , Lily is your poster girl. All you do here is blow-dry hair smooth and straight, then run a heap of serum throughout the top layers. Yes, it seems like a backward step putting all that product into freshly washed hair but, you see, the serum will help give your hair stretch. So as you pull it back into a low bun or ponytail, you'll get the sleekest effect possible.
What do you think of wet-look hair?
Tempted to try it?
The post Three Ways to Wear Wet-Look Hair appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post MasterChef Recipe: How To Cook Nidhi's Delicious Curry appeared first on The Carousel.
]]> 
Meanwhile, you can catch up with what Nidhi is doing now, by clicking here.
South Indian Lamb Curry
3tbsp ghee, plus more for frying
1 tsp black peppercorns, crushed
2 tsp cumin seeds
2 green cardamom pods
3 small dried red chillies
1 onion, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, crushed
meat of 3 lamb shanks, diced into 3 x 3cm pieces (500g meat)
2 tsp chilli powder
2tsp turmeric
125ml coconut milk
1/4 tsp nutmeg
2tbsp chopped coriander, plus more for garnish
1tbsp chopped fresh mint
4 sprigs curry leaves
salt, to taste
Onion Stuffed Fried Bread
1 cup plain flour
1tsp salt
1 ½ tbsp ghee
vegetable oil for frying
1 spring onion, finely chopped
½ tsp turmeric
½ tsp amchur
salt, to taste
Parsnip Crisps
2 parsnips
2tsp vinegar
salt, to taste
Carrot Pudding
1 1/2 cups milk
2 cardamom pods
2 carrots, grated
20g almonds, finely chopped
25g cashews, finely chopped
20g peeled pistachios, finely chopped
1/4 cup condensed milk
1 tbsp ghee
pinch saffron
1 tbsp caster sugar
Onion Raita
1 cup natural yoghurt
¼ red onion, finely diced
1tbsp chopped fresh mint
Garnish
2tbsp chopped fresh coriander
Method:
Preheat oven to 160C.
To make the South Indian Lamb Curry
Heat 2tbsp of the ghee in a heavy flame proof casserole pan on the stove over medium heat.
Add peppercorns, cumin seeds, cardamom pods and chillies and stir to toast off until fragrant, about 1 minute.
Add onions and garlic and fry until soft then add meat and fry until brown. Add chilli powder, turmeric, coconut milk, nutmeg and ½ cup water and cook, stirring for 1 minute. Cover with lid and place into the oven until meat is tender, about 1 ½ hours.
Once cooked, remove dish from oven. Uncover and place back onto stove over medium heat. Add fresh coriander and mint and stir through. Reduce heat to low and simmer on the stove until meat pulls apart easily with a fork.
In a separate frypan, heat remaining 1tbsp ghee. Add chopped curry leaves and fry until crisp, set aside on paper towel.
Once meat is ready, turn off heat and garnish with fried curry leaves and some chopped coriander. Set aside, keeping warm.
To make the Onion Stuffed Fried Bread
Combine flour, salt, ghee and 75ml water. Bring together to a ball, adding more water if necessary. Knead to a soft dough and wrap with cling wrap. Set aside in the fridge for 10 minutes to rest.
Meanwhile, heat 1tbsp of vegetable oil in a frypan over medium heat then add spring onion, turmeric, amchur and a pinch salt and sauté until soft then remove from heat and set aside to cool.
Half fill a large saucepan with vegetable oil and heat to 180C.
Remove wrapped dough ball from the fridge and portion dough into 8 pieces. Roll portioned dough into balls then use a rolling pin to roll into thin discs about 3mm thick.
Divide reserved sautéed spring onion mixture into the middle of the disc and carefully pull edges over to seal onion inside. Gently roll out with a rolling pin to a disc again. Place stuffed dough discs into preheated oil and deep fry until puffed and golden, about 2 minutes. Set aside on paper towel. Reserve oil on heat for Parsnip Chips.
For the Parsnip Chips
Peel parsnips and slice thinly, widthways, on a mandolin. Add to reserved hot oil and deep fry until golden and curled. Set aside on paper towel and sprinkle with salt and vinegar.
For the Carrot Pudding
bring milk to the boil in a medium saucepan. Add cardamom and grated carrot, reduce heat and simmer until soft.
Meanwhile, place chopped nuts onto a paper lined baking tray. Roast in the oven until golden, about 5 minutes.
Add roasted nuts to simmering carrot mixture along with remaining ingredients and continue simmer until smooth and creamy, about 20-25 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside keeping warm.
For the Onion Raita
Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix well until smooth. Garnish with coriander and set aside.
To serve
Place a sample of each element on the plate. Garnish with some chopped coriander.
The post MasterChef Recipe: How To Cook Nidhi's Delicious Curry appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post How to Make the Perfect Gin & Tonic appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>We have travelled to the country to meet Ramon Pau, who runs a gin and tonic bar called Els Cacadors in the small Pyrenees town of Ribes de Freser. The bar has been in the family for four generations and Ramon knows better than anyone else in this region how to mix the drink properly. Some of his tips might fly in the face of everything you thought you knew about the not-so-humble gin and tonic!
The worst thing you can do is drink gin and tonic from a skinny glass. The bigger and more rounded the glass, the better. It all has to do with the amount of ice the glass can hold because you want as much as possible.
Water is the enemy of the gin so you want to try to stop the ice melting as much as possible. Bigger pieces of ice are better than small ones and the more cubes you can fit in the glass, means the cooler the drink will stay and the less they will each melt.
At the Els Cacadors bar, there are more than 50 types of gin to choose from and the plan is to have double that number soon. There is no such thing as the 'right' gin but it's important to appreciate that each type has its own unique flavours and you should try a variety to decide which is best for you.
The standard tonic will work with everything but there are particular types you can match with certain gin flavours to bring out the best taste. For strong and dry gins, try the 'azahar lavender' tonic. For flowery gins you can go with the 'pink pepper' tonic and for cinnamon gins, a ginger ale is the best.
Don't get too greedy when it comes to the amount of gin you include. There is a fairly set rule for the best ratio to use. The gin portion of the drink should be between 30 and 50 millilitres and the tonic should be about 200 millilitres.
Most people would use a slice of lime as a garnish in a gin and tonic but the experts warn against that because the acid can ruin the taste. The best option is to use slivers of lemon rind as the main addition to the liquids. If you want to get a bit fancy, you can also use juniper berries, strawberries and mint leaves.
When Ramon is asked for the most important thing to consider when making a gin and tonic, he has an easy answer. Make sure you have the drink with good company and good friends.
The post How to Make the Perfect Gin & Tonic appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Warming Slow-Baked Apple Pie Recipe appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>"The aroma of clove-studded apple pie brings back such vivid childhood memories for me, and even if the pastry was sometimes a little on the soggy side, it was still always delicious. This is a genuine old- fashioned pie, slow-cooked and with a full pastry crust. A real pie, none of that pastry lid on a pie dish stuff! Try making this with new-season organic apples, not only are they so much tastier than the ones that have been sitting in a cool store for months, they'll be just as cheap and the weather around harvest time will be perfect for a warming apple pie."Karen Martini 06
Serves8
INGREDIENTS
180 g golden caster sugar
juice of 1 lemon
1 1⁄2 tablespoons cornflour
5 cloves
1.5 kg small apples, cored, peeled and sliced (900 g prepared weight)
500 g puff pastry
1 tablespoon cream (35% fat)
cream or custard, to serve
METHOD
1 Preheat the oven to 180°C fan-forced (200°C conventional). Grease a 24-cm springform cake tin. Line a baking tray with baking paper.
2 Combine 160 g of sugar, the lemon juice, cornflour and cloves in a large bowl. Add the apples and toss to coat.
3 Roll two-thirds of the pastry out until just under 1 cm thick. Carefully line the prepared tin with the pastry, allowing the pastry to hang over the rim of the tin. Tip in the apples and gently flatten them.
4 Roll out the remaining pastry into a circle about 1 cm thick. Brush the edge with a little cream and place on top of the apple mix with the brushed edge facing down. Press the edges together and trim so that about 2 cm of the pastry overhangs the lip. Loosely fold the overhang back into the tin and brush all the exposed pastry with
a little more cream. Sprinkle over the remaining sugar and make a few incisions in the pastry for the steam to escape.
5 Place the tin on the prepared tray and bake for 30 minutes.
6 Reduce the temperature to 150°C fan-forced (170°C conventional) and cook for a further 40 minutes until the crust is golden and the apples are bubbling beneath the pastry.
7 Cool for 25 minutes for the filling to set. Serve with cream or custard.
Recipe from New Kitchen by Karen Martini. Available now, Plum, RRP $44.99
The post Warming Slow-Baked Apple Pie Recipe appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Review: HASK Hair Products – Biotin Boost Thickening Collection appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>My hair is the bane of my life as it's fine and limp. I've tried all sorts of products over the years including raw egg yolks but nothing seems to make a difference. I am therefore sceptical of hair products that say they can make your hair look thicker, bouncier and more luxuriant.
When I was asked if I would like to test hair products in the HASK range, I thought why not give their Biotin Boost Thickening Collection a try. It is supposed to achieve thicker and stronger hair with a trio of "plumping" ingredients – Biotin, Brazilian Coffee and Collagen – which are designed to enhance the appearance of thicker fuller hair. I've been using the shampoo, conditioner, hair oil and leave-in spray for several weeks and I must admit the combination of these four products actually does make my hair appear to have more volume and vitality. These products do exactly what they say on the tin!
Remember years ago, when dry shampoo was all the rage and how it made your hair look dull and dry as if you had sprinkled powder on it? I have been testing HASK's dry shampoo in the same range. And unlike many dry shampoos which contain aluminium starch, HASK uses a natural product, rice starch, which absorbs any oiliness. I was very surprised with the result – my hair was bouncy, voluminous and very shiny!
What I like about HASK hair products is they are 100% cruelty free and formulated without all that bad stuff – Sulphates, Phyhalates, Parabens, Gluten and Drying Alcohol – and the fragrances are natural.
Apparently HASK is referred to as Hollywood's favourite hair care and used by hair stylists on film & TV sets more than any other hair care brand. If my hair could look a fraction as good as the hair of on-screen actresses, then I am a convert!
The post Review: HASK Hair Products – Biotin Boost Thickening Collection appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Recipe For A Deep Dish Caramel Kanzi Apple Pie appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Ingredients
- 3 sheets puff pastry
- 8 Kanzi apples
- 1/2 cup (110g) vegan butter*
- 1 Tbsp tapioca flour
- 1/4 cup (60ml) water
- 1 cup (180g) coconut sugar**
- 1 tsp (5ml) vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/3 cup (40g) almond meal
Method
1. Peel the apples, then cut in half and core. Cut the apples into 4mm slices, and set aside.
2. Heat a large pot over a medium flame then add the butter. Cook for a few minutes, until the butter is melted and becomes frothy. Add tapioca flour and stir to form a paste. Immediately add sugar, water, spices and sliced apples and cook for 5-7 minutes, or until the apples begin to soften and the mix becomes fragrant. Ensure you stir regularly. Turn off heat and allow to cool completely, around 45 minutes.
3. Preheat oven to 220C. Line the bottom and sides of a deep dish pie pan with pastry. Pour the almond meal into the base and spread evenly, then top with the cooled apple mixture. Cover the pie with the remaining pastry, in a lattice decoration or if you prefer just solid pastry (make 3 cuts in the top if you do this). Crimp the sides of the pie, then brush the top with milk and sprinkle with raw sugar (optional).
4. Bake for 15 minutes, then turn the oven down and bake for a further 40-45 mins***. Serve while hot with vanilla ice-cream.
* Yes, you can sub for any butter
**can sub for brown sugar
** The pie is done when the filling begins to bubble through the lattice.
***The pie will brown on top, so if you prefer to avoid this, bake covered with foil for the first 30 minutes.
https://thecarousel.com/food/entertaining-wine/warming-slow-baked-apple-pie/
The post Recipe For A Deep Dish Caramel Kanzi Apple Pie appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Top 5 Spring Bride And Bridesmaid Trends Right Now appeared first on The Carousel.
]]> 
Rebecca, who offers Ready-to-Wear and Custom Made gowns on the website White Runway, has gleaned all the trends for a Spring wedding.
-
Neutral colours
Nude tones are extremely popular this season with both bridesmaids and also brides, opting for nude-coloured dresses. Shades of champagne, ivory, taupe and soft dusty pink are becoming a popular colour choice for bridal parties. Bridesmaids are breaking away from tradition by selecting different styled dresses in a variety of neutral shades to create a really nice, uniform look that flows together effortlessly – it almost looks ethereal when styled together.
-
Form fitting bridal dresses
In line with the Hollywood trend of celebrating feminine curves, figure-hugging dresses are a popular choice for bridesmaid parties this season. Gone are the days when bridesmaid parties opted for traditional A-line dresses, bridesmaids are now embracing their curves and going for va-va-voom. Beautifully fitted dresses are always a hit with bridesmaids as they can be worn again for other occasions. It's now more about finding the right party dress that will be flattering across all shapes and sizes and make bridesmaids look and feel amazing. After all, weddings are captured across all social media these days and everyone wants to look their best.
-
Lace Is On Trend
Lace is still a huge trend this season and will continue to be across both bridal and bridesmaid dresses. Lace is romantic, soft and suits all styles of weddings – it can be demure and sexy at the same time. Lace also works well across all types of weddings including traditional vintage-styled weddings, bohemian and beach weddings. A touch of lace adds extra romance to any gown.
-
Volume and drama is de rigour for brides and bridesmaids
Volume and drama relates to the dress making a statement. Being a bridesmaid is now about getting the chance to wear an amazing dress to a special event be it a long train, a dramatic neckline or a voluminous dress. Gone are the days when bridesmaids will never wear the dress again. Brides and bridesmaids are looking for dresses that are simple, yet striking and provide them with the opportunity of being a rock star for the day. The Leah by Leah Da Gloria x White Runway dress is the perfect dress for the right amount of volume and drama. Dresses with a train and full tulle dresses also add to the drama.
- Off-shoulder bridal dresses
The off-shoulder trend is the perfect example of catwalk trends filtering into bridal and bridesmaid fashion. These styled dresses are really popular and will continue to be this season. This style is very romantic, elegant and feminine. This shape is also very flattering and great for bridesmaids that want to show off their shoulders or are conscious of their arms. It is also important to ensure the hemline falls on or below the knee, for a modest and elegant look.
The Carousel would like to thank Rebecca Marsh from White Runway for her article.
The post Top 5 Spring Bride And Bridesmaid Trends Right Now appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Gourmet Traveller Finalists Announced For The 2022 Restaurant Awards appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>As a chef and business woman, Amy Chanta was instrumental in shaping Sydney's Thai food scene when she opened the first Chat Thai restaurant in 1989 on Liverpool Street in Darlinghurst.
Gourmet Traveller's October issue pays tribute to Amy who sadly passed away earlier this year. In tribute to Amy, the issue will showcase a selection of her signature recipes, as shared by her daughter Palisa Anderson.
Speaking about the finalists, Gourmet Traveller, Joanna Hunkin said one of the most exciting parts of this year's awards is how many new restaurants feature.
"It is testament to both the creativity and resilience of the industry that new venues have continued to open since March last year, offering new and exceptional experiences. Lockdowns may pause physical progress but, time has proven, they can spark even brighter, bolder plans."
Here are the The Gourmet Traveller Restaurant Award finalists
The finalists for the Best New Restaurant award are:
• A'Mare, NSW
• Aru, VIC
• Aurora, SA
• Bianca, QLD
• Corella Bar & Restaurant, ACT
• Elska, QLD
• Gimlet, VIC
• Ho Jiak Town Hall, NSW
• Porcine, NSW
• Van Bone, TAS
For the Best Wine Bar:
• Monopole, NSW
• Mummucc, WA
• Public Wine Shop, VIC
• Sonny, TAS
• Snackman, QLD
For the Best New Talent:
• Jung Eun Chae – CHAE, VIC
• Nathan Dunnell – Elska, QLD
• Rosheen Kaul – Etta Dining, VIC
• Daiki Shigeta – Fleet/Roco Ramen, NSW
For the Restaurant Personality of the Year:
• Federica Andrisani & Oskar Rossi – Fico, TAS
• Cam Fairbairn – Café Paci, NSW
• Hannah Green – Etta Dining, VIC
• Carlo Grossi – Grossi Florentino, VIC
• Nick Hildebrandt – Monopole, NSW
• Jason Lui – Flower Drum, VIC
• Tania di Nicolo – Mummucc, WA
• Sharon Romeo – Fino, SA
• Tyron Simon – Bianca, Agnes, Same Same, Honto, QLD
For the Best Destination Dining:
• Oaks Kitchen and Garden, QLD
• Hentley Farm, SA
• Millbrook, WA
• Provenance, VIC
• Underbar, VIC
• Stillwater, TAS
Due to ongoing restrictions, The Gourmet Traveller Restaurant Award winners will be announced via a virtual announcement on October 24.
Fabulous Blogger Phoodie Reveals Her Secret Food Destination
The post Gourmet Traveller Finalists Announced For The 2022 Restaurant Awards appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Taronga Zoo Now Has Baby Lion Cubs And YOU Get To Name One appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>So, when can you see them?
Of course, NSW is still in lockdown, which means, unfortunately, no trips to the zoo. However, for a small donation of just $7, the public can access a 24/7 live stream of the five lion cubs – a donation that also supports Taronga's vital conservation work!
Here's the first look at Taronga Zoo's new arrivals:
Not only are these new additions to the Taronga family drop-dead adorable but they're also nameless. As they approach 8 weeks old, the keepers are still undecided on what to call them! So, they've decided, to make the name search easier, to call upon one of you.
All you have to do is head to the website, here, to cast your vote. The lucky winner will receive 20 family passes! What are you waiting for? Donate to watch the cute cubs from the Cub Cam and start thinking of names for our furry new friends.
The post Taronga Zoo Now Has Baby Lion Cubs And YOU Get To Name One appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Simple Oven Roasted Vegetables appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>INGREDIENTS
Dressing
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons lemon juice
METHOD
1Preheat the oven to 250ºC (500ºF/Gas 9).
2Peel and chop your vegetables into chunks or wedges and place in a large bowl.
3Put all the dressing ingredients in a jar.
4Screw the lid on tightly, shake well, then pour over the vegetables.
5Toss the vegetables well, making sure they are evenly coated in the dressing.
6Spread the vegetables in a large roasting tin and season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper.
7Roast for 35-40 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender, browned and crispy, turning and basting them halfway through.
8Transfer to a warmed platter to serve
The Carousel thanks 'supercharged food' for this recipe.
The post Simple Oven Roasted Vegetables appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Aussie Actor Bryan Brown Throws His Support Behind Booktober appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The great thing is, you can support Booktober from the comfort of your own home. All you need to do is take some time to stop, breathe and read a book. WestWords is partnering with Booktopia for the second year in a row, running Booktober. The funds for this annual event, which is always held in the month of October, will help provide books and literacy programs to disadvantaged schools within the greater Western Sydney region.
"I am passionate about story telling," says Brown, who has starred in Breaker Morant, Two Hands, Palm Beach and won an Emmy Award for the TV mini-series The Thorn Birds.
"Westwords celebrates and enhances the power of literature and literacy through honouring the stories and experiences of the people, places and cultures of Western Sydney."
Brown added he's involved because he's keen to give kids opportunities who don't have books, for reading and writing: "We want to support the development of literacy and inspire that love for literature and storytelling."
"Let's give kids the opportunity to get hold of books," says Brown, "… to read and get carried away with the fantasy and fun of reading a book and writing."
The reason books are so important is because literature, self-expression and creativity have the power to change the lives of children and Brown is calling on people to "get involved in this special initiative that will help raise funds for kids who don't have the opportunity to access these programs or have their very own books.
As the celebrated actor says: "We may not be able to go out but we can read books!"
With some places in Australia still in lockdown, Brown says it's a great time to get involved. You can either be a book reader, known as a Book worm, and read masses of books in October, or he said, you can get someone to sponsor you.
"We are working together to raise the levels of literature development in Western Sydney – with diversity, innovation, creativity and self-expression at the heart," he added.
"Programs have been created to target literature and literacy of children and youth through workshops, fellowships, writers support and providing a nurturing environment for growth of writers."
All the funds go to kids who don't have the opportunity to read books
Brown said all the funds god to "… kids who don't have the opportunity to get hold of books, give them the opportunity to read and get carried away in their fantasies and the fun of reading books."
Brown added: "Let's get behind this initiative! Let's read! And let's see if we can get masses of money, to buy masses of books.
We asked Brown what he's reading right now and he laughed, saying: "I'm reading Gorky Park, oh it's a dense one!"
Booktober runs from the 1st to the 31st of October 2021. The cut off time for donations is 5pm AEST on 20 November.
You can register to be part of this great event by visiting www.booktober.org.au.
About WestWords
WestWords is a not-for-profit charity with centres across Western Sydney. The charity works closely with writers and artists of all ages to celebrate the people, places and cultures which are at the heart of Western Sydney. WestWords delivers a comprehensive program of residencies, fellowships, workshops, presentations and publications. For more information, visit www.westwords.com.au
Interesting facts: One in 5 children are behind in their language skills before they even start school and a staggering 44% of Australian adults have low literacy skills. Greater Western Sydney is home to 10% of the Australian population – that's 1 in 11 Australians and half the world's cultures represented within its boundaries!
You can read more on Bryan Brown here.
Main Photo: Tim Bauer
Busting Lockdown Boredom With Four Fab Kid's Books!
The post Aussie Actor Bryan Brown Throws His Support Behind Booktober appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Beauty Review: Neutrogena Deep Clean Facial Cleanser appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>What it does: Deeply cleans skin and pores, removing the day's grime, excess oil and makeup without drying or irritating.
Key ingredients: Salicylic Acid, Glycerine.
Why we love it: This fuss-free cleansing gel does exactly what it says on the tin, removing every trace of oil, dirt and makeup from the skin's surface and pores, without leaving it feeling dry or tight. Glycerin helps to draw moisture and water into the skin, keeping it soft and hydrated, even after a thorough cleanse. I love the classic clean 'Neutrogena' fragrance. It brings me right back to my teenage years! The gel quickly breaks down makeup and grime, and is perfect to use in the shower at the end of a long day.
How to use it: I like to dampen my face with some warm water, then massage the product in for a minute or two, paying special attention to the 'crevices' on my face, around my nose and mouth. If my skin is feeling a little rough or flaky, I'll use a damp flannel to gently buff the product off, revealing fresh new skin that smells amazing!
Price: $10.99
Stockists: 1800 678 380
This is a sponsored post by Neutrogena. All opinions expressed by the author are authentic and written in their own words.
The post Beauty Review: Neutrogena Deep Clean Facial Cleanser appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post 5 Essential Apps for Managing a Remote Team appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Do you really need another app?
Before jumping feet first into a new purchase, it's wise to ask yourself a few questions. What is it you hope to achieve? Could you accomplish the task with your existing apps? Perform an inventory of your existing apps and tools, you may find that you're already paying for a service that is perfectly usable. Many apps are extremely versatile. Think of Excel: how many businesses run their databases, spreadsheets, payrolls, and other vital functions, off a simple spreadsheet?
Will this help or hinder my team?
Given the amount of time spent using apps, and the central role they play in working life, it's worthwhile spending time on getting it right. Australian-based CEO, Lawrence Ellyard, went through several rounds of investigation before settling on his final choices. His firm, The International Institute for Complementary Therapists , found itself in the midst of one of the world's strictest lockdowns and was forced to pivot to meet the challenges. Ellyard explains, "We had little time to prepare for working remotely and needed to decide on tools for collaboration, communication, accounting, and budgeting. To ensure we chose the right kind of apps, our main criterion was: will this help or hinder our team?"
Does everything have to be 'cutting edge'?
Ellyard comments, "Some managers feel the need to keep up with the latest developments. Whilst no one wants to be left behind, it doesn't make sense to use something just because it's new. Does it help you achieve your goals? Is it compatible with your existing setup? Each new 'system' that you introduce can either help you enormously or cause you a major headache."
Compatibility and complexity are major considerations. If something doesn't fit with your current workflow, you'll forever be dogged by awkward workarounds. Apps that are overly complex may require enormous effort to learn, negating any potential efficiencies.
With that in mind, here are the top 5 apps that Ellyard and his team have found to be most useful:
1. Asana
Ellyard's preferred app for team collaboration. It comes into its own when trying to visualize how work should be done. Lists, Gantt-style charts, and kanban boards allow you to prioritize work according to deadlines. Similar apps include Todoist, Trello and Podio.
2. Slack
This is used for team chats and in-house communication. The customizable messaging app uses 'channels', which act as folders for conversations, files, and information related to a specific project. Instead of searching through shared drives, emails, and text messages, you can find everything you need in one spot. The app's main competitors include Microsoft Teams, Cisco Webex, and Google Workspace.
3. Evernote
The ever-popular app that every self-respecting executive will recognize. The app is also a powerful web clipper, sending news items, articles, and websites into their own folder: invaluable source material for reports, speeches, and memos. In recent years, other note-taking apps have emerged to threaten Evernote's supremacy: Notion and OneNote, in particular.
4. Databox
The tool of choice for 'dashboards'. The service allows managers to see, at a glance, how the company is performing, no matter what the source of data. Rather than having to log in to several tools, and then collate figures, Databox automatically retrieves data and presents it on one aesthetically pleasing screen. Available across devices, it offers a quick and convenient way of tracking real-time performance.
5. Xero
When it comes to crunching the numbers and reporting to the CFO, Ellyard's team endorses this powerful app. The market-leading, cloud-based accounting software provides a range of powerful, yet simple, tools to help business owners and managers deal with financial and compliance issues. The app streamlines everyday tasks such as invoicing, producing quotes, reconciling bank accounts, profit and loss, and cash flow.
To Conclude
A final word of advice: never underestimate how attached some employees become to familiar ways of working, panicked at the mere suggestion of a change. Companies should tread carefully when deciding which apps to use, thinking strategically about not only their needs but those of the team.
The post 5 Essential Apps for Managing a Remote Team appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Dress With Sophistication And Steal Downton Abbey's Style appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>And because we're watching so much of it, the style on the shows is rather infectious, seeping through our subconscious and making us drawn to certain pieces because our favourite characters are wearing them. Here, we dissect the fashion from one of your most-watched TV shows Downton Abbey and how to get the look.
DOWNTON ABBEY'S STYLE SECRETS
Straight out of the 1920's and 30's, every episode showcases glorious fashion from sparkling flapper dresses to flowing chiffon gowns. Highlights include lace and beading embellishment with details like scalloped edges and beautiful hats. I love how you can tell what decade it is via the movement of the fashion.
You can work a Downton Abbey look into your wardrobe with the subtle addition of a few key pieces, or go all out, top to toe with the whole look. So, who's your fave?
Lady Mary: As the eldest sister, she shines in all kinds of shimmering fabrics, embellishment, embroidery and beautiful beaded necklines. Her look is all about decadence with a very glamorous, luxe feel. Opulence is always a look we see on the red carpets at the Globes, Oscars and Logies. Work some into your wardrobe by adding a tonne of sparkle to your every day wear, either on a dress or more subtly with a beaded shoe or bag.
Lady Sybil: We've moved from the drop waists of the 20's to the empire lines of the early 30's, something Lady Sybil wears beautifully. And you can garner the popularity of the show by the fact that we're seeing these dresses through the stores, from Alannah Hill to Zara. Most noticeable is the cloche hat which comes directly from Downton and is the perfect hat for winter.
Lady Edith: Did the current lace trend also come courtesy of Downton Abbey? Quite possibly. The modern interpretations of the trend could have spun straight from Lady Edith's costumes, and if so, she has a lot to answer for, because it's absolutely everywhere. Floaty, dreamy creations with all kinds of coloured lace make it this season's (and next Summer too!) number one trend.
How to Downton-Abbey-fy your wardrobe
1. Invest in a lace dress. This one by BCBG Max Azria has the high neckline of a Downton Abbey era, with studs embossed into the bodice which keeps it cool and modern.
2. Add a cloche hat to any outfit this winter, like this one from Morgan & Taylor. David Jones and Myer also have a great selection.3. Go for finger-waved hair. Like the multitude of stars who recently sported this style at the Met Ball. Everyone from Reese Witherspoon to Blake Lively went for a soft, brushed out wave.
4. Get a net. Not a tennis net, though they're also very helpful for a 1920's social life, but a face net, a la Beyonce at the Met Ball. She kept the whole thing modern with her slashed-to-the-navel dress, but the enormous earrings also help. A great mix of style which was all drawn from Downton's.
5. Introduce pearls to your outfit. It's no coincidence that pearls have suddenly come back into fashion along with Downton Abbey. Add a few strings of pearls and channel that 1920s-30s Coco Chanel vibe.
6. Go for a T-bar, closed toe shoe like these Sophia Webster patent pumps. To be worn with dresses, skirts and if you really want to look fresh by mixing your styles up, a pair of leather leggings.
7. Welcome fake fur into your life, like this fake fur stole which is perfect for winter to throw over a beaded dress that you've jazzed up with pearls, your cloche hat and your dark lipstick. Now, tell me you're not all over this Downton Abbey style business!
How will you work the Downton Abbey look into your wardrobe? Tell us in the comments below!
The post Dress With Sophistication And Steal Downton Abbey's Style appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Get Singer Alli Simpson's Beautiful Beach Waves appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Here, Glenn talks us through each step in his video on how to create Alli Simpson's Beach Wave.
Credits
Model: Alli Simpson
Hair & Make Up & Photography: Glenn Nutley
Hair & Make Up assistant: Rebecca Guzman
Dana Goldenberg: Stylist
BP Major: Producer/director
How To Get A Beautiful Glowing Complexion With Alli Simpson
The post Get Singer Alli Simpson's Beautiful Beach Waves appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Marble Homewares: So Cool They're White Hot appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The Living Room
Your living area is the perfect place to express your style and the great thing about marble is it can be extravagant or simple. Today's contemporary marble designs are more sophisticated and sleek but compliment loads of different interior themes – from industrial to rustic and busy family homes. Try a slimline floor lamp for a wow feature, or for a more subtle way to work the trend, light hexagon tea-light holders for ambience, add a great marble doorstop to your entrance or create a sense of flair and function to coffee tables with a marble cross or coasters.
The Kitchen
Marble's classic look works in just about any space but its practical use in the kitchen makes it a dream. The stylish natural stone is fabulous for dishing up tasty treats to guests or the family on serving boards and in marbles bowls. Whip up a pesto and grind herbs and spices with an opulent marble mortar and pestle – it will look fabulous as a feature piece on bench tops too.
The Bathroom
We love marble in the bathroom for both its clean, sophisticated look and its practical use. Add decorative marble accents like soap dispensers and toothbrush holders. For a relaxing bath, light a candle in a stunning marble candle holder and play your favourite songs!
The Great Outdoors
Whether you use your outdoor area for entertaining, getting lost in your favourite book, gardening or playing backyard cricket, marble is great wow-factor feature. Entertain guests with marble serving platters, let your green thumb go wild and plant succulents or bright summer blooms in marble-effect planters or light up a summery sandalwood and cedar candle in a marble holder.
The post Marble Homewares: So Cool They're White Hot appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Marshmallow Fruit Kebabs appeared first on The Carousel.
]]> INGREDIENTS
Pink & white marshmallows
Fresh strawberries
100g melted milk chocolate
Zip lock bag
Bamboo skewers or plastic lollypop sticks
METHOD
1 Feed marshmallows and strawberries onto the skewer, alternating between the two
2 Place melted chocolate into a zip lock bag and cut a small tip off the corner
3 Drizzle the melted chocolate back and forth over the fruit kebab – the faster you do this the neater your lines of chocolate will be.
The Carouselthanks My Cupcake Addiction for this recipe.
The post Marshmallow Fruit Kebabs appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Pilates: Tighten Up Your Booty With The Bridge appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Starting position
Lie on your back with your knees bent 45 degrees, feet hip width apart and your feet and palms flat on the mat.
Execution
- Draw your belly button down into your spine and draw up through your pelvic floor to activate your deep abdominals.
- Tilt your pelvis to the ceiling so your lower back flattens onto the mat and start to raise your hips up off the mat.
- With your hips lifting up first, push down through your heals to maximise glute activation and continue to roll up your spine, one vertebrae at a time until your body forms a straight line between your shoulders and your knees. Use your hands either side to stabilise the lift.
- Hold at the top of the movement for 1-2 secs whilst squeezing your butt cheeks together. Make that butt work!
- Then slowly roll down your spine starting with your upper back first, and articulate one vertebrae at a time. Upper back, middle back, lower back and hips last on the mat tilting your pelvis back to neutral (which will leave a one finger gap between your lower back and the mat). Then REPEAT!
Breathing
In the starting position, inhale to prepare yourself and exhale as you activate your core, roll up and squeeze your glutes. Inhale as you roll back down.
Rep
Start our with 2-3 sets of 15-20 repetitions and increase if desired.
Advanced Option
- One legged bridge – raise one leg in either a table top position (right angles at the hip and knee) or leg straight to the ceiling to add overload to the exercise.
- Raise your hands straight up to the ceiling throughout the exercise to challenge your core stability.
KX Tip:
To add KX intensity to the exercise, grab a set of Dumbbells and add in a chest press as you lift up to target the upper body, or add a Pilates circle or toning ball in between the knees and squeeze the knees together when you raise the hips to work those inner thighs. Also, remember to stretch your hamstrings and glutes after the session.
Aaron Smith is the CEO & Founder – KX Group. KX is a boutique fitness company with 17 studios across Melbourne and Sydney, offering dynamic pilates, barre and yoga. KX also run retreats to Vanuatu and Bali.
Model: Cherida Forde, KX International Retreats Trainer.
Have you tried the pilates move of the week? Tell us below!…
The post Pilates: Tighten Up Your Booty With The Bridge appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Lizzie Renkert: From Madison Editor To Fashion Designer appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Tell us about your business and how you got started.
Owning my own business is not something I ever thought I would do. I was very much of the employee mindset and it wasn't until I was made redundant from a high profile job in magazine publishing that We Are Kindred was born. My sister, best friend and now business partner, Georgie, and I had been joking about launching our own label since we were little girls playing dress-ups, but I don't think either of us thought we would ever have the courage to leave the security of our jobs to enter the start up world. But two and a half years ago that's exactly what we did and it's been an exhilarating, anxiety-inducing, humbling and rewarding ride thus far.
What's the best career advice you've ever got (and why)?
Every challenge or roadblock teaches you something so should never be viewed as negative (even though they can feel like negative experiences at the time). It's actually really great to be learning so much and because this business is new to us, we're learning a lot through the mistakes we make. In our previous careers Georgie and I had both plateaued a little when it came to learning so the challenge of running our own business and being responsible for building a brand from scratch is pretty amazing.
What's the best secret you've learned to running a successful business from home?
Never having an "off" button and essentially working around the clock could be viewed as a drawback but I choose to see it as a positive. Kindred isn't just my job – it's intrinsically connected to everything I do. And it gives me so much in return.
What's the best money habit every smart businesswoman should adopt?
I'm very good at spending money and I've had to really curb my spending now that I don't have a regular pay check coming in and now that someone else isn't paying me. My best money habit would be to not spend money that you don't have. I'm getting much better at that!
What's the secret to keeping your career and home life in balance?
We launched the brand when I was six months' pregnant with my second child, so for the first six months or so I worked from home. But I found that really hard and prefer to leave the house to go to work so I can focus properly. In my previous career, I constantly felt that I wasn't doing a good job at home or at work because neither were getting the attention I wanted to give them. I'd have early morning meetings to attend and there's no way I could leave the office at 4.30 to get to kindy pick-up in time so I had to rely on others to do it for me.
With We Are Kindred that's very different and I can honestly say that even though my days are long and frantic, I don't feel any guilt as I'm there for kindy drop off at 9.30 and pick-up at 5, I'm there for the evening meal and bedtime stories and then I log back on and work. There's not a lot of time for getting stuck into a book that's more than 100 words long or immersing myself in the latest TV show, but I'm so happy that I've found a way to be fulfilled at work and also give my family what they need, that I'll forsake my own leisure time for the next few years.
What's your advice to others thinking about becoming a Mumpreneur?
Exercise patience! It's difficult not to want everything to happen immediately, but in my experience things really do take time if they're going to have longevity.
The Carousel would like to thank Lizzie Renkert for her story and encourages you to check out We Are Kindred here.
The post Lizzie Renkert: From Madison Editor To Fashion Designer appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Parenting 101: How to Bathe A Newborn appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>You may have carried around that little bundle neatly in your belly for 40 weeks, but that doesn't mean you won't feel nervous bathing your newborn for the first time. What temperature should the bath water be? Should you use bath wash? All these questions are completely normal, so relax.
Catherine Cervasio is a mother of two (now 19 and 13) and owner of leading organic baby bath time company, Aromababy. Catherine has been dishing out advice to new parents for almost twenty years and shares her tips…
Step 1. Keep it warm.
"Ensure the bath water is tepid to warm – 36-37 degrees is ideal," suggests Catherine. "Never add hot water alone – always run both hot and cold taps simultaneously to avoid scalds and burns. And never put your baby in the bath water without first testing the temperature." For peace of mind, invest in a bath thermometer. Fill the bath to a level so baby has most of the body submerged, to shoulders, when lying down."
"This photo of my first son, Beau, was taken 17 years ago! He is the reason I started Aromababy."
Step 2. Get a grip!
Hold baby ensuring you support the head and neck area and gently lower into the bath. Allow baby to rest in one arm, cradling the body and being sure to continue to support the head. "The face area can be cleansed before you put baby in the bath so all you'll be doing here is washing the body area," suggests Catherine.
"My son, Jacob, 8 months-old in a lush spa gown we designed (no longer available)."
Step 3. Choose the right products.
Don't use adult wash on bub. "These contain higher percentages of additives, foaming agents, preservatives, perfumes (or essential oils) and are designed for adults," explains Catherine. "Use a low-sudsing, unscented liquid baby wash product that has been specifically formulated for newborns or babies with sensitive skin. Stick with this for the first several months to help minimise allergic reactions and dry skin. I always suggest using the bath water to wash the hair and scalp gently every other day. Alternatively, if baby has lots of hair, try a specific hair cleanse product which is sulphate-free and won't hurt baby's eyes."
Step 4. Get bub cosy dry and snug as a bug!
"Take care when handling infants after bathing," suggests Catherine. "Dry, wrap or clothe them as your baby's body temperature can drop quickly."
"Me with my newborn, Jacob. He was 3 weeks-old and that photo was taken in 2000!"
Photograph by Vicki Bell Photography
Step 5. Care for cradle cap.
"This was taken at a baby massage workshop we held in Singapore."
Step 6. Give a gentle massage.
"After bathing, when the skin is warm and still holds some water, is a perfect time to massage your baby," suggests Catherine. "Place your child on the floor on a padded blanket and towel. Cover any area not being massaged to help maintain body heat. Use an organic baby massage oil (jojoba or sunflower oil based are ideal to minimise allergic reactions). Choose an oil with as simple formula as possible – the more ingredients, the more risk of baby having an allergic reaction. Use long, fluid strokes on limbs and down the back to the buttock area. Massage using small circular motions with your thumbs, on smaller areas such as palms, soles of the feet and scalp area, taking care to avoid the fontanel. Massage helps to soothe and relax your baby as well as moisturising the skin in the process. This is where you would add a treatment product, for example, to soothe nappy rash, prior to putting baby's nappy on. I suggest choosing a petroleum free, organic oil based balm which offers a natural barrier against wetness".
"This is a photo of me 8 months pregnant massaging my son Beau, aged 6, in our 'massage room' at home."
Catherine launched Aromababy in 1994 as the first brand of its kind, after searching the world for natural baby care to use on her first child. Based on neonatal research and with a focus on the use of organic ingredients, her products created a new category in Australian retailing. They have since been used by select hospitals in several countries and enjoy a high level of success when used on babies and children with eczema. The skincare is formulated without petro chemicals, parabens, propylene glycol, added colour, artificial fragrance, sulphates, dimethicone, animal ingredients (no cows/goats milk or lanolin) or phthalates. Catherine provides workshops to parents and midwives on natural babycare, understanding ingredient lists, baby massage and skincare during pregnancy.
www.aromababy.com/eclub
The post Parenting 101: How to Bathe A Newborn appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Actress Madison Pettis: Hollywood Glamour Makeup appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>
Model: Madison Pettis
Make-up: Allan Avendano
Hair: Glenn Nutley
Stylist: Adeel Kahn
Creative: BP Major
Click here for more Hollywood Glamour Looks!
The post Actress Madison Pettis: Hollywood Glamour Makeup appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post 27 Amazing Facts About Wild Animals That Will Surprise You appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>27 Facts About Wild Animals
1.The koala is a relative of the Australian wombat. Both are marsupials and unique to Australia. Both also have backwards-facing pouches in which they care for their young. They have somehow also managed to evolve fingerprints virtually indistinguishable from those of human beings, even under an electron microscope.
2. Wombats do their poop in cubes. They are the only animal in the world to do this. No one really knows why but it may have something to do with a dry habitat and a strong digestive tract. Wombats generally do somewhere between 80 and 100 cube-shaped poos each night.
3. Elephant calves can stand within 20 minutes of birth.
4. Related to to the Kangaroo is the Quokka!! But unlike their relative they can climb trees up to 2 metres in height.
5. Dugongs are also known as the sea cow and were believed to be the inspiration behind mermaids and sirens.
6. Wolves can sprint short distances of between 58 to 61 kilometres.
7. Sloths are not only three times stronger than humans but they can also fall 100 feet and not be injured.
8. Similar to the Sloth the Raccoon can sustain injuries from heights up to 40 feet.
9. Unlike turtles on land the Sea-Turtle does not retract into its shell. Some turtles breathe through their butt. A handful of turtle species—including the North American eastern painted turtle and the Australian white-throated snapping turtle—have specialized sacs near their cloacas (the organs used for defecating, urinating, and copulating) that collect air and filter out oxygen.
10. An animal with not one heart but three as well as blood that is blue is the Octopus. It also has nine brains. Two of the hearts pump blood through their gills, the other hearts plum blood to the rest of their bodies, and there are also nine aggregations of nerve tissue. In other words, an octopus also has nine brains.
11. Meerkats are a relative of the Mongoose and therefore can withstand many venoms bites.
12. Red Pandas can grow to 60cm in height and their tales can grow to 50cm in length.
13. The stripes on a Zebra act as a natural insect repellent.
15. Male Platypuses have venoms glands which are connected to spurs on their back legs.
16. The horn of a Rhinoceros is made out of their hair.
17. In a 24 hour period Giraffe's only need up to 30 minutes of sleep.
18. In winter Reindeers have blue as they adapt to the climate change of the lower level light.
19. Although Orcas are known as Killer Whales they are infact apart of the dolphin family.
20. The largest shark species is the Whale Shark.
21. Lemur's can jump up to three times their body height.
22. Hippopotamus's although are a semi-aquatic animals they can not swim or float.
23. The female spotted hyena has a penis: more accurately, the clitoris of the female closely resembles the penis of the male.
24. Butterflies taste with their feet.
25. Hummingbirds are the only birds that can fly backwards.
26. Elephants can smell water that is up to 5 kilometres away.
27. Echidnas are one of the few toothless animals on the planet.
The post 27 Amazing Facts About Wild Animals That Will Surprise You appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post 3 Sustainable Distillers Every Discerning Spirits Drinker Should Know About appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Like most other industries that make and sell products, the spirits industry contributes to the climate crisis through packaging, emissions from transport, and the sourcing of ingredients from crops.
The industry is unique, however, because of the distillation process, which produces considerable emissions and is water intensive. There is also the problem of waste from spent grains.
So when you hear about a spirits brand repurposing waste products, reducing its energy consumption and responsibly sourcing its ingredients, sit (or sip!) up and pay attention.
These three brands are renowned for their impressive eco-conscious practices and they're a good drop, putting you in good stead among your more discerning drinking buddies if you roll them out next cocktail hour.
Diplomático
Diplomático is an independent, family-owned brand with a distillery at the foot of the Andes Mountains in Venezuela, where it's said that the purest of waters run to make the very best rum. It's a tightly run operation, with the company controlling the end-to-end production process.
It's also one of the only liquor companies globally to have earned the ISO 14001 certification, a prestigious recognition for companies delivering on their environmental responsibility.
Diplomático has reduced its water consumption by up to 50 percent over the past six years. It has established a comprehensive liquid waste management process that transforms vinasse into fertilizer for more than 1,000 hectares of sugar cane, and for distribution among more than 30 families in the region to support their crops.
The company has also created its own energy cogeneration systems that supply an average of 80 percent of its energy throughout the year. These systems allow for a greater reduction of CO2 gases compared to conventional systems, emitting less pollution per unit of energy.
The company has a generous spirit, having completed environmental training workshops for employees and local communities, beach cleaning initiatives, and reforestation programs that have planted nearly 16,000 trees of native species.
The Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva rum is distilled from molassis in copper pot stills and then aged in small oak casks for on average 12 years before being bottled. It has a beautiful vanilla and mildly smoky finish that you honestly wouldn't want to hide in a cocktail – but go right ahead if a side car is calling you.
Silent Pool Gin
A UK favourite now available in Australia, Silent Pool Gin, is founded on the stunning banks of the magical Silent Pool against the rolling hills of Surrey Hills. Each Silent Pool Gin bottle contains 24 complex botanicals and is made at the brand's truly eco-friendly distillery.
The distillery has worked hard to reduce its carbon footprint and waste.
Distillery nerds, pay attention: The stills used for Silent Pool Gin are heritage, originally made in the 1870s. It's fired by well-seasoned local hardwood, which keeps fuel miles to a minimum. The larger 1800 litre still has a boiler that is fired by hydrogenated vegetable oil made by refining 100 percent renewable inedible waste or residue food stock, in place of red diesel. This renewable fuel reduces greenhouse gas emissions by up to 90 percent.
The still house has a closed loop cooling system, which takes advantage of the ambient air temperature and therefore uses a small amount of power. It consumes less water than conventional cooling systems and allows the team to use excess heat from the distillation process to heat the distillery building during the winter months. The distillery also has solar panels on the south-facing roof to produce electricity, which is fed into the national grid.
All organic waste from production is transported to an anaerobic digester where it is used to create methane and, in turn, electricity. The remaining waste is made into fertiliser.
As you make a round of G&Ts, you might want to make it known that all the botanicals used in Silent Pool Gin are ethically and locally sourced, and that the company contributes financially to the upkeep of the Silent Pool such as funding the eradication of non-native weeds. Silent Pool Gin also contains honey sourced from a neighbouring beekeeper.
If that doesn't impress anyone, I don't know what will.
Glengoyne
We love slow, and Glengoyne proudly claims to be the slowest whisky distiller in Scotland. Unhurried since 1833, the range has had a modern makeover with 100 per cent recyclable packaging.
All of the new packaging materials have been sourced locally, close to the distillery to reduce carbon footprint (apart from corks and capsules, which come from Europe). The 10, 12, Legacy Series and Cask Strength packaging is 100 percent recyclable.
Glengoyne has won many awards since introducing the new packaging and has been recognised as an industry leader for its achievements in sustainability, including that as the first whisky producer to introduce a 100 % recyclable and reusable packaging solution.
Each beautifully carved wooden gift box containing Glengoyne 25 and 30 Year-Old Whiskies has been carefully made to facilitate second usage. All plastic, metal and magnets have been removed and each box features personalisable plaques, peelable labels and removable inners to allow it to be re-used and re-purposed.
Fun fact: Glengoyne was the first Scottish distillery to adopt a wetlands facility for its liquid waste (home to 14,500 plants and abundant wildlife including two beehives) and it has been powered by renewable wind energy since 2019, earning it the reputation of Scotland's greenest distillery.
Glengoyne's custom-made oak casks are the longest to prepare in the industry, each prepared for six years before the whisky is transferred to them, giving Glengoyne its renowned fruity, complex flavour. Glengoyne Whisky is unpeated and uses air-dried barley instead, producing delicious sweet and fruity notes, delivering an elegant and subtle flavour and a long smooth finish. It could be sacrilege if we dare suggest a cocktail for this one, we love it over a big cube of ice.
The post 3 Sustainable Distillers Every Discerning Spirits Drinker Should Know About appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Stylist Donny Galella Celebrates Australian Superwomen By Pampering Them appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>You see it's your chance to nominate someone to be pampered. So far, just four weeks into the launch of Pampered with Purpose , the initiative has received hundreds of nominations from across the country.
We may be in the midst of the most challenging times as a country, but that hasn't broken the spirits of our communities and those who are generously giving back during this time.
Pampered with Purpose founder and TV personality Donny Galella (feature image) says: "As a society, our ideas about what makes a role model and our approach to which celebrities we support has become skewed, now more than ever this needs to be corrected.
"Instead of influencers that plug random products, I want to shine a light on women with purpose and passion. Women who go above and beyond, women who would make stellar role models for my nieces."
This is your chance to have your mum, sister, friend, co-worker, or community member have a makeover experience with a team of expert stylists that have been designed to make them feel appreciated, not change their appearance. Or a curated pamper pack delivered to their front door as COVID restrictions apply.
For now, we would love to introduce to you the first few ladies who were celebrated for their ongoing dedication to the community with the help of our sponsors. In the very first wave of Pampered with Purpose packs went to the special women below.
Judith nominated by Stella
Both ladies run a charity in Sydney called Plates4mates which was started about four years ago by two of the committee members, Sandy and Paula.
Each week they cook meals, bake, provide clothing and pantry items and set up a welcoming, safe place to distribute these items at 4.30pm every Sunday. As a self-funded initiative, it is incredible to me that they cater for about 70-100 people every week without fail. Plus another 30 people receive goods from a volunteer cart for those that don't feel comfortable lining up.
In the nomination written by fellow Plates4mates volunteer Stella, she expressed her admiration of Judith saying, "she is the heart and soul, our silent champion. She cooks delicious home meals and her happy personality makes her a favourite among the people we try and help."
I was so humbled by her volunteer efforts and the long-term, judgment-free support she provides to so many people going through a difficult time.
Annette nominated by Lauren
Annette has been a nurse for over 30 years and since the start of the COVID vaccination rollout, she has been working long hours, taking only one day off a fortnight to get as many people vaccinated as possible.
She is working at St Vincent's Hospital and Royal Prince Alfred Hospital so has been right in the thick of the Sydney clusters, even putting her own health at risk, especially at the beginning.
Prior to this, she was a Covid Contact Tracer, a school nurse, a vaccination nurse and worked at St Vincent's Hospital for 20 years. As well as helping so many Sydneysiders, she is also a wonderful mum and Grandma.
My heart was so full and humbled when I met Annette, who is deserving of many more special moments that celebrate her hard work.
Elena nominated by Sandra
Elena is a wife, a mother of three plus the director of a family business. She also founded the Fred Liuzzi Foundation , a not-for-profit charity organisation that works with health professionals, patients, carers and survivors to reduce the impact of Rare Neuromuscular Disease on the Australian community.
The Fred Liuzzi Foundation was created following the death of Elena's father and has helped hundreds of families over the years. She goes above and beyond in all aspects of her life, never asking for anything in return.
As a selfless member of our community, I was so happy to receive her nomination and curate a Pamper Pack to say 'thank you for all you do.'
Nominate a person
Do you know someone who is an agent for positive change at your work, school, home or community?Donny would love to hear from you! Nominations are still open and can be filled out here .
Donny has given a special thanks to sponsors Big W , Model Co , MCO Beauty , Morphe Brushes , Green and Blacks , iS Clinical , Grow Haircare , Colgate , Palmolive , imPRESS nails , Jackie Mack Designs , Lindt Chocolate , Hollywood Fashion Secrets and HM&M PR.
If you are a brand that would like to take part in Pampered with Purpose please get in touch with Donny here.
The post Stylist Donny Galella Celebrates Australian Superwomen By Pampering Them appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Where The Celebs Are Going To Keep Fit In Sydney appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Here are 12 celebrities that have been spotted at these nine fitness places around Sydney.
Dua Lipa
Dua Lipa, the English singer, songwriter and model visited KX Pilates – the fitness studio unleashing your true potential through intensive movement, passionate power, and invigorating energy.
Rebel Wilson
When Aussie fan favourite Rebel Wilson notably of the Pitch Perfect movies and Bridesmaids is in town, she likes to hit up SOMA, the new luxury health, fitness and wellbeing club.
Hugh Jackman
Ever wonder how Hugh Jackman manages to look so great for Wolverine? It's because we can regularly find him at Beach Fit Bondi.
Jesinta Franklin, Sonia Kruger and Pip Edwards
Whether it be for meditation, Pilates, boxing or group training classes, model Jesinta Franklin, TV personality Sonia Kruger and influencer Pip Edwards can often be found at The Well.
Sharon Johal and Bonnie Anderson
You want to know how Neighbours star Sharon Johal and Singer Bonnie Anderson stay fit? At Tribute Boxing, they do a mix of boxing, cardio and functional exercise all of which replicate a day in the life of a pro boxer.
Nikki Philips
For all her high-intensity exercise needs, New Zealand model Nikki Philips goes to Fitness Playground.
Daniel Conn
Former NRL footballer Daniel Conn owns a boutique boxing and cardio studio called Hustle Boxing.
Erika Heynatz
Home and Away star Erika Heynatz enjoys her pilates classes at Vive Active in Sydney's Double Bay.
Sally Obermeder
TV presenter Sally Obermeder is a member of Shelter, the luxury gym designed like a spa that has ice baths, sauna, spin, boxing and a juicery.
The post Where The Celebs Are Going To Keep Fit In Sydney appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post 5 Inspiring Ways to Spruce Up Your Home appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Here are five great ideas from new Aussie online retail site Sawce.com.au to spruce up your home.
It's only natural Part 1:If there's one thing Aussies love it's the great outdoors and this year, we are bringing it inside. Designers all say natural fibres such as wicker and rattan will be big this year – from wicker dining or lounge room settings to simple enhancements such as rattan bedheads, wall hangings or baskets.
It's only natural Part 2:Getting back to nature also extends to plants – real ones in lovely wicker baskets, or representations of plants in fabrics such as cushions, curtains and lampshades or on our walls in art, decals or wallpaper.
It's only natural Part 3 (are you sensing a theme here?):While we're bringing the outdoors inside, don't forget colours – we're going green! Earthy, herbal green hues such as sage or deep/blue green ocean tones will be very popular on walls and in furnishings.
O is for optimism:Orange is energetic and warm, it represents confidence, joy and enthusiasm and radiates happiness. No wonder we will be wanting it in our homes post-pandemic. Whether it's splashed on your walls or just a pop of colour in your décor, orange will help lift your mood.
Spin Me Round:Just as many of us got a bit softer around the edges during lockdown, so too will our furnishings – and not just furniture. Think end tables, lamps, vases or large mirrors to add a more rounded look and soften the otherwise clean lines of our rooms and furniture.
Trends by Australian online retailing site Sawce.com.au, an online marketplace bringing f urnishing and fit out retailers and their products together on one site.
The post 5 Inspiring Ways to Spruce Up Your Home appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Qualia Great Barrier Reef: Tropical Bliss With Actress Sigrid Thornton appeared first on The Carousel.
]]> 
I'm pleased I nabbed the window seat. As we descend, the spectacular Whitsundays bulge out of the depths like a great bunch of potbellied sea creatures lolling about in the midday sun.
A gracious envoy welcomes us on arrival with cool drinks, before a picturesque 10-minute drive to Qualia. This seems the ideal time to ask the obvious question: 'Why the choice of hotel name?' Mr Smith and I, having imagined myriad definitions of an indigenous term, couldn't have got it more wrong. It's ancient Greek, meaning a deep multi-sensory experience. Just what the doctor ordered.
'Welcome to Qualia' is the gentle greeting on our arrival at the Long Pavilion, the heart of the resort. It would be a cynical traveller who didn't find themselves in awe of the breathtaking view from this space – it's here that we begin to fully appreciate our good fortune. Standing in the middle of the world's largest marine park is in itself a rare gift, never mind that we're on the tip of an island peninsula taking in a 250-degree view of pristine nature and countless islands as far as the eye can see. The space itself sets an architectural tenor consistent throughout the resort – natural materials, mostly wood and stone, meticulously detailed and finished, furnished with muted organic tones. The pervasive atmosphere is luxurious calm. Honestly, you could just sit here all day – looking over the step-straight-in infinity pool – without ever making it to your room.
'Glass of French? Don't mind if I do. It's my usual tipple.' What am I saying? Well, in a place like this I can even believe it myself. Lounging on couches, we're taken through a tantalising orientation of the premises. No standard check-ins here; just a cosy poolside chat, followed by a golf-buggy ride through the grounds for a spot of lunch.
The resort is revealed as a 'community' of pavilions enveloped by lush tropical gardens and forest. At the base of the hill, nestled on a pebbly beach is – you guessed it – Pebble Beach, another of Qualia's network of retreats. There's a second gorgeous infinity pool and an open-air café, should you need refreshment while you swim.
Following a scrumptious meal of Moreton Bay bugs – also known as the bay lobster – we might well be tempted to grab a towel and rest by the pool, or perhaps opt to use the catamarans or kayaks calling out to us from the beach. Nah. In truth, we're dying to take a look at our room.
'Swiss Family Robinson circa 2010,' says Mr Smith. It does, indeed, feel a lot like a lavishly appointed treehouse, perched amid rainforest and oriented seaward. It's totally private and nothing has been overlooked. Really, it's an open-plan apartment, with a subtle dividing off of exterior, sitting, sleeping and bathing spaces. We plunge into our personal infinity pool and emerge, re-energised enough to appreciate the giant day-bed.
Time for some serious relaxation. I'm determined not to go any longer without testing Spa Qualia. Given the extensive possibilities – everything from hot-stone therapy to detoxifying wraps – I'm concerned my choice of a bespoke massage might seem tame. I needn't have worried.
From the delicious signature herbal tea on arrival to the fabulous rub-down and Vichy shower that follows, this is pure pampering Great Barrier Reef style. My post-ritual meditation, however, is halted by a demanding Mr Smith wanting to explore the entire five square kilometres of this Queensland island, before the sun hits the watery horizon.
There are virtually no cars on Hamilton, so most holidaymakers explore in golf buggies. The residual effect is that the place is wonderfully quiet. We stop for a cocktail atop a hill, where a sunset bar is set up each evening so people can enjoy the extraordinary vista, drink in hand, or spy on distant islands through a coin-operated telescope. On the island's main street, a group of shops, cafés and restaurants are upstaged by the pretty harbour. White weatherboard buildings and sparkling yachts remind us of Californian fishing villages. Every Sunday evening there's a laid-back acoustic performance here on the grassy banks, so we settle in with ice-creams to listen for a while.
The romance of the Long Pavilion and its contemporary cuisine beckon. Mr Smith and I, seated on the deck under a brilliant sky, give the seven-course degustation menu a thorough sampling. Mod Oz dishes such as foie gras pithivier, crab and coriander tians and desiree-wrapped blue-eye cod give our tastebuds, and our mental dictionaries, a satisfying workout. We retire for armchair coffee in the bar, and we are sufficiently caffeinated to visit the library for some post-prandial cerebration. Mr Smith takes up an archaeological tome, while I opt for a limited-edition photographic compilation. So many gorgeous books, so little time. Back in our room I head for the pod-shaped tub to soak up the Aesop products. Mr Smith instead flexes his technological muscles with the audio/video choices. As a couple who often choose to relax in different ways, Qualia allows us to rev up or wind down in perfect synchronicity.
On our final morning we consider our brief indulgence. Mr Smith reminds me of the legend of Marc Antony transporting a beach of sand to the island of Sedir, off the Turkish coast, so that Cleopatra could meet him in an exotic location and still claim Egyptian soil between her toes. This unique hideaway evokes such fantasies. Indeed, Qualia lives up to its etymology: all five senses have been stimulated and also sated. A sixth one tells me this affair will be long remembered. And if you think that sounds sexy, it is intended to.
For bookings or further information about Qualia or any other Mr & Mrs Smith hotel visit www.mrandmrssmith.com or phone the expert Travel Team on 1300 89 66 27.
Note from editor: This story first appeared in Mr and Mrs Smith website and was republished on The Carousel with their permission.
Have you visited Qualia? Tell us about your experience in the comments below…
The post Qualia Great Barrier Reef: Tropical Bliss With Actress Sigrid Thornton appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post The Number One Cleansing Trick To Reboot Your Skincare Routine appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Enter Clinique's new 3 step skin system. Like you, I went through a Clinique phase and did the whole 3 step thing years ago. But since working in media and having to try a bunch of different products and life and being busy and with everything else, I think I have gotten a little off track with my skincare.
Right now, all I'm after is something easy to use that actually works. This is the year to start taking care of myself, I've decided, and that starts with my face (and ends somewhere around my mouth, gobbling dinner, but that's a different resolution!). So I went back to Clinique, and was genuinely surprised with how much I loved the results. I did a quick skin check on their website which determined that my skin was Combination/Oily, grabbed the three products and off I went.
As always when I start a new skin-care routine, there is a little drama and anticipation before I try the product. Will I like it? Will it work? What will I look like afterwards? The cleanser felt lovely and didn't have an awful fake smell that a lot of products can. Afterwards, my skin was soft to touch, my pores looked clearer – one of my absolute prerequisites if I'm going to continue with a skin care range – and I wasn't dry at all. Really lovely, easy, thorough cleansing.
Then came the clarifying lotion. Now, naughty of me I know, I haven't used a toner in years. But Clinique's Clarifying Lotion is a toner with a point: it exfoliates. Gently. We all know the benefits of regular exfoliation and as you get older it only becomes more important. Regular, gentle exfoliation will leave skin clearer and more luminous. This one is a beautifully soft lotion that went on easily and felt amazing. I'm addicted.
But the big test came with the moisturizer because I have a tendency to get oily as the day goes on and my one wish, which I don't think is too much to ask for in this digital age, is for a moisturiser that doesn't make my skin look oily, yet keeps it soft, supple and genuinely moisturised.
Latest Clinique product on the market
New to the market is the Clinique Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Serum. It was designed by scientists and a consulting dermatologist to tackle lines and wrinkles from 3 angles with CL1870 Peptide Complex, potent retinoid, and hyaluronic acid.
Containing Hyaluronic Acid and Retinol, this duo has a synergistic effect when used together. And another powerful ingredient is the patented CL1870 Peptide Complex which is a blend of peptides, collagen-building, and soothing ingredients to help visibly repair your skin.
Check it out here.
Have you tried a cleansing brush? Tell us below!…
The post The Number One Cleansing Trick To Reboot Your Skincare Routine appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Women Of The Future Judges: How They Got To Where They Are Today appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>
Yasmin Poole: Youth Advocate and Plan International Australia Ambassador
Yasmin Poole is an influential speaker, writer and youth advocate. She sits on the boards of OzHarvest and YWCA Australia and this year, the Martin Luther King Jr Centre named Yasmin its Youth Influencer of the Year.
Why is it more important than ever for young women to stand up and be heard?
It couldn't be a more important time. In light of everything that's happened in the past year and a half, with the pandemic, the story of Brittany Higgins stepping forward and the movement of women calling for decision-makers to hear our voices, it is absolutely a crucial time to make noise and to show all of Australia that our voices matter and count.
As we move forward through these events, we all need to think about what we need to do differently. Considering all the massive change we've experienced, it's a really powerful opportunity to demand better.
What is one of the achievements you're most proud of?
Receiving the Youth Influencer of the Year award from the Martin Luther King Jr Centre was something I could never, ever have anticipated. Being able to speak about my work around young women of colour here in Australia to individuals like Bernice King, who is the daughter of Martin Luther King … it's hard to describe exactly what that feels like.
To go through high school learning about everything Martin Luther King did around civil rights in the US and to realise my work was having an international effect felt amazing.
I think it really was a reminder to the young version of me that this work does matter and that it is being heard. Having the reassurance that people are listening motivates me to continue doing what I'm doing around young women and ensuring they have a seat at the table too.
Julie Bishop: Australian National University Chancellor and Former Foreign Minister
Julie Bishop served as the federal member for the WA seat of Curtin for 21 years, as Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party for 11 years and as Minister for Foreign Affairs for five years, during which she actively supported women's initiatives through Australia's foreign aid program. Julie is Chair of the Prince's Trust in Australia.
Can you share a time when you've benefited from a mentor's support?
I've had many mentors throughout my professional career, but I guess my mother was a source of great inspiration and support and mentorship for me. She impressed upon me that it was not necessary to limit my ambitions, and to dream big and aim high.
When have you had to find the strength to be brave?
When I was Foreign Minister, there were a number of times when I feared for my physical safety. We're seeing the scenes from Afghanistan at present. I was in Kabul after a car bomb had gone off just outside where our troops were stationed and there was great concern about me being in Kabul at that time.
Then, being in Baghdad in Iraq, when car bombs were going off just outside the embassy where we were staying. While I felt somewhat concerned about my safety, I always knew I was in the best of care with the Australian defence and embassy personnel and consular staff who were looking after me.
What was the greatest lesson you learned when you were starting out?
I learned not to let others define who I am and what I can achieve. To not let others put limits on my ambitions.
I learned that I should set my own high standards and then work hard to achieve them. There are always people who will set benchmarks or standards for you that they couldn't meet themselves.
Narelda Jacobs: Network 10 presenter and journalist
Narelda serves as a patron for Motor Neurone Disease Association WA and is a Disability Services Commission "Count Me In" ambassador.
Why is it more important than ever for young women to stand up and be heard?
When I think back to when I was starting out, we saw a lot of people in suits. Every time a man in a suit walked in, you thought, they must be the boss, or they must know what they're talking about.
Then women started coming in as leaders. It was a really refreshing change to the way things were run and the ideas that were brought in. The world has come a long way since I started my working life, and it's a really exciting time to be in the world and be a part of that change.
What is the greatest lesson you learned as a young woman?
The biggest lesson is don't underestimate anyone. How many times have we been in a room where the best idea has come from the person you would least think? That's where leadership comes from, to be able to break the mould. As women, and as young women, we are the other side of that.
We're the ones being underestimated, and I love watching the moment when the penny drops, where the people you're with realise, 'Ah, I've underestimated you'. That is the biggest lesson because if you treat everyone like their ideas are worthy, and they could change the world, they will change the world.
Tanya Plibersek: Federal Shadow Minister for Education and Women
Tanya was elected to federal parliament in 1998 and served as Deputy Opposition Leader from 2013 to 2019. She was a cabinet minister in the Rudd and Gillard governments. Her portfolios included Health, Housing, Human Services and the Status of Women.
Why is it more important than ever for young women to stand up and be heard?
It's really important for young women to take on leadership positions because we know organisations do better when they're more representative of the Australian community. Young women have so much to contribute to our society, to our economy, to our community.
There are barriers there. Sometimes the biggest barrier is having the confidence to give it a go. Awards like this are fantastic because they encourage young women to roll the dice and then they back the people who are giving it a go.
Can you share a time in your life when you benefited from mentorship?
I've been really lucky all through my life. When I was just a teenager, I was at an event for International Year of Youth and I was speaking on behalf of my school when a lady walked up to me and said, 'I really agreed with what you said and I think you should consider joining the Australian Labor Party'.
That woman was a local councillor, Hazel Wilson, and I did. I joined the Australian Labor Party, and I would never have been a member of parliament or have done any of the other things that I've been lucky enough to achieve without Hazel seeing something in me that she liked and encouraging me.
Nicole Byers: Editor-in-Chief of The Australian Women's Weekly and group Publisher Women's Lifestyle & Food at Are Media
During her 20-plus years in the media, Nicole has contributed to and helmed some of the country's best-loved publications.
Why is it more important than ever for young women to stand up and be heard?
It feels like the world is at a massive crossroads. The pandemic has shifted things dramatically and, unfortunately, we know it is women who are being hardest hit economically.
What I would love to see is the great momentum gathered over the past 12 months or so – where we saw women taking to the streets, having their voices heard and rattling the cages of big institutions like parliament and private schools – become a catalyst for real and meaningful change.
What is the greatest lesson you learned when you were starting out?
For me, letting go of fear was the biggest lesson I had to learn. To stop playing it safe and have a crack. Self-doubt can be crippling, but once I learned to silence, or at least quieten, my inner critic I stopped letting every setback or mistake (and there have been a few!) derail me.
It was only then that I started to enjoy the kind of professional and personal happiness I'd always dreamt of.
Ita Buttrose: AC OBE Chair of the ABC
The 2013 Australian of the Year, Ita Buttrose is a media trailblazer, businesswoman and bestselling author. She is a committed community and welfare contributor and health advocate, including as an ambassador for The Big O.
Why were you so passionate about joining us this year?
I welcome the opportunity to encourage women to make a difference. These are women who have a big dream and they go after it, and that is inspirational for everyone else.
Can you share a special memory from your time with the Women of the Future Awards?
I'm always amazed by the incredible projects these women are doing. It's very exciting. A researcher, Georgia Richards, was the 2016 winner. Her aim was to improve the quality of life for people with chronic pain, especially Australian military veterans.
I'm a great believer in research and encouraging research. It's wonderful that this prize allows researchers to do their work, if they're lucky enough to win.
What is the achievement in your own life that you are most proud of?
Well, my children, of course! The next achievement I'm most proud of is joining The Australian Women's Weekly when I was 15 years old. It was the best decision I ever made. I started as low as you can, as a copy girl, which means I was a messenger.
However, I was influenced and inspired by the talented women atThe Weekly, especially the esteemed editor, Mrs Esmé Fenston. I realised I could go further than I ever imagined, and they encouraged me to set my sights high. I'm also very proud of my current position as Chair of the ABC.
Caterina Nesci: Director of ESG and International Partnerships at La Trobe Financial
During her 10 years at La Trobe Financial, Caterina has helped build the brand at La Trobe Financial as the former Head of Marketing and has recently been appointed to build the firm's Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) credentials. She is also the Head of La Trobe Financial's Charitable Foundation.
What are the greatest barriers young women face today?
I'm learning more and more each day that we think there are barriers, but when you're good at what you do and believe in what you're doing, those barriers seem to disappear. There are people around you who want you to succeed.
So, it may be that the bigger thing is to surround yourself with people who will help you grow so you can be your best and achieve your dreams. People really want others to succeed, and they want to help those who are courageous enough to try.
What is the greatest lesson you learned as a young woman?
Whenever you take risks, your gut feeling will help you. It helps you build the confidence you need to get through the journey. It also doesn't matter if you don't succeed at first. Keep trying. It's important for women to take chances and make their dreams come true.
Now in its ninth year, the prestigious Australian Women's Weekly Women of the Future event recognises and celebrates Australia's incredible young female trailblazers with one very deserving winner announced at a 2021 Awards Luncheon later this year.
Entries are open closed for the 2021 Women of the Future Awards. For more details on how to enter next year, visit: nowtolove.com.au/womenofthefuture2021
The post Women Of The Future Judges: How They Got To Where They Are Today appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Too Gorgeous To Eat: Try These Floral Spring Rolls Recipe appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The flowers show through the rice paper wrapper like flowers in a window.
Linda Brennan said she offered some to her builder and he was so impressed, he took pictures before eating them.
This recipe makes 12 rolls.
Dressing for filling
- 2 teaspoons fresh ginger
- 2 teaspoons palm sugar
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 dessertspoon sweet chilli sauce
- 1 teaspoon dulse seaweed flakes
- 1 teaspoon tamari soy sauce
- Salt and pepper
Filling and rolls
- 1 small cake of rice vermicelli noodles
- ½ cup packaged flavoured tofu
- 1 cup shredded lettuce leaves
- 2/3 cup grated carrot
- 1/3 cup diced red onion
- 1 small Lebanese cucumber
- 1 pack of rice paper sheets
- Begonia flowers and herbal leaves eg parsley, dill, fennel,
To serve: Ginger dipping sauce
Dressing: Grate the ginger very finely. Add it to a bowl with the remaining ingredients and stir to combine. Set aside.
Filling: Soak the rice vermicelli noodles in warm water for 10 minutes until soft. You will need 1 cup rehydrated noodles.
Cut the cucumber in half lengthways and scoop out the seeds. Slice into fine batons. Slice the tofu to match. Add the tofu and cucumber to a bowl with the remaining ingredients for the filling, then spoon over the dressing and mix through.
Assembly: Soak the rice paper sheets one at a time, for 20-30 seconds, in a shallow dish of water. Remove the softened sheet of rice paper from the water and place it on a clean linen tea towel. Lay a line of begonia flowers and leaves across the top third of the rice paper sheet. Put 1 dessertspoon of the filling mix across the middle third of the rice paper sheet. Fold the bottom third of the rice paper sheet to cover the filling. Fold in the sides. Finally, roll the little parcel away from you firmly. As you roll you will see the flowers and leaves rolling around to meet you, visible inside the rice paper. Repeat until the filling and sheets have been used up.
The Carousel would like to thank Linda from Ecobotanica for this recipe.
Read also Kamalaya Baked Apple with Mango Coulis Recipe
The post Too Gorgeous To Eat: Try These Floral Spring Rolls Recipe appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post The World's Best Pizza Margherita appeared first on The Carousel.
]]> INGREDIENTS
220g (8oz) Pizza Dough (recipe below)
50g (2oz) Buffalo Mozzarella, sliced
60g (2 1⁄2 oz) San Marzano tomatoes, peeled and crushed
4 fresh basil leaves
Drizzle of extra virgin olive oil
METHOD
1 Roll out the pizza dough on to a baking tray or bench for stone cooking.
2 Spread the San Marzano tomatoes over the dough.
3 Top with the Buffalo Mozzarella, place four basil leaves on top and drizzle with some extra
virgin olive oil.
4 For a domestic oven, bake for 10 minutes at 250-280°C and for a wood fire oven bake for 90 seconds at 400°C
Pizza Napoletana Dough
Makes 10–12 bases
INGREDIENTS
1.7kg (4lb) flour (005 Stagioni Pizza Napoletana flour with a W280–330)
1 litre (2 pints) water
50g (2oz) fine sea salt 1–3g fresh yeast
METHOD
1 Weigh out all the ingredients.
2 Using a dough mixer mix together the water and the salt. If you don't have a machine mixer this recipe works just as well by hand, simply follow the same process as instructed below but knead by hand.
3 Start the dough mixer and then add 20% of the flour and mix.
4 Mix for 5 minutes, then add the yeast. Gradually add the remaining flour and allow to combine. Once the dough has combined and seems smooth, stop the mixer, remove the dough and put aside to rest, cover with a cloth. Total mixing time, approximately 20 minutes. Final Dough temperature, 23–24°C (73–74°F).
5 Allow the dough to rest for approximately 2 hours, covered well at a temperature of +20°C/68°F.
6 Portion into desired dough size.
7 Round each dough piece into dough balls.
8 Place the dough balls into a sealed container, allow them to rest and rise naturally in a room no warmer than 16–18°C (60–64°F). Allow the dough to rest between 8-12 hours.
The post The World's Best Pizza Margherita appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Raspberry & White Chocolate Cheesecake appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Preparation time 45 minutes
Cooking time 1 hour and 30 minutes + 1 hour cooling + 3 hours chilling
INGREDIENTS
melted butter, to grease
200 g digestive biscuits
85 g butter, melted
600 g labneh
150 g caster sugar
1⁄2 tsp vanilla extract
4 large eggs
260 g white chocolate, melted
300 g sour cream
Raspberry syrup
1 tbsp caster sugar
175 g fresh or frozen raspberries
60 ml water
2 tsp cornflour dissolved in 1 tbsp cold water
Chocolate Shards
25 g macadamia nuts, toasted and coarsely chopped
100 g caster sugar
50 ml water
150 g white chocolate
fresh raspberries, to serve
METHOD
1 To make the raspberry syrup, stir the sugar, raspberries and water in a small saucepan over medium heat until soft. Stir in the cornflour mixture, then simmer until slightly thickened.
2 Strain the syrup into a small jug, discarding the seeds. Refrigerate until cold.
3 Grease the base and sides of a 20 cm springform pan with melted butter and line the base with baking paper. Process the biscuits in a food processor until fine crumbs form. Add the butter and process to combine. Press the mixture over the base of the prepared pan, then refrigerate until required.
4 Preheat the oven to 160°C. Using an electric mixer, beat the labneh, sugar and vanilla extract until smooth and the sugar has dissolved. Beat in the eggs, one at a time.
5 Fill a small saucepan one-third full with water and bring to a gentle simmer. Place the chocolate in a small heatproof bowl, place over the pan and stir until the chocolate has melted (don't let the bowl touch the water). Remove from the heat and whisk in the sour cream. Stir the chocolate mixture into the labneh mixture.
6 Pour half the mixture over the biscuit base. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons of raspberry syrup. Pour the remaining mixture on top. Pour the remaining syrup into a squeezy bottle. Starting from the centre of the cake, draw concentric circles with the syrup to the outside. Run a skewer from the centre to the edge of the cake to create a web effect.
7 Bake the cheesecake for 1 1⁄4 hours, or until almost set (the cheesecake should still have a slight wobble in the centre). Leave to cool in the oven for 1 hour with the door ajar, then refrigerate for 3 hours, or until set.
8 To make the chocolate shards, line two oven trays with baking paper. Spread the nuts in a single layer on one tray.
The post Raspberry & White Chocolate Cheesecake appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Rare Marilyn Monroe Photos Show The Screen Siren In A New Light appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>A year earlier Marilyn told the 27-year-old Douglas to come into bed with her.
The evening he spent with Marilyn was sensual, intimate, and spontaneous, and it produced the famous series An Evening With Marilyn Monroe.
The portfolio consists of Marilyn posing sensually in bed, with only a silk sheet between her and the camera.
Just a novice photographer at the time, Douglas says the two of them shared a tension-filled shoot that helped create the stunning photographs.
Thinking back on the evening today, he describes their time together as though they "were in a beautiful dance," with Marilyn leading of course.
Milton, who died in 1985, first met Marilyn on assignment for Look Magazine in 1953. Many consider their subsequent collaboration to be the best and most genuine.
In 1956, they formed Marilyn Monroe Productions together, which produced the hit moviesBus Stop and The Prince and the Showgirl.
By the end of their four-year relationship, he had photographed her in 52 different sittings producing over 5000 images.
In recent years Milton's photographs have been exhibited in major galleries, museums and private collections around the world. His work continues to represent an era in time, which may have gone but will always be reflected in his photographs, says the gallery.
Meanwhile, another head-turning memorial to Marilyn previously surfaced closer to home – a life-size statue in Bendigo, Victoria.
The eight-metre statue, below, created in the United States was part of an exhibition about the actress.
The three-story resemblance, weighing 15 tonnes, is here to promote an exhibition about the screen legend at the Bendigo Art Gallery, which opens in March.
The sculpture, Forever Marilyn, is by American artist Seward Johnson and takes its inspiration from the 1955 film The Seven Year Itch, in which Marilyn's character stands over the subway grates with her dress billowing up around her.
The post Rare Marilyn Monroe Photos Show The Screen Siren In A New Light appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Pilates Move Of The Week: Show Your Strength With The Plank appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>It is an isometric exercise (meaning that your muscles neither lengthen or shorten during the exercise) and is preformed in a static position (no movement). Although this exercise is predominantly used to target the abs, its difficulty comes with the activation of a number of muscles working the entire body.
Starting position:
Start in a four point kneeling position with your shoulders over your hands and hips over your knees. We start here to first find neutral spine alignment (flat back).
Exercise Execution:
- Engage your abdominals by lifting your belly button up to support your spine.
- Drop down on to your elbows (making a triangle with your arms for added support) and lift the knees off of the mat so your weight goes through your toes and balls of the feet. You may have to take a few steps back with both feet to ensure you have a straight line between your shoulders and your feet.
- Hold. If you wish to make it easier then drop back down to your knees to do a half plank.
Breathing:
- Inhale to prepare, and exhale to activate the core and hold.
- Take nice and controlled deeps breaths throughout the hold and use the outbreath to re-activate the core contraction.
Reps:
Start out with 2-3 sets of 30secs and increase time as desired by 15secs each attempt.
Advancements:
- Raise one leg for 10-20secs and alternate throughout exercise.
- Come up on your hands for a high plank (push up position). This adds more difficulty to the upper body.
KX Tip:
To add KX intensity to the exercise, go into a plank push up. Hold in high plank for 5-10 secs and then drop down to low plank (on elbows) for 5-10sec. Repeat the exercise until your desired time is up.
Aaron Smith is the CEO & Founder – KX Group. KX is a boutique fitness company with 17 studios across Melbourne and Sydney, offering dynamic pilates, barre and yoga. KX also run international retreats to Vanuatu and Bali.
Model: Cherida Forde, KX International Retreats Trainer.
The post Pilates Move Of The Week: Show Your Strength With The Plank appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Tips On Eco-Beauty Shopping From The Brands Trailblazing Sustainability appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The degradation of forests and agricultural land for raw materials like palm oil, the use of toxic chemicals that are wiping out marine life as they make their way into our water systems, animal testing (yes, it's still common practice), and endless packaging waste are just the tip of the proverbial (melting) iceberg.
The criteria for choosing more sustainable beauty products is really the same as making any conscious consumption choice, which boils down to: How were the raw materials sourced? How was the product manufactured? How was it packaged? And – the real clincher for all of us – do I really need this?
If you're thinking that it sounds like a lot of work to shop more consciously for beauty products, you're right.
Thankfully, more companies these days are dedicated to making it easy for you. We sought advice on where consumers should start when it comes to shopping eco-consciously for beauty products, from some of the brands setting incredible sustainability benchmarks for the industry.
Melissa Chelminiak, Global Director of Mission Partnerships and Engagement, Aveda.
Founded in Minneapolis in 1978, Aveda is one of the few companies that can legitimately claim to have pioneered sustainability in the beauty industry. It was the first beauty company to receive a Cradle to Cradle charter for its commitment to sustainable products, packaging and production and In 2013, Aveda was honored with the first Cradle to Cradle Legacy Leaders Award for its pioneering role in environmental leadership. The main Aveda campus is situated on a 58-acre National Wildlife Federation Certified habitat, where there are honeybee colonies, an employee-curated vegetable garden, electric vehicle charging stations and an abundance of wildlife. We could go on, but we simply don't have the editorial space.
"One of the most simple yet impactful choices consumers can make is to purchase beauty products that are 100% vegan and cruelty free," Melissa said. "Not only are they better for human health, but they also help save animals, help preserve natural resources and help reduce carbon emissions. That one small step of choosing vegan and cruelty free results in a triple win for helping to protect people, animals and planet! At Aveda, we are so proud to offer consumers 100% vegan and cruelty free products that do not sacrifice the performance that they're seeking."
Anna Mitsios, Founder, Edible Beauty
Edible Beauty is an Australian brand that pledges onshore production, recyclable packaging, and use of the highest level of 'edible' purity with the use of sustainable and wildcrafted ingredients.
"Consumers need to look beyond recycling programs to companies that are conscious of their global impacts," Anna said.
"We need to be thinking about the use of natural, biodegradable ingredients that are not harmful to our marine life. This means avoiding products that contain synthetic fragrances, silicones, plasticisers, microbeads, chemical sunscreens and nano-particles.
"We pledge that our ingredients list is not harmful to ourselves or our marine life, with a "food-grade" purity level. We offer a physical sunscreen made with zinc oxide which is reef friendly. Customers can also select to have one dollar from their order donated to preserving our Great Barrier Reef. In terms of packaging, we primarily use glass which we encourage our customers to upcycle. Watch this space as we move towards more zero-waste packaging."
Brianne West, Founder, Ethique
Ethique is one of the few beauty companies to have achieved B Corp accreditation and is well known for its range of gorgeous smelling concentrates and beauty bars.
Ethique founder Brianne West said consumers needed to first define what was important to them and then look at all areas of a brand including their ingredients, packaging and any accreditations: "Look for certifications but find out what those stamps actually mean. What you would call animal cruelty may not be what the SPCA (or other animal rights organisation) does so the standards some certify may not match your requirements.
"Also, read labels! Yes, it's a legal requirement that labels use the scientific (INCI) names for ingredients (most people of course don't know what they are or are scared of them because they are reluctant to use products that they can't easily identify and pronounce) but once you figure out what you're looking for or what you're trying to avoid, you'll become a great detective shopper.
"Figure out what you care about, consider what you're realistically able to do and make small changes. You will get there, but the chances of it becoming impossible to keep-up are lessened if you realise it can't be done all at once. Don't feel guilty that you are not perfect, and ignore the people who laugh at you for trying to make a difference if you are not doing everything at once. Change is gradual."
Rina Timpano, Founder, Rinascentia
Boutique Australian brand Rinascentia picked up a swag of Clean + Conscious Awards last year and is looking set to do the same this year, with six products nominated as finalists across the beauty categories. The brand is known for multitasking and high performing formulations, with some ingredients sourced directly from founder Rina Timpano's toxin-free garden.
"The thing to be more conscious about, and one of my company's main focus, is packaging," Rina says. "There is an incredible amount of recyclable plastic in landfill. With glass jars, you can use every bit of the product so no wastage. They are refillable and I even use our Hydrating Sea Mineral or Mood Enhancing mist bottles as vases.
"Also look at the back of the ingredients list. Less fillers and thickeners like xanthan gum means more active ingredients in every bottle."
Bex Gold, Founder, Department of Brands (Bar None, Kyn, BRITE, Spot Medic)
Multi-brand beauty group Department of Brands prides itself on nurturing affordable, trend-driven, ethical products, with founder Bex Gold making waves as an innovator and disruptor.
"The first step is to use up what you already have so nothing goes to waste," Bex said. "If you don't want to use it then you can try donating items to friends or family!
"Next – start simple. People can become overwhelmed by the idea of sustainability as we often associate it with making big adjustments to our lifestyle. But this doesn't have to be the case. We can start by making small changes in our everyday lives, like switching the plastic water bottle for a reusable one, introducing a compost bin into your kitchen, or replacing bottled products with easy shampoo and conditioner bars.
"When making ethical beauty purchases, look for trusted labels like vegan and cruelty-free. This is a great place to start. You can also look into zero waste packaging or refill options – beauty products that end up in landfill aren't very beautiful for our environment.
"Take it a step further and think about how long your product will last. For example, a single Bar None shampoo bar can last up to 12 months. This is around 3 times longer than a shampoo bottle.
It's all about looking for brands that share similar values to you, whether that's zero-waste packaging or using natural ingredients in their products. Stay away from synthetics or ingredients you know cause harm to the environment, like palm oil, and choose brands that are transparent about where they source their ingredients.
"When in doubt, you can always ask the company any questions you have to ensure you have all the information you need to make an educated and trusted purchase."
The post Tips On Eco-Beauty Shopping From The Brands Trailblazing Sustainability appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post 14 Ways To Refresh Your Home With Rugs appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Embrace A Textured Rug
When you choose a rug with texture as a highlight, you're elevating it from a simple floor covering to a beautiful piece of immersive art. Natural fibres evoke days spent by the beach and when the fibres within the fabric are braided, you create an organic feel that whisper sunshine and softly crashing waves all year round.
We adore Carpet Court's Anja range for its light flat-weave braid and subtle shades. As modern as it is classic, it's an easy care, super-stylish rug that will refresh your home without breaking your budget. Available in several neutral shades to suit any room in your home.
Go For Tribal Designs
Monochrome is having its moment, and that includes your floor coverings. Natural hues of light grey, cream and beige are patterned with intricate and sometimes bold designs, like those in Carpet Court's Casablanca range. Your home will take on a modern-day chic that hints at travels to far flung destinations and adventures ready to be retold to friends over a bottle of wine and dinner.
Take It Outside
Outdoor rugs can really bring a courtyard or garden space to life. And they are so low maintenance – simply hose them down and hang on the line to dry. Choose colourful, contemporary colours and vivid designs like those in the Carpet Court Amazon collection, to create a tropical paradise in your backyard!
Get Playful
Who says your interiors need to be serious? Why not throw in some playful, colourful rugs like those from Carpet Court's Amsterdam collection. We are madly crushing on this darling spotted piece that has been handmade in Turkey! From a child's room to the centrepiece of your living room, it brings a joyous atmosphere to your home. Side note: This collection features a number of different pattern designs, so why not pick out a few and enjoy some stylish pattern clashing!
Play With Plush
With a name like Bambi, you'd expect a range of rugs to be soft, cosy and completely sink-into-able. This collection more than fits the brief. Available in 12 exceptional shades, this gorgeous floor-piece will have you running your bare feet over it and scrunching your toes into it every night! Hot Tip: Try an anti-slip pad to avoid slipping on the rug.
Place Your Pastels Wisely
Colourful pastels take centre stage in flooring details, providing the perfect backdrop to bolder furniture pieces such as an aqua velvet sofa. With eight divine patterns to choose from, each with its own pastel palette, the Bloom collection of rugs from Carpet Court bring a quiet calm and stylish sense of peace to your home.
Spice Things Up
In shades reminiscent of exotic spices, Carpet Court's Chai collection brings a sense of warmth to any room, as well as textured detail that will become a sure talking point. Hot Tip : Lay one over the other, overlapping so the various hues complement one another!
Be The Envy Of Your Neighbourhood
With its eye catching textured rug in leather and jute in neutral colourway, Carpet Court's Envi rug brings with it a strong Scandinavian feel. Perfect for "getting hyggie with it", this suits any room, but is especially ideal for living areas where you wish to imbue a cosy, homely and relaxed vibe.
Harmonious Luxury
Carpet Court's Harmony range is made with high quality wool and viscose fibres that have the additional benefit of feeling luxurious and silky to touch and they are also incredibly durable. Circular in shape and with a textured weave, these rugs bring contemporary elegance to any room.
Contemporary Cool
The Kali range of rugs is crafted from a unique heat set polypropylene polyester shrink yarn for extra heavy duty, hard wearing longevity, that is also beautifully soft to the touch. With its thick, luxe pile and several incredible hues, this range of rugs brings contemporary styling to life.
Shaggy Style
Shaggy style never dies and The Nariko collection is proof of that. Created to bring the ultimate blend of softness and elegance, this top notch shaggy rug is available in a wide selection of colours, either circular or rectangular in shape. It looks and feels so comfortable, you will want to dive right into it.
Create Your Own Retreat At Home
Day Spa at home? Emulate that vibe with Carpet Court's relaxed, textured Retreat range, available in five stunning shades. Crafted from wool and viscose, these rugs bring joy and tranquillity to any room. Choose a few various shapes and shades and play with contrasting shapes and colours for true contemporary individuality.
Turkish Luxe
Produced in Turkey with state of the art looming techniques, Carpet Court's stylish Sienna collection is made from 50mm polyester fibres, which is soft and fabulous on your underfoot. With a rich selection of luxe anthracite hues, this rug features a soft shaggy texture that will transform your floor and transform your space.
Glamour + Warmth
The Zena rug range is sheer glamour. Featuring a wide range of warm colours that are displayed in unique patterns, these are the junction where floor pieces meet art.
The post 14 Ways To Refresh Your Home With Rugs appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Sticky Beef Short Ribs With Bourbon-laced BBQ Sauce appeared first on The Carousel.
]]> INGREDIENTS
2 kg (4 lb 6 oz) beef short ribs, cut between bones into single ribs
Apple & cabbage slaw, to serve (optional)
Spice rub
1 tablespoon smoked paprika
2 teaspoons sea salt flakes
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
3 garlic cloves, crushed
80 ml (2½ fl oz/1⁄3 cup) olive oil
Barbecue sauce
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1 long red chilli, deseeded and finely chopped
80 ml (2½ fl oz/1⁄3 cup) cider vinegar
45 g (1½ oz/¼ cup softly packed) soft brown sugar
170 ml (5½ fl oz/2⁄3 cup) tomato passata (puréed tomatoes)
2 tablespoons lemon juice
80 ml (2½ fl oz/1⁄3 cup) pure maple syrup
2 teaspoons dijon mustard
2 tablespoons worcestershire sauce
80 ml (2½ fl oz/1⁄3 cup) bourbon
METHOD
1 To make the spice rub, combine the ingredients in a small bowl. Coat the ribs with the rub, massaging the seasoning in well. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours.
2 Preheat the oven to 150°C (300°F).
3 Place the ribs in a baking tin in a single layer. Cook for 2–2½ hours until tender.
4 Meanwhile, to make the barbecue sauce, heat the oil in a medium-sized saucepan over medium–low heat. Cook the onion, stirring occasionally for 8–10 minutes until softened. Add the garlic and chilli and cook for a further 4 minutes. Add the vinegar, sugar, passata, lemon juice, maple syrup, mustard, worcestershire sauce and bourbon. Stir to combine and bring to the boil. Reduce heat and simmer for about 15 minutes or until it develops a thick pouring consistency. Season to taste and set aside to cool.
5 Preheat a barbecue grill to medium high and lightly grease with oil.
6 Brush the ribs with barbecue sauce and cook, turning regularly and basting, for 20–30 minutes until a charred and sticky crust forms. Serve with remaining barbecue sauce and, if desired, Apple & cabbage slaw.
The post Sticky Beef Short Ribs With Bourbon-laced BBQ Sauce appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post The Kardashians Make-Up Artist Rob Scheppy Shares His Make-Up Tips appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Based in Los Angeles, Rob launched his career in Miami with a variety of high profile clients. This led him to the life-changing opportunity to work with Kim Kardashian and her family on the hit E! Reality series "Kourtney & Kim Take Miami". It was here that their dynamic relationship began and Rob is now widely known for creating the Kardashian's most memorable, and highly publicised looks.
Rob Scheppy joins TheCarousel.com Beauty Team and shares his sought-after beauty tips and favourite must-have products below.
Rob's Remedy For Dark Circles
First off you must drink loads of water and get the full amount of sleep your body deserves. Once that is out of the way a product like Laura Mercier "Secret Camouflage" blends several colors to mask the darkness of the skin tone. Another great tip is to distract your audience by lining the top of your eye with a thicker cat eye liner, this brings the attention to the top of your eyes rather than the bottom.
Rob's Perfect Cat Eye:
I personally use a felt tip market to achieve any perfect cat eye. I've tried a variety of different products and this is still my favorite, with the felt tip top the liquid is distributed equally rather than depending on the sturdiness of your hand if the line will be a mess or not.
Rob's Easy Summer lip:
You can actually use a tinted lip balm to quickly elevate any look, I suggest using this for summer because it gives a clean fresh faced look.
Rob's Favourite products:
- La Mer Moisturizing Crème: great for applying under your makeup as moistursing base, this creates a more dewy finish.
- Sunday Riley "Start Over" Active Eye Crème: The most wanted skincare line never disappoints! The "start over" crème has activating products that actually pushes any contained water around your eyes and out through your tear ducts. It's a miracle!
- Sally Hansen "Airbrush Legs": The name says it all! "Airbrush Legs" is my go to product for all of my red carpet clients. The results are a flawlessly finished leg and body because it conceals cellulite, scaring, discoloration etc. It's a must.
- Melt Cosmetics: I love being creative with my lipstick colors and this brand never disappoints! The fact that it applies matte and yet, is still moisturising is a rare combination. And, they smell delicious too! Colors like "BangBang" and "Bane" are my favourite, this is definitely a brand to watch!
Have you tried Rob Scheppy's make-up tips? Tell us in the comments below!
The post The Kardashians Make-Up Artist Rob Scheppy Shares His Make-Up Tips appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Fabulous Blogger Phoodie Reveals Her Secret Food Destination appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>What inspired you to start your blog and how would you describe your style of cooking?
After a 10 year career in Architecture and Design, my husband and I decided to move to London. He had a working opportunity over there and I had wanted to live in the UK for a long time, so we went. Leaving my job in Sydney and moving overseas were probably the two big changes in my life that gave me the confidence to do what I have always wanted to do, what I was born to do and that is immerse myself in the world of food. I enrolled in London's Le Cordon Bleu Cooking school, started my blog in our tiny, freezing apartment and cooked and ate new things day and night. It was one of the best years of my life so far!
Your writing and social media channels exude such positive energy and enthusiasm, how do you schedule time for blogging with a young family?
Food is everything to me. Everything. I am so genuinely passionate about it that it would be absolutely no effort at all for me to talk, write and live it day and night, if I had the time. What's that quote? "When you find a job that you love to do, you'll never work a day in your life!" The reality is that I do have a young family and a husband and other commitments and, like everyone, life is always a juggling act! I have a pretty good little routine going (that doesn't always go to plan!) and that is to cook and photograph on the weekends when my husband isn't working and then to write (the recipes, blog posts, business documents, back end website stuff, etc) at night time. If I can cook 2 or 3 recipes each weekend it means that when I get the chance to sit at the computer and write (which is only ever night time) I will always have enough material to work with. It's very hard to cook (and photograph every step along the way, which is what I do) with a two year old trying to grab a lick of a chocolate coated spoon!
With Greek and Lebanese heritage, what is the dish that takes you back to your childhood?
On the Greek side it has to be lamb on the spit from our Greek Easter lunches. If you are a meat eater and have not eaten lamb prepared by a Greek family on the spit then I don't think you've lived! On the Lebanese side it's definitely my grandmother's M'Judra. M'Judra is a vegetarian dish made from lentils and rice and topped with deep fried onions. It is insanely delicious. It is honestly my family's equivalent to a warm and loving hug!
Greatest Phoodie achievement/moment?
Hmmm. Probably being followed by Stephanie Alexander on Social Media! Oh and the time when my 1000 layer crepe cake went viral on Tumblr in the early days of my blog.
What are the 3 most popular recipes on your blog?
Everyone has such different tastes but overall three of the very popular posts on my blog are:
1 My Nutella Cheesecake
2 My Spinach and Feta Gozleme
3 My Roasted Cauliflower Salad (potentially the most delicious thing you will ever eat. I have had cauliflower haters email me saying they are now converts!)
Favourite foodies you follow religiously?
Yottam Ottolenghi, Dan Hong, Chocolate Suze, thefatboyeats, Stephanie Alexander, Neil Perry, Shane Delia, grabyourfork, thefooddept, David Chang….. the list goes on and on and on and on!
What is the weirdest flavour combination that actually tastes great?
To be honest, when I write recipes and cook in general, I like sticking with all the classic combos. That said, Gelato Messina's "Mr Potato Head" flavoured ice cream involves white chocolate dipped potato chips and it is freaking incredible.
Do you have a Secret food location you could share?
My grandmother's kitchen. Unfortunately not opened to the public! She's nearly 90 years old and the food that comes out of there day in and day out is still my first choice every time.
And the future for Phoodie? Any exciting developments we should watch out for?
So many exciting things to look out for! All of them involving a tonne of 'hard work' but as I said above, because it is all food-related its not that hard for me at all! Time consuming? Yes! But difficult? No! I've been doing lots and lots of filming and I am hoping to bring some of that to the followers soon. Watch this space!
To follow Phoodie on social media hit the link below:
http://phoodie.com.au/
The post Fabulous Blogger Phoodie Reveals Her Secret Food Destination appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Fashion Stylist Danielle Johansen On Elevating Your Basics appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>As the population of double vaxxed citizens grows, we inch closer and closer to a life out of lockdown. While I love the idea of seeing family and friends, eating a meal out, or enjoying an ice cold Negroni made by the talented team at Hubert's, I am not sure I can go back to a life without wearing my basics everyday. Just because we are heading back into the world does not mean we need to give up on the pieces that have been like a trusted friend over the last few months, we just need a few simple tricks to take them up a notch. Here's my tips and tricks for elevating your basics.
Loving your tees: Try tucking one side of your shirt into the waistline of your bottoms. This creates interest to the eye. It is also a trick to look slimmer, rather than the eye being drawn to the hem of the tee, which usually sits at the top of the hips it is drawn to the waist, an area that is smaller than the hip line.
Roll up your sleeves: Whether you are wearing a tee or a button down, it is a great way to create curiosity in your outfit. I recommend a double roll on a short sleeve tee, or a roll up to just below the elbow for anything long sleeved.
Add a belt: That tiny strip of leather has a lot more power than just holding up your pants. Adding a belt over top of a dress or with a pair of jeans will add some style and spark to any outfit. It is a great way to pull your look together and emphasise your curves if you're wearing a loose-fitting top or dress.
Cuff your jeans: Now, this might not even seem to make a difference but trust me it does. Cuffing your jeans or rolling them up brings a hint of inquisitiveness to your basic jeans. Plus it's a great way to show off your shoes and ankles and make your legs look longer. You can try a single or a double roll. A single roll works well with stiff, straight-leg jeans and double rolls work with your baggier jeans.
The post Fashion Stylist Danielle Johansen On Elevating Your Basics appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Super Express Delivery Service To Your Door 24/7 appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Well, it's not! Never ones to get your hopes up and let you down, The Carousel has unearthed a unique delivery service from 13cabs Delivers that does all of the above, 24/7, without extra on express deliveries.
Bonus: You know your goods are in great hands, thanks to specially trained 13cabs Drivers who take the time and the care to ensure your package arrives on time and in perfect condition.
With their immense coverage from Darwin to Ballarat and all major cities in between, it means 13cabs delivers everywhere for the price of a cab fare. What we love about the service is it is much like having your very own on-demand courier, but best of all there is none of the paperwork or the time-wasting need to set up accounts.
Simply Click Book Now
Yes, you can book this service 24/7 by downloading the 13cabs app, clicking on the 'Book Now' section of this website or by calling 13 2227.
Express same day, tracked delivery
You don't need to think about when you will get your parcel delivered ever again!
No surcharges on urgent deliveries
You no longer need to suffer from express shipping costs if you get 13cabs to deliver it for you!
Specially Trained Delivery Drivers
The Drivers have gone through advanced training and provide instant pick ups!
95% of packages are collected within only 10 minutes although this depends on what time of day it is.
Transparent Charges
Parcel deliveries come with a Price Guarantee – they do not charge extra for the service!
Have Food Home Delivered
You can even order from your favourite restaurant and the 13cab Driver will pick up your meal and home deliver it.
13cabs has partnered with many businesses including Woolworths, Repco, Ferguson Plarre Bakehouse, and Dorevitch Pathology.
Total Control From Your Phone.
https://www.13cabs.com.au/app/ download the app
13cabs Drivers are specially trained to be safe, efficient and punctual.
We love the fact that there is a Price Guarantee iso the cost is a fixed price which is arranged when you make the booking. set at the time of booking on the 13cabs app or website. There are no additional charges to pay – so refreshingly, thee's no surprises, and this means you have total control.
More about 13cabs
13cabs is the largest taxi network in Australia, directly supporting 10,000 regularly sanitised vehicles and 40,000 drivers. 13cabs is proudly Aussie-owned and operates nationwide.
With Australia's largest team of Professional Drivers, 13cabs Delivers is ready to deliver whatever you need to wherever you need with a price guarantee and no surcharge, ever.
The post Super Express Delivery Service To Your Door 24/7 appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Yummy Banana & Honey Protein Shake appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>INGREDIENTS
15 g protein powder
125 ml unsweetened almond milk
1 small banana, mashed
1/2 tbsp honey
METHOD
1 Add ingredients into a blender. If desired add ice cubes. Mix until smooth. Pour into a glass and serve.
The Carousel thanks Fernwood Fitness for this recipe.
The post Yummy Banana & Honey Protein Shake appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post 5 Sensational Colour Trends of Season 2021 appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>On that note, we should see how this autumn season will look like in the streets of Sydney and Melbourne (as well as the rest of our lovely Australia). The following ideas will help you not just embrace the colours that are now in the spotlight, but we'll also cover a few handy ideas as to how you can combine with your existing ensemble without hassle. Here's what this season brings to the table!
Grey and soft, sunny yellow
Pantone's ultimate grey and illuminating yellow are both this season's top picks. As such, they deserve equal attention, and considering how well they work together, you can wear them for any occasion, be it at the office (once the lockdown subsides) or during your daily stroll.
Yellow will definitely be a must-have, since it will serve to lift your spirits and bring some sunshine into your days when you feel too stressed. If you haven't been too big on this particular colour so far, you can try adding it to your wardrobe in the form of a button-down shirt or a light jacket.
Pink and lavender details
We've been living under so much stress in the past several months, so naturally, we crave positivity. Pantone as well as some of the world's most renowned designers are all coming up with versatile ways to introduce lovely pink and lavender outfits to this autumn's collections.
The calming impact of the aforementioned yellow can only be matched by the soothing lavender. Whether you go for a single item in your wardrobe in this tone, such as a pair of pants, or a sweater, you cannot go wrong. Pink, on the other hand, is a restorative, but still more energizing hue, ideal for the days when you need a wearable cup of coffee with a peppy slogan.
Neutral accessories as your base
Complementary footwear and purses in neutral colours are precisely what you need this fall in order to make these fun shades work in your favour. Considering the situation, ladies will probably look for women's shoes online to renew their options with autumn-friendly charcoal boots and classic black ankle booties. They are ideal for the fickle weather, and they give you plenty of room for trying out new and brighter tones in your wardrobe.
Don't forget a black or leather brown purse that will work well with your grey outfits, but also make sure you have a pair of comfortable sneakers for casual combinations. Jeans will never go out of style, so a t-shirt in a bold hue paired with clean white sneakers and jeans will work wonders when you're feeling moody during the colder months.
Powerful makeup minimalism
We already know that less can truly be more when it comes to effective dressing, but when it comes to makeup, you can also try giving earthy tones a go for this autumn. Their warm look and feel will complement your summer tan nicely, and you'll give your gaze that nice glow without too much fuss.
Just make sure that you don't overdo the yellow in your earthy tone selection and the outfits you choose. Instead, you can mix and match with other colours when you're in the mood for your makeup to steal the spotlight and give you that sunset look we all crave during gloomier days.
Boosting optimism with green and orange
The upcoming cooler months don't have to hold a cloudy grip over your choice of hues. While the ultimate grey and yellow are indeed a good match, you can step outside the given spectrum and play with other, more spring-like tones such as green and tangerine orange. Now that you have a base with darker and essential black footwear and purses, you can try combining a green power-suit with a pair of black booties – such outfits and colours can give you a surge of confidence!
Then again, an orange sweater with black skinny jeans will always bring a smile to your face and inspire ample creativity. These colours might not leave too much room for loud accessories, but you can go for minimalist in your makeup and baubles for your colours to really pop.
Whether you're more of a pastel person or you prefer to bring some vibrancy into your outfits with dazzling hues, the current and upcoming seasonal palettes will be rich in both options. The grey and yellow that will dominate will leave plenty of room for experimenting with other, bright and bold colours in your outfits.
The post 5 Sensational Colour Trends of Season 2021 appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post How To Get Designer Barbara Bui's Rocker-Chic Hair From Paris Fashion Week appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>This is how designer Barbara Bui achieved rocker-chic hair for Paris Fashion Week. Hair Design by Damien Boissinot for Moroccanoil
The Rocker-Chic Hair Look From Paris Fashion Week
"The hairstyle has to represent Barbara Bui's woman: Rock, chic and cool. I opted for a double texture: Wet effect near the face and dry hair at the back of the head, moving, with a serrated headband to separate the two effects." Damien Boissinot
How the Look Was Created
- "First, apply Moroccanoil Volumizing Mousse, $55on all the hair to give some texture and provide a great foundation for styling."
- "Next, quickly brush and use Moroccanoil Luminous Hairspray Medium, $35.95to create a messy look that locks in place."
- "Follow with Moroccanoil Luminous Hairspray Medium and Moroccanoil Glimmer Shine, $35.95in order to get a beautiful wet look. Make sure to add quite a bit of product to achieve this style."
- "Finish with Moroccanoil Molding Cream $44.50, the contrast in texture is ideal to bring a mate effect to the overall look."
Photography by Mohamed Khalil for Moroccanoil
What do you think of Damien's rocker chic hairstyle? Tell us in the comments below!
The post How To Get Designer Barbara Bui's Rocker-Chic Hair From Paris Fashion Week appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post London Calling! 5 Bucket List Must-sees appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>In this special feature, The Carousel, together withVisit London, the official city guide for London, bring you some of the iconic city's most famous sites and the personal stories behind them.
Watch Londoners working in some of the city's most fascinating locations share what the capital means to them in a series of beautiful short films. From exploring the historic Tower of London to shopping the bespoke collections at Penhaligan's or getting lost in the magic of a West End theatrical production (there's good reason The Lion King is a roaring success).
Be inspired, get your passport ready and start learning those One Direction tunes… London's calling! Here's a sneak peak at some of The Carousel's fave films…
Tower of London
Could you cope with the responsibility of the Queen's health and England's safety on your shoulders? Barney does. He is one of the Yeomans Warders of The Tower of London, known as "Beefeaters" who lives and works at the Royal Palace. Watch and share his legendary London story.
Madame Tussauds
Imagine having the chance to make the stars of the stage and screen look perfect, and come face to face with the Royal Family, every day. Watch and share Rebecca's story as the colouring artist at Madame Tussauds London shares some of her behind the scenes secrets of her role and techniques used to create life-like replicas of famous faces.
Sculpture in the City, with Stella Ioannou
London may be steeped in history and olde world charm, but it's also at the cutting edge of art scene. Sculpture in the City is a contemporary sculpture park that has been created around the newest towers in the oldest part of London. Join aficionado Stella Ioannou for an exploration from pop art proclamations to cast iron pedestrians – there is art on every corner waiting to be discovered.
Penhaligan's
Is there anything more evocative than a scent? Penhaligan's perfumers have been using their London surroundings as inspiration for over 140 years, since the company's original barber shop opened on Jermyn Street in one of the capital's most historic and fashionable districts.
The post London Calling! 5 Bucket List Must-sees appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Plantopedia Extract: The Nurturing Benefits Of Connecting With Plants appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>For many of us living in inner-city apartments with limited access to greenery, and even for those living in more suburban or rural areas, caring for and tending to plants in our homes is something we should eagerly embrace.
Growing and looking after an indoor garden is rewarding; a therapeutic endeavour that can help foster a better relationship with the natural world.
At a time when negative human impact on the environment has never been more apparent, appreciating the value of nature and how it sustains us is of the utmost importance.
Perhaps this goes some way to explaining the increasing popularity of indoor gardening in recent times.
Plantopedia by Lauren Camilleri and Sophia Kaplan of Leaf Supply.
Now, more than ever, we need to reassess the way we live and learn how we can tread more lightly on our planet.
Plantopedia is an accessible and modern indoor-plant encyclopedia that helps cultivate this human connection to plants. The book profiles a comprehensive range of foliage plants, succulents and cacti, from readily available varieties to rarer unicorns that will appeal to everyone from novice gardeners to horticultural experts.
It also takes a look at each genus before deep-diving into individual species, to inspire you to either start or expand your own plant collection. All plants are, of course, naturally outdoor organisms, and when we refer to houseplants we are speaking of those that enjoy the conditions provided by being inside our living and working spaces.
Thankfully for us, there are many foliage and succulent varieties that live happily indoors, from aroids, ferns and begonias to Rhipsalis and Euphorbia. When caring for plants, it's best to try to mimic their natural environment, so it is important to understand where they originate, as well as how they grow in the wild.
The key to success is to choose plant varieties that are best suited to the specific conditions in your space. Once you know what you're dealing with, you are in a good position to select species that will thrive.
Plantopedia covers all the essentials: care level, light, water, soil, humidity, propagation, growth habit, positioning and toxicity. It also troubleshoots any plant issues you might come across and discuss common pests and diseases that can invade your collection. Armed with this knowledge, you will be able to manage and understand your plants' life cycles and their beautiful imperfections.
Up the back, there is a plant care index which makes navigating the plant profiles a breeze and a stunning visual index groups plants based on their care requirements so you can easily pick and choose the right plants for you and the space you live in. Plus a helpful glossary to refer to if there are any terms you're unsure of as you make your way through the book.
The striking portraits of plants in the book illustrate the myriad shapes, textures, colours and beauty of the indoor plant world. Plantopedia is a comprehensive guide for indoor gardeners of all levels. It will educate and inspire you to nurture your own indoor oasis and perhaps grow your collection.
We encourage you to share your plants with the Leaf Supply community by tagging @leaf_supply and using the hashtag #plantopedia so we can share in your plant pursuits.
Now go forth and garden!
Extracted from Plantopedia by Lauren Camilleri and Sophia Kaplan of Leaf Supply. Published by Smith Street Books, RRP $59.99.
You can buy the book here: https://www.booktopia.com.au/plantopedia-lauren-camilleri/book/9781925811773.html
More about Plantopedia
Plantopedia is an epic, 400-page guide to house plants – by Lauren Camilleri and Sophia Kaplan, the brainchildren behind the Sydney-based interior design nursery Leaf Supply.
With their lush foliage, structural beauty and air-purifying qualities, houseplants have the power to transform any room and they help create indoor oases that bring a sense of tranquility to our busy lives.
Lauren Camilleri and Sophia Kaplan – authors ofLeaf SupplyandIndoor Jungle – present the definitive guide to keeping happy, healthy houseplants in any space. This guide features more than 150 plant profiles for all levels of indoor gardeners, from budding novices to green thumbs and beyond.
https://thecarousel.com/living/homes/horticulturist-tammy-huynhs-top-indoor-plants-to-cultivate-wellbeing-at-home/
The post Plantopedia Extract: The Nurturing Benefits Of Connecting With Plants appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Luke Hines' Seafood Fiery Fish Curry Recipe appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Serves 4
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- 1 red onion, roughly chopped
- 1 bunch of coriander, leaves separated and stems finely chopped
- 400 ml can coconut cream
- 500 ml (2 cups) chicken or fish stock 1 head of broccoli, broken into florets
- 4 x 150 g barramundi or other firm
- white fish fillets, skin and bones removed
Curry Paste
- 3 tablespoons desiccated coconut 5 cm piece of ginger, peeled and roughly chopped
- 4 garlic cloves, roughly chopped
- 1 tablespoon garam masala
- 1 tablespoon fennel seeds
- 1 tablespoon ground turmeric
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 long red chilli, deseeded and chopped 1 tablespoon sugar-free fish sauce
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil, melted
- 1⁄2 teaspoon sea salt
- 1–2 tablespoons boiling water (optional)
Cauliflower Rice
- 1 head of cauliflower, florets and stalk roughly chopped
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil sea salt
To serve
- 1 handful of coriander leaves, torn
- 1 long red chilli, finely sliced
- 1 lime, sliced into wedges (optional)
Instructions
To make the curry paste, place all the ingredients in a small food processor and blitz to form a paste (if it's too thick, add a dash of boiling water to loosen it up). Set aside.
For the cauliflower rice, place the chopped cauliflower in a food processor and pulse into tiny rice-like pieces (this usually takes six to eight pulses). Melt the coconut oil in a large frying pan over medium heat, add the cauliflower rice and saute for 4–6 minutes, or until softened. Season to taste with salt and keep warm.
Melt the coconut oil in a large deep frying pan or saucepan over medium–high heat. Add the onion and coriander stems and saute for 2–3 minutes until fragrant, then add the curry paste and fry for 4–5 minutes, stirring as you go, until aromatic. Pour over the coconut cream and stock and bring to the boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for
5 minutes to thicken and reduce slightly.
Add the broccoli florets to the pan and cook for
2–3 minutes, then lower the fish pieces into the curry and cook for 6–8 minutes or until the fish is just cooked.
Serve the curry with warm cauliflower rice, scattered
with the coriander leaves, chilli and a squeeze of lime juice, if using.
GOOD TO KNOW: Take note that the cooking time of the fish can vary depending on the size and thickness of your pieces, which is why it is a good idea to have them all a similar size.
Luke Hines' Spicy Sweet Potato Rostis With Indian Avo Smash
HEALTH HACK: One of the things I love about this recipe is the fact it uses an easy homemade curry paste. This hands down beats any store-bought versions which can often contain hidden nasties like processed and refined sugars and inflammatory oils.
Recipe extracted from 'The Fast Low-Carb Kickstart Plan' by Luke Hines, Published by Plum. Can be bought here for $26.99.
Photography by Mark Roper
The post Luke Hines' Seafood Fiery Fish Curry Recipe appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post The Dalai Lama: Top Quotes From His Holiness To Inspire Your Day appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>
In the spirit of celebrating one of the world's most inspirational spiritual leaders, here's some of the Dalia Lama's best messages! We love these quotes, what are your favourites?
What's your favourite quote from the Dalia Lama? Tell us below…
The post The Dalai Lama: Top Quotes From His Holiness To Inspire Your Day appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Olwen Haslam And The Story Of Sun, Sand and Love In The Sahara Desert appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>
Photo: © David Hill 2002
When the sun rose on the wrong side of the plane, Trevor d Nett, the navigator of the Hermes, knew that he and the 17 others on board a routine flight from Libya to Nigeria in May, 1952, were in trouble. Until then, he was sure the plane was travelling south, and confidently, expected to look to his left to see the sunrise. Instead, the sun rose behind the plane and only then did De Nett become aware of the horror of the situation. The plane was 1,300 miles off course, dangerously low on fuel and with nothing below but the sands of the Sahara stretching to the horizon.
A series of frantic SoS signals were sent out to no avail and pilot Robert Langley was forced into a crash landing in the dunes. Every one of the eight crew and ten passengers, including a six-month-old baby, survived the landing.
However, their remarkable escape from the wreckage was just the start of their battle to survive in temperatures of up to 50C. They were stranded for four days at the crash site before making the trek to an oasis 15 miles away. The rigours of the journey proved too much for first officer Ted Haslam, who died shortly after reaching the safety of the oasis.
Their remarkable story might have been forgotten but for the efforts of Robert Watt. An advisor on Michael Palin's Sahara BBC TV series, Robert has been obsessed with the desert since he was a boy at Robert Gordon's school in Aberdeen, Scotland.
"I've always been drawn to the desert," he said. "From the first time I saw the film Lawrence of Arabia, I was overcome with a determination to go there, myself."
Photo: © David Hill 2002
Robert has since made more than 40 trips to the Sahara and spent over a decade planning an expedition to salvage the remains of the plane for the Imperial War Museum near Cambridge, UK.He was determined that the G-ALDN Hermes – "a mastery of British technology" with four 2,000 horsepower engines – should not be swallowed up by the desert.
"I first became fascinated by the story when I led an expedition taking Ted's widow Olwen Haslam to see her husband's grave in 1991. Seven years later I located the crash site. Looking for the plane was like searching for a needle in a haystack and it was only because I have a large pool of local contacts there that I was able to find it. Amazingly, Hadaraminie, the nomad who helped me, told me his grandfather was one of the three Bedouins who helped the survivors and gave them shelter.
"Back then, the plane's bulky fuselage was largely intact under the encroaching sand, and being put to good use by a local tribesman as a rather novel storage place for his possessions."
The luxury Hermes had large seats and a powder room for the ladies. The Handley Page aircraft was built to make long-distance travel a pleasure and it was later discovered that the Hermes crisis was due to human error. Trevor De Nett, who was a trained pilot but not a qualified navigator, had inadvertently set the plane on its treacherous path at the outset of the fight when he input the wrong compass variation figures.
Robert Langley, the plane's captain, compounded the error by ignoring procedure and steering the plane on a C12 compass alone, backed up by dead reckoning and astro-fixes from a periscope sextant.
Robert Watt employed an army of 17 local workers who toiled for ten days under the blistering sun, digging trenches, criss-crossing the dunes and shovelling away tonnes of sand. Their hard work paid off when the plane's escape hatch and the four engines were unearthed.
"It was hugely satisfying to find the escape hatch and amazing to think this was the very door that the survivors had come out of in the 50s," adds Watt.
The youngest survivor, the then six-month-old Richard Gurney, was with Watt on the last expedition to the crash site in Mauritania, West Africa.
I had tracked down Richard to his home in New Zealand and so had Robert Watt, who asked him to take part in a BBC documentary about the Hermes.
Richard said he felt strangely moved when he first laid eyes on the emergency exit: "It was difficult going back and reliving things that happened in my life that I was not even aware of before. I've been out there in the searing heat, and I know how tough it is. Unlike our expedition, they were out there in the middle of summer, and I know now what hardship faced. They had precious little water and what they had was poor quality. Going back had a big effect on me. At the time, my father Frank worked in Nigeria as an electrical engineer. We'd been on holiday in the UK and together with my mother Enid were returning to Kano when we were involved in the crash. No-one was prepared for anything like that. It must have been sheer torture."
There is no doubting the difficulties the survivors faced – but they did it in particularly British style. Shaken but relieved to have survived, in the immediate aftermath of the crash, pleasantries were soon exchanged and the cabin crew set about making cups of tea. Their baggage was used to form an SoS in the sand.
Help first arrived in the shape of three Bedouin nomads on camels, who erected their tents to provide shelter from the burning sun. More relief followed when a rescue plane flew overhead. A French medical team parachuted down and tended to the wounded. Medical packs and a portable radio were also dropped off.
Morale was lifted with news that a rescue team was on its way. In fact, their ordeal had barely begun. Four days on, they learned that the French rescue vehicles could make it no further than an oasis 15 miles away. It was then decided that the survivors had no option but to make the journey there by foot and on camel at night to avoid the heat.
During the trek through the desert, the group endured a 90-minute sandstorm. Sixteen hours after leaving the crash site, Captain Langley insisted the group stayed put, but chief flight attendant Len Smee went on ahead to find help.
Eventually, he spotted the rescue team and was able to point them in the direction of the stranded survivors and in turn they showed him the way to the oasis. It was a sad irony that after reaching the oasis at Aioun Lebgar, first officer Ted Haslam, 30, died. He was buried there under a makeshift wooden cross, which has since been replaced with a granite headstone, which was erected at a sacred burial site.
Two months after the crash, the captain and navigator were dismissed by BOAC after an inquiry and chief steward Len Smee received a commendation.
Richard feels no resentment or blame towards the captain or navigator, only a sense of how lucky he was to have survived.
"There was so much to take in," he adds. "I'd never given it much thought before. I spent a lot of time there, not saying much, just thinking about it all."
Meeting Ted's widow Olwen, then 78, had a profound effect on him. Olwen, who had first visited Ted's grave ten years earlier in a trip that I was fortunate to accompany her on, was able to introduce Richard to the tribal leader Sidi at the oasis. Sidi remembered Richard as a baby and was able to describe the moment the group staggered in from the desert all those years ago.
Richard produced a gleaming tea pot – a souvenir from the crashed plane which his mother had brought back from the desert. Until then, the silver pot had been among the few clues to his past adventure, and in a lighter moment once they returned Olwen, Richard and I enjoyed a cup of tea from it at Olwen's home in Kensington, London.
"The most poignant time was being at the grave site with Olwen," said Richard. "She is a remarkable woman and devoted to Ted. I helped tidy up the grave and Olwen asked me to read from the Bible. It was very emotional. What was running through my mind was that Ted hadn't survived and all the rest of us had. It could easily have been the other way around."
Olwen, who had only been married to Ted for nine months, said at the time: "Some of my friends thought I was potty to make the long journey out there again, but I wanted to visit Ted's grave one last time. It was very moving standing there alongside Richard. I remember seeing his picture in the newspapers as a baby, and I'd always wondered what had happened to him. I was also delighted to see Sidi again, and I know that with him around Ted's grave will be kept in order – that gives me immense comfort."
As expedition leader, Robert Watt says he was anxious to ensure Olwen's health and safety in such a harsh environment. "She had to travel by camel, just as some of the passengers did, because the nearest vehicle access point was five miles away. She arrived after dark to avoid the heat. And her time at the crash site was reminiscent of the conditions endured by the survivors, with the rationing of water supplies, which had to be carried in by camel.
"Along with the rest of the expedition, Olwen slept out on the sand under desert stars because the tents were insufferably hot. She experienced a light sandstorm when she was sleeping out."
Olwen said she was nervous about visiting the crash site to begin with, adding: "I wanted to know the whole story. Although it was difficult – I knew in a way it would help settle my mind and it has."
The trip gave Richard a clearer picture of his mother Enid, 30, who was killed in a road accident a year after the plane crash. "It helped me to come to terms with what happened. It's the closest I've ever come to knowing her. She must have been very brave to have coped. I know she was breastfeeding me at the time, and, according to Len Smee whom I met in England, I was a very quiet baby and hardly cried. I was definitely the priority, and my mother and I were among those who rode to the oasis on the back of a camel."
One a personal level, the trip was successful although the salvage operation didn't go as planned. "Sadly, we arrived to find only a few remaining remnants of the plane: notably one of the escape hatches, four burnt-out engines and the nose-wheel assembly. Despite probing the dunes with eight-foot steel rods and searching for signs with a metal detector, the fuselage was never found."
Robert Watt was hugely disappointed not to find the fuselage, but was pleased the story of the Hermes was told. "The BBC documentary aired on the 50th anniversary of the crash, and I knew if it wasn't told then, it never would be. Later, it was learned that an opportunistic merchant from the distant town of Atar had arrived two years earlier, with a camel train loaded with wood. He had set fire to the plane and melted it down into manageable transportable lumps, to be taken back to 'civilization' for recycling. "Ironically, he was probably alerted to a money-spinning opportunity because of my frequent trips to the crash site. It's a shame we lost an important part of aviation history, but on the other hand, it's the ultimate recycling and it's being put to good use in the community."
Postscript: Olwen Haslam was in her 90s when she passed away only a few years ago. From our journey in the desert, we forged a special friendship and I think of her often. The last time I was able to visit Olwen she told me she was planning to reach out to Robert Watt and ask him to spread her ashes over Ted's grave. To this day, I do not know if this happened but I like to think of Olwen with Ted together. After Ted's death, Olwen never remarried.
The post Olwen Haslam And The Story Of Sun, Sand and Love In The Sahara Desert appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Bill Granger's Delicious Plum And Vanilla Compote appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Bill Granger's Plum And Vanilla Compote
INGREDIENTS
1kg ripe plums, halved and stones removed
pared zest and juice 2 oranges
80g (1/3 cup) caster sugar
1 vanilla pod, seeds scraped out and reserved
METHOD
1 Place the plums and 125ml (1/2 cup) water in a large saucepan and simmer over medium-low heat until the plums start to break down.
2 Add the orange zest and juice, sugar and vanilla pod and seeds, and cook for 5 minutes.
3 Remove from the heat and allow to cool to room temperature before spooning into sterilised jars. The compote will keep in the fridge for 1 week. Makes 2 x 450g jars
The Carousel thanks Bill Granger for this Delicious Plum And Vanilla Compote recipe.
The post Bill Granger's Delicious Plum And Vanilla Compote appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post How to Decorate a Rental (Without Your Landlord Freaking Out) appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Despite what your landlord may have you believe, you actually can decorate your home when renting without getting kicked out or losing your bond (or spending a fortune). You just need to know how.
Here, author and Simplicity Expert Bronwen Sciortino, offers expert advice on styling up your rental property without breaking the bank, or freaking out your landlord.
Renting Renovation Solution – The Peel and Stick
The best solutions is when decorating the home you're renting is generally to go for the "peel and stick" variety. Anything that's peel and stick is as easy to install as it is to remove.
Try:
- Peel and stick backsplash in the bathroom
- Removable wallpaper
- Damage-free 3M hooks
- Contact paper for the kitchen counter
Invest in What You Actually Own
Forget about investing in your rental property for now and invest in what you can own and take with you.
- Achieve originality on a budget with secondhand furniture
- Save for investment pieces (think above-average couch or fancy toaster)
- Save on staples (like bathroom storage or a kitchen island from IKEA), then spend on the stuff your guests are going to notice (like your couch or your dining table)
The Grass is Always Greener (If You Fill Your House with Plants)
You can bring pot plants with you wherever you go, so they're a worthwhile investment regardless of how long the lease on the property you're renting is. Just ensure they have a saucer or plate beneath them to avoid any spills and stains on flooring or other surfaces. Not a green thumb? Look for plants that thrive on neglect, such as succulents.
Rug Up
Despite what your landlord might think, shag carpets are never going to make a comeback. Do yourself a favour by introducing your living room to the 21st century… with a rug. This is also a great hack for covering up stained carpet or the cheap ugly carpet a lot of landlords put in properties they are renting to tenants.
A few tips to decorate a rental :
- Lay down a hallway runner to add some interest in a boring hallway
- Try the new rug layering trend with some interesting shapes/colour combos
- Protect your hardwood floors from getting scratched and keep yourself warm in winter with a big, heavy-duty rug
- Rugs can be expensive, so scour second hand websites or community Facebook groups. You are likely to find a gem at a bargain price.
Let There Be Light (Fixtures)
Switching up your lighting can do a lot for a room that's got nothing going on. Try changing lampshades and pendants and see how it makes the light change, or layering light with multiple lamps.
If things start to get technical, get an electrician, but don't feel the need to overcomplicate things; even switching a lightbulb from cool, white light to warm, yellow light can make a difference.
Anything You Can't Hide, Store
Decluttering can absolutely help to reduce overwhelm. When you keep things as simple and minimal as possible, it always helps to keep anxiety and stress at bay. Less 'stuff' means less opportunity for clutter to take over. Importantly, you'll never achieve your interior design dreams with clutter everywhere. Instead of trying to find a place for it in your already crowded rental, get a TAXIBOX instead. TAXIBOX deliver their mobile storage box to your door then collect it when you're done.
What about the bathroom?
So many bathrooms in so many properties that are available for renting are, for want of a better phrase, devoid of style. in fact, often they are quite the opposite. It's easily fixed though!
The simpler you can keep things, the easier it will be for you every day. Look at the things you have sitting around in your bathroom and ask whether you 1) use them regularly and 2) actually need them. Remove anything that isn't a yes to these two questions and either store them out of sight (if you use them, but not regularly) or throw them away.
Finding a way to include an indoor plant in your bathroom space can be a big stress reliever too. There's something really soothing about having a plant in your bathroom – it creates a trigger to relax and which is a big pressure release in the mind clutter stakes.
To brighten up a daggy bathroom, try personalising the space with a patterned shower curtain. You don't need to spend much for style – even your local Target has some really stunning offerings.
If All Else Fails, Fix It Later
If the temporary fix fails, get it done some other way, with the hammer if you must. You can make permanent changes, as long as you're willing to make them disappear as soon as your lease is up:
- Hang art with nails, patch up the holes when you leave
- Replace curtains, hang the landlord's musty ones back up later
- Paint walls, then repaint them the colour you found them at the end of your lease
About Bronwen Sciortino
Bronwen Sciortino is an International Author and Simplicity Expert who spent almost two decades as an award-winning executive, before experiencing a life changing event that forced her to stop and ask the question 'What if there's a better way to live?'.
In her books, Keep It Super Simple, The Economy of Enough and Beyond A-Ha, Bronwen offers simple solutions for life, practical, easy steps and information.
Gaining international critical acclaim and 5-star awards for her books, Bronwen spends every day teaching people that there is an easy, practical and simple pathway to creating a healthy, happy and highly successful life.
The post How to Decorate a Rental (Without Your Landlord Freaking Out) appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Decadent Plum Galette Recipe appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Decadent Plum Galette Recipe
INGREDIENTS
The crust
Makes two 9-inch galette doughs (you only need one for the recipe – you can either halve the recipe or freeze the second piece)
2 sticks + 1 tablespoon (250 grams) butter, cold
1 teaspoon cider vinegar
1/2 cup ice water
2+3/4 cups (385 grams) all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons (30 grams) sugar
1 teaspoon (7 grams) fine sea salt
Fruit layer and glaze
8-10 (1,75 pounds/800 grams) red plums, divided
1/2 cup (100 grams) + 3 tablespoons (45 grams) sugar, divided
1 tablespoon (15 grams) butter, melted
METHOD
1 To prepare the crust, cut the butter into small pieces and chill in the freezer for 20 minutes.
2 Stir vinegar and water in a small bowl and keep in the refrigerator until needed.
3 In a food processor fitted with a metal blade, pulse flour, sugar and salt to mix.
4 Add chilled butter and pulse until the mixture resembles coarse meal.
5 Gradually add the water & vinegar mixture and pulse until the dough forms clumps and curds.
6 Transfer the dough in a large mixing bowl and gather into a ball. Divide into two, flatten slightly and wrap individually in plastic. Refrigerate at least 3 hours, preferably overnight. You can keep the dough in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
7 Place one piece of dough between two parchment papers and shape into a flat disk by smashing it with a rolling pin. Roll out into a rough 11-inch circle. Trim the edges to a clean circle with a pizza cutter (or a pairing knife). Transfer the circle to a baking sheet and chill in the freezer for 15 minutes.
8 Preheat your oven to 375 F.
9 To prepare the fruit layer, reserve two of the plums and cut the rest into two. Remove the pits, cut into 1/4-inch thick slices and set aside.
10 Grate the remaining two plums into a medium pot, add half a cup of the sugar on top and set aside.
11 Remove the rolled-out galette dough from the freezer and leaving an inch and a half border from the outside, sprinkle 1 tablespoon of the sugar on top.
12 Arrange the plum slices on top in slightly overlapping concentric circles and sprinkle another tablespoon of sugar on top of the plums.
13 Roll the border of the dough towards the plums, brush the top of the border with melted butter and sprinkle the remaining half tablespoon of sugar on top.
14 Bake in the center of the oven for 45 minutes.
The glaze
1 Place the pot with the grated plums and sugar over high heat and bring to a boil. Turn the heat down and cook over medium-high heat for 6-7 minutes or until slightly thickened. Pass through a fine mesh sieve, discard the pulp and set the glaze aside.
2 Remove the galette from the oven and let cool for 10 minutes. Brush the top of the plums with the warm glaze (you will not need all of it) and serve (preferably with a scoop of seven-bean vanilla ice cream) immediately.
COOK'S NOTES
This galette is best served warm. If you have leftovers, warm for a few minutes in a 350 F oven before serving. You'll also have leftover glaze. To apply it the next day, add a tablespoon or two of water and bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
The Carousel thanks Cafe Fernando for the recipe.
The post Decadent Plum Galette Recipe appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post The Adelaide Family That Takes On The World Against Blindness appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Thirteen years ago, James and Mena Muecke founded the non-profit eye healthcare charitable organisation Sight For All, with a vision to help fight blindness in developing countries and Australian aboriginal communities and to raise awareness of various forms of eye disease.
At the same time, Mena gave up her flourishing interior design career to join her husband's philanthropic quest. With their shared passion, the Adelaide dynamic duo along with the Sight For All team and their two sons are improving the lives of 500,000 people across developing Asia who would otherwise spend their lives in darkness.
We sat down with James to find out more about the charity and how he juggles family life while saving the world from blindness.
James, Can you tell us how Sight For All was formed?
In 2007 a few colleagues and I traveled to Myanmar to conduct research into childhood blindness. The findings we found were concerning and I was affected deeply by what I saw.
Being surrounded by young children who were blind due to complications from measles is something I can never remove from my mind. This was one of the catalysts for me and my two colleagues to establish Sight For All.
Fast forward about 13 years and we are now fighting blindness in adults and children in nine countries in Asia.
When did the charity turn into a family effort?
Not long after Sight For All was founded, my wife Mena decided to give up her interior design career to join me. Despite our vastly different careers as an eye surgeon and an interior architect, we shared a common passion for helping the less fortunate. Mena is the official Event Director of Sight For All and her designer eye is an invaluable asset to the charity. She has brought a fresh perspective to our fundraising and marketing and has created several unique and beautiful events such as Sculpture For Sight and The Very Slow Long Lunch. Her efforts have helped raise more than $5 million for ophthalmic training and equipment.
I have heard that your children have also followed your philanthropic footsteps?
Yes, it appears the keen eye for humanitarian work seems to be running in the family! My two boys have helped Mena and myself on a number of voluntary projects in developing countries.
My eldest son Nick, 24, came with me on a trip to collect genetic samples from blind children during a study undertaken at the School for the Blind in Vientiane, Laos in 2013.
My 21-year-old, Tom, has also helped on projects and travelled with me to Myanmar in February to assist in the training of healthcare workers in regional areas in the use of diagnostic ophthalmic equipment.
How do you juggle family life with so little time left?
I'm not going to lie, it's not easy. Especially with the lack of sleep we all no doubt experience. I think it's important to have time together as a family. We enjoy being curled up in front of the TV watching the latest Netflix series as much as we do exploring the world together on one of Sight For All's many projects.
Despite our vastly different interests – me as an eye surgeon, Mena as a former interior designer, Nick as a budding film director and Tom wanting to pursue a career in medicine – we all work very well together. I honestly can't think of a better way to unite a family than to work towards a common goal – that is bettering the lives of others.
Find out more about Sight For All, here.
The post The Adelaide Family That Takes On The World Against Blindness appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Here's How You Can Swim With Manta Rays appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The Maldives – off the coast of South Asia – is home to an estimated 5000 manta rays; the largest population of reef manta rays in the world! Between May and December, these giants of the ocean can be spotted swimming in and around the bay, feeding. In celebration of World Manta Day, today, Visit Maldives has provided us with some suggestions of the best places to see these beautiful creatures up close and personal:
- Ari Atoll – although the manta rays follow a seasonal migratory pattern, they are found in these waters year-round. Between November and April, there is a greater presence on the western side of the atoll, and between May and October, they move over to the eastern side.
- Baa Atoll – Hanifaru Bay is famous for its congregation of manta rays because of the high concentration of plankton in the bay. Travellers can snorkel in the waters while being surrounded by hundreds of manta rays and because the rays are friendly and curious they will not be afraid to come up close
Some quick facts on manta rays:
- Despite their huge size, mantas feed on microscopic animals called zooplankton
- The world's largest known manta ray population is based in the Maldives and live here year-round
- Every manta ray has a unique spot pattern on its belly that can be used to identify individuals, just like fingerprints
- Manta rays are close relatives to sharks, meaning they have a skeleton made of cartilage rather than bone
- Some manta rays reach seven meters from wingtip to wingtip and can weigh up to two tonnes
- As far as fish go, mantas have one of the largest brains, which supports their curiosity and complex social interactions
What are you waiting for? The Maldives is awaiting your arrival and the mantas are ready to accompany you through the blue waters of South Asia.
The post Here's How You Can Swim With Manta Rays appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Calendula Cheese Balls With Native Dukka Recipe appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>First, make the dukka. It's a middle eastern-style dry dip that will take two minutes in a food processor. Dukka keeps well in the fridge for a week or more.
Native Dukka
Makes 1 ½ cups GF, V, DF
- ½ cup raw sesame seed
- 1 cup raw almonds
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon cumin powder
- 4 heaped teaspoons powdered lemon myrtle leaves
- Tasmanian pepper to taste
Calendula Cheese Balls
- 125 g cream cheese
- 1 cup grated tasty cheese
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon diced spring onion
- 1 tablespoon bread and butter pickled cucumber slices, chopped
- 1 teaspoon calendula petals
- 2 tablespoons extra calendula petals for rolling the balls
Dukka: Heat the sesame seeds in a frypan, stirring continually, until lightly golden and slightly fragrant. Place all ingredients, including the sesame seeds, into a food processor. Blend until all the ingredients are crumbled.
Calendula cheese balls: Add the ingredients for the cheese balls to a bowl, but keep aside the extra calendula petals. Combine ingredients with a fork. Roll into small balls with damp hands.
Mix ½ cup dukka with the extra calendula petals. Roll the cheese balls in this mixture. They are now ready to serve.
The Carousel would like to thank Linda from Ecobotanica for this recipe.
Read also Delicious Roasted Chicken Salad with Goats Curd And Nuts
The post Calendula Cheese Balls With Native Dukka Recipe appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post The Essential Book Lovers' Guide To Must-Read Fiction appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The Golden Child from Wendy James is popular, as is Pond by Claire-Louise Bennett. Also Who's Afraid Too? by Maria Lewis, the sequel to her 2016 debut and two collections of stories to look out for are Roxane Gay's collection Difficult Women, andHomesick for Another World from Man Booker Prize-shortlisted author Ottessa Moshfegh.
Thriller fans will love The River at Night by Erica Ferencik,Good Me Bad Me by Ali Land,Crimson Lake by Candice Fox, andThe Girl Before by J. P. Delaney is the sequel to American Blood by Ben Sanders,Marshall's Law, and the final title in the best-selling Cliff Hardy series by Peter Corris,Win, Lose, or Draw. Peter Swanson is back as well with Her Every Fear, and a series from Terry Goodkind kicks off with Death's Mistress.
Did you know there is a sequel toThe War of the Worlds? Neither did we, until very recently! Authorised by the H.G. Wells Estate, The Massacre of Mankind by Stephen Baxter picks up 14 years after the Martians invaded England. Storm and Grace by Kathryn Heyman and Alice Campion (The Shifting Light) and The Antiques by Kris D'Agostino is a great read.
The 2016 Pulitzer Prize-winning author ofThe Sympathizer, Viet Thanh Nguyen's second novel The Refugees is worth a read as is the first novel from short story master George Saunders (Lincoln in the Bardo) and an epic from Paul Auster called 4 3 2 1, his first novel after a seven year hiatus. Joanna Trollope's 20th novel, City of Friends, is also on our list and a novel from Nicola Moriarty ( The Fifth Letter). Neil Gaiman'sNorse Mythology is quite popular as well.
Mohsin Hamid, author ofThe Reluctant Fundamentalist, has Exit West to offer, but if crime fiction is more your style then you can't go past Ragdoll by Daniel Cole. If the discovery of a body with the dismembered parts of six victims stitched together piques your interest, definitely pick this one up.He Said/She Said by Erin Kelly is another thriller to look out for. The Animators by Kayla Rae Whitaker,An Uncertain Grace by Krissy Kneen, and Lia Hills's debut novelThe Crying Place is worth reading. Samantha Shannon is has The Song Rising, the third book in The Bone Season series. Finally, look out forThe Wanderers by Meg Howrey, a book being described asStation Eleven meetsThe Martian.
The sequel to racy Maestra by L.S. Hilton,Domina, along with the much-hyped See What I Have Done by Sarah Schmidt (a re-imagining of the unsolved American true crime case of the Lizzie Borden murders) andHidden Hours by Sara Foster is on our list too. House of Names by Colm Toibin, a retelling of the 'Atreus' myths of Greek antiquity, and a novel from Hannah Tinti called The Twelve Lives of Samuel Hawley. This month, among the eagerly anticipated books areHundred Small Lessons from Ashley Hay (best-selling author ofThe Railwayman's Wife) the second novel from Anna Spargo-Ryan calledThe Gulf, the first in a new series from Laini Taylor calledStrange the Dreamer, andCongo Dawn from Katherine Scholes. Finally, it's worth reading Kathy Lette novel called Best Laid Plans.
Paula Hawkins's second novel Into the Water is painstakingly restored from Tolkien's manuscripts and presented for the first time as a fully continuous and standalone story, the epic tale of Beren and Lúthien will reunite fans ofThe Hobbit andThe Lord of the Rings with Elves and Men, Dwarves and Orcs and the rich landscape and creatures unique to Tolkien's Middle-earth.
Happy reading!
The post The Essential Book Lovers' Guide To Must-Read Fiction appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Pilates Move Of The Week: Let Your Hands Do The Walking With The Walk Out Plank appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Starting position
Start in a forward fold position with your legs long and upper body flexed over reaching for your toes (if you can't touch your toes with your legs long just bend your knees slightly until you can). Enjoy the stretch on the hamstrings (back of thighs) in this position and relax your breathing.
Exercise Execution
- Engage your abdominals as your hands reach for the floor. Again, If you need to bend your knees to do so then go for it.
- As your hands hit the mat, slowly lean forward and feel your weight transferring to your hands.
- One hand at a time slowly walk your body out until you come to a full plank position (shoulders over hands, eyes on the mat and a straight line from your head to your feet.
- Re-activate your core by pulling your belly button up towards your spine.
- HOLD here for 10-15secs.
- Slowly return by walking your hands back one at a time until you feel the weight transfer back to your feet and you return to the starting position feeling the stretch again through your hamstrings.
Breathing
- Exhale as you forward fold.
- Inhale to prepare and as your hands start the walk slowly exhale.
- In the full plank position take controlled deep breathes, with the exhale a cue to lift up through the core to constantly re-engage the abdominals.
- Inhale to prepare and exhale as you walk your hands back to the starting position.
Reps
Start out with 2-3 sets of 6-8 repetitions and increase if desired.
Advancements
In the full plank position, raise one leg whilst keeping your hips in line. Change legs half way through the hold. For the crazy strong out there you may also wish to raise your opposing hand in the hold to, but be warned – this advancement is tough!
KX Tip
To add KX intensity to the exercise, add 1-3 push ups when in the full plank hold. After coming back to the starting position, slowly stand up straight and add a jump to the beginning of the exercise to get that heart rate pumping!
Aaron Smith is the CEO & Founder – KX Group. KX is a boutique fitness company with 17 studios across Melbourne and Sydney, offering dynamic pilates, barre and yoga. KX also run international retreats to Vanuatu and Bali.
Model: Cherida Forde, KX International Retreats Trainer.
The post Pilates Move Of The Week: Let Your Hands Do The Walking With The Walk Out Plank appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post An Inside Look At Weleda's Gorgeous Biodynamic Gardens In Germany appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Earlier this year the eco-conscious beauty brand celebrated its centenery with the launch of its immersive online platform Open Garden, to give people a virtual experience of the grounds where it cultivates 120 plant species for harvest, and provides a home to 50 bird species, several hundred species of wild bees, and another 1000 species as wild habitat.
"Over the past hundred years we've amassed so much valuable knowledge," Eileen Smith, Weleda's Global Brand Equity Manager, said.
"We want to share our experiences and ways of working to hopefully inspire others to follow so that more people and the planet can benefit. The term 'natural' has become diluted and confusing, and consumers are desperate to understand what makes an authentic, natural health or beauty product. By showcasing our sustainable farming and ethical sourcing methods, as well as explaining how our high quality products are made, we hope The Open Garden will provide some valuable insights."
Weleda cultivates eight medicinal plant gardens around the world according to the guidelines of biodynamic agriculture and has a large community of ethical suppliers. Weleda is proud to attest the gardens are at the heart of its operations, as the source of much of its ingredients.
Weleda is working to improve the ecological sustainability of its packaging. The company is increasing the proportion of recycled material in its packaging and aiming for zero waste. Weleda Australia has a program with TerraCycle to provides customers with an avenue to recycle packaging not able to be collected with local recycling.
The post An Inside Look At Weleda's Gorgeous Biodynamic Gardens In Germany appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Astro Parenting: What Type Of Parent Are You? Fire, Earth, Air Or Water? appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Unearthing your star combination's strengths and weaknesses via your respective star element will help you to overcome any possible challenges.
Astro Parenting: What Type Of Parent Are You? Fire, Earth, Air Or Water?
The Fire Parent – Aries, Leo and Sagittarius – dynamic, spontaneous, fun-loving, passionate, impatient and feisty.
Fire parent/Fire child – Aries, Leo, Sagittarius
Madonna (Aries) and Rocco Ritchie (Leo)
This dynamic duo shares a creative, outgoing and enthusiastic temperament. Endowed with imagination and mischief, the Fire parent and child can transform the most menial tasks into a fun escapade. As a Fire parent, there's a tendency to become overzealous, therefore you must give your 'mini me' space to develop their own identity without you superimposing your own traits. Apart from a mutual love of adventure, you also have feisty dispositions so it's important to learn and teach your child the art of compromise.
Fire parent/Earth child – Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn
Miranda Kerr (Aries) Flynn Bloom (Capricorn)
Fire is spontaneous, passionate and vibrant, while Earth is cautious, composed and calm, but there's much to gain from your opposing qualities. Structure equals security for Earth children who will teach you to be consistent and patient. You, in turn, can encourage them to enjoy change, foster their imagination and instill them with a sense of magic. Earth signs loathe being rushed and so impetuous Fire parents may become frustrated with their measured pace. Steady support and patience is vital.
Fire parent/ Air child – Gemini, Libra, Aquarius
Reese Witherspoon (Aries) and Deacon Reese Phillippe (Libra)
The combination of Fire and Air always spells excitement, energy and perpetual motion. Both love a steady flow of projects and will eagerly work together exchanging ideas and stories for hours on end. As a Fire parent you have a way of drawing out your Air child's aspirations and encouraging them to fulfill their potential. However, avoid becoming overly passionate or pushy – you'll run the risk of putting them off and some will resist simply for the sake of it.
Fire parent/Water child – Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces
Kate Hudson (Aries) and Bing Bellamy (Cancer)
This combination is particularly challenging. Fire signs are feisty, forthright and candid compared to the sensitive and profoundly complex nature of Water signs. Even the most patient Fire parent can find these enigmatic little creatures difficult to understand and become frustrated with their hypersensitivity, while Water children may become overwhelmed by the magnitude of some Fire parent's personalities. Ultimately, though your Water child will teach you empathy and acceptance. You can, in turn, instil courage and confidence but only by example not pushing it upon them.
The Earth Parent – Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn – patient, organised, predictable, cautious and structured.
Earth parent/Fire child – Aries, Leo, Sagittarius
Jessica Alba (Taurus) and Haven Warren (Leo)
The stark contrasts of these personalities may be problematic at times but there's much to learn from your respective differences. The measured, predictable and conservative nature of the Earth parent may prove stifling for the spontaneous Fire child. Discipline and consistency are a must but try not to sweat the small stuff. These vivacious little creatures can teach you flexibility as well as drive you to use your imagination and creativity. You can impart them with the stamina and focus needed to fulfil their potential.
Earth parent/Earth child – Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn
Beyonce (Virgo) and Ivy Blue Carter (Capricorn) or January Jones (Capricorn) and Xander Jones (Virgo)
This is an easy combination. Being the same element you have the ability to intuit your Earth child's need without too much verbal communication. Although you provide them with the stability and security they need you may overlook their basic need for fun, creativity and surprises. While most Earth children are naturally poised and mature Earth parents must avoid shouldering them with too much responsibility or becoming overly serious. Try to diffuse situations by bonding over your droll sense of humour.
Earth parent/Air child – Gemini, Libra, Aquarius
Pink (Virgo) and Willow Hart (Gemini)Megan Fox (Air) and Noah Green (Libra) Bodhi (Aquarius)Michelle Obama (Capricorn) and Natasha Obama (Gemini)
Air children are inquisitive, sprightly creatures who live in a world of vision and ideas, whereas Earth signs prefer to deal with tangible reality. The Air child craves mental stimulation often flitting from one topic or project to the next. Their unpredictable nature and frenetic energy can be trying, while you, in turn, can appear to be a serious, rigid buzz kill. It's important to be flexible but also to teach the value of commitment which will enable them to transform ideas into reality.
Earth parent/Water child – Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces
Kate Middleton (Capricorn) and Prince George (Cancer)
Water and Earth elements are made for each other. As such, you'll revel in the tenderness of your Water baby while they will thrive on the stability you provide. As a composed Earth sign you may, at times, see your sensitive Water child as highly strung and tire of their moodiness, while they can interpret you as being dismissive when you don't respond to their emotional demands. However, their sensitivity will compel you to be more perceptive and compassionate while you can instill confidence and centredness.
The Air Parent – Gemini, Libra, Aquarius – logical, expressive, energetic, mentally challenging and free-spirited.
Air parent/Fire child – Aries, Leo, Sagittarius
Angelina Jolie (Gemini) and Maddox Jolie-Pitt (Leo)
Air and Fire signs get on exceptionally well. Both are spirited, fun-loving and outgoing creatures who cherish their independent. However, as an Air sign you can be aloof on occasion and find it difficult cope with the passionate nature of your Fire child, especially when tantrums arise. Flexible as you are, your Fire child will test your limits and ability to compromise with their willful behaviour. Teach them objectivity and try not to intellectualise their feelings or they will feel invalidated.
Air parent/Earth child – Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn
Gwyneth Paltrow (Libra) and Apple Martin (Taurus)
Although Air folk are logical you aren't very practical. Earth signs, on the other hand, are pragmatic and feel more comfortable with concrete reality rather than intangible concepts. It's important for Air parents to provide routine and structure but also a hands on, experiential approach through experience rather than explanations. Earth signs love participating in things that yield tangible results from a piece of pottery to cooking a meal. You can provide them with valuable guidance by adding sound planning and logic to their methodology.
Air parent/Air child – Gemini, Libra, Aquarius
Isla Fisher (Aquarius) and Olive Baron Cohen (Libra)
When Air meets, or rather rears Air there's a charged atmosphere of constant chatter, laughter and stimulation. Such a meeting of minds makes communicating with your child easy, and although you'll foster your child's intellect and imagination there's a risk of getting caught up in ideas and talk, as well as an absence of practical grounding. There's also a certain detached objectivity prevalent in Air signs so instead of fixing a problem with rationale sometimes a hug is all they need.
Air parent/Water child
Kim Kardashian (Libra) and North West (Gemini)
Air is all head whereas Water is all heart which makes relating to and understanding your child's moods and innate sensitivity extremely difficult. While you'll always be verbally available they may not be prepared to discuss their feelings. Therefore it's important to intuit their needs and emotions. This means you'll need to become a master of nuances to detect and tackle the onset of problems. Don't force them to open up – a knowing look or silent hug is the best key.
The Water Parent – Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces – empathetic, intuitive, emotional, passionate and understanding.
Water parent/Fire child – Aries, Leo, Sagittarius
Liv Tyler (Cacner) and Milo Langdon (Sagittarius)
Gisele Bundchen (Cancer) Vivian Brady
Although your temperaments are vastly different a Water parent's understanding of human nature will generally enable you to overcome differences. Your Fire child's enthusiasm can be a little overwhelming and they, in turn, find that your languid approach rains on their parade. Exhausting as it may be it's important not take the path of least resistance or they will walk all over you! You can teach them to be more sensitive and selfless, while these intrepid little creatures will inspire you to be daring and fearless.
Water parent/Earth child – Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn
Drew Barrymore (Pisces) and Frankie Barrymore Kopelman (Taurus)
The connection between the Water parent and Earth child is effortless. You delight in each other's company and share a tactile union. While the Water parent isn't wildly unpredictable you can be somewhat erratic so apart from providing the affection most Earth children crave a steady routine too is a must. It's also important to be decisive and consistent. Keep even the smallest promise and stick to the day's plan – don't introduce new options or change things at the last minute.
Water parent/Air child – Gemini, Libra, Aquarius
Julia Roberts (Scorpio) Henry Moder (Gemini)
Air signs tend to be analytical whereas Water signs are emotive so there can be a lot of effort involved. Luckily, as a perceptive Water parent, you can intuit your child's needs and moods. Although it important for you to foster your child's sixth sense don't forget to provide them with the mental stimulation they need. Encouraging them to discuss their feelings won't be difficult but maintain your composure and don't let your emotions eclipse theirs by coddling or comforting them to excess.
Water parent/Water child – Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces
Jerry Hall (Cancer) and Elizabeth Jagger (Pisces)
There's a tacit understanding between the Water parent and child which stems not only from a similar temperament but the shared gift of intuition. There's also great ease and affection but mutual moodiness can create discord, and only after a period of brooding (usually on the child's part) is reconciliation reached. With such an emotive combination there's a tendency to become totally absorbed in the realms of emotion so it's important for you to be empathetic, yet strong and not indulge bouts of melancholy prevalent in most water signs.
The post Astro Parenting: What Type Of Parent Are You? Fire, Earth, Air Or Water? appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post The Meal Delivery Service Stars Swear By appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Increasingly, people are embracing a meal delivery service to plate up fresh, healthy recipes on the daily, including actress Jodi Gordon.
Hitting the sweet spot between cooking-from-scratch, or simply ordering in pizza, meal delivery services offer an alternative way to dine. However, not all are created equal.
Chefgood is leading the market, because it ticks all the boxes hungry tummies need.
What's on the Chefgood Meal Delivery Service Menu?
Dietary restrictions? With Chefgood, it's a no-brainer. Chefgood delivers, with extensive offerings including Weight Loss, Vegetarian, Vegan, No Added Gluten (not suitable for coelics), No Added Dairy meal plans.
With Chefgood's Weight Loss meal plans, you'll find delicious calorie-controlled meals (350 calories per plate), ideal for sustained weight loss.
Take for example their Vegan meal plans. Highly qualified chefs offer new plant-based menus weekly, made with natural, local ingredients. Don't miss the Chinese Tofu & Bok Choy Stir Fry!
The Vegetarian meal plans are also produced with the best locally sourced plant-based ingredients and they are super tasty and there's plenty of variety.
The No Added Gluten Meal plans will satiate your tastes with delicious food that is never bland.
As for the No Added Dairy Meal plans, Chefgood meals are produced by excellent chefs and each meal is both nutritious and full of flavour. So, the meal delivery service ensures your week's filled with food that's tasty as well as good for you. What we love is that all meal plans are freshly produced and specially created by nutritionists.
Variety is the spice of life
While routine is great in some instances, when it comes to diet, nutritionists recommend you avoid repetition. Chefgood has a new menu every week which means your taste buds never grow tired, while at the same time ensuring nutritional needs are met. This diversity in diet allows you to reap health benefits, while indulging in seasonal ingredients at their freshest.
The price (of your plate) is right
In addition to convenience, Chefgood offers a surprisingly effective way to save money on your weekly grocery shop. It minimises food waste, and unnecessary impulse purchases while browsing the supermarket. Handy Hack: With Chefgood, you can often save even more by ordering multiple servings or meals per week.
Eco Eats
As social responsibility continues to drive consumer choice, Chefgood's socially responsible meal delivery service ensures your meal leaves a good taste in your mouth and your conscience! Whether it's relying on seasonal local produce to reduce carbon miles, or opting for meals delivered in environmentally friendly, recyclable cardboard boxes to avoid excess waste, Chefgood takes an ethical approach to what they offer.
Meals to make a MasterChef proud
Chefgood has s everal world-renowned distinguished chefs on board, like Reynold Poernomo, Shannon Martinez and Pierrick Boyer.
What The Celebrities say!
Don't just take our word for it! Actress Jodi Gordon praises Chefgood, saying "I've had the best experience with Chefgood over the past month. Not only are their meals delicious and healthy but they have such a huge variety to choose from!! I love that they make planning my meals for the week so easy!!"
And if you're still not sold, you'll be won over by Chefgood's easy to use subscription service which allows you to pause or cancel at any time. It doesn't get tastier than that!
The post The Meal Delivery Service Stars Swear By appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Meet The Plant-Based Entrepreneur Who's Giving Veganism A Refreshing Makeover appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>However, in recent years, the perception of veganism and a plant-based lifestyle has been changing, thanks to documentaries like James Cameron's Game Changers, delicious plant-based home delivery meal services such as Thank Fork, and plant-based entrepreneurs like Heaven Leigh.
Heaven Leigh (yes, that is her real name, and it suits her to a T), is a third generation restaurateur and owner/operator of Bodhi Vegan Restaurant and Bar in Sydney, NSW.
Running the country's longest-established vegan restaurant, Bodhi Restaurant Bar, for more than 20 years, Heaven is one of the most experienced plant-based business owners in Australia. Outside the restaurant, she is also a plant-based entrepreneur, business owner, mentor, content producer and mum of two beautiful children.
The minute I met Heaven, I knew I'd met a lifelong friend. She's smart as a whip, as kind as Mother Theresa and a wonderfully soft place to land if you're ever feeling stressed out or sad. Little wonder her staff turnover is so low and the people she works with have been with her for many, many years.
Heaven is also doing her utmost bolster plant-based businesses within Australia and internationally. She regularly consults and invests in businesses that she sees as forward thinking and valuable to the future of our plant.
I sat down with her, over a delicious Yum Cha meal at Bodhi of course, to discuss all things vegan. Here's how our conversation unfolded!
You have pioneered Australia's vegan scene since opening Bodhi in 2000. What was your vision when first opening?
That's very flattering, but I couldn't say I single-handedly pioneered the vegan scene. My mother was the one with the original vision to create a safe place where people could learn about and enjoy great vegan food. She actually opened Bodhi back in 1988, in another location from where it is now.
However, I am proud of how I've contributed to the vegan scene and have grown Bodhi since taking over the mantle in 2000.
It was a challenge taking something that had already seen some success for 12 years and help it flourish for a further 20 years. There was a lot of pressure coming from my family, and also from myself.
Having witnessed how my family had operated the original Bodhi group of businesses (which included several restaurants, cafes and a vegan pie manufacturing business), I had the benefit of hindsight, and was able to see where the gaps and challenges were.
I come from a long line of 'I think I can do this better' kind of people. So when I took over Bodhi, my vision was to take it to the next level.
Definitely one of the areas that was underperforming was dinner. Yum cha was always unique and successful for lunch, so the challenge was not only how could I take something good and make it better, but also how could I put my unique spin and identity into it, and create something customers would still love.
So I set out to innovate and modernise Bodhi to make it relevant to my generation of diners (and the generations to follow).
Plant Powered Strategy wasn't even a thing 20 years ago. How did you break through Veganism barriers and become as successful as you are?
As any business owner will, tell you, the journey is tough. especially at the beginning with Veganism. There are a lot of sacrifices along the way. It's a real rollercoaster of a ride. I was lucky that Bodhi wasn't my first rodeo. I had taken some time to hone my craft and learn the trade from others who were successful in the hospitality industry during the late 90s and the mid 2000s when I worked in London.
At one stage, the family almost lost Bodhi entirely. The economy and restaurants were suffering so there were some really hard lessons learnt. But I think resilience, knowing when to make tough decisions, cut losses, change tactics and a personal belief that most things have a solution and I can get through almost anything helps.
In terms of the success of Veganism and hospitality, we have evolved with our customers. As consumers' tastes have changed and people become more educated about what they eat and where their food comes from, so have we. We've always aimed to keep Bodhi fresh.
We are now in the process of preparing to undergo a major renovation which will allow us to reimagine Bodhi for the next generation of diners.
We are also looking at expanding into other areas of the wellness industry which is incredibly exciting and will bring a breath of fresh air into what is effectively a 33 year old legacy brand.
Veganism aside, what values and vision does your restaurant align with?
Some have changed from generation to generation. However the core value of having a successful, thriving business and community that has a 'do no harm' philosophy and a 'tread lightly' approach has always remained the same, and is at the heart of everything we do in the business.
I'm incredibly proud to have a long standing business that has caused as little suffering in its pursuit of success. I have two small children aged five and seven. One day if they ask me, "when you knew the world was in trouble, what role did you play?" or "what did you do to make a difference when it comes to environmental issues, industrial farming practices and animal welfare?", I feel I have a good answer. Call me idealistic but it's important to me that I'm not just a taker but a contributor in society. I want to try and leave the world in a better place than I found it.
You invest in other vegan brands … what attracts you to these brands? What does a brand based on veganism brand need to have for complete credibility?
I think the desire to invest in vegan brands goes back to wanting to make the world a better place, while also tapping into my 'how can we do this better' mentality.
You have to be able to compete with other mainstream brands – veganism shouldn't mean compromise. It's important that vegan brands are authentic but it's also important to understand that you can't always be idealistic at the expense of your business. I know at least a dozen of wonderful, idealistic vegan restaurants that are no longer in operation or have gone bankrupt because they haven't got the fundamentals right or because they couldn't adapt or wouldn't compromise. There's no perfect plant-based business. You just have to always do the best you can and then try to be better.
You also support a lot of brands through collaboration and/ or hosting events on their behalf at your restaurant. What are some of the stand out events you've had in the past?
I'm a huge believer in collaborating with like-minded brands or networks, particularly in today's veganism market. My favourite partnerships or events are ones that I feel make a difference either to raise awareness or funds for an issue, topic or cause. Our annual Nup To The Cup event supports Horse Rescue Australia. I also really enjoyed the collaboration we did with Gelatissimo where everyone brought their dog to Bodhi for vegan ice cream. It was literally puppy love and cuteness all day long.
What is your favourite dish at Bodhi?
Definitely the shiitake mushroom dumplings with asparagus and truffle oil for lunch and the finger eggplant with chili, black rice vinegar, coriander, crushed peanuts and caramel sauce for dinner, as well as the zucchini flower with rendang brown rice on a bed of mango quinoa.
And What's Your Favourite Dessert?
Lavender cake with yuzu panna cotta, white chocolate sauce, pistachio and cardamom!
What is your favourite vegan skincare brand?
I'm absolutely loving Mukti's range of cruelty-free skincare products that I'm trying right now, as well as Herbivore Botanicals.
What Is Your Favourite Vegan Fashion Brand?
When it comes to what I wear, No Saints vegan sneakers are a MUST. And both Sans Beast and Angela Roi for creative and classic vegan bags.
What Vegan Hair Care Brand Do You Consider To be The Best?
I'm trying a few things at the moment when it comes to haircare but I prefer bottleless brands like Seed & Sprout and Ethique.
There are so many great vegan make-up brands around these days. Which are your preferred buys?
Inika, Charlotte Tilbury, Elf, Kat von De and even Mecca has a range of vegan products now too.
What is Your Fave Vegan Fragrance?
I tend to use pure essential oils instead of perfumes on my skin for fragrance, but I must admit I love the Recreation Bondi Beach range of perfumes.
What advice do you have for those new to a plant based lifestyle?
Listen to your body and don't start in a way that's too extreme or your plant-based journey might not last the distance. Make sustainable changes according to your lifestyle and life choices. Be curious. Educate yourself on not just the food, but the impact of products, how they are made and manufactured.
What advice do you have for those who slip up on their plant based journey?
Don't be too tough on yourself and stop trying to be perfect. Do the best you can, and remember that you can always come back to it.
Top tips for a plant powered life?
Ask a lot of questions about veganism. Experiment with new things. Don't be too judgmental of yourself or others. The best example you can give others of a vegan lifestyle is to be healthy, happy and successful.
"Just go out, live your best life" is my philosophy. And screw the peanut gallery haha.
About Heaven Leigh
Heaven Leigh is a plant-based business owner and third-generation restaurateur, running Australia's longest established vegan restaurant, Bodhi Restaurant Bar in Sydney's Cook+Phillip Park. Heaven has spent much of her career collaborating with like-minded businesses, celebrating her multicultural heritage, advocating for women supporting women in the workplace, and making plant-based food fun and accessible for people to incorporate into their lives. She is also an avid traveller and enjoys writing and filming her journey exploring plant-based cuisine around the globe.
The post Meet The Plant-Based Entrepreneur Who's Giving Veganism A Refreshing Makeover appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Delicious Roasted Chicken Salad with Goats Curd And Nuts appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Serves 3
INGREDIENTS
1 x Free range chicken breast, skin on 200g (wing bone out)
Pickled radish:
1 x bunch of pink radish
0.5ltr water
15g x Sugar
0.25lt White vinegar
Baby beetroot:
1 x bunch baby beets
0.5 lt water
15g sugar
15g salt
0.25lt white vinegar
Salted rhubarb:
1 x stalk rhubarb
30g x sugar
30g x salt
Lemon,honey dressing:
70ml extra virgin olive oil
35ml Lemon juice
30ml honey
Garnish:
1 x orange
15g x hazelnuts
15g x goats curd (per salad)
Edible flowers – violettas or pansy's
Micro watercress shoots
METHOD
For The Chicken
1 Seal the chicken breast skin side down first for a few minutes then turn over and seal on the otherside, remove from pan and place on tray and put into the oven on 180 degree's for around 12-15mins until cooked through. Remove from oven and cool.
2 Once cool slice the chicken breast into 12 thin slices. (4 slices per plate)
Pickled radish
1 Place water, sugar and vinegar in a pan and bring to the boil.
2 Trim the radishes, leaving no more than 1cm stalk and wash well removing any dirt, then turn down to a simmer and cook the radishes through. 20-30mins, until they are just cooked.
3 Remove from the liquid and then cool, after cooling cut in 1/4's
Baby beetroot
1 Place water, sugar and vinegar in a pan and bring to the boil.
2 Trim the baby beets leaving no more than 1cm stalk and wash well, place in the liquid and turn down to a simmer and cook the beets through until just cooked. Cool in the liquid then peel and cut into 1/4's.
Lemon, honey dressing
1 Combine the honey and lemon juice together, then add the oil very slowly continuously whisking.
Salted rhubarb
1 Slice rhubarb very thinly across the stalk width, rub the salt and sugar mix in with the rhubarb slices.
Garnish
1 Peel orange with a knife and then take the segments out 1 by 1 with a paring knife (1 segment per salad).
2 Roast hazelnuts in the oven for 5 mins, then roughly chopped.
For the Salad
1 Plate the chicken salad as per image above. – Goats curd on bottom of plate, slices of chicken on top of that, 2 x pieces of radish, rhubarb, baby beets neatly placed. 1 orange segment on top of the chicken, hazelnuts sprinkled and flower petals x 3 to 4 placed on dish and 2 to 3 shoots of micro watercress.
The Carousel thanks MV Epicure for this recipe.
The post Delicious Roasted Chicken Salad with Goats Curd And Nuts appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Are You Living In The Climate Reality Deficit? appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>A global study of more than 15,000 people conducted by electronics giant Epson has revealed a very remarkable perception towards climate change.
Almost half of all respondents stated they were "very" or "somewhat" optimistic that a climate crisis could be averted within their lifetime.
This is remarkable because most parts of the world have declared a climate emergency, and some parts are experiencing a climate crisis right now.
In August 2021, the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change delivered what the UN chief described as a 'code red' for humanity, with a report that outlines the high probability of extreme drought, precipitation deficit and water stress if the globe warms by more than 1.5 degrees Celsius. And we're likely to reach that temperature increase in less than 10 years at the rate we're currently going.
Precipitation is partly what keeps plants alive. A deficit basically means the earth becomes a desert.
Even if we throw everything we have at it, the report warned that some climate change events already in motion, such as sea level rise, could take "centuries to a millenia" to reverse.
And yet an astounding number of people believe a crisis is something that hasn't yet occurred.
Epson has described its findings as a 'triumph of optimism over evidence' and a 'damaging Climate Reality Deficit'.
What's driving the Climate Reality Deficit?
In her book, How to Talk About Climate Change in Way that Makes A Difference, social researcher Rebecca Huntley explores how different emotions prompt different responses to climate change. A chapter on hope pulls together reams of research to highlight the connection between what psychologists call 'optimism bias' and ineffective action.
Optimism bias is the belief that we're less likely to suffer a misfortune than the evidence suggests, and we're even less likely to suffer it than our peers. Even when people agree that climate change is real and will result in terrible outcomes, they have a tendency to believe they will not be personally affected by these outcomes.
Optimism bias gets worse when an outcome is presented as probable rather than certain. It gives people wriggle room to infer a happy outcome and disregard the seriousness of a situation. Think about every news report you've ever read about what 'could' happen if the earth heats past 1.5 degrees. Science is probably the only news beat that remains un-hyped and un-sensationalised, probably due to the inherent nature of its sources (scientists) to present everything as hypothetical. If Kanye West were our source of climate reality, the globe would have probably made a complete and panicked transition to renewables by now and we would all be vegetarians.
Now consider news bias. Not every report and research finding makes the news, and reports that are complicated and without appealing pictures or video footage are even less likely to do so. News bias is why the Epson survey responders were able to associate headline-making events like soaring temperatures and wildfires with climate change. Responders were less likely to associate climate change with famine and insect outbreaks, although they are the real existential threats that it poses.
When optimism bias meets news bias:
- People aren't generally able to recognise evidence of climate change as, well, evidence of climate change
- When they do recognise it, people are able to dismiss it as someone else's problem, and a problem that someone else will solve.
Is there no room for optimism?
There's nothing inherently wrong with being optimistic. In fact, without hope, people would exist in a paralytic fear, and that's not going to help us.
The reality is there is reason for optimism; IPCC experts say that strong and sustained reductions in emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases could quickly make air quality better, and in 20-30 years global temperatures could stabilise.
But we need to act now and we need to act big to move away from fossil fuels and provoke widespread changes to human behaviour, "especially in affluent countries," as Rebecca writes.
The problem with misguided hopefulness and optimism is that it dampens the sort of curiosity needed to seek accurate information, and it hampers effective action. Take our survey responders, for example. Transport generates between 20% and 25% of global carbon emissions, yet more than half of those surveyed hadn't made the switch to an electric vehicle. Meat and dairy production generate about 14% of global carbon emissions, and a quarter of all respondents said they would never give up either. On boycotting unsustainable brands, more than a third of respondents hadn't yet changed their shopping habits.
Bridging the gap
The most popular reasons cited by the survey respondents for their optimism was growing public awareness of climate change, a belief that science and technology would provide solutions, and that we are moving toward renewable energies. In Australia, those who were optimistic also commonly cited 'effective government action' as a reason for being hopeful.
Scientist and 2015 Young Farmer of the Year Anika Molesworth agreed with some, but not all, of these drivers of (misguided) hope.
"More people are switched on to the problem of climate change than ever before and we see better articles in the media," she said. "There is less climate debate and scepticism, and there is some fantastic research into technologies for clean energy, so I can understand those reasons.
"Government action in Australia, however, is woefully behind the mark. We have so many opportunities: We have an abundance of natural resources, we're the sunniest and windiest country, we have an incredible science community, and we have financial and political stability. We could be positioned as leaders. It's frustrating we're consistently ranked at the bottom for climate action."
While Anika listed strategies and firm targets as much-needed Government actions, she said the way Government talks about climate change was key to exacting widespread behaviour change.
"The narrative is that it's something for a later time, and we need to change that," she said. "We need to portray an honest and upfront account using science and without making it extreme. It's not being a Pollyanna and it's not a doom-laden picture of the future, otherwise people will give up. It's the middle ground, presenting the facts as much as we can and moving the conversation into the solution sphere.
"It means equipping people with a good understanding of what climate change is; That it is personal, urgent and you, as the individual, can do so much about it.
"The Government needs to be telling the climate change story the way it talks about Covid. Imagine a scientist at the lectern every evening counting how many people are dying of climate change and advising what you as an individual need to be doing today. We would see large scale social change happen."
Small things you can do with big impact
This month Anika released a climate change 'call to arms' in the form of her first book, Our Sunburnt Country. The final chapter outlines actions that each person can take today, this week, this month, and this year.
Here are five personal favourites:
- Think about your food: When you open the fridge today, consider where that food has come from, how it got to you, and the resources that went into producing it. Appreciate the food that fills your stomach.
- Practise conscious consumerism: Buy less and buy better.
- Invest your money wisely. A mindful money manifesto can help you budget and live more sustainably.
- Manage your power supply. Assess where your household and workplace energy are coming from, and switch to energy suppliers that provide clean energy.
- Engage with your local council. There are so many solutions and resources at a local level and change can be relatively easy to enact if you speak to the right people.
As Anika writes: "No one can do everything, but everyone can do something."
The post Are You Living In The Climate Reality Deficit? appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Easy to Make Savoury Apple and Sage Jelly Recipe appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Cooking time 45 minutes + overnight
Makes about 1 kg (2 lb 4 oz)
INGREDIENTS
1 kg (2 lb 4 oz) granny smith apples
3/4 cup loosely packed (15 g/1/2 oz) young sage leaves
1/2 cup (125 ml/4 fl oz) lemon juice
3 cups (750 ml/26 fl oz) water
1 cup (220 g/73/4 oz) white granulated sugar
extra 1/4 cup firmly packed (10 g/1/4 oz) shredded young sage leaves
METHOD
1 Chop the apple including the peel and core. Put into a sturdy wide-based pan with the whole sage leaves, lemon juice and water.
2 Bring slowly to the boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 30 minutes or until the apples are pulpy. Squash the apples with a potato masher or wooden spoon to break up any lumps.
3 Rinse a double layer of muslin (cheesecloth) in hot water and suspend over a bowl. Pour the apples and liquid into the muslin and let the liquid drain overnight. Do not press the solids or the juices will be cloudy; simply let the juices drip.
4Next day measure the reserved apple liquid (discard the pulp) and for each 1 cup (250 ml/9 fl oz) of liquid measure out 1 cup (220 g/73/4 oz) of sugar.
5 Put both into the pan and stir over a gentle heat until the sugar dissolves.
6 Increase the heat and boil rapidly, stirring often, for 20 minutes and then start testing for the setting point.
7 Remove any froth with a spoon. When you are satisfied with the set, add the shredded sage and stir gently into the jelly without making too many bubbles.
8 Pour immediately down the sides of clean warm jars (to prevent bubbles) and seal. Turn the jars upside down for 2 minutes, then invert and leave to cool.
9 Label and date the jars. Keep the jars in a cool dark place for 6–12 months and refrigerate after opening.
Tips
1 Other fresh herbs such as small tender rosemary, mint, parsley, basil, savory, tarragon or thyme can be used.
2 Don't panic if your jelly doesn't set after 24 hours. Tip it back into a pan, melt it down and cook until it passes the setting test. Often 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, dry sherry, whisky or brandy added before the jam is re-boiled, helps. Sweet jellies can be melted and served as a dessert sauce, perhaps thinned slightly with a little liqueur and savoury jellies can be brushed over grilled lamb or fish or stirred through hot vegetable dishes.
Recipes and Images from Apple Blossom Pie, by Kate McGhie, published by Murdoch Books
The post Easy to Make Savoury Apple and Sage Jelly Recipe appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post How to Style up Your Gym Wardrobe and Flow With the Latest Trends appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Other than making you look and feel good, new gym clothes can also boost your motivation and encourage you to work harder on your fitness goals. And with so many options to choose from, it is now easier than ever to find activewear that fits your particular style. If you are looking for tips on how to style up your gym wardrobe while flowing with the latest trends, scroll on for some stylish workout #ootd inspo!
Step up your gym outfit game with a cute unitard
The perfect combination of versatility, comfort, and functionality, the sporty unitard is a nod to the 90s aesthetics, and a key staple when it comes to feel good fashion . This powerful athleisure all-in-one piece is a superb choice if you're someone who often finds themselves struggling to coordinate their gym outfits, allowing you to focus on your workouts sans hassle.
Whether you're hitting the gym, practicing yoga flows, or heading to your Pilates session, the bodysuit will keep you comfy and stylish. With the addition of trainers and your favorite slouchy sweater, you can easily give this workout outfit a more casual feel. Step up your gym outfit game even further by reaching for unitards in bold colors and prints. Need more styling inspo? Head to Kylie Jenner and Emily Ratajkowski's Instagram to pick up some styling tricks and create the cutest unitard looks.
Keep it stylish with sleek and versatile separates
Another athleisure trend reshaping the current fashion landscape, sporty separates are ideal for adding a stylish flair not only to your sweat sessions at the gym but also everyday activities. From zip front hoodies and stylish crop tops to cozy sweatpants to short sleeve crews, versatile and sleek separates are sometimes all you need to give your gym wardrobe the injection of style it deserves.
According to Australian health and fitness blog body+soul, the Aussie activewear brands are making a splash in the athleisure scene. With online shopping continuously being made easier and more convenient, finding the most stylish workwear Australia has to offer is often just a couple of clicks away. Whether you opt for vibrant colors or opt for something more neutral is up to you. One thing's for certain – these pieces will keep you comfortable and in-vogue during each and every sweat session, whether at home or at a local gym.
Combine comfort and style with high-waisted leggings
Probably the first thing that comes to mind at the mention of athleisure, high-waisted leggings have become a staple in our gym wardrobes just as much as our regular, everyday closets. Light and breathable, leggings are sporty pieces that could be worn on multiple occasions , whether you're headed for a brunch, tackling your grocery shopping list, or simply running errands. They're the perfect sporty add-on for when you're doing cardio or lifting weights at the gym, but they're equally practical for Pilates, yoga, and running.
Stay fabulous with refined and elegant sports bras and tops
When talking about stylish gym wardrobes, it's impossible not to mention sports bras and tops . They are the basis of every good workout outfit, and provide you with comfort and support you need during your workouts, especially high-intensity ones. They can also come in handy if you're kickboxing, or rowing, or heading to a spin class.
For a more on-trend look, choose sport bras and tops with elegant lace-up details as they'll give your workout #ootds a rebellious edge. Keep things versatile with rib knits that can take you from a workout to a stroll through the town, and opt for sensual cutouts to give your sportswear just the right amount of oomph by showing a little skin.
Wrapping up
Whether you're a yogi, a runner, a gym newbie, or an occasional at-home workouter, your athleisure repertoire could use a couple of updates once in a while. Add these trendy activewear pieces to your next shopping list, and you'll be well on your way to crafting a gym wardrobe that will help you stay fit and fabulous.
The post How to Style up Your Gym Wardrobe and Flow With the Latest Trends appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Botanica's Beetroot, Orange, Feta and Mint Salad appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>This salad is the perfect accompaniment to a piece of grilled wild salmon or BBQ'd prawn. It is also a super easy, super healthy salad to throw together on those occasions when you have to bring something along to a get together. Peel, wash, cut, mix and the job is done.
Serves 4
INGREDIENTS
4 large beetroot
2 oranges
1 cup mint
100 grams feta
METHOD
1 Peel beetroot. Then grate, using the grating attachment on a standard food processor (it will shred the beetroot in no time, but if you don't have one just use your regular grater to grate the beetroot). Remember to wear gloves. If you don't have any gloves rub a bit of oil on your hands then after washing with a bit of soapy water you hands won't be stained with beetroot juice.
2 Peel oranges; remove seeds and dice (place a tea towel under your cutting board – it gets wet!).
3 Wash mint and remove leaves from stems, discard stems and roughly slice or tear leaves. Crumble feta into nail size pieces.
4 Salad presentation; Using a bowl or flat serving platter layer up the grated beetroot with the other 3 ingredients making sure you hold back some feta, orange and mint to sprinkle over the top of the salad.
5 Layering it in this way keeps all the ingredients looking vibrant and prevents the beetroot colour bleeding into all the other gorgeous natural colours.
The Carousel thanks botanicarealfood for this recipe
The post Botanica's Beetroot, Orange, Feta and Mint Salad appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post If Only Parenting & Prams Were This Glamorous… appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>If your pram feels more like a 4WD than a sleek European convertible, add a touch of Euro style to your wheels collection. Emile Kuenen, the Creative Director of Dutch pram brand Joolz, found and designed his pram company, Joolz, after a few drinks on Amsterdam's canals. As you do.
For Italian Flair: The Joolz Quadro
Based on Italian styling and inspired by the warm welcoming Italian culture and traditions, where people love to relax, celebrate and socialise with family and friends, the Joolz Quadro collection is mix of modern meets classic with comfort, class and function. Bellissimo!
The Key 'Italiano' Features:
- Elegant Shady Grey chassis and anthracite wheels
- Detailed leatherette trims of the handle and bumper bar
- Available in four shades: Blu, Carbon, Denim and Grigio (not the liquid kind…)
- Includes: the chassis, cot, seat, shopping basket and rain cover.
- Optional accessories: nursery bag, footmuff and parasol.
The Joolz Quadro, $1599.
The Quadro carry cot.
Rich fabrics detailed with a stitched check pattern and a soft grey mélange lining.
Get a firm handle on things…
And when baby is bigger, voila! Let's start sightseeing!
For European Adventurers: The Joolz Geo
When in Rome… or Australia, you'll be doing a lot of walking with your little-ones in-toe. The Joolz Geo is designed for growing families who love a little adventure and want four stylish wheels that will allow them to travel in five-star style and comfort.
- Designed to expand and adapt as your family grows – the modular design has five configurations.
- Expandable with various accessories such as adapters, to attach one or two car seats and other practical solutions for rain, sun, mosquito's and drinks.
- Has a black and silver chassis and anthracite wheels.
- Stylish leatherette handle and bumper bar.
- Allows you to add an extra-large, robust shopping basket for storage.
- Ergonomic design.
- Available in five colours: Parrot blue, Elephant grey, Lobster red, Hippo anthracite and Turtle green.
- Accessories available: matching nursery bag, footmuff and parasol.
The Joolz Geo Mono, $1,699. Featured with cot and basket in Elephant grey.
The Geo with seat and basket in Parrot blue.
The Geo with seat and lower cot in Lobster red.
The Joolz Geo Mono can easily be extended to the Duo configuration, $2,099. Featured in Parrot blue.
Geo Raincover in Parrot Blue Brown.
Geo Parasol in Parrot Blue.
The Joolz Geo Twin configuration, $2,259, is suitable for newborn twins. Both cots and seats are large in size, while only 60cm wide, making the Joolz Geo extremely manoeuvrable along narrow paths and through doors.
Joolz Geo is available at selected retailers
Do you own a Joolz? What do you think of the new wheels?
The post If Only Parenting & Prams Were This Glamorous… appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Eat Your Way To Better Health With Susie Burrell This Healthy Gut Month appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Leading dietitian Susie Burrell says gut health is one of the most important aspects of improving your health and wellbeing.
"The health of the gut plays a fundamental role in influencing our physical, digestive and mental health. As we learn, more and more we come to understand that a healthy gut means a healthier mind and body," Susie says.
"As such, nourishing our digestive system each day is important, but the good news is that it needn't be complicated. It can be as easy as adding a few extra fruit and veggie serves into each meal or snack you enjoy."
There's one thing you can incorporate that can make the biggest difference to your gut health each day, as dietitian Susie explains.
"Probiotics are known to have a range of gut health-related benefits. They're the 'good bugs' that are naturally found in the digestive tract," she says.
"Probiotic-rich foods, such as Table of Plenty's Kefir, have been shown to help reduce digestive symptoms such as constipation and bloating, restore gut flora and rebalance the bacteria required for optimal nutrient absorption."
"Add a little more fibre into your diet each day and gradually up your water intake. Six to eight glasses or about two litres every day is the sweet spot," she says.
Easiest way to get more dietary fibre? Susie says to seek out whole grains in your snacks and meals – cereals and a variety of vegetables are a couple of great examples.
"From eating slower to moving a little after meals, how you eat is just as important as what you eat when it comes to your gut. There are so many ways to ensure you're looking after your gut – it's really about finding what suits your routine," she says.
Table of Plenty's range of Kefir, Panko Crumbs, Dukkah and wholegrain Rice Cakes are all good options for keeping up nutritional variety and fibre in your diet to support a healthy gut.
Kickstart your gut health with probiotic-packed meals and more wholesome versions of your classic favourites.
Susie Burrell is one of Australia's leading dieticians, and has worked with children, athletes and clients with a range of dietary and health issues. She is well known for her work in the media.
Panko Crumbed Veggies with Kefir Dipping Sauce
Serves 2-4
Ingredients
- 4-6 cups of chopped vegetables (broccoli florets, cauliflower florets, green beans, eggplant slices, zucchini)
- ¾ cup skim milk
- ¼ cup of water
- ¾ cup of flour
- 1 packet of Table of Plenty Deep South Cajun Panko Crumbs
- 1 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Kefir Dipping Sauce
- 1 cup Table of Plenty Natural Probiotic Kefir
- ¼ tsp dried dill
- ½ tsp dried parsley
- ½ tsp dried chives
- ½ garlic powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- Cracked black pepper to taste
- 1 tsp fresh lemon juice
Method
- Preheat oven to 200°
- In a large bowl combine milk, water, and flour with a whisk until evenly combined.
- Fill separate bowl with Panko Crumbs.
- Coat vegetable pieces evenly with the milk, water and flour mixture then transfer to the bowl filled with Panko Crumbs and coat.
- Line a tray with baking paper, drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and place coated vegetables on tray.
- Bake for 30 minutes or until golden, tossing halfway.
- While vegetables are in the oven, start the dipping sauce. Combine all ingredients in a small bowl and stir with a fork until evenly mixed. Add extra pepper or lemon juice to taste.
- Remove vegetables from oven and serve with dipping sauce.
The post Eat Your Way To Better Health With Susie Burrell This Healthy Gut Month appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Succulent Duck Breast With Ginger And Plums Recipe appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Michele adds: "I know I shouldn't say things like that, but a roast duck is all about that amazing burnished and crisp skin, which I think can be hard to achieve in a home kitchen. This recipe is a quick-fix, kitchen-friendly option that uses only the breast fillet, which is, after all, the most succulent part of the duck. Its flavourings of white pepper, five spice, ginger and plums take their cue from those wonderful Chinatown ducks, but unites them all in what is basically a very simple roast."
Serves 6
INGREDIENTS
6 boneless duck breast fillets, skin on
2 tablespoons light brown sugar
1 tablespoon sea salt
1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper
1/2 teaspoon Chinese five spice
125 ml (4 fl oz/1/2 cup) brandy
9 plums, halved and stones removed
4 cm (1 1/2 inch) piece fresh ginger, peeled and thinly sliced
1 large leek, white part only, rinsed and julienned
2 teaspoons olive oil
1 handful coriander (cilantro) leaves, to serve
METHOD
1 Score the skin of the duck in a crisscross pattern. Put the brown sugar, sea salt, white pepper and five spice in a small bowl and stir to combine. Rub the flavoured salt into the duck skin.
2 Pour the brandy into a square storage container and add the duck breasts, skin side up. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for a few hours or overnight.
3 Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Put the plums, ginger and leek in a roasting dish, drizzle with the olive oil and season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. Roast in the oven for 20 minutes.
4 Meanwhile, heat a large non-stick frying pan over low–medium heat. Remove the duck breasts from the marinade, reserving the marinade. Put the duck breasts in the pan, skin side down, and cook for about 10 minutes. You want to slowly crispen the skin but not burn it, so keep an eye on the temperature of the pan.
5 Remove the plums from the oven and increase the oven temperature to 200°C (400°F). Put the duck breasts on top of the plums, skin side up. Pour over the reserved marinade and return the dish to the oven for a further 15 minutes.
6 Slice the duck breasts across the grain, spoon over the plums and leek and scatter with the coriander leaves. Serve with a side dish of steamed Asian greens and buttery brown rice.
Recipe and Image from A Simple Table by Michele Cranston, published by Murdoch Books
The post Succulent Duck Breast With Ginger And Plums Recipe appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post No Bake Cosmos And Strawberry Frozen Layer Cake Recipe appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Best of all you can make this no bake layer cake up to a week before you need it and keep it in the freezer.
Allow it to thaw and decorate with fresh flowers when ready to serve. If there are leftovers, refreeze without the flower decorations.
No Bake Cosmos And Strawberry Frozen Layer Cake Recipe
Serves 8-10
Crust
- 1 cup almonds, soaked 4 hours then drained
- 8 pitted soft dates
- 1/3 cup sunflower seeds soaked 4 hours
- 1 ½ tablespoons coconut oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
Cashew layer
- 2 cups raw cashews, soaked 2 hours then drained
- 1/3 cup coconut oil
- 3 lemons zested and juiced
- ¼ cup coconut water
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1 teaspoon vanilla paste
Strawberry layer
- 30 ml lime juice
- 30 ml water
- 4 g agar agar or 8 g Jell-It-In
- 250 g fresh or frozen strawberries
- 1 cup cooked sweetened rosellas with ¼ cup juice*
Crust: Use a food processor to process all the ingredients to a fine crumb. Press the crumb mix into a parchment or foil-lined 20 cm springform pan. Chill.
Cashew layer: Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature and that the coconut oil is liquid. Whizz the ingredients in a blender for 1 to 2 minutes until silky smooth. Pour the cashew mixture over the crust and freeze.
Strawberry layer: Make this layer once the cashew layer is firm. Place the lime juice, water and agar in a saucepan. Mix until dissolved. Bring to the boil then turn off heat. Add the berries and rosellas to the saucepan and heat through gently until the agar is once again dissolved. Cool just a little. Blend the mixture until smooth.
Pour over the cashew layer and freeze.
Serve thawed, topped with a garland of cosmos.
Cook's note:
*You may substitute cooked sweetened plums for rosellas.
The Carousel would like to thank Linda from Ecobotanica for this recipe.
Read also Green Curry With Beef, Eggplant And Thai Basil Ready In 15 Minutes
The post No Bake Cosmos And Strawberry Frozen Layer Cake Recipe appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Kamalaya Baked Apple with Mango Coulis Recipe appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Red apple 1 piece
Oats or Muesli Mix, organic 30g
Coconut water 40g
Pineapple juice 80ml
Coconut flesh 40g
Raisins black 25g
Cinnamon powder 1g
Lime juice 1ml
Watermelon 30g
Pineapple flesh 30g
Papaya 20g
Mango sauce
Mango 120g
Mint 1g
Lime juice 3ml
METHOD
1. Find a small sized apple, as it is a dessert and shouldn't be too large.
2. Scrape out the seeds and flesh so there is about 5 cm flesh underneath the skin.
3. Separate the edible flesh and non edible seeds.
4. Heat up the coconut water and add the oats, raisins and cinnamon.
5. Simmer for 8 – 10 minutes, 2 minutes from the end add the chopped coconut flesh, apple flesh and lime juice.
6. Make sure the liquid has been reduced before filling the apple with the mixture.
7. Bake the apple in a pan with pineapple juice in the bottom, otherwise the bottom of the apple gets burnt for aprox. 8 minutes by 190-200 degree Celsius.
8. Blend the mango, lime juice and mint until it becomes a nice smooth sauce. 9. Place the apple on top of the mango coulis and serve.
Kamalaya as a multi-award winning wellness sanctuary and holistic spa on the tropical southern coastline of Koh Samui offering inspired healthy cuisine alongside a choice of tailored wellness programmes including detox, weight loss, stress & burnout, sleep and personalised yoga.
Want to age beautifully? Read Kamalaya Co-Founder, Karina Stewart's top tips for health ageing here…
The post Kamalaya Baked Apple with Mango Coulis Recipe appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Radish Flower Gazpacho Soup With Herbed Sour Cream appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Serves 5 GF, V
Herbed Sour Cream
- 300 ml softly whipped sour cream or stirred and softened crème fraiche
- 3 tablespoons each of snipped chives, basil and mint
- 2 tablespoons radish flowers
- Ice cubes to serve
Soup
- 1 cup tomato juice
- 2 ripe, soft tomatoes, quartered
- 1 small Lebanese or telephone cucumber, cut into pieces
- ½ small green capsicum, cut roughly
- 1 spring onion
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon cider vinegar
- 1 clove garlic
- ¼ cup radish flowers, plus extra to serve
- 8 ice cubes
Herbed Sour Cream: Mix the sour cream with the snipped herbs in a small bowl. Set aside. Keep the flowers to add to the top when serving.
Soup: Divide the ingredients into two equal batches so your blender doesn't overflow. Blend the first batch until smooth, then pour into a jug. Repeat with the second batch.
Put a couple of ice cubes into each bowl or serving glass. Pour over the soup. Pipe on the herbed sour cream and sprinkle the radish flowers on the top.
The Carousel would like to thank Linda from Ecobotanica for this recipe.
Read also Thai-Glazed Lamb Loin Chops With Sweetcorn Slaw
The post Radish Flower Gazpacho Soup With Herbed Sour Cream appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Get Your Kids Cycling With The Pedal Club – A Sustainable Bike Subscription Service appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Buying a bike for your child should be a fun experience but all too often it's time consuming and expensive, particularly with a growing family. Here's where The Pedal Club is the perfect solution. Instead of buying bikes, you can use their bike subscription service.
The brainchild of Fergus Woollcombe , the Founder of The Pedal Club, the service is also much more sustainable given children need new bikes every time they have a growth spurt. Fergus is a passionate environmentalist, keen cyclist and started the Sydney-based business after being made redundant from his job at a Commercial Real Estate company.
"My mission at The Pedal Club is to set the modern standard for parent consumerism and to establish subscriptions as the practical alternative for take, make, waste in the kids bike sector," he told The Carousel. "I want to build an inclusive, helpful and engaged community providing parents with far more than just a product."
Fergus began his journey by gaining work and experience at a bike shop to get close to the industry that he believed needed change. After seeing the issues parents faced when buying bikes for their kids he launched The Pedal Club earlier this year which allows parents access to high quality, lightweight bikes from just $15 per month and gives them the opportunity to swap the bikes as their kids grow.
Fergus, who lives in Bondi Beach with his fiancee, has always loved cycling and wants every kid to have the possibility of riding the right size, quality bikes in a safe environment.
Bikes are listed on The Pedal Club website where they can be hand picked by parents and their kids. Fergus and The Pedal Club team will help the parents select the right bike and continue that customer interaction throughout their time as a member. Once the bike has been returned for a bigger model it will be refurbished and resubscribed. At the end of its time with The Pedal Club a bike, if in working condition, will be sent them to one of their charity partners who provide bikes to communities in need both in Australia and Overseas.
Fergus was also selected to be part of the Hatch Taronga Accelerator Group. HATCH aims to inspire, support and launch innovative ideas and actions to help address some of the most pressing environmental and conservation challenges currently facing our planet.
Contact info www.thepedalclub.com.au
The post Get Your Kids Cycling With The Pedal Club – A Sustainable Bike Subscription Service appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Thai-Glazed Lamb Loin Chops With Sweetcorn Slaw appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Thai food has long been a top choice for take away in Australia, however it's not that difficult to serve your family delicious and healthy Thai meals from your own kitchen.
You won't need a huge budget and several hours to try this recipe.
Preparation: 15 minutes – Cooking: 30 minutes – Serves: 4
INGREDIENTS
- 8 lamb loin chops, trimmed
- 2 tbsp. palm sugar (or brown sugar), finely chopped
- 2 tbsp. fish sauce
- 2 tbsp. tamarind puree
Sweetcorn slaw
- 2 corn cobs, husks removed
- 1/4 red cabbage, thinly sliced
- 1 cucumber, halved lengthways and sliced on the diagonal
- 1/2 cup mint leaves
- Juice of 1 lime, plus wedges to serve
METHOD
- Place lamb loin chops on a plate or tray in a single layer. Combine palm sugar, fish sauce and tamarind in a jug and use a pastry brush to coat the lamb chops on both sides with the glaze.
- Preheat a BBQ or chargrill pan and cook corn for around 15 minutes, turning occasionally, until grill marks appear. Allow to cool slightly and cut kernels off the cob. Place in a large bowl with cabbage, cucumber, mint and lime juice. Season with salt and pepper and toss to combine.
- Cook lamb chops on the barbecue or chargrill pan for 5-6 minutes per side, then turn and cook edges until crispy. Rest for 5-10 minutes. Sprinkle with a few flakes of salt to serve.
- Serve lamb with slaw and lime wedges.
COOKING TIPS
If you'd like to try a different cut of lamb, replace the lamb loin chops with cutlets or forequarter chops. If time permits marinate the chops the day before for a more intense flavour.
The Carousel would like to thank the Beef and Lamb Association for this recipe.
Find more delicious Thai and lamb recipes to try at home:
- Green Curry With Beef, Eggplant And Thai Basil Ready In 15 Minutes
- BBQ Lamb Cutlets With A Yoghurt, Feta And Mint Dipping Sauce
The post Thai-Glazed Lamb Loin Chops With Sweetcorn Slaw appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Home made Coconut Yoghurt Is Easier To Make Then You Think appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>If you love the coconut yoghurt you buy at the store, you are going to love making your own for so many reasons… It tastes delicious, it's a whole lot cheaper and it's lovingly made by you!
This an updated coconut yoghurt recipe, even easier than before, with a sweet option for you too.
My delicious recipe for coconut yoghurt pairs sensationally with the rose petal jam and of course with the Raw Granola in the A Delicious Bunch Book.
Have you seen my short video on how to make Rose petal Jam? Click here to see it. You will want to plant a dozen fragrant roses and make this jam I promise you.
1 x 400 gram can coconut cream*
½ teaspoon (2 grams) Agar**
1 capsule dairy free probiotic powder
To make this yoghurt sweet, you may add a dessertspoon of sugar or honey and a tiny slurp of vanilla .
Using a spoon, blend the coconut cream and agar powder in a saucepan. Make sure you have no lumps. Bring to a gentle simmer, and hold that heat for 30 seconds to activate the agar. Remove from the heat and cool to 36 degrees C.
Open the probiotic capsule and add the contents to the coconut cream mixture. Whisk through until combined.
Pour the mixture into a clean glass or ceramic bowl and cover. (I use a sheet of greaseproof paper held in place with a rubber band). Cover with a towel and sit it in warm spot for 12 hours to culture. I use the dehydrator turned onto 36C for the warm spot, but you may have a yoghurt maker.
After 12 hours, remove the towel and cover the container with beeswax or other lid to keep it airtight. Refrigerate.
The post Home made Coconut Yoghurt Is Easier To Make Then You Think appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Stylist Rachel Zoe On The Five Wardrobe Essentials Every Woman Needs appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>What five pieces should every woman own?
– A great leather jacket – one you can wear all year.
– Your favourite go-to jeans, whatever they are: wide leg, skinny, crop.
– An amazing tuxedo or suit, preferably in black or charcoal grey, that you can break up and mix and match.
– The perfect pump in black, nude or metallic.
– A great little black dress – which, very often for me, is a jumpsuit – or whatever version of the little black dress yours is. Something that, if you have to run to a dinner or an event, you know will look good. Make it happen.
What is your favourite fashion era and why?
It never changes for me. It's the 1960s and '70s, hands down. Everything about it – the music, the style, the energy, the nightclubs, the glamour of that period, the effortless cool of it all – in the women and the men. It's my happy place.
What inspires you?
Many, many things influence me. As a designer and stylist, it's iconic women (and men very often – like John Lennon, Paul McCartney or Mick Jagger), such as Bianca Jagger or Brigitte Bardot. It's also places I go on my travels. The environment I'm in gets me really excited and wanting to design a collection around it or style in that mood. Sometimes it's my kids who inspire me and make me think about something based on things they've done or where we've been together.
What do you predict will be the trend of the season?
There are so many trends for Spring/Summer. Kaftans are here to stay – please wear them. Whether they're kimono sleeves or sleeveless – it doesn't matter. Wear a kaftan.
Which trends will you embrace this season?
Wash-and-go hair, great jewellery – big cuffs, a huge necklace. Slip dresses, kaftans, sarongs, espadrilles, wood stacked heels – nothing formal. Lots of metallic, lots of neutral colours. That's my version of bright colour, which would be nude! It's Missoni weather. I get more girly and more beachy. Nothing fussy, nothing too polished and nothing formal.
The post Stylist Rachel Zoe On The Five Wardrobe Essentials Every Woman Needs appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Would You Put Mayo On Your Head For Super Soft Hair? appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Yes, this is now a thing. Many beauty bloggers on social media are applying mayonnaise as a hair mask claiming that it gives you super glossy soft hair.
What next? Vegemite face masks? As ridiculous as this latest beauty fad sounds, the mayo hair mask apparently actually works.
Here's one of our favourite beauty bloggers trying out the mayo hair mask @farahdhukai.
Farah recommends putting the mayo straight onto dry hair so your hair soaks up more of the mayo, giving it a deeper condition.
Here's another beauty blogger trying out the mayo hair mask, claiming that it left her with some glossy hair.
Given mayonnaise is made with mainly oil and eggs, which are full of protein, there is some method behind this madness that it will condition your hair. Note, however, it has to be full fat mayonnaise for the best results, unlike our bodies our hair actually wants to absorb the fatty oils.
However, the sound of a mayo hair mask probably doesn't appeal to most of us because let's face it, mayonnaise isn't the most fragrant of condiments.
Try adding a few drops of vanilla extract to your mayo hair mask mixture before you slap it onto your head. If anything, it will make the whole experience more pleasant for you whilst you are waiting for the thirty minutes conditioning time.
We would much rather have the scent of vanilla filling our noses for half an hour than mayonnaise, or maybe just sit next to a scented candle.
Wash out thoroughly with your favourite smelling shampoo and dry, then run your fingers through your amazingly smooth and silky hair.
You don't need to condition afterwards because the mayo hair mask is the conditioning treatment and according to many beauty experts the reverse hair washing process is the secret to super glossy hair. First intensely condition and then shampoo.
So there you have it, a conditioning hair mask that's waiting for you to try in your kitchen.
The post Would You Put Mayo On Your Head For Super Soft Hair? appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Are you Psychic? 7 Psychic Abilities You Might Have appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>
So which of the following most applies to you?
Here are the seven psychic abilities:
Clairvoyance
Clear seeing: The ability to see or have visions: Clairvoyant mediums have the ability to "see" things presented to them in the Mind's eye or the Third eye. We see these visions as mental flashes which include pictures of people, scenes, places, objects, spirit, symbols and colours.
Clairaudience
Clear Hearing: The ability to "hear" messages from the spirit realm. Messages are being transmitted directly into your mind. At times you may hear a non- descript voice call your name or a mix of voices like listening to a radio.
Clairempathy
Sensing emotion: Everyone can sense emotion but Empathic mediums sense or feel emotions from individuals or spirits. You have the ability to access other people's emotions and can sense their happiness, joy, elation, pride, sadness, anger and fear.
Clairsentience
Sensing feeling: This is commonly described as 'gut feeling' or intuition. You have the ability to sense and feel emotions from spirit both positive and negative. These feelings are being transmitted by your guides and are clearly different from your own feelings. You can receive warnings this way as in feeling that something is not right or get an excited, elated feeling when something wonderful is about to happen.
Clairalience
Sense of smell: An ability to smell a fragrance or odour that is being transmitted by the spirit. Each time, the people around cannot usually smell the odour. It can be related to the spirit who is sending the message such as smelling cigarettes or pipe tobacco for someone who smoked or the person's favourite perfume.
Clairgustance
Sense of taste: You can "taste" essences being transmitted by spirit. Spirit can transfer a character or behaviour influence to us and sometimes it comes in the form of a flavour. This is usually something that they loved while they were in body.
Clairtangency
Touch or feeling: This is also known as Psychometry. You are able to receive a message by touching or holding an object in your hands. The object is personal and has the vibration of the owner in the composition or material of the item.
You can tell the personality of the owner and perhaps see, hear or feel situations that are going on around the person, past or present. Psychics usually have one or more of these gifts which can be used on its own or all together, the most common would be clairsentience, nearly everyone would say at some point in their lives they have used the "gut feeling". One to three is common but it is rare to have all of the psychic senses.
Do you have psychic abilities? Tell us in the comments below!
https://thecarousel.com/living/careers/psychics-and-mediums-5-popular-myths-debunked/
https://thecarousel.com/wellness/your-personal-destiny-and-life-path-numerology-test/
The post Are you Psychic? 7 Psychic Abilities You Might Have appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post 5 Ways to Move Stagnant Energy Through Your Body appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>But even after such an active period, it's easy to lapse into sedate habits as soon as the summer is over. Even though it's not that cold just yet, we're starting to change our pace and snuggle into the comfortable fall lifestyle, with richer meals and less movement – simply put, we're undoing all the good we achieved during summer.
However, it doesn't have to be that way. It's time to shake ourselves awake and move that stagnant energy through our body and learn to be active even during the fall and winter.
Awaken the strength of your body through movement
To awaken your energy, you must awaken your body. The best way to do that is through physical exercise. This will increase your blood flow and slowly give you the strength to tap into the rejuvenating power of the new season.
If it's been a while since you've exercised, you could start slow – 20-minute workouts at home six times a week can be more than enough to improve your circulation and restore your energy bit by bit. Depending on when you're reading this article, you may or may not be able to join a gym or take a yoga class. If the quarantine and social-distancing rules are still in effect, don't worry – at-home workouts are a great way to get fit.
You can do standard exercise sets if you're looking for something more traditional, or try an online yoga class. Choose any kind of physical activity that you enjoy because this will help you approach workouts with a positive attitude. Forcing yourself to do intense workouts that you hate doing won't help you cleanse your energy. It will only bring more negativity into your life.
Do a detox
While detox isn't the first thing that comes to mind when it comes to fall and winter (these seasons are usually reserved for unhealthy sugary and greasy foods after all) that doesn't mean you can't do it. Your body will need to flush out all of the toxins so it can recover full functionality, and a home detox is a good way to do that.
If you're wondering how to detox your system safely and effectively, we can help you out. There are several ways you can go about it. One is to try freshly-squeezed juices, but if you want something more effective, you might want to try a real detox program. This is particularly important for those who are exposed to heavy toxins on a daily basis and need something that will get rid of unwanted chemicals from of their body. Rely on quality vitamins and herbal supplements, and avoid drinking alcohol, smoking, or eating junk food during a detox (and in general) and you'll get pretty great results.
Breath work and meditation
Meditation is a slow, patient thing. It may seem like it invites stagnation at first, but in truth, it has the ability to wake us up completely. If you want your energy to flow freely, then consider meditating every day for at least 10 minutes. If you're not sure how to start, you can always follow a guided meditation program from Headspace or try a mindfulness app on your phone.
If you're still not sold on the whole meditation idea, you can try something simpler: breath work. Basically, it's a short, calming exercise that can help you get rid of negative energy within minutes.
Here's how to do it:
- Inhale slowly, counting out three seconds. Make sure to inhale from the belly, not just the chest.
- Hold your breath for three seconds.
- Exhale slowly, counting out five seconds.
- Repeat.
You can do this once a day every morning, or you can do it whenever you feel tense or overwhelmed.
Let go of your resentments
There is nothing more limiting than anger and resentment. It makes your spirit stagnate and it hinders your growth. It basically robs you of your peace and stales the energy inside your body. To help it move again take some time to consider the relationships in your life – have some of them become toxic? Do you carry a lot of anger and jealousy inside you?
Now is a good time to let those go. The best way to go about it is through psychotherapy, or simply by talking things through with a trusted confidante.
Tap into your creativity
There is nothing more effective than kickstarting stagnant energy than creative energy. This can manifest in any number of ways: through painting, knitting, designing a video game, cooking, writing, making furniture, making jewelry. Tap into your own creative power and use it to pull you through periods of staleness.
Try some of these tips and you can expect to slowly awaken your body. Remember, do a little bit each day and soon you'll replenish your energy and get back to your old self.
https://thecarousel.com/events/how-to-throw-the-most-amazing-surprise-party-of-all-time/
The post 5 Ways to Move Stagnant Energy Through Your Body appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post How To Be Healthy & Enjoy Life's Sweet Things appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>So, how do you maintain a healthy lifestyle whilst still being able to enjoy the sweet things in life? Making positive dietary choices including reduced sugar consumption and living an active life is the first step.
An easy way to implement this is by eliminating highly processed foods from the diet and substituting sugar with natural sweeteners including SteviaSweet.
It has been proven that a diet low in refined sugar can provide an abundance of health benefits including more consistent energy levels, improved sleep, decreased sugar cravings and healthier organs. It can also decrease the risk of a number of diet related diseases.
SteviaSweet is derived from the stevia plant, making it 100% natural.
The use of natural and plant based sweeteners is becoming increasingly popular as research continues to show the correlation between diet and long-term health status.
Weight management is also a factor when it comes to living a healthy, balanced lifestyle. A diet filled with a variety of whole foods paired with a physically active life can make a big difference. SteviaSweet can also assist with healthy weight maintenance as it has the same sweetness as sugar, minus the unwanted calories.
Other lifestyle activities can also have a positive impact on health status. For example, aiming to drink 6 glasses of water each day, taking regular breaks from sitting down as well as decreasing use of technology when accessible. Incidental exercise like taking the stairs and making a conscious effort to walk to destinations can also assist with achieving physical activity and movement goals.
It is easy to incorporate SteviaSweet into most of your favourite sweet and savoury recipes. The SteviaSweet granules can be used in baked treats and the tablets can be added to coffee and tea for an added hint of sweetness.
SteviaSweet can also be used to sweeten salad dressings, stir-fries, curries as well as sprinkled over your breakfast cereal. Cold beverages including cocktails and iced tea can even be made lower in calories if they are sweetened with SteviaSweet.
Making the switch from sugar to a 100% natural sweetener like SteviaSweet is an easy and effective lifestyle choice. Positive changes to the diet can make a difference at any life stage and a healthy lifestyle is the key to optimal health, vitality and longevity.
SteviaSweet is available in a variety of different product types, including sachets, liquid, tablets, and granulated in easy to use jars. SteviaSweet is widely accessible and available at most major grocers. For products, check out the link here.
This is a sponsored post by Hermesetas. All opinions expressed by the author are authentic and written in their own words.
SteviaSweet is 100% natural and as sweet as sugar, but without sugar's high calories. Substitute SteviaSweet for sugar in cooking, baking, and to sweeten beverages as a low-calorie, healthy alternative.
Here is a gorgeous recipe using SteviaSweet:
Mixed Berry Tart Recipe
Serves 6
Preparation time 30 minutes
Cooking time: 55 minutes
INGREDIENTS
175 g (6oz) plain flour
75g (3oz) butter, chilled and diced
4-6 tbsp chilled water
Filling
50 g (2oz) raspberries
225g(8oz)strawberries
Approx 300ml (1/2 pint) low fat milk
3 eggs
6 tbsp Hermesetas SteviaSweet Granulated
1 tbsp vanilla extract
For the topping
1 x 9g sachet sugar-free strawberry jelly
225g (8oz) strawberries
100 g (4oz) raspberries
METHOD
1 Put the flour into a bowl and rub in the butter to make a crumbly mixture. Add enough water (4-6 tbsp) to make a firm dough.
2 Roll out the pastry on a lightly floured surface and use to line a 20 cm (8 in) fluted flan tin, prick the base with a fork. Cover with cling film and chill for 30 minutes.
3 Preheat the oven to 200°C/180°C Fan/400°F/Gas Mark 6.
4 Remove the cling film from the pastry case and line with foil so it supports the sides, then fill with baking beans. Bake blind for 12-15 minutes, until the pastry is set, then lift out the foil and beans. Return the empty pastry case to the oven for another 5-10 minutes or until it is golden pale and completely dry. Set aside to cool while you make the filling.
5 Put the strawberries and raspberries for the filling into a blender and whizz until smooth. Strain to remove the pips. Pour the puree into a saucepan and add the milk, heat gently on the hob.
6 Beat the eggs and the Hermesetas SteviaSweet Granulated together in a bowl and then stir in the warmed, fruity milk mixture. Add the vanilla extract and blend it well. Pour into the flan case and cook for 25-30 minutes, until set. Allow to cool completely, then chill for 2 hours.
7 Pour the contents of the jelly sachet into a jug. Add 300ml/1/2pt of boiling water. Stir well until dissolved. Chill for 1 hour or until the jelly begins to thicken.
8 Slice remaining strawberries and arrange on top of the flan with the raspberries. Spoon the jelly over the top and return to the fridge until the jelly has set. Serve chilled with light cream or crème fraîche.
The post How To Be Healthy & Enjoy Life's Sweet Things appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Psychics & Mediums: 5 Popular Myths Debunked appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Suzie's honesty and accuracy has garnered her a loyal fan base and helped make her one of Australia's most loved mediums.
Working in the industry for over 20 years, Suzie has been exposed to the many skepticisms surrounding the psychic industry and has decided to dispel the rumours and debunk the top 5 myths regarding psychics and mediums.
Myth 1: Psychic mediums are scammers and use cold reading to con men and women
There are always people who treat others unfairly or take advantage of them and there are these types of people within the psychic industry. However, the con artists are generally easy to spot. They make claims of being able to help you and make you money or save you from bad luck. These scammers are never around for very long as they end up with a bad reputation. In my experience, the scammers are few and far between. I have never met anyone who uses cold reading techniques and I have met hundreds of psychics over the years. Most psychics are genuinely gifted to varying degrees at what they do and will generally have the best interest of their client in mind. The psychic industry is greatly unpoliced and if a person is clever and bold enough they can trick those that are vulnerable. However when choosing a psychic or medium, always do your research and ask others for feedback. If other people have recommended a psychic you give yourself a better chance of having an enjoyable experience.
Myth 2: If psychic mediums were real, it would be easy to find missing persons
There are many real life cases where psychics or mediums have helped in finding missing persons or helped solve murder cases but generally speaking it doesn't happen often. Having been involved in a few missing persons cases on a professional level, I can say it is not as simple as it sounds. The cases I have worked on were unsolved suspected abductions and murders of young girls from decades before. I was able to connect with the girls' spirits and I was given impressions of different circumstances surrounding their deaths including locations, however there are often dozens or even hundreds of different locations that may fit the impressions I had. Much of the information you may receive in crime cases is very general and not specific enough to be of any real help in finding their bodies. Even when you do have some specific information it can be hard to find a connection that will lead to a breakthrough. I do feel that with the right circumstances and a good connection, psychics can be of valuable assistance in finding missing persons but unfortunately there are many factors that affect the information and how we relate to it, so it is often not precise enough.
Myth 3: Psychic mediums can read minds
Psychics and mediums do not and cannot read minds. They can tune into your individual energy field that contains information about your life but they can't read your mind or know what you're thinking. We receive information through our psychic senses about the person we are connecting to and information comes through in bits and pieces. We may see images, hear brief noises, voices or words, get a glimpse of a smell or taste and/or feel an energy shift in different parts of our body, which indicates a message. All this information has to be put together to make sense and it can be hard to relay what different things mean. The information can be about places, events or people related to their past, present or future.
Myth 4: Psychic/mediums research everyone in the audience before a show
It is very rare to come across someone who would be able to do this. I am sure with expertise and time it would be possible to gather some background information on some of the people attending the show. However that person then needs to study the information and memorise it. To think about how long this would take to do and how difficult it would be to remember everything, it isn't worth the time and effort required to do it. It is much easier for a psychic to tune into their abilities than it would be to do all that research and studying before each show.
Myth 5: Psychics/mediums can predict the future
Psychics and mediums do not actually predict the future. What we can do is tune into energies connected to future events in people's lives using our psychic senses to give insights into possible outcomes. Using tools such as tarot cards, palmistry and astrology combined with information that we gather through our psychic senses, we can often give insights into possible future events with some degree of accuracy. However, we can get it completely wrong and can misinterpret the information we receive. It is for this reason that we require acknowledgement from the client as to whether the information we are sharing resonates with them. It should be a perfect fit and even if it doesn't make sense to us, it should make sense to them. The imprint of the information may be what the person was projecting into their energy field at the time but then they change that vibration to a different frequency and attract a different outcome. The future is written in sand and can be altered.
The Carousel thanks Suzie Price for this article – find more info online here. Suzie was awarded the "People's Choice Award" by the International Psychic Association in 2014.
https://thecarousel.com/wellness/your-personal-destiny-and-life-path-numerology-test/
https://thecarousel.com/wellness/psychic/
The post Psychics & Mediums: 5 Popular Myths Debunked appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post In Defence of The Enlightenment appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>In Defence of The Enlightenment (Covid-19 as a Rorschach Test for Sane and the Credulous) oped by Jaymes Gleeson.
The "information age" wasn't meant to be like this. The internet was supposed to increase society's knowledge of the world, instead it has virtually destroyed the hitherto sturdy platform of "objective truth", without which, meaningful, strategic action is impossible. Truth has become irrelevant, and the childish credulity of many of our fellow citizens is truly frightening for what it portends, and as astonishing as it was unforeseeable. Yet, in a dark way, it is also not without its comic value.
One of the great philosophical questions is an epistemological one: what is truth? And how do we know what we think we know is true? From Rene Descartes ("I think therefore I am"), through David Hume ("reason is the discovery of truth or falsehood"), to the present day, the Western Tradition has struggled with this fundamental problem. If we don't know what is true, what is our basis for action of any kind? The problem persists to the present day in a virulent form.
Bertrand Russell famously said "I would never give my life for my beliefs, because I might be wrong". The smarter the person, the more they doubt their position. They look for arguments against what they think they know, seeking out contrasting opinions as a means of testing their position, constantly scanning for contrary currents and assessing their validity.
The more foolish the person, the more cocksure of their position, wearing their insecurity like a badge of honour, taking great care to avoid perspectives that might undermine their carefully crafted, angrily defended bubble of security. Ironic how the insecurity of the person manifests in the security of the opinion. And vice versa.
An "informed" position presupposes, firstly, a capacity for critical thinking, which includes but is not limited to, the assiduous avoidance of 'confirmation bias', then, a framework of understanding of the topic at hand, and finally, a thorough comprehension of the writings of the most respected scholars / thinkers in that field.
Without these prerequisites, anyone who claims to have a direct line to the truth, or even a position reputable enough to be in the public domain, should instead, find a happy home on 'entertainment' broadcasts, in sharp distinction from those who in their professional capacity provide rigorously researched analyses.
Within the bounds of the expressible, there exists a range of divergent views. In politics, for example, one might have a deep-seated resentment for taxes, abortion rights, foreigners, and change of any kind, you know, a garden variety conservative; yet he would still be considered within the spectrum of the sane. Equally, a tofu- eating pacifist, with dreadlocks, nipple piercings and a penchant for hackysack and Marx's Das Kapital would comfortably fit within the same spectrum of sanity, although at its opposite end.
There was a time when blue-ribbon crack-pots were locked outside the structure of public discourse, gawking through the window like the confused fools they most surely are. But now, to the enormous damage of us all, they have entered the building.
A most unsettling combination of character traits is the triple threat of ignorance, sanctimoniousness and intransigence. Unsettling, that is, for us, not them, because as the Dunning-Kruger effect makes clear, they are too stupid to know how stupid they are.
Recently, I suggested a colleague should reconsider his "conclusion" regarding the Covid protocols by means of the application of critical thinking and a more rigorous research methodology. He looked at me as though I'd just defecated in his jacuzzi. I changed the subject.
Some, like my colleague, are beyond reach, and that's okay, but although such shameless bloviation is annoying, it is often very funny too. Exhibit A: Marjorie Taylor-Green, a Republican member of congress in the US, blamed recent Californian wildfires on "Jewish space lasers". It takes a special kind of skill to coin a phrase that is both pithy and degenerate: a combination of child-like ignorance, anti-Semitism, xenophobia and low IQ stupidity. In a pub it's funny; in the halls of power; it's frightening.
Anti-vaxxers are a peculiar breed. On a Venn diagram, I wonder what the crossover would be with 'flat-earthers', moon landing hoax believers, and 9-11 conspiracy theorists? You can draw your own conclusions, and your own diagram.
But in their defence, distrust of the government is an understandable position to take. But as an addendum, regarding the question of justifiable coercion, the onus should always be on those who are coercing to justify why, not on those who are being coerced to justify why not. If such a justification cannot be made, the coercion ought to be considered unjustified and disobeyed, and the framework in which it exists dismantled.
There have been situations in which you could make the case for justified coercion, such as conscripting soldiers during World War II, or turning off all lights during air raids. Sometimes there are powerful, persuasive and ultimately justifiable.
The Dunning–Kruger effect is a hypothetical cognitive bias stating that people with low ability at a task overestimate their own ability, and that people with high ability at a task underestimate their own ability arguments for coercion, which brings me to Covid 19 restrictions and mandated vaccinations.
There is an avalanche of easily verifiable evidence of the highest standard 21st century science can provide both of the danger of Covid 19 and the efficacy of vaccinations. Given this, surely there is a justification for temporary governmental coercion: vis-a-vis restricted movement, masks, and mandatory vaccinations?
John Stuart Mill articulated the harm principle in his book On Liberty, where he argued that "The only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilized community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others."
An equivalent was earlier stated in France's Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen of 1789 as, "Liberty consists in the freedom to do everything which injures no
one else; hence the exercise of the natural rights of each man has no limits except those which assure to the other members of the society the enjoyment of the same rights.
These limits can only be determined by law."
This is entry level morality. If you're not willing to rise to this level then you have no business even talking about freedom for yourself, let alone agitating for it. The
argument that you will not get vaccinated because it is an impingement on your freedom is myopic self-centered rubbish. Being unvaccinated is a clear and present
danger to other people, and as such, is the limit of freedom as espoused by John Stuart Mill and the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen.
If The Enlightenment taught us anything, it was to move beyond the darkness of medieval superstition and cultivate the reasoning mind. Science and its wondrous fruits
are one of The Enlightenment's most precious gifts to the modern world. We should trust it.
Not everyone's opinion carries equal weight. The top immunology scientists at the Center for Disease Control, brilliant individuals who have spent their lives intensely
studying viruses like Covid 19, are opinions that actually matter. Who cares what a blow up doll on Fox news has to say about anything, let alone life and death matters? It's
worse than smarmy blithering; it's taking up valuable bandwidth in the collective mind, poisoning public discourse, and burying objective truth, in the words of Paul Keating,
under a fetid pile of "pre-Copernican obscurantism".
A little more rationality, with a dash of Cartesian common sense, and a lot less pompous, uninformed grandstanding must surely light the pathway from this collective
The post In Defence of The Enlightenment appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Top Five Tips for a Better Sleep appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>1. Decrease the caffeine
It's a no brainer that caffeine can have a dramatic impact on our sleeping patterns. But this isn't the only reason we should be mindful of our caffeine intake. Excess intake of caffeine can potentially lead to increased blood pressure, dehydration, interrupted sleep as well as irritability. Cap the cappuccinos to no more than 3 a day and be mindful of the caffeine content in tea and diet/soft drink also.
2. Cut out the processed sugar
Processed foods with a high sugar content can cause major upset to our blood glucose levels, energy and sleeping patterns. As we consume these highly processed substances, our blood sugar levels spike & consequently drop once it has been absorbed by the body. This can lead to a number of undesirable health consequences such as fat accumulation, mood swings, interrupted sleep and irritability. Remove processed foods out of your daily intake and replace with whole and natural food sources as often as possible.
3. Light meal before sleep
For many of us, our evening meal is the largest meal of the day. This however, can be avoided by ensuring we eat our largest meals at the beginning of the day and have a gradual decrease in meal size as the day progresses. Having a large meal before bed can cause our digestive system to go into overdrive and as a consequence delay the onset of sleep and cause disruption.
4. Electronic equipment ban
Many of us are guilty of being un-healthily obsessed with our i-phones, laptops and tablets. I am no exception. However, as we are scrolling through our instagram feeds for a last minute update before bed, these artificial lights are preventing the brain from sending sleep promoting signals and inhibiting the release of hormones such as melatonin. Switch electronic devices off at least an hour before bed and reap the benefits of a peaceful snooze.
5. Exercise regularly
Not only does exercise promote numerous health benefits, including cardiovascular health, weight management, disease prevention and the release of endorphins, it plays a large role when it comes to sleep. Exercise stimulates the muscles and promotes the circulation of blood and oxygen throughout the body. These responses encourage the onset of a healthy sleeping routine. Incorporating a variety of exercise such as cardio, strength and yoga into your weekly schedule will without a doubt improve energy levels, vitality and send those happy endorphins fluttering.
The Carousel thanks www.thehealthyingredient.com.au for this article
The post Top Five Tips for a Better Sleep appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Super Berry Smoothie appeared first on The Carousel.
]]> INGREDIENTS
1 banana
1 cup organic frozen blueberries
Half punnet strawberries
1tsp organic Acai powder
1tsp organic maca powder
2TBS Five:am Vanilla Bean organic yoghurt
1/4 cup preferred organic milk
METHOD
Blend and top with a few extra strawberries and blueberries to serve. Makes 1 huge smoothie, ideal for breakfast, or 2 smaller ones as a nourishing snack for two.
Click here for more amazing breakfast recipes!
The post Super Berry Smoothie appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Vera Wang Shares The Design Inspiration Behind The Dress appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Vera Wang is the go-to for newly engaged celebs. The Queen of Bridal, creating some of the most iconic, breathtaking and intricately designed gowns for decades. Collection after collection her designs are awed and envied. Brides dream of wearing a 'Vera' on their wedding day, and invest big in their once upon a time purchase.
In her collection, brides will be pretty in pink. The collection is full or blushing pinks, rose and corals with detailing reminiscent of childhood innocence, featuring roses, ribbons, silks, ballerina influences and ball gowns. Here's a tale of one of the stars from the collection, Ness…
The Inspiration
"For my collection, I wanted to celebrate a youthful, girlish spirit by designing dreamy gowns we grew up imagining for our wedding day," explains Vera. "Nessa is a gown that brings a particularly symbolic connection between those childhood dreams and the passage into womanhood.
When I used one of my most iconic decorations, the grosgrain ribbon, as a one-shouldered, asymmetrical strap, I was thinking about the little girl who used to wear ribbons in her hair, all tied up in a bow—but now she's all grown up, glowing and radiant for her wedding day."
Strapless silk organza ball gown with hand draped bodice accented by organic flower, grosgrain shoulder strap and peony faille blossom.
Nessa: All Style & Grace
"Nessa is a very traditional ball gown with a drop waist and a structured, strapless bodice," explains Vera. "Echoing the grosgrain ribbon at the shoulder, bands of asymmetrically draped organza wrap around the bodice, almost like the ribbons of ballet slippers—it really shapes the waist beautifully. These bands open up into a flowing, ethereal swath of organza that gently drapes around the skirt. But the real star of the skirt are the dense-yet-light layers of tulle that flow out from the waist like a dancer's ball gown."
The Creative Inspiration
"This season I played with one of the most iconic romantic flowers, the rose," Vera explains. "An abstract rose decoration, composed of hand-draped pieces of organza, hits just below the waist. It's really quite a special piece of embellishment—because it's all handmade, no two flowers on any dress are exactly alike."
"Tucked underneath the draped tissue organza layer in the back of the gown is another bold, over-the-top floral decoration, made out of faille," reveals Vera. "I've created it by taking raw edged faille and swirling them together with other pleated pieces. Lightweight, yet very stiff and matte, visually it gives the gown a very elegant, origami-like sculptural dimension—they almost look like peonies. The contrast of the sharp pleats with the soft tulle and tissue organza of the skirt looks really great, because everything else about this dress is so refined. A dusting of embroidery in the train, these very elegant little clusters of flowers, tops off Nessa's sweet bouquet."
Are you in love with Vera Wang's Nessa collection? Tell us in the comments below!
The post Vera Wang Shares The Design Inspiration Behind The Dress appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Seven Beautiful Gluten-free Cakes appeared first on The Carousel.
]]> Gluten Free Aussie Pavlova Layer Cake with Red Berries
Click here for the recipe!
Fresh, Zesty Lime & Coconut Mousse Cake
Click here for the recipe!
Flourless Moroccan Orange And Almond Cake
Click here for the recipe!
Red Velvet Cupcakes With Coconut Whipped Cream
Click here for the recipe!
Moreish Flourless Mandarin Marmalade Cakes
Click here for the recipe!
Gluten-free Mandarin, Polenta & Coconut Cakes
Click here for the recipe!
Lyndey Milan's Gluten-free Carrot & Zucchini Slab Cake
Click here for the recipe!
The post Seven Beautiful Gluten-free Cakes appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Pumpkin & Dark Chocolate Mud Cakes appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>P.S how adorable is my cavoodle Jemima?
Makes 12 cup cakes
INGREDIENTS
Mud Cakes
130g organic dark chocolate chopped
½ cup coconut oil
½ cup rice malt syrup
1tsp vanilla essence
1 ¼ cups almond meal
1tsp baking powder
Pinch of sea salt
2 egg whites
350g pumpkin, chopped and skin removed (about 1 & ¼ cups cooked)
Icing
½ cup coconut oil
½ cup raw cacao
½ cup maple syrup
METHOD
1 Pre heat the oven to 180 degrees and line a muffin tin with 12 cup cake patties, set aside. Place the chopped pumpkin in a small baking tray lined with baking paper. Place in the oven and allow to bake for around 50 minutes until soft. Once cooked, remove from oven and set aside to cool.
2 In a bowl, combine the almond meal, baking powder and sea salt. Stir to combine and set aside.
3 In small saucepan, combine the coconut oil, chopped dark chocolate, rice malt syrup and vanilla essence. Stir over a low heat until completely melted and combined, then take off the heat and allow to cool slightly.
4 Whilst the chocolate mixture is cooling, use an electric beater to whisk the egg whites in a separate bowl until they form soft peaks, set aside.
5 Using a fork, mash the baked pumpkin until smooth and a puree like consistency. Add it to the bowl with the almond meal, along with the chocolate mixture. Stir thoroughly to combine.
6 Add the egg whites to the mixture and gently fold through until combined. Spoon the mixture evenly into the cup cake patties.
7 Place in the oven and allow to bake for around 25 minutes (test with a skewer). Allow to cool before icing.
Icing
1 Combine all of the ingredients into a small saucepan and place over a low heat. Stir continually until all of the coconut oil is melted and all of the ingredients are combined.
2 Allow to cool for around 5 minutes before using a tablespoon and spooning on to the cup cakes.
3 Place into the fridge to set for a few hours.
Optional: decorate with edible rose petals.
The Carousel thanks Bannie Williams for this recipe
The post Pumpkin & Dark Chocolate Mud Cakes appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Uluwatu Beach Glamour: Monica & Joseph's Balinese Luxury Wedding appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Bride & Groom Monica & Joseph Hannoun
Age at wedding 25 & 26
Jobs Accounts Manager & Developer/Builder
Ceremony location Karma Kandara Resort Uluwatu Bali
Number of guests 80
The dress Sheer Vintage Lace Sheath Gown by J'Aton Couture.
Price of dress $30,000
The hair In a soft low bun for ceremony – then taken down in soft waves for reception but then became too hot so my hair dresser put it up mid reception for me in a twisted messier bun!
Veil sheer & light – no detail.
PerfumeFlower Bomb by Victor & Ralph
The wedding bands & engagement ring My engagement ring is a 3 carrot round brilliant cut. With a platinum knife edge band. My two wedding bands are also platinum with 5 x .3 carrots round brilliant cut. I was surprised on the morning of our wedding when he had sent a letter and a box with the second wedding band which I had no idea about! He has a plain platinum band. no detail.
The Bridal & Groom's Party 2 bridesmaids, 2 groomsmen, 1 flower girl, 1 page boy.
The bridesmaids'/flower girls' dresses My flower girl dress was by Doloris Petunia & its called the "Annabelle'' and can be described as an ivory lace ballerina shaped gown with a cut out at the back with pearl buttons. It's gorgeous!
My bridesmaids dresses were custom made by Leah Da Gloria. They were backless, the top half covered with light purple beading and the bottom of the dress short to the knee, with ruffles of light purple silk organza. Not 100% if you would call the colour purple, I may have to check with Leah.
Invitations & stationery Invitations, menus, stationary was done all by Weddings by Diane Khoury who is also my wedding planner. My invitation was simple in gold & cream tones with a laser cut boarder. Picture necessary.
Bridal bouquet & bridal party's flowers My bouquet was white peonies alone & my flower girl had the same in a much smaller version. My bridesmaid had 5 large head long steamed white roses.
The ceremony I walked down a Perspex aisle on their pool which is perched over a cliff with views of the ocean & beach. A 3 piece string quartet played the music of kissing you – by Des'ree when I walked down. There was a large floral arch at the end of the aisle where joe was waiting and two floral arrangements at the start.
The reception The Reception was at Karma Kandara Private Beach. Guests took an inclinator ride from up the top of the cliff where the resort is, down to the beach.
The reception decorations I flew Vesna Grasso from Sydney to work together with Aisle Project (florist based in bali) and Diane Khoury & Julia Lorenti for everything in between.
Reception entertainmentWe had 2 djs & a group of fire breathing dancers which were incredible!
Reception musicThe reception music was a mix of modern pop & Arabic!
The bridal waltz song Our Bridal Waltz song was Im ready – Alicia Keys. Joseph dedicated this song to me when we were first dating. I hadn't heard it before but fell in love with the song the first time I heard it and it became special to us ever since.
The wedding cake It was a 6 layered cake, design based on our wedding invitation and the bottom tier is the detail of my lace dress from J'Aton.
What's your best advice for other brides? Don't forget what it's really about.
Was there anything you wish you'd known? That it wasn't going to rain… would have saved a whole lot of worrying!
What was the best decision you made about your wedding day? To marry Joseph! Oh and have an intimate destination wedding in the most breathtaking location with only our closest family and friends.
Would you change anything about your day? Not a single thing. It really was a dream come true.
Suppliers details
Photographer – Richard Watson
Dress – J'Aton Couture
Shoes – Christian Dior
Rings – "The Jeweller" – 0422034680
Hair and make-up – Make up artist: Samantha Chidiac 0405164199 & Hair dresser: Tony Said – 0404517556 (both flown from Sydney)
Groom's garments – Tom Ford suit, shirt & bow tie. Shoes were Louboutin.
Bridesmaids/flowergirls' dresses – Leah Da Gloria
Wedding Planner – Weddings by Diane Khoury – 0405412349
Invitations/stationery – Weddings by Diane Khoury – 0405412349
Florist – Vesna Grasso (flown from Sydney)
Ceremony & reception venue – Karma Kandara Beach Resort
Civil celebrant – Kim – kim@baliweddingcelebrant.com
Decorations – Weddings by Diane Khoury – 0405412349
Cake – Sweet Blooms (Dewi) flown from Sydney
Caterer – Karma Kandara Beach Resort
Videography – Richard Watson Photography
Honeymoon at – LA, Las Vegas, Miami, New York, Mexico (cancun & playa del Carmen), Brazil(rio) & Chile. We were away for 8 weeks.
Do you love Monica & Joseph's Wedding as much as we do? Tell us below!…
The post Uluwatu Beach Glamour: Monica & Joseph's Balinese Luxury Wedding appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Yoga Pose Of The Week: The Staff Pose appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>'Danda' means stick or staff.
'Asana' means pose.
Staff pose is incredibly powerful for your body, its looks so easy, yet there is a lot going on. Your body is in a "L" shape and its working alignment/posture, strengthening and lengthening back muscles, shoulders and chest. Not only is it powerful for your body but its also powerful for your mind.
The meaning behind Staff Pose, refers to the spine being positioned like a staff, or a rod. The spine supports the entire body like a strong staff, which presents as straight and strong.
Staff pose is a foundation pose which means that you can start any seated pose from this position, and over time you can add more to it, and being a preparatory pose, aids in moving with confidence alongside regular practice.
Spinal alignment and core awareness are important, so if you are new to yoga, try Dandasana first as it helps with the most common of poses and into harder postures as well.
Dandasana
How to get there –
Sit on the floor, with your legs extended straight in front of you, and flex both feet.
Engage your thighs, (this may lead to your heals lifting off the floor), try your best to keep both feet on the floor.
Spine nice and straight, shoulders over hips, and then relax shoulders down.
Place palms on the floor, on either side of your hips.
Engage your core – belly button to spine.
Inhale to lengthen your spine.
Exhale, hold the pose, keeping legs and arms active.
Breath continues, nice and long, in and out through your nose.
Stay for as long as you like, keeping awareness at your breath and your body.
How to exit the pose –
Engage your core.
Relax arms and then legs.
Counter pose – Bridge Pose.
Benefits –
- Stretches your hamstrings.
- Helps improve posture.
- Strengthens back muscles and hip flexors.
- Strengthens pelvic floor muscles.
- Improves core stability.
- Creates confidence and internal heat.
- Improves digestion.
- Creates body awareness.
- Calms your mind.
Alignment Tips –
Use the wall, sit flat against the wall for spine support.
Use yoga blocks If you feel like your arms are too short.
Bend your knees if you have tight hamstrings.
Contraindications –
Wrist or elbow injury.
Pre-existing back injuries or issues.
Knee pain.
Always do what your body says is ok, anyone can practice yoga, listen to your body, it's telling you a story.
Always be kind to yourself, move with ease and grace. You are the most important person in your life.
Namaste.
The post Yoga Pose Of The Week: The Staff Pose appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post PCOS – Busting The Myths and Clarifying The Facts! appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The cysts are actually follicles that haven't matured and ovulated. In this instance, PCOS can affect fertility and lead to struggles for women who are trying to conceive a baby.
The exact cause of PCOS remains unclear, however we do know that the condition is linked to insulin resistance and the aforementioned increased male hormones. PCOS can cause fertility struggles when trying for a baby and may even lead to Type 2 Diabetes after menopause. Therefore the earlier the diagnosis, the better, to help maintain a healthy lifestyle, take medication where advised and help manage the PCOS condition.
Despite PCOS being so common, there is much about it that remains a mystery. Here, Fertility Specialist and Gynaecologist, Dr Raewyn Teirney, bust some of the myths and clarify some truths around the condition.
Ovarian Cysts Must Be Present To Be Diagnosed With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
False: While ovarian cysts may indicate the presence of PCOS, their presence alone is not enough for a positive diagnosis. In fact, many women have it without having ovarian cysts at all. There are a lot more factors involved, and myriad symptoms.
Conducting an ultrasound to look for the presence of ovarian cysts is part of the diagnostic regime, but there also are other factors that determine the condition. These factors include things such as signs of raised androgens with excessive oiliness in the skin, increased facial hair, usually on the upper lip and chin and increased hair growth around the nipples and belly button and more. Being overweight is a factor however you can have PCOS and be slender.
PCOS is caused by being overweight
False: While carrying excess weight is both a symptom and cause of PCOS, it isn't the only reason you may have it. However, it pays to remember that being overweight can exacerbate hormonal changes. As such, part of our treatment plan with PCOS is to assist patients with healthy eating and exercise and other lifestyle tweaks that will assist them in maintaining a healthy weight.
Thin People Don't Get It
False: PCOS can affect even very slender women. While the majority of PCOS patients are overweight or even obese, there is a significant proportion PCOS patients who are of completely normal weight (BMI; ≤25 kg/M2). This of course makes diagnosis trickier, but new diagnostic methods, where there must be two out of three symptoms present, help make diagnosis – and treatment – a lot easier for both doctor and patient.
PCOS Is Almost Impossible To Diagnose
False: As stated above, it can be trickier to detect in slender women as being overweight is one of the most obvious symptoms of the condition. Indeed, the classic presentation of PCOS is a young woman who is overweight, has irregular periods that may come every three or four months and when they do come, they are very heavy. She may also experience increased acne on her face and increased hair growth on the chin and upper lip. Other symptoms include hair loss, pigmentation around the neck area, skin tags and difficulty conceiving.
Some women with PCOS may only have severe acne, while others may only have erratic periods. Others may have perfect skin, but experience weight gain. This means we may need to conduct further testing, which could include a blood test to detect increased male hormones and /or an ultrasound to reveal a polycystic appearance of the ovaries.
In 2003, a medical conference held in Rotterdam defined PCOS to give more uniformity and lessen the ambiguity surrounding the condition.
To be diagnosed with PCOS, you must have two of the three below criteria
- Your blood test confirms the presence of increased male hormones we call Androgens, or you show clinical signs of increased male hormones. This means having signs such as acne, or increased hair growth on your face or body called hirsutism.
- You have infrequent or no periods (i.e., menstrual bleeding), this indicates infrequent ovulation (releasing of the egg from your ovary).
- You have a pelvic ultrasound showing at least one ovary to have many small cysts. It must be 20 or greater cysts.
Polycystic Ovary Symptom Can Affect My Mental Health
True: No matter what age you are at, if you have PCOS, there is a risk that some mental health issues like body image, self-esteem, anxiety, and depression may present themselves. This has to do with hormone imbalance, as well as the difficulty PCOS women have in maintaining a healthy weight, as well as physical symptoms such as acne and hirsutism (excess hair). It becomes particularly noticeable if PCOS is hindering fertility. I always ensure that my ladies with PCOS receive holistic care, which includes full attention to physical, mental and emotional health.
PCOS Goes Away Eventually
False: PCOS is a manageable, lifelong condition. Those affected should always follow medical advice. Maintaining healthy lifestyle habits, such as enjoying regular exercise, eating a healthy diet, and avoiding too much alcohol and junk food are important.
PCOS can even begin in utero with what we call Small Baby Syndrome. It can also lead to peri-puberty/early puberty or what we call medically precocious puberty, where girls begin menstruating and a very young age. PCOS can lead to acne in teenage girls as well as women and when trying to start a family, it can cause fertility struggles. Finally, menopausal women with PCOS are at risk of Type 2 Diabetes and as such should check in with their GP regularly to be tested. The good news is that while it is a lifelong condition, PCOS is very manageable, and the worst of the symptoms pass as the number of follicles on the ovaries decline with age.
I'll Never Be Able To Have A Baby
False: This is completely false. In fact, most women with PCOS can be treated quite easily and go on to have happy healthy babies and women in their 30s with polycystic ovaries may actually be better off than their peers, as they have a better ovarian reserve.
Things To Remember
PCOS may sound a little scary, but it's important to remember it's quite common and very manageable. If you have been diagnosed, please keep these four things front of mind, and never hesitate to get in touch, as I can guide and support you in your journey to become a mother.
1.PCOS is common and manageable. It is important to be diagnosed so you know what you are dealing with, and you can seek support from your gynaecologist and any PCOS support groups online.
2.Fertility treatments follow a pathway, which will lead to success for most patients, and we begin with lifestyle modifications, which are a very effective treatment option in PCOS.
3. Some cases do require longterm care, but at all times we will ensure you are holistically cared for and we can help you become a mum, if that is what you wish for.
For more information on PCOS and to find out how you can fall pregnant if you have it, click here .
The post PCOS – Busting The Myths and Clarifying The Facts! appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post 13 Brilliant and Easy Plant Care Tips From Plant Expert Alan Chan appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Flowers might be the obvious choice when it comes to Valentine's Day and just like the perfect relationship, with the right amount of love and care, it's the gift that keeps on giving. If you want to see your love-fern thrive you need to take a leaf out of plant oracle Alan Chans playbook.
Being a plant parent isn't always easy and often you know if it's you or your soil mate that's letting the team down. Plant-fluencer Alan Chan shares his easy and genius plant care tips for your plant babies which will be second nature to you after this.
- Stop overwatering your plants – you're drowning them!
I know they look thirsty, but stop! In actual fact, a plant can recover faster from being deprived from water than from being overwatered.
Tip: to rescue a drowning plant you may need to repot the plant and remove any dead roots, you may also consider a new pot.
- Know your space
Each room in your house, and even different parts of each room will be suitable for different plants. Know which places get morning, midday, or afternoon sun, where it is most breezy and place your plants accordingly. A North facing window is great for bright light plants like Fiddle Leaf Fig, while Devil's Ivy will do fine in a darker corner of the room. Keep in mind that when we say some plants are suitable for low light, doesn't mean they can tolerate no light!
- Don't be afraid to get a good feel of your dirt!
A fool proof way of checking whether your plant is in need of a drink or not is to really get your hands dirty and press your finger into the top few centimetres of soil. If it's moist, hold off a few more days. If it's dry, your plant is thirsty. Don't forget, your plants don't drink as often as we do (even when they're in lockdown!).
- Fertilise me baby!
Just like the rest of us, your plants love a good snack! Fertilising somewhere between fortnightly and monthly is great, if you're ever unsure, it's always better to dilute the fertiliser more. And always get a high quality fertiliser; Don't be buying yourself Soulara and giving your plants Home Brand!
- Do your research
Before you make your first trip to the garden centre and come home with sixteen new babies you don't know what to do with, make sure your have a good idea of how to care for each plant. Staff will always be happy to tell you the individual needs of each plant, and hopefully guide you to not come home with a bunch of sun-loving cacti to go in your windowless bathroom!
- Go green!
I love any way (no matter how small) I can save resources and reduce my footprint. I save my water from washing fruit and veg for watering my plants, and all my food scraps go into a compost bin, which makes a great organic fertiliser for your houseplants. Eggshells and banana peel are an easy and natural way to add calcium and potassium to your soil!
- Sometimes Size Matters
If you're new to plant parenthood, forking out a bit extra for a larger, more established plant may pay off quickly. Smaller plants are cute, but they can be more fragile and sensitive to changes in their environment, while larger plants are generally able take a bit of a beating and not hate you for it.
- But Bigger Isn't ALWAYS Better
When you're repotting, putting your baby Monstera into a huge pot is not going to do I any favours. Big pots hold more water, and can drown the plants roots if they don't fill the pot. A good rule of thumb is to go up only one or two sizes at a time. Some plants, like Hoya, especially love a tight fit, and will flower only once their roots fill the pot.
- Only the best for your plant babies!
Don't go splurging on some new plants and then skimp on the soil. Make sure to use premium potting mix as a minimum, and mix in some perlite and charcoal (ask your local garden centre) which will help aerate the soil and keep your plant's roots healthy.
- Keep a Close Eye on Your Plants
Unfortunately, at some point as a plant parent you're going to come across some pests, and it's important you check your plants regularly to catch them before they get out of hand. Make a habit of it – every time you are heating up your Soulara you have two minutes to closely inspect your nearest plant! While you're at it, give the leaves a dust and keep them looking fresh!
- Your Plants Need a Bath too
Like everything else in the house, dust will collect on your plants' leaves, and indoors there's no rain to keep them clean (unless your roof needs attending to). You can wipe the leaves down with a clean damp sponge, or squeeze them into the shower for a quick hose down. As an added bonus, this makes for a great shot for the gram! #sundaynightpoolparty
- Don't Be Afraid of Blemishes!
Plants are more like us than you think – they get blemishes too! Brown tips, curled leaves, and discolouration are all normal parts of plant growth, and don't necessarily mean you've done anything wrong. Love your plant, beauty spots and all, and they'll love you back!
- Make Some Plant Friends – Sharing is caring
Sharing your plant experiences with others is a great way to compare successes (or lack of!) and build your knowledge about plant care. You can even propagate your plants through cuttings to share with your friends, or why not host a 'Sip and Snip' – everyone brings a cutting and a bottle of Rosé!
If you have more questions, Alan Chan has teamed up with plant-powered meal delivery service Soulara to give advice on how best to take care of a new plant or to be paired with your ultimate "soil mate". Customers can email soilmates@soulara.com.au with more questions for Alan or jump on Instagram @livesoulara Feb 13th to submit questions.
The post 13 Brilliant and Easy Plant Care Tips From Plant Expert Alan Chan appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Angela Galloway Reports – Age Dysphoria Is A Thing appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>In many ways I feel as though I'm just hitting my straps. I feel confident, optimistic and excited for my next adventure (bring on my golden gap year). I'm raring to go! I have no intention of becoming irrelevant or old and stodgy and it seems as though I'm not alone. US internet entrepreneur, Gina Pell (49) has coined the term 'perennial' to describe people with this generationally blurred mindset. Pell explains, "Perennials are ever-blooming, relevant people of all ages who know what's happening in the world, stay current with technology and have friends of all ages. We get involved, stay curious, mentor others, and are passionate, compassionate, creative, confident and global-minded risk takers who understand that age is not a limiting factor. We comprise an inclusive, enduring mind-set, not a divisive demographic. Millennials can be Perennials. Octogenarians can be Perennials. Even children can be Perennials. It's all about mindset and no longer about a one-dimensional timeline that runs from birth to death."
Yay. Finally a label that echoes the sentiment of optimism that many of us feel. Gen X (and all it's banal and clichéd stereotypes) is so 2017. Lets embrace the everlasting fabulousness of 'The Perennials.' Being a perennial has nothing to do with how you look … it's a mindset … a belief that we will continue to be and stay relevant, remain open minded, keep reinventing ourselves and live life fully, sans generational boundaries. #GOUS
I've had a bit of time on my pat malone recently to ponder the status of my own 'perennial' reinvention and one thing has become abundantly clear. I've realised that without the discipline of a strict schedule I can be impressively unproductive. I had all these grand plans and I have literally achieved zippo. I think I'm so used to working to a military like agenda that the absence of one has left me feeling a bit lost at sea. I've also realised that it's hard to get motivated to cook for one, and I may well develop scurvy if I keep substituting dinner for avocado and cheese Ryvitas. So with these insightful pearls of wisdom in mind, I'm doing what I do best. I'm formulating a plan in the form of a 'to do' list. I'm calling it my "50 by 50." The fifty things I want to achieve before I turn the big five OH … which by the way is just a number and kind of irrelevant now that I'm an ever blooming perennial! I'll share my list (in case you're interested … or want a big belly laugh)
The post Angela Galloway Reports – Age Dysphoria Is A Thing appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post BBQ Season Is Here. Up Your Grill Game With Our Top Tips. appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>In any case, it's also become harder as I am now AVAP (As Vegan As Possible). So, sizzling a snag or popping a prawn on the BBQ makes life a little trickier for the outdoor chef.
I turned to Adam Roberts, who happens to be Australia's most awarded solo-cook Pitmaster and Co-Founder of the Australasian Barbecue Alliance, for some BBQ season tips.
BBQ Season for Vegans and Vegetarians
Most people find this mind-bogglingly difficult. Why I'll never know, as there's an abundance of local, fresh fruit and veggies, plus plant-based meat substitutes at all grocers now, even your little local corner store. Many vegans and vego's are happy to eat any our all of it it – promise. We don't need protein to go with it, so please don't feel like you have to stress out.
Anyhoo, I digress, Adam has some great tips for BBQ season for all types of eaters and one involves my fave veggies of all time – the mushroom!
"First up, determine the extent of 'veganism' your guest possesses," says Adam. This is top advice as some are truly vigilant, while others like me are more of a gentle vegan and try to simply eat as ethically as possible, where possible.
"Some vegans will expect their food to be cooked on a grill plate or smoker that hasn't ever had contact with meat or animal products," says Adam. Perhaps cook their food first and then proceed. "Alternatively, a quick clean of the BBQ grill to remove animal fats or meat residue might suffice," suggests Adam.
"If you happen to have a vegetarian (or less vigilant vegan) friend in your circle, a well-seasoned, garlic butter [or vegan butter like Flora Plant Butter] washed over a whole portobello mushroom and cooked until tender on the charcoal grill, can taste almost as good as a beef burger patty."
"Grilling vegetables over charcoal is truly one of the best ways to turn it into a char-grilled flavour-packed morsel. Try grilling fruit salad, smoked pumpkin or a beautiful head of parmesan and cashew crusted grill cauliflower."
Making BBQ Season Meatier
Adam has some top tips for upping your BBQ season game when it comes to grilling meat too.
BBQ Seasoning Goes A Long Way!
"Season your meat," stresses Adam. "So many folks forget to season the meat properly before adding it to the grill. Applying a decent sprinkle of kosher salt, fresh cracked black pepper and a pinch of brown sugar to the meat a few minutes before cooking can turn good steak into an amazing meal with very little effort and expense."
BBQ Variety is the spice of life!
"There is no actual rule that says you should only own one BBQ," says Adam. Got the space? "Grab a smoker, a grill or even a rotisserie spit to open up more options and add a bit of variety to your cook ups." BBQ season never looked so good.
Quality Is Everything!
Don't bother spending a fortune of top quality meats if you're not going to match them with quality charcoal that will enhance the flavour of your grill.
Adam recommends choosing an all-natural charcoal product, made from real wood char that gives off a balanced and clean smoky flavour, and makes a difference to the quality of the end product." His top pick is is Kingsford Charcoal briquettes, which incidentally earned the gong for best budget buy for BBQ's for 2020 in Business Insider's Best Charcoal For Grilling Guide!
Get The Right BBQ Tools!
Buy a BBQ cookbook
Just Have fun
This is the bottom line during BBQ season – It should be relaxed, fun and filled with laughter and joy. "Experiment, try something new each week and be sure to get some friends and family around to share the experience," says Adam. And because all good outdoor meals need a playlist, we've uncovered some music playlists specifically devoted to BBQing, like this one from DY Meritimo, aptly called Grill & Chill.
By Shonagh Walker
The post BBQ Season Is Here. Up Your Grill Game With Our Top Tips. appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Meet The Owner of The Aussie Swimwear Hollywood Stars Can't Get Enough Of appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Tell us about your swimwear brand Iixiist?
IIXIIST is renowned for luxurious textiles, classic cuts and meticulously re-engineering the basic bikini. Since launching back in 2013, we've curated a legion of loyal fans and customers that come back time-and-time again with an undeniable need for high quality, well-structured swimwear that just fits . I'm tremendously proud of the brand and all it's become – to this day we ship 1000s of orders to every corner of the globe each week.
What motivated you to start the collection?
IIXIIST started as a passion project. I designed swimwear that didn't exist at the time, such as bralettes and seamless basics. It was a venture I created to fill a hole in my bikini drawer, and evidently a hole in the swim market. I was 24 and knew no bounds with what was possible. The creation of my first label was a venture that was truly fuelled by passion and every aspect of the company was built authentically. I didn't dive into the industry with huge goals and the brand's ambitions were never sales-driven – it was for the love of the game, so to speak. As an Aussie, beach culture is ingrained in my DNA and swimwear was something I innately understood. The company has never been a task, job or effort – the entirety of this brand is joy and love!
Can you tell us about the design process?
Quite simply, I design for myself. I create things that would make my life, summer or holiday easier. I do this because the brand was built this way – by filling a hole that existed for me personally. I applied this process to producing for the masses because I was certain that I wasn't alone in the way I felt, and so, each season – each style and design is created by narrowing down 'what I want', 'what I don't want' or 'what needs to change'.
What are your most popular styles?
From day one, our Darling Bralette + G3 Bottom have remained the most popular bikini styles. The designs never change however are updated with different textures or colours to merchandise with the new season. Both these styles shot to stardom when Kylie Jenner posted a mirror selfie in them, since then they've been seen on the Kardashians, Rihanna and more.
What items are ideal for my summer beach holiday?
Any book by Matthew Riley, Biologique Richerche Colostrum Serum, Biologique Recherche Sunscreen, Hermes Oran Sandals, a Jac and Jack Linen T-Shirt… and an IIXIIST bikini of course!
Tell us about the collaborations with Kardashians, Shay Mitchell, and Hailey Bieber?
These weren't collaborations, they were all simply celebrity call-ins, which is a lot better as they're 100% organic. We have relationships with celebrity stylists that have developed over the 8 years in business, so it's not uncommon to receive an email or DM from a stylist requesting a suit for KKW or Hailey Bieber. They're fans of the brand and keep tabs on each new collection because the love never stops!
Are you releasing any new products in the next couple of months?
With summer on the cusp of arrival, I'm in the process of finalising SS22, which will be shifting gears a little – we remain true to who we are while still coming up with new ways to innovate the bikini and give our customers what they love. However, what will remain the same is our focus on side-stepping mass production and continuing to pioneer conscious designs and sustainability.
What are some of the business lessons you have learnt?
To always keep my finger on the pulse. This has served me extremely well during the COVID-19 pandemic in being able to clearly navigate the entirety of my company without any 'floundering' moments. I am a type-A personality (LOL) so my hypervigilance in business pre-covid enabled me to remain in the driver's seat throughout this whirlwind that was 2020 and 2021.
What are some ways that your company is sustainable?
My swimwear is produced using 100% recycled Lycra. The bikinis have always been made sustainably, even when I launched the brand in 2013, however, this was never really a talking point back then. I have always been passionate about preserving our planet for our children, and so when I entered the market, I made a conscious effort to use only recycled materials, only now has it become 'a thing' to do.
What's it been like juggling motherhood and a long-distance relationship?
A little advice: Don't sign up for it if you can't hack it! The juggle is very real but I have been blessed with the greatest child imaginable. Lachie is super-dad and flies in at every chance which has been really important to us. The juggle though is very real and again – I attribute my determined a-type personality for getting me through this year. Tell me it's impossible and I will show you how it isn't.
Where can we find Iixiist swimwear?
It is available exclusively via our e-boutique only.
Do you have any plans for the future?
Professionally I am a multi-business owner and an investor. Personally, I am a mother and a partner to a similarly very busy athlete. I have no plans on slowing down however having a child changes you – everything we do is for him so the pause and stop button is virtually non-existent.
https://australia-iixiist.com/
The post Meet The Owner of The Aussie Swimwear Hollywood Stars Can't Get Enough Of appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post 7 Surprising Facts About AC/DC appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Tour promoter Garry Van Egmond, who has worked with AC/DC since 1982, described during their Rock or Bust tour how much they love playing live.
Luckily for diehard fans, they always play all the classic hits too, just as they did when they toured with their 2015 studio album Rock or Bust.
Incredibly AC/DC have sold more than 200 million records worldwide, including 75 million albums in the United States, making them the ninth-highest-selling artist in the United States and the 16th-best-selling artist worldwide.
Here are seven must-know facts to bring you up to speed.
- Original singer Malcolm Young and his brother Angus developed the idea for the band's name after their older sister saw the initials AC/DC on a sewing machine. AC/DC is an abbreviation for alternating current/direct current. The brothers felt that this name symbolised the band's raw energy, power-driven performances, and a love for their music.
- The brainwave for Angus Young's characteristic school uniform also came from his sister. Before then he'd tried other costumes, such as Spider-Man, Zorro, a gorilla, and a parody of Superman, named Super-Ang. In its early days, most of the band dressed in some form of glam or satin outfit but this approach was abandoned when it was discovered Melbourne band Skyhooks beat them to it.
- Original lead singer and co-songwriter Bon Scott died on February 19, 1980 after a night of heavy drinking, and was left in a car owned by an acquaintance named Alistair Kinnear. The following morning Bon was rushed to hospital but announced dead on arrival. Pulmonary aspiration of vomit was the cause of death, while the official cause was listed as "acute alcohol poisoning" and "death by poisoning".
- The remaining members didn't take long to decide on ex-Geordie singer Brian Johnson as replacement. Angus Young later recalled, "I remember Bon telling me the story of when he saw Brian singing." He says about that night, "There's this guy up there screaming at the top of his lungs and then the next thing you know he hits the deck. He's on the floor, rolling around and screaming. I thought it was great, and then to top it off—you couldn't get a better encore—they came in and wheeled the guy off!" Later that night, Brian would be diagnosed with appendicitis, which was the cause of his writhing around on stage.
- In 2014 former drummer Phil Rudd was charged with conspiracy to commit murder, but the charges were eventually dropped. He spent time, under house arrest in Tauranga, New Zealand, on charges of threatening to kill and possession of methamphetamine and cannabis.
- Sadly, founding member Malcolm Young had to bow out of the band in 2014 after losing a long-running battle with dementia. He knew it was time to retire when he had to rehearse songs he had played for 30 years everyday before doing a show, just so he could remember them. Lead guitarist Angus Young first noticed there was something wrong with his brother during their Black Ice World Tour seven years ago when he really struggled with his worsening condition.
- AC/DC has sold nearly 71 million albums in the U.S. alone, making AC/DC one of the five top-selling bands in American music history. They have sold more than 200 million worldwide. One of the group's best-loved works, Back In Black, has achieved RIAA 'Double Diamond' status, for sales in excess of 22 million copies in the United States, and is America's fifth largest-selling album ever.
The post 7 Surprising Facts About AC/DC appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post 'Bitten' Actress Laura Vandervoort Gets A Relaxed 'Up-Do' appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>'Bitten' Actress Laura Vandervoort Gets A Relaxed 'Up-Do'
Stunning 'Bitten' actress Laura Vandervoort allowed our cameras in to film the process and get a sneak peek at what she'd wear on the night. Check out the photos Glenn shot of the complete look too.
Credits:
Celebrity Model – Laura Vandervoort
Beauty Editor, Presenter, Hair, make up, photography – Glenn Nutley
Producer/director – BP Major
What do you think of Laura's new do? Tell us below…
The post 'Bitten' Actress Laura Vandervoort Gets A Relaxed 'Up-Do' appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Gluten Free Aussie Pavlova Layer Cake with Red Berries appeared first on The Carousel.
]]> Pavlova Recipe Serves 10
Preparation time 20 minutes
Cooking time 60 minutes
INGREDIENTS
4 large egg whites
1 cup caster sugar
1 tbsp cornflour
2 tsp white vinegar
1½ x 250g punnet strawberries, hulled and quartered
2 x 120g punnet raspberries
350ml light cream
Mint leaves to garnish
METHOD
1 Preheat oven to 120˚C and line two baking trays with some baking paper. Draw a large circle (25cm in diameter) on each piece of baking paper
2 Place egg whites into an electric mixer and beat on medium high speed until stiff peaks form
3 Gradually add sugar, one tablespoon at a time, until the sugar dissolves and the mixture is thick and glossy
4 Gently fold in the cornflour and vinegar
5 Divide mixture evenly between trays and spread with the back of a spoon until they're an even thickness
6 Bake for 50 minutes, swapping trays half way, until mixture is dry and crisp
7 Turn the oven off but leave meringues there for one hour, or until completely cooled
8 Combine berries in a large mixing bowl
9 Beat cream with electric beaters to soft peaks
10 Place one of the meringue discs onto serving plate and spread with one third of the cream
11 Scatter one third of the berries on top of the cream and place remaining meringue on top
12 Spoon the remaining cream on top and pile on the berries. Garnish with mint leaves and serve
Tips
The meringue discs can be made the day before. Keep them on the baking paper and store in an airtight container.
A slice of Aussie Pavlova Layer Cake with Red Berries is very low in sodium, a source of fibre and vitamin A.
The Carousel thanks Australian Eggs for this recipe
The post Gluten Free Aussie Pavlova Layer Cake with Red Berries appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Eva Mendes Reveals Her Hollywood Hair Secret appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The secret to her glossy Hollywood hair is actually a product you probably have in your pantry. It's our good old friend Mr Coconut Oil!
Eva says she is a big fan of coconut oil and using it as a treatment. She'll leave it in her hair and put a shower cap on and sleep with it overnight.
The trick, she says, is to 'stay away from the scalp', and simply 'try it on your ends first to see if you like it to get that extra shine."
Thanks Eva for your Hollywood hair secret. Here are some top Coconut Oil Hair Mask ideas and products so you can try out Eva's all natural hair hack for yourself.
This is the one used by Miss Mendes and is very simple and easy to do. Simply apply organic coconut oil all over your hair, if you are prone to oily hair then avoid putting too much on your scalp. Then simply tie up and pop a shower cap on top and go to sleep. Wake up and wash off to some super glossy hair.
The Coconut Oil, Avocado and Rosemary Hair Mask
Melt 1/4 of a cup of coconut oil, then add two avocados and 20-40 drops of rosemary essential oil. Mash up all of the ingredients together by hand or in a food processor (this is the most effective option). Distribute the mask evenly through your hair, be sure to massage it into your scalp too. then leave for 20-30 minutes and then rinse out as normal with shampoo and conditioner. This is a super nourishing hair mask for dry hair, the rich oils in the avocado and coconut will leave your hair feeling soft and thick and the rosemary will give you super soft shiny hair. Not to mention it ids also a great scalp stimulator, has antibacterial qualities and helps fight hair loss. What a super hair mask!
The Coconut Oil, Argan Oil Treatment
Argan Oil is another super oil that has become a popular natural alternative for your hair. This is a very simple easy to-do hair mask, you simply stir a couple of heaped tablespoons of coconut oil, or however many you need to cover your hair, then add a few teaspoons of Argan oil and mix together until you have a smooth consistency. You can either use this as an over night treatment or leave on for a few hours and then wash off as normal. The Argan oil is great at tackling frizz and adding shine whilst the coconut helps to restore your hair.
Just in case you didn't know Coconut Oil is know for its ability to penetrate your hair and moisturise and repair from within because of its unique fatty composition. It also leaves you hair shiny and glossy whilst helping to repair your hair strands from the harsh affects of salt, chlorine and the sun.
The post Eva Mendes Reveals Her Hollywood Hair Secret appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Celebrity Beauty Treatments – The Latest From Hollywood! appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Celebrity Beauty Treatment – Emsculpt
A fave of Kim Kardashian, Drew Barrymore and Bling Empire's Christine Chiu, Emsculpt is a noninvasive body sculpting device that uses electromagnetic energy to sculpt and tone the body.
EmSculpt is for people who are within their target BMI and are looking to either kick start or enhance their fitness regime. it's also great for mothers looking to target abdominal separation and improve core strength. Emsculpt can be used to treat the abdominal muscles, glutes, triceps, biceps and calves.
Each initial treatment cycle comprises four thirty minutes sessions. Emsculpt uses HIFEM (High Intensity Focused Electromagnetic energy) which is emitted via a paddle attached to the target muscle. The electromagnetic energy causes involuntary muscle contraction to the target muscles. Each involuntary contraction utilises 100 percent of the muscle as opposed to a voluntary muscle contraction (such as a squat or bicep curl), which only utilises 40 – 60 percent of the muscle. Each session of Emsculpt is the equivalent of 20000 squats or crunches!
Emsculpt doesn't hurt, but it is certainly intense, especially if its a muscle group that you haven't previously trained much before. I have had two c- sections and have found it very difficult to activate my abdominal muscles through training. I therefore felt the treatment more intensely in my abs than my glutes, which I train effectively in the gym.
There may be minimal tenderness following your session, similar to an intense targeted workout of that muscle group. It's recommended to wait a minimum of 48 hours in between sessions.
On average visible results can generally be seen after two weeks, with along with a noticeable improvement in strength. Results last for as long as you maintain your fitness.
A standard package of four treatments is $1799 and maintenance pack of 10 treatments is $2999.
PDO Mono Threads
Loved by Eva Mendes, the celebrity beauty treatment PDO (polydioxanone) Mono Threads are dissolvable sutures that are used for tissue tightening and collagen induction. PDO Mono Threads are suitable for people with good facial volume who are looking for skin or tissue tightening.
This PDO Mono Threadlift works by inserting very fine threads in a area and then tightening them to produce a lifting and firming effect. A topical anaesthetic is used prior to the application. Side effects of PDO Mono Threads can include bruising, swelling and discomfort, however this is easily managed with ice and paracetamol.
Swelling can last 48 – 72 hours. This can be reduced with LED therapy and avoiding strenuous activity in this time. Due to the risk of bruising its recommended to cease any blood thinning supplements or medications 10 days before treatment.
Results can be seen from six weeks and typically improve over the next two to six months. It takes six to nine months for the PDO threads to be fully absorbed into the tissue. During that time, collagen is formed in the treatment area, making results last up to a year or longer, depending on the tissue quality and the patient's age.
Expect to pay between $599 to $1150.
Epidermal Levelling
Love by mostly everyone in Hollywood and the beauty industry, the celebrity beauty treatment Epidermal Leveling, also known as Dermaplaning, removes dead skin, hair and peach fuzz from the skin's surface. It leaves a smooth, glowing complexion that makes a perfect base for make up. It's the favoured celeb beauty treatment before a big event.
During treatment, a surgical grade scalpel is used to exfoliate and remove unwanted facial hair. In addition to giving a smoother complexion, a secondary benefit is the enhanced penetration of your skincare products. A soothing balm is applied post treatment.
Dermaplaning is completely painless and feels like minor scraping of the skin. There is no downtime.
Your skin appears dewy and fresh straight after the treatment, due to the brightening and exfoliating action. Results will last two weeks, in line with the growth cycle of facial hair.
Expect to pay approximately $150 – $200.
Where to get these celebrity beauty treatments
Cosmetic Nurse Cat Tyler offers these treatments at her SILK Laser Clinics around Australia. The Carousel would like to thank her for this article.
The post Celebrity Beauty Treatments – The Latest From Hollywood! appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Love, Match! 6 Hot Shot Tennis Getaways appeared first on The Carousel.
]]> 1. Belle Helena, Byron Bay, NSW
The full outdoor tennis court is ideally situated next to an expansive undercover area with a wood-fired oven, BBQ and alfresco dining area. Great for a little post-play chatter. Sport enthusiasts will also enjoy the private rugby field, lap pool with lighthouse views, large gym, yoga room, driving range and 3-hole golf course.
Sleeps: 22
2. The Lexcen, Gold Coast, QLD
Add some bling to your on court performance at this Gold Coast waterfront home with a full size tennis court. The rental also features a salt water pool, undercover entertaining area and picturesque water views.
Sleeps: 16
3. Horizons, Margaret River, WA
Work up a sweat on the expansive tennis court before cooling off in the plunge pool. Guests will also enjoy the holiday rental's breathtaking 180 degree ocean and river views.
Sleeps: 8
4. Lawson Lodge, Macedon, VIC
Lighten things up with some evening play. The Lodge has an outdoor tennis court with lighting for a dusk hit – serve up some Pimms for post-play. Fitness fanatics can also take advantage of the private 9-hole golf course, basketball court, bushwalking tracks, trout fishing lake, sports lounge and bar.
Sleeps: 20
5. The Tennis Club, Portsea, VIC
This modern beach house features a tennis court, complete with grandstand seating, so you can do all the scoring from great heights. The stay also features a spacious indoor and outdoor entertaining area, perfect for summer dining.
Sleeps:5
6. Tanglewood, Noosa Heads, QLD
Don't get yourself into a tangle looking for some court action, try this Tanglewood property. This picturesque holiday rental features a full size tennis court surrounded by lush tropical gardens. Guests will also discover Noosa National Park and Main Beach within a short walk of the Tanglewood.
Sleeps: 12
The post Love, Match! 6 Hot Shot Tennis Getaways appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Top 5 Elements to Build a Long-Lasting Marriage appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Baba Richard and Sri Namaste Moore— collectively known as The Infinite Couple , advise that to succeed in the art of marriage, there are some basics such as communication, honesty and forgiveness that need to be adhered to and respected.
Here are their top 5 elements to help you build a long-lasting marriage
1. Polarity, not Conformity
Today, there's an increase in conflict between gender roles. In marriage, the differences between the masculine and the feminine should be respected and celebrated, not erased or balanced. Marriage should be about where your perspectives converge.
Women and men both bring different strengths to the table. " Women and men both bring different strengths to the table. We need to look at this as a positive rather than try to eliminate our differences or blur these lines into sameness or homogeneity ," Baba Richard advises.
In contrast to what is rampant today, there shouldn't be any competition between the masculine and the feminine, but a perfect understanding of each other's roles and position. You need these two polar energies of the masculine and feminine to create a unified entity. Today's world doesn't honour these two opposite energies and instead, puts them against each other.
The differences between the masculine and the feminine are dynamic and essential forces in creating long-lasting relationships and wealth.
2. Solid Communication
As a couple, communication is of the essence.
Most misunderstandings often come from a place of communication breakdown or inability to pass the right message across. Patiently learn what is being conveyed by the other person, instead of projecting your own subjective meaning. Be objective, lower your defences. Give your partner room to communicate their intent, perspectives, or ideas.
" Communication means a lot more than just talking. It means 'to connect'. The majority of communication isn't done through words, it's done through body language, tone of voice, and behaviour. This is why communication exercises – which we call 'communication praxis' are crucial. Praxis means practice and what you practice you get better at ," Baba Richard says.
It's important to understand that men and women cannot speak the same language. Men don't communicate the same way that women do, and vice-versa. Both sexes need to understand each others' language, and not try to force one to speak the other's language.
3. Honesty
This is an important ingredient if you really want your marriage to last. You have to be honest in everything you do in your marriage. Keep it transparent.
If you choose to be dishonest, your spouse is robbed of the opportunity to truly love you. Honesty encourages growth and builds a depth and foundation to marriage that cannot be easily replicated. This creates trust and stability in the long run.
4. Forgiveness
In marriage, it's very likely that your partner will do something that you don't like. However, don't hold grudges against them. Find a way to forgive them and move on. When you hold grudges against your partner, you'll become bitter and resentful. Find a way to ease out whatever you're feeling and move past it. This is in the best interest of you, your partner, and your marriage.
5. Create Safety
It's crucial to break the chain of separate lives and survival archetypes within the construct of marriage. Provide ways to make your partner feel secure and safe. Let them know you're in for the long haul regardless of what comes your way.
After 18 successful years together, The Infinite Couple has been able to harness their experience to create a well-rounded family, and also help other couples find a path to love, growth, togetherness, and spiritual alchemy.
Concluding Thoughts
Having a potent marriage starts with you and your partner. Don't give in to "trends" or what seems like the "norm" if you know it won't work for your marriage. Be you. Be different. Devote time and attention to your marriage and your significant other as well.
The post Top 5 Elements to Build a Long-Lasting Marriage appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Rich Spiced Lamb Stew Recipe appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Serves: 4
INGREDIENTS
80 ml (2½ fl oz/1⁄3 cup) olive oil
1 large red onion, sliced
4 garlic cloves, roughly chopped
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon sweet paprika
1 tablespoon chilli powder
600 g (1 lb 5 oz) deboned lamb leg, cut into roughly 2 cm (¾ in) cubes
250 ml (9 fl oz/1 cup) Belgian double ale
1 red bird's-eye chilli, sliced (or to taste; I use up to 4 chillies to make this really quite hot!)
45 g (12⁄3 oz/¼ cup) sultanas (golden raisins)
6 semi-dried dates (such as medjool)
1 cinnamon stick
15 g (½ oz/¼ cup) chopped coriander (cilantro)
7 g (¼ oz/¼ cup) chopped flat-leaf (Italian) parsley
3 roma (plum) tomatoes, cut into 6 wedges each
45 g (12⁄3 oz/1 cup) sliced kale
salt and freshly ground black pepper
METHOD
1 Heat the olive oil in a large deep-sided frying pan or flameproof casserole dish that has a lid over medium–high heat, then add the onion and garlic, and fry, stirring often, for 8–10 minutes.
2 Add the cumin, paprika and chilli powder, stirring to combine, and continue to fry for a couple of minutes. Increase the heat to high, add the lamb and stir well to coat with the spice mix, then brown for about 10 minutes.
3 Stir in the beer and 150 ml (5½ fl oz) of water, then stir in the sliced chillies, sultanas, dates and cinnamon. Season, then add the fresh herbs.
4 Turn down to a simmer, cover with the lid and cook for about 1½ hours or until the meat is quite tender. Check the meat after an hour or so.
5 Add the tomato wedges and kale to the stew, stirring to combine, and simmer for a further 10 minutes. You may need to add a little extra water as the stew can become a little dry. It is meant to be a thick-dry style stew though, not a wet stew with lots of liquid.
6 Serve on mashed potato or with boiled potatoes on the side or some couscous.
The post Rich Spiced Lamb Stew Recipe appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Why 50 Doesn't Have To Mean Sensible, Beige Or Elasticised Anything… appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>
My response to this midlife conundrum was to give myself a year to reset and reboot. I created my own midlife rite of passage and took off on what I called my Golden Gap Year. It was a (pre-covid) 12-month solo around the world adventure where I trekked in Bhutan, rode a bike from Prague to Budapest, walked the Camino Pilgrimage, sailed in the Greek Islands and turned 50 in New York. While I was travelling and researching my first book, I came across The Modern Elder Academy (MEA) and I was instantly intrigued.
MEA is the world's first midlife wisdom school. It's the brainchild of New York Times best-selling author and hospitality maverick Chip Conley, who founded the second largest chain of boutique hotels in the USA and then went on to help the founders of Airbnb disrupt the hospitality industry to create the world's most valuable hospitality brand. MEA run workshops that help to reframe our mindset on ageing and adopt an "it's never too late " approach to life.
When I got back from my Golden Gap, I enrolled in MEA's 8-week online course Navigating Midlife Transitions and it was everything I didn't know I needed. It offered me tools to help reimagine a new storyline for the second half of life… one that didn't assign decline and decrepitude as the avatars of ageing. It was the perfect balance of head and heart. It offered a rigorous curriculum but one that's overlaid with this genuine sense of soul and wisdom.
The added bonus was that I connected with a group of like-minded, curious 'modern elders' with whom I am now working to help launch MEAx in the Australian market. The team behind MEAx are living proof that it's never too late to start something new. Between them, they have launched new businesses, learnt new languages, climbed mountains, written books and taken up surfing, all in the second half of life. Tradition might expect us to be winding down, but I for one, feel like I'm just getting started. As Chip Conley says; "Life is no longer a one tank journey. MEA is an important pit stop, where you cultivate and harvest your wisdom, refuel your confidence levels and create a life that is as deep and meaningful as it is long."
If you'd like to know more about MEAx please go to www.meax.com.au or register for a free one-hour online information session at https://meax.com.au/meax-connex/
The post Why 50 Doesn't Have To Mean Sensible, Beige Or Elasticised Anything… appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Slick Rick: How To Do Slicked Hair Right appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>We asked Renya Xydis, who was slicking hair left, right and centre at fashion week, exactly how to do her famous slicked hair. Best of all, this is an uber easy take and one that can be mustered even by those with two left hands.
"For the perfect slick-do, it's essential to prep the hair correctly and use the right products to make sure the hair has the right finish," says Renya.
"My favourite slick looks are the 'models ponytail', they give you an instant facelift! For night, try a slicked straight do with a wet finish."
Renya's Simple How To For Slicked Hair
- Prep hair by straightening in sections with Cloud Nine Original Iron
- Starting from the hairline, comb your hair in a backwards direction
- Applying Wella Eimi Sculpt Force, continue brushing your hair backwards combing the product through the hair from the hairline until about half way down the back of your head (for a more intense wet look, you can comb the the product back even further).
Feature image via Flaunter Media.
The post Slick Rick: How To Do Slicked Hair Right appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Matt Moran's Granola With Stewed Rhubarb appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Serves 4 people
INGREDIENTS
440 g granola
280 ml almond milk
400 g rhubarb stalks
50g castor sugar
1/4 pod of vanilla bean
1/2 lemon (juice)
METHOD
1 Trim and peel the rhubarb stalks and roughly chop, place in a medium size saucepan and add the castor sugar, vanilla bean and lemon juice, simmer for 5 minutes stirring continuously. Leave aside until cool.
2 To serve, place the granola into a cereal bowl, pour the almond milk over it and spoon the stewed rhubarb on top.
The post Matt Moran's Granola With Stewed Rhubarb appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Delicious Plant-Based Recipe For Brussels Sprout Pasta appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>This delicious recipe by Maille's expert mustard sommeliers is from the new recipe e-book 'Plant Based Exploration' which is filled with flavourful recipes from the Leah Itsines and Maille's experts.
SERVES: 15
PREP TIME: 15 MINUTES
COOK TIME: 6 MINUTES
INGREDIENTS:
- 12 ounces linguine
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 pound Brussels sprouts, thinly sliced, some outer leaves reserved for serving
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 4 tbsp butter or dairy-free butter
- 1⁄4 cup Maille Wholegrain Mustard
- 1/3 cup grated parmesan or plant-based cheese, plus more for serving
- 1 lemon, zested and juiced
- Lemon wedges, for serving
Directions:
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente according to package directions. Drain, reserving 1 1⁄2 cups pasta cooking liquid.
2. While the pasta cooks, heat 1 Tbsp. oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add half of brussels sprouts and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender and browned, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a plate and season with salt and pepper. Add an additional 1 Tbsp. olive oil to the skillet and repeat with remaining brussels sprouts. Transfer to plate.
3. Add the butter to the now empty skillet over medium heat. Once melted, add garlic and saute until fragrant and just beginning to brown, about 1 minute. Add the pasta, brussels sprouts, reserved leaves, mustard, the cheese and 1⁄2 cup pasta water. Stir to coat the pasta, adding additional pasta water as needed to reach your desired consistency.
4. Off heat, stir in lemon juice and zest. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste.
5. Serve with lemon wedges and additional parmesan cheese on the side.
Discover more plant-based recipes by Leah Itsines and Maille's expert mustard sommeliers at maille.com.au. You can download the complete recipe e-book and also attend a virtual cooking class with Leah for seven of the recipes, where she will guide you through each one step-by-step.
Tip: For a plant-based option, swap the parmesan cheese for a diary-free cheese alternative.
Check out https://maille.com.au/ for more.
https://thecarousel.com/food/healthy/luke-hines-crispy-brussels-sprouts-with-siracha-chilli-sauce/
https://thecarousel.com/food/recipes-food/recipe-for-a-cauliflower-soup-with-crispy-sage-croutons/
The post Delicious Plant-Based Recipe For Brussels Sprout Pasta appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Top Gift Ideas For The Kitchen appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>De'Longhi PrimaDonna Soul
For the coffee lovers, consider De'Longhi's beautiful PrimaDonna Soul coffee machine for this Mother's Day. It makes barrista style coffee and has an easy to use modern touch display that can dispense a wide selection of beverages from flat white, expresso to iced coffee with just one touch. We've road tested this machine ourself and it is seriously the business.
RRP: $ 2,799
Kenwood Chef XL Titanium
Kenwood's Chef XL Titanium is sleek and stylish and ideal for a mum who enjoys baking and entertaining. Get into a MasterChef frame of mind with the help of the Chef XL for everything from kneading, whisking, beating and more.
RRP: $999.000
Braun MultiQuick9 System
There's nothing quite like a little help in the kitchen with chopping, dicing, slicing, blending and grinding fruit and vegetables. And this is made easier with Braun's MultiQuick9 System which can do all of the hard work in a jiffy.
RRP: $299.00
Distinta Moments Kettle & Toaster
DeLonghi Distinta breakfast collection is a great way to improve the decor of your mum's kitchen and the toaster and the kettle is the perfect Mother's Day duo gift. Check out the different styles – we love the pair in white. You can't go wrong with that.
Kettle RRP: $148.98
Toaster RRP: $158.99
Vitamix Ascent A2300i RRP $945
The impressive brand-loyalty that Vitamix has built over the past 100 years and it's hard to beat as a stylish present for mum. New on the market is a sleek blender for any kitchen countertop, the Vitamix Ascent® A2300i which is available in red, black slate or white. It features Variable Speed Control and Pulse to create every texture. A built-in digital timer helps monitor each blend and achieve perfect results, while SELF-DETECT
technology includes wireless connectivity that allows your blender to evolve. Interlock technology also prevents the machine from operating if the lid or container is not secure. .
vitamixaustralia.com.au
The post Top Gift Ideas For The Kitchen appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post How To Get Grace Kelly's Fashion Style appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>With her beautiful blonde hair and impeccable taste in fashion, Grace Kelly is undoubtedly a true Hollywood icon who lived a picture-perfect Princess life. Here, fashion stylist Emma Read reveals the key buys to revamp your wardrobe for a graceful and timeless wardrobe just like Grace Kelly's…. yes, even the Hermes bag.
Crisp Shirts & Buttoned Cardigans
"The equivalent of a white t-shirt for Grace, she paired sharply tailored shirting and knits – both short and long-sleeved – with everything," says fashion stylist Emma Read. "From casual trousers to tulle skirts, these ran the gamut of Grace's wardrobe (as they should yours, too)."
Full Skirts With Flair
"She disliked very short skirts ('After all, who has pretty knees?'), so it was long and voluminous all the way," says Emma. "A quick, no-fuss way to add shape to her narrow frame, this style took her from casual to glamour in a flash."
Shift Dresses
"Simple yet effective – this was the Grace ethos all the way. A selection in cottons and silks make day-to-night dressing a breeze (particularly with an Hermes bag on your arm)."
Midi Pumps & Sandals
"Smart, practical and stylish – these tick all of Grace's boxes. A pointy or almond-toe midi pump or open-toe sandal allows all the refinement of a heel with the added bonus of actually being able to move around in comfort."
Hermes Kelly Bag
"It is her namesake, after all. Hermes officially named the bag after Grace in 1977 and rightly so, as it had been some years since she popularised the style. If it's ever such a stretch price-wise, think in terms of the shape in general and ensure the hardware has longevity. Any look can be elevated with a quality leather handbag."
This is an edited extract from Rescu Me! by Bahar Etminan (RRP $29.99, eRRP $19.99, Harlequin MIRA). For more great lifestyle tips visit Rescu.com.au.
The post How To Get Grace Kelly's Fashion Style appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Strenghten Your Arms, Shoulders And Buttocks With This Easy Guide To The Cobra Pose appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>AKA – Bhujangasana
'Bhujang' means serpent or snake.
'Asana' means pose.
Hence the terminology – cobra pose.
It is an easy way to learn the back bend pose that has many benefits. You can make the pose as easy, or as deep as you like, everyone is different and this pose has a couple of variations so you can adapt to your body's needs.
While practicing this pose, it opens up the heart chakra and at the same time increases strength in the muscles of the arms, chest, shoulders, and back. It is also believed that the intention of this pose is to ignite a burning digestive fire, releasing blocked or dormant energy. How awesome is that!
Cobra pose can be practiced by anyone, and here are the options to get you started.
- All of the levels of cobra pose start by laying on your stomach.
Let's start with the easiest way – Sphinx Pose, as it's the most gentle, place forearms on the floor, elbows in line with shoulders, lift your chest and head, so that you create a very gentle back bend.
Traditional Cobra Pose.
How to get there –
- Lay on your stomach.
- Engage your thighs, pressing them firmly onto the mat.
- Maintain a nice long spine here, before the next part.
- Bend elbows, hands beneath shoulders, tuck elbows in towards ribcage.
- Press palms down firmly, lift your chest while keeping your ribs down on the floor.
- Extend your elbows half way and roll your shoulders back and down.
- Gently lift your head and gaze straight ahead.
- Stay here for 5 rounds of slow controlled breathing, in through your nose counting to four, out through the nose counting to five.
How to exit the pose –
Engage your core.
Using your arm strength, bring ribcage, chest, and head down to the floor.
Counter pose – Childs Pose.
Benefits –
- Stretches muscles in the shoulders, chest, and abdominals.
- Strengthens the arms and shoulders.
- Increases flexibility.
- Elevates mood.
- Firms and tones the buttocks.
- Relieves stress and fatigue.
- Improves digestion.
- Soothes sciatica.
Alignment Tips –
- Keep your leg muscles engaged at all times.
- Neutral neck to avoid straining.
- If you feel discomfort in your lower back, decrease the bend in your elbows by lowering closer to the floor OR go to the gentle version of Sphinx.
Contraindications –
Pre-existing back or neck injury.
Choose easier option if menstruating.
Always be kind to yourself, move with ease and grace. You are the most important person in your life.
Namaste.
The post Strenghten Your Arms, Shoulders And Buttocks With This Easy Guide To The Cobra Pose appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Australia's Top Six Family Travel Destinations appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Tired of the theme parks and traipsing around city streets with the children? Get back to nature! In this edited extract from 'Australia's Top 100 Places to Go – The Ultimate Bucket List by Jennifer Adams & Clint Bizzell from Places We Go' Australia's Top 100 Places to Go, the well-versed travelling family, along with their daughter Charli, have kindly hand selected their Top 6 Family Travel Destinations in Australia. Woo hoo! No more research. Just pack your bags (leave room in the suitcase for fun!) and get ready for an amazing time…
- Jervis Bay, New South Wales
"Jervis Bay is a natural paradise with stunning beaches famous for their blindingly white sand. Charli was mesmerised by the whales and resident dolphins we spotted on a cruise of the marine park – dolphins are pretty much a guarantee on one of these cruises and they come so close to the boat! For the adults, a spot of paddleboarding or any of the amazing coastal walks are perfect ways to spend your time here."
- El Questro Wilderness Park, the Kimberley, Western Australia
"The wilderness park is an enormous natural amusement park for young and old, and big enough so you never feel like it's crowded. We took Charli on hikes to waterfalls (where you can cool down in the natural waterholes); soaked in the thermal Zebedee Springs where we all relaxed and enjoyed a 'bath in the wilderness'; and took a cruise on the Chamberlain River where Charli helped steer the boat and we fed the resident barramundi who swam beneath us. And the whole experience was framed by the red, rocky ranges and the big blue Kimberley sky."
- Mount Borradaile, Arnhem Land, Northern Territory
"Charli was just two when we took her in a light aircraft from Kakadu to east Arnhem Land to discover this remote and exclusive piece of Aboriginal land. She loved the arrival, and, together with both of our mothers, we explored the bush with custodian Max Davidson. From cruises on billabongs at sunset, to discovering some of the most prolific Aboriginal art in existence, Mount Borradaile created some of our most precious family memories."
- Fraser Island, Queensland
"Endless sparkling sand dunes, wildlife galore and a bit of adventure – Fraser Island is the ultimate family destination. We traversed the sandy 'highways' by 4WD and stumbled upon magical Lake McKenzie at sunset. We camped nearby with the sounds of nature lulling us all to sleep. But it was our simple days on the beach as a family that we loved the most. We would have a pristine stretch of sand all to ourselves, and we'd roam around discovering shipwrecks and just enjoying being surrounded by nature."
- Kangaroo Island, South Australia
"Kangaroo Island is our daughter's favourite place to go in Australia. It's full of countless encounters with wildlife, and an afternoon spent feeding grey kangaroos in a wildlife sanctuary left quite the impression. For the adults, the farmers' market and passionate locals who are so connected to their environment is a lasting memory of this amazing island."
- Wilsons Promontory, Victoria
"The 'Prom' is somewhere we can escape to as a family in our own backyard here in Victoria and feel completely enveloped by nature and pristine wilderness. Our favourite family activities when camping at Tidal River are beach cricket, tackling the many nature walks (which are suitable for children!), and keeping an eye out for the local wombats who like to visit campsites looking for food."
All images supplied by Australia's Top 100 Places to Go – The Ultimate Bucket List.
Buy The Book
Australia's Top 100 Places to Go – The Ultimate Bucket List by Jennifer Adams & Clint Bizzell from Places We Go, published by Explore Australia Publishing, RRP $34.95.
The post Australia's Top Six Family Travel Destinations appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post The Breastfeeding Series Part 1: What to Expect in the First Days After Baby is Born appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Breast Changes During Pregnancy & Early Post-Partum
Milk, in the form of colostrum, is present from about the fourth month of pregnancy onwards. At birth, the delivery of the placenta triggers a reduction in the woman's progesterone levels. This removes the inhibition of milk production and allows the elevated levels of prolactin to function. Increased amounts of blood and lymph in the breast form the nutrients for milk production. These fluids cause the breasts to become fuller, heavier, and sometimes tender. As regular, frequent breastfeedings progress, this normal fullness diminishes. By about two weeks postpartum, when lactation is established, the breasts become comfortable, soft and pliable, even when they are full with milk. Regular frequent feedings will maintain this condition (1).
First Feeds: Breastfeeding Your Newborn
So how do you breastfeed a newborn baby? Be guided by your baby's cues as to when he wants to feed and for how long. During the first few days when baby's breastfeeds provide nutritious colostrum, the feedings may be frequent and irregular in duration. Colostrum is highly concentrated, and baby's stomach capacity is small, so the quantity of colostrum required to satisfy his needs is also small. Alternating sides each time the baby goes to the breast will stimulate the breasts, assisting the transition from colostrum to breast milk production (lactogenesis). Baby's stomach will gradually stretch in size as the volume of colostrum produced gradually increases over the first 48 hours.
The Feeding Frenzy: Day Two to Three
Around day two to three, baby often wants to feed more frequently, around every hour or two. Baby has passed lots of black coloured meconium poos by this stage, emptying out his gastro-intestinal tract, and his stomach capacity is gradually increasing in size in preparation for milk feeds. He's hungry – so feed him! This is nature's way of 'calling in the milk' and mother's body will respond accordingly. Frequent breastfeeds in the early days has been shown to reduce the incidence of engorgement when the milk arrives. Skin-to-skin contact with baby, allowing baby to smell, hear and touch you and avoiding separations so you can respond to his feeding cues immediately will facilitate your 'milk coming in' – putting an end to the Day 2-3 Feeding Frenzy.
When Your Milk Comes In
When the milk arrives, your breasts feel heavy, warm and may leak prior to or during feeds. Nature often overcompensates in the beginning, but it will settle down. Moist warm heat in the form of warm showers or warm wet face washers applied to the breasts will enhance 'letdown' to help the milk flow. Avoid cold treatments at this stage, which constrict the breast tissue and reduce the flow of milk.
Phases of a breastfeed: Foremilk & Hindmilk
When your milk first 'comes in', baby may be full and satisfied in one session or phase at the breast, as his stomach capacity has to stretch to accommodate the bigger volume of milk taken during the feed. Over the next day or so this will gradually change and baby will begin to seek a second session or phase of each feed, and sometimes, perhaps, a third!
Typically, baby will start the feed enthusiastically gulping down the fast-flowing milk from the full breast. This first phase of the feed may be completed in quite a short time, maybe five to 10 minutes. Baby will appear fully satisfied and will often drop off to sleep. The milk baby has taken during this first phase of the feed is likely to be 'foremilk', which is full of wonderful nutrients but has very little fat content. Baby will sleep a short time, maybe up to 30 minutes, and then stir. He has partially digested the foremilk and now 'cues' to complete the breastfeed.
It is advisable to return the baby to the same breast he fed from first, and the milk he takes in the second phase of the feed is likely to be milk which is higher in fat, called 'hindmilk'. This fattier milk will be digested more slowly than the foremilk and help keep baby satisfied until he is ready for the next breastfeed. He may even repeat this a third or fourth time at some feeds. Return baby to the starting breast at least once, before offering the second breast. Baby will let you know when he has had enough.
Round Two: Alternating Breasts
At the next breastfeed you offer the opposite breast, following the baby's cues as above. This pattern ensures both breasts are well drained a number of times during each 24 hour period, enhancing the establishment of an ample breast milk supply. As baby grows he may drain the first breast in a couple of phases and still want more, so the feed may need to be completed on the second breast. In this case, start the next feed on the breast which was drained the least, probably the second breast.
Each breastfeed is usually comprised of a few instalments. Just as an adult varies the size of meals eaten according to hunger, and meals may be comprised of several courses, babies vary their feeds too. Young babies particularly need to take each 'meal' in a few stages, with rest times in between each stage to allow comfortable digestion.
Now you have an overview of what to expect in the early days after baby is born.
This is an excerpt from New Baby 101: A Midwife's Guide for New Parents, which is available at www.newbaby101.com.au. New Baby 101 is also available as an App for your smartphone at the Google Playstore and iTunes App Store.
Follow New Baby 101 on Facebook to keep up with everything educational and fun about Mums and Bubs.
1. Lauwers & Swisher, 2005, p308).
Read Part 2: Breastfeeding Series What to Expect in the First Days After Baby is Born here
The post The Breastfeeding Series Part 1: What to Expect in the First Days After Baby is Born appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post How To Get The Ultimate Goddess Glow With Eye of Horus appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Eye of Horus is a brand that I have been following since it first launched in Byron Bay in 2012. I first spotted the mascara in my local chemist and was immediately struck by the black and gold packaging. I also noticed that the product was cruelty free and the ingredients were all natural. Nowadays, this is more commonly referred to as clean beauty and Eye of Horus was certainly one of the forerunners of this movement. The name itself is homage to the beauty rituals of the Ancient Egyptians who, of course, knew nothing else other than the craft of formulating natural products. I started using the eye makeup, and quickly found the Goddess Mascara was an essential beauty go to.
Not surprisingly Eye of Horus has since built a cult beauty following from its humble beginnings and there are 400 stores across Australia filled with a huge range of their luxury organic products. The brainchild of Holly Schleich, who founded the brand almost a decade ago, Eye of Horus has a reputation for its long-lasting formulations and for being ethical and organic.
Let's take a look at where it all began – the Eye of Horus Goddess Mascara is a lengthening and volumising mascara and has sold over 150,000 tubes worldwide.
Inspired by ancient beauty rituals and sacred ingredients, this award-winning, luxurious formula is ideal for sensitive eyes and is smudge-proof, water-proof, clump-proof and quick-drying. Despite its incredible staying power, the best part is its tube-like formula which can be easily removed with warm water and wiped away. But once you start wearing Eye of Horus, you'll want to try the other products too and my recommendation is the Dual eyebrow pencil and gel duo, the vegan contour brush, and rose shimmer Lip Elixer which has the most incredible shimmer.
How to get the ultimate Goddess Glow with Eye Of Horus
Brows
Feather the Brow Fibre Extend through your brows using light, even strokes to create a natural looking brow.
Cheeks
Apply the Persian Peach and Sienna Blush from the Sacred Earth Palette to the cheeks using soft, sweeping movements for a healthy, vibrant glow. Complete by highlighting with Luxor Light.
Eyes
Add length and volume by applying the award-winning Goddess Mascara to your top and bottom lashes. Start at the base of the lashes and wriggle the wand up to the tip for maximum impact.
Lips
Finish the look with the Bio Lip Elixir. This nourishing formula will plump your lips and add the ultimate shine.
Discover this gorgeous brand yourself here: https://www.eyeofhoruscosmetics.com/
The post How To Get The Ultimate Goddess Glow With Eye of Horus appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Top Exfoliating Treatments To Give Your That Spring Glow! appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Why are exfoliators actually important, anyway?
With our skincare routines already requiring so many products, is it really worth adding exfoliation into the mix? According to Mardi Johnson, owner of The Skin Club Bowral , the simple answer is yes!
"If your skincare regime doesn't include regular exfoliation you may end up with clogged pores and a build-up of bacteria which can cause lifeless looking skin," she says.
Regular exfoliating (up to two to three times a week) will leave your skin looking and feeling fresh and healthy – with the kind of glow generally gleaned after a relaxing overseas getaway. "The best exfoliators help slough away dull, dead, dehydrated skin build-up to solve a multitude of skin concerns including rough texture, breakouts, wrinkles, crows feet, enlarged pores, uneven skin tone, flaky skin, and reveal a fresher face underneath," says Mardi.
Just as importantly, the exfoliation process also opens the way for products that follow to absorb more deeply into the skin – which improves their effectiveness. To get the most value out of your pricey serums, consider a good exfoliator an investment in your overall beauty routine.
Exfoliation: It's Spring Cleaning For Your Face (Summer and Winter too)
It's time to welcome warmer weather … and with it, showcase all the skin that's been hidden under thick jumpers and your work-from-home best for the past few months. Exfoliation is particularly beneficial if your skin feels sandpaper-dry following months of freezing outside temperatures and indoor heating (hello, lockdown!)
However, while the need to exfoliate will feel obvious to Winter skin, it's actually an important addition to your skincare routine all year round. Because, although cold weather certainly tests your skin in its quest to look its best, Spring and Summer bring with them their own challenges. One of the primary reasons being that we use more sunscreen during the sunnier months, making a proper exfoliation routine vital to remove product build-up effectively.
Note: This isn't a hall pass to skip your SPF ! Sunscreen is a vital, non-negotiable, do-not-pass-go without-applying product, to protect our skin against UVA and UVB rays, prevent us from burning, wrinkles and other ageing signs and reduce our risk of skin cancers. But it can also damage our skin if not thoroughly cleansed. Enter exfoliation.
"Whether you use a physical sunscreen (containing one of two active ingredients, zinc oxide or titanium) or a chemical one (typically made with aminobenzoic acid, avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene, and oxybenzone which absorbs the sun's UV rays), it's especially important to add a good exfoliator to your nightly skincare routine to remove leftover product on your skin, which would otherwise prevent product absorption," says Mardi.
Which type of exfoliator is best?
Not all exfoliating ingredients are created equal. Some are stronger than others and should only be used on certain skin types. So it's vital to research and find the exfoliation ingredients best suited for your skin
Exfoliators have definitely upgraded from the old-school apricot kernel formulas of your high school days. Today they are generally categorised as physical exfoliators (traditional formulas that require you to manually – but gently buff it into the skin) and chemical exfoliators (acid or enzyme-based0 exfoliators which work by removing a buildup of dead skin cells by dissolving the glue that binds them together).
Let's get physical … or chemical
If you have sensitive skin look for physical exfoliation products featuring jojoba beads. This natural, non-abrasive ingredient is often used in exfoliating products designed specifically for delicate skin, but can be used with all skin types. At a microscopic level, jojoba beads are polished, round and smooth to avoid causing irritation to the skin. It is also environmentally friendly.
For skin that is super congested, chemical exfoliation may be a better option. "While the term may sound negative, in this instance chemical simply describes how the ingredients perform the job. In fact, there are plenty of chemical exfoliants actually made with natural ingredients!" says Mardi.
Chemical exfoliation works by dissolving the intercellular glue that holds dead skin cells together – instead of physically removing the dead cells away. As a result, chemical exfoliants generally penetrate deeper into the skin and can be a great option for skin that is more resistive or can't tolerate physically scrubbing their face. Chemical exfoliation examples include products made with alpha hydroxy acid, beta hydroxy acid, lactic acid, glycolic acid, multi-fruit acids, citric and malic acids.
Alternatively, try scrubs made with enzymes. While granular/beaded scrubbing can lead to red, sensitive and irritated skin, enzyme exfoliants are changing the skincare game. Enzymes are bio-active ingredients often derived from fruits like pineapple and papaya. Suitable for all skin types, enzyme exfoliants are especially suited to sensitive skins that react to granular or acidic exfoliators.
Exfoliation with the experts
In-salon treatments, such as those offered by The Skin Club, can elevate your exfoliation experience to another level. While at-home treatments can be enjoyed several times a week, expert exfoliation should be enjoyed more selectively.
Some of the most popular examples include microdermabrasion – a minimally invasive skin treatment that buffs away the outermost layer of the skin. After a session, skin usually appears smoother, clearer and more radiant-looking. This treatment is suitable for most skin types and can be done safely every two weeks
Alternatively, professional chemical peels work when a chemical solution is applied to the skin to remove the top layers safely of the skin. The skin that grows back is smoother. "Chemical peels are used to treat wrinkles, discoloured skin and scars usually on the face. They can be done alone or combined with other cosmetic procedures," says Mardi. "And depending on the products used by the clinic you can safely do a peel every two weeks for a specific skin concern."
Ready to scrub up your skincare act? Whether you're just after an every (second) day exfoliator or need a more targeted treatment there is a range of options available to help you out.
Products we love
Pai Virtuous Circle Kukui & Jojoba Bead Eco-Bead Exfoliator
Using 100% natural and perfectly spherical Jojoba Beads, the gel formula of this physical exfoliator gently rolls across the skin to lift away dead skin cells and impurities leaving zero damage to the skin (or oceans).
Alpha H Liquid Gold
The chemical exfoliator definitely deserves its cult status. It combines 5% Glycolic Acid with a unique low-pH delivery system to stimulate action at a deeper layer of the skin. The process accelerates the skin's renewal process, dramatically improves brightness and tone, supports collagen production and helps minimise the visible signs of sun damage, ageing and blemishes.
Kate Sommerville ExfoliKate Intensive Exfoliating Treatment
Can't decide between a physical or chemical exfoliator? ExfoliKate combines both so you don't have to! Formulated with a unique combination of chemical exfoliants, fruit enzymes, lactic acid and physical granules, this intensive exfoliator take a multi-skilled approach to removes dead skin build-up from the surface of the skin and debris and oil from within your pores.
Wishful Yo Glow Enzyme Scrub
Ease your way into enzymes – and the kind of skin you could only wish for – with Yo Glow's Enzyme Scrub. This gentle yet powerful exfoliator is infused with pineapple and papaya enzymes, BHAs, and AHAs to leave your skin with a healthy glow.
Dermalogica Daily Resurfacer
These single-use sachets (a great option when travel is back on the cards!) offer the benefits of both chemical and physical exfoliation. Containing botanical brighteners and alpha and beta hydroxy acids – including sugar cane, hibiscus and apple fruit extracts – they work overnight to stimulate cell renewal and cell turnover while gently helping to slough surface cells. For best results use them in conjunction with Daily Microfoliant.
Skinstitut Glycolic Scrub
With fine beads PLUS AHAs, this polishes skin to perfection. Apply in the shower and gently massage over skin, or for a deeper desquamation, apply prior to showering and allow to dry, then buff away before hoping under the water.
Wrinkles Schminkles Liquid Exfoliation Peel
Contains 5 single use deeply exfoliating masks for the next and decolletage.
Sircuit Skin Double Trouble L-Lactic Pomegranate Acai Peel
Removes dead skin cells with gentle exfoliation, leaving brighter looking skin that is healthier and more radiant. it also provides essential antioxidants to minimise the effects of free radical damage.
Dr Roebucks Byron
This dual action, deep cleansing two in one exfoliator brings the spa experience direct to your home. Featuring biodegradable Jojoba Beads, this gentle exfoliator lifts dead skin and encourages cell renewal without causing microtears in the skin thanks to their smooth, spherical shape.
Priori TTC Natural Enzyme Peel & Masque
This ultimate adaptive treatment is an all-natural skin peel enriched with turmeric, papaya and pumpkin enzyme extracts. This face & body mask's dual action helps to treat dead skin cells, comedones, blackheads and acne that keep your skin from looking its best.
Synergie Skin Micropolish Powder
A fragrance-free exfoliating powder with rice bran granules, betaine, and antioxidants to gently micro-polish, cleanse and brighten skin.
Caete Negroni Lip Scrub
A three-in-one lip scrub that conditions, moisturises, and softens available in a deceptively seductive Negroni.
Nimue Skin Exfoliating Enzyme
A specially formulated enzymatic exfoliator with high efficacy designed to gently remove dead skin cells and promote healthy skin renewal in all skin classifications.
Mesoestic Peel Cosmelan at The Skin Club Bowral
Mardi's customised Cosemlan peel is an in-salon, tailored treatment formulated to mainly treat melisma and pigmentation of all skin types. This is an intense treatment but is designed to give you ultimate results quickly.
The post Top Exfoliating Treatments To Give Your That Spring Glow! appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Research Shows Aussies Favour Chinese Food appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The survey, conducted for Maille Mustard, also showed that men and women have very different taste buds.
"Most women choose Italian food as their favourite style of international cuisine with men choosing Chinese," Maille spokesperson, Julien Pourtau, said. "There's also a significant difference between generations, with those aged 34 or under preferring Italian food to any other international cuisine, and the majority of the older generation preferring Chinese. The younger generations are also bigger fans of the spicier Mexican and Indian food than the older generations," Mr Pourtau said.
"Aussie's are dreaming of days when they can escape the borders and experience authentic international cuisines – but in the meantime, Australians can enjoy cooking authentic world-wide cuisine from the comfort of their home," he said.
The research mirrors the desire of MasterChef Australia champion and celebrity chef Diana Chan, who can't wait to travel overseas when borders reopen to get a taste of delicious and authentic food in Mexico and Italy.
"It's a country I've never been to, and I've always wanted to explore the region," she said. "We know so much about the food but it would be such a treat to experience it firsthand and understand what the locals produce and consume.
"I think it's a colourful and vibrant nation and the country has a lot to offer for travellers.
"Another country I would absolutely love to return to and see more of is Italy. I would love to see more of the north when I visit next. The food in the region I feel will also be incredibly exciting and different," she said.
"I would also have to stop over in Malaysia to visit my family whom I've not seen for nearly two years now. Of course, I'll be visiting all the hawker stalls and street food for late night feasts. I feel that street food will eventually die off and I want to be able to explore as much of it as I possibly can."
The survey was conducted on behalf of Maille Mustard. Visit maille.com.au to download the free Maille Tour Du Monde cookbook with delicious globally inspired recipes.
Plant-Based Sandwich Recipe With Maille Mustard By Leah Itsines
The post Research Shows Aussies Favour Chinese Food appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Ageless Is An Attitude – Why The Science Of Rejuvenation Has Our Back appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Over the past 20 years, I've worked with, interviewed and met some of the most beautiful men and women in the world, and the glam squad and experts they have on speed dial to create their flawless images. What I've come to learn is that beauty and vitality has nothing to do with age. It's an attitude and can rise or fall in direct proportion of that person's investment and investment in self care, lifestyle choices, what I like to call tweakments and how much they respect their personal brand.
Having been a beauty entrepreneur, editor and consultant, I have learned a thing or two from being in the business of beauty for over two decades.
At 47, I feel I am living proof that Ageless is an attitude. I look and feel better than I did at 35. I am certainly fitter, healthier and some would say prettier. My skin glows and my life experience has turned up as a confident twinkle in my eyes. I am excited that science and innovation are on my side for the next 45 years, and truly believe that the best is yet to come.
Ageless Australia
Australia ranks in the top 10 countries according to cosmetic surgery spend. In 2017, our outlay hit the billion-dollar mark: 40% higher than the US per capita. In excess of $350 million-worth was spent on wrinkle reduction procedures in the same year.
Interestingly the top 5 cosmetic procedures in Australia are anti-wrinkle injections, fillers, laser and IPL, breast augmentation and reduction, and liposuction. (IBISWorld) The beauty and non-invasive rejuvenation industry is a further secondary market. In 2020, Australians spent $2.5b on skincare products and $3.8b on body and sunscreen products. This is forecast to grow by 5.6% in 2021.
So I made it myself..
When I realised that women my age and older wanted more than just an influencer's opinion or a fashion magazine to rely on when it comes to taking control of their ageless journey I decided to create the platform. Women 55-65 represent the most powerful segment of luxury and high spend consumers in this market and still brands and marketers are not speaking to them.
Last month I launched a podcast channel Ageless by Rescu which launched at number 4 on Apple podcasts for Beauty and Fashion category. This month I launched a Digital Magazine of the same name as a deep dive into the world of rejuvenation, cosmetic enhancement, and modern beauty. I opened up my little black book of celebrities, scientists, surgeons and experts to explore what it means to be vital and perennially beautiful in this post pandemic moment.
Education and transparency
My mission has always been to bring perceptive, captivating content, no-spin reviews, and truly expert advice from the brightest thinkers, doers and achievers in the business. This podcast and magazine are a natural extension of my book, digital platform and passion for the science of beauty and vitality.
More importantly, in an industry plagued by somewhat exploitative and confusing messages, I hope that the AGELESS by Rescu platform will serve as an educational hub allowing women direct access to best practice experts and cutting edge innovations in this space in Australia and globally.
My Ageless Rituals
I follow Dr David Sinclair's rejuvenation bible Lifespan- why we age and why we don't have to.
I take prescribed and compounded DHEA, NAD+ booster, Prescription Metformin, a diabetes medication to level out my blood sugar and it's a proven anti-aging miracle on so many accounts, a zinc supplement, collagen and greens supplement powders and pre and probiotics for gut health. I also do intermittent fasting. 16 hours a day and try to drink at least 1.5 litres of water.
Reducing stress and cortisol levels is key to reversing ageing and feeling vital. I start each morning with 20 mins TM meditation and try to walk 10-15KM a day. I do cardio/ strength or pilates 3 x a week for flexibility, tone and bone density. Each day I do some breathwork and a grounding exercise and try to get my feet into sea water or grass to connect with nature. I believe in the restorative power of music and dance and I dance at least once a week at an online class, PS4 Just Dance with my daughter or around the house. Listening to 80's music transports me to my teens and I instantly feel young. Listening to new music is also really important for me to feel youthful and relevant. No sense being stuck in the past. Belting out a Dua Lipa remix makes me feel young and sexy.
I listen to audio books (biographies, therapy and wellness) and I read fiction. I try not to watch the news and I don't like any films, books or shows that spike my stress and cortisol. That's the worst thing you can do for ageing. I love to sleep and regularly get a good 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep. I sleep on silk pillow cases which are better for your skin and prevent wrinkles.
My skincare routine is epic. I am devoted to my skin. I use active cosmeceutical products, spf 50, have regular facials and treatments, injectibels, lasers, LED light therapy and try not to wear makeup at least 3 days a week. I always always clean my face and teeth properly and with great care. Teeth are the most underrated and important aspect of ageing well. You'd be surprised how much this one tip will transform your face.
How to follow Bahar Etminan
Link to Magazine:https://magazine.rescu.com.au/
Link to Podcast: https://omny.fm/shows/ageless-by-rescu
Linkedin: @https://www.linkedin.com/in/bahar-etminan-b7488718/
Youtube: @rescutv https://www.youtube.com/c/RescuAu
Instagram: @agelessbyrescu
The post Ageless Is An Attitude – Why The Science Of Rejuvenation Has Our Back appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post TV chef Ed Halmagyi's Chorizo & Lentil Soup With Winter Vegetables appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Why would you ever reach for a can of soup from the pantry when you can cook this hearty, tasty beauty in no time at all?
PREP 10 MINS
COOK 1 HOUR
SERVES 4
Ingredients
- 2 chorizo sausages, chopped
- 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 brown onions, sliced
- 4 cloves garlic, sliced
- 2 tsp capers, chopped
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 1L beef stock
- 1 cup small green lentils, rinsed
- 2 cups mixed vegetables (such as celery, carrot or broccoli), chopped
- 11/2 Tbsp unsalted butter, softened
- 11/2 Tbsp plain flour
- 1/2 cup finely chopped flat-leaf parsley
- Sour cream, to serve
Instructions
STEP 1 Place chorizo in the bowl of a food processor and pulse until it forms fine crumbs. Fry crumbs in oil in a large saucepan over moderate heat for 10 minutes, or until very crispy. Scoop out with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving oil in the saucepan.
STEP 2 Add onion, garlic, capers and cumin to pan and cook for 5 minutes. Pour in stock and lentils, then bring to a simmer and cook for 20 minutes. Add vegetables and cook for a further 20 minutes, or until lentils are just tender.
STEP 3 Mix butter and flour in a small bowl to form a paste. Stir into the simmering soup and cook until thickened. Fold in parsley, then serve topped with the crispy chorizo and a dollop of sour cream.
The post TV chef Ed Halmagyi's Chorizo & Lentil Soup With Winter Vegetables appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Lydia Simonis: Rising Australian Model Talks Beauty And Her Female Role Models appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Images by Glenn Nutley
Tell us the basics…how old are you? Where are you from? Where do you live now?
I am 23 years old, I was born and bred here in Sydney Australia and I'm currently living in Maroubra Beach.
How did you get started in modelling?
I've always done little jobs here and there before I was signed but I got scouted by a mother agency in Paris Starsystem and they had the idea of placing me with IMG Australia. During that process I was scouted by now a close friend Dan Tafenui and also my hair colourist at a dancing gig at the beach. He got me in contact with a close friend of his and also IMGs director Danielle. I went in and they signed me that day.
Image from Instagram
Tell us about your style?
My style is very simple , not complicated, clean, comfortable and neutral or all black. Im always inspired by Elle Macpherson as she is my style icon and by the environment around me. I love the beach and nature which explains why I love simplicity and also because I love being in the islands, that place is like a second home and we don't wear much clothes over there because its so hot!
What's your beauty routine and products you couldn't live without?
I try keep everything in its most natural state. I believe keeping healthy and drinking plenty of green juice and water helps give you a perfect skin base. My routine is 2 Cactus skincare clay masks per week and I exfoliate everyday with a Lush Cosmetics salt scrub. People say you should only exfoliate once a week but everyone is different and I get a lot of make up put on my face for shoots. I could never live without my Tahitian Monoï oil. I have used it since I was a child, its a multi purpose product that I think everyone should have. Also, I could never live without my toothbrush… I would dieeee if i couldn't brush my teeth haha.
Image from Instagram
How do you keep fit and healthy?
Ive always been a healthy child that would try anything and eat everything. Its only recently that I've become a clean and healthy eater, exploring the wonders of nutrition of healthy food and super foods and I would only be a healthy eater. What keeps me healthy is the feeling after a healthy meal and also my goals, thats what motivates me to stay on track. I like to be active, I do a lot of dancing as that is my passion, I like to run and walk everywhere with my family. It allows us to explore and breathe in the fresh air. Happiness is an important factor when it comes to health. In order to be a healthy person, you need a healthy mind and healthy surroundings.
Favourite childhood memory?
Living on my fathers island "Atiu" for a few months. Its an outer island in the Cook Islands and I got to experience going to school, living a naturally sustainable lifestyle with my family and also learning how dance. Atiu moulded my entire life because when I came back to Australia its something my heart held onto.
Image from Instagram
Three women you admire and why?
Angelina Jolie, Gisele Bünchen and Beyoncé because they are all beautiful women that are not only at the top of their game in their careers but they are all family people, happy people, and they give back to the world and help mankind with the power that they have. They are 3 celebrities I admire but I honestly admire anyone that is happy in themselves. That enjoya their lives regardless of what people think, I admire anyone with talent of any kind and a heart filled with love. My no.1 favourite woman is my mum, because she's my rock, my motivation, my happiness and I wouldn't know how to live without her!
Your favourite ever shoot?
They have all been my favourite so far as I love modelling but since its hard to narrow it down. I would say Dolly Magazine because I grew up my whole life reading that magazine, and to know that I have a spread in it freaked me out. It was like a dream. Also the shoot for Girlies French Magazine spread because not only was it an overseas spread but I loved the crew and the way Rita (photographer Rita Zimmermann) photographs me, she can really see something else and give it her European touch.
The post Lydia Simonis: Rising Australian Model Talks Beauty And Her Female Role Models appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Upward Plank Pose – Yoga Pose Of The Week appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Upward Plank pose is great for utilising your core, preparing for backbends and strengthening your back, wrists, and leg muscles. It stimulates the entire front and back muscles of the body, and brings you a feeling of both inner and outer strength.
While traditional plank pose AKA Chaturanga has many benefits and requires focus, core and breath, Upward Plank Pose lifts your heart chakra. It is a heart-opening backbend and when performed safely, its benefits are vast.
How To Get There
- Sitting on your mat, legs extended out in front, big toes and heels touching.
- Ensure your spine is straight and your core is engaged, as though you were bringing your belly button towards your spine.
- Place your hands on the floor beside you, press them firmly down. Your fingertips can face either towards the front of your mat, or the back of your mat, this is entirely on how your wrists and hands feel most comfortable.
- Engage your core again – belly button to spine.
- Inhale deeply and as you do, raise your pelvis, hips and legs, keeping your feet on the ground and arms straight.
- Your entire body is balanced by hands and feet.
- Gently tilt your head back if it feels ok to do so, to create a gentle backbend.
- Remain in the posture for five rounds of breath. Breathe in deeply through the nose counting to four, and out through the nose counting to five.
To exit the pose
- Check in with your core, re-engage it if you need.
- Lift your head back up and look forward.
- On an exhaling breath, slowly bring your bottom to the floor.
Benefits
- Cultivates awareness and mindfulness
- Expansion of lungs, helps with breathing.
- Tones and strengthens the hamstrings and triceps.
- Strengthen hands, feet, wrists, back and neck.
- Relieves stress and tension, calms the mind.
- Strengthens core.
- Opens heart chakra.
- Can improve posture.
- Excellent Arm Strengthening Pose.
Whatever your fitness level is, planks (of any form) are a good exercise to integrate into your daily routine. When you strengthen your core, you can help with your overall health and mobility.
Contraindications
- Pregnancy
- High blood pressure
- Any injury to spine or neck
- Wrist issues such as Carpel Tunnel
Variations
If it feels like you don't have enough room for hands to reach the floor, place a yoga block under each hand before you prepare your body for the pose.
Table Top Position is a variation with feet on the floor and knees bent, hips high (so that your body resembles a table). This can also be a preparation pose for Upward Plank.
Happy Planking!
Namaste.
The post Upward Plank Pose – Yoga Pose Of The Week appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Healthy Creamy Porridge appeared first on The Carousel.
]]> Serves 4
Preparation time 10 minutes
Cooking time 2 hours (slow cooker) or 25 minutes (stovetop)
INGREDIENTS
1 litre (35 fl oz/4 cups) unsweetened
almond milk
2 granny smith apples, peeled, coarsely grated
1 vanilla bean, split, seeds scraped
60 g (2¼ oz/¾ cup) quinoa flakes
3 tablespoons chia seeds
3 tablespoons finely chopped dates
3 tablespoons dried cherries, cranberries
or chopped dried apricots
rice malt syrup or honey, raspberries and toasted slivered almonds, to serve
METHOD
In the slow cooker
1 Put all the ingredients into the slow cooker and cook on low for 2 hours.
2 Remove the vanilla bean, then serve the porridge with rice malt syrup or honey, raspberries and toasted slivered almonds.
On the stovetop
1 Put the almond milk, apples, dates, vanilla bean and seeds in a saucepan over low heat. Cook for 20 minutes until the apple starts to breakdown. Add the remaining ingredients and cook for 5 minutes until thickened.
2 Remove the vanilla bean, then serve the porridge with rice malt syrup or honey, raspberries and toasted slivered almonds.
The post Healthy Creamy Porridge appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Sound Sleep to Fertility! Gold Kiwifruit's 4 Fab Health Benefits appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>
1. Beauty Benefits For Your Skin
Packed with vitamin E, gold kiwifruit contains 1.32mg of vitamin E per 100g – an antioxidant that protects and repairs your skin. "Antioxidants are important nutrients that can neutralise the oxidant effect of free radicals, which are molecules that can damage collagen and cause skin dryness, fine lines and wrinkles," explains Geraldine. "Vitamin E is one of the most powerful antioxidants and is an essential fatty acid, which your body cannot produce. This means you have to make sure you're getting enough of this valuable nutrient in your diet."
2. Lull Yourself Into A Beauty Sleep
Skip the high fat and sugar custard and instead, eat two gold kiwifruits an hour before bedtime will help you fall asleep quicker. You'll sleep more soundly and feel better rested when you wake up in the morning. While every person is unique, seven or eight hours of sleep is ideal. "When we are asleep, our cells rebuild and repair themselves (the growth hormone functions only at night)," explains Geraldine. "If you don't sleep, this function is impaired."
3. Eat Healthy & Stay Regular
Gold kiwifruits contain an amazing protease enzyme called actinidin. "This is a digestive enzyme unique to kiwifruit that aids the digestion of foods after meals and can help to keep you regular," says Geraldine. It helps to break down proteins and relieves that bloated feeling, so no-one will ever ask if you are 'expecting' again!
They also contain three times more vitamin C than oranges (on same weight basis), fulfilling 100% of your daily needs in one serve. "As well as being a delicious sweet-treat, gold kiwifruits are one of the most nutrient-rich fruits around," explains Geraldine. "Inside the furry coat are twenty nutrients and minerals, including fibre, folate, potassium and vitamin E."
4. Promote Your Nutrition Quotient and Fertility
Gold kiwifruit contain nutrients that make them a natural way to promote good nutrition for fertility, and they're low G.I, says Geraldine. "Adopting a healthy lifestyle that includes a low Glycaemic Index carbohydrates, balanced proteins and low fat foods rich in essential nutrients like folate, combined with regular exercise and focus on a 'health weight' could help to promote fertility in women trying to conceive," she says. "Gold kiwifruit is a low G.I. food that is low fat and a rich source of folate."
And if conceiving is stressing you out, the high vitamin C and folate content may help. "The flu-fighter vitamin also wards off the effects of stress – and as we know – less stress = higher chances of falling pregnant," explains Geraldine. "Kiwifruit also contains 10% of the recommended daily folate value, vital for the health of a mother and child during pregnancy, and for the prevention of birth defects." And don't forget about your partner – who plays a 50/50 role in conceiving, as these little beauties also contain zinc – great for men as it helps to produce testosterone. "Consuming a low GI, balanced lean protein and good fat eating plan whilst incorporating nutrient rich foods including Zespri Gold Kiwifruit will help provide adequate nutrition including folate and help with the planning of fertility alongside a balanced lifestyle, regular exercise and healthy weight." says Geraldine.
Geraldine Georgeou, is an Accredited Practicing Dietician and spokesperson for Zespri Gold Kiwifruits.
The post Sound Sleep to Fertility! Gold Kiwifruit's 4 Fab Health Benefits appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post The Rise Of The 'She Shed' – Women Finding Solace In Their Back Yard appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>While men have been able to escape to their garage or man cave – stocked with everything from basic tools and bikes, to poker tables and other boys' toys – women are now increasingly finding solace in their own space too.
"We are seeing a huge uptake of women buying sheds and turning them into home offices and studios, where they can work without distraction from what is happening in the house," says Daniel Rutland, Head of Purchasing at EasyShed [is there any chance of keeping this link in please?], Australia's largest producers of backyard sheds.
"We have seen 450 percent growth in the last 12 months alone, especially in the cities and outer suburbs, where space is at a premium," says Rutland.
According to the latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, two in five people with a job (41 per cent) worked from home at least once a week in February 2021, compared with 24 per cent at least once a week before March 2020.
Meanwhile, employed women (17 per cent) are more likely than employed men (11 per cent) to want to increase the amount of work done from home.
With real estate prices on the rise, Daniel Rutland from EasyShed doesn't see this shed boom trend changing any time soon either.
"We are also seeing sheds being repurposed as separate living spaces, guest rooms, man caves, bars, aviaries, home offices, gyms and even home distilleries, home cinemas and pool rooms.
"The sheds are cheap to purchase – so they are often customised and kitted out. We've seen windows installed, skylights and soundproofing. One guy turned his shed into an astronomy room, where the entire roof retracted back to provide viewing for his huge telescope."
Daniel Rutland from EasyShed's Top 5 things to do when creating a SHE SHED
Do determine the type of material most suitable for your shed needs
There are several DIY shed material options – plastic, steel, and timber. Plastic sheds require low maintenance but tend to fade with time. Timber is prone to rotting but is built to last when treated properly, whilst steel is durable and low cost. Plastic and steel sheds are also immune to pest-infestation and rotting. Choose shed materials with low maintenance costs.
Do determine the dimensions of your shed
Measure the site's dimensions first before purchasing a shed online. Ensure that your chosen site is large enough for the shed you intend to purchase. Nothing is more frustrating than not being able to fit in everything you need in your shed due to space constraints.
Choose the right site for your shed
Building a shed next to a tree or under overhanging leaves and flowers can cause problems; a tree branch could fall on it and damage the structure. The area should be level, secure, safe, be free from flooding, be accessible on all sides to make maintenance or repairs easier and have some natural light, but not too much that it feels like a hot oven inside. You'll also need easier access to electrical supplies if you plan to light and ventilate the shed.
Do check local council planning guides
Building restrictions vary throughout Australia and you can cop fines up to $30,000 for illegal structures. Most councils will have their rules easily available to you on their website. Find out more here.
Customise your shed
Extra windows, a roof pitch and cladding doors are all possible and aren't just going to improve the appearance of a basic shed, they can also make it more functional and don't have to break the budget. Also, if you decide to sell up, a beautiful and well-maintained shed will also factor into the asking price. It really is an investment!
Top 5 shed you shouldn't do when creating a SHE SHED
Don't forget to lay down an even foundation
Whether you choose a custom-built or prefab garden shed, it needs a steady foundation. Prefab sheds do not come with a floor so the walls need to be anchored with concrete to stand, which is why a stable foundation is a must. A good garden shed foundation will set the structure slightly off the ground to help with proper water drainage. Never choose a location where the foundation needs to be laid out in a wet, sloping, or low-lying area.
Don't underestimate the need for storage
Before deciding what size shed to get, list every item you plan to store, especially large tools and equipment. Measure the space in your garden and account for door and window openings and roof overhang when you add up how much area the shed will take up. If possible, consider getting a shed or shed kit that can be extended so that if you do need more space, you've already prepared for such provisions. Also, use a design that makes use of the extra space inside the shed for storage. For instance, you can put or hang items above a shed with a ceiling that's at least 9 ft tall. You can also install built-in shelves and tool racks on the wall to maximise space.
Don't forget to weatherproof
The floor is the immediate link from the foundation to the rest of the shed. A sturdy floor that never gives in to harsh weather conditions, especially rains, storms, or floods, is good. It is prudent to build weather-resistant floors and floor frames to avoid the deterioration of any piece of structure. Also weather-proof the rest of the shed's assemblies to ensure it lasts longer.
Don't rush the shed construction or installation process
Allotting ample time for the planning and construction of your DIY shed ultimately saves time and money and allows the chance to correct any minor miscalculations (if any) and do the job right.
Don't forget to keep the shed clean and well-maintained
Use your garden shed's space properly by avoiding clutter at all times. Organise all tools, equipment, and other items in an orderly manner by using shelves or racks. Regularly sanitise and maintain the shed to make sure it's clean and free from any hazardous chemicals.
People who have tried their own She Sheds
Gold Coast Bed Bath and Table merchandiser Lesa Lambert built a 3×3 metre hobby hut during the pandemic last year
What inspired you to create a 'she-shed'?
I actually had a dream one night last year that I walked down the stairs of our house, out of the front door and to my own 'hobby hut' shed. I mentioned it to my husband, Greg, who is a concreter, the next day and he said 'let's do it'.
Describe your SheShed and the benefits.
When I spend time in the shed it makes me feel relaxed and it's a great place to unwind – it's my own little sanctuary. I make candles in there and whitewash furniture in which I share on my social media account, @mossandtwine. It's multi-use and can be converted into an office, or bedroom when my son and daughter visit. I really utilise it – I'm in there all the time, at least five hours a day! I do a bit of reading in there, light candles and crack a bottle of wine when my friends come round.
It's big enough room for a queen-sized bed and bedside tables. I have the most amazing Indian teak day bed in there and two big bookshelves which I also imported from India. It's also got power, insulation and speakers, making it the perfect retreat for all seasons.
Sydneysider Caroline Moss built a backyard 'she shed' in June, during the ongoing COVID lockdown "to escape the family, nagging husband and rowdy kids"
What inspired you to create a 'she-shed'?
I needed my own space as I'm a voiceover artist, and am still mentally scarred from homeschooling and lockdown last year! My husband and children are all working and school from home, and we have two dogs as well, so it's chaos in the house. It got to the point where I couldn't even stand to hear their footsteps!
Describe your SheShed and the benefits.
My shed is 'my space'. It's a family-free zone where I can do my voiceovers, exercise, meditate and actually catch my breath when things are full-on. It's also a cost-effective way of building an extra space. I'm also using it to get fit and although it's still a work in progress, I have my bench and weights in there and a hula hoop. I've painted it sky blue and it makes me happy every day as I commute across my back yard.
Gold Coast mum Sally Wood built a 'mini disco room' shed as a retreat during COVID
What inspired you to create the shed?
My husband and I used to go to lots of festivals and clubs back in the day and we were getting lockdown fever during the last lockdown, so we built it so we could feel like we were going 'out' out during COVID, without actually having to.
Describe your Shed and the benefits
It's a music studio slash disco space and fits four to five people in it, although obviously not during lockdowns. It also has a smoke machine, disco ball, LED lights, sofa, old club and festival posters on the wall, vinyl records and mixing decks. It's a child-free zone and it's not just my husband and I that use it as a retreat, everyone in our area is always asking to use it when they need to escape the confines of home."
The post The Rise Of The 'She Shed' – Women Finding Solace In Their Back Yard appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Yoga Girl Rachel Brathen And Her Perfectly Healthy Lifestyle appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>She's gone from discovering yoga in Costa Rica to teaching the practice against the most stunning backdrops of Europe and America, to becoming a leader where she hosts workshops and retreats – and she's even taught at the biggest yoga festival in the world. Here's our chat with the role model…
My definition of a healthy and happy lifestyle consists of…
Living a life of purpose. Knowing you are on the right path and doing your best, every day. Having the ability to relax and not stress about the little things! It's definitely not about washboard abs or thigh gaps…
I first got into yoga…
I found the practice through pain. I've suffered from back pain my entire life, I have scoliosis and suffered through a pretty serious car accident when I was 16. I started meditating my final year of high school and transitioned towards yoga after that as a way to help ease the back pain I was suffering from.
My favourite part about doing yoga…
It's more of a lifestyle than anything. We get to incorporate the whole body, our breath, our mind, our passions and dreams… It's something you can take with you everywhere you go. It's so valuable. If you can breathe, you can do yoga.
My stand-up paddle boarding yoga obsession came about when…
I was practicing yoga on the beach one day when my husband was in the surf. He sometimes takes our dogs out on the board too, and I had the idea "if he can surf with our dogs on the board, I should be able to do a down dog!". I couldn't… Regular surfboards don't have enough volume to carry you standing up on flat water. When the first SUP boards came to the island I gave it a try, and it worked beautifully! It was one of those things that a couple of people thought of around the same time so I never claim to have invented it. It's wonderful – everyone should try it!
My favourite country to do yoga in…
I find it's always more about the people I meet than the places I go… but I love Greece. And Brazil. And my home, Aruba!
Other than yoga, I like to relax by…
I love taking long, long walks with the dogs. Spending time by the sea. Drinking wine. Cuddling with my loved ones!
If you find yoga hard…
Try different teachers and different styles of yoga. It's important to find a type of yoga you really resonate with, especially in the beginning. Sometimes it can take a while to get fully immersed in the practice, so choose a type of yoga that makes you feel great, both body and soul.
Yoga Girl by Rachel Brathen is published by Hachette Australia. Trade Paperback RRP $39.99, Ebook $19.99.
The post Yoga Girl Rachel Brathen And Her Perfectly Healthy Lifestyle appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Step Back In Time With A Blue Mountains Vintage Beauty appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>But, in all the years we've been travelling to the blue mountains, the most beautiful place we have ever stayed at is Wentworth Cottage (circa 1885); one of the oldest homes in the area. Beautifully renovated to make you feel like you are living in another era, it also manages to feature the essentials of the modern world, while still living up to its promise to transport you to another time and place.
This the first time Wentworth Cottage has been offered as a place to stay, since undergoing recent renovations.
The moment you open the door on the wrap-around veranda, you're transported back to a time when life was simpler and people really took pride in making their homes warm, comfortable and filled with objects for visitors to admire.
The six-bedroom home is perfect for families, or for anyone who simply needs a beautiful place to stay – for me, as a writer, what could be better than a Victorian-era cottage to get the creative juices flowing?
Wentworth Cottage was built in 1885 after the original owner, Jeremiah Cronin, acquired the land a year earlier. A stonemason, Cronin's work is evident in the beautiful stonework within and around the house. Interestingly, Cronin was also instrumental in assisting his friend Peter Mulheran create some of the spectacular cliff walks around Wentworth Falls. The cottage was used as a guest house from at least 1900, when Cronin applied for a publican's licence.
These days, the kitchen is vintage style (including retro 'flying ducks' on the wall) yet it manages to cleverly incorporate modern accessories. An antique ornamental oven sits alongside a modern oven; a microwave and dishwasher tastefully blend into the vintage decorations. We loved the attention to detail – there's a wonderful book collection in the library and a sitting room with a great mixture of antique and modern books. The six bedrooms are so stunning – you'll have to flip a coin to see who gets to sleep in one of the two magnificent four-poster beds! One beautiful bedroom opens onto a private library/sitting area, so beautifully furnished, and with vintage prints framed on the walls.
The master bedroom looks onto the picturesque garden and features a walk-in wardrobe and ensuite with a washing machine and dryer. There's another bedroom that looks out onto the front garden and fountain; it doubles as a sitting room and features two single beds, plus a treasure chest filled with vintage hats – perfect for kids playing dress-ups!
The real 'wow-factor' is the sitting area in the centre of the cottage with a glass ceiling. The room is so beautiful, with vintage lamps, a gramophone, smaller dining area off the kitchen plus an adjacent TV room with a piano/pianola/pump organ. There's a huge selection of DVDs, board games, an Xbox game console and games and free Wifi. The front dining room, is fine dining at its best and, like the rest of the cottage, it's filled with antiques and exquisite art work.
The cottage is located just a short walk from the waterfalls at the Falls Lookout and the popular Charles Darwin walk. It's also close to the Wentworth Falls shops which include a fabulous second hand book store, several cafes and restaurants, antique shops, boutiques, gift and grocery stores. Yet, when you're staying in a home as opulent and luxurious as Wentworth Cottage, it was difficult to drag ourselves away from the historic cottage. We'd happily lock ourselves away for the duration of the trip!
Things to do in the Blue Mountains with kids:
- Visit the Leura lolly shop. It has a huge range of American & British sweets!
- Photograph the legendary 'three sisters.'
- Visit the antique market in Blackheath. We also loved the antique 'museum' at Hazelbrook.
- Indulge in lunch or high tea at the Hydro Majestic.
- Bush walk around Wentworth Falls and Govett's Leap in Blackheath
- Afternoon tea at the Katoomba Gingerbread Café
- The museum near the Mount Victoria train station is wonderful for kids.
- The toy museum at Leura (worth the price of admission for the barbie doll display!)
- Pack a picnic basket and head to Leura Cascades.
- Visit the Scenic Railway/Skyway.
Find more informations about accomodation and activities on Blue Mountains website.
The Carousel would like to thank Libby-Jane Charleston for her article. She was a guest of http://www.bluemountainscottages.com.au/
The post Step Back In Time With A Blue Mountains Vintage Beauty appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post TV Chef Lyndey Milan's Delicious Prawn Pie Recipe appeared first on The Carousel.
]]> Preparation and cooking time 25 minutes
Serves4
INGREDIENTS
1 – 2 sheets butter puff pastry
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 tablespoon (20g) butter
1 onion, finely chopped
1 small bulb fennel, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1/2 cup dry white wine or cider
1/2 cup (125ml) fish stock
1/2 cup (125ml) cream (or reduced fat cream)
1 cup parmesan, grated
1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
1 teaspoon wholegrain mustard
100g baby spinach
1/2 cup flat-leaf parsley, roughly chopped
500g medium green prawns, peeled and chopped
METHOD
1Preheat oven to 200°C. Cut round tops for individual pies using the top of 1 1/2 – 2 cup size ramekins as a guide, cutting a little larger than the ramekin. Alternatively cut with a pastry cutter or freehand in any shape you like. Brush with beaten egg and place on a flat baking tray in the oven. Cook for 10 – 15 minutes or until puffed up and golden.
2Meanwhile, heat butter in a medium saucepan; add onion and fennel and cook for 3 minutes or until beginning to soften. Add garlic and cook for another minute or two. Add wine, fish stock and cream; bring to the boil and boil vigorously until reduced and thickened a little. Stir in parmesan, zest, mustard, spinach, parsley and prawns. Cook until prawns are just opaque. Season to taste.
3Ladle mixture into ramekins, top with cooked puff pastry and serve immediately
COOK'S NOTES
Alternatively, put cream sauce and raw prawns into the base of the ramekins, top with uncooked puff pastry and cook in the oven all together. To make a large pie, place uncooked prawns in the base of a 21cm x 21cm baking dish; pour over cream sauce. Cut 1cm wide strips from edge of pastry sheet. Press around rim of dish and brush with a little water. Sit sheet on top, pressing lightly to seal; cut off any excess pastry. Cut 2 small holes in top to allow steam to escape. Brush pastry with egg and bake for 25 minutes or until pastry is risen and golden.
The post TV Chef Lyndey Milan's Delicious Prawn Pie Recipe appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post The Wellbeing Benefits of Edible Gardening appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>"Harvesting and eating produce you have planted from seed and watched growing over time is an amazing feeling," says Simon Holloway from Vegepod. "We have seen time and again the incomparable joy of gardeners accessing nature and fresh food from edible gardening.
"Every backyard or balcony, irrespective of size or location can achieve a more self-sustainable and environmentally friendly way of life.
"All the academia supports the mental and physical benefits of edible gardening," says Simon, "but to reap those benefits one must first of all succeed in gardening. We designed Vegepods specifically to cater to every backyard and ensure the highest rates of success possible".
The wholesome and feel-good sensation derived from edible gardening is nothing new, however the inaccessibility and the inability to grow one's own food has been inhibiting this avenue towards wellness. Vegepod's self-watering, self-contained and portable raised garden beds have provided benefits from sustainable eating to therapeutical horticulture.
This type of activity has been proven to:
- lower anxiety
- aid depression
- reduce stress
- calm the mind
- improve concentration
- engage all the senses
- provide a connection to nature regardless of location
- encourage responsibility, care and feelings of reward
- activate key motor skills
- facilitate social interaction within families and the broader community
- help overcome boredom and loneliness
- reinforce a sense of belonging, inclusion and connection to place.
Edible Gardening Is For Everyone
"Edible gardening by its very nature, and in particular with low maintenance containers like a Vegepod, is non-discriminatory in relation to age and physical abilities," says Simon. "Stands that raise beds to significant heights enable those with limited movement to grow their own food and receive the benefits of therapeutic horticulture."
Simon's Top Tips For Successful Growing Fruits And Veggies At Home
- Grow Your Own Organics
The only way you ever really know if something is truly organic is if you grow it yourself. Both learning and being in control in the type of soil, materials and seeds, made easier in a self-contained garden, allows you to truly produce fresh organic edibles. - Keep Pests Out
We all know edible gardening is delicious. However, so do bugs, possums and pests. If you've attempted edible gardening before, nine times out of 10 you've had your lovely garden eaten by something else before you've had the chance to. Having a protective mesh canopy that is still animal friendly, keeps out the pests and weeds, but lets all the goodness of the sun and rain through is essential. - Here Comes The Sun
Lots of direct sunlight is an essential element for edible gardening. To get big, fruits and veggies need a lot energy and that comes from the sun. A minimum of six hours of direct sunlight is recommended for the roots and fruits, some leafy greens can get away with four. Being able to easily switch between your everyday canopy to a protective shade canopy for those scorcher days here in Australia is a welcome benefit of the Vegepod. - Pick Your Plants
This tip is split your choices into two. One, pick edible plants that you know you will actually eat and use. It sounds obvious but it's such a common issue where gardeners get excited and choose a heap of plants they rarely eat. Two, literally 'pick' and prune your produce. Take the produce when it's there and cut it back if unruly. This often promotes further good growth.
- Manage Your Water
In other standard gardens, it's difficult to know how much and when exactly to water your garden. Garden beds which utilise self-watering wicking systems below the soil and mist sprays above like the Vegepod can make watering your garden very easy whilst also minimising water usage up to 80 percent.
The post The Wellbeing Benefits of Edible Gardening appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Sarah Wilson On Tackling Our Huge Plastic Problem appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Take-away coffee cups, car use for short trips and food waste are among the list of things that drive eco-activist Sarah Wilson absolutely bonkers.
"The coffee cups in particular are a big one because they are such a visual totem," Sarah told The Carousel. "Around 2.7 million takeaway coffee cups go to landfill every day in Australia alone, and people are just walking down the street with them."
Sarah is fronting the new environmental campaign It Only Takes A Minute , named for the fact that it only takes about one minute for Australians to generate one tonne – or a shipping container – of plastic waste [1]. The campaign challenges Aussies to commit that minute instead to making small and easy changes that, collectively, will make a massive dent in the country's contribution to one of the biggest environmental scourges of our time.
The campaign is led by Resparkle , a waste-free eco-cleaning brand, and backed by 34 other Australian eco-brands of the same ilk.
Not sure where to start? If you sign the campaign's petition for greater intervention by the Australian Federal Government to improve the country's plastic recycling rates, you'll receive an e-guide with a stack of suggestions along with useful information on how to properly recycle.
Sarah, who is quite vocal about not doing ambassadorships, sponsored socials and advertising, said this was one of the few campaigns she was happy to get behind.
"Consumption is not something I endorse generally," she said. "However, my life's work now is trying to shift the dial on the climate crisis, and I'm artfully working with brands and people who are doing it differently and finding solutions to things that we all need, like washing powder and soaps."
How Sarah Wilson reduces her reliance on plastic
In Sarah's own day she's incredibly mindful about just about everything she does, from not owning a car, rarely peeling a fruit or vegetable, and finding second and third uses for every bit of plastic that rarely does find its way into the house.
"I'm still doing the same beauty regime I've always had, which is jojoba oil for cleansing and moisturising, and I buy in bulk from a friend who sells it in her naturopathic clinic," she said. "I just take my own bottle and refill it. I also just add a few drops of it to my mascara when it starts to get gluggy, and I get another month or two out of it. Shampoo is also something I buy concentrated."
For anyone who thinks it sounds like a lot of work, she says: "It actually saves me time, and I'm extremely busy – I work on three charities, I have a foster child, I've got five massive projects on at the moment and I'm in the middle of selling my business. I'm not a lady of leisure. Yet my life is far more connected and in flow, living the way I live.
"I think everyone's feeling a bit helpless. We're sitting around waiting for government and industry to shift, but the way that the government and industry shift is when they see our behaviour change. So we've got to feel enabled. We've got to find ways to do things differently, with more creativity, more spark and more wildness."
Sarah Wilson will present her sustainability ideas on The Wild and Precious Tour later this year .
Live more like Sarah Wilson with these small lifestyle choices that make a big environmental difference
- Avoid shopping for the sake of shopping. "I gamify the process of using what I've already got," Sarah said.
- Find reuse and refill cleaning and beauty products – and earn extra brownie points for buying concentrated solutions.
- Shop at bulk food stores and take your own bags
- Get creative with reusing any plastic that comes your way.
- Reduce your food waste by focusing on wholefoods and finding ways to consume the whole of the produce: "Food waste is the third biggest contributor to co2 emissions. It's a no brainer, and don't worry about vegan versus this versus that."
Quick stats to get you feeling motivated to make a change
-
- By 2050, it is estimated that plastic in the oceans will outweigh fish [2].
- While most of us think we're doing enough recycling, we're probably not; The country is still sending 40,560 rubbish trucks worth of recyclables to landfill every year and our recycling rate is only about 13% [3].
- If you think it's all too hard or believe that nothing you do will make a real difference anyway, you're in the minority; A survey of 1000 people conducted by It Only Takes a Minute showed that 15% of respondents feared they couldn't make a difference and only 10% felt it was "all too hard".
-
Sarah Wilson. Photographer Rob Palmer.
About the Australian Government's 2025 National Packaging Targets
In 2018 Australia established these four ambitious targets to create a new sustainable pathway for the way we manage packaging in Australia:
- 100% of packaging being reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2025
- 70% of plastic packaging being recycled or composted by 2025
- 50% of average recycled content included in packaging by 2025
- The phase out of problematic and unnecessary single-use plastic packaging by 2025.
Since setting the targets, Australia's recycling rate has improved by just 1.3% to 13% – that's a long way off from the targeted 70% that we're working toward with just over three years to go.
Sources:
- Resparkle, derived from ABS data: Waste Account, Australia, Experimental Estimates
- Ellen McCarthur Foundation, "The New Plastics Economy: Rethinking The Future Of Plastics and Catalysing Action"
Australian Government, National Plastics Plan
The post Sarah Wilson On Tackling Our Huge Plastic Problem appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Top 5 Digital Detox Destinations In Australia appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>So, what better way to force yourself to disconnect than heading somewhere with very little phone reception? You don't even have to go far to switch off. Here are our top five suggestions for a tech-free break in Australia.
Top Five Digital Detox Destinations
NSW: Emirates Wolgan Resort and Spa
Just a few hours from Sydney, this six-star resort will make you feel a world away. Not even Telstra's nationwide network can be picked up out here. Relish the peace and quiet of the bush, sit by the fire or indulge in a relaxing spa.
Tasmania: Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge
Located on the edge of the spectacular World Heritage listed Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, just 1.5 hours from Launceston, this is the perfect destination to relax, retreat and rejuvenate.
Northern Territory: Wildman Wilderness Lodge
Nothing says remoteness like the Top End of Australia. Stay in this luxurious retreat in the heart of the majestic Mary River National Park Wetlands of the Northern Territory, just outside of Kakadu and make crocodile spotting your morning ritual rather than replying to work emails.
WA: Eco Beach Resort
Choose between glamping in a luxury safari style eco tent or staying in your own solar powered eco villa overlooking the Indian Ocean. This Kimberley region retreat is just 90 minutes south of Broome and is all about sustainability, fresh produce and relaxation.
QLD: Daintree Eco Lodge & Spa, Daintree
Imagine switching off by staying in heart of the world oldest rainforest. Bliss! Situated between the Mossman and Cape Tribulation end of the Daintree National Park, this lodge & spa is escapism at its best.
The post Top 5 Digital Detox Destinations In Australia appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post How To Beat The Blues: The Positive Effects Of Gift Giving appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>I, like many others, know that some ways of spending money don't make us happy. Shopping frenzies up and down malls when we are feeling sad or empty; online binges on shoes and handbags we subconsciously know we will never wear; or purchasing toys and gadgets that fill up our lounge rooms but ironically make us feel more empty inside. Spending like this, on ourselves, most certainly does not make us happier (I have a jampacked closet to attest to that fact). However, spending on others does. So switch your paradigm and stop thinking about what you can buy for yourself to make you happier, and instead ask yourself what is it that you can buy for someone else?
The simple art of gift-giving has been around for centuries. Legend has it that the Hanging Gardens of Babylon were an extra-thoughtful gift from the King to his terribly homesick wife, Artymis (hello!). Over a millennia later, Tsar Nicholas III gifted opulent Faberge eggs every Easter to his nearest and dearest because he rejoiced in seeing their excitement at receiving one of these ornate creations. And even Cleopatra disguised herself as a gift (she rolled herself up inside a carpet) so that she could sneak in a night with Julius Caesar. Why have people given gifts for so long? Because it's a mutually rewarding act, where the giver benefits as much as the receiver.
Research shows that gift-giving not only makes the receiver feel happy and cared for, it also yields greater return for the giver too. By giving a gift to someone, attention is deflected from their problems and stresses, and makes them feel as if they are making a positive impact on the life of someone else. This, along with the pro-social impact that this transaction creates between the two people, is a fortuitous by-product of the ancient practice of gift-giving.
There are many different ways of giving a gift. It could be a physical gift, such as the Tsar's Faberge egg, to cheer someone up and make them feel special. Some gifts are generic – think flowers and chocolates on a birthday or anniversary. Other gifts, such as a care package, are a carefully chosen selection of products hand-picked for someone at a time of need, not just celebration. A carefully curated care package is one of the most thoughtful and impactful gifts a person can give or receive. Caring Canary is Australia's first bespoke care package retailer, and their online store is full of hard-to-find, premium products aimed at brightening someone's day. A Caring Canary care package is a convenient and easy way for busy, time-poor people to show someone they care. Sending a care package to someone when they need it most will enable the giver feel like they are making a beneficial difference to someone's life.
Other ways of giving might be in the form of financial support, such as sponsoring a child or having a money collection tin for a community group. Alternatively, it could be emotional or time-based giving, by volunteering with a group or charity, or offering emotional support to people who are going through hardship. Whatever the type of giving might be, the positive effects are not only felt by the receiver – you literally get what you give!
It is rarely the motivation of the giver to give gifts (physical, emotional, financial) because of the benefit they will gain. However I have coined the term 'Caring Karma' because I have seen firsthand the ways that the positive rewards of giving end up being returned to the giver. In exchange for caring about the wellbeing of someone else, the gift-giver feels a sense of joy for making a positive difference in someone's life. That makes even the most selfless of us feel pretty good about ourselves and want to give gifts more often.
Written by Georgia Harley.
Georgia Harley is Director of Caring Canary; Australia's first bespoke care package business. For orders and enquires contact Georgia on hello@caringcanary.com.au or 0414 427 463
Have you received a Caring Canary package? Tell us below…
The post How To Beat The Blues: The Positive Effects Of Gift Giving appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Maple Mustard Glazed Tofu With Herbed Potato Salad By Leah Itsines appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The new collection of plant-based recipes are packed full of flavour and make for perfect meals for autumn and winter.
SERVES: 2
PREP TIME: 15 MINUTES
COOK TIME: 30 MINUTES
Ingredients:
- 400g tofu, sliced and pressed
Potato salad:
- 10 baby potatoes
- Pinch fresh parsley, roughly chopped
- Pinch chives, finely sliced
- 1⁄2 red onion, finely diced
- 1⁄2 red capsicum, finely diced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp vinegar
- Pinch of salt
Dressing for tofu:
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tsp Maille wholegrain mustard
- 1 tsp Maille red wine vinegar
- Salt and pepper
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 180 degrees celsius.
- Boil a deep pot with water (enough to cover potatoes).
- Place potatoes in water and boil for 20 minutes, or until cooked through.
- Meanwhile, Mix together ingredients under "dressing for tofu" and pour over tofu slices, ensuring all is covered.
- Heat a non-stick pan with a splash of olive oil. Add the tofu slices in and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side or until lightly browned.
- Remove potato from water and slice into quarters.
Add parsley, chives, red onion, capsicum, olive oil, vinegar and salt. Mix through and season accordingly. - Top tofu with potato salad and serve.
Discover more plant-based recipes by Leah Itsines and Maille's expert mustard sommeliers at maille.com.au. You can download the complete recipe e-book and also attend a virtual cooking class with Leah for seven of the recipes, where she will guide you through each one step-by-step.
Check out https://maille.com.au/ for more.
Check out more on Leah here.
The post Maple Mustard Glazed Tofu With Herbed Potato Salad By Leah Itsines appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Personality Bites: Understanding How Your Mind Ticks To Kick The Kilos appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Ever felt you're almost hardwired to reach for that extra slice of pizza at a party, sneak in that extra bowl of pasta, or grab that delicious-smelling donut on the way home from a walk? You're not alone. Turns out, mind really does matter when it comes to weight loss.
New research from the CSIRO, Australia's national science agency, has revealed that personality can bite when it comes to your waistline. But only if you let it!
The study (of a whopping 245,000 people) explored the different psychological characteristics that could be used to define different groups of dieters. Of the 325 possible Diet Type personality combinations identified in the study, the CSIRO has revealed the six most common diet types, which represented over half the study sample.
- The Thinker (14.1 per cent) – goal-oriented, motivated and analytical, however sensitive to negative feedback that can lead to stress or anxiety which could ultimately derail their diet.
- The Battler (12.8 per cent) – likely to experience regular food temptation as well as being prone to stress and worry. 'Battlers' require some unique strategies to help them break the cycle and achieve long-term success in their diet journey. Nine in 10 Battlers are female.
- The Craver (7.3 per cent) – likely to experience strong food cravings that may lead to overeating in 'tricky' food-related settings. Cravers had the highest Body Mass Index of all
- The Pleaser (7.1 per cent) – likeable and friendly but can also be sensitive to social comparisons which can make them feel like they are not doing well. They are likely to have many people to call upon to support them along the way.
- The Foodie (5.9 per cent) – passionate about all things food including the experience of preparing and eating good quality meals. Foodies love variety and have the best diet quality of all Types. Men often identify as Foodies.
- The Socialiser (4.8 per cent) – a people-person who needs flexibility to make sure strict food restrictions don't stifle social occasions or 'kill the mood' of an event.
-
Knowledge is power
Amid the current climate where there is a general lack of control, it's understandable to feel a little overwhelmed, says CSIRO Total Wellbeing Dietitian Pennie McCoy, who urges Australians to use their Diet Type to their advantage.
"It's easy to get bogged down in the detail and focus on what parts of your personality might be derailing your weight loss success.
"Instead, we encourage Australians to lean into the information and use it as an opportunity to identify both their strengths, and where they can feel empowered and supported to make improvements."
Top tips for success:
Strategies such as mindful thinking, breaking habits, and rewards systems are just some of the many tips and tricks at our disposal, says McCoy. The CSIRO has pulled together a Diet Type specific list below:
The Thinker
- Remind yourself that "the journey is the destination". Focus on positive actions such as trying new meals or tracking your food rather than outcomes like weight loss.
- Establish a self-reward system that motivates you. For example, a star chart for your best achievement each week.
The Battler
- Being healthy doesn't mean you have to be perfect. Follow the 80/20 principle where you eat healthily most of the time and leave room for the occasional treat.
- Distract yourself from your cravings to break the habit. Go for a walk, take a few slow deep breaths or do a sudoku to keep your mind busy. The more often you do this, the less your mind will get stuck in using food to calm itself.
The Craver
- "Out of sight out of mind" is an important strategy for Cravers – avoid keeping treats you love at home or work. Or conceal them in opaque containers.
- If you eat when you're emotional, don't be tempted to eat less to "make up for it" the next day, just go back to your normal balanced diet.
The Pleaser
- As a Pleaser, you tend to underrate yourself. Avoid comparing yourself to others – this will leave you feeling deflated and unmotivated.
- You tend to put others needs before your own. It's important to take care of yourself so you're able to deal with stress. Prioritising sleep, drinking water and staying connected to friends and family are a few simple ways to practice self-care.
The Foodie
- Portion control is important for Foodies – you can still enjoy the delicious foods you love by learning to control your portion sizes.
- Explore new recipes to experiment with creative ways to add flavor and eat more vegetables to boost your nutrition and reduce how many kilojoules you're eating.
The Socialiser
- Alcohol could be a trouble zone – learn strategies to drink sensibly, such as sipping water between drinks, trying new alcohol-free varieties, and refusing refills.
- Use your love of people to your advantage – ask a friend or family member to do a science-based program like the CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet with you. You can share the journey and it will make socialising easier.
It's empowering to know that the tools are out there to guide your weight loss journey, in a way that speaks specifically to you and how your mind ticks, says McCoy. For an even more personalised experience, she encourages Australians to explore a program such as the CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet which is science and psychology-based for optimal weight loss results.
Find out which one you most identify with by taking the CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet Types quiz here.
More About Pennie McCoy
Pennie McCoy is an Accredited Practising Dietitian with over 15 years of experience in a range of practices, including hospital dietetics, research as well as corporate nutrition, and is passionate about empowering people to make healthier choices to meet their health and nutrition goals.
Currently, she is the Head of Coaching for the CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet Online program to hundreds of members, delivering nutrition counselling for general healthy eating, menu planning and dietary advice.
The post Personality Bites: Understanding How Your Mind Ticks To Kick The Kilos appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Your Destiny: Astral Secrets To Shape Your Fate appeared first on The Carousel.
]]> 
Here, Dadhichi shares his journey, wisdom and astro-advice…
Q. How did you become an astrologer and face reader?
"My mother was always big on astrology and used to read Linda Goodman's Sun signs to me as bedtime stories. I naturally grew up believing in astrology."
Q. What psychic gifts did your mother and father have?
"My father was a Hungarian Gypsy and was very talented in palmistry and astrology. My mother also had psychic gifts which seem to run in the family – she was born in Malta. I wasn't all that interested in astrology as a boy. I grew up playing music but this also in some ways helped develop my intuitive self."
Q. What other gifts do you have?
"I've studied and practiced astrology, numerology and some palmistry for over 30 years. In that time I have done over 10,000 readings. Taking initiation in India and studying Hindu philosophy has also given me an ability to draw upon my intuitive insights and this has helped me to accurately predict things. I also have a natural ability to dream things about people correctly before they happen, usually the very night before. Unfortunately as was the case with my mother, and her mother, these dreams often relate to the death of the individuals in question."
Q. What astrology have you studied?
"I studied astrology, and in particular Hindu Vedic astrology, which is a specialised branch dating back several thousand years. I'm particularly interested in horary astrology which gives answers to questions posed at any given moment."
Q. Tell us about your astral travels…
"I've been fortunate to meet many genuine teachers in India, some who have taught me the art of transcending normal lines of communication. My current mentor has been instructing me since 1995 and on several occasions has done so in out of the body experiences. He has mainly initiated me into the discipline of mantra or the repetition of sacred sounds to stimulate different energies within the body and the mind."
Q. Do you believe we each have a destiny to fulfil – and our fate is mapped out?
"As a great teacher once said: 'Try as hard as you will to achieve something in your life, if it is not your destiny, it will never happen. On the other hand, you can do your best to stop something happening but if it is your destiny, there's nothing you can do to avoid it'."
Q. How can astrology help – or hinder – our daily lives?
"Astrology's primary function is to help us become more self-aware. In that process we come to understand our place in relationships and the world and how we can better adjust ourselves by knowing the truth of our life. This is the main reason we also wish to know what is going to happen. Through the study of transits and other astrological cycles we can indeed know beforehand what is going to happen. This is no different to predicting the incoming and outgoing tides through an understanding of the solar and lunar cycles. There are of course many other planets and they too have cycles which affect us."
Q. What do you aim to do with astrology and face reading for your clients?
"Self-understanding and self-empowerment is the aim of any psychological endeavour. Astrology goes a step further in that it can actually contextualise your current circumstances in terms of your past and future and can advise accordingly even in terms of karmic past life patterns etc. The astrology that I do is also remedial so that I am able to help others by countering the negative influences of planets and to enhance the good ones to different occult measures."
Q. What are some of the biggest predictions you've made?
"There are newspaper accounts of some of my predictions for the Queen, political leaders being assassinated, earthquakes, and so forth. The biggest predictions are the least sensational – that is, helping the everyday person who comes to me to understand where their life is going, how to adjust and use the destined events to their best advantage."
Q. What does your work with politicians, diplomats and corporate clients involve?
"Politicians, diplomats and corporate executives are after all simply human, and they too have their desires and problems in life so astrology assists them in the same way it assists the average layperson. Politically, however, there are greater things at stake, en masse, and in terms of the decisions these politicians make and have a vastly broader impact on the populous. The astrologer's job in dealing with these sorts of questions is a little trickier. Same goes for corporate clients who wish to have information on groups of people within their employ. Sometimes conflicts of interest occur when the astrologer has to be mindful that saying one thing to someone may incur a disadvantage or a problem to another person. The astrologer has to in many ways be as diplomatic as the diplomat."
Q. You have an illustrious career, appearing on TV and writing for Australian Women's Weekly, New Idea and now The Carousel. What's been the highlight of this?
"Each and every opportunity to share one's own understanding is a highlight. Each is characterised by a different audience and need as in the case of politician versus the little lady next door. But each is as fascinating and enjoyable as the next."
Q. What advice would you give to people wanting to get their astrology chart done?
"My main advice is that you should never use astrology like a crutch because then it simply becomes an addictive 'drug' with you simply being the victim of everything that happens to you. The purposes of astrology is to empower you with insight and an acceptance that your life is ultimately for your greater good. Even if there are difficult times, trying relationships and hardships, astrology gives you the insight to use these difficult circumstances just as a clever gardener uses his cow manure to grow beautiful and fragrant flowers."
What would you like to ask Dadhici?
The post Your Destiny: Astral Secrets To Shape Your Fate appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Great Male Grooming For Men: 15 Beauty Products For Father's Day appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>
The Groomed Man Co. Activated Charcoal & Bamboo Body Scrub
This scrub contains none of the nasties like parabens or microbeads and is full of the good stuff like activated charcoal, which helps detoxify your skin and remove bacteria and chemicals. Rich in silica Bamboo Stem Extract and blends of Oils of Argan and Jojoba to lock in moisture and prevent the skin drying out and leaves you feeling indulged. Oh and the scent is heavenly – think Australian Sandalwood, Cedarwood, Mandarin and Sweet Orange.
RRP $38 170ml
Available: https://www.thegroomedmanco.com
SHOP
Raw Salon: American Crew Beard Foam Cleanser Shave 2.3 Oz / 70 ml
A leave-in beard cleanser that is quick and easy to use. The fast-absorbing dry foam leaves the beard clean and free of daily residue. A quick and easy way to clean your beard with no water needed for a refreshed after feel and scent.
RRP: $27.00
Available at: shop.rawhair.com.au
SHOP HERE
Bioeffect Volcanic Exfoliator
Give dad the ultimate smooth base for his shave with the Bioeffect Volcanic Exfoliator.
Thisclarifying facial exfoliator containing microcrystalline lava and ground apricot seeds that remove dead skin and impurities, leaving the skin soft and smooth andhelps you achieve a closer shave
RRP: $70.00
Available at: bioeffect.com.au
SHOP HERE
O Cosmedics Vitamin C Hemp Oil
Best described as liquid gold, the NEW O Cosmedics Vitamin C Hemp Seed Oil is a simple yet potent formulation combining two oil-soluble actives to offer an extensive range of skin benefits. Powered by Hemp Seed Oil, the world's only oil-soluble form of Vitamin C (Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate) and rich in Omega Fatty Acids, O Cosmedics Vitamin C Hemp Oil is suitable for every skin, offering something for all skin conditions.
With intense hydration, nourishing and soothing properties O Cosmedics Vitamin C Hemp Oil is the perfect product to keep dads skin looking refreshed and hydrated as it battles any harsh treatment, he throws at it!
RRP:$119.00
Stockists: Available in O Cosmedics Skin Clinics and online at www.ocosmedics.com
SHOP HERE
O Cosmedics Comfort Cream
If dad needs one product in his wet bad, it's this one! As the name suggests this hydrating moisturiser provides total comfort and skin barrier repair for even the most compromised skins. Rich in antioxidants this luxurious textured moisturiser not only hydrates and repairs but also battles against UV stress and signs of aging. Perfect for skin, compromised and damaged by winter weather!
RRP:$111.00
Stockists: Available at O Cosmedics Skin Clinics and online at www.ocosmedics.com
SHOP HERE
BIOEFFECT Hydrating Cream
For those dads who are a little more in tune with their skincare, BIOEFFECT Hydrating Cream is the perfect gift to keep him feeling deeply hydrated. The oil-free moisturizer is perfect for combating dry and overworked skin. This refreshing water cream, formulated with pure Icelandic water, delivers immediate and long-lasting hydration. Packed with antioxidants, the lightweight formula is quickly absorbed and leaves skin soft, smooth, and radiant – no tireless routine needed, this formulation is the easy go to skin care for busy dads.
RRP: $165
Stockists: Online at www.bioeffect.com.au
SHOP HERE
Davroe Murray River Sea Salt Spray
Bring out the cool dad vibes with the Davroe River Salt Spray so he can create easy, effortless, wind styled texture – perfect for spring!
RRP: $24.95
Stockists: Online at www.davroe.com
SHOP HERE
Davroe Matte Pomade
For the dapper Dad, Davroe's Matte Pomade is the perfect product for timeless polished looks, control and definition on both short and long textured hair
RRP: $24.95
Stockists: Online at www.davroe.com
SHOP HERE
Hanz de Fuko Quicksand
For the carefree dad, this ground-breaking formulation adds amazing texture and hold with ZERO shine, breathing new life into oily, slept-on hair. This high-hold product is one part styling wax and one part dry shampoo. The gritty formula contains diatomaceous earth, a soft granular rock similar to pumice that sucks up excess oil on the hair and scalp.
RRP: $29.95
Stockist: www.ozhairandbeauty.com
Hanz de Fuko Natural Shampoo
For the dads with hair – the most luxuriously effective cleanser for getting hair looking and feeling its healthiest with amazing shine. Hanz De Fuko state-of-the-art formulation begins with 16+ pure natural plant extracts and 10+ amino acids for optimum hair and a healthy scalp. With continued usage hair will become noticeably thicker, stronger, and more manageable.
RRP: $28.95
Stockist: www.ozhairandbeauty.com
Hanz de Fuko Natural Conditioner
The ultimate conditioner for getting hair looking and feeling its thickest with amazing strength. Hanz De Fuko revolutionary formular stimulates the scalp to encourage microcirculation while helping to thicken the hair shaft and expand the hair bulb.
RRP: $28.95
Stockist: www.ozhairandbeauty.com
PMD Beauty Personal Microderm Elite Pro
Perfect your shaving routine with the PMD Microderm Elite Pro. An at-home microdermabrasion device that exfoliates dead skin and helps to reduce ingrown hairs, the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and blemishes. Featuring TruTier technology that combines variable vacuum suction and tri-speed capabilities to provide a customisable microdermabrasion treatment.
RRP: $439.00
Stockist: www.mecca.com.au
PMD Beauty Clean Pro OB
For those dads who are a little more in tune with their skincare, the PMD Beauty Clean Pro OB is an ultra-smart facial cleansing device powered by SonicGlow and ActiveWarmth technology. Delivering 7,000 vibrations per minute deep within the skin the Clean Pro OB working to help rid dirt and oil trapped within the pores whilst also delivering the perfect frequency to help lift, tone and firm.
RRP: $269.00
Stockist: www.mecca.com.au
PMD Beauty Clean Body
Skincare is for more than just your face! Treat your body to daily TLC with the PMD Clean Body. Use interchangeable attachments daily to cleanse, exfoliate, and massage your entire body.
RRP: $239
Stockist: www.au.pmdbeauty.com
Men's Skincare And Grooming Myths – Debunked!
The post Great Male Grooming For Men: 15 Beauty Products For Father's Day appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Feed Your Main Man This Father's Day appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Baghdad Eggs With Quinoa
Click here for this recipe.
Healthy Creamy Porridge With Quinoa & Chia
Click here for this recipe.
Superfood Berry Breakfast Inspiration
Click here for this recipe
Breakfast Parfait Pina Colada
Click here for this recipe.
BBQs & Roast Ideas
Roast Chicken With Lemon & Sage
Click here for this recipe.
Adrian Richardson's Big Aussie Burger
Click here for this recipe.
Yummy Cumin and Honey Roasted Carrots, Ricotta, and Gremolata
Click here for this recipe.
Boned & Rolled Lamb Loin Roast with Buttered Beans
Click here for this recipe.
Chinese Roast Pork Belly
Click here for this recipe.
Delicious Dessert Ideas
Apple, Peach and Hazelnut Tart
Click here for this recipe.
Apple & Rhubarb Crumble Jar With Honey Yoghurt
Click here for this recipe.
Chocolate Cake with Salted Caramel Popcorn
Click here for this recipe.
Twix Pie
Click here for this recipe.
Orange & Poppy Seed Cake
Click here for this recipe.
Rhubarb Raspberry Meringues with Pistachio Crumble
Click here for this recipe.
The post Feed Your Main Man This Father's Day appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post How Supermodel Ashley Graham's Cellulite Is Changing Lives appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The brunette beauty began her modelling career in 2001 when she signed with Wilhelmina Models and is now one of the hottest plus-size stars on the planet.
Being in the spotlight has its ups and downs, though Ashley is confident her hard work is paying off in making other curvy women feel confident in themselves.
"The paparazzi taking a photo of you as you're eating (is a downside of fame)!" she laughed.
"You just have to work a little harder. When you're not in the limelight, it's a little less work, but when you're in the limelight, you have to work hard to stay there.
"I love what I do and I love where I'm going. I love how the world is changing right before my eyes. I like to say that my cellulite is changing someone's life out there."
Now a judge on America's Next Top Model, Ashley's fashion label and modelling career also continue to flourish.
She's thrilled to see the industry embracing more and more women who don't fit the "sample" size and is optimistic about what the future of the business holds.
"You've seen curvy women on the covers of magazines, and commercials, and movies," she says.
"And I was never even able to say the names of five curvy women I could look up to and now I can. More than ever, designers are putting women my size on the runway, putting us in their campaigns."
Ashley has all her red carpet dresses custom-made and while it can sometimes be a problem, she isn't short of designers desperate to accommodate her, from Naeem Khan to Jonathan Simkhai.
One of Ashley's most satisfying recent shoots was modelling for Lane Bryant's new fall campaign, #ThisBody Is Made to Shine.
She joined a number of other high profile women – all curvy in shape – who embrace their bodies in an accompanying video and repeat insults posted on social media about women their size.
Ashley, who became the first plus-size model to cover theSports Illustrated Swimsuitedition this year, got the chance to respond to her naysayers.
"You ruined Sports Illustrated," she mimics. "Well, the way I see it—I made it better forever."
Check out ">https://www.bellamanagement.com.au/curve/women, an Australian-based plus-sized model agency.
The post How Supermodel Ashley Graham's Cellulite Is Changing Lives appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Juliette Binoche: French Influence On Fashion appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>She's very open, very French, very lovely, and very much an actress. We were speaking because she'd been signed for the second season as the face of Australian fashion label, Blue Illusion, with stores across the country and a website that caters to women 45+ with fashion, shoes and accessories.
Juliette loves being associated with the brand.
"I feel wonderful because the Creative Director is very easy, straight forward, a warm person, so since we started it's been great to know her. She told me all about the history, where she comes from, how it all happened and how successful her brand is because she's listening to people's needs. And that's the reason of her success. And also, I have my way of wearing things and since last year she's been changing and adapting [the clothes] a little bit and making the clothes more French," she laughs, "so there's been a good collaboration together and I feel this year, we just shot the new line and it's really close to me."
Style is something that Juliette didn't mean to focus on, because her whole life was spent becoming other people for her job. Her story is much like every other actor's: at the beginning of her career, when she was starting out, she didn't have the money to spend on fashion.
"When I was younger I was going to castings as an actress, and dressing was always a question for me, because I didn't have very much money and I had maybe four or five items that I liked and that I felt comfortable and feminine in. And I would wear them over and over and over. Because that was just my life at that time."
She's very big on the comfortable, feminine thing, saying that clothes for her are always great quality versions of the basics, with her own flair added in.
"I'm lucky because as an actress you're helped by stylists or creators that have become close to you, so you develop a sense of style. I have a sense of style because of meeting some people like this who have helped me along the way. So I dress in things that are everyday basics and yet need to be comfortable and beautiful, quite simple. I feel like I need to feel feminine at the same time."
As a working mother, Juliette was conscious of always having her children with her when they were younger, as much as she could while filming.
"You have to adapt so much as an actress, to either your work and the children's age because you know, you travel so much and work in so many different countries. Mostly I took my children everywhere. My son I took him absolutely everywhere until he was 10 and same with my daughter. And then after that I asked them if they wanted to come or stay home and then if they wanted to come, I would always organise a life, a family life as good as possible. Which means a French school and the nanny would come with me. You have to give the space, the money, everything, in order to have this life. Because this life is all about passion, being an actor, it's passionate work. We're privileged enough to be in that place, and we earn quite well so we have to give it a real awareness of what's important in life. And children are important and love is important and building an education is important. So for me, it's always been a priority."
Juliette has some really memorable films, from The English Patient to Chocolat. Her latest project is one that she got off the ground herself, Clouds of Sils Maria, about "a veteran actress who comes face-to-face with an uncomfortable reflection of herself when she agrees to take part in a revival of the play that launched her career 20 years earlier," so says the spiel.
"I called Olivier [Assayas, the Director]," says Juliette, "and suggested that we make a film together about women, these three characters. But I would say that he really made the script himself. Yeah so that was my impulse, my intuition in wanting to work with him."
Coming as a surprise to me was the news that Juliette works with an acting coach in the lead up, and sometimes during a movie. "I worked with Susan Batson, who's a coach, and we worked together to prepare because on set there's no time," she explains, "Directors are very good at shooting the camera and the movement, the editing and all that, but in terms of acting they don't always have the awareness of how much work it requires. So I like to work sometimes in advance so that I'm prepared. That's my responsibility." And clearly why she's won an Oscar.
She's worn some beautiful things on the red carpet, her favourite standouts being, "a blue dress I had on the carpet at Cannes Festival that Alber Elbaz from Lanvin created that I really loved. And there was a Balenciaga I wore for a premiere in New York that I liked very much. Those two are the ones I remember the most."
And of course, she has some sage fashion advice we can all heed. "Fashion has to do with your body and how your body is, what shape you are," she says, "So you try things on and you see if you are comfortable and if you feel feminine. Showing your body, I find more interesting than hiding it, which doesn't mean you need to show your boobs and be outrageous, but your body has a history, has a language. So you have to find something that you feel comfortable and not too exposed, but at the same time it's always nice to see the form, the shape. It's feminine and you don't feel like you are behind the curtain."
See the Blue Illusion collection at www.blueillusion.com
Do you love Juliette as much as we do? Tell us below!…
The post Juliette Binoche: French Influence On Fashion appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Black-Tie Beauty: Fail-Safe Makeup For A Fancy Night Out appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>But what about your makeup outfit?
While 'smart casual' usually entails an au naturel look (say, a BB cream, a whisk of bronzer and a slick of liner) and 'cocktail' something that's fun and beachy (glowing skin, a pop of punchy colour on the eyes), 'formal' makeup requires a little more effort.
But it doesn't have to be tricky – because the two most appropriate looks are classic, suit all ages, and are therefore beautifully timeless. Perfect one, or both, and you're sorted for life.
For inspiration, let's hand it over to Ashley Benson and Shay Mitchell, two stars of the television series Pretty Little Liars, who took to the New York red carpet for the season finale screening, each showcasing perfect black-tie beauty style.
Le Smoking (Eye)
Tuxes are back in high-chic – just look below at Angelina Jolie at the BAFTAs. Ashley echoed Angelina's sleek YSL look with this ensemble of Paule Ka top and Saint Laurent bow tie (worn with Alexander Wang slim black pants).
It's a style that has actually endured in appeal since the legendary Monsieur Saint Laurent, back in 1966, first clad a female model in a 'le smoking' – and it's no surprise that the smoky eye works back to it perfectly, with its shades of black and dark, dangerous ways.
Here's a quick class on smoky-eye how-to:
- After prepping your eyes with concealer (go all around, it'll not only disguise dark circles, which dark eyeshadow can accentuate, but it will also work as a great shadow primer), rim your lash lines in black pencil. Take your pencil to the inner rim if desired (warning: this can have the effect of closing in small eyes).
- Take a small angled brush, load it up with black or dark grey shadow, and trace over the the lines you've just drawn, blurring and softening them.
- Any gaps between lashes? Try the genius 3-Dot Liner from Clarins to fill them in.
- Grab a small eyeshadow brush and whisk upper lids in a mid-grey shadow, using a back-and-forth motion. If you'd like a winged effect, extend outwards as you go.
- Now, dip that same brush in a deep grey or black shadow, and work it through the crease.
- Using a large eyeshadow brush (make sure it's clean), blend everything until there are no hard lines.
- Finally, add masses of mascara, on both top and bottom lashes.
As for the rest of the face, think flawless foundation and nude lips, plus a dash of bronzer if you need to bring some colour back in.
Luscious Lips
So, what if your black-tie outfit is of the more ultra-feminine kind – say, a lacy dress. This is the one where you reach for your most luxurious red lipstick, just like Shay (who is wearing a YeoJin Bae dress, for the record).
There are many kinds of red lipsticks … some are a fiery orange-red, others matte, others still cool and blue-toned … but the best one to go for is the one that makes you feel drop-dead glamorous. Once you've got it, here's what you do:
- After hydrating lips and letting the balm absorb, draw lipstick on straight from the tube. This way the colour grabs really well to lips, and you get a stronger pigment outcome.
- Now, take a lip brush and neaten up the edges. Blot with a tissue.
- Using a lip brush this time, add another layer of colour.
- Blot once more.
- If you'd like a shiny or shimmery effect, add a touch of gloss in the centre of your mouth.
Finally, make sure your statement lips are balanced out with well groomed brows and beautifully volumised lashes; go for a medium-coverage foundation, as red lipstick can bring out any discolouration in your skin.
And there you have it: the two faces of fancy makeup.
Tell us, are you Team Eyes or Team Lips?
The post Black-Tie Beauty: Fail-Safe Makeup For A Fancy Night Out appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Review: Unagi E500 – The Luxury Brand of Electric Scooters appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Far from being naff, these days commuting to work on the latest eBike or eScooter is trendy and not to mention, sustainable. At The Carousel, we've been having some fun testing out the latest models available from Panmi and we think the Unagi E500 scooter will appeal to a wide audience with its chic design and dual motor that will propel you up hills without breaking a sweat. Consider this your call to be carefree and scoot.
The minimalist deign of the Unagi comes from the creative brain of entrepreneur David Hyman, former CEO of Beats and pioneer in the landscape of technology and media. Pegged as the leading electric scooter by major publications, Unagi has been described as the Tesla of scooters.
We asked a group of four friends to take the Unagi E500 for a spin and rank its performance for versatility, sustainability and fun. Here's what they had to say.
Versatility:
With its minimalist design and light weight carbon frame, the Unagi E500 is the perfect companion for on-the-go. It's easy to use, foldable design with just one click means you can carry it with you or store away when not in use. This is definitely an urban dwellers dream.
Tanya Rose, business owner from the Gold Coast, says: "I can see me and the girls getting on these and going from the Pilates bar to an actual bar."
Photographer Carlo O'Brien, said it would be perfect for commuting. "I'm a travel photographer so if I had this scooter I would take it around, stop, take my camera out, take some photos, hop back on it and ride away. It's convenient, it's great for the commute, I love it", says Carlo.
Sustainability:
It's no secret that going electric is the way of the future. The Unagi E500 lives up to its reputation of being a luxury scooter with a powerful dual motor, enough to ride up hills and replace the need for a car or bus on your morning commute. The zero-emission scooter can ride up to 25km and has three different riding modes.
Nicole Rowles, journalist from Brisbane, says: "I drive every single day and I spend so much money on petrol. I would love to use the Unagi because I know that it would save me on petrol costs, it would be really efficient for those days that I know I'm only making short trips and I know as well that it would get me out of traffic which is such a huge blessing when saving time."
Fun Factor:
Luxury and style is the cornerstone of Unagi's design, and also what makes it so fun. It comes in four colours and sports three driving modes: Eco (14-18 km/h) for the leisure riders, Standard (18-21km/h) for the commuters and for the speed demons, Professional (24-25 km/h).
"I was really nervous but I was surprised by how easy it was to ride, I felt safe", says Nicole Rowles, journalist from Brisbane.
Photographer Carlo O'Brien, says: "I really love the design, it's sleek, the colours are awesome, it's a really nice looking scooter and it's not like those other ones that are a bit bulky, it's nice. I feel like if you owned one you would probably want to take a photo of it."
Marissa Gillham, personal coach from Gold Coast, said it was fund to ride. "This is the first time I've ridden Unagi and it's pretty wonderful, it's just fun", says Marissa.
The Unagi E500 Dual Motor is priced at $1,699.00, available now at JB Hi-Fi.
Find out more about Unagi here.
About Unagi
Unagi was founded in 2018 in California, USA. David Hyman, the CEO and founder of Unagi, has pioneered revolutionary start-ups over a 20-year span that have changed the landscapes of technology and media. He was the CEO of Beats Music, founder, and CEO of MOG, co-founder CEO of the MOG Music Network, Co-founder CEO of Gracenote and co-founder of Addicted to Noise. Unagi is a manufacturer of electric scooters intended to provide users the freedom of movement.
About Panmi
Panmi is an Australian founded company, established in 2018. They are the sole brand agent and business development partner of Xiaomi in Australia as well as other innovative tech brands from around the globe. Panmi's vision is to bring new and exciting technology with uncompromising quality and performance to Australian consumers, helping Australians to enjoy advanced technology in their daily lives. Panmi is the exclusive distributor of major tech brands in Australia including Xiaomi, Segway-Ninebot, Viomi, Unagi, Surron and many more. Panmi's expertise is in micro-mobility and personal transport, Smart Home, Smartphone and various other categories.
The post Review: Unagi E500 – The Luxury Brand of Electric Scooters appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post The Best Travel Destinations According to Your Numerology appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Astrologer and author Maria Hayes gives us the best travel destinations according to your numerology.
Ready for an adventure abroad? Maybe you're thinking of a more quaint local destination. If you are, it's also possible that you're not sure how to decide where to go! That's why we made this handy article for you.
Deciding the best travel destinations is by no means an easy task. You need the trip to be worthwhile, since you're definitely spending a lot of money to do it. So how exactly does one decide what the best travel destination is going to be?
Some people use darts and toss randomly at a world map to decide. Others use the stars and the moon to make a decision using astrology. Another group of people happen to see angel numbers, so they let those signs they see decide for them.
Everyone probably knows their Zodiac sign. Whether you're an Aries or a Pisces, astrology is often something people know. But what about your number in numerology? There's vital information to be had if you can know your numerology the way you know your astrology.
Just like the typical sun sign in your Zodiac astrology, you also have a Life Path. That Life Path is essentially a one-digit number that also determines some things about you, like your Zodiac sign. Here's how to calculate it:
Say your birth date is July 20, 1997. Add together your month, day, and year.
7
2 + 0 = 2
1 + 9 + 9 + 7 = 26 = 2 + 6= 8
7 + 2 + 8 = 17 = 1 + 7 = 8
That means your Life Path is an 8 Life Path.
What Is Your Life Path?
When you've calculated your Life Path, consider which of the nine Life Paths means the best travel destination for you!
1 Life Path
Often, those on the 1 Life Path are movers and shakers. As people who march to their own drumbeat, they move towards the path less traveled. Travel that piques your sense of independence draws you like nothing else and.
Because of this, those under the 1 Life Path take plenty of risks. Try taking a jaunt through Cape Town in South Africa. Bungee jump off the Bloukrans Bridge there and really test your own limits. Any place that can get your adrenaline pumping is a great place for a 1 Life Path to be! If you feel like taking it easy, try to rejuvenate yourself in Bali.
2 Life Path
2 Life Paths never travel alone; they're always with a plus one or a group of friends. Solo adventures aren't your thing, and that's not a bad thing! Emotional connection is your jam and making memories with loved ones in travel gives you just that.
Often, the 2 Life Paths are down to organize the details of the travel. If not, they're the ones figuring out sweetly thoughtful ways to involve everyone in the trip. That makes it hard for them to decide on their own where to travel because they always consider everyone else. Try Costa Rica for a rainforest adventure or Mexico City for a spiritual adventure.
3 Life Path
Exploration is where people on the 3 Life Path thrive! Curiosity may have killed the cat, but it only makes you stronger. Optimism and a light touch of joy color your Life Path, making everything a happy little accident.
Anything that taps into your communication skills is a joy to have, so travel to places that give you material! That material is something you can use to write or speak. Try the underground city life of Tokyo, Japan! Cool your jets if you have to at the rolling hills of Tuscany with some pasta.
4 Life Path
4 Life Paths love good adventure, provided that it's organized and structured perfectly. They absorb knowledge impeccably and learn forever. So any travel has to be something they can learn from!
Anybody from the 4 Life Path researches everything about where they're going before they go. For the knowledge-thirsty, try going to the Sea of Cortez in Mexico! But sometimes, these rabid learners need to chill; the beaches of Costa Rica are perfect for that.
5 Life Path
Fearless adventurers, sign right up here! Never try to fence in a person from the 5 Life Path. You'd never manage it anyway. Their sensual nature attracts them irrevocably towards tactile experiences. Food and wine are just the tip of their sensuous iceberg.
No wrong destination exists for the 5 Life Path as long as there's an experience or story to tell after. The cultural oasis of Medellin, Colombia is a great place to start. For 5 Life Paths who seek stillness instead of sensuality, the waters of Baja, California Sur are a fine place.
6 Life Path
As homebodies, convincing someone from the 6 Life Path to travel is a feat in and of itself. They love seeking experiences for their refined aesthetic sensibilities. When they decide to travel, they need to lighten up and stop worrying about planning or execution all the time!
Even if it comes with unplanned detours, the point of travel is to have fun! Where some like city life, others may crave ancient culture. For the refined 6 Life Path, Kyoto, Japan is the place to be. If you're feeling the burnout, try a quieter place like Cape Town.
7 Life Path
A seeker by heart, travel calls you like the sea calls Moana. Processing all that life throws at the 7 Life Path often requires unplugged travel time. Though often analytical, the 7 Life Path often ends up a reluctant spiritualist.
Like the 1 Life Path, the road less traveled beckons alluringly to them. Try a place that not that many people visit, but is no less enjoyable like Siberia. Otherwise, try a spiritual escape in the temples of Southeast Asia like in Thailand or Cambodia.
8 Life Path
Business is the lifeblood of those on the 8 Life Path. You connect, influence, and prefer the finer things in life. Because of this, mixing business with pleasure is your little secret. 8 Life Paths move through life with a large and in charge attitude, so accommodations have to be first rate!
Comfort and quality are your forte, so it has to be swanky and it has to feel great! Paris isn't a bad place to start, and neither is the Amazon. If you're looking for serenity from business burnout, Bali is the perfect getaway.
9 Life Path
Romantics at heart, the 9 Life Path often finds itself full of compassionate humanitarians. Exploring different cultures is one of their great loves. They love to see the spark of humanity in every different walk of life.
Traveling is a way for them to stretch the limits of their comfort zone. So they need to go somewhere they wouldn't normally think to go. Try a place like Lebanon! But if you need a place to slow down, Barcelona, Spain is a great place to chill out with wine.
The Carousel would like to thank Astrologer and author Maria Hayes gives us the best travel destinations according to your numerology.
The post The Best Travel Destinations According to Your Numerology appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post The Health Benefits of Fasting – Is It Sustainable And Is It Safe? appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The long association between human beings and food has a common theme: scarcity. Our metabolic machinery has been moulded over thousands of generations by this overarching reality. Fast forward to the modern Western world; it also has a common theme: abundance. With bodily mechanisms programmed to expect (and thrive on) periods without food, times of cheap and omnipresent abundance can monkey-wrench our system. And so it has.
Fasting is one of the smartest strategies you could adopt. But does it work? Yes. Study after study shows that fasting protocols work very well for fat loss. Here are a few recent ones.
In non-obese patients, alternate day fasting increased fat oxidation and weight loss.
In obese patients, alternate day fasting was an effective way to lose weight; dietary adherence remained high throughout.
In young overweight women, alternate day fasting was just as effective as caloric restriction at causing weight loss, and adherence to the former was easier than to the latter.
This and plenty of other controlled clinical trial studies (take a look at PubMed for the latest) have proven it works for fat loss – but is it sustainable and is it safe?
I was a skeptic – an essential character trait for any researcher – and so, having been satisfied with its efficacy, set about an attempt to allay my fears or confirm my suspicions regarding its safety.
Reviewing the work of many authors and researchers of repute, Dr. Brad Pilon and Dr. Jason Fung being two important leaders in the field, I found some very illuminating information.
ALLAYING YOUR FEARS
"Fasting also stimulates autophagy and mitophagy, the process of culling the old, dysfunctional mitochondria. So the ancient wellness practice of intermittent fasting essentially gets rid of the old mitochondria and at the same time stimulates new growth. This process of renewing your mitochondria may play a huge role in the prevention of many of the diseases we currently have no acceptable treatment – diseases of excess growth." ~ Dr. Jason Fung
Concern #1: How Can Starving Yourself be Healthy?
Fasting and starvation differ in a crucial way: control.
Starvation is the involuntary absence of food: there is no control.
Fasting is the voluntary withholding of food: you have full control. Food is available but you choose not to eat it. You can start and stop at any time. There is no 'correct' duration. It could be 12hrs, 14hr, 24 hrs, or weeks on end.
Fasting has been interwoven throughout every culture and all major religions from time immemorial. It's as much a part of being human as sleep.
Think about the term 'break-fast'. Every night you are in a fasted state. You break your fast upon awakening or delay it until whatever time you choose. There is nothing strange or unusual about fasting. It's an ancient and powerful dietary intervention yet modern people have forgotten its power and therapeutic potential.
Concern #2: Fasting and your metabolism
Dr. Brad Pilon writes that he was "startled to find that being in a fasted state for short periods of time does not decrease your metabolism."
Our metabolism is based on the energetic costs of keeping the cells in our bodies alive. Your basal metabolic rate is the number of calories it takes to keep your body functioning at rest. Almost all of the calories you burn in a day result from your basal metabolic rate. Beyond that, the only significant way to increase the number of calories you burn in a day is to exercise.
The research on metabolism and calorie intake, identified by Dr. Pilon, is remarkably conclusive. Note the following studies that measured metabolic rate in people that were either fasting or on very low-calorie diets:
STUDY: Webber J, Macdonald IA, The cardiovascular, metabolic and hormone changes accompanying acute starvation in men and women. British Journal of Nutrition 1994; 71: 437-447
Researchers found that when they made people fast for three days, their metabolic rate did not change. Curiously, the 'bro-science' that tell us that eating numerous small meals throughout the day will increase your metabolic rate turn out to be untrue.
STUDY: Cameron JD, Cyr MJ, Doucet E. Increased meal frequency does not promote greater weight loss in subjects who were prescribed an 8-week equi-energetic energy- restricted diet. Br J Nutr. 2010 Apr;103(8):1098-101. doi: 10.1017/S0007114509992984. Epub 2009 Nov 30
Researcher Mark Sisson explains that "there is no metabolic advantage to eating multiple meals. Your body expends metabolic energy to process and digest food, but it doesn't matter when or how it's eaten. So, assuming macronutrient ratios and caloric content are identical, eating more frequently doesn't make your metabolism "burn" brighter. If it did the study above would have ruled in favor of increased meal frequency as an effective tool in weight loss for obese patients."
STUDY: Leidy HJ, Armstrong CL, Tang M, Mattes RD, Campbell WW. The influence of higher protein intake and greater eating frequency on appetite control in overweight and obese men. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2010 Sep;18(9):1725-32. doi: 10.1038/oby.2010.45. Epub 2010 Mar 25.
This recent study actually suggests that eating more frequently reduces measures of satiety and fullness in overweight and obese men while eating less frequent, higher-protein meals increase satiety and reduce hunger.
STUDY: Heilbronn LK, et al. Alternate-day fasting in non-obese subjects: effects on body weight, body composition, and energy metabolism. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2005; 81:69-73
Researchers here found that people who fasted every other day for a period of 22 days also had no decrease in their resulting metabolic rate.
STUDY: Keim NL, Horn WF. Restrained eating behaviour and the metabolic response to dietary energy restriction in women. Obesity Research 2004; 12:141-149
Researchers in this study found that women who ate half the amount of food that they normally eat for 3 days saw no change in their metabolism.
STUDY: Vorboeket-Van De Venne WPHG, et al. Effect of the pattern of food intake on human energy metabolism. British Journal of Nutrition 1993; 70:103-115
STUDY: Bellisle F, et al. Meal frequency and energy balance. British Journal of Nutrition 1997;77: (Suppl. 1) s57-s70
Both sets of researchers in these two studies found no change in the metabolic rate of people who skipped breakfast, or people who ate two meals per day compared to seven meals per day.
Dr. Pilon concludes that "food has virtually nothing to do with your metabolism. In fact, metabolism is much more closely tied to your body weight. If your weight goes up or down, so does your metabolism. The only thing that can affect your metabolism (in both the short and longer term) is exercise and weight loss. Even in the complete absence of food for three days your metabolism remains unchanged."
Dr. Jason Fung, the author of the Complete Guide To Fasting, said that in his research, 4 days of fasting actually increased the body's resting metabolic rate by 10%!
So, if food intake has no effect on the metabolic rate, what other myths have we been led to believe in 'scientific facts'?
Concern #3: Fasting and Exercise
During a period of fasting, the systems of your body are relying on fat and the glycogen that is stored in your liver for energy. Your muscles still have their own glycogen that they need for quick high-intensity exercises like weightlifting or sprinting.
STUDY: Knapik JJ, Jones BH, Meredith C, Evans WJ. Influence of a 3.5 day fast on physical performance. European Journal of Applied Physiology and Occupational Physiology 1987; 56 (4): 428-32
Researchers in this study found that a three and a half day fast caused minimal impairments in physical performance measures such as isometric strength, anaerobic capacity or aerobic endurance. In other words, they found that a three-day fast had no negative effects on how strongly your muscles can contract, your ability to do short-term high-intensity exercises or your ability to exercises at moderate intensity for a long duration.
STUDY: Knapik JJ, Meredith CN, Jones LS, Young VR, Evans WJ. Influence of fasting on carbohydrate and fat metabolism during rest and exercise in men. Journal of Applied Physiology 1998; 64(5): 1923-1929
Surprisingly, researchers found no change in soldiers' metabolism who were exercising until exhaustion either right after a meal or after fasting for three and a half days.
From this research, we can see that you should be able to work out while fasted and not see any change in your performance.
The only situation where there may be a negative effect of fasting is during endurance sports like marathons or Ironman style triathlons, where you are exercising continuously for well over an hour. These types of competitions require the athletes to eat during the actual event in order to maintain performance.
However, Dr. Pilon cautions, "it should be noted that the "negative effect" that occurs from fasting before long endurance activity only affects that athlete's time until exhaustion. So the amount of time an athlete can exercise while fasted before becoming exhausted is less than the amount of time it takes for a fed athlete to become exhausted. While the amount of time it takes before a fasted athlete becomes exhausted is decreased, it actually has positive effects on these athletes fat burning."
Athletes performing long endurance activity while fasted actually burn more fat than athletes who are fed. So depending on your goals, fasting before endurance exercise may be beneficial.
Concern #4: Fasting and Muscle Mass
The other great myth about dieting or fasting is that you lose your muscle mass when you diet. Fasting does not result in a loss of your hard earned muscle (as long as you are involved in some type of resistance training).
STUDY: Bryner RW. Effects of resistance training vs. Aerobic training combined with an 800 calorie liquid diet on lean body mass and resting metabolic rate. Journal of the American College of Nutrition 1999; 18(1): 115-121
Researchers found that even with a twelve-week long diet consisting of only 800 calories and only 80 grams of protein per day, the people in the study were able to maintain their muscle mass as long as they were exercising with weights three times per week.
STUDY: Rice B, Janssen I, Hudson, R, Ross R. Effects of aerobic or resistance exercise and/or diet on glucose tolerance and plasma insulin levels in obese men. Diabetes Care 1999; 22:684-691
Researchers found that men who restricted their caloric intake by eating 1000 Calories less per day than they normally ate for 16 weeks while undergoing a training program 3 days a week were able to maintain all their muscle mass while losing over 20 pounds of body fat. As long as you're using your muscles, they will not waste away during short periods of fasting.
Concern #5: Fasting and Hunger
Most people get noticeably hungry if they have gone more than 2 to 3 hours without eating, but during this time, metabolically speaking, they are still in the fed state. This means that their bodies are still processing the food they ate at their last meal. In other words, there is still unused energy from their last meal in their system, and they are already feeling hungry enough to eat again. How can this be?
"Most likely", says Dr. Pilon, "this is a learned response to a combination of metabolic, social and environmental cues to eat. It turns out the 10 billion dollars the food industry spends per year on advertising is very effective." According to Brian Wansink, author of Mindless Eating, we make as many as 200 food-related decisions every day and are subjected to countless food advertisements.
Counterintuitively, when blood sugar levels are stable, periods of fasting have been associated with being more alert, ambitious, competitive and creative.
Fasting is a skill that improves with practice. It becomes easier to manage as your body gets used to the feeling of having a truly empty stomach. Hunger is like the tide: it comes in, and when you ignore it, it recedes.
I always ensure my clients have stabilised their blood sugar levels before commencing any type of fasting protocol. Stable blood sugar levels allow for much greater fasting control.
Not everything is for everyone. Fasting is not advisable for anyone who has suffered from an eating disorder, or children and pregnant women. Please seek professional advice before commencing if in doubt.
J.A Gleeson is a personal fitness instructor
The post The Health Benefits of Fasting – Is It Sustainable And Is It Safe? appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post How a Mindful Money Manifesto Can Help You Live More Sustainably appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>There's just no competition between knowing that you saved $25 at the end of the week by making coffee at home, and the feeling you get from hitting 'checkout' on a pair of totally impractical shoes in the sage colour of the season that will make an all-white outfit pop. No competition.
But you know what gives an even bigger thrill? Looking around your home and seeing a curation of items that reflect who you truly are and what's really important to you. That sense of alignment and personal integrity doesn't happen by accident to anyone. It comes by design.
This is where a Mindful Money Manifesto comes into play.
While budgeting tends to bring up feelings of going without, missing out, and general unfulfilled wanting, a Mindful Money Manifesto is about spending with direction, intention and purpose. It shifts the focus from not spending to spending where it matters most to you. It gives you power.
It's one of the first exercises finance expert and Fierce Girl Finance blog founder Belinda White suggests anyone do when they become interested in money.
"A Mindful Money Manifesto helps you set a course for your spending and saving, in line with your values and interests," Belinda says. "It's particularly helpful for people who struggle with budgeting in a spreadsheet (so, most people!).
"The key is to sit down and take time to plot out what matters to you in terms of your lifestyle and beliefs. Then write it down and set the intention to mindfully allocate your money in those directions, while minimising spending in the other areas.
"Then, take stock of your spending in the last 1-3 months. Sit down with bank statements and/or receipts and see where your money is going each day. People are often surprised at the 'leakage' that comes from mindless spending – a takeaway meal here, a round of drinks there, a cheap new outfit when you're at the shops. It all adds up! It is also helpful to categorise things into buckets: At its simplest you can name them 'needs' and 'wants', or you can break it down further.
"Now look at these spending patterns and think about whether they are aligning with the way you want to live. There is no right or wrong answer – it's what matters to you. For example, paying extra for pasture-raised eggs or organic vegetables might seem extravagant to some, but to you, it's worth it for health and ethical reasons. Perhaps you will see you're spending a lot on things that are convenient, like meal deliveries, but the food comes in a lot of containers that go to landfill.
"Once you take a good, hard look at the way you are allocating your capital, you're then in a position to write your Mindful Spending Manifesto. It can be as simple as making two columns: What I am happy to spend money on, and what I intend to spend less on.
"For example, health and fitness are important to me, so I am ok with having memberships to both a gym and a yoga studio. It's not everyone's jam, which is fine – I have thought it through and made it a priority. Another area is supporting charities on a regular basis. I have decided it's important and so I feel comfortable seeing that money go out of my bank account.
"Where I spend less money, for example, is on takeaway food and coffee. I have my own coffee machine and buy the beans from a local roaster. I have a few things in the freezer for nights where cooking seems unappealing. I'm not saying I never buy takeaway, I just do it sparingly and make it a treat, not a habit.
"These are my resolutions – they wouldn't suit everyone. The important thing is that it makes sense to me, aligns with my values and keeps my spending in check."
For those just starting out on their sustainability journey, a Mindful Money Manifesto can help you navigate what is an expansive and often subjective topic. Developing your own guard rails personalises sustainability and you'll know what to ask yourself when buying things like clothes, accessories and beauty products, which can be a minefield for even the savviest of eco-conscious consumers.
Some examples from my own Mindful Money Manifesto
- I seek to purchase second-hand furniture before I will buy an item brand new.
- I say no to fast fashion; Items need to have a forever place in my wardrobe, which I carefully curate on an ongoing basis.
- I avoid clothes made from nylon, polyester, and acrylic (which are energy and water intensive to make, and are responsible for much of the microplastic killing our marine life).
- I only buy leather products from brands who have sought a certification regarding the treatment of the animals.
- I choose grass-fed meats.
- I purchase refill liquid cleaning and beauty products where a refill option is available (to avoid waste).
Have fun – and we'd love to see examples from your own Mindful Money Manifesto in the comments.
The post How a Mindful Money Manifesto Can Help You Live More Sustainably appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Three Fast Personalised Fathers Day Ideas appeared first on The Carousel.
]]> 
He is the ultimate Poster Boy, so propel your Dad to new heights and create a poster or canvas wall art starring him to display in his man cave – marking a footy, playing golf, fishing. Too twee? Downsize the concept with a Photo block, novelty or classic frame, or digital frame for his bedside or desk.
A Year Of Family Fun
OK you might be pushing this one in terms of last minute pressie ideas, but if you can get together a collection of photos starring Dad or the family, turn them into a customised photo calendar. Make sure you include some funny photos!
Dad's Story: The Collector's Edition
This one's guaranteed to gain you golden child status: Photo books are an incredible way to document key life events and milestones, and many people will have these on hand thanks to milestone birthdays (40th, 50th, 60th) where images have already been collected. So plug the USB in and create a riveting read. Choose a selection of photos of your dad as a child, with his brothers and sisters, parents, celebrations, with your mum, at his wedding and of course with all of his lovely offspring (that includes you!). You can add simple captions to each image, documenting dates, or go wild and write the story behind each photo for a beautiful tribute and memory trip down nostalgia lane…
Check out Kmart's Photo Centre ideas here for more ideas.
The post Three Fast Personalised Fathers Day Ideas appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Pancakes For A Perfect Breakfast appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>There is something oh so homely and comforting about a hot sweet treat to get you going for the day.
The King of these foods?Pancakes.
Sweet or savoury, pancakes and crepes have been a staple in many cultures around the world.
Pancake Recipe
Makes 6
INGREDIENTS
1 egg, beaten
270ml can coconut milk
½ cup (170g) self-raising flour
1 tablespoon Psyllium
½ cup frozen blue berries
METHOD
1 Pop all the ingredients into a bowl and whisk to combine.
2 Heat a large non-stick frying pan over medium-low heat. For best results, brush the pan with a little butter or oil.
3 Using 2 tablespoons of the mixture per pancake, cook two pancakes for 3 to 4 minutes or until golden brown.
4 Turn and cook for 2 to 3 minutes or until cooked through.
5 Transfer to a plate and cover loosely with foil to keep snuggly warm.
6 Repeat with remaining mixture (NB: the mixture will continue to thicken as it sits).
Optional: Serve drizzled with the deliciousness of thick, sticky pure Maple Syrup.
The Carousel thanks Celebrity chef Kim McCosker for this recipe.
The post Pancakes For A Perfect Breakfast appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Bubblegum, Lipstick And Hope: A Celebration Of Women Through Art appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Touted as "a celebration of women living in technicolor with ironic humor, grand style and a big tablespoon of hope," the upcoming exhibition to feature at the illustrious Art Basel will illustrate artist Rebecca Moses' signature style of blending art with fashion.
Her latest body of work engages with themes of hope, passion, determination, and the desire to stay true to one's own voice even through life's most challenging hardships.
"How do we hold on to our sanity, aspirations, and dreams when life challenges become unbearable?" explains Moses of her vision. "In a sense, when I lifted my pens and brushes, it was like Alice falling into the rabbit hole, a chance to dream. It was an escape to a world I wanted to envision. Sometimes you just need to pop a bubble and put on some red lipstick to restore your hope in life and belief in yourself."
"Sometimes you just need to pop a bubble and put on some red lipstick to restore your hope in life and belief in yourself," she said. The pieces on display will depict Moses' interpretation of a world of fashion bursting with colour, patterns, stylish surroundings, and delicious comfort foods – all things that represent women and their strengths, their personalities, and their pride.
"Their style is their voice and a glimpse of their dignity. No matter how outrageous, they hold on through life's extraordinary times by staying true to themselves," she added.
Bubblegum, Lipstick and Hope, set to open December 2, 2021, will consist of 10 murals along with 17 larger-than-life murals in Pucci's Wynwood free-standing gallery.
"Hope is what keeps us alive and the quality I see in so many women. Without it, we have nothing."
To find out more about the exhibition, visit the Ralph Pucci International website here.
About Rebecca Moses ( https://rebeccamoses.com )
Rebecca Moses is an internationally renowned designer, author, and artist who stylishly crosses a panorama of creative spheres. Storytelling has been the key to all her creative endeavours, from designing fashion and lifestyle to the written word and fine arts. A dual citizen of the United States and Italy, Moses' grace, personal style, and vision of life infiltrates all of her projects that often celebrate individuality, diversity, and the female essence. This is Moses' third solo exhibition. She is represented by Ralph Pucci International in the United States and Nilufar Gallery in Italy.
The post Bubblegum, Lipstick And Hope: A Celebration Of Women Through Art appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Crispy Almond-Coated Chicken Roasted In Lemon & Artichoke appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Serves 4
INGREDIENTS
50 g (13/4 oz/1/2 cup) almond meal
8 free-range chicken drumsticks
440 g (15/2 oz/11/2 cups) marinated artichokes, drained and roughly chopped
a large handful of fresh oregano leaves
a large handful of pepitas (pumpkin seeds)
extra virgin olive oil, for drizzling
lemon wedges, to serve
METHOD
1 Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
2 Place the almond meal in a shallow bowl. Roll the chicken drumsticks in the almond meal until coated all over.
3 Arrange the chicken in a large baking dish, along with the artichoke. Sprinkle with the oregano, pepitas and a generous pinch of sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. Drizzle generously with olive oil.
4 Roast for 1 hour, or until the coating is crispy and golden and the chicken is cooked through. Serve with lemon wedges.
The post Crispy Almond-Coated Chicken Roasted In Lemon & Artichoke appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Shaynna Blaze: Renovating Your Kitchen On A Budget appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Always look at the splash back as an instant change without going over the top. If the cabinetry and bench top is dated there are professional spray companies that can give it a new lease of life without a need for the labour of cabinet makers, plumbers or builders.
What do you look for when designing a kitchen?
Working with the existing plumbing points is a cost saver from the start but it doesn't always make it the most functional option, so look at the orientation of your kitchen and how it works with how you want to cook and live in the kitchen.
Which section of a home adds the most value to a property and why?
Every house is different depending on what the feature is of the home. There is no use doing a state of the art cinema room if the selling point to the house is the indoor/outdoor feel. It used to be the big saying that 'kitchens sell houses' and this is still true but the bathroom has now become a place to demand luxury – so look at your buyers market and target what they are really expecting.
Shaynna Blaze is an award-winning Interior Designer who has created stunning interiors in residential homes and commercial spaces for more than twenty years. Armed with a vast portfolio of work in various fields of design, Shaynna is also a successful commissioned artist.
The Carousel thanks Hi Pages for this article.
The post Shaynna Blaze: Renovating Your Kitchen On A Budget appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post 5 Things You Can Do To Practice Self Care appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>So I ask you, when was the last time that you checked in with your body? Close your eyes, notice all the little aches and pains, twinges, and messages, what is your body calling out for?
Your body requires regular, meaningful attention, self-care or self-maintenance, whatever you would prefer to call it. How you treat your body is how it will respond; your body tells a story every day about how it feels and what is required to help it feel better.
As someone who has overcome a LOT of trauma, I had to stop and listen, and these were (and still are) my 5 my go to's –
- Make the time to exercise.
When you move your body, it releases endorphins which makes you feel amazing. I advocate for yoga because this is what helped me get back on my feet. However yoga is not for everyone, so ask yourself, what can I do to get my body moving that I enjoy? Maybe go for a run, walk, jog, swim, play a round of golf, you will know what is right. Your body will love you for the movement and release of energy.
- Sleep well.
Sleep is so underrated, and it should be top priority! A good night sleep can fix so many things, I'm not an expert in this field but I can say that when we sleep well it helps us to function well, have better productivity and more enjoyment in life. We must switch off, it's so important. Naps are good too!
- Eat and drink well.
The old saying, what you put into your body is what you will get out of it. So choose good wholesome nourishing foods and drinks, things that you love, consume them (in moderation) enjoy them, savour every moment of it. Have a new appreciation for what keeps your body fuelled and moving.
- Listen to your body.
This is a big one for a lot of people, we are always in a hurry, focusing on many things at once, the most important focal point is your body, and it's telling you a story every day. When there are discomforts, it is a signal that something needs attention. Stretching can help minimise or completely keep discomfort at bay, there are services like massage, chiropractic, osteopathy (to name a few) that can help with the maintenance of your body. Make the time on a regular basis to do these things and ensure that you turn up. Because YOU are important.
- Slow down.
In all aspects of life, not just work, but home as well, slow down your mind, thought processes, everything. Find time for meditation or mindfulness, anything that stops the daily grind from being groundhog day. A relaxed mind helps to relax your body, this has the flow-on effect of such goodness.
As humans we give so much to others, so why not return the favour to yourself. What would your advice be to your best friend, or spouse, if they were tired or not well? Do that, take your own advice 
Always be kind to yourself, move with ease and grace. You are the most important person in your life.
Namaste
The post 5 Things You Can Do To Practice Self Care appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Stylist Tips: Why We Buy The Same Clothes And How To Change It Up appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Or you buy a gorgeous black dress, convinced you'll never need to buy a black dress again, only to have an Instagram ad pushed at you for a black dress that you like even more than the one you just bought.
Dilemmas.
Aside from the blow to your budget, it's important to grab ahold of all this same same shopping because of the damage it's doing to the environment. The over-production and over-consumption of clothes is one of the many reasons why fashion is cited as one of the most polluting industries around.
Clothes shopping more intentionally and more mindfully is one of the easiest ways to live a more sustainable life.
So – back to this problem where you keep buying the same dress.
Australian Style Institute founder Lauren Di Bartolo told The Carousel repeat buying is one of the negative behaviour cycles she and her team frequently identify in clients, and it's one of the biggest contributors to clothing waste.
This is the part of your brain responsible for repeat buying
Lauren says it's all due to the Reticular Activating System, a filter that our brains naturally create to reinforce existing thought processes.
"This means we are naturally drawn to similar styles and colours rather than thinking more
critically about whether a garment will actually serve us or benefit us more long term," Lauren said.
"The more conscious we are as we shop, the better. For consumers looking to start a sustainable fashion journey, start with a critical look at what your needs are for a certain piece of clothing before buying. This means considering what we're buying for, what's missing from our existing wardrobe and clarity on where we can find this – before we step out the door."
How to arrest repeat buying
"Take some time to carefully go through each item in your wardrobe and acknowledge what you already have," Lauren said.
"Write down a list and from there, identify the gaps. For example, you might have multiple pairs of the same black or tan pants but no white shirts – which is something that could be a day-to-day staple for you.
"This arms you with two important pieces of information before you 'checkout' any new item – that you have more than enough black pants but you have no tops to wear them with. So you're forming an awareness of your frequent repeat purchases and highlighting areas being neglected.
"Now you can shop with a specific goal or item in mind, without getting caught up in a bargain piece you don't actually need.
"From here, you can work on building some great new outfits from existing items in your
wardrobe. This is where you may notice some fundamental items you may be missing, and it's
prime time to make that second list of items where you should be investing your money."
Other fun, more sustainable fashion-focused things to do instead of repeat buying
- Build a capsule wardrobe.
"Aiming to create a capsule wardrobe is also an ideal way to form a system that works," Lauren said.
"By creating a capsule wardrobe you're building a collection for you. This could be as little as 25 or as many as 50 individual garments that can be mixed and matched with each other. Aim for timeless pieces and consider a neutral colour scheme which can easily be elevated with accessories."
Read: We love The Curated Closet and The Capsule Wardrobe for a step-by-step guide to building a capsule wardrobe.
Upcycle
"Upcycling fashion is another fun way to get creative whilst putting a stop to the repeat
buying issue," Lauren said. Regardless of whether you can sew or not, there's plenty of ways to upcycle preloved pieces. One of my go-to designers for some next level inspiration is Nicole
McLaughlin. Her creativity brings a fresh take on often disregarded items and she's created
a celebrity following in the process. She shows us there is really no limit to what we can
create when we upcycle."
Now you're on your way to curating both a more definitive personal style and an eco-conscious wardrobe.
The post Stylist Tips: Why We Buy The Same Clothes And How To Change It Up appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Get Wow Eyebrows With Our Top 6 Products appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Here at The Carousel we have our chosen our personal favourite brow products for you to try for yourselves.
The Carousel's top six eyebrow products:
The Benefit Gimme Browvolumizing eyebrow gel
Available in three different shades and comes with an easy to apply wand to create the ultimate volumized brows giving you thicker fuller brows. It's the new take on the old product and it's a huge improvement.
The Mac Brow Duo Powder
Again, it comes in three different shades and this powder duo is designed to highlight and match your eyebrows, therefore it's perfect for creating a more bronzed look.
The MAC Brow Set
This clear gel adds shine and style to your eyebrows whilst keeping them in place. Used by top makeup artists, it's popular backstage at fashion shows as it can be used to create a very editorial look.
The Carousel's Lifestyle Writer Bianca Spendlove's top three eyebrow picks:
Smashbox Brow Tech Shaping Powder
It has a very fine tip which makes it great for hiding any small gaps or perfect to create a precision drawn eyebrow shape. The powder gives you a smooth coverage, unlike a eyebrow pencil and it also comes in four different colours.
IT Cosmetics Brow Power Super Skinny
Ultra thin and perfect to use to blend in towards the end of your brow where it gets thinner. Go for a shade slightly lighter than your eyebrow colour to add a more subtle shape whilst adding depth and definition. The pencil width is super skinny (hence the name) and is designed to be a similar size to that of an eyebrow hair. Making it an easy task to create a very natural eyebrow look. This little number is also waterproof so a great addition to your holiday bag or wet weather look.
Benefit 3D Browtones eyebrow enhancer
This is a great product to add some illumination to your eyebrows, giving them a 3D effect. This easy to use brow highlighter can be used as a stand alone product to give your brows a subtle revamp or over the top of your other products so they don't look flat and unnatural. A great product to soften heavy looking brows.
The post Get Wow Eyebrows With Our Top 6 Products appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Neil Laybourn And Jonny Benjamin On Managing Mental Health During COVID appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>In recognition of their services, Neil and Jonny were listed in the Mental Health Speakers Agency's Top 11 Mental Health Speakers for Your 2021 Corporate Conference. They regularly attend internal business events to share their guidance, to improve workplace wellbeing and resilience to stress.
We recently sat down with Jonny and Neil to hear their top tips for wellbeing, especially since the UK's Covid-19 restrictions have eased.
Covid-19 has led many to feel isolated; what is the long term impact of the pandemic on people's mental wellbeing?
Neil: "I think the impact of Covid-19 has obviously been devastating for a lot of people. That goes without saying. I think, in the context of mental health broadly, for those who may not have been affected by grief or have been living with their family so may not have experienced isolation, there certainly is still a negative side to it.
"In conversations I've had, and I think in my own experience, there's something around losing a bit of control or losing the certainty of what you can plan to do in the future. When you lose certainty and you lose the ability to plan, it really has a negative impact on your mental health.
"Many people are thinking, even this time next year, 'can I really plan that wedding?', 'can I really see my friends?', 'can I really do the things that keep me grounded?' When you lose that sense of grounding it can be quite disorientating and disruptive.
"But then, there's been a positive impact too. I think [Covid-19] has been a completely fresh start for people. It's made them re-evaluate their work, given them an opportunity to have more flexibility and spend more time with family. And I think the biggest thing is, it's given everybody a chance to experience gratitude, because you don't realise what you have until it's been taken away."
Jonny: "Reflecting on what Neil said about positives, because it's been such a difficult year and it'd be nice to take some sort of positive away from this. I guess the positive is that we are talking about mental health so much more, we're so much more aware of it now.
"I think before the pandemic, particularly in the UK, we were talking about mental health, but throughout the pandemic I've seen so much more focus on mental health and wellbeing.
"I hear about it constantly in the news, and I think that won't stop now. We're not going to go backwards, hopefully we will only go forwards. Workplaces, schools, just society in general is taking it more seriously, and that can only be a good thing."
Jonny, what made you want to launch the #FindMike campaign, and did you expect it to gain such nationwide recognition?
Jonny: "When I launched my campaign, I never expected it to get the focus and attention that it got. I just didn't know what would come of it, really. But I really wanted to raise awareness of mental illness and suicide – the statistics kind of speak for themselves when it comes to suicides. Around the world, every 40 seconds, someone takes their own life. It's shocking, it's almost one million every single year.
"So, I wanted to raise awareness of suicide in particular because suicide is such a difficult topic for people to address. In spite of the statistics, it's still quite taboo and people don't know how to address it. People don't even know where to start.
"My campaign was obviously about finding the guy that stopped me on the bridge, but also about raising awareness of suicide in particular."
What is one piece of advice you both would give to someone whose friend/family member is suffering with mental health issues?
Neil: "We get asked often, 'what advice would you give to somebody who's struggling?', 'how can you be that support for somebody?' It's really tough to do.
"First of all, and anybody can do this whether you've had some training or whether it's your first time having a conversation, I think trying to just be yourself in that conversation is really, really key.
"It's really good to let that person just get out what they're trying to say. And if they're struggling to talk, we have something that has become more evident over the years, which is called 'shared vulnerability'. So, if you think they're trying to get something out and they just can't find the words or they're feeling embarrassed, sharing something about yourself, which is rather personal in the same context, can help that person to relate and feel comfortable.
"I'm a really big believer in the environment that you're having the conversation in. So maybe some settings aren't the best place, for example, in the workplace. We're expected now to be able to support colleagues, but maybe the office environment isn't the best place. So, inviting that person to go for a walk or go for coffee can really take somebody out of that place and put them in an environment where they feel they can talk."
Jonny, coming from a different experience, what would you like to add to that?
Jonny: "It's important to know that you don't have to be alone if you're supporting someone.
"Over the years, I've got so many emails and messages and even people coming up during the talks, to say the same: 'my friend, my sibling, my child won't talk. They won't get help. I don't know what to do'.
"We always say it's important that you look after yourself, as well. If you're in that situation, know that you don't have to go through it alone. People often think they have to carry the burden on their own shoulders. But, if you're a parent, if you're a sibling, if you're a child, there is support for you as well.
"And if you've got any sort of worries or fears, don't be afraid to pick up the phone, contact a helpline and say, 'I'm struggling with this person. I don't know what to do'. And they'll be able to guide you because it's so hard to do it alone."
What message do you have for people who are currently struggling with their mental health?
Jonny: "If someone is struggling with their mental health, they have to remember that they're definitely not alone. And I know that's a cliche, but you're really, really not alone. I thought when I was really unwell, when I was in hospital with my mental health, I thought I was the only one.
"I thought, 'what other 20 year old is going to be really unwell like this in a psychiatric hospital?' But, when I started getting out there and working in mental health, I realised I definitely wasn't alone and mental health issues are so, so, so common.
"It always amazes me, when I give a talk, the amount of people that come up at the end of the talk and say, 'I've been through something', whether it's depression, anxiety, schizophrenia or borderline personality disorder, I'm always struck by the amount of people that say they've been through something similar.
"You realise that you are 100% not alone.
"The fact is that there is help and support out there. And, you know, it can be hard to access support sometimes with the mental health systems that we've got. But there is support. We work with a lot of different charities, so many amazing third sector organisations out there that could offer help and support. And so do reach out, please, reach out."
More Info here: https://mentalhealthspeakers.co.uk/news/mental-health-speakers-corporate-conference
How To Help A Friend Who Is Struggling With Mental Health Issues
The post Neil Laybourn And Jonny Benjamin On Managing Mental Health During COVID appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Gwinganna's Succulent Marinated Slow Roasted Lamb Recipe appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Gwinganna's Succulent Marinated Slow Roasted Lamb Recipe
serves 4
Ingredients
- 1 tsp fennel seeds
- 2 tsp cumin seeds
- 2 tsp coriander seeds
- 2 tsp ground paprika
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp allspice
- 2 medium brown onions, peeled and diced
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 6 garlic cloves, crushed
- 1–1.2kg lamb shoulder, bone in
- 6 sprigs thyme
- 2 carrots, cut in half lengthways
- 2 leeks, tips removed
- 2 waxy potatoes, thickly sliced
Instructions
Preheat oven to 150°C and toast all spices for 6–10 minutes, tossing once. Cool and grind in a spice grinder or mortar and pestle. Process diced onions in a blender until liquidised.
Make a marinade for the lamb combining the onion puree, a little olive oil, salt, crushed garlic and the blended spices. Place lamb, thyme and the marinade mix into a bag and rub marinade into and all over the lamb shoulder, massaging it briefly. Seal and refrigerate overnight, turning once and massaging again. Keep in marinade for up to 2 days.
Preheat oven to 150°C. Place carrots, leeks and thickly sliced potatoes in the bottom of a heavy based cast iron saucepan, remove lamb and marinade from bag and place lamb onto vegetables adding any juices from the bag. Pour 2cm of water into the bottom of saucepan, making sure it doesn't touch the meat. Cover with baking paper, then a lid, and bake in for 31/2 hours, or until meat is falling off the bone. Let meat rest for 30 minutes–1 hour before serving. Serve with the vegetables.
ABOUT GWINGANNA
Ecotourism Certified, Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat is a complete health and wellness escape to help you re-focus on health. This expansive low tech Gold Coast location offers a range of fully inclusive wellness packages with extensive facilities and unique spa services, organic cuisine, diverse activities and wellness education. Look for the native koalas and wallabies around the property and soak up the peaceful surrounds of nature.
The post Gwinganna's Succulent Marinated Slow Roasted Lamb Recipe appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Is Vegan Leather Really Eco-Friendly? appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>How times have changed.
Looking back, Stella McCartney might be the most memorable high-end designer to successfully marry the idea of fake leather with style. The brand is certainly still the epitome of luxury vegan leather goods. Associating the look with a cause is nothing short of clever marketing, however the phrase was first born.
But is vegan leather really sustainable?
The answer is the same as that for just about any question related to sustainability: It depends.
There aren't any regulations governing what materials can be marketed as vegan leather, leaving brands with a wide berth to piggy-back off the popularity of the term. The only thing you can be assured of is that vegan leather is not made of any animal products.
The OGs – PU and PVC
A vast majority of vegan leather is actually just plastic hiding under a friendly name and an expensive price tag. Polyurethane (PU) and polyvinal chloride (PVC) –still the most common vegan leather materials – are made from fossil fuels so their manufacture emits carbon dioxide. If left to degrade, PVC produces microparticles that eventually end up in waterways and kill marine life.
Even water-based PU, which is often marketed as the more eco-friendly form of PU, is not actually very eco-friendly because it is still bonded to a synthetic fabric such as nylon, which is made with its own energy and water intensive processes.
Read: Sarah Wilson on tackling our huge plastic problem
On the flip-side, PU and PVC are highly recyclable, so they can reappropriated into different products over and over again. And while different manufacturers go to varying lengths to minimise their impacts, the recycling and re-manufacturing of plastic is generally considered less energy and water intensive than the production of the original PU and PVC products. So products made from recycled PU and PVC fibres are considered more sustainable than their original counterparts because they contribute to a circular economy; They reduce the need to extract virgin (raw natural) materials from the environment AND they prevent the material from becoming true waste.
Emerging materials
Thanks to technology, plant-based materials such as cork, pineapple and mushroom are making their way into mainstream fashion. But organic doesn't always mean better; The material alone is not enough to judge something as sustainable or not. You have to delve deeper into how crops are grown, harvested and manufactured. Even traditional organic materials come with environmental issues if they aren't carefully managed, like cotton and its association with pesticides and water.
Cactus leather is exciting because the leaf is abundant, requires little to no irrigation, is easy to manufacture, and a small amount of leaf goes a long way.
The best plant-based accessories are those made with by-products that would have otherwise gone to waste. An Auburn university researcher has found a way to turn a fermented green tea by-product into shoes that were found in trials to be even more comfortable and durable than leather.
Quick tips for buying vegan leather
- Look further than raw materials to how those materials were harvested and manufactured. If the brand doesn't make that information readily known on their website, reach out and ask them.
- Recycled plastics are better than virgin plastics. Organic materials are better than plastics. And organic materials made from waste by-products in a reduced energy and water intensive way are benchmark (in my humble opinion).
- Shop less overall, and choose forever rather than seasonal accessories; Whatever they're made from, a pair of shoes aren't really sustainable if you wear them once and then lose interest in them. Aim for pieces that have a long-standing home in your wardrobe and bring you joy for years to come.
- If you are ready to retire your pieces or they break, never put them in your red bin or send them off to landfill; For broken products, reach out to the brand and find out if they have a donation policy (to give your product a second life), and consider resale for products that are still in good condition.
The post Is Vegan Leather Really Eco-Friendly? appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Divorce And How To Deal With It: Here's What Cody Did appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>As lovely as the wedding day is, the divorce figures aren't so pretty. According to the latest Australian Bureau of Statistics, over 118,000 couples marry annually, but sadly over 47,000 are granted a divorce in the same year.
Preparing for a divorce is not usually top of mind when your relationship is in a happy place – you would never think that your spouse would just up and leave. But that's exactly what happened to Cody Jarrett, ex-wife of well-known Australian actor John Jarratt. Jarrett was married to the actor for eight years when he suddenly left her to return to his first wife, leaving Cody with two young boys, two dogs, two cats, a mortgage and a pile of bills. "I spent the first few months completely floundering and overwhelmed", Cody says. "I had never been in this situation before and I had no idea where to start or begin. I had no one to guide me and felt alone. I knew I needed guidance, but found nowhere or no-one to turn to."
Three years on and Cody has taken her loss and lessons to launch an online resource and six-week program called Starting Over. Starting Over gives women a framework and structure to navigate through the emotional, financial, legal and logistical implications of separation, vowing to hold their hand through each step. The workbook-based support program is supported by a website and online community and focuses on one key theme per week – Financial, Emotional, Legal, House & Home, Health & Wellbeing and Business & Career. The themes are deliberate, Cody says. They address the main areas women seem to gain paralysis by analysis. Starting Over takes away the overwhelm and provides a light in a dark tunnel, step-by-step, week-by-week.
Here, Cody shares a sneak peak of the break-up stumbling blocks and quick tips to get you back on track…
FINANCIAL
The paralysis: For most people in a relationship finances are inextricably linked, to the point where untangling them all seems impossible because they can't see to the end of the paper trail, let alone find the beginning. So how do you make a start? There's also the very real issue of how to survive day to day because most women end up financially worse after a separation.
Quick tip: If your split has been adversarial, don't play nice and wait and hope he'll do the right thing. Protect yourself and your kids by putting away some money into your own account [open one if you don't have one!] and closing down any joint accounts.
EMOTIONAL
The paralysis: If you take a physical battering in life, it's not just necessary, but accepted, that you'll take time out to heal. But your heart, even if it's broken, is not out in open view, and you've just got to get on with the everyday tasks of living. People are less sympathetic about emotional trauma than physical trauma, so you feel as though you have to hide the emotional bruises and put them on hold just to keep going.
Quick tip: Get your feelings out in whatever way feels right; talk to friends, cry your eyes out, or make a voodoo doll! Holding it in now will lead to a bigger explosion later on.
LEGAL
The paralysis: Imagine if someone just started tossing you letters in a foreign language that you didn't speak, and asked you to decipher them. Even with Google translate, it would be daunting! The law is like that; it has a power and a language of it's own that many women find intimidating and difficult to understand. Especially when they come to realise it's less about justice and more about semantics and technicalities, they literally feel incapable of dealing with it.
Quick tip: Go through a divorce consultant instead of a lawyer who will not just look at the bigger picture, but break it down for you in more digestible chunks [and charge you less too].
HOUSE & HOME
The paralysis: If there are too many things occupying a space around you, it's difficult to move. Kind of like trying to push your way through a crowd at New Year's Eve. After a separation, your home feels like that too; it's not just that all the other person's belongings might be there, but the air still feels thick with their presence, and memories and reminders, and that makes it hard to do anything except just stand still.
Quick tip: Reclaim your home by removing all his things and add at least one new personal item in each room to signify it's your space now.
HEALTH AND WELLBEING
The paralysis: We only care for our bodies when we care – full stop. But straight after a separation, you feel like all the caring has gone; someone caring for you, you caring for them, and sadly, caring for yourself. Self-esteem takes a huge battering. So does your health. It's a big enough task to get through the day, let alone focus on vitamins and vitality.
Quick tip: Find an exercise buddy you can cry with, walk with and chat with to get you out of your head and your house. Match every margarita with mineral water, and every ice-cream with I scream to keep your emotional wellbeing intact!
BUSINESS AND CAREER
The paralysis: For a lot of women, their role shifts to having to be full-time Mum and full-time worker just to survive. Or they might have to face the prospect of working again after a long time out of the workforce. Both options are scary. We've been told we can have it all, but did that include having it all alone?
Quick tip: Think laterally. Don't just make a list of the jobs you've done; make a list of the skills you have, to open up more options. For example, if you worked in retail, think about selling on-line; if you were are an accountant, think about bookkeeping for small businesses, or if you did voice-over work, but there's none around, think about phone sex – good pay and you can do it in your PJ's!
Have you recently separated or divorced? What was helpful to get you through?
https://thecarousel.com/food/does-food-numb-emotional-pain-heres-how-to-find-out/
The post Divorce And How To Deal With It: Here's What Cody Did appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Why The Circular Economy Is Good For Your Wallet And The Planet appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Planet Ark is Australia's leading environmental behaviour change organisation. Since 1992 we've been helping Australians reduce their impact on the planet through positive environmental actions. Now we're on a mission to bring the circular economy from theory to action! We want to help Australia transition away from our current linear, take-make-dispose economic model – which has significant impacts on our planet and future – to a model that keeps resources and materials in use for as long as possible and at their highest value.
We recently partnered with Australia's favourite online community marketplace, Gumtree, to raise awareness of how easy it is for everyday people to participate in the circular economy. The partnership will help us share just how important reuse and repair is in reducing our collective environmental impact, as well as amplify the social, environmental, and financial benefits of circularity.
Gumtree users or 'Gummies' actively participate in the circular economy, whether they are aware of it not, and you can too through their online marketplace. Gumtree's latest research report, Trading in the Circular Economy, found Australians saved 110 million items from landfill in the past year alone through online trading. Despite this impressive number, 87 per cent of us are still holding onto pre-loved or unused items that could be sold through circular trading.
And there's money to be made in online trading. The report estimates the average Australian household is holding onto approximately $5,300 worth of pre-loved items they could sell. Collectively, the value of trading in the circular economy in Australia could be worth more than $48 billion!
Keeping products in use for longer is imperative to retaining the value of the product in the economy. This can be done by making a commitment to buying pre-loved items where possible rather than always buying new. Pre-loved vehicles are a great example of how a product kept in use for longer can provide much greater long-term value, as maintaining a vehicle provides a higher return on the resources invested in manufacturing it. Additionally, buying a pre-loved vehicle is more often than not significantly cheaper than buying new, offering environmental and financial savings.
Planet Ark's 'Reuse Hub' on the Recycling Near You website – Australia's one-stop shop for recycling information – provides information on the importance of reuse and repair and lists resources to help Australians get involved in this growing sector.
We really need to rethink our current model of how we use and consume products. The linear approach is no longer working – we have finite natural resources on the planet, despite our increasing extraction and consumption of these resources. If we want our future existence to even closely resemble our current standard of living, we need all Australians to realise the advantages of participating in the circular economy.
The Carousel would like to thank Dr Nicole Garofano, Head of Circular Economy Development at Planet Ark, for her story.
The post Why The Circular Economy Is Good For Your Wallet And The Planet appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Plantopedia: History of House Plants appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The story goes that King Nebuchadnezzar II commissioned the gardens for his wife, Queen Amytis, who missed the lush greenery of her home in Persia. What a guy!
The resulting gardens resembled the verdant mountains of her birthplace, filled with olive, quince, pistachio, pear, date and fig trees. Mysteriously, even though the Hanging Gardens are one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, their exact location has never been discovered, and with conflicting accounts about their origin and no archaeological proof of their existence, these gardens may always remain a beautiful myth.
There are, however, well-documented accounts from Ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome of wealthy citizens tending to plants in their sprawling estates, either indoors or in their courtyards, often with a focus on edible and flowering species. Over in Asia, the art of Bonsai, where small trees are cultivated to mimic the shape and scale of full-size trees, began in China between the second and fifth Centuries CE.
In Europe, the popularity of houseplants is thought to have declined after the fall of the Western Roman Empire in the 5th century CE until the start of the Renaissance in the late 14th century when they came back into vogue in a big way.
As European countries ravaged and colonised the Americas, Africa, Asia and Oceania, they also brought back with them botanical specimens for the purposes of growing food, scientific study, commercial production and display. The rich began to showcase their wealth by growing plants in orangeries (early greenhouses), which allowed citrus as well as other tropical plants to be grown in colder climates.
But while the wealthy have long enjoyed the pleasure of houseplants, it wasn't until the 19th century that the pursuit spread to the middle classes. As increasing numbers of tropical and subtropical plants were imported from across the globe, the fashion for houseplants peaked. Aspidistra, for example, described by British botanist John Bellenden Ker Gawler in 1822, was introduced to the UK where it earned the common name 'cast-iron plant' because it was capable of surviving in even the darkest of homes.
As glass became more readily available, conservatories began popping up in English gardens, and by the 20th century, advances in lighting and heating allowed for an even greater variety of plants to be grown indoors.As with all things, the popularity of indoor plants has waxed and waned. The start of the 20th century saw a shift in attitudes as modernity entered the home and the plant-filled interiors of Victorian England seemed decidedly old-fashioned.
The architectural forms of cacti and succulents fitted more appropriately with the style of the day and their appeal grew. By the end of World War II, there was again a proliferation in the popularity of indoor plants as they livened up the often drab and sterile workplaces of the time. These hardy plants, tolerant of low-light conditions, soon migrated to homes where people were increasingly living in apartments.
This, along with the rise in popularity of Scandinavian design, including the Swedish passion for indoor plants, such as the Swiss cheese plant and lush Boston fern, saw yet another revival in the 1970s. Fast forward to the 2020s and houseplants are, once again, back in the limelight where they rightly belong. Recent studies have shown that houseplants increase concentration, productivity and general well-being, meaning that hopefully they are here to stay, as we learn to appreciate the huge benefits of living with greenery.anoteonthehistoryofbotany
In addition to acknowledging the often white, Western role in the world of botany and horticulture, we feel a greater discussion is needed about the ways in which the science was established, often at the detriment of First Nations people. In the pursuit of cultivating economic crops for empire building, local inhabitants were often exploited for labour, and their history and knowledge of local botany was ignored or erased.
Despite the language commonly used by many of us, it stands to reason that European botanists were not the first to 'discover' certain plants, rather they were the first to record them using Western methodologies. This is indeed a complex issue, and there is a lot of learning to be done within the industry to address the history of many national botanical collections around the world. We all need to educate ourselves about the true narrative and listen more deeply to First Nations people in an effort to make the world, and our plant-loving community, a more equal place.
Extracted from Plantopedia by Lauren Camilleri and Sophia Kaplan of Leaf Supply. Published by Smith Street Books, RRP $59.99.
https://www.booktopia.com.au/plantopedia-lauren-camilleri/book/9781925811773.html
The post Plantopedia: History of House Plants appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Get Your Shine Back: Healthy Winter Hair Tips appeared first on The Carousel.
]]> Aveda Nutri Plenish Multi-Use Hair Oil
One squeeze-a-day is enough to get your shine back. Not just a one-off product to control against dryness and frizz, Aveda's oil improves the condition of your hair long-term to keep your hair looking salon-polished throughout the winter season.
Schwarzkopf Professional Powdery Blow Dry Spray
This is a game-changer in the world of hairspray. Out with the old heavy, stiff and sticky hairspray, Schwarzkopff Professional's new salon only range keeps your flyaways in control whilst keeping the natural texture and movement of your hair. Spray onto damp hair during your blow dry for volume, bounce and shine.
Schwarzkopf Professional Dry Salt Spray
Another Schwarzkopf Professional treasure because we can't get enough! We find that beachy/salty sprays can end up clumping the hair and making it sticky, however this new aerosol distributes the product perfectly evenly. If your style is less salon-perfect and more relaxed and tousled, this should be top of your wish list!
Davroe Argan Oil Instant Treatment
Argan oil is a well-known hair saver, we love this treatment because of it's weightless, non-greasy texture. This works wonders for dry hair to restore moisture and strengthen your hair's cuticles whatever the weather.
IGK Rich Kid Coconut Oil Gel
Get your natural softness back with this dreamy gel. We love the versatility! Use it to slick back your ponytail or work it into the mid-lengths of your hair to create relaxed waves. Added bonus of a divine coconut smell.
The post Get Your Shine Back: Healthy Winter Hair Tips appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Threadicated CEO Danielle Johansen: 'What Inspired My Virtual Styling Business' appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Tell us about Threadicated?
We are an end to end online personal styling service. We like to think of ourselves as the ultimate matchmaker, using the expertise of our personal stylist, combined with technology to send customers a five-piece parcel of clothing and accessories that fit well and we think they'll love; they keep the items they love and return the rest. Customers love having an expert stylist do the shopping for them and enjoy the convenience and simplicity of our service.
How did you come to develop the concept?
I was in a retail store and saw a sign promoting their styling service. I asked the sales assistant about it as I thought it would make a great gift for my mum, but when I found out you had to come in-store for the styling service, it made me think again as she lived hours away. It got me thinking personal styling should be available to everyone no matter where they live, or where they shop. And when I saw no one in Australia was offering an online delivered-to-your-door styling service, I decided to do it myself.
What inspired you to take a leap of faith as an entrepreneur?
I love books and had just finished listening to an audible book, Brene Brown's "Daring Greatly" I love her and find her advice to be so refreshing and easy to absorb. There was one phrase in the book that I could not shake, "choose courage over comfort". I think all great things happen when you decide to get out of your comfort zone, so I decided to take the leap and follow my dreams.
Around the same time I was listening to "Of gold and dust" which is the journey of the amazing Australian jewellery designer Samantha Wills, and I felt throughout the whole book she was talking to me about taking the leap of faith. I messaged her on Instagram telling her how much her book inspired me and she wrote back encouraging me to follow my dreams.
How did your background influence your love for fashion?
Probably one of the first times I felt influenced by fashion and knew I wanted a life around fashion was when I was watching The Parent Trap with the late Natasha Richardson and Lindsay Lohan. Natasha was in bed speaking French to a supplier on the phone and in comes Lindsay Lohan, Natasha suggested they head to her design studio for a fashion shoot. And it was all so glamorous and the fashion shoot just looked like the most fun. At that point I knew I wanted to be around fashion, and learn French. I am still working on learning French part.
What keeps you motivated during these uncertain times?
Definitely our customers, they are the focus for absolutely everything we do. And they motivate me every single day, when someone contacts us after we have sent them a parcel saying they didn't think they could look this good again, after having a baby. Or that they weren't sure if they should go for the promotion at work until they tried on the blazer we sent them. It shows us with each piece we send we are making a positive difference in people's lives, and that is a huge driver knowing with each piece we send we are changing people's lives.
What informs your work ethic?
I am a self starter, easily motivated by what I want to achieve. It helps me to always push forward. I also like to think how my actions could affect others and I try to ensure I am making the right decision for the greater good rather than just what is needed right now.
Do you have a vision for yourself in 5, 10 years?
For Threadicated , I see the opportunity to not only help Australians look good and feel great, but to take our service globally.
Somewhere down the track when I have a lot more time on my hands I would love to live in France for a year or so, immerse myself in the culture. I find French style to be so effortlessly chic and inspirational. And I love champagne, warm croissants and cheese so it is a perfect fit.
Meet The Founder Of Threadicated: Your Ultimate Online Stylist
The post Threadicated CEO Danielle Johansen: 'What Inspired My Virtual Styling Business' appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Jamie Oliver's Toffee Apple Loaf Cake Recipe appeared first on The Carousel.
]]> Serves 10 to 12
Total time 45 to 50 minutes
INGREDIENTS
300g self-raising flour
175g golden caster sugar
200ml semi-skimmed milk
175ml grapeseed or sunfower oil
1 large free-range egg 1 lemon
1⁄2 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1⁄2 tablespoon ground ginger
2 eating apples
4 tablespoons soft brown sugar
METHOD
1 Preheat the oven to 180C/350F/gas 4. Line a loaf tin (roughly 12cm x 22cm x 7cm deep) with greaseproof paper.
2 Mix the flour, caster sugar, milk, oil and egg together in a bowl until lovely and smooth.
3 Finely grate in the lemon zest, add the cinnamon and ginger, then stir through the mixture.
4 Core and finely slice the apples, place them in a separate bowl and squeeze over half the lemon juice. Add 3 tablespoons of the soft brown sugar and mix well with your hands, making sure all of the slices are coated.
5 Transfer the cake mixture to the lined tin, then pile the apple slices on top, gently pushing them down into the sponge mixture.
6 Scatter over the remaining tablespoon of soft brown sugar, then bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until golden and risen. To check it's cooked through, poke a cocktail stick or skewer into the centre of the cake;
if it comes out clean, it's ready.
7 Leave to cool for a few minutes in the tin, then lift out and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Jamie Oliver's tip
This basic sponge recipe is super-versatile and works for muffins too – swap the apples, spices and brown sugar for drained tinned cherries, a squeeze of fresh orange juice and a dash of almond extract, then divide between muffin cases and bake. Top with icing and toasted almonds, if you like.
The post Jamie Oliver's Toffee Apple Loaf Cake Recipe appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Sharon Williams: The Secrets Behind Growing Your Business During The Pandemic appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Robyn:So I'm delighted to have Sharon Williams here today from Taurus Marketing. Tell us some of the lessons you have learnt in the last year?
Sharon:So marketing is always changing and I've been in business for a long time.
Robyn:26 years no less!
Sharon:Yes, and I've seen a lot of change and this year has been a catalyst for more change than ever and the biggest thing for us as marketers this year was the importance of internal communication. Empathy is the new brand currency. Brands that were struggling to deal with Covid, cash flow, safety, families, and just trying to survive had to really show a much deeper understanding of empathy in the markets they were working with. It's important to be empathetic to everyone, to suppliers to staff to office workers to everybody. That was really the main theme and what we have driven since Covid first hit.
Robyn:How have you done that? We were talking earlier about how you introduced tea time to meetings and sent roses and have just done lovely things that have lifted people around you and changed the way business meetings have been conducted.
Sharon:If you're leading with empathy for people and leading with taking care of people, then 'experiential' suddenly starts to come back to the floor. So you're looking at your breakdown of audiences and what they need at this point, and if you're leading with empathy what you need to do is see how they're feeling and most people have been frightened and concerned and worried and scared during that period, so what we led with was experiences to make them all feel better with whatever that was.
Robyn:How have you helped your own team and their mental health through this period?
Sharon:Yes, well they've been the priority. They were immediately sent home so they were safe, OH&S was contacted so we knew they were working in an environment that they would be able to sustain. I'm very lucky, I've got a fantastic team with me and we've been together a long time. And so immediate zooms, social zooms, buddy systems, connecting every morning at 9:30 for a team meeting and then yes taking care of them. So we've sent a pack of dog biscuits if they've got a new puppy, a Covid puppy. If they've got somebody in hospital or if they're caring for an elderly parent then we just try to tailor our approach to them as we did with our clients and our network.
Robyn:I think one of the fundamental thing is also we've learnt to be more caring and aware that many people are going through difficult times and we don't know what they are necessarily. I had a friend tell me his mother was on a ventilator, you just do not know what's going on in some people's lives. Like you, I agree we all need to be more empathetic and caring.
Sharon:And you just asked me about mental health and interestingly one of our clients whom we signed up during this time was a psychiatrist. He immediately got us into checklists and the environment of what we could do to make life better and it was really great to learn first hand what we would do for clients and team members and my own family. Our teams and family were our prime responsibility.
Robyn:So going forward, what's happening for Taurus Marketing?
Sharon:I've been running Taurus for 26 years so my challenge is always is to never accept the status quo and to continue to blow it up and reinvent what we do. I'm really excited about looking at the bullseye methodology that I created and extending that out and seeing what that looks like for clients. We're terribly excited to have moved our office headquarters to Barangaroo in Sydney.
Robyn:Yes that is exciting!
Sharon:It's been the absolute highlight for us. I feel like the team and I have really stepped up, we've got an office in the clouds and it's all so exciting. We want to maximise that opportunity, we're in the most exciting part of town that is when we are out of lockdown. I'm looking to lift the game on every level.
Robyn: Just tell us some of the tips in your Taurus Bullseye, the things you really started 26 years ago that have been part of the values that have guided you right through your business to today. Explain to us more about that Bullseye approach.
Sharon:The Bullseye is like a dart board, so if you were throwing a dart you'd want to hit the centre and we always say to people we work with and indeed my own family and my own team, you ought to know where you're heading and what success looks like and then identify that and work backwards so that the premise never changes. And it has been the same and consistent for all of these year and gotten us through global financial crises and it's got me through, too.
Robyn:One of the things you've overcome is breast cancer, you're a friend of mine but also someone I know that has a tremendous resilience and I've always admired that in you.
Sharon:Thank you Robyn. So that resilience has pulled me and my businesses through no matter what. So it was very exciting for me to look at the Bullseye this year and go yes crisis comms, internal comms, experiential, empathy, they're all of the things that are going to be foremost for us to get through the pandemic. And of course elasticity, with resilience, you've got to have a half cup full look at life otherwise it's pretty hard going.
Robyn: I've got to say you've always been a glass full person and someone that's always been an inspiration to me. So thank you for talking to me today Sharon and best of luck with Taurus, I'm sure it'll go on for another 26 years.
Sharon:Thanks Robyn, that's lovely.
The post Sharon Williams: The Secrets Behind Growing Your Business During The Pandemic appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Singapore Noodles With Prawns & Roast Duck appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Singapore Noodles With Prawns & Roast Duck
Serves 4
INGREDIENTS
200 g rice vermicelli
1 tablespoon Malaysian curry powder
100 ml light soy sauce
100 ml rice wine
2 teaspoons caster sugar
2 large garlic cloves, sliced
2 tablespoons finely grated ginger
1 long green chilli, finely chopped
3 spring onions, white and pale green parts, cut into 4-cm batons
1 handful of green beans, finely sliced into rounds
1⁄2 red capsicum, finely sliced
4 shiitake mushrooms, sliced
6 water chestnuts, sliced
50 g peas
1⁄4 wombok, shredded
1⁄2 Chinese roast duck, meat and skin picked and shredded
6 large green prawn cutlets, deveined and finely chopped
2 tablespoons peanut oil (or other neutral oil)
2 eggs, beaten with a pinch of salt
1 handful of coriander leaves
METHOD
1 Soak the vermicelli in boiling water for 45 seconds. Drain and set aside in a sieve for about 30 minutes, tossing occasionally to stop the noodles clumping together.
2 Combine half the curry powder with the soy, rice wine and sugar in a small bowl.
3 Add the noodles to a large bowl and pour over the curry and soy mix. Toss gently until the noodles are well coated.
4 So that you can add the ingredients to the hot wok quickly, add the garlic, ginger, chilli, spring onion and the remaining curry powder to one bowl, the beans, capsicum, mushrooms, water chestnuts, peas and wombok to another, and the duck and prawns to a third. Have a small glass or jug of water on hand to add a splash to the wok if the noodles start to dry out.
5 Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a wok over high heat until it starts to smoke. Add the garlic and ginger mix and stir-fry for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the vegetables, stir-fry for about 2 minutes and tip out into a bowl.
6 Add the remaining oil to the wok over high heat and add the duck and prawns. Stir-fry for 2–3 minutes, push to the side of the wok and tip in the egg. As the egg sets and starts to stick to the wok, gently scramble it through the duck and prawns. Add the vegetables back to the wok and stir through briefly. Add the noodles and toss for 2–3 minutes to heat the noodles through and ensure that everything is combined, adding a splash of water if necessary. Tip onto a platter, scatter over the coriander and serve.
Recipe from New Kitchen by Karen Martini. Available now, Plum, RRP $44.99
The post Singapore Noodles With Prawns & Roast Duck appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Disney Princesses! Here's What They Look Like Without Makeup! appeared first on The Carousel.
]]> 
Mulan still looks pretty as ever without her signature winged liner and red lippie.
Elsa had one of the biggest transformations without her purple smokey eye and matching pink lipstick.
We thinkJasmine looks just as nice without her peepers lined with kohl.
Pocahontas' beautiful lips looked luscious as ever.
Images courtesy of Buzzfeed. Click here for more Disney stories.
The post Disney Princesses! Here's What They Look Like Without Makeup! appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Celebrity trainer James Duigan: How To Get Leaner Legs appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Filmed exclusively for TheCarousel, follow James as he takes you through some simple exercises to achieve leaner legs that can be done anywhere at any time of day and require no equipment.
The Disco Lunge is fantastic for your posture, it is a great fat burner, it engages your tummy and it tones your legs. Stand tall in perfect posture with your thumbs up. As you lunge forward throw your arms back up over your head. Remember to keep your tummy engaged and land on your heel as you lunge forward.
The Drop Lunge is a great way of stretching through the hip and working your butt at different angles, which keeps your body guessing and burning more fat. It is also great for stability and keeping your joints healthy and safe. Make sure you keep your tummy engaged and your belly button drawn in and your hips stay facing forward.
The single leg Romanian deadlift is brilliant for improving your stability, and burning fat and toning your butt. As always keep your tummy drawn in and engaged so that your spine stays safe, and keep your hips facing forward.
For more tips on getting a leaner, more toned look, visit www.bodyism.com
Press play to watch or simply read what was said below.
JAMES:Hi there, my name is James Duigan, founder of Bodyism and author of the 'Clean and Lean' diet books. Welcome to our exclusive series of films for TheCarousel.
This week we are going to show you three simple exercises designed to give you long, lean, beautiful legs.
The disco lunge is my favourite exercise, it is also the favourite of supermodels the world over. It is fantastic for your posture, it is a great fat burner, it engages your tummy and it tones your legs.
Stand tall in perfect posture with your thumbs up. It's a fantastic way of engaging the deep postural muscles. As you lunge forward throw your arms back up over your head. What this does is help your spine into extension.
Key things to remember are keep your tummy engaged and land on your heel as you lunge forward.
The drop lunge is a great way of stretching through the hip and working your butt at different angles, which keeps your body guessing and burning more fat. It is also great for stability and keeping your joints healthy and safe.
Make sure you keep your tummy engaged and your belly button drawn in towards your spine and also make sure your hips stay facing forward.
Aim for between 10-15 reps on each leg. Obviously if you can't, then stay where you can and take it easy.
This exercise is the single leg Romanian deadlift. It's not as scary as it sounds but it is brilliant for improving your stability, and burning fat, and toning your butt.
Make sure that you maintain perfect posture all the way through the movement. As always keep your tummy drawn in and engaged so that your spine stays safe, and keep your hips facing forward.
Repeat this ten times to get the most out of the exercise.
Today I have shown you three simple exercises that you can do every day, anywhere for beautiful legs.
Thanks for watching.
The post Celebrity trainer James Duigan: How To Get Leaner Legs appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Swimming With Whale Sharks on Ningaloo Reef in WA appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Submerging yourself into the pristine blue water of Western Australia's Ningaloo Reef is one of life's truly unforgettable experiences. Along with its reefs, surf breaks and fishing, the region is famous for its spectacular whale sharks and world renowned marine wildlife.
Whale sharks are the gentle giants of the sea and the world's biggest fish. But it's not just whale sharks which attract tourists to the Ningaloo Reef Marine Park, there's also a treasure trove of manta rays, turtles, dolphins, sharks and even dungogs.
It's easy to see why a close-up encounter of whale sharks is on many people's bucket list. The sheer size of these creatures is breathtaking in itself and it's hard not to be overcome by a sense of wonderment and serenity as you witness them gracefully glide through the water. Our encounter with a 4 metre and later a 6 metre whale shark was captured by Alex Kydd, an award winning marine photographer, who was working with Coral Bay Eco Tours.
The three hour Ningaloo Whales tour covers more than whale sightings as you experience two snorkel sites where the coral formations and colourful schools of fish and sharks in all shapes and sizes is spectacular. Swimming in the outer reef, we saw a green turtle, dusky whaler, bronzed whaler, white and black tip sharks and a spinner sharks. Even veteran marine expert Alex said it was unusual to witness so many breeds of sharks in one swim. Equally, he said that not one outing is the same. Shortly after hopping out of the water, Alex jumped straight back in to photograph the hammerhead shark and sea snake seen in the pictures above
Whale sharks grow up to 12 metres long and have 1.5m-wide mouths with over 300 rows of teeth. Weighing in between 15 and 20 tons, they are covered in a checkerboard pattern that is unique to each whale shark much like human fingerprints.
Feeding on plankton, krill, small fish, and squid, whale sharks live up to 70 to 100 years. Sadly, largely due to vessel strikes, the population is at risk and they are considered a vulnerable species.
The Ningaloo Reef Marine Park, Australia's longest fringing coral reef, is a promontory jutting into the Indian Ocean which stretches 200km long. The majestic coastline is wild and at times unforgiving with spinifex and sand dunes making up most of the terrain. The long lonely white sandy beaches experience everything nature can throw at them from cyclones to furnace like temperatures which soar to 45 degrees celsius in summer. In fact, there is sunshine 320 out of 365 days a year.
Unlike the Great Barrier Reef where rainforests meet the sea, here the desert meets the sea. Rather than big cities such as Cairns and Townsville, the Ningaloo coast is home to the sleepy towns of Exmouth (population of 2,400) and the even sleepier town of Coral Bay which has one main store, one bakery and two dive shops.
Coral Bay has long been a camping ground where families arrive for an annual pilgrimage with their caravans and tents for their family holiday. For them, this quiet haven has been a long-held secret.
Now, as more people go in search of adventure, a growing number of tourists are making the journey to this incredible destination. Visitors fly into Learmouth Airport and typically head to Exmouth which is a 35km drive or Coral Bay which is 106km away. It's a trek to reach this part of the world but for those who do, they are richly rewarded.
Perth Stop-over
For those travelling from inter-state, the best way to break up the trip is to enjoy a stop-over in Perth. The brand-new
Vibe Hotel Subiacois the perfect place to stay as its just five minutes from the CBD.
Subiaco itself is a vibrant suburb with plenty of shops, restaurants, and a bustling café culture. Insider tip: This hotel has the most magnificent views across Perth's cityscape.
Situated close to the famous Regal Theatre and Kings Park where you can explore the magnificent Western Australian Botanic Garden. Stretching 400.6 hectares, Perth's biggest park displays over 3,000 species of the State's unique flora.
The post Swimming With Whale Sharks on Ningaloo Reef in WA appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post 9 Home Remedy Hacks For A Healthier You appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>But did you know you already have many of the ingredients to a slimmer, healthier and more natural you already in the kitchen cupboard?
What's more, you can make your own remedies at a fraction of the cost of the ones in the shops.
Here are just 9 of my favourites.
1. Honey and lemon weight-loss
It can be so hard to lose weight, but with a simple trick using lemon and honey, you can say goodbye to extra weight. It's an easy recipe of one teaspoon of honey and two teaspoons of lemon, mixed with a glass of warm water. Drink it on an empty stomach in the morning and you have yourself the perfect detox.
2. Face mask from the fridge
Why spend bundles of money on facials at the spa when you can make them at home? Homemade face masks work wonders, and even some celebrities use them! For dry skin, honey and yogurt are great moisturisers. Depending on your skin type, you can find amazing face mask recipes.
3. Bug bite relief
No one enjoys irritated bug bites that you just can't stop itching. Natural pastes and liquids made with ingredients you already have in your kitchen are great for reducing swelling. You can use a drop of lavender oil, make a baking soda paste or even apple cider vinegar to reduce the itch.
4. Four thieves apple cider vinegar
Thyme, rosemary, sage, lavender, mint and apple cider vinegar are the ingredients to a legendary recipe originally made by "four thieves." Once the ingredients are mixed, this concoction is used as a bug repellant and even a liquid medicine for illness.
It also reduces dandruff and even acts as a disinfectant spray for around the house.
5. Fenugreek wrinkle reliever
Fenugreek leaves are a great way to naturally fight wrinkles. The leaves are simply crushed into a paste and mixed with oil. Apply it before bed where you want to remove the wrinkles, and leave it on overnight.
6. Turmeric for dark circles
Turmeric is an anti-inflammatory that also happens to be one of many natural remedies for dark eye circles. Aside from a dark circle-fighting paste, it's also a common ingredient in meals. Its benefits range from bacteria fighting to helping with digestive issues, and even assists with menstrual cramps.
7. Soothing salt sock
Ear infections can cause awful pain. A soothing salt sock is a natural way to heal an ear infection without antibiotics. One cup of coarse sea salt placed in a clean sock, with a few drops of essential oil (lavender or tea tree), can be heated up for a few minutes by placing the sock in a pan on low/medium heat.
8. Heartburn relief
Heartburn is typically caused by not enough acid in your stomach when you first start to eat something so your stomach accidentally makes too much trying to compensate. A great way to solve this is by drinking a cup of warm water with a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar with the mother before eating. To make it taste a bit more appealing follow this ACV healthy drink recipe.
9. Elderberry syrup cold cure
Medical elderberry syrup is great when it comes to getting rid of an awful cold or flu. Put together elderberries, water, honey, cinnamon, cloves, ginger and lemon. Simmer the berries until you have a jelly-like substance, then mix it together with the other ingredients and you've got yourself medical syrup.
The post 9 Home Remedy Hacks For A Healthier You appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Lockdown Spring Clean Tips appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>There's no better time than this current lockdown than to give your home that refreshed feeling with the TLC that it deserves (unless you're home schooling and trying to WFH, in which case, we feel you!). Whether you're looking for inspiration on a full deep clean or just a few ideas to brighten up your space, ready for the new season – we've got you covered with these top tips on how to give your home the spring clean it deserves.
Decluttering before the spring clean
We know organising your rooms can be an overwhelming task and the bedroom can feel like a big one to start with. Our suggestion is to take on the almighty wardrobe first and then move onto any other drawers or dressers. Completely empty your cupboards or drawers one by one and set up three boxes; one for donating, one for the bin and one for seasonal use. Store seasonal items in a box or packing cube in the attic or garage, or if you don't have a storage room, opt for shallow storage boxes which you can place under the bed or above your wardrobe.
Once finished, if you're still struggling for space, or just can't let go of some of those clothes, investing in stackable hangers or an external shoe cabinet could be a great idea. For a visually appealing final touch, it can be helpful to organise your clothes either by type or colour.
Cleaning your workspace
Your keyboard, mouse , monitor and headphones are swarming with bacteria, up to 7000 micro-organisms in fact. And, if you're prone to eating at your desk, can you also imagine all the crumbs and sticky spills that have accumulated? Remove every single item from your desk and workspace (including shelves and cabinets), and start with a blank canvas. Sanitise all surfaces and objects, shaking out keyboards and wiping screens to remove dust and smudges.
Once you've discarded and sanitised your space, it's important to make sure that your workplace is as clear and organised as possible. The addition of a bookcase , filing cabinet or desk organisers can help keep your desk neat and tidy.
Decluttering the bathroom vanity
That body lotion set you got for Christmas four years ago and never opened? Chuck it. The tube of lipgloss you never wear but are keeping 'just in case'. Get rid of it! Stop holding on to the things you never use or are out of date (yes, those lotions and potions do have use-by dates), and make room for the things that are part of your daily routine. This also goes for replacing any broken toothbrush holders or soap dispensers .
Once you've decluttered it's important to try and keep it that way, a simple rule is to avoid leaving anything on your bathroom counter. Make sure the items that you use most are organised at the front of your cupboard or drawer and if you're out of space consider an external standing cupboard or display cabinet to help keep things organised.
Organising the pantry
Clear airtight containers keep your food fresher for longer, prevent pests, plus enable you to see stock levels. Use stickers, index cards or a label maker to label the storage. Make sure you choose the right size of containers for your space and the food that you're storing; there's no point in investing in beautiful jars if they're too tall for your shelves. Plus, don't forget to cut out any cooking instructions from the packaging that you may need.
Jute boxes and baskets add a lovely organic look to pantries, but clear boxes are very practical for being able to see what you're looking for. If you don't like the look of plastic, go for steel milk storage crates , wire baskets or silver mesh bins.
Clean your rugs
It may seem simple but in addition to regular vacuuming and spot cleaning, it's worth deep cleaning your rugs to extend their lifetime and keep them looking as good as new. Small and medium flat woven rugs made from cotton and synthetic fibres like polyester and polypropylene can be cleaned in a washing machine in cool water on a gentle cycle. It's also best to let the rugs air-dry to avoid shrinkage and fibre damage. Wool, silk and synthetic rugs, particularly those that are a lighter colour can also benefit from a professional steam clean occasionally to remove the dirt that a domestic clean can't quite lift.
The Carousel would like to thank Selma Nada Rajah, Editor, Temple & Webster for these tips!
The post Lockdown Spring Clean Tips appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Team Hard Or Team Runny? What Your Yolk Says About You… appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>In addition to answering this long-standing question on how we like our eggs in the morning, the research by Australian Eggs and Newspoll also showed that yolk preference can reveal more about a person than simply whether they are Team Hard or Team Runny. A person's style of egg can be linked to certain personality traits and behaviours, giving away some telling facts.
What does your yolk say about you?
Sunny Side Up
Sunny side up people are kind, sensitive and curious. Being morning people they are at their best between 9am and noon. Their approach to eating is laid back and they enjoy most things without worrying about nutrition. Soaking in the culture and exploring cultural cities is their ideal holiday. Secretly, they like to eat straight from the fridge foregoing a plate.
Hard Scrambled Eggs
Hard scrambled fans are more likely to be grumpy and assertive. They tend to be fitness aware, but don't stop themselves enjoying their food. This group have also been known to eat with a spoon directly from the jar…
Soft Poached Eggs
Soft poached egg-eaters are cheery, kind and intellectual people. Most likely to be adventurous in their approach to food and willing to try new things. They're also most likely to lick their plate when they've finished eating.
Soft Boiled Eggs
Soft boiled egg fans tend to be organised and fun-loving, but not loud nor extroverted. They like their food to be nutritious but aren't fitness fanatics. They indulge themselves by picking the crispy bits off oven dishes. They also enjoy lying on a beach with a book when on holiday and definitely aren't night owls.
Hard Boiled Eggs
Hardboiled egg eaters are quiet and intellectual. Very likely to be focussed on nutrition and unlikely to indulge in fast food to fill up before or after eating out in a restaurant.
Whether you like them runny or hard, eggs are unbeatable for breakfast. Here are some of our favourite eggy recipes!
Individual Silverbeet Frittatas With Ricotta & Fetta
Click here for this recipe!
Orange & Cinnamon Crème Brulee
Click here for this recipe!
Egg and Bacon Pies
Click here for this recipe!
Vegetable Baked Eggs
Click here for this recipe!
Egg Sandwiches Three Ways
Click here for this recipe.
French Toast with Berry Compote
Click here for this recipe.
Are you team hard or team runny? Tell us in the comments below!
The post Team Hard Or Team Runny? What Your Yolk Says About You… appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Beetroot, Sweet Potato And Feta Couscous Lamb Recipe appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>INGREDIENTS
110 g lean lamb steak, cut into strips
5 baby beetroots, trimmed, peeled, cut into thin wedges
230 g sweet potato, peeled, cut into small cubes
1/2 tbsp olive oil
1/2 cup cooked couscous
60 g baby rocket leaves
50 g reduced-fat feta cheese, crumbled
1 1/2 tbsp white wine vinegar
METHOD
- Preheat oven to 240°C/220°C fan forced. On a baking tray lined with baking paper, arrange beetroot and sweet potato in a single layer. Drizzle with half the oil and bake for 25 minutes until golden and tender.
- Grill the lamb to your liking.
- Add cooked lamb, beetroot, sweet potato, rocket, vinegar and remaining oil to the cooked couscous. Season with salt and pepper, toss to combine, top with crumbled feta and serve.
The Carousel thanks Fernwood Fitness for this recipe.
The post Beetroot, Sweet Potato And Feta Couscous Lamb Recipe appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Celebrating The Original Blue Jean: Levi's 501 Turns 148 Years Old appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>On May 20th, Levi's celebrated the 148th birthday of the original blue jean. To commemorate the occasion, Levi's are highlighting the styles and stories of seven young Originals — Naomi Osaka, Hailey Bieber, Emma Chamberlain, Barbie Ferreira, Jaden Smith, Marcus Rashford MBE, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander — as well as their favourite ways to wear their Levi's 501's. The term 'originals' draws inspiration from the fact that no two pairs of Levi's 501's are the same, and that makes it a true original.
And that's why they are shining a spotlight on a new generation of Levi's Originals. Seven original voices who know how to effortlessly blend style, creativity, authenticity, and purpose. Each one demonstrates a modern expression of what has made the Levi's 501 a cultural icon since the days of Marlon Brando.
In a press release, Levi's Chief Marketing Officer Karen Riley-Grant, describes the 501 as a staple of youthful style since the mid-twentieth century and a perfect canvas for creative expression:
"The 501 is the original blue jean so it made sense to celebrate our icon with this cast of ORIGINALS. We are inspired by the emotional connection they each have with the 501 – their personal styles & stories that make the jean so uniquely their own", says Karen Riley-Grant.
It's also about sustainability, a topic that can't be spoken about enough in fashion right now. In a press release, Levi's described the 501 as a throwback to the days when things were built to last, swimming against the tide of today's disposable fashion. Levi's 501's are not only highly durable, but they also look better with age, meaning you'll hold onto them for longer. Plus, with Levi's Water<Less, the modern 501 is finished using up to 96% less water than in typical denim finishing, making them a much more sustainable denim option. An important detail for any sustainable consumer right now.
From Marlon Brando in 1953's The Wild One, to the well-worn Summer of Love style during the late 1960s, to 1970s punk, to the dark indigo, oversized look of NWA in the late '80s, the 501 has long been the go-to for cool kids. And much of that comes down to the 501's classic simplicity. Dressed up or dressed down, worn fitted or oversized, dark or faded, straightforward or customised, it's the heart and soul of not only Levi's but of modern fashion. A humble work pant made from durable denim with a silhouette that can be worn by many shapes and sizes.
Checkout the men's styles here.
Checkout women's styles here.
The post Celebrating The Original Blue Jean: Levi's 501 Turns 148 Years Old appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post How To Make Disney's Sleeping Beauty Cake appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>I've updated the classic 'dolly varden' style of cake that's been around for generations and added my own flair with a beautiful Ombre layered effect inside the cake.
If you haven't heard of Ombre before, it's a graduation of the same colour in varying shades. Today, I chose pink, but you could easily switch the colour scheme and doll to suit your Princess of choice.
To recreate this cake, you'll need the following items:
- Metal bowl
- 8″ cake tin lined with baking paper
- Aurora princess doll (try to get the one with plastic bodice / clothing)
- Serrated knife
- Offset spatula
- Spatula
- Disposable piping bag
- Open round piping tip (any size will do)
- Scissors
- Circle cookie cutter (approx 5cm / 2″)
- 12″ cake board
- 8″ cake board
- 1 piece glitter pink scrapbooking paper
- Non toxic craft glue
- Buttercream frosting (get my recipe here)
- Pink food colouring
- White food colouring (if using vanilla cake – not required if using white cake)
- Vanilla / white cake batter – I used a triple batch of standard vanilla cake mix – enough to make around 40 cupcakes or 3 x 8″ round cakes
See how this cake comes together by watching this comprehensive step by step tutorial:
Ombre Sleeping Beauty Disney Princess Cake by Cupcake Addiction
Once the cake is completed, store it at room temperature for up to 48 hours. I never refrigerate my cakes as it causes the frosting to set too hard and the sponge inside to dry out. Buttercream is fine at room temperature for up to four days, but two is best to ensure a moist delicious cake.
If you make this cake at home, I'd love to see pictures of your creations shared on the TheCarousel.com Twitter page @carouselfood
Happy Baking
Elise
Have you made this beautiful cake? We'd love to hear your experiences below…
The post How To Make Disney's Sleeping Beauty Cake appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Five Reasons White Wine Is A Winter Winner appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>When the temperature begins to drop many of us tend to choose red wine over white – after all, white wine is a summer drink, isn't it? And while there's no denying a deep, rich red is an ideal drink to enjoy beside a roaring fire, there's a wide range of white wine varieties which pair perfectly with warming, winter meals.
Despite some common misconceptions, crisp or creamy white wines can be just as cosy and comforting as reds. In fact, bolder white wines may even suit traditional winter foods better than some red wines. The reality? There's no such thing as a 'wine season'; there's only the right time to enjoy what you love.
Here are five reasons you should enjoy whites in winter:
1. White wine in winter is a winner
If you typically pair your warming Sunday roast with red wine, think again. Rich, or slightly fattier foods can become overwhelmed by a deep red wine. Instead, choose a glass of the Naturalis Organic Chardonnay which helps to cut through the richness of the dish and help balance the flavours.
2. Even Italians drink white wine with pasta
If you've been missing your annual trip to Europe, why not bring a little bit of Italy to your dinner table? While many of us think pasta dishes should be served alongside a full-bodied red, for many Italians, a zesty, crisp white such as the Angove Organic Pinot Grigio perfectly complements spaghetti with prawns, chilli and garlic. If tomato-based pasta meals are more to your taste, enjoy your serving with a glass or two of Wild Olive McLaren Vale Fiano. Take a sip, savour it, and imagine sunning yourself on the Mediterranean shores.
3. Sweet and spicy can mix
Some white wine varieties with a fruity base can bring out the spiciness of your curries. Pour yourself a glass and enjoy the lightly oaked taste of a Long Row Chardonnay with your vindaloo. If you like a laksa, the Angove Organic Pinot Grigio 's delicate nashi pear, green apple and citrus flavours will enhance a hearty laksa or a green chicken curry.
4. Summon up summer
Is there anything better than a long winter walk along the beach, with the wind in your hair and the sun on your shoulders? Spending time outdoors can do your soul some good, so why not make a day of it and have a beach party at your favourite seaside spot? Chill your favourite white – we like the Naturalis Organic Sauvignon Blanc – and pair it with some freshly-cooked fish and chips as the sun goes down.
5. Celebrate your life
There is always something to celebrate, even in winter. If bubbles are your go-to celebration drop, Naturalis Organic Cuvee is the perfect commemorative drink. Prepare a cheese and cured meat platter to enjoy with it and toast to living your best life.
The post Five Reasons White Wine Is A Winter Winner appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Vegan-Friendly Dentistry: What Is It? appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>1# Animals in dentistry
With dentistry being a branch of medicine, the same principles apply. Any medicine you've ever taken or received has first been tested on animals. Any doctor who has ever practiced medicine has practiced, first, on innocent, non-consenting animals. Not to mention gelatine capsules and lactose carriers in pills, and "catgut" surgical sutures which are made of sheep, goat or cow intestine. We use cow bone to mimic our bone-in bone grafts. We use pigskin to mimic our own skin. Even major brands of toothpaste continue to test on animals.
If the aim of veganism is to regard all animals as having an equal right to life, how do we justify bettering our lives with medicine at the cost of the lives of other animals?
I have a bit of a reputation as 'the vegan dentist.' I have made modifications in my practice to be as cruelty-free and environmentally-conscious as possible. As an implant dentist, I offer my patients the choice between conventional animal bone grafting techniques and methods that utilise your own tissue in combination with consenting human donor bone. I avoid porcine and bovine products where possible and even advocate whole food, plant-based, vegan diet to my patients for optimum health. In all my implant, bone grafting and wisdom teeth removal surgeries, I use synthetic sutures, which are just as convenient as "catgut". We closely work with a compounding pharmacist who compounds all our medications for surgeries. You can get plant-based capsules for Panadol, Ibuprofen, and most antibiotics this way.
However, dentistry cannot ever be called vegan. I receive numerous calls from ethically conscious patients who require dental treatment but don't wish to participate in the unethical practices towards animals. Sadly, in this day and age, medicine still relies on the use of animals. The best thing we can do is to stay healthy in order to minimise the need for treatments, spread the message, support professionals who care and campaign for a better world, and support organisations like MAWA who are working ceaselessly to replace animal experiments with more accurate and relevant models.
2# Nutrition
In an affluent country like Australia, we are faced with an epidemic of preventable dietary-related diseases such as coronary heart disease, diabetes and dental caries.
Inflammation is one of the underlying factors in periodontal disease. Saturated fat is known for being associated with inflammation. Studies have found that "high dietary saturated fat intake was significantly associated with a greater number of periodontal disease events". The same diet of animal fat and protein, that leads to high cholesterol may also contribute to periodontitis, as bad cholesterol levels may lead to both.
Inflammatory cytokines, mediate tissue destruction in periodontal disease. A plant-based diet seems to reduce these cytokines and may improve the balance between damaging free radicals and protective antioxidants which is our defence system. We are facing a health crisis in general with dentistry as no exception. With Medicare barely coping, we need to move with the evidence.
Countries which consume the greatest amounts of dairy have the highest incidence of hip fractures. Consumption of dairy is associated with an increase in IGF1 factor which is linked with prostate and breast cancers. Besides, contrary to the popular belief, teeth enamel and dentin are not as dynamic as bone tissue and don't require huge amounts of dietary calcium to sustain healthy teeth. Yet, we are still telling patients that three serves of dairy a day are necessary for optimal dental health.
Instead of packing calcium with saturated fats, growth factors and estrogens, why don't we tell patients to get it from healthy sources like green leafy vegetables? Bok choy and Kale are packed with calcium and a plethora of other nutrients which are beneficial for our overall health. Fruits and veggies reduce oral and pharyngeal cancer risk. Greens, tomatoes, carrots and citrus are all implicated in this benefit.
So even though I do extensive surgical rehabilitations, I take time to counsel patients on their dental and overall health. What is good for us is good for the animals!
3# Environment
Scientists are urging us to do something, or else we are going to pay a price for our carelessness. With natural disasters destroying habitat, with plastics in our waterways and the emissions from animal agriculture, we are rendering our planet uninhabitable faster than in any sci-fi blockbuster.
Although dentistry plays a relatively insignificant role in the overall scheme of things, the use of amalgam retention suction, minimising waste, and using sterilisable instruments instead of disposable ones are small steps that matter. Disposables are convenient but at what cost to the future of our planet and generations to come?
Dental practices, which are actively mindful of this approach and are evolving with the evidence, are proud of this, and will most likely want to mention it on their website. So, in search of a more ethical dental practice, ask questions, do research but be mindful of the limitations that we have in dentistry.
Vegan dentistry is still a dream but professionals are waking up to the animal plight, health and the environmental messages too. The message is loud and clear – we are not the only ones on this planet and we all have an obligation to practice responsibly. It is my dream that one day, more and more dental practices will adopt a vegan-friendly approach.
More about Dr Helen:
Dr Helen Voronina is an implant dentist and owner of Melbourne based practice, Dr Helen's Dental & Implant Studio. With a strong commitment to sustainability and following a plant-based lifestyle, Dr Helen implements her core values into her practice wherever possible. To find out more about Helen, visit her website at www.drhelen.com.au and follow her on Instagram at @drhelensdental.
The post Vegan-Friendly Dentistry: What Is It? appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Try This Vegetable Baked Eggs Recipe For Healthy Food Inspiration appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Serves 4
INGREDIENTS
2/3 cup chicken stock
1/2 cup couscous
2 tsp extra virgin olive oil
1 tbs chopped chives
1 tbs chopped basil
4 large tomatoes (about 250g each)
4 eggs
METHOD
1 Preheat the oven to 180C. Place the chicken stock into a small saucepan, cover and bring to the boil. Add the couscous, stir once. Turn off the heat and stand, tightly covered, for 5 minutes. Drizzle with the oil and fluff up the grains with a fork. Stir in the herbs and season with freshly ground black pepper.
2 Cut the tops from the tomatoes, and scoop out the seeds and core. Pat the insides dry with paper towels.
3 Divide half the couscous evenly between the tomatoes, and place onto a baking tray. Carefully break an egg into each one, and bake for 20 minutes, until set. Serve immediately, with the remaining couscous on the side.
Hint: you could also cook these in 2 medium red capsicums (about 300g each), halved lengthways with the seeds and membrane scooped out.
The post Try This Vegetable Baked Eggs Recipe For Healthy Food Inspiration appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Gwinganna's Succulent Slow Roasted Lamb With Roasted Vegetables appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Serves4
INGREDIENTS
4 x (200g each) lamb rumps, trimmed
4 cloves garlic, crushed
2 sprigs rosemary
sea salt and pepper
2 tbsps olive oil
Red wine jus
1 1/2 cups (300ml) lamb stock
1/2 cups (100ml) red wine
juice & zest of 1 lemon
1 tbsp corn or potato flour
Roasted vegetables
1 medium parsnip, cut into quarters
1 medium carrot, cut in quarters
4 wedges of pumpkin
2 large potatoes, cut into halves
1 medium red onion, cut into quarters
2 tbsp olive oil
sea salt & pepper
1 sprig rosemary
1 clove garlic
1 bunch rocket leaves
METHOD
1Marinate the lamb with the garlic, lemon, rosemary, pepper and olive oil for 2-3 hours, then salt and roast in preheated oven at 180 Degrees for 18-20 minutes. Allow to rest, covered, for 5 minutes before slicing. (Always slice meat against the grain of the muscle.)
2To roast the vegetables: rub with sea salt, pepper, garlic, oil and rosemary, place on a tray with baking paper. Roast for about 30-40 minutes until golden brown and cooked.
3To make red wine jus: deglaze the roasting tray with red wine and add to lamb stock in a pan. Reduce slightly and thicken with corn or potato flour dissolved in a little water. Strain and check seasoning.
4To serve, stack vegetables on rocket leaves, top with the sliced lamb and drizzle with red wine jus.
For more on Gwinganna, click here.
The Carousel thanks 'Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat' for this recipe
The post Gwinganna's Succulent Slow Roasted Lamb With Roasted Vegetables appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Lorna Jane's Healthy Ginger Balls appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Makes 14 balls
Preparation time25 minutes (+ refrigeration or freezing)
INGREDIENTS
1 cup (140g) macadamias
½ cup (70g) shelled pistachios
6 fresh dates (120g),seeded, chopped coarsely
1cm (1/2 inch) piece fresh ginger (5g), grated
4 tablespoons finely chopped
cacao butter
½ cup (50g) cacao powder
2 teaspoons coconut sugar
METHOD
1 Process nuts, dates and ginger until mixture forms a coarse, rollable dough.
2 Roll level tablespoons of mixture into balls. Place on baking-paper-lined tray; refrigerate or freeze 30 minutes or until firm.
3 Meanwhile, stir cacao butter in a small heatproof bowl over a small saucepan of simmering water; remove from heat, stir in sifted cacao powder and sugar until smooth.
4 Coat each ball in cacao mixture. Return to tray; freeze until chocolate sets.
The Carouselthanks Lorna Jane for this recipe from theThe Fit Woman's Cookbook$44.99.
The post Lorna Jane's Healthy Ginger Balls appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Want To Eat Clean In 2021? Avocados Are The Best Place To Start! appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The New Year is the fresh start we all look for to get our diets and health back on track. Clean eating is all about consuming whole or 'real' foods that are as close to their natural state as possible without being processed or having other ingredients added to them.
Nadia Lim, qualified dietician award-winning author says New Zealand avocados fit perfectly with this concept and are an easy, delicious, nutrient-dense option you can enjoy anywhere, anytime.
"Avocados are one of my favourite foods because they not only taste great but are so nutritious – they're the best way I know to get a good dose of healthy fats, vitamins and minerals" says Lim.
Avocados and clean eating are trending worldwide at the moment, partly due to the growing popularity of CrossFit and Paleo diets (which advocate people only eat foods our hunter-gatherer ancestors would have had access to).
And given New Zealand has produced a record avocado crop this season, they are the perfect way to launch your New Year clean eating plan!
Here are five reasons why you should make eating avocados a priority in 2021:
- Avocados are a nutrient booster – they help your body absorb more nutrients from other fruit and vegetables you eat. They're also cholesterol free, and a source of iron, vitamin C and fibre.
- Avocados are great for vegans and vegetarians – they contain oils and protein which means they can be used as a substitute for butter, cheese and meat.
- Avocados are linked to staying slim – international research published in Nutrition Journal shows people who regularly eat avocados weigh 3.4kg less on average, and have waistlines around 4cm smaller, than those who don't. Avocados are rich in monounsaturated ('good') fats and are a low GI (glycemic index) food, so they will help you to feel fuller for longer.
- Avocados are versatile – you can eat them on toast, make gourmet salads, blend them in smoothies, use them when baking and even whip up delicious desserts! Their creamy texture makes them perfect for mousses, ice cream and decadent sweet treats like an avocado lime and coconut cheesecake. Remember, clean eating should taste as good as well!
- Avocados are everywhere – they're trending all over social media, with clean eating gurus, celebrities and foodie experts all raving about how amazing they are. They're also home grown – and you gotta love New Zealand made.
Clean eating expert Millie Elder-Holmes is a big fan of avocados and regularly posts pictures of healthy meals on her Clean Eatz NZ Facebook page.
Millie is focussed on conscious living and looking at food for its nutritional value. "Eating organic, nutritionally-rich real food is the key to clean eating," she explains. "Avocados are one of my absolute favourite ingredients. I regularly have them for breakfast with poached eggs, in salads for lunch or dinner, or with a handful of nuts for a great mid-afternoon snack."
Millie also recommends drizzling a little balsamic vinegar over half a ripe avocado, or squeezing a few drops of lemon juice over avocado slices to help keep them fresh and green.
"They're a yummy meal all on their own and you don't have to do anything fancy to them. Just grab a spoon and enjoy!"
Avocados are indeed one of nature's super foods so start your wholefood, clean eating journey in 2021 by eating some today.
Here Are Some Fabulous Avocado Inspo Recipes
Creamy Healthy Avocado Smoothie
Avocado Guacamole & Salmon Pizzas
Avocado, Watermelon and Pomegranate Salad
About New Zealand Avocado
Avocados are the third-largest fresh fruit export from New Zealand. New Zealand Avocado works with the New Zealand industry to set export standards, facilitate market access, promote avocados from New Zealand and provide technical information to all New Zealand growers, of which there are more than 1600, based mainly in the Bay of Plenty and Northland.
What's your favourite way to eat Avocado? Tell us in the comments section below…
The post Want To Eat Clean In 2021? Avocados Are The Best Place To Start! appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Meet The Founder Of Threadicated: Your Ultimate Online Stylist appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>"As my mum lived hours away from the store, it got me thinking personal styling should be available to everyone no matter where they live, or where they shop. And when I saw no one in Australia was offering an online delivered to your door styling service, I decided to do it myself," Danielle said.
Threadicated is an online, devoted stylist, promising to bring together some of the best brands, to create a unique wardrobe, customised to everyone's individual lifestyle, taste, and budget.
"We solve the problem of finding clothes you love. We like to think of ourselves as the ultimate matchmaker, using the expertise of our personal stylist, combined with technology to send customers a five-piece parcel of clothing and accessories that fit well and we think they'll love," Danielle said.
"They keep the items they love and return the rest. Customers love having an expert stylist do the shopping for them and enjoy the convenience and simplicity of our service."
How Threadicated works:
First, you create your own "style profile" which involves answering multiple questions about your body shape, the colours you like, how you like your clothing to fit, what kind of clothes you need right now and so on.
Then, you can choose how often you'd like the team of stylists to send you a selection of outfits – you can either pay for the ones you choose to keep or send back the items you're not keen on. Simple!
Prior to working on Threadicated, Danielle studied fashion at Whitehouse Institute of design. Since then, she's worked in a wide range of roles in the fashion Industry; from design, buying, product development, and everything in between.
"Over the years I worked at a few start-ups and really got a taste for that kind of life. So I decided to be part of the future of Australian fashion retail and create a start-up myself," Danielle said.
"So far, my biggest success would be our customers. It's a great feeling when someone contacts us after we've sent them a parcel saying they didn't think they could look this good again, after having a baby," Danielle said.
"Or that they weren't sure if they should go for the promotion at work until they tried on the blazer we sent them. It shows us with each piece we send we are making a positive difference in people's lives, and I see that as our biggest success."
Threadicated has gone through major growth since the Covid-19 pandemic. Danielle said most people, being unable to drop into their favourite stores, wanted to look good for Zoom meetings.
Danielle also has some great advice for other startups:
"Starting a business sounds like a monumental task, and trust me it is. But one of the best pieces of advice I ever received is to break each monumental task down into lots of smaller tasks, and you just chip away at the smaller task until you get there; and trust me you will get there."
The post Meet The Founder Of Threadicated: Your Ultimate Online Stylist appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post This Suki Waterhouse Approved Label Now Has An Eco-friendly Line appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The list of celebrity fans of the cult surf / skate label go on and on: Addison Rae, Zac Effron, the Hemsworth brothers, Emma Chamberlain, Charles Melton, Travis Barker, Noah Centineo, Suki Waterhouse, Olivia Rodrigo, Sydney Sweeney, Hailee Steinfeld, and Devon Lee Carlson, to name a few.
We took a minute with the Afends co-founders Declan Wise and Jonathan Salfield to talk about the release of their 100% eco-friendly line, their plans for a big plot of land they've snapped up in Byron Bay, and the challenges of running a sustainable fashion label.
Tell us about your 100% eco friendly line
"Our core collections now focus on three layers – hemp as our hero eco-friendly
fabric alternative, we have Premium Organics using only Global Organic Textile Standard and Organic Content Standard so they don't use any pesticides or GMO, and we have a new certified recycled collection that uses only 4- and 5-star Sustainable Fabric Standard materials.
Before going 100% eco-friendly, most of our collection was from sustainable fibres like Hemp, organic cotton, and Tencel, but not all. A Lot of brands say they are going to go 100 % eco-friendly and put massive long lead times like 5 or more years. We just took the plunge and did it as its the responsible thing to do.
What are your plans for land in Byron Bay – could you it mean you'll manufacture 100% of your own fabric?
"We purchased the land in Sleepy Hollow just north of Byron Bay at the beginning of this year. At this stage the land is for research and development, so we will be able to grow some of our own fabric but not all. It's a testing ground so we can then talk to farmers in the area about the process of hemp farming. If everything goes to plan we will be able to have our entire collection made from Australian grown organic Hemp! And a portion of this will be grown on our own farm."
What are challenges of operating an eco friendly label in Australia, and is there anything the Government could do to help?
"The reality for most businesses is that they will do what's best for the bottom line, rather than what's best for the planet. It would help if the Government put some sort of incentive to buy eco-friendly products, something that would help people's buying power to move to the right choice for the planet. It's a pretty complex issue and a lot of politics involved but things need to change in all aspects of the fashion industry in order for us to have a healthy planet."
Can you suggest any changes to policies that would help consumers become more educated?
"The other change could be a tax on non-sustainably made products, like conventional cotton tees, so that it didn't make sense to buy it. Something similar to the soda tax. If a conventional cotton tee or polyester tee was twice as expensive as an organic cotton tee or recycled polyester tee, the consumer would pick the eco-friendly product every time."
The post This Suki Waterhouse Approved Label Now Has An Eco-friendly Line appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post The Ultimate At Home Workout You Can Do Without Leaving The Floor appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Try this ultimate at home workout routine specially designed by fitness expert Ben Lucas.
It can be easy to get lazy while stuck in a lengthy lockdown, but even if you feel the need to stay horizontal, there are still exercises that you can do.
16 x sit up with your knees up and bent at 90 degrees
16 x sit-ups with your legs straight up in the air. Pulse up towards your feet
16 x side crunch- bend your knees to the side and start crunching up ensuring you get some tension in your obliques
16 x side crunch to the other side
For this section, you will do all the exercises on one side, and then flip over to the other side
16 x clams, lie on your side with your legs at 90 degrees, and lift the top knee up and down, keeping the ones touching. Your leg will open into a diamond shape
16 x Knee to knee, toe to toe
16 x in and outs, so pull your knee into your chest and then push it back to straight
Then repeat 2-3 times
The post The Ultimate At Home Workout You Can Do Without Leaving The Floor appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Inspiring Story Of Frida Kahlo: Mexican Painter And Feminist Icon appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Born on July 6, 1907, in Coyocoán, Mexico City, Frida Kahlo contracted polio at the age of six and had a nearly fatal bus accident at the age of 18.
She spent over a year in bed recovering from fractures to her spine, pelvis, collarbone and ribs, shoulder and foot injuries. She endured more than 30 operations in her lifetime.
During her recovery, she started painting. Her paintings, mostly self-portraits and still life, were deliberately naïve, and filled with the colours and forms of Mexican folk art.
At 22 Frida married the famous Mexican muralist Diego Rivera. Their passionate relationship survived infidelities, the pressures of careers, divorce, remarriage, Frida's bi-sexual affairs, her poor health and her inability to have children.
Her health issues became nearly all-consuming in 1950. After being diagnosed with gangrene in her right foot, Frida spent nine months in the hospital and had several operations during this time. She continued to paint and support political causes despite having limited mobility.
In 1953, when Frida had her first solo exhibition in Mexico, a local critic explained why she was so different from her contemporaries:
"It is impossible to separate the life and work of this extraordinary person. Her paintings are her biography."
At the time of her exhibition opening, Frida's health was such that doctors told her that she couldn't leave her bed. She insisted that she was going to attend her opening, and with determination and courage she did. She arrived in an ambulance and her bed in the back of a truck. She was placed in her bed and four men carried her into the waiting guests. Sadly, Frida's joy was dampened a few months later when part of her right leg was amputated to stop the spread of gangrene.
Deeply depressed, Frida was hospitalised again in April 1954 because of poor health, and a suicide attempt. She returned to the hospital two months later with bronchial pneumonia. No matter her physical condition, Frida did not let that stand in the way of her political activism.
Unfortunately, about a week after her 47th birthday, Frida died on July 13, 1954 at her beloved Blue House. There has been some speculation regarding the nature of her death. It was reported to be caused by a pulmonary embolism, but there have also been stories about a possible suicide.
Today, more than half a century after her death, her paintings fetch more money than any other female artist.
The post Inspiring Story Of Frida Kahlo: Mexican Painter And Feminist Icon appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post 27 Weird And Amazing Animal Facts appeared first on The Carousel.
]]> 
2. Even though a polar bear's average body temperature is 37°C, they don't give off any detectable heat and don't show up in infrared photographs. They also have black skin. This is a protective adaptation to the climate. Black absorbs heat and keeps the polar bear from freezing. Most people also think the polar bear's fur is white. It's not. It's clear to allow the sunlight and heat through to the black skin underneath. It appears white due to a process known as luminescence. This happens when the sun's rays bounce off the transparent fur, and some of the light energy travels into the hair, getting trapped. The energy bounces around inside the hollow part of the hair causing luminescence which involves the emission of light.
3. Male giraffes engage in same-sex sexual activity. Many young male giraffes have been observed courting other males, going through a series of attraction rituals including caresses and the touching of noses. In fact, scientists estimate that 94 percent of all giraffe sex happens between two males leaving the other six per cent of sex for procreation of the species. This responsibility falls to older, dominant males who mate with female giraffes during their breeding cycles.
4. The Platypus, that unique Australian mammal that looks like a cross between a duck and beaver, swims with its eyes closed.
5. Baby humans suck on their thumbs for comfort. Baby elephants do the same thing but with their trunks.
6. Young goats are influenced by their peers. In fact, they pick up each other's accents. If a group of young goats spends enough time together, they all sound the same. Just like teenagers.
7.Tardigrades are extremely durable microscopic animals that exist all over Earth. They are segmented and have eight legs. They can survive in any of the following environments: 300 degrees Fahrenheit (149 Celsius), -458 degrees F (-272 C), the vacuum of space, pressure six times stronger than the ocean floor and more than a decade without food. They exist on top of the Himalayas and on the bottom of the deepest oceans. They are most common in moist environments and are commonly known as water bears or moss piglets.
8.The now extinct colossus penguin stood an incredible six foot 8 inches tall. That's as tall as champion basketballer LeBron James. The colossus penguin could hold its breath for 40 minutes at a time, making it an uber fish hunter. By comparison, most whales and dolphins only hold their breath underwater for 20 minutes.
9.A Wombat is another unique Australian marsupial that lives in a burrow, is about a metre in length and weighs as much as 35 kilograms (77lbs). It also poops in cubes.
10.The growth of a moose's antlers is dependent on two things – the amount of testosterone that a particular male has and the length of the day. Moose shed their antlers (also known as paddles) every year and grow back new ones. The antlers are covered in velvet. This velvet is vascularised, permitting blood flow during the growing season. Then, during the mating season, they rub away the velvet to expose shiny new antlers to impress all the females. Made from bone, a moose's antlers weight about 40 pounds or about 18 kilograms. After a bull moose reaches his prime, the size of the antlers retracts each year until he dies.
11.Flamingos are not pink. They are born grey; their diet of brine shrimp and blue green algae contains a natural pink dye called canthaxanthin that makes their feathers pink.
12.The bat is the only mammal that can fly. The leg bones of a bat are so thin that out of the 1,200 species of bats, only two can walk on ground. These are the Vampire bat and the Burrowing bat.
13.Elephants have a specific alarm call that means "Watch out, humans about." Earlier this year, a group of scientists from Oxford University and Disney's Animal Kingdom combined to investigate elephant communication. They played a recording of the human voices to a group of elephants, and they reacted with a clear and distinctive trumpeting call at the same time becoming more vigilant and alert. Having recorded this distinctive call, the team then played it back to another group of elephants. They also reacted to human voices, erupting with vigilance as they ran and trumpeted in the same way.
14.Previous Oxford University research shows that African elephants also have a distinct warning call for bees, which prompts fellow elephants to flee while shaking their heads, an apparent attempt to prevent bee stings.
15.Cows can sleep standing up, but they can only dream lying down.
16.Hippos can run faster than human beings! Even though they weigh as much 4000 kilograms, hippos are one of the fastest creatures on earth reaching and incredible 30 kilometres an hour. They can hit top speed in a matter of just four seconds. This one of the reasons they are considered even more dangerous than lions.
17.A reindeer's eyes turn blue in winter to allow them to see in lower light
18.The most poisonous fish in the world is the stone fish. The stonefish, which reaches an average length of 30 to 40 centimetres and weighs up to up to 2 kg / 5 lbs, is the most venomous fish in the world, having venomous sacs on each one of its 13 spines. They are found throughout shallow coastal waters of the northern half of Australia. Their venom is so toxic that it will stop a human heart.
19.African buffalo herds exhibit voting behaviour, in which individuals convey the direction in which they want to travel by standing up, looking in one direction and then lying back down. Only adult females vote in this process.
20.Snakes always keep their eyes open, even when they are asleep. Snakes can't close their eyes because they do not have eyelids. They do have eye scales that cover their eyes and which they shed when it sheds their skin.
21.A dog's sense of smell is incredibly acute. If you stood in a stadium crowded with 40,000 other people, your dog could find you by smell alone.
22.At birth, a panda is smaller than a mouse and weighs about 110 grams (four ounces). Giant pandas are about 150cm long from nose to rump, with a 10-15cm tail. A large adult panda can weigh about 100-150kg (250-300 lbs), with males 10 per cent larger and 20 per cent heavier than females. An adult panda can spend up to 12 hours a day eating, and to meet their dietary needs, they need to eat at least 14 kilograms (28 pounds) of bamboo.
23.Male mice are romantic little devils. They serenade their mate with a special mouse song to both entertain them and hold their attention.
24.Female mice can reproduce at just two months old. A pair of mice can produce 500 offspring more each season, according to the CSIRO, with females birthing a new litter every three weeks. Australia is currently experiencing a mouse plague and while mice numbers of 800 to 1000 mice per hectare is usually considered a plague, an official recently said that trying to count the number of mice right now would be "like trying to count the stars".
25. Male dogs will raise their legs while urinating to aim higher on a tree or lamppost because they want to leave a message that they are tall and intimidating. Some wild dogs in Africa try to run up tree trunks while they are urinating to appear to be exceptionally large.
26.There is a shark called 'goblin shark.' It was discovered in 1897 and is known as a living fossil as it is believed to be little changed in the past 125 million years
27.Australian Koalas get their name from an Aboriginal/Indigenous Australian term that means 'no drink.' It's believed this is because koalas get almost all their moisture from the leaves they eat, and rarely drink water. However, eucalyptus leaves are incredibly tough, difficult to digest and poisonous. But koalas have a long digestive organ called a cecum which allows them to break down the leaves and absorb their nutrients unharmed.
For more animal facts check the story below:
29 Amazing Animal Facts That Will Surprise You
The post 27 Weird And Amazing Animal Facts appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Sydney's Most Expensive And Luxurious Houses appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>That was a new residential record in Australia back in 2015 and almost twice the cost of the next highest priced lot, Mandalay, Point Piper, which sold for $39.9 million.
Three years later, tech billionaire Mike Cannon-Brookes and his wife, Annie, set a new record reportedly paying $100 million for what is now Australia's most expensive home, Lady Fairfax's Point Piper mansion Fairwater.
For those lucky few with the cash to splurge, the eastern suburbs was again the place to buy, accounting for the top slots.
Here's how the serious money is spread around…
La Mer, Vaucluse $70m
Updated from the original Guilford Bell-design by Alex Tzannes, this architectural gem was quickly snapped up by Dr Chau Chak Wing, the Chinese property tycoon after he got the green light from his wife who lives full-time in Australia. Formerly owned by James Packer and his ex-wife Erica, the 3345sqm estate is now officially Australia's most expensive residential property. The previous highest was the $57.5 million set in 2009 for a Perth riverfront compound.
Mandalay, Point Piper $39.9m
The Point Piper trophy residence sold to road construction developer Phillip Dong Fang Lee and his wife. Toorak-bound ex-tobacco boss Bill Well had bought the five-bedroom, five-bathroom European style villa with Harbour views for $20 million in 2004. At the time it was another non-waterfront house record for Sydney, eclipsing the $39 million paid for the Villa del Mare mansion a few doors away late last year by Chinese billionaire Xu Jiayin.
Villa del Mare, Point Piper $39m
The luxury home Villa del Mare is a world-class address exuding all the glamour of the Mediterranean throughout its six-bedroom, eight-bathroom splendour.
Gladswood Gardens, Double Bay, $38m
Malaysian-born property tycoon Lee Seng Huang and his wife pounced on this waterfront mansion, formerly owned by Multiplex scion Andrew Roberts. The eight-bathroom home, set on 1145sq m of north-facing land and with a water frontage of more than 55m, sports a private jetty, mooring, boat store and infinity pool. The three-level house was completed in 2005 with the design inspired by the renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Mr Roberts paid $10.1m for the site in December, 2003, Core Logic records show.
Leura, Bellevue Hill, $30m
The sale by businessman Ken Allen and his wife, Christine, to an Australian Chinese buyer came the day before it was scheduled to go to auction, and for in excess of its original $30 million guide. Built in the 1890s for Tom Knox, managing director of the Dalgety stock and station agency, in the Federation Queen Anne style and set on a vast 4260 square metres, the mansion includes eight bedrooms, eight bathrooms, a ballroom, tennis court and a swimming pool.
Wolseley Road, Point Piper, $28m
Software specialist Qingling Wang, 25, knows a good 'do-up' when he sees one, swooping in on this 'renovator's delight'. The former owner then reputedly spent then spent $12.85 million of that on the Vaucluse slow-mover of former investment banker and venture capitalist John Grant.
Indah, Rose Bay, $27m
After a contemporary $6 million renovation, the crash pad of New York-based fund manager Alwyn Heong was snapped up by expat UK barrister Georgina Black. She's the wife of Graham Edwards, who is the chief executive of the UK's property giant Telereal. The five-bedroom mansion was last sold in 2006 for $18.2 million by mortgage broker Matthew Sample. The renovations included re-positioning the swimming pool and opening up the internal living areas to take advantage of the gun-barrel view towards the Harbour Bridge.
Loch Maree, Vaucluse, $24m
Cosmetic surgeon turned hotel mogul Jerry Schwartz and his wife Debbie are the third owners of this fabulous waterfront property. The Michael Dysart-designed residence was built in the early 1970s by the late IPEC founder Gordon Barton. It last traded in 1993 for $4.75 million when bought by entrepreneur Duncan Saville and his wife Julie.
Bulwarra, Hunters Hill $19m+
It took less than three weeks for the home of actress Cate Blanchett and her husband Andrew Upton to be bought by Chinese buyers who already owned property in Point Piper. Although the price was never officially announced, it is expected that the historic landmark mansion sold for about $20 million, given bullish interest from buyers. The creative couple had invested significantly in the 3642 square metre property since they purchased it a decade ago for $10 million from merchant banker Jim Dominguez and his wife Suzanne.
Wunulla Road, Point Piper, $18m
South African Nando's billionaire Dick Enthoven become the latest of Point Piper's elite waterfront homeowners after paying in excess of $18 million for his new Wunulla Road home. The co-owner of the global food chain, the Hollard Group of insurance companies and Spier Wine Farm, has an estimated net worth of US$1.1 billion. His new home comes complete with boat shed and ramp, jetty, pool, cinema, elevator access to all levels, alfresco terraces and full length with views from all four floors.
The post Sydney's Most Expensive And Luxurious Houses appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Best Ever French Onion Soup Recipe appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Ingredients
- 4 Tbsp. olive oil
- 2 Tbsp. butter
- 6 cups yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 1 tsp salt 1/2 tsp sugar
- 3 Tbsp. flour 6 cups beef stock 1 cup white wine
- 1/2 tsp ground sage
- 1 whole bay leaf
- 1 loaf french bread, or baguette
- 2 Tbsp. olive oil 1/2 an onion, grated
- 3 Tbsp. cognac (optional)
- 12 oz Swiss cheese
- Salt
- Pepper
- 4 oz parmesan cheese
Instructions:
Preheat Oven To 325˚F/160˚C
1. In a large pot over medium-low heat, heat olive oil and add butter.
2. Once the butter is melted, stir the onions and coat with oil and butter. Cover and cook for 20 minutes, checking occasionally.
3. Turn up the heat to medium-high. Add 1/2 tsp salt and sugar. Stir & keep cooking until onions are brown and caramelized. (the bottom of the pan will develop some browning, it's very important!)
4. Stir in flour one tablespoon at a time and cook for about 30 seconds.
5. Add 1 cup of the beef broth. Use a whisk to scrape up (deglaze) the browned bits stuck on the bottom of the pan.
6. Add the remaining 5 cups of beef stock, wine, sage and bay leaf. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, for 40 minutes.
7. In the meantime, cut the french bread or baguette into 1/2 inch thick pieces. Brush with oil on both sides and bake at 325˚F/160˚C for 30 minutes, flipping halfway. Once they are done, increase oven temperature to 350˚F/175˚C.
8. In an oven safe bowl, pour the onion soup, filling about 3/4 of the way full. Top with a piece of baked french bread, and generously sprinkle swiss and parmesan on top.
9. Bake for 2-3 minutes or until the cheese has melted completely and become slightly golden.
10. Serve & enjoy!!
The post Best Ever French Onion Soup Recipe appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post I'm Pregnant, Now What? Top 10 Things To Do Next appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>You've peed on the stick, seen those two little lines appear and had the initial rollercoaster of emotions that accompanies finding out you're pregnanct. Other than the standard doctors appointment and blood test, these are my top 10 tips for what to do next:
1. Hog the bed with a giant pregnancy pillow
Unless you are lucky to have one of those unicorn pregnancies you see in the movies, blissful sleep will likely become a thing of the past about midway through your pregnancy. The minute I was told I couldn't sleep on my back, I found it almost impossible not to accidentally end up there in the middle of the night (despite being a side sleeper my whole life). Do yourself a favour and get a full body length pregnancy pillow – the bigger the better, and ideally a U shaped one so it also supports your head. It will keep you comfortable and stop you rolling onto your side, and has the added bonus of reserving about 70% of the available bed space for you and your bubba.
2. Understand your birth choices at BirthReview.com.au
Do you want to go public or private? What midwifery model would you prefer? How about an Obstetrician or Doula? Maybe you want to birth at home with a private midwife?
Most first time parents have absolutely no idea what options are available to them, and you normally have to make these decisions pretty early in your pregnancy (some MGP programs can fill up 5 weeks into your pregnancy), which means you probably don't want to put a Facebook post up asking for advice.
This is why I created BirthReview, to be your virtual access to great advice. First stop should be our birth provider decision tool to understand your options. Once you've had a look at that, check out info and reviews on hospitals, midwives, Doulas and other providers near you. If you're hoping for a vaginal birth then make sure you check out the birth intervention statistics under the FAQs (there is a HUGE range in the % of vaginal births across public hospitals in NSW for example).
3. Invest in some maternity leggings
They may not be the trendiest piece of clothing, but you will live in these during pregnancy and early motherhood. So get with the cliche and embrace activewear – thanks to COVID you might even be able to wear them while working from home. Business on top, comfy on the bottom. Find some with a high waistband as post-birth they will help your weak abs feel a bit more supported.
4. Get moving
I met some of my now closest friends at a prenatal yoga class. It was the best 60 minutes I spent every week, and reminded me to slow down and prioritise myself and my health. If you're in a COVID related lockdown or cant find any classes related to you then apps like Downward Dog Yoga are a good alternative. Yoga might not be your thing – maybe it's ocean swimming or god-forbid running (running makes me angry for some reason). But whatever it is, find something that makes you feel good and disconnect from the stress in your life every week. Make sure you get advice on if / when you need to alter your exercise regime due to your pregnancy though.
5. Treat yourself
Whether its a fancy pre-natal tea, your favourite biscuit or a massage, treat yourself to something that makes you feel special at least once a week. One thing that I loved was creating some non-alcoholic cocktails to enjoy on the weekends (elderflower cordial and sparkling water is divine).
6. Book a babymoon
If you're like most of us you probably can't afford a week on a private island, but find a way to take a break with your partner (if you have one) before bub comes. Even just one night away at an Airbnb somewhere relaxing, or spending a weekend doing things you love near home is enough. If you've already got kids then send them off for a sleep over with a friend or family you trust and have some time to yourselves.
7. See a pelvic floor physio
I had no idea until late in my pregnancy that those kegel exercises we all get told to do when pregnant aren't needed for every woman – in fact some have the opposite problem and need to practice relaxing their pelvic floor rather than strengthening it. Some of the best advice I got about birth decisions was from my pelvic floor phsyio (when to choose a c-section over an instrumental delivery) – so I highly recommend seeing one at least once in your pregnancy. Your pelvic floor works overtime during pregnancy, and regardless of the way you give birth (vaginally or by caesarean) your pelvic floor muscles will be impacted.
8. Delete Google from your phone
Ok so maybe i'm being slightly dramatic, but I can't tell you how many times I ended up using Google searches to freak myself out in my pregnancy. Bookmark the Mothersafe fact sheets webpage instead. Got a coldsore? unsure if you can have caffeine? Dealing with the dreaded pregnancy insomnia? This evidence-based website run by the Royal Hospital for women has a great fact sheets to help guide your decisions.
Come to think of it you may as well delete google forever – search engine advice seems to get even worse once you have a newborn!
9. Understand what REAL birth actually is
Birth is not at all what it looks like in movies (thank god), so if this is your first baby make sure you enrol in a birth course. My hubby found our SheBirths course even more empowering than I did, as it helped him understand his role in supporting me through birth. There are so many courses out there so do your research and find one that resonates with you (BirthBeat is a great alternative if you want to do something online or live in rural / remote areas). One of my favourite ways to prepare for birth was to listen to the Australian Birth Stories podcast while walking up the beach, or having a relaxing bath.
10. Ask your bestie to organise a meal train
I have never been hungrier than when I had a newborn. Your body is recovering from the birth, and breastfeeding (if you take that path) turns you into a ravenous animal. There is no greater gift for a new mum than food, so why not ask someone you trust to organise a meal train. There are some great free sites like mealtrain.com to help. And if your friends can't cook, they can always order you some delicious home cooked frozen meals to stock your freezer.
About Tahnee Nicholson
Tahnee is a mother, psychologist and the founder of BirthReview.com.au. She is passionate about empowering women with quality information to inform their birth choices.
The post I'm Pregnant, Now What? Top 10 Things To Do Next appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post 3 Amazing Food Delivery Services To Try appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Eat Fit Food – Level: Easy: Who knew that reheated healthy food in a plastic container could taste so good!? Eat Fit Food is perfect for those that don't want to cook at all, but want delicious and nutritious food in their bellies. Order from a menu a week ahead, for meals like chicken, coconut and pumpkin curry, falafel with quinoa tabouli or Thai vegetable laksa delivered to your door, ready to be warmed up and eaten. Highly recommended. Try Eat Fit Food, Starting at $88 per week + delivery fee
Marley Spoon – Level: Medium: Enjoy 27+ chef designed recipes, including family-friendly, healthy, vegetarian, vegan, fast etc. Marley Spoon's delicious, home-made dinners can be cooked in under 30 min! We did find they are a little more complex to make than Hello Fresh. But like them they use fresh ingredients with step-by-step recipes that you can redo later. You can skip, pause or cancel your orders anytime. Try Marley Spoon.
Hello Fresh – Level: Medium: This service is perfect for those that love to cook up a storm, but can't be bothered lugging groceries home after a long day of work. Pick from 'Classic', 'Veggie' and 'Family', where each box can contain 3-5 meals for 2-4 people (depending on what you order), and includes fresh ingredients and recipe cards for you to follow. Prep to plating up can take up to 30 minutes, but it's totally worth it – the finished result is really delicious and impressive. You can skip a week or cancel any time. Great for busy couples or small families. HelloFresh is the first global carbon-neutral meal kit company, supporting global and local environmentally-friendly projects you care about. Try HelloFresh,
Kate Save, CEO and Founder of Be Fit Food Shares Her Journey From Start-up To Success
The post 3 Amazing Food Delivery Services To Try appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Annabel Crabb's Appetising Lime And Rocket Halloumi Spaghetti appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Ingredients
- 250 g halloumi, cut into 1.5 cm dice
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons small salted capers, rinsed then drained well
- 1 garlic clove, finely chopped
- 1 medium or 2 small red chillies, thinly sliced
- 1 juicy lime
- 100 g wild rocket leaves
- 500 g dried spaghetti
Instructions
First step: tip the halloumi, olive oil, capers, garlic and the chilli into a bowl and stir about. Using one of those zesters that take off the zest in long thin strips, add the zest of the lime. (If you don't have such a contraption, use a potato peeler to take the zest off and then cut it into thin strips, or alternatively, you could do whatever you please and ignore my excessively controlling views on the subject.)
Squeeze the lime and reserve the juice. Arrange your rocket in a large serving bowl.
Cook the pasta according to its packet instructions. Now you're ready for the final assault.
While the pasta is cooking, heat a heavy frying pan over medium heat and tip in the contents of your bowl: the halloumi will become golden, so turn the bits over regularly and keep a sharp eye on it. It's done when all your halloumi is nicely browned. This should take about 5 minutes, so when it's done you'll be ready to drain your pasta. Dump the spaghetti into the pan and swirl it about to mop up every little bit of sauce. Working quickly, dress the rocket with the lime juice, then add the pasta to the bowl and give the whole lot a toss.
Serve straightaway!
More About Annabel
Annabel Crabb is one of Australia's most beloved journalists. She is the ABC's chief online political writer, writes a weekly opinion column for Fairfax, is the author of the bestselling bookThe Wife Drought and is a sought-after speaker and presenter. As host of the ABC's enormously popular seriesKitchen Cabinet, Annabel has broken bread with Australia's most influential political leaders and shared her magnificent desserts in kitchens around the country. As well as being a writer and entertainer, Annabel is a celebrated baker and mother of three. She lives in Sydney.
Try more recipes in Annabel Crabb and Wendy Sharpe's Special Guest book!
The post Annabel Crabb's Appetising Lime And Rocket Halloumi Spaghetti appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Did You Know Noses Get Erections? appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The phenomenon, called nasal cycles, was first described in 1895 by a German physician named Richard Kayser. He noticed that the tissue lining one nostril of his patients seemed to quickly congest and close while the other would mysteriously open. Then, after about 30 minutes to 4 hours, the nostrils switched, or "cycled." The shifting appeared to be influenced less by the moon's mysterious pull and more by sexual urges.
The interior of the nose, it turned out, is blanketed with erectile tissue, the same flesh that covers the penis, clitoris, and nipples. Noses get erections. Within seconds, they too can engorge with blood and become large and stiff. This happens because the nose is more intimately connected to the genitals than any other organ; when one gets aroused, the other responds. The mere thought of sex for some people causes such severe bouts of nasal erections that they'll have trouble breathing and will start to sneeze uncontrollably, an inconvenient condition called "honeymoon rhinitis." As sexual stimulation weakens and erectile tissue becomes flaccid, the nose will, too.
After Kayser's discovery, decades passed and nobody offered a good reason for why the human nose was lined with erectile tissue, or why the nostrils cycled. There were many theories: some believed this switching provoked the body to flip over from side to side while sleeping to prevent bedsores. (Breathing is easier through the nostril opposite the pillow.) Others thought the cycling helped protect the nose from respiratory infection and allergies, while still others argued that alternate airflow allows us to smell odours more efficiently.
What researchers eventually managed to confirm was that nasal erectile tissue mirrored states of health. It would become inflamed during sickness or other states of imbalance. If the nose became infected, the nasal cycle became more pronounced and switched back and forth quickly. The right and left nasal cavities also worked like an HVAC system, controlling temperature and blood pressure and feeding the brain chemicals to alter our moods, emotions, and sleep states.
The right nostril is a gas pedal. When you're inhaling primarily through this channel, circulation speeds up, your body gets hotter, and cortisol levels, blood pressure, and heart rate all increase. This happens because breathing through the right side of the nose activates the sympathetic nervous system, the "fight or flight" mechanism that puts the body in a more elevated state of alertness and readiness. Breathing through the right nostril will also feed more blood to the opposite hemisphere of the brain, specifically to the prefrontal cortex, which has been associated with logical decisions, language, and computing.
Inhaling through the left nostril has the opposite effect: it works as a kind of brake system to the right nostril's accelerator. The left nostril is more deeply connected to the parasympathetic nervous system, the rest- and-relax side that lowers temperature and blood pressure, cools the body, and reduces anxiety. Left-nostril breathing shifts blood flow to the opposite side of the prefrontal cortex, the right area that plays a role in creative thought, emotions, formation of mental abstractions, and negative emotions.
This is an extract fromBreathby James Nestor, published by Penguin Random House, $35. Available to purchase now.
The post Did You Know Noses Get Erections? appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post The Neuroscience Behind Changing Your Habits appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The key can be found in the study of habits. Emerging science is currently showing us that changing our habits is possible at any age.
Habits are those behaviours that we find ourselves doing without even thinking. They are behaviours which lack conscious effort. Our habits affect all areas of our health. Before we know it, we have eaten the ice cream we didn't want to, or automatically sat on the couch and watched Youtube videos.
Why? The action once served a need and our brains made a mental note to repeat the action the next time we encountered the same situation. Habits are a way to save our brain's energy. Over 40% of our behaviours are habits, as our brains processes over 35,000 decisions every day. Those habits are stored and imprinted in our brains and nervous system.
Our brains are constantly guessing via our nervous system what is happening based on past experiences, emotions and visual cues. A habit is triggered by a cue that prompts us into action or behaviour. The result of such behaviour leads to a reward which could be an extrinsic or intrinsic.
For example, Jane complains that every afternoon after work she comes home, and eats chips, dips and wine before dinner. She believes it has contributed to a ten kilogram weight gain over time and wants to stop. Yet, as soon as a stressful time at work hits, it's almost as if the dips and chips have come out on autopilot.
Neuroscience has been able to pinpoint where and how these changes occur in the brain, and why certain steps are required during the process of change, irrespective of age.
Bringing non-judgmental awareness and an open curiosity to what is experienced when the current unwanted behaviour occurs is the first step in the process. When we have a critical view or judgment of our behaviour, the sympathetic nervous system is activated. Allowing ourselves a compassionate view helps us to relax and examine the big picture. This helps us to understand what the potential trigger or cue might be.
As Dr Susan David, psychologist, states: "when you are self-compassionate, you're actually doing something very specific for yourself- you're noticing difficult thoughts, showing up for them, and creating a sense of psychological safety for yourself".
For Jane, its creating a space for her to explore what the cue may be when she comes home from work, what triggers the habit of eating chips, dip and wine. It is an emotion, place or time that triggers the behaviour? Then help her understand what the initial reward for the habit was, was it relaxation, tiredness, stress release, hunger or thirst?
When we encounter a problematic trigger and consciously make an effort to change a behaviour, we activate our pre-frontal cortex. The neurotransmitter, norepinephrine (noradrenaline) sends a signal within the brain advising that something is different.
Andrew Huberman, Professor of Neuroscience at Stanford University states, "the brain changes when certain neurochemicals namely acetylcholine, noradrenaline, and dopamine are released in ways and in specific time that allow neural circuits to be marked for change and then change occurs later in sleep."
When we first initiate a new habit and experience a positive outcome as a result, dopamine is released across brain pathways. The next time we encounter the same situation our brain activates dopaminein anticipation of the reward rather than after the action. It's our brain's way of helping motivate us to carry out the habit the next time around, based on past experience.
We create new neural pathways within the brain from the pre-frontal cortex to an area of the basal ganglia, and in particular, the area of the stratium. This process of 'neuroplasticity' where neural pathways are created, can happen at any time throughout our life, whereas the generation of new neurons, known as neurogenesis generally ceases around age 25. Every time we encounter a cue, and dopamine is released, the neural pathway becomes stronger. The brain also prunes synaptic connections when we consistently do not repeat the behaviour.
Habit change requires repetition and consistency. However, it is also important to recognize our emotions, physiological states, and to be able to understand our underlying motivations as they play an important role in the process, as demonstrated by neuroscience.
With this understanding, we can help patients understand why certain steps are needed if they want to change habits that may be affecting their health and help support them as they move forward.
A discussion with Jane revealed that having chips, dip and wine when she got home from work, was a way of offsetting feeling tired from a busy day of work. "It's like releasing a pressure valve "
To meet her need for energy at the end of the day, Jane decided that she was going work on building a number of new behaviours. This included having some pre prepared cut up vegetables and low calorie dip ready to go when she got home from work. This meant creating some new habits to ensure this was in the fridge at the end of the day. She decided to put the wine in a different location to break the habit of reaching for the bottle in the fridge and place a bottle of sparking water where the wine bottle was placed in the fridge.
Each time she completed this action she ensured she took the time to pause, reflect and celebrate with a reminder that this was a positive step toward her ideal picture of health and energy.
These changes were enough to ensure that these changes were still rewarding her, but also impacting positively on her health. Since making these changes, Jane has "effortlessly" lost three kilograms, which has further cemented this particular neural pathway becoming stronger.
Habit change can be simple, yet have a profound impact on quality of life and health, one small step at a time.
The post The Neuroscience Behind Changing Your Habits appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Top Cleanser Picks For Every Skin Type appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Gel Cleansers
For: Oily and combination skin
Clear with a gel-like consistency. Effective at decongesting clogged pores and removing excess oils.
- Skinstitut – Gentle Cleanser 200ml $49.00, available here.
Cream Cleansers
For: Dry and combination skin
Thick & creamy with moisturising ingredients – cleanse skin without stripping it of its natural oils.
- Aesthetics Rx – AHA Cream Cleanser 125ml $59.00, available here.
- Dr Roebuck's – NOOSA Nourishing Crème Cleanser 100ml $42.00, available here.
Foam Cleansers
For: Oily and combination skin
Lightweight cleansers that start out as a cream or a gel and burst into a foamy lather, which effectively removes excess oil.
- Aesthetics Rx – Revitalising Foaming Cleanser 125ml $59.00, available here.
- Dr Roebuck's – KIBOSH Weightless Foaming Cleanser 100ml $42.00, available here.
Miceller Cleansers
For: Dry and sensitive skin
Made up of micelles, tiny balls of cleansing oil molecules suspended in soft water. Attract dirt & oil, drawing out impurities without drying skin.
- Skinstitut – Microbiome Micellar Water 200ml $39.00, available here.
Clay Cleansers
For: Oily and combination skin
Purify skin with their absorbing power, drawing our excess oil and toxins in pores.
- Dr Roebuck's – BYRON 2-In-1 Mask + Scrub 50ml $40.00, available here.
The post Top Cleanser Picks For Every Skin Type appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Egg and Bacon Pies Make A Yummy Breakfast appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Preparation time 10 minutes
Cooking time 20 minutes
INGREDIENTS
4 eggs
4 sheets of frozen filo pastry, thawed
2 rashers of bacon, eye part only
4 tbsp extra light sour cream
4 sprigs parsley, chopped
Pepper to taste
Spray oil
Cooked spinach for serving
METHOD
1 Preheat oven to 180°C.
2 Spray four compartments of a muffin tray with spray oil, cut the pasty into quarters (or to size) and gently press the pastry into the muffin tin.
3 Place bacon onto a baking tray and cook in the oven for 3 – 4 minutes or until done. Place onto a kitchen towel to drain and cool. Cut each rasher in half and place one half into the base of the pastry shell.
4 Mix sour cream, parsley and pepper together and spoon over the bacon.
5 Crack egg over the sour cream mixture.
6 Place in the oven and bake for 15 – 20 minutes or until cooked.
7 Remove from oven, carefully remove pastry from tin and serve with cooked spinach.
The Carousel thanks Australian Eggs for this recipe.
The post Egg and Bacon Pies Make A Yummy Breakfast appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Nutrition And Lifestyle Tips For Good Joint Health And Longevity appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Omega 3 is considered a key nutrient when it comes to supporting healthy joints, the cardiovascular system and decreased risk of inflammation throughout the lifespan. However, what many people don't know, is that the functional component of omega 3 referred to as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), is what promotes the positive health benefits.
The body acquires DHA through the consumption of Omega 3. Omega 3 is considered an essential fatty acid as can only be obtained through the diet or supplementation. However, not all omega 3's are equal in regards to their DHA content, making it difficult to reach from the diet alone. Consuming the right types of omega 3's is imperative when it comes to obtaining this essential nutrient. Algae, krill and fish oils are considered the most potent sources of DHA and oily fish consumption is recommended 2-3 times per week.
Besides its functional role with joint and cardiovascular health, DHA is also the major structural component of the brain and forms the membranes for the central nervous system. DHA also contributes to almost one third of the retina, making it extremely important for eye health.
Physical movement and in particular weight bearing activity has also been proven to assist with the maintenance of good joint health and skeletal health. Similar to muscle, bones are living tissues and joint strength can be improved through exercise. Physical activity can also be facilitated through the consumption of DHA and omega 3, as it reduces inflammation and enables exercise to be maintained throughout the entire lifespan.
When it comes to the type of physical activity, resistance training including pilates, yoga, walking and jogging have been proven extremely effective in strengthening the joints and bones. It is recommended incorporating weight-bearing exercise at least 3 times per week for 30 minutes for optimal health benefits.
Another important enabler for physical activity is heart and cardiovascular health. There are a number of predisposing factors for cardiovascular health, including age, gender and genetic predisposition. However, a diet rich in DHA and omega 3 combined with physical activity can help overcome these predisposing factors as they promote a healthy heart and a number of health benefits.
Make sure you stay on top of your health, check out Karina Stewart's story on 5 Top Tips For Anti-Ageing, here.
Do you consume enough Omega 3 in your diet? Tell us below…
The post Nutrition And Lifestyle Tips For Good Joint Health And Longevity appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post 7 Foods To Help Boost Brain Power appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Your brain needs fuel for thought, so provide it with the right food that will boost your concentration, improve memory and enhance your focus.
Here are 7 foods to boost your brain power and keep those cerebral cogs whirling away.
1. Blueberries
These yummy little blueberries are not only delicious but full of brain-boosting goodness. Research has shown that they boost concentration for up to five hours. They contain some super antioxidants which stimulate your blood flow and effectively transport more oxygen to your brain, giving you a fresher mind.
Try them as a mid-afternoon snack to boost brain power or start your day right with a delicious bowl of porridge (oats not only supply you with a slow release of energy to get you through the morning hump but they also have good magnesium levels which is good for brain function) topped with some blueberries, almonds and honey.
2. Green tea
Not only does green tea contain natural caffeine which is a stimulant, but it also contains antioxidants and nutrients and an important amino acid called L-theanine. This amino increases the activity of alpha waves in the brain and when combined with caffeine these two are a pretty potent pair at improving brain function.
3. Leafy greens.
The greener they are, the better. They contain antioxidants and carotenoids which boost and protect your brain power. Leafy greens contain vitamin B which are proven to help your memory and focus and folic acid which helps keep your head clear on those cloudy days. Try throwing some fresh baby spinach into your salad at lunch or roast some delicious crunchy kale for dinner.
4. Fabulous fatty fish oils
Fishy fats may not sound like the most appealing option but in fact fish oils are one the most essential components our body needs for healthy brain activity. Salmon is one of the best fish for its high content of omega-3 fatty acids which aid memory retention and behavioural and mental performance. It's also delicious and very versatile. Try marinating a salmon fillet in some honey ginger and soy then lightly pan frying accompanied by some fresh steamed greens for a tasty treat.
5. Turmeric
Turmeric has been used in food and medicine for eons. Turmeric contains curcumin – a powerful antioxidant which boosts levels of the brain hormone BDNF (Brain-derived neurotrophic factor) and increases the growth of new neurons and fights various degenerative processes in the brain. It's anti-inflammatory properties and potent antioxidants make it a great brain benefactor. Turmeric is great to cook curries with, adding flavour and a vibrant colour, so try it next time you are in the kitchen.
6. Avocado
Avo's! One of the most yummy and popular foods on the planet. Its fatty components are body beneficial for many reasons, but one of those is that its mono-saturated fatty acids help protect nerve cells in the brain. It also contains a lot of vitamins which are beneficial for brain health and helps to improve memory.
7. Dark Chocolate
If you feel like a naughty sweet little snack to keep you going then dark chocolate is the answer. It contain small amounts of caffeine and also is a mood booster. It contains flavanol which increases blood flow to the brain therefore supplying it with more fuel for thought. Also remember the darker the better, it doesn't have the same effect if you eat the milky kind unfortunately.
So boost your brain power because it is a powerful thing!
The post 7 Foods To Help Boost Brain Power appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Heidi Klum Gets Intimate appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Heidi told The Carousel she deliberately designs her collection with "more skin, less bra". Nowadays people are wearing bras with more natural shapes, she added, rather than having boobs "hoisted up", which used to be very popular. She's modelled for 25 years and memorably made world news strutting her fabulous figure as a Victoria's Secret model in 1997, so she would know!
Heidi has designed some luxurious new laces, and commented that "not all lace has to be flowers!". Too right. She is also releasing some more "architectural" underwear, for the women who love fancy undies but don't like all the pretty designs.
She openly hinted to all men that if you're running low on Valentine's Day gift ideas, then don't be shy about selecting a sexy design from Heidi Klum's Intimates .
Heidi said that she loves creating designs from scratch and is working with an amazing team. The new collection is everything you could want from lingerie, and it's going straight on our wish list here at The Carousel HQ.
Heidi revealed a few more details about herself…
Handbag essentials:
"My computer, blotting paper, my phone, a book to write in and colouring kit (because I colour when I'm on the plane)"
More on colouring…
"I paint! I have a tiny little water colour kit with cards that I paint on."
Latest painting project…
"I'm making one for Valentine's Day, for my boyfriend!"
Sydney vs. Melbourne?
"Sydney! Sorry Melbourne…"
Favourite book:
"Pinkalicious"
Favourite movie:
"Avatar"
Favourite colour:
"Green"
So, Heidi flies all over the world to shoot TV series, work with top design teams and model. She's absolutely stunning (definitely a 10, contrary to Donald Trump's outrageous statement…) and she's artistically gifted too! Does it get much better?
The post Heidi Klum Gets Intimate appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Setting Up Your Workplace To Support Your Health appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Biophilia:
According to biologist E. O. Wilson, biophilia is the innate and genetically determined affinity of human beings with the natural world. In other words, it's in our genes, we need to be in touch with nature.
These days, due to urbanization, and spending 90% of our time indoors, we have very little interaction with nature.
Biophilia is beneficial for concentration and productivity, and also aids in the proper function of body systems.
It's not just about seeing nature, we also need to feel, smell, touch and hear it. Biophilia appeals to all our senses and supports us mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually.
The good news is, we don't have to be sitting in the middle of a forest to receive the benefits. We can get the same effects with artificial plants, images and pictures, faux timber table tops, abstracts, colours of nature and even listening to nature sounds.
Noise:
These days, most offices operate in an open plan format, making it difficult to focus and concentrate.
Distracting noise can reduce productivity by 66%. But what concerns me more, is the effect this has on our physical, mental and emotional self.
Long term exposure can be stressful, cause anxiety and even make us angry, all contributing to a negative impact on our health and wellbeing.
Allocating quiet rooms or different spaces for different ways of working contribute to us feeling more supported and having a place we can escape to when we need to concentrate or just get some quiet time.
Circadian Rhythms:
If you haven't yet heard about circadian rhythms, let me give you an introduction.
Circadian rhythms regulate our sleep/wake cycle, hormone secretion and enzyme activity.
They are kept in check by the 24-hour daylight cycle. This information is received into the body by photoreceptors in our eyes called intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs for short).
Spending over 70% at work, we are subjected to artificial lighting and rarely get the opportunity to be exposed to the frequency and colour of natural daylight.
This is desynchronising our circadian rhythms which can cause obesity, diabetes, depression and metabolic disorders.
Exposure to bright light at night (like looking at the blue screen of your phone or computer) can cause circadian phase disruption, which in turn can create sleep issues.
These days, your office lighting can be designed to support circadian rhythms, changing colour as the day progresses to mimic natural daylight.
Other ways to support you can be as simple as;
- Looking at the sun in the morning and the sunset in the evening to re set your circadian rhythms.
- Take short walks and breaks outside.
- Relocate to a desk closer to natural light.
- Use the night shift setting on your mobile phone to change the screen colour from blue light to yellow light. (Mine is set from 7.00pm to 7.00am.)
- Investing in a pair of blue light filter glasses for computer work.
The Carousel would like to thank Eminè Mehmet for her story.
Eminè is a wellbeing strategist, speaker and writer. Known as the GO TO PERSON FOR WELLBEING, for over three years Eminè has applied her 20 plus years of knowledge and expertise of the built environment and people as a strategist in the wellbeing space. Her intention is create environments that support health and wellbeing as a positive impact on people. Eminè has a unique ability to connect to people on a fundamental level through her activating presentations , enabling change and transformation. 'Wellbeing is the next step up from sustainability and It's not just about physical health. It's more holistic than that, covering the physical, mental, emotional, spiritual and environmental wellbeing of a person.' says Eminè.
The post Setting Up Your Workplace To Support Your Health appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post The A-Z Of Hipster Baby Names appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>With these trendy Hipster baby names your child will be guaranteed to browse artisan markets, distill their own whiskey, and cultivate their own crops in their converted warehouse flat, whilst looking chic in their op shop clothes (obviously). So get your iced matcha green tea at the ready, pop your horn-rimmed spectacles on and let us begin.
A is for Atticus
Atticus Finch from Harper Lee's To Kill A Mocking Bird, a heroic and memorable character battling against racism way back then.
B is for Brienne
A Celtic name meaning 'high, noble, exalted'. However, it's also the name of a kick-ass character in Game Of Thrones. All hail Brienne Of Tarth! Let your daughter channel her inner warrior.
C is for Chia
Let's face it it's a big food trend adored by many a hipster therefore why not make it a trendy baby name too. They will sounds delicious and nutrious.
D is for Dali
Everybody knows who drew those melted clocks so why not show off your cultural knowledge by naming your kid after Salvador himself.
E is for Esmerelda
She plays a tambourine whilst dancing fluidly with her pet goat and pulls of gypsy chic like no one else. She's friends with our favourite bell-ringer in Notre Dame and Esmerelda is Greek for Emerald, the prettiest of gems.
F is for Felix
Felix? Maybe a cat is the first thing that comes to mind but aren't cats cool? I mean there are even Cat Cafe's in the world, don't you know.
G is for Godric
Godric Gryffindor the founder of the Gryffindor house in Harry Potter?…Enough said.
H is for Hazel
"Get over that image you have of your arthritic great-aunt slopping gravy on her mashed taters…Hazel is modern now. She's the protagonist of smash-hit book (and film) The Fault In our Stars."
I is for Indiana
Non-gender specific. However it may encourage your child to dress like a badass archeologist and run around the house with a hat and whip.
J is for Jovi
A gender neutral name and also a nostalgic name for the times you used to scream Livin' On A Prayerout at karaoke.
K is for Kingston
"A name fit for a King. Gwen Stefani chose this one for her own little lord all the way back in 2006". But then again Gwen was always ahead of the times and is a timeless trendsetter.
L is for Lana
"Resurrected recently by Lana Del Ray, who represents everything retro, glamorous, kitsch and flash-in-the-pan about hipsterdom."
M is for Minnie
"She's going to grow up to drink gin in the sunshine and, to be honest, this might just be how it all ends for Minnie." Also everyone knows who Minnie mouse is and it's totally acceptable to wear Minnie the Mouse prints now as an adult so why not name your child after the Disney character.
N is for North
Kim and Kanye did it so it must be cool right?
O is for Oscar
You studied dramatic arts and were heavily involved in all your school's theatre productions, you appeared as a inanimate object in the background once or twice but hey it's all part of the process darling. You probably told everyone that you are an actor but you haven't worked since you graduated, you work in Starbucks just to keep things ticking over and your agent never returns your calls except to tell you that you've got a casting for the latest hair-loss advert. That book of Oscar Wilde's complete works sit proudly in your bookshelf though.
P is for Pandora
People said don't open Pandora's box, but did they listen? We all succumb to temptation when curiosity gets the better of us. We're only human. So do you want to name your daughter after a mythological evil temptress? Maybe…it could be ironic (fingers crossed).
Q is for Quince
Any accompaniment to cheese is going to be a hit.
R is for Rebel
Sure, "shouting this one out loud might be a tad embarrassing" but do you know who made it cool…Rebel Wilson, that's who. One of the funniest Australian comedians around who stole our hearts in Pitch Perfect, Rebel is a trail blazer and your daughter is sure to be one too.
S is for Salinger
You're obviously so well read, but aren't we all because it was a mandatory part of our school curriculum.
T is for Tallulah
"Tallulah was born to attend weekend-long music festival and wear strapless maxis while lounging in the sun". She will be a natural in the art of hippy face-paint and most of her clothes will be recycled vintage ensembles.
U is for Ursula
The Scary Sea Witch from The Little Mermaid? Yep, she still gives you the heebie jeebies now but she was rocking the gothic makeup and silver hair way before it became trendy and The Little Mermaid is a classic Disney film so why not go with a bit of nostalgia.
V is for Viola
"The name of a Shakespearean character and a musical instrument. That's highbrow."
W is for Winston
Made famous by the legendary Mr Churchill who was an inspirational man who once said "Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen". Maybe your child will be an inspirational political leader ready to make a change in the world too.
X is for Xena
The fierce Warrior Princess. It was a cool show back in the day.
Y is for Yara
"In Brazil, Yara can mean 'forest girl' or 'water witch', while in Greek it can mean 'the loved one'. However, the Arabic translations are the best of all, 'precious ruby' or 'romantic music under the moon'."
Z is for Zooey
Zooey Deschanel is the apple of many mens eyes because she's cute, quirky a little weird and oddly attractive. What's not to love about a girl who will "go on to embolden a stream of broodingly soulful young men to embrace life and take action."
The post The A-Z Of Hipster Baby Names appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post The Link Between Inflammation and Depression appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>In his latest book, Professor Edward Bullmore challenges the reader, and the medical establishment, to re-evaluate the treatment of depression by "drawing attention to the deep historical roots of some aspects of the modern medical mindset…inspired by Descartes" . Further, that "the greatest possible respect for Descartes as a writer, mathematician and thinker…should n't blind us to potentially useful new ways of understanding and treating mental health symptoms which aren't predicated on a split between mind and body".
Professor Bullmore explains, "I think the impact of Descartes and his dualist theory of a material machine-like body and an immaterial god-like mind has been foundational in the triumph of western medicine. This split between body and mind traditionally prevents doctors thinking about the major depressive disorder as caused by disorders of the body." And this is the salient point. Because how treatment is metered out is "represented organizationally in the division between medical and mental health services in the British NHS, for example…" and because of this "it can make it difficult for the many patients with both physical and mental health symptoms to find "joined-up" treatment. With all due respect to Descartes, who was writing 400 years ago, dualism is a philosophical constraint on the way we conventionally think about depression that we shouldn't be blind to".
Depression, for millions of people, continues to be a maddeningly slippery issue to understand and treat. For Professor Bullmore, interest in its treatment goes back to the early 1980s when "at that time the dominant idea was that depression was caused by an imbalance of neurotransmitters in the brain: not enough serotonin, for example. To this day, more than 30 years later, many patients are treated for depression with SSRIs – the serotonin reuptake inhibitors exemplified by Prozac – on the grounds that these and related drugs work as anti-depressants because they boost levels of serotonin in the brain".
"…it became clear…" , he explains, "…(in) around 2010, that we needed to think differently about how to treat depression because the old model of boosting serotonin (or noradrenaline or dopamine) as a panacea for all patients with depression was not delivering ever for more effective new drugs, and therapeutic progress in real-life had stalled."
Another French thinker of repute, Michel Foucault, expressed similar concerns that "western medicine has dehumanized or mechanized the patient", echoing "another criticism of Cartesian dualism, by succeeding "in treating the physical disease as if it was a biological machine gone wrong. But this intense medical focus on physical mechanism, which follows directly from Descartes, comes at the cost of disregarding any mental aspects of the patient – like their personality, their sense of humour, their sexual orientation – which doctors can't explain in terms of genes, cells, molecules and the other components of the body machine."
This promising new way of approaching the treatment of depression might well represent a paradigm shift. And if "the most powerful lever of change in the history of medicine was always the advent of a new treatment" then what might this new treatment be? " If we had a new drug for depression…" Professor Bullmore explains, "…that worked well for some of the many patients, about a third, who don't recover entirely after treatment with SSRIs or psychotherapy, that would be a big step forward. If we had a blood test or a biomarker that we could use to predict which patients with MDD were particularly likely to respond well to this new drug that would be epochal".
The post The Link Between Inflammation and Depression appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Celebrate Nyepi At The Westin Resort Nusa Dua In Bali appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>This year, the public holiday falls on March 25 and there's no better place to celebrate it than at the Westin Resort Nusa Dua in Bali itself. During your stay at the resort, there are plenty of relaxing and rejuvenating activities to do.
Pengerupukan Day Dinner
Available on Tuesday, 24 March 2020 from 6:30PM at Ikan Beach Garden, enjoy delicious signature Balinese dishes like Babi Guling, Lawar Kelungah, Sate Lilit and more.
Balinese New Year Celebration
Interestingly, the Balinese New Year is celebrated the day after Nyepi, on March 26 this year. Indulge in an extensive buffet dinner of flavorful international dishes including sushi options, classic roast beef, garden-fresh salads and irresistible desserts. Available on Wednesday, 25 March 2020 from 6PM at Seasonal Tastes.
Nyepi Exceptional Offer
How does a relaxing spa day sound? Make use of the luxurious thermal facilities and enjoy a full range of spa treatments from Sanur spa package to Merthasari spa package for total relaxation. Available on Wednesday, 25 March from 10AM at Heavenly Spa by Westin.
Chakra Therapy
Chakra therapy uses tools from Yoga and Bioenergetics as well as models of childhood development to root out these unconscious programs, greater aliveness and freedom. Available on Wednesday, 25 March from 10AM to 11AM at Lotus Room.
Fun Spa Renewal
If you're bringing your kids along, introduce them to Westin Kids Spa where they can enjoy the art of relaxation with hair braiding, mini facials and even manicures and pedicures all with a 50% discount. Available at Westin Kids Spa from 10AM to 6PM.
Kids Nyepi Break
The fun for the kids doesn't stop there, though. Nyepi Day is full of fun activities for the whole family. The kids will start the day with stretching, followed by cultural and crafty activities, such as temple visit, fruit carving and many more. Available at Westin Family Kids Club from 7:30AM onwards.
The post Celebrate Nyepi At The Westin Resort Nusa Dua In Bali appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Raw Chocolate Mudshake Recipe That's Truly Healthy For You appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Chocolate for breakfast anyone? Yes please. This super food chocolate mudshake will satisfy even the strongest of sweet tooth. High in magnesium, potassium, Vitamin C and Vitamin E to nourish your skin, immune system and promote muscle repair, this raw smoothie will rock your world any time of the day completely guilt free.
Serves one as a breakfast/light lunch alternative, or 2 as a snack.
INGREDIENTS
2 ripe organic bananas
1/2 ripe avocado
2tsp organic coconut nectar or honey
1/4 cup organic almond milk (more if consistency is too thick)
2 heaped TBS organic raw cacao powder
Organic cacao nibs to top
METHOD
1Blend all ingredients until smooth and thick and top with a pinch of extra cacao powder and nibs.
The post Raw Chocolate Mudshake Recipe That's Truly Healthy For You appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Which Zodiac Sign Is Your Love Match? appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Your horoscopes can tell you a lot about relationship compatibility, but I always remind people it's very important to know your own worth.
You can consult your zodiac sign to see who you are generally compatible or incompatible with, but for specifics, you do need to know your time, place and date of birth to be most accurate.
You can also look at the elements – Earth, Fire, Air and Water – in connection with astrology to be even more specific.
Relationships are hard at the best of times, and they are even harder now because of all the stress and anxiety with the COVID pandemic going on in the background.
Coronavirus has put a lot of pressure on people and anxiety levels are higher than usual.
In 2021 we are being called to be more independent – with COVID adding fuel to the fire:
- Marriages under stress: Traditions such as getting married, having children and staying home have been undergoing stress for a long time.
- Call to independence: We are being encouraged to strike out on our own in some way, even within the structure of marriage or partnership.
- It doesn't mean the end: Relationships will change as each party becomes less dependent and more whole within themselves – it doesn't mean established relationships will end.
- Both parties need space as well as time together: It's important people in new or existing relationships, or singles, keep in mind the key to success is having your own interests and time apart, rather than being co-dependent.
While the idea of co-dependency in relationships is on the way out, on a spiritual level people are often looking for their soul mate but also have a deeper awareness of what they really require in a REALationship.
There is a huge idea built around twin flames – the fact you can't be fulfilled without another whole person by your side.
However, my advice would be to go out and enjoy your life, have fun and go slowly – it's better to be friends first if you are worried or concerned.
You must be happy, content, and confident within yourself first to attract another person because if you come across as too needy or desperate you will repel them straight away or they may try to take advantage if you let them.
Be clear about what you want to avoid heart break. If you met on dating apps – be cautious, use a reputable one with psychological profiles.
Here are my tips for star sign compatibility:
Aries (March 21 to April 19): is a masculine or 'yang' fiery cardinal sign meaning Arians are generally active, passionate and independent with strong opinions. They need partners who understand them and don't try to dampen their fiery nature. Fire signs Aries, Leo and Sagittarius can make good partners and arguments are quite likely. Air signs Gemini, Libra and Aquarius feed fire but Libra is opposite Aries on the zodiac wheel so this match could bring difficulties. Gemini is a good bet.
Taurus (April 20 to May 20): is a feminine 'yin' earthy fixed sign. This means Taureans are generally inward focused, practical and self-directed, verging on stubbornness sometimes! Relationships with Earth signs Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn can work but care needs to be taken that these matches don't get bogged down in the mud with feelings of depression or being stuck in a rut. Relationships with Water signs Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces can add emotional connection, which is needed for balance, but Scorpio's opinions can bring clashes. Cancer brings added nurturance.
Gemini (May 21 to June 20): is a 'yang' mutable Air sign making Geminis outgoing, communicative and flexible. They can be quite intellectual and like to think and strategise about most things. They get on well with Air signs Gemini, Libra and Aquarius where there is lots of conversation, but some level of detachment can also occur. Fire signs Aries, Leo and Sagittarius are attractive but with Sagittarius there are tendencies for much change, like it or not. A Leo match could work out best.
Cancer (June 21 to July 22): is a 'yin' cardinal Water sign so Cancerians are usually self-reflective, emotional and pioneering or instigating. They find support with Water signs Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces; however, these unions can be very emotional and hard work sometimes. Earth signs Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn can supply the grounding that emotional Cancer needs to thrive, but Capricorn can be too serious or conservative for Cancer's liking. Virgo or Taurus are good prospects.
Leo (July 23 to August 22): is a 'yang' fixed Fire sign which is outgoing, warm and often has strong opinions. Though good relationships are possible with other Fire signs Leo, Sagittarius and Aries, arguments can quickly blow up as Fire signs are emotionally volatile. Unions with Air signs Gemini, Libra and Aquarius can work well. However, both Leo and Aquarius tend towards fixed opinions which can create conflict. Relationships with Librans are likely to be passionate and harmonious.
Virgo (August 23 to September 22): is a 'yin' mutable Earth sign which is thoughtful, careful and discriminating. Virgo can enjoy good relations with Earth signs Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn but they should guard against the relationship getting stuck in a rut or boredom setting in. Water signs Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces can offer a real sense of connection but sometimes Pisces might be a bit too much to handle. Scorpio relations could be fantastic, Cancer is likely to be good also.
Libra (September 23 to October 22): is a 'yang' cardinal Air sign which loves beauty, peace but most of all love. Libran is indeed in love with the idea of love and can enjoy wonderful relationships with other Air signs including Libra, Gemini and Aquarius. The most likely issue however is that sometimes there is a degree of detachment. Fire signs Aries, Leo and Sagittarius can make good partners. However, there can be strong clashes with Aries sometimes. Leo is likely to be attractive.
Scorpio (October 23 to November 21): is a 'yin' fixed Water sign focusing on inner reflection and intense emotions. Scorpios are often 'magnetically attractive', and Water Signs Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces make good partners. There can be a lot of emotionality in these relationships however taking both partners down deep into subconscious waters. Earth signs Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn help ground Scorpio in practical reality, but Taurus can seem somewhat conservative to Scorpio. Virgo and Capricorn could make excellent partners.
Sagittarius (November 22 to December 21): is a 'yang' mutable Fire sign being adventurous and expansive. Sagittarius enjoys freedom and needs an open-minded partner so Fire signs Aries, Leo and Sagittarius are good potential partners, although relations with Fire signs can bring both passion and volatility. Relationships with Air signs Gemini, Libra and Aquarius can work very well. However, sometimes fiery clashes will occur with Gemini.
Capricorn (December 22nd to January 19): is a 'yin' cardinal Earth sign being solid, dependable and generally hardworking. Relationships with Earth signs Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn can work well as you both work towards the same things. There is a risk of these unions being bogged down by work commitments and seriousness. Ideally, you could have more fun with Water signs Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces which complement Capricorn. Cancer matches can sometimes bring too much emotionality for Capricorns, so Scorpio and Pisces are the best partnership bets.
Aquarius (January 20th to February 18): is a 'yang' fixed Air sign being sociable, innovative and humanitarian. Air signs Gemini, Libra and Aquarius all make good partners, and the only risks are you talk for hours and hours and don't get much done or a feeling of detachment from each other can sometimes occur. Fire signs Aries, Leo and Sagittarius can make great partners, but Leo can sometimes seem a bit overly opinionated for Aquarius.
Pisces (February 19 to March 20): is a 'yin' mutable Water sign being emotional, intuitive and creative. Water signs Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces are suitable for deep and passionate relationships however sometimes there can be too much emotion coming to the surface. Earth signs Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn provide stability and grounding bringing balance, but Virgo may find Pisces intensity a bit much sometimes.
The post Which Zodiac Sign Is Your Love Match? appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Eat Your Way to Perfect Skin appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Embrace Healthy Fats
Healthy fats are the key when it comes to promoting nourished, plump skin. Munching on almonds, avocados and quality oils including olive and coconut is a great way to ensure you are consuming the right levels of healthy fats in the diet.
Kick the Sugar
Refined sugar consumption can take a big toll on the appearance of our skin as well as trigger break outs and dullness. When the 3pm slump kicks in, ditch the chocolate bar and reach for whole and natural foods including nuts, vegetable sticks and fresh fruit. Not only will your skin be grateful, but your energy levels will remain more stable.
Hydration
We hear it time and time again, but hydration is absolutely vital when it comes to nourishing and hydrating the skin cells. Aiming to sip on 1-2L of water per day (this can also include green/white tea) will help ensure your skin remains hydrated. Reducing anything which has a dehydrating effect on the body including coffee and salt in the diet can also prevent dryness.
Antioxidants
Antioxidants are the diet power-house when it comes to promoting clear, vibrant skin. Antioxidants fight toxins and eliminate free radicals out of the body, which enables our organs to function at an optimal level. When our body is healthy on the inside, it shines on the outside. Antioxidant-rich foods include berries, bright coloured fruit, green leafy vegetables and super foods including acai.
Gut Health
The health of our digestive system can have a profound effect on the health of our skin. Taking a quality pro-bioitic supplement can help ensure the gut is full of healthy bacteria for optimal tummy health as well as assist with nutrient absorption to promote even healthier skin.
Mind Nutrition
Research is continuing to demonstrate the profound relationship between the mind and its physiological effects on our body. We are all familiar with a stress-related breakout or developing emotional related skin inconsistencies. Try nourishing the mind with positivity and de-stressing rituals like meditation and yoga to help the immediate appearance of your skin.
This is a sponsored post by Neutrogena. All opinions expressed by the author are authentic and written in their own words.
The post Eat Your Way to Perfect Skin appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post How To Match Your Makeup To Your Glasses appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>For black thick-rimmed frames
"Frames that demand a presence should be complemented with light, luminous and fresh eye makeup," says Stanislaus.
"Avoid a really dark dramatic smoky eye look as the look can lose its impact if it's boarded by dark frames. If you are after a little drama, focus on creating full and bold lashes." Try Maybelline NY Mega Plush Mascara, $19.95
For clear white frames
"Light or clear frames can be extremely versatile when creating various eye looks – it allows more of a creative license, so try a colourful smokey eye or a dramatic liquid liner look." Try Maybelline NY EyeStudio Big Eyes Light-Catching Palette in Luminous Purple, $16.95
For coloured frames
"Keep the eyes sophisticated and somewhat neutral with eyeshadow but get creative with liner here. A cat eye or a simple top liner is really effective and eye catching." Try Maybelline NY Master Graphic Liquid Liner, $14.95
For cat-eye frames
"With cat eye or elongated glasses, a metallic eyeshadow with lots of mascara helps bring out a little drama and lay to the attitude of the frames." Try Maybelline NY EyeStudio Color Tattoo 24H Metal Cream Gel in Barely Branded, $11.95
For semi-rimless frames
"For this look, you'd look best with smoky eyes to balance the shape of these glasses." Try Maybelline NY ExpertWear EyeShadow Quad in Charcoal Smokes, $14.95
What's your favourite eye makeup look? Tell us in the comments below.
The post How To Match Your Makeup To Your Glasses appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Men's Skincare And Grooming Myths – Debunked! appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>It's ok to use body moisturiser on your face.
I, for one, locked heads with my partner when we first met about this topic. Here's what our expert thought…
"Absolutely you can do that, but it truly depends on the formula," says skincare expert Paula Begoun. "Most body products are not formulated as well as face products. The best face products are loaded with antioxidants, skin repairing ingredients, as well skin identical ingredients. Body products on the other hand, even the most expensive, come up short in comparison." Try PC4Men Nighttime Repair, $38.01
A shampoo can be used for face, beard and body.
Sure, you can give the rest of your face and body a once-over with your shampoo, but there's just one type of hair wash your partner should avoid.
"Volumizing ingredients can leave a somewhat sticky feeling on the body, especially in places like the groin or under the arms," continues Begoun. "But other than that, one shampoo could do it all from head to toe." Try Molton Brown Anti-Dandruff Shampoo with Fennel, $29
Acne scarring is untreatable.
Acne, scarring and pigmentation go hand in hand, and men are just as susceptible as women to show the after-effects of the aggressive skin condition. The truth is, men do have thicker facial skin than women, but skincare formulas actually work exactly the same for both sexes. Sharing is caring, so let him borrow what you've got! Thalgo's new M-Ceutic range comes highly recommended – the active ingredients will address pigmentation, smooth skin and even out your complexion. Try Thalgo M-Ceutic Resurfacer Cream-Serum, $127
Shaving your face with a razor is worse than using an electric shaver.
Actually, both are fine to use to groom facial hair. However, nicks and cuts can be avoided if you use a high-quality razor, and follow some simple rules.
"For the closest and smoothest shave, use light, gentle strokes and shave first in the direction of the hair growth," says Kristina Vanoosthuyze, Research & Development Expert for Gillette. "Then follow it up with upstrokes against the direction of hair growth."
"You'll know it's time to switch to a new blade when the blades feel blunt, the coating on the blades start to wear, and the lubricants formulated in the 'lubrastrip' run out," continues Vanoosthuyze. Try Gillette Fusion ProGlide with FlexBall Technology, $16.49
Body hair should never be shaved – it should be waxed or lasered off.
Mmm… sort of true. If your partner is someone that has lots of (unwanted) hair on their chest, and legs, then shaving just doesn't make sense for such a large area. Instead, go for an IPL machine that you can use at home – and surprisingly, it's quite low on the pain scale.
However, you'll need to shave the area first before zapping it with the handheld device. It does take a bit of time to treat each area but it's so worth it – you'll see results in just a few weeks. Try Philips Lumea Precision Plus IPL, $899.95
The post Men's Skincare And Grooming Myths – Debunked! appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post The 6 Signs Of Healthy Ageing: How Do You Rate? appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>However, fuelling the body with the right nutrients including omega 3 can assist with the healthy ageing process.
As well as this, it can support an abundance of health benefits to ease natural age decline, including heart, joint, eye and cognitive health.
Take our quiz and assess whether you are ageing in the best possible way.
1. Your heart health is…
a) Top form. The doctor gave me 10/10 last week.
b) Oooh, I don't know. I haven't had my heart health checked for a while…
c) Probably not great, I do little to no physical activity and could be considered overweight
If you answered:
a) Congratulations! A healthy heart is the key to longevity as well as a decreased risk of cardiovascular diseases. Living a healthy and balanced life will ensure your heart health maintains as well as assist with healthy ageing.
b) If you have not had a recent heart check and are over 50, it is recommended to see a GP for a full heart assessment. Your GP will advise you whether you are at a high or low risk for heart conditions.
c) A number of factors can compromise heart health including a poor diet, a sedentary lifestyle, overweight, diabetes and smoking. If you are suffering high cholesterol, high blood pressure or heart palpitations, you may also be at risk of poor heart health. Visiting a GP for a heart check immediately is recommended.
2. Your joint health support is…
a) I'm still walking two kilometres a day and loving every step!
b) I can barely get out of bed without feeling my joints crack.
c) I have continual aches and pains and take anti-inflammatory medication
If you answered:
a) Your joints sound like they are in great shape. However, ensuring your daily consumption of fish oil and omega 3 is recommended to assist with healthy joint maintenance.
b) You may be at risk of joint health decline. Ensuring you are taking preventative steps including a healthy and active life as well as a fish oil supplement can assist with supporting the joints and prevent further decline.
c) Joint pain can be a result of inflammation and can also cause extreme discomfort. Aches and pains can become more frequent from the early 50's and can be supported with appropriate omega 3 and fish oil supplements.
3. Your brain health is…
a) I'm known as the Sudoku and Crossword Queen. In fact, I'm learning and retaining more information today than I was 30 years ago!
b) I find I am having trouble retaining information and struggle to recall certain events
c) My concentration fades and processing new information can be difficult at times
If you answered:
a) Your brain sounds like it is great health and are at a low risk of cognitive and memory decline
b) You may be at risk of age related cognitive decline. Consumption of a fish oil supplement rich in DHA can assist with cognitive function and assist with memory decline. Brain training exercises including crosswords can also help keep the mind and brain active.
c) Omega 3 and 6 are extremely important for enhancing concentration as well as increasing brain transmission and signals. Seeing a GP for a brain health check up is recommended as well as ensuring a fish oil supplement rich in DHA.
4. Memory: Which best describes you?
a) I can recall the date and time of almost anything… just ask!
b) It's not bad, although as I get older I tend to forget details of events
c) I have a shocking memory and it seems to be getting worse
If you answered:
a) Your memory appears to be in great shape and don't need to be concerned.
b) Natural memory loss can occur as age declines and whilst it can be frustrating, it differs to memory loss related conditions including dementia and Alzheimer's disease. However, essential fatty acids including omega 3 and 6 have been found to support natural memory decline as well as decrease the risk of memory related conditions.
c) You may be at risk of memory related conditions and should seek medical attention. Ensuring adequate consumption of fish oil and omega 3 can assist with the risk of memory related conditions.
5. Your Eye heath and vision is…
a) Fantastic, I don't need glasses and things are crystal clear!
b) Not bad, I just have glasses to help me read
c) Shocking! I feel as blind as a bat sometimes and my eyes strain continually
If you answered:
a) Your eye and retina sounds like they are in excellent form
b) Eye and vision deterioration is a difficult part of ageing. However, eye health can be supported by a diet enriched with omega 3 and DHA through either supplementation or oily fish consumption at least 2-3 times per week.
c) Oh dear, it is recommended you have an eye check as you may be at risk of poor eye health. A fish oil supplement can help support eye health throughout the ageing process.
6. Your general health and well-being is…
a) Fantastic! I live a healthy lifestyle and have regular check ups at the GP
b) Could be better…. But I am open to change as I get older
c) I struggle to maintain a healthy diet/lifestyle.
If you answered:
a) General health and wellbeing is the key to age prevention and the healthy ageing process. Keep up the healthy lifestyle and maintain regular physical activity.
b) Living a healthy and active lifestyle come hand in hand to promote cardiovascular, joint and cognitive health. Seek recommendations from a GP in regards to making positive changes to your current lifestyle. Regular health check ups are also recommended to ensure optimal health and organ function.
c) A poor diet and excess alcohol can have many negative health implications and prevent overall health and wellbeing. You may also be at risk of cardiovascular diseases, poor joint, eye and brain health See a GP for a health check up and kick the bad habits to promote overall health and longevity.
Make sure you stay on top of your health and use this quiz to help you get on track.
How did you score? Tell us below…
The post The 6 Signs Of Healthy Ageing: How Do You Rate? appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post My Makeup Bag Essentials appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>
I never thought primer was really important in my makeup routine until I met Laura Mercier's award-winning Foundation Primer. Not only is it silicone free (silicone-based products just slide right off my face by 12pm), but it can also be used in a few different ways: pop on a layer before foundation to plump up the skin, use it on its own for your daily fix of vitamins A, C, and E; or mix it with a powder shadow for a creamier effect. Try Laura Mercier Foundation Primer, from $77
Having tired-looking eyes in this day and age is a given… after all, most of our days are spent staring at computer screens or staying up late at night. Enter Neutrogena's Hydro Boost Eye Roll-On, a clever little rollerball product that contains hyaluronic acid and olive extract to counteract dehydration and stimulate blood circulation. To use, roll it around the eye and pat it into the skin with your fingers. Try Neutrogena Hydro Boost Eye Roll-On, $19.99
I've been through about three or four of these tubes and I seriously can't find another foundation formula quite like it. As a CC cream, it features three corrective pigments: there's apricot to address fatigue, green to zap redness, and white tea to minimise dark spots and pigmentation. And, for a medium-coverage base, it feels surprisingly light on skin, so you forget you've even got anything on. Try Bourjois 123 Perfect CC Cream, $25
There is nothing like a good set of false lashes to lift your spirits with a more glamorous look. Artemes is a great brand, and I'm hooked on their 'Twice Bitten' style, which is a set of wispy hairs that are longer in the middle. Expect tons of volume when you wear these. Try Artémes Lashes in Twice Bitten. $25.
Highlighting is one of the biggest trends to hit the beauty world is M.A.C.'s top-selling Mineralize Skinfinish in Soft and Gentle. It's a finely milled shimmering beige compact that looks incredible buffed into cheekbones, brow bones and down the nose, without looking too frosty or metallic. Try M.A.C. Mineralize Skinfinish in Soft and Gentle, $57
The post My Makeup Bag Essentials appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post 5 Simple Health Hacks To Improve Your Work Day appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>So here are five really simple health hacks to help you get through the work day grind and come out feeling,better.
1. GO GREEN, GREEN, GREEN
Plants not only make your desk prettier, they are said to help reduce stress and fatigue. The mind naturally feels more peaceful when you surround yourself with nature. So get back to your roots and be at one with mother nature by adding a plant. Growing and pruning your own mini Bonsai is our tip to help calm those frayed nerves.
2. DRINK, DRINK, DRINK
A handy compact water filter jug at your desk is the ideal way to keep you hydrated and encourage you to drink your recommended daily intake of water.
So stay healthy with a BRITA fill&enjoy Fun water filter jug. It's small and compact so won't take up loads of space on your desk and comes in a range of fun bright colours to brighten your day and spark your creativity. This water filter jug holds 1.5 litres of water and is a much more cost-effective solution to buying bottled water.
Drinking water will improve your concentration levels. Not to mention it will keep your skin suitably hydrated because working inside air-conditioned environments can quickly dry out your skin.
3. MOISTURISE, MOISTURISE
Remember to protect your skin from losing its moisture and becoming tired and dehydrated. A handy tip is to keep your skin supple and fresh with a mini hydrating mist or moisturiser at your desk. I personally love using a hydrating mist because it's quick and easy and leaves my skin feeling dewy and fresh. I also imagine that, just for a second, I'm being sprayed by a cool tropical sea breeze as I close my eyes.
4. MOVE, MOVE, MOVE
Encourage yourself to do a quick work out by keeping a mat under your desk. Why not book yourself into a quick lunch time yoga session or simply take it into your local park and do some stretches or sit ups? You don't want your little foamy friend sitting there waiting for you to use it. Find ways to encourage you to move and do some exercise, even just for 10 minutes. One tip is to take the stairs instead of the elevator. By adding exercise to your day, you will boost your energy levels.
5. EAT, EAT, EAT
If you are guilty of always eating your lunch at your desk, stop now. Force yourself to take a lunch break and go out for a 30 minute break. Enjoy the outdoor sun by eating your lunch in the park and get a Vitamin D boost at the same time.
Remember our five easy to do health hacks from exercising during the day to keeping a BRITA fill&enjoy Fun water filter jug by your desk will boost your energy levels.
The post 5 Simple Health Hacks To Improve Your Work Day appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post How To Contour: No Makeup Required appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>There are contouring video tutorials using knives and forks to contour with, I kid you not. Sadly, it makes the task a little less accessible and difficult to complete.
The latest bizarre twist on contouring has come from a DIY beauty blogger and YouTube star called Farah Dhukai, who recently posted a video on how to contour with no makeup!
At the time of writing, it had been viewed more than 2.9 million times!
It involves all natural ingredients such as rose petals, yoghurt, honey, espresso and cacao powder. The resulting mask is designed to highlight and contour the face, whilst also tightening and hydrating the skin.
]
The lightening and highlighting mask leaves your skin looking luminous and glowing.
The darker contouring mask contains coffee which is a powerful antioxidant in itself.
But Farah mixes it with cacao powder and honey which gives it a slight staining effect, resulting in naturally contoured skin.
Try it for yourself and follow @farahdhukai for more natural beauty potions.
The post How To Contour: No Makeup Required appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Health By The Moon: What The Lunar Cycles Mean For Your Wellbeing appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>
Health By The Moon
Lunar phases change cyclically based on the moon orbiting the earth. This casts various shadows over the moon, producing 4 cycles, each lasting around 7 days. Simplified, moon phases consist of a new moon, waxing moon, full moon and waning moon.
New Moon
The new moon occurs when the moon is positioned between the earth and the sun. A new moon represents new beginnings. A new moon is a time to set fresh nutritional and health goals to follow for the month. This may include decreasing refined sugar consumption, incorporating an extra daily serving of vegetables, or eating less meat. It's time to embrace new and healthy intentions and let go of old habits.
Waxing Moon
A waxing moon is a transitional moon, in between a new and full moon. A waxing moon may present a number of challenges following a new beginning. A waxing moon is also a time for adjustment and refinement. You may be challenged by your nutritional goals and be struggling to maintain consistency. However, keep focused on the positive changes you are making and be kind to yourself. If you need to re-adjust your goals to make them more achievable, a waxing moon is the ideal time to do so. If you are sailing along with your new health goals, it may be time to up the ante and challenge yourself further. Perhaps shopping for organic produce, pre-preparing lunches, or decreasing weekend alcohol intake.
Full Moon
A full moon occurs when the moon, earth and sun are all aligned. A full moon suggests that our intentions/goals are set but not fully achieved. Start to think how your current nutritional goals can be implemented into the next moon phase as well as into the future. This could include devising a plan to ensure permanent practice of these new, healthy habits. It may take 6 months for these habits to fully manifest into life, but setting intentions during this time can assist with achieving long- term health goals.
Waning Moon
A waning moon occurs when the sunlight portion in decreasing. A waning moon is a time to be grateful, as well as a time to release and forgive. It is time to reflect on the success of the past month in relation to achieving your nutritional/health goals. Have you managed to increase your nutrient consumption, or decrease refined, processed sugar intake? Take this time to be grateful for the positive steps that have been accomplished and focus on where it has lead you.
If the changes weren't as successful as you intended, it is also a time to forgive yourself and release any ill feelings about this. The next phase from a waning moon is a new moon, which brings the opportunity to begin again, or perhaps set new, more challenging goals.
Do you think it's a good idea to plan your health habits around the lunar cycles? Tell us below…
The post Health By The Moon: What The Lunar Cycles Mean For Your Wellbeing appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Cacao Bark With Matcha & Rose Petals appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>INGREDIENTS
200g cacao butter (1 cup melted)
1 cup raw cacao powder
¾ cup rice malt syrup
1tsp. vanilla essence
1 heaped tsp. green matcha powder
Pinch sea salt
2TBS edible dried rose petals
METHOD
1 Line a large flat baking tin (or 2 smaller ones) with baking paper and set aside.
2 Place the cacao butter in a small saucepan over very low heat, stir until melted. Then add the cacao powder, rice malt syrup, vanilla essence, green tea and sea salt. Stir until combined and smooth.
3 Pour the mixture over the baking paper evenly. Sprinkle with the rose petals and place in the fridge to set.
4 Allow at least 2 hours before break into pieces.
5 Makes around 470g. Store in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.
The Carousel thanks The Healthy Ingredient for this recipe.
The post Cacao Bark With Matcha & Rose Petals appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post The Best Foods To Eat This Winter appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Vitamin C is a common immunity booster used by all, but zinc is equally as essential. Zinc is used by the body in a variety of ways, but most importantly during the winter as it is used to make infection fighting white blood cells. A few foods that include high levels of zinc are oysters (contain more zinc per serving than any other food) and red meat, poultry, beans, nuts, whole grains and certain seafood types (such as crab and lobster)
The Best Foods To Eat This Winter
During the Winter, blueberries and salmon are two favourite brain foods. Blueberries are packed with antioxidants and are an excellent for improved cognitive function in the brain. Salmon contain omega 3 essential fatty acids which are important for a healthy functioning brain and also contain anti-inflammatory properties which can aid join function. If you aren't able to have 2-3 servings per week, health experts recommend taking 2-4 omega 3 tablets daily.
Raw cacao is excellent especially during Winter months as it guards against toxins: as an antioxidant cacao can repair the damage caused by free radicals and is also high in resveratrol, a strong antioxidant known for its ability to cross your blood-brain barrier to protect your nervous system. Additionally, raw cacao helps reduce insulin resistance.
During Winter it is much easier to stay indoors, become less active and crave unhealthy foods. It's important to include food fats in your diet to maintain your waistline. Good fats can be found in foods such as nuts, seeds, oils, meat, fish, seafood and avocados.
Good fats prevent you from overeating by telling your brain when to stop – you literally cannot binge on good fat because it fills you up so much. Have half an avocado on its own as a snack or with oatcakes for a delicious, filling, stress-busting breakfast. Always have some fat with each meal and snack – if you have some grapes, have a handful of almonds, as fat slows the rate at which sugar hits your bloodstream, keeping your hunger and cravings at bay and leaving you full and energized.
Main image courtesy ofThe Detox Kitchen Bible, by Lily Simpson and Rob Hobson, published by Bloomsbury, $49.99.
The post The Best Foods To Eat This Winter appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post 8 Best Super Foods: Kale, Coconut Oil, Acai & More appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Super foods are given this name primarily based on their superior nutritional profile. Generally, in order for a food to be classified as "super", it is exceptionally nutritionally dense per serve and regular consumption is associated with a variety of health benefits. Some Super Foods are high in anti-oxidants (acai), assist with weight loss and digestion (coconut oil), have anti-cancer properties (kale) or are a complete source of protein (quinoa). Super foods are a wonderful and easy addition to everyone's diets.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil has a range of positive health benefits. It assists with digestion and gut health, gradual weight loss, immune function, liver detoxification as well as curbing sugar cravings. Use coconut oil as a substitute for cooking oil, add a teaspoon to smoothies for health benefits and to shallow fry ingredients. Organic cold pressed coconut oil is our preferred kind, which can be purchased at most health food stores.
Chia Seeds
The chia seed has rapidly become the staple seed in our diet. With celebrities such as Kelly Slater raving about the health benefits, chia seeds a readily available on the shelves of major super markets and health food stores. With high levels of Omega 3 and dietary fibre, chia seeds can be added to smoothies, chia pudding and used in baking.
Acai
The Acai (ah-sigh-ee) berry grows on a particular type of palm tree (known as the Tree of Life) in the Brazilian Amazon and on the coast of Columbia. We buy it here in the form of an organic freeze dry powder, which has a potent berry smell and taste. Acai is a potent anti-oxidant, full of mono-saturated fats (the good fat), dietary fiber and promotes skin and intestinal health.
Add it to smoothies, home made bars, energy balls etc. to boost the nutritional profile and for the distinctive intense berry flavor.
Hemp Seeds
Hemp seeds are rich in omega 3, omega 6 and essential fatty acids. They are also an excellent source of protein and fiber. They are a wonderful addition to salads, smoothies and to sprinkle over breakfast bowls to increase the nutritional profile. They have a subtle, yet nutty flavor.
Bee Pollen
Bee Pollen assists the body with many vital functions, including digestion and immune function. As well as this, it has been linked to anti-ageing, longevity and is a rich source of vitamins, minerals and important enzymes. It is also an excellent supplement for vegetarians, as it contains all 8 essential amino acids, which is usually supplied through meat and dairy, which therefore, makes it an ideal food source.
Sprinkle it over fruit salad, your morning cereal, or on the top of smoothies for a daily dose. It adds a delicious sweetness, plus gives you a solid quantity of nutrients to boost start your day.
Cacao Powder/ Nibs
Cacao is chocolate in its most un-processed form. It is full of magnesium, antioxidants and promotes a healthy liver, hair and skin. It can be purchased in either a powdered form or in nibs. Add it to smoothies for a guilt free chocolate hit, as well as in raw brownies and raw mousse for a decadent flavor and to boost the nutritional profile.
Kale
The humble Kale has been labeled the Super Food of 2013. It has been a staple of many diets for years and is part of the cabbage family. Known for its high level of iron, magnesium and potent anti-oxidants, kale can be used in the kitchen in a number of ways. Bake it to make crispy kale chips, sautee it to have in salads, or have it raw in smoothies.
Quinoa
Quinoa is a grain and a great substitute for rice, pasta and an excellent addition to salads. It contains all of the essential amino acids, making it an excellent source of protein for vegetarians along with numerous other essential vitamins and minerals. Quinoa can be used in breakfast dishes (quinoa porridge or bircher), or in savory dishes. Available at most supermarkets and health food stores, quinoa is a staple of every health foodies diet.
The post 8 Best Super Foods: Kale, Coconut Oil, Acai & More appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Watch Out! 7 Stunning Watches For Father's Day! appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The Sporty Dad
Dads who like adventure and all things athletic will love the new Seiko Prospex watch range. Designed for thrill-seekers and outdoor enthusiasts, these wrist pieces are mechanically designed with superb specifications perfect for people always on the move. Our personal pick is the Save The Ocean Special Edition Diver's "Antarctica" Monster watch . Inspired by the glaciers of Antarctica and created to raise awareness of marine conservation, this timepiece has a 200m diver's water resistance rating and features a screw-lock crown, automatic movement, rotating bezel and a special edition case back.
The Cool Dad
The TAG Heuer Formula 1 x Senna is perfect for the kind of dad who makes you a healthy dinner then secretly slips you a chocolate bar for dessert! Featuring a sunray-brushed anthracite dial that offers full chronograph functions on luminous black counters at 3,6 and 9 o'clock, with bold yellow accents, this TAG timepiece is an ode to all the dads who like their Father's Day gifts with a side of fun. 
The Classic Dad
A dad who wears his shirts white, his suits black, and his accessories minimal needs a memorable timepiece to match. Enter Cartier's Ballon Bleu de Cartier Automatic 40mm Stainless Steel Watch. Featuring a silvered flinqué and lacquered sunray-effect dial and Cartier's signature timeless elegance, it proves that sleek and chic never goes out of style
The Corporate Dad
Dad may have swapped boardrooms for WFH kitchen bench tops for the better part of the year, but he definitely doesn't need to compromise on elegant office attire. This gold-tone stainless steel watch by Michael Hill is designed for the professional gentleman and features a functional black dial complete with a small second indicator, to make your dad feel like a total boss – whether he's Zooming in suits or settling in with something a little more comfortable.
The Hipster Dad
If your dad digs craft beer and takes his style cues from David Beckham, he'll definitely appreciate a father's day gift that's a little bit unique. This vintage-inspired option by Casio features an old-school electro-luminescent backlight, 1/100-second stopwatch and retro12:24 hour format – and certainly ticks all the quirky dad boxes.
The Healthy Dad
Tech and wellness combine in Samsung's latest wearable, the Galaxy Watch4 Classic . In a product first, the watch gives wearers access to blood pressure tracking and TGA-approved electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring readings via the new Samsung Health Monitor app. However, the slick ticker also offers a host of other health monitors and trackers – including bioimpedance analysis (body composition), sleep tracker, snore detector, heart rate monitor and fall detector, empowering dad to take greater control of his health needs.
The Luxe-Loving Dad
While you could never pay back the man who has given you everything, a top-tier timepiece – a Montblanc watch such as this Heritage Pythagore Limited Edition Piece – will definitely let him know how priceless he is! With only 148 pieces created globally, and exclusively available through Montblanc's Concierge service, this watch is the perfect gift to give the father who really does have everything!
The post Watch Out! 7 Stunning Watches For Father's Day! appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post What Exactly Is Sun Damage? appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>So you've heard it time and time again – apply sun protection to your skin every single day, even if you're just making a short trip to the bus stop each morning, as sun damage can occur in the shortest amount of time. Importantly, there are very good reasons for this advice.
"Signs of sun damage are clear when we compare sun-protected skin, such as the inner, upper arms, with our face and décolletage," says Dr Katherine Armour of The Dermatology Institute Of Victoria. "These include brown spots, wrinkling, dilated blood vessels and diffuse redness."
That's right, every second of sun exposure actually causes damage to skin. To protect your face through the day, layer a lightweight sunscreen like Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Face Sunscreen SPF50+, $16.99, under foundation for full coverage.
"With more severe sun damage, a sallow appearance to the skin can also be evident," continues Dr Armour. "Precancerous spots such as solar keratoses are red, scaly lesions also seen on sun-exposed sites. Overall, all of the above signs of sun damage lead to a loss of luminosity of the skin."
For an instant cover-up, try a medium-coverage foundation that'll even out skin tone, hide pigmentation and bring back that all-over glow that your skin once had. Try L'Oreal Paris True Match Liquid Foundation, $29.95
"Solar keratoses can sometimes spontaneously improve with sun protection, but other signs of sun damage do not tend to improve over time unless they are specifically treated," finishes Dr Armour.
Our best tip? Do your best to protect your skin all day, every day, because damage can occur when you least expect it.
This is a sponsored post by Neutrogena. All opinions expressed by the author are authentic and written in their own words.
The post What Exactly Is Sun Damage? appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Deboned Leg Of Lamb With Rosemary And Lemon Rub appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Prep time: 45-mins
Feeds: 6 peoples
Ingredients:
- 1.5kg de-boned leg of lamb
- olive oil and seasoning
- For the stuffing
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 red onion, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 cup toasted pinenuts
- 1/4 cup dried currants
- 1 tbsp honey
- 3 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1 bunch flat leaf parsley
- 1/2 bunch thyme
- 1/2 bunch rosemary leaves
- 1/2 cup grated pecorino Romano
- 2 cups homemade breadcrumbs
- freshly ground pepper
Method:
Remove lamb from the refrigerator two hours before cooking to allow it to come to room temperature. Season well. Preheat your Traeger Grill to 180˚C.
For the stuffing, heat one tablespoon of oil in a frying pan on low heat. Add onion, garlic and salt and cook until softened, about 10 minutes. Add pine nuts and currants and cook for one minute. Add honey and red wine vinegar. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
Pick and chop the leaves from the parsley and rosemary. Place in a food processor and blend while slowly pouring in remaining oil. Add the pecorino, pulse a few times then add the breadcrumbs, pulsing again until it just comes together. Remove from the processor and combine with cooled pinenut mixture. Check seasoning.
Place deboned lamb, fat side down, on a chopping board. Place stuffing in the middle along the whole length inside the lamb. Roll lamb from one side to the other. Tie with string along the length of the rolled up leg at three centimetre intervals. Rub with oil and put in a large roasting tin.
Cook for 30 minutes then reduce temperature to 160C. After about 40 more minutes, start checking the meat's core temperature. Continue to roast until it reaches about 55 to 56C. Rest for 30 minutes.
To serve, remove string, slice and serve with any juices from the roasting pan.
ABOUT:
Sarah Glover , Author of WILD: Adventure Cookbook and Ambassador for Traeger Grills Australia : The internationally renowned chef and explorer, who has travelled the world in search of epic food and wild adventures. As a classically trained chef and pastry chef, Sarah brings skill to wood-fired cooking, scaling windswept cliffs and salty stretches of beach to create simple, uncomplicated and seriously tasty food (always with a grin!).
Sarah has forged a career in Bondi Beach, Tasmania and beyond. She is the author of WILD: Adventure Cookbook and owner of the Wild Kitchen, a catering company founded on extraordinary events, cooked up under the stars.
The post Deboned Leg Of Lamb With Rosemary And Lemon Rub appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Branding Guru Melissa Core-Caballo On What It Takes To Maintain A Strong Work Ethic appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>It's a well known fact that when you first launched Dead Horse Branding, in under 5 years you managed to take a startup company making $0, to managing over $100 million in yearly brand revenue. Where does your entrepreneurial drive come from?
I have always wanted a different lifestyle for myself, my family and my team. That lifestyle is working from different locations on a daily basis nationally and internationally. Of course, we all need a hub we come to, but I feel that a flexible working environment promotes healthy staff, self-motivation, accountability and super creative environments. So, I created it. That was my drive for working for myself. In regard to Dead Horse Branding, I noticed a gap in the image building and promotional sectors where no agency was doing all formulas of brand building and promotion under one roof. Nor could an agency flip a switch to move from public relations and marketing to photography and then back to public relations. I found it very hard to track and communicate with various agencies for one project and wondered why it could not be under one roof. I realised it could – as long as you know the branding formulas and strategies in which they are built. The Co-Founder and Art Director of Dead Horse Branding, Rick Caballo second my findings and agreed we should launch a boutique studio that builds images and promotes brands. Here we are today – 10 years in, internationally acclaimed and loving life.
It would be remiss to not mention the unprecedented times we currently face with COVID-19 and the damaging effect it has had on the marketing industry. What keeps you motivated during these uncertain times?
I've personally never had an issue with self-motivation. I find that you either want something or you don't. And that is generally your motivating force. Being an entrepreneur, I don't mind uncertain times. I think every day in an entrepreneur's life is uncertain and that's half the challenge that we like. During the uncertainty of the COIVID-19 pandemic, I have kept up my motivation through finding opportunities to grow our business and the businesses of others. We just launched an initiative to provide free consulting to local businesses during the current lockdown here in Australia. Dead Horse is adapting to the everyday change that accompanies this pandemic.
What informs this work ethic of yours?
My work ethic comes from my natural drive to enable brands to reach their fullest potential. After seeing firsthand the power a strong rebranding and media strategy can have on a business, I want to share that vision of success with others. By pursuing this mission, I am also driven to further ensure Dead Horse is the best full service publicity agency in town through building talented staff and propelling killer brands.
Do you have a vision for yourself in 5, 10 years?
I don't have a specific vision for myself as much as I do the company and our staff. I have always wanted Dead Horse to be a global operation with staff that have an awesome balance of work and life. I want the team to have international opportunities where they can fly to different places and experience different cultures, brands, and clients. We have currently put a heavy business strategy in place to establish a strong Australian hub where staff can come work. That will kick off in 2022. We have also launched the DH 7 branding module which is an industry injection into the education system. It kicks off in schools, colleges and universities this fall 2021. We also want to take this program global and be a leading industry pathway and resource for students and educators.
When things don't go to plan, how do you manage disappointment?
I don't dwell on anything that hasn't gone to plan. However, I do step back, look at why it happened, review the reason it didn't go to plan, and make sure myself, the team, and company can understand what led to the negative outcome. I tend to change gears very quickly and have a pattern of not looking back once it's done and dusted.
Do you have a quote or mantra you live by?
Nike's "Just Do It".
You must have some productivity hacks, care to share?
I'm really big on organisation so I have several different types of software to help my productivity stay intact. I find that when these hacks are all working, productivity is at its maximum best.
I love the project management software Asana and I also use Google Drive along with the Google calendar system. All of our emails are IMAP set up so when you read one on one device they appear correctly across all devices. That could be a simple thing to most people but if you don't know about it, it's a huge time waste if you're not doing it properly.
How do you ride the start-up rollercoaster? What advice would you give to budding entrepreneurs?
This is one of the most important rollercoasters you could ever ride. The start-up phase for any business will make or break your goals. Through Dead Horse, we have seven strict branding modules that need to be in place for your start-up phase to work successfully. So, advice number one is to do your seven branding modules and start up properly from the beginning. Number two is that if you've got 14 hours a day when you're awake then you should be spending 14 hours a day on your start-up and on your business in general until it becomes sustainable. That word "sustainable" can be interpreted many different ways but at the end of the day it just needs to be sustainable according to your strategic plan.
What attributes do you look for in team members?
I look for staff members that are very versatile, meaning they not only know their craft for what they're being hired for but understand the overall branding techniques and have a higher vision across all branding formulas. You do not need to know how to do all seven formulas at Dead Horse Branding but you do have to understand how they work together and why they will or will not work together. You may specialise in one formula only but without this knowledge base we wouldn't be able to take you on. Our team members also enjoy working with an array of brands across many different industries from music to fashion to lifestyle products.
What does the future of education look like?
I definitely think education looks more industry based. I think there needs to be a very strong industry injection into the education system, hence why we launched the DH 7 branding module for schools and students. The best way to learn is hands on. That's never going to change even though in these uncertain times, in-person education and going into the office has come to a standstill in some industries. We need to keep focusing on hands-on experiences. The DH 7 branding module that we are launching aims at branding and giving students all the tools and contacts they need before graduation. So, by the time they graduate they have their strategic plan, their brand built, and are ready to step into their desired role. This way they not only understand how they are a brand and how they fit in with an organisation but know how the organisation is a brand and what it stands for. Then, they're able to sell themselves better into their desired position.
What are your favourite podcasts and apps? Please name three of each and give me one line about what you like about it.
Since having the pleasure of being a TEDx national committee member, I of course love the TEDx podcasts and the TEDTalks brand. The TED brand has a unique vision of storytelling, with a creative way of how you tell your story that's 100% unique to the TED brand.
I also love the fashion rewind podcast. It's a podcast that concentrates on people that have had to rewire their life or want to rewire their life to move into the fashion industry. It's so interesting to hear stories from successful designers and industry professionals on how they actually got into design when it wasn't their initial goal from the start.
Asana for project management is awesome on your desktop or on your phone. For me it's one of the best project management tools.
This isn't an app, but it's a new device called the Remarkable. It is an incredible notebook that is super thin and has paper-like pages that text you what you are writing as you go. It's very similar technology to a child magnetic sketcher and it has revolutionised my note taking. Due to this technology, Remarkable is infinitely reusable and saves paper, making it easier on nature so it is something I definitely had to mention.
The post Branding Guru Melissa Core-Caballo On What It Takes To Maintain A Strong Work Ethic appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Why is Sustainable Jewellery Such A Hot Trend? appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Tell us a little bit about your sustainable jewellery business?
We are a jewellery store based in the Queen Victoria Building of Sydney's CBD. My sister (Alana Weirick) and I are passionate about creating investment jewellery pieces made with moissanite and lab-grown diamonds. We believe these gems are among the most ethical out there. And we love offering solutions that show that sustainable jewellery can look good, and actually be great for the environment too.
What is Moissanite anyway?
Moissanite is the most brilliant jewel in the world. It has more brilliance, fire and lustre than a diamond. Moissanite is ideal for an engagement ring due to its better quality, better value and better effect on the environment than a mined diamond. It's a great option for those looking to invest in sustainable jewellery.
Why are Moissanite and lab-grown gems a better choice for those searching for sustainable jewellery?
I love lab-grown diamonds and Moissanite for so many reasons. Firstly, they are really beautiful. Lab-grown diamonds are identical to mined diamonds, whereas Moissanite has more brilliance, fire and lustre than any other jewel including diamond. This is what you look for – a gorgeous sparkle. I also love that lab-grown jewels are 100% ethical and conflict-free. They have a guaranteed source of origin and they also have less environmental impact and degradation than mined jewels making them perfect for those considering investing in sustainable jewellery. The icing on the cake is that lab-grown gems offer great value meaning you can get a much bigger or higher quality jewel for your budget.
Are lab-grown gems easier to work with?
Lab-grown gems are exactly the same to work with as mined jewels because they are made from the same natural mineral. For example, a mined diamond and a lab-grown diamond are both 100% carbon. You can wear lab-grown jewels every day just as you can mined diamonds and they will maintain their brilliance and sparkle forever.
How do these sustainable jewellery options compare in cost to mined jewels?
Lab-grown gems are much more affordable compared to mined. Typically lab-grown diamonds will be 50-70% less than a mined diamond and Moissanite are even more affordable being around 90% less expensive.
Are these gems easier to clean/wear at home?
Lab-grown jewels are exactly the same as mined jewels. I recommend to all my clients to not wear any rings in the house whether they are mined or lab-grown. It's a good habit to get into if you own fine jewellery as a lot of wear and tear happens when we do normal activities at home. As for cleaning lab-grown or mined jewels at home, a quick and easy way is to get a bowl of water with a drop of dishwashing liquid and a toothbrush and your jewellery will be sparkling!
Is longevity as good in sustainable jewellery such as mined gems?
Lab-grown diamonds have the same crystal structure, composition, physical and optical characteristics of a mined diamond. This means that they last just as long as a mined diamond would. A lab-grown diamond and Moissanite is forever and something to keep in your family for generations to come – a truly sustainable jewellery option!
The post Why is Sustainable Jewellery Such A Hot Trend? appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Gluten-free Mandarin, Polenta & Coconut Cakes appeared first on The Carousel.
]]> Preparation time 20 minutes (+ 30–60 minutes simmering, cooling time and 20 minutes standing)
Baking time 15–18 minutes
INGREDIENTS
2 large mandarins (about 110 g/3¾ oz each)
Melted butter, to grease
100 g (3½ oz/1 cup) almond meal
95 g (3¼ oz/½ cup) instant polenta
45 g (1½ oz/½ cup) desiccated coconut
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
3 eggs, at room temperature
165 g (5¾ oz/ ¾ cup) caster (superfine) sugar
1½ teaspoons natural vanilla extract or essence
Mandarin icing
250 g (9 oz/2 cups) pure icing (confectioners') sugar
1 ½–2 tablespoons mandarin juice
METHOD
1 Put the whole mandarins in a small saucepan, cover with water and set over high heat. Bring to the boil, reduce the heat and simmer for 30–60 minutes, or until very soft when tested with a skewer. (You may need to place a small saucer over the mandarins to keep them submerged.) Remove the mandarins from the water and set aside to cool slightly.
2 Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) or 160°C (315°F) fan-forced. Brush a 12-hole 80 ml (2½ fl oz/1/3 cup) capacity silicone or metal muffin tin with melted butter to grease. Quarter the mandarins and remove and discard the centre core and any seeds. Purée the skin and flesh in
a small food processor or blender until smooth.
3 Put the almond meal, polenta, coconut and baking powder in a medium bowl and mix well to combine.
4Put the eggs, sugar and vanilla in a medium bowl and use an electric mixer with a whisk attachment to whisk on high speed until very thick and pale and a ribbon trail forms when the whisk is lifted (about 3–4 minutes).
5 Add the mandarin purée to the egg mixture and use a spatula or large metal spoon to fold in until just combined. Add the polenta mixture and fold together until combined. Divide the mixture evenly among the muffin holes (you can pour it from a jug or use a ladle).
6 Bake in the preheated oven for 15–18 minutes, or until a skewer inserted in the cakes comes out clean. Cool the cakes in the tin for 5 minutes. Use a palette knife to ease the cakes out and transfer to a wire rack to cool.
7To make the Mandarin icing, sift the icing sugar into a medium bowl. Gradually stir in the juice until the mixture is smooth and has a thick coating consistency, adding a little more juice if too thick. Cover with plastic wrap and set aside at room temperature until ready to use.
8 Spread the tops of the cooled cakes with the icing. Set aside for 20 minutes or until set.
Baker's tip
These cakes will keep in an airtight container in a cool place (but not in the fridge) for up to 2 days.
Recipes and Images from BakeClass by Anneka Manning, Published by Murdoch Books.
The post Gluten-free Mandarin, Polenta & Coconut Cakes appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Egg Sandwiches Three Ways appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>- Chop 3 boiled eggs and mix with 1 tbs good quality mayonnaise, 1 tbs chopped basil and 1 tsp finely grated lemon rind. Season to taste and use a to fill a baguette, along with some baby rocket leaves.
- Chop 3 boiled eggs and mix with 1 tbs sweet chilli sauce and 1 tbs chopped fresh coriander. Serve on wholegrain bread spread with light cream cheese, and sliced tomato.
- Chop 3 boiled eggs and mix with 1 tbs good quality mayonnaise, 2 tbs chopped semi dried tomatoes and 2 tsp baby capers. Serve on wholemeal bread shredded iceberg lettuce.
The Carousel thanks Australian Eggs for this recipe.
The post Egg Sandwiches Three Ways appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Easy Vanilla Cake With Passionfruit Buttercream appeared first on The Carousel.
]]> Serves 8-10
Preparation time 15 minutes (+ 1½ hours cooling time)
Baking time 45–50 minutes
INGREDIENTS
Melted butter, to grease
150 g (5½ oz/1 cup) self-raising flour
35 g (1¼ oz/¼ cup) plain (all-purpose) flour
165 g (5¾ oz/¾ cup) caster (superfine) sugar
125 g (4½ oz) butter, cubed, at room temperature
80 ml (2½ fl oz/1/3 cup) milk
2 eggs, at room temperature
1½ teaspoons natural vanilla extract or essence
Passionfruit buttercream
125 g (4½oz) butter, at room temperature
185 g (6½ oz/1½ cups) icing (confectioners') sugar, sifted
1 tablespoon passionfruit pulp, plus extra, to decorate
METHOD
1 Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) or 160°C (315°F) fan-forced. Grease a round 20 cm (8 in) cake tin with melted butter and line the base with baking paper.
2 Place the self-raising and plain flours, sugar, butter, milk, eggs and vanilla in a large bowl. Use an electric mixer to beat on low speed until combined. Increase the speed to high and beat for 3 minutes or until the mixture is well combined and very pale in colour. Spoon the mixture into the prepared tin and smooth the surface with the back of a spoon.
3 Bake in the preheated oven for 45–50 minutes or until a skewer inserted in the centre comes out clean.
Leave to cool in the tin for 5 minutes before turning out onto a wire rack to cool completely (this will take about 1½ hours).
4 To make the Passionfruit buttercream, use an electric mixer to beat the butter, icing sugar and passionfruit pulp in a medium bowl until pale and creamy.
5 Spread the buttercream over the top of the cooled cake and then spoon over the extra passionfruit pulp to decorate. Serve in wedges.
Variation
Easy Citrus & Coconut Cake – Replace the vanilla with 1 tablespoon finely grated lemon or orange zest and add 45 g (1½ oz/½cup) desiccated coconut with the flours. Replace the passionfruit pulp in the buttercream with 2 teaspoons finely grated lemon or orange zest and 2 teaspoons strained fresh lemon or orange juice.
Recipes and Images from BakeClass by Anneka Manning, Published by Murdoch Books.
The post Easy Vanilla Cake With Passionfruit Buttercream appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Girl Crush: Rosie Huntington-Whiteley PLUS Her New Beauty Range Rosie Inc appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>And she's not just a pretty face – her resume is more than impressive. She's been a Victoria's Secret model; awarded 'Model of the Year' by Elle magazine; appeared on countless magazine covers and international fashion campaigns like Miss Sixty and Burberry; has modelled nude for the prestigious Pirelli calendars; has a lingerie and fragrance collection with Marks and Spencer; and even stars in movies. And now she has launched her Rosie Inc beauty range. The Rose Inc. beauty brand features nine makeup and skin-care products, beauty brushes and reusable cotton pads. Is there anything this pretty face can't do?
But wait… there's more. As the global ambassador for Aussie brand ModelCo, you can tell that she's truly passionate about beauty, skincare, and of course the products – something that isn't always obvious amongst other celebs who are paid the big bucks to be the face of a brand.
"Hydration is my fundamental rule of skincare. The secret to keeping my skin hydrated and replenished is with ModelCo Replenishing Rose Mist Facial Mist. I carry this in my handbag at all times and give my skin a quick spritz for instant refreshment," says Huntington-Whiteley.
What I'm most fascinated by most is the way she speaks. Some people froth over Nigella as she explains recipes in her cooking show; I drool over Rosie's eloquent way of speech in every interview on Youtube. She always appears composed, like someone who really has their life together.
My latest obsession is her latest shoot with beauty site Violet Grey. Shot by photographer Ben Hassett, Rosie poses nude tastefully on a lounge chair in sunny weather, with deep bronzed skin, brushed brows and burgundy lips and nails. It looks as though my winter beauty look has been decided for me!
INTRODUCING THE ROSIE INC BEAUTY BRAND
You can sign up for early purchase access on RoseInc.com ahead of the August 24-26 sales period for Rose Inc.-registered members. Rose Inc. will exclusively sell in the U.S. through Sephora, Sephora.com and Roseinc.com starting on August 27. Additionally, on August 27, there is Sephora Canada, and SpaceNK in the U.K., while Rose Inc. launches in Australia through Mecca by the end of the year.
What has been your favourite Rosie moment? Tell us in the comments below.
The post Girl Crush: Rosie Huntington-Whiteley PLUS Her New Beauty Range Rosie Inc appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Prepare Yourself For The Emotional August Blue Moon appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>This Sunday's 'seasonal' full Blue Moon (August 22nd) is also in the sign Aquarius unusually for the second time this year, offering us another chance to reset, release and reach an organic end with things, whether that be a romance, a friendship, an alliance, or even realising a dream.
This is a somewhat rare second full moon in the same sign in a row this year… where the Sun in Leo is forming an opposition to the full moon in Aquarius, so many people will feel at cross purposes within themselves or even in conflict.
We need to be mindful that full moons are reflective and emotional times when we think about our accomplishments, let go of things that are holding us back, consider whether second chances are warranted and look at how we can fulfil our dreams and desires.
And with much of the nation in lockdown… now is the perfect time to focus internally and let things go. We can be resistant about letting go of 'stuff' that we should be letting go of.
At the moment with many people being in lockdown and feeling isolated, they will be repressing emotions and events… but repressed memories come back at a later date.
Rather than pushing them down it may be time to accept the true reality – look at it in a positive way, like going diving and you can find a sunken treasure – because it may help you heal or move on in the long term.
Despite its name, the full Blue Moon won't actually be blue – but it will still be visually impressive when you look to the east after dusk on Sunday (you'll see it on Saturday too)!
This 'seasonal' Blue Moon actually gets its name because it's the third full moon to occur in an astronomical season with four full moons, where an astronomical season is bound by the equinoxes and solstices.
The winter solstice occurred on 21st June and the Spring Equinox occurs on 23rd September, so there are four full moons in a three-month period. A 'monthly' Blue Moon occurs when there are two full moons in a calendar month – but that's not happening with this moon.
The seasonal Blue Moon signifies the end of winter and the beginning of spring and is also known as the 'Sturgeon Moon' relating to the prehistoric fish once abundant this time of year in the Great Lakes region in America.
Every full moon has its own name based on the month or the season in which it appears – a name for each full moon allows people to reflect on each season and to contemplate how it affects them and the natural world.
The full Sturgeon Blue Moon being in Aquarius enables us to go 'fishing' for messages in our deep subconscious waters.
Aquarius is an air sign and brings emotions from your subconscious into your mind; these are things you need to spend some time mulling over and thinking about.
Aquarius also has the symbol of the 'water bearer' which means although Aquarians spend lots of time in the mental realms, they carry deep-seated emotions.
The problem with so many lockdowns is that we can go fishing on an internal level, but because people can't be encouraged to go out, this will make them more frustrated.
It is important to try to really push through to finish emotional or subconscious business by nurturing your intuition and emotions.
Leo is actively bold and as the full moon is near the end of Leo season, we need to take fresh steps to start a chain of events or changes of heart.
Try to do things you enjoy or are moved by – because ending things like friendships, relationships or work can be emotionally heavy. On the flip side, it may be that you are giving certain people a second chance.
A full moon always brings some form of transformation for everyone and as Aquarius is ruled by Saturn and Uranus, Aquarians and Capricornians could be especially affected.
So how will the year's second full moon in Aquarius on August 22 influence your star sign?
Check out your stars by clicking here.
For this month's video horoscopes visit:
https://www.absolutesoulsecrets.com/horoscopes/next-months-horoscopes/
The post Prepare Yourself For The Emotional August Blue Moon appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Five Reasons To Keep Your Receipts appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Shonagh Walker chatted to Gerry Incollingo, managing director of LCI Partners on the importance of keeping our receipts and how to best do so!
Track Your Spending
This point may sound obvious but it's an important one. Tracking your spending is the one way to make sure that you are spending less than you earn. This positive cashflow is going to keep you out of debt and allow you to spend money on things that matter to you.
For Sake Of Warranty
Have you ever had something break on you before it's even through the front door? Many stores will only accept paper receipts when it comes to returning a product still under warranty. Even if you are not an avid receipt keeper (yet), consider keeping all receipts for purchases over $50 and make use of product return policies if the situation calls for it.
Tax claims
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) allows all Aussies to claim deductions for some expenses. Most of these are to do with work, such as self-education expenses or the bill for a work phone. These expenses can only be deducted from your tax if your employer has not already covered them and if you have kept all the receipts. The ATO also allows for working from home expenses to be claimed each tax year. This includes cleaning expenses, heating, cooling, and lighting expenses, phone and internet bills and computer consumables and stationery, if the you keep your receipts.
Claim expenses
If there are business related expenses in your job, a receipt is proof of purchase. Keep receipts to keep track of your spending and get reimbursed for work related expenses.
Check your credit card statements against your receipts
Checking your credit card statements gives you a true picture of how much you are spending. It allows you to check that you have not been charged for something you did not buy. Unfortunately, cybercrime is rife. IT Brief Australia reported a 400% increase in cybercrime last year, with some experts predicting rates will continue to increase. Compare your receipts with your credit card statements each month for peace of mind and always report suspicious activity to your bank.
Keeping Receipts
As we know all too well, receipts can fade easily, and given we need to hold on to them for quite a few years, this is far from ideal. The best way to track them and store them is with one of the many apps available that are ATO approved, such as XERO or the ATO app My Deductions. These apps also make things easier when tax time arrives, as they can feed directly into your ATO account, taking the headache out of filing your tax return!
All About LCI
LCI Partners are here to help when it comes to finances. Experts in accounting, advisory, financial planning, insurance, legal, lending, and property since 1989, they are your one-stop-shop for all things money – even helping with organising your receipts.
The post Five Reasons To Keep Your Receipts appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post My Psychic Reading With The Ghost Whisperer appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>I first arrived and was introduced to Suzie and told by her representative that she had had no previous information sent over about whom from The Carousel team would be attending. I guess this was a way of reassurance that Suzie hadn't googled me to get some background info to better create a more convincing reading.
I entered the room where there was a table set up with trinkets; incense, a crystal ball and some tarot cards. The sort of things you would expect to see if you entered into a fortune tellers tent at a circus. Suzie then explained that she possessed the skills of being a medium, someone who could communicate with people on the other side who had passed. She then asked if I had any sentimental jewellery or rings I could let her hold, so I handed over my necklace; one I always wear that my mum gave me. Suzie then held it in her palm and asked to hold my hand. Which in itself was maybe more nerve racking than the actual experience, because it's a nightmare holding someone's hand when you seem to constantly have excessively sweaty palms like I do. But anyway, I put aside my embarrassment; surely she must have to hold clammy palms all the time. She then took a moment to connect and reach out to the other side.
I have no idea how the art of being a medium works, I'm no expert so I'm sure there are people who have stronger abilities than others and each have a different approach to a reading. Eyes closed and an inquisitive expression on her face Suzie started to throw out random names and letters at me, places and objects and character traits that I might possibly resonate with. There were some that made sense and some that I could not seem to link to my personal life. After a while of to-ing and fro-ing we seemed to be getting closer to the truth.
Towards the end she did make a connection with some of my deceased relatives who sent messages, which she relayed, back to me. This part of the reading actually meant a lot. Suzie said my Grandma wanted me to know that she was dancing in the afterlife with a glass of sherry in her hand and that she was very happy and loved me lots. This made me laugh out loud with joy, she also told me that my Uncle, who was a wonderful English teacher (and often helped me with my English essays throughout school and university) was very proud that I was now writing and he had been there to support my journey.
Whether people believe psychic readings to be real or all a ploy for money. At the end of the day, everyone should take from the experience what they want.
I personally think it's a reassuring thought to think there is life after death and that those who you've loved and lost can find peace and happiness whilst still watching over you. In fact, there was one moment when Suzie turned to me and asked if I had ever seen a shadow out the corner of my eye or a flickering of the light? She explained that if I did, it was one of my grandma's checking in, letting me know she was there. Yes the skeptics may argue these are regular occurrences that can happen due to a dodgy electricity circuit or just your mind playing tricks on you. However, I found it a much more positive way of looking at things, I quite like the idea of my grandma letting me know she's there. I even told Suzie to tell her to say hi with a flicker of a light more often. It was an interesting experience and one that I found quite positive and uplifting. Which definitely made a change from all the doom and gloom that surrounds mediums, psychic readings and the afterlife.
The post My Psychic Reading With The Ghost Whisperer appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Egg White Cake With Strawberry Icing appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Preparation time 20 minutes (+ 1 hour cooling and 40 minutes standing time) Baking time 30 minutes
INGREDIENTS
Melted butter, extra, to grease
220 g (7¾ oz/1 cup) caster (superfine) sugar
150 g (5½ oz/1 cup) plain (all-purpose) flour
1½ tablespoons cornflour (cornstarch)
1 teaspoon baking powder
6 egg whites, at room temperature
100 g (3½ oz) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
Strawberry icing
125 g (4½ oz/1 cup) pure icing (confectioners') sugar
1½ tablespoons smooth strawberry jam
2–2¼ teaspoons water
METHOD
1 Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) or 160°C (315°F) fan-forced. Brush a 2.5 litre (87 fl oz/10 cup) capacity fluted ring (bundt) tin with melted butter to grease.
2 Sift together the sugar, flour, cornflour and baking powder.
3 Use an electric mixer with a whisk attachment to whisk the egg whites on medium or medium–high speed in a clean dry bowl until soft peaks just form.
4Sift the dry ingredients again over the egg whites and use a large metal spoon or spatula to fold until just combined. Pour over the melted butter and fold in until just combined.
5 Pour the mixture into the greased tin and smooth the surface with the back of a spoon. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until a skewer inserted in the cake comes out clean. Leave the cake to stand in the tin for 10 minutes before turning out onto a wire rack to cool for about 1 hour.
6 To make the strawberry icing, sift the icing sugar into a medium bowl. Combine the jam and 2 teaspoons of the water, add to the icing sugar and stir until smooth and a thick coating consistency, adding the remaining 1/4 teaspoon water if needed.
7 Spoon the icing over the cooled cake, allowing it to dribble down the sides. Set aside for about 30 minutes, or until the icing is set. Serve in slices.
Baker's tips
1 This cake will keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
2 You can replace the strawberry jam with another jam of your choice – blackberry, raspberry and plum all work well.
Recipes and Images from BakeClass by Anneka Manning, Published by Murdoch Books.
The post Egg White Cake With Strawberry Icing appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Crunchy Quinoa And Hazelnut Granola Recipe appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Servesapproximately 4-6
INGREDIENTS
1 cup of organic rolled oats
1/2 cup rinsed uncooked organic quinoa
2TBS organic chia seeds
1/3 cup organic pepitas
1/2 cup chopped organic almonds
1/2 cup chopped organic walnut kernels
1/2 cup organic hazelnuts chopped roughly
METHOD
1Combine all ingredients in a bowl and place on a piece of baking paper in a baking tray. Spray with coconut oil and bake in the oven on 160 degrees, stirring every 5-10 minutes until golden. Allow to cool.
2Serve with yoghurt/milk and fresh berries.
The post Crunchy Quinoa And Hazelnut Granola Recipe appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post HydroPeptide Product Review: Skincare That Makes A Difference appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Nimni Day Cream – rrp $192
The Nimni Day Cream is for all skin types and particularly for those who want to reduce wrinkles and sagging skin. It is a lightweight face treatment which combines skin-firming Nimni patented amino acid complex with a potent antioxidant blend. Seeing is believing – wear Nimni Day every day and you'll see firmer skin and fewer wrinkles in the mirror. Nimni Day is formulated with a unique, powerful patented collagen support complex developed by HydroPeptide's Chief Geneticist, Dr. Neal Kitchen, and collagen-guru Dr. Marcel Nimni. This product is vegan and cruelty free and does not contain any gluten, parabens, phthalates, or sulfates.
Restores Firmness & Volume Shields From Environmental Stressors Promotes Collagen Production
Polish & Plump Peel Kit – rrp $126
For all skin types who want the benefits of gentle microdermabrasion and a relaxing spa facial in an easy at-home treatment. Smooth, plump and pamper like a spa professional with this easy, yet highly effective, 2-step system. First use the Vitamin C Polishing Crystals that act like a gentle microdermabrasion and polish away the appearance of lines and wrinkles while instantly illuminating the skin. Then, follow with the Activator Serum continues the transformation by infusing the skin with plumping peptides, leaving your skin youthfully firm and silky smooth.
Smooths the look of fine lines & wrinkles Firms & plumps and improves clarity
Nimni Cream – rrp $384 50ml or $192 for 15mL
Nimni Cream skin care is formulated with a breakthrough amino acid complex that's so powerful, it's patented! But that's not all, we've paired this exclusive Nimni Technology with time-release retinol and Vitamin C for a belief-worthy formula that firms, smooths and brings radiance like nothing you've ever seen. More reasons to believe: The Nimni Patented Collagen Support Complex is developed by HydroPeptide's Chief Geneticist, Dr. Neal Kitchen, and Dr. Marcel Nimni, the world renowned scientist who "wrote the book on collagen" and has literally spent a lifetime researching and making profound discoveries in the subjects of collagen and anti-aging. This product is vegan and cruelty free and does not contain any gluten, parabens, phthalates, or sulfates.
Restores Firmness & Bounce Smooths & Brings Radiance Optimizes Collagen Production
Thanks for featuring our HydroPeptide Eye Authority last week – here's a little bit of information and pricing on this amazing product too!
Eye Authority – rrp $126
Suitable for all skin types, especially those who want to break the spell of dark circles, puffiness and crow's feet. Give your eyes the ultimate treatment. Using crushed pearl to instantly brighten the eye area, this light moisturizer also reduces the look of expression lines, wrinkles, and puffiness over time. Sleeping beauty has nothing on you. This product is cruelty free and does not contain any gluten, parabens, phthalates, soy, or sulfates.
HydroPeptide Eye Authority is a superb product too!
Eye Authority – rrp $126
Suitable for all skin types, especially those who want to break the spell of dark circles, puffiness and crow's feet. Give your eyes the ultimate treatment. Using crushed pearl to instantly brighten the eye area, this light moisturizer also reduces the look of expression lines, wrinkles, and puffiness over time. Sleeping beauty has nothing on you. This product is cruelty free and does not contain any gluten, parabens, phthalates, soy, or sulfates.
The post HydroPeptide Product Review: Skincare That Makes A Difference appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Magdalena Roze Takes Us Through Her Clean Beauty Routine appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Most people familiar with the award-winning reporter will know she's all about a wholesome lifestyle, from the kitchen to what she puts on her skin. So it makes sense that NIVEA has just announced Magdalena as an ambassador for its new Naturally Good range. The line is just one of the ways the brand is working to reduce its environmental footprint and have a more transparent relationship with its consumers.
A recent survey conducted by NIVEA found that most women agree that it is important to look for skincare products that are made with clean ingredients. However, not everyone is clear on what 'clean' actually means, with over half of the survey's Gen Z responders reporting feeling overwhelmed by information on sustainability.
So, we asked Magdalena to take us through her own beauty routine, and help demystify the process of shopping for more sustainable skin care products.
What's the most important beauty advice you ever received, and by whom?
MR: Make the decision to own your natural beauty and do it fiercely.
For me, embracing natural beauty is embracing what we have, looking after our skin, laughing and making the most of life. Especially as I approach 40, I'm leaning in towards owning the happy lines and the features that make me unique. Good skincare, food, exercise and good times are a part of this.
I can't help but think that the filtered, airbrushed images of "perfection" that we're surrounded with especially on social media aren't sustainable. For me, a happy, healthy face that oozes wisdom, radiance, experience and confidence is the essence of true beauty.
Let's run through the products you use, and why you love them.
MR: When I wake up I have a hot cup of herbal tea or water, then I cleanse with NIVEA Micellar Wash with Organic Aloe Vera which always leaves my skin feeling fresh and clean. I follow this with the NIVEA Sensitive Day Cream with Organic Chamomile which is soothing, hydrating and has a lovely silky texture. I like both products because they're effective, and the ingredients are 97-99% naturally derived ingredients with no silicones, parabens, or mineral oils. I also always wear sunscreen and one of my favourites is the tinted Rationale Beautiful Skin which is very light and gives my skin a nice glow. Most days I don't wear any make up (unless I have a shoot), but I don't feel finished unless I fill in my brows and I do this with a MAC brow pencil.
And how about your evening routine?
MR: I cleanse with the NIVEA Micellar Wash with Organic Aloe Vera to remove any sunscreen, make up and impurities. I like to use as few products as possible and I love this one because it does the whole job without any need for extra cleansing oils or separate eye makeup removers. It's a foaming cleanser and really effective at removing make up, including eye makeup, yet doesn't leave my skin feeling tight. I'll use a serum with vitamin A two or three times a week, such as the Dr Sam Bunting Flawless Nightly Serum followed by a richer moisturiser like Josh Rosebrook Vital Balm Cream.
Is there a key beauty ingredient you swear by?
MR: I think nature offers us the best when it comes to skincare, and some of these plants have been used medicinally and therapeutically for a very long time. Chamomile is one of my favourites for its soothing and calming properties. My mum is quite traditional with a lot of her natural lotions and potions, such as using chamomile tea bags as a cold compress for skin irritations. So, I've been aware of the wonderful properties of this flower and its helpful role in skincare for a while. Similarly, mum would take fresh cuttings of our aloe vera plants and dab the gel on our skin if we got a little sunburn, so its hydrating and healing properties are very well known.
I'm a big believer in good, healthy fats like avocado for glowing, healthy skin – it's rich in all the good things like vitamin E and fatty acids which hydrate and help to repair the skin. I definitely eat my fair share when they're in season! These are the kinds of ingredients I look for in skincare too. I think "actives", like vitamin A for example, are really effective too, especially as we get older, but less is definitely more or they can start to disrupt the natural processes of the skin too much, so I'll use something like that 2 or 3 times a week. Essentially, with my skincare and lifestyle, I'm trying to support my skin's natural processes as much as I can.
Can you provide consumers who know nothing about sustainability with some advice when it comes to choosing more ethical beauty products?
MR: Sustainable skincare is a really exciting space and I'm so encouraged to see that the industry is moving in this positive direction. For a long time I didn't know what was in my products. When I was working on TV daily, I realised that I was putting a fair bit of stress on my skin by wearing so much heavy make up every day. While I couldn't control that aspect, I could control what I was putting on my skin at home, so I started to look at the ingredients in my skincare products more closely.
It can be challenging to navigate natural vs synthetic ingredients especially with so many long names and scientific terms. This is why the packaging in NIVEA's Naturally Good range appeals to me. The entire product range is committed to more planet friendly packaging (recyclable or made from recycled PET plastics) and all the formulations are made from 97-99% naturally derived ingredients containing no parabens, silicones and mineral oils. They are transparent about what is in each product, which makes it easier for a consumer to make a decision around what is best and safest for them.
The post Magdalena Roze Takes Us Through Her Clean Beauty Routine appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post How To Pick The Right Cleanser For Your Skin Type appeared first on The Carousel.
]]> 
Dry skin
Creamy cleansers aren't the only thing that those with dry skin can use – a moisturising foaming cleanser can also help. Made with humectants like glycerin, that absorbs moisture from the environment and forms a film on the skin, as well as olive leaf extract, this powerful foaming cleanser will help keep skin moisturised. Try Neutrogena Hydro Boost Moisturising Foaming Cleanser,
Sensitive skin
You can't go past Avene if you've got sensitive skin. Formulated with their signature thermal spring water that's amazing at soothing skin, this cleansing milk also works well to calm inflammation and even out skin tone. To use, pop a small amount onto a cotton pad to spread around the face, then massage it into the skin with your fingers. You won't even need water to remove the product – simply use a clean cotton pad to gently wipe it all off. Try Avene Anti-Rougeurs Dermo Cleansing Milk,
Combination skin
Not quite oily and not quite dry – this skin type is notorious for oily spots across the T-zone or forehead. Surprisingly, a soap-free cleanser made with a touch of oil can actually be the solution for this. Enter Rosehip by Essano's Gentle Foaming Facial Cleanser, which contains rosehip oil to nourish the skin's layers, and aloe vera to lightly hydrate at the same time. It's a winner in our eyes. Try Rosehip by Essano Gentle Foaming Facial Cleanser,
Oily skin
Alpha hydroxy acid is a key ingredient that those with oily skin should look out for, as it works wonders on acne-prone complexions without being too harsh. Because it is a chemical exfoliant that's really great at shedding dead skin cells and clearing gunk out of pores, you'll notice smoother, clearer-looking skin in no time. Try Neutogena Deep Clean Revitalising Pink Grapefruit Foam Cleanser,
This is a sponsored post by Neutrogena. All opinions expressed by the author are authentic and written in their own words.
The post How To Pick The Right Cleanser For Your Skin Type appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post 12-Going-On-13 Sound Of Music Fun Factoids You Didn't Know… appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>You may not be 16 going on 17, but there's a good chance you've hummed along to Edelweiss whilst watching the 1965 classic The Sound Of Music. The Oscar-winning film, based on a 1959 Rodgers and Hammerstein musical about the von Trapp family, remains one of the highest grossing films of all time. O n the film's 50th birthday, we reminisce with some 'SOM' film factoids to warm the cockles of your musical hearts…
13 Things You Didn't Know About The Sound Of Music
1. Director Robert Wise (of West Side Story fame) – who also initially declines to direct the movie, interviewed more than 200 children to cast the von Trapp children, including a very young Richard Dreyfuss, Kurt Russell and Mia Farrow.
2. Julie Andrews was offered the role of Maria smack bang in the middle of filming one of her other smash hits, Mary Poppins (1964)
3. Leisl, aka Charmian Carr, was actually 21 when she played the eldest von Trapp sibling, AND admits to having had a crush on her on-set father, Christopher Plummer who played Captain von Trapp.
4. And, unsurprisingly, Christopher Plummer – who sadly passed away in February, 2021 – admitted to having a crush on Julie Andrews after "falling in love with her" while watching My Fair Lady on Broadway.
5. The Sound of Music is the third-highest-grossing film of all time at the U.S. box office, just behind other classics like Gone With the Wind, at number one, and Star Wars at number two.
6. Although you would think being able to sing would have been a major prerequisite for casting this movie, at least two of the actors who played major characters didn't actually sing a note in the movie. Plummer being one of them with a voice-dubbing by Bill Lee.
Image courtesy of Instagram
7. Plummer once told Oprah Winfrey that during filming he actually nicknamed the film "The Sound of Mucus" after being afraid the movie would "run overboard and become very mawkish and sentimental".
8. While filming the boat scene, Kym Karath, who played the youngest (and cutest) von Trapp child, Gretl, swallowed so much water because she couldn't swim that she actually vomitted on 'Louisa' aka Heather Menzies.
9.The real-life Baroness Maria von Trapp reportedly fell from a tree and broke her arm while coaching Mary Martin, who was cast as the original Maria.
10. Many of the real von Trapp children are still in touch with the actors who played them in the movie.
11. Nicholas Hammond (Friedrich) grew six inches in six months.
12. Kym Karath (Gretl) and Debbie Turner (Marta) both lost their front teeth while the film was being shot
13.Brigitta – Angela Cartwright – went on to score roles in two popular TV series, The Danny Thomas Show and Lost in Space.
Pop icon Lady Gaga performed a moving tribute to the songs of The Sound Of Music at the Oscars.
Lady Gaga at The 2015 Oscars in a musical tribute to The Sound of Music's 50th Birthday (Image from Instagram)
What's your favourite Sound of Music moment or song? Share your thoughts below…
The post 12-Going-On-13 Sound Of Music Fun Factoids You Didn't Know… appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Get Your Blue Moon Horoscope – The Second Full Moon in Aquarius appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>So how will the year's second full moon in Aquarius on August 22 influence your star sign?
Aries (March 21 to April 19):
This Blue Moon in Aquarius is opposite the Sun in Leo bringing some conflict within or with others. You may feel pulled in two different directions or mixed messages create confusion. Now you have the opportunity to practise your well-honed 'detachment' skills by looking elsewhere but do remember not to become too impersonal because your friends want to give you emotional support.
Taurus (April 20 to May 20):
Transformation is finally happening in your career and reputation zone! You can work well with the public now and perhaps you're even thinking about a new career? It's important to do something that makes your heart sing and it's possible that taking care of others in some way heals your heart. Be careful not to over share on social media especially as your reputation is growing.
Gemini (May 21 to June 20):
You're likely to identify with many different types of people, including those with vastly different backgrounds. You're also likely to be attracted to the exotic including international travel because you're craving excitement. Although it's hard to wander if you're stuck in lockdown, you can still plan and think about a more exciting and fulfilling future. Perhaps study or spirituality also appeals to you?
Cancer (June 21 to July 22):
This Blue Moon in your 8th house of intimacy and shared resources may leave you feeling especially turned off by convention or conservative attitudes. Though you desire closeness with another, you can close yourself off if you have trust issues. You need some excitement in your close relationships, but you don't need hassles about joint assets. Introduce new things to your partner.
Leo (July 23 to August 22):
Changes in your partnership zone mean it might be time to 'bury the hatchet' in some regard. Maybe an olive branch is offered? The women in your life are especially highlighted and may support you emotionally. Try to be a tad more independent as you work on the roots of your confidence and self-esteem. Legalities could come up for a few Leos, but mostly it's all about transformation.
Virgo (August 23 to September 22):
You're likely to be feeling more sympathetic to those you work with or see on a regular basis. Do resist the impulse to try and 'fix' them, however. Remember it's their path to tread, not yours. You might also experience some changes in your everyday work, health or wellbeing. You're now going through a transformation, so give the situation some time for healing.
Libra (September 23 to October 22):
There could be major changes with romance or creativity now. Sometimes you may feel in two minds or not sure of which path to take so give it some time. You are also emotionally expressive and find it hard to hide how you really feel. You may be feeling like you need more excitement and play in your life. Try to get more leisure and pleasure…it's beneficial for you now.
Scorpio (October 23 to November 21):
There are changes going on in your family or home and you may find the past coming back in some form. Perhaps you're thinking about your childhood, your family home and friends. A realisation is possible…perhaps there are some childhood habits you are now ready to let go of. Memories of your mother may pop up and you feel like you need to mother someone or get some mothering yourself.
Sagittarius (November 22 to December 21):
Your thoughts can be quite sharp but even so, you pay attention to your emotions and your intuition. Well done! Change in communications happens now and you allow more of your emotions and feelings into your messaging. You could be thinking about study or be quite busy running errands now but despite all this activity, you feel more comfortable with showing your feelings now.
Capricorn (December 22nd to January 19):
Transformation is happening in your financial zone! You could be thinking about your money, your possessions and whatever represents security to you. Items of value such as old antiques and things from the past with sentimental value are important. It's best not to cling too tightly to material things, pass them onto family members who need them if you don't.
Aquarius (January 20th to February 18):
There could be a little conflict within or with close family. It's like you're in two minds. You can be quite sympathetic and caring, helping out and relating very well to others. However, on the other hand, you're quite logical with a ton of reasoning ability. Don't allow your emotions or your logic to overpower you. Hold the balance between the thinking and feeling realms for the best results in life.
Pisces (February 19 to March 20):
It's a spiritual time for you now. Don't push yourself to be out in the world, it's better to be quiet and stay at home now. Lockdowns may work in your favour! You may not have the energy to share your feelings very much and you need plenty of time alone. That's ok. Make your own peace because you need a peaceful healing environment. You may also feel special sympathy for 'the underdog' or anyone in a difficult situation.
Find out more about your blue moon horoscope and the secrets of the blue moon by clicking here.
The post Get Your Blue Moon Horoscope – The Second Full Moon in Aquarius appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Bill Granger's Smoky Butternut Squash & Black-Bean Soup appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Serves 4
INGREDIENTS
1 chipotle pepper, soaked in water for 10 minutes
2 tbsp olive oil
1 butternut squash, peeled and cubed
1 onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, crushed
1 tsp dried oregano
2 tsp cumin seeds
1/2 tsp smoked paprika
400g tin black beans, rinsed and drained
Approx 500ml vegetable or chicken stock
4 tbsp sour cream
Handful coriander
1 red chilli, sliced
1 lime
Grilled torn tortillas or chunky bread, to serve
METHOD
1 Finely chop the chipotle, keeping the soaking water. Heat the oil in a large pan over a medium heat. Add the butternut squash, onion, garlic, oregano, cumin, smoked k paprika, chipotle and black beans. Season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 15 to 20 minutes.
2 When really soft, mash roughly with the back of a spoon then add the chipotle soaking liquid and enough stock to make a thick soup. Bring to the boil. Spoon into bowls and top with sour cream, coriander, chilli and a squeeze of lime. Serve with grilled tortilla.
The Carousel thanks Bill Granger for the Smoky Butternut Squash & Black-Bean Soup recipe.
The post Bill Granger's Smoky Butternut Squash & Black-Bean Soup appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post How To Choose The Right Wall Clock For Your Living Space appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>These days there are a huge range of fabulous contemporary wall clocks available to accentuate your décor look. Current trends include sleek lines for the modern-day industrialist designer and blonde timber tones for minimalist scandi lovers. However, to ensure you are choosing the best wall clock for your interior you need to consider a few fundamentals in your decision-making process.
What room will your time piece be mounted?
The style and design of clock you choose will depend greatly upon where you plan to use it. If you are choosing a wall clock for a child's room you should opt for a vibrant, fun addition to animate the wall space. Choosing bright and exciting colours that pop will enhance the room's overall energy providing a brilliant and engaging educational tool for your child. Your kitchen, on the other hand, may require a more subtle approach. A slim-lined and sleek design with a second hand could be added for both practicality and just a hint of colour.
What size wall clock should you choose?
Choosing the size of your timepiece is largely dependent on both the wall size and the type of statement you are trying to achieve. Delicate accents to enhance your room's overall look can be achieved through the use of smaller more refined hanging wall clock designs. But if you're after statement pieces that are pivotal to your interiors theme, a large-scale clock with a textured, patterned or coloured face will offer the greatest impact.
What colour should it be?
Colour is a great way to brighten an otherwise dull space. Adding a wall clock with a vibrant colour tone can improve your interior's aesthetic appeal. Contrasting colours and patterns are absolutely on trend and in line with Vogue Living's predictions for the latest colour palette. Sharp limes and chilli red earthy tones are set to be among some of the hottest shades this coming year.
Where should you place your wall clock?
Placement, according to most high end interior designers, should be mounted at standing eye level. Although a stunning addition to your interior design, a clock brings a practical element as well. You should be able to read the time easily and without obstruction. Given the considerable range of large wall clocks available, mounting yours high on your wall is absolutely an option and can give your interior a slightly larger feel. In doing so you should always leave approximately 9 inches between your ceiling and your time piece which creates an aesthetically pleasing look.
So with the basics covered, it's time to find the perfect time piece. Keep in mind your desired outcome and what exactly you're trying to achieve by adding a quality, contemporary wall clock to your home. If it's impact you're after, opt for large, bright or patterned clocks that immediately accentuate that otherwise dull and uninteresting wall. If it's a practical classic style with a modern twist keep it subtle. Opt for raw timbers, neutral colours and styles with sleek lines. When it comes to wall clocks it's no longer just about keeping time, it's about being timeless.
The post How To Choose The Right Wall Clock For Your Living Space appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Zoom Fashion Trends: How To Dress To Impress…From The Waist Up appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>I want to share with you my top tips on zoom fashion trends and what to wear, what to avoid, and more.
Zoom Fashion Trends: How To Dress To Impress…From The Waist Up
Dress bright! This may not be your normal style, but hey this is not normal times. Think of your favourite news anchor on the desk, they always wear something bright to ensure they are the focus. This is also a great way to brighten your mood and others, think about how you feel when you see the colour yellow, it is warm, happy, loving, you could give off that vibe just by wearing a yellow top.
Just add a jacket. Maybe you can't bear to wear anything but a plain tee. Show the other caller you respect yourself and them enough to put some effort in – by adding a jacket over the top of your tee for the call. You can take it off again once the call is over, I promise.
Experiment. This is the perfect time to try new styles you may not have had the courage to try before – a balloon sleeve, a bold new colour of print, a statement earring. The great thing about introducing new looks while working from home is you are introducing it in a safe environment – your home.
Avoid tops that are too-high, or too-low in the neckline. With necklines that are too high you can sometimes just look like a floating head. However, too low and they draw the attention away from your face and what you are saying. Think of goldilocks, something that sits right in the middle is just right!
Real pants please. I know you want to be comfortable, but think about it were your pants really that uncomfortable when you were working from the office 5 days a week? The reason this is important is that if you have to get up during a call to grab a file or comfort a screaming kid refusing to do their schoolwork, you don't want to show off your PJ bottoms with the coffee stain to your boss.
Don't forget to style your hair and use a bold shade of lipstick to finish off your chic work-from-home look.
Not sure where to start?…get help! Services like Threadicated offer an online end to end personal styling experience delivered to your door. They can help you shake up your look without having to leave home.
Below Danielle Johansen joins The Carousel publisher Robyn Foyster for her series InProfile Live.
The post Zoom Fashion Trends: How To Dress To Impress…From The Waist Up appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Designer Tips: From Outside In – Use Nature As Your Décor appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>At Designbx we're always shouting the praises of indoor plants, and the reason is simple: mother nature is the ultimate designer. As interior designers it's easy to get caught up in decisions about palettes, furniture and finishes, but plants shouldn't be an afterthought, especially considering how versatile they are and how beautifully they enhance all interior design styles. In many cases they can be the entire basis of a design or the feature piece that brings together the look of your space.
- Wall Gardens
Yes they're high-maintenance, but the rewards are more than worth it. Wall Gardens are spectacular, and quite simple to set up. Select your favourite greens and blooms to create a vivid feature that is half art, half monument. If you're concerned about the time it takes to keep your natural work of art maintained, try removable pots, vines or a self-watering module. - Macramé planters
Everything old is new again, and that adage certainly applies to macramé, which is on trend right now. If you're looking for space-saving ideas that have loads of visual charm, these hand-crafted creations are ideal. If you're shopping for macramé you'll find plenty of woven designs, but this is a craft that is fun for DIY buffs, so why not try your hand at making your own planter? They work well in the kitchen or bathroom where a little extra space is always handy. - Staghorn ferns, not stags
As the name suggests, Staghorns bear a striking resemblance to deer antlers. When it comes to interior design, this may be the ultimate revenge on hunters – all the bold and statuesque shape of mounted stags without any harm to nature. These distinctive ferns have been a mainstay for indoor plant lovers for decades, and being low maintenance they can thrive in almost any interior space. - Bookshelf bandits
We're certainly not challenging the aesthetic appeal of books, but endless spines along a bookshelf can get a little monotonous. Try breaking up the uniformity by adding some natural pizzazz in the form of plants that drape or dangle. This technique can provide a stunning focal piece that compliments the timeless charm of a full bookshelf. As anyone who collects books will know, there are always a few empty spots to fill on shelves, so try potted succulents or concrete planters as cute bookends to fill the gaps.
- Growing centrepieces
Terrariums are the perfect year-round centrepiece for any dining table. Like a constantly evolving feature item, these miniature gardens are mesmerising and unlock the owner's creativity. You'll be limited to plants that love moisture and shade but there are enough options to give you the freedom of growing a unique terrarium. If you're not a fan of the popular domed variety, try a planter, or even grow a sustainable herb garden so dinner guests can pick their favourites, fresh from the dining table!Every indoor space benefits from the addition of well-placed and maintained indoor plants. Urban interior design styles need that touch of nature for a healthy balance while styles that are traditional, minimalist or closely connected to nature often use plants as centrepieces or key feature items. While colour, patterns and materials are understandably addictive elements of the design process, don't miss the opportunity to let nature play a starring role in your interior design.
The Carousel would like to thankKerena Berry, Head of Interior Design at Designbx for this article.
The post Designer Tips: From Outside In – Use Nature As Your Décor appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post How To Create An Indoor Garden appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>An indoor garden is the perfect antidote for anyone concerned their summer oasis might be overwhelmed by winter's harsh weather, or indeed the city dweller looking to bring a slice of nature to their life. The huge variety of houseplants that thrive in an indoor garden vary in terms of beauty, care needs, and benefits. Whether you're a seasoned Green Thumb, or new to this indoor garden caper, we've got you covered.
Indoor Garden Room Ideas
Creating a garden room is a wonderful idea, if you have the space in your home and the bucks in the bank.
Track down a local carpenter, builder and/or interior designer, who can help you transform that forgotten corner of your home into the garden room of your dreams. Opt for a tropical paradise – your little indoor summer space, or an English garden- a space where you and your guests hang for evening tea. Another lovely idea is a succulent space, where various types of jade plants draw good energy into your home. Work with your contractor to execute your ideas, and expand on them with their professional input.
Choose a location in your home, again with the help of a contractor. If you intend to convert an existing room into a garden room, consider its lighting, humidity, and temperature before bringing plants in. You can improve the lighting by adding an extra window or widening an existing window. You can, on the other hand, improve the room's temperature (and lighting too) by installing LED or any other broad-spectrum lights. As for humidity, you can always bring in a humidifier.
Also check the room's airflow. Your indoor garden will thrive with good ventilation and regular airflow. If the air is stagnant, consider a ceiling fan.
Choosing the Right Plants for Your Indoor Garden
How can you tell if a plant is good for your indoor garden? There are three key qualities of good indoor plants:
- The roots are light in colour, healthy, and thick.
- They have thick foliage that you can't see through.
- The leaf is free from white dots, there is no sticky residue on the stem, and there is no bad odour. If a plant has any of the above, it is likely to be unhealthy.
It's important that you choose the right plants for your indoor garden. After all, you want them to survive! Consider each plant's properties and needs, vis-à-vis your personality and environment! If your indoor grow area is dim, choose plants that thrive in low light. These include Snake plant, Maidenhair fern, Dieffenbachia, English and Algerian ivies, and Pothos.
If your grow area gets lots of direct sunlight, or if you are looking for a plant to place on your window, go for plants such as Dwarf umbrella tree, Jade plant, Cacti, Jasmine geraniums, and Hibiscus ponytail palm.
There are plants that do well in high humidity, such as the birds' nest fern and the staghorn fern. These are good for bathroom décor. If your schedule and love for plants allow you to regularly water your garden, choose houseplants that love wet soil. These include Boston ferns, Baby's tears, paper reed plants and umbrella grass plants.
If you are the kind of gardener who forgets to water their plants, low-water plants such as Red Aglaonema, Sago palm, and Ponytail palm are good options for you.
Best Houseplants for your Living Room Or Office
High-traffic areas such as offices and living rooms need plants that are beautiful and that have proven air-cleaning properties. Here are a few suggestions for you:
- Jade plant. On top of being beautiful, this plant is also believed to bring fortune and wealth. It is also an easy-to-care plant.
- Kalanchoe. This plant blooms in a colourful way. It's known for adding warmth to small spaces. It needs lots of sunlight.
- ZZ plant. It stays strong and beautiful even when neglected.
- Peace lily. Their decorative properties are unbeatable, especially the leaves. They do well in dark areas, but they need moist soil and good drainage to stay healthy.
- Boston fern. The plant is uniquely stylish and beautiful. Its kelly-green foliage will leave your space looking sophisticated and stunning.
Growing Veggies Indoors
Most veggies and fruits that grow in your summer garden can thrive in your indoor garden. However, they do require a lot of light. Fruit trees thrive on eight to 10 hours of sunlight per day, while veggies can get by on four to six hours. You may need to invest in grow lights to meet these requirements. Veggies also require deeper soil than most plants, so you need relatively bigger growing pots. Some of the veggies that you can grow indoors include:
- Leafy salad greens like kale, spinach, and arugula.
- Carrots.
- Green onions.
- Pepper plants.
- Herbs such as chives, mint, parsley, oregano, cilantro, and rosemary.
Beginner's Guide to Taking Care of Plants
- Always ensure that the potting soil isn't too dry or too wet. Keep it moist by watering regularly and then poking drainage holes at the bottom of the pot to prevent the water from stagnating.
- You will know that your indoor plant needs watering if you lift it up and it feels abnormally light. Wilting leaves browning on the edges, yellow leaves, and mushy leaves indicate possible under/over watering.
- Meet the plant's lighting needs by installing grow lights or placing it near a natural light source. Keep low-light plants away from light.
- Prune your plants if they get tall and spindly.
- Only apply fertilisers that are labelled for your plants' species, and that are made specifically for indoor plants. Always check the label.
- Regularly spray the stems and leaves, especially the undersides and tops, with insecticidal soap to get rid of bugs.
Health Benefits of Houseplants
- An indoor garden will boost humidity levels. Humid spaces enhance respiratory and skin health.
- Plants absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen. It is thought that they can increase indoor oxygenation and consequently boost mental focus, mood, energy, and work performance.
- Bringing plants indoors is like bringing a piece of nature inside. Scientific studies show that being around nature can alleviate stress and anxiety.
Creating a beautiful home or office isn't hard or expensive at all. All you need is the enthusiasm to care for plants, a small budget for seeds and growing pots, and a small space to keep the plants.
The Carousel would like to thank Jennifer Monroe for this article.
The post How To Create An Indoor Garden appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Retro Bubbles Make An Elegant Comeback appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The Renaissance Of Spumante
Now, it's 2021 and the Italian drop is trending again, thanks to the arrival of Bosca Asti Spumante on Aussie shores, and an increased interest in viniculture thanks to lockdowns. The vibrant drop has more than proved itself to be elegant, delicious and definitely celebration worthy. While we may not have much to celebrate of late, even a ZOOM connection with loved ones could be a reason to raise a glass. It certainly pays to have some bubbles when you celebrate even the small things, such as connecting with friends and loved ones in anyway that we can.
An Italian beauty
As an authentic product of the the gentle hillsides of Piemonte in Italy, originates from white Moscato di Canelli grapes, ripened in the hot summer sun. The grapes are harvested almost exclusively by hand, delicately pressed and carefully turned into wine only as needed, in order to maintain the unmistakable flavour of this unique grape intact in the wine.
Its taste
Pure and unforgettable, this wine offers a true taste of the richness of the Piemonte region, and boasts the Controlled and Guaranteed Designation of Origin (DOCG). Bosca Asti Spumante ticks all the boxes, really. At just $19 a bottle (depending on your vendor), it is fresh and fruity with a harmonious sweetness, fizzy with bubbles and stimulated by light notes of peach, almond and citrus. Pair it back with Matt Moran's salad of Cos, Asparagus and Soft Egg, or his Lobster, Radish and Kombu Butter, each of which are light, simple to make and go perfectly with the light, fresh effervescence of Bosca Asti Spumante. For something sweeter, you can match it back with Italian Mama's Tiramisu and enjoy a most decadent dessert!
The post Retro Bubbles Make An Elegant Comeback appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Skin Expert Terri Vinson Explains The Importance Of Exfoliation appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Our skin is designed to exfoliate naturally. Fun fact: As healthy young adults we create an entirely new skin surface every thirty days, but as we age this process slows, leaving the skin's surface rough, uneven, and dull. This is why it is important to understand exfoliation and how it can be effectively incorporated into your skincare routine.
So, what exactly is exfoliation?
Exfoliation is the removal of the dead surface skin cells that cling to the outermost layer of the skin's surface and become trapped in pores. If our skin's natural process of exfoliation is disrupted – whether it's too slow (ageing) or too fast (acne sufferers) – it's time to incorporate exfoliants into your skincare routine to improve the overall health of our skin, our biggest functioning organ.
Exfoliation is its own little message service. By removing the dead surface skin cells, it sends a feedback message to the cells deeper down to produce fresh new cells that then migrate up to the surface. How cool!
There are three types of exfoliants you can introduce into your skincare routine:
- Chemical exfoliants
- Physical exfoliants
- Micro-exfoliants (or microfoliation)
Chemical Exfoliants are usually formulated in serums and occasionally cleansing products. Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs, such as lactic, malic or mandelic acid) assist in removing dead skin cells from the skin's surface, and they improve moisture levels as an added bonus. Whilst beta hydroxy acids (BHAs, such as salicylic acid) work to unclog pores and reduce skin inflammation. Chemical exfoliants are excellent at removing surface sun damage and uneven skin tone, as well as helping to clean congested skin and blocked pores.
Now for some nerd out time… You should never mix low pH acidic serums containing acids such as lactic, L-ascorbic, and salicylic acids with the active cosmeceutical ingredients retinol (Vitamin A) and niacinamide (Vitamin B3), as acidic products below pH 3, will decrease the effectiveness of these ingredients. I always recommend using retinol and Vitamin B in the evening, and exfoliating acids and L-ascorbic acid serums in the morning under your sun-protective moisturiser and mineral makeup.
Physical exfoliants are the well-known scrubbing agents, using ingredients such as aluminium oxide crystals, coffee grounds or nut husks, to physically remove surface roughness, blackheads, and dead skin build-up, particularly around the T-zone.
Microfoliation, 'micro' meaning microscopic and 'foliation' referring to exfoliation, uses microfine particles, such a rice bran powder, to gently remove loose surface skin cells. This process is considered the gentlest type of physical exfoliation and is great for sensitive or irritated skin. The action of microfoliation also increases circulation and promotes regeneration of new cells, leaving skin feeling smoother and prepared for the application of serums and moisturisers. Microfoliants (such as Synergie Skin MicroPolish Powder) can also offer added cleansing properties as a convenient 2-in-1 product.
Depending on your skin type, the frequency of exfoliation will change. As a rule, physical exfoliants should only be used twice a week at most, as the particles may cause sensitivity if overused. Microfoliants can be used daily to support cell renewal, including those with sensitive skin. If you have no skin concerns, a chemical exfoliant can be used once or twice a week.
Exfoliation is an essential part of our natural skin processes, but sometimes we need to give nature a gentle nudge with high quality homecare exfoliants. With ingredients best suited to your skin concerns, it is possible to improve skin tone and texture, slough away surface sun damage and reduce skin congestion with high-quality home exfoliation products.
The post Skin Expert Terri Vinson Explains The Importance Of Exfoliation appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Affordable Luxury: Here's How to Pimp Your Life (And Not Blow The Budget!) appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Who's Doing It?
Net-A-Porter led the fashion charge making high-end couture accessible all over the world with its big brands, super-fast delivery and sleek black box packaging – we've all been spoilt with a touch of Madison Avenue with this online fashion giant. Then the Net-A-Porter group went and launched TheOutnet.com and all of a sudden designer brands were more accessible than ever. Swoon! Similarly, top end labels like YSL have rebranded to Saint Laurent offering basic pieces, within the luxury class, but without the unattainable price tag. At home here in Australia we have the likes of C&M by camilla and marc and the beautiful basics of Bassike to thank for our touch of luxe.
Beauty brands alike are giving us access to the super skincare science of their hero products without the cost of an arm and a leg, and let's not get started on the 5star luxury travel that starts with low-cost airlines offering business-class travel at economy prices and ends with idyllic Asian destinations right on your doorstep. Like beautiful Bali offering privately staffed villas, chauffeurs, child-minding, in-villa massage, personal chefs and concierge services, all set within the grounds of your secluded 4-5 bedroom villa. And did we mention you get all this for the same price as (sometimes less than) a week in QLD!
Here's our edit of some of the best 'affordable luxury' items and opportunities around – it's time to pimp your life!
FASHION & BEAUTY: SUPE-UP YOUR STYLE:
Luxury fashion and beauty can be bought of course, if you have the dollars, but there are ways to 'feel' luxurious and bring some high-end ambiance into your life without breaking the bank. How can we all get a little Tom Ford action in our life without having to take out a second mortgage? Easy. Invest in these small, (more) affordable luxuries that will have you feeling like Kim Kardashian on a budget.
Designer Shades
So you can't splash out $3000 for a Prada bag or Burberry trench? The best way to incorporate high-end designer fashion is to buy the smaller, more affordable pieces in their collections, like sunglasses. With a starting price point of around $300, you can introduce brands like Armani, Prada and yes, even Tom Ford into your world for a fraction of their bigger ticket items.
Prada PR22QS VOICE $500
Lip-smacking Luxe
Or just makeup, in general. Ever whipped out a tube of Chanel red lippy to reapply in public? There's a definite feeling of "I can do this, it's Chanel, after all." Most big brands now have a makeup line, even Burberry with their signature 'check' on the packaging. Even if you just buy one item from these ranges, you'll feel the luxury grace the air around you.
ChanelROUGE COCO hydrating lip colour, $52
Gorgeous Grooming
There is something to be said for being well groomed at all times. It SHOUTS luxury, even if you've used products from Priceline. To be honest, if it's all done well, nobody will know the difference. Here's a quick guide to fooling people:
Hair: Go over your hair for two minutes with the blow-dryer in the morning. It makes the world of difference.
Toes: People look you up and down from your head to your feet, so if your toes are freshly polished and shiny, you'll immediately have a luxurious finish.
Skin: Even if you have no makeup on, moisturized skin will beam your best light. Try a product like L'Oreal's Youth Code Luminosity Extraordinary Serum or the Revitalift Laser X3 Moisturiser which will make the skin gleam.
L'Oreal Youth Code Luminosity Extraordinary Serum, $35.95
L'Oreal Revitalift Laser X3 Moisturiser, $35.99
It's Time For A Time Piece
A super shiny gold or silver watch will always look expensive, even if you bought it on sale. Try brands like Michael Kors, Marc by Marc Jacobs or Emporio Armani to inject some demure glamour into your look.
Marc By Marc Jacobs Amy Rose Gold Bracelet Watch $365
Fake It Til You Make It: Faux- Diamond or Pearl Stud Earrings
Refinement is a sign of luxury, so instead of going overboard on enormous diamante faux jewellery, choose small studs and wear them everyday, as though they're real. They're elegant and reserved – two sure signs of luxury and class.
Equip Diamante stud earrings $7.99
Get Cosy With Cashmere
This is worth investing in. Cashmere feels beautiful on the skin and you will feel luxe every time you wear it. Store it well and it will last for years, making even a "jeans and a jumper" outfit feel incredibly luxurious. Try cashmere from Banjo & Matilda for modern knits that are 100% pure cashmere banjoandmatilda.com.
Banjo & Matilda Sloppy jojo in heather grey $280
Scent of A Lady
A good fragrance is a tiny bit of true luxury you can use every day and a great way to boost your designer portfolio. Our latest faves are Chloe's signature scent and and Giorgio Armani Si. Spritz carefully – a little goes a long way and you don't want to overpower people in the elevator on the way to work.
Chloé Eau de Parfum – 50ml $130
Giorgio Armani Si Intense – 50ml $1401300 651 991
Get Polished To Perfection
Messy doesn't equal luxurious. Take a look in the mirror before you leave the house. Are there things spilling out of your bag? Tuck them in or remove them. Sharp tailoring adds a polished look, so do you need to add a blazer? A closed toe is more polished than an open one, so perhaps a change of shoe is in order. Remember, you can fake luxury. It's all in the details.
TRAVEL: ROUND, ROUND GET AROUND (LIKE A CELEBRITY!)
Road-Tripping In Style Baby: Mercedes-Benz Luxe, Half the Price Tag!
Luxury wheels are no longer a pie-in-the-sky dream. Mercedes-Benz is leading the way in setting new (and affordable!) standards in the premium medium-sized car category. The gorgeous, sleek, C-Class has all the uber-luxe trappings you would expect from a Mercedes-Benz but enters the market at a modest price point of $60K – which is around the same price you would expect to pay for a 'bells and whistles' Mazda!
With similar features to its more expensive siblings ($100K for the E-Class and $200K for the S-Class) this sexy set of wheels marks an awesome moment in motoring history where the much-coveted Mercedes-Benz badge is now more accessible than ever. Who says you need a Toorak or Double Bay postcode to cruise around in this baby?
Want more? Like any great accessory, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class can be tailored to suit your personal tastes. It comes with a bespoke perfume, (a scent that can be changed to suit your mood and can be turned on or off at your choosing), ambient lighting (choose your own colour interior lighting), touchpad technology (as easy to use as a smart phone) and oh, so, much more!
Leaving On A Jetplane: Bali Bling Bling!
We can't travel now but we can plan our next trip even if it is next year. Trendy tourist spots like Seminyak, Canguu and Uluwatu are high on our list. They are going next-level with their luxury villa offerings and personalized concierge services to turn an already five-star holiday experience into a not-lifting-a-finger kind of holiday. You know, the kind only usually associated with millionaires and celebrities where they have staff to cater to their every whim. Plan a trip to these extravagant villas on for size…You'll feel like royalty but pay like a pauper!
Villa Samuan Siki
Villa Shambala
Let the luxe experience begin even before you take off by using ex-pat run and owned Good Living Asia to organise all the bells and whistles for your Bali getaway. Not only do they have a superior edit of Bali and Lombok's best villas for any sized family, group or couple, they'll make sure your VIP arrival into Denpasar is super-smooth and streamlined, fast-tracking you through immigration and then whisking you away in air-conditioned comfort to your uber-luxe villa of choice. You'll feel like a celebrity, but without the paparazzi following you!
Did we mention that you'll also be spoilt with chauffuers, private villa staff including a chef, dedicated security, spa therapists, child-minding – the works? Best part of course, is it'll cost you less than a holiday in Australia with the same luxury features! Bali does five-star luxury oh so well, at such reasonable prices, you'll go back again, and again, and again! That is when we can travel again…
What are some of your favourite affordable luxury items? Tell us in the comments below!
The post Affordable Luxury: Here's How to Pimp Your Life (And Not Blow The Budget!) appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Matt Moran's Lobster, Radish And Kombu Butter Recipe appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Inspired from his trip to the Dubai Food Fair. Try this exquisite meal prepared by the king of chefs. There is a few steps to this exotic dish including the Kombu Butter, Celeriac Puree and preparation of the radishes. And that's before you get to the lobster but once you put the effort in the rewards are all yours.
Kombu Butter
5 g Salted Kombu seaweed
125 g Salted Butter
¼ teaspoon Ground Star Anise
Sea salt
Celeriac Puree
20 g salted butter
1 golden shallot, finely diced
½ clove Garlic, crushed
1 small celeriac, peeled and sliced
Finely grated zest of 1 lemon
1 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice
2 ½ Tablespoons pouring cream
2 teaspoons olive oil
Salt and pepper
Radishes
2 bunch red radishes
100 g salted butter
500 ml water
Salsify
1 cup of lemon juice
1.5 litres water
250 g Black Salsify
1 Tablespoon plain flour
Lobster
4 Queensland lobster tails meat, cleaned
1 bunch watercress picked
METHOD
1 Place the Kombu into a dry food processer, blend until it breaks down into small pieces, add in the salted butter and ground star anise and blend until combined. Season to taste with sea salt and place into a container, set aside.
2 To make the celeriac puree, melt the butter in a heavy based saucepan over a medium heat, add the shallot and garlic and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, until softened. Add in the celeriac and cook for a further 5 to 10 minutes then pour in 2 ½ tablespoons water and cook for a further 8 to 10 minutes until the celeriac is tender, transfer the celeriac into a blender with the lemon zest and juice and blend to combine. Add in the cream and continue to blend until mixed in. Continue to blend, slowly adding in the olive oil to emulsify. Press through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl and season with salt and pepper to taste. Cover to keep warm.
3 Wash and trim the radishes removing the green stems, place the washed radishes onto a sauce pan with the water and butter, season with sea salt and place on a medium heat, bring to a simmer cooking for 3 to 4 minutes until the radishes are tender enough then take them off the heat and remove radishes out of the liquid. Cut each radish into 1 cm wedges and place into a mixing bowl.
4 Place ½ a cup of lemon juice into a bowl with 1 litre of water. Using a peeler peel the outside of the salsify and place into the lemon water (this will keep the salsify form going brown quickly). Cut the peeled salsify into 4 cm batons and place them back into the lemon water. Whisk the flour with a little bit of the water to form a paste, add in the rest of the water and the remaining lemon juice and place the liquid into a heavy based saucepan, season well with salt before adding in the cut salsify. On a medium heat, bring to a simmer and cook for 6 to 10 minutes until the salsify is just tender, take off the heat.
5 Place a frying pan on a high heat, add in the Kombu butter. Once the butter has started to foam add in the lobster tail meat, reduce to a low heat and using spoon baste the butter over the tails for 3 to 4 minutes or until the tails are cooked, season well with salt and pepper.
6 In a mixing bowl combine the celeriac puree and the cooked radishes and mix together, season with salt if required and place into the centre of a serving plate. Place the cooked salsify onto the top of the radishes followed by the lobster tails, garnish with the picked watercress. Drizzle the left over butter from the lobster pan onto the dish. Serve.
The Carousel thanksMatt Moran for this recipe. For more of Matt's recipes, click here.
The post Matt Moran's Lobster, Radish And Kombu Butter Recipe appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post 5 Sustainable Swaps That Are Also More Beautiful appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>
- Say not to take-away coffee cups and yes to a stylish keep cup
Take-away coffee cups are probably the second most maligned item by anyone with a sustainable mindset, after plastic bags. Eco-warrior Sarah Wilson listed take-away coffee cups among unsustainable things that drive her nuts , and understandably so – around 2.7 million coffee cups go to landfill every day in Australia alone. And those compostable cups that many cafes have switched to aren't really all that better – they still take years to break down.
These ceramic keep cups by Pottery for the Planet will look far more beautiful in your lovely hands instead.
- Swap shampoo and conditioner bottles for bars
Raise your hand if you have products piled in every corner of your shower * raises hand *. Create some space and do the environment a favour by swapping bottled shampoo and conditioner for plastic-free bar formulas instead.
Bar None do excellent shampoo and conditioner formulations for all hair types that are vegan, cruelty free and colour safe. Pop your bars on a beautiful ceramic tray when not in use to bring day spa vibes to your bathroom.
- Replace disposable cleaning products with refills in forever bottles that look good on your countertop
It's great that laundry detergent, dishwashing detergent and all-purpose cleaners come in recyclable packaging, but you know what is far more sustainable? Having one container for each product that you'll keep forever.
The concept of refills and forever packaging is fast gaining ground globally sparked by government regulation in Europe that mandates product stewardship (a 'producer pays' waste cost recovery system) and zero waste design. Two of our favourite refill companies are Resparkle and Zero Co ; Both offer bottles in clean, minimal designs and their refill packaging is zero waste. Resparkle will send you your refills in compostable slips, while Zero Co ask you to post your refill packaging back to the company at their expense so they can be re-used. You'll never have to step foot in a supermarket again for detergent – how beautiful is that.
- Swap cheap, imitation and throwaway furniture with quality pieces made from sustainable materials that you'll treasure forever
We know, we know – there's nothing like snagging a brand new bookshelf for less than the cost of lunch. We know! However, much like fast fashion, fast furniture is disastrous for the environment for a number of reasons; Low-cost products made with veneers and engineered wood quickly chip and rot when exposed to moisture, so before long they end up in landfill (or out on the kerb-side). Some materials also emit harmful chemicals, which is not the sort of thing you want to surround yourself with as you eat and sleep.
Next time you go to purchase a piece of furniture, do your research on the materials and manufacturing. B Corp certified Koala offer a stylish range of furniture (like a sofa made from cork oak) designed to be sustainable, sourced with quality and ethical materials, and built to last. Koala is also partnered with WWF Australia, and h is a member of 1% for the Planet, giving back at least one percent of gross sales annually to the good of the planet, people and animals.
- Swap plastic pads, tampons and panty-liners for period underwear
If you're a woman in the developed world with a regular menstruation cycle, you're likely to spend around AUD $3,400 on period products over the course of your lifetime, and send almost 7000 plastic period-related products to landfill.
Period undies are here to stay, and if you need evidence, even traditional plastic period care companies like U by Kotex have jumped on board, announcing a partnership with Thinx for briefs that absorb up to 5 tampons, and that you can wash and wear up to 40 times.
Modibodi and Bonds are other great brands with an extensive ranges of re-usable period undies that are much prettier than having pads, tampons and pantyliners around the house.
The post 5 Sustainable Swaps That Are Also More Beautiful appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post The Hula Hoops Manipulator That Got Us In A Spin appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The Hula Hoops Manipulator keeps them spinning at such high rotation around her torso, limbs and neck, slipping yet another hoop seamlessly into the routine while simultaneously suspending one leg perpendicular in the air, that it's all a bit of a blur. In fact, it's seven hoops, just about the maximum that it's physically possible to fit on the body at once.
Irina has been one of the star attractions of Cirque du Soleil's production of Kooza. She is mesmerising to watch, defying human limits by co-ordinating physical contortion, stunning dexterity and balance, all with a smile on her face. Although Irina says it's not so much innate skill as sheer had work.
She learnt the art of hula-hoop at age 12 at 'circus school' in her native Russia. "I had great teachers", she says, humbly. "They gave me hoops and taught me the moves and I liked it". When she got the call up from Cirque du Soleil at 23, she says she "was so happy I was jumping on my couch".
Spinning hoops would be taxing enough at the best of times, but what happens to a pregnant hula-hoops manipulator, one profession where physical limits intervene in working through pregnancy? "I didn't know I was pregnant for the first two months", laughs Irina, who stopped working at three months and took a further three months off after her daughter was born. "It was hard to get back in shape because I put on 20kg and my boobs were bigger and I was out of practice. I wasn't able to do the splits at first and my muscles had changed. It was like starting over again".
Irina continued breastfeeding her daughter when she went back to the hoops which meant keeping her baby backstage so she could feed between performances.
Now that Veronica is older, she stays back at the hotel where she's looked after by her father or babysitters or, on occasion, the 'circus wives', a heartwarming example of the camaraderie of the close knit circus community. Occasionally her daughter catches her mum's performance and "she falls in love".
"I have the best life", Irina says. "I love the stage, the audience, performing. And I get to discover different cities, learn new languages, meet new people, show my daughter the world".
Still, it can't be easy juggling motherhood with a demanding vocation, living out of a suitcase. Irina approaches the challenge of being a working mum, miles from home, the same way she deals with her hoops, by believing everything is possible.
"I don't have stress. You always can do more. We don't have limits. If you think you can improve yourself more, you can improve yourself more. I try to enjoy every moment of my life. I really love it".
The Carousel thanks Jacinta Tynan for this article.
The post The Hula Hoops Manipulator That Got Us In A Spin appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Anti-Inflammatory Green Smoothie appeared first on The Carousel.
]]> INGREDIENTS
1 banana
1/2 ripe avocado
1tsp cinnamon
1 fresh mango
1tsp maca Powder
2 TBS natural yoghurt
Small handful of fresh spinach
1/2 cup of ice
METHOD
1 Blend until smooth. Top with: Bee Pollen,
shredded coconut
and a few extra chia seeds.
The post Anti-Inflammatory Green Smoothie appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Tiny Away Is The Perfect Local Getaway appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Founded in 2018, the Tiny Away network includes a range of comfy eco-friendly 'tiny houses' for travellers seeking alternative and unique accommodation experiences. Having already grown to over 75 private locations across New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia & Queensland, Tiny Away offers adventurous road-trippers and weekenders the chance to immerse themselves in Australia's vast flora and fauna, without compromising on comfort. A step up from glamping, each tiny house offers hot showers, air conditioning, a cosy queen bed, and a kitchenette.
Tiny houses offered by Tiny Away are built in Australia and designed in Singapore by sister company, Big Tiny – the first company in Singapore to combine the concept of 'tiny houses' with eco-tourism. Big Tiny's ethos is centred on reducing resource consumption and environmental impact without sacrificing the quality of accommodation.
Boasting a range of stunning designs and state-of-the-art features both inside and outside, these impressively self-sufficient "compact homes on wheels" are in their element in some of Australia's most spectacular rural settings. Each tiny home is made with sustainable materials and constructed in Australia by experienced builders, plumbers, and electricians. The key eco- friendly features include waterless compost toilets, rainwater collections tanks for showers, and solar panels.
Unlike other tiny house offerings, Tiny Away guests can expect to wake up and go to bed in style before having the chance to engage in a variety of exciting activities offered by landowner hosts, from farm tours and horse riding to bushwalking and quad biking. Whatever is on offer, activities promise to put guests a million miles from their hectic city life. For those looking for a more relaxed and indulgent time away, wellness experiences such as massages and chakra dancing are also available at some Tiny Away locations.
Why the Tiny Away model is different
Tiny Away's rapid growth in recent years has been credited to its unique business model which has earned the company a reputation as a budding social enterprise. With many landowners across Australia's rural and regional areas limited to seasonal work or feeling the consequences of natural disasters like bushfires and drought, Tiny Away offers them an opportunity to generate an additional income stream by putting their land to an alternative use.
Using a profit-sharing arrangement which sees landowners earning up to 45% of rental revenue, Tiny Away considers itself a partner with landowner hosts on a mission to create rare and exceptional accommodation experiences. With each tiny house provided to hosts at no cost, Tiny Away helps them to unlock the full potential of their land by identifying the perfect location as well as the type of activities that guests can enjoy during their stay.
Tiny Away fast facts
- Tiny Away specialises in building sustainable, stylish tiny houses. The company operates a social enterprise model, partnering with rural landowners to provide fully furnished, mobile tiny homes
- Tiny Away shares up to 45% of the profit from each booking made with landowners
- Tiny Away is one of Australia's top booking platforms
- Tiny Away was a double honouree at the Brands for Good 2019 Awards in the"Community- Business Model" and "Environment- Managing Environmental Impact"categories
- Tiny Away won the highly coveted "Most Promising Start-Up Award" in the EmergingEnterprise Awards 2018
The post Tiny Away Is The Perfect Local Getaway appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post 4 Signs Which Show You Have A Creative IT Organisation appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>It might seem strange, but an interviewee's technical chops, as important as they are, are not all that matter to me. I also need to get a sense of their creative drive and curiosity because I believe these are key attributes of a successful tech leader. And I'm not alone.
In the past, you would rarely hear "IT" and "creativity" in the same sentence. Technical staffers were long pigeonholed as left-brain dominant thinkers whose sole role was to make sure the computing systems and infrastructure ran smoothly.
But more and more, IT leaders are recognising that the creatively oriented right-brain has become critical too. As companies digitally transform, they are looking to technology to solve business challenges. That mission demands IT teams with an unprecedented mix of technical and creative abilities to help serve customers better and get new products out the door, while still fostering internal efficiency.
According to Gartner, the way engaging digital experiences are crafted is becoming increasingly formalised, which means that delivering a digital experience that ensures a measurable outcome will require creative excellence. Furthermore, back in 2010, an IBM survey of more than 1,500 CEOs found creativity to be the "most crucial factor for future success." By the end of the decade, LinkedIn was calling it "the most important skill in the world."
Creativity can be a nebulous concept, so how do you know if your IT organisation has it or not? Here are four signs.
People view their jobs as both scientists and artists
When the business comes to IT with a problem, people feel challenged and excited to find innovative courses of action. Regardless of their specific technical skill sets, everyone understands that composing solutions to problems is an inherently creative process.
"Composing" is the key word. With so many diverse technologies and approaches available for tackling any single project, the best IT pros approach the job like a painter choosing materials and colors. They know their work has a qualitative element; it is not just about hammering digital nails. They tap into their creative brain to see what will fit together best in the big picture. And they let nothing stand in the way of making it happen.
Curiosity drives them
An inherently creative IT organisation is filled with naturally curious people. They exhibit that quality throughout their lives, not just their technology role, and that spills over into a creative mindset eager to push the boundaries of innovation.
What are their passions outside of work? The arts? Astronomy? Carpentry? A strong interest in anything that is, well, interesting is a sign that you are talking to a person who possesses wonder and curiosity.
Without curiosity, there is no creativity. This explains why I ask job candidates about their outside interests.
Empathy is at the centre of it all
Scientific research has shown a positive link between creativity and empathy. To creatively solve a problem, after all, you first need the emotional intelligence to find the problem. This requires an "experience-first" mentality.
This sort of empathy has become all the more essential at a time when enterprise technology consumerisation – the reorientation of products and services to focus on qualities like simplicity and personalisation in the individual user's experience – has become a hot trend. Thus, it has never been more important for IT specialists to put themselves in the user's shoes and consider how they can make the user's life easier.
In a piece in the Harvard Business Review, which delves into the importance of empathy in business, Jamil Zaki, a professor of psychology at Stanford University, cites Tim Cook's 2017 MIT commencement address, where he warned graduates, "people will try to convince you that you should keep empathy out of your career. Don't accept this false premise."
A truly empathetic team is exemplified when every member is "all in" on delivering the kind of experience they themselves would want with technology – and they settle for nothing less.
Creativity is embraced as a survival skill
Artificial intelligence (AI) and other forms of automation are radically altering the IT landscape. Rote, manual tasks, such as configuring devices and diagnosing and resolving common, repetitive incidents, are being taken over by machines. In the future, they will increasingly replace humans in writing some software code. That is already starting to happen.
This is setting up an inescapable reality: IT jobs in the future will increasingly go to people who are the best and brightest at attacking business problems. That means creativity is not merely a nice to have, it's a must – and people really have to work at it. That urgency can be a good thing, motivation to drive IT teams to new heights of imaginativeness.
It is possible to know people are valuing creativity and working at it when they embrace training and seek out professional opportunities and experiences in emerging areas like AI. They run toward the new, not away from it.
As these four points show, it is vital for CIOs and other IT leaders to cultivate a creative culture by hiring the right people – diverse thinkers who take inspiration from the wider world and whose technical aptitude is matched by an inquisitive spirit. I know that is what I'm looking for and so are many others.
Sharon Mandell is Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer at Juniper Networks
The post 4 Signs Which Show You Have A Creative IT Organisation appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Right in the heart of the Mudgee Region of New South Wales is spectacular Gooree Park – the home of 'Wine and Wagyu' BBQ's.
In a nod to this popular event, our food guru Lyndey Milan has created a dish to represent both the vines which produce the property's award-winning wines and the magnificent Wagyu cattle bred and raised there.
Gooree Park is best known for its thoroughbred horses – champions at racetracks across the country – so where better to whip up a delicious burger-with-a-difference than overlooking the spectacular track where all the action takes place.
Gooree Park was established by Lloyd Foyster (below) in 1963 as a thoroughbred horse stud where he bred multiple group one winners including Ming Dynasty and Mighty Kingdom – winners of three Caulfield Cups in four years. Lloyd built a dam with a three mile circumference and a world class racecourse with a longer straight than Randwick where he trained his horses. He later sold the property to the Cojuanco family, who own the property today.
Prepare for your mouth to water as Lyndey takes a Wagyu beef patty, two vine leaves, a toasty base and tops the lot with hommus to create a burger-with-a-twist. Team it up with a glass of Gooree Park red – and what do you have?
One of the very best locally-produced lunches you can get.
Gooree Park Wine & Wagyu BBQ's are held from 12-3pm on select dates throughout the year, they take place on the Park's family-friendly picnic area. Enjoy a home-grown Wagyu burger and grab a bottle of Gooree wine to compliment lunch, then just sit back and let the live music set the tone for a great relaxed afternoon
For more information on Gooree Park and to book tickets for this and other events go tohttp://www.gooreepark.com/
The post Beautiful Gooree Park: Wine And Wagyu appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Your Guide To The Top 5 Movies Coming Out For Kids appeared first on The Carousel.
]]> 
1 Ghostbusters Afterlife
Are you ready to be spoooooooked! When a mum and her kids move into an inherited, creepy farmhouse in Oklahoma strange things start to happen. The family discover objects connected to their grandfather's ghost busting past, and the children must decide if they are ready to follow in his footsteps and become GHOSTBUSTERS!
2 The Addams Family 2
The creepy, kooky, mysterious and spooky family return to get tangled up in more madcap adventures, and find themselves running in to all kinds of unsuspecting characters along the way.
3 Sing 2
Join Buster Moon and his all-star cast of performers as they prepare to launch their most dazzling stage extravaganza yet, all in the glittering entertainment capital of the world! There's one hitch, they have to persuade the world's most reclusive rock star to join them. What begins as a dream of big-time success, becomes a reminder of the power of music to heal even the most broken heart.
4 Top Gun Maverick
'I feel the need, the need for speed!' The beloved '80s fighter pilot classic is gearing up for Top Gun 2, yes Maverick is finally back. After more than thirty years away of service as one of the Navy's top aviators, Pete Mitchell (Tom Cruise) is where he belongs as a courageous test pilot and dodging the advancement in rank that would ground him.
5 Ron's Gone Wrong
Ron's Gone Wrong is the story of awkward school kid Barney, and Ron, his walking and talking digitally connected Robot, and new best friend! Ron goes, yes you've guessed it, wrong. These malfunctions lead them on an action packed journey and a path to true friendship.
MovieKids! has everything a young movie fan needs. Be sure to check it out and plan your next movie adventure with your kids at www.moviekids.co.uk
The post Your Guide To The Top 5 Movies Coming Out For Kids appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Zac & Jordan Stenmark – Our Power Brekkie appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Serves: 2
INGREDIENTS
1 green apple, cored and cubed
75gr oats
50gr almonds (or other nuts)
2 tbsp cacao
1tbs/1 scoop protein powder/ whey isolate
2 raw eggs, free range
2 tbsp yogurt
METHOD
1. Mix all ingredients into a bowl and serve.
The post Zac & Jordan Stenmark – Our Power Brekkie appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Chair Yoga – Yep, It's A Thing! appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>You can use an office chair or a kitchen chair – as long as its sturdy you will be fine. Your chair will provide balance, and by using the back of the chair, you can ensure correct posture.
Seated wide leg forward fold
Sit on your chair with your legs wide apart and your toes pointing out. Leaning forward as you interlace your fingers behind you. This stretches the inner thigh, lower back, shoulders, arms and neck.
You have more control over this pose when seated. Tip: Sit as far towards the front of the chair as you can (without feeling like you are going to fall over), otherwise you will round through your spine.
Assisted Plough
This pose is a great inversion, wonderful to strengthen shoulders and fantastic for your thyroid.The chair is used as an aid for beginners and for anyone who wishes to go deeper into the pose. Remember, correct posture and alignment should always trump 'looking the part'. Avoid this posture should you have any pre-existing spine and neck injuries, or if you are pregnant.
Supported Camel
Camel pose is the pinnacle of any yoga series and it can be difficult when first attempting. Holding on to the back of a chair instead of reaching for your feet can make the posture a lot easier to move into and hold.
Camel Pose is wonderful for opening up your hip flexors as well as your heart chakra. It's a wonderful pose for easing lower back tension, and it is also a very good preparatory pose for harder inversions. Avoid Camel Pose if you have issues with blood pressure or breathing.
Seated Twist
This has so many amazing benefits and it is great for your whole upper body. Keep your hands at your heart in prayer position, with elbows at 90 degrees – this is important to get the full benefit of this posture. Only go as deep into this twist as your body will allow. This twisting posture has wonderful benefits for the digestive system.
The post Chair Yoga – Yep, It's A Thing! appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post The Life-Saving Moisturiser For Baby Kangaroos appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>After graduating from university as an Ecologist a few years ago, I knew I wanted to be involved with animals. I love all animals but being from Far North Queensland, I could see the urgent need to protect local animals. In 2017, I launched The Agile Project and have loved rescuing and rehabilitating local wildlife ever since.
Kangaroos are the most common animals hit by cars in Australia with thousands of baby joeys left orphaned every year. Due to remaining in their mother's pouches for eight months, babies are born without fur and without the safety of the mother they can often die or become incredibly ill due to the effects of the outside air. However, when their mothers are knocked over and killed or fatally maimed, we rescue them – and then it's a nine-month journey before they can be released back into the wild. We've currently got 52 joeys in our care, and they usually come in from the 'pinky' stage – when they don't even have fur.
When they're pinkies, their mums naturally create a moisturiser in their pouch, which keeps their skin supple. Because pinkies aren't supposed to be out of the pouch or even come up into open air their skin dries up quickly so they need to be moisturised 24/7. So we've been looking for something to replicate that for years.
We've tried numerous moisturisers but the best one by far that we've stumbled upon is MooGoo's Natural Skin Milk Udder Cream Restore.
It's also really good for joeys that have cracked skin, noses and burnt heels from their feet sticking on the hot tarmac roads. We also use it on other animals as The Agile Project has evolved into a wildlife rehabilitation group for all species now, including all types of birds, reptiles snakes and lizards.
Melody Livingstone, CEO of MooGoo, says, "We love to hear from our clients that our products are helping them. "What a surprise to find that our Natural Skin Milk Udder Cream is working so well on the sensitive new skin of joeys.
"Funnily enough, it's not the first time we have heard wildlife carers using our products – we heard about one a few years ago, near Dubbo in Western NSW. She was using our moisturiser on the newborn pinkie joey skin. She said that other creams that she tried tended to clog the joey's pores and caused them to overheat. We love to help in any way we can!"
Shai is currently raising money via GoFundMe to relocate the wallabies from Cairns's northern beaches. For more info, visit The Agile Project.
The Carousel would like to thank Shai Ager for her story.
Walk For Wild – A Fund To Help Restore Australia's Wildlife
The post The Life-Saving Moisturiser For Baby Kangaroos appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post The Surprising Benefits from Burning Candles appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Picture yourself in the glowing ambiance of candlelight cozied up with a cup of tea and a paperback novel. Maybe there is rain lightly tapping on a nearby window or a crackling fire to pair with the scent wafting from your candle. Did I set the scene for you?
Candles have been around for hundreds of years (since as long as 1475), and they've become the thing we turn to for comfort. They are a great supplement to any home, providing scent and soothing touch during a weekly self-care session. But did you know they also come with some added health benefits? Keep on reading for five health benefits from candles and why you should start flicking a match now.
- Provides a Soothing Effect
Part of healthy living is self-care and taking care of your body and mind—lighting candles can provide the perfect atmosphere to induce a state of relaxation. A candle's flame helps to soothe our soul—reducing stress and increasing self-awareness. The soft illumination allows us to calm down and even achieve a meditative state. This effect is long known to civilization, accounting for the near-universal use of candles in spiritual matters.
- Increased Focus
Try burning a candle during your workday. Candles actually help increase focus and productivity. There are certain scents that can help stimulate your mind and improve productivity. This benefit goes hand-in-hand with the benefits of aromatherapy since scents are what help boost your level of focus. The aromas that can help your focus include cinnamon, mint, orange, lemon, and rosemary.
- Cleaner Air
Candles made with essential oils are also able to clean the air. Some candles have strong air purification properties. Essential oils were inside the plant to help protect it from mold and outside elements, so it has powerful properties to cleanse your air. In addition, some candles are designed to remove odors from any room using a natural, molecular odor neutralizer, like those from The Worthington Collection .
- Memories
Memories and emotions can be prompted by scents and provide a feeling of happiness. According to Psychology Today , behavioral studies indicate that smells are more likely to trigger vivid emotional memories and can instantly lift your mood if you're feeling down.
- No Blue Light – An analog way to digital detox
Candles can combat the use of electronics right before bed that disrupt sleep and provide long-term adverse health effects. The blue light emitted from screens decreases your magnesium levels, making you feel less tired and more anxious. By turning the phone off earlier and enjoying your evening by candlelight, you can feel calmer at an earlier time and allow your body to reset to natural circadian rhythms.
All in all, the benefits from candles are clear. Candles both stimulate our senses in subtle ways or enhance our environments in a simple yet profound way. Humans have an innate connection with fire going back centuries, and candles stand as a symbol of our ability to harness the powers of nature in a basic way. We as a species have evolved to cultivate wildfire and harness it into a simple flame that represents the passion behind the human condition. We are the people that are descended from the first fire makers, so it makes perfect sense that the aesthetic authenticity of the candle would have a positive effect on our moods and can be used in these five ways to wash away the worries of the day.
The post The Surprising Benefits from Burning Candles appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Meet The 2022 Halliday Rosé of the Year Varietal Winner appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The Halliday Wine Companion Awards 2022 were announced at Melbourne's iconic restaurant, The Stokehouse in St Kilda on August 12, and The Carousel was given the exclusive intel on the winner in the Rosé category.
The Awards is a highlight of the wine industry and after what can only be described as a challenging year, the night was a unifying celebration.
And the Rosé winner is …
The 2022 Rosé of the Year varietal winner is the 2020 La Prova Adelaide Hills Nebbiolo Rosato, which scored 95 points from the Halliday Wine Companion tasting panel. The wine, which was fermented half in old white oak (for texture) and half into tank (for vibrancy), has a bright, fragrant and crunchy style. Halliday Wine Companion tasting panellist Tony Love describes the Rosé as "leaving the palate thirsty for more…and more".
Rosé For Days
While we could easily wind up every afternoon with a glass of this delicious vegan friendly drop, it's actually not available until October 2021. However, it will be worth the wait. And at only $26, it's a really affordable yet luxury spend. We think it would pair perfectly with this Thai Beef Power Bowl or with this Delicious Chicken Salad With Goat's Curd, Hazelnuts And Honey. Never fear for vegans and vegetarians. Try sipping it with this Vegan Salt and Pepper Kalamari recipe!
While You're Waiting …
Of course, you'll need something to keep you going until October, so why not sample some of the vineyard's other sips, such as Monaciello Aglianco 2015. Sweetly named for the 'little monk', a fairy tale character in Naples who is blamed for all the strange little occurrences in your house, like hiding your glasses, or your keys and so on, it is grown and made in Kersbrook, a warm Northern sub-region of the Adelaide Hills. Boasting a ferrous, dark, brambly and graphitey rustic charm, it will get you through the remaining cooler months of this year (especially if you're in lockdown), but is best sipped with a hearty meal, as the tannins are profound. Bonus? It's also vegan friendly!
The post Meet The 2022 Halliday Rosé of the Year Varietal Winner appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Gooree Park – Sample The Wines And Meet The Thoroughbreds On A Guided Tour appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Right in the heart of the Mudgee Region of New South Wales is spectacular Gooree Park, the biggest vineyard in the area and home of Australian thoroughbred champion racehorses.
Clearly, Gooree is not your regular country estate, its Cellar Door boasts a range of award winning wines, three of them named for champions of the racetrack born and bred at the Park.
Gooree Park was established by Lloyd Foyster in 1963 as a thoroughbred horse stud where he bred multiple group one winners including Ming Dynasty and Mighty Kingdom – winners of three Caulfield Cups in four years. Lloyd built a dam with a three mile circumference and a world class racecourse with a longer straight than Randwick where he trained his horses. He later sold the property to the Cojuanco family, who own the property today.
There is much for visitors to Gooree Park to see and do, and the best way to get the experience is to jump aboard their tour bus and soak up all the information your knowledgeable guide has to tell. They can even arrange a tour including lunch (and of course you can buy a bottle of something nice to go with it). With over 300 horses taking part in the breeding and training programmes each year you are guaranteed to meet a past – or future – race-winner.
On a trip, Lyndey Milan joined a tour with some of the locals – take a look at what she discovered.
This is just one of many events held at Gooree Park. Throughout the year you can also experience:
- High Tea in the Stables
- Bubbly Breakfast at the Track
- Wine and Wagyu BBQ
- Melbourne Cup at Gooree Park
Get more information on Gooree Park and to book tickets for this and other events go to http://www.gooreepark.com/
The post Gooree Park – Sample The Wines And Meet The Thoroughbreds On A Guided Tour appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Zac & Jordan Stenmark's Healthy Power Balls! appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>With an eye to eating healthily and keeping up their energy levels while coping with their very full schedules, the Stenmark twins popped in to prepare one of their favourite pick-me-ups: Stenmark Protein Balls. Here they whip up a batch just for us.
Serves 12 portions/balls
INGREDIENTS
Base
1 1/2 cup hazelnuts
1/2 cup raw cacao powder
1/3 cup coconut
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
2 cups pitted dates
1 or more tablespoons of water (if needed to thicken the mixture)
Topping
1/2 cup hazelnuts
1/4 cup coconut
2 teaspoons coconut oil, melted
METHOD
1In a food processor, blend hazelnuts, cacao, coconut and cinnamon until finely ground.
2Add dates 1/4 cup at a time, processing after each addition until blended. Add some water at this time if needed.
3Firmly press mixture in to an 8×8 pan. Sprinkle topping and lightly press down then refrigerate for 1 hour to set.
4Cut into small squares.
5Alternatively roll mixture into balls, cover in coconut topping then refrigerate for 1 hour.
Have you tried Zac & Jordan's healthy protein balls? Tell us in the comments below!
The post Zac & Jordan Stenmark's Healthy Power Balls! appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Super Healthy Quinoa with Roast Root Vegetables and Tahini Yoghurt appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Serves 10
INGREDIENTS
1 bunch (about 8) baby carrots, tops trimmed
12 baby turnips
12 baby beetroot
1 tbsp coarsely crushed cumin seeds
50ml olive oil
2 cups quinoa, rinsed
4 spring onions, thinly sliced
1/2 cup loosely packed mint leaves
Yoghurt tahini dressing
1 cup thick natural yoghurt
3 cloves of garlic, finely grated
100ml extra virgin olive oil
1 tbsp tahini
METHOD
1 Preheat oven to 180°C. Place carrots and baby turnips in a large roasting pan, scatter with cumin seeds, drizzle with olive oil and season to taste with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. Wrap beetroot in foil, drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper, add to roasting pan and roast until tender (about 1-1. hours).
2 Soak quinoa in cold water for 20 minutes. Bring a large saucepan of water to the boil over high heat, place a steamer over the top and line with muslin. Add quinoa and cook for 10-15 minutes or until tender, remove, season to taste and set aside until required.
3 For yoghurt tahini dressing, combine yoghurt, garlic and tahini in a bowl and stir to combine, whisk in olive oil in a thin stream and season to taste with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper.
4 To assemble salad, arrange quinoa over serving plate, scatter with vegetables, and drizzle with tahini sauce and scatter with spring onions and mint.
Wine match Finish this dish with a glass of 2011 Eddystone Point Pinot Gris.
The Carousel thanks Eddystone Point Wines for this recipe
The post Super Healthy Quinoa with Roast Root Vegetables and Tahini Yoghurt appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Four Wellness Innovations Inspired By The Pandemic appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>If there"s anything wonderful that's come out of the Covid-19 pandemic, it's the innovations in home wellness that we've been seeing. Undoubtedly, the past two years have tested both people and business beyond measure. However when times are tough, opportunities arise, as we have seen in abundance in the home wellness space.
Here, five of the best and most effective home wellness innovations launched in Australia in 2020-2021.
Vitruvian
Vitruvian is an intelligent new home wellness brand hailing from Australia. Combining technology with resistance training, the V-Form Trainer essentially acts as an entire home gym within the one device.
Vitruvian is the brainchild of Jon Gregory,a Perth based former high frequency trader who specialises in algorithms. Jon recognised that there needed to be a better way to train other than simply lifting weights around so created a device that solves some of the problems associated with weight training. For example:
- It is hard to measure your progress from home to ensure you keep improving unless you really know what you are doing;
- It is hard to do eccentric training (a top way athletes like to train) without a personal trainer present, to allow you to get the benefits of the eccentric phase of the movement.
- Many people training at home won't lift as much as they can in order to save them having to change weights mid set.
Jon spent 10 years collaborating with some of the smartest brains in sport and science. The result? The V-Form Trainer.
The V-Form is revolutionising the strength training market, making resistance training more intelligent as it can. It allows you to a pply force in the eccentric (downward) phase of an exercise, meaning you work twice as hard and in half the time. The app records everything and will set the weight for you to help you improve each time you train, and i t also knows to change the weight, even if you are in the middle of the workout, based on how you are holding the handle.
FLOE
Finding connection and motivation are two challenges that people face when training from home. When you go to a gym or studio, having others around helps to keep you feeling motivated. At home however, it can be easy to just stop training, especially if you become distracted or begin to feel tired.
Enter, FLOE, the world's first online gym, integrating live two-way video technology with premium home gym equipment. Workouts are led by qualified instructors and you book into class just as you would a normal gym class. The instructors can also see you, giving you that connection and motivation as you workout together.
Every membership comes with a stand so that your phone or tablet can be at eye level, so it feels as though the instructor is actually in the room with you. All classes are LIVE and broadcast from FLOE's purpose built studio, with over 100 classes per week you can book into.
For those who want to elevate their workout with equipment, the FLOE Gym offers a stylish and diverse home gym solution that conveniently packs into one box, housing equipment for strength, pilates and yoga. The box also doubles as a workout bench and transforms into a Barre. It's a piece that looks at home in even the most stylishly designed dwelling.
22 degree exercise bikes
Indoor cycling has been around since fitness classes originated, and over the years we have seen all types of indoor cycling classes from rhythm riding, to virtually cycling through picturesque places around the world and more.
Now, we have Infinite Cycle@ Home exercise bikes that tilt at 22 degrees. Why? This angle offers more of a full body workout. Having to keep the tilt under control means more use of your abs and arms. Additionally, riders show up on screen as an avatar so you can race other people in your class. The gamification element adds motivation to keep you going in the sweaty class!
MiHigh Infrared Sauna Blanket
Another Aussie company to make serious waves in 2020, the MiHIGH Infrared Sauna Blanket allows users to reap the benefits of an infrared sauna from home. These benefits include:
- Faster detoxification: Infrared heat is seven times more detoxifying than regular heat. That means instead of just sweating out water, you're also sweating out toxins that normal saunas don't have the power to do.
- Calmness: Infrared heat allows your body to produce an abundance of calming chemicals. You'll step out of your blanket feeling happier, less stressed, and you'll enjoy deeper, better quality sleep.
- Burn Calories:A 30-minute jog burns around 300 calories. A 30-minute session in your MiHIGH Infrared Blanket will burn up to 600 calories. Oh, and you can burn these calories without leaving your own bed!
The post Four Wellness Innovations Inspired By The Pandemic appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post MasterChef's Khan Ong's Bo La Lot Recipe: Beef Wrapped In Betel Leaf appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Serves 2-4 (depending on if you're a normal person or me, because I eat these as they're cooking and rarely leave any behind)
Bo La Lot Recipe
Ingredients
- 500 g beef mince (the fattier the better)
- 150 g pork mince
2 lemongrass stalks, white part only, finely chopped - 6 spring onions, white part only, finely chopped
- 1⁄2 bunch of coriander, roots scraped clean, roots and stems finely chopped (save the leaves for another use)
- 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 1 red shallot, finely chopped
- 1 1⁄2 teaspoons caster sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground white pepper 1 tablespoon fish sauce
- pinch of sea salt
- 40 betel leaves with stems attached (see Tip)
- Spring Onion Oil (page 25),
to serve
Salted Peanuts
- 1 tablespoon sea salt
- 150 g shelled and skinned whole raw peanuts
Instructions
To make the salted peanuts, combine the salt with 3 tablespoons of water and mix until dissolved. Toast the peanuts in a dry frying pan over high heat for 8–10 minutes until golden and almost charred. Add the salted water to the pan 1 tablespoon at a time, stirring with a wooden spoon and waiting for the water to evaporate before adding more. Set aside to cool, then roughly chop. You can make the salted peanuts ahead of time (or just to keep on hand as a snack). They'll keep in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.
Soak 10 bamboo skewers in warm water for 20 minutes (or use metal skewers). Get your barbecue or charcoal grill nice and hot.
In a large mixing bowl, pop all the ingredients besides the betel leaves and spring onion oil and mix well. Leave to marinate for 15 minutes.
Trim the betel leaf stems, leaving 1 cm attached to the leaf. Place a betel leaf on a clean surface with the shiny side facing down. Place 1 heaped tablespoon of the beef mixture onto the leaf near the pointy end. Fold in the sides and roll towards the stem. Use the stem to pierce the leaf and secure the roll. Pop a skewer crossways through the middle of the roll. Repeat with the rest of the leaves and mixture, placing four rolls on each skewer.
Cook the rolls on the preheated barbecue grill for 2 minutes on each side until nice and charred.
To serve, top the skewers with lots of spring onion oil and chopped salted peanuts.
Recipe was extracted from Khanh Ong's recipe book, 'A Gay Guy's Guide to Life Love Food'.
https://thecarousel.com/food/entertaining-wine/beef-tossed-with-wild-betel-leaf-l-luke-nguyen-emongrass/
The post MasterChef's Khan Ong's Bo La Lot Recipe: Beef Wrapped In Betel Leaf appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post TV chef Ed Halmagyi's Sausage & Cheese Scrolls For Snacking appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Great for breakfast or just about any time of day for snacking, these beefy mozzarella bites are more than worth the effort of making your own dough
PREP 20 MINS PLUS 45 MINS PROVING AND 45 MINS RISING
COOK 45 MINS
MAKES 12
Ingredients
- 2 cups apple juice
- 1/2 cup plain flour
- 10g (11/2 sachets) instant dried yeast
- 3 cups baker's flour
- 2 free-range eggs
- 2 free-range egg yolks
- 50g caster sugar
- 2 tsp fine sea-salt flakes
- 60g unsalted butter, softened
- 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 4 beef sausages, meat removed from casings
- 1 red onion, finely diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 bunch thyme, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup dried or fresh breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup tomato relish
- 1/4 bunch flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
- 300g mozzarella, grated
Instructions
STEP 1 Grease an oven tray. Pour juice into a small saucepan and set over high heat. Boil rapidly until reduced to 3/4 of a cup. Set aside to cool, then mix with plain flour and yeast. Stand for 5 minutes, until bubbly.
STEP 2 Combine baker's flour, eggs, yolks, sugar, salt and yeast mixture in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a dough hook. Beat on medium for 2 minutes. Add butter, 1 tsp at a time, then mix to a smooth dough. Cover bowl with plastic wrap. Set aside in a warm place for 45 minutes, until doubled in size.
STEP 3 Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Cook sausage meat, onion, garlic and thyme, stirring and breaking up sausage meat as it cooks, until mixture begins to stick to the bottom of the pan. Remove from heat, then stir in breadcrumbs, relish and parsley. Set mixture aside to cool.
STEP 4 Turn dough onto a lightly floured bench and roll into a 60 x 30cm rectangle. Spread cold sausage mixture and mozzarella on top. Starting at the long edge, roll up tightly into a log. Cut into 12 even rounds. Arrange on prepared tray, cut side down. Cover with a clean tea towel and set aside for 45 minutes, until doubled in size. Preheat oven to 180°C fan-forced (200°C conventional). Bake for 25-30 minutes, until golden. Cool on a wire rack before serving
Better Homes & Garden Seasonal Kitchen with Fast Ed will be published by Are Media Books and available where all good books are sold aremedia.com.au RRP $29.99
The post TV chef Ed Halmagyi's Sausage & Cheese Scrolls For Snacking appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Leggings Outfits – How to Style These Sporty Pieces in Dressy Ways appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>While leggings just so happen to be the most comfortable workout garment , there are so many other occasions where you can rock this athleisure staple without sacrificing style. Below, five totally wearable leggings outfits that show you how to style these sporty pieces in dressy ways.
Wear them with a duster and a pair of stilettos
This is a great way to camouflage your leggings but still get a stylish outfit that feels cozy and comfy. One of the must-have fashion basics every woman should own , dusters have the power to make any outfit feel more elegant, and are great add-ons for some instant style oomph.
First, lay the foundation with leggings – preferably black ones – and a black, long-sleeve shirt. Then, pick a pair of stilettos and a matching handbag, and finish your look off with a duster (sleeveless or not, they both look great). Cinch it at the waist to emphasize your curves, throw on a pair of elegant shades, and voila – you are ready for everything from a brunch to work to a local coffee shop.
Combine them with a chunky sweater and over-the-knee boots
We all have our go-to chunky sweater that we can't wait to put on once winter rolls around. But did you know that you can easily pair your favorite cozy garment with athleisure staple and still make it look dressy?
For that to happen, all you need to do is get your trusty over-the-knee boots that have been patiently waiting in the closet during the summer. To make it even dressier, go for a pair of faux leather leggings, and make sure that your sweater is a bit oversized so that it covers your back. Keep the entire ensemble on the minimalist side, and add some visual interest with an elegant cross body bag. Easy and incredibly chic.
Keep it classy with a turtleneck and a timeless camel coat
Classic wardrobe staples such as camel coats and turtlenecks don't exactly spring to mind when it comes to styling this popular athleisure piece. But celebrities and jet-setters all around the globe have proven the following: high-quality leggings can work both as activewear and leisurewear, and there are numerous stylish outfits to back this up.
Even though classic pieces such as camel coat and turtleneck exude elegance and sophistication, leggings are able to blend in perfectly because of how versatile they are. What this means is that you can easily take your gym outfit and make it work for other occasions as well, which is perfect if you travel a lot and need to keep your packing list to a minimum.
Make it elegant with a blazer and heeled booties
Speaking of relying on activewear to create sophisticated ensembles, this next outfit combination is ideal for times when you need to make your athleisure work for more corporate settings. If your workplace has a dress code that requires you to wear a full suit, you may be able to use leggings to pull off a similar look that is much comfier.
Pair your black leggings with a long black blazer, and combine them with a white shirt. Depending on the occasion, you can wear a white tee with a more relaxed fit, or put on a crisp white work shirt to make your outfit dressier. Finish off the look with a pair of stylish heels, a clutch, and minimalist accessories.
Stay cozy with an oversized sweater and booties
There are times when you simply want to be cozy and comfy, but that doesn't necessarily mean turning to frumpy, unflattering pieces that make you look like you have just rolled out of bed. In fact, you can still wear your favorite oversized sweaters – as long as you style them right.
Take advice from supermodels and style your chicest, largest sweater with a pair of comfy leggings, and add a pair of black booties to spruce things up and make it look more polished and sophisticated. Put on a pair of stylish sunglasses and a minimalist cross body bag to complete the look. Just make sure that your sweater is long enough to cover your thighs. If not, try wearing an unbuttoned button-up shirt underneath the sweater to add some length.
Wrapping up
Whether you are meeting your bestie for a brunch, flying somewhere for a relaxing weekend getaway, going for a sweat session at your local gym, or simply heading to work, leggings are there to keep you comfortable and stylish on almost any occasion.
With a few key accessories, you can dress this casual, sporty piece up or down depending on your needs. One thing is for certain – with a couple of style tricks up your sleeve, you can rock your favorite pant-replacement pieces with confidence – wherever it is that you are headed.
The post Leggings Outfits – How to Style These Sporty Pieces in Dressy Ways appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Sweet Success On A Stick appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Cass Spies was born into a family that loved their sweet treats. As a child, she remembers sharing bowl upon bowl of her grandmother's sweet and delicious desserts after long and luxurious Sunday lunches. Back in 20th century Australia, most sweet treats were loaded with sugar.
"I come from a family that loved their treats," says Cass, the CEO and founder of Australian frozen yogurt company Twisted Healthy Treats, which manufactures and sells a line of quality low and zero sugar yogurts, treats and desserts. "I guess in that aspect of my childhood we ate too way too much sugar in terms of what a healthy diet looks like. But that was the nature of times back then.
"And the flipside of that is a swathe of fond memories that I have of enjoying a treat with my parents and grandmother. Those memories are probably at the heart of why I came up with the idea for Twisted Healthy Treats all those years ago, because I personally don't want to bring my children up in a Draconian way regarding treats – "Thou shalt never have treats!" That's just not me or my family."
Cass, a food technologist, and former financial project manager who founded Twisted Health Treats in 2009, runs one of the most innovative and successful frozen treat companies in the country. Today, the healthy treats dreamed up by Cass and her small but dedicated team are available in more than 1500 locations across Australia, as well as New Zealand, the Pacific and even in the United States, where Twisted healthy Treats has managed to carve out a significant sales record in the difficult-to-crack US health treat market.
And one of the major reasons for her success, says Cass, is that her business is much more than just another financial enterprise. "Twisted healthy Treats is actually my passion project, something that I deeply believe in and am proud to do," says Cass, a mother of three.
"And I think that its partly my upbringing and partly my role as a mother that are at the centre of that passion. I think that it's possible to have a balanced approach to your life and your diet. And I think it's important to form fond family memories of enjoying a frozen yogurt with your son or daughter.
"When you are sharing an ice-cream with your son or daughter on a sweltering day, which is a beautiful part if life. Those are memories that will be with you forever. Our philosophy is that you can still have those moments, but you can also make smarter choices when it comes to which treats you share."
Cass started the business 12 years ago when she was with her daughter in the frozen treats' aisle of her local supermarket and couldn't find a treat that was both healthy and delicious. She realised then that there was a gap in the market and decided to fill it. Ever since Cass has allowed her values to inform almost every decision made at Twisted Healthy Treats.
"I have young children who are aged from 13 down to eight and being a mother has definitely changed my life in all sorts of ways," Cass says. "I like to think that being a mother has influenced the way I run the business and my approach to the products that we make.
"Being a mum has changed me as a person and it is a huge part of my life and I don't think that I can separate that part of my life from my role as the CEO of the company. There are so many aspects of how I run the company that come directly from the fact that I am a mum."
For instance, Cass says, she likes to think of her staff and an extension of her family circle, people who she depends on but who she cares about, too. "I extend that mothering to the team in certain aspects of the business operations," says Cass, who employs six staff in her management team and a further 30 to 40 staff in production depending on how busy the company is.
"We are all incredibly passionate about the products that we make. We believe in democratising access to high quality, better-for-you treats. Our target market is Australian families – sometimes overseas families – but primarily Australian families.
"We want people to be able to enjoy our products as a family, while they are in their family unit and be able to afford to enjoy them each and every week."
She even uses her own children and their friends as a business resource when she is thinking about new products to make. "I tap into that resource when I am thinking about new products and what children might enjoy and want," says Cass. "I might be looking at flavour development or some other new product and I am often delivering "proof of concept" products to my friends and their families to get feedback and discover how they think and how they feel about it."
Cass points to two top-selling products that were developed in this way – the Twisted Healthy Treat frozen yoghurt and the recently launched sugar-free ice cream on a stick. "These are our two biggest selling items, and the popularity is split right down the middle," says Cass. "Our frozen yogurt product is our legacy product because it was the first that we brought to market and it has proven to be the most enduring item in the range. That is available in Woolworths and at Costco and we get wonderful feedback from families who regularly enjoy that product. Mums often share that product with their children.
"This time last year we launched our sugar free ice cream on a stick and that was aimed at a slightly older demographic. Not so much children as mums and dads in the older age range who are diabetic or pre-diabetic but who are still looking to enjoy a delicious treat.
"That product has no sugar whatsoever in it. It's a little decadent but sugar-free and aimed at those who are looking after their health or want to experience different choices in their diet."
When Cass and her team created the sugar-free ice-cream on a stick, they had every confidence that it would be a hit. The reason, Cass explains, is that everyone on the team is a taster, too.
"We knew it was good because it tasted so good," says Cass. "All our team taste our products and we all enjoy eating our products. And that is one of our strengths because by the time we bring a formulation to market we have all tasted it and we know that its an amazing product. We have received so many gorgeous emails from people saying thank you for making something that is so delicious but has zero sugar."
On another front, Cass has continued her success in the United States with a growing market for her products through the Costco chain of stores. "A little while ago we entered the US market with an initial order for six containers of product that were sold through Costco," says Cass. "That was quickly followed up with another 30 containers and we are now in the process of completing another 50 containers to go off to the US in time for their summer. It's been a wonderful experience for us, because our products are all Australian, the dairy is Australian, the packaging is produced in Australia. The trickle-down effect of what we have been able to achieve there is extraordinary and something of which we are enormously proud. "
The post Sweet Success On A Stick appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post High Tea In The Stables At Beautiful Gooree Park in Mudgee appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>https://vimeo.com/111478674
Just ten minutes from Mudgee in the Heart of New South Wales, Gooree Park is one of the region's most historic and picturesque properties. This Stud and Vineyard combined produces both champions of the track and a wide range of award-winning wines. There's no doubting Gooree's thoroughbred credentials.
Much-loved Aussie cook Lyndey Milan recently visited for the day and our camera was hot on her heels. Lyndey's first stop is the Stables – not to check out the four-legged champions but to sit beneath the chandeliers and sample the bubbles made from Gooree Park's very own vineyards.
High Tea In The Stables is a big event here, featuring locally-sourced produce – just check out the spread in this video! The tea-time entertainment includes fashion and makeup demonstrations, art and craftwork exhibitions and (this could be the best bit) a goodie-bag to take home.
This is just one of decadent events held at Gooree Park. Watch the video to see what you're missing out on, plus these other events:
- Melbourne Cup at Gooree Park
- Wine and Stud Tours
- Bubbly Breakfast at the Track
- Wine and Wagyu BBQ
Gooree Park was established by Lloyd Foyster (below) in 1963 as a thoroughbred horse stud where he bred multiple group one winners including Ming Dynasty and Mighty Kingdom – winners of three Caulfield Cups in four years. Lloyd built a dam with a three mile circumference and a world class racecourse with a longer straight than Randwick where he trained his horses. He later sold the property to the Cojuanco family, who own the property today.
For more information on Gooree Park and to book tickets click here.
Have you visited Gooree Park? Tell us in the comments below!
The post High Tea In The Stables At Beautiful Gooree Park in Mudgee appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Beef Tossed with Wild Betel Leaf & Lemongrass – Luke Nguyen appeared first on The Carousel.
]]> INGREDIENTS
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 lemongrass stem, white part only, finely diced
2 garlic cloves, finely diced
2 chillies, finely diced, plus extra to garnish
300 g (101/ 2 oz) lean beef sirloin, thinly sliced
1 tablespoon fish sauce
1 tablespoon soy sauce
2 teaspoons sugar
15 betel leaves, roughly sliced
coriander (cilantro) sprigs, to garnish
METHOD
1Add the oil and lemongrass to a smoking-hot frying pan or wok. Cook for5-10 seconds, or until fragrant, then add the garlic and chilli.
2 Now add the beef and stir-fry for 2 minutes. Season with the fish sauce, soy sauce and sugar, add the betel leaves and stir-fry for a further minute.
3Transfer to a plate and garnish with the coriander and extra chilli. Serve with steamed jasmine rice.
COOK'S NOTES
When dicing lemongrass, always use a sharp heavy knife.
Don't discard the green tips of a lemongrass stem — steep them in hot water and enjoy as lemongrass tea
Travel through Vietnam with celebrity chef Luke Nguyen's lavish new book, The Food Of Vietnam. The location and food photography is sublime, and showcases Luke's foodie adventures through this beautiful part of Asia. Luke serves up classic Vietnamese dishes plus his twists on traditional recipes. You will want to cook everything in this book, it's not to be missed. Reviewed by Anne Marie Cummins Images and recipes extracted from The Food of Vietnam by Luke Nguyen published by Hardie Grant $69.95 available in stores nationally.
The post Beef Tossed with Wild Betel Leaf & Lemongrass – Luke Nguyen appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Five Exercises Females Should Avoid appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>While we are ALL for gender equality here at The Carousel, we also have a firm grasp on reality and realise there are simply some things that men can do that women can't, and vice versa.
In particular, we are talking about exercise. There simply are some exercises that men can do that women should steer well away from, explains Adala Bolto, founder of female fitness franchise ZADI Training .
In fact, there are some exercises that should be avoided by both sexes due to the simple fact that most people perform them incorrectly, which can lead to injury. Unless you have a specific goal, a personal trainer or can perform them with great form, it's best to avoid any exercise where the cons may outweigh the pros.
"This applying the FITT principle (frequency, intensity, time and type) and safe balanced movement patterns in every session," says Adala. "ZADI programs reps, sets, load and rest with female bodies and common fitness goals in mind."
So … what to avoid? Everything in this list below, unless of course, you are with a qualified, personal trainer.
Bicep curls with light weights and lots of reps
"Whilst it may be tempting to ditch the heavier weights for lighter ones and increase the number of reps it is more effective to alternative between heavier and lighter weights," explains Adalo. " Repeated reps of any exercise can increase your risk of injury. Knowing your limits and alternating light and heavy weights works when it comes to building muscle and getting toned arms."
Superman
"The problem with Superman is that many people perform the exercise incorrectly," reveals Adalo. Furthermore, high reps of this exercise can cause overextension of the lower back- talk about kryptonite! Instead, try glute bridges, pelvic tilts or lying lateral leg lifts instead to strengthen the lower back.
Straight Leg Push Ups
Whilst straight leg push ups may look pretty neat, pushups from the knees will help protect against lower back and shoulder pain. Place your hands slightly below your shoulders with your fingers pointed forwards and slowly lower yourself to effectively work out your pectorals, deltoids, triceps and abs.
Long cardio duration workouts
"Swap the long cardio workouts for HIIT to burn more fat and gain lean muscle," says Adolo. "HIIT is great for women as it combines cardio and strength training and it is a time effective way of getting fit."
Sit Ups to get Abs
"Contrary to popular belief sit ups are not the best way to get rock hard abs," says Adalo. They can be damaging to your back and your neck. Instead, try a planking exercise, either with straight legs, or better still, with knees bent to the ground for extra stability.
Harvard Health reports sit ups are " hard on your back," and "plank exercises, in which you assume a position and hold it, are the gold standard for working your core."
Combine planking in combination with other core exercises such as bicycle crunches to get a defined midsection and don't forget the role of cardio and nutrition in burning tummy fat.
Finding the time and motivation to workout can often be challenging. Get maximum bang for your buck by adhering to exercises that will show results. Maximize your potential and help you achieve your fitness goals!
The post Five Exercises Females Should Avoid appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Poached Eggs With Avocado & Feta Smash On Sourdough appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Preparation time 15 mins
Cooking Time 10 mins
INGREDIENTS
1 large ripe avocado
1 tbsp lemon juice
60g crumbled feta cheese, goat or cow milk
2 tbsp chopped parsley
1 tbsp chopped dill
100g cherry tomatoes, chopped
8 eggs
1 tbsp white vinegar
2 thick slices sourdough bread
METHOD
Avocado Smash
1 To make the "smash", place avocado halves in a bowl and fork through to create a rustic mash.
2 Add lemon juice, crumbled feta, chopped parsley, dill and chopped cherry tomato. Mix well.
Poached Eggs
3 Bring a medium shallow saucepan of water and vinegar to the boil. Break egg into a small dish.
4 Reduce the heat, to the water, to a simmer. Carefully slide in the egg.
5 Repeat this process with remaining eggs.
6 Allow 3 – 4 minutes for poached eggs with firm whites and soft runny yolks. Cook longer for a firmer egg.
7 Remove with a slotted spoon, rest on a paper towel to absorb any excess water.
To Serve
8 Smear Smash on toasted sourdough and top with two poached eggs.
The Carousel thanks Australian Eggs for this recipe.
The post Poached Eggs With Avocado & Feta Smash On Sourdough appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Ashley Graham Says Fans Are Body Shaming Her For Working Out appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The Plus is Equal advocate and US size 14 model was hit by a barrage of angry comments suggesting she had succumbed to industry pressures and propagated notions of beauty by slimming down.
The barbs began after Ashley posted this Instagram shot, below, which made her appear smaller than she really is.
The shot was of Ashley on set ofAmerica's Next Top Model, a show where she is a judge, wearing a white crop top and skirt and jacket by Balmain.
"According to the comments, some people were upset because I appeared to be slimmer. (Knowing my angles is one thing, but I must be a magician to make people think I went from a size 14 to a size 6 in a week!)
"The reality is I haven't lost a pound this year. In fact, I'm actually heavier than I was three years ago, but I accept my body as it is today," she writes.
"I didn't give it a second thought when I posted it, but soon the image went viral. Not because of how good I looked wearing a high-end designer that doesn't usually market to women my size, but because of people's misguided views on women's bodies and who owns the rights to them."
Ashley was the first plus-size model, a model who is larger than a size 10, to grace the cover ofSports Illustrated's popular swimsuit issue this year.
"To some I'm too curvy. To others I'm too tall, too busty, too loud, and, now, too small – too much, but at the same time not enough. When I post a photo from a 'good angle', I receive criticism for looking smaller and selling out.
"When I post photos showing my cellulite, stretch marks, and rolls, I'm accused of promoting obesity. The cycle of body-shaming needs to end. I'm over it."
The post Ashley Graham Says Fans Are Body Shaming Her For Working Out appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Easy Exercises For A Full-Body Workout At Home appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>ZADI Training founder and female fitness instructor,Adala Bolto, shares her at-home full body home workout exclusively with The Carousel.
Exercise is not only great for your physical fitness. It also creates endorphins, which can boost your mood, and supporting our mental health at this point in time is vital.
When training at home, opt towards performing more compound exercises, as they give you more bang for your buck. Compound exercises are the ones that work multiple parts of your body in one go, such as a squat or pushup. The reason they are so effective is that they work most of your body at the same time, while also hiking your heart rate, which helps you improve your aerobic fitness too.
Home Workout Squat
One of the most effective exercises, the squat will work your Quads (thighs), Hips, Glutes and even the Hamstrings. If your posture is good, squats will also work your abs.
· Start by standing up straight with your shoulders back and your core pulled in tight.
· Feet should be shoulder width apart.
· Push your butt back into a low squat. You want to push your knees out slightly to ensure you are toning the sides of your butt and legs throughout the exercise.
· Then push up back to straight legs, squeezing your glutes on the way up.
· Try two counts down, two counts up to begin with, but you can change your speed up as you get more comfortable with the exercise. Repeat 10 times and do three sets, if you can handle it. Remember to start small and build up as your fitness and strength grow.
Take note to also keep the knees soft at the very end of the squat being completely performed. If your back is strong and you feel up to it, add in a light kettle bell for extra ooomph!
Home Workout Push-Up
While both the push up and the squat work a lot of the body, the push up can really benefit the upper body, while the squat focuses on the lower body. They are also not super difficult to achieve.
· You can do a push up on knees or toes.
· Place your hands under your shoulders, have the rest of the body in a plank (on knees or toes). Your shoulders should be back, abs and glutes should also be tight.
· Start lowering yourself down toward the ground, have your elbows go out at 45 degrees for a basic pushup.
· Push yourself back up. That is one repetition. Start with perhaps five reps and three sets, (or as many as you can do) and slowly build up every day.
Bicycle Crunch
The bicycle crunch is a great ab workout as it also gets the obliques, and many women love to have that toned look.
· Lie on your back with your hands to the side of your head
· Put your knees up to 45 degrees over your hips
· Kick the right leg to straight, keep the left leg bent. As you do it, twist the left side of your body toward the right leg. Your arms will steer you, but make sure you are feeling this exercise in your core, not your neck or shoulders.
· Reset, then kick out the left leg to straight and twist to the left.
· D o at least 20 a side in each set of three.
Lunges
Lunges are a great exercise for increasing muscle mass to build strength and tone your body. Specifically targeting your core, butt and legs they also help improve your posture and range of motion which is a plus!
To perform the lunge correctly
· Keep your chest and head upright.
· Take a large step behind you.
· Then drop your rear knee to the floor and stand back up. Do this nice and slow to improve balance and butt strength.
· You can do all reps on one leg before switching to the other. Or to get more of a core workout, try doing alternating lunges. As you become stronger, you may wish to incorporate a light kettle bell weight to add intensity to the exercise.
The Carousel would like to thank Adala Bolto, founder of female fitness franchise ZADI Training for this article.
About ZADI
With the workouts programmed at ZADI apply the FITT principle (frequency, intensity, time and type) and safe balanced movement patterns in every session. These are the bedrock of ZADI's workout methodology. In addition, ZADI programs the finer layers such as reps, sets, load and rest with female bodies and common fitness goals in mind.
The post Easy Exercises For A Full-Body Workout At Home appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Cooking with Paris: From Viral Lasagne to Netflix with Paris Hilton appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>She's being her best authentic self and that's why her YouTube cooking shows are so enjoyable.
Paris Hilton has let us hear about the inspiration behind her Netflix series called 'Cooking with Paris':
Where did you get your love of cooking?
My earliest memories as a little girl were sitting in the kitchen with my mom during the holidays and cooking with her. I've always loved food and as a naturally creative person, I found my love for cooking.
What was the genesis of 'Cooking With Paris'?
It started with the lasagna video that I posted on YouTube during quarantine that went viral. It was just a fun video that I filmed at home during quarantine where I didn't take anything too seriously and I had no idea that it would take off like that. I started getting calls about putting together the show and the rest is history!
Do you feel like your cooking skills actually improved over the course of the series?
Definitely. I learned to cook so many things that I've never cooked before. lt was a lot of fun to learn all of these new skills, try new recipes and to bond with my friends.
What would you say your most successful dish was?
Our choices were all so delicious. I think one of my favourites was the frittata I made with Kim. I've made it for my fiancé a few times since then. It's the perfect meal to cook for brunch on the weekends when we are at home.
That episode seemed like a special one. How was it for you to reunite in the kitchen with Kim and just have a chat and make breakfast?
It was so much fun to be together and try this new recipe we both had never cooked before. We've been friends since we were little girls, so to find time to just hang out, catch up and make this amazing meal together was awesome.
What was it like working as an executive producer on the show?
I love being in front of the camera but being behind the scenes for this show was really special. I enjoyed working together with the whole team and coming up with different ideas and being very creative. The whole process was great from start to finish and I can't wait for everyone to see the final product.
After the very poignant and revealing tone of your documentary, did it feel good to get back to this more lighthearted territory?
Yes, it did. I have a lot of important stories I want to tell, but I love to have fun, make people laugh and not take myself too seriously. Going forward, I'm going to produce shows that are going to be both serious and lighthearted, because I think that duality is important to me and my fans and audiences that are going to watch.
Do you get a sense that over the years people have a better understanding of the difference between the humorous side of your persona and the shyer, more down-to-Earth person you actually are?
Yes. I think my fans who have grown up with me definitely understand the different sides of me, especially since the documentary and can appreciate it. But there are people who don't follow me as closely who probably don't understand. One of my goals now is to open up more and show my more authentic side to the broader world. It's hard to do that because I'm really guarded and a shy person, but I'm trying my best.
'Cooking With Paris' series debuts 4 August 2021 on Netflix.
About Cooking with Paris
Paris Hilton can cook…kind of. And she's turning the traditional cooking show upside down. She's not a trained chef and she's not trying to be. With the help of her celebrity friends, she navigates new ingredients, new recipes and exotic kitchen appliances. Inspired by her viral YouTube video, Paris will take us from the grocery store to the finished table spread – and she might actually learn her way around the kitchen. #cookingwithparis
P.S. Sliving means 'killing it and slaying in one word'.
Image Credit: Cooking With Paris: Season 1. Pictured: Paris Hilton. c. Kit Karzen/Netflix © 2021
The post Cooking with Paris: From Viral Lasagne to Netflix with Paris Hilton appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Walk For Wild – A Fund To Help Restore Australia's Wildlife appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The earlier bushfires of 2019-2020 severely impacted Australia's wildlife and habitats. Walk for Wild aims to get Australia back on its feet by regenerating and restoring its environment.
What does Walk for Wild entail?
Any individual who donates will get the opportunity to experience Australia's beautiful wilderness, up close and personal.
"Walk for Wild is an exciting opportunity for people to enjoy the health and wellbeing benefits of walking in Australia's remote wilderness areas while at the same time knowing the full purchase price of their walk is contributing to this incredible conservation effort," said Brett Godfrey, co-owner of Tasmanian Walking Company.
During this experience, walkers will be educated on the importance of sustainability and conservation as they soak in the scintillating sights. Through these support projects, the hope is for people to be able to 'enjoy Australia's incredible natural environment' in the future.
'Eco-tourism, when mindful and well-managed, can have a huge positive impact for people and nature,' Godfrey adds. So, what are you waiting for? Click here to book one of the four Walk for Wild experiences departing 8 October 2021.
WALK FOR WILD TO REGENERATE AUSTRALIA
All Walks depart October 8, 2021
- Bay of Fires Lodge Walk – Four days $2,595
- Cradle Mountain Huts Walk – Six days $3,995
- Twelve Apostles Lodge Walk – Four days $2,595
- Three Capes Long Weekend – Three days $1,995
The post Walk For Wild – A Fund To Help Restore Australia's Wildlife appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Are Covid-19 Vaccines Safe If You're Pregnant? appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>However, there's one that I know many women and men who are trying to start or extend their families feel is super important, and that is, "are the Covid-19 vaccines safe to have while you're trying to conceive, while you're pregnant and indeed when you're breastfeeding."
According to Queensland Health, "There is a lot of misinformation circulating online about the COVID-19 Vaccines affecting fertility and being unsuitable for pregnant or breastfeeding women. Much of this information is unscientific and factually wrong, causing unnecessary worry for many."
Let's do our best to set the record straight, so you can enter into this blissful stage of your life without any added stress.
Will The Covid-19 Vaccine Affect My Fertility?
It is highly unlikely. According to a joint statement issued by the UK's Royal College of Midwives and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, there are "no believable biological ways that any COVID-19 vaccine would impact male or female fertility."
The report states that, "Women trying to become pregnant do not need to avoid pregnancy after vaccination and there is no evidence to suggest that COVID-19 vaccines will affect fertility. The most recent JCVI advice says that women who are trying to become pregnant do not need to avoid pregnancy after vaccination."
The statement goes on to say that "if you are in one of the groups offered the vaccine, getting vaccinated before pregnancy will help prevent COVID-19 infection and its serious consequences. In some cases, women will need to make a decision about whether to delay pregnancy until after the vaccine becomes available to them."
What If I Have Had My First Injection And Fall Pregnant Before The Second?
In this case, I would strongly suggest you seek advice from your gynaecologist. According to IVF Australia, while the COVID-19 vaccine is likely to be safe in pregnancy (as it is not the live virus) the evidence currently available of the safety of the vaccine in pregnancy is still very limited. The Australian Government does not recommend the vaccine in pregnancy but, if you have a particular predisposition to COVID-19 infection, you should seek advice from your doctor.
So, Should I Avoid Getting Vaccinated If I Am Already Pregnant?
Again, this depends on your individual situation, however, IVF Australia suggests that while the COVID-19 vaccines are likely to be safe in pregnancy (as they are not live virus).
A recent joint statement by The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) and The Australian Technical Advisory Group On Immunisation (ATAGI) recommends that "pregnant women are routinely offered Pfizer mRNA vaccine (Cominarty) at any stage of pregnancy. This is because the risk of severe outcomes from COVID-19 is significantly higher for pregnant women and their unborn baby.
Global surveillance data from large numbers of pregnant women have not identified any significant safety concerns with mRNA COVID-19 vaccines given at any stage of pregnancy. Furthermore, there is also evidence of antibody in cord blood and breastmilk, which may offer protection to infants through passive immunity.
Pregnant women are encouraged to discuss the decision in relation to timing of vaccination with their health professional.
Women who are trying to become pregnant do not need to delay vaccination or avoid becoming pregnant after vaccination."
Can I Be Vaccinated If I Am Breastfeeding?
Yes, according to the NSW Health Covid-19 Vaccines Decision Guide. If you are breastfeeding you can receive Comirnaty (the Pfizer vaccine) at any time. You do not need to stop breastfeeding before or after vaccination. There is no evidence that breastfeeding women have any increased risk of complications from COVID-19 compared to women who are not breastfeeding.
At IVF Australia, we add that the Australian Government "have not provided any specific advice concerning other forms of the vaccine at this time. We recommend you speak with your health professional concerning your specific circumstances."
Comirnaty has not yet been tested in breastfeeding women, but there are no concerns about its safety in breastfeeding women or their babies.
Breastfeeding women can safely receive almost all other vaccines. There is only caution with one vaccine against yellow fever, which is a live vaccine. Comirnaty isnota live vaccine. The mRNA in Comirnaty is rapidly broken down in the body and we do not think that it passes into breastmilk. Even if it did, it would be quickly destroyed in the baby's gut and is therefore extremely unlikely to have any effect on your baby.
The post Are Covid-19 Vaccines Safe If You're Pregnant? appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post New Employment Program Set To Revitalise The Hospitality Sector appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>To provide much-needed support at a time when it's needed the most, Restaurant & Catering Association (R&CA) – the peak body for Australia's hospitality industry – has just launched its brand-new PaTH Program (Prepare, Trial & Hire), an innovative youth employment program set to shake up Australia's hospitality industry and address the training gaps and staff shortages across the sector.
Targeted at 17-24-year-olds, this five to six-week program provides young job seekers with the knowledge and skills to gain meaningful employment in the industry. Three days of face-to-face training covers all the fundamentals including customer service, food handling, knife skills and Responsible Service of Alcohol, followed by four weeks of hands-on work experience at a participating restaurant where they are mentored by industry professionals.
Australia's top industry heavyweights such as Scott Pickett (Pickett and Co); Teage Ezard (Gingerboy); Nathan Toleman (The Mulberry Group), Caterina Borsato (Caterina's Cucina E Bar) and many others, have banded together to reignite passion and optimism for the industry, ready to lead the next generation of aspiring hospitality workers to set them up for a successful career in the industry.
And the best part? There's the opportunity of ongoing employment for the intern if they successfully complete the program.
To top it off, there is no cost to the intern or business owner to take part. Yes, you read right. With the financial cost of paying rent, staff wages and dealing with exorbitant food wastage thanks to last minute lockdowns, any financial assistance is welcomed with open arms. For every intern a business owner takes on and trains, they will receive an additional $1000 of financial support from the government in recognition of the on-the-job training, supervision and support provided by the business – that's a win/win for everyone involved.
For more information on the PaTH Program, or if you're a hospitality business interested in signing up, visit R&CA's website for all the details here.
The post New Employment Program Set To Revitalise The Hospitality Sector appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Prenatal Yoga And The Benefits To Your Health And Wellbeing appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Prenatal yoga classes are designed to support pregnancy body changes by stretching in safe way and in a safe environment. The poses are open, which means there is no pressure on your belly. Your prenatal yoga instructor can recommend various different poses that work around reflux, sciatica, nausea and most of the common pregnancy discomforts, too!
During pregnancy, our body experiences change so much faster than normal and prenatal yoga is so wonderfully supportive of this change. As you move through the weeks and months of pregnancy the poses may seem a little harder. That's ok – you have precious cargo onboard. Your instructor will work around your belly and practice safely.
The four key elements of prenatal yoga (and birth) are Balance, Gravity, Movement and Breath. All of these are beneficial to labour and birth. When we have a good breathing technique, it can attribute to how you greet labour when your big day arrives. Prenatal yoga can be practiced from 12 weeks gestation until your due date. However you should always check with your doctor before undertaking any exercise while pregnant.
Here are a few poses you can safely practice at home.
Prenatal Yoga Easy Seated Pose
Easy seated pose is very common in yoga. It's generally how we begin and end a class. Simply sit comfortably with your legs crossed. Try not to have your knees too high. You may find it easier to sit on a cushion or a bolster. The best part of this pose is the connection you have with your baby, when you have your hands on your belly. This is such a sweet moment in time. The bond you have with your baby can never be broken.
In this prenatal yoga posture, we connect with our inner self and our breath. This will calm and soothe you, and your baby will react in kind. If you are calm, baby is calm.
Tree Pose
This is a standing balance pose and there are quite a few variations. The main benefit being that it is a subtle hip opener. To help with any wobbles, stand near a wall or table, and choose an option of the pose where you feel comfortable. Find a focal point to gaze at. In Sanskrit this is known as Drishti. It translates to 'focused gaze' and it helps with balance as well as meditation.
Easy Seated Pose With Arm Stretch
This is a great pose for the entire upper body. Have one arm straight up in the air above your head, palm facing forward. Have the other arm pointed straight down palm facing backwards. Bend elbows and reach fingertips towards each other until you one day connect as in the picture. Don't worry if your hands don't meet – you I will get there one day with regular practice. You also cab use a strap to assist with the stretch or your hands can just rest on the shoulder blades. It feels amazing for your shoulder blades, releasing any tension you may be carrying in the upper back.
Enjoy your time connecting with your baby. As always, be kind to yourself, move with ease and grace. You (and your baby) are the most important person in your life
Main Photo by Yan Krukov fromPexels
The post Prenatal Yoga And The Benefits To Your Health And Wellbeing appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Home and Away Star Ada Nicodemou's Haircare Tips appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>If there's one thing Home & Away Star Ada Nicodemou is best known for, apart from being a truly kind and lovely person, it's that glorious head of hair she rocks. Thick, shiny and never out of place, it gives us the same kind of hair envy that we get from the likes of Jennifer Aniston and Blake Lively.
Naturally, we wanted to pin her down and find out her haircare secrets. Here, Home and Away actress Ada Nicodemou shares them with us (with a couple of skincare tips tossed in too!).
Ada Nicodemou shares her haircare secrets
Use Haircare Specifically Formulated For Your Hair Type
Everyone's hair is different, which is why there are so many different haircare formulas available. It's so important to pick hair products that are suitable for your hair. My hair is coloured, thick and I have to use heated appliances, so I lean towards hydrating and repairing formulas. I am so in love with Thanks To Nature's Hydrate and Nourish and Repair and Protect range. I interchange these depending on what my hair needs at the time. Sometimes I'll use the Hydrate and Nourish Shampoo and Conditioner with the Repair and Protect Masque and vice versa.
Always Double Shampoo
I love to double shampoo my hair because I get that super clean, fresh hair feeling. Double shampooing also means that you can go longer between washing your hair ,which is a huge bonus with my busy schedule.
Leave Your Conditioner On For As Long As You Can
I use a wide tooth comb to comb through my conditioner and leave it for a few minutes before rinsing it out.
Try To Allow Your Hair To Air Dry When Possible
This is something that I can't always do due to filming, but when I can I like to give my hair a break from heat and let my hair dry naturally.
Avoid brushing wet hair
This tip was given to me by one of my favourite hairstylists and ever since I've always avoided brushing my hair after I've washed it. Instead I use a wide tooth comb when conditioning, wash out the conditioner and then use a scrunching motion to towel dry my hair. This does two things: 1) it stops hair breakage (wet hair is more prone to damage) and 2) it allows the natural wave in my hair to come through.
Enjoy Weekly Haircare Treatments
Every Sunday before I start a big week I apply a hair mask. I love Thanks To Nature Hydrate and Nourish Masque. It gives my hair the added moisture it needs after a long week on set. I use this once a week and apply Nature's Way Beauty Collagen Mask to my skin.
Apply Sunscreen Daily
This is something that I've only started doing in the last five years but I wish I'd done it sooner. I make sure my sunscreen has zinc in it and is 50 plus. Sunscreen is so important, especially so with the UV rays being so strong here in Australia.
The Carousel recommends : Invisible Zinc Sheer DEfense Moisturiser SPF50.
Always Cleanse At The End Of The Day
No matter how busy my day is I always always cleanse my face at the end of the day. Washing your face is so important for skin health, even more so if you have make up on. Never ever go to sleep with make up on your face.
The Carousel recommends: Jurlique Replenishing Cleansing Lotion
The post Home and Away Star Ada Nicodemou's Haircare Tips appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post How To Feel In Complete Control Around Food appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Many of us find ourselves in this predicament and we may question "Why do I feel so out of control with food?" What if I told that your desire and your motivation are pulling you in different directions – surprised? I bet you are!You see your rational mind wants a great beach body but your emotional mind wants that Oreo cookie.
The primary obstacle is a conflict that's built into our brains.
Psychologists have discovered that our minds are ruled by two different systems—the rational mind and the emotional mind—that compete for control.
This tension can doom a change effort—but if it is overcome, change can come quickly. Don't worry, you are not alone… as a coach, I hear these questions on a regular basis
- Why do I feel so out of control with food?
- When see food I eat even when I'm full?
- How can I feel more in control with my food?
So WHY is it so hard to make lasting changes in our lives?
Your Brain Isn't Of One Mind.
In fact, the brain has two independent systems at work at all times and you are most likely aware of this tension.
First, there's what we called the emotional side. It's the part of you that is instinctive, that feels pain and pleasure.
Second, there's the rational side, also known as the reflective or conscious system. It's the part of you that deliberates and analyses and looks into the future.
And here's a popular myth… "You need to use willpower to control your impulses and cravings"
Remember your goal of attaining a great beach body by summer and the Oreo cookies you munched on in the evening after a stressful day?
How did you go using willpower to resist that craving?
What Is Willpower?
Willpower activates your prefrontal cortex and can be defined as the ability to delay gratification, resisting short-term temptations in order to meet long-term goals.
This part of your brain plays a significant role in making decisions, especially when it comes to your inhibition. Inhibition is the ability to stop yourself from doing something that may not be the healthiest or most productive.
Here's the real truth: when you are too emotional, you won't make rational choices, even though you know what's best for you.
We are driven more by our emotions and that's why will power doesn't work!
And if you are trying to decide while feeling hungry, angry, tired or bored (or some combination of more than one of the above) emotion will win 100% of the time and you will likely decide you may regret.
The Divided Self.
In the Happiness Hypothesis: Finding Modern Truth in Ancient Wisdom, Jonathan Haidt calls "the divided self" quoting Roman poet Ovid to define the difference between logical and emotional thinking.
He says: "I, for one, can easily muster the willpower to ignore all the desserts on the menu. But if dessert is placed on the table, and I take one bite I can't resist finishing it off. "
"I am dragged along by a strange new force. Desire and reason are pulling in different directions. I see the right way and approve it, but follow the wrong"- Ovid, 43 B.C. – 17 A.D
Haidt believes that the brain is divided by four parts; Mind vs. Body, and Left vs. Right, Old vs. New, controlled vs. Automatic, thus likening the self as a "committee whose members have been thrown together to do a job, but who often find themselves working at cross-purposes [contributing] to our experiences of temptation, weakness and inner conflict."
Enter the Elephant and the Rider.
Haidt explains further: "The image that came up with for myself, as I marvelled at my weakness, was that I was a rider on the back of an elephant. I'm holding the reins in my hands, and by pulling one way or the other I can tell the elephant to turn, to stop, or to go. I can direct things, but only when the elephant doesn't have desires of his own. When the elephant really wants to do something, I'm no match for him"
"The two brains are like an elephant and its rider. The rider can steer and pull the elephant in a particular direction, but ultimately, the elephant is going to go where it wants to go,"
The balance of power between the rider (your rational brain) and elephant (emotional brain) plays a large part in shaping your daily decisions and is typically skewed towards the latter.
That's because your emotional brain is stubborn.
Even in the face on facts, and data, it will still choose the path of comfort. No matter how you rationalize a decision, if you don't feel like it, you won't obey your thinking brain. Ultimately if the elephant decides to do something there is little the rider can do to stop it.
Your emotional brain sees itself as the intelligent, rational brain, and it believes it's in control of your consciousness. Even when you believe you are making rational decisions, the actual choice may, in reality, be based on emotion.
Let's explore some ways to get your divided selves to work in unison to achieve the things you really desire.
To change behaviour, you've got to direct the Rider, motivate the Elephant, and shape the Path. If you can do all three at once, dramatic change can happen, even if you don't have lots of power or resources behind you.
1.Find The Feeling (Motivate the Elephant).
This is about motivating "The Elephant"
You got to find that feeling that drives you to make the change, knowing something isn't enough to cause change- You need to feel it!!
- Identify your WHY for making the change
- What else will change in your life as a result of this primary change?
- Then shrink the change- break down the change until it no longer spooks the elephant.
2.Change Your Environment (Shape the Path).
When the situation changes, your behaviour will change too.
Trying to fight the elephant is usually futile and trying to use our willpower, usually leads to failure, so you need to change the path that the elephant walks on.
If we can change the path so that it leads the elephant to where the rider wants to go, and we don't have to be fighting it all the time.
And in practice that means changing the environment. Changing the surroundings, the elephant finds itself in so that it goes where you want it.
There is no denying that our food environment- the access we have to specific food has an impact on our food decisions. We have a constant supply of nutritionally poor food, and because we are so busy, we get into bad daily habits that are hard to break
Let's look at some examples:
A. Clean Out the Fridge and Pantry.
So that you're not surrounded with things you have to resist in order to have a healthy diet.
Here are some tips to help you get started:
Clean out the junk – It's great to commit to enjoying more fruits, but unless you change what's in your pantry and fridge, you'll find temptation catching up with you sooner or later.
- Take the time to do a thorough spring cleaning of your pantry.
- Get rid of items that you know are tempting
- Read food labels and get rid of products that are overly high in sodium, sugar or artificial colourings and preservatives.
Restock with healthier foods -Whole grains, beans and other high-fibre foods, for example, are central to a healthy diet and they are often easy go-to cupboard staples when the fridge is bare.
- Prepare healthy snacks that you can grab on the go
- Reorganize and prioritize
- We are creatures of habit and convenience.
- Make sure that preparing healthy meals is easy by organising your pantry so the good stuff is easy to get to and is within your vision
B. Meal Planning.
Planning ahead allows you to be deliberate with your food choices.
If you want healthy eating to be an effortless, the next thing to do is to develop better lifestyle habits like basic planning and organisation so you always have healthy food on hand, no matter what life throws at you.
Here are some tips to help you get started:
- Pick one day a week to meal plan
- Set one shopping day per week
- Decide what you will be eating on a daily basis, including snacks.
- Prepare meals in advance so that you always have healthy options on hand
3.Change Your Thinking About Food (Direct the Rider).
When you choose your thoughts ahead of time that override the automatic system, the rider can begin to change what the elephant will want in the future.
The results you see in your life today are a sum of your choices and actions.
Let's explore a thought changing Model By Brooke Castillo to make this a reality.
The Model is the one tool you need to change anything in your life by helping you understand how your circumstances, thoughts, feelings, actions, and results work.
This particular example is called "Neutralization Model". The aim here is to neutralize your thoughts about the cake at the party.
So, let's say you're going to a party where there will be cake. So, this is the 'circumstance'
The way you think about the cake at the party generates a certain feeling and this thought and feeling leads to a subsequent action.
So, in short:
- Emotions are the reactions to the thoughts you are thinking
- How you feel reflects what you're thinking about.
On the left-hand side is the unintentional model (the elephant is in charge here) and the right-hand side represents the intentional model (the rider is in charge here).
Notice that in the intentional model- the new replacement factual thought is "there is cake at this party". This is neutral thought.
Now notice the different feeling, action and results this new- neutral thought generates, and then observe the impact of the results.
I'm sure that you have noticed by now that it's are very different to the unintentional model.
The moral of the story is: Planning your thinking forward, with deliberate decisions allows the rider to take charge and thus create better results.
And lastly successful changes follow a pattern, a pattern you can use to make the changes that matter to you, whether your interest is in changing the world or changing your waistline.
Now I would love to hear from you…
- I have shared 3 steps with you to feel in complete control of food, how will you make sure to action them?
Please comment below, I would love to hear your story.
Want to feel more in control around food?
Register for my masterclass and learn How to Kick Comfort Eating for Good!!
The post How To Feel In Complete Control Around Food appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Meet AKOSIA – Australia's Answer To Erykah Badu appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>This winter, AKOSIA returns with her latest single and video, "ISO". A smooth fusion of R&B, trap and soul, "ISO" explores sensuality, passion, and a boldness that comes with the intoxication of love through Akosia's flirtatious songwriting. Written during Melbourne's 2020 lockdown, "ISO" is the embodiment of AKOSIA's feelings of love, lust and longing during her time in isolation.
We sat down with AKOSIA to discuss her career so far, her experience writing ISO and where she is going next.
How did you get started into a career in music?
I've been performing since I was a child, my first solo performance was at the age of 4, where I sang "This Little Light of Mine" at a school concert. It's always been part of my blood, something that I'm compelled to do, something that I can't deny. In grade 3, I won a scholarship to attend the National Children's Choir of Australia and began my formal training. In high school, I joined my first band, joined the YABC theatre group and fell even more in love with music.
Things became more serious for me when I joined an electronic band called Zzz and realized that this was something I really wanted to do, and could do, as a career. After being the lead singer in a jazz band, a soul band and professional groups that performed at the Logies, Carols By Candlelight and other high profile events, I realized that I needed to step out on my own. I have a very strong voice inside me that needed more space to grow and in 2019 I released my first single Don't Say with a bang of colours and emotions.
Who or what inspires you to do what you do?
My inspirations vary but are heavily dependent on my perception of the living spirit. By that I mean moments where honesty is captured and rings out true, where the human experience is laid bare and pulsing. I am inspired by so many artists across genres, decades and disciplines, especially Sade, Miles Davies, Pina Bausch, Billie Holiday, Chinua Achebe and H.E.R to name a few. I love the power that these artists command as people, and through their work. There is an audacity that comes with knowing themselves without any shame, this power cuts like a knife and leaves me vulnerable and willing to listen and learn. I am always in awe.
To date, what is your favourite song that you've written and performed?
My songs are like sons, or maybe more accurately like my moods, and to choose a favourite feels a bit false. They all hold their own weight, mean a particular thing and symbolize something special. "Help Me" is a very raw song, when I perform it I feel like it's just for me. I remember everything I've been through these last 2 years and share that pain with my audience.
When writing ISO, how did you come up with the lyrics and melody?
We were in the middle of lockdown so the subject was close at hand, in fact, it was a bit too close haha. It's difficult for me to explain how I write, but essentially I do a lot of listening to the ideas in my head then I gently tease them out like a fragile thread. Through a process of repetition and singing my ideas out loud, they build up to become a song. ISO is very bold and flirtatious, when I wrote it I didn't write it with any strong intentions of it being a single nor did I stop to think about how anyone else thought about it. I just wanted to be playful and not restrict myself.
I've heard some artists dream new songs, have you ever dreamt a song and gone on to write it?
Yeah, it happens often, it's so hilarious because in the middle of a vivid dreamscape I'll hear a song and think that it's the BEST SONG humanity has ever known. The issue is pulling myself out of the dream to fumble for my phone and record a coherent enough idea that I can build upon in the morning. Sometimes it's a weird tuneless muffle but every now and then it's a solid tune! Light in the gloom is a dream song, it hasn't been produced yet but it's really magical.
What is a favourite memory you have of creating Light in the Gloom?
In the morning after I dreamt the tune, I found the chords and built a very nostalgic song. It was a poignant moment because it voiced sorrow that I had been suppressing and I started to acknowledge the power of channelling and transferring my emotions into music.
Have you set yourself any particular career aspirations within the music industry?
Oh yeah! I want to work with some of my favourite songwriters and win an Aria award one day. I'm excited for the day that I'll go to the cinema and hear my song at the climax of a dramatic moment. I'm looking forward to travelling overseas to do shows, and I want to continue to work hard to understand everything I can about songwriting and translating my emotions and ideas fluidly into music.
When creating the music clip for ISO, was it hard to determine wardrobe and the overall look & feel of the clip?
I spent a lot of time working with my director and creative team discussing motives, metaphors and concepts to realize what the music video could be. I also allow space for my collaborators to elevate my ideas and create something that they are excited about, have always wanted to try or haven't seen in their field of work. Visual ideas require a lot of creativity, time, patience and luck. I was truly lucky to work with Simon Hartman London and Jason Grech for my wardrobe. When it comes to decisions, after I have the foundation of a solid creative process, I make my choices based on my intuition and a "special" feeling kicks in when I'm on the right track.
What has been your favourite live gig to date and why?
Ooooh I can't choose just one. Performing alongside Julia Stone was such an honour and an incredible moment singing by the ocean as the sun went down, I'll never forget it. Another favourite was singing at the forum for Square up, it was such a rush and the crowd was wild! Later this year I'm performing at the NGV and also VIVID Sydney, those shows are going to be unforgettable. I have something special planned for both of them.
What keeps you motivated in such a competitive and challenging industry?
I'm actually not competing with anyone else. We're all in this thing together and as an artist it is my job to be myself, sing with my own voice and share the ideas that move me. That's my superpower, that's my magic. Otherwise, it just gets too hard and mentally impossible to deal with. I also set small goals and release myself from any pressure aside from working to create the best art that I can.
When you're not writing & performing music, what do you love to do?
I love my family and friends. I love eating food, watching films, reading and when I can explore nature. I'm a very sensory person, so I'm often chasing the next good moment.
Do you have suggestions for aspiring artists on how to pursue a music career?
Keep your focus on the music. That is your home and will keep things in check, but also be realistic about what you've got and continue to work on your craft. Surround yourself with a team of people you can trust, that really support you and keep up with your dreams. Be patient. I'm totally speaking to myself now, it feels like everything needs to happen yesterday but this time is important to listen and develop your craft. Lastly, as long as you prioritize inspiration when it calls you'll never lack and it will continue to flow, you won't actually know what to do with it all.
Other than your own music, which artists do you love to listen to and why?
I'm not always seeking out new music because I want my strongest musical influence to be internal. But any artist that speaks their truth has my full attention. I really love Jhene Aiko, Lauryn Hill, J Dilla, Nina Simone, SZA, Frank Ocean and so many others.
AKOSIA's new single "ISO", produced by Grammy-nominated producer Will Stah, is available to be streamed on Spotify and Apple Music . The music video for the piece, directed by Dale Crawford, is available on Youtube .
The post Meet AKOSIA – Australia's Answer To Erykah Badu appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Vitamin C For Your Skin: Your Complete Guide appeared first on The Carousel.
]]> 
What Role Does Vitamin C play In Skincare?
Vitamin C is one of the most important vitamins when it comes to the synthesis of collagen. A precursor to collagen production, without Vitamin C, our bodies cannot create enough of this essential protein that gives our skin with its firm and plump appearance.
As an antioxidant, Vitamin C is also particularly powerful in combating oxidative stress, also known as free radical damage. This can be caused by many internal and external factors like environment, diet, and medication.
"This damage affects the way your cells communicate, function and cellular DNA," says Maria Enna-Cocciolone, CEO & Founder of O Cosmedics . "Vitamin C can help to protect against cellular damage to ensure your cells can effectively communicate with one another, resulting in stronger, healthier, younger-looking skin for longer," she adds.
Why Is Vitamin C Important For Healthy Skin?
Some of the specific advantages of a vitamin C-rich skincare range include the treatment and management of fine lines and wrinkles, pigmentation, surface texture and skin tone. According to Mardi Johnson from The Skin Club Bowral , "With the regular use of Vitamin C, you can help your skin look younger for longer – collagen production is stimulated, fine lines are filled out, wrinkles are softened and sagging skin reduced. There is also the added benefit of evening out the skin tone and brightening your complexion."
Dr Ginni Mansberg , creator of E.S.K Skincare also identifies vitamin C's exceptional antioxidant properties. "It serves as an effective line of defence against harmful reactive oxidative species(ROS) caused by lifestyle and environmental factors."
How Can I Be Sure That My Vitamin C Is Stable?
It's no real surprise that vitamin C serums continue to rise in popularity – popping up in both budget and bougie skincare brands. However, given that vitamin C is such an unstable molecule, it pays to be a little selective with your Vitamin C. In water-based formulations, Vitamin C is oxidised and causes a cascade of reactions in which it loses its power and can even become a pro-oxidant – meaning it can form free radicals itself.
Our experts suggest a number of potential options for consideration.
According to Mardi, "An oil-soluble derivative of Vitamin C, tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate has a long name and a long shelf life. Super stable and ideal for penetrating deep within the skin's lipid barrier, this derivative provides an easy entry-point to a vitamin C range."
Dr Ginni recommends L-Ascorbic Acid as "the only evidence-based form of topical Vitamin C, shown in studies to reverse the signs of premature ageing to guide consumers through the Vitamin C navigation process."
Dr Ginni advises opting for products containing 10 percent L-Ascorbic Acid adding that it is, "a concentration that balances strong evidence for both high skin tolerance and product stability."
Finally, Maria identifies different forms of vitamin C including "L-Ascorbic Acid, Stay C 50 and more recently, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, which we call ATC". She says, "The key to choosing the right form of Vitamin C is knowing how they directly act with the skin. Speaking with a professional skin therapist will help you understand the health of your skin to ensure the suitable form is prescribed for you with minimal to no response."
When Should I Start Incorporating Vitamin C Into My Skincare Routine?
According to Maria, it's never too early to start! "The key to skin health is prevention. Not only does Vitamin C help to support collagen and elastin formation, which generally starts to slow down in your late 20's, it also helps to protect our cells from other tell-tale signs of ageing, like pigmentation, by providing your cells with an "umbrella-like effect" and shielding off pigment transfer."
Where Does Vitamin C Fit Into Your Skincare Routine?
Morning and night after you cleanse and tone your skin, apply a thin layer of the Vitamin C serum of choice. Complete your skincare routine with moisturiser to lock in Vitamin C's long-term benefits for skin.
Vitamin C Products We Love
E.S.K Reverse C Serum
This powerful antioxidant serum hydrates, assists in repairing the visible signs of ageing and offers support against further damage. The antioxidants Vitamin C and E are combined to combat ageing including fine lines, wrinkles, pigmentation and skin roughness.
O Cosmedics Vitamin C Hemp Seed Oil
The unique combination of Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate and Help Seed Oil offers Vitamin C's benefits in a very stable and potent form. Hemp Seed Oil is rich in Omegas 3 and 6 to support normal barrier function, essential for healthy, younger-looking skin. The high anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial benefits of Hemp Seed Oils also provides comfort and support for even sensitive, dehydrated, and problematic skins without irritation or clogging.
Essano Advanced Brightening Vitamin C Serum
This high-dose, plant-based serum includes Vitamin C sourced from three tropical fruits – pineapple, mango and papaya. It is designed for excellent absorption and proven to help brighten skin, lighten dark spots and reduce pigmentation in 56 days.
Medki8 Potent Vitamin C Brightening Serum
This high-strength, high-performance Vitamin C serum is ideal for those who have been using vitamin C for a while and are looking to step up their vitamin C game for maximum results. It addresses pigmentation problems and delivers an anti-ageing boost.
Retreatment Botanics by Olivia Newton-John Kakadu Brightening Serum
This all-natural, ultra-strength, oil-free serum targets hyperpigmentation, sunspots, blemishes and uneven skin tone while it promotes elasticity and visibly brightens the skin. It helps to keep skin firm, plump and hydrated and assists in balancing oil production. Sensitive skin will love it as it soothes immediately upon application.
The post Vitamin C For Your Skin: Your Complete Guide appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Exclusive Interview: Dr Alex George On His NHS Role And Mental Health appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Between his new position at 10 Downing Street and working for the NHS during a global pandemic, Dr Alex sat down with us for this exclusive interview on mental health. He revealed the stark realities of working in A&E during Covid-19 and how he uses OnlyFans to promote his powerful message of mental wellbeing.
What has it been like working for the NHS during a global pandemic and how have you kept your own mental health in check?
"It's been really tough at times. Working on the front line I've seen some really, really difficult things. But we pulled together as a team, as a unit, as a department.
"I work in Lewisham A&E, and it's been amazing how we've come together to support each other, but there's no hiding the fact that it's been tough.
"I've had to really practise what I preach, my own words in the book around self-care.
"Nature has been a godsend to me, going outside for walks, exercise, speaking with people – I've done so many FaceTimes over the last couple of months. And really, just taking time to unwind after a busy day in A&E or when I need some time to de-stress, I have my own little routine.
"I love a bath, I love a bath bomb, and I put some music on and that's my de-stress. It really, really helps me relax; it helps me sleep.
"And again, it's about finding what works for you and making sure you do invest in yourself."
Recently you joined OnlyFans to share free mental health advice to its users – why did you decide to do this on that particular platform and what response have you received on social media?
"I think OnlyFans has a particular reputation in this country, but if you look at it globally, it was actually set up for creatives, music artists and people like that.
"It's basically a platform that's much more like a website than any other social media and you can put so much of your own content. I wanted to build a smaller community of people to create content around wellbeing and self-care – obviously, no paywalls. It's there as a smaller hub rather than a bigger page like Instagram that has everything on it and different strands of things I do. It's much more focused, which I quite like.
"Mixing with people, some are like, 'oh, you're on OnlyFans', but if you go on the page and see what I'm posting, then you'll see that it's very different.
"I actually quite like that in a way. I like the fact that I'm on a platform that certain people have a stereotypical view of what it is, but I'm doing something different."
Where do you see yourself heading in the future – do you hope to remain in the NHS or focus more on your Mental Health work with the PM or investigate ventures of your own?
"I think my biggest focus at the moment is the [Mental Health Ambassador] role.
"I think that's very important to me at the moment. I won't be doing it forever, so I think while I am doing it, let's focus on that.
"I'll be continuing to do shifts in A&E. I really enjoy that it grounds me so I will continue to do that. But moving forward, I think the [Mental Health Ambassador] role is my main focus now.
"I'm excited as I've got some projects with Prescrib'd, my bath bomb company, which is going really well – I am excited to see that grow.
"And of course, in my book as well, my career as an author – which is a very odd thing to say – but continuing with that, I think there will certainly be more books to come!"
Were you an advocate for mental health before stepping into the public eye on 'Love Island', or has this become more prevalent through your own experiences?
"I think my focus around mental health started at university.
"So in my fourth year, I studied in Exeter and while on placement, some of us went down to Truro, Cornwall. Beautiful part of the world, beautiful beaches, but actually, I was quite isolated, and I really became quite lost and stuck in a rut.
"I wasn't feeling very good – probably had very mild depression at the time – and I lost interest in my sports and exercise. I wasn't going out walking, my eating was terrible, and my sleep was even worse. I was losing myself.
"I felt too ashamed to speak to the medical school because I thought the [medical] school wouldn't let me graduate if I spoke to them, so I eventually called my family.
"I called my mum and said, 'this is how I feel'. And she said, 'you're not doing the things that actually would keep you feeling good, so let's talk about how you feel each day, keep an eye on things, but let's also build these routines up'.
"So I started exercising again, I made sure to walk every single day to get some natural light and see my friends and make plans to do things with them. I created a sleep routine; time getting up in the morning, time going to bed. I planned my meals. It's all very simple stuff, really, but it made a huge, huge difference. And within weeks, I felt so much better and more myself again.
"Fast forward to working in A&E, I work in Lewisham, I just think so many of my patients don't have those tools. They don't have that knowledge; they don't have that awareness of the things they can actually do to help themselves.
"And that's, I think, where my real focus started. Since [Love Island], the platform I've had is really big and I've been trying to use that to raise awareness, to support charities and of course, promote positive messages around self-care."
What has been the highlight of your career?
"That's very hard, just because I think it's all quite different. Ultimately, I'm probably most proud of being a doctor, but I would also say the Youth Mental Health Role.
"Doing something that hasn't been done before, it didn't exist before, and I'm sitting there with the Prime Minister in the middle of a pandemic in that role. I think it gives me the opportunity to hopefully do something and potentially help some people's lives.
"I think that for me, that's got to be the biggest thing."
The post Exclusive Interview: Dr Alex George On His NHS Role And Mental Health appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Make-Up Tricks To Make Your Teeth Look Whiter appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Forget summery corals and pretty peach lip colours – they won't do you (or your teeth) any favours. Instead, channel your inner Betty Draper from Mad Men and opt for a blue-based red lipstick. The blue undertone will counteract any yellowness in the teeth, making them appear whiter and brighter. Genius.
Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Fire & Ice, $21.95,
Fake tan and bronzer can either be your best friend or your worst enemy when it comes to making your teeth stand out. If you're too heavy handed, your teeth will appear orange as well as your skin. But, by applying just the right amount of a taupe-toned bronzer (like NARS Bronzer in Laguna, $55) your pearly whites pop – in the right kind of way.
Becca Cosmetics Shimmering Skin Perfector in Pearl, $66
Here's a simple neat trick to making your chompers look white: avoid peach and caramel toned lip-glosses. Why? They emphasise any yellow marks or stains on your teeth. Instead, apply a cool blue-toned dusty pink shade. It will instantly create the illusion that your teeth are brighter. This happens because white — the colour of your teeth — is also a cool tone, so the gloss acts as a frame illuminating them. Plus, this smart tactic won't cost you hundreds.
MAC Cosmetics Tinted Lipglass in Pink Nouveau, $35
The Eyes Have
Keep the focus off your mouth and on your eyes. Cooler shades, like purples and greens, on the eyelids will help deflect any yellow tones from the teeth. It's a great excuse to experiment and play with modern takes on the classic smoky eye. Plus, purple and green eye shadow shades tend to look most eye colours and complexions.
Maybelline New York Eye Studio Big Eyes Light-Catching Palette in Luminous Purple and Luminous Grass, $16.95 each,
The post Make-Up Tricks To Make Your Teeth Look Whiter appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Eat Chocolate & Lose Weight. Here's How appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Below they narrow down eight of their favourites – and they taste amazing too!
1. Dark chocolate
Yep, this is not a typo – eating chocolate can help you lose weight, says the New York nutritionists. But as Danielle reminds us, "portion control is key". She states that having 10-20 dark chocolate chips after a meal can help keep those sugar cravings at bay!
2. Apples
Two words, hunger suppressants. Why aren't we eating more?! Apples are the perfect snack when you are hit with 3pm sugar cravings. Packed with antioxidants, fibre and water, apples provide a feeling of fullness with minimal calories.
3. Avocado
Now this is exciting – avocado lovers, rejoice! "This natural and healthy source of creaminess is a friend to the weight-conscious crowd," says Danielle. Avocados are full of vitamins and minerals and good fats, which are important to aid weight loss, says Danielle. Top your toast with avocado and a squeeze of lime, blend it into your breakfast smoothies, or even use it in desserts, such as this chocolate avocado mousse.
4. Eggs
Yum! Our favourite breakfast staple. People tend to steer clear of eggs, often choosing only to eat the whites. But as Danielle says, "Don't be afraid of the yolk,"! Eggs are packed with protein and healthy fats, which will keep you feeling fuller for longer – no more mid morning sugary snacks.
5. Quinoa
Quinoa… it's quite the trend lately, and for good reason. It's a brilliant source of protein and fibre, low in fat and gluten free but it's also great at keeping hunger at bay. Replace white rice with Quinoa, use it in your salads or click here for a beautiful quinoa recipe.
6. Leafy Greens
From kale and spinach to chicory and chard, your leafy green options are endless. These are loaded with fibre, an important nutrient for weight loss, and remember the darker in colour, the better, says Danielle. Fill up your sandwiches with rocket, make kale and spinach smoothies, including this recipe.
7. Salmon
Salmon is a fabulous lean protein, which means it keeps you fuller for longer. It's also such a versatile fish, so you won't run out of beautiful recipes! It's also packed with omega-3 fatty acids which are essential in fighting obesity and aiding weight loss. Click here for some salmon inspiration!
8. Oats
Replace sugary breakfast cereals with plain oats and notice the difference. The body actually digests oats quite slowly, which keeps you going all morning and keeps your appetite at bay. To give them a bit more taste while keeping it a healthy meal, top with natural yoghurt, nuts or fresh fruit. You can also blend them through smoothies or make granola bars for an on-the-go breakfast.
Click here to discover 7 MORE foods that will help you lose weight!
The post Eat Chocolate & Lose Weight. Here's How appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Giddy Up! Get Trackside at Gooree Park, Mudgee, for The Melbourne Cup appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>https://vimeo.com/111485369
Escape the rat race and get some country fresh air to celebrate the Melbourne Cup this year! What better way to get your 'giddy up' on than to get trackside at a thoroughbred horse stud combined with one of the largest vineyards in the district?
Gooree Park is on of Mudgee's largest historic properties and is renowned both as a world class thoroughbred horse stud and for producing some of the best wines in the region.
Gooree Park is a stunningly picturesque property with its stately trees and iconic white post and rail fences dotting the horizon is located 10 minutes from Mudgee's town centre and approximately 4 hours drive from Sydney.
A little Gooree Park history:
Lloyd Foyster first developed Gooree Park as a horse stud in the 1960s and built a world class racecourse on the historic property. He bred multiple group one winners their including Ming Dynasty and Mighty Kingdom – winners of three Caulfield Cups in four years. Lloyd built a dam with a three mile circumference and a world class racecourse with a longer straight than Randwick where he trained his horses. In 1979 Filipino businessman Eduardo Cojuangco Jnr purchased the property from the well known racehorse owner and breeder. Under Mr Cojuangco's ongoing stewardship and passion, the property proudly remains a private enterprise.
Today Gooree Park oversees the breeding & pre-training of the next generation of thoroughbred champions, with dedicated breeding, spelling and training facilities; not to mention our own race track. Gooree Park's pastoral interests also include the highly sought after Wagyu cattle breed, sheep & cropping enterprises. Gooree also oversees the management of 400 hectares under vine, the production of premium wines as well as onsite Cellar Door operations, events and tours.
Stay tuned for our beautiful cooking series filmed at Gooree Park with super-chef Lyndey Milan as she delights your tastebuds with the wines and produce of the region.
The post Giddy Up! Get Trackside at Gooree Park, Mudgee, for The Melbourne Cup appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post The Future of Work is Hybrid appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Things can change for the better. It's no secret that the Covid-19 has forced many of us to pivot and adapt in our personal and professional lives, but here's one change that's revolutionised the way we work.
According to Roy Morgan's 2020 research, over 4.3 million individuals work from home during the Covid-19 pandemic – and people and businesses are happier and better for it. As offices slowly reopen their doors, organisations have taken learnings from this challenging time to adopt a mix of working from the home and the office. With this flexible work arrangement allowing for enhanced productivity, among other benefits, employees and employers alike are calling for the hybrid- working situation to become a permanent fixture within the workplace.
From reducing the impact on the environment to boosting company culture, Oceanic Managing Director of Acer, Darren Simmons, gives us the lowdown on why hybrid working is the future.
1. It's more environmentally friendly
People are becoming increasingly aware of their carbon footprint and how they can be more sustainable in everyday life. Days spent working from home means fewer commutes to and from the office, leading to decreased carbon emissions. Employees can save their time and the planet by reducing time spent on the commute. It's a win-win situation!
2. It boosts productivity and improves efficiencies
Speaking of commutes, time spent travelling to and from the office can now be repurposed for getting that extra hour of sleep! Research by the Sleep Foundation found that a lack of sleep can decrease focus, vigilance, and attention, dramatically impacting the quality of the work produced. Receiving an adequate rest each night is important and can now be achieved much easier with the hybrid working lifestyle.
3. Employees enjoy a work-life balance
Hybrid working gives employees the option to spend their time how they choose – whether that be at the office full-time, home full-time, or a combination of both.
Simmons confirms the benefits this has allowed. "Many people, across several industries, demonstrated that when equipped with the right technology, they can successfully work from home, remain productive and be engaged."
Working remotely increases an employees' ability to tend to their obligations outside of work, such as school pick-ups and spending time with family. Accommodating the needs of employees means that they won't lose the work-life balance they achieved during lockdown.
4. It boosts company culture
Happy employees are loyal employees! Many employees are equally motivated to perform well away from their regular office. Along with increased positive workplace culture and work productivity, a flexible working environment helps attract and retain talent.
Keeping clear and open lines of communication when working remotely can be difficult, so it's important to ensure catch-ups and hangouts are kept in place virtually.
"Hybrid ways of working and living are at the core of our collective psyche in the current climate," Simmons continues, "and this has accentuated the importance of technology in enabling connectivity".
Offering flexibility also shows employees they are trusted and appreciated. This can lead to decreased stress levels, a greater sense of wellbeing and fewer unplanned absences.
7 Ways to Run an Eco-Friendly Office That Employees Love
The post The Future of Work is Hybrid appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post A Mission Towards Equal Education For Children In Timor-Leste appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Adam Hegedus and I have a mission – to increase access to quality education for vulnerable children in Timor-Leste. Together we co-founded of Educating The Future, a youth-run not-for-profit organisation which is dedicated to constructing preschools in the most underprivileged regions of this young nation. After completing three preschools over the past five years, we are now preparing to set out on a non-stop trek across the Great Ocean Walk on Victoria's south coast to raise $30,000 for the construction of a fourth preschool.
This is a special mission that pays tribute to how our organisation started in 2016, when Adam and I walked 800km from Bondi to Byron Bay to raise $20,000. The momentum from this epic journey led us to establish Educating The Future and the money went directly towards the construction of our first preschool construction for the Motahare community in the Ermera District of Timor-Leste.
In the five years that have followed, Adam and I have matured with this organisation and achieved a suite of amazing feats including raising more than $350,000 for the construction of a further three preschools in Timor-Leste. We have achieved the highest standards of governance and reporting in Australia. We are incredibly proud of how far this organisation has come in five years, and excited for what's to come in the next five years.
What inspired us? Our first visit to Timor-Leste in 2014 was part of a high-school immersion program. It opened our eyes to the global disparity in education standards. We were welcomed by the Railaco Motahare community where we first learned how important education is in transforming the lives of disadvantaged youth. When we returned to the Motahare community in 2017, the paddock where the community first welcomed us, now housed a preschool catering for more than 100 children who otherwise would not have received an education. Adam says it was that moment he understood just how important our work was. I couldn't agree more.
Educating The Future now works in tandem with the Timorese Ministry of Education, collaborating to construct preschools in the areas that are locally defined as most in need. The trust in our work and its proven effectiveness is what drives the Educating The Future team and allows us to continue doing what we're doing.
If you would like to get involved with Educating The Future or support our Great Ocean Walk, you can find out more here.
About Educating The Future
Educating The Future is a youth-led registered charity committed to empowering disadvantaged communities in Timor-Leste to overcome barriers to poverty through education. ETF has constructed four preschools in Timor-Leste since establishing in 2017, giving more than 350 children a chance to access quality education.
Educating the Future is the only not-for-profit working in collaboration with the Timorese Government and local communities to drive sustainable societal in Timor-Leste through education.
Our work depends on the generosity of donors and more than 40 volunteers who dedicate their time and efforts to helping children in need.
Educating the Future's partners include Alola Foundation Timor-Leste, Unicef, Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport Timor-Leste, the Australian Department of Social Services, Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Carrol & O'Dea,L K Tsia Accountants, MedicoLegal Assessments Group, Waverley College, Waverley Old Boys Union, Kambala College, St Clare's, Killara High School and Rose Bay Secondary College.
Premium donors include Lion and The Dinner Ladies. Other generous donors have included The Clovelly Hotel, Faber-Castell, Bondi Bowling Club, Grill'd, Cadbury, Trybooking, Banner Buzz and Signarama.
https://www.educatingthefuture.org/
The Carousel team would like to thank Alessandro Piovano for his story about how he and Adam Hegedus are making a difference to the young children of Timor-Leste and their community. We wish them luck and invite our readers to support them achieve their admirable goal.
The post A Mission Towards Equal Education For Children In Timor-Leste appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Flashback Weddings: A Good Vintage At Michelle & Piero's Big Day appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Ceremony and reception: Poachers Pantry, Hall, NSW.
Big day: April 14, 2012.
Style: Vintage Country
Guest list: 80
Photography: by Amanda Thorson
Dress: "I wore an ivory lace dress made by Sue from Anaessia. All of her dresses are one of a kind. She hand-beaded blue beads to give the 'blue' element of something old, new, borrowed and blue.
Dress cost: $2500.
Shoes: "I had them custom made because I have size 11 feet! They were made by Sole Searching Footwear in blue suede, with 'I' and 'Do' stickers on the bottom of each shoe."
Hair: "I had a side 'do and wore a beautiful head piece made from the same lace as my dress, created by Sue from Anaessia."
Make-up: "I wore Mac and Illamasqua."
Perfume: "Tom Ford Black Orchid."
Rings: "My engagement ring is a platinum tapered seven stone diamond ring featuring emerald and brilliant cut diamonds. My wedding band is platinum with five baguette cut diamonds. Piero's wedding ring is a platinum band."
The 'Maid's dress: "My sister chose her own dress – my only requirement was that it had colour. She chose a vibrant orange dress from Lisa Ho."
Bridal party: "I had one bridesmaid – my sister, with two of my three nieces as flower girls. My third niece was only five-months-old so she couldn't walk! Piero had his best friend as best man."
Stationery: "Our invitations are from Etsy. We had a retro typewriter invitation set – they were printed on brown cardboard for a vintage look and featured a typewriter on the front. We had a writing theme as I am a former journalist and Piero a copywriter. We also included maps of the region given to me by the Canberra District Wine Industry Association, which highlighted local vineyards so people could make a weekend out of the celebration.
Our 'save the date' cards were quite funny (see image below). A friend of ours who is a retoucher aged photos of us – on the back we wrote, 'We have decided to grow old together'. Lots of people thought they were pics of our parents, not realising it was us Photoshopped."
Flowers
Men's buttonholes: "Sea holly and white roses with tetra gum leaves."
Bridesmaid's bouquet: "Juliet field roses with small magnolia leaves."
Bride's bouquet: "Magnolia flowers, white roses and magnolia leaves."
Flower girls: "Wristlet and headband with ivory spray roses and jonquils."
Tables centres: "Dahlias, zinnias and field roses."
Favours: "This was one of the most special parts of the day – Piero's father, who was an avid reader, passed away in 2004. He left Piero his hardback collection of books, which featured all the classics. We inscribed each one of them with a personal message for each guest and stacked them on the middle of each table. During his speech, Piero mentioned his father and how a piece of him was here today and invited each guest to find their personalised book. We tried to match the books as best we could to each guest."
Wedding eve: "We invited everyone down to the local pub (Murrumbateman Country Inn) for dinner before the big day, which was great. My family and close friends all stayed at one venue, Redbrow Garden, while Piero's family stayed at Schonegg.
Pre-wedding photos: "Before the ceremony, Piero and the best man came to where we were staying and took lots of photos before the ceremony in the beautiful grounds where we stayed – this took the pressure off us getting photos in good light after the ceremony before the reception and also allowed us to mingle more with guests after the ceremony.
Ceremony: "We wrote our own vows for our ceremony. We had a ring warming ceremony at the beginning. Everyone was asked to hold the ring, say a silent blessing for our marriage, and then pass it to the next guest, before we presented the rings to each other."
Reception: Poachers Pantry, Hall. "The reason we loved Poachers was because guests could choose their entrée and mains – there were no alternate meal drops!"
Decorations: "We made all our own decorations with the help of family. We nailed some wood together and painted it to make wedding and reception signs, hung paper lanterns from the tree which we married under, put hay bales out for our guests to sit on along with the white chairs and made cones out of brown paper then stapled labels on them with our names and the date.
"We filled old jars, hat boxes and watering cans with flowers."
"We put games out on the lawn including quoits and petanque for people to play, decorated tables with hessian runners and brown bottles filled with flowers and classic hardback books.
"We set up a vintage typewriter for people to write notes on."
"We had a frame with photos of marriages from other family members including sister, parents, grandparents, aunties and uncles."
"For the table seating we stamped everyone's names onto brown vintage labels and hung them from an old frame with wooden pegs (hilarious because one person thought they were name tags and pegged it on themselves – the other guests soon followed).
"Table names were written on heart shaped chalk boards and named after classic authors we loved."
"Paper lanterns lined the path to and from the car park. Old troughs where filled with water and we popped some tea lights and petals in them for effect."
"We had fancy dress props in an old suitcase for everyone to put on and take pics with and disposable cameras laying around the place."
"A friend set up a lolly buffet for us as a present."
Entertainment: "We had a live band play during the outdoor ceremony and also at reception. They were almost $5000 but totally worth it!"
Reception music:Songs played….
Jackson 5 – I'll be there (Processional/Walking down the aisle)
The Beatles – Here comes the sun (Signing of the registry)
Queen – You're my best friend (Recessional/Walking back up the aisle at the end)
Bridal waltz: Al Green's Let's Stay Together. "It's a beautiful, gorgeous song!"
Wedding cake: "A caramel mud cake with a typewriter, and a cheese cake with wheels of brie, blue and a hard cheese."
Transport: "We provided a bus to transport everyone home from their hotel so they could drink. We had two drop off times so the elderly could go home early. Our Bridal car was a vintage Cadillac."
MENU
Canapés
Kangaroo prosciutto roseti with beetroot relish (df)
Smoked duck, pine nut crepes with sweet soy and coriander
Smoked chicken and water chestnut san choi bow (df/gf)
Entrée
Guests could choose either;
Pork belly (it was delicious!)
Grilled calamari and chorizo salad with smoked tomato remoulade, lemon and parsley (gf/df )
Lamb prosciutto wrapped South Coast haloumi with roquette and lemon
Mains
Smoked lamb rack on a sweet potato gratin with slow roast garlic and onion jam (gf)
Smoked chicken on a classic prosciutto and butter bean salad with a Jerez vinaigrette (gf/df )
Pecorino fresco and leek cannelloni with wilted spinach and a roast capsicum sauce (v
Dessert:"We had wedding cake – caramel mudcake with a typewriter on the icing. We also offered a 'cheesecake' made of cheese wheels.
Wedding night: "Piero and I stayed on a working alpaca farm – it was amazing sitting in outdoor spa after the night was over drinking champagne and listening to the alpacas! The following morning, we returned to Redbrow and hosted a breakfast barbecue for all the guests."
Honeymoon: Tokyo, then Madrid, San Sebastian, Barcelona, Sardinia, Florence, New York.
Total cost of wedding: "$30,000."
Top 5 Tips
- "Do what you want and what reflects you. Lots of people tried to talk us into not having a destination wedding because of the hassle and cost. When they discovered our wedding was near Canberra, they were very puzzled – not an obvious wedding destination! But we both love food and wine – when we discovered Poachers, which is a smokehouse, plus a vineyard that produces its own amazing Wily Trout wines, we were sold! It suited us perfectly. Katie from Poachers was also fantastic – it's important you have a good rapport with the person handling your big day. We got a bad vibe from many venues but they felt like 'cookie-cutter' weddings. Initially we looked in Sydney and then the Hunter Valley before deciding on our venue – so take your time to find the place you love as it will really pay off.
- Do fun things together with your partner for the big day – we made signs together in the backyard and had a few dance lessons before the wedding so we could do at least a few basic steps for our bridal waltz. We also snuck in a few romantic weekends for 'wedding venue research' and ate lots of food, cake and wine tasting – it was so much fun.
- Get everyone involved. Family and friends want to help out so let them. It makes your day so much more special – the generosity of people around our special day never ceased to amaze me."
- I hate to sound cliché, but remember it's about the journey not the destination – the whole wedding lead-up only helped enhance the big day."
- "Talk to other brides- they are full of great advice and helpful hints!
The W-day Suppliers
Photographer: Amanda Thorson 0401 399 163 amanda@thorsonphotography.com.au
Dress & veil: Anaessia (02) 8065 0958
Shoes: Sole Searching 1300 55 66 03
Groom's outfit: Patrick Johnson (02) 9966 7548
Rings: Engagement ring by Martin & Stein (02) 9267 6628, Wedding rings St Germain Jewellers 9659 6600
Engagement invitations: Toby and Pike 0421 655 058
Wedding invitations: Papier lapin on Etsy hello@PapierLapin.com
Florist: Black Orchid 0416 514 645 or (02) 9559 7731
Reception: Poachers Pantry, Hall (02) 6230 2487.
Celebrant: Sumant Badami (Monty) 0405 271 757
Cake: Emma at Sugar and Slice Cakes 0402 590 836
Dance Lessons: Step Up Dance Studio 02 9283 8994
The post Flashback Weddings: A Good Vintage At Michelle & Piero's Big Day appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Pilates Move Of The Week: The Superman – No Red Underwear Needed! appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Pilates Move of the week
Starting position:
Start in a four point kneeling position, with your shoulders over your hands and hips over knees. Shoulders back and down.
Exercise Execution:
- Engage your abdominals by lifting your belly button up to support your spine.
- Start with a basic kick back on one leg, holding the upper body still and strong. Extend the leg back to straight whilst aiming to keep the core activated and hips stabilised.
- When you've got that down, add the upper body into the mix by extending the opposite arm long in unison with the leg. Try to counter balance the body going into the full exercise.
- Hold the extension for 1-2 seconds and then return the arm / leg back down.
- Repeat on other arm / leg.
Note: Hip stability is the aim of the game here so keep both hips still and stable the whole time.
Breathing:
Inhale to prepare. Exhale to extend the hand / leg. Inhale to return. Really use your out breath to hold the contraction in the core strong.
Reps:
Start out with 2-3 sets of 15-20 repetitions each side and increase if desired.
Advancements:
- Hold for 2-4 secs each time to really squeeze and activate through the glutes.
- Put a small toning ball at the base of the spine. This is a fantastic cue through out the exercise to keep the ball in the same spot.
KX Tip:
To add KX intensity to the exercise, you can hold a light dumbbell in your hand to increase the load, as well as drawing small circles for more of an isolation exercise in the shoulders and glutes. Alternate the direction of the arms and leg circles to challenge co-ordination.
Aaron Smith is the CEO & Founder – KX Group. KX is a boutique fitness company with 17 studios across Melbourne and Sydney, offering dynamic pilates, barre and yoga. KX also run international retreats to Vanuatu and Bali.
Model: Pia Muehlenbeck
The post Pilates Move Of The Week: The Superman – No Red Underwear Needed! appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Shifting Covid Kilos – The Best Online Weight Management Programs appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The survey revealed that a staggering 59 per cent of people found their eating habits were affected during the peak of the pandemic, and the average Australian gained four kilos! We're fairly sure with the current wave of lockdowns, it's started all over again.
So, to help you out, we thought we'd cover some of the leading online weight management programs that help you maintain a healthy weight, while still allowing for a little bit of indulgence now and then. Before you reach for the bottle opener, grab the remote control, or your smart phone, and try one of these programs!
Jenny Craig
With friendly one-on-one weekly consults and meal plans featuring over 70 plus dietitian-designed pre-prepared dishes, this makes it a breeze to shed covid kilojoules! Meals include delicious offerings like beef nachos, mac and cheese and even butterscotch sundaes.
Diced By VARLAH
You may not have much in common with Hugh Jackman, Leonardo DiCaprio, Nicole Kidman and Ricky Martin, but you can share their trainer's workout tips! Led by celebrity PT (and Co-Founder of F45) Luke Istomin,
Diced by VARLAH includes 24/7 daily workout videos, a nutrition guide and meal plan, and access to health experts, dieticians and fellow DICERS to help you stay motivated – and shred and shed those covid kilos. VARLAH was designed to offer worldwide access to convenient and affordable workouts that can be done in two metres by two metres of space, streamed from any smart device.
Mission by Varlah
There's not much you can do in less than 90 days, but with the Mission by VARLAH program, building the body of your dreams can definitely be one of them. Their 12-week transformation program focuses on workouts that use dumbbells, a resistance band, bodyweight, dynamic body fat-torching HIIT exercises and recovery and repair sessions to blast fat, build strength and help you blast covid kilos quickly.
Endorphins by LC
This amazing platform offers multi-genre online group fitness that you can either participate in LIVE or via REPLAY for just $7.50 per class. Endorphins by LC was created by highly sought after fitness instructor Laurie Creasy when COVID locked down her live classes in March 2020. Knowing how a lack of movement, loss of community and daily dose of music that makes you want to dance would play havoc with her own mental state and fitness as well as that of her clients, she set up a stage in her home office and invited her friends to join her via a 16 inch screen.
The platform delivers five Group Fitness classes six times a week and members can join LIVE via ZOOM or access the REPLAY around the clock (yep, 24/7) as part of the Endorphins by LC Facebook Community Group. Classes include HIIT, Bums and Bellies, Kickboxercise, Gladiator and Stretch (étendue).
28 by Sam Wood
Sam Wood may be better known as Australia's third Bachelor, but his passion extends beyond reality TV and roses. As well as owning the kind of abs that makes him a perfect ambassador, his online fitness program (available through an app, website, or book) offers users meal plans, workouts, meditations, and recipes designed to help them shed the covid kilos in 28 days.
Weight Watchers
From personal coaching to workshops and digital apps, WW offers several science-backed programs that help you achieve your weight-loss goals. Whether you need a tracking tool (including barcode scanner) to work out your macros, weekly one-on-one private coaching sessions, guided workouts and meditations or healthy recipes and restaurants (they have over 5000 of them), Weight Watchers can assist.
Noom
Noom bills itself as "The last weight loss program you'll ever need." And based on its success to date , it may just be right – A recent study from The University of Sydney ranked Noom as the number one weight loss app in terms of quality, scientific coverage and accuracy.
Noom works by combining psychology with healthy eating and exercise. By understanding the root of your lifestyle choices, and the way they impact weight loss, Noom offers long-term solutions to shedding kilos – even when Covid is over.
Michelle Bridges 12-Week Body Transformation
Fronted by the same personal trainer who helped contestants on Australia's The Biggest Loser achieve their weight loss goals, Michelle Bridges 12-Week Body Transformation comes with serious cred. Fortunately, you don't need to audition for a part on a reality TV show to reap the benefits of the 12WBT – which offers a simple online health and fitness program, designed to help you lose those pesky covid kilos, and make real lifestyle changes that last for long after.
Co-written by Marie-Antoinette Issa
The post Shifting Covid Kilos – The Best Online Weight Management Programs appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Delicious Tagliatelle Bolognese With Wagyu Beef Mince appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Delicious Tagliatelle Bolognese With Wagyu Beef Mince
INGREDIENTS
2kg wagyu beef mince
100gr finely chopped carrots
100gr finely chopped onions
100gr finely chopped celery
5 cloves of garlic finely chopped
2 spoons of tomato paste
1l tomato purée
Salt
Bay leaves (few leafs)
100 ml red vine
200 ml extra virgin olive oil
METHOD
1Start by frying together all the veggies with oil and bay leaves. Add meat and cook until all the juices start to reduce down. At this stage add red wine.
2 Once reduced down add tomato paste and puree, salt. Let simmer slowly until all the fat and oil come up on surface of the sauce. It should take about 2 hours. Taste it and season to your liking. Buon appetito!
The Carousel thanks Da Orazio Pizza + Porchetta Head Chef, Orazio D'Elia for this recipe and Jason Loucas for this image. Throughout the month of August, Da Orazio Pizza + Porchette offers a special "back to the classics" menu consisting of five special pasta dishes for $22 each.
The post Delicious Tagliatelle Bolognese With Wagyu Beef Mince appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Why Monica Bellucci Is The Sexiest Bond Girl Ever! appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>"As time goes on, the beauty of youth goes away but I think there's another kind of beauty. I really believe that," she reassures.
Mother-of-two Monica, who played assassin's widow Lucia Sciarra in the 007 adventure, was more than comfortable with finding herself an unwitting 'poster girl' for plus-50 sensuality.
"I watched Spectre and I said to myself, 'Oh my God. We can see that this woman is really 50, and not 50 looking 40 or 35," she said. "We see there are imperfections. It's very strong because you see her femininity and her sensuality. It proves that there is femininity even though a woman may be older."
"In the past we only looked at women from the time that they can procreate until they can't any longer and then they become outside of society, but that's an old way to see women.
"Women are intelligent, sensitive and feminine. The time is changing and we look at women differently.
"And also, I'm not part of Hollywood, I've never lived there and I've dealt with that system. When I look at Judi Dench, Helen Mirren, Catherine Deneuve, it makes me feel that things are changing. I believe that…I want to believe that."
As for the secrets to her stunning looks, the spokesmodel for L'Oreal Paris and mother of daughters Deva, 11, and Leonie, 5, is almost embarrassed to reveal that there really aren't any.
"I don't do anything regularly. It's not my character to be programmed but there are times when I do yoga.
"I like Pilates, I like to swim and when I work I have to take care of what I eat a bit more because I really like to eat so at those times I'm disciplined.
"But I don't smoke really, I don't drink really – my life is naturally good."
The post Why Monica Bellucci Is The Sexiest Bond Girl Ever! appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Inhale, Exhale: The Basics of Breathing Your Way To Good Health appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Here are some reasons for you to start get the basics right. Three minutes without oxygen or air, your brain will be in trouble. You can survive without food or water for a lot longer than 3 minutes. The point I make is that we can do quite well without most things, but we cannot exist, for long, without inhaling and exhaling.
All of our physiological systems are dependent upon breathing for life. If we are not getting enough oxygen into our lungs it triggers an alarm reaction. Even how we do it influences our blood gas ratio (oxygen to carbon dioxide ).
If we inhale and exhale too fast, or hyperventilate, and get too much oxygen, that will stimulate the fight or flight reaction (sympathetic nervous system) and the leading contributor to anxiety.
Conversely, if we take in oxygen too slowly, we can also trigger a fight or flight reaction. A lot of people will hold their breath as a reaction to stress.
You would be surprised by the symptoms that breathing pattern disorders can cause common problems from muscle spasms, digestive troubles, sleeping disorders, cognitive dysfunctions, and neurological symptoms just to name a few.
Breathing is very important to maintain your ph levels (the acidity/alkalinity) in the body. If you're not breathing properly then, either way, you're going to be overly alkaline or overly acidic, both of which cause problems in the body.
A key problem for people is the consumption of processed foods – for example, white sugar. White sugar can acidify the blood quite quickly so as a defence mechanism we unconsciously start to hyperventilate to produce an alkalising effect on the blood. I make reference to this because it is almost impossible to correct a person's breathing disorder if there is too much sugar in their diet.
So if you're genuinely wanting to improve your breathing and health, you need to start with reducing the amount of simple or refined carbohydrates you consume such as soft drinks, lollies, chocolate, sugars. All these so-called 'tasty treats' use additives to replace fat in an attempt to make them palatable.
Breathing is important to our physiology. Breathing properly has a huge effect on our psychology as it is directly linked to how energy flows through our meridian system. "Faulty breathing" is linked to a large number of health problems, costing people and society millions of dollars daily because of lost time, productivity and costly medical bills. Stress causes disruption to our breathing patterns.
So how do I inhale and exhale properly?
To start retraining yourself to breathe your way back to good health, place one hand on your stomach and the other hand on your chest. Now start practicing expanding your belly which means to basically let your diaphragm drop. Your diaphragm sits under your rib cage, and as you inhale the diaphragm contracts which produces a negative pressure in the thorax that causes a vacuum drawing air into your body.
As we inhale the diaphragm contracts and needs to have the ability to drop. For this to happen your stomach will have to be able to expand outward. It is extremely important for men and particularly women who hold their stomachs in for aesthetic reasons to know this can lead to serious breathing pattern disorders and breathing-related problems which often get misdiagnosed.
To complete a belly breath place one hand on your belly and the other hand on your chest, the first 2/3 of your breath the hand on your belly should be moving and only on the last 1/3 of your breath the hand on the chest should start to move. On the exhale, just simply relax and make sure you get that breath out fully. Most people don't fully exhale. I am not asking you to force it out, however, whilst you practice your new breathing pattern quite simply on your exhale use your abdominals to empty that air out so that you move all the stale air out of your body during your exhalation, then inhale and simply repeat the process.
Make it a regular practice, as it will take time to retrain your breathing pattern to where you no longer focus on the breathing exercise. Remember it takes approximately 30 days to redevelop new movement or breathing patterns.
The great news is that if you become reactive to your environment and start to become anxious, implement or shifting your focus to these new patterns will bring calmness to your body quickly.
The post Inhale, Exhale: The Basics of Breathing Your Way To Good Health appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Exclusive: Olympic Star Emma McKeon On Her Special Family Bond appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Earlier, we interviewed Emma about her close family bond and how that gives her the X factor in the pool.
For her, swimming is a family affair. At the Rio Games, Emma and David McKeon were the first brother and sister to compete for Australia at the same Olympics since John and Ilsa Konrads in 1960. When she competed at Rio her coaching dad Ron, a former Olympian himself, and mum Susie, a Commonwealth Games swimming star, were in her corner too. Earlier, we caught up with the sprint queen to talk about how her special family bond gives her the X factor in the pool!
Swimming is a real family affair for the McKeons. Give us an overview of that dynamic – and the relationship between you and your brother David
My mum, dad and uncle were all on the Aussie swim team and have been involved in swimming their whole lives. I'm really lucky that they are all able to give me the best advice and support in both swimming and life, because they have done it all before and really understand it. We all grew up by the water, surfing, doing nippers in the summer, waterskiing and swimming, so it was a natural choice I think. That's where my love for the water comes from.
My brother David went to the London Olympics in 2012 with me. It was nice to have him in Rio the whole trip to give me the support and advice when I needed it.
Note: David McKeon finished seventh in the men's 400 freestyle in Rio, less than two seconds outside the medals, and swam the third leg of the Australians' fourth-place 800 free relay. He retired from swimming in January, 2021.
How's the team mood and what are your expectations?
The team mood is very positive at the moment. Everyone is super excited for what's coming up and it's so nice that everyone on this team is so close and are all good friends.
Are you a good cook? What does an average day look like for you, meal-wise?
I'm not much of a cook to be honest, particularly with my hectic training schedule. I find I don't have much time to cook. But I always like to choose the healthy options, with lots of veggies and some protein in every meal.
For breakfast I usually have Weet-Bix or two eggs on toast. Lunch is usually a salad sandwich or sometimes some left over dinner. After training at night, dinner tends to be something quick and easy to cook such as stir-fry, pasta, or a steak and salad.
How do you keep your skin and hair in such good shape?
Being in the chlorine for four hours every day definitely makes my skin and hair very dry! So I try to do the best job I can at cleaning and restoring hydration to my skin and hair. I use Olay moisturiser on my face every day after training and before bed. I also ensure I cleanse my face after a swim and again before bed to remove any excess chlorine.
To avoid my hair becoming too damaged I have to rinse it straight away after every session to get the chlorine out, then again before bed. I find leave in conditioner helps a lot to restore moisture to my hair. Staying hydrated is also key, so I drink plenty of water throughout the day.
Read about the inspiring story of the world's oldest Olympian Agnes Keleti
The post Exclusive: Olympic Star Emma McKeon On Her Special Family Bond appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Review: Vooray Burner Gym Bag appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The Burner gym bag is one of their more popular styles. It's perfect for trips to the gym, outside workouts, weekend getaways and everyday use.
It's the perfect size for a change of clothes, gym towel and has a mesh side pocket for your water bottle. You'll find ample pockets for snacks, equipment and your diary. There are clips to attach your keys.
I love that it contains a separate ventilated shoe pocket that you can access on the side via a zipper. There's a padded front pocket for your mobile phone, if you don't carry it around with you.
The handles snap together with magnetics making it easy to carry. There's an optional adjustable shoulder strap, but I don't bother with it. The bag is well made and sturdy.
The Burner bag comes in solid colours including black and fun prints like pretty floral and classic leopard. (Depending on your location)
Vooray has a great range of bags including duffels, backpacks and totes and accessories. There are similar duffel bags that are designed to fit more.
The Vooray Burner has become my firm favourite gym bag for carrying everything I need to exercise. Now, I just need to find the motivation to head out.
About Vooray
This journey began with our love of fitness and fashion. We've always believed in the healing power of a good workout, especially among friends. It provides not only physical therapy, but also mental, social, and emotional. In fact, the best version of ourselves always seems to follow a good sweat, so we developed a brand that would give you the means to sweat wherever and whenever your day allows it…and look dang good doing it. Vooray website: https://www.vooray.com
The post Review: Vooray Burner Gym Bag appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Exclusive Interview With Media Sensation And LGBTQ+ Michelle Visage appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>In this exclusive interview, we discovered exactly what "reclaim your power" means to Michelle, as well as why gay representation is important, now more than ever.
How important is gay representation particularly in mainstream media?
"For me, it is super important we have gay representation in mainstream media, because, when I was growing up, being gay in mainstream media was a parody, it was inauthentic and an over-the-top caricature of a gay man – it was always making fun of, instead of including.
"We need authentic gay representation in mainstream media right now, with gay actors actually performing gay-scripted roles, and trans actors actually performing trans-scripted roles. These things are super important to further society. Playing gay is not cool anymore, never really was cool, but it was way more accepted then, and it shouldn't be accepted now."
"I auditioned for a role recently and it was a drag queen role they wanted me to do. I went in and I said, 'I don't feel comfortable taking a role away from a drag performer'. So, I got a different role instead, and it's kind of that simple. I mean, an actor can easily say this should go to a gay, non-binary or trans actor.
"I know it's a challenge for the actor, but there are other challenges out there."
In your book 'the diva rules' you give some invaluable life lessons; what is your most important life lesson?
"In life, I'm constantly learning. I'm 52 years old and I'm still learning life lessons because every day, especially with the way the world is right now, there's something to be learned, even if it's something small, I remember learning something last week and thinking 'how could I have not known that!?'. Every day there's something new to learn.
"My most valuable life lessons didn't come to me until later in life, because if you told 20-year-old Michelle to stop taking life so seriously, stop worrying about the way you look and start worrying about the way you feel, and things like that, she wouldn't have listened. If you would have told me not to get breast implants when I was 21, I still would have gotten breast implants. So, there's many things along the way that I've learned.
"The saying with age comes wisdom is so true! I have two daughters. One is 18 and one is 20, and I say, 'listen to me, I know what I'm talking about', and they don't give a damn! And when I think back to when I was 18, 20, I didn't either, and my mother wasn't as worldly as I am. I did not want to hear it because it's my life, I have to live it and learn it and go through it.
"So, I think my most valuable life lesson is to loosen up, stop worrying so much about this person and what they think of you, or that gossip about you in school or at work. You know your truth and the truth always, I promise you, always reveals itself. Also, another big life lesson. Karma is a bitch and karma is real. You might not see it because a lot of people like. 'I don't think so, these good things are happening to this person and they're not a good person'. But those people will be exposed, that is one thing I can guarantee. Sometimes you won't see it immediately, but they always happen. It might not be in your lifetime, but trust me, karma is real.
"So, don't take life so seriously – it's a RuPaul thing, but it's honestly the best lesson I've learned. And the better I get at listening to that, the better I feel about myself. And it's really all about that: How do you feel about yourself at the end of the day? Are you putting pressure on yourself to lose weight? Are you putting pressure on yourself to have bigger lips? Mostly women do these horrible things to themselves to try to compete. The only person you should be competing with is yourself, so give yourself a break.
"We're so hard on ourselves, especially women and young women at that. You can't go on Instagram where there are filters aplenty and think you're going to look like that because Mother Michelle is here to tell you right now, you're not going to look like that. How many times have you turned the Snapchat filter on and thought, 'if I can just take this to a doctor…' but that's not reality! And we shouldn't have that reaction.
"Reality is we age, after 21 it all goes down and by that, I mean, your face, your boobs, your belly, your bum, it all goes down. But we're still here and there's so many people that haven't been given that opportunity, my mom's one of them she died really young. We are so lucky to be here. Give yourself a goal, even if the goal is just getting out of bed to go to the kitchen goal, give yourself one teeny goal every day before you start taking on the weight of the world. Just keep putting one foot in front of the other."
In the dark times, what kept you motivated, and what drives you?
"For me in the dark times, and there have been some and there will be some. My struggle is anxiety, not as much depression, but like panic attacks – gone to A&E panic attacks, not knowing what it was over the years.
"I am the sole provider for a family of four, my husband's a stay-at-home dad, and now that the girls are out, we're trying to find our way, what's next? But I'm the one who pays the bills, so without me, there's no food on the table. I always had the pressure of you have to get better, you have to get better, you have to get better. It was always about the way I treated myself, both mentally and physically.
"I think therapy is a big deal. I know Brits don't look at therapy the same way Americans do, but they're getting more and more in touch with it, and the NHS that's helping it. I know there's a backlog and that's been a problem because the waiting list is so long, but there's a lot of online options for help now.
"I think meditation is great. I have some good apps on my phone that I listen to when I'm feeling stressed or anxious and that really does help. It could be anywhere from 60 seconds to a full hour, whatever you need to calm yourself down. What gets me through is that I love life, I love people, and my community pulls me through.
"I know that I have friends I can call on. My family is very small, it's just my husband and my girls. I have an Auntie, a dad and a brother, but we're not really a close communicative family, so sometimes it's up to us to pull ourselves through, and it's OK to lean on others we know are a solid resource that will be there for you through thick and thin.
"Don't be afraid to call on others and don't be afraid to get some help online. Don't think of it as a failure. If you go get help like therapy or a counsellor, not only is it not weakness, it's strength, because you're owning control of your mental health. That's what I do and that's what gets me through. I was just talking to my doctor yesterday and she gave me a number for a good new therapist because I left my last one and I haven't found a good one. So, I'm really excited about starting again, because in each phase of life we work through certain things and other things creep up. One day at work is great, the next day isn't, and that's just life.
"The same way you'd go to a doctor if you were poorly, is the same attitude you should have towards your mental health. If your mental health is not right, then see a therapist, they are a doctor for your mental health. There is no shame in it. It's so important to talk and get it out because if you don't, it can manifest in other ways."
If you could give yourself one piece of advice at the start of your career, what would it be?
"If I was to give myself one piece of the start of my career, it would be, reclaim your power.
"You're not going to believe this, but I have always been the person who follows the rules. I was never really a rule breaker. If the boss said this is what you have to do, I would follow that so the boss would go, 'great job', instead of pushing myself and then the boss going, 'Oh, I didn't know you could do that'.
"I didn't start doing that until later in my career. I was in radio for 17 years presenting in a few different states and I was really good, the top female on a morning drive in New York City, and that's not easy. But instead of pushing the boundaries in the beginning, I just followed the rules. I made the base salary, whatever they offered, I was like, 'OK, yeah, thank you for having me'. Instead of going, 'no, I am good at what I do'.
"I wish I was more aggressive when I started out and was more of a rule breaker and less of a rule follower, within reason – I'm not an anarchist! But I am here to push the boundaries. When I started, I was never thatgirl, I only got to be that girl in my thirties.
"So, when you're starting out, don't be afraid to push back, don't be afraid to go, 'well, that's great, but what if we tried it this way?' because that's how history is made!"
The post Exclusive Interview With Media Sensation And LGBTQ+ Michelle Visage appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Annabel Crabb's Warm Scandinavian Cinnamon Buns appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>ScandinavianMakes about 12
INGREDIENTS
1 teaspoon active dried yeast
45 g (1½ oz) caster (superfine) sugar
70 ml (2¼ fl oz) lukewarm water
200 g (7 oz/1⅓ cups) plain (all-purpose) flour
pinch of salt
1½ teaspoons ground cardamom
1 egg
40 g (1½ oz) butter, plus extra melted butter for glazing
1 egg, lightly beaten
1½ tablespoons ground cinnamon, plus a little extra for dusting
175 g (6 oz/1 cup) raisins
icing (confectioners') sugar, for dusting
METHOD
1 The day before, mix the yeast, 1 tablespoon of the sugar and the water in a medium bowl and stir until the sugar has dissolved. Stir in half the flour, then leave to stand for about an hour, or until roughly doubled in size. (This first step is not strictly necessary. You can just let the yeast activate with the water and sugar for 5–10 minutes; however, in my experience, you end up with a fluffier bun if you make this pre-dough beforehand.)
2 Meanwhile, in a large mixing bowl, combine the remaining flour with the salt and cardamom. When the pre-dough is ready, add it to the flour, along with the egg. Mix until you have a dough.
3 Put the butter between two sheets of baking paper and bash it with a rolling pin to soften it. Fold the butter into the dough and knead until fully incorporated, then cover and rest for 10 minutes.
4 Knead the dough again, then cover and rest for another 10 minutes. Repeat once or twice more, until you have a firm, smooth ball of dough. Cover the bowl and refrigerate overnight. (I realise all this may seem time-consuming, but it is easily incorporated into a quiet evening of box sets, podcasts or late-night radio.)
5 Next day, knock back the dough and turn out onto a lightly floured bench. Flatten the dough into a rectangle about 25 x 10 cm (10 x 4 in). Brush with the beaten egg, then sprinkle over the remaining sugar, followed by the cinnamon and raisins.
6 Roll up the dough into a long sausage, like a Swiss roll, then cut into slices about 2 cm (¾ in) thick – you should get about 12. Nestle the slices into a greased 23 cm (9 in) baking dish or tin, cover with a tea towel and leave until roughly doubled in size, about 1–1½ hours.
7 Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F) and sit a heatproof bowl or roasting tin on the lowest shelf. Put the buns in the oven, pour a cup of water into the bowl or tin; quickly close the door afterwards and reduce the temperature to 180°C (350°F). Bake the buns for 10–15 minutes until golden, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool.
8 While still warm, brush with melted butter, then dust with icing sugar and a little more cinnamon.
Chefs tip
Although best eaten warm, these cinnamon buns are good for a few hours after baking. Carry in a basket (so the warm buns don't steam and become soggy) and cover with a clean tea towel to keep fresh en route.
The post Annabel Crabb's Warm Scandinavian Cinnamon Buns appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Why Do Consumers Shy Away From Buying Organic Food? appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Organic products are usually 30-40% more expensive than conventional foods. Still, six out of every ten Australian households now buy organic food on occasion. Popular products include fruit and vegetables, meat, poultry and dairy. The reason why organic products are so popular is that the buyer assumes that they are purchasing quality, health and a clear conscience. On the other hand, there are also consumers who do not place so much trust in these attributes.This group of consumers shows that, in general, trust is surprisingly low when it comes to the effects of organic products on the environment and human health. The arguments of these consumers are as follows:
- Organic doesn't taste good
- Organic – nobody controls that anyway
- Organic is too expensive
- Organic – that's just marketing
- Organic contains just as many pollutants
- Organic products are not healthier
- Plant protection: The Bios also spray!
- Animals in organic farms are not doing any better either
- Organic is not better for the climate either
- Regional is more sustainable than organic
- Organic cannot feed the world
- Organic – that's just lifestyle anyway
- Unpackaged is better than organic
- Organic – that only works thanks to subsidies
- Organic products also come from monocultures
- There used to be no organic, and it didn't harm people
- Those who buy organic are not that environmentally conscious either
- Organic plants are exposed to the pollutants from the neighbouring field
- Organic products don't have a long shelf life
In the following I would like to comment on some of these arguments.
1. Not everyone can afford organic!
If you have little money, you cannot make a large selection in the quality of your food. Sad as it is, it is unfortunately true. While billions in taxpayers' money flow into the expansion of industrial agriculture (including factory farming), organic farms receive only a fraction of the subsidies, and even though organic products would be much cheaper economically (organic farming protects the climate and the soil) and are produced without numerous pesticides and synthetic fertilizers. The artificially low prices of conventional goods often lead consumers to avoid "organic". Almost every citizen could have a largely organic diet.
Because even if "organic" tends to be more expensive, everyone could manage – with great commitment and meticulous budget planning – to eat organic.
2. Organic foods are not healthier
There are always studies that show that certain foods from organic farming have no health benefits compared to conventional products. The fact is: differences in taste and quality cannot always be measured. But it is also a fact that there are differences in some products. Especially when exposed to pesticides. Organic products almost always do very well here. However, organic is about more than taste and quality. An essential basic idea of the organic movement is sustainability. A cultivation method that produces high-quality, tasty products, but which threatens the climate, biodiversity and groundwater, is simply not sustainable. The ecological costs of such greedy cultivation methods are not charged to customers at the checkout. They are at the expense of society, the climate and biodiversity, to name just a few.
3. Organic is not organic at all
Huge fields that are cultivated with large machines – that does not always correspond to the image that one has of ecological agriculture. There are large monocultures in organic agriculture – and here and there environmentally harmful pesticides are also used (e.g. copper). Some farmers only manage part of their farm organically. There are organic farmers who see organic purely as a certification with which higher sales prices can be achieved. Often, however, it is also farmers who work organically because they want to work sensibly and sustainably. It is important to them to keep traditional and ecologically sustainable cultivation methods – even if that is not always possible.
4. Organic – nobody controls that anyway
The organic certification is one of the most strictly controlled food certifications. In order to be allowed to use the certification, the farmer has to be checked regularly by an organic inspection body. 1 – 2 inspections are due each year. The fact is: there are also fraudsters among organic farmers who try to deceive inspectors. However, these businesses also take high risks. Anyone caught gets decertified. However, the vast majority of farmers produce honestly. It is they who have to suffer most from fraudsters in the industry because the bad reputation does not only hit the culprits. Organic cannot give an absolute guarantee but it is probably the best and most strictly controlled quality standard for food that currently exists.
5. Organic products often have a shorter shelf life
Yes, that's true! One disadvantage is the short shelf life of organic foods. Since artificial preservatives are not used in the production of organic food, they often do not keep as long as comparable products from conventional production to which these substances have been added. The solution is to buy small quantities more often and always enjoy fresh ingredients. There is hardly anything that lasts as long as a prejudice. The more often a prejudice is repeated by others or by oneself, the more it solidifies. It always seems to be getting "truer". This also applies to prejudices against organic products. So it's no wonder that I keep coming across the same prejudices against organic products and ecological sustainability. Most of the time, these are disguised as arguments, but basically they're prejudices that are repeated over and over.
I like to quote the saying:
"Where there's a will, there's a way. Who does not want something, finds reasons."
So let's go ahead and find new ways for an environment and body that's worth living in.
Meet The Enterprising Farming Family Selling Meat On Social Media
The post Why Do Consumers Shy Away From Buying Organic Food? appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Beaute Pacifique: Our Beauty Writer Trials The Danish Skincare Brand appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Concerned my skin has suffered from excessive sun damage over the years, I haven't been using many actives recently. After a few reactions, I have mainly used hyaluronic based serum and sunscreen in an effort to calm my skin down. Another skin issue I deal with is congestion on my forehead and intense darkness around the eyes. When Beaute Pacifique, Danish skincare brand beloved by Mary, Crown Princess of Denmark and Jennifer Hawkins, delivered a bounty of products to my desk I thought it could be an opportune moment to overhaul my skincare.
The advice:
Following a self-assessment of my skin (dry, sensitive, sun damaged) and a squiz at my very unflattering selfie, the Beaute Pacifique consultants suggested a regimen. Firstly, I needed to follow an all important cleansing regime. This included using micellar water in the morning and a cream cleanser at night, used twice if wearing makeup. As a fan of double cleansing with dry skin, I am always nervous cream cleansers won't remove every skerrick of makeup. So I stuck to the cream cleanser in the morning and my usual double cleansing at night.
The other suggestion that surprised me was using the Defy Damage Skin Repair Serum during the day. The serum contains several oil soluble Vitamin A's along with water soluble Ursolic Acid. Traditionally Vitamin A has been recommended for night time only use as it can become unstable when exposed to sunlight. Newer formulations have nixed this problem by encapsulating retinol in polymers but many dermatologists recommend using it as a night time only treatment – stem cells in the epidermis reproduce primarily at night and as retinol accelerates this skin function it makes sense to use it as a night time treatment. I myself know my skin and know that a vitamin A treatment twice a day would be way too much. I stuck to using it only at night and used my normal hyaluronic acid serum during the day under sunscreen.
The Experience:
Because of my sensitive skin, I am generally wary of fragranced products. Beaute Pacifique is a range I might ordinarily steer clear of as they are FRAGRANCED. It is a fresh but pungent scent, that for the most part doesn't linger on the skin. However, it may not be suitable for people with very sensitive noses. Something I was impressed by with Beaute Pacifique was how comprehensive their range is. The range contains nine cleansers, 10 moisturisers along with several serums and eye creams. Some consumers might find this overwhelming but for a clinician brand I think the comprehensive range is an asset – why limit your clients? I would suggest however that they consider a fragrance free line for sensitive noses!
The Range:
Favourite Beaute Pacifique Product
My favourite products without a doubt were the Vitamin A night cream and serum. I have always struggled with incorporating Vitamin A into my regimen, my skin is easily overstimulated and prone to dryness. I planned to use the serum and moisturiser every second night. However, the first night I felt no irritation and my skin was brighter and smoother the next morning with smaller pores. Like an over eager Icarus, I immediately flew too close to the sun, ramping up my usage to every day, and was immediately punished. Daily Vitamin A use resulted in redness, irritation spots and peeling. But after stepping back to every-second-day I found consistent use of the Vitamin A creams left my skin smooth, even toned and notably nourished. The Vitamin A formula has won multiple awards internationally – the serum and cream are undoubtedly heroes of the range.
The other product that was a unexpected love was their micellar water. Some micellar waters leave an astringent or oily feeling on the skin but this cleansing and moisturising product was totally refreshing. While I won't be switching out my cleansing oil at night time, the micellar product makes a great quickie morning cleanse.
Results:
Comparing my before picture to my after I noticed a definite brightening of the complexion and a diminishment of redness. The congestion that was very noticeable on my forehead in the before picture has completely cleared. I attribute this largely to the Vitamin A products I have introduced to my regimen. Vitamin A is a cure for all manner of ills, because it accelerates skin cell production and encouraging fibroblast production. This makes a Vitamin A a fantastic treatment for anything from fine lines, active acne, acne scarring and sun induced hyper-pigmentation. But Vitamin A molecules are notoriously unstable and individuals with sensitive skin often find them irritating. In summary, they can cause more problems than they solve.
Finding a stable and nourishing formula can be a challenge which is why I am so pleased to have made the Defy Damage Skin Repair Serum and Creme Metamorphique Vitamin A creams acquaintance. At the moment using Vitamin A every second day is keeping my skin happy, healthy and fresh looking. A girl cant ask for more.
Top Picks:
One-Step Cleansing and Moisturising Water, $50 – An easy breezy cleansing that leaves skin feeling balanced and refreshed.
Defy Damage Skin Repair Serum, $80 – a nourishing and potent Vitamin A serum that hydrates the skin whilst stimulating cellular turnover.
Creme Metamorphique Vitamin A Anti-Wrinkle Cream – A highly concentrated and luxurious Vitamin A night cream. Available in a 50ml jar $103, or a 115ml tube for $159.
The post Beaute Pacifique: Our Beauty Writer Trials The Danish Skincare Brand appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Dying To Know: 22 Things You Didn't Know About Death And Funerals appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Australian journalist and death literacy advocate Lisa Herbert is about to publish the 3rd edition of her brilliant book "The Bottom Drawer Book". Here she writes for The Carousel about the 22 things you didn't know about death and funerals.
An American anthropologist once wrote that 'when a person is born we rejoice, and when they're married we jubilate, but when they die we try to pretend nothing has happened'.
Margaret Mead nailed it, and she was happy to feed the white elephant in the room that the rest of western society ignores. Sure, the subject of death and dying can often be sad and hard to swallow, but the more you learn about it, the less confronting it can become. From brightly coloured funerals, lollies in caskets, cardboard coffins, ashes in space, memorialised Facebook pages, chemical-free burials, and graves marked with nothing but GPS co-ordinates, the subject is fascinating.
When I penned The Bottom Drawer Book: The After Death Action Plan, I hoped it would get people talking and planning for the inevitable, no matter how far away it may seem. Featuring comical illustrations and humorous text, the book offers thought-provoking information and provides space for readers to leave their own ideas and plans. Then, when you go, there'll be no squabbling over how much to spend on your casket, who'll tell stories at your funeral or which footy jumper you'll be buried in.
Here are just some of the things I've learned on my Bottom Drawer Book journey.
We don't talk anymore
The study of death and the psychological aspects that go along with it is called thanatology. In Greek mythology Thanatos was a minor figure; the personification of death. He was rarely seen but he was often talked about. Much has changed since then; western society sees any discussion about death as morbid and taboo.
Funerals are big business
InvoCare is the largest private funeral, cemetery and crematorium operator in the Asia Pacific region. According to the company's CEO, Andrew Smith, profits were down last year because there was a less than expected number of deaths because of 'unseasonably warm weather'.
Your abused liver and you broken heart are still of use!
By donating your organs, or those of a family member, you many not only improve the life of someone else – you could save one.
The Australian Organ Donor Register is the only national register for people to record their decision about becoming an organ and tissue donor for transplantation after death. The Register allows authorised medical staff to check your donation decision, anytime, anywhere. They'll then tell your family your wishes. Ultimately it's up to your family to give the go ahead for your organ donation. Sometimes, though, families choose not to follow the wishes of their loved ones. That's why it's really important to have a quick chat with them well before the time comes.
To register go to www.donorregister.gov.au or call 1800 777 203.
Natural death, or is it? Preparing the body
Despite death being a very natural part of life, western society prefers to make the dead look like they were when they were alive. While embalming has a very practical use if there's a delay in having the funeral, it's a very invasive process. Quite common, it involves replacing the body's fluids with some pretty serious chemicals to preserve the body. There are also some other techniques to make the deceased appear 'not so dead' .This preparation is usually done so those attending a viewing of the body are left with a better lasting memory of their loved one. Embalming is a choice though, not a necessity.
Cremation seems to be the way to go
The Australian Bureau of Statistics reports there were 147,098 deaths in 2012. That's expected to steadily rise to around 160,000 by 2019. Cremation is creeping ahead of burial as the preferred funeral option for Australians. It's thought that the cheaper cost of cremations is the main reason for its increasing popularity.
Climate change and a burning desire
Despite ongoing advancements in cremation technology, it's been estimated that a cremation emits 160 kilograms of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Melbourne scientist Roger Short says the average male produces around 50 kilograms of carbon dioxide as the body is heated to 850 degrees Celsius for 90 minutes. Add to that the carbon cost of the gas used to fuel the process and the cost of emissions involved in producing and burning a wooden coffin and you've got a lot of pollution heading skywards.
Ashes ain't ashes
After a cremation, calcium deposits and bits of bones remain. These are then mechanically ground into a fine powder called cremains which have a consistency more similar to sand than ashes.
Hipster recycling
Metallic compounds like artificial hips, surgical screws, metal plates, prosthesis, and coffin handles and screws are removed before the remnants of a cremation are crushed. These metals are often either buried on the crematorium grounds or melted down and recycled.
No flaming sambucas!
Forget the bottle of booze in your coffin if you are being cremated. Flammable items aren't allowed no matter how much you want to go out with a bang.
Scattering Ashes
Scattering ashes on public land needs a bit of homework. At some locations, like local parks, scattering ashes without permission may get people into trouble. Some councils allow it, some don't. And permission may also be needed to scatter ashes on private lands too. Last year, the ashes of at least six people were secretly scattered on the Melbourne Cricket Ground during a community open day. The MCG doesn't allow ashes to be scattered on its turf. Generally speaking, common sense and a bit of discretion should prevail when choosing a location.
Going off with a bang
If you do want to go off with a bang, there are a couple of Aussie companies that will incorporate your ashes into a fireworks display at your wake. They will do pets as well!
Orbiting ashes
If fireworks don't go high enough for you, perhaps a space mission is more your style? Two American companies will take a small 'symbolic' portion of your ashes into space alongside a commercial or research satellite. The cheapest option is a flight with sub-orbital trajectory that returns to earth after about 15 minutes. The ashes are then retrieved and returned to loved ones.
The most expensive space option is a trip into deep space. Preparations are underway for a historic NASA mission known as the Sunjammer solar sail mission. You'll journey three million kilometres towards the sun, the farthest distance ever travelled by humankind. Fifteen people are already booked onto this 2016 mission. It's not cheap though! It'll cost more than $13,000 for one gram of your ashes to be sent into deep space. And don't expect your ashes to return to earth. This mission may just take millions of years!
Coffin company
Photos are the most common items placed in coffins with loved ones. Hand knitted or crocheted blankets, teddy bears, books and lollies are common too. And yes, crooner Frank Sinatra really was buried with a roll of dimes in case he needed to make a phone call.
Coffin dress code
Despite the practical difficulties of dressing Uncle Joe in a suit, they're still the most common choice of outfit. It's also not uncommon for guys to be buried wearing their work uniform or their team's footy jumper. Women are most commonly dressed in their favourite dress. Nighties are a popular choice too.
Themed funerals are no longer uncommon
While dressing 'tastefully and conservatively' remains the norm, funerals don't have to be gloomy affairs. They can be a celebration of life and the dress code can reflect that. Bright colours are no longer frowned upon.
Pushing up daisies
Okay, not so much daisies. Perhaps a bottle brush tree to encourage native birds instead? Natural burials are the latest funeral buzzwords. More people are looking for funeral options that have a reduced impact on the environment. Coffins and caskets can contain all sorts of nasties such as glues and lacquers, as well being made of furniture-quality hard wood. These days, coffins and caskets can be made of many biodegradable alternatives including cardboard and willow. Embalming is also a no-no because of the chemicals used.
You can be buried in a picnic basket
Well, kind of. Wicker coffins are an environmentally friendly alternative to hardwood caskets, hand woven without glues and lacquers. If it's good enough for Yogi Bear …
Where did they put you?
While more cemeteries are starting to offer spaces for natural burials, there are only a handful of true green burial cemeteries in Australia. As well as being chemical free, in these bushland cemeteries headstones are replaced with a native tree or shrub, a rock or even just GPS coordinates. Let's hope your family doesn't forget where they put you!
Engraving seashells
If you walk through any cemetery you might notice some older graves have seashells scattered on them. One of the popular theories about this originates in Greek mythology where Aphrodite, the goddess of love, was born from sea foam and then was carried to shore in a sea shell. Regarded by some as a source of life, the hard shell protects a soft, living being. This can be an analogy for someone who's died: While a human body may be devoid of live, the soul continues to live
No longer are burials or cremation the only option
Aquamation is like cremation without the fire and is relatively new in Australia. Think of it as a spa that dissolves the body using a process called alkaline hydrolysis.
Life, and death, online
Do you really want your Christmas party photos orbiting cyberspace for eternity? Most social networking site have policies in place for dealing for your web presence when you die. For example, a family member or your will's executor can request your Facebook or Myspace page be either deleted or memorialised. Memorialising your page will allow your friends to still write on your wall, allowing it to become a meeting place where they can chat and laugh about those Christmas party photos. It becomes like a cyber funeral.
You're welcome to shop around
Despite being big business, most funeral directors to be open and caring. They welcome your inquiries and are happy to answer your questions. Get some friends together and book an appointment with a funeral director to discuss all options before they're needed. Just like you'd shop around if you're installing a new kitchen, explore your funeral options. It's a fascinating subject and the more you learn about it, the less confronting it becomes.
About Lisa Herbert
Lisa Herbert is an ABC journalist whose interest in society's perception of death and dying led to her penning 'The Bottom Drawer Book: The After Death Action Plan'.
The book is for anyone that wishes to influence their own farewell. As well as providing lots of information, it provides space to document everything, from where your important documents are, through organ donation, down to what music you'd like played, the type of coffin you'd like and what you want to be wearing for your own funeral. Death touches us all, so it's a clever idea to collate our preferences and answer the difficult questions, before they're asked, for those we leave behind.
Brisbane cartoonist and animator Phillip Judd used his experience as a former nurse to illustrate 'The Bottom Drawer Book: The After Death Action Plan'. He used a light illustration style to add subtle details that are often missed during the process of someone moving on. Buy the book here!
The post Dying To Know: 22 Things You Didn't Know About Death And Funerals appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Lorna Jane Clarkson: A Home-Grown Success Story appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>"Who would have thought when I started making activewear all those years ago that Lorna Jane would one day be a leading global brand?," she said. "It just goes to show where passion and following your dreams can take you."
And dream she did – big time. Modern women around the world love her comfortable yet fashionable activewear line because it truly caters to their busy lifestyle by closing the gap between gym gear and cafe attire.
In fact, Lorna Jane's activewear sparked the sport luxe craze before it was even a `thing', now chic sportswear is a globally-recognised fashion trend. Launching a fitness fashion movement was always front of mind for Lorna when she created the LJ brand 25 years ago.
"From day one my vision has always been for women to wear their activewear beyond their workouts," she said. "I'm so pleased that my persistence has paid off and women around the world are proudly wearing their activewear to do almost everything and looking great while doing it!"
Lorna Jane Clarkson
Lorna Jane is Australia's premier destination for health, wellness and beauty.
We interviewed Lorna about empowering women through the new MNB network; how to lead a balanced life; her ultimate indulgence; and the best business advice for entrepreneurial women hoping to achieve similar success.
To further empower your female audience, you launched popular online destination Move Nourish Believe, what has been the reaction to this? What do you hope this offers the Lorna Jane woman?
Put simply, the Move Nourish Believe blog is a roadmap to Active Living. It's where women can come to learn how to MOVE NOURISH and BELIEVE and ultimately lead amazing, positive lives.
Thousands of women around the globe visit the blog every day for everything from their daily dose of inspiration, healthy and delicious recipes through to up-to-date ways on how to get their move on. It's also a great place for sporty sisters to share advice and words of encouragement with one another.
If you haven't visited the site already, what are you waiting for?
You are now celebrated as an icon of Australian fashion, you live and breathe your brand – how do you juggle each aspect of your life? What's the secret to achieving balance?'
This is where my Active Living philosophy really comes into force! It allows me to feel energised and positive every single day, which is essential when you have a busy schedule and want to achieve great things in life. The key for me to a balanced life is taking time out to dedicate to yourself every day.
Exercise is a non-negotiable part of my day and I start every day with a workout, whether it's yoga, walking my dog or strength training. This energises me, make me feel positive and ready for another amazing day.
What's your daily mantra or motto that helps you get through the tough days and inspires you to keep going?
Active Living is easy to achieve by just about anyone when you break it down into the daily practice of Move Nourish and Believe. If you simply make the commitment to MOVE your body every day, NOURISH from the inside out and BELIEVE anything is possible (if you are willing to work for it).
What's your ultimate indulgence?
I absolutely LOVE the homemade raspberry and hazelnut chocolate recipe from my cookbook -NOURISH- The Fit Women's Cookbook. It's the perfect chocolate treat because it's made with cacao, is sugar-free and actually good for you!
What's the best business advice you could give to young women who aspire to achieve similar success in the fitness field and beyond?
Follow your dreams, believe in yourself and never, never, never give up!
The post Lorna Jane Clarkson: A Home-Grown Success Story appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Two Tasty Recipes Using The Most Bling Vodka Ever appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Then, things went quiet on the vodka front for a while, as other spirits spent their time in the sun (or in a very cool nightclub in the hands of a supermodel). Now, vodka is coming back in a big way and it's bling-ier than ever, thanks to Elegance Vodka, which is actually made using grapes, not potatoes!
This new sip is an ultra-premium Australian-made spirit, distilled in small batches from 100 percent Chardonnay grapes sourced from the Barossa Valley. It is then bottled into a pure, lead-free crystal that's crafted into a diamond shape How divine is this bottle?
The Elegance Vodka Process And Taste
Of course, we all know packaging is only part of the prize, so it was vital that we at The Carousel sampled a sip or two of Elegance Vodka before sharing it with our readers. The verdict? We loved it!
It is distilled 11 times in small batches for the ultimate smoothness and consistency in flavour, which it truly has. We love that it uniquely features deep Australian spring water, and is charcoal-filtered four times for the ultimate purity and taste. It has lovely, light sweet aromas of blueberry, lavender and vanilla while its finish is a refreshing lemon zest. It's perfect on its own over ice, or used in exquisite cocktails that make Friday sundowners more classy than ever before.
Here are two of our favourite recipes!
Elegance Lemon Blossom
Ingredients
- 45mL Elegance Vodka
- 20mL Fresh Lemon Juice
- 15mL Limoncello
- Ice
- Garnish: Lemon Wheel
Method
- Combine ingredients with ice in a shaker and shake.
- Strain into a martini glass and garnish with a lemon wheel.
Elegance Rosemary Orange Spritz
Ingredients
- 60mL Elegance Vodka
- 30mL Rosemary Simple Syrup
- 90mL Soda Water
- 15mL Fresh Orange Juice
- Ice
- Garnish: Rosemary sprig, orange peel
Rosemary Simple Syrup
- Combine 1 part sugar and 1 part water with 1/4 parts fresh rosemary
- Heat on low in a pan until sugar is dissolved
- Let cool before serving
Method
- Combine all ingredients into a collins glass over ice. Top with soda water and garnish with an orange peel and rosemary sprig
The post Two Tasty Recipes Using The Most Bling Vodka Ever appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Must-Try Spiced Fig Recipe To Pair With Your Cheese appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Prep: 15 minutes
Cooking: 45 minutes
Makes: 2 x 250ml jars
Ingredients:
- Your favourite goat's milk and sheep's milk cheese.
- 500g fresh figs
- 250g caster sugar
- 2 strips of lemon peel
- 1 tsp teaspoon of Chinese 5 Spice (a mix of ground star anise, cinnamon, nutmeg, white pepper, ground fennel seeds)
- Fig leaves to serve (optional)
- Crackers, bread and walnuts, to serve
Method:
- Place the figs and sugar into a pot and stir to combine.
- Cook over a medium heat and bring to the boil before turning down to low heat.
- Add the lemon peel and 5 spice and cook for 30-45 minutes, skimming off any impurities that rise to the surface. Stir occasionally to break up the figs.
- To test that the jam is at setting point, place a dollop on to a plate that has been chilling in the freezer. Return to freezer for a few minutes and then remove. If it is gel-like and wrinkly to the touch it is ready. For more accuracy use a sugar thermometer. The perfect temperature is 105C.
- Fill sterilised jars (see note) with jam and seal. Cool completely before serving.
- To assemble your cheeseboard, lay fig leaves on a lovely large wooden board. Arrange your cheeses of choice on top along with crackers, bread, walnuts and the spiced jam.
Note:
To sterilise the jars, pre heat the oven at 120°C. Place the washed glass jars and lids (not plastic) on a baking tray and heat in the oven for 15-20 minutes.
Justine Schofield is one of Australia's most prevalent cooking personalities with an infectious energy, impeccably creative skills in the kitchen and an undeniable passion for food! As well as a best-selling cookbook author, she is the host of the hugely popular cooking show Everyday Gourmet and was a fan favourite in the first series of MasterChef and MasterChef All Stars.
The post Must-Try Spiced Fig Recipe To Pair With Your Cheese appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Sustainable Entrepreneurs On Going Green appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>So when it comes to smart sustainable brands, who is getting it right? In this article, five Shopify merchants share what inspires them to make environmentally conscious choices and how others can follow in their footsteps.
The Plant Runner
Duncan Hilder, co-founder at indoor plant business The Plant Runner says since day one, they have always maintained that they wanted to be as environmentally friendly as possible.
"It comes with the territory, both of us are gardeners and spend so much time outside. We've both always loved nature and want to make sure we do our best to reduce our impact," Duncan says.
Despite numerous design challenges, Duncan says they have always pushed for their products to be glass as opposed to plastic.
"It's been tough, but we're so glad we've stuck to it. Our customers love our glassware and the effort is 100% worth it," he says.
When it comes to incorporating sustainable practices into your business, Duncan suggests not to compromise your beliefs and stick to your goals.
"If it seems overwhelming, start small with one change. It might seem easier and cheaper to go with the less sustainable or environmentally friendly option, but if you take it in small steps you'll find it far more manageable," he says.
Active Truth
We believe we have a responsibility to reduce our impact on the environment and find ways we can be a more sustainable business, says Stevie Angel, co-founder at fast-growing sportswear retailer Active Truth.
She says, "We're continually assessing our footprint and options to improve from materials to production to delivery. We believe our business impact goes beyond making great tights — we know we can have positive societal and environmental impacts through the way we operate."
Stevie says at Active Truth, they are inspired to simplify their workout wardrobes and do more with less.
"Instead of cheap inferior products that are saggy, stretched and thrown out after a few wears, we make seasonless products in advanced fabrics that utilise world-class techniques. We're creating longer-lasting garments that will get you through everything from your workouts to everyday activities, and not have to be replaced season after season," she says.
Sustainability is good for the environment but good for business too, Stevie states.
"It's a win-win choice. Consumers want transparency around how their products are made and how businesses operate, and they will seek out brands who are making eco-conscious choices. This will only continue to increase in the future," Stevie adds.
Amina Rose
Since Carmel Zein, Founder of sustainable and eco-friendly fitness products at Amina Rose had her daughter, she became conscious of what she was putting in front of her. This led her to think about the kind of future we leave for the younger generation.
"Our time on this earth is limited, it is important we live the best life we can, remaining conscious of every decision we make regarding our health, wellbeing and the environment," Carmel says.
Carmel says a sustainable journey requires more effort and thoughtfulness, "Particularly at the beginning of the journey, but as you become more aware of your options, you start getting more creative and it becomes easier.
"Simplicity is key, learn to appreciate the little things and remember that convenience isn't always the best strategy to take," she adds.
Zero Co
Sustainable cleaning products brand Zero Co Founder Mike Smith started the company after travelling with his wife in 2018 and finding plastic waste in some of the most remote places on the globe.
"I came back home and started working immediately on a solution that would not only clean up the plastic junk left lying around, but also stop the production of new plastic," Mike says.
For those who want to start their sustainability journeys, Mike says just start somewhere.
"If you've got an idea or even the seed of an idea that will help clean up the planet in any way, then taking that first step towards making it happen is the most important thing. None of us are perfect and a lot of us are starting out on our sustainability journey, including myself," he says.
"Whatever you can do will make a difference."
S-kin Studio
The team at S-kin Studio Jewellery have always believed in full transparency when it comes to sharing how they stay true to their commitment to producing sustainable and ethical jewellery, Chi Mai, S-kin Studio founder says.
Chi Mai says the brand is aware that all our actions contribute to the health and welfare of our planet, and we want to be as kind and gentle as possible to our home.
"To work towards this, we have energy and water reduction initiatives in our office and boutique space, and we partner with sustainability organisations to further our environmental impact," she explains.
Chi encourages other brands to continue to learn about how they can collectively better their processes.
"By simply starting you educate yourself and/or your team you are already taking positive action towards your sustainability journey," she says. "In living a more considered lifestyle you are investing in our environment and ultimately our earth's future."
The post Sustainable Entrepreneurs On Going Green appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post What Your Eye Colour Says About Who You're Attracted To appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>It may be no surprise to you that many romantic couples share a few physical traits, but attractiveness to a certain eye colour could come from a surprising source. According to a paper published by Lisa DeBruine and her colleagues at the University of Glasgow, people tend to prefer romantic partners whose eye colour matches that of their parents. To demonstrate how eye colour affects one's attraction to another, the research team recruited 300 heterosexual and homosexual men and women and made records of their eye colour, as well as their parents' and lovers' eye colour. The eye colours were then categorised into light (covering blue, green, blue-green, grey and hazel) and dark (covering light brown, dark brown and black).
The researchers found that overall, heterosexual women and homosexual men were twice as likely to have a lover with similar eye colour to their father's, while homosexual women and heterosexual men were more likely to have a lover matching their mother's eye colour.
In general, the eyes are what many people describe to be the most important facial feature in a potential partner, according to another study by FastLife.com. The survey stated that the majority of male and female participants found blue to be the most attractive eye colour. Other than blue, they found men preferred women with green eyes over brown, whereas women were more attracted to brown eyes over green in men.
While it's true that there can be many reasons behind why you may be attracted to a certain physical quality, beauty is in the eye of the beholder so what people find attractive is totally subjective.
The post What Your Eye Colour Says About Who You're Attracted To appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post 7 Things Teen Girls Want Their Parents To Know appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>1. Alternative Music!
"Finding music that others don't know about is always something we are proud of! Spotify is a great App that allows you to 'follow your friends' and check out the music they're listening to. You can find music by categories, moods and genres you can create playlists and listen to other playlists people have made. There's also Triple J – the home of Aussie and international alternative music. They have an annual Unearthed contest which recognises some of the most successful Australian artists in the game! Artist Meg Mac is a prime example of this – as an unknown artist, she set up an Unearthed account and is now on the fast track to international success."
2. Star Signs!
"Everyone is interested in star signs. Whether it's to do with star sign compatibility, which sign has which characteristics, or just reading your daily, weekly, horoscope. My friends and I love finding out whether we are going to find romance this week or if we are in grave danger. It's all the rage to be in the know and to buy your friends groovy gifts based on their star sign."
3. Yummy Vegan Food
"Whether you're a vegetarian, vegan or eat everything, healthy, organic or vegan food is all the rage. Instagramming cool pics of your vegan food or simply enjoying the taste is something that is really funky right now. It's time to chuck out the sausages and bring in the tofu and live in peace with all the beings of this earth! Instead of eating cows, we want to eat what cow's eat."
@carouselfood Instagram
4. Fashion As Expression
"Fashion is a topic with many different opinions and sometimes it can be difficult for people to accept. Mum, are you listening? I believe that your body is a canvas and that everyone should express themselves externally through fashion! I am very extraverted and so are my clothes – I love platforms and all shoes chunky! Groovy slogans and vibrant patterns are my answer to fashion, but unfortunately not my mum's… Yes, Dr Martens are back, and they're kicking up a storm. Yes, flares will soon to be all the rage, and we just can't get enough of cutsie twin-sets! Match this with a pair of chunky Windsor Smiths, Mum, and you'll be the next hot topic to add to our list."
5. TV! The Real Housewives of Melbourne and Orange Is The New Black
"Who doesn't love kicking back and watching a bit of T.V? When it comes to anything with the title The Real Housewives Of… or Orange Is The New Black then I can't help grabbing a cuppa and chuckle at mishaps and mayhem of Melbourne's money-loaded, pooch-obsessed elite, or the dramas of the rough n' rowdy 'Litchfield' inmates! My mum is only comfortable watching Downton Abbey and Father Brown, so unfortunately I don't think we will bonding over the flicker any time soon. It's always super interesting comparing our real life casual stroll in the park with our pup, to the Real Housewives of Melbourne's million dollar 'Pooch Parties'. Or our life at an all-girl's boarding school compared to the all-women's prison – surprisingly we have a lot of similarities!"
6. Celebrities AND the Unknown
"Sure it's a bit of fun to read about Kimye (Kim Kardashian) and the directions she's heading … But we're interested in reading about much more than the 'sex and celebrity stories' featured in The Australian Women's Weekly. When we pick up a magazine, we want to read about all different genres – from arts and crafts to super cool, new and upcoming musicians, and the world! Who doesn't love bragging about knowing the new 'it-person' before they were famous? Oyster magazine has got all that covered, as well as really interesting interviews and articles on interesting people! We love reading about really random, yet really interesting things, like a fashion designers favourite soup, or an actress's favourite Mario character – this is also Frankie magazine's style, and we love! It's all fun and games! But the coolest part of a magazine is the photography and art. Yen magazine's photography page is out of this world, and the coolest part about it is that anyone can upload a picture to it! If you want to keep up with all the hottest goss' without feeling too guilty, then Nylon magazine is the destination! So mum, time to let go of Country Style and shake things up a little – stop looking at houses and start looking at the future!"
Image Courtesy of Instagram
Oyster magazine has the perfect teen recipe – fashion, celeb, art, culture and world affairs.
7. Human Rights
"We're very interested in human rights. Who would think teenage girls would give a toss about grown-up topics? We do! Social media plays a big part in this for us. The hot topic at the moment equal rights for all people – every race, gender and identity. It seems as if we have come a long way, however, most women are still not earning the equivalent amount as men do whilst doing the same job. People are still starving, some children are not getting the education they need to make a good life for themselves. And we are sending away hundreds and thousands of refugees fleeing for their lives. One artist that mixes politics and mean beats is M.I.A – famous for her controversial ways! Feminism was the message in her latest video for Gener8tion + M.I.A. – The International Sound Part II. This video speaks to me on a lot of different levels with the beautiful imagery and vital message of breaking the gender boundaries – a small girl who wants to learn self-defence instead of playing with Barbie Dolls. We think it's really important that our generation helps to make the world a better place – we are going to make a difference! You just wait mum!"
By Rosie Spencer and Sadie Archibald.
The post 7 Things Teen Girls Want Their Parents To Know appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post How To Breathe Away Stress appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>We need to take some time out for self-care with yoga, meditation, and breathing. Or if these aren't your thing, try swimming, running, cycling or any form of activity that you enjoy. Whatever makes you feel good. Exercise is actually a form of meditation, too.
When was the last time you just stopped? Take a moment to recognise your breathing. Is it fast or slow? Long or short? How do you feel?
It's important to recognise your breathing because we go through so many emotions and energetic shifts each day, so it really is time to notice.You are important.
Shallow Breathing
If you find yourself in a stressful situation, the most natural thing to do is look for the closest exit! At the same time your breathing will likely become faster and more shallow, you might feel faint, you could hyperventilate, your mouth may feel dry, and this can sometimes lead to anxiety attacks (always go to your doctor if you feel as though you are experiencing the latter). You will quickly become tired, and rightly so, that's a lot to go through.
Deep Breathing
When you practice deep breathing, you activate a relaxation response, and bring your body to a deep state of rest. This changes all responses to stress, such as decrease in heart rate, blood pressure, muscle tension and rate of breathing.
Need movement as well?
Yoga is an amazing form of relaxation and for those who practice regularly, it opens up so many aspects of their world and of life. It is a physical movement, but it makes us stop, acknowledge our rate of breathing and recognise how our body feels right at that moment. Yoga creates a harmonious relationship between our bodies and our breath. It makes us feel good while it provides a fabulous form of exercise and relaxation.
Try this breathing technique next time you feel something is amiss in your life
The Counting Breath
Bring your awareness within. You don't even have to close your eyes. Simply relax your shoulders, and count along with your breath. Breathe in slowly for the count of four, and breathe out slowly for the count of five. Do this on repeat for two minutes. You will feel the stress melting away.
The post How To Breathe Away Stress appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post 5 Important Reasons why Ageing Adults Need to Use Social Networks appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>From staying in touch to family and friends, to keeping up with current events and educating yourself on important issues, all the way to building new, even romantic relationships, there's plenty you can achieve with the right social networks. With all of that in mind, let's delve deeper into the reasons why all ageing adults should use social networks, and how to use them best to achieve your personal, professional, and social goals.
Reconnect with old friends
image source
Life is a long and rewarding journey, and if we work hard and sprinkle in a little luck, we can expect to achieve many great things along the way. Over time though and as we progress to our silver years, things start falling to the wayside. The relationships we once held dear and the people we used to socialize with tend to disappear from our lives, and we tend to drift apart throughout the years. After all, everyone gets caught up in their own goals and aspirations, which might be a natural process, but it doesn't need to be the conclusion to your friendships.
Social networks allow you to rekindle the relationships you once had with your childhood friends, and even past business partners and colleagues whom you respected and valued in your life. These people would surely be glad to hear from you again, and this would be your opportunity to build strong, lifelong friendships in a time of social isolation.
Stay in touch with long-distance family
image source
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected every generation, but it seems that the seniors and those approaching their silver years have suffered the most. Now that physical contact and socialization have become a health hazard, and the pandemic still poses a great risk to ageing adults, the best thing to do is to isolate yourself from others to stay safe. While this might be good for your physical health, it can be very detrimental to your emotional and mental well-being , especially in the long run.
This is one of the best reasons to start using social networks as an ageing adult, as these platforms allow you to stay in touch with your family members, and stay up to date on their lives. From direct messaging and video calls, all the way to simply following their posts, pictures, and videos, social networks can help you stay in touch with those near and dear to your heart no matter how far away from you they might be physical.
Seek out romantic relationships
image source
We all need to give and receive love and affection throughout our life's journey, no matter how old we are. Love is not something that's solely reserved to the young, nor is it something that you should shy away from or stop pursuing when you reach your later years. That said, it can be very difficult to find romantic prospects without any form of traditional socialization.
That's why social networks are such a powerful tool, because you can find online communities for mature dating where people of your age hang out, socialize, and are able to get to know each other in a safe and welcoming environment. Going out and meeting someone in person might be difficult nowadays, and you might not be up for it, but social networks make dating easier than ever before, especially if you're in your later years.
Follow the right people to educate yourself
image source
Social networks are a treasure trove of real-time information you can get with a push of a button, and this can be a good thing and a bad thing. If you choose the channels and people you're going to follow carefully, you could get access to some amazing self-care tips that will benefit you greatly during social isolation. You can also use these channels to stay up to date on current events and broaden your horizons in many ways.
Be careful, though, because choosing the wrong channels, pages, and individuals can lead to you being exposed to misinformation and potentially harmful content. Choose wisely and when in doubt, always check the individual's credentials and what the scientific community has to say.
Raise awareness about important issues
image source
Finally, remember that social media is a powerful platform that you can use to raise awareness about important issues, ask important questions, and discuss a number of topics that are important to you, your community, and the world.
This is also a great way for you to find important causes to support, and even some great volunteering or professional opportunities in your area and beyond. The possibilities here are endless, so use this opportunity to expand your social circle and kick-start some impactful conversations with the digital world.
Over to you
Social networks are making a big impact on the world, and in times of social distancing, they are making it easy for older adults to overcome the challenges in the new normal. By using the right social channels, you should have no problem nurturing lifelong relationships and achieving many other wonderful goals, perhaps even finding love in this time of social isolation.
The post 5 Important Reasons why Ageing Adults Need to Use Social Networks appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Review: Cricut Maker 3 Cutting and Craft Machine appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>You can use a Cricut machine to design, create and personalised craft projects and gifts. You can make original decals, decorate t-shirts and tote bags, or make artwork to decorate your home. It's ideal for making labels to organise your space.
You'll want to make a few test projects first as you learn how the software and Cricut works. I'll admit it's a little daunting to use at first. So just start with some simple projects and be okay to make some mistakes along the way. It's a natural step in the learning process.
I personalised a couple of notepads with floral motifs for presents. I made a large foyer sign for our house with black text on white wood. I'm looking forward to trying some plant markers on acrylic, decorating reusable coffee cups, making some Harry Potter inspired tees, and adding some leopard print to a plain clutch.
I was keen to try printable vinyl, holographic vinyl and colour changing vinyl. You might be interested in creating greeting cards, cupcake toppers, party invitations and decorations. There are ample fun Halloween and Christmas ideas on craft blogs.
The two new models, including the Cricut Maker 3 lets you use a range of materials including Cricut Smart Materials® (Smart Vinyl, Smart Iron-on, Smart Paper). You can create cuts of up to 3.6m at once to create large signage. This model is super-fast and smart.
Cricut Explore 3 cuts over 100 materials, including cardstock, vinyl, iron-on, glitter paper and cork. While the Cricut Maker 3 lets you create with more than 300 materials, from the most delicate paper and fabric to tougher materials like leather and balsa wood. This extra precision use the feature called Adaptive Tool System — the only system that intelligently controls the direction of your blade and cut pressure to match the material, and supports the widest range of tools for cutting, scoring, writing, and adding decorative effect.
"I'm very proud of what our team has accomplished," said Ashish Arora, CEO at Cricut. "We wanted to take the experience to a whole new level and make sure our next generation of cutting machines make it easier on everyone to create larger projects, more projects, much faster."
Both the Cricut Explore 3 and Cricut Maker 3 are compatible with easy-to-use Design Space software. This is available on desktop, iOS and Android. There's a learning curve with using this software, so allow some time to just sit and try different settings to see what they do, or watch a couple of videos to see how other people approach their projects.
The Cricut Maker 3 is a versatile cutting machine perfect for anyone new to crafting and experienced makers. The precision, functions and fastness blew me away.
Australia:
New Zealand:
About Cricut Inc.
Cricut Inc. is a creative technology platform company dedicated to encouraging new ways for people to experience making at home. Cricut's mission is to unleash the creative potential of its users with innovations that bring ideas to life in the form of professional-looking, personalised handmade projects. Cricut's industry-leading products include its flagship line of smart cutting machines — the Cricut Maker family, the Cricut Explore family, and Cricut Joy — accompanied by other unique tools like Cricut EasyPress , the Infusible Ink system, and a diverse collection of materials. In addition to Cricut's core offerings, the brand also fosters a thriving community of millions of dedicated users worldwide. Learn more at cricut.com and follow along on @Cricut Australia + New Zealand Facebook and Instagram.
The post Review: Cricut Maker 3 Cutting and Craft Machine appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Meet The Courageous Ágnes Keleti – The World's Oldest Olympian appeared first on The Carousel.
]]> 
Earlier this year, Ágnes, known as Agi to her friends and family, celebrated her 100th birthday in Budapest. There was much to celebrate as she has led a remarkable life which includes winning 10 Olympic medals of which five are gold medals. She ranks third all-time among women athletes for most Olympic medals and fourth all-time as a winner of Olympic gold medals.
Becoming a centenarian was also marked by a personal birthday message from Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, who was Education Minister at the time. She'd previously been bestowed the Israel Prize, the country's highest civilian honour. Accepting the tribute, Agnes said: "I'm feeling very honoured and happy to know that my work bears fruit and is acknowledged after many years of activity … I wish all the best to our young gymnasts and to the future generation. Stay strong."
Strong is certainly how her family know her. While her eldest son Rafael cares for his mum in Budapest, her son Daniel and many of Agnes's extended family reside in Sydney, Australia. To them, she's known as mum and Aunt Agi – a woman who has endeared herself with her ready smile and kind and generous and courageous spirit.
To the rest of the world, Agnes will always be feted as one of the greatest athletes to have ever graced the planet.
Agnes Keleti is the most successful Jewish athletes of all time and among the all-time greats in the history of world gymnastics. At the Olympics in Helsinki in 1952 at the age of 31, she was regarded as the 'ancient' gymnast when she represented Hungary in the sport but she defied her critics and was the most successful athlete that competed in those Games. In fact, she won 10 Olympic medals over three Olympiads and ranks third all-time among women athletes for most Olympic medals and fourth all-time as a winner of Olympic GOLD medals. Actually 11 medals if you include the silver she was awarded with her team in the 1952 Olympics at Helsinki. When she lists the medals, she has won, she doesn't bother to include the 11th: a silver medal she was awarded.
Her life has more twists and turns than a dramatic novel – with stories of heroism, survival, persecution and above all strength and courage.
Dubbed an Olympic icon, for her strength, stamina and athletic endurance, Agnes had to overcome unimaginable personal tragedies during her life.
Born in Budapest, Hungry on January 9, 1921, Agnes is reported in Wikipedia as 'one of the most successful Jewish Olympic athletes of all time.[4] " It goes on to say she "holds more Olympic medals than any other individual with Israeli citizenship, and more Olympic medals than any other Jew, except Mark Spitz. She was the most successful athlete at the 1956 Summer Olympics."
Her life as a gymnast began at the tender age of four and by 16 she had become the Hungarian National Champion in gymnastics. Her father Frank encouraged Agnes' sporting activities, while her mother Rosa's influence developed Agnes's intellectual pursuits. Agnes said of her father, "He's the one who got me into sports." At the age of four she was already showing promise and started to train at the VAC Jewish Sport Club in Budapest. In all, her career spanned from 1937 to 1956 during which she won the Hungarian Championship title ten times.
Had it not been for the onset of World War II, the likelihood is she would have won even more Olympic medals but the 1940 and 1944 Olympic Games were both cancelled due to the war. Agnes wasn't spared the suffering resulting from the atrocities of Nazi Germany. She lived with the pain of losing her beloved father and many family members in the camps. But fortunately she and her mother and sister Vera managed to escape the labor camps by going into hiding. Like Agnes, her sister Vera had two sons – John Bence (born in 1938 in Romania) and Tom Bence (born in 1945 in Hungary). For Agnes, the first warning sign of what was ahead came when she was expelled from the gymnastics club in 1941 for being a 'non-Aryan'.
Later Agnes said of her father's fate, "I thought about how it was, what a horrible death….Before I left [home] in 1940 I said, 'Dad, do like me, don't wait it's too dangerous."
Recalling the war, Agnes said: "Until the "law against Jews" started, I had a very good life. I studied languages and music, I went out, I went to movies, theatre, in the summer I went abroad. All that was cut off and suddenly, there was nothing. There were no ghettos in the beginning. The Germans worked step by step. I blame not only the Nazis, but I also blame the Hungarian Jewish community who did not warn us and did not tell us to escape. They spread rumours that if we do everything the Germans say, everything will be okay. I knew this was a lie. So, I left my family. My dad said that he was too old to escape, and he did not leave."
It's fair to say she and her mother and sister survived those difficult years by living on their wits. After Agnes heard a rumour that being married meant you could avoid the camps, she quickly wed the Hungarian gymnast István Sárkány in 1944. Like her, he was an Olympian and he'd taken part in the 1936 Berlin Olympics. But it was a marriage of convenience and the couple divorced in 1950.
Thanks to purchasing and using an identity paper of a Christian girl, she managed to survive the war by working as a maid. Ultimately, she and her mother and sister and her first-born son John were saved by the Swedish diplomat Raoul Wallenberg. But her father Frank and other relatives were less fortunate and perished in the Auschwitz concentration camp.
In the winter of 1944-45, during the Siege of Budapest by Soviet forces near the end of World War II, Agnes recollects taking the bodies of those who had died and then placing them in a mass grave.
She remembers: "It was the last stage of the war and Jews were being taken out of the ghetto and were being shot into the Danube. Those who couldn't or wouldn't walk, were shot on the road and that's how their dead bodies ended up close to the house. One morning, there was a woman and her daughter lying on the road, they looked like perfect dolls, they laid on the sidewalk wearing pink silk nightgowns. They didn't even look injured, but it was extremely cold – about minus 10 degrees Celsius – less than 15 degrees Fahrenheit – and they had frozen to death. They were placed like all the others into a wagon and rolled to a mass grave and thrown in. Is it possible to forget such a thing?"
Agnes's favourite hobby was playing the cello and after the war she resumed playing and starting training again. In 1946, she won her first Hungarian championship. In 1947, she won the Central European gymnastics title. She qualified for the 1948 Summer Olympics, but missed the competition due to tearing a ligament in her ankle. She is listed on the Official List of Gymnastic Participants as Ágnes Sárkány. At the World University Games of 1949 she won four gold, one silver, and one bronze medal.
She was also one of the oldest athletes to compete and win a gold medal at the age of 31 at the 1952 Games in Helsinki. She earned four medals: gold in the floor exercise, silver in the team competition, and bronze in the team portable apparatus event and the uneven bars. She continued on to the 1954 World Championships, where she won on the uneven bars, becoming world champion. At the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne, she won six medals including gold medals in three of the four individual event finals: floor, bars, and balance beam, and placed second in the all-around. She was the most successful athlete at these games.The Hungarian team placed first in the portable apparatus event and second in the team competition. At the age of 35, she became the oldest female gymnast ever to win gold.
The Soviet Union invaded Hungary during the 1956 Olympics. It was a harrowing experience with much loss of life and perhaps unsurprisingly Agnes and 44 other athletes applied and were granted political asylum that same year at the Melbourne Olympic Games. Later, she declared, "I'd had enough of communism."
Significantly, defecting to Australia meant Agnes was also able to send for her mother Rosa Klein. In 1957, Rosa gave all she had to the police in Hungary in order to get a passport and leave the country with nothing more than what was inside two suitcases.
She relocated to Israel in 1958 and the following year married Hungarian physical education teacher Robert Biro whom she met in Israel, and they had two sons, Daniel and Rafael.
Following her retirement from competition, she worked as a physical education instructor at Tel Aviv University, and for 34 years at the Wingate Institute for Sports in Netanya. She also coached and worked with Israel's national gymnastics team well into the 1990s.
In her seventies, she was more than capable of performing cartwheels and the splits! And of course she's revered by everyone and has received countless tributes including being inducted into the International Women's Sports Hall of Fame and the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame, which ranks her as the most successful Jewish female athlete in Olympic history.
Danielle Bence, Agnes' great niece from Australia, said: "We are very proud of Aunt Agi she is an inspiration to all the generation of athletes to follow. It is hard to imagine what our family suffered during the war, actually unthinkable.It is even amazing that all seven of my grandmother's cousins survived. If not for the will and persistence of my family to survive I would not be here today to be able to tell these stories to my children."
Interestingly, Agnes once thought she'd lost her medals, and reflected: "Staying alive is more important than the medals." Fortunately, the medals were eventually located. Agnes returned to Budapest in 2015 where she is much loved and gets recognised in public, something she admits that she enjoys.
And being the icon she is, so she should.
The post Meet The Courageous Ágnes Keleti – The World's Oldest Olympian appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Recipes For Some Of Your Favourite Condiments To Make At Home appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Traditional Ketchup
Makes 400 ml (14 fl oz)
Ingredients
- 1 kg (2 lb 4 oz) tinned whole tomatoes
- 150 ml (5 fl oz) white vinegar
- 150 g (5 ½ oz) white sugar
- ½ teaspoon mustard powder
- Pinch of ground cinnamon
- 3 cloves
- 5 allspice berries
- 10 black peppercorns
- ½ brown onion
Instructions
- Blend all ingredients, except onions, with 150 ml (5 fl oz) water in a food processor until almost smooth (the sauce doesn't need to be completely smooth).
- Combine onion and tomato sauce in a large saucepan and bring to the boil. Reduce heat and simmer for about 40 minutes, stirring occasionally, then continuously towards the end of cooking. Remove from heat once the consistency is slightly looser than regular ketchup; it will thicken as it cools. Add salt to taste.
- Strain through a wide-mesh sieve or metal colander to remove onion and any larger pieces of spices.
- Pour into a sterilised bottle with a tight-fitting lid and store in the fridge. Keeps for about a month.
American Hot Sauce
Makes 600ml (21 fl oz)
Ingredients
- 500 g (1 lb 2 oz) long red chillies, split and coarsely chopped
- 10 g (1/4 oz) bird's-eye chillies
- 500 ml (2 cups) apple cider vinegar
Instructions
- Blend chilli and vinegar until coarsely chopped and combined. Pour into a sterilised jar and cover with muslin (cheesecloth).
- Leave at room temperature, out of direct sunlight, for 6 weeks to ferment, removing any mould that forms.
- After 6 weeks, transfer to a saucepan. Add 1 tablespoon salt, bring to the boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 3–4 minutes.
- Cool slightly, then transfer to a blender and blend until as smooth as possible. Pass through a muslin (cheesecloth) or fine sieve.
- Pour into sterilised bottle. If possible, let hot sauce sit for 1-2 weeks before serving. Hot sauce will keep, for at least 1 year. It's best kept in the fridge. Try it with oysters.
The advantage of making your own hot sauce is that you can decide the heat and flavour profile. For an even hotter sauce, swap some of the red chilli for a stronger chilli variety, such as bird's eye or habanero. To get as close to the American original as possible, try growing your own Tabasco peppers from seed. You can buy them in well-stocked nurseries or online.
Pickled Jalapeño
You'll need a 500 ml (17 fl oz) jar
Ingredients
200 g jalapeños, quartered
Pickling liquid
2 ½ tablespoons white sugar
2 ½ tablespoons white vinegar
2 ½ tablespoons apple cider vinegar
½ teaspoon coriander seeds
½ teaspoon black peppercorns
Instructions
- For pickling liquid, combine all ingredients with 150 ml (5 fl oz) water in a saucepan and bring to the boil. Remove from heat and leave to cool.
- Place quartered jalapeño in a sterilised glass jar with a tight-fitting lid.
- Fill with the cold pickling liquid and let sit for a few hours before serving.
- Keeps refrigerated for 2–3 weeks.
Preserved Lemons
You'll need a 1 litre (35 fl oz) jar
Ingredients
- 1 kg (2 lb 4 oz) organic lemons
- 50 g (1 ¾ oz) sea salt flakes
Instructions
1. Thoroughly wash and scrub lemons.
2. Cut lemons in half. Juice 4–5 of the lemons to get about 100 ml (3 ½ fl oz) juice. Transfer juice to a bowl along with the remaining lemon halves. Add salt and toss to coat.
3. Stuff lemon halves and salt into a sterilised glass jar with a tight-fitting lid until the jar is completely full. Add juice, followed by enough water to cover lemons.
4. Leave in a cool, dark place for 4 weeks.
5. Lemons will keep for 6 months and should be kept in the fridge once the jar has been opened.
You can buy "Condiments" here for AUD $24.99.
The post Recipes For Some Of Your Favourite Condiments To Make At Home appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Why The Olympic Games Are The Rings Of Hope appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The Olympic Opening Ceremony signals a time for the world to take a big deep breath. There is no doubt the world has been in turmoil, suffocating under the burden of the pandemic. Every country has been impacted. Despite the postponement of the Games, and the controversy surrounding the decision to proceed, we must now embrace the positivity they provide.
From a global perspective, the Olympic Games provide hope. They bring together the nations of the world, where politics can be put to one side. The focus then becomes one of human endeavour and perseverance. Every athlete that takes part in an Olympic Games joins a very unique club. To become an Olympian takes sacrifice, commitment and support.
One of the most amazing things about the Olympics is the magic of seeing an athlete perform outside themselves. That sheer elation of the life changing instant when a victory comes. For some, it meets the expectation based on previous performances, and reaches that pinnacle. For others, who dare to dream, and then pull out one of those remarkable performances that shocks the world and changes their lives forever. That's the uniqueness of this event.
What creates that magic? Is it the fact that it only happens every four years, with the exception of these current games. Is the fact that it generates an exceptional level of national pride and patriotism for all nations? The joy on the faces of athletes from around the world at the Opening Ceremony paints a very poignant picture. It is pure excitement, anticipation and for us at home we too, finally have something we can smile about.
Even with the delay that has taken place, the world really needed the Olympics to proceed. The world has been under enormous pressure since the pandemic began. It is more than a global health crisis where the number of people diagnosed with Covid is the only issue. This pandemic has caused so much negativity and frustration around the world where governments have imposed harsh restrictions to control the spread of the disease. Unfortunately politics have created just as much destruction as the disease itself.
For the 16 days of Olympic competition the world has an enormous injection of positivity and happiness. Japan is truly the most wonderful host nation for the controversy of these Games. Japan is a nation divided by the pandemic. However they have shown the world how to be respectful and allow an event that is of global significance to proceed with professionalism and precision.
The Olympic Games is a wonderful celebration of human achievement. It is also a celebration of global unity. The Olympic Games are the biggest and most positive good news story for our embattled world. Let's embrace the positivity of these Games and allow ourselves to move forward. Let's be proud of our athletes, embrace their amazing performances, and celebrate human endeavour.
You can find out more about Jane Kilkenny here: https://www.fitnessenergy.com.au/
The post Why The Olympic Games Are The Rings Of Hope appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Australians Value Ethical Fashion But Struggle To Take Action appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>A report released by Christian aid and Baptist World Aid Australia in collaboration with social research company McCrindle, found 87 percent of Australian consumers want to change their fashion buying habits to consume more ethically, however only 46 percent indicated they regularly purchase from ethically sourced and sustainable fashion brands.
So what are the barriers to purchasing according to your values? The report revealed most consumers lack knowledge or awareness of ethical brands, and of the ones they do know, the greater expense becomes the barrier to purchasing.
Peter Keegan, Director of Advocacy at Baptist World Aid, says: "There's a dissonance between who we want to be, and what we're doing to get there. Almost three in four Australians believe ethical fashion and related issues of human rights and environmental sustainability are important, with three in five consumers becoming more aware of the impacts of their purchases over the past three years."
Keegan points towards tools such as the Ethical Fashion Report, to help inform consumers and bridge the gap between intention and action. For those wanting to go one step further, the 'My Shopping Type' online quiz helps shoppers to identify their consumer type and score themselves on the Ethical Consumer Index.
"Aussies pride themselves on supporting a 'fair go for all,' and this couldn't be more applicable when examining the issues of injustice surrounding ethical fashion," says Ashley Fell from McCrindle. "The 'My Shopping Type' online quiz gives consumers a chance to see how they compare against their peers on this important issue, as well as being empowered with steps towards aligning their purchases with their values."
While the report revealed we have a long way to go as consumers of ethical fashion and understanding the greater impact our purchases have on the environment, the report also revealed a genuine desire from Australians to 'do better' and consume less. It's now up to the industry to provide better transparency and innovation to reduce the barriers consumers face to shopping ethically.
The post Australians Value Ethical Fashion But Struggle To Take Action appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Anxious Pet? Do this Before You Medicate! appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>4Legs Veterinarian Dr Felicity Banks says, "Of course, in certain circumstances, anxiety medication may be prescribed, but it definitely shouldn't be the norm.
Anxious Pets + Medication Side Effects
Anxiety medications are generally well-tolerated by pets, but they are not always free from side effects.
"Possible side effects depend on the type of medication and include increased aggression, increased anxiety, agitation, increased or decreased appetite, gastrointestinal upsets, wobbliness, disorientation, sedation, tremors and increased likelihood of seizures. Pets on anxiety medication are also at risk of serotonin toxicity, a potentially fatal condition where too much serotonin ends up in the body. Early signs include agitation, tremors and seizures. Owners with medicated anxious pets need to be on the look-out for any of these signs.
"Understandably, owners are often looking for a magical cure and vets can be pressured by clients to prescribe anxiety medication. The reality is that for most dogs, their anxiety will not go away overnight or without a high level of commitment from the owner to provide necessary lifestyle changes and training.
"If anxiety medication is to be used, it should always be supported by behavioural modification. Anxiety medication should not be used as a standalone therapy for anxiety-related behavioural issues. Owners of anxious pets should not expect medication to provide a robust solution without being prepared to do the training. Training on the other hand, can of course be used without medication and can therefore be pursued when behavioural issues are not severe."
Easing Anxiety Without Medication
Mark Ehrman, founder of Sydney's Canine Counselling, says his business is booming due to an influx of local dogs with anxiety issues, leading to a range of behavioural problems. He has also noticed more and more dogs being prescribed medication to treat anxiety.
"As you can imagine, COVID has only added and heightened anxiety issues in many dogs and therefore a lot of my training has focused on firstly identifying the type of anxiety being experienced and then providing the relevant training regime for owners to implement themselves," Mark said.
"Anxious behaviour in pets can be characterised in one of two ways; Separation anxiety, where a pet feels that its owner has left and is never coming back and fear anxiety, where a pet is afraid as soon as it leaves its home because of the potential or possibility of encountering something that it is fearful of. So as soon as it leaves home it displays anxious behaviour like hyper vigilance, extreme reactivity or sensitivity, even though the trigger isn't present.
"Like us, our pets have suffered from the impact of COVID however, medication should not always be the first point of help. While some pets do require medication to deal with their condition, medications can come with side effects as Dr Felicity has mentioned, so we never want to start there."
Mark recommends trialing the following training techniques to minimise both types of anxiety:
- Build their confidence by being a role model: No need to molly-coddle, but if you are calm, cool and confident, then your anxious dog will gain confidence from you.
- Avoid punishments: Understand that their anxious behaviour is rooted in fear, so it isn't voluntary and shouldn't be subjected to punishments. Harsh punishments can inadvertently make things worse!
- Use food to change their associations with potentially scary places or objects: You can't reinforce fear, so giving them a treat when they're anxious won't make things worse. It can actually make them feel better about the place or object. So be generous with the treats and if they aren't accepting them, that's a strong sign that they are overwhelmed.
- Keep their world small and predictable: Anxious pets benefit from repeated, brief exposures. Prolonged or intense exposures can actually be overwhelming or traumatic, so slow and steady is the key to success.
Holistic Solutions
On top of a training regime, Dr Felicity also suggests looking at the anxiety issue in a more holistic way such by examining the pet's lifestyle and diet, before turning to medication.
"It seems simple however it is so often overlooked and underestimated. Small changes such as a balanced diet and lifestyle adjustments can significantly improve your pet's overall wellness and prevent issues related to anxiety and stress."
"Often pet owners are unaware of the mistakes they are making which, over time, can impact their pet's health and in some cases shorten their lifespan. Ultimately a healthy pet is the result of a balanced, nutritious diet, a consistent routine, mental stimulation and regular exercise each day."
Dr Felicity recommends trying the following four steps to help anxiety in pets:
- If you don't already, replace dry food with one fresh meal a day, ensuring your pet's diet is complete and balanced. Limit processed food and food that has additives and preservatives.
- Freshen up your pet's bowl with a water change twice a day. Like humans, dogs need an adequate amount of fresh water each day for their general wellbeing, with proper hydration having both long term and short-term impacts on their health.
- Ensure you are feeding your dog the right portions at each mealtime. You can utilise tools like the 4Legs dog food calculator to help calculate this.
- Provide your dog with regular daily exercise as this will keep them both physically and mentally fit. I recommend forty minutes of exercise daily, which can be made up of walks, playing games with them at home, teaching them to learn new tricks at home or a dog school and socialising them with other pets.
For pets with milder behavioural issues associated with anxiety, changing their diet and lifestyle or employing a trainer to guide the owner through behaviour modification and training techniques is an excellent starting point.
Anxious Pets who are struggling with severe or chronic presentations of the condition, that are showing highly destructive, dangerous or self-harming behaviours should see a vet urgently before they see a trainer. For these pets, medication can be highly beneficial or even necessary. This is because the stress responses they experience due to their anxiety can override their ability to learn properly and can prevent successful training. A good trainer will always refer these animals back to the attending vet for assessment if they feel training alone will not be successful.
The post Anxious Pet? Do this Before You Medicate! appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Being Zen: A Beginner's Guide appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>However, the truth is, no matter how much meditating , decluttering, and deep-breathing techniques you try, sometimes you'll cross paths with a person (or several of them!) who will derail your best efforts of peace, oneness, and enlightenment.
The challenges of living in a vibrant society means that not everyone you meet will align with your quest to be zen. In fact, as we increase our interactions with people, we will also inevitably raise our chances of coming into contact with those who fall into the category of people we'd prefer to not be around (aka assholes).
How to be zen… Even if you're really not feeling it
So is there a trick to being zen if you don't get along with your colleague at work? My tip is to remember you don't need to be best buds, but you do need to be polite or at least smile at them (it goes a LONG way). Given that we never know what's going on in someone else's life, avoiding judgement and simply smiling is a key component of being zen.
Adopting this approach allows us to move on graciously and reminds us that while everyone you meet doesn't have to like you, it doesn't actually matter – because the only person you need to worry about is yourself!
Taking care of your own needs, and knowing that you are a good person doing good things, is also a key step in finding, and keeping, your zen. So, having said that, I would recommend a number of techniques to empower you to be zen – and enable you to handle the most un-zen like situations life throws at you, with grace.
Being Zen: A beginner's guide
Firstly, start your day with gratitude and intention by asking yourself these two questions: "What am I grateful for?" and "What is today's mantra?" For instance, I would say to myself – "I am grateful for my health" and "my body is perfect just as it is". What will you say to yourself?
Other useful techniques include practicing some gentle yoga stretches and perfecting your breathing by counting to four breathing in and counting to five breathing out (notice the rise and fall of your belly, as your breath and body move together).
With your mind and body set for the start of the day, what you do during the day is equally important.
When striving to be zen, it's imperative to remember that everything that happens throughout your day impacts your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual senses. And while you may not be able to control a situation, your reaction to it is just as important to maintain the wonderful energy you worked so hard to create.
If you find emotions of anger or frustration arise during your day, just stop and notice your breath – slow and steady, four in and five out.
Be zen to the end
The reality is, we can't always 'be zen' but the more we try the easier life is, and the better the world can become. In an ideal life we would find our tribe and make choices of who we spend time with. However, for those times we can't, we can certainly choose how we react to them, and be zen in the process!
The post Being Zen: A Beginner's Guide appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Ruby Rose On Going Without Makeup appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>https://vimeo.com/94486389
Ruby Rose talks about the excitement of getting all made up and the importance of being proud of who you are without cosmetics.
During this chat with Fashion Expert Nedahl Stelio Ruby tips her hat to celebrities who are happy to reveal their real looks.
NOTE: TheCarousel filmed this interview in 2014 during Sydney fashion week but we wanted to reprise the video as it's as relevant as it was back then.
What your favourite make-up look? Would you rather go without? Let us know in the comments below!
The post Ruby Rose On Going Without Makeup appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Amazing Weight-Loss: I Lost 46kg By Ditching One Ingredient appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>But Donna knew she had to make a life-changing decision when she saw how big she'd really got at her sister's wedding just 18 months later, below.
"I saw myself in that black dress and thought, 'You really need to do something'," says Donna, who weighed 95kg at her heaviest.
Realising this was a 'now or never moment', Donna immediately went through her cupboards and threw away all the junk food and sweet treats.
She would regularly snack on biscuits, chocolate and potato chips, and down six cans of sugar-laden Coca Cola a day.
"I knew that if this was going to be a real change there was no point waiting until New Year's Day so I emptied our kitchen cupboards and joined the gym.
"I've known about the danger of sugar ever since my dad was diagnosed with diabetes five years earlier, so it made my decision to quit even easier."
After she quickly shed 9.5kg, in 2014 she started working out with a personal trainer, doing five sessions a week at the gym.
"I began doing serious cardio as well as body weights. Within a year I'd dropped over six stone [38kg] and couldn't believe how much better I looked and felt."
She replaced her favourite snacks with healthy alternatives from MuscleFood.com including high-protein gummy sweets and crisps.
Now, bursting with newfound energy at a svelte 49kg, Donna has a healthy breakfast of porridge or a bagel, eggs for lunch and dinner made from scratch like chilli.
When she looks back on her wedding photos, Donna, 31, can't believe the difference cutting out sugar has made.
"I now make my own food and don't bother with supermarket ready meals. I love porridge, eggs and homemade chilli con carne," says Donna, who has shed more than 46kg.
"To anyone wanting to make a change I would always tell them you need to be really self-motivated, no one is going to do it for you.
"But the rewards are incredible, I feel so much better in myself and love my new look. The days of size 22 dresses are long gone.
"I high-five myself in the mirror now all the time."
For another inspiring real-life weight-loss story click here.
The post Amazing Weight-Loss: I Lost 46kg By Ditching One Ingredient appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Celebrity Wardrobes Revealed: Real Housewives Of Melbourne – Jackie Gillies appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The Croatian born stunner first hit our screens on Real Housewives of Melbourne in 2014 and wowed us with her openness and style. But there's much more to Jackie Gillies and her rock star life. "I believe part of me was chosen and attracted to this program to be able to show people that, yes, I might have some coin. Yes, I'm married to a rock star. But I still remember where I came from. My father came to this country with nothing," she explains.
So what's inside this vivacious personality's wardrobe? Fashion expert Henry Roth got up close and personal with Jackie when he first met her and designed her wedding dress – which ROCKED! And now, he's been invited into her Melbourne abode to sift through her wardrobe. Here, Henry gets Jackie to reveal her fave frocks from the LBD and evening wear to her vintage jackets and must-have brand of jeans. You'd never guess
Check out some of Jackie's wardrobe favourites:
White Suede, lace mini dress.
Princess Charlotte, evening ear.
J Brand Jeans, uber soft leather tight cut jeans.
Balmain, black classic boucle button up jacket.
Chanel, vintage classic jacket and more…
Credits:
Hair and makeup Joey Scandizzo, South Yarra, www.joeyscandizzo.com.au
Additional house furniture Hirestye Unique Rentals, www.hirestyle.com.au
Stylist : David Novak Piper www.davidnovakpiper.com
The post Celebrity Wardrobes Revealed: Real Housewives Of Melbourne – Jackie Gillies appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post 4 Things Every Woman Should Know (Who'd Have Guessed!) appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Say what?! The vagina is actually an internal organ – the birth canal. The correct term for all those external organs we can see is the vulva. This includes the labia majora, which are the fleshy, fatty lips covered with pubic hair; the labia minora, the thin inner flaps of skin located within the labia majora; the clitorial hood, clitoris and vestibule. So maybe instead of nicknaming our lady parts the Va-jay-jay, we should rename them the Va-lava-lava? Just an idea…
#2 There's a correct way to clean down there…
The vulva is super sensitive with delicate skin, so go easy down there! Don't over wash, use harsh products, or rub with cloths when cleaning. And don't clean internally – nature takes care of this for us via discharge! Instead, wash daily using gentle finger pressure with tepid water or a pH balanced feminine wash that's gentle on the skin, but cleans effectively. This will cleanse and help prevent odours, while nourishing the good bacteria to maintain a healthy vulvar environment. The pH balance of your vagina is important to maintain (some washes, irritants and perfumed products, as well as other things like sex, menopause and underwear can affect the pH balance), so choose products specifically designed for the vagina. After washing, gently pat dry with a clean towel.
#3 Your genital area has more sweat glands than anywhere else on your body.
That's right, your unsung hero has been working overtime down there. The labia minora contains sebaceous and sweat glands, and lubrication comes courtesy of the vestibule (the area between the labia minora skin flaps). Sweat and lubrication are completely normal, as is vaginal discharge, which can produce an odour. Every woman has a normal odour so it's important to identify what's normal for you, and what's not. Exercise, heat, periods, irritants and a host of other culprits can exacerbate sweating and the odour, as well as causing itching, chafing and burning. Don't sweat it. To control excessive perspiration, try some of these tricks: shower promptly after exercising or sweating, use a talc-free moisture-absorbing product or odour-blocking wipe, remove sweaty undergarments and replace with clean cotton knickers that absorb moisture, and maintain a healthy daily cleansing regime. If the odour or wetness is unusual, then it could be a red flag, so consult your health professional.
#4 Itching is more common than you think.
Not the usual topic of conversation over a glass of wine with the girls, but if it were, you'd discover that vulvar itching is a lot more common than you might think. It affects women of all ages, with 41% of women who experience itching being 35-44. The cause? Well, there are more than 60 culprits, however the most prominent in Australian women are perspiration, undergarments, using non pH Balanced washes or perfumed soaps to clean your vagina, some medications, stress, wearing tight clothing, even the onset of your period. First thing's first: if you suspect you know what the irritant is, then eliminate it (tight synthetic fabrics? perfumed soap?). Alleviate itching, burning and discomfort with an over-the-counter cream that soothes and allows for natural healing. Avoid sex and scratching, which can exacerbate the problem, and don't even bother consulting Dr Google. If symptoms persist, see your health practitioner who can diagnose and advise proper treatment.
About Vagisil
Vagisil products are specially designed to help cleanse, protect and maintain the health of a woman's vaginal area like no other products in the world. You use a special eye cream for the skin around your eyes and facial cleanser for your face…. Isn't it time you took special care of your most intimate skin?
For over 40 years, Vagisil have been on a mission to create products that improve the intimate health of women. That's why our products are formulated with ingredients specifically chosen to be gentle and effective, plus they are gynaecologist and clinically tested. Vagisil is the brand that understands women's issues and how they affect their personal/professional life and helps to get her confidence back. Vagisil. Your intimate health experts.
Vagisil Feminine Itching Cream Medication is available nationally from Chemist Warehouse, Priceline and most pharmacies. Find out more at www.vagisil.com Use only as directed. Always read the label and follow instructions. If symptoms persist see your doctor or healthcare professional.
The post 4 Things Every Woman Should Know (Who'd Have Guessed!) appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Is your Hair Falling Out? Dr. Ginni Mansberg Explains the Causes And Solutions appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>
Highly respected GP Dr Ginni Mansberg explains the difference between unhealthy and brittle hair, and identifying more serious hair loss conditions, which can lead to balding, as well as the causes and solutions.
Dr Ginni says: "One of the most incredibly common things I see in my surgery is hair loss. Women are embarrassed about it. They think they are the only ones, let me tell you you are not alone it is super common.
"How do you know if you have hair loss? Top tips number one, if you think you have hair loss, I'm telling you, you do. By the time you notice it, we are years down the track and you've probably lost far more hair than you'd realised. Top Tip number two. What type of hair loss do you have? Do something called the tug test. You basically pull your hair and see what comes out or have a look at the drown inside the shower cubicle which is where most people lose all their hair. If the hair has roots on it that's where it's coming out, if your hair is brittle we are probably looking at the usual culprits. These are hair dryers, hair straighteners, hair curlers, hair dye. All the things that put a lot of stress on your hair.
"So what do you do? When you wash it, don't vigorously towel dry it. Just gently dry it. Try to avoid your hair straighteners and hair dryers when you can. Use a really good conditioner and a decent leave in conditioner because that will just help the hair breakage. But if it is coming out at the root and for most of us that is the problem, you really need to see your GP."
Watch the video above for more information about the solutions for hair loss.
The post Is your Hair Falling Out? Dr. Ginni Mansberg Explains the Causes And Solutions appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Delicious Baked Lemon And Rhubarb Tarts Recipe appeared first on The Carousel.
]]> Makes eight 10 cm tarts
Preparation time 40 minutes plus 30 minutes freezing time for pastry and setting time in fridge
Cooking time 45 minutes
INGREDIENTS
1 quantity Sweet Pastry (recipe below)
3 rhubarb stalks, trimmed
3 tablespoons caster (superfine) sugar
600 ml (21 fl oz) Lemon Curd (recipe below)
icing (confectioners') sugar
METHOD
1 Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Lightly grease eight 10 cm (4 inch) round, loose-based fluted flan (tart) tins.
2 On a lightly floured surface, roll out the pastry to 3 mm (1⁄8 inch) thick. Line the tins and trim any excess pastry. Cover with plastic wrap and rest in the freezer for at least 30 minutes.
3 Line a baking tray with baking paper. Cut the rhubarb into 5 cm (2 inch) lengths, place on the baking tray and sprinkle over the caster sugar. Roast for approximately 10–15 minutes, until just soft enough to take the point of a knife. Allow to cool before using. Drain well on paper towel.
4 To blind bake the tart cases, line the tins with pieces of crumpled baking paper and pour in some baking beads or uncooked rice or dried beans. Bake for 10–15 minutes. Remove the paper and weights, return to the oven and bake until golden, approximately a further 10–15 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool.
5 Place the rhubarb into the tart shells, spoon over the lemon curd and level with a palette knife. Put into the fridge until the curd sets.
6 Sift a thin, even layer of icing sugar over the lemon curd. Ignite a brûlée torch and with a slow sweeping motion guide the flame over the sugar. The nozzle should be 5–7.5 cm (2–3 inches) from the surface. The sugar will melt slowly at first then caramelise. Serve immediately.
Sweet Pastry
Makes about 500 g (1 lb 2 oz)
Preparation time 15 minutes plus 30–60 minutes chilling time
Cooking time nil
INGREDIENTS
250 g (9 oz/12⁄3 cups) plain
(all-purpose) flour
55 g (2 oz/¼ cup) caster (superfine) sugar
pinch of salt
200 g (7 oz) butter, cold and diced
50 ml (1¾ fl oz) cold water
METHOD
1 Sift the flour, sugar and salt into the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Add the cold butter and mix on low speed until it resembles fine breadcrumbs.
2 Add the water and mix until the dough forms a ball. Transfer the dough to a lightly floured work surface, press into a flat disc, then wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 30–60 minutes before using.
Lemon Curd
Makes about 1.25 g (2 lb 12 oz/5 cups)
Preparation time 30 minutes
Cooking time 15 minutes
INGREDIENTS
300 ml (10½ fl oz) lemon juice
6 eggs, at room temperature
2 egg yolks, at room temperature
330 g (11¾ oz/1½ cups) caster (superfine) sugar
¼ teaspoon salt
450 g (1 lb) butter, at room temperature, diced
METHOD
1 In a large heatproof bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, whole eggs and egg yolks, caster sugar and salt until well combined. Place over a large saucepan of simmering water, and make sure the base of the bowl does not touch the water.
2 Hand-whisk for approximately 10–15 minutes until the mixture becomes very thick and reaches 82°C (180°F) on a sugar thermometer. Remove the bowl from the saucepan.
3 Add the butter a little at a time, whisking after each addition and making sure the butter is fully incorporated before adding more. Lemon curd should be pale yellow and thick.
Recipes and Images from The Cook & Baker by Cherie Bevan and Tass Tauroa, published by Murdoch Books
The post Delicious Baked Lemon And Rhubarb Tarts Recipe appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post BBQ Lamb Cutlets With A Yoghurt, Feta And Mint Dipping Sauce appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Serves 4
INGREDIENTS
For the lamb cutlets
12 lamb cutlets
greek style yoghurt
1 clove of garlic
Lemon wedges
Sea salt, cracked pepper
Olive oil
1/2 lemon to squeeze
Yoghurt, fetta and mint dipping sauce
100g Danish fetta
1 cup greek style yoghurt
2 tbsp fresh mint chopped
2 tbsp fresh italian parsley
1 tsp lemon zest
2 spring onions finely chopped
METHOD
1 Massage olive oil, sea salt and cracked pepper into the lamb cutlets.
2 Set aside
3 Yoghurt, feta and mint dipping sauce: combine all ingredients, mix, and set aside
4 BBQ lamb chops so that's their crispy on the outside and nice and pink in the middle
5 Plate up and drizzle with the yoghurt, feta and mint dipping sauce
The Carouselthanks Fiveam for this recipe.
The post BBQ Lamb Cutlets With A Yoghurt, Feta And Mint Dipping Sauce appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Vanuatu – Five Reasons To Put It On Your Bucket List appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Why you should travel to Vanuatu when the 'bubble' opens!
With a potential South Pacific Travel Bubble on the horizon, there's no better time to start planning your next tropical getaway to Vanuatu. As one of Australia's closest South Pacific neighbours, Vanuatu is composed of 83 spectacular islands, and offers an authentic and unique blend of breathtaking landscapes, rich culture and friendly locals – all just three hours from Sydney, four hours from Melbourne and two and a half from Brisbane. Here are some must-do activities for when we can finally enjoy an umbrella-adorned cocktail at a beachfront bar!
Get up close and personal with volcanoes
Just a short flight from Vanuatu's capital, Port Vila, lies Tanna – an island renowned for being home to one of the world's most accessible and active volcanos, Mount Yasur. After just a short trek, you'll find yourself on the edge of the crater with the bubbling lava below. While the earth rumbles beneath your feet, you'll be treated to a once-in-a-lifetime firework work display.
Adventure seekers can opt to visit Ambrym for one of the most challenging activities that can be done across the archipelago – the Ambrym Twin Volcano walk. This two-day hike takes travellers through the jungle, scrambling up nearly vertical trails and across ash plains, right up to the edge over the crater of Mount Marum, where the lava bubbles and spits below. After a night of rest at base camp, day two of the hike begins with a steep climb to the peak of the second volcano, Mount Benbow, where hikers have the opportunity to abseil down into the inner crater, where the bubbling lava awaits, and the heat of the earth can be felt right beneath your feet.
Explore the colourful dive sites
Vanuatu is known to divers around the world for the SS President Coolidge wreck just off the coast of Espiritu Santo, but as a diving destination, there is so much more to Vanuatu's fascinating underwater world. Filled with huge caverns and drop offs, diverse marine life, bright corals, giant sea fans and famous wrecks, Vanuatu is an incredibly diverse playground for divers, and it also happens to be one of the best places to see and dive with dugongs, the cows of the sea. Whether you want to dive caves in Tanna or beautiful fringing reef in Efate or wrecks in Santo, Vanuatu offers dive sites to suit all levels and interests.
Swim in the incredible blue holes
Vanuatu's blue holes are some of the country's most beautiful natural attractions. In fact, the east coast of Espiritu Santo boasts more blue holes than anywhere else in the world. These freshwater swimming holes formed out of the limestone landscape are filled with cool, blue water, surrounded by jungle. The pools range in accessibility and some can be accessed by kayak or canoe, with getting there half the adventure.
Experience a different culture
While only a few hours from Australia, a trip to Vanuatu can feel like a world away. For travellers looking to immerse themselves in the culture, a visit to a local village is a must. Visit Gaua Island or the Leweton Cultural Village in Espiritu Santo where the women dress in traditional attire and take to the water to create mesmerising music – evoking the sounds of thunder, boiling water and gushing waterfalls. Or visit Tanna Island's village of Yakel, where, the oscar nominated film Tanna is set, and get a glimpse into the local village life. One of the friendliest of communities, it is almost guaranteed travellers will make friends with the locals and immerse themselves in a culture vastly different from their own.
Tanna is the first feature film shot entirely in Vanuatu and was nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the Academy awards in 2017. You can get a taste of Tanna with the trailer here.
Embark on epic hikes
Throughout Vanuatu's 83 islands there are plenty of opportunities for hikes, from jungle bushwalks and intense three-day treks you need a guide for, to leisurely walks to waterfalls – there's something to suit everyone. Nestled in the northernmost province of Vanuatu, travellers can explore the natural wonders of Gaua Island with the Mount Garet and Lake Letas Hike. This hike is a three-day and two-night trek across the island where hikers will be rewarded spectacular views, kayaks over the lake and a hike to the highest waterfall in the South Pacific.
Those that are looking for a day trip can try the Millennium Cave Santo – an all day, action-packed adventure from start to finish. This tour will have hikers scrambling over rocks; through the dense jungle; past trickling creeks and cascading waterfalls, before emerging at the mouth of the cave.
For more information visit: www.vanuatu.travel/au
The post Vanuatu – Five Reasons To Put It On Your Bucket List appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Olivia Newton-John Shares Her Winter Skin & Self Care Rituals appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>With this in mind, we chatted with Olivia to find out how she likes to practice self-care and pampering throughout the winter months.Olivia Newton-John Drinks Lots Of Water
I drink a lot of water as it is so important to always remain hydrated. It keeps the body and the skin healthy and glowing. I also favour herbal tea over dehydrating caffeinated drinks, and I get a lot of natural hydration by eating plenty of fresh fruits and veggies.
Practice Self Care
This is so important if you want to look and feel great. A healthy, nutritious diet with lots of different coloured vegetables, rich in antioxidants and vitamins, is a sure-fire way to great skin and health. I eat nourishing organic foods and take natural vitamin supplements and elixirs that my husband 'Amazon' John [Easterling] recommends. I always ensure to take time out just to be by myself and sit with my thoughts, to enjoy down time, to sing and well, just relax!
I love creating a slice of Gaia Retreat & Spa in my home every day by using my skincare range Retreatment Botanics by Olivia Newton-John.
I'll give myself a mini facial inspired by the treatments at Gaia spa. My skin literally glows afterwards, and it leaves me feeling relaxed and grounded.
I cleanse in the morning with Purifying Gel Cleanser and then again at night with Cream Cleanser, to remove excess oil, surface pollution and impurities. Following that, I apply Kakadu Brightening Serum and then Restore Serum, taking some time to massage them in as I repeat self-care affirmations. They are both so hydrating and brightening. I finish my daily rituals with my favourite – Ultra Rich Moisturiser. The range also has Light Hydrating Moisturiser, for more combination skin types.
Once or twice a week, I use Retreatment Botanics Refining Face Polish. It has mild AHAs and really gentle jojoba beads, which work to whisk away dirt and debris and leave my skin smooth and radiant. Then, I relax with Instant Radiance Masque, which has Kaolin Clay and mild fruit acids to really deep cleanse the skin. Its beautiful aroma lets me check in on my senses and truly tap in to relaxation. After removing it, I'm so blissed out, but my skin is also soft, supple and really glowing.
Stay Connected With Friends And Loved Ones
This is more important than ever now, so thank goodness for technology! I rely on it so much to connect with friends from around the world, staying up to date on their lives and families.
Switch Off
Having said all of the above, it is also essential that we switch off. We need to turn away from newsfeeds overflowing with negativity. Take the time to cocoon yourself at home with a beautiful rug, herbal tea and some relaxing music. You may even wish to meditate. Turn off all your devices – this means no phone, no tablet, no laptop and even no TV. Take long walks in nature and breathe in fresh air – deeply.
Keep Moving!
Exercise is essential to keep our blood pumping and our bodies oxygenated, as well as to help lubricate joints and keep muscles and ligaments supple. If the thought of there gym irks you, try exercise streaming platforms or online yoga classes, all of which offer so many varied workouts you will never become bored.
Sleep
Quality sleep is one of the best beauty potions I know. I always try to go to bed at the same time each night and aim to get a quality eight hours of slumber. I keep my room free from devices and clutter, so it's areal haven of relaxation. I do have an atomiser going at all times with my favourite essential oil blend, Retreatment Botanics CALM. It lulls me into a perfect slumber.
Surround Yourself With Animals
It has been proven time and again over centuries that animals are directly linked to our good health and wellbeing. Being around animals can reduce stress and loneliness boost happiness. As an animal lover, I know this to be true. If you don't have a pet of your own, why not volunteer at an animal shelter? That's sure to give you both and inner and outer glow. Just be sure to check regulations around social distancing at this point in time.
The post Olivia Newton-John Shares Her Winter Skin & Self Care Rituals appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Yoga: Chair Pose – Utkatasana appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>This pose allows you to lengthen and strengthen at the same time, also bringing in qualities such as balance and mental clarity. It's a great leg and core asana, as well as providing stability and grounding.
How to get there –
Starting in Tadasana.
Feet hip width apart.
Engage your core – belly button to spine.
Inhale and raise your arms over your head with palms facing each other.
Finger tips reaching for the ceiling.
Exhale, bend your knees, lower your hips, and take a seat on a chair that isn't there.
Shift your weight back onto your heels.
Keep your knees just above the feet.
Look down at your toes to make sure you are in the right spot.
Lean your upper body slightly forwards.
Lift your chest, to rise up and out of ribcage, to create a gentle back bend.
Relax shoulders down and away from ears.
Stay here for as long as you like, taking deep breaths in and out through your nose.
When you are ready to exit this pose.
Engage your core a little more.
Deep breath in, start to lengthen through your body, coming up into a standing position, bring your arms back down by the sides of your body. Coming back to Tadasana.
Hot Tip –
In the beginning, your balance may be a challenge, practice near a wall. Position yourself where you are pressing your bottom back towards the wall, this will create a safety net until you gain more experience and confidence.
Variations and props –
Arms –
You can place your hands on your hips.
Or bring them into prayer hands.
You could even rest hands on your thighs.
Lower back –
Place a rolled up mat under the heels of the feet as you come into the pose.
Instead of a back bend, keep your spine neutral.
Benefits –
- Toning of the muscles around the ankles, hips and knees
- Strengthening of the thighs
- Opening of the chest and shoulders
- Great Achilles stretch
- Stimulation of the circulatory system and abdominal organs
- Strengthening and stretching of Lower Back, Abdominals, Thighs, Glutes and Ankles
- It can help with mental clarity
- Regular practice of this yoga pose helps to lose weight, mainly from your buttocks
- Increases your physical balance
Contraindications of doing Chair Pose –
Chronic knee or lower back injury.
Dizziness.
Injury to feet or ankles.
Severe arthritis.
Menstruation.
Always be kind to yourself, move with ease and grace. You are the most important person in your life.
Namaste
The post Yoga: Chair Pose – Utkatasana appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post New Wines On The Block appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The aroma has a lifted perfume and is full of dark cherry fruit with a touch of vanilla. The palate is bold and full but has softness, spice and elegant tannins. An approachable Cabernet that will drink well now or cellar for up to five years.
Food pairing: Roasted Balsamic Glazed Lamp Chops
Food pairing (V): Mushroom Bourguignon
Two Blocks 2020 Riesling RRP: $25.00
A blend of our two vineyards in the cool-climate regions of Coonawarra and Wrattonbully. The Coonawarra component adds citrus acidity and lime flavour and the Wrattonbully adds a floral lift. With an intense aroma, the palate is vibrant with good balance and crisp acidity.
Food pairing: Fresh Snapper Fillet
Food pairing (V): spicy Kimchi Fried Rice
Two Blocks 2015 Shiraz RRP: $32.00
Vines that were established by Patrick in 1999, the composition of the soil is similar to those of Eden Valley, which Pat had extensive experience with, before his move from Barossa to Coonawarra in the late 80s. Matured in a combination of new American oak and second-hand French oak for 24 months, the structure is complex. Rich mulberry flavours with a lift of chocolate oak, the finish is smooth and lingering.
Food pairing: Rack of Lamb
Food paring (V): Vegetarian Black Bean Burger
The post New Wines On The Block appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Sandra Bullock Says "Real Beauty Is Not Trying" appeared first on The Carousel.
]]> 
According to the Oscar winner, "Real beauty is quiet. Especially in this town, it's just so hard not to say 'Oh, I need to look like that'. No, be a good person, a good mum, do a good job with the lunch, let someone cut in from of you who looks like they're in a bigger hurry."
'The people I find the most beautiful are the one's who aren't trying.'
Steal Sandra's Style Below…
While daily life for Sandra and 10 year old son, Louis, involves all the normal school, play dates and Lego-making, she did get to play princess for the shoot of the above featured PEOPLE magazine cover. Bullock has also lent her very recognisable voice to a super villain in the movie Minions.
While her beautiful boy is a constant reminder of what's important in life, Bullock admits that she's wrapped around Louis' little finger as a mum, "but I will never let him know it. We have rules. I let everyone else be the aunties and the uncles who spoil him and I'm the one that lays down the law", she tells PEOPLE.
#Sandra Bullock Steal Her Style
Images courtesy of PEOPLE Magazine
What's your favourite Sandra Bullock moment? What do you think makes someone truly beautiful? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below…
The post Sandra Bullock Says "Real Beauty Is Not Trying" appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Dry Winter Skin – How To Soothe It! appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>While most of us are vigilant about protecting our face, many women neglect the skin on their bodies. In fact, over eight in 10 women experience changes to their body skin in winter, with the most common being dryness, according to a recent study by CeraVe skincare and You Gov.
Common Winter Skin Concerns
The most common winter skin concerns, according to the study, include mild to severe dryness (68 percent of women), itchiness (30 percent of women) and cracking (26 percent of women). Despite this, the study found that only 37 percent of Aussie women use body moisturiser daily.
"Beauty doesn't stop at the neck," says Marionne De Candia, Queensland based aesthetician who's Elle McPherson's fave Aussie facialist. "It's vital that we hydrate from top to toe every. Try to do so after each shower."
A hydrated skin is a a healthier skin and the itchiness, tightness and cracking should ease up after a week or two of treating skin twice daily with a quality body cream or lotion.
The Carousel loves:
CeraVe Moisturising Cream, which is rich in hyaluronic acid and combines 24 hour hydration.
Mediskin Saver, rich in vitamin B3 for anti-ageing benefits as well as hydration.
Check Your Ingredients
There's never a better time than winter to do a run-through of your moisturiser's ingredients. Interestingly, CeraVe's report showed that only 44 percent of women actually check the ingredients. What to look for? Ceramides are a great start. They are are lipids, or fat molecules, that help the skin retain moisture and allow for proper function in the skin barrier. Following this, be sure to look for Hyaluronic Acid, a natural, deeply hydrating ingredient that is present in our bodies but depletes with age. And finally, Shea Butter, which is incredible for really dry skin, as it not only drenches it with moisture but it protects it from external aggressors too.
The Carousel Loves:
CeraVe Moisturising Lotion, which packs a punch with Ceramides, HA, Glycerin and a a special delivery system known as MVE Delivery to ensure ingredients are delivered efficiently and to the right areas.
Burt's Bees Shea Butter And Vitamin E Body Lotion, which also has nurturing vitamin E and a non-greasy, hypoallergenic formula.
Finally according to CeraVe's study, the majority of Australian women skip the dermatologist when seeking advice on skin issues. This is a big no-no. If you have an undiagnosed condition, an issue that is bothering you for longer than one week, or something that just seems quite out of place and strange, see your GP ASAP for a referral to a well-reputed dermatologist for a professional diagnosis and treatment.
The post Dry Winter Skin – How To Soothe It! appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Justine Schofield's Seeded Lavosh Crackers For Your Next Cheese Board appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Prep: 10 minutes
Cooking: 20 minutes
Serves: enough for 8
Ingredients:
- Your favourite creamy cheese
- 1 cup of plain flour
- 1/4 cup buckwheat or wholemeal flour
- 1 teaspoon sea salt flakes, plus extra to garnish
- 1 tbs. white sesame seeds
- 1/2 cup warm water
- 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tsp. nigella seeds
- Fresh figs and/or apple slices
Method:
- Pre heat the oven to 170C. Line three baking trays with baking paper and grease with a little splash of oil.
- In a large bowl, mix together the flours, salt and sesame seeds.
- In a jug mix together the water and oil.
- Make a well in the centre or the dry ingredients and little by little add the wet ingredients.
- Use your hands to bind together to form a ball of dough. If too sticky, add a little more flour.
- On a floured board, cut the dough into 8 even portions. Working with one piece of dough at a time, place between two sheets of baking paper and roll out into 20cm- long sheets (approximately) that are 1 mm thick. Place on to prepared tray and sprinkle over some nigella seeds and extra salt. Repeat the process.
- Bake for 20-25 minute or until slightly golden and crisp.
- Remove and cool completely on tray. If not using immediately store in an airtight container. They will last up to 2 weeks.
- Serve lavosh on a wooden board with your favourite creamy cheese and a selection of fruit.
Justine Schofield is one of Australia's most prevalent cooking personalities with an infectious energy, impeccably creative skills in the kitchen and an undeniable passion for food! As well as a best-selling cookbook author, she is the host of the hugely popular cooking show Everyday Gourmet and was a fan favourite in the first series of MasterChef and MasterChef All Stars.
The post Justine Schofield's Seeded Lavosh Crackers For Your Next Cheese Board appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Ready To See Australia In A New Way? Grab These Holiday Deals appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>You can live it up on the high seas with amazing Australian travel destinations, cruise activities and, of course, the oceanview from a P&O cruise ship. Plus, with room preference options and several restaurants to choose from, there's something for everyone on a P&O Cruise. Oh, and for those looking to get away from it all, you'll especially love the child-free area.
Sail away and explore Australia with some incredible cruise deals from P&O Cruises.
More cash to splash cruising with P&O Cruises
If your idea of Australian cruises is expensive, then think again. P&O Cruises gives you more cash to splash with cruise deals from Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide, Fremantle, Cairns and Auckland. Enjoy stress-free 2-5 night short cruises that return every guest to shore feeling refreshed and relaxed!
Enjoy excellent accommodation, an array of leisure facilities, cruise activities and delicious food, all in one place. With no hotel transfers, transport costs, or additional bookings to manage, you'll have more time to sit back, relax, and enjoy your holiday.
Book your holiday with only $1
Yeah, you read that correctly. You can book Australian cruises for just one gold coin thanks to the P&O Cruise Go For Gold Sale. Enjoy tasty cuisines, a range of exciting onboard activities and onshore tours, night-time entertainment, spectacular destinations and up to $300 onboard spending money per room! But you better be quick since this offer ends 14 September 2021.
Weekend getaways & short break cruise deals
Australian cruises don't require weeks to complete. If you've only got a few days to spare, or only the weekend, travel within Australia and set sail for paradise on one of P&O's short break holidays and weekend getaways. Discover the world-renowned beauty of the Great Barrier Reef, or head out on a Whitsundays Cruise.
School holiday cruise deals
Cruises are a fun, convenient and cost-effective option for holidays with kids. Jump aboard for a family-friendly holiday with over 60 onboard cruise activities to choose from every day. There's live shows, delicious food, and four-age specific kids clubs filled to the brim with arts and crafts, music and sports games, and so much more. As for mum and dad, they'll be at one of the restaurants and bars, thanks to P&O late-night childminding services.
Special event & themed cruise deals
Celebrations on the high seas are good, but they're even better when you've caught a bargain! Laugh like you've never laughed before on the must-see Big Laugh Comedy Cruise, or travel back in time and rock some seriously big hair aboard the 80's Cruise. Check out P&O's Main Events lineup for a selection of special events and themed cruise deals.
Secure a cruise for you today
Enjoy a jam-packed holiday without the hefty price tag by grabbing one of P&O's cruise deals today! If you're not ready just yet, stay up to date with all the latest eDeals. Access some of the best cruise packages, last-minute cruise deals and all the latest news as soon as it hits the deck.
With a shipload of Australian cruise deals and destinations, P&O makes it easier than ever to plan the perfect holiday. Explore this great southern land in a brand new way with these amazing holiday deals from P&O Cruises.
This is a sponsored post by P&O. All opinions expressed by the author are authentic and written in their own words.
The post Ready To See Australia In A New Way? Grab These Holiday Deals appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Plan B. Author Shannah Kennedy Shares Her Journey To Embrace Change appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>
For eight years I worked in sports management, sponsorship and PR. In 1999 I was at what I thought was the peak of my success – I had A-class tickets to events, money and a glamorous lifestyle mixing with our country's superstars. I would burn the candle at both ends, living on adrenaline. It was exciting, intoxicating, thrilling and fast. As a Type A overachieving perfectionist, I did not rest, I could not sit still, and when I had time off I filled it with going out, exercising and avoiding being by myself or allowing myself to experience deep feelings in a relationship.
Then one day it all came crashing down. My body could no longer keep up that relentless pace, complete the never-ending goal sheet I kept creating for myself or serve my addiction to avoiding being still with myself.
I lost my health. My mind stopped. My body stopped. My life stopped. I felt paralysed. I could not move, could not think, could not function, and I experienced pain like I had never felt before. Chronic fatigue syndrome broke my mind and body, and it came calling with its best friend: depression.
I could not do anything, create anything or work for a year. Grounded and unable to function, I experienced a huge range of emotions – shock, confusion, blame, frustration, shame, embarrassment, anxiety, anger, overwhelm, helplessness, loneliness, pain, loss, grief. The question came into my mind and body, 'Who am I without my job?'
I had loved my title and the security it gave me. My job defined me. It defined the athletes I worked with, too. They had deep confidence that stemmed from their job title, the car they drove, the travel, the applause, the medals, the accolades and the fans. I had seen the great loss in many of them when their sporting career was suddenly over – through injury, being dropped from the team, early forced retirement, their body breaking down, their club folding, a media scandal. An athlete can lose their career at any time.
I had noticed that athletes who had not done any inner work – built themselves as a person first – and instead defined themselves by their career, marriage, title and status, fell the hardest when a curve ball was thrown. Because their confidence had been built from external factors, not from within, once they no longer had the title that defined them they felt lost. It was, in reality, a false confidence.
I had not done any inner work either, and I came to the realisation that I was externally driven. My reliance on success was not based on knowing, loving, caring and connecting with my true self.
My ill health was my moment in life to change. It forced me to reassess and throw my plans in the bin. I had to start again.
Slowly over the following year, with help, guidance and support, I built a new plan – Plan B – which involved developing a body, mind and soul that were deeply connected to self: sustainable and healthy, with an empowered mindset, with new control and a calm confidence. I experienced every emotion, learnt about it and wrote about it. Over time I built a new and better version of myself, a new life for myself and a new future for myself. My emotions gradually moved to empowerment, security, meaning, self-esteem, joy, love, confidence and connection, abundance and inner harmony.
In my book Plan. B: A guide to navigating and embracing change, my hope now is to instil this confidence in you and guide you through the change process.
Challenges are gifts that force us to search for a new centre of gravity. Don't fight them. Just find a new way to stand.
Oprah Winfrey
Life is in constant transition. The world changes every day, every hour, every minute. Change is inevitable. It can be positive and exhilerating and take us to a whole new level, full of excitement, awe and overwhelming joy, but it can also be devastating and throw us into the depths of loneliness, pain and despair. Regardless of whether you anticipated the change, the first stage you must go through in order to pivot is to recognise and respond to the situation. This is the beginning of finding your calm and establishing some emotional balance.
You can buy Plan B: A guide to navigating and embracing change by Shannah Kennedy at all good bookstores. Published by Penguin. RRP $29.99 AUS. More info here.
The post Plan B. Author Shannah Kennedy Shares Her Journey To Embrace Change appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Five Things Your Pet Knows About You appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Whether dog, cat, lizard or bird, when we create a bond with an animal, and gain their respect and love, it is a blessing like no other in life. While we may not speak the same language, your pet intuitively knows things about you, such as when you are feeling sad, which has actually been backed up by scientific studies.
We asked animal communicator and founder of The Animal Talk Institute, Trisha McCagh reveals five things your pet knows about you!
Your pet knows when you are sad
Have you ever had that moment when your pet comes over and starts cuddling up next to you? They do this because they can sense something is wrong. Animals provide comfort during rough times, their unconditional love being one of the most inspirational things in life!
They easily identify when you give more attention to others
It can be hard to give one pet more attention than the others, but often it's necessary for their emotional well-being. This is important because giving too many pets equal amounts of attention will make them feel uncomfortable and anxious about not getting enough time with you, when you don't have time to give them all the same amount of attention. Sometimes it pays to separate them and give them each one-on-one time with you. If you can't give each pet equal amounts of time, it will pay to separate them and give the one one one time with you and you can address them as individuals.
Your pet knows when you have new set of priorities
When you bring home a new baby, or you get a new pet, or your change your work or life routine, your pet will pick up on the fact that he or she is not going to get all the attention anymore. This can often lead to depression for them. You can work with an animal communicator like myself, as well as your vet, to help your pet adjust. It is very important that you maintain as much routine as possible so your pet does not feel the impact, otherwise this can lead to depression for them and naughty behaviour.
Your animal companion knows when you are mad
Dogs hate to disappoint and can sense the emotions and body language that comes with an upset "parent". When you are upset with your dog, and he gives you those "sweet puppy dog eyes" he knows that you are upset and is hoping to change things. And boy, doesn't it work?
They sense when you are afraid.
Your pet will pick up on the fact that you are acting frightened. Some may react by trying to protect you, while others will probably be just as afraid as you are. But almost all pets quickly can sense when an owner is feeling afraid or anxious.
About Trisha McCagh
Trisha McCagh is an internationally acclaimed author, educator, teacher and animal communicator. She wrote the best selling book Stories from the Animal Whisperer (Allen & Unwin).
Trisha has helped thousands of people all around the world create greater understanding and fulfilment in the relationships they have with their animals. Using a silent language, she either directly translates their words and thoughts or teach people to hear what their animals have to say.
Trisha's passion and life purpose is to untie people and animals in complete harmony. She is able to do this via her private consultations and exclusive courses. Imagine having two-way conversations with your pet, and never having to guess or make assumptions about them again. Trisha can help you unravel if they are happy, sad, confused, sick, lonely. What do they love to do? What would make their life completely fulfilled? What do they want to tell you? Trisha can help you discover this through her courses.
The post Five Things Your Pet Knows About You appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post 7 Tried and Tested Ideas to Improve Your Mental Health appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The ability to take a yoga class , to attend a dance recital at your kids' school, or to Zumba your stress away – all your standard healthy coping strategies no longer apply. It's especially then that you need to find other, equally empowering and healthy mental health boosters. From food, mindfulness meditation, to yoga at home, you can create your own self-care routine focused on your mental wellbeing more than anything else. Here's what you can incorporate today.
Say no to unhealthy stimulants
image source
In addition to taking better care of your diet by introducing healthy, good-mood foods , you also need to reduce or eliminate the intake of unhealthy foods and stimulants that can affect your mental health negatively.
For starters, alcohol, smoking, too much processed sugar, and similar stimulants with zero nutritional value should not be on the menu. These ingredients might give you a momentary sense of relief and satisfaction, but they'll actually lead to an energy slump rather quickly. Replacing unhealthy, emotional eating patterns with healthy eating will help you elevate your confidence, mood, and sense of wellbeing.
Schedule sleep on a regular basis
image source
If you schedule your workouts, start scheduling your sleep, too. Too many people neglect their body's need to rest and recuperate, which is primarily achieved not just with pure daytime rest, but through regular, consistent, quality sleep. If you suffer from insomnia or you're restless during the night, chances are you're feeling exhausted, irritated, and anxious during the day.
Create a sleeping routine that will help you unwind before bedtime. Read a book and conduct a digital detox to slow down your mind and avoid blue light exposure. Take a soothing bath, or add scented candles into your bedroom to create the right atmosphere. Give your body time to prepare for sleep, and try to stick to a routine to make sure your mind gets enough rest.
Feed your mind and your body
image source
Healthy food is the pillar of your mental and physical wellbeing. By balancing your micro and macronutrient intake, you help your body balance your hormone production, energy levels, sleep quality, and mood. You can reinforce your nutrition with the help of wellness supplements that target your mental wellbeing.
For example, you can improve your sleep with the help of herbal supplements with magnesium and lavender, while vitamin D is a great addition to your meal plan during the colder season when you don't get enough healthy sun exposure, which can wreak havoc on your mood.
Keep yourself active
image source
With or without quarantine, many people find it difficult to kick-start a fitness routine – and yet, it's a vital component of a healthy lifestyle that will contribute to your mental health, not just strength and physical endurance.
Start with something simple, like a bodyweight home workout routine you can follow along on YouTube. Try a fitness app with varied training sessions on offer. Invest in a few fitness tools like a kettlebell or a few resistance bands to add some diversity to your routine. Sometimes, a longer walk with your pooch is all you need, but you do need to be active in order to keep your mental health balanced.
Make time for mindfulness
image source
For some, meditation seems obscure and unstructured, thus not all that attractive. For others, it sounds too good to be true. Although guided meditation has a different impact on your wellbeing, you can start your own mindful meditation practice to calm your thoughts, ground yourself, and start the day with the right mindset. It's not the be-all, end-all of boosting your mental health, but it's a wonderful addition to this arsenal of tools you already use.
Journal to understand yourself
image source
Writing down what you're feeling, what thoughts might be causing you worry or stress, and putting your fears on paper gives you a fresh perspective. Studies have shown that journaling helps with anxiety and depression , and it has a tendency to boost mental wellbeing in already healthy adults. It's a healthy strategy to understand yourself, process your feelings, and gain important insights into potential solutions to your issues.
Don't be afraid to ask for help
image source
You're not alone in this complicated, challenging world of ours. Sometimes, no matter how well you eat, sleep, and train, you might still find yourself struggling. Fortunately, you can find help from online and in-person psychologists, some of whom are prepared to book appointments online and via the phone in case you're in isolation.
Then again, sometimes all you need is a friendly conversation with a close friend or your spouse to remind yourself of all the incredible things in life to feel grateful for. Support is always a call away, so don't be afraid to ask for it when you need it.
Mental health is as vital as your physical fitness, which is why you need to take your time to discover different, effective best practices you can include in your own life. We're all different and authentic, which means that sometimes, what a yoga class does for one person, journaling will do for another, and the like. Get creative and keep an open mind, and over time, you'll have your very own mental health practice that will empower you to be more resilient, grateful, and self-aware in life.
The post 7 Tried and Tested Ideas to Improve Your Mental Health appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Justine Schofield's Peach Kir Royal Champagne Cocktail Recipe appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Prep: 20 minutes plus 3-day maceration
Ingredients:
- Your favourite washed rind double cream cheese
- 500g ripe peaches or any stone fruit of your choice, plus extra for garnish
- 1/2 bunch lemon thyme, plus extra to garnish
- 1 cup caster sugar
- 3/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 bottle chilled champagne
Method:
- Finley chop the peaches and place in a glass bowl or plastic container.
- Add sugar and thyme sprigs and combine with your hands, to break up peach chunks a bit.
- Cover and place in the fridge for 24 hours, stirring halfway through to dissolve the sugar that has fallen to the bottom of the bowl.
- Now add the vinegar, mix through, cover and place back into the fridge. Let steep for a further 1-2 days.
- Place a muslin or chux into a fine sieve over a jug. Pour mixture in and gently twist the cloth closed. Gently squeeze out the peach and thyme syrup being careful not to push too hard to force fruit through as we don't want a cloudy result.
- The syrup is ready to use for your cocktail, or can be stored in a bottle in the fridge for a few weeks.
- To make the champagne cocktail, add 15-30ml of the peach syrup (depending on how sweet you like your cocktail), add a few thin slices of peach and top with champagne. Garnish with a sprig of thyme.
- Serve cocktails alongside your favourite double cream cheese – i like to serve mine with Fromager d'Affinois Le Campagnier.
Justine Schofield is one of Australia's most prevalent cooking personalities with an infectious energy, impeccably creative skills in the kitchen and an undeniable passion for food! As well as a best-selling cookbook author, she is the host of the hugely popular cooking show Everyday Gourmet and was a fan favourite in the first series of MasterChef and MasterChef All Stars.
The post Justine Schofield's Peach Kir Royal Champagne Cocktail Recipe appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post COVID-19 Could Make Exercise Classes More Inclusive Than Ever appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>It quickly became clear that people needed to stay indoors to take care of not only themselves but of people with health conditions that make them more susceptible to the serious consequences of catching the virus. The majority of these people who needed protection had respiratory issues which means their breathing would be even more affected by COVID-19 than if an average healthy person was infected.
As the situation begins to return to normal in some parts of the world, now could be a great opportunity to make group fitness more accessible and better catered to people who find exercise more physically demanding than most. Outdoor exercise is experiencing a surge in popularity. One form of exercise that hasn't been able to return properly in many areas yet is indoor group exercise classes. In time they will, but could they be made more accessible or be diversified?
Why is exercise more challenging for those with respiratory issues?
COVID-19 is a respiratory virus which means it attacks the breathing capabilities of the infected individual. For people with issues such as asthma, the most common respiratory defect, exercise is already a complicated situation without introducing the risk of catching COVID-19.
Millions of people have launched themselves into a health and fitness routine in the wake of the pandemic because they suddenly found themselves with more time on their hands. Asthma sufferers may feel the same, but the idea of joining an intense group class can be daunting for several reasons.
One of the sure-fire ways to spread coronavirus is to do an indoor exercise class. Multiple people expelling respiratory droplets at a significantly higher rate than normal can lead to mass infections. The droplets are also likely to travel further than the usual six feet that respiratory droplets tend to travel.
Whilst local regulations would have to allow the class to take place anyway, the idea of being in close quarters with unvaccinated people might be too much to handle. Furthermore, being part of a class where other people are not at risk of extreme breathing difficulties or attacks could lead to extreme anxiety and a failure to complete the session that has likely been paid for.
Indoor exercise, in general, can be problematic for asthmatics and can lead to exercised induced asthma (EIA) attacks. If working out indoors with a personal trainer, people usually find symptoms of an EIA start to be noticed about 15 minutes after the session has ended.
Physical exercise is very beneficial for asthmatics as when done in the correct quantities and conditions, it can help prevent vicious attacks. Raising the heart rate regularly boosts lung power, and it also supports the immune system to help fight colds and viruses, which are a major trigger for over 80% of people with asthma.
How can these group classes be made more inclusive?
Gym providers would be wise to start offering exercise classes that are exclusively catered to people with respiratory problems or any other immune-system difficulties. This will ensure that participants don't feel pressured by the performance levels of others in the class as they know everyone in the room is sympathetic to whatever their issue may be.
These classes could be outside when the weather permits so that ventilation is improved. The timing is important too in relation to asthma. Asthma attacks are more common early in the morning and late at night, meaning mid-morning and afternoon slots would suit the target audience much better.
Exercising with other people can be a deeply intimidating task for anyone, but even more so when an issue not visible to the naked eye means the exercise affects you in a different way to everyone else. The COVID-19 pandemic could provide a valuable opportunity to make health and fitness more accessible and inclusive for people from all walks of life.
Euan Burns is a features editor at Origym Centre of Excellence, which provides high-quality personal training courses and packages.
The post COVID-19 Could Make Exercise Classes More Inclusive Than Ever appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Italian Entrepreneur Chiara Ferragni Puts Her Stamp On Nespresso Machines appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>But Nespressois back delivering us a new dose of style thanks to their latest partnership with Italian entrepreneur Chiara Ferragni. The partnership sees Chiara transform some of the most loved Nespresso machines and accessories with her iconic look and flair.
If you haven't heard of Chiara, she's a disruptor, fashion designer and active supporter of female empowerment and now she can add coffee machine designer to her CV.
Speaking of her collaboration with Nespresso, Chiara Ferragni, said: "As an Italian, I am a big coffee drinker and have been a fan of Nespresso for a very long time. Nespresso really represents a contemporary way of living with its practical and smart approach to high quality coffee. This is why I am so thrilled to work on this collection, filled with fun and luxurious designs. When I first met the brand, they introduced me to a lot of initiatives regarding sustainability and recycling, that I deeply want to be a part of and contribute to in the near future."
Recently, I've been road-testing the limited edition Nespresso x Chiara Ferragni Vertuo Next machine and accessories and apart from enjoying deliciously brewed coffee, I'm a big fan of Chiara's pale pink colours with her iconic logo on the side. It's also a welcome style statement in my kitchen and the splash of colour gives the room a sense of fun.
The machine itself is more intuitive than I remember with my first Nespresso machines with a simple one-touch design and an ability to make coffee in a range of cup sizes. The matching limited-edition Nespresso x Chiara Ferragni Aeroccino 3 offers a quick and sleek way to prepare hot or cold milk froth. The froth is every bit as good as you get from your local barista. And the Nespresso x Chiara Ferragni Coffee Mug matches pulling the collection together. The collection includes the Nespresso x Chiara Ferragni Nomad Travel Mug which has been given a twist with Chiara's signature Egyptian looking eye design.
There's even a café-style quality coffee with the limited edition Nespresso x Chiara Ferragni capsule collection consisting of Bianco Leggero, Melozio, Double Espresso Chiaro and Master Origins Mexcio.
What strikes me most about using the latest Nespresso machine is how simple the process of making a cappuccino is nowadays. So clever and simple is the design that you don't need to read the manual. And I love the partnership with an impressive woman such as Chiara too, not to mention the pop of colour in my kitchen.
Now making Nespresso coffee can be as much fun as watching George Clooney in the Nespresso ads. Well almost.
About Chiara Ferragni
Chiara Ferragni is a Digital Entrepreneur and a global Italian fashion icon.
Chiara's career started in 2009 when she launched her personal style blog, The Blonde Salad. With her strong personal branding through social media, she successfully gained presence in the digital space and a mass following, nowadays she has more than 22 million followers on Instagram.
Chiara has collaborated with multiple fashion brands and has been on the cover of the most eligible fashion magazines all over the world including Vogue, Vanity Fair, and InStyle. She has also been included in Forbes's list "30 influential people under 30" in 2015 and undoubtedly recognized as one of the most influential personalities in the fashion industry.
About Chiara Ferragni brand
Chiara Ferragni is a fashion yet pop brand launched in 2013 that now offers total look collections.
The Brand is renowned for its iconic Eye logo and it presents today playful yet stylish collections where inspirational elements from travels, music, pop culture and contemporary art universe melt together. Global, positive, powerful and pure brand that combines prints, glitters and patches resulting in a contemporary and dynamic collection.
The brand launched mono brand stores in several locations including Milan and pop-up stores around the world in selected boutiques and department stores having a global expansion.
The limited edition Nespresso x Chiara Ferragni collection is available on www.nespresso.com/au and in select Nespresso boutiques.Follow @nespresso, @nespresso.au and @chiaraferragni to keep up to date with #NespressoxChiaraFerragni.
Note: The aeroccino and coffee cup are sold out, but the machine, travel mug and capsule collection are still available.
The post Italian Entrepreneur Chiara Ferragni Puts Her Stamp On Nespresso Machines appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post July's Buck Moon Is A Good Month For Relationships – Here's Why! appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>This Saturday's spectacular Buck Moon (July 24th) is related to male deer – or bucks – as in the northern hemisphere, it's when they grow their antlers. In Australia, antlers can be growing or cast off at various times of the year, depending on the deer's location.
Spiritually speaking, the Buck Moon brings themes of strength, ambition, and challenge to both sexes in the human world.
There has been some pretty impressive male energy around for a while now and some men may be seeking to be more noticeable or impressive to women – and it's no coincidence it's footy season! We can expect after lockdowns are eased across the country things could heat up even more.
But men aren't the only ones affected by the Buck Moon – as women have a masculine side too. At this time, we are being challenged to find the balance between male and female energy – and as a result we may be aggressively vying for the affections of men in our romantic sphere.
Every full moon has its own name based on the month or the season when it appears (hence this month's Buck Moon) – a name for each full moon allows people to reflect on each season and to contemplate how it affects them and the natural world.
Because the antlers of the male deer are all about testosterone, when they grow and mature, it's a time when they can fight and impress the females and antlers are pretty mature at the moment.
Big antlers signify the buck being a better fighter – and this attracts does. While we can't directly relate the animal's behaviours to ours – the natural world does have parallel effects to our own behaviours. (And let's also remember in Australia – male kangaroos are bucks!)
So, if women are trying to fall pregnant, the next few months could be the time to try. In Australia, the most common birth month is usually March, making the previous July a fun month!
People do start going out more as Spring approaches, hopefully Sydney and Melbourne will be out of lockdown, and we will get some sense of normality again.
It could be the right time for a new partner, or to think about getting pregnant if you so desire. Generally speaking, men are thriving during this period – you can expect more virility and fertility.
But the Buck Moon isn't all about "bucking".
Because we all have a male energy within, it could be a time when a woman goes within herself and becomes more internally focused relying on herself.
Beware though as feelings could easily go the other way and it could be a time when both women and men are more irritable. Use the energy during this time to help fuel your goals and intentions, now is not the time for procrastination.
Do your best to avoid distractions. Ask yourself what small goals can I let go of, so I can prioritize and focus on accomplishing bigger priorities. It's a time for meditation, self-reflection and dream work.
Buck Moon Spiritual Meaning and Intentions:
- Abundance
- Self-reflection
- Passion
- Strength
- Honesty
- Vigour
- Leadership
- Dreamwork
One of the main ways that Spirit works is through relationships.
At the moment there are challenges in relationships because of the full moon and because of the aspect patterns the planets are making in the night sky.
Throughout 2021, Saturn squares Uranus which is causing challenges for people – you could feel blocked energy and aggravation.
It's also a time for determination… with T Squares formed between Sun, Mercury, Saturn and Uranus, we are struggling to manifest our hearts desires, particularly with relationships.
The full moon is in Aquarius in July and as usual will have a bearing on individual star signs.
A full moon always brings some form of transformation for everyone and as Aquarius is ruled by Saturn and Uranus, Aquarians and Capricornians could be especially affected.
The full moon is opposite the Sun in Leo, so Leos could be undergoing some sort of transformation also. Adding to the mix, Venus is in the sixth house, bringing feelings to the fore at work or in everyday life.
Consequently, Aquarians, Capricorns, Taureans and Librans could have problems at work and could be feeling irritable, especially if their romantic feelings are not being reciprocated.
The full moon is in the 11th house so there could be transformational effects in groups of people, friends and connections. Again, the situation can go either way…romantic hopes and dreams could be either unabashed or dashed! Aquarian and Capricornian friends watch out!
Be prepared for tense times. With the Sun in Leo opposite the full moon in Aquarius, there could be clashes about romance or difficulties with creativity. Children could also play up now.
If you're not in a relationship, give yourself enough self-love, especially if your romantic life is not going smoothly now.
The Sun in Leo quincunx Jupiter in Pisces suggests sometimes you need to adjust things; have a plan, tweak it and tweak it again.
Grand plans face some challenges; you may overestimate your position or be overconfident and there's a fair bit of emotion going on.
People might also be feeling full of motivation especially Leos and Sagittarians, but there's difficulty in achieving things on a physical level.
The Buck Moon can bring out carelessness, for example be aware not to lower your dating standards. Women need to put appropriate standards and boundaries in place.
You could settle – but be careful not to. Jupiter also brings over-indulgence, which means people can be excessive with food, alcohol, drugs and spending money.
It's also a time when the subconscious can bring things to the conscious.
People might not even realise that they are doing that. Their life is being ruled by their subconscious if they're not careful. However, some good things can also be dished up also.
Aries (March 21 to April 19):
You might be looking for like-minded connections and emotional contact with kindred spirits now. Friends, groups and your hopes and dreams come to the fore. It's time to go out and mingle and if you can't…do it online! Group efforts work out well and you're likely to meet new people this month.
Taurus (April 20 to May 20):
Get some transformation going in your life now, as you'll be looking to expand your horizons. You might be thinking about travel…although that might not be possible just now. But there is likely to be an attraction to something or someone exotic and foreign cultures are more appealing. Your life can also become BIGGER through study or various spiritual pursuits.
Gemini (May 21 to June 20):
You may have concerns about money or joint assets. Perhaps intimacy is on your mind also! Someone could be seeking a deeper union…maybe an actual person or maybe it's something inside you that wants completion. Your emotions are likely to be intense so do watch you don't overreact to a situation. Transformation is happening at a very deep level now. Keep your mouth shut about secrets as loose lips sink ships.
Cancer (June 21 to July 22):
Important relationships with partners or spouses need attention now. Also pay some special attention to the important women in your life because your female connections are being transformed now. Relationships with significant others are highlighted for change. Subconscious forces are at work and there could be changes with legalities or 'open enemies'.
Leo (July 23 to August 22):
There's change around your everyday work, health or wellbeing. You may have to put your feelings on hold just a bit (not too long) whilst you deal with practicalities in these areas. Your feelings must be dealt with eventually however, or they could spill out all over the place! Don't try to stuff them down into your body or there could be some sort of additional issue later. Stay positive because better things are coming.
Virgo (August 23 to September 22):
It's time now to pop out of your shell! Show your real feelings to those you really care about. You may also be feeling quite creative and playful! It's time to socialise and have fun which can involve various romantic pursuits! You may meet someone online or through a friend. The theatre and other cultural events might feature also now. Change is coming!
Libra (September 23 to October 22):
It's a great time to focus on your home and family now. There is some sort of transformation going on around your home and family…have you been thinking about renovating or interior decorating? Female relatives are also highlighted so spend some time with them to iron out any possible issues. Change is a good thing!
Scorpio (October 23 to November 21):
Attend to your comfort and security now as the Full Moon is at work dredging up some deep stuff. So it's important that you deal with these feelings. There could be 'stuff' about your childhood or your family that needs your attention. You could react from habit rather than being objective so pay attention to your feelings but don't let them rule you.
Sagittarius (November 22 to December 21):
It's an active and busy time just now with lots of communications and activity. You may feel a need for some support and you may hear some news about distant family members or people you used to know. Your local community could also feature more strongly as you gallivant around attending to various errands and domestic duties. Changes in your
Capricorn (December 22nd to January 19):
The Full Moon is in your house of money and the things you value. Take care of your finances and possessions now. It's not a good time for flittering away money on a whim, rather spend on practical items that you really need. There could be changes in your value system and you could change your mind about what you think is valuable and important.
Aquarius (January 20th to February 18):
The Full Moon is in your sign making this a very powerful time when you re-examine who you are and what you really want! You're more perceptive and sensitive than usual so time alone at home or where you feel safe and comfortable is a good idea. Your thinking might be a bit vague or confused now as you undergo a powerful transformation. Stay quiet and look within for guidance. Seek within and you will find yourself at a deeper and more authentic level.
Pisces (February 19 to March 20):
You're likely to be quite sensitive and intuitive at the moment, so spend plenty of time in self reflection. It's a great time for meditation and pursuing your Spiritual path. Transformational changes from deep down within finally emerge and you become more aware of the true meanings of your dreams and little 'psychic' flashes you might have during the day. Write your feelings and your dreams down so you can reflect upon their possible meanings.
The post July's Buck Moon Is A Good Month For Relationships – Here's Why! appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Aveda's Latest Range May Change The Hair Loss Epidemic appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>August is hair loss awareness month, and to help men and women all over the globe combat it, Aveda has released a new range of products – combining science and tradition.
So, what do Aveda's products actually do?
The range includes:
- Invati advanced scalp revitaliser
- Invati advanced intensive hair and scalp masque
- Invati advanced exfoliating shampoo rich
- Invati advanced exfoliating shampoo light
The Invati advanced collection claims to reduce hair loss by 53% and also adds the benefit of thickening the hair. The products are based on the ancient healing art of India (Ayurveda) infused with Ayurvedic herbs which keep hair nice and long.
To learn more about the new weapon against hair loss, check out Aveda.
The post Aveda's Latest Range May Change The Hair Loss Epidemic appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post 10 Tips For A Stylish And Eco-Friendly Lifestyle appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Here are some easy ways to make your lifestyle more earth-friendly, from your wardrobe to your beauty cupboard to your home.
Invest in well-made, sustainably and ethically produced clothing that will last – Avoid flash in the pan trends and create a thoughtful wardrobe of classic pieces that will work well together for years to come. The Common Good Company is a Melbourne-based sustainable and ethical essentials brand closing the loop on fashion, one t-shirt at a time. TCGCo has developed its own 100% recycled material composed of 60% recycled pre-consumer cotton and 40% recycled polyester to eliminate the unnecessary waste, water use, land use and pollution that is typically involved with the production of yarns made from virgin materials.
Anything but basic is the flattering 'Jane Doe' tee, designed with particular attention to the shoulder, neckline and waist. RRP: $35
Look for sustainably made sunglasses – Most sunglasses are made from acetate, which uses fossil fuels. Mari & Clay is a stylish sunglasses brand created by a pair of optometrists intent on marrying quality eyewear with a sustainable mindset. Their frames made from bio-acetate, a plant-based material that replaces harmful phthalate-based plasticisers used in acetate with organic additives with responsibly-harvested materials like cottonseed and wood pulp. And once they've reached the end of their life, you can send them back to Mari & Clay as part of their in-house recycling program. Their 'Goulburn' sunglasses are a classic round shape with a touch of teardrop for a modern twist that will suit most face shapes. RRP: $219
BYO a reusable shopping bag that makes a statement – It should go without saying by now that single-use plastic bags are unnecessary. Go for a chic and roomy tote like cruelty-free and sustainable accessories brand Ahimsa Collective's Trendy AF Cloth Tote Bag, which will take you from the farmer's markets to brunch and everywhere in between. RRP: $29.00
Do your homework before buying jewellery – The jewellery industry has a long history of exploitative practices, so invest in ethically and sustainably produced pieces. Sustainable artisan jeweller Sofia Maria's line of fine jewellery is inspired by organic lines, natural textures and imperfect forms. With its earthy aesthetic and minimal design, all jewellery by Sofia embraces the Japanese philosophy of wabi sabi and celebrates the imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete. Every item in the collection is slowly handmade by Sofia herself in her Manly Studio. Each piece is effortlessly elegant and made from 100% recycled metals whenever possible, with all materials being locally sourced and recycled right here in Australia. The Helena necklace is a large organic pendant inspired by the connection between the feminine and the moon, hand-forged out of Australian recycled sterling silver. RRP: $195
Buy beauty products with a circular packaging program – it's no secret the beauty industry has a plastic problem – according to Euromonitor International, in 2018, in the U.S. alone, almost 7.9 billion units of rigid plastic were created just for beauty and personal care products. Australian skincare brand Rawkanvas is one of a growing number of brands with reuse and recycle programs to try and curb the amount of packaging that goes into landfill. As well as offering vegan, natural skincare that really delivers results, the products come in beautiful #shelfie worthy glass packaging that can be returned for recycling and store credit once empty. All you have to do is collect your Rawkanvas empties, rinse out any residual product and send them back to the brand. The new Refined Clarifying Red Wine Mask is the perfect antidote to iso skin. RRP: $54.00
Make your signature scent an ethical one – unfortunately, animal testing is still common practice for many of the big fragrance houses, so consider vegan-friendly options. From their home in Melbourne, Váhy Parfum's founders design luscious bouquets using natural ingredients, delivering a remarkable line of scents that have been inspired by a spirit of wanderlust and the desire of balance and simplicity in life. Every perfume in the Váhy collection is created in Australia with essential oils, concentrates and absolutes infused in organic sugarcane alcohol. And, adhering to their vision of premium and ethical practices, is cruelty-free with 0% synthetics, and 100% natural ingredients that are >80% organic in composition. The 'Luna' scent is a boutique fragrance that's fresh yet sophisticated, light yet spicy with the intoxicating scents of bergamot, ylang ylang, frankincense and patchouli. RRP: $240.00
Go for glass when shopping for and storing pantry staples – The kitchen, and specifically the pantry, accounts for a huge amount of single-use plastic. Shop with your own reusable glass containers for pantry staples like pasta, legumes and nuts at bulk food stores. Bonus: your pantry will look much more visually pleasing and you'll be able to see clearly how much of each ingredient you have left. Ikea have a great range of glass containers in varying sizes, like the Eklant glass jar with bamboo lid. RRP: $6.99
Choose eco-friendly dishwashing brushes – It might seem like such a small element of your kitchen, but most dishwashing brushes, scourers and sponges are made from plastic and need replacing regularly. Luckily there are eco-friendly options made from natural materials that get the job done just as well and they also look a lot more stylish on your kitchen sink. Yeseco's dish brush and head set is bamboo and sisal, making it 100% natural, biodegradable and compostable. Furthermore, with sisal coming from the fibres of the sisal plant, an agave plant that's grown in Brazil, you can rest easy knowing that your brush will remain tough and strong. Once you've finished with your brush head, hold onto your handle and reorder the replacement heads. RRP: $16.00
Support homewares brands that give back –By choosing to support brands that have made a commitment to ethical and sustainable production you can rest easy knowing you're not contributing to the exploitation of vulnerable workers or landfill. Dharma Door's Large Jute Basket is a stylish way to store your laundry, linen and firewood. The basket is handmade – from start to finish – by fair trade artisans in remote, rural communities of Bangladesh; two strong and sturdy handles show off their stunning skills. Brimming with natural warmth, character and the brand's trademark textural touch, The Dharma Door's woven baskets are the perfect way to settle both storage and style. RRP: $229.00
Avoid plastic and aluminium coffee pods – the pods your home coffee machine uses might be convenient but they're not good for your environmental footprint. Bondi Pods is a brand doing a Nespresso-compatible pod made from an entirely plant-based biodegradable composite using sugarcane and sugar beet to replace petrochemical based plastics. The coffee within the pods is also Fairtrade sourced and certified. RRP: $9.50 for 10 pods.
The post 10 Tips For A Stylish And Eco-Friendly Lifestyle appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Melbourne Mum Creates Luxury Hand-Blended Body Oils appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>If you love oil blends, then try the latest curated mood-enhancing oils called Arithmos made by a Melbourne Mum.
Founded by Michelle Wang, an accountant who turned her love for aromatherapy into a new beauty range after extensive research into botannicals in search for a cure for her young daughter's dry and itchy skin condition. Having tried countless products to no avail, Michelle decided to take matters into her own hands.
Not only did her new oils relieve her daughter's skin problems, Michelle realised she had created an effective, natural skincare that would benefit others.
Michelle has now become a qualified Cosmetic Chemist, after juggling a skincare
formulation course and has subsequently launched three plant-based body oils designed to replenish ceramides (lipids that help the skin to retain moisture), which naturally decrease as we age. Each formula is hand-blended and produced in micro-batches, for the freshest product possible, setting it apart from product that has been sitting on shelf for months.
Ingredients are seasonally sourced from their origin and harvested at their peak so you can reap the best benefits, from plant to skin. Organic ingredients are sourced as much as possible, and all products are cruelty- free, vegan, allergy conscious, and housed in eco-friendly packaging.
UPLIFT Superfine Body Oil $72.00
Jasmine + Neroli
Treat skin to this decadent cure-all for sensitive, easily irritated skin. Redness is calmed, parched skin feels replenished and has a healthy radiance, while the bright floral notes of jasmine and neroli invigorate your senses. Use when in need of a little perking up.
Key ingredients: Camellia Seed Oil, Jojoba Oil, Rosehip Oil, Bergamot, Lavender, Jasmine, Neroli, and Ylang Ylang.
SOOTHE Superfine Body Oil $72.00
Rose + Geranium
Imbued with floral notes of rose and geranium, this lightweight miracle worker sinks in immediately to bring instant relief to dry, tight skin. Skin feels velvety soft and smooth, while you feel calm and composed. Use when in need of a little tranquillity.
Key ingredients: Camellia Seed Oil, Jojoba Oil, Rosehip Oil, Rose Absolute, Geranium, Frankincense, Palmarosa, and Patchouli.
DE-STRESS Superfine Body Oil $72.00
Sandalwood
Your therapist-in-a-bottle, this luxury blend features exotic cedarwood and sandalwood essential oils that lend a smoky, woody scent. Skin will be left feeling silky and plump with a healthy radiance. Use when in need of a moment to decompress.
The post Melbourne Mum Creates Luxury Hand-Blended Body Oils appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Big Oat Pancakes With Crispy Bacon and Ricotta appeared first on The Carousel.
]]> Serves 4 (makes 8 pancakes)
Preparation time 10 minutes
Cooking time 10 minutes
INGREDIENTS
2 cups Oatmeal
1/3 cup coconut flour
5 eggs
2 teaspoons baking powder 3/4 cup reduced fat milk
4 rashers fat-trimmed bacon
1 tablespoon oil for cooking
300 g reduced fat ricotta
Maple syrup (optional)
METHOD
1 Using a food processor, blend the oats until a fine consistency. Add in the coconut flour, eggs, baking powder and milk. Blend until smooth
2 Heat a non-stick pan. Cook bacon rashers until crispy. Set aside on paper towel to drain and keep warm
3 Using a non-stick fry pan, heat a tablespoon of oil on medium heat. Measure in 1/3 cup measures of the batter. Turn the heat to low, cook for two minutes on each side. Repeat the process with remaining batter
4 Serve pancakes topped with a spoonful of ricotta and a rasher of bacon
The Carousel thanks Australian Eggs for this recipe.
The post Big Oat Pancakes With Crispy Bacon and Ricotta appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Avocado, Watermelon, Pomegranate and Feta Salad appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Prep Time: 10 minutes
INGREDIENTS
Juice of 2 limes or 1 lemon
2 tablespoons avocado oil or extra virgin olive oil
2 teaspoons runny honey
1 teaspoon pomegranate molasses or thick balsamic vinegar
4 cups of 1-inch watermelon cubes
Flesh of 2 firm ripe avocados, sliced
Seeds of 1 pomegranate
75 grams feta, crumbled
A handful of mint leaves, torn
A handful of watercress to serve (optional)
2-3 slices of prosciutto, torn (optional)
METHOD
To make the dressing whisk lime or lemon juice, oil, honey and pomegranate molasses or balsamic vinegar together. Arrange a bit of watercress and prosciutto (if using) on plates. Arrange watermelon and avocados on top. Scatter over pomegranate seeds, feta and mint leaves. Spoon over some dressing just before serving.
The Carousel thanks Nadia Lim & New Zealand Avocado for this recipe
The post Avocado, Watermelon, Pomegranate and Feta Salad appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post French Director Julia Ducournau Wins The 2021 Cannes Palme d'Or appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Julia Ducournau won the Palme d'Or at the 2021 Cannes Film Festival for her unconventional film Titane. The only other woman to win the prize was New Zealand director Jane Campion in 1993 forThe Piano.
When it came time for Ducournau, 37, to accept her prize, she described watching the Cannes awards each year as a child. "At that time, I was sure that all the films awarded must have been perfect because they were on the stage. And tonight, I'm on that same stage, but I know my film is not perfect — but I think no film is perfect in the eyes of the person who made it. You could even say mine is monstrous."
Titane tells the story of a young woman who survives a car crash as a child and goes on to have a peculiar relationship with cars in adulthood
WINNERS OF THE 2021 CANNES FILM FESTIVAL
Palme d'Or:"Titane"
Grand Prix:(tie) "A Hero" and "Compartment No. 6"
Jury Prize:(tie): "Ahed's Knee" and "Memoria"
Best Actress:Renate Reinsve, "The Worst Person in the World"
Best Actor:Caleb Landry Jones, "Nitram"
Best Director:Leos Carax, "Annette"
Best Screenplay:Ryusuke Hamaguchi, "Drive My Car"
Camera d'Or:"Murina" by Antoneta Alamat Kusijanović
Short Film Palme d'Or: Tian Xia Wu Ya by Tang Yi
Special Jury Mention for Short Film: "Ceu de Agosto" by Jasmin Tenucci
The post French Director Julia Ducournau Wins The 2021 Cannes Palme d'Or appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Ultimate List of Where to Buy Modern Beautiful Jigsaw Puzzles appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Puzzles can be relaxing and slightly addictive. And there's anecdotal evidence that completing puzzles helps people cope with ADHD, anxiety, insomnia and PTSD.
One of my aunts has a large jigsaw puzzle collection featuring mainly beautiful landscapes and foreign places. In my last workplace, there was usually a jigsaw puzzle in the common room. People could attempt a few pieces over sipping their coffee and taking some time out from their desk.
When you are problem-solving, it's sometimes helpful to shift gears and focus on something else. You can often go back to your desk with the right words to an email or the solution to your problem.
When completing a puzzle, I like to start on the edges first. Then I'll place anything obvious approximately where I think it'll go. Some people like to finish off any words or sentences, as this is usually easy. Lastly, I'll sort the pieces into similar shades or shapes.
Modern puzzles come in lots of different designs to suit all tastes. If you love contemporary art then you might even want to frame your puzzle on completion.
Here's our guide of the best places to buy modern jigsaw puzzles online:
Australia Unseen
Australia Unseen has a range of jaw-dropping stunning scenery puzzles. There's the Sydney Opera House, Honeymoon Bay, Shelly Beach, Byron Bay and frames for your puzzle. Australia Unseen website: https://australiaunseen.com/collections/jigsaw-puzzles
Journey of Something
Designer jigsaw puzzles by local and international artists. Jigsaw puzzles you can turn into frameable puzzle art. Uber cool gifts for adults – Guess Who like you've never seen before, designer games, art cubes and arts and crafts kits that result in your very own frame-worthy art creations. The coolest DIY art kits in town. Journey of Something website: https://journeyofsomething.com/
Kakadu Plum Co
Kakadu Plum Co. is a social enterprise celebrating Indigenous culture and Australian native ingredients. Kakadu Plum Co website: https://kakaduplumco.com/collections/puzzles
Okay Lady
Okay Lady is brought to life by a team of incredibly talented, like-minded women whose mantra is 'we got your back girlfriend'. Think of us as your bossy bestie who will tell you it's more than Okay Lady to take some time out for YOU.
All of their illustrations are created by professional female artists who receive royalties from every single sale. The Puzzle Collections are designed and shipped with love from Melbourne, Australia. Okay Lady website: https://www.okaylady.com.au/
Steam Kids
STEAM kid® is both a creative resource store for adults, kids and teachers, as well as a leader in the field of kids STEAM-based education. The Brisbane retail space and online store reflect their passion for all this Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths. Steam Kids website: https://www.steamkids.com.au/collections/all-puzzles
Jiggy Puzzles
Kaylin says '5 years ago, I was working around the clock at an early start up and fell in love with jigsaw puzzles as my nightly meditation. I was doing one every week and the stress relief was great, but the designs were outdated and uninspired. I started dreaming up a puzzle that would be beautiful for both the doing and the decorating, that would look good before, during and after completion. I knew I wanted to support and highlight the work of amazing female artists and after a year of curating the art and reimagining and designing the packaging, JIGGY was born'. Jiggy Puzzles website: https://jiggypuzzles.com/
Inner Piece
Based in Los Angeles, CA, Inner Piece is a jigsaw puzzle company that spreads quiet time in a loud, distracted world. Inner Piece website: https://www.findinnerpiece.com/
Puzzle Warehouse
Puzzle Warehouse first opened its doors in 2003, and since then they have grown to become the largest jigsaw puzzle company in the world carrying over 10,000 items and still counting. Located in St. Louis, Missouri, the family-run business offers a huge range bringing smiles to puzzle lovers all over the world. The warehouse stocks all of the top name brands in the puzzle world including; Ravensburger, Sunsout, MasterPieces, Springbok, and Cobble Hill. You'll be able to find a jigsaw puzzle for every age and skill level. Puzzle Warehouse website: https://www.puzzlewarehouse.com/
Innovations
Innovations make tabletop jigsaw puzzle boards, puzzle boards that tilt with carrying case, and puzzle sorting tray sets. https://www.innovations.com.au/p/craft/jigsaws
Please leave a comment and let us know where you bought your last puzzle from?
The post Ultimate List of Where to Buy Modern Beautiful Jigsaw Puzzles appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Super Healthy Breakfast Parfait Pina Colada In A Jar Recipe appeared first on The Carousel.
]]> Preparation time 5 mins
Serves 1
INGREDIENTS
170g coconut yoghurt
1 cup toasted muesli
200g fresh diced pineapple
1 tbsp toasted coconut chips
1/4 fresh lime to squeeze
METHOD
1 Layer the coconut yoghurt, toasted muesli and diced pineapple in a glass. Repeat so you end up with 6 even layers
2 Squeeze 1/4 lime over the top layer of diced pineapple
3 Decorate with toasted coconut chips
The Carousel thanks Fiveam for this recipe.
The post Super Healthy Breakfast Parfait Pina Colada In A Jar Recipe appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Hairstyling Queen of Cinema Camille Friend Talks About Working In Hollywood appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>You are referred to as the Hairstyling Queen of Cinema, tell us about some of your career highlights or "pinch me moment" and the importance of hair design and creatively on-set?
One of the best career highlights was being chosen twice to participate in the "Bake – Off" for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The "Bake-off" is the final round of competition before choosing the Oscar-nominated films for the Makeup and Hair Branch of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences.
To have the opportunity twice, for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, and Black Panther is a significant accomplishment. When you've been fortunate enough to be recognised by your peers for your work in films, maybe the third time will be the lucky charm and I will get nominated for an Academy Award for hairstyling.
What are the most in-demand requests from Hollywood actresses and actors when on-set, when it comes to hair?
Both actors and actresses want a hairstylist that knows how to work with all hair textures. They also want someone to be versatile in styling, for example, knowing how to work with natural curls, straight hair, extensions, and wigs.
How do you ensure actors and actresses' hair stays healthy on-set?
One of the ways I keep actors and actresses' hair healthy on set is if they are wearing a wig (and a lot of them do) I will apply a deep conditioning mask to their hair underneath. I always have some of the HASK Intense Deep Conditioning packets in my kit like the Monoi Coconut Oil Deep Conditioner and will apply them. Once the wig comes off, it will leave the hair and scalp moisturised and healthy.
Naturally, Curly hair is making a comeback! What are some of the hair trends you are seeing now with regards to hair and hairstyles, and what will we start to see in future TV and film releases?
Natural curls are definitely very popular now, having versatility with your curls by adding extensions and/or hair colours are some of the current trends.
I love to see balayage, highlights, and shadow rooting on curly hair.
What is your advice for those girls who have naturally curly hair? What are your Curly hair Dos and Don'ts?
My Do's
- I am a huge fan of towel drying your hair with microfiber towels, I always have a bunch in the trailer.
- Use a product that nourishes your hair like the HASK Curl Care 5-in-1 Leave-In Spray on damp hair.
- Blow-dry hair with a diffuser.
My Don'ts
- Please don't sleep on cotton pillowcases. It removes the moisture from the hair. Use silk pillowcases to keep curly hair defined and sexy.
What is the best way to diffuse curls? Are there any products you recommend using before you start diffusing curls?
I always start with the HASK Curl Care 5-in-1 Leave-In Spray to detangle, prevent breakage and provide thermal protection from heat styling tools.
Once you have applied the HASK Curl Care 5-in-1 Leave-In Spray you can start to diffuse your curls. Never use high heat or high air setting, diffuse your curls on a low or medium heat and air setting while cupping the curls towards the scalp for 10-20 seconds before repeating the process on a new section.
Tell us about the new HASK Curl Collection, which has just launched? What has been your involvement with the brand and development of the range?
It's been a great experience to have collaborated with HASK in launching the Curl Care Collection. Curly hair is a huge and significant market because it covers so many ethnicities and nationalities worldwide. HASK's Curl Care Collection comes with 7 unique and affordable products so that anyone with naturally curly hair can find their perfect mix of products to define, moisturise and nourish their curls.
What is the Curl Complex in the collection, and what makes it so unique?
The Curl Activating Complex is naturally derived from cotton/wood and coconut. It provides long-lasting, frizz-free curl definition and maintains and enhances your curl pattern. The curl complex ensures curls are hydrated and defined without any damage.
The post Hairstyling Queen of Cinema Camille Friend Talks About Working In Hollywood appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Clever Aussie Made Klipsta Hat Clip appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The hat clip uses super strong magnets to securely hold your hat. The patented design allows you to store and carry your hat hands-free.
The company was launched in April 2020 and then won a Good Design Australia award in September of the same year. Then the hat clips were featured in the 2021 Oscars celebrity gift bags.
The founder, Kelly Walker said she was sick of replacing lost hats as the mum of three kids.
Kelly says: "I'm a natural problem solver and wanted to help reduce the stress levels of busy families. I also wanted to show my kids that you can create anything you want as long as you work hard. I love creating products and putting them out into the world. I love the variety of day-to-day tasks and making decisions that are aligned to my values, like insisting on a product being made in Australia."
You simply attach the hat holder to your handbag strap or bag handle, add your hat by the brim, lock and go. The hardest part is turning it inside out to create the loop to attach it. But once you've worked it out, you can leave it on (so you only need to do this step once). Fortunately, the lady in the hat shop showed me how to do this.
Klipsta is designed and made in Sydney, Australia.
If you're a big hat wearer, then Klipsta is must have clever item that lets you carry your hat carefree. It's perfect for gift giving.
Klipsta is available in stone, tan or black. You can buy them at the Klipsta online shop www.klipsta.com or at your local hat shop.
About Klipsta
Klipsta believes little things can make a big difference. By solving the small frustrations in your day-to-day life, their innovative products let you stay focused on the bigger picture. Whether it's the convenience of carrying your hat hands-free, or the stress-relieving knowledge that your child won't lose yet another school hat.
The post Clever Aussie Made Klipsta Hat Clip appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Helping The Hospitality Sector Navigate The COVID Storm appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>To help hospitality venues navigate through this incredibly challenging time, (and allow more customers to dine out with confidence), Restaurant & Catering Association (R&CA), the national peak body for hospitality in Australia, has created a micro-credentials course that offers a lifeline to hospitality businesses when it comes to providing a central point of information on COVID safety processes for the industry.
R&CA represents over 48,000 cafes, restaurants and catering venues. Being experts in the industry, they offer training to thousands of hospitality professionals every year and are continuously working to improve practises across the board.
With the hope to inform, train and help businesses manage changes due to unexpected outbreaks in the state, R&CA has created an easy-to-learn course, to equip the hospitality industry and staff with the knowledge and understanding of how to remain compliant in COVIDSafe systems.
This innovative course does not come at a better time than now, we as people have the opportunity to get around more safely, knowing we are being educated on what's safe and the best practices. With the help of R&CA, Australian hospitality businesses are encouraged to keep up-to-date with the latest COVIDSafe guidelines and continue adding to their knowledge of this ever-changing global pandemic. It is so important that the industry continues to be aware of the most recent documentation, processes and regulations on how to be COVIDSafe, including detailed information on the use of QR codes in venues, events and businesses.
With the help of this 1-hour course, businesses can ensure their staff gain their accreditation in a FREE, quick and convenient way – how could you pass up that opportunity?! While most courses have a general pass rate of 80%, R&CA understands the severity of the pandemic and believes that the 20% could be the difference between a COVIDSafe venue and a localised outbreak. If all Victorian businesses participated in this innovative course, the country would be so much closer to being experts in COVID safety – a future we all hope comes to life.
For more information on the micro-credential COVIDSafe Practises & Plans course and to register, head to the Restaurant and Catering Association website here.
The post Helping The Hospitality Sector Navigate The COVID Storm appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Flourless Moroccan Orange And Almond Cake appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>I like to serve this cake with blood orange segments, some candied lemon slices and a sprinkle of chopped almonds. These flavours work so beautifully together and it's a visual treat too, with the colours popping off the plate.
Serves 12–14
note : This recipe makes two cakes, so feel free to halve the recipe if you prefer.
INGREDIENTS
2 oranges
600 g (1 lb 5 oz) almond meal
15 g (1/2 oz) baking powder
430 g (151/4 oz) caster (superfine) sugar
6 eggs
To decorate
2 blood oranges, segmented
50 g (13/4 oz) raw almonds, roasted and coarsely chopped
candied lemon slices (page 69)
edible small flowers, such as violas
METHOD
Put the oranges in a saucepan and cover with cold water. Cover with a lid and bring to the boil over medium heat, then reduce the heat and simmer for 45 minutes, or until the oranges begin to crack open. Drain the oranges and set aside until cool, then break them open and remove the seeds. Place the unpeeled fruit in a food processor and purée until smooth.
Preheat the oven to 170°C (340°F). Lightly grease and flour two 8 x 25 cm (31/4 x 10 in) loaf (bar) tins.
Put the almond meal and baking powder in a large bowl, combine well and set aside. Using an electric mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, whisk the sugar and eggs on high speed for 10 minutes, or until light and fluffy. Add the orange purée and stir with a wooden spoon until well combined, then pour the mixture onto the almond meal mixture and gently fold in until combined.
Pour the mixture into the prepared tins until three-quarters full. The overall volume of mixture will vary slightly depending on how enthusiastically you mixed the batter, so only fill the tins three-quarters full and bake any left-over batter in a greased coffee cup or ramekin. Bake on the bottom shelf of the oven for about 35 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the cake comes out clean. Remove from the oven and leave to cool before refrigerating in the tins for at least 1 hour.
To unmould, place the cakes in a 200°C (400°F) oven for 5 minutes, then invert onto a serving plate. Decorate the cakes with the blood orange segments, chopped almonds, some slices of candied lemon and edible flowers. If you like, make a glaze (see tips) to brush over the cake before adding the flowers. This cake will remain soft for 7 days if wrapped and stored in the fridge.
Recipe and image fromThe French Baker by Jean Michel Raynaud (Murdoch Books) $59.99.
The post Flourless Moroccan Orange And Almond Cake appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Bastille Beauty: 7 Cult French Products You Need To Try appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Unleash the inner Francophile within and add to cart si vous plait – if you haven't tried them before, now is the time.
Avène Thermal Spring Water Spray
This magic thermal spring water is the key ingredient in all Avène products. However, it's the French pharmacy brand's classic spray which is a spray star, with people the world over hailing the refreshing haze as a miracle worker. The properties in the water assist the ability to cleanse, soothe and calm mild to highly sensitive skin.
Chanel No. 5
Perhaps the most iconic of the all the parfums in both scent and style, Chanel's No. 5 was the first perfume launched by Coco back in 1921 to a select clientele at the famed Rue Cambon boutique. Now etched in fragrance folklore; you've got to hand it the ol' gal (or Mademoiselle), she's still got it.
Guerlain Terracota Bronzing Powder
Since its conception in 1828, the cosmetics house is one of the truly lasting figures of French beauty. It's Terracotta Powder has been one of its many legendary offerings; inspired by a heat-fuelled trip to the desert, it is the sun beautified.
Luxe Huile Prodigieuse
This multi-usage dry oil is a worldwide beauty hero, and can be used on face, body and hair, such is its versatility. The six precious plant oils within (Macadamia, Hazelnut, Borage, Sweet Almond, Camellia and St John's Wort) leave both skin and hair silky and shiny, with a très belle scent.
L'Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream
If your dry mitts are going to be bathed in anything – make it this. One L'Occitane Creme Mains is sold every three seconds in the world – you've got to hand it to them, they know their hand cream.
Yves Saint Laurent Touche Èclat
This miracle pen is one the most universally celebrated beauty products of all time. In almost every woman's handbag, this iconic luminising concealer erases any fatigue on the face and endows dull areas with radiance.
Diptyque Baies Candle
Just its aesthetic alone is iconic; the always monochromatic and artful composition of its branding personifies the French brand. Diptyque's most iconic scent; this candle fills any space with the delicate aroma of a bouquet of roses and blackcurrant leaves (and cements you as a true grown-up).
Holding image via Instagram / @yslbeauty.
The post Bastille Beauty: 7 Cult French Products You Need To Try appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Vive La France! Three Ways With Champagne This Bastille Day! appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The Carousel was lucky enough to have Courtney Tanser, Pommery Trade State Manager NSW share with us her ultimate food pairings with various bottles of bubble this Bastille Day.
Vive la France, indeed!
-
Pommery Brut Royal NV
"An elegant and fresh Champagne that can be enjoyed day or night!" explains Courtney. "I would highly recommend pairing with Sydney Rock Oysters, It's a classic but exceptional pairing! You could also go for something elegant like kingfish sashimi or seared scallops."
Another hot tip (you heard it here first) is team your tipple with some fried chicken!
"A more unusual but surprisingly delicious pairing would be Southern Fried Chicken," says Courtney. "Champagne pairs exceptionally well with fried foods!"
2. Pommery Brut Royal Rose NV
"This drop is a very elegant rosé Champagne," says Courtney. "iI's pale in colour, with hints of red fruits on the palate. It pairs wonderfully with the classic French dish, Beef Tartare. You could also pair with tuna sashimi or salmon roe caviar. For a sweet option, this Champagne is delicious with a red fruit pavlova."
3. Louis Pommery England Sparkling Wine
Clean, fresh and with a hint of citrus, this unique sparkling drop, which gives a right royal nod to the United Kingdom, pairs back beautifully with seafood, truffle fries, lobster rolls and chicken parfait.
About Champagne Pommery
Vranken-Pommery Australia is the local subsidiary of the French group Vranken-Pommery Monopole. It is globally distinguished for its organic and biodynamic wine growing technique, for which it was received multiple highly acclaimed sustainability awards, including the double label Sustainable Viticulture in Champagne and the High Environmental Value Award.
Vranken-Pommery Monopole regards nature as its greatest source of inspiration and is committed to its environmental pledge to invest in new technologies to lead the industry in sustainability. The Neptune project runs across all of the vineyards and ensures that the best practise is used in preserving water to avoid waste in the face of the climate crisis.
The post Vive La France! Three Ways With Champagne This Bastille Day! appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post French Pharmacy: What Should You Shop? appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>In 2021 though, the rest of the world is up to speed on the efficacy and ingenuity of French products. Many of their most famous brands are readily available at pharmacies like Priceline (at similar costs!) So when you go to France don't waste your time buying Bioderma or La Roche Posay.
Instead, these are the unexpected treats (and need to knows) to keep your eyes peeled, and wallet ready, for.
Prestige:
In French pharmacies, prestige (read, expensive) brands mingle with freely with utilitarian pharmacy products. Luxury brands like Caudalie and Darphin are available in most pharmacies. Don't go crazy though! They are only fractionally less expensive than they are in Australia. What you will benefit from though is an extensive range and multiple sizes that you won't find in Mecca or Sephora. The Caudalie Beauty Elixir is incredible for hot Paris days. Store in the fridge if you can and spritz intermittently to refresh your makeup or cool yourself down. When I ran out of my serum I picked up their SOS Vinoperfect Serum which, while nothing astoundingly active, was hydrating and fast-absorbing enough to keep my dry, sensitive skin happy.
Pharmacy, or "Drugstore" Brands:
The Biafine brand was made famous by Gwenyth Paltrow for it's all purpose salve. The thick lotion has a similar consistency to Embryolisse Lait. While I find Biafine richer than need be for most purposes their "chap stick" style lip balms are phenomenal. The lightweight, matte texture makes them perfect for layering under bright or deep lipsticks for when you're rocking the ubiquitous French-girl pout and want to add hydration without gloss. A fantastic dupe for my erstwhile favourite matte lip balm from La Mer.
And what of Embryolisse? Their face lotion has been a cult classic for years and, for that reason is readily available online (or at Scotty's Makeup in Sydney). It makes a great base for makeup in extreme weather conditions. However, it's barrier cream texture can make it problematic for oily, combination or sensitive skins (I am very dry but it brings me out in milia if I use it daily!) Exploring the rest of the Embryolisse range has its rewards. I was sampled the 365 Smoothing Body Lotion. Gliding on weightlessly the lotion left gloriously smoothed, sculpted skin behind and provided all-day hydration. The moment I emptied the sachet I headed straight back to the pharmacy to stock up.
Saniflore's Aciania Botanical Gelee also became a firm favorite. The vegan, organic French brand is best known for its purifying toners. However, their Gelee cleanser is definitely worth a look. The gel-oil hybrid removes makeup while soothing the skin with cornflower extract and sunflower oil. Don't like using more than one cleanser? Simply wash again – the gelee contains salicylic acid to purify pores on contact with bare skin.
Wellness:
One of the unexpected products I came across everywhere in France? Probiotic Tampons. French bran Saforelle has an extensive probiotic-based range of feminine hygiene products that can be found in almost every pharmacy. These include mild bar and foam cleansers, wipes and an extensive range of products for infants. I was surprised by the popularity of these intimate hygiene products as the French have a reputation for embracing au naturale, however, the French have been championing probiotics as an answer to many medical concerns for some time. Just last year the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety supported the use of probiotics as alternatives to antibiotics in farming and have championed research into probiotics treatments for cancer. Saforelle suggests their tampons will regulate vaginal flora during menstruation reducing discomfort, thrush and UTI's. And their jumbo sized hot pink tampon tins make great gifts for friends.
Anti-Ageing:
Avibon which has been retitled A313 is a pharmaceutical-grade Vitamin A that is widely available at the French pharmacy. In Australia Vitamin A products are strictly regulated due to the increased risk of light sensitivity. So, a major perk of overseas travel when it returns is access to products you would need a script for at home. A313 has a vaseline like texture that makes it tricky for layering with water or oil based serums and lotions. However, it is heavy and hydrating enough to use on its own – great for those looking to streamline at night. Use with your best judgment as Australian regulations are strict for a reason! We are exposed to far more direct UV than other nations so sun avoidance is advised when using any type of Vitamin A. No hat, no play, no fun today!
Suncare:
My final piece of French pharmacy advice? No matter where I travel I always use sunscreens!
While La Roche Posay's Antheolis is popular and widely available in Australia there are many other French sunscreens not available on the Australian market. Brands like Bioderma and Caudalie boast lightweight, water-based or spray sunscreen lotions with remarkably high SPF's. Similar to the popularity of sunscreens in Asia these lotions are generally far more viscous and absorbent than those found in Australia.
But these featherweight textures shouldn't always be taken at face value. SPF regulations for testing vary from country to country. Given the high UV in Australia, Australian SPF's are heavily regulated and are the most vigorously tested of any on the retail market today. This means that often international SPF products either test far lower for SPF in Australia or sometimes don't meet our standards at all. An excellent example of this is Chantecaille's glorious Anti-Glycation sunscreen/primer. In the European and American markets, this product is rated as an SPF 45-50, in Australia, it scrapes a mere 15. It still makes a great primer, but don't rely on it for a day at the beach.
Fortunately, tough conditions haven't stopped Australian companies formulating phenomenal and high performing products. Try Australian brand "Ultra Violette's" Queen Screen sunscreen that has been making waves in Sydney. I picked it up at Kristin Fischer brows in Double Bay after a lash lift and brow shaping. The formula is hydrating but lightweight with SPF50 and sits perfectly under makeup. After using it for just over a month I escaped my European vacation with no sunburn or skin reactions. A homegrown beauty gamechanger.
The post French Pharmacy: What Should You Shop? appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Layered Crepe Cake With Watermelon & Rose Jam, Chantilly Cream & Berries appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>1 quantity Watermelon and rose jam
1 quantity Chantilly cream
1 x Crêpe stack
TO CROWN
INGREDEINTS
fresh raspberries, yellow nasturtiums, roses, baby rocket (arugula) leaves, jasmine flowers
METHOD
Prepare the watermelon and rose jam.
Prepare the chantilly cream.
Prepare the crêpe stack.
To assemble the crêpe cake, place one crêpe on a stand or serving plate and smear about
1 tablespoon of the jam over it, spreading it right to the edges. Spread with a layer of chantilly cream. Top with another crêpe and repeat the process until all the crêpes have been used. When you get to the last crêpe, spoon a few tablespoons of jam onto the centre, top with the remaining chantilly cream and berries, and arrange the flowers and leaves on top.
Watermelon and rose jam
I don't know a soul who doesn't delight in the old-school charm of this jam, or
who hasn't been hypnotised by its aroma. Bottle it up for gifts that will delight.
Makes about 500 g (1 lb 2 oz/2 cups)
INGREDIENTS
600 g (1 lb 5 oz) ripe watermelon flesh, chopped
400 g (14 oz) caster (superfine) sugar
juice of 1 lemon
small handful organic rose petals or rosewater to taste
METHOD
Place the watermelon in a bowl and sprinkle it with the sugar and lemon juice. Cover and stand for at least 4 hours or overnight if possible. Transfer the watermelon mixture to a heavy-based saucepan and bring to the boil over
medium heat. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, stirring regularly, for 1 hour. Using a hand-held blender, process the mixture until as smooth or chunky as you desire. When ready, the jam will be quite thin, but should resist sliding down a plate if you hold it upright. Stir in the petals or rosewater and pour the hot jam into sterilised jars. Refrigerate for up to 2 weeks.
Chantilly cream
Chantilly cream is a traditional filling that a lot of people find hard to go past, especially when accompanied with strawberries. It goes with everything!
500 ml (17 fl oz/2 cups) thickened (whipping) cream
2 tablespoons icing (confectioners') sugar, sifted
1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste or natural vanilla extract
METHOD
Using an electric mixer, beat the cream, sugar and vanilla on high speed until soft peaks form. Use it to fill or top the cake of your choice.
Crêpe stack
Based on a decadent classic French cake, this is a real treat. Although it looks impressive, it's actually quite easy to make. The flavour of the crêpe stack makes a great neutral base to build on.
Makes one 20 cm (8 inch) crêpe stack (about 12 crêpes)
INGREDIENTS
60 g (2¼ oz) unsalted butter, plus extra for frying
300 g (10½ oz/2 cups) plain
(all-purpose) flour
650 ml (22½ fl oz) milk
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
METHOD
Melt the butter in a small saucepan over low heat, then set aside.
Place the flour, milk and beaten egg in a bowl and use a hand-held whisk to combine well. Strain through a fine sieve into a pitcher, then stir in the melted butter.
Heat a 20 cm (8 inch) crêpe pan or non-stick frying pan over medium heat. Add a little butter and, when foaming, add 60–80 ml (2–2½ fl oz/¼–¹/³ cup) batter or just enough to cover the base. Immediately tilt the pan to coat the base with batter. Cook for 1 minute or until the crêpe is light golden on the edges, then turn and cook for another 30 seconds. Remove from the pan and repeat with the remaining batter, stacking the crêpes on a plate as you go, with a sheet of baking paper between each crêpe. Allow to cool.
Recipes and images from Naked Cakes by Lyndel Miller (Murdoch Books) $49.99 available now in all good bookstores
The post Layered Crepe Cake With Watermelon & Rose Jam, Chantilly Cream & Berries appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Mudgee: The Ultimate Guide To Where To Stay, Visit And Eat appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>From the food to the wine, there were persistent rumblings here and there about her merit; natural blessings, rich history, a creative spirit.
A virgin to the region (and a Victorian by birth), my expectations of the New South Wales country town were limited, almost non-existent. It would come as no surprise then, that when I recently embarked on a trip to Mudgee, such expectations were surpassed, exceedingly.
Alas, the rumours were true, and such babble was cemented in credibility. Mudgee had it all. From its natural beauty; resplendent greenery, viridescent vineyards, broad flats and fruitful orchards. To its beautifully quaint township with whiffs of nostalgia on every corner. To slick and suave cellar doors and eateries where hip urbanites and city-dwellers would normally pass the time. A culinary culmination of world-class wine, stellar restaurants, excellent coffee, cafes and local produce, Mudgee is a town that boasts all that and a bit for those with foodie desires and a profound thirst.
Ideal for a city detour, it's just the spot to indulge in some good old-fashioned romanticism. Country feels with food and wine up to fussy city-slicker scratch (if not better!).
The perfect weekender or mid-week escape, here's just a little slice (or drop) of what to dig into in Mudgee. Ready, set, reset.
Mudgee Vineyards
Logan Wines
Stepping in Peter Logan's Cellar Door, it's as if you'd walked into a fine art gallery. From the butterflies housed in the pristine glass cloche to the stylishly scribbly signature, the award winning Tasting Room has a stunning simplicity evoking only polish and panache. Either sit within its artfully curated walls, or sniff, swish and swirl under the striped canary yellow umbrellas, taking in the patchwork of greenery before you. Clementine (named after Peter Logan's two-year old daughter), is a drop not to be missed. A beautifully idiosyncratic wine with a multifarious character; part Pinot Gris, Part Rosé, Part Orange wine, it is fresh, perky and crisp, and looks equally pretty in its artful bottle. Sip Clementine, Hannah (a Rosé he made for his wife Hannah on their wedding day – sigh) or their famed Sparkling (which give the French a good run for their money when it comes to bubbles) and slip into halcyon heaven.
The Cellar by Gilbert
With a distinctly bucolic feel, Cellar by Gilbert is a product its surroundings; charming countryside meets perfect grapes. Taking their cues from the past, Simon and Will Gilbert are sixth generation winemakers, and create enduring impressions on the palette. Beautifully rustic with an artisanal touch, the Cellar Door is just the spot to sit back and swish away. Round the corner, the High Valley Cheese Factory churns the likes of creamy feta, oozing camembert and aged cheddar – the perfect accompaniment to the beautifully balanced Rosé Saigneé (our fave), the prestigious Pinot Noir Barrel Select or even a deliciously crisp in-house Goose Cider.
Robert Stein Winery
A line of historical winemaking, it's no wonder the lovely Jacob Stein followed in the footsteps of his father and grandfather. Now forging ahead with great acclaim, (he didn't win Gourmet Traveller's 'Young Winemaker of The Year' for nothing), he produces wines which are profound, complex and age gracefully. The winery itself is simply sublime; privy to some of the best sunsets in the region, it also boasts a vintage motorcycle museum and is home to the Pipeclay Pumphouse. Sit back, glass in hand, and take in the serenity.
First Ridge
One of the new kids on the winery block, the quirky Cellar Door opened just a few years ago and is an old shipping container-come-arty-industrial tasting room. Don't be fooled by her youthful facade though, the man behind First Ridge, Col, brings a wealth of wine experience (30 years thank you very much), charisma, charm and funk to First Ridge. For those who think the Italians do it better (when it comes to wine), this is your place. Cultivated from Italian cuttings brought years ago, Italian drops Vermentino, Barbera and Sangiovese are cultivated here with finesse, and Funky Col is as passionate about wine as he is about hats (no tractor ride is complete unless wearing a hat, according to him).
Pieter Van Gent Winery
Opening the great wooden doors of Pieter Van Gent's Cellar Door, and there's no mistaking you're in a winery. A beautiful barrel hall lies before you; lined with German oak barrels circa 1850 which sit high above your head in grandeur, the musty, heady scent of a bygone era pervades the space with nostalgic glee. Famous for their original white port, sit back in one of the historic church pews and indulge in a chocolate and wine matching, pairing the beautifully saccharine Port with home-made chocolates for a wholly sweet take on wine tasting.
Also try, Gooree Park Wines and check out The Carousel's video of the thoroughbred stud and vineyard, here. Gooree is of special interest to The Carousel as this is where publisher and founder Robyn Foyster hails from.
Plus, De Beaurepaire,a family-owned, boutique, French-style winery who shares an uncannily similar terroir to Burgundy, Champagne and Northern Rhône in France for beautiful cool-climate wines. For a taste of the big boys, head toBunnamago o, one of the biggest producers, andLowe Wines, starwinemakers of the region (and with good reason). Not one for grapes? Check out Baker Williams Distillery for small-batch tipples including Gin, Vodka and hands down the best tasting Butterscotch Schnapps (made from real Butterscotch, not flavouring) you will ever try – seriously.
Mudgee Dining
22 Nine 99 – Yum Cha and Tea House
You know that one Chinese restaurant in every country town with a battered neon insignia and gold Fortune Cat ticking in the window? This is most definitely not it. Beijing local, Na Lan, fell in love with Australian artist, Reg, and as fate would have it, decided to trade the buzz of Beijing for the ever quaint town of Rylstone, (about 45 minutes from Mudgee), turning her clever hand (she too is an artist) to cuisine. Since then, her Yum Cha restaurant, 22 Nine 99, housed in a beautifully eclectic, historic building, has been serving the most delicious dumplings to the hungry country folk who come from far and wide (Reg and Na married on the 22nd day, of the ninth month, in 1999 – hence the restaurant's namesake). Devour the most pillowy dumplings of pork, peking duck and prawn – hand-made by Na herself – and drink tea from pretty porcelain under big pink parasols and honeysuckle. A story of love, art and dumplings – not to be missed.
Pipeclay Pumphouse
With the sunset-dipped backdrop of Robert Stein's vineyard, the picturesque Pumphouse sits amongst the fronds and the long grass of the lake. Dishing up the finest cuisine according to local produce and seasonality, a degustation is the way to dine, with acclaimed head chef, Andy Crestani, heading up the kitchen and serving such fodder as perfectly crackled pork, tender beef and salty scallop sausage. With a paddock to plate ethos, much of the produce comes straight off the Stein land, so it's the best of the best (with the best view).
Artisan on Lewis
An eclectic hub of artistic nik-naks, 'Mudgee Sourdough' wood-fired breads, local pickles, preserves and great coffee, Artisan on Lewis is a quirky café with a difference. Run by three like-minded, multi-talented friends, they care passionately about their produce, and again, 'local' is the imperative word when it comes to the menu. Serving up fat raisin toast with local jams and honey, or Mudgee 'mushies' with eggs and bacon from nearby pastoral hamlets, their craft is not just of the culinary ilk, but in celebrating all things handmade. The art space supports 'slow craft' and hosts an artisan silversmith, weaver and local potters as well as featured exhibitions of wall art each month.
Also try ,Di Lusso Estate,a sprawling flat of fig trees, olive groves, grape vines and a pretty lake, and devour Italian fare, think wood-fire pizzas, pasta and home-made olive oil and jams. Or for the finest dining experience, choose theThe Zin House, where acclaimed owner / chef Kim Currie has turned a modern farmhouse into a Hatted restaurant, serving seasonal, local produce with mastery.
Mudgee's Best Watering Holes
Elton's Eating + Drinking
As with much of Mudgee, Elton's too adheres to an ethos of local produce. Housed in the 1896 Elton's pharmacy, nowadays, the drug of choice is the sticky popcorn pork belly. Or crunchy fried squid with lime aioli. Or smokey Texas ribs. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, the hipster-esque space complete with sprawling dangling lightbulbs, warm wooden furnishings and cool-as-a-cucumber art, Elton's is the perfect spot for a strong latte or a sundowner.
Roth's Wine Bar
For a little wine bar, Roth's boasts a whole lot of history. Upholding the title of oldest liquor licensing in Australia (licensed since 1923), this wine bar is equal parts charming as it is rustic. Housed in the original General Store terrace, the wine list is extensive, with local and regional wines in abundance, and also acts as a kind of regional 'bottle shop'. Craft beers flow, pizzas bake in the wood fire oven and scrumptious plates are shared against the barn doors and beats of live music. A Mudgee must for a little slice (or glass) of history.
Alby & Esthers
Duck and weave beneath the rambling vines of the courtyard, and seat yourself in a slither of sun for a regional feast of food and drink. Whether it's a local fruit cordial made of Mudgee pomegranate, a jaffle with locally smoked ham and egg, or a charcuterie and cheese board with an ice cold G + T made with local distillery Baker Williams gin – this charming part bar, part cafe is an absolute beaut.
Where To Stay In Mudgee
Mudgee Guesthouse Homestead
When you venture out to country Australia, you want to feel like you're in the country. Look no further then than the Mudgee Guesthouse Homestead. Maybe it's the red iron roof. Or the sweeping verandah. Or the kangaroos who gaze back at you with uncertainty. But, it's the country indeed. Nestled in a stunning, sprawling pocket overlooking the Mudgee Valley, the Federation-style homestead sits high above vineyards (naturally) and offers spectacular panoramic views of the rolling hills. Each of the seven guest rooms are uniquely decorated, be it Victoriana blue and white or rich tobacco and red, there is an infinite sense of the cosy and homely. Each is distinctly romantic with private ensuites and French doors – most of which open out to the skyline of green and gold.
Here, attention to detail is evident in every manifestation. The service, in particular, is of the highest standard, with husband and wife team, Karen and Paul, gracious and generous at every moment.
Karen's hot, spiced pear and rhubarb cake (local of course) awaits in the tea room (with a big blob of cream), or perhaps her fresh apple cake tickles your fancy. Breakfast is stellar too; not only is there a long line up of cereals, mueslis, toast and homegrown jams and stewed fruits (think cherry, rhubarb and apple), but once you're done with the cool cuts, the option for a hot breakfast of eggs with bacon or smoked salmon is presented, and definitely hits the spot (hot tip; the bacon is perfect for soaking up the dust of a post-winery slump). The games room downstairs is a boon to the boys (and girls); pool table, board games, a bar reminiscent of yesteryear. And when dusk falls, soak up the slow-pace of this pastoral gem. Besides, nothing beats stargazing with a glass of white port and a full belly.
Aside from the wine, the food, the charm; there was another standout, the people. An overriding warmth and incredible generosity was manifest, and not only were there smiles at every grape-laden turn, but a lively spark of ebullience, cheek and wit, tempered with that country character. Humour too, was an undeniable hallmark of the town. They were funny folk who went out of their way to make Mudgee special. And indeed, it was.
The perfect sojourn from Sydney (or anywhere for that matter) – we're already planning our next trip back.
Getting there:
Mudgee is a three and a half hour drive from Sydney. Alternatively, Fly Pelican runs daily flights from Sydney and Newcastle. For more information visit Mudgee Region.
Story and photography by Chrisanthi Kaliviotis.
The post Mudgee: The Ultimate Guide To Where To Stay, Visit And Eat appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Essential Tips for Successful Thrift Shopping appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Over the last couple of years, I've been op-shopping more and more. It's a great way to save money and appreciate the hard work that went into creating your fashion items.
You'll need to visit a charity shop with an open mind and be prepared to spend some time. I find it might be easier to select five items to try on, and then you might end up with one you take home. As you'll often be trying on brands that you might not have heard of, be mindful that your regular sizing might go out the window.
Be aware that there are different types of charity shops. You might like to find the ones that curate their collection. They might have rules about the brands they accept. For example, they will often refuse to stock fast fashion brands. There are also charity shops that specialise in streetwear and business wear (think Dress for Success).
I always like to try on clothes before I buy them. I'll know instantly if I like something. I'll smile at myself in the mirror and feel good because it looks good on me. If I start to pull at the sleeves or have self-doubts, then I know it's not right for my style and body type.
Thrift Shopping Tips:
- Try the clothes on. Check the arms and that you can sit down in pants or skirts
- You might like to make a list of your measurements and take a measuring tape.
- Be careful that zippers and buttons work.
- Don't buy anything that is damaged, stained or torn.
- If you change your mind then pop the item back in a charity shop or bin and know that your money has gone to a charity organisation that needs the funds.
Be aware of any additional costs for sewing adjustments. To make items more modern or suit the weather, you can easily have long dresses hemmed to the knee. You can add extra holes in leather belts. I don't mind dropping things off to be altered, but I do like to factor this into the total cost of the item.
One of my friends likes to feel the material. Then she looks at the hemming to see how well the item is constructed. Then she'll think about how often she might wear the item and the cost per wear.
Many of my influencer friends sell their clothes on Gumtree and eBay. As they frequently attend events where their photo might be taken, they like to keep their look fresh. One of them was a well-known model, who volunteers her time at charity shops. She told me she's able to get first dibs on the stock, as she sorts and hangs the donations. Many of my influencers (both fashion and foodies) frequently thrift shop.
I like to keep an alert on my favourite brands on eBay (you can even specify your size).
Here are some of my good finds:
- I've bought a designer day dress valued at $200 for $30 that had an asymmetrical hem. I had a dressmaker hem it for $50. Then I wore the dress nearly once a fortnight to work for a whole year.
- I own two denim jackets. One is a seventies-style Sass and Bide jacket that I had the arms shortened. I then added a large tiger iron-on that I bought off eBay on the back panel (it's a Gucci inspired design). The second denim jacket I customised with fabric paint and studs at a workshop.
- I've bought a designer evening black jacket for $10
- I found an off the shoulder black evening gown that I hope to wear to an awards ceremony when the borders are back open. It cost around $30.
Please leave a comment and tell us about your great thrifting shop finds?
The post Essential Tips for Successful Thrift Shopping appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Plate Up Like A French Chef: Confit Marron Crayfish appeared first on The Carousel.
]]> Serves 4
Preparation Time 2 hours
Cooking Time 2 hours
INGREDIENTS
Confit marron crayfish
4 live crayfish (put to sleep on ice)
4 large sprig lemon thyme
6 Tblsp citrus olive oil
Celeriac puree
1kg peeled and sliced celeriac
1 white onion sliced
250mls milk
4 cloves chopped garlic
6 sprigs thyme
2 fresh bay leaves
Celeriac and truffle mille feuille
500g peeled celeriac
12 slices of black truffle
150mls ghee
4 sprigs thyme
1 fresh bay leaf
Sea salt
Wattle seed obulato paper
1 egg white
1tsp ground wattle seed
4 sheets obulato paper
1tsp freeze dried sherry vinegar flakes
Drizzle of truffle oil
METHOD
Confit marron crayfish
1 Preheat oven to steam option for 5 minutes.
2 Place crayfish in a steamer tray and steam for 2 minutes, then chill into an iced water bath and let cool down for 10minutes.
3 Take off the head then work the shell off towards the tail, once the tail is left pinch the meat and pull of the tail to pull the entrails out.
4 Place the meat in a small vacuum bag with the thyme and oil, seal.
Celeriac puree
5 In a medium pot sweat the onion, garlic, bay leaves and thyme with a little oil.
6 Once the onions start to caramelise add the celeriac and sweat taking care to colour.
7 Once the celeriac is 80% cooked add the milk and finish off the cooking process until the celeriac is fully cooked, blend whilst still hot and smooth.
Celeriac and truffle mille feuille
8 Slice the celeriac into 5cm by 5cm squares 2mm thick, you will 5 of these.
9 Lay the slices evenly in a vacuum bag with no overlapping, place the ghee, thyme and bay leafs in the bag, seal and cook sous vide 85c for 15 minutes.
10 Cool the celeriac down, once cooled lay one square flat on a plate, place 4 truffle slices over to cover, then repeat until all celeriac and truffle is used, lay them on top of each other neatly so it's like a layered block. Place in a vacuum bag and seal, place back in a circulator at 53c to melt the ghee back down so that it sticks, cool and then portion. With the 5th piece of celeriac take a small ring cutter and punch out 3 rounds.
Wattle seed obulato paper
11 Preheat oven to 200c, take a silpat and brush the area size of a sheet of obulato with egg white so that the paper sticks.
12 Lay one sheet of paper then brush with egg white and lay another sheet, repeat until all 4 sheets are layered.
13 Bake in the oven for 90 seconds with the fan off. Drizzle with the oil and bake for another 60 seconds then sprinkle with the wattle seed and sherry vinegar flakes.
Plate up
1 Heat up and check seasoning of celeriac puree.
2 Place mille-feuille on baking paper and heat up in the oven set at 200c for 3 minutes.
3 Take marron and baste in a pan with sizzling butter until medium well cooked, rest on paper towel.
4 Drag and smear some puree onto the plate
5 Place the mille feuille into the middle showing the layers of the truffle.
6 Stand the marron up so the head end is leaning on the corner of the celeriac.
7 Place 3 rounds of confit celeriac on the marron and place a piece of obulato on top of the marron.
The Carousel thanks Julien Pouteau and interconsydney for this recipe.
The post Plate Up Like A French Chef: Confit Marron Crayfish appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post 5 Ways To Journal Away Your Worries appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Often my gift is met with the same polite response, 'Umm thank you, it's lovely… but I'm not a writer.' At which point I always say, 'But everyone is a writer.' And it's true. If you can string words together verbally, you can put them down onto paper, and you can reap the benefits of journaling, for your emotional and physical wellbeing.
I know it's easy for me to say, and you might be thinking 'But she's a journalist. It's her profession!' But I get writers block with the best of them. Over the course of my career, I've just discovered ways to release the creative flood-gates. And it's worth it – the health benefits of journaling have been proven. Using the writing prompts and exercises can process your worries, focus on your goals and generally feel a whole heap happier.
The hardest part is getting started – picking up the pen and writing the first word on the paper. That's why, I thought I'd share 5 tricks I've learned along the way.
1. Buy a journal that sings to you
I am very particular about the diaries I write in. This seems odd, but something about a peppermint coloured journal makes me want to write in it. I can't explain why, and I don't need to, but I'm drawn to it. Choose a journal that in no way reminds you of work or school – so don't be tempted to 'just' use a spiral bound notebook because you happen to have one in your office stationary cupboard. I run yoga and therapeutic writing retreats with yoga teacher Vicki Smart and her journal has a dinosaur on the front saying 'Roar.' She also writes in bright pink pen. It might seem like a small thing, but chose stationary that makes you smile.
2. Promise yourself no one will ever read your journal
As humans we are born performers and seek praise and reassurance. It's very easy when we've written something we deem as 'good' to be tempted to call up our mum, our friends and read it to them. But you have to promise your subconscious that no matter what you write – good or bad, happy or sad – you won't share it. You need to build up self-trust, otherwise you'll always hold back in your writing. The point of journaling is to give yourself permission to express the thoughts you dare not say aloud.
3. Find creative comfort
Some people seek isolation and silence when they're writing, but others need the energy of noise and other people. My favourite place to journal is actually in a busy café (see point number five) full of strangers, with a pot of milky chai tea and honey (sorry, but my creative brain needs a little sweetness). Even though I'm in public I always take my shoes off and sit crossed legged. Sometimes, if I'm writing about a topic that's extra emotional, I put a cushion or balled up jumper over my belly. For some reason it brings me comfort. Work out the rituals that make you feel safe, and then give yourself permission to take time to set up an atmosphere conducive to you.
4. Remember, you're not at school
Forget proper grammar, spelling mistakes and coherent sentences. Your journal is a space for non-judgment or criticism. On our yoga and writing retreats, we've had lawyers, politicians and teachers, who are professional perfectionists and squirm when I encourage them not to correct their own writing – to allow smudges, and crosses and words with missing letters. When you relax into your writing, and get into the 'zone', your attention to details might waver, but that's just a sign you're delving emotionally deeper. Remember, you're not writing to impress anyone else.
5. Find an inspiring space
Since moving to Sydney from London four years ago to become the editor at Grazia magazine, I've been on a mission to find the best writing spots in the city, so I thought I'd share them. Whether you're local, or visiting Sydney for the Vitality Show, maybe my favourite spots below will inspire you as much as they do me.
– Gertrude and Alice bookshop in Bondi Beach
Dark wood, shared tables, floor to ceiling bookshelves and their signature 'L.S.D' (latte soy dandelion) is a recipe for creativity. They also have special events, with talks from published authors, and it's always full of wannabe novelists writing away.
– Bianco Nero in Gymea
The best thing about this café – apart from the fact they serve the best chai tea in The Shire – is they open at 6am. I apply the same rule to journaling as I do to exercise – the earlier the better – so I appreciate any café that caters to early birds.
– Workshop Espresso, CBD
For a long time I couldn't find a café I loved in the city, then I discovered Workshop Espresso. Disclaimer; there isn't a whole lot of seating but I personally like to be elbow-to-elbow with people as I write (and you never know who you might start a conversation with). If you need a writing retreat in the city, this is it. Fight you for a bar stool!
How do you benefit from writing? Tell us in the box below.
The post 5 Ways To Journal Away Your Worries appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Michael And Carlene Duffy's DIY Tips For Your Interior And Exterior Spaces appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Interior:
- Give dated furniture new life – give deteriorated furniture some TLC with a sand back and fresh new shade of paint. Replace the clunky drawer runners and update the handles for a fresh look.
- Renew the floors – sand back and re-varnish sun-damaged or scratched timber floorboards. You can do this room by room to avoid having to move everything out of the house.
- Modernise – update other doorware and joinery hardware by replacing the handles / knobs with something more current. The local hardware store is a good option, but there are also A LOT of good options online.
- Don't be afraid of colour – Painting the walls is one of the most transformative things you can do to a home. It completely changes the look, feel and mood of a space. Be sure to sample your paints first and view them in different lights.
- Get crafty – update your bedroom by upholstering or reupholstering your bedhead. It's something you can easily achieve with a staple gun and fabric you love from your local fabric store.
Exterior:
- Lay new turf – new turf will not only add value to your property, it will really help to transform your yard and give your family an additional space to play and relax. Take it up a notch by pulling weeds, trimming hedges, and laying fresh mulch in the garden too.
- Restore broken or outdated furniture – give dated outdoor furniture some TLC by prepping the surfaces with a good sanding, a rust solvent (if required) and then a fresh coat of paint.
- Frame the home – a fresh coat of paint on your front fence and boundary fences can quickly elevate a home exterior. A dark charcoal flanked by living greenery is a no-fail. The dark backdrop allows the green to really pop and is a timeless combination.
- Pressure hose – time to get rid of all that built-up grime and dirt from the front pavers, driveways and patios, as well as the exterior window frames and house facades.
- Modernise – Update the remaining house façade by painting the house cladding, gutter, window frames, garage and roof to a more current colour combination. Always sample your paint colours first and observe them in the changing light.
The post Michael And Carlene Duffy's DIY Tips For Your Interior And Exterior Spaces appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post The Best French Experiences To Induce Sighs This Bastille Day appeared first on The Carousel.
]]> Luxury cruising
Just as France knows how to serve up fine food and wine, Uniworld Boutique River Cruises has indulgence in the bag. Think Arcachon oyster tasting, sampling local cheeses at famers markets, a visit to the cellars of a Grand Cru estate in St-Emilion and private wine-pairing lunches at a Chateau. Déliceux!
Slow down the pace
If there's one thing the French know, it's how to slow down and savour life. It stands to reason that the best way to enjoy a visit to France is to take your time. Take time to spend an afternoon strolling around a gallery in Paris, find a little café so you can people watch in Avignon or explore the Monte Carlo coastline.
World heritage sites and history
Discover the secrets of France as you journey into the south-west corner to uncover the small villages, historic landmarks and local rural character unseen by most visitors. Explore the Rocamadour Sanctuary, a town built onto the cliff face, with a resident Local Specialist; Visit Lascaux, famous for its caves with paintings dating back over 17,000 years ago and stay in an 18th century-listed water mill in the world heritage listed town, Albi.
Stay in a Chateau
What could be more quintessentially French than a stay in a chateau? Perhaps one that is amongst a Beaujolais vineyard. Chateau de Cruix is one such property that is open to travellers. It's not difficult to summon up the luxe lifestyles of history's French nobility here as you sweep through the grand halls or enjoy a picnic of fresh French foods on the grounds.
Indulge and stroll in the Dordogne
In France, joie de vivre, isn't just a concept, it's a way of life. We can't think of anything more befitting of this phrase than a holiday that combines the great outdoors, spectacular scenery and delicious French cuisine. The Perigod is one of the largest and most picturesque regions in France plus is famed for its fabulous gastronomy. Think fresh trout, wild mushrooms, aromatic truffles and duck every which way. The region is divided in two by the river Dordogne, its banks dotted with over 1000 castles all steeped in rich history and legends. Embark on a journey that combines scenic walks past dramatic limestone cliffs, along tranquil riverside paths and through medieval villages with well-earned feasts of royal proportions.
The post The Best French Experiences To Induce Sighs This Bastille Day appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Orange & Cinnamon Creme Brûlée appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Preparation time 15 minutes
INGREDIENTS
6 egg yolks
1 cup of cream
1 ½ cups low fat milk
½ an orange, rind removed with peeler
½ a lemon, rind removed with peeler
1 cinnamon quill
1 vanilla bean split in half and seeds scraped out
1/3 cup caster sugar, plus caster sugar for dusting
METHOD
1 Combine the milk, cream, orange and lemon rind, and cinnamon and vanilla bean seeds in a medium sized saucepan and bring to the boil. Turn off the heat and set aside.
2 In a separate bowl, whisk egg yolks and sugar until thick and pale. Pour the slightly cooled milk mix into the egg mix and combine well with a whisk.
3 Return mix back into the saucepan, heat and stir with a wooden spoon until thick and mixture coats the back of a wooden spoon – do not over heat or boil as this will curdle the egg.
4 Strain the mixture through a fine sieve into a clean jug. Pour mixture into ramekins and refrigerate for 3 hours or until set.
5 Sprinkle evenly with sugar and caramelise with a blowtorch or place under a hot grill.
The Carousel thanks Australian Eggs for this recipe!
The post Orange & Cinnamon Creme Brûlée appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Hearty Beef Bourguignon Pie appeared first on The Carousel.
]]> INGREDIENTS
2kg diced beef chuck
4 carrots
2 onions
500g button mushrooms
100g peeled eshallot
30g garlic
4 rashers bacon
4L beef stock
200g flour
1L red wine
1b thyme
4 bay leaf
100ml olive oil
5 sheets puff pastry
mashed potato (To Serve)
truffle oil (To Serve)
METHOD
1 Preheat oven to 180°C
2 Prepare all of the ingredients:
- Quarter Mushrooms
- Slice Bacon Rashers
- Dice Onion
- Slice Garlic
- Peel and cut carrot
- Chop Thyme up finely
- Halve Eshallots
3 Heat half olive oil in a frying pan. Fry chuck until browned on all sides. Mix beef with flour. Put aside.
4 In a large pot, heat the rest of the oil. Add onion, garlic and thyme and sauté until soft and fragrant.
5 Add mushrooms, bacon, carrots and eshallots. Cook for 8 minutes, or until they start to soften and colour.
6 Place beef back into pot, and deglaze with red wine. Reduce by half.
7 Add stock and bay leaf to pot, making sure it is all covered by liquid.
8 Place lid on pot and put in oven for 2.5-3 hrs, checking and stirring every hour.
9 Once beef is softened and the liquid has thickened, season to taste.
10 Place pie mix in ramekin and top with half a sheet of puff pastry. Cook at 230°C for 6 mins. Serve with Mashed Potato and a drizzle of truffle oil.
The Carouselthanks Gallagher Hotels for this recipe.
The post Hearty Beef Bourguignon Pie appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post The Block's Michael And Carlene Duffy's 5 Top Tips For Beginner Renovators appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>#1 Research
This will give you the tools to know what can be tackled with or without expert help, and will also give you inspiration and ideas for what you're looking to do.
#2 Live in the space first
This is the key to understanding what you really want to achieve, and conceiving the ultimate layout. Through living in the space first, you'll gain an understanding of how you can best maximise the home's natural light and ventilation and how you can achieve an easy flow from room to room.
#3 Plan a realistic budget
Get those excel spreadsheets going and ensure to get prices and estimates first. Try speaking to those who have renovated before for advice on budgets as well and where they saved some cash during the process.
#4 Allocate budget to the exterior
An often-forgotten element, the front and backyard is key to an impactful design, and things like a fresh, lush lawn can significantly add to the value of a home. Make sure you include budget to spruce it up when you're creating your estimates.
#5 DIY for easy design
Laying new turf to give your exterior a face-lift, painting and demolition are just a few ways to save some money for renovators, they also make a huge difference to the look and feel of a property at an affordable cost.
The post The Block's Michael And Carlene Duffy's 5 Top Tips For Beginner Renovators appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Coping with Kids As Co-Workers While Working From Home appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Here are some strategies for working best with your small co-workers:
Lower Expectations
Be realistic about the time you have available and what you can get done in that time to avoid setting yourself up for failure. Yes there are 24 hours in a day but if your children are awake for 12 of them then you need to accept that you may not be the productivity machine you hope to be – and that is perfectly OK.
Triage Your To Do List
Right now no one is ripping through their To-Do list like they were pre COVID 19. Review your list and sort tasks into:
- Must Do – the non-negotiable, urgent and important tasks. Time to do these should be scheduled into your calendar to give you a better chance of getting them done.
- Nice to Do – important but not urgent. These are not time sensitive and should be chipped away at each day so that they don't build up.
- To Delegate – We can not do all of the things right now so look at what tasks could be done by someone else (or can it be ditched all together?)
- Scrappy tasks – can be done while masquerading as parenting (the ones that could be done while sitting on the lounge watching Bluey because your 3 year old really, really wants you to)
Structure & Boundaries
Once you are clear on what you need to get done for the day, you need to communicate your priorities with everyone in the house and set some boundaries.
You are blending multiple timetables here so it is important that there is time for everyone. I set expectations and run through all of our Must Dos with my kids the night before and work through what they have got on. Usually their teachers have provided their work for the entire week so we set the priorities and work out a timetable that works best for them AND me. I explain that when we all finish what we need to do then we can do something fun together.
Allocate some dedicated time to school work supervision (but not all your time). Unless you are a solo parent like me, there is no mandate that says that mothers have to do all the kid wrangling so you and your partner should be tag teaming here.
Set break times and offer for one of the kids to be in charge of the alarm. At our place, we work to my oldest daughter's school timetable where the bell goes off every 45 minutes. It is our version of the Pomodoro Technique.
Accept that you may need to work outside of your usual work hours (getting up earlier or going to bed later you night owls) to get things done or asking your partner to supervise the kids outside while you take a Zoom call.
Remove yourself. For maximum focus and productivity you should work in another room unless you have kids who are more likely to leave you alone if they can actually see you.
Child Labour
I am all for giving my children age appropriate tasks to help out – whether they help with your work or keep the household ticking along. Some suggestions include preparing a meal (even if it's sandwiches for lunch), walking the dog, occupying a younger member of the family, virtual babysitting, hanging/folding washing. The competitive ones may love a challenge "I bet you can't…" (shoot 20 goals through the netball ring, run around the backyard 50 times – tell them about the 100 year old guy in the UK who did 100 laps of his backyard). They may not do things as quickly as you but it will make them feel important and buy you a bit of time to finish things off.
Quality Time v. Quantity
With many children, a little bit of your undivided attention goes a long way. I find that if I constantly multi-task, no one wins. Carving out time where I close my laptop, silence my phone and make a conscious effort to be present for this period of time works wonders, especially when things may have gone haywire earlier in the day.
The purpose of providing these tips is to help you feel less compromised while blending work and family-life while confined to the four walls of your home. Everything is so heightened now and there is so much pressure to Do It All. Cut yourself some slack and remember "This Too Shall Pass" (and that Dan Murphys delivers!).
The post Coping with Kids As Co-Workers While Working From Home appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Sweet Pea Gin And Elderflower Spritz – Cocktail of the Week appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The gorgeous hotel recently had a $12million upgrade and along with that came an extensive and innovative cocktail list that you'd be hard pressed to get through, even if you stayed a month or more! Not so bad if you're a resident of Tamworth and you can drop by on a Friday night to try a couple each week!
From the list, our favourite has to be Sweet Pea Gin Elderflower Spritz (and we won't deny, we tried quite a few!). Aside from looking ever-so-pretty, it's sweet tasting, but not too sweet, thanks to the dash of lemon juice. It's also utterly refreshing and makes for an exquisite sundowner at any time of year.
Sweet Pea Gin Elderflower Spritz Ingredients
- 30ml Dobson's Distillery Sweet Pea Gin
- 45ml Elderflower syrup
- 10ml Lemon juice
- 15ml Sloe Berry Gin
- 60ml Elderflower liqueur
Method:
- Fill a large balloon or wine glass with ice and fresh blueberries.
- Place all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice.
- Stir thoroughly and strain into the glass.
- Top with a spritz of soda and garnish with Elderflowers.
About Dobson's Distillery Sweet Pea Gin
Dobson's Distillery is one of the New England region's most inspiring and unique distilleries, serving up an incredible range of award-winning spirits. Tastings are available seven days a week. Dobson's Distillery Sweet Pea Gin is a distinctive dark blue, mandarin, tangelo, grapefruit and butterfly pea gin – luscious and refreshing in every season!
The team at Powerhouse Tamworth by Rydges are passionate about using local suppliers and sourcing local produce from the New England region. The Coal Bunker Bar at Powerhouse Tamworth exclusively serves locally made Dobson's Distillery spirits – Saffron Gin, Sumac Gin, Triple Sec Orangerie, Coffee and Maple Syrup Le Caf Liqueur and Sweet Pea Gin.
The post Sweet Pea Gin And Elderflower Spritz – Cocktail of the Week appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Prawn & Avocado Burgers With Homemade Sauce! appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Makes 8 rolls
INGREDIENTS
8 flour-top bap rolls (see note)
2 ripe avocados
32 cooked king prawns (shrimp) or 64 cooked school or bay prawns, peeled and deveined (see note)
Homemade seafood sauce
300 g Kewpie mayonnaise (see note)
1 1/2 tablespoons tomato sauce (ketchup)
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 1/2 teaspoons Sriracha chilli sauce (see note)
lemon juice, to taste
METHOD
1 For the seafood sauce, simply combine all the ingredients in a small bowl. Taste and add a squeeze of lemon if desired, then refrigerate until needed.
2 Assemble ingredients on burgers and serve!
Notes
1 Flour-top bap rolls are made at most local bakeries. They are super-soft and fluffy and have a little flour dusted on the top. They're a perfect choice for this dish.
2 Both school and bay prawns are very sustainable options.
3 Kewpie mayonnaise can be purchased at Asian grocers and some supermarkets. If you like, you can use freshly made mayo but for some reason (Hayden thinks it's the sweetness) Kewpie works best here.
4 You can pick up Sriracha chilli sauce at your local Asian supermarket or substitute with Tabasco.
The Carousel thanks Hayden Quinn for this recipe from his cookbook 'Dish It Up'.
The post Prawn & Avocado Burgers With Homemade Sauce! appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post 5 Tips To Manage Stress When Working From Home appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>What you can do to manage your 'stress' levels when you are working from home, particularly when your 'work' may be just down the corridor?
Stress occurs when you perceive that demands placed on you — such as work or relationships — exceed your ability to cope. If stress is a sense of having little or no control, take control and learn to say no. Here are 5 useful tips to keep your stress under control.
- Manage your time and deadlines
You can't do everything at once, so prioritise and diarise your tasks. Time management is a skill and, as with every skill, it takes practice.
- Draw up to-do lists
Prioritise. What are your goals for the short and longer term? There's a fine line between multitasking and being constantly distracted.
- Watch your diet
To reduce stress, try to eat a healthy, well-balanced, and nutritious diet.
- Meet with colleagues or friends
While working in an office can provide some social interaction, working at home is, by nature, solitary and isolated. Social isolation is a huge risk factor for the onset of major depression. To avoid depression, stay connected with co-workers electronically and make plans to spend time with family and friends at night.
- Take time out
If you hit a mental block, don't just sit there growing increasingly frustrated. Give yourself a break. Go and do something else or go for a short walk. Your subconscious will work away on your problem and you'll more than likely experience one of those 'ah-ha!' moments.
And find things to laugh about! Humour is great medicine.
Dr David McIvor, who is CEO of WorkSafety, is the author of the "Working From Home Safety Handbook – An employee guide to working safely from home".
The post 5 Tips To Manage Stress When Working From Home appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Chocolate Heaven – Try This Chocolate Pot De Crème Recipe appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>500ml (2 cups) pouring cream
70g (1/3 cup, firmly packed) brown sugar
150g 60% dark chocolate
5 egg yolks
100g (1/2 cup) caster sugar
METHOD
1 Preheat oven to 120°C. Place the cream in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Cook, stirring, for 3 minutes or until the mixture comes to a simmer. Add the chocolate. Set aside for 5 minutes or until the chocolate melts. Whisk until smooth.
2 Whisk the brown sugar and egg yolks in a large bowl until light in colour and doubled in volume. Whisk the chocolate mixture into the egg mixture. Strain through a fine sieve into a large heatproof jug.
3 Line the base of a roasting pan with a tea towel, folded to fit. Place six 185ml (3/4-cup) capacity ovenproof ramekins in the pan. Divide the chocolate mixture among the ramekins. Pour enough boiling water into the roasting pan to reach halfway up the sides of the ramekins. Bake for 40-50 minutes or until almost set, checking every 20 minutes to ensure they don't overcook and curdle. Remove the ramekins from the roasting pan and set aside for 2 hours to cool. Cover the custards with plastic wrap and place in the fridge overnight to chill.
4 To caramelise, if you do not have a Brulee torch, preheat grill on high. Sprinkle the caster sugar evenly over the top of the custards. Cook under grill for 2 minutes or until the sugar melts and caramelises. Stand for 5 minutes or until caramel set. Be careful!
5 Serve with almond praline and chocolate shavings, enjoy!
The Carouselthanks Gallagher Hotels for this recipe.
The post Chocolate Heaven – Try This Chocolate Pot De Crème Recipe appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Manifesting Your Goals with Vision Boards appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>A vision board is a visual representation of your ideal life and your goals. It will help to inspire you to create positive habits. It's a great way to program your subconscious mind.
I made my first vision board on a poster-sized piece of white cardboard. The teacher provided many magazines for us to cut up and use. She showed us some examples of vision boards she's made over the years. Then we listened to some upbeat music and started creating.
At the end of the class, it was amazing to see the different goals everyone had. An older single guy wanted to meet a lady. Some teenagers were keen to travel the world.
You can create a physical vision board on cardboard or foam board. You might like to consider creating a digital vision board using Pinterest or another image editing program like Canva or Photoshop.
Some people might like to create their vision boards as a pegged photo bunting or on a wire grid panel. You can also use old school pinboards or a scrapbook.
You'll want to look for images that resonate with your goals. Then, you'll want to add words, quotes, stickers, images, drawing. Google Images is perfect for looking for pictures and photos.
Vision Board Prompts:
- What do you want your day to look like?
- This time next year, I will be… I will have… I will feel…. I will know…
- What's your power word? … life motto?
- What's your vision statement?
It's okay to revisit your vision board and change your personal goals. Some people like to make them at the start of the year or mid-year, but really any time is ideal.
You might like to hang your vision board up in your home office or add it to as the background of your computer desktop or make it your screensaver.
It's amazing to look over previous vision boards and see what you've been able to achieve and how they can create a positive and hopeful outlook for the future.
You might like to share your vision board on social media #visionboards
The post Manifesting Your Goals with Vision Boards appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Deliciously Yummy Chocolate Lava Cake Recipe And So Easy To Make appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Chocolate Lava Cake
Makes 12
Dark Chocolate 600g
Butter 300g
Whole Egg 700gram x 12
Egg Yolks x 12
Caster Sugar x 360
Plain Flour 300GRAM
Melt chocolate and Butter on stove top and stir to combine . Allow to cool
Whip eggs and sugar together until thick and creamy
Fold the egg mix into the chocolate + butter mix
Sieve flour and fold into the egg+chocolate mix gently
Brush the cake mould with butter and flour carefully to ensure that no areas are missed
Preheat oven 200°C
Cook in the oven for at 200°C in 15 minutes or until just set
Let the cake stand for one minute then overturn onto a rimmed plate, garnish with mascarpone cream, ice cream and ground chocolate crumbs
For more chocolate cakes, click here
The post Deliciously Yummy Chocolate Lava Cake Recipe And So Easy To Make appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Maggie Beer's Homemade Chocolate Ice Cream appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>SERVES 4–6
INGREDIENTS
- ¾ cup coconut cream (or use creamy soy milk)
- ½ cup good-quality cocoa powder
- 3 tbsp grapeseed, sunflower or rice bran oil
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract (or vanilla paste if you want seeds)
- ¼ tsp salt
- liquid from 1 x 400g can of chickpeas (aquafaba)
- ¼ tsp cream of tartar or lemon juice
- ¾ cup icing sugar
METHOD
Place the coconut cream, cocoa, oil, vanilla and salt in a high-speed blender or bullet blender, and blend well to combine (or use a stick blender).
Pour the chickpea liquid into a large, very clean mixing bowl and beat with an electric beater on high for 20 seconds or so, or just keep going until it's turned foamy.
Add the cream of tartar or lemon juice, then beat again on medium–high for another few minutes.
Now start adding the icing sugar a tablespoonful at a time, beating for 5 seconds in between each addition. The mixture should now be lovely and thick, voluminous and shiny, like glossy whipped meringue. It should stay put in the bowl when you turn it upside down.
Add ¼ cup of the chocolate mixture to the whipped mixture and fold in gently with a spatula.
Add half the remaining chocolate mixture and fold gently to combine, then repeat with the remaining mixture. Be gentle with this — over-mixing or being too rough can collapse the whipped mixture. Keep folding until combined evenly.
Scrape into a loaf tin or a resealable container, cover tightly and freeze for at least 4 hours.
Scoop out with a hot ice cream scoop and enjoy!
TIPS
For a coffee ice cream, you could add 1–2 tbsp instant coffee to the blender in place of the cocoa — or use both for a mocha flavour!
Extracted from Supergood by Chelsea Winter, published by Random House NZ, RRP $50.00. Text © Chelsea Winter 2020. Photography © Tam West 2020
Extracted fromMaggie's Harvestby Maggie Beer (Lantern, $80.00). Published 4 May 2021.
The post Maggie Beer's Homemade Chocolate Ice Cream appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post World Chocolate Day – Five Ways To Celebrate! appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>In particular, those of us in lockdown should mark the occasion by taking the day off work, popping on a clean pair of PJs after showering, snuggling in front of the TV and bingeing on both our favourite show and fave chocolate!
Here, five ways with chocolate for the yummiest day of the year that aren't your average chocolate cake!
Sonoma Artisan Sourdough Bakers Pain au Chocolat
Made specifically to celebrate World Chocolate Day this Wednesday, 7 July, 2021, this melt-in-your-mouth pastry is a chocolate lover's dream-come-true. Made with Pepe Saya puff pastry, it is twice-baked and filled with chocolate almond cream and Cacao Barry chocolate, then topped with a chocolate crème patissiere plus chocolate shavings. Available at all Sonoma Bakeries until Sunday 11 July.
Crunchy Peanut and Chocolate Bonbons made with Kenwood Chef Titanium Patissier XL
Seven ingredients, 15 minutes and one sleek, sexy, state-of-the-art stand mixer that specialises in desserts and pastries, is all you need to make 24 of these crunchy, delectable bon bons. No fuss, minimal mess and quick results, World Chocolate Day just got easier, tastier and more fun than ever!
Minor Figures Oat-Mocha Plant-Based Nitro Can
This vegan, barista-standard, refined-sugar-free, carbon-neutral drink is all your World Chocolate Dreams come true. Featuring specialty ingredients usually reserved for top-end coffee shops, this cold-brew has fewer additives, no preservatives and is completely and utterly delicious.
Scent Australia Home Chocolate Fudge Diffuser Oil
This is a truly decadent temptation, without the calories! Think: rich, dark chocolate swirled with ribbons of buttery caramel and vanilla creme, sprinkled with toasted almond slivers and creamy hazelnut. the only issue is that it may give you cravings! But hey, it's World Chocolate Day, so go for it!
Glasshouse Glasshouse Fragrances Sugar Coated Iced Mocha Rich And Famous Soy Candle
With rich nuances of chocolate, cream and coffee, wafting through swirled-in spices and a decadent dash of rum and butterscotch, this will fill your home with warmth and comfort on World Chocolate Day!`
The post World Chocolate Day – Five Ways To Celebrate! appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Gluten & Refined Sugar-free Chocolate Fudge appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Makes 15 pieces
INGREDIENTS
270 g (9½ oz/1 cup) almond butter
80 ml (2½ fl oz/1⁄3 cup) extra virgin coconut oil, melted
30 g (1 oz/¼ cup) cacao powder
90 g (3¼ oz/¼ cup) rice malt syrup
½ teaspoon Celtic sea salt
1 teaspoon alcohol-free vanilla extract
METHOD
1 Line a baking tray with baking paper.
2 Process the nut butter and coconut oil in a food processor until smooth. Add the remaining ingredients and process until smooth and creamy.
3 Spoon the mixture into the prepared tin to 3 cm (1¼ inches) thick and smooth the top with the back of a spoon or a spatula.
4 Freeze for at least 1 hour before slicing and serving. If stored for longer in the freezer you may need to transfer to the fridge to soften a little.
The post Gluten & Refined Sugar-free Chocolate Fudge appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Phoodie's Nutella Cheesecake – Yummy Dessert For Your Kids appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>My brother is torn between this and the Honey and Pine Nut tart. And me!? I think this is for sure in my top 5! The Nutella cheesecake that I normally make is baked and I wanted to bring you guys one that didn't need to go in the oven. I also wanted to bring you one that did not involve eggs or gelatine. I scoured the net, watched a tonne of you tube videos and found that this recipe on Chocolatesuze was definately the best, no-bake, gelatine-free, egg-free one around. I have totally phoodiefied the recipe by removing a couple of ingredients (the vanilla extract and the white chocolate), changing a few of the quantities, changing the base from plain biscuits to chocolate ones, adding a ganache layer to the top, folding Ferrero Rocher chocolates through the actual cheesecake mix and adding a truckload of the crunchy buggers to the top as well! I hope you enjoy it!
Makes 1 23cm cheesecake)
INGREDIENTS
250g Arnott's Choc Ripple biscuits (or similar, just a plain chocolate cookie-style biscuit)
100g unsalted butter
500g of cream cheese, softened
110g icing sugar
300ml thickened cream
440g of Nutella
200g milk chocolate (buttons or other, for the ganache)
100ml thickened cream (for the ganache)
20 Ferrero Rochers (10 inside the cream cheese filling and 10 crushed on top)
METHOD
1 Crush biscuits to a sand like consistency either in a food processor or in a bowl / on the bench with a rolling pin.
2 Place crushed biscuits into a bowl (if not in one already) and add melted butter. Mix well and transfer to 23cm springform tin.
3 Press evenly into the base of the tin, not up the sides. Place this into the fridge.
4 In an electric mixer combine your nutella and sifted icing sugar. When 90% combined, add in your softened / room temp cream cheese and combine at high speed.
5 When this is all completely combined, add in cream and mix on high speed. It will become rather pale in colour and mousse-like in texture.
6 Chop 10 of the Ferrero's into large pieces and on a slow speed add these to the cheesecake mixture. Mix for about 15 seconds only as you don't want them to completely turn to dust.
7 Transfer cheesecake filling to tin, making sure to spread it evenly, (see pic below) and place in fridge overnight.
8 The next day, place the chocolate and the cream into a pot on the stove and melt over a medium heat, stirring the ENTIRE time. Once combined, remove from heat, allow to cool slightly and then spoon evenly over the top of the cheesecake. You only want this later to be about 4mm thick so you may not need all of the ganache. If you do this slowly you can control the thickness of this layer better! I often end up with spare and serve it heated on the side of each slice.
9 Scatter the remaining 10 (chopped) Ferreros on top of the ganache and then place cheesecake straight back in the fridge for at least 3 hours.
The Carousel thanks Phoodie for this recipe
The post Phoodie's Nutella Cheesecake – Yummy Dessert For Your Kids appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Chocolate Brownie and Honeycomb Ice Cream Cake with Chocolate Fudge Sauce appeared first on The Carousel.
]]> INGREDIENTS
200g butter, roughly diced
150g dark chocolate – 70% cocoa, roughly chopped
3 eggs, lightly beaten
11/2 cups brown sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla essence
1 cup plain flour
2 x 1 litre tubs good quality vanilla ice cream
2 x 130g bags honey comb, (1 pkt cut into 1cm pieces and the other bag for serving)
Chocolate fudge sauce
200g dark chocolate, roughly chopped
100ml cream
2 tablespoons agave syrup or light corn syrup
METHOD
1Preheat oven to 180ºC (360ºF). Grease and line a 20 x 30cm slice pan.
2Combine the butter and chocolate in a small saucepan over a low heat and stir until butter and chocolate have melted. Set aside and allow to cool.
3Combine eggs, sugar and vanilla essence in a bowl and add the cooled chocolate mixture. Place the flour into a mixing bowl. Pour in the chocolate mixture and stir until just combined.
4Pour into the prepared slice pan and bake for 20-25 minutes or until cooked when tested. Allow to cool completely in the pan.
5Remove from the pan and cut a circle using a 20cm spring form pan as a guide. Grease and line the spring form pan, ensuring the lining extends at least 5cm above the rim of the pan. Place the circle of brownie in the base, set aside.
6Soften the ice cream and tip into a large mixing bowl. Cut up the remaining fudge brownie into 1cm pieces and mix that with the chopped honeycomb through the softened ice cream.
7Pour over the fudge brownie base in the spring form pan and place in the freezer for 6 hours or overnight.
8Unmold and serve with Chocolate fudge sauce and extra honeycomb.
Chocolate Fudge Sauce
1. Combine the chocolate, cream and agave syrup in a heatproof bowl and place over a saucepan of simmering water.
2. Stir gently until chocolate has melted and all of the ingredients are combined.
3. Remove from the heat and allow to cool slightly, serve warm over the ice cream cake.
T he Carousel thanksthefooddept for this recipe
Click here for more yummy frozen treats recipe!
The post Chocolate Brownie and Honeycomb Ice Cream Cake with Chocolate Fudge Sauce appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post 4 Surprising Health Benefits of Eating Chocolate appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>We chatted with Dr Tal Friedman, Head of Naturopathic and Research and Development at Chiva-Som International Health Resort. He talks about the surprising health benefits of eating chocolate:
"Chocolate is arguably one of the most craved foods in the world, and for good reason. It delivers not only a variety of wonderful aromas, flavours and textures, but it also delivers some astounding health benefits such as improved mood and focus and more."
"Cocoa comes from roasted cacao seeds and is high in plant compounds which have been shown in studies a wide variety of health benefits."
Enhanced Cognitive Function
"Chocolate, through its polyphenol content, may be able to help enhance blood flow by enhancing nitric oxide signalling. The polyphenols act on an enzyme that works by increasing nitric oxide output within blood vessels. This helps to relax blood vessels thus allowing for better blood flow. This enhanced blood flow has even been shown to potentially enhance cognitive function by increasing blood flow and oxygenation within the brain."
Improve Cardiovascular function
"In addition to cocoa's beneficial effects on blood flow, Chocamine's polyphenol content may also help promote healthy levels of cholesterol. By promoting healthy cholesterol levels, Chocamine may be able to further help promote overall cardiovascular function."
Boosts focus and serotonin
"Cocoa also contains some minor compounds which have been found to act on neurological systems in our brains. Cacao stimulates the release of phenylethylamine (PEA) which boosts focus and awareness. It can also stimulate the release of anandamide which helps you feel good. Cacao is a source of tryptophan which is the precursor to serotonin."
Activates anandamide
"If we look back to some of the first uses of cocoa, it was often combined and consumed with chili peppers and vanilla beans. Surely some of this is to make it even more delicious, but it is now also believed that they can boost the mood-enhancing effects of cocoa. Research has shown that the active compound in chili peppers and the active compound in vanilla both act on receptors in the brain increasing the effects of anandamide. Combining this with cocoa makes for an interesting and spicy cocoa beverage that may help you feel great."
Quality over candy
"But keep in mind that all these benefits are not true for all chocolate out there. Most chocolate is made by adding sugar, milk, and other ingredients to cocoa powder. Those ingredients can counteract a good amount cocoa's health benefit. The reality is that good quality cocoa can be a supremely healthy delicious treat. But the high sugar, high calorie chocolate bars that contain it are just candy most of the time."
Thank you, Dr. Tal Friedman ND.
About Chiva-Som International Health Resort
For more than 25 years, the company behind the award-winning Chiva-Som has been a pioneer in transformative wellness practices to global acclaim. Its commitment to an innovative, holistic approach which expertly balances mind, body and spirit, continues to this day with its flagship resort in Hua Hin, Thailand and the latest addition to the Chiva-Som family – Zulal Wellness Resort in Khasooma, Qatar.
Optimal, bespoke wellness lies at the heart of each Chiva-Som experience. With its unique synergy of indigenous traditions and evidence-based wellness, Chiva-Som partners with guests on highly personalised wellness journeys focused on complete lifestyle transformation. At the new Zulal Wellness Resort these extend to the entire family. Guests are motivated throughout their journey by knowledgeable and caring staff, who address their goals with the unique heart of Chiva-Som Hospitality.
Chiva-Som's genuine approach to wellness extends to the wider community, with educational opportunities and global sustainability initiatives at the core of everything the brand does.
For more information about Chiva-Som please visit www.chivasom.com
The post 4 Surprising Health Benefits of Eating Chocolate appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Busting Lockdown Boredom With Four Fab Kid's Books! appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Here are four of our favourite new releases.
Where the Heart Is by Irma Gold and Susannah Crispe
Dindim the young penguin finds himself washed up on a Brazilian beach, coved in oil and so sick he couldn't even open his eyes A kind man call Joao rescues him and nurses him back to health. Their friendship flourishes and the unlikely bond sees Dindim swim thousands of miles each year to reunite with his best human friend,
Inspired by a true story. This is a heartfelt celebration of friendship, the magnificence of nature and what it feels like to find your home.
The Incredibly Busy Mind of Bowen Bartholomew Crisp by Paul Russel and Nicky Johnston
Why aren't red pandas called orange pandas? Could a tortoise really beat a hare? Are fireflies hot?
These are just a few of the questions that float through the curious mind of Bowen Bartholomew Crisp every day. His unique way of looking at the world means he has trouble fitting in. It is only when he realises that his ability to think differently is actually his greatest strength that he finally fins his place in the world. This inspiring story of embracing diversity and exploring our full potential will capture your child's heart and teach them that anything is possible.
Growing Pains by Alison McLennan and Melissa Johns
Finn's family plants a tree in their backyard and he immediately feels responsible for it. He worries the little sapling might be cold, hungry or lonely.
He tries to share his breakfast with it, offers it his scarf, and keeps it company. Then one night, just after going to bed, his nightlight goes out. Finn is plunged into darkness and becomes rather frightened. But when he sees his tree standing tall and brave in the moonlight, it inspires him to be brave as well. This touching story about curiosity, empathy, care of the environment, and overcoming fears will captivate the entire family.
This is NOT a Book by Kellie Nyrnes and A śka
In this fun-filled picture book, our main character is convinced that he is not in a book. After all, in books, there are pages to turn, main characters to love, interesting settings and problems to solve. There's none of that for this main character! He's a real person, after all. Wait … what? Why is our lead character being chased by a lion? Why are pirates stealing treasure? And are those mermaids playing in a rock band? This is NOT a Book! is the perfect way to spark your child's imagination and teach them the fundamentals of storytelling.
The post Busting Lockdown Boredom With Four Fab Kid's Books! appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Twisted Healthy Treats CEO Cass Spies Pushes Boundaries For Nutritious Frozen Delights appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>From its humble beginnings in a small production room in Bondi Beach to its new state of the art fully automated facility in Leichhardt, Sydney, Twisted Healthy Treats is Australia's only all-women producer of better for you Ice Cream and Frozen Yoghurt.
Eleven years ago, Twisted's founder and MD Cass Spies searched endlessly for a healthy frozen treat that she, her husband and children could enjoy without feeling guilty. With the 'better for you' section in the ice cream aisle virtually non-existent and effectively controlled by big multinationals, Cass put her Food Science and Technology major to work, assembled a strong all-women management team, and the result was Twisted Healthy Treats.
Since then, Cass has been pushing boundaries to create products that are all natural, authentic and can be trusted. "Twisted has continued to demonstrate that the decadent frozen treat experience doesn't need to be had at the expense of one's health," says Cass. "We are pushing the boundaries of what can be achieved with clean recipes that contain only natural ingredients and without unnecessary emulsifiers and stabilisers, and with much less sugar and fat than with other products on the market."
General health and wellbeing is increasingly being prioritised by Australian consumers as evidenced by the rapid growth of the 'better for you' food category, demonstrating that Australians want to feel good as much as they want to look good. Cass has observed, however, that the global move towards healthier lifestyles has created confusing complexity, and differing views and opinions around the best food choices for adults and children alike. "That's why Twisted exists on the one fundamental belief that we make otherwise difficult healthy choices around food, easy," says Cass. "Complexity out, simplicity, healthy and guilt-free happiness in. It's also why over 5,000 school canteens across Australia stock Twisted."
But the success of Twisted, Cass believes, is down to its health-driven, all-female management team. "Our primary buyers are women like us who, not only focus proactively on their wellbeing, but are often also the primary buyers for their partner and children," adds Cass.
All Twisted products have no-added, or lower levels of, sugar, are lower in calories, and are a good source of protein. Above all else, Twisted's healthy frozen treats are seriously delicious, because taste remains the most important consideration in making a food choice. Twisted's current products are: Frozen Yoghurt Cups and Multipacks, Licks Ice Cream Sticks, Plant Based Licks, 100% Juice Licks and their soon to be released 350ml grab and go flavoured Oat Milk which is not only all natural and made with 100% Australian Oats but also contains absolutely no-added sugar and is fortified with calcium.
You can now buy Twisted Healthy Treats in over 1,500 supermarkets and independent grocers nation-wide around Australia including Coles and Harris Farms who were the first retailer to stock the brand and, due to its nutritional goodness is found in over 5,000 school canteens across Australia as well as discerning hospital groups. As of June 2020, Twisted's Frozen Yoghurt and Ice Cream ranges became available in the USA, China and New Zealand.
You can watch Cass Spie's inspirational interview with Natarsha Belling on the set of Game Changers below.
The post Twisted Healthy Treats CEO Cass Spies Pushes Boundaries For Nutritious Frozen Delights appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Personal Trainer Jen Dugard: "Learn To Love Your After Baby Body" appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Name: Jen Dugard
Children: Marley and India.
Today Jen is focused on helping women to have a healthier mental, emotional and physical approach to their bodies through her business Body Beyond Baby.
I think we have this vision of our tummies just going straight back into place after the baby is out – and then it doesn't.
I felt big and uncomfortable for quite a long time. I remember trying to go for a run for the first time after having my son and my chest bouncing up and down was so painful. As someone who has pretty much always been into movement, feeling restricted in this way was at times quite frustrating.
I'm very lucky that I don't have lots of stretch marks – although I do have a not so attractive varicose vein.
It runs up the back of my leg. It bothered me for a while but now I just think "f%8k it!" – I won't get it fixed just yet. I love to exercise and the time I would have to take off from exercise versus living with it isn't worth it for me at this point in time – maybe in a few years!
My tummy will never be the same.
My skin is more wrinkled than it used to be, and no matter how hard I train and eat well, it will now always have that crepe paper look when I bend over. Some days it bothers and frustrates me but more and more, the older I get, the more comfortable I am in my skin with war wounds and all. I'm not 18 or 25 anymore and I'm finally becoming okay with that.
I suffered post natal depression after my second baby
But I think through every step of my post baby journey, both physically and emotionally, and especially through the hard times, I've always had this feeling deep inside that this isn't it. That the tough times won't last. That my body will again change just like it did to grow my babies. And, if I treat it the best way I can through healthy eating, regular exercise and movement, I would find a place of peace.
I'm learning not to beat myself up so much.
I remember a moment a few months after having Marley, when I was trying on some pre-baby singlets for a night out. I remembered that I had beaten myself up about 'not looking right' or 'not being good enough' in them before I had Marley. Now they were skin tight – boobs bursting out and all! That was a key moment to me to remember that if and when I ever got back into those clothes, or others, to love my body and to stop beating myself up.
Just because I am not still carrying weight and I don't have visible stretch marks, it doesn't mean I'm 'perfect'.
Fit – yes, Perfect – absolutely not. I may have lost the baby weight and worked my way back up to a good fitness level but if I tune into specific body issues then yes, I would be consumed by them. Do I let them control me now? No. And being now almost closer to 40 I am really proud to be an example of a woman who is invested in her body for her job, for herself and as an example to my children and the women I work with.
I'm careful about the way my photos are edited.
Recently a photographer friend of mine asked me to do a photoshoot and one of the most important conversations was where we drew the line in post-production touch ups and editing. We agreed to smooth out a little skin tone here and there but not to make any changes at all in terms of skin tucks, rolls and imperfections. This was a big stepping stone for me knowing that other women would see the images, and I truly wanted to stand in a space of celebrating our bodies rather than editing according to whatever society has told us is beautiful or should be shown.
I try to instil in my clients the idea that we are all on our own journey.
That we each have a different background, each pregnancy is different, each birth is different and each postnatal experience is different. Comparing ourselves to others serves no purpose and only adds pressure to what we think we should be living up to.
I believe that, if approached in the right way, being pregnant can teach a woman to love her body.
A lot of women have unhealthy eating habits in their teens, twenties and thirties (depending on when they have their babies) – they over exercise and under eat. I believe that being pregnant is one of the most socially acceptable ways for a woman to put on weight. Then, if she is educated and aware she can lose the weight gradually, re-set her metabolism, and re-build her body from the inside out safely and effectively to set her up for a life where she is no longer body-obsessed but body-proud. Where she starts to love the way her body looks in the mirror and the things it enables her to do on a daily basis. And to top it off, she sets a great example for her children.
I get my clients to focus on what they want to experience in life and the level of fitness they want to get to – rather than how they want to look.
The reality of it is that very few of us are super models or training for the Olympics. We like to enjoy life, and food, and we want to look and feel healthy, and be able to move. I'll talk to my clients about how they want to live day to day – what they enjoy and what is most important to them. Taking a moment to remember this and to again release the unrealistic images or pressure we create for ourselves can be a hugely valuable shift.
I wish that all the pre-baby women would love their bodies much more than they do, but even more so I truly hope that every woman that has a baby can find the self love for herself both inside and out that she deserves.
The Carousel would like to thank Ilona Marchetta for her article.
The post Personal Trainer Jen Dugard: "Learn To Love Your After Baby Body" appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post How To Create Vertical Space In Your Garden appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>This extract from Richard Unsworth's book Garden Life explains how to utilise vertical space in your garden.
Climbing plants
One solution is climbing plants, but beware, as I have seen far too many failed climbers in pots. If you are going to use pots, make sure you choose large ones with reliable irrigation. Climbing plants will often grow well at first, then dry out as they become pot-bound, making the entire wall look dead. To avoid this happening, be prepared to re-pot them every few years, and make sure they are kept well-watered.
STAR JASMINE (Trachelospermum jasminoides) has always been a great climber for a sunny wall, and it will grow wher- ever there is a support. The self-supporting BOSTON IVY (Parthenocissus tricuspidata) on a rendered boundary or house wall is very stylish and looks terrific in winter when the stems are bare.
We use CREEPING FIG (Ficus pumila) a lot as it's a versatile climber, which will blanket ugly fences or harsh walls (no wires required) and grow in full sun or shade. It will need clipping four times a year to stop it becoming overgrown (it has a bad name for this).
Screens
Consider installing a screen on the wall as a feature, or for privacy. There are a plethora of laser-cut screens now available in many different styles and finishes, so you should be able to find something you like, whether it is a screen with an earthy, rusty finish or a slick, powder-coated colour that will blend with an interior colour scheme.
I love using our Indian jali screens to create a patchwork pattern on slick, rendered walls. We bring them in from Rajasthan, and they are full of character, warmth and history. They work in both a classic and contemporary space; it all depends on how they are configured on a wall. Old Indian doors can also add weight and warmth in the right space, it's just a question of personal taste and what you are drawn towards.
You can also use the plants themselves to create a screen.
Green Walls
Green walls, or vertical gardens, have become quite fashionable, although the cost of bespoke systems and their maintenance can be beyond the home gardener. You could try creating your own green walls using climbers and then installing epiphytic plants on the wall or fence, as long as you have enough light. STAG AND ELK HORN FERN (Platycerium bifurcatum) are perfect for this; try staggering a few on a wall covered with CREEPING FIG (Ficus pumila).
Hanging pots
Hanging pots are useful in tight corners and other hard-to- plant areas and can really liven up a small space especially.
The simplest way to create a green wall is to use a climber – this fragrant star jasmine in full flower on the wall at Point Piper really frames the archway.
Other ideas
A good solution for making new timber fences look more attractive is to paint them a dark colour and grow a climber up them (depending on the light conditions). Dark colours help green to stand out, so don't be afraid to use something like charcoal – it will help make your boundary fence disappear and really show off your foliage. Please don't ever use lattice! A smarter alternative is simply to have some horizontal timber boards mounted and painted in place of the dreadful stuff.
There are many different tiles and kinds of stone clad- ding available, and these can add interest and also link an exterior wall to an interior scheme. Be careful to avoid fads though – there are lots of walls of stacked stone veneer around town now looking very dated. If you use tiles or stone, keep it classic and simple.
Don't be afraid to make a bold statement, even in a small courtyard.
Hanging planters of succulents soften the horizontal timber lines in the courtyard.
Mirrors can create another dimension in any space. This antique French mirror fit in perfectly in big homes, adding depth and light to a dark corner.
The upright habit of black bamboo works well when floor space is limited.
Create interest on a dull wall by using a composition of different screens.
Hand-made Indian jalis are a nice soft option for decorating stark walls.
Extract from the book Garden Life by Richard Unsworth, with photography by Nicholas Watt and Richard Unsworth, published by Lantern rrp $49.99.
How have you created vertical space in your garden? Tell us below…
The post How To Create Vertical Space In Your Garden appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Fresh, Zesty Lime & Coconut Mousse Cake appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Prep time 25 minutes + 2–3 hours chilling time
Cook time 30 minutes
Gluten-free + Vegetarian
INGREDIENTS
For the sponge
4 eggs, separated
1⁄3 cup demerara sugar or granulated stevia
1⁄2 cup almond meal 2 tablespoons arrowroot (tapioca flour)
For the filling
1 1⁄4 tablespoon gelatine or agar powder
3 tablespoons boiling water
2 cups coconut cream
2 cups plain yoghurt of your choice
zest of 2 limes
3 tablespoons demerara sugar or granulated stevia
Decoration
sheet of baking paper
seasonal flowers (see note below)
METHOD
1 Preheat oven to 170°C (150°C fan-forced). Grease and line base and sides of a 22cm springform cake tin with baking paper.
2 Place egg whites in a bowl and beat until stiff peaks form. On high speed, beat in sugar, a tablespoon at a time. Beat for a further 2 minutes, then add egg yolks, one at a time, beating well after each addition — the mixture should be thick and glossy.
3 Working in two batches, add almond meal and arrowroot and fold in gently on low speed until just incorporated. Pour batter into prepared tin and bake on the middle shelf of the oven for 25 minutes, or until a skewer comes out clean.
4 Leave in the oven with door ajar for 5 minutes. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes before removing from the tin. Allow to cool completely before slicing into two layers.
5 To make the filling, dissolve gelatine in boiling water. If using agar, place in a small saucepan and bring to the boil. Place all filling ingredients in a bowl and whisk to combine. Return the base of the cake into the tin and pour in the mousse. Top with the other half of the cake, cover with cling film and refrigerate for 2–3 hours, or overnight for the mousse to set.
6 To decorate, cover the top of the cake with a baking paper round and place seasonal flowers on top. When slicing, slide the knife underneath the paper to slice. The cake will keep in the fridge for up to 1 week.
Tips for a floral cake: tops are a beautiful accent on cakes, especially when served at gatherings and as part of a special celebration. Be mindful that some flowers are not edible and can be outright toxic. Some non-toxic flowers to use include asters, roses, nasturtiums, violets, cornflowers and marigolds.
The post Fresh, Zesty Lime & Coconut Mousse Cake appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post How To Get Started On Your Painting Project – Throw A Painting Party & Make It Fun! appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>By following this Party Planning 101 guide, you'll throw a Paint Party to remember.
- Recruit the best – a party isn't a party without your friends. Recruit your pals and appoint your own Captain of Fun, Sergeant Sand Paper, Mr Tea, Director of Colour, Lead Roller…you get the picture
- Choose your colour – you can find tips from interior design guru, Shaynna Blaze on Taubmans.com.au where you can also road test a Taubmans hue digitally using the Paint Your Own Room tool
- Prep it up! – prep pre-party to keep the activity fun. Ensure walls are clean, pictures are taken down and furniture is stowed away or covered
- Calculate quantities – knowing how much paint you need is essential. Taubmans Paint Calculator on the Taubmans site can tell you all about the paint including how much, what kind you need and where to buy it.
- Pump up the jams – every good party needs good tunes. Get your friends to add tracks to your #PaintParty playlist on Spotify.
- Fancy dress and best – theme your party, ask people to come in fancy dress or supply white tees for free reign to get messy.
- Feed your friends – stock the fridge and fuel your crew with pizza and snacks to keep the party going
- Get silly – photo booth your house by setting up a tripod to capture the transformation- thrills, spills and all!
- Make it a game – Healthy competition never hurts! Award prizes for your painters – think who's neatest (or messiest), best dressed…person who complains the least
If you're still stuck on what colour to choose, Shaynna Blaze, has put together a few winter palettes to get you underway.
"Taking the lead from the trends of metallic colours like copper and bronze, hues of orange and salmon will also emerge into our winter palettes. Pastel orange tones like Taubmans Rosette Royale and Sweet Peach, work well with blonde timbers. Try this combination to create a modern look with an organic feel, which also adds a sense of warmth to a winter palette."
"I also love using less traditional winter colours like deep charcoals and indigos in my interiors. The key is to layer your tones from the dark wall colour through to a soft grey or white in your trims and accessories. Utilizing five or six hues ranging from dark blue, to grey blue to white, will create the perfect moody look this winter. My favourite combination is Taubmans Gypsy Rose, Dusty Violet, Snow Goose and Ice Princess."
"For an unexpected winter palette, look at using grey. Taupe greys on your walls give a warm base palette for crisp coloured bed linen and black accents, such as bedside lamps. Slightly reflective materials like silky timbers for bedside tables and copper flecks in details of cushions and bedside candles will bring the room to life."
All furniture featured in this post is from Freedom Furniture
Have you hosted a paint party? Tell us about it in the comments below!..
The post How To Get Started On Your Painting Project – Throw A Painting Party & Make It Fun! appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post The Secret To This Model Turned Fashion Designer's Style: Anine Bing appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>
Anine Bing is a Danish model/ singer/ fashion designer with her own eponymous fashion label originating out of LA, where she is now based. True to LA style, the collections are the epitomy of relaxed cool.
They're the kind of clothes you can spy on fashion icons like Erin Wasson, Alessandra Ambrossio, Rosie Huntington-Whitley and Kate Bosworth, girls who truly embody a free spirit. We caught up with Anine Bing (who is also a contributor on The Carousel) to get all the secrets of her innate style.
What made you start your own label? Was there an exact moment that you thought "I can do this"?
I have always been obsessed about finding the perfect pair of jeans. I've bought hundreds of jeans over the years but without any real luck. One day I decided to design my own. I put a lot of thought and effort into the design, fit and shape. I wanted them to have the perfect amount of stretch, thickness and of course color and I'm proud to say they turned out pretty good.
That was actually the moment when I realized I had an eye for it so I decided to keep designing and making more pieces that were missing in my own closet – and apparently in other women's closets too since they kept selling out. In just about two years the brand has grown significantly and we're getting more and more awareness of my designs. It has been and still is an incredible journey and I am so grateful and feel so lucky to be able to create and do what I love.
How did it start and how has the company progressed?
I felt there was room in the market for a brand that offered women a relaxed yet stylish collection of clothing. Pieces that are easy to wear and that can be combined with items you already have in your wardrobe. I've always been in favour of a "less is more approach" when it comes to clothing and styling and I wish to think that's what ANINE BING is all about – a label that offers high quality pieces with a perfect balance of rock n' roll and bohemian effortlessness.
How would you describe the woman who buys your label?
She is a woman who is confident in her own body. She doesn't need a lot to feel great. Less is more for her. Her wardrobe is simple and she is a smart shopper who rather buy a few great pieces with high quality rather than a bunch of things she will only use once. She is smart, fun and she loves life.
My very first fashion memory was …
When I was 12 years old and I bought my first pair of flared jeans. I was so proud to finally get my own pair!
My fashion journey started when …
I started modelling at the age of 15. I traveled the world and learned so much about the fashion industry.
I look my best in …
A pair of jeans and an oversized t-shirt.
Photo credit: Ulirka G Photography
My style uniform is …
Boots, skinny jeans and leather jacket. Rock bohemian is my favorite look!
My most fabulous fashion moment was …
When I was in Florence doing a photo shoot for LuisaViaRoma.com I was wearing a beautiful Alexander McQueen dress. I felt like a goddess!
My fave place in the world …
Los Angeles and Bali.
My style icon is …
There is so many women out there with amazing taste and style. I honestly can't pick one. – just visit the flea market here in LA and you'll find at least 20 amazing looking girls with their own unique style.
My favourite designers are…
Coco Chanel .
My last buy was …
New Diptyque candles for our new house.
Key pieces every woman should own …
A Chanel bag or a great handbag (I see it as a great fashion investment that will last for season after season and that can be passed on to my daughter when she grows up). ANINE BING jeans and leather jacket and a pair of Converse.
Photo credit: Annamaria Zunio Noellert
Sexiest things a woman can wear … What ever she feel most confident in. If you feel confident – you look sexy!
Five things I'm lusting after this season:
I always dream about a new Chanel bag but other than that I'm craving oversized t – shirts and knits, vintage denim and delicate jewelry.
On Saturday nights I'm busy …
Cuddling with my kids and husband.
Photo credit: Ulirka G Photography
For more beautiful Anine Bing fashion visit her website here!
Have you shopped our favourite Anine Bing pieces? Tell us in the comments below!
The post The Secret To This Model Turned Fashion Designer's Style: Anine Bing appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post How To Rock Clashing Prints! appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>https://vimeo.com/96660227
Clashing Prints is one of those tricky trends only the uber stylish usually have the fashion courage to try.
Sure, it can be easy to stuff up, but in this video we show you how easy it is to get right, every time. It's a foolproof guide to wearing clashing prints. Once you test it out, you can't get enough, because it opens up a whole new, exciting way to dress if you do it well. Need more inspiration? Check out these street style pics then click play.
Clothes by:
Trelise Cooper
Missguided
Equipment
Harris Scarfe
River Island
Free People
Revolve Clothing
In this video Nedahl Stelio talks one of this seasons trends, clashing prints.
One of the trickiest trends this season is clashing prints and I'm often asked how to put prints together and make it work! Now this is a great example, cause here we have a spot and a floral, which is almost like putting a neutral with a print and thats the easiest way to do it. So if you can always think a simple print with a busy print and this also works because it's it's got the black in the t-shirt and the black in the skirt so the colours actually go together as well!
Okay this look works, because we have something bright and beautiful on top and even though this is a colour on the bottom its really soft and muted you can still keep things busy but one of them has to take a back seat to the other one letting the top take centre stage
Okay so this works, because we are using the animal print as a neutral so this is a snake skin print but it doesn't matter if yours is leopard print or zebra print, always think of animal print as just a plain fabric and pair whatever you want with it on top. Now this works because its a dark colour floral with a dark skirt so if you keep it in the same tones, then you're pretty safe.
Have you rocked the clashing print trend? Tell us your experience in the comments below!
The post How To Rock Clashing Prints! appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post NAIDOC Week: What Facebook, Instagram And Tik Tok Are Doing appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>NAIDOC Week (July 4 – 11) is being celebrated this week and a special part of it this year is the launch of 'Connect to Country' on Facebook and Instagram and streamed indigenous music and performances including Jessica Mauboy on Tik Tok.
Facebook & Instagram
The 'Connect to Country' collaboration between the Indigenous creative agency Campfire x and Facebook Australia aims to drive awareness amongst all Australians of the culturally significant Country upon which they live and work every day.
It's an opportunity for us all to connect with the world's oldest continuous culture, and encourages brands and businesses to embed First Nations culture as an integral part of their physical and digital footprints. There is also going to be a spotlight on positive storytelling and representation, which will help make it easy for everyone to make Indigenous Culture an essential part of our everyday life.
Melissa Kirby, Ngemba Custodian and Brewarrina Local Aboriginal Land Council member said: "'Connect to Country' is Country speaking through a group of people.This communal approach doesn't just mean people tell their stories on Country, it tells us Country is intelligent and alive. It's about knowledge in technology coming out of being embedded in the landscape. 'Connect to Country' is about the entire system of Country, inclusive of people, animals, plants, ocean, and river, coming together like one big spirit.
"This project captured local people doing normal everyday things, how they celebrate culture and life through Country. 'Connect to Country' privileged the local narratives and voices of the Ngemba custodians, empowering local talent and traditional knowledge through a digital platform, showing us that there is no beginning and end to a story. Campfire X engaged the Community of Brewarrina through extensive consultation through awaiting invitation by the Brewarrina LALC. This local protocol is customary practice, and this model of integrity and respect is how things can be done. We are extremely grateful to be chosen as one of the first 'Connect to Country' sites."
The campaign, starting today, asks all Australians "Where You From?" and encourages them to discover more about their local First Nations communities, with resources available on the 'Connect to Country' Facebook page. These resources include videos to learn how to acknowledge Country and tips for connecting with their local community and language groups.
You can also enjoy unique First Nations stories that will be served to Facebook and Instagram users who live in corresponding areas, connecting them with the land they're on. For instance, a video telling the story of the Gamay Rangers who care for the waters of Botany Bay (Gamay) will be served to people in and around the La Perouse Local Aboriginal Land Council area using Facebook's geo-targeting tools.
For this first phase of this on-platform campaign, Facebook and Instagram users in four regions around NSW will see local stories from the people and land they live on, including Brewarrina, Dubbo, Port Stephens, and La Perouse beginning 4 July to mark NAIDOC Week. These stories will encourage people to learn more about their local First Nations communities and the campaign will continue to grow in the coming months to share stories from more regions across Australia.
Support so far has come from a range of Australian businesses and brands including Coles, Tourism Australia, and Telstra who all have large national footprints and are committed to the value that Connect to Country will bring to all Australians. More businesses are encouraged to take part.
Brad Cooke, Co-Founder of Campfire x, said: "There are so many positive stories in our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities that need to be shared, and stories told by our own people.
"Our people are too often negatively represented in media and online. By creating a space of respect and positivity via Connect to Country, more people will have the opportunity to find out the stories from the land they live and work on, and be better connected to history, culture, and also Indigenous organisations and businesses that are doing amazing things."
Alexandra Sloane, Director of Marketing for Facebook Australia, said: "This partnership brings the world's oldest storytelling culture to the world's newest storytelling platform.
"Our platforms have powerful abilities to enable storytelling and connect all Australians with the custodians of this land, the First Nations peoples who have nurtured it for more than 60,000 years. This campaign delivers cultural understanding and education based on the land you're located upon, so it's never been more accessible to learn First Nations stories in your own backyard."
Find out more here
Tik Tok
Tik Tok will showcase a diverse group of Indigenous creators throughout NAIDOC Week who've been nominated by their peers from TikTok's community, with curated Indigenous music and a series of live stream music shows from First Nations artists. You can find the NAIDOC Week Hub on the Discover page in the TikTok app from Sunday July 4.
Headlining this year's program is an exclusive LIVE performance on TikTok from Indigenous Australian pop icon, Jessica Mauboy. Since capturing the nation's heart on Australian Idol in 2006, Jessica has gone on to slay the music industry with six top ten albums, 16 top 20 singles, 21 ARIA accredited Platinum records and two ARIA Music Awards – all while being a dedicated advocate for the First Nations community.
"NAIDOC Week is incredibly important to me as it not only celebrates the history and achievements of my people and culture but also allows communities to come together to reflect, heal and share powerful stories. TikTok is an inclusive space where these voices are elevated and can make a real impact. I'm so thrilled to be part of TikTok's NAIDOC Week program alongside some very talented First Nations creators!," said Jessica Mauboy.
In recognition of this year's NAIDOC Week theme, 'Heal Country', Jessica will be performing excerpts from some of her favourite songs and exploring her personal and cultural connection to these tracks. During the LIVE stream Jessica will be fundraising for the Indigenous Literacy Foundation, a charity close to her heart. The TikTok community will also have a chance to connect with Jessica during a Q&A where she'll answer questions from fans!
The LIVE stream will be hosted on Jessica's TikTok account @jessicamauboy – on Monday 5 July at 7.00pm AEST.
#NOTHINGABOUTUSWITHOUTUS
Designer and Balanggarra/Yolngu woman, Molly Hunt, from Western Australia, created the striking graphics and artwork for the Hub.
Lee Hunter, General Manager, TikTok Australia and New Zealand, says that TikTok continues to focus on being a platform that brings joy to everyone, and is a place where diverse communities and voices flourish.
"At TikTok we are proud to not only celebrate and elevate First Nations people but also collaborate and work closely with the community. On TikTok, a vibrant and diverse array of people and cultures from around the world have found a home. Providing a welcoming place for all people to be creative and find connection is important not only during NAIDOC week, but all year round."
NAIDOC WEEK ON TIKTOK – THE COMPLETE LOW DOWN
Get down to: music performances LIVE on TikTok
NAIDOC Week music livestreams will feature soulful singer-songwriter Miiesha, singer-songwriter Budjerah and internationally acclaimed superstar Jessica Mauboy.
Take a sneak peek below:
@astrokirsten – Wirajduri woman and Astrophysicist, Kirsten Banks talks all things galactic and teaches our community about the weird and wonderful in our cosmos.
@joey_alt – Let Arrernte/Tiwi artist, Joseph Althouse, entertain you while he educates on First Nations people and their experiences.
@iam_deadly_feliciafoxx – Serving major looks, professional drag queen Felicia Foxx is a proud Gamilaroi and Dunghutti Sistergirl passionate about breaking down barriers for Indigenous & LGBTQ+ rights.
@clothing_the_gaps – Merch with a meaning. Check out this Victorian Aboriginal owned and led social enterprise, encouraging people to wear their values on their tee.
@thekooriecircle – Creator and artist Laura Thompson, a Gunditjmara woman from Melbourne, makes gorgeous contemporary Aboriginal designed and inspired jewellery.
@yarlicreative – Culturally and spiritually inspired Indigenous Art from Madison Connors, Yorta Yorta, Dja Dja Wurrung and Gamilaroi woman, who creates to heal, inspire and bring positive change.
The post NAIDOC Week: What Facebook, Instagram And Tik Tok Are Doing appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post The Cannes Film Festival is Back – Here's The Films To Watch Out For appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Last year, the streets of Cannes were eerily quiet. No celebrities. No red carpets. Not even the usual gaggle of fans along the Promenade de la Croisette.
This year, with a line up of glittering heavyweights like directors Wes Andersen and Paul Verhoeven, competing for the prestigious Palme D'Or, the 74th Cannes Film Festival is set to be a film-lover's dream come true.
More than 2,500 films were submitted for consideration for this year's event, according to festival director Thierry Frémaux. Of these, 24 were selected for the main competition, which also contains two rollovers from last year's selection that have not yet been screened. The director Spike Lee will oversee the panel of judges.
Although the number of Coronavirus cases continue to rise and fall in France, the competition's organizers, as well as the mayor of Cannes, want the show to go on, commencing July 6 to 17. Let the glamour begin. Here now follows a sneak peak at some of the the films that look set to get us all talking:
The French Dispatch
Wes Anderson's humorous take on journalists working in Twentieth Century France, with Timothée Chalamet, Frances McDormand and Tilda Swinton.
Annette
This year's opening film about a singer and a stand up comic whose lives turn upside down with the arrival of their child, directed by Leos Carax, starring Marion Cotillard and Adam Driver.
Benedetta
Virginie Efira plays a 17th century nun who performs miracles during a devastating plague in Paul Verhoeven's erotic thriller.
Mothering Sunday
It's 1924 and a maid, played by Odessa Young, gets the day off, while her employers, played by Colin Firth and Olivia Colman, attend a celebration to mark the engagement of the maid's lover, played by Josh O'Connor.
Bergman Island
Tim Roth and Vicky Krieps play an American filmmaking couple who head to the island of Faro in the Baltic to get inspiration from Ingmar Bergman who lived and died on the island.
Memoria
Written and directed by Thai filmmaker Apichatpong Weerasethakul, who won the Palme d'Or in 2010, this film will keep you in suspense. Tilda Swinton plays a Scottish woman who hears strange sounds in the night.
The Story of my Wife
A sea captain bets his friend that he will marry the next woman to walk in the door of the tavern where they are drinking. Lea Seydoux plays that woman, Lizzy. Set in the 1920s, and based on the Hungarian novel by Milan Fust. Directed by Ildiko Enyedi.
The post The Cannes Film Festival is Back – Here's The Films To Watch Out For appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Meet The Enterprising Farming Family Selling Meat On Social Media appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>After their northern NSW farm was destroyed by fire in 2019, they had lost most of their cattle and were left with nowhere to go, Bianca Tarrant, and Dave McGiveron, had no other option but to come up with a new business idea – otherwise they would lose everything.
"We went through rough times after the drought, then a bushfire came through and burned 70 percent of our property. We had to offload a lot of cows, we were really struggling to feed the animals – the breeders that we still had," says Bianca (seen below).
"Prices at the sale yards were so low when we had to offload that if we did, we would go broke and lose everything, so we had to find another way to survive. We started selling cuts of beef to families through social media and demand just skyrocketed. We couldn't believe the support we received from communities that were so distant from us, it showed us how far reaching the support for farmers is when we needed help."
Since launching the meat subscription offering, and growing their new business, Our Cow, the young couple have been inundated with orders and support – mainly from Australians living in the cities, wanting to know where their meat comes from.
"We love that we can provide a better way for Australians to eat meat. It's high-quality meat products, directly from the farm," she says. "It hasn't changed hands 10 times before it gets to your dinner plate.
"We also wanted to be able to give back to those people that helped us, so they don't feel like they have to dip into their pockets to help farmers all the time, they can support farmers every day through the food that they eat."
Australia grows some of the best livestock in the world, but the majority of it gets exported overseas.
"The quality of the meat at Our Cow is far superior than anything you'd find at the supermarket. The majority of the meat you buy in supermarkets is industrially farmed, and we are not about that. But our prices are comparable, if not a little cheaper than the supermarkets. It's all about convenience, the boxes come in a chilled container, right to your door. You get to know the farmer and have a connection with the person who grew the meat."
Our Cow buys stock straight off farms and transports it to a factory in 'beef capital' Casino in Northern New South Wales, it's then prepared and distributed feeding more than 10,000 families nationwide.
They are already working with 50 beef producers, as well as lamb, pork and organic chicken producers who supply to the service.
"This gives farmers an alternative, secure, sustainable livestock market by not relying on cattle prices through conventional selling methods and large multinational companies to purchase products, instead going directly to the consumer."
"Once we started the business, the demand grew quicker than what we could supply it and we knew there would be so many other farmers that would be in the same boat that would also want a guaranteed price,"
"So, we were able to bring on other farmers to the Our Cow team and our point of difference is we can offer farmers a secure and a stable price which does not fluctuate like the price at the sale yard does.We stay above the average and offer locked in pricing so there is no change with the weather and supply and demand."
"We also recognise there are many customers out there that want to know where their meat is coming from and they want to support Australian farmers who are farming sustainably and have high animal welfare standards.We see how much support goes to farmers in times of need, but this is a way for consumers to directory support farmers every day by purchasing their meat this way".
For more information visit ourcow.com.au
The post Meet The Enterprising Farming Family Selling Meat On Social Media appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Recreate Retro Hair Styles Of Twiggy, Grace Kelly, Marylyn And More appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Thanks to Australian award-winning hair stylist Lizzie Liros, we can give you the perfect guide on how to re-create retro hair. What better way to spend your spare time in ISO?
The Twiggy – Pixie Crop
- Apply a smoothing serum to the hair and part on desired side.
- Using a large round brush blow dry hair straight in thin one-inch sections
- Once entire head is dry use the cool setting on your dryer to give hair one last cool brush through to help set the entire style.
- If desired run straighteners over the length of the hair for a clean straight finish. Ensure to apply a heat protection spray first.
- Finish with a small amount of gloss serum to add high shine to your finished sleek style.
The Marilyn – Hollywood Retro Hair
- Part hair on desired side.
- Apply a medium hold styling mousse on dry hair and blow-dry until completely dry.
- In small sections, curl all of the hair in the same direction using a medium curling iron like the Philips Conical Curler. Let it cool down for 5-10 minutes.
- Run your fingers through the hair to separate the curls and part the hair on the desired side.
- Use Shine Spray for a soft shinny finish
The Audrey Hepburn – Beehive
- Add a volumising spray to clean damp hair and blow-wave hair with a large round brush to create volume and texture in the hair.
- Part dry hair on desires side and section the top crown section of hair from the back, pulling it forward and clipping with a butterfly clip.
- Starting on the same side as hair is parted on and working from the nape of the neck smooth hair to the centre of the back of the head. Rill the hair over on itself and pin in place with bobby-pins.
- Work your way up the head until your reach the base of the crown (this will move the lengths of the hair to the top of the head, whilst the back will be neatly rolled and fastened).
- Twist the lengths of the hair to the end and twirl into a loose flat bun on the top of the crown.
- Take the front section of the hair, working away from the part, and sweep sideways pulling it lightly backwards and pinning into the pre-pinned style at the back of the hair.
- Finish the style by doing the same thing to the remaining loose side of hair.
- Smooth fly-ways with a fishtail comb and spray with a light weight finishing spray.
Bridget Bardot – Big Sexy Retro Hair
- Wash hair and apply a volumising mousse to damp hair
- Follow with a heat protectant before styling.
- Blow-wave hair with a round brush until completely dry.
- Set all of hair with medium sized hot rollers or a styling tool like the Philips StyleCare Auto-Rotating Airstyler working away from the face.
- Allow rollers to cool completely before gently removing them one by one.
- Take two 2 inch sections of hair at the very centre of the crown and lightly tease with a tail comb to create height and fullness.
- Secure the centre sections of hair to the crown of the head with a bobby-pin
- Then loosely draw back the sides of the hair to the back and pin into place with bobby pins.
- Gentle comb the front section of hair over teased hair with a tail comb, smoothing into place before pinning at the back of the head, covering the side section pins
- Allow the fringe section of hair to fall natural around the face
- Using your fingers gently brush out the curls in the length of the hair to loosen them into a soft naturally flowing finish.
- Finish the look with a light coat of high shine spray and light hold hair spray over the entire hair.
Bebe Daniels – Finger Wave
- Wash hair using your regular shampoo and conditioner and lightly towel dry. Hair needs to be a little wet to create this style
- Apply a non-sticky medium hold mousse to wet hair and blow dry smooth. *Hair MUST be 100% dry to achieve this style.
- Using a tail comb create a straight deep part on desired side.
- Tie the bulk of your hair up, leaving a think section at the nape
- Take a super fine vertical section of hair from the nape and using a small curling tong like the end of the Philips Conical Curler to wind hair very tightly from root to ends. *The tighter hair is wound around the tong the better.
- Hold for 5-7 seconds and release the curl. Follow the same technique for whole head working left to right, nape to crown and winding curls in the same direction
- Once all hair is curled spray with a light hold hair spray and allows hair to cool for 15 minutes. *Hair MUST be 100% cool before brushing to create the desired finish.
- Using a vent brush comb out the curls on a downward strong, taking long strokes from roots to tips. This will smooth out the curls to create the soft wave
- Keep brushing until the soft waves are achieved.
Grace Kelly – The Glam Slicked Back Look
- Wash hair and apply a smoothing serum before styling
- Blow wave front side sections of the hair smooth using a round brush, ensuring to work hair backwards as your dry
- Blow-wave the body and length of the hair up and directly back, letting all hair drop behind the shoulders. Hair can be dried smooth or with the slightest of curl at the very ends of the hair.
- With a tail comb smooth the front section of hair backwards away from the face.
- Spray all of hair lightly with a shine spray to add a gorgeous glamorous glossy finish.
- Finish the look with a firm hold hairspray around the hairline to hold the look into place.
Britt Ekland – The Tousled/ Boho Hair
- Part clean dried hair on desired side or centre part.
- Spray hair with a medium hold hair spray.
- Starting from the front of the hair around the face, take a thin vertical section of hair from the part line down to the nape (just under your ear).
- Curl the section of hair with a one-inch curling wand, winding hair away from the face.
- Hold for 5 seconds and then remove the hair from the curling wand keeping the curl in tact.
- Pin the curled hair to the base of the scalp to allow the curl to cool and set.
- Continue this same system with remaining hair.
- Once all of hair is curled and pinned allow the hair to cool for 15 minutes before removing each pin and releasing the curls.
- To finish tip your head upside down and run your fingers through hair to loosen curls. *Brushing the hair with comb or brush with smooth the hair more so that using your fingers.
Voila! There you have it. Easy to follow step by step guides to create iconic retro hair styles.
*TIPS
The post Recreate Retro Hair Styles Of Twiggy, Grace Kelly, Marylyn And More appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post How To Get Your Kids To Love Their Veggies appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>By Lucy E. Cousins
The Veggies Stealth Method
One of the most effective ways to up the veggie count in meals is to hide veggies where your little one won't find them. And it's much easier than you think, for example, shredded carrots, spinach and thinly sliced zucchini can all be added to spaghetti bolognaise and most oven bakes, healthy brownies can be made using sweet potatoes, avocado, dates and carobs, and pasta meals can include plant-protein dried pasta (found in supermarket pasta aisles). For lunch boxes, avocado can also be used in savoury sandwiches instead of butter, and veggie bakes (made with cheese and eggs) can hide all number of vegetables and still taste 'delicious'.
Add Some Fun
Vegetables can seem boring to children, especially when compared to the fast food and unhealthy snack options available in the shops. So, help bring a little excitement to lunchtimes by offering up healthier versions of the food your kids crave. Instead of potato chips, add a packet of the delicious X50 Mushroom Chips. These are perfect on their own or can be paired with guacamole or hummus. For younger kids, try using novelty forks or cutting veggies up into fun shapes and placing them in an empty ice cube tray; toddlers especially love having a full tray to pick and choose from.
Snacks Swaps
Lunchbox and after school snacks are a great way of boosting the veggie content of your child's diet. To encourage healthy snacking, make sure a variety of great options, such as cheese, crackers, carrots, dips and heathy chips are all available in the fridge. (Where possible hide any unhealthy options.) For lunchboxes, opt for boxes of raisins, fresh fruit and instead of potato chips, add in a packet of X50 Broccoli Chips, which come in a range of tasty flavours. Not only do these veggie chips offer the "crunch" that kids love, but they're also a mega nutrient hit.
Think outside the box
If you have fussy easters at your home, it can be tempting provide the same foods, you know they love, over and over again. However, that's not necessarily the best approach – not only will this not expand and develop their tastebuds, but they might also get bored of these foods. Instead, think a little outside the box and create food combinations (and fun ways to eat them) we love. Apple slices taste great dipped in 100% peanut butter, veggie-loaded pasta sauce can be eaten hot on toast with cheese (or on top of baked sweet potatoes), fruit smoothies make great healthy ice cream when frozen, and crowd favourite X50 Cauliflower Chips (in any flavour) go perfectly with guacamole or any kind of healthy dip you like.
Lead by Example
Lastly, it goes without saying that kids look to the adults in their life for guidance (though your teenager might not want to admit it). So if you are munching on healthy food and snacks as well, you'll be setting the perfect example for them. Seeing you enjoy the same food as them and choosing healthy chips and snacks over fast food will allow them to see health food in a new and exciting way. Warning: The X50 range of veggie chips taste so good anyway, you might end up not wanting to share them.
X50 Veggie Chips Are So Tasty Your Kids Will never Know How Good They Are For Them!
The post How To Get Your Kids To Love Their Veggies appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Sustainable Towels for Your Next Beach Holiday appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The Australian brand is based in Melbourne and launched in 2019. They were keen to create a line of towels that would decrease traveller's impact on the environment. These towels are made out of fabric from recycled plastic bottles.
Both towels are super absorbent and better than using a regular cotton towel. They are sand-resistant, so they can be used on the beach, for yoga and Pilates, as well as outdoor activities.
The range has expanded with products for children and babies with very cute baby hooded towels and junior towels. The junior towels have beautiful prints including jungle and the super pretty butterfly garden. I'm hoping they bring these and the baby sea world print to the adult versions.
The Summer Chaser Towel
The towels come in a matching drawstring pouch. There's a large corner pocket that is ideal for keeping your keys, sunscreen or your mobile phone.
The range comes in lots of fun prints. I'm lusting after the animal kingdom print, dipping sun and flower power. The surfer's bucket list would make a great gift for the surfer in your life.
Did you know that power couple Catherine Martin and Baz Luhrmann liked the Animal Kingdom design so much they ordered towels for the whole team? The jungalicious print featuring cheetahs and jungle leaves on the front and spots on the back. Designed by a Moscow-based illustrator Julia Dreams.
The Summer Chaser Fitness Towel
The fitness towels are a new addition to the eco-friendly range. They are ultralight and great for travel and the gym. There's a handy corner pocket that is ideal for carrying your keys and credit card.
There are pop art-inspired words, modern and American sports styles.
There is no musty smell. You might find you need to wash them less and as a result, save on water. Colours do not fade.
Look out for the cute scrunchies which are made out of imperfectly printed towels. A great way to ensure there's no waste. The scrunchies are ideal for wet, sweaty and salty hair.
I can't wait for the weather to heat up so I hit the surf. I am grateful for living within driving distance of the beach and I'm looking forward to my next holiday.
About Summer Chaser
The Summer Chaser is an Australian brand based in Melbourne. We are inspired by the Sea, the Sun and the desire to wander.
Our mission is to reduce the impact of plastic waste on our planet by offering premium travel towels that are versatile and easy to carry.
We believe in making the most out of the resources we already have. That is why our towels are made with GRS certified post-consumer recycled plastic waste.
Turning trash into treasure cleans our planet, weakens dependence on petroleum, saves energy and vastly reduces carbon emissions.
Our towel range currently includes full-sized, junior and baby hooded towels.
The Summer Chaser website: https://thesummerchaser.com/
The post Sustainable Towels for Your Next Beach Holiday appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post How To Keep Your Dog Clean Between Baths appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>This all-natural elixir is the perfect balance of safe-to-use-on-your-pooch Lavender and Peppermint essential oils that provides gentle refresh for your dog between grooming sessions. Your fur kid's coat will be left shiny, soft and tangle-free. Lavender calms and soothes irritated skin. It also has anti-microbial properties to help ward off infection, so it's great if your pup suffers hot spots.
Peppermint oil is cooling and helps repel insects, while fractionated coconut oil helps to hydrates dry skin and improves the shine and softness of your dog's coat. This formula is all-natural, Australian-made in small batch quantities,, Palm-oil free, vegan, cruelty-free and the packaging is completely recyclable.
Simply spray lightly and brush through your dog's coat! You can also spray it through your pup's bed for a peaceful slumber. I use it a few times a weekl on my three fur kids and they smell divine!
The Furminator
This ingenious combination of a comb/brush was originally designed for double coated dogs, like Siberian Huskies, German Shepherds, Pyrenean Mountain Dogs and Maremmas. Anyone who is lucky enough to be owned by one of these breeds will know that they shedd a lot. The joke is that they shed twice a year – for six months each time. On top of that though, they do this magic trick called "blowing their coat" where massive big clumps of their undercoat fur fall out land all over your living room/car/bedroom/back yard.
The Furminator features a comb that pulls the undercoat out, without causing pain, when they are in blowing season. It features a super handy 'release' button, so when the special comb is stacked with fur, you simply press the button and it releases it. I like to use mine in my front garden, as the magpies and other birds then take the fur and build nests from it.
The top comb works to keep the upper coat tangle free and shiny. The Furminator is also available in unique designs for all different breeds of dog and can help keep hair fall around the house to a minimum, as well as keep it off your clothes.
Dog By Dr Lisa Gentle Wipes
These are especially fab if your dog loves mud and puddles, which is pretty much every dog that ever existed. Simply keep a stash in the car or at the front door and use them to wipe down muddy paws and under bellies after walkies. You can also use them to safely clean eye boogers without irritating your pup's little eyes (those who know, know!).
They're plant-based, vegan-friendly, made in New Zealand, 100% compostable and not tested on animals. Oh, they're fantastic for keeping your Pup's ears clean too, but remember, if at any time your dog gets super stinky ears, it can signify an infection, so be sure to visit the vet.
The Oil Garden Dog Safe Essential Oils Kit
Essential oils in the home are uplifting, relaxing and calming. However, pet owners must take extra care with as some oils can be toxic to pets. Oil Garden takes the guesswork out of finding the right essential oils for pets, with the Pooch Pamper Pack. Simply add two drops each Lavender or Geranium to 1tsp of white vinegar and add to 100mL water spritzer bottle. Shake well before each use. You can also spray the underside of your dog's bedding to freshen.
Doggone Smart DGs Dirty Doormat
This mat is a fabulous when it comes to cleaning wet, muddy paws before your pooch steps inside after playtime. It work like a chamois cloth, soaking up to seven times its weight in mud and water!
It's available in several colours and sizes, so you can choose your style and size, depending on your home's decor and your dog's breed. It also has a rubber backing to prevent ]\
t slipping around. And, when it's at capacity, simply pop it in the washing machine and re-use once it's dry.
Extra Tips for Keeping Your Fur Kid Safe and Smelling Sweet
1. Watch What They Eat
Watching even five minutes of the Netflix Documentary Pet Fooled empowers you with enough smarts to know that your dog needs to be eating the best food you can afford. There's a famous saying – "feed your pet, not your vet". The better your dog eats, the cheaper your vet bills will be.
All that aside, a high quality, premium dog food routine is also sure-fire way to keep your dog smelling sweet.
Brands to buy? This is always a bone of contention (pardon the pun!). Some dog owners prefer a raw food diet, others prefer kibble, whilst others will cook up a storm for their dogs at home (just speak to your vet about the right nutrients to include if cooking for your dogs yourself).
Some people even raise their dogs as vegans, which is another controversial issue that we will delve into another time (yes, it can be done if you want to be a personal chef to your dog, ensuring they get all the nutrients required. No, most vets and animal nutritionists advise against it).
But I digress … I've always been a fan of feeding my dogs a variety of different foods, from raw meats bought at our local free-range butcher, to kibble as advised by our vet, to air-dried dog food and of course, their fair share of free range, preservative-free treats that have no added sugar, salt, fat and flavours. All of these healthy and nutritious options will help ensure your dog stays fresh smelling in between baths.
It's all a bit of trial and error, but after a while, you will work out what foods agree with your dog and which ones make him stink, or upset his tummy. Just ensure for dental care he gets plenty of fresh meaty bones from the butcher (nobody likes dog's breath) and for overall health and wellbeing, have a good long discussion with your vet.
2. Never use human products like shampoo, conditioner or fragrance on your pet. They may contain ingredients that cause irritation to your dog's sensitive skin and eyes.
3. Brush your dog as much as possible – at least once a week. it helps to get rid of dirt, as well as distribute naturally occurring oils throughout their coat, thereby boosting shine.
4. Wash their bedding weekly. Just as you would wash your own bedding on the regular, so too you should your pooches'. it helps keep them clean, keep fleas at bay and keep your dog – and your home – smelling clean and fresh!
5. Avoid using powder based products to keep your dog's coat clean. It can get up their nose and in their eyes and affect their respiratory system as well as their vision.
The post How To Keep Your Dog Clean Between Baths appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post It's Time To Pay Attention To Your Beauty Products' Packaging appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>How does our choice of beauty products impact the environment?
Once you start looking, you'll notice that almost all of your beauty products come in plastic packaging. This has a huge impact on the environment. Why, you ask? Well, most plastics don't break down after we throw them away. Instead, they're tossed into landfills or the ocean, harming the environment and marine life. Worse still, plastic in the ocean and soil can degrade over time, leaving behind microplastics that can damage soil quality and pollute waterways.
So the beauty products we choose to use, and the beauty brands we choose to support have a direct impact on the health of our planet. If you're trying to make more sustainable choices, we recommend sticking to the simple, golden rule: if it can't be reused, recycled, or replaced, avoid buying it. Start by looking for brands that offer recyclable beauty packaging and do your research to find out what else they're doing to reduce their carbon footprint.
How can we choose sustainable beauty packaging?
Whether it's using refillable containers and innovative alternative eco-friendly packaging or buying from brands that are creating packaging innovations from recycled or recyclable materials, there are plenty of ways to reduce the adverse effects on our planet. And with more and more beauty brands making promising headway when it comes to sustainable and eco-friendly materials and products, it's only getting easier to make good choices. Some brands are even using natural ingredients such as sugarcane to make their packaging, citing its biodegradable properties as one of its major benefits to the environment.
The Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) works with the government and businesses to reduce the environmental impact of packaging in Australia. Their mission is to "keep packaging materials out of landfill and retain the maximum value of the materials, energy and labour within the local economy." They work to set out how governments and businesses across Australia share the responsibility for managing the environmental impacts of packaging and ultimately hold them accountable.
Sustainable beauty brands
Even when armed with all of the right information, shopping for beauty products in a sustainable way isn't an easy task. You can get lost in the endless marketing jargon, misleading promises, and a surprising level of 'greenwashing' where brands appear to be more environmentally friendly and sustainable than they actually are.
But this hot topic is absolutely claiming the spotlight, and responsible and ethical beauty brands like OC Naturals are making it easier to make better choices when it comes to sustainable packaging. Passionate about making nourishing, environmentally responsible and Australian-made hair and skincare products, they also use plant-based and naturally derived ingredients. Their bottles are made from recycled plastic and better yet, the products are made in a factory powered by roof-mounted solar systems. They source ingredients from renewable and sustainable sources and perhaps most importantly, they are an APCO signatory.
You can read more about how OC Natural began their business and about their promise to continue creating environmentally responsible products of the best possible quality, that are both vegan and cruelty free. Browse their full range of beauty products and find your local stockist today.
This is a sponsored post.
The post It's Time To Pay Attention To Your Beauty Products' Packaging appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Melbourne's Trendy Fitzroy Opens a Sustainable Coles Local appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Fitzroy Coles Local Features
Customers will be able to reduce plastic waste with these exciting features:
- an olive oil refill station from Squeaky Gate Growers Co
- a range of refillable shampoos, conditioners, body washes, and laundry liquids from ecostore
- bring your own container and fill it with select dry Scoop & Weigh products
- make your own freshly-ground coffee from DC specialty coffee roasters
- buy cereals and granola, lollies, bulk smoothie supplements, and frozen fruit sourced from Australian farms
Coles Chief Sustainability Property and Export officer Thinus Keevé said that like all Coles Local stores, the new Fitzroy supermarket featured a product range that had been custom-made to meet the needs of local shoppers.
"We've partnered with local butchers, bakers and producers to offer our Fitzroy customers an in-store experience that is uniquely tailored to local tastes and preferences," he said.
"At Coles Local, we test and trial innovative new features to see how our customers respond. In this store we're launching a new frozen fruit Scoop & Weigh station for the first time, and an offer where customers can grind their own coffee and take it away in a container of their choice.
"As part of our Together to Zero strategy to reduce waste and transition to a circular plastic economy, we're working with our suppliers to find innovative packaging solutions and trial them with our customers. We know that customers want us make it easier for them to recycle, and it doesn't get much easier than simply using the container again."
Kristen Moxey, Marketing Manager with Australian olive oil producer Squeaky Gate, said: "Squeaky Gate is delighted to partner with Coles Local on the new Fitzroy store refill station. We are constantly looking for new ways to bring our locally sourced extra virgin olive oil to consumers in a way that minimises our impact on the planet. Giving people the option to reuse and refill their bottle is an innovative way for us all to be more environmentally friendly."
Coles Local Fitzroy features a large vegetarian section with nearly 300 vegetarian and many vegan lines. Think dahls, curries and stews from Shilu's and Delicious Foods, dairy alternatives including a vegan 'parmesan' from Dairy Free Down Under, and hummus and dips from Arlington's.
The Fitzroy store is a first for Coles. The green initiatives are part of several in-store trials around Australia that Coles is conducting on reusable packaging. These include:
- partnering with Unilever on a refill station for laundry liquids at Coles Moonee Ponds
- launching Coles' first refillable station with sustainable body and home care brand ecostore at Chatswood
Customers can pack their groceries in free cardboard carry boxes available at the checkouts. Customers can drop off their soft plastic for recycling via REDcycle. Staff members are wearing polo shirts made from part recycled materials.
In addition, the store will also reduce food waste by working with food rescue organisation SecondBite and its community partner St Mary's House of Welcome – a local open access centre that provides essential services to people who are homeless and experiencing poverty.
The Coles Local Fitzroy is located at 95-103 Johnston St, Fitzroy and will be open daily from 7 am – 10 pm. Read more about Coles Sustainable environment practices.
The post Melbourne's Trendy Fitzroy Opens a Sustainable Coles Local appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Jessica Spendlove's Deliciously Simple Beef Stir Fry Recipe appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Sydney Accredited Practicing Sports Dietitian and Performance Nutrition shares her Deliciously Simple Beef Stir Fry Recipe with The Carousel.
Serves 4
Prep 10 minutes Cook 30 minutes
Ingredients
- 500g lean beef, sliced into thin strips
- 1 cup brown rice
- 2 tsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO)
- 2 tsp sesame oil
- Sesame oil to grease pan
- 1 long red chilli, chopped
- 1 1⁄2 tsp freshly grated ginger
- 1 bunch bok choy
- 1 zucchini, sliced
- 1 carrot, diced
- 1 capsicum, sliced
- 1 cup shitake mushroom, sliced
- 1⁄2 tsp gluten-free soy sauce
- 1⁄4 cup water
Method
- Cook the rice in a saucepan or rice cooker, as per instructions on packet or use microwave rice pack if time poor. If cooking, rice will take approximately 30 minutes.
- Whilst the rice is cooking, add EVOO and sesame oil to a pan. Once heated, add chilli and grated ginger and stir until fragrant.
- Add beef strips and stir-fry for 2 minutes.
- Reduce the pan to medium heat and add carrot, zucchini and capsicum andstir-fry for 2-3 minutes. Then add bok choy for a few more minutes until vegetables have wilted. Once all ingredients are cooked, return wok to high heat and add the rice.
- Add soy sauce to a small dish and top up with 1⁄4 cup water.
- Stir through soy sauce and water. Cook all ingredients for a further 5 minutesbefore serving.
Tips
- Thin beef strips don't take very long to cook, so have all of the vegetables prepped and ready to go before cooking the beef
- With your vegetables, you can change them up to suit your preference – always try and have a few different options and colours to maximise the micronutrient diversity. The different colours reflect the different micronutrient profiles making the meal nutritious and delicious.
- If you aren't a big fan of chilli you can omit that and add in some ginger and garlic to change up the flavour profile.
- This meal can quickly become a 15-minute dinner recipe if you swap cooking the rice for a microwave rice cup option.
The post Jessica Spendlove's Deliciously Simple Beef Stir Fry Recipe appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Guide To Preserving Flowers And What Works Best appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Crystallising flowers preserves whole flowers or individual petals with sugar to create a sparkling sweet dried flower that you can use on cakes, biscuits, drinks and desserts. Roses and violas, pansies and dianthus are my favourite flowers to crystallise. There are several ways to preserve flowers or petals, using the sugar crystallisation method.
Option 1 Egg white:
Beat an egg white to the point of tiny bubbles, not stiff. Use a small clean paint brush to paint the flower all over with the beaten egg white; then sprinkle a light coating of caster sugar over the flower before setting on a rack to dry prior to storing in airtight containers.
Option 2 Gum Arabic:
Dissolve 4 slightly rounded teaspoons of Gum Arabic (purchase online or at cake decorating shops) in 25 ml vodka. Use a small clean paintbrush to paint the flowers all over with the Gum Arabic mixture. Sprinkle over caster sugar and leave to dry before storing in airtight containers.
Dried petals and flowerfetti
Drying will preserve flowers longer than crystallisation. Dried flower petals look like confetti, hence the name flowerfetti. To dehydrate small flowers or petals, select tiny perfect buds or pull petals from the flower heads and cut off any bitter white base. Lay them in a single layer to dry. Avoid high temperatures that cook the delicate flowers. Drying times depend on each flower, the humidity and temperature. Set a dehydrator to 30°C, or use solar power on hot days but drying outside means you'll need to bring the flowers in at night. When ready, the flowers will be dry and almost crisp.
To use the flowerfetti, make flower sugar by adding the dried petals to caster sugar. It can be used to dip the rim of a glass as I've done with the elderflower fizz. Dried petals or petal sugar are lovely in cake batters or as a sprinkle over biscuits and cupcakes.
Successful dried flowers include dahlia petals, cornflowers, violas, calendula, chamomile, sunflower and rose. Store them in an airtight container out of light. Avoid drying elderflower and feijoa as they turn brown.
The Carousel would like to thank Linda from Ecobotanica for this recipe.
Read also Cooking With Edible Flowers: Bougainvillea Switzel Recipe
The post Guide To Preserving Flowers And What Works Best appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post 5 Must-Know Tips For Founders, Entrepreneurs, And Owners Alike appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Being a Founder, entrepreneur or business owner can be a really thrilling experience but as good as the highs are, the lows can be fraught with anxiety, pressure and doubt. I've worked in the startup world for almost a decade as a Founder, investor and business leader and have experienced my fair share of ups and downs. Here are the top things I've learned that I wish I knew early on in the journey.
#1 Surround yourself with people who have different strengths than you – it's really hard to let go when you're a business owner or Founder. But it's really key to bring people on board the journey with you that you trust and who have different strengths – it's not possible to be an expert in everything.
#2 Coming from corporate is a great background to have – I often speak to people who are paralysed by the thought that they can't start something because they "don't have start-up experience". This couldn't be further from the truth. Corporate environments teach you structure, accountability and strategy. All very important when going out on your own.
#3 Always include fitness as one of your 3 – a healthy body is a healthy mind and at the end of the day if you don't have your health, nothing else matters anyway. Also, there's nothing quite like sweating out a shitty day.
#4 Express yourself – this is so important within your inner circle of friends and family. Startups are hard and it's not healthy to bottle up your stress and anxiety. It's really important to vent to someone. I admit, this is something that is very hard for me to do as I always want to seem in control but trust me, you'll feel better and your relationships will be better if you do this.
#5 This too shall pass – and by this I mean the good and the bad. It's really important to never become complacent in the startup space. When things are running smoothly and everything is firing, more than likely something will derail – a copycat business launches, someone resigns or a deal falls through. And similarly, when things are just not going your way, eventually with hard work and determination, the gears will shift.
The post 5 Must-Know Tips For Founders, Entrepreneurs, And Owners Alike appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Beauty Queen Trinny Woodall's Beauty Secrets Revealed appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>It's the hero product in her winter beauty arsenal. Here UK beauty queen Trinny Woodall shares her beauty tips and tricks and introduces her new hero product from Trinny London – the BFF SPF 30 CREAM.
"As you know the first step of any makeup routine should always involve SPF," says Trinny. "That's why I created the BFF – the ultimate skincare-makeup hybrid. As well as protecting your skin from everyday exposure to harmful UV rays, this clever little multitasker is lightweight, hydrating and contains micro-encapsulated pigments that adapt to your skin tone, reducing redness and evening out your complexion."
You can wear this on its own or under the BFF De-Stress. It glides on easily and leaves you with a natural-looking glow and your skin feeling hydrated. The BFF is Trinny London's best-selling product and has the highest repurchase rate of all SKUs. So popular is this product that as many as six are sold every minute across 60 countries.
BFF CREAM: RRP $46.50
BFF's coloured microspheres adapt to your own skin tone, creating a flawless, natural glow
Instantly hydrates and wakes up tired looking skin
Light-reflecting extract of porcelain flower boosts radiance, tones down redness, and makes light work of dark circles The 30ml tube comes with its own T-Pot.
https://trinnylondon.com/us/products/bff-cream
BRONZER
Golden Glow in Naomi: RRP $45
If you are looking for a warm winter bronzer, try the Golden Glow in Naomi. It's a deep mahogany bronze perfect for deeper skin tones, and gives you that sun-kissed warmth to your skin.
HIGHLIGHTER
The Right Light in Firelight: RRP $45
This cream-based highlighter lets you add light and luminosity to your face. The latest shade in the range is called Firelight and gives you a warm fireside glow with a light-reflecting satin finish that's ideal for deeper skin tones.
The post Beauty Queen Trinny Woodall's Beauty Secrets Revealed appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post The Shouta App Is Helping Aussies Send The Perfect Gift appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>A new trend in gifting is here and is called nano gifting – the act of sending an instant gift as a token of your thoughts. Maybe your best mate had a really bad day at work, your sister got promoted or your mum saved the day babysitting the kids during a really important Zoom call, if so then a nano gift is in order.
A recent survey of 1000 Aussies found that, while 89% do purchase spontaneous gifts for friends and loved ones, there is a disconnect between the types of gifts we give, to the types of gift we prefer to receive.
Most people think a gift given as a gesture requires a bottle of alcohol, flowers or chocolate, but in fact, the research shows that cash and vouchers are valued by 50% of Australians beating out that bottle of red (9%), bunch of blooms (9%) and sweet treat (14%)
Let's face it though, we're unlikely to change a gifter's opinion about what they should buy and that's why my Co-Founder Nick Redwood and I built Shouta, a micro gifting App. In Shouta, gift-givers can choose from the types of gifts they love to send – like wine or chocolate but it's delivered to their recipient as a digital prepaid Shouta card which can be spent anywhere Mastercard is accepted, giving the recipient the flexibility of cash or a voucher. It's a win-win. And there's more, the nano gift is delivered instantly via SMS. All the recipient needs to do is click on the link, add their Shouta Mastercard to their digital wallet then tap and pay wherever they like.
The survey also revealed that Aussies aren't concerned about price with 88% agreeing that the best, most thoughtful gifts needn't be expensive. In Shouta you can send a nano gift from as little as $5 and because you can customise the Shout with an image and a special message you're able to send something unique, personalised and fun. This means in a post-2020 world of border closures and lockdowns, it's now easier than ever to send someone you care about a token of your thoughts in an inexpensive and instant way.
The post The Shouta App Is Helping Aussies Send The Perfect Gift appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post How To Save On Fashion During The End Of Financial Year Sales appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>From winter essentials to your next everyday handbag, we're going to cover what you should and shouldn't be spending your hard-earned cash on this EOFY.
What to buy during the end of financial year fashion sales
- Winter essentials
Take advantage of the fact that the end of the financial year falls right in the middle of winter and stock up on all your winter essentials for a fraction of the cost. Sweaters, knits, sweatpants – whatever is essential to your wardrobe and your personal style is what you should be buying. To really make sure you're getting your dollar's worth, keep an eye out for good-quality fabrics such as wool and cashmere, and avoid polyester.
- A good pair of boots
There's no denying that a high-quality, stylish and, most importantly, comfortable pair of boots can remain in your wardrobe for years to come. By the time the EOFY rolls around, retailers have already brought out the hottest winter boot styles, so there's a pretty good chance they'll be taken straight to the sale section. Now's the time to invest in that pair you've been eyeing off for ages.
- The perfect winter coat
While you're buying your winter essentials, don't forget to look around for that perfect winter coat. If you're looking for one that's made out of wool (which is what actually keeps you warm), it's highly likely that you're going to be faced with a price tag upwards of $200. So, buy one during the end of financial year sales and you'll end up saving a huge chunk of cash.
- A beautiful leather jacket
You can't go wrong with a gorgeous leather jacket. It's one of those transeasonal clothing pieces that you can truly rock all year long – it all depends on how you style it. If you're looking for real leather, buy one during the EOFY sales and save some cash. And if you'd rather go cruelty-free, invest in a high-quality vegan leather jacket – the cheaper fake leather options never make it through the season.
- Your next everyday handbag
The end of the financial year is a time when we see heaps of designer labels going on sale. Whether it's the brand's official store or stockists like David Jones and Myer, there's a good chance you'll be able to score yourself a fabulous handbag at a discounted price. Invest in something you know you'll be able to take with you everywhere and match with every single outfit.
What NOT to buy during the end of financial year fashion sales
- Trend pieces
This goes without saying, but don't spend large sums of cash on trend pieces that are going to be out of style next season. It's simply not worth it, and you especially don't want to fall into that trap during the EOFY sales. While there's no denying that it's fun to play around with fashion trends, don't let them rule your bank account.
- Already affordable items
With the abundance of EOFY sales, it's hard to keep track of which offers are actually worth taking advantage of. Sure, you can just go wild on a shopping spree, but if you want to make smart shopping decisions, opt for purchases that get you the most bang for your buck. Buying a top that's originally $50 for $20? No thanks. Getting your hands on a $500 coat for just $200? Yes please!
- Items of poor quality
Don't just buy the first thing you see on sale. Take a look at the brand, the original price and what the item's made of. Whether it's a coat, a handbag, a pair of shoes or even just a T-shirt, you want to make sure you're getting your money's worth. If you're buying something just for the sake of it being on sale, then it's not a financially smart decision.
Marina Tatas is a shopping writer at Finder .
The post How To Save On Fashion During The End Of Financial Year Sales appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Comforting Chicken, Noodle & Leek Soup appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Serves 4–6
INGREDIENTS
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1 leek, white part and half of the green part, rinsed and thinly sliced
100 g (3½ oz) kugel, egg or vermicelli noodles
sea salt and white pepper, to season
1 small handful flat-leaf (Italian) parsley, finely chopped
For the stock
1 small (about 1.2 kg/2 lb 10 oz) chicken
1 brown onion, finely chopped
3 garlic cloves, crushed
2 celery stalks
1 carrot
2 fresh or dried bay leaves
5 garlic cloves, extra
½ teaspoon white peppercorns
METHOD
1 To make the stock, put all of the ingredients in a large saucepan with 5 litres (175 fl oz/20 cups) water. Cook over medium heat for 45 minutes.
2 Remove the saucepan from the heat and transfer the chicken to a chopping board. When cool enough to handle, pull the chicken meat off the carcass and shred with your hands.
3 Cover and set aside until you are ready to serve the soup. Discard the chicken carcass.
4 Strain the stock and set aside. Discard the vegetables.
For the soup
1 To make the soup, put the olive oil and garlic in a large saucepan over medium heat and cook for 1–2 minutes. Add the leek and cook for 3–4 minutes.
2 Add 1 litre (35 fl oz/4 cups) of the reserved chicken stock. Turn the heat up to high and bring to the boil. Add the noodles and cook according to the packet instructions, or approximately 5 minutes, stirring from time to time.
3 Add the shredded chicken to the noodle stock and cook for 4–5 minutes, just to warm through and meld the flavours. Season with sea salt and white pepper.
4 Stir through the parsley and serve.
Recipe and Images from Falafel for Breakfast, by Michael Rantissi and Kristy Frawley, published by Murdoch Books.
The post Comforting Chicken, Noodle & Leek Soup appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post A Very Sexy Honeymoon: Happily Ever After Lingerie for the Non-Blushing Bride appeared first on The Carousel.
]]> 
White shmite. No need to be all pure an innocent now the ring is firmly fitted. Release your inner Sex Goddess with this red hot combo. He won't know where to look! Huit padded spacer bra, rrp $54.95, and Huit shorty boxer knickers, rrp $39.95, stockist (03) 9326 0318.
Naughty and nice… He has married the most beautiful dream girl in the world, and now, here is his prize…. Huit Balconnet Driot Bra, rrp $79.95, and Huit shorty knickers, rrp $44.95, stockist (03) 9326 0318.
The touch, the look, the sound… make music in pieces that will blow all five senses. Huit full cup push up bra, rrp $74.95, and Huit low waisted brief, rrp $44.95, stockist (03) 9326 0318.
All that tulle scan start to weigh heavily on you after a while. Shed a few layers on your wedding night and give him a second 'reveal' in this super smokin' set… Huit soft bra, rrp $64.95, and Huit low waisted brief, rrp $44.95 stockist, (03) 9326 0318.
Did you feel amazing in your sexy honeymoon lingerie? Tell us about your experience in the comments below!
The post A Very Sexy Honeymoon: Happily Ever After Lingerie for the Non-Blushing Bride appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post The Anxious Bride: Are Your Nerves Normal – Or Do You Have Cold feet? appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>But could it be something more – a sign there is something deeper to investigate? Find out here…
While it's considered typical for men to experience 'cold feet' prior to a wedding, for a woman, any expression of nervousness or doubt can be frowned upon and labelled an indication that the wedding or relationship isn't right.
Megan Luscombe of Starting Today Coaching has just launched a workshop specifically designed for these women who might be experiencing what's essentially a normal reaction to a major life transition. According to Megan, it's important for women to realise they are not alone. And while some nerves are completely normal, others should be explored. Here's a few common 'Bride jitter' scenarios Megan encounters in her coaching workshops…
The Fear: "He's the last person I'm EVER going to sleep with!"
"This fear is more common than many woman realize, and completely normal," explains Megan. "Accepting the reality that you will no longer be pursued by other men or pursuing them yourself can be confronting for one to admit, but that's the ego talking. Many woman want to be desired because on an internal level it reassures them that they are wanted, which in turn makes them feel good. Having to rely on that 'feel good' emotion from one person can be hard to accept because the underlying fear potentially may be that they are scared one day their partner won't find them attractive anymore (or maybe vice versa). Working with my clients I am able to get to the deeper fears that underlie their initial concerns and by working together and acknowledging these fears their worries begin to diminish."
The Fear: "What if he isn't The One?"
Don't you love the romantic notions of romance that have been ingrained into our psyche since childhood, with fairytales of Snow White being saved by the Prince's 'kiss' and other similar tales. "The One is a Hollywood buzzword and spikes anxiety in both men and woman because if we were to only genuinely have one person in the world made for us it would be a 1 in 7.04 billion chance for you to actually meet them, let alone date them (tough odds)," explains Megan. "There are dozens of people in this world that you could end up with and have a fantastic, exciting, loving and fulfilling relationship with that lasted 'till death do you part,' it all comes down to the choice of who you want it to be. You need to decide what you want in a relationship and what you want out of it. What is going to make you happy to be with this person for the rest of your life? You also need to address things like your values together and as individuals, goals and so much more. If all of your boxes are ticked and you are not in a relationship that presents red flags (being abused, controlled, manipulated, etc) then you've made this person your 'one'."
The Fear: "What if I/we fall out of love?"
"Do you remember how easy it was to fall in love?" asks Megan. "Didn't take you any effort at all did it? I'm here to give you a bit of a rude awakening and this is something I discuss with my clients all the time; what you fell into was lust. Real love takes a lot of time to grow and truly nurture. Love is a choice you make, an action you do and it needs to be worked on in a relationship all the time. You can't fall out of love with someone if you make the choice to always love them, this is something that I work on with my clients and am very glad to say each of them now have more exciting and fulfilling relationships after working with me."
The Fear: "What if we divorce?"
"What if you don't?" asks Megan. "Statistically speaking 1 in every 2 marriages will end in divorce and that's a sad reality, however it doesn't need to be yours. Relationships are hard and life can get distracting, however my clients understand the necessary tools it takes to make a relationship last and to have it grow even through the difficult times. Divorce is necessary for some relationships (especially those that are unhealthy or abusive for one or both individuals involved) however do not be scared of the future of yours."
The Fear: "What happens after the wedding day? Are we expected to have children and a mortgage straight away? Can't we just enjoy us time for a while?"
"What happens after your wedding day is completely up to the both of you," explains Megan. "Many couples are so consumed by planning their wedding in an attempt to suffocate their internal fears (some of which are mentioned above) that once the wedding day is over with, they're left feeling as if they have nothing to do. This is why some might feel pressured to immediately start for a family or buy a home sooner than they're ready. I encourage my clients to have open and honest discussions with their partners so they both understand what it is they expect from their marriage after the wedding day. For some, they are excited and want to start a family immediately whilst others just want to enjoy being together as a married couple for a little while. Whatever works for you and your partner is best."
Megan Luscombe of Starting Today Coaching has just launched a workshop specifically designed for these women who might be experiencing what's essentially a normal reaction to a major life transition. These seminars will take place nationally with the next one occurring in Melbourne on July 27 at the Rydges Melbourne. Sessions are limited to groups of 10 demonstrating that these ladies are not alone and providing a small enough group that they can develop friendships to support them in their upcoming wedding. Additionally, post workshop, each attendee receives an individual follow up coaching session prior to the wedding. Courses are also run for grooms to be.
The post The Anxious Bride: Are Your Nerves Normal – Or Do You Have Cold feet? appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Wedding Vows Renewed: Trudi and David Stretton, A Touch of Love and Salt appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>"We were quite young when we first met, I was only 17 and David was the brother of a girl I met when I started nursing and she thought we would be a great couple," recalls Trudi, who grew up in Sydney's beachside Manly. "I was actually going out with somebody else, and David had a girlfriend, too. But David's sister kept inviting us over for dinner.
"And one night when we sat down for a meal, I picked up the salt shaker and leaned over and salted his potatoes. It was incredible because at that moment, both of us knew that we were destined to be together. We call it the magic salt container because it spread around a touch salt and love. David has told me that he decided that he would marry me the very first time he ever met me, which surprises me, but it is very romantic. I supposed that means that he fell in love with me on first sight, which also means that such a thing really exists. We both found that the relationships that we were both in at the time were nothing like the relationships that we had with each other and that it was growing stronger all the time."
At its most potent, love is an irresistible force. A few days later Trudi asked her boyfriend around to her home – she was living with her parents – to tell her boyfriend that it was all over.
"My mother adored David, but wasn't all that keen on the other guy," recalls Trudi. "After I ended the relationship, I called David to let him know. He drove straight around to my place and asked my mum if he could take me for a drive.
"Later that night he asked me to marry him. He said that he wasn't waiting any longer in case the other guy came back. And that night he proposed to me. I was so excited that I don't think that I said yes. I just grabbed him around the neck, and I knew that what we had together was a completely different feeling and something that would last a life time."
Forty-seven years later Trudi, 63, and David, 67, are still just as devoted to each other, perhaps even more so. Their relationship is close and tender and even more meaningful because circumstance dictates that they live apart.
David has been a resident at NewDirection Care in Bellmere, Queensland, for the past couple of years after the onset of a form of dementia. Trudi lives in an apartment just a few streets away, and at present they can't live together, as much as they would like it.
To express their feeling for each other at a time when neither truly knows when they will live together again, David and Trudi reaffirmed their vows in a special ceremony at NewDirection Care, Bellmere a just a few months ago.
The celebrant who conducted the service, recalls Trudi, told them that she had never married a couple who were so like they were at 19 and 25. "We are the same people at 63 and 67 that we were at 19 and 25," says Trudi. "We never had any inclination to part. The only time we ever came close to anything like that was when I was 21 and we were trying to start a family. The doctor told us that while we were a great couple, we were a bad couple at conceiving, which shocked us to the core.
"We went home and had a few tears and finally David said, 'I'll go.' I wasn't going to let that happen. I wasn't going to let him go. I knew he didn't really want to go but he also knew I really wanted to have children.
"So, we did everything that we could to have children. Our minister was worried about us because the concern started to show up in our life – we were in tears more times than we were not. Finally, he got us into a group that helped people do overseas adoptions safely and legally. So, we put our name down and finally adopted a little girl from Sri Lanka."
But Trudi and David also later managed to have a little girl of their own, too. So they finally achieved their dream of having children together and now they also have several grandchildren.
Even so, the lives are not fairy tales. Families don't always see eye to eye. Their family is widely spread across Australia. For a variety of reasons, Trudi and David only see some of their grandchildren which has meant considerable stress and heartache.
"I am a very emotional person," says Trudi. "I will cry and scream and shout even at my age. But David holds all the pain inside. The doctors have told us that the onset of his condition – he would have got it anyway – has come earlier than it should have and is progressing faster than it should because of all the stress.
"But even through all the stress, David and I have always been together 100 per cent and never once did one of us want to run away. Well, sometimes we both wanted to run away but we wanted to run away together.
"I have been extremely fortunate. I couldn't have a man who could love me or care about me more. He's an old-fashioned gentleman. He opens doors for me. He walks on the outside when we walk down the street. He's always been there for me, and I've always been there for him and that's just the way it is. We're just joined at the hip, aren't we honey? With a kilometre apart."
Trudi has severe osteoporosis, which means that she can no longer dress or care for herself properly. "I have to have carers in the morning – I can't dress myself anymore properly without anyone helping me, and I can't shower by myself," she says.
"And I don't cook anymore because I tried twice and nearly burned the house down. So, we've decided to give up – we'll let the carers do the cooking. And they come for a little while in the mornings and then they come in the afternoons to make sure I've got my medications both times. But they can help me get in my PJs and that I'm safe. And usually, they're leaving as NewDirection Care's phone call comes through and David's on the phone to say goodnight. We don't hang up from each other until David has said that he loves me. That's so wonderful to hear."
During the 18 months or so that David has been at NewDirection Care, the staff have done everything they can to help the couple keep as connected as possible despite their separate living arrangements.
"My son-in-law found the unit where I live for me," says Trudi. "If I walk to the end of the street, I can actually see the rooves of NewDirection Care. Which sometimes is good – sometimes, it's a teary time for me.
"I'm rather good at crying lately. But I know David's there and if anything happened or the staff there were worried, I know that they would ring me and let me know. I know he is looked after and that I could be there with him in just a few minutes if he needs me.
There is a chance that Trudi will be reunited with David perhaps in the next couple of years once it's possible for her to do so.
"I know that at NewDirection Care he's not going to be left on his own at any stage. I have never met another male that is as considerate and loving and caring. The only place I want to go is here, to be with him. If they try to send me to another home, I won't go. If I do then I might never see him again. I couldn't do that."
"The staff here will tell you that when I come to the door, he begins to smile and his whole-body language changes. His smile lights up his face and you'd think we were getting married again every day. When I saw him at our renewals it was like it was the first time again. There's only one way we are going to lose each other, and we are getting older, as everyone keeps telling us. But I'm not letting him go for anybody. Nothing in this world can take him away from me."
The post Wedding Vows Renewed: Trudi and David Stretton, A Touch of Love and Salt appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Yoga & Meditation Can Overcome Trauma appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Trauma came knocking at my door a few times and I knocked back, every single time.
As a yoga teacher, I have the knowledge and skills of yoga and meditation, these were the main practices of daily self-help, before and after two spine surgeries. Movement (small) and breath, play such a big part in mindset and recovery.
My two spinal surgeries were the result of 6 car accidents (due to distraction of others) and a bumpy little rickshaw ride the accumulation of all was too much for my spine.
In September 2019, one of the vertebrae in my lower back had partially broken away and was covering the nerve root. This was, without a doubt, one of the most painful times in my life, I could not stand or walk and everything was difficult. I still wanted to teach yoga, so I verbally taught from a wheelchair, I could only move the top half of my body but I could still teach, I had to do it, I kept my mind busy.
In October 2016 I had L4/5 discectomy, and it was a success. Little did I know that this was just the beginning of something much bigger.
In August 2019 I felt just the slightest 'twinge' in my lower back. One scan revealed so much, and one phone call put my life on hold for another year.
I urgently needed spine fusion of L4/5/S1, and now have 2 rods and 6 titanium screws that hold my lower back in place. There are no words to describe this surgery and very long recovery, but I will not let it define me.
In times like these, I cannot stress enough, how the power of our mind, can dictate the quality of our life. My meditation strengthened my mind, which in turn strengthened my body. I could not attend yoga because I was bedridden (after spine fusion), but I was able to mentally attend a class, I could see myself there, it was so real because I wanted it to be.
Slowly, my body responded and now I live pain free life. Life is different, my body has restrictions and I am more than 'just fine' and I can teach yoga!
Your mind is a very powerful tool, there is so much goodness to find alongside self-awareness, patience, persistence, self-love and positive mindset.
The post Yoga & Meditation Can Overcome Trauma appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Gluten-Free, Is It Really Better For Me? appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The research by Kellogg's Australia also however, that 52% are unaware gluten-free diets often lack essential nutrients such a dietary fibre, and an important component for digestive health.
This leaves us with the pressing question of whether or not eating a gluten-free diet is better for us. To answer this, we've called upon molecular nutritionist Dr Emma Beckett to share some insight.
Going gluten-free will make me "healthier"
It's easy to think that because gluten causes symptoms in some people, that it's "bad" for everyone. Eating a gluten-free diet can be beneficial for those who have been medically diagnosed with a gluten intolerance, or coeliac disease. The research revealed however, that only 3% of those surveyed have gone gluten-free due to an actual diagnose of coeliac disease. Unless medically diagnosed, it's not necessary to be cutting gluten or any specific foods from your diet, as this could be detrimental to your health and leave you at risk if not receiving essential nutrients such as fibre for good digestive wellbeing. It is important that we're getting variety from the foods we eat, to ensure that we are receiving the correct amount of essential nutrients needed for optimal health.
Common misconceptions about eating gluten-free
A lot of people opt for a gluten-free diet as they believe it's trendy, with this research revealing Aussies (36%) do it to be healthier, with almost a quarter (23%) of respondents nationwide losing weight. The concern here is that only 1 in 10 Australians recognise that gluten-free diets often lack essential nutrients such as fibre. Many often think that gluten-free products are a healthier choice, however numerous gluten-free options like pasta and desserts typically have more calories than their gluten-containing counterparts.
There's also lots of nostalgia for "simple" and "clean" eating and gluten-containing grains take some processing to be pleasant and easy to eat, but people have been milling flour in various ways since ancient times. I also find that many people want to eat more protein to develop lean muscle when looking to get fit and healthy, however often don't realise that gluten is a protein.
Is eating gluten beneficial for those who aren't gluten intolerant
Foods containing gluten are often those that are high in fibre, such as wholegrains, breads and breakfast cereals. When it comes to dietary fibre needed for good gut and digestive health, high-fibre cereals are a great way to start the day with a dose of fibre. For those who are gluten-free, high fibre gluten-free cereals are not so easy to find, but innovations such as high fibre Sultana Bran Gluten Free, are now available to help with getting enough fibre.
So, to answer your question of whether gluten-free is actually better for you, the key thing to remember is that cutting any type of foods completely from your diet is never healthy – unless you suffer from a medical diagnosis or intolerance. Remember, moderation is key and that it's important to be getting a variety from the foods we eat in order to ensure we are receiving essential nutrients needed for optimal health.
Dr Emma Beckett's tips for going gluten-free
Regardless of whether you are medically diagnosed, self-diagnosed or just want to eat healthier, it's important to ensure you are still getting all the essential nutrients you need. Below are my top tips for those eating a gluten-free diet.
Tip 1: The research has shown only 1 in 10 Australians has recognised gluten-free diets lack essential nutrients such as fibre, an important component for digestive health. Fibre is essential for our body as it feeds the good bacteria living in our gut, so if you go gluten-free, make sure to look for high fibre options like Sultana Bran Gluten Free
Tip 2: Include plant-based foods to as many meals as possible when eating a gluten-free diet, to ensure you're receiving essential nutrients such as fibre. This can be as simple as adding fruit and legumes to your lunchtime salad or switching your dinner options to include more vegetable components.
Tip 3: Swap your daily coffee for a small homemade juice or smoothie that includes whole fruit or fresh leafy greens such as spinach or kale.
The post Gluten-Free, Is It Really Better For Me? appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post 6 NEW Habits To Get Dates You Really Want appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Dating can feel like a game of hit and miss, turning to dating apps or creating an online profile has become the "new norm" when it comes to dating. . With so much choice, getting a date is easy, but finding someone you truly connect with is a different story. When dating starts to feel like another task on your to do list and going on a date feels more like a job interview than a possible romance it is time to take a step back and change course.
Check out these 6 tried and tested methods to finding your ideal match
1.Flex your social confidence- Rather than waiting for the right time to approach someone or check if they're single. Just OPEN your mouth and talk to people, everybody wants to be noticed rather than being invisible. Don't let opportunities pass you by, if you see someone you like smile, walk over and open up a conversation.
2. Stay in your lane and date in your league-
Be realistic about what you're looking for and what you are bringing to the table. Are you wanting more than you have to offer? It is normal to want the best match when you date but having unrealistic expectations prevents you from finding love. Take the Dating Market Value QUIZ here to find out if you are dating in your league
3.Use the three step rule of one;
Dating Apps and online dating have become tools for meeting people. But how you use dating apps impacts your experience. Many people become jaded or overwhelmed by the flurry of swipes or notifications in their inbox. Dating fatigue is real but it doesn't mean you have to be single. If you want a different outcome on dating apps try using this formula.
1- Choose ONE dating app and delete the rest
2- Focus on one person at a time
3- Find one reason to have a second date
4) Create positive dating experiences-
Plan dates that are fun, lighthearted and in environments you and your date both feel comfortable that way whether you connected on a romantic level or not you still had a great time, made the experience positive and helped reduce first date pressure.
5)Don't take rejection personally-
When you date there is every chance you are going to be rejected and reject others. Treat rejection as nothing more than personal choice. Allow others the freedom to choose what is right for them without making it about you.
6) No more ghosting-
One of the most common gripes of dating is being ghosted. Practicing healthy dating habits can dramatically improve your attitude to dating and reduce guilt and shame, it never feels good when we hurt others either intentionally or unintentionally. If you struggle to know how to let people down gently download these free No More Ghosting scripts. Cut and paste them or put your own personal touches on them. But no matter how awkward, don't ghost people! Treat people with kindness and respect. After all, we are all on this journey together and we all have our hidden challenges.
You can have the relationship you want by adopting the best dating habits, no matter your age stage or desired outcome everything starts with a first date. Get the first date right and you can build from there, but get it wrong and you are back to square one.
Which of these dating habits would you be likely to try first?
The post 6 NEW Habits To Get Dates You Really Want appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Fiver 4 A Survivor – How You Can Help Victims Of Coercive Control appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The idea behind the drive is to ask Aussies to donate $5 a week to help build the safe house for survivors of coercive control.
Fiver For A Survivor Drive
Safe Haven Community has announced that all funds raised by its Fiver 4 a Survivor campaign will go towards building a secure safe house to help move women and children experiencing domestic abuse into more stable, longer term accommodation.
"We are the charity that has run quietly under the radar for six years now, helping survivors of coercive control before most people in the community even knew what the terms meant," said Safe Haven Community CEO Jaeneen Cunningham. "Safe Haven Community are at the forefront of supporting women and children fleeing domestic abuse with crisis accommodation. Our service is saving lives and making a huge difference directly to survivors."
How It Works
Fiver 4 a Survivor asks people to donate just $5 per week for 52 weeks – that's just $260. All of these funds will go directly towards the Safe Haven Safe House build.
Safe Haven Community survives entirely on the goodwill of the community and does not receive any government funding. Across Australia there are around 7.2 million spare rooms in people's homes. Safe Haven Community maintains a registry of security vetted community members that donate their rooms to women experiencing domestic abuse who need a safe place to stay.
Safe Haven Community's Fiver 4 A Survivor campaign has already raised over $21 000, which will help provide 380 women and children with 1280 nights of safe and secure accommodation.
Donations can be made directly to the charity and are of course tax deductible.
The post Fiver 4 A Survivor – How You Can Help Victims Of Coercive Control appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Warm And Comforting Curried Carrot Soup For Winter appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>| Makes | 1.1 L (3 servings) |
| Total Time | 21 Minutes |
| Difficulty | Intermediate |
| Container | Low-Profile 2.0-litre Container |
Ingredients
- 365 g (6) carrots, cut into 5cm pieces
- 80 g (1) onion, peeled, sliced
- 480 ml (2 cups) vegetable stock
- 120 ml (½ cup) soy milk
- ¾ teaspoon curry powder
- ⅛ lemon, peeled
- ½ teaspoon salt, optional
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Directions
- Place the onions and carrots in a pan set over medium heat. Add a splash of water and allow to cook until onions are tender, about 5 minutes.
- Place all ingredients into the Vitamix container in the order listed and secure the lid.
- Start the blender on its lowest speed, then quickly increase to its highest speed. Blend for 5 minutes 45 seconds or until heavy steam escapes through vented lid. Serve immediately.
Notes
Using raw ingredients in a soup is a simple way to use the power of the Vitamix, however, cooking vegetables beforehand will enrich the flavour and remove some of the potency of ingredients like onions.
The post Warm And Comforting Curried Carrot Soup For Winter appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Meet A Few Mums Who Are Owning It On Social Media appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>These mums are taking online platforms and using them in a way that works for their business, their community or their wellbeing. So, we have rounded up 4 mums who are being their own bosses online.
Nikki McCahn, Mama Tribe
· Mama Tribe Facebook Page began as a way to connect mums online and now boasts over 40,000 members. Now, with a motto of "No Mum left behind", Mama Tribe connects and hosts meet-ups all around the country. "
· "We started the Mama Tribe Facebook Page as a way to connect local mums online, so they could meet up and provide one another with face-to-face support, but we were never expecting to grow as quickly as we did. We created the Facebook group on a Friday afternoon and by the end of the weekend, 1000 mums had joined. It was amazing to see how much the Mama Tribe and our motto of 'No Mum left behind' resonated with the community."
Katrina Pearson, The Happy Glamper
· A company who provide "glamp-ware" and when they launched as a new business, managed to double sales month-on-month and expand internationally in four short months with Facebook and Instagram. By utilising Facebook Inc's apps, Katrina was able to turn her side hustle into a booming business.
· "Using Instagram and Facebook we launched our new business, doubled sales month-on-month and expanded internationally in just four short months. I'm watching the business grow and can't believe my own eyes. Facebook and Instagram have allowed me to take what started out as a side venture selling quirky and fun camping products into a booming business."
Anna Davis, The Small Folk
· The Small Folk was born out of Anna's maternity leave, from her role as an early childhood educator, with her third child. Finding it difficult to source their most beloved play pieces online, Anna and her husband, Simon, decided to curate their own collection of toys to like-minded families through the world of Instagram
· A toy company who make 98% of their sales toys directly from Instagram and receive over five thousand visits to our website per week from Instagram
· "Through Instagram, our 'local' community has now become a network of mothers worldwide."
Vicki Simpson, Bubblebubs
· Bubblebubs make sustainable cloth nappies which success is due largely to the supportive community of mums it built on Facebook. In addition, Bubblebubs success is due to the growing trend amongst eco-conscious mums.
· Bubblebubs has won 5 out of 12 categories at the Australian Cloth Nappy Awards
The post Meet A Few Mums Who Are Owning It On Social Media appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Why You Need To Change Your Style And Try Out The Cool-Girl Look appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>It's that edgy, authentic combination of casual and haute, it merges polarities such as high heels and ripped jeans, or flat Ugg booties and a mini dress. It also emphasizes athleisure as the modern go-to both for casual get-togethers and fancy occasions. Let's double down on a few cool combos you can add to your look-book and master the art of this trendy style for yourself!
The day/night jeans-based look
Jeans are the beachy waves among outfits – easy to transition for a night-time event from spending an entire day looking effortlessly amazing at the office in the same pair. They are unmistakably the most pivotal piece of clothing you should own that will match anything and everything when paired right.
Instead of getting a slew of pairs that will sit idly in your closet, check out the finest POPSUGAR editor-approved jeans you can add to your collection. High-waisted, slim jeans, low-cut and flared, you name it, there are all kinds of jeans you can consider. Match them with your favourite ankle boots, a crop top and a blazer, and you have a dream-come-true look for a cocktail evening among celebs.
Deconstructed suits with a sneaky twist
Suits are the epitome of pure, raw, unabridged power. Today's women have reinvented the suit to embody empowerment and to resonate with our latest needs to feel comfortable and stylish at the same time. So, naturally, we've started pairing bold-coloured pantsuits as well as pencil skirt suits with sneakers. Yet another way in which athleisure has found its way into our wardrobes and our hearts alike.
This is where the right choice of sneakers can make or break your outfit. Make sure to go through Kicks Guru Sneaker Reviews online and find a pair that matches your personality, and goes wonderfully well with your suit. Also, durability and quality as well as colour palette will inspire you to wear them more frequently and not just with pantsuits. They'll become a staple pair for all of your bold casual Friday outfits as well as elevated, yet sporty haute ensembles.
Bold faux leather for your inner rebel
For sustainable fashionistas, the rise of all things faux is a celebration of all things imbued with life. That said, by choosing faux leather for your cool-girl uniform, you don't have to stick to traditional black and brown, although they are wonderful and easy to combine with anything you own.
This year, punchy colours are the main leather motif you should consider, for elevating your rebellious style. Think in terms of bubble-gum pink jackets, or brick orange shorts. The brighter, the better, and you'll immediately steal the spotlight! While you're at it, get yourself a faux leather mini skirt to go with those sneakers – now that's what cool is all about.
Big and bulky sweaters with heels
When you're about to put on a sweater to ward off the cold, go big or go home is the motto to follow. Oversized, comfortable, toasty sweaters do have the perfect potential to become the coolest addition to your look-book. Black skinny jeans, a creamy-hued sweater a couple of sizes too big, and throw in a pair of sleek, modern heels, and you have the most amazing outfit ever.
For a more adventurous look, you can go for statement pants in vibrant colours, and any rainy day will instantly brighten up. Then again, leopard-print heels with neutral hues in your clothing are another bold way to go.
Prints that evoke your warrior spirit
While we're talking about animal prints, aren't they a delightful way to celebrate your love for nature as well as your inner feline through your style? For those who are ready to try something new, go for the contrasting zebra print in your wardrobe as a way to spice things up.
What's so beautiful about these patterns is that you can wear them with anything, be it your ankle boots, your blazers, or even your favourite new faux leather jacket and call it a day. They are perfect for stepping out of your comfort zone and exploring your style approach to add a few more statement pieces you'll love.
There are no limitations for concocting your own cool-girl uniform, especially when you master the essentials. It's all about breaking the patterns and finding ways to feel comfortable while looking fab for any occasion. Explore your mood and your wardrobe, and try thinking outside the box. Who knows, you just might inspire someone else in the street to mimic your approach and rock the next cool look you come up with!
https://thecarousel.com/beauty/fashion/fashion-news-trends/9-fashion-basics-every-woman/
The post Why You Need To Change Your Style And Try Out The Cool-Girl Look appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Michelle Chevalley Hedge Talks About Her Food Approach appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Michelle: Yeah well first of all thank you Robyn for having me on and secondly i think that I should start off by saying that people who love food are my favourite people. So I love food, I come from a big Italian family so food is everything to us, it's community, it's connection, it's energy, it's all of those things and more. And I've worked really hard at positioning myself as the nutritionist that can build wellbeing or build health without hassle. And I quite often don't mind when people introduce me as the modern day nutritionist, the one who likes a little bit of coffee and wine, at first I remember being interviewed and being introduced like that, at first i thought *gasp* and then I thought no I'm actually gonna own that space because I believe there's a way to wellness and to have little fun along the way and I actually think that's the down fault right now going on in the health industry, people were so fearful that they had to make monumental steps to health and wellbeing, when actually it doesn't have to be at all, it can just be a series of itsy bitsy tiny micro habits that leads to wellbeing.
Robyn: Yeah, it's about moderation isn't it, normalising health not just saying now I'm on a healthy program but your healthy program be your normal day to day.
Michelle: Absolutely, I dislike using the word diet in anything, I dislike using detox in anything because both of those give a sense of deprivation or extreme or faddish type of plays and I to normalise that thing, I don't want mums to say to their kids, go do this low sugar thing or healthy thing, lets just say we're doing this thing. Because don't we all want to sleep better, don't we all want more vitality, energy, productivity, clear thinking and you know that's whats true wellbeing is about it's not about a number on a scale, that number on the scale is a great measure of gravity but it doesn't measure somebody's good heart, their purpose all of those things that, the ability to connect with one another, those are the things that define true wellbeing.
Robyn: Tell me your views on sugar cause we have way too much sugar.
Michelle: Yes actually my first book is 'Beating sugar addictions for dummies' so I've been researching the affects of sugar for 12 years maybe even longer. I'd say if there was one thing, well two things that people could start to embrace and change, it is one to move towards real, whole food, unpackaged and unprocessed. Why? Mostly because real whole food doesn't contain added sugar and it's added sugar thats the culprit in so many things, physically and mentally. So when we take sugar in, added sugar and most of us are having six, seven, eight times the added sugar in our diets than what the world health organisation recommends, image taking six times the amount of medication, prescription medication but we're doing this in sugar, so lets say we're taking all these added sugars in and all of sudden its in our gut and our bad gut bugs go 'wow this is great this is fantastic theres a party in my gut' and we create something called dysbiosis in our gut, a big word but just think like IBS like symptoms, burping, farting, constipation all these kind of things people who have these digestive issues they're not energised, they're not full of vitality, but once more its our gut that makes 85% of our serotonin, our happy hormone, the very thing people are seeking when people have anxiety, depression and mood disorders so isn't that remarkable that it's created here in our gut not here in our brain. So that's on big factor around sugar, the other big thing we know about sugar is we go from a high to a low in a matter of 90 minutes, so as high as your blood sugar goes up with a sneaky healthy smoothie or healthy muesli bar as high as it goes up as equal as it drops off and as we drop off people move brain fog, low energy or tiredness or brain fogging, the inability to connect to communicate effectively, but often at that low they're often that person that wants to bang into a vending machine and hope something pops out because you get a massive sugar craving, so that high and that low isn't just on a energy perspective, mental perspective, all of those things. Also I could say a million things about sugar but the one thing people don't understand either is that sugar is really disruptive on our hormones so sugar has a massive impact on our liver the same way alcohol disrupts and creates cirrhosis of the liver, sugar does the same with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease there'll be a lot about that on the news in the next 12-18 months.
Robyn: We need to get curious is something you often say to me. And I want to ask you about your own transformation experience with food and just building you know how you resilience yourself on a personal level both mentally and physically. So tell us about your story?
Michelle: Well I am super grateful for my own mental resilience because recently in the last few years my younger brother passed away from cancer as a result from nine eleven, many of these first responders and my brother Greg was a first first responder and a hero and six foot four and bullet proof dirt at the time and a lot of these young men whether they were firemen, police officers or what not are dying of lung cancer. When he had been diagnosed he had just had two twin babies and even though I live here in Sydney and he lives in New York City, I travelled back and forth every 3 weeks to be the wingman. And I initially said Greg we're gonna have green smoothies, we're going to do yoga, we're going to bark at the moon at midnight. And he said Shelly we're not going to do anything like that, I'm going to have a budweiser and you're going to have a cheeky pinot and this is how it's going to go down, so that's what brought me to write my book, eat, drink and still shrink, because there is a way to wellness without severe hassle or deprivation and I'm a firm believer that there's things that we can choose and there's things that just happen. Like Greg out of the blue being diagnosed, he just thought he broke his rib and the oncologist walked in, they all thought he broke a rib and he said 'you have three months to live'. So my point in that story is don't wait till next week to live, don't till next month, or when the mortgage is done or your child finishes HSC. No, live today, live abundantly and start with small, tiny micro habits.
Robyn: I think that's great advice, A Healthy View is your company, please tell us a little about what you do apart from your work as a nutritionist.
Michelle: Primarily we started as a nutritional practices where we actually see clients and because i have a strong background working at microsoft, i moved quickly in the corporate wellness area, so i do a lot of corporate wellness, school wellness and speaking in those spaces and I love speaking at corporates because when I'm speaking at CBA, ANZ bank or any of these large corporates, American Express I can say I used to be you, I was the time poor person, who understood the needs of managing a family, as well as hitting KPI's. So lets talk about a way to wellness without hassles.
Robyn: Okay lets wrap up with what is your top three tips for a healthy life?
Michelle: Okay Top three how are you going to make me condense them into three, Number 1, Eat real whole food, unpackaged, unprocessed as often as possible, if its seasonal, if its local, if its organic as long as its whole food, thats whats important. Number 2, when you're eating that way you're naturally eating low sugar, but point number two should really be avoid added sugar, natural sugars are fine in your fruits and vegetables. And number 3, hashtag no guilt, this is the biggest thing why are people so guilty and feeling badly about themselves, if you have a bad night, no problem, pick up at your next meal.
Robyn: Just wrapping up I wanna say the thing I've taken away from you is to get curious about your health, we all deserve to do that.
Michelle: Absolutely
Robyn: Thanks Michelle
Michelle: Thanks Robyn
The post Michelle Chevalley Hedge Talks About Her Food Approach appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Helping Your Kids Cope With School-Life Balance Amidst The Pandemic appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>A Unique Crisis
Before diving into specific recommendations, it's important to point out the unique severity of the current crisis — particularly in the eyes of children. 2020 was marked by quarantines, social distancing, economic struggles, political turmoil, and financial crises.
As jobs were lost, stimulus checks were held up, and COVID-19 repeatedly surged around the globe, these issues often overlapped. Families dealt with the combination of losing loved ones and covering the consequential financial issues, all while trapped on the homefront.
These issues created a toxic environment for many households as parents scrambled to manage the ongoing damage. However, as they did so, one demographic was quickly pushed to the back burner: children.
As they watched from a distance, boys and girls everywhere were emotionally, physically, and mentally impacted by the catastrophe. They picked up on parental stress and often processed emotional struggles on their own. Trying to navigate the nuances of remote learning from home only added fuel to the fire.
The point of all of this is that, if you're a parent, you can bet your child has been impacted by the last year. You can be assured that they'll continue to be impacted going forward, as well. This is why it's worth making an effort to safeguard their own emotions, particularly when it comes to maintaining a healthy balance with school and life on the homefront.
Helping Kids Cope with School and Life in a Pandemic
So, without further ado, here are six effective ways to help restore a sense of balance, peace, and purpose to your children's lives.
1. Create Routines
Children crave structure. It's in their DNA. If they're forced to exist within the four walls of your home at all times, it's easy to lose that sense of structure over time.
One of the best ways to combat this tendency toward apathy and disorder is to maintain family routines. As soon as your children wake up, these routines should begin, staring with activities such as:
- Making the bed.
- Getting dressed.
- Brushing their teeth.
- Eating breakfast.
From there, start school at a consistent time. Eat meals at predictable times as well. The more reasonable structure you can introduce into your family life, the more likely your kids will be able to thrive.
2. Set Boundaries
Boundaries are often naturally created by things like going to school and playing with friends. When you can never leave home, it's easy to lose this sense of definition.
Much like routines, setting up artificial boundaries within your home is a great way to restore a sense of purpose for your children. Dedicate spaces specifically for school and play, especially if you're also going back to school online while working. Schedule in school and homework hours and then encourage your children to disconnect when they aren't "on the clock." Also, establish electronic and media-free bedrooms.
However you choose to do it, setting boundaries is another important aspect of maintaining that critical sense of structure, even during a quarantine.
3. Limit Screen Time
Screen time is another boundary consideration that is so important, it gets its own spot on the list. Between online school, extracurricular activities, communication with friends, and endless hours of boredom filled with television and games, it's easy for kids to develop a tech hangover after a while.
Setting screen time limits is a good way to counteract this issue. It allows kids to still use their tech while also ensuring that they don't spend too much time on their devices.
4. Provide Creative Activities
Limiting screen time and creating structure are both important. However, if you're going to encourage less electronic usage in your home, it's also a good idea to provide alternative options.
This can consist of anything non-tech-related. Painting, crafting, playing board games, and even simply talking should all be encouraged.
5. Help Them Exercise
Exercise is another critical factor to keep in the cards. Exercise is well known for its ability to pump up endorphins and help combat stress. When done outside, it also provides access to sunlight and fresh air.
Exercise is a healthy activity that cultivates both mental and physical health. It also forces your child to disconnect from the screens and enjoy their current environment for the moment.
6. Unplug as a Family
Finally, remember to take time to unplug as a family unit from time to time. Limiting screen time is a great way to individually find balance, but nothing beats spending uninterrupted time together as a family.
Schedule time at some point, such as after dinner, to get out a board game, build a fort, play hide and seek, or even simply talk together. This won't just help your kids find balance, it will also keep your family lines of communication open and healthy.
Don't Leave Your Children Behind
Kids may not be on the front lines of the pandemic, but they are impacted by it nevertheless.
Make sure that your kids are able to manage the stresses and strains, particularly when it comes to school-life balance. Use the above tips and suggestions to arm them with the coping tools that they need to maintain a sense of peace, purpose, and positivity, even in the midst of the ongoing storm.
The post Helping Your Kids Cope With School-Life Balance Amidst The Pandemic appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Fresh & Healthy Recipe For A Ginger Greens Juice appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>| Makes | 3 ½ Cup (2 servings) |
| Total Time | 15 Minutes |
| Difficulty | Intermediate |
| Container | Low-Profile 2.0-litre Container |
Ingredients
- 120 ml (½ cup) water
- 300 g (1 ) cucumber
- 80 g (½ ) celery stalk
- 375 g (2 medium) apples, seeded, halved
- 60 g (2 cups) kale
- 5 g (1 Tablespoon) fresh ginger root, peeled
Directions
- Place all ingredients into the Vitamix container in the order listed and secure lid.
- Select Variable 1.
- Start the machine and slowly increase to its highest speed.
- Blend for 30-45 seconds, using the tamper to press the ingredients into the blades.
- If using a programmed machine press the Smoothie button and allow the programmed cycle to complete.
- Strain through a nut milk bag. Store in refrigerator. Use within 2 days.
Notes
Filtering the juice will remove the fibre, try drinking this juice as a smoothie when you are in a hurry. Ginger adds great flavour but adding too much can overpower. Start with a small amount and add more to the blend after you have tried it. This blend can easily be doubled in the Vitamix 64 ounce containers.
The post Fresh & Healthy Recipe For A Ginger Greens Juice appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post From Log Cabins To Homesteads: A Guide To Cosy Winter Retreats appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>From an intimate log cabin in the forest, to a homestead on the slopes, it's time to start thinking about your winter holiday destination. Pick one below.
The Homestead | Jindabyne, NSW | From $700 per night | Sleeps 10 guests
Mexican-Inspired Log Cabin | Smiths Lake, New South Wales, AUS| From $200 per night | Sleeps 6 guests
Luxury Romantic Winter Hygge Retreat | Mornington, Victoria | From $250 per night | Sleeps 2 guests
The Container eco-luxe | Lilydale, TAS | From $290 per night | Sleeps 6 guests
The Daisy House | Subiaco, WA| From $180 per night | Sleeps 4 guests
The post From Log Cabins To Homesteads: A Guide To Cosy Winter Retreats appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post How To Wear The Top 3 Trends From Afterpay Australian Fashion Week appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Bows
After the year we have just had, wrapping everything in a pretty bow is just what we need. We saw it from Jordan Dalah, Thomas Anderson (TAFE NSW Innovators), Rebecca Vallance, and Macgraw. If you feel this trend could be a little girly for you, start slow, try it on a slide, a soft inconspicuous bow on a garment, or go all out with a statement bow as you sashay down the aisle.
Shop everyday looks:
- Lunch out with friends – Hamptons Bow Mules, $105 available on The Iconic
- Important presentation on Zoom – Bow Blouse, $279 available on The Iconic
- Your big day – Amore Sleeveless Midi Dress, $999 available on The Iconic
- The best dressed guest at the wedding – Monochrome Check Maxi Dress, $745 available on The Iconic
Green
You'll be green with envy if you are not wearing this must have colour. This magnificent hue showed up in the collections of Alice McCall, Yousef Akbar, Ginger & Smart, Mariam Seddiq, and KitX; in everything from sandals to crops.
Shop everyday looks:
- Working out again – High Impact Sports Bra, $69.99 available on The Iconic
- Date Night – Cross Body Midi Dress, $330 available on The Iconic
- Shopping for groceries – Loosey Goosey Jumper, $119.20 available on The Iconic
- Meeting friends for brunch – Imani Pants, $59.99 available on The Iconic
Soft Suiting
I've always idolised understated minimalism and remarkable tailoring. With relaxed suiting coming from so many designers over Australian Fashion week – Ginger and smart, Anna Quanm, and Aaizel – we will see oversized blazers and slouchy trousers popping up everywhere in the next few months.
Shop everyday looks:
- Asking your boss to extend your WFH period – The Midnight Sky Blazer, $249.95 available on The Iconic
- Getting your first haircut in 12 months – Skye Blazer, $100 available on The Iconic
- Dinner out with the girls – Future Self Blazer, $559.30 available on The Iconic
- Picking up the kids – Marley Pants, $280 available on The Iconic
The post How To Wear The Top 3 Trends From Afterpay Australian Fashion Week appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Switch To The Dark Side: 5 Health Benefits Of Black Rice appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>We spoke to Dietitian Sarah Patterson from The Nutrition Providers to get five starchy facts and figures on black rice …
1. It Packs a Powerful Protein Punch
Over chicken? Then add a bowl of black rice to your menu. According to Sarah, a "100g bowl of black rice provides 17% of your daily intake for protein."
2. It's Holier Than Wholegrain
Legumes keep dropping off you're your shopping list? This dark horse leaves the competitors lengths behind… "Black rice is 100% whole grain," explains Sarah. "So a 100g bowl provides over 200% of the Grains & Legumes Nutrition CouncilTM48g whole grain Daily Target Intake."
3. It's a Mineral & Vitamin Powerhouse
"Black rice contains eight essential vitamins and minerals," explains Sarah. "It contains antioxidant nutrients, riboflavin and zinc. Riboflavin contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress, while zinc protects cells from free radicals."
4. It's a 'B' For Booster
"Black rice is also packed with Vitamin B1, B2, B3 and B6, which helps release energy and power your day," explains Sarah. "The magnesium and iron in it also help to help combat tiredness and fatigue."
5. It's High Octane & Low GI Jane
So how is it better than our more common friend, white rice? "Black rice contains 3.5 times the fibre of white rices," explains Sarah. "Black rice is higher in antioxidants than brown or white rice. Black rice also has a low Glycemic Index (GI) of 42.3 (Low GI foods are considered those with a GI of 55 or less) compared to white rice, which has an average GI of 89, and brown rice that has an average GI of 50."
Where can you get it?
Black rice is becoming more prominent on supermarket shelves alongside brown and white rice varieties. If your local doesn't stock it, try health food or organic grocers, or larger supermarkets. The new superfood is also available at Zambrero's Mexican restaurants with the launch of their new Black Rice Powerbowls – the only quick service restaurant franchise (70 restaurants nationwide) serving gluten and wheat free black rice.
Do you eat black rice? Tell us below!…
https://thecarousel.com/health/tips-on-how-to-grow-your-own-turmeric-and-why-to-add-it-to-your-diet/
https://thecarousel.com/food/easy-meals/marion-grasby-shares-her-mums-best-recipe/
The post Switch To The Dark Side: 5 Health Benefits Of Black Rice appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Cheesy Cauliflower & White Bean Soup appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Cooked with garlic, onions, chicken stock and ginger, it will taste delicious! Add white beans and ricotta cheese and you have a delicious and healthy recipe!
INGREDIENTS
- 1 large head of cauliflower, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1/2 onion, chopped
- 1 piece ginger (2cm x 2cm)
- 1/2 bunch celery, chopped (leaves removed)
- 500mL chicken stock
- 1 x 425g tin cannellini beans
- 1 tb olive oil
- 100g low fat ricotta cheese
- Pepper to taste
METHOD
1 Heat olive oil in a saucepan and cook garlic, onion and ginger until it softens and begins to brown.
2 Add chopped cauliflower and celery and stir for 2 minutes. Add beans and stir for an additional 2 minutes.
3 Increase heat to high and add stock and pepper.
4 Cover and bring to the boil for 8-10 minutes until all ingredients are soft.
5 Remove from heat and let stand for 10 minutes.Puree in batches.
6 Return back to saucepan and stir in ricotta cheese until well blended. Serve immediately.
The Carousel thanks Dietitian and Exercise Physiologist Kate Save, co founder of BeFitFood.
The post Cheesy Cauliflower & White Bean Soup appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Louvelle Hair Towel Wraps appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Louvelle hair towel wraps promise to dry your hair in half the time. It helps to minimize blow dry time and protect your hair from heat damage. You can let your hair dry while you put your makeup on, or lounge around with a mask on.
The hair towel wrap is shaped like an elongated comma. It's made out of lightweight luxury microfibre fabric.
Louvelle's hair towel wraps come in a beautiful range of prints from pastel geo, denim leopard, halcyon garden, pink leopard and a classic monochrome stripe.
How to Use a Hair Towel Wrap
Hop out of the shower or bath and squeeze out the excess water gently. You can flip your hair over and place the large part over the back of your head. Gather up your hair in the remaining material. Then twist it around with your head back up. Hook the loop around the button to secure.
Louvelle founder Simone Taylor says, "My naturally curly hair would frizz with a usual towel. I created our luxury microfibre towels to enable the hair to dry twice as fast while minimizing friction and frizz. It's perfect for those wash and wear days…I try to let my hair dry naturally at least once a week to give it a break from the damage of heat styling. Our pretty prints are designed to be a new take on the after-shower routine!"
Did you know Louvelle also sell glamourous shower turbans, which are one of Oprah's favourite thing?
How to care for you towel: Cold machine wash, low tumble dry or line dry.
One size suits all.
The Louvelle hair towel wrap is made well and has become a regular part of my morning routine.
Available online from the Louvelle website: https://louvellewear.com.au/
About Louvelle
Designed in Australia, our mission is to create luxe and unique accessories made from quality materials that become a must have for a woman's beauty routine.
Inspired by a vintage aesthetic, we are known for bringing fashion to the bathroom with our range of exclusive designer prints released each season.
We've always been committed to and passionate about making women feel good in the bathroom – as a sanctuary from our busy lives in the outside world, it's a place to take time to pamper yourself. Our new bath and body range will transform your daily bathing ritual into one of indulgence. Made with skin loving ingredients that have been expertly crafted, the Bathing Beauty range will gently cleanse, soothe and repair your body and hair.
Our new range will look good on any vanity table, inspired by our Old Hollywood glamour muses of Sophia Loren, Grace Kelly and Brigitte Bardot.
Created by Women for Women
As a busy mum, a shower cap was an ugly necessity. Like so many women, I needed to wear one in the shower to preserve my blow dry in between washes but I felt so unattractive wearing the bonnet style shower caps available! I decided there must be a more stylish way to protect my hair while in the shower and launched the original turban style shower cap in 2014.
Proudly female owned, it is part of our company mission to empower and develop women. We proudly support Mummy's Wish charity, a local charity helping mums with cancer.
Louvelle website: https://louvellewear.com.au/
The post Louvelle Hair Towel Wraps appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Not Everyone Is A Re-Fashionista: Tips For Sustainable Style appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Australia ranks second in the world for clothing and textile disposal. As in secondworst, meaning that as a nation we purchase 27 kilograms of clothing per person each year, and we discard 23 kilograms of it, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. That's the equivalent of an over-stuffed suitcase full of clothes that is pushing the checked luggage limits to the max, and many of us know exactly what that looks like (or at least have fond pre-pandemic memories of it).
Do wereally throw away that many clothes? And that's without Marie Kondo popping over for a purge.
It can be very tempting to switch off to such broad and demoralising statistics, or feel they simply don't apply to you; but the fact is collectively we can make a measurable difference by choosing what to buy, how to spend our money, and which products we consume.
Look for fashion brands who adopt sustainable practices
The good news is useful information is becoming more accessible and this has influenced the transparency of some clothing producers. We can easily find the large brands that are making moves to address textile waste with sustainable collections, such as H&M Conscious, Patagonia, Stella McCartney, Everlane and more. These companies promote their sustainable initiatives as part of their marketing campaigns.
There has also been a move towards sustainable materials by many Australian labels such as Noble Label (who use primarily deadstock fabrics destined for landfill), The Common Good Co (who use 100% recycled material) and swimwear brands such as Peony, Monte & Lou, and Baiia.
There are also various apps which you can use to look up a brand and determine how ethically responsible it is, such as 'Good On You', which uses a star rating for ethical responsibility. Another app is 'Fair Fashion', which has a scoreboard to assess the working conditions and living standards of its employees.
Consumers are expecting more transparency and accountability in the fashion industry, and this demand will lead to more clothing producers improving their practices. More choice for those wanting to be more mindful about their spending will ultimately have a positive effect on mainstream shopping habits.
"Every time you spend money, you're casting a vote for the kind of world you want."
-Anna Lappe (author, educator, sustainability advocate)
Picking through your thrift shopping options
As well as seeking out and supporting more sustainable clothing labels, we also know that thrift (and its upmarket subset 'vintage') shopping can help scratch the insatiable itch felt by many who enjoy shopping for clothes. Refreshing your wardrobe with pre-loved items rather than cheap and convenient fast fashion is an obvious solution. It's so simple it almost seems too good to be true…
The fact is thrift shopping is not always a straight-forward solution. Shopping for a specific item within a short timeframe (Need a black dress for a dinner tomorrow night?) can be a real problem.
It takes time to trawl through op-shops with no guarantee you will find a style you like, sizing is often an issue as every item is a one-off, and the cost of altering a garment may not be worth it. The internet is full of inspiring images where people have adapted thrift store items into incredible outfits (Jillian Owens's ReFashionita blog has been around for over a decade); but not everyone has the skills, time or desire to become an accomplished seamstress.
In addition to time constraints, sizing issues and possibly discomfort about the idea of wearing second-hand clothing, it can also take a certain confidence about your own personal style to wear thrifted fashion. An 80s vintage tan trench coat might look amazing on your Instagram feed, but in reality you might feel more like a flasher than a fashionista.
There is real and undeniable comfort in shopping from any well-known clothing brand and their expertly selected, market researched, current range for the season. We see this particularly with teens and young people, who often want to fit in with their peers more than express their own unique style. And even the most revolutionary fashion trendsetting thrifters probably nagged their parents for the same brand of jeans as "everyone else" at some point in their fashion journey.
These thrifting obstacles can be overcome. There are vintage stores that curate pre-loved clothing and have done the bulk of the sorting for you, culling items that are poorly made or damaged. Some will focus on specific items (like denim clothing at Scout for Vintage), style or era (such as 1950s-70s at Frocks and Slacks).
Shopping for second-hand clothing online is another way to reduce your searching time and target the exact sizes and styles that you are looking for. Ebay for example allows you to search by brand, size and descriptors, and certain sellers will consistently offer items of a similar look and feel. While established fashion stores have marketing promotions that find their way to you (overloaded inbox, anyone?), you may need to be more proactive with thrift options. Once you find a curated store or online option that resonates with you – keep yourself updated on their latest stock, keep a list of webstores addressed in your favourites, or just check in regularly.
Support makers who upcycle
Another alternative is to seek out upcycled fashion, where a designer has taken pre-loved materials and created a product that is new to the market.
This process of repurposing often involves less manufacturing than turning plastic bottles into sunglasses, and artisans and makers are creating a limited range, handcrafted, high-quality products. Adelaide-based label Metanoia Leather upcycles locally sourced quality leather jackets into contemporary leather handbags, and reducing waste is a natural part of the process.
Eliminating the drawbacks of thrift shopping, while retaining the sustainable benefits of upcycling AND creating a new designer item for the consumer really does seem like an ultimate win-win.
Eco-Age co-founder Livia Firth's approach is a good one:
"Become an active citizen through your wardrobe."
Fashionista or not, that feels like a great fit.
The post Not Everyone Is A Re-Fashionista: Tips For Sustainable Style appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Get Ready for Plastic Free July with Happy Human appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>There's a new way of cleaning in town, so move over single-use bottles. Reusable and refillable bottles have reached the mainstream.
Happy Human has created a range of products that contain gentle ingredients without the hefty price tag. The business is based in Sydney.
By using a refill tab you'll save on discarding single-use plastic bottles. The idea was to start with a range of 'just add water' cleaning products and has expanded to include hand wash.
How To Use Happy Human
- Fill your Happy Human reusable bottle to the line with warm, tap water
- Drop-in both tabs from the sachet and wait for them to dissolve
- Twist the lid back on, give it a little shake and you're set to go
The Happy Human Bundle is an easy way to get started in green cleaning or taking a part in Plastic Free July. The bottles and sachets arrived in minimal packaging with cardboard that can be easily recycled.
The glass bottles have a wide mouth and a well-made pump that reaches the bottom. Just twist the top part to open. The multi-purpose spray bottle is made from tough plastic with a spray nozzle.
The foaming hand wash contains tea tree. While the hand wash smells of lavender. Both products smell pleasant and based on natural Australian botanical fragrances.
The cost to refill a bottle is affordable and costs around $3 to $4.
The products are cruelty-free, vegan, non-toxic, sulphate-free, paraben-free, phthalate-free, VOC-free, no chlorine bleach, no triclosan, pH balanced, no palm oil, and biodegradable.
Happy Human is all about feel-good cleaning that's not just for greenies. It's a home-grown company that is reimagining home and personal care products to end single-use plastic
About Happy Human
Happy Human, Happy Planet The packaging is very nice and is packed with care. The tablets dissolve into the water very easily and smell great! #happyhuman #raisingsmiles Happy Human website: https://www.heyhappyhuman.com/
The post Get Ready for Plastic Free July with Happy Human appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post A Cardiologist's Advice On How To Boost Heart Health Naturally appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Leading Australian Integrative Cardiologist, Dr Ross Walker shares his top five tips for keeping your heart in tip-top shape naturally:
1# Quit All Addictions – especially smoking
If you smoke, quitting is the single most important step you can take to protect the health of your heart. If you want to quit, seek advice from your health professional to help support your journey towards a healthier heart and lifestyle.
Two to three cups of good quality coffee per day (caffeinated or decaffeinated), the world's most common addiction, has been shown to help protect cardiovascular cells from damage and also help them to repair. However, regularly ingesting more than four cups of coffee per day has been shown to have no health benefits and can certainly cause marked cardiac irregularities.
2# Cultivate a good sleeping habit
Sleep is essential for a healthy heart. People who don't sleep enough are at higher risk of cardiovascular issues —regardless of age, weight, smoking and exercise habits. Over time, poor sleeping habits can lead to higher blood pressure during the day and a greater chance of cardiovascular problems.
Aim to go to bed at the same time every night, following the same pattern, whether it's a bath and sometimes reading, or listening to relaxing music. Remove all digital devices from your bedroom as these can disrupt your ability to turn off.
Top Tip: If you keep your bedroom cooler and regulate the temperature throughout the night, you'll find that your overall sleep quality improves. Similar to the mood-enhancing effects of colder temperatures in the bedroom, you'll also find that getting a higher quality of sleep reduces your stress levels which may affect your heart health.
3# Nutrition – Load up on omegas and healthy fats
Omega 3 fatty acids that are commonly found in fish like salmon, mackerel, herring, lake trout and sardines are important for our heart health, with the added benefit of reducing inflammation in the body particularly around the joints. If you don't like seafood then walnuts, flaxseed and hemp are also great sources of omega fatty acids.
The Mediterranean diet, which includes extra virgin olive oil, peanuts, tree nuts, legumes, fresh fruits and vegetables, has also been shown to improve heart health by reducing the build-up of plaque in arteries and provide many other positive metabolic effects.
4# Consider Supplementation
Supplements can be useful when dietary intake is inadequate or when life's business prevents us from eating an ideal heart-healthy diet. As we age, our heart health becomes even more important. During the ageing process, our body begins to lose some of its natural ability to sustain the processes crucial to maintaining a healthy body. When your body is unable to sustain these functions, free radicals can attack your cells, which in turn can threaten a healthy heart, strong immune system and normal energy levels.
You've probably heard about Coenzyme Q10 (or CoQ10), a naturally occurring antioxidant in your body, but you may not have heard of Ubiquinol, the active (more easily absorbed) form of CoQ10, responsible for providing your cells with energy and maintaining a healthy heart. Ubiquinol works naturally in your system to minimize free radical damage and help restore CoQ10, generating energy throughout your body, especially in your heart. Ubiquinol has also been shown to assist in maintaining healthy levels of LDL cholesterol.
If you're over the age of 30, it may be worth considering speaking to your healthcare practitioner about including Ubiquinol in your daily health regime. As your body doesn't convert CoQ10 into Ubiquinol as easily as you age, this is an option for those who are facing symptoms of fatigue and want added support when it comes to heart health.
Other heart-friendly supplements such as magnesium orotate, Kyolic Aged Garlic Extract, bergamot citrus extract and Vitamin K2 can also assist with maintaining a healthy heart.
5# Exercise daily
A lack of physical activity is a major risk factor for developing heart problems. Exercise has incredible benefits not only for your weight and mental health but specifically for your heart.
Cardio exercises, in particular, can lower blood pressure and strengthen your heart, as you slowly increase your cardiovascular endurance. Find an exercise you enjoy, whether it be power-walking, swimming or even dancing, and aim to move and increase your heart rate for at least 30 minutes, every day.
6# Happiness
Being happy promotes a range of lifestyle habits that are important for overall health and your heart. Research has also shown that people who maintain healthy friendship networks throughout life actually have a lower risk of heart disease. Reduced stress and anxiety as a result of these relationships play a significant role in these findings, not to mention the vital happiness chemicals, serotonin, dopamine & oxytocin, released as a consequence of love & bonding.
Always read the label. Use only as directed. If symptoms persist consult your healthcare professional.
www.ubiquinol.net.au
The Carousel would like to thank Australia's Leading Integrative Cardiologist, Dr Ross Walker for his article.
https://thecarousel.com/health/dr-jason-kaplan-on-how-to-address-your-heart-health-naturally/
The post A Cardiologist's Advice On How To Boost Heart Health Naturally appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post 3 Tips To Combat The Emotional Effects Of The Strawberry Supermoon appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>However, there may be some ways to fight back against this last supermoon, thanks to three top tips from Inbaal, renowned Psychic and Wellness Advocate.
#1Rest and fuel your body
Full moons are known to be psychically and mentally draining, so no matter your sleep schedule, we all will be feeling exhausted. Take some time across the next three days of the full moon to be totally still. Sit or lay motionless for at least ten minutes – and do nothing. Don't scroll, don't speak, don't even meditate. Just be aware that your body isn't moving. This is when healing happens.
Another way to combat the side effects of enlightenment caused by a full moon is to make a point of nourishing yourself so that you have the strength to stay on top of things. Focus on incorporating fresh, raw, vegetarian ingredients into your diet over this time.
#2Be at one with nature
There is nothing more calming than the natural world and at a time when our emotions are running wild, stopping for a minute and enjoying the surroundings of a natural space will be nothing but positive. Stare at the moon, go on a walk or go for a swim at a time where bodies of water are at their peak energy.
#3Engage with your spirituality
Once you can resign yourself to the healing properties of a full moon you can control and channel these stirring emotions correctly. Writing, something largely believed to be inspired by the moon, is the perfect way to express and stabilise your thoughts and creativity.
This is a perfect time to charge your crystals because of the moon's intense spiritual energy. Take every full moon as an opportunity to charge and cleanse your tools.
The full moon's healing properties offer a time to accept and forgive. To embody your forgiveness, write transgressions on small bits of paper and cast them into running water, or burn them safely in a fireproof dish under a full moon.
All tips courtesy of https://www.psychicworld.com/
Feature image via The Sun
The post 3 Tips To Combat The Emotional Effects Of The Strawberry Supermoon appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Australia's Most Important Art Collection Up For Auction appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>This collection, widely regarded as Australia's most significant, features some classic images captured from some of the nation's most historically relevant events and locations like the Marine Parade, Border Gate views of Coolangatta and Tweed Heads, and many more.
-
The Sign Post. Coolangatta, Qld -
"There are original glass negatives in this collection that capture the very first moments of not only local Australian but World history and some that may even change the course of history," said Mr. Lee Hames, Chief Operations Officer for Lloyds Auctions. "We believe this to be a World first, to offer these tangible original glass plates which rival any modern photographic resolution", he continued.
The current owners of the collection, Stephen and Jeffrey Cutts claimed that it was with "great sadness that we say goodbye to a collection that spans five generations and 140 years. We understand that for these historically important pieces to rest with one family is to deny others the pleasure of their custodianship. It is for this reason that we have entrusted you as the new custodian of our treasured item,".
Noteworthy photographs in the collection:
- The Landing At ANZAC (Gallipoli, 1915)
- Ned And Dan Kelly's Armour (taken at trial in 1880)
- The Duke & Duchess Of York And Daughter Princess Elizabeth Alexandra Mary
- Phar Lap Winning The 'Melbourne Cup' 1930
- Egyptian Pyramids And Sphinx
- Franco British Expedition
If you're an art lover or just want some Aussie collectibles, customers can now bid for these items through Both the Lloyds Auctions platform and in cryptocurrency. The winners will become owners of the minted NFT, and will be given the tangible, original glass plate negative.
The post Australia's Most Important Art Collection Up For Auction appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Snuggle Up with an Oodie: The Top-Rated Wearable Blanket appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>In a nutshell, it's an oversized hoodie made out of blanket material. The inside is made from ultra-soft flannel fleece, and warm Sherpa fleece on the outside.
The oodie is perfect to wear for cold winter nights in front of the television. You might find your partner starting to eye it off, and that's okay because there are plenty of unisex designs.
The popular designs often sell out. But the current range includes fun characters like sloth, unicorn, koala, corgi, bulldog, German shepherd, pizza, panda, avocado, pizza, quokka, cat, bunny, otter, penguin, garlic bread, reindeer and more. The licenced range includes Friends, Harry Potter, Mickey Mouse, Winnie the Pooh, Star Wars. There are a number of solid coloured oodies: think navy blue, pale pink, grey, and fun tie-dyed looks.
Oodies are available in two sizes: one for adults and one suitable for kids. The adult oodie is loosely based on a size 6XL hoodie. The kids oodies are 30% smaller than the original and ideal for children aged 3 to 13 years old.
When you get up from watching the television, you don't have to juggle a blanket and find somewhere to put it. When I'm wearing an oodie, I can just get up to stretch my legs or pop to the kitchen. It's warm and super comfy. I like the oversized style.
The oodie is machine washable.
An Oodie is one of the comfiest loungewear items you'll ever wear at home. And yes, my oodie is covered in totes cute koalas.
Highly recommended.
About Oodie
We use ultra-soft flannel fleece paired with warm Sherpa fleece so you don't have to worry about the cold. Some think it's a blanket. Some think it's a hoodie. Either way we know you're going to be coziest in The Oodie. Now the top-rated wearable blanket on Facebook and Product Review. Order from the Oodie website: https://theoodie.com/
The post Snuggle Up with an Oodie: The Top-Rated Wearable Blanket appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Try This Natural Pro-biotic: Coconut Yogurt With Acai And Blueberry appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>| Vegan | Raw | Paleo | Dairy Free | Gluten Free
Serves 3
INGREDIENTS
3 cups Organic Coconut Milk
2 pro-biotic gel capsules
Large glass jar with lid
2 tbsp. Organic Coconut Nectar
1/4 cup blueberries
3 tsp. Acai Powder
METHOD
1 Sterilise your jar with boiling water
2 Add coconut milk, pro-biotic capsules and stir
3 Leave jar in a sunny place for around 8-12 hours. A bench underneath a window works well!
4 Pop jar in fridge. Chill for another 12 hours.
5 Add Coconut Nectar, blueberries and acai powder and enjoy!
Cook's Notes: After 12 hours the yogurt will still be a little watery. With each day passing the mixture will begin to thicken. By day 4 the coconut yogurt should resemble Greek yogurt thickness.
Bryn's book 'Going Coconuts' is brimming with paleo, vegan, raw, dairy-free and gluten-free recipes – all of which are tried and tested by the 'coconut guru' herself. Get your copy at www.naturepacifc.com.
The post Try This Natural Pro-biotic: Coconut Yogurt With Acai And Blueberry appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Meet the Melbourne Inspired Stitch and Hide Bag Collection appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The online shops stock a great range of wallets, clutches and bags with lots of accessories to make them your own. Here are some of my personal favourites:
The core range of wallets and clutches is responsibly made with eco-certified leather. You'll find this has a subtle grain-like texture that's buttery soft but durable. I'm lusting after the Ellie flap wallet which comes in coral, black, deep sea, dusty rose, oak, olive and teal. The Lucy is a practical zip-closure pouch that could carry your personal items. You might like the Darcy or Paiget flap wallets.
The clutches are perfect wardrobe staples for when you are hitting the town and just need some essentials. I love the flexibility of clutches – you can easily pop them in a larger bag and head off. The Cassie clutch comes in classic colours like maple brown, espresso black and almond caramel, but if you're after a fun colour select from cherry red, teal green, dusty rose pink, misty grey, storm blue, sage, olive, lilac, deep sea, black, coral and oak.
The Piper crossbody bag is perfect everyday bag that comes in a beautiful range of colours including teal, black, charcoal, cherry and coral. The teal green is my personal favourite. The Taylor is another crossbody bag that will last you a long time with its classic structured body.
If you're after a larger handbag consider the Frankie hobo. The Alexa is a cute feminine satchel bag. The Isabelle and Emma are classic tote bags with magnetic snap closures. These will be perfect for anyone who needs something smart for work.
There is a washed collection of leather bags and backpacks which have a worn and well-loved look to them.
Stitch and Hide have a lust-worthy travel collection including a roomy weekender bag, toiletry bag, passport holder and luggage tag.
You can buy a cute tassel in twelve different colours to match your bag. There are a number of different leather straps to custom your bag, from washed seatbelt, mid to gathered. You can also buy a leather keyring or key pouch.
Don't forget to buy a bottle of leather conditioner to protect and nourish your leather goods. It is made in Australia from 100% natural ingredients including lanolin and beeswax.
Stitch and Hide clutches, bags and handbags are beautiful, built to last and age well.
Stitch & Hide is a global leather accessories company that combines the laid back, yet sophisticated styles of both Byron Bay, Australia and Los Angeles, California. The natural beauty of these two places is reflected in our rugged, yet classically styled products. Made from the finest quality leathers by the hands of skilled craftsmen, the treatments implemented in creating our products are natural processes, using time-honoured techniques and formulas that were developed by ancient and traditional methods. Made to this day with old world craftsmanship, our leathers carry on a long history of superior comfort and durability. Stitch and Hide website: https://www.stitchandhide.com/
Photo Credit: © Copyright Stitch and Hide
The post Meet the Melbourne Inspired Stitch and Hide Bag Collection appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Dr. Joanna Mcmillan's Miso Chicken And Black Rice Mushroom Risotto appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Prep time: 15 mins
Cook time: 1hr 30 mins
Ingredients:
- A handful of fresh coriander, chopped
- 1 bunch of pak choy or bok choy
- 1 ½ Cups (300g) black rice
- 230g Mushrooms
- 2 Cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 Stick celery, diced
- 1 Leek, sliced
- 1 Red onion, diced
- 1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 2 Chicken breasts (approx. 500g)
Ingredients (Marinade):
- Juice of 1 lime
- 1 Tablespoon Soy sauce
- 1 Tablespoon Extra virgin olive oil
- 1 Tablespoon Maple syrup
- 3 Tablespoons Shiro miso
Method:
- Whisk the marinade ingredients together in a bowl with a fork. Slice the chicken breast horizontally and in half to create 8 pieces. Add to the bowl and coat with the miso mixture. Place in the fridge and marinade for a least half an hour.
- Select the sauté/sear function and adjust the cooking time to 20 minutes. Once hot, add the chicken pieces, draining off the marinade so it doesn't stew, and sear on each side for a few minutes until just starting to caramelise. Do this in two batches so as not to overcrowd the bowl. Reserve the remaining marinade in the bowl. Set aside the browned chicken pieces.
- Add the oil to the cooking bowl and heat for a moment. Add the onion, leek, and celery and sauté for 5 minutes until softened. Add the garlic and mushrooms and sauté for a few more minutes.
- Finally add the rice, 2 cups of water and the marinade from the chicken. Close the lid, lock and select the risotto function.
- Once finished open and place the chicken pieces on top of the risotto. Close and lock the lid. Select the steam function for 10 minutes.
- After 10 minutes add the pak choy or bok choy. Select the steam function for 2 minutes.
- Once ready open the lid immediately (otherwise your pak choy or bok choy will overcook). Remove the pak choy or bok choy and chicken to separate plates. Spoon the risotto onto serving plates along with the pak choy or bok choy, layer over the chicken and sprinkle with a little coriander. Enjoy!
Dr Jo McMillan's Heart Health Tips
With so many health food fads coming and going it can be difficult to understand which foods really are supporting and increasing your (and your family's) heart health.
Check the label
Grocery shopping can be overwhelming with an array of product labels claiming health benefits, but to block out some of the noise, a good tip is to look for products which have "no added salt" or at the very least "reduced salt"on the label. This is important because sodium can increase the risk of heart problems and is hidden in most processed foods and products – even the ones which boast health benefits. So next time you pick up pre-made soup or lunchbox snacks, check the label for the added sodium.
Kitchen appliances
There are many products available to help keep your cooking as healthy as possible, such as the Philips Airfryer XXL which allows you to cook those delicious meals with no guilt, including fried chicken or hot chips.
Eat the rainbow
A diet high in fibre is important for your heart and overall health and the best way to increase fibre-intake is to fill meals with non-starchy fruits and vegetables. It can be a challenge to sneak vegetables in to weekly meals, particularly when cooking for children. A good idea is to try and include at least five different coloured vegetables a day – making sure veggies are in at least two meals helps – and a couple of different fruits throughout the day.
Choose the best base
There are many myths and misconceptions about cooking and frying with oil. In general you are best to avoid deep fried foods, as these are generally not cooked in the healthiest oils, may contain harmful trans fats, as well as being a very high source of kilojoules (calories). At home it's easy to ensure you're not adding too many nasties. Switch out coconut oil, butter and refined vegetable oils for Australian extra virgin olive oil. This has been proven to be the safest and healthiest oil to cook with. Plus it delivers an abundance of health-healthy antioxidants and other protective plant compounds. Choosing healthy options like extra virgin olive oil will help keep your heart healthy and can also add different layers of flavours to your favourite recipes.
Understanding protein
We often choose protein without much thought, however different meats are higher in fat while others are leaner and the types of fat present impact on heart health. Look for lean cuts of meat and choose more game meats and poultry, which tend to be much leaner. Cold-water fish such as salmon and herring are a great alternative to high-fat meats as they contain the anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids which also help to promote healthy blood cholesterol levels. Alternatively, choosing a meat-free protein such as legumes, beans, peas and lentils are shown to be beneficial for heart health being low in fat and high in plant protein, fibre and an abundance of essential nutrients.
The post Dr. Joanna Mcmillan's Miso Chicken And Black Rice Mushroom Risotto appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Thinking Of Doing Dry July? Here's What You Need To Know appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Being sober for a month may seem daunting but there is evidence to suggest that having a 'Dry July' buddy can make it an easier decision, especially if you live with each other, as many of us have done since COVID-19.
I know many couples who have decided to quit the booze for great reasons including weight loss, liver health, energy and to improve general wellbeing.
Drinking is not so sexy after all!
It can challenge the best relationships when one partner quits for the month while watching the other sculling back the wine or beers. The truth is sometimes seeing your partner under the influence can be rather unsexy too!
Reports from couples and friends who joined forces to achieve a Dry July together didn't feel as isolated and most importantly didn't feel like they were missing out!
Improves sober communication
Going dry for the month can also promote healthier ways to enjoy the evenings such as after dinner walks or solving with a glass of sparkling water rather than wine and remembering the conversation! I don't think I've met one person who doesn't end the month feeling a sense of pride – and because once you get one month under your belt, you realise going without alcohol is actually easier than you think.
So, if you are thinking about asking your partner or a friend to do Dry July with you, here are some supportive and important points to send to them:
Within 7 days
Better deep sleep
REM sleep is normally achieved about 90 minutes after we fall asleep. This is the stage of sleep when we dream and it is thought to be the most restorative stage. The more you drink before bed, the more your REM sleep is disturbed which leads to tiredness and lethargy the next day.
Less Anxious
Alcohol tends to trigger a lot of anxiety and negative thinking! Without the toxins from alcohol affecting your central nervous system, you will be feeling more optimistic and more on top of your life!
Within 14 days
Healthier digestive system
Alcohol is known to irritate the digestive system. Drinking alcohol makes your stomach produce more acid than usual, which can in turn cause gastritis (the inflammation of the stomach lining). If you do suffer from any gut issues, you may start to see an improvement by the end of Week Two.
Weight Loss
One of the biggest benefits on top of general well-being is simpleweight loss. There are lots of empty calories in alcohol which are often not taken into account when trying to maintain weight. Also ,we tend to eat slightly less healthier foods after a few drinks and tend to snack more as well.
Mental Alertness
The one thing most people report is incredible clarity, easier decision making and just generally coping better because they feel more mentally alert.
Week 3
Improved blood pressure!
Alcohol has been proven to raise blood pressure, so you will naturally feel better in the third week of a dry month. Reducing your blood pressure can be crucial as it can help to lessen the risk of health problems occurring in the future.
Eyes are brighter
During week three you should also notice your eyes have become brighter and whiter, as your eyes also become more hydrated. Bright eyes are also a sign of your liver getting healthier too!
Week 4
Liver Health dramatically improved!
Your Liver will thank you…Taking alcohol out of your diet for just four weeks can help liver function dramatically!As long as your liver is not too badly affected by your habitual alcohol intake you can expect it to recover within 4-8 weeks.
Your Skin will be glowing!
One of the biggest issues that comes from drinking alcohol is dehydration. Alcohol is a diuretic, therefore it effects the body's ability to keep its fluids up. It will try and divert any excess water towards vital organs such as your skin.So, guess what…your skin appearance will also improve dramatically! It takes on average 28 days for skin to renew itself. Without the bloated booze face and the toxins in alcohol you can expect to look much younger!
More weight loss
The weight should continue to drop off as your liver is less burdened with the booze and you are naturally making healthier food choices.
Nutrients being absorbed better
You will be converting nutrients in food better, storing more minerals and vitamins and this will have a domino effect on every aspect of your health and your outlook.The bottom line is, there is no downside to doing Dry July with someone else. By the end of the month you and your Dry July partner in crime will have no regrets!
Georgia Foster is an alcohol reduction expert who has a Dry July recording to keep you strong and motivated. www.georgiafoster.com.
The Carousel would like to thank Georgia Foster for her story.
The post Thinking Of Doing Dry July? Here's What You Need To Know appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Take A Road Trip To Tamworth! appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Where To Stay In Tamworth
Look no further than the Powerhouse Hotel Tamworth, owned and run by Tamworth legend, Greg Maguire. A long-time local, Greg is famous for his cattle farms, passion for motorbikes and of course, bringing Five-Star luxury accommodation to Tamworth.
The hotel recently underwent a $12million refurbishment, with Sydney team, Paul Kelly Design, at the helm. The move more than paid off, with stylish fixtures and furniture from lobby to lounge, bar to dining room, and even where you lay your head, propelling its ranking straight to to Five Stars.
A colour palette of aqua, teal, grey and white runs through the establishment, which immediately imbues a sense of calm and a sense of "I'm on vacation". After a leisurely check-in, we had the choice of relaxing by the luxury outdoor pool, or dressing for a sundowner in the Coal Bunker Bar.
Of course, we chose the latter. It was impossible to resist after merely glancing the lengthy list of wines, whiskies and cocktails. And, we were thirsty girls after our five hour road trip from the Southern Highlands. Jeremy, a charismatic and enthusiastic mixologist was manning the bar, and he guided us in the just the right direction as to what to imbibe.
Beginning with a Dirty Martini, we sipped it slowly whilst pondering our next indulgence, which was the prettiest sip of Sweet Pea Gin Elderflower Spritz. As we enjoyed the ever-so-pretty, delicious beverage, Jeremy explained the intricacies of the bar's signature cocktail,The Powerhouse Iced Tea. We were sold within seconds and it was next on our list.
This potent concoction is as unique as it is delicious. Designed to be shared between two, it is powered by Absolut Wild Tea Vodka and St Germain Elderflower Liqueur, then stirred with house brewed iced tea and seasonal fruits. It arrives in a glass teapot and is then served over ice at your table. The theatrics are as wonderful as the cocktail itself.
Suffice to say we were slightly light headed by the time we made it to theThe Workshop Kitchen. The elegant, spacious eatery is renowned for its wood-fired grill and stand-out local steaks, as well as its two-glass rated wine list as per the Australian 2019 Wine List of the Year Awards.
As vast as the menu is, it took us no time at all to decide on the salmon for myself and steak for my friend, all with a side of parmesan, truffle potato mash, of course. This was perfectly complemented by a bottle of Hancock & Hancock Grenache Rose, handpicked for us by General Manager and Sommelier, Daine Cooper. My salmon was cooked to perfection, as was my friend's steak, and there aren't really any words to describe how delicious and more-ish the potato mash was.
We rounded off our feast with an oversized serve of affogato, which was as near to perfect as a dish of ice cream with coffee and liqueur drizzled over it can be. We then strolled (OK it may have been a stumble) the few metres back to our luxury two bedroom digs, admiring the brilliant stars lighting up both the clear night sky and our path way home.
Sleeping Soundly
Each room accommodates two (either single or double beds can be arranged) and offers the ultimate in privacy, comfort and relaxation. Given it was the weekend, the block out blinds were firmly shut to allow for maximum sleep-in time the next day.
All hopes of that flew out the window when I was awoken with a combination of a thumping head from the previous evening's imbibitions and the excitement to check out Tamworth's historical sites and vibrant shopping scene.
But first, breakfast. While The Powerhouse's Workshop Kitchen offers a premium and hearty breakfast, we decided to stroll along the main street of the city, Peel Street, and found a gorgeous diner called Deco Wine Bar and Restaurant. As the name suggests, it had a distinctly art deco ambiance. I was pretty disappointed that they didn't serve Bloody Mary's, but they more than made up for it with the most perfectly effervescent and refreshing Mimosa, teamed with poached eggs and avocado.
Shop til You Drop
It's a rare occurrence that one walks into a store and finds so much to buy that your Christmas shopping list is completely ticked off. However, that is exactly what happened when I enteredThe Magic Pudding. The overladen boutique is a treasure trove of fashion, homewares and food and the only thing that stopped me filling up an extra shopping bag was my credit card limit. From kid's toys to beautiful clothing, jams and pickles and out of the square books and homewares, I had pretty much every friend and family member covered.
Our next stop wasRM Williams Tamworth,RB Sellars andBaxter Boots & Shoes as I was hell bent on picking up a pair of traditional country and western boots. Alas, I was out of luck, as my favourite picks were not available in my size. I added 'boot shopping' to my list of reasons to return to Tamworth soon, the other being the annual Country and Music festival, which was sadly cancelled in 2020 due to Covid.
Strumming Gold
A little shopped out, we thought we'd hit the site seeing trail – after all, what's a trip to Tamworth without seeing the big Golden Guitar, or the Guitar Museum, the latter of which is home to guitars donated by Country Music's hugest names, including our own Keith Urban, Dolly Parton and the late, great Kenny Rogers.
The Big Golden Guitar itself is 12 metres high, weighs half a tonne and is representative of the Golden Guitar Awards which began in the early 1970's, masterminded by 2TM's John Mindon and Max Exwell, with the more intricate details designed by Tamworth artist Harry Frost. Ironically, the Big Golden Guitar has no strings, but it more than makes up for it in stature and prominence.
After a quick selfie in front of the guitar, we headed inside to check out the Country Music Wax Museum, which is looking a little tired these days but luckily leads out though the guitar museum, which is an absolute must-see.
With guitars gifted by the likes of Paul Kelly, Tommy Emmanuel, Smokey Dawson, it was truly fascinating. Seeing Kenny Roger's guitar hung pride of place next to Dolly Parton's is something everyone should have on their Bucket List.
Peel Street Strolling
Peel Street is the main shopping strip of Tamworth and it's well worth taking your time strolling it. Despite the fact we already had cleared almost all the shelves of each boutique, we decided to take a leisurely walk that way, before heading back to the hotel for an early supper and rugby match at the Coal Bunker Bar.
We were so pleased we did, as the heat had come in and the enormous pine trees and breeze swirling around the street made for some refreshing comfort. The many cafes and restaurants made it super refreshing too.
We stopped by The Pig and Tinder Box, which dates back to 1848. Located in heritage-listed bank building in the heart of Tamworth, it was one of the first pubs in the New England Region. It offers casual dining and an urban bar oasis and it was here that we were regaled with the tale of how Tamworth was the 'first town of lights' – being the first place in Australia to use electric streetlights in 1888. We discovered, with fascination, that our hotel's name, Powerhouse Tamworth is an historical nod to this, as it's the physical location of the former electrical power-house. Paris was the first location only ten years earlier, to be "a city of lights".
Revved Up, Then Ready To Head Home
Refreshed and cooled down, we were ready to go back to our room, via what, in hindsight, became the most interesting stop on our day out – The Powerhouse Motorcycle Museum. Adjacent to the hotel, it's open seven days, from 9am to 5pm and houses the Powerhouse Tamworth by Rydges' private collection of bikes.
It's a must see even for the most novice of motorcycle enthusiasts, like myself. Vintage BSA Gold Stars stand majestically beside Ducatis from the 1950s as well as Triumphs, Velocettes, Hondas, Laverdas and more. There are over 50 motorcycles in the museum, part of a rotating collection of 200+ motorcycles, all in pristine condition.
With motorbikes from the 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s, there is something from every major era. The museum is also home to a very rare limited edition F4 MV Augusta Series ORO and a 1924 Harley Davidson postie bike.
Dinner that night was a quiet meal of tapas like snacks in the Coal Bunker bar while watching the rugby. We had an early start the next day to make the drive home, so we skipped the intricate cocktails and opted for the same exquisite rose that we so enjoyed with the previous evening's meal.
After a refreshing sleep, we were on our way back home, pinky swearing that we'd make our way back soon, with more time allocated, to explore the myriad parts of this gorgeous region has to offer that we sadly didn't have time for on this trip, like those in the list below!
Tamworth's Must-Do Activities
Here's a list of activities in Tamworth that we desperately wanted to dive into, however time constraints and COVID meant we were unable to. Be sure to add them to your list, if you're able to travel these school holidays.
- Tamworth's annual Country Music Festival (sadly cancelled ion 2021 due to Covid-19) is the largest and most populated city in the north-western region of NSW, and the second-largest inland city in the state. It is widely known as one of the top 10 music festivals in the world. Traditionally a fun, 10-day event held every January that includes over 700 artists, a 50,000 plus crowd of music lovers and over 2800 events. Here's hoping for 2022.
- For a great view over the city of Tamworth and Peel River Valley, you can't go past Oxley Scenic Lookout, two-kilometres from the CBD.
- The Tamworth Regional Gallery, one of the oldest galleries in NSW, is a great spot to discover the district's heritage. See colonial silverware along with modern exhibitions that change every six weeks. Weswal Gallery is another spot to appreciate contemporary local, regional and national art.
- Stop by the Tamworth Powerstation Museum for more of the town's early electric history.
- Book a class with Grounded, for yoga, pilates and meditation classes in the heart of Tamworth.
- Try to catch your own dinner at theArc-en-Ciel Trout Farm also home to The Drunken Trout Café.
- Visit Kootingal Horse Riding Adventures for a horse-riding trek and farm tour, at this 1400-acre property 'Swamp Oak Station' at Mulla Creek.
- Take part in an Aboriginal cultural tour of the local region with Kamilaroi man and local indigenous custodian,Len Waters.
- For pampering, Urban Vogue Day Spa is the place to rejuvenate during one of their signature treatments.
- For families, meet joeys and other friendly animals at theTamworth Marsupial Park and Adventure Playground.
- Another fun spot for kids of all ages is theTamworth Regional Playground on Kable Avenue, with its skywalk, three giant slides, four towers, a bike track, junior and senior fitness circuits, a dual flying fox and a waterfall with a three metre sway bridge. When it's time to refresh and recover, there's a café where you can take a well-earned break.
- Daytrip to the historic town of Nundle, a scenic 45-50 mins drive from Tamworth. Visit the historic Nundle Woollen Mill and buy some beautiful woollen products from the shop at the last operating spinning mill in Australia. While in Nundle, make sure to visit Odgers and McClelland – a one stop shop for beautiful and practical kitchen and garden wares with vintage roots, and housed in a beautifully preserved 19th century village store.
- An hour north, head to Barraba to see the impressive Water Diviner mural on the trio of 40-metre high grain silos.
- Miss JuJu Foods the place to stop for signature salads, rice paper rolls and bao buns.
- Campgrounds Tamworth is an independent roaster and café, and stockists of local chocolatier Deva's Chocolates.
- Sonny's Bakery for "great coffee and bloody good bread." Baked fresh everyday. Breakfasts, lunches, pastries and more.
- Ruby's Café and gift Store is a local favourite on Tamworth's main street.
- The Lemon House sells a range of homewares, gifts, furniture and more.
- Bungalow G this retail store is a carefully curated mix of eclectic, colourful & modern furniture pieces, homewares and lifestyle products.
- Taste Tamworth Festival (Wed 14 – Sun 18 April 2021)
You can enjoy some of the local bounty at a range of restaurants and the annual 10-day in April, which celebrates the region's fresh produce and cool climate wines.
Getting To Tamworth
Tamworth is just under five-hours' drive north of Sydney and seven hours from Brisbane. There is also a daily direct train, or you can fly into Tamworth Regional Airport located 10kms from Tamworth's town centre.
The post Take A Road Trip To Tamworth! appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Curd Cheese Patties in Maple Sauce appeared first on The Carousel.
]]> INGREDIENTS
250g (8oz) Syr (curd cheese) or Polish twaróg
pinch of fine sea salt
1 tablespoon caster sugar
1 egg , lightly beaten
50–80g (2–3oz) plain flour
1 tablespoon sunflower oil
250g (8oz) soured cream
1 vanilla pod, slit lengthways and seeds scraped out
60g (2¼ oz) maple syrup or clear honey
METHOD
1 Mix the cheese, salt, sugar and egg together thoroughly in a bowl, adding enough flour to create a soft and slightly sticky dough.
2 Form the dough into 8 patties 5cm (2 inches) in diameter and 2cm (¾ inch) thick.
3 Heat the oil in a frying pan and brown the patties on both sides, then layer them in a heavy-based saucepan.
4 Mix the soured cream with the vanilla seeds and maple syrup or honey and pour over the patties. Bring to the boil and simmer over a low heat for 7–10 minutes. We eat this for breakfast or as a dessert and it's good warm or cold.
Curd cheese
Almost every week my mum used to suspend a muslin cloth with milk curds over the sink and the next morning we had syr (which literally means 'cheese' in Ukrainian).
Her mother did the same, as did her grandmother and so on. Eaten with some smetana soured cream and fresh raspberries for breakfast, or used in numerous sweet and savoury dishes, it's a dairy product that I cannot live without. The process may seem a little complicated (it isn't!), and raw milk is not that easy to come by, but more and more farmers' markets sell it. The satisfaction gained from making your own cheese will certainly be worth the effort.
Makes about 300g (10oz) Syr and 1.3 litres (2¼ pints) whey
INGREDIENTS
1.7 litres (2 ¾ pints) raw (unpasteurized) milk
A piece of muslin
METHOD
1 Leave the raw milk in a 2-litre (3½ -pint) jar to go sour in a warm place in your kitchen. Check it after 24 hours. The milk should become thick like Greek yogurt but it should still be homogenous – the whey shouldn't separate from the cream. It may take up to 2 days.
2 When the milk has soured and thickened, place half an empty egg box at the bottom of a large, deep saucepan and pop the jar of soured milk, uncovered, on top of it. Then fill the pan with water to go as far up the outer sides of the jar as possible.
3 Bring to the boil, then lower the heat and simmer for an hour or until the whey separates from the cream and you can see thick cracks forming along the sides.
4 Take the jar out carefully and leave to cool down a little.
5 While still warm, drain the curds through a muslin cloth set in a sieve over a large bowl, then leave overnight in the refrigerator. You can tie the corners of the muslin cloth together into a bag and weight it down a bit – this will help get rid of the moisture more quickly. Don't throw away the whey – you can use it to make flatbreads, so simply pour it into a clean jar and keep it in the refrigerator. Use both within 1 week.
Note: To make a drier, salted version of this cheese (to use as you would feta), add 5g (¼ oz) fi ne sea salt to the drained curds – it should taste quite salty, almost slightly oversalted, so add more salt if necessary. Place the curds in a clean muslin cloth, tie it at the top and weight it down on a tray. Leave in the refrigerator for a day or two before using.
The post Curd Cheese Patties in Maple Sauce appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Selling Sunset Secrets: Tips for Buying a Home and Making it Look Luxe appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>We chatted with some of Selling Sunset's stars to find out some of their secrets behind buying and selling houses:
Interview with Mary Fitzgerald from Selling Sunset
Mary Fitzgerald offers her best tips for snagging your dream home:
"Hire the right agent: This is by far the most important! It's essential to make sure your real estate agent has experience in the area and knows your wants and needs."
"Do your research: They always say in real estate that location is everything! If you are new to the area, make sure to reach out to people to know what you're getting into."
"Act fast: It's crazy out there, especially in today's market! If you find something that hits everything on your checklist, put in an offer ASAP. And don't be afraid to go over the asking price!"
"Walk the neighbourhood: If you are thinking about purchasing a house, try and spend half of the day in the neighbourhood. Maybe go on a few walks, get a bite to eat, etc. This can help you really envision moving and seeing if it's the right place for you."
"Think long term: Investment, investment, investment! It's always smart to look in up-and-coming areas, that way you will be sure your home will appreciate in value, which means more money for you when you sell!"
5 Easy Design Tips to Spruce Up Your Dream Home
If you're already living in a great house or starter place, then decorating your space to make it your own can make a big difference. Here's some ideas on making it your dream home.
Amanza Smith of Selling Sunset offers her helpful tips and recommendations for designing and decorating your new space to make it your own:
- Apply a fresh coat of paint.
- Add a new hanging light or chandelier.
- Go neutral on the main furniture such as a sofa and go wild instead with pillows, rugs, and accessories that are less expensive to swap out if you decide to change the vibe.
- Framed art rather than unframed prints always looks richer! You can even frame things you print off the computer.
- Always test paint colours on the wall in the room before committing to painting the whole wall because the light in the room and even floor colour will make it look different than the swatch.
Selling Sunset is now streaming on Netflix. Season 3 has a release date of 7 August 2021.
About Selling Sunset
Luxe real estate. Major drama. The top real estate brokers at The Oppenheim Group are back! Selling Sunset, a Netflix reality series set in the world of LA's high-end real estate, follows seven of the city's most successful female realtors who all work under the same roof at the #1 agency in the Hollywood Hills and the Sunset Strip. They work hard and play harder, as they compete with the cutthroat LA market and each other. These ladies will do what it takes to make it to the top of their game, all while trying to keep their personal lives intact. This season, the ladies deal with even more mind-blowing mansions, shocking new romances, and explosive truths that will change their lives, relationships and careers forever. Welcome to Selling Sunset. https://www.netflix.com/
The post Selling Sunset Secrets: Tips for Buying a Home and Making it Look Luxe appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Move Over Byron Bay. Zac Efron And Other Hollywood Stars Are Flocking To South Australia appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Whether it's discovering one of the many awe-inspiring pink lakes and incredible Umpherston and Kilsby sinkholes, to venturing underground in Coober Pedy, South Australia is the star-studded paradise for those who want a little more.
Here is a roundup of celebrities who've recently visited Adelaide, Kangaroo Island and the world-class wine regions of Barossa and Adelaide Hills.
Zac Efron
He's the adopted Aussie we've loved keeping an eye on over the past few months and sure enough he's hit South Australian shores. Zac stopped byKangaroo Island (KI), known for its wildlife and natural, rugged beauty. Follow the road less travelled and discover unique wildlife, mouth-watering food and wine, breath-taking scenery and a laid-back lifestyle on KI.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CMjTT-YJ5xH/
(Link to Instagram post)
Jamie Dornan
The Fifty Shades of Grey star has landed in South Australia as he explores the state during filming for the upcoming Stan thriller series, The Tourist. Sure enough, he too made his way to discover the natural beauty ofKangaroo Island.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CO2csJcB1Ho/
(Link to Instagram Post )
Teresa Palmer
South Australia's very own home grown star has just touched down in Australia again this week for the birth of her fifth baby. They say locals know all of the hidden gems, so it's no surprise to see Teresa onKangaroo Island.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CDjCFy7hAzF/
Martha Kalifatidis
In her recent visit, Martha hitAdelaide – the gateway to South Australia. The city is bursting with culture, flavours, events and entertainment. Join the party at festivals and events, or spend the night exploring Adelaide's attractions and a thriving restaurant and bar scene.
https://www.instagram.com/p/COwE_Log72J/
Bella Vaerlis
Just a 45-minute drive south of Adelaide in the heart of one of Australia's oldest and most acclaimed wine regions, Bella spent some time inMcLaren Vale, a wine lover and foodie's paradise. Boasting more than 80 vineyards and with incredible culinary offerings around every corner, you'll be making your way through iconic wineries in no time.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CMMKDkjBMBY/
(Link to Instagram post)
Pia Muehlenbeck
Among various locations, Pia was spotted in theAdelaide Hills. Not only is the region brimming with wildlife encounters and cultural discoveries, but the Hills are home to some of South Australia's best food, wine and scenery.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CHFVyBKg4tx/
(Link to Instagram post)
Kane Vato
Pia and Kane were also spotted exploring theBarossa Valley, the internationally-acclaimed wine region just a 50 minute drive from Adelaide. From sipping a local drop that's as old as you or soaring over some of the oldest vines in the world, there's plenty to discover in the Barossa.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CHHs7_YDqzd/
(Link to Instagram post here and here)
The post Move Over Byron Bay. Zac Efron And Other Hollywood Stars Are Flocking To South Australia appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Essential Nutrition Tips To Kick-Start Your Healthiest Winter Ever appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>However, as the dreaded cold and flu season approaches, it is more important than ever to eat a nutritious diet to strengthen and support the immune system, to help stay healthy.
Accredited practising dietitian Vanessa Schuldt from Nutrition Speak says it pays to check those food labels, as some frozen-ready meals contain excessive amounts of salt and sugar. Some contain hefty amounts of 'bad' saturated fats too.
"It's a little-known fact that 75 per cent of the sodium that we eat is hidden in processed foods," says Vanessa.
"Some frozen-ready meals contain more than half of your recommend daily intake of sodium. With excessive intakes of sodium increasing one's risk of high blood pressure, it is important to be aware of the sodium content of foods that pass your lips."
If you are going to enjoy a treat make it a healthy one such as Twisted Healthy Treats. These delicious frozen yoghurts are made from 100% Australian dairy and only contain 95 calories per cup.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CQMxcTBtd2U/
Here are Vanessa's top three key tips to consider when it comes to meal planning this winter.
1. Read the labels
It's easy to say never eat frozen meals, but the reality is people will reach for the easy option if they are time-poor. If this is the case, then here's what to look for when considering the nutritional value:
- Sodium (salt): As adults, we are advised to keep our intake of sodium below 2300mg per day. Choose lower sodium options where possible. Foods with less than 400mg sodium per 100g are good, and those with less than 120mg sodium per 100g are best.
- Saturated Fat: Saturated fat can increase the risk of heart disease, so it's important to choose foods low in this type of fat. Compare the saturated fat content of similar food products per 100g and choose one with the lowest content. Less than 3g saturated fat per 100g is best.
- Sugars: Staying clear of sugar altogether isn't necessary, but try to avoid larger amounts of 'added' sugars. If the sugar content per 100g is more than 15g, check that sugar doesn't appear high up on the list of ingredients. Different names for 'added' sugar include: dextrose, fructose, glucose, golden syrup, honey, maple syrup, sucrose, malt, maltose, lactose, brown sugar, caster sugar, maple, syrup, raw sugar, sucrose.
-
2. Become soup savvy
While it is tempting to reach for a frozen-ready meal, planning ahead and making a simple soup packed with veggies and legumes is the perfect alternative during the colder months. Legumes like beans, peas and lentils boast the filling powers of protein, fibre and low GI carbohydrates, which is good news for the waistline. Try a simple minestrone, spicy pumpkin or Tuscan bean soup, which can easily be frozen in portion-controlled containers for a supply of ready-meals later down the track.
3. Keep it simple
Healthy meals don't have to be complicated and time consuming. A simple steak, grilled fish fillet or skinless chicken breast with fresh, seasonal veggies and brown rice is the perfect balanced meal to keep you healthy during the cooler months. Aim to have a balanced plate of 1/3 protein, 1/3 veggies and 1/3 carbohydrates.
Staying on top of your diet is the ideal way to improve your overall health this winter. Planning ahead by checking food labels and making easy meals packed with fresh, seasonal produce is a sure-fire way to kick start your health this winter!
The post Essential Nutrition Tips To Kick-Start Your Healthiest Winter Ever appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Emotional Eating- Get Your Feelings Out of the Fridge appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>If you regularly turn to food when you're not truly hungry, devouring unhealthy comfort foods, or eat beyond fullness, something may be out of balance.
When Food Is Comfort
Emotional eating is a form of distraction and escape from uncomfortable feelings. With many busy women turning to food because it's an easy go to strategy, that's convenient and quick.
But what about when comfort eating becomes habitual?
This habit can affect your mood, energy , cause weight gain and affect your sleep. I find with clients that comfort eat (emotional eating)that it's one of those eating patterns that they know they don't want to engage in, but struggle to let go of.
Is Your Emotional Pantry Full?
Food can distract you from your pain, but food cannot take away your pain. In fact, overeating the wrong foods can create more pain.
For some women, food has become a physical way to stuff down emotional frustrations like anger and deal with intolerable emotions – an escape habit.
And usually leads to guilt, often starting a cycle of food addiction.
Eating in response to (negative) emotions can be problematic, as shown by studies that have related emotional eating to weight gain, interference with weight loss ,binge eating and depression . In addition, emotional eating can have distressing immediate effects leading to feelings of guilt and self-loathing.
Feeling stressed or anxious fuels the need for unhealthy foods. Eating foods that contain carbs and salt or cabs and sugar help to soothe emotions by triggering the release of serotonin, the feel-good hormone, but only temporarily.
Although numbing out with food, what is often referred to as emotional eating is a fairly common problem, most of us don't realise how strongly stress can impact our eating habits.
Emotional Decisions And Stress
"When I am too busy to nourish myself, I fill the void in my heart and fill up on my feelings with food, then I don't feel as bad, well sorta." – she said
With life pulling us in so many different directions and busy schedules we are having to make a much greater amount of emotional decisions then we used to.
In fact, the need to make decisions is never-ending, whether family, personal or work driven. Did you know that you make decisions even when you unconsciously think you are choosing not to decide.
The problem is – we don't always choose the most rational option.
The most important decisions we make in life tend to be those that overwhelm us and stress us out. And when we have too many choices and too much information to consider, our ability to make the right decision is impaired.
Our rational brain sometimes can't handle all the stress that comes with making good decisions.
- Studies have shown that when our mind is overloaded with information, the emotional aspect of our brain tends to win out.
- When confronted with decisions we are usually faced with a lot to consider, which overwhelms the rational part of our brain.
- With so much stress put on the rational mind, it is too weak to put up a fight against the emotional mind.
Decisions Drive Our Daily Actions
Everyone processes information with both the rational and emotional parts of the brain.
For example…
Your rational brain knows that certain habits like comfort eating, smoking and skipping exercise are not beneficial for your health BUT the emotional part of your brain is really proficient in overcoming this knowledge and even rationalising these unhealthy behaviours thus convincing you to keep doing these unhealthy behaviours
All the decision making and carrying a lot of information creates a power struggle between the emotional and rational part of the brain.
The Emotional and Rational Brain Conflict
I often hear this from my clients – "It's almost like there are two version of me, the rational and the irrational decision maker.
We are driven more by our emotions and these two sections of the brain are always competing.
Here's the real truth: when you are too emotional, you won't make rational choices, even though you know what's best for you.
Think of times you've decided against your better judgment, ate that cookie and had that drink.
Here's something to chew on – Emotions drive 80% of the choices we make, while logic and practicality only represent about 20% of decision-making.
And if you are trying to make a decision while feeling hungry, angry, tired or bored (or some combination of more than one of the above) emotion will win 100% of the time and you will likely make a decision you may regret.
Your Emotional Brain Is Stubborn
Even in the face on facts, and data, it will still choose the path of comfort.
The two brains are like an elephant and its rider . The rider can steer and pull the elephant in a particular direction, but ultimately, the elephant is going to go where it wants to go.
The balance of power between the rider (your rational brain) and elephant (emotional brain) plays a large part in shaping your daily decisions and is typically skewed towards the latter.
No matter how you rationalize a decision, if you don't feel like it, you won't obey your thinking brain. Ultimately if the elephant decides to do something there is little the rider can do to stop it.
The good news is – developing self-awareness and spending more time in reflection may lead to more rational decisions.
Here are 3 Ways to Slam the Refrigerator Door on Emotional Eating
#1- Lighten Your Load
When the weight of the world seems like too much, consider lightening your load
On the path of life, most of us are lugging around too much weight. It's like carrying a backpack full of items that you may need one day but don't right now!
And your backpack may be full of commitments, long to do lists and too many "shoulds", worries, and regrets.
Here are some steps to help you:
- Slow down intentionally to create calmness in your life
- Try and recall a time when you lightened your load by letting go of all the things that didn't serve you in creating the life you crave for – How did that feel?
- Start by Identifying all the things that you don't have to manage and do and
- Make a conscious decision to doing less and choosing what absolutely has to be done
"Lightening your load "and taking time out for yourself will feel much better in the long run then walking to the fridge, feeling anxious and going nowhere fast!
#2- Shift Your Thinking
"What you're supposed to do when you don't like a thing is change it. If you can't change it, change the way you think about it." – Maya Angelou
Are we helpless captives of our own feelings?The common myth is – We Are Helpless Prisoners of Our Own Feelings
Some people believe that they can't control their emotions. Another common myth about emotions is that we have no say in what we're feeling.
There is no doubt that emotions can take us by surprise. They can feel frightening, overwhelming and intimidating and even puzzle us at times.
Here are some helpful steps:
- Developing self-awareness can help you to become more familiar with emotions and even name them.
- And the best thing is emotion is just an emotion- it can't do any physical harm unless you buy into that feeling.
- You might not be able to suppress an emotion, but you can learn to shift your thinking to generate a more "positive" response.
For example:
- You can shift your current thoughts about a certain circumstance
- You can cultivate an attitude of gratitude
- You can focus on what outcome you would like to see in your life
- You can approach yourself with kindness and compassion
Remember that emotions can feel powerful, but you're powerful, too!
#3 – Comfort Strategies
We overeat, not because we enjoy food so much – it is because we don't enjoy our life.
I suggest putting aside some-time to create your list of possible comfort strategies.
They may not work in every situation, but having some useful options can be helpful. Remember that your comfort strategy should be something that's easy to do and doesn't require too many decisions.
And that's because when you seek comfort in food chances are you don't have a lot of energy or motivation to go out of your way to make something happen.
Ask yourself the following questions:
- What do I need in those moments when I want to eat?
- What can I have on my list that is within my reach and doesn't require much energy?
Here's a list of possible comfort strategies that my clients have put together
- Painting
- Reading an interesting article or book
Going for a walk - Taking a bath with favourite essential oils
Listening to music that I love
Calling a friend - Taking a nap or going to bed early
If you're at work you could try the following distraction activities:
- Changing tasks
- Walking around the office or outside
- Making a cup of tea
- Calling a friend
What's on your list?
And lastly when you learn to nurture yourself with the loving-kindness you may be craving you will handle stress more easily and will ultimately stop turning to food for comfort.
Improved health and self-esteem, more energy, and weight loss will naturally follow.
Now I would love to hear from you…
- What would it be like if you stopped thinking about food all day and started living your life?
Please comment below, I would love to hear your story.
If you feel ready to change your relationship with food and yourself let's chat, click here to BOOK NOW.
Irena Geller
The post Emotional Eating- Get Your Feelings Out of the Fridge appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post 5 Ways the Luxury Travel Industry is Addressing the Challenges of the Pandemic appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>What's more, there are many ways to experience luxe travel without doing the same old things. Because the pandemic is still around in many countries across the globe, it's important to choose those private villas tucked away in the mountains, go yachting to those secluded offshore gems, and choose alternative yet breathtaking urban destinations.
Let's put all of this into perspective today and uncover the luxurious travel experiences you can be a part of in 2021.
Local luxe travel is the new rage
image source
Many countries around the world are lifting the ban on international travel, but that still doesn't mean that you must travel abroad to have an unforgettable time. Some of the most luxurious escapades might await you in those woodland cottages overlooking the towering mountain ranges, lakes and valleys, or perhaps they are tucked away next to a beautiful river teeming with life.
These idyllic sceneries coupled with luxurious stays that everything you may need are the perfect getaway for a safe and up-scale vacation in 2021. What's more, consider the fact that retreating to a cabin or a nature spa locally allows you to stay safe, and come back home whenever you feel like it. Abroad, there is no telling if and when they might reinstate the dreaded lockdown and travel bans, potentially ruining your plans and forcing you to stay put.
International travel with a secluded vibe
image source
If the call of those international destinations is just too strong, then don't hesitate to take your 2021 travels abroad. Consider Italy and its many secluded spots in the countryside, best known for their cozy winter retreats but also amazing summer stays, or an up-scale house atop a hill overlooking the Adriatic. Or how about Provence in the south of France offering a view of the Alps?
There is no shortage of variety nor is there a destination in nature that you can't visit abroad nowadays, because the luxury travel industry is heavily focused on these secluded experiences that keep you safe. Plus, it's one of the best ways to escape the typical hustle and bustle of the big cities and focus on restoring your inner peace and balance.
image source
In a time when staying safe from the pandemic is paramount, you should prioritize those destinations that you're never quite able to fit into your travel plans. After all, there are so many amazing cities and bustling urban gems to see in the world that those hidden offshore destinations tend to escape us each and every time. Well, no more, because this year one of the most luxurious escapades you can take is to the islands in the Mediterranean.
This year, you can find a local yacht charter broker in the Adriatic that will take you on an exploration journey across the Mediterranean Sea, making your way through the islands of Croatia, all the way to the Aegean sea and beyond. Spending time on your yacht is one of the safest ways to travel in style, but you can always drop the anchor at your leisure to explore and experience the vivid culture of those breathtaking seaside towns scattered across the map.
Going where the crowds are scarce
image source
Of course, some of us are just natural urban travelers, and so we need to experience that distinct city vibe. Don't worry, urban travel is still very much alive, only this year you should consider alternative destinations. This is yet another opportunity to discover the destinations you never knew could enrich your life in such a powerful way, especially when it comes to the local foodie scene, simply because they never made it onto your travel list before.
After all, who has time to visit Sienna when all roads lead to Rome? Well, this year you do. Be sure to choose the alternative urban destinations instead of the typical tourist hotspots to discover new cultural settings, history, and luxe experiences off the beaten path.
Flexibility in luxury travel
image source
It's also important to note that luxury travel companies have become extremely flexible in these trying times. Because of the delays, travel bans, and inevitable postponements bound to happen all around the world, travel agencies have become extremely lenient and are now allowing their clients to postpone their travels and choose the dates that might suit them better.
The best luxury travel agents around will take good care of their clients, and advise them on the best times to travel locally and abroad. This protects the agent, yes, but also allows you to get that travel fix you need and experience the beauties of the world without allowing the pandemic to hold you back.
Wrapping up
Luxury travel is very much possible in 2021, you just need to take a different approach and take advantage of what the industry has to offer. These experiences will define luxe travel in 2021, so make sure to start planning your escapades to those local and international destinations.
The post 5 Ways the Luxury Travel Industry is Addressing the Challenges of the Pandemic appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Old Wives' Tales That You Need To Know About Now. appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Old Wives' Tales Explained
All myths aside, there's now a fab new tome written by first time author Sarah Klain, explaining these wondrous tales. Sarah debuts her first book – The Little Book of Old Wives' Tales – with fifty-seven colourful and vivid illustrations. These humorous tales, passed down from generations in her family lineage are about premonitions, relationships, pregnancy, death, health, misfortune, and fortune.
For instance, have you ever witnessed a person wearing a red string on their left hand and wondered why? Or why do people touch their belly button when they see a bride? The Little Book Of Old Wives' Tales exposes these traditions in a humorous way while hinting at the possibility that many may in fact, be fact (for instance, if you get a floppy handshake from someone and they avoid eye contact, they may be deceitful).
The Little Book Of Old Wives' Tales is the perfect and ideal book to sit down with a nice cuppa or glass of wine and have a laugh or two, or gift to someone who might need some mystical spice in their life. About Sarah Klain
Bondi born and bred, Sarah Klain grew up surrounded by superstitions and old wives' tales. After 30 years of avoiding cracks in pavements and ensuring she doesn't spill the salt, Sarah decided to share her family's strange customs with the world. When she's not putting pen to paper, Sarah is busy working in the ethical artificial advisory field.
The Little Book Of Old Wives' Tales
The Little Book Of series is a mini-illustrated series catered to adults with a satirical spin. The volumes will range from old wives' tales, women, men and relationships, unemployment, old wives' health remedies, children teaching adults life and fashion faux pas. This eclectic series is a fun and tantalising read for all and is sure to bring plenty of laughter, intrigue, and satire. The colourful and vibrant illustrations seamlessly tell a story with childlike innocence and cheek.
The post Old Wives' Tales That You Need To Know About Now. appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post The Bellingen Readers & Writers Festival Draws Crowds With Climate Change A Hot Topic appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The festival wasn't held last year due to COVID so in keeping with COVID guidelines, this year the talks were held in smaller venues but there were more opportunities to hear particular speakers as they teamed up and gave multiple talks. Most of the venues were at the Bellingen showground and there was a 'festival' air about the place with lots of food and entertainment on site.
Co-chair of the festival, Adam Norris, said: "We've never had a festival consolidated in one place before. People were still be able to wander back and forth into town, of course, but we also had a lot of food vans, coffee carts, tables and chairs for them at the Showground."
Climate change was a hot topic
When it got down to the nitty gritty, there were workshops, talks, forums, book launches and competitions. At the non-fiction talks, there were a lot of interesting talks to choose from, including those featuring Bob Brown, former Greens Senator, Julian Bernside, well-known barrister and writer, Paddy Manning, journalist and Dr Jonica Newby, science reporter on the ABC's Catalyst for 15 years and writer.
Bob Brown spoke about a range of interesting topics in his session with Julian Bernside and Paddy Manning. Brown said: "Kevin Rudd said climate change is the greatest moral challenge of our time… It's a very exciting and opportune moment in global history."
Julian Bernside added: "Empathy is a common trait of Baby Boomers. Climate change is the largest threat – to ignore climate change right now is to behave selfishly."
When Dr Jonica Newby spoke in another session, she referred to her book – Beyond Climate Grief. She said for her, the bush fires we experienced in January of 2020 were extremely upsetting and she knew she had to do more: "No one ever joins the dots between the event, the tragedy and the science – with everything leading up to the pandemic," she added.
"I'm just saying this is a debate we need to have and the science is piling up," Newby said. "Heat is one of the biggest killers – even more than floods. I think people have heard about the climate change debate for 20 years and they're ready to hear the real story."
"In the top end of Australia, there'll be areas in the Northern Territory which will be uninhabitable by 2050 to 2070. The Forecasts are terrifying… By 2070, on our current track, there'll be virtually no snow left in the Snowy Mountains. Within ten to 15 years, the number of nights below freezing will be halved," she added.
"We often feel think about climate change with fear. But you wouldn't back away from a loved one in denial. I was guilty of denial myself so I went up to Nimboida and that changed everything. Eighty per cent of us feel overwhelmed by an urge to help and there are a number of ways I talk about it in my book, where we can find the courage and active hope to tackle this," she said.
As she finished, Newby cited one of her favourite quotes from Mahatma Ghandi – "Whatever you do will be insignificant and yet it's essential that you do it."
The post The Bellingen Readers & Writers Festival Draws Crowds With Climate Change A Hot Topic appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Could Code Camp Turn Your Child Into The Next Steve Jobs? appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>With tech high on everyone's agenda thanks to the pandemic, there's never been more demand for content creation. Code Camp aims to ramp up school holiday fun as well as get kids set for their future in a tech-filled world, should that be the direction they wish to follow.
"Content creation is growing at astounding levels," Hayley says. "More and more children in primary school are now wanting to become the next major influencer of the future and as a result, coding is now more popular than ever."
These school holidays around Australia, kids aged five-13 will have a chance to explore their creative side and have a whole lot of fun with Code Camp's latest exciting offerings. In the last few years Code Camp has taught thousands of kids across the nation how to code and learn sound computer skills, that set them in great stead for the future.
Code camp offers several exciting courses that leave kids with a wealth of knowledge. These include:
- Code your own DC Super Hero Game
New to Code Camp this winter is 'Code your own DC Super Hero Game. For the first time, Code Camp, in a partnership with DC and Warner Bros. Consumer Products, will help kids aged seven-12 bring their favourite DC characters of Batman, Wonder Woman and Superman to life at the three-day Spark and Ignite Code Camps.
Experienced tutors will assist kids to build their own exciting superhero game using DC themed backgrounds and collectibles, special power-ups and even shrinking potions! Kids will use a mix of creative level design, storytelling and problem-solving. Those unable to make an in-person camp can also participate in the online camps.
2. Spark Camp – Learn drag and drop along with JavaScript
For kids new to coding, Spark camp is where their journey begins. Here, kids learn to design their own arcade-style DC Super Hero game with logic and drag and drop coding. This is a visual coding language which makes it easy to understand the role each function plays in the game.
Meanwhile, kids ready to take their coding skills to the next level will move on to Ignite Camp. They will learn how to build an awesome new DC Super Hero game with advanced features. Ignore is open to those who complete Spark, and can use drag and drop and JavaScript coding. JavaScript is the language of the web used by virtually all websites including Facebook and Google.
At the end of each coding camp kids walk away with their own game and have ongoing access to the Code Camp World to continue their coding journey at home, school or anywhere with internet access.
3. Create your own YouTube channel
Other popular camps include the three-day YouTube Creators camp for ages eight-13, which has been incredibly popular since launching last year. Targeted at budding vloggers, gamers and budding content creators, kids learn planning, storytelling, shooting, video editing and how to set up their own YouTube channel.
4. Become a DJ
Another exciting new addition is the two-day DJ camp for those aged eight-13. Created in collaboration with professional DJs, kids learn how to mix music through techniques used by DJs and producers. They'll produce their very own mix and perform to their class using professional DJing equipment.
5. Learn how to animate
Or if your child loves cartoons, the two-day animation camp for those aged six-10 is an engaging blend of storytelling, art and technology. Kids will create two movies using stop-motion animation – taking multiple images of objects and stitching them together to look like they're moving.
"Creating camp experiences outside our traditional coding camps has been a game-changer for us," said Code Camp co-founder Ben Levi. "Code Camp is at the forefront of harnessing new talent in creative and entertainment arenas. It's so exciting to see their talent shine.
"With the future of jobs in STEM fields, Code Camp is offering education to over 5,000 kids every school holidays who can upskill, follow a passion, or learn something completely new. Plus it's incredibly fun!"
The post Could Code Camp Turn Your Child Into The Next Steve Jobs? appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post 5 Cold Preventing Foods To Feed Your Littlies This Winter appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Feed your young ones these delicious immune-boosting morsels, suggests food scientist and nutritionist Mandy dos Santos, who is also a mother of two and the Cenovis Home Economist. Add these tasty flu-fighters to your shopping list now…
Cloudy with a chance of MEATBALLS!
Meatballs, soccer balls, flying saucers… however you define these iron-packed power foods, they're a hit with both health benefits and fun factor. "Red meat is an efficient source of iron and vitamin B12, two important micronutrients which are crucial for maintaining our red blood cell formation and immune defence," explains Mandy. "A piece of steak can be quite tough for little munchers, whereas meatballs are an easier option to digest and a great snack or meal for finger feeders. Pack them with grated veggies for extra nutritional goodness."
One POTATO, two potatoes, three potatoes four…
This unsung vegie hero should be called Super Spud. According to Mandy, while many people think potatoes are boring, it's actually a budget friendly, versatile kitchen staple that's the perfect vegetable addition to your little ones diet, especially in the lead up to winter. "It is a fabulous source of vitamin C, which is great for our health and works in tandem with our meatball loving iron friends by promoting iron absorption in the body," explains Mandy. "A quick and easy healthy dinner idea is a baked potato with some delicious Mexican inspired toppings, like avocado, cheese, kidney beans and Greek yoghurt."
Once I caught a FISH alive…
"Fish is a brilliant source of protein, omega 3 fatty acids and zinc," explains Mandy. "Deficiencies in zinc can lead to an increased susceptibility to infection. But how do you know what, exactly, has gone into those boxed up fish fingers in the frozen aisle… "Supermarket fish fingers can be difficult to navigate at times, so why not make your own healthy version," suggests Mandy. "Lightly batter or bread your own bite sized fish pieces at home so the kids can get the benefit of not only the mineral zinc, but also the protein and fatty acids."
Go yo-yo for YOGHURT
Lest we not forget our superhero dairy friends… "Probiotics are very much in vogue at the moment, and for good reason," explains Mandy. "They are incredibly beneficial for maintaining a positive balance of good bacteria in our gut, thanks to key ingredients such a lactobacillus acidophilus and bifidobacterium lactis. This is important with our little ones, especially if they have been on antibiotics or suffered from diarrhoea."
Yoghurt may be less trendy, but it's a completely acceptable carrier of probiotics and a food that children love. "Choose plain, natural or Greek yoghurts, which have not been artificially sweetened," suggests Mandy. "Add your own fruit with a trickle of honey so you are in control of how much sugar is added. You can also opt for a probiotic supplement free from artificial colours and flavours, which are palatable for children."
Mama mia, it's CHIA seeds!
"Chia seeds are a terrific source of protein and omega 3 fatty acids, two nutrients which are essential for protection, rebuilding of cells and reducing inflammation," explains Mandy. "Protein in particular is crucial for antibody development, which protects us from disease."
Try chia puddings for a delicious and nutritious snack or dessert option. "Sweeten with fruit, juice or blended banana and even throw in a little cocoa for a hint of chocolate appeal," suggests Mandy. "If your child likes jelly, they will love these!"
About Mandy
Mandy dos Santos is a fully qualified food scientist and nutritionist and a busy mum, passionate about providing Australian families with the tools they need to make food and nutrition fun and take the headache out of mealtimes. In her new role as the Cenovis Home Economist, she will be sharing tried and tested advice on a range of topics – from nutritious meal-planning and creative recipe ideas through to time-saving kitchen tips and home budgeting ideas. Mandy is committed to offering simple, honest and practical solutions to nutrition and also works with the NSW Health Department as a Nutrition Leader for their Go 4 Fun/MEND program, helping primary school children and their families develop a healthier lifestyle. Through Little People Nutrition, Mandy consults with childcare centres on nutritionally balanced menus, runs cooking classes for pre-schoolers, and holds workshops on various nutritional topics.
The post 5 Cold Preventing Foods To Feed Your Littlies This Winter appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Working From Home – What You Can Claim This Tax Time appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Gerry Incollingo, managing director of LCI Partners gives us the heads up on what you can claim when working from home and what might get you in trouble with the tax man.
Since 2020, more people are working remotely from home than ever before. Despite some normality being restored and workers starting to return to the office, ABC news reported, three quarters of Australians believe the ideal working situation is a mixture of working from home and in-person.
Coronavirus has seen changes to what you can claim if you are working from home and include (but are not limited to):
1) Claim a portion of your home office
Depending on your individual circumstances, there are three ways of calculating work from home expenses.
The Actual Cost
When you work from home you can deduct a portion of your heating, cooling, phone, internet and wear on office furnishings. Calculations may be time consuming and accurate records need to be for the entire financial year.
- The Shortcut Method
For every hour you work from home you are entitled to claim 80 cents for the period between 1 March 2020 to 30 June 2021. The shortcut method is preferred for those who find they have additional running expenses or it's more difficult to calculate the actual cost. You must have kept records to show your hours.2) The Fixed rate method
Outside of the dates 1 March 2020 to 30 June 2021, the fixed rate of 52 cents per hour applies when working from home. To be eligible to claim this, you must be able to keep a diary for a minimum of 4-weeks demonstrating your usual pattern of working hours, as well as records of the actual hours you worked remotely.Please note: It is also worth noting if you use the shortcut method to calculate your deductions, you are unable to claim for depreciating equipment or expenses your employer reimburses you for.
Self-education courses
Any continued professional development that relates directly to your chosen field and results in a formal qualification is tax deductible. For example, if you are a hairdresser, a fashion photographer course wouldn't be covered. But if you were to complete a formal qualification as a colour technician, which leads to an increase in clients, then this is tax deductible. Keep all receipts of course fees, textbooks, stationary and travel expenses.
Cleaning your office space
You can claim on the cleaning of your dedicated office space. Whether it's a spray and wipe job or a professional cleaner, you can only claim to clean your workspace portion, not your entire home.
Home office equipment
You can claim on home office equipment such as laptops, computers, printers, phones, and furnishings such as office desks, chairs and lamps. Under the fixed rate method, you can claim for decline in value for any items over $300 or the full value up to $300.
For more information about tax entitlements for employees who work from home visit the ATO website or make an appointment with a well reputed taxation accountant to make sure you are getting the correct entitlements working from home.
The post Working From Home – What You Can Claim This Tax Time appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Clear Chemicals From Your Life appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>On the back of the recent 2021 Naturally Good Expo, we unearthed some brands and products in the natural health and wellness sector that are vegan-friendly, natural and/or organic and chemical-free.
Euclove
This Victorian company produce a range of chemical free, organic cleaning products including dishwashing soap, hand sanitisers and home sprays. It was inspired by the founder's mum, who started making her own chemical free cleaners from her garden ingredients, including Indian clove. Needless to say, the entire range smells heavenly, in particular Euclove Bathroom Cleaner.
">
That Red House Organic Soapberries
Soap berries, which are from a plant which contain a natural, low-sudsing detergent called saponin, are a great alternative to laundry detergent. One 250g bag of soapberries from That Red House Compact Soapberries Pouch has enough for 90 washes. You can also add a few drops of their 100% essential oil washing essences to add a stunning scent to your wash.
">
White Magic
This brand has a huge range of chemical-free household cleaners including ones for windows, ovens and barbecues. They also have Eraser Sponges – specially formulated sponges which clean just by adding water to the sponge first.
">
Tri Nature
These products are free from phosphates, nitrates and petrochemicals and constantly innovate with the latest in natural extracts and green technologies. With a wide range of household chemicals, personal care products as well as chemical-free pet products such as dog shampoo, coat gloss and kennel spray, you can rest safe knowing you're family is safe from harmful chemicals.
">
Urthly Organics
Doing away the need for dishwashing liquid, Urthly Organics produces 'dish swishers' – all natural dishwashing soap using saponified coconut oil for cutting grease, essential oils and sodium bicarb to help soften water. Just rinse dishes prior to cleaning using some white vinegar.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CPCegjWIy3K/
The post Clear Chemicals From Your Life appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Horticulturist Tammy Huynh's Top Indoor Plants To Cultivate Wellbeing At Home appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Finding balance in these uncertain times can be challenging. But by simply including plants in your home, you instantly instil a sense of calm. Plants in the home help fulfill our innate attraction to nature – a phenomenon known as biophilia – and can help with cultivating health and wellbeing. According to a study conducted by Plant Life Balance, the maximum benefit of plants can be felt by including 5 medium-sized plants per 10sqm, so here are our top 5. And don't worry, they're easy care – we don't need to add any more stress with high maintenance plants!
Mother-in-law's tongue (Dracaena spp., formerly known as Sansevieria spp.):
If you want a near-indestructible plant, hands down, this is it. While it grows best in a brightly lit room away from direct sunlight, mother-in-law's tongue is incredibly adaptable, so it will tolerate growing in dimly lit rooms. Water occasionally* and don't overdo it, otherwise the leaves may become limp, marked with brown water spots or worse, rot and die. There are so many forms to choose from, so you'll be sure to find one that suits your personality or the style of your home. From tall narrow sword-like foliage, compact rosettes to large paddle-shaped leaves, all in striking shades and patterns of green.
ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)
The ZZ plant is one of the most forgiving plants. It will tolerate growing in low light rooms and will not have a meltdown if you forget to water it for weeks. Ideally, a brightly lit room is best, but like we said, it's not too fussy – it's why you normally see it planted in offices and shopping centres. The glossy green leaves are the perfect statement piece of your office desk, hallway table or buffet. If you prefer things on the darker side, look for 'Raven' which has dark black-purple foliage.
Philodendron (Philodendron spp.)
This popular houseplant is available in so many different forms, all with interesting shapes, textures, colours and growth habits. There are certain varieties which are fussier than others, but the ones that are found in your local nursery are typically low maintenance. Give them a brightly lit room and water regularly for best results. Increasing humidity around certain varieties will also help. You can do this by grouping plants closer together or placing a shallow dish of water near the plants – as the water evaporates, it increases the humidity. For a jungle vibe, look for Philodendron 'Rojo Congo', P. 'Imperial Green' or P. callosum and team with the trailing foliage of P. 'Brasil' or P. cordatum.
Devil's ivy (Epiprenmum aureum)
Insidious in name, but innocent in nature, this trailing or climbing plant is the ultimate beginner's plant. It grows best in a brightly lit room but will survive (not thrive!) in lower light. Once established, it can also go for long periods without water, but it's best to water occasionally. There is the classic green and yellow patterned variety, but if you like more variegated white and green forms, look for 'N Joy', 'Marble Queen' or 'Manjula'. They look beautiful draping from a bookshelf, plant stand or hanging basket. If you want them to climb, insert a moss pole into the potting and gently attach the plant to it with garden ties.
Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
This plant is considered a weed in most gardens, which means it's quite adaptable and tolerant of varying growing conditions, ergo, an ideal houseplant! Position in a brightly lit room and place it spot where its curly cascading foliage and pendulous flower spikes can spill over the edge of the pot – a hanging basket or plant stand is perfect. Water when the soil is dry. It will produce lots of 'pups' or baby plants, which look like spiders and can easily be rooted in water or in soil.
*Watering tip! To see if you need to water, check the soil. You can use a store-bought moisture meter or simply insert your index finger 4-5cm into the soil. If it's moist, leave watering for a few days, but if it's dry, give it a good drink.
Author: Tammy Huynh is the owner of Leaf an Impression ( @leaf_an_impression ). If you need help finding the right plants for your home or garden, get in touch.
More from Tammy….
The post Horticulturist Tammy Huynh's Top Indoor Plants To Cultivate Wellbeing At Home appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post 11 Most Surprising Famous People Who Loved To Nap appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Churchill was a bit of a diva when it came to his naps. He believed it helped him get twice as much done each day.
In his book The Gathering Storm, he put to rest the notion that you get more work done if you don't sleep.
"Nature has not intended mankind to work from eight in the morning until midnight without that refreshment of blessed oblivion which, even if it only lasts twenty minutes, is sufficient to renew all the vital forces… Don't think you will be doing less work because you sleep during the day. That's a foolish notion held by people who have no imaginations. You will be able to accomplish more. You get two days in one — well, at least one and a half," he said.
2. Salvador Dali
Eccentric Catalan artist Salvador Dali believed that one of the pivotal points to his becoming a great painter was what he called "slumber with a key." This term refers to an afternoon nap designed to last no longer than one second.
In his 1948 book Salvador Dali: 50 Secrets of Magic Craftsmanship, he took us through the five steps of how to take the ultimate nap.
Dali's 5 Steps To The Ultimate Nap
- Sleep sitting upright in an armchair.
- Hold a heavy metal key in your hand.
- Place a metal plate upside down underneath the hand holding the key.
- Allow yourself to drift to sleep. Once this happens, you will drop the keys, which will hit the plate and make a huge CLANG!
- Wake up and congratulate yourself on achieving a micro-nap.
Dali, the king of this micro-nap, said it "revivified" an artist's whole "physical and physic being."
3. Albert Einstein
Einstein claimed that he needed 10 hours of sleep at night as well as his daytime naps to fuel that amazing brain of his. Just like Dali, he practiced micro-napping, which meant that he never allowed himself to drift into stage two of sleep. To ensure this he would sit in his favourite armchair holding a pencil or spoon and begin to doze off. If the object dropped, it would make a loud clang, which would wake him up. Many great thinkers have practiced this hypnagogic nap. Waking up during the first stage of sleep taps into the part of the brain that creates vivid imagery and sensation.
4. Leonardo Da Vinci
Whilst painting his world-famous masterpiece the Mona Lisa, he was living off of only two hours sleep a day.
Da Vinci replaced real sleep with a 15-minute naps every four hours. He critiqued those who slept a lot, saying that we have plenty of time to sleep when we die.
"0 sleepers! what a thing is slumber! Sleep resembles death. Ah, why then dost thou not work in such wise as that after death thou mayst retain a resemblance to perfect life, when, during life, thou art in sleep so like to the hapless dead?".
Polyphasic sleep has even been referred to as the Da Vinci sleep schedule. This way of sleeping is more similar to the resting habits of animals dictates, which involves spreading naps of 10 minutes throughout the day that add to around two hours of sleep.
5. Napoleon Bonaparte
Napoleon apparently lived by the rules on hours of sleep of "six for a man, seven for a woman, and eight for a fool." However, he could go for days without sleep whilst devoting himself to a military pursuit and was able to drop off in an instant on cue, even on the battlefield.
6. John F. Kennedy
JFK enjoyed his one to two hour afternoon siesta with his beautiful wife Jackie. She even advised Kennedy's successor Lyndon B. Johnson to take up the habit, because it had worked so well for her husband.
JFK's workdays were 12 hours long (or more) and he relied heavily on naps to keep him alert. He learnt the technique from his predecessor, Dwight Eisenhower, who took his cue from Churchill.
This trend shows that men in politics definitely need their nap-time.
7. Thomas Edison
Edison has changed (ruined) the way everyone sleeps with his invention of the light bulb. He didn't believe in sleep, and he himself only had three to four hours a night. In Power Sleep, James Maas reports that Edison regarded sleep as the enemy of productivity, a waste of time and "a heritage from our cave days".
Edison, however, did secretly take power naps to balance out his work. There are pictures of him asleep in various locations as he could switch off at home, in the lab or even in libraries.
Just like Dali and Einstein, Edison claimed that his mind was flooded with images when he was half-awake.
8. Ronald Reagan
The 40th President of The United States, Ronald Reagan was extremely ashamed of his naps, as his wife Nancy denied all rumours of his daytime snoozes. She was afraid her husband would be perceived as lazy. Reagan himself was more light-hearted, saying that his chair should be inscribed with "Ronald Reagan Slept Here" and jokingly added that, "no matter what time it is, wake me up, even if it's in the middle of a cabinet meeting".
9. Aristotle
Aristotle may have been the first of all our famous nappers. The Greek philosopher and scientist died in 322BC and he too believed in the power of hypnagogic napping and the state between asleep and wake for inspiration and genius.
"For often, when one is asleep, there is something in consciousness which declares that what then presents itself is but a dream," he declared.
10. Margaret Thatcher
The Iron Lady was hard as nails and lived on only four hours of sleep a night with a scheduled one-hour nap in the middle of the afternoon.
11. Bill Clinton
Bill Clinton had a ritual of a nap after lunch most days. He also loved to snooze in public. He was also constantly caught in the act, whether as a Mets game, Ronald Reagan's funeral or at a Harlem church under the scrutiny of video cameras. He was not at all ashamed of his naps, unlike his affairs.
"On the days when I'm a little short of sleep, I try to work it out so that I can sneak off and just lie down for 15 minutes, a half an hour, and it really makes all the difference in the world," he said.
His tip for those who can't nod off was to "imagine a big hole in the back of my head, and I focus on that"
The post 11 Most Surprising Famous People Who Loved To Nap appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Annabel Karmel's Delicious Buttermilk Blueberry Pancakes Recipe appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Makes 15
INGREDIENTS
200g self-raising flour
50g light brown sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1 egg
1 x 234ml pot of buttermilk
1 tsp vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
190g blueberries
A little oil or butter for frying
Maple syrup and butter to serve
METHOD
1 Put the flour, sugar and baking powder into a bowl.
2 Mix the egg and buttermilk together and pour into the dried ingredients.
3 Add the vanilla and salt and whisk until smooth.
4 Add the blueberries and fold into the mixture.
5 Heat a little oil or butter in a frying pan.
6 Fry the pancakes for about 2 to 3 minutes each side until lightly golden and puffy.
Serve warm with maple syrup and butter
The Carouselthanks Annabel Karmel for this buttermilk blueberry pancake recipe.
Gwyneth Paltrow's Blueberry Cauliflower Smoothie Recipe)
The post Annabel Karmel's Delicious Buttermilk Blueberry Pancakes Recipe appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Fluffy Pancakes With Macadamia Buttermilk & Banana appeared first on The Carousel.
]]> INGREDIENTS
2 cups self raising flour
2 eggs
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 1/4 cup buttermilk
60 g sugar
1/3 cup toasted unsalted macadamias, finely chopped
1/2 cup mashed ripe banana
Unsalted butter for cooking
1/4 cup extra macadamias, roughly chopped to serve
maple syrup to serve
Macadamia Butter
100g unsalted butter, whipped until fluffy
1/4 cup toasted unsalted macadamia nuts, finely chopped
METHOD
1 Mix all the dry ingredients together. In a separate bowl beat the eggs. Add oil.
2 Add one cup buttermilk to the egg mixture. Mix well. Pour egg mixture into the dry ingredients mix. Mix into a thick batter. Add the remaining buttermilk mix, banana and macadamias. Mix gently. Add more buttermilk if the batter is too thick.
3 Pour 1/4 cup batter into a medium sized oiled pan. Pour more if you want to make bigger pancakes. Turn when bubbles appear on the top of the pancake. Cook until golden. Keep warm in oven. Repeat process with remaining batter.
5 To make butter, fold macadamia nuts through whipped butter until well combined.
6 Serve pancakes with macadamia butter, sprinkle with extra chopped macadamia nuts and drizzle with maple syrup.
The Carousel thanks Australian Macadamias for this recipe
The post Fluffy Pancakes With Macadamia Buttermilk & Banana appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Is It Time To Get New Friends? appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>How To Make New Friends
You don't wear the same pair of undies every day. In the same way, feel free to diversify when it comes to your friendships. Sure, you might have a core group of pals, but be open to new friends and connections. There could be cool colleagues at work or uni, or people you meet via an exercise class or hobby. Be open-minded; some of my dearest friends are decades older than me and have been the best mentors and friends I could have ever asked for. They consistently show me that getting older isn't something to be feared, but in fact, if I work at it, life only gets better and better.
I have many different types of friends. Naughty new friends I bonded with over late (late) nights, healthy new friends I connected with because of our shared love of wellbeing, mum friends as a result of similarly aged tiny people and new friends I've found when I've been thrown into new situations through work, school and hobbies.
Here are a few types of friends you might like to have in your pocket (and some to keep careful eye on).
THE SMART ONE
While like attracts like, I also believe you can level-up when it comes to your mates. Surrounding yourself with people who are smarter and better at life than you are, will always serve you well.
THE INSTANT BESTIE
You told each other your life story over margaritas—on the day you met. You can't believe how comfortable things feel, and how quickly. Before you know it, you start to 'miss' them—cue endless emoji-laden chats like you're passing notes in high school. It's the friendship version of falling in love and it feels good. Swoon. This type of new friend is awesome – you simply fall into step with each other straight away. Just be aware that it may not last. While you get along famously for now, sometimes rushing into anything – a relationship, a friendship, a new job – may not have the ending you expected.
THE GOOD-TIMER
You spend Saturday nights licking the walls and Sunday mornings laying in bed laughing until you cried about your adventures the night before. They know your deepest, darkest secrets—most of which took place after 2 a.m. If you're dancing on tables they're there, if there's champagne, a fancy party or a weekend away they're all over it, but bring on the harder bits in life (the ones you really need your friends for) and poof—they're gone. You'll notice this type of new friend quite easily, as they are never there during the tough times. Manage your expectations of this kind of friendship and you'll be fine.
THE CLIMBER
You grew up together but then your lives moved in different directions. You still adore each other but truth be told, while once upon a time money or status never mattered, all of a sudden it does. You start second-guessing what you're wearing when you catch up and aren't invited when there's a fancy dinner, reasoning that you couldn't have afforded it anyway. But there's no getting around the fact that they've upgraded to newer, shinier friends—and it hurts those feelings of yours. You can help easy the hurt by concentrating on the friends who a truly the friends in your life – stop collecting coal when there are diamonds all around to pick up.
THE INCONSISTENTLY CONSISTENT FRIEND
Theses are the friends that you don't see or speak to for months (years even) but when you do things are exactly the same? You simply pick up where you left off and it's wonderful. There's something invaluable about these people, and a catch-up every so often is just enough to fill your cup and remind you why you love them. It's maximum bang for your friendship buck. Hold on tight to these people – they're priceless.
THE LISTENER
They're not your coolest or most fun friend, but they're always, always there for you. They're the one you call when things aren't going your way, and they are always ready with a willing ear and a pep talk. They're a good friend, a good listener and a good person, and it would be a good idea to hold on to them and take care of them too.
The Carousel would like to thank Casey Beros for this article. Edited text from The 'Bad' Girl's Guide to Better by Casey Beros. Murdoch Books, $32.99. Available now in all good book stores and online.
The post Is It Time To Get New Friends? appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post 12 Things To Do On Global Wellness Day! appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Global Wellness Day (GWD) was established in 2012 as the 'first' day dedicated to living well. It was quickly accepted worldwide. With the slogan ' One day , canchange your whole life', Global Wellness Day is based on the simple premise of increasing global consciousness of living a better life, even if it is just for one day, by drawing a focus on healthier lifestyle choices.
This year's Global Wellness Day theme is 'Protecting Mental Wellness' for both children and adults during and after the pandemic. We've rounded up a few things you can do in the comfort of your home, to help protect and nurture your mental health on Global Wellness Day. Check out the free programme and make sure you sign up for wellness.
Belgin Aksoy, the Istanbul-based Founder of Global Wellness Day, said, "In a world where one in 10 people live with a mental health disorder, necessary steps to protect our minds and soul must be taken. Young people are more vulnerable than adults; according to a study, those aged 16 to 24 are the group most likely to report feeling lonely, especially those who are shy and introverted, and COVID-19 has only exacerbated the situation. Never has Global Wellness Day's message of One Day Can Change Your Whole Life been more meaningful."
1. Watch Or Read The Portal
This internationally lauded book and movie is co-written and produced by Australian meditation guru, Tom Cronin and is the perfect salve for modern life – and a must read/watch for Global Wellness Day.
It explores how meditation and mindfulness can unlock your power, grow your compassion for those around you and awaken your thirst for change. The Portal shares stories from six people who have healed their lives through meditation, as well was compelling insights from thought leaders across the globe. Weaving a vibrant tapestry of technology, love, the future, existentialism, human potential, brain hacking and inner peace, it will rekindle your excitement for a better future. Immerse yourself in it.
2. Visit Chiva Som on Global Wellness Day
Of course, we're talking digitally. The world renowned Thailand-based health and wellness retreat has teamed up with Qatar's Zulal Wellness Resort to host a series of complimentary wellness talks and classes on 12th June 2021, which is Global Wellness Day. The day will feature online talks and various sessions of yoga and Pilate's series that you can enjoy in the comfort of your own living room on Global Wellness Day. To sign up, please contact Chiva-Som's Health & Wellness Reception team or phone +66 (0) 3253-6791.
3. Go Green For Global Wellness Day
Aim to take meat off your plate for one day and notice the difference in how you feel. You'll experience less bloating and heaviness, a deeper sleep, better digestion, improved hydration plus myriad other benefits. What about milk and cheese? Giving them up is a breeze. Most supermarkets have a vast selection of plant-based cheeses on offer these days, and the selection of vegan milks available is almost mind boggling.
We've also recently come across a delicious range of plant-based milks called Inside Out. The range includes Unsweetened Almond, Barista Almond, Milkish Almond (which includes protein, calcium, vitamins D2 and B12), Unsweetened Oat and Mikish Oat (protein, calcium, vitamins D2, B12), each in an easy-to-use and eco-friendly carton. Ticks for sustainability, too.
Whether you decided to continue with a vegan lifestyle, or just opt for a fews days of plant-based living each week, you'll be making a difference to your health, our planet and the critters we share it with.
4. Make It A Mental Health Global Wellness Day
Schedule the next three days just for you and be sure to practice some extreme self-care. Tell your boss you're taking a holiday day and skip work on Tuesday 15th June. Don't touch your keyboard or look at your screen until you are back at work on Wednesday 16th June. Spend all that glorious, screen-free time moving your body, reading a book, walking around your neighbourhood, connecting with your family, having a massage or facial … whatever relaxes you and makes you happy and grounded.
Sing along with Boyd Owen who prepared this special rendition of You Raise Me Up especially for Global Wellness Day and its media partner the positive news site Happy-Ali.com . The special rendition of this song (music and lyrics by Brendan Graham and Rolf Løvland)is sung by Boyd and the Māori Choir – Te Whānau O Pukehuia.
5. Take A Walk On The Beach (And Bring Home Some Rubbish)
Any time of year is a great time to visit the beach, but winter is particularly special. Crowds are limited, so you'll frequently feel as though you have that stretch of sand to yourself. The ocean air is so great for the soul and the very sound of the waves crashing is enough to de-stress even the most frazzled mind.
Take a walk at least once a week if you can (more, if possible) and be sure to pick up at least three pieces of plastic or rubbish while you're there. You'll be helping our oceans, as well as improving the feel-good-factor from doing something positive.
6. Book a massage
The best thing about booking a massage these days is you don't even need to leave the house. With Apps including Relaxgo, Soothe, and Blys, you can have a fully qualified massage therapist kneading the knots from your stiff shoulders in no time. Simply tap in your requirements and wait for your bliss to arrive! Note: these apps can get booked up fairly fast, so be sure to book in advance where possible. Nobody wants to miss out on this form of self-care!
7. Sleep
Sounds simple enough, but for many of us, sleep is an elusive beast that is always just out of our grasp. Take the time this weekend to read up on ways to get to sleep earlier (hint: turning off all devices at least an hour prior to going to bed works well), get better quality sleep and how to wake up fewer times throughout the night. You may even wish to engage a sleep coach, who can take you through professionally tried ad tested methods to induce a deep, peaceful sleep every night.
8. Have a few Alcohol-Free Days (AFD)
OK, we understand that this may seem un-Australian to suggest on a long weekend, but the benefits far outweigh the sacrifice! After just one AFD, you wake up with a more clarified mind, less anxiety and yes, you'll be less bloated. After a few days, you'll notice brighter eyes, more defined features and perhaps even the loss of a kilo or three.
9. Practise Self-Care and Healing With DIY Reiki
"You don't need to be a highly qualified practitioner to reap the benefits of this ancient practice," says Reiki Master and Yogini Trudy Vains. "Self care and healing with Reiki is easy, and incredible to balance yourself out. "Our energy, emotions and Chakras can become unbalanced in everyday life. This is normal and can be easily fixed with a simple but effective Reiki exercise.
"Begin with self awareness – 'I am so stressed', 'I've eaten four brownies already', 'I am almost behind deadline because I've been procrastinating'.
"Follow this up with your intention – to calm your nerves, to stop eating sugar for the day, to stop procrastinating.
"Now that you've acknowledged what you're experiencing and what you'd like to change, place your hands over each Chakra consecutively. Inhale and exhale slowly, deeply and rhythmically, about five times on each chakra.
As you inhale, imagine you are inhaling the colour associated with that chakra and as you exhale, exhale all the murkiness and confusion that has been preventing you from moving ahead, being balanced or remaining calm. Begin with the Crown Chakra and work through each Chakra until you come to the base Chakra. Lay still in Savasana until you are ready to come out of it, then turn to lie one your left side and lift yourself out of the posture.
The Crown Chakra is White
Your Third Eye Chakra is Purple
The Throat Chakra is Blue
Your Heart Chakra is is Pink
Your Solar Plexus Chakra is Yellow
The Sacral Chakra is Orange
The Base Chakra is Red
10. Aim to Make Breathing Harmonious With Your Movement
"Breathing and movement are harmonious," says Trudy Vains. "Yoga and breath go hand in hand. It's a beautiful state of being, especially when you practise regularly. When you match your movement with the length of your inhale, and then your exhale, not only are you going within to notice these things, you are also totally relaxed.
"The next time you practise, try this, take notice, let everything flow and be in the moment of now. The relationship between breath and movement is beautiful. Once you have this in harmony, things just seem to be calmer. Then, try to bring it into your daily life, practising deep breathing exercises when driving, or stopped at traffic lights, when standing in line at the grocery store, when picking the kids up from school. You can do this any time, anywhere and it will flood your body with nurturing, nourishing oxygen."
11. Hang Out With Animals
Science has consistently found that people with pets are happier, healthier and experience longevity of life over and above those who don't. If your situation doesn't allow you to have a pet in your life, why not try to volunteer at your local dog shelter, cleaning cages, feeding animals or even walking the dogs or cuddling the cats. It will make all the difference to your personal wellbeing and positive state of mental health.
12. Grow Your Own Herbs And Veggies
Few things beat picking your own produce and whipping up a salad or meal in your kitchen and Global Wellness Day is the perfect day to get your green thumb to work! Aside from saving a motza at the grocery store, you know you are eating food that hasn't been sprayed with unknown chemicals and is 100 percent natural from your own garden. There's such a sense of satisfaction that comes with this too.
Unsure where to start? You may wish to consider buying a VegePod, which is a raised garden bed (great for those with bad backs) that makes creating an edible garden so much easier!
The post 12 Things To Do On Global Wellness Day! appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Yeah Boy – Melbourne restaurant celebrates all dietary requirements as lockdown restrictions ease appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>At Yeah Boy, all dishes can be made to cater to lactose intolerant folk, celiacs or gluten-intolerant diners, vegans and vegetarians and those allergic to eggs, nuts, soy, garlic or onion, plus any other request you may have. Yeah Boy also prides itself in keeping each individual diner's personal and religious beliefs in mind when crafting creating dishes for its extensive menus.
The Carousel had a chat with Ange Ling, General manager of Yeah Boy, before sending senior journalist Wendy Squires in to check out the Windsor eatery!
The Carousel: It's so refreshing that you've taken on the challenge of catering to all dietary requirements in one menu. What made you decide to do this? It's no small feat.
Yeah Boy: Oh you're so kind – and this question made me giggle! Yeah Boy was really born from our own experiences. We know firsthand how challenging having multiple dietary requirements, preferences and intolerances can be, and how wonderful – and less stressful – it is to all feel catered for; whether vegan, carnivore or any other dietary requirement.
TC: I love how the menu has influences from so many different cuisines! How long did it take to curate?
YB: Our menu really is a testament to our people, past and present. It constantly evolves, as we all do, and we're excited to see what magic we can create next.
TC: What is your favourite dish on the menu?
YB: Coming into winter we're really vibing our new Pumpkin Kale Gnocchi that's launched at our Windsor venue. It's been a complete hit both within our team, as well as with our beautiful guests!
TC: The ingredients you are using are seasonal and local. Will you be changing the menu up to account for seasonal ingredients, or is that really too challenging?
YB: Live local, support local. It's always at the forefront of our minds and having multiple locations now we try to spread the love. Currently our beer list is all from Geelong and Surf coast and we love that we can bring a little bit of home to Melbourne.
TC: Your wine list has been curated with a lot of thought and clear concern for the environment. How long did it take to plan and was it fun tasting all the wines?
We really love the range of organic and vegan wines we stock! Tastings are a full team affair to ensure feedback from a range of palettes and tastes (not to mention a great perk!).
And one thing that we do value highly is having fun along the way, no matter the process; whether it's looking at figures, getting creative with the menu or wine tastings! Business is tough, and it's why we put such a priority on ensuring we have a laugh every single day.
TC: Do you think a lot of restaurants will follow suit? After all, it's 2021 and it's a little weird to think that there are still lots of chefs who won't tweak a dish to cater to dietary requirements …
YB:That's the beauty of Yeah Boy; our foundations are customers' needs. Our guests are the lifeblood of our business, and to us, it's the one percenters that count. If we can spend an extra few minutes to make even one person feel personally catered and cared for, at the end of the day that's what makes us feel fulfilled.
In between Lockdown Numbers 3 and 4, The Carousel asked multi-award winning senior journalist Wendy Squires to pop in and eat as much as she could then report back. This was her summary of the evening:
The Yeah Boy Experience
"This charming restaurant hidden down lacy terrace-lined Duke St in Melbourne's trendy Windsor is a gem for vegetarians, vegans, allergy sufferers and meat lovers alike.
As you enter, it'd as though you've walked in to a truly relaxing Oriental spa, with sectioned areas and a gentle, zen feel complemented by soft lighting.
'Serving a diverse range of dishes – from plant-based eats through to slow cooked meats – Yeah Boy's menu has been thoughtfully curated to ensure there's something for everybody.
"Signature dishes includes moreish vegan mac and three cheese, cult favourite, Krispy Fried Cauli-Flower with jalapenos and house made BBQ sauce and the Sexi Mexi Bowl with chipotle corn, pineapple and capsicum salsa, guacamole with spiced chicken breast or crispy quinoa flaked tofu.
"Every dish uses 'just picked' fresh produce. The menu is a delightful way to discover new taste sensations such as vegan sashimi and mushroom san choy bao. We loved the K'tucky fried cauli, a crispy moresome dish complemented by fiery jalapeño and a tangy BBQ sauce.
An absolute revelation was the burnt garlic chicken, a juicy breast sliced and served on a bed of creamy sautéed mushroom and spinach.
">
The charcoal bao was a fluffy pillow of deliciousness with moresome pulled pork, spicy mayo and kimchi. Vegetarians need not miss out as crispy quinoa tofu version is offered.
">
We chose the Mediterranean bowl to share, a colourful delight of slow cooked pulled lamb, sweet tomatoes with fetta, dukka and almond pearl couscous and tzazki.
The last course – yes, we couldnt resist – was a pear crumble so moresome we almost ordered another. Everything was washed down with a selection of sommelier-suggested delicate pinot noirs from the charming owners' native Geelong, the Oakdene being of special note.
Don't Miss The Circuit Breaker
Now that Melbourne restaurants are permitted to reopen for diners, Yeah Boy is thrilled to once again welcome guests. So much so groups of four or more will receive their their first round of cocktails for free when they dine in. Dubbed the 'Circuit Breaker', the offer will be available for seven days but may be extended for another week! Don't miss out!
Yeah Boy is located at:
2 Duke Street
Windsor 3181
( Just off Chapel Street! )
Phone: 03 9510 0105
Email: windsor@yeahboy.com.au
OR
76 Preston Street
Geelong West 3218
(Just off Pakington Street!)
Phone: 03 5222 5864
Email:info@yeahboy.com.au
The post Yeah Boy – Melbourne restaurant celebrates all dietary requirements as lockdown restrictions ease appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Family Dinner Favourite: Best Ever Chicken Vegetable Stew appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>What's more, it's cheap, nutritious and takes just 20 minutes to make.
Ingredients
- 1 whole chicken (cut and skin removed or you can use chicken drumsticks or chicken breast)
- 1 broccoli (cut into chunks)
- 2 carrots (cut into chunks)
- ½ sweet potato (cut into chunks)
- ½ cauliflower (cut into chunks)
- ½ bunch of mint
- 1 tomato (diced)
- 1 onion (diced)
- 1 tsp. peppercorns
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 1 tsp. cloves
Directions
- In a large pot, lightly fry the diced onion, tomato and mint in some good quality oil.
- Add in the peppercorn, cinnamon sticks and cloves and simmer for another 2mins.
- Add in some salt to taste.
- Throw in your chicken pieces and thoroughly mix through the onion and tomato base. Then cover the chicken with water, so it is completely covered and cook on medium heat for 10mins, covered with a lid.
- Add in your sweet potato and cook for 5mins more.
- Add in the rest of the vegetables and more water so the vegetables are just about ¾ covered. Place the lid on and cook on simmer for another 10mins.
The post Family Dinner Favourite: Best Ever Chicken Vegetable Stew appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Yoga For Larger People appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>"All of those excuses – not flexible enough, too big …. they are all totally untrue. The only thing that's going on here is that you're allowing your mind to be stronger than your body. And boy, our minds can be pretty strong – the strongest muscle we have, in fact. Luckily, the brain is very 'trainable' so with a few simple exercises, you can retrain it, get on the yoga mat and before long, feel like a brand new person.
Why Yoga For Larger People Is So Important!
Yoga is for larger people, in the same way it is for everyone. However, I won't lie to you – you're going to feel self conscious in your first class. I'm also going to let you in on a secret – everybody is nervous and self conscious during their first class. And that's great. Laugh at yourself as you fall out of postures. Have a giggle if you can't get your forehead to your knee. Swear as you come out of camel pose or another intense posture that's really made you feel it. And after a while, you won't feel like you are too big, or too inflexible, as yoga gives your body the gift of movement and flexibility, suppleness and tone.
The benefits of yoga outweigh the excuses. The hardest part is turning up and getting on the mat. Once you're there, you're there!
There is so much that you can gain from yoga. It makes you feel sensational, beautifully stretched out and it gives you a fantastic work out. It will improve your posture so much that you will literally feel like you are walking taller. However, you will not 'fix' yourself or find the benefits of yoga with just one class. It takes time and effort.
The important thing to remember is that not all yoga is turning yourself into a pretzel or touching your toes, its about listening to your body recognising how you feel when you are in a pose.
Every pose is able to be modified, whether props are used or the pose is changed completely to gain the same benefit and stretch. So you can pretty much get into any pose, with the help of blocks or straps! For example:
Yoga For Larger people – Warrior One
The first misconception about this pose is that you must have your feet in line with each other (with one foot forward and the other behind). Most people feel unbalanced when doing this, so for now, take your feet to hip distance apart or a little wider. It's your body. Listen to it. Don't push it because the person next to you can go deeper into the pose. Yoga is not competitive. And when talking yoga for larger people, it's really important to go at your own pace.
Seated Twist
No one needs to twist vigorously in yoga. If you find yourself in a seated twist pose and it doesn't feel comfortable, simply do what feels right. Twist gently (or don't twist at all, you can just sit taller). Each day your body feels different and by listening to this, you have found your practice. It may take a little time find your place of comfort, but after a few weeks, you'll be feeling fitter and a lot more confident.
Easy Seated Pose
Even as a yoga teacher, I don't stay in this position for too long, my go-to is to kneel, but everyone is different. This pose is more about posture and breathing, not about positioning of the legs or the hand mudra. it's the perfect pose when talking about yoga for larger people, as you can easily go as deep into the pose, or as shallow into it, as your body allows on any given day.
Yoga really is about every 'body' we can all do it, when we let go of the stigma that is attached to yoga about having to be super bendy or trying really hard to be in the perfect pose. The only perfect pose is the one you feel comfortable in.
The post Yoga For Larger People appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Love Is In The Air: Visit Mudgee Region's Virtual Love Hub appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>With Mudgee set to start re-welcoming people Covid-permitting, now is the perfect time to get in the mood for Mudgee. Here are some virtual activities you can take part in:
Wine to your door
If you're a wine-lover and want a taste of some the region's best selections, go to Walter Wines. There you can choose the wines you want and have them delivered right to your door. If you purchase in multiples of six, then you get 20% of the whole order!
Check out the wine from Gooree Stud, too!
Taste of the region
Just because you can't dine in and enjoy a nice local meal doesn't mean that you can't enjoy what Mudgee has to offer at all. The region is still providing take-away services for their meals. Here are three places to check out:
- Club Mudgee – 99 on Mortimer
- Oriental Hotel
- Palate Restaurant
You can also indulge in some of Mudgee's finer things at Bonnie View Produce. There you can order and pickup delicacies like chutney, relish, pickles and assortments of jams that are grown on-farm or locally sourced.
Explore Mudgee's beauty
Even from afar, anyone can enjoy the beautiful scenery that Mudgee has to offer.
Look at the stars!
Bask in the natural surroundings in 360!
Or get a sneak peek of the whole thing
Check out the Visit Mudgee Region website for more information and other virtual activities!
The post Love Is In The Air: Visit Mudgee Region's Virtual Love Hub appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Justin North's Crunchy Waffle Recipe appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>100g fine caster sugar
680ml milk (room temperature)
17g fresh yeast
250g self-raising flour
250g plain flour
3 Eggs
185g unsalted butter
Drop of vanilla essence
METHOD
1 Dissolve the yeast in the milk and add the sugar.
2 Melt the butter and let it cool.
3 Sift together the flours and salt.
4 Whisk the eggs, milk and butter together.
5 Whisking on a low speed add the flour in 1 lot, allowing the flour to disappear before turning off the mixer. Finish off the mix with a hand whisk to ensure no lumps.
6 Leave to rest for at least two hours before testing or overnight if possible.
7 Bake at 200°c in a waffle iron for 5 minutes.
I love the hot, crunchy texture of the waffle and for a topping, my absolute favourite is very simple with the extreme icy silkiness of a good quality ice cream heaped on top. The piping hot and the icy cold are a great combination.
Other toppings that work well are a simple salted caramel sauce or even fresh strawberries. My favourite (Adults Only) way to prepare the strawberries are to macerate them in a liqueur like Cointreau or Grand Marnier with a touch of icing sugar to give them a nice glaze.
The Carousel thanks Justin North for this recipe.
The post Justin North's Crunchy Waffle Recipe appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Nigella Lawson: My Toasted Marshmallow And Rhubarb Cake Recipe appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>This is a relatively new addition to my rhubarb repertoire, but it has been heavily in rotation ever since I first made it nearly two years ago. Anyone who has a birthday when the forced pink rhubarb is in season gets it (and I do even have alternatives for those dim days when it isn't, and I'll get to them later). It is splendidly celebratory, but not dauntingly difficult. You need a bit of elbow grease and a blowtorch; I can't tell you how much I enjoy teasing out the snowy spikes of marshmallow-meringue and then scorching them. Actually, I positively exult in it: the very act of making this feels like a jubilant part of the celebration itself. And I thank cake consigliere Stella Parks, who, in the pages of her compendiousBraveTart: Iconic American Desserts, provided the hand-holding inspiration for the marshmallow icing.
You do need to be prepared to whisk the whites until truly thick, but if you have a mixer, this does most of the work. The yolks are used to make two tender and celestially light golden sponges, and the rhubarb that goes between them provides its emphatic tang, offsetting the intense sweetness of the marshmallow icing. Out of forced-rhubarb season, I favour a mixture of raspberries and redcurrants: 300g of the former and 100g of the latter. I put them into a small saucepan with 1 tablespoon each of caster sugar, undiluted elderflower cordial and water, and warm them over low heat with a lid on for 3 minutes, or until the juices start to run, then give them 2 minutes with the lid off, before transferring them to a dish to cool. If you want to use just raspberries, straight from a punnet, uncooked, you may, and you won't need many, but you should mash some with a fork – leaving a generous handful whole – before topping the marshmallow layer that sandwiches the cake with them. When I make the original rhubarb version, I like to bring a bowl of roast rhubarb or rhubarb compote (p.127), however you like to think of it, to the table for people to spoon onto their cake plate, but I don't regard it as obligatory; when I do the raspberry version, I regard extra berries on serving as non-negotiable.
While I have made the cake in its entirety the evening before when there has been no alternative, I prefer not to. The icing certainly keeps the cake airtight, but the potential for drippage and slippage overnight is just too tense-making. I haven't had any disasters yet, but feel it's only fair to warn you that it is a risk. The cakes, on their own, if made in advance will become both too dry and too frangible.
It's not for me to tell you how to do your birthday candles, should you be making this for just such a celebration, but I favour a single black candle stuck into a plain white holder. It's hard to make birthday candles chic – and I'm not saying they should be – but this does it; besides, there is no point interfering with the sumptuous vulgarity of the cake itself.
One last – important – comment: since you will be blowtorching this cake, it is imperative that the cake stand you put it on is heatproof.
FOR THE RHUBARB LAYER
- 400g pink forced rhubarb (trimmed weight)
- 100g caster sugar
FOR THE CAKE
- 6 large eggs, at room temperature 1 lemon
- 100ml full-fat milk, at room temperature
- 25g cornflour
- 100g plain flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1⁄2 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda 1⁄4 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 150g caster sugar
- 150ml vegetable oil, plus more for greasing
FOR THE ICING
- 6 egg whites, from eggs above
- 350g caster sugar
- 1⁄4 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1⁄2 teaspoon cream of tartar or 1⁄2 teaspoon lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
METHOD
1. Start by cooking the rhubarb. Heat the oven to 200°C/180oC Fan. Cut the trimmed rhubarb ribs into 5cm lengths if slender, 21⁄2cm if chunky. Put into an ovenproof dish in which they will be able more or less to sit in a single layer – I use a 20 x 26cm Pyrex dish – and sprinkle over the 100g of sugar. Mix together with your hands, leaving the rhubarb in a single layer, as much as possible, then cover the dish with foil, sealing the edges well, and cook in the oven for approx. 30 minutes until the rhubarb is tender, but still holding its shape.
2. Remove the foil, and leave the dish of rhubarb out on the counter, watching it glow ever more pink as it cools. Turn the oven down to 170°C/150oC Fan. Line the bottoms of two 20cm loose-bottomed sandwich tins, and lightly grease the sides.
3. Separate the eggs, dropping the whites into a large mixing bowl or bowl of a freestanding mixer (whichever bowl you're using should be thoroughly washed and grease-free) and the yolks into another. Cover the bowl of whites with food wrap, and put to one side while you mix and bake the cake.
4. Finely grate the zest of the lemon and add to the bowl of yolks. Measure out the milk, juice the lemon and add 2 tablespoons of juice to the milk, and leave to stand for a mo. Mix together the cornflour, flour, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda and salt, and set this aside for now, too.
5. Add the 150g of sugar and the oil to the yolks and whisk on medium-high speed for 3 minutes, by which time the mixture will be rich, gleaming and billowy. Actually, it looks rather like a glorious mayonnaise.
6. Still whisking, but slightly more slowly now, gently pour and scrape in the now curdled milk and, once it's in, carry on whisking until combined; the mixture looks like custard at this stage. Finally, whisking more gently now, gradually spoon in the dry ingredients. Once in, use a spatula to scrape down the sides, and fold everything gently together, before dividing the airy mixture between the prepared tins.
7. Bake for 20–25 minutes, by which time the cakes will have risen up extravagantly, the tops a golden brown; they will feel soft and puffy to the touch, but a cake tester should come out clean. Remove to a wire rack and let the cakes cool in their tins for 15 minutes – sinking a little as they do so – before very carefully turning out. You'll need to loosen the edges with a small offset spatula first. These are tender sponges, so don't rush or be rough. Once unmoulded, gently pull back and remove the lining papers straightaway.
8. When the cakes are completely, completely cold – which will take about an hour – you can get on with the icing. But first, tear off four strips of baking parchment, scrunch them, then unscrunch them and lay them flat to make the outline of a square on top of a cake stand. (This is to stop you covering the cake stand with sticky marshmallow icing later. It may sound a faff, but I wouldn't advise you to leave out this step.) Place one of the cakes on it, top-side down, the paper strips under the edges. Also, now's the time to lift the rhubarb pieces out of their syrup in the tin and on to a plate.
9. So, to the icing: get out a tall pan that you can sit your big bowl o' whites on (without the bottom of the bowl touching the water) and heat a little water in it until just about to come to a simmer. Mix the 350g of sugar, the salt and the cream of tartar (or lemon juice) together and add to the egg whites. Then sit the mixing bowl on top of the pan, so it's gently warmed by the barely simmering water underneath and, just using a balloon whisk (thoroughly washed and grease-free, again), keep whisking for 3 minutes, to dissolve the sugar. I couldn't say this is hard to do, but you can really feel it in your forearm. I'm always grateful when my 3-minute timer goes off.
10. Once the sugar's dissolved and you have a smooth opaque mixture that's warm to the touch, remove the bowl from the saucepan. Whisk at high speed for 5 minutes in a freestanding mixer, or for 6–7 minutes if using an electric handheld whisk, by which time the whites will be very, very thick and ludicrously voluminous. Whisk in 1 teaspoon of the vanilla extract, and when it's incorporated, whisk in the remaining teaspoon, then give a good fold by hand to make sure every bit is mixed in.
11. Dollop a generous amount of marshmallow icing on to the waiting cake, and smooth right to the edges, so that you have a layer about 1cm thick: this should use about a quarter of the icing. Cover this with the rhubarb, though leave about 1⁄2cm perimeter around the edge; I go slowly here, using a couple of dessertspoons to ferry the rhubarb to the cake. And you might want to tilt the rhubarb plate away from you slightly as you transfer the slices, to make sure you leave any pooling liquid behind.
12. Top with the second cake, right way up, and use just under half the icing left in the bowl to cover the top, going just beyond the edges. Then carefully spread the rest of the icing thickly around the sides – leaving a tiny bit in the mixing bowl – until the whole cake is completely covered. Now for the really fun part: dip your fingers in the bit of icing left in the bowl and then dab the top and sides of the cake, lightly pulling up and teasing out spikes of marshmallow icing; I feel like an '80s hairdresser doing this. Bear in mind that sometimes, as you do the sides, you will pull bits of the icing off, leaving a hole, but don't panic, just pat it back on. Gently pull out the strips of paper from beneath the cake and discard, then seal the bottom of the cake with any remaining icing should you need to. Then, slightly dampen a piece of kitchen towel with cold water, and rub off any stray bits of icing or sugar smear from the plate.
13. Take the cake somewhere you can kindle fire safely. Light a blow- torch and, holding it fairly near the cake and with not too timorous a flame, toast the top and the sides of the icing.
14. I find this cake easiest to slice if left to stand for a couple of hours before serving. And you need to slice generously, as with all layer cakes.
The post Nigella Lawson: My Toasted Marshmallow And Rhubarb Cake Recipe appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post 7 Easy-To-Grow Indoor Plants To Add Colour And Character To Your Home appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>As a bonus, Geneva gives us a few bonus tips without the need to re-pot your plants!
1# Zanzibar Gem
This is one of my favourite plants. Given half a chance, it will flourish in pretty much any space. The rich green hue of the leaves is the perfect complement to most decor schemes. It handles low lighting well and should be kept away from direct sunlight. It's a tough plant when it comes to watering and likes to be kept on the dry side – you can even let the soil become dusty. It's best to give the plant a thorough watering bi-monthly, but ensure you don't allow it to sit in water afterwards because this will cause root rot and the leaves will turn yellow.
2# Snake Plant
Also known as mother-in-law's tongue, this plant is a great indoor plant for beginners because it flourishes in any lighting condition from bright indirect sunlight to shade. It can go for up to a month without water, so make sure you keep the soil relatively dry – it's better to underwater than overwater it. I give my snake plant a quarter of a cup of water every few weeks, making sure the soil has dried out between each watering. If the leaves are drooping and becoming slimy, it means that the soil is too wet, so remove any affected leaves and adjust your watering frequency. Occasionally, it may be necessary to prune the leaves, as the point of the leaf can be very sharp. Simply clip off the points whenever they appear.
3# Pothos
This plant thrives on neglect and can grow under basically any conditions. It prefers moderate to low lighting conditions, even artificial office lights. The pothos flourishes with sporadic watering, making it very easy to grow. However, as with the snake plant, don't allow the soil to become swampy as the pothos is susceptible to root rot. Check to see that the top 5 cm (2 in) of soil has dried out before watering. Each plant is different but if you notice that your pothos is wilted, yellow or spotted and doesn't have much new growth, you'll need to review your watering habits. The best features of this plant? It can grow in soil or in a vase of water, with its trailing vines reaching up to 2.5 metres (8 feet), and I've found it to be virtually unkillable!
4# Peace Lily
Peace lilies, with their distinctive white flowers and dark, glossy leaves, can usually tolerate low lighting, making them perfect for bathrooms and dark corners. If the leaves are turning yellow, it means the plant is receiving too much light. If the leaves turn brown or have brown streaks, the plant has been burnt from direct sunlight. Peace lilies typically require watering at least once a week and they like the soil to be kept moist. Note that they are potentially toxic to humans and animals, so keep them out of reach of children and your furry friends.
#5 Aloe Plant
Believe it or not, aloe isn't just a sunburn soother. I love the dark leaves and it makes a lovely addition to lots of different rooms in the house. Place aloe in a sunny spot, otherwise, it will become dormant. Water the plant once every two weeks, and wait until the soil dries out before watering again – keeping the soil moist will cause the roots to rot. Limp or brown leaves also signal overwatering.
6# Dieffenbachia
Dieffenbachia is an easy plant to grow and adds a lush, tropical look to a room. It grows best in bright, indirect light. While it can tolerate low light, note that its growth will slow dramatically. Once given more light, it will quickly begin to grow again. Dieffenbachia grows best in dry soil. Don't water the plant until the top 5 cm (2 in) of soil is dry, then water thoroughly at the base of the plant. If the leaves droop, it's usually a sign that the plant needs to be watered.
7# Spider Plant
The spider plant gets its name from the spider-like offshoots, or spiderettes, that hang from the mother plant, resembling spiders on a web. It's known as one of the most versatile indoor plants and is one of the easiest to grow. Spider plants are suitable for a wide range of conditions and they don't suffer from many problems, apart from brown leaf tips.
Easy planter ideas (that don't involve repotting!)
Full disclosure: maintaining and looking after plants can be a lot of work – from watering to finding the right spot, to working out what's going on when they suddenly wilt. Repotting is another task that I have to admit to not liking at all… it manages to rain on all my plant-buying parades. But pots are so key to the overall aesthetics of your plant and short of buying plants that are already in pots (very expensive!), you're going to want to make a swap from that plastic brown one you get in the nursery. But sometimes you just don't have time for repotting, which is where a few creative planters come in. Admittedly, most of these are temporary options and not suited to long-term use, but they're ideal if you want to put off repotting.
The fabric wrap
Got a spare tea towel or piece of fabric lying around the house? Simply fold it in half or thirds so it's the width of the pot, then wrap it around the pot, using a safety pin or two to secure it in place.
The basket
It will come as no surprise that I am suggesting using a basket. Sometimes I even prefer a basket to a new pot! Just remember to put the tray of your plant pot into the bottom of the basket so you don't ruin the basket when you water your plant.
The dust bag
Have you noticed that dust bags have become a major part of the packaging for many items you buy online? Handbags, swimwear, jewellery – so many items now arrive in a dust bag. It makes sense because they're lighter than boxes, less expensive to post and more sustainable. The best part is that they can be re-used. It does mean that you can be inundated with dust bags, but luckily they make fantastic plant bags!
You can visit her website collectivegen.com for more tips and tricks.
Images and text from 'Home Is Where You Make It' by Geneva Vanderzeil, photography by Geneva Vanderzeil. Murdoch Books RRP $35.00.
You can purchase the book here.
The post 7 Easy-To-Grow Indoor Plants To Add Colour And Character To Your Home appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post 5 Reasons White Wine Is A Winter Winner appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Despite some common misconceptions, crisp or creamy white wines can be just as cosy and comforting as reds. In fact, bolder white wines may even suit traditional winter foods better than some red wines. The reality? There's no such thing as a 'wine season'; there's only the right time to enjoy what you love.
Here are five reasons you should enjoy whites in winter:
- White wine in winter is a winner
If you typically pair your warming Sunday roast with red wine, think again. Rich or slightly fattier foods can become overwhelmed by a deep red wine. Instead, choose a glass of theNaturalis Organic Chardonnay which helps to cut through the richness of the dish and help balance the flavours.
2. Even Italians drink white wine with pasta
If you've been missing your annual trip to Europe, why not bring a little bit of Italy to your dinner table? While many of us think pasta dishes should be served alongside a full-bodied red, for many Italians, a zesty, crisp white such as theAngove Organic Pinot Grigio perfectly complements spaghetti with prawns, chilli and garlic. If tomato-based pasta meals are more to your taste, enjoy your serving with a glass or two ofWild Olive McLaren Vale Fiano. Take a sip, savour it, and imagine sunning yourself on the Mediterranean shores.
3. Sweet and spicy can mix
Some white wine varieties with a fruity base can bring out the spiciness of your curries. Pour yourself a glass and enjoy the lightly oaked taste ofa Long Row Chardonnay with your vindaloo. If you like a laksa, theAngove Organic Pinot Grigio 'sdelicate nashi pear, green apple and citrus flavours will enhance a hearty laksa or a green chicken curry.
4. Summon up summer
Is there anything better than a long winter walk along the beach, with the wind in your hair and the sun on your shoulders? Spending time outdoors can do your soul some good, so why not make a day of it and have a beach party at your favourite seaside spot? Chill your favourite white – we like theNaturalis Organic Sauvignon Blanc – and pair it with some freshly-cooked fish and chips as the sun goes down.
5. Celebrate your life
There is always something to celebrate, even in winter. If bubbles are your go-to celebration drop,Naturalis Organic Cuvee is the perfect commemorative drink. Prepare a cheese and cured meat platter to enjoy with it and toast to living your best life.
The Carousel would like to thank the Angove Family Winemakers for their story
The post 5 Reasons White Wine Is A Winter Winner appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Rustic Fish Stew of Cod Cheeks, Fennel, Mussels & Clams appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>I try and buy whatever the fishmonger's recommending that day, which is how I discovered cod cheeks a few years back. Don't be afraid to try different things; if you let them know what you're making, they're usually pretty good at suggesting what's good and will work in your recipe. This is a great dish for when you need to cook for the masses.
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 30 minutes
Serves: 6–8 (or 2–4 with leftovers)
INGREDIENTS
glug of olive oiL
2 white onions, roughly diced
1 fennel bulb, roughly diced – include any fronds
2 carrots, roughly diced
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 red chilli, roughly chopped
1 teaspoon fennel seeds
3 teaspoons smoked paprika
glug of white wine
2 x 400 g (14 oz) tins of chopped tomatoes
3 bay leaves
1 litre (35 fl oz/4 cups) fish stock
500 g (1 lb 2 oz) mussels, scrubbed and debearded
300 g (10½ oz) clams, scrubbed and rinsed
350 g (12 oz) cod cheeks
handful of roughly chopped parsley
juice of 1 lime
METHOD
1 Pour the oil into a large pan and place over medium heat. Add the onions, fennel and carrots and cook for 4–5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the garlic, chillii, fennel seeds and paprika, season with salt and pepper, and cook for another 4–5 minutes, stirring every now and then. Add the white wine, tomatoes, bay leaves and fish stock and simmer for 15 minutes, then have a taste and adjust the seasoning accordingly.
2 Add the mussels, clams and cod cheeks and increase the heat to high. Cover the pan with a lid (or foil) and cook for 2–4 minutes, giving the pan a shake after a couple of minutes. Once the mussels and clams have opened and the cod cheeks are cooked, remove the pan from the heat.
3 Sprinkle over the parsley, some extra black pepper and a squeeze of lime juice, then serve at least two big ladlefuls per person, making sure the fish and seafood is shared out equally.
4 A big crusty seeded loaf with butter is my favourite accompaniment to this. As is a nice glass of crisp white wine.
The post Rustic Fish Stew of Cod Cheeks, Fennel, Mussels & Clams appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Warm Spiced Apple & Custard Crumble appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>INGREDIENTS
Sifted icing sugar (optional)
vanilla ice-cream, to serve
Custard
4 egg yolks
2 tablespoons caster sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
2 teaspoons cornflour
1/2 cup (125ml) milk
1/2 cup (125ml) cream
1 tablespoon (20ml) brandy
Spiced apple
3 green apples, peeled, cored and quartered
20g butter
2 teaspoons caster sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves or ginger, according to taste
1/4 cup (60ml) of water.
Crumble
1/2 cup (75g) plain flour
1/2 cup (45g) oats (not instant)
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon sea salt flakes
100g cold butter, cut into 1cm dice
METHOD
For the Custard
1 Place yolks, sugar and vanilla in small bowl and using a hand beater beat until thick and creamy. Dissolve cornflour in milk then combine milk and cream in a small saucepan and bring to the boil, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and gradually pour over yolk mixture, beating continually. Pour mixture back into the saucepan and stir over low heat, without boiling, for 5 minutes or until the custard thickens and coats the back of a spoon. Pour into a jug, stir through brandy and set aside to cool. Refrigerate until ready to bake.
2 For the spiced apple: Cut each apple quarter into four slices and place in a medium saucepan with butter, sugar, spices and water.
3 Cook over low heat for 15 minutes or until the apples begin to soften.
For the Crumble
1 Combine the flour, oats, brown sugar and salt in a bowl. Using the tips of your fingers, rub in butter until the mixture resembles chunky breadcrumbs – some of the pieces of butter will be pea-sized while some will be absorbed into the crumble.
To assemble
1 Pre-heat oven to 180°C and grease a 1 litre capacity square ovenproof dish with a little butter.
2 Tip the just softened apples and any liquid into the prepared dish and sprinkle with crumble. Using the back of a dessertspoon or a fork, make an indentation about 5cm wide in the middle across the width of the crumble topping and fill with cold custard.
3 Bake for 35 minutes or until the crumble is golden. Serve dusted with icing sugar if desired, and ice-cream.
The Carousel thanks Lyndey Milan's Baking Secrets on Lifestyle food for this recipe.
The post Warm Spiced Apple & Custard Crumble appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Heroes Within our Nutrition – Carbohydrates appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Found in grains, milk starches and sugars, precisely those foods we've often been advised to avoid, carbohydrates are actually one of the three main components to a healthy lifestyle. Proteins, carbohydrates and fats are our body's main source of energy.
While proteins need to reach our digestive system to transform into energy, our saliva actually kickstarts the digestion process in our mouths. But just like good fats and bad fats, there are good and bad carbs. So how can you know which ones you're okay to consume? We'll walk you through it.
Teach a man how to fish…
The point isn't to give you a list of things you can or can't eat. The best way is to explain which carbs are bad, and which are not, so you'll make your own choices much easier. There are two types: simple and complex. The former are found in sugars contained in fruit and milk products, while the latter are found in starchy foods, like beans, potatoes, lentils, and whole-grain pastry. While simple carbs are processed and digested much quicker, it is the complex carbs that are more useful. They take a while to digest, and the burst of energy you gain from them lasts much longer.
Good carbs vs bad carbs
This doesn't go to say that all simple carbs are bad, and all complex carbs are good. Both doughnuts and strawberries have simple carbs, yet you can easily tell which ones are better for you. An apple for breakfast, even though a simple carb, is not a better option than having a glass of milk with some oatmeal cookies. The apple will cause a spike in your sugar levels, which will make you hungrier much sooner. Milk and oatmeal cookies will stay a while in your body and provide a more sustainable energy source
.
How to know for sure?
The best way to know is to read the label on the packaging.
- Bad carbs will be high in sodium, high in processed sugars, high in calorie count, low in fiber and high in saturated fats
- Good carbs will be low in sodium, have no processed sugars, be moderate or low in calorie count and high in fiber
As we said, both a donut and a strawberry are simple carbs, but a donut is chock-full of refined sugar, which account for empty calories (the ones that actually cause weight gain).
What is the solution?
Find all the bad carbs you've been consuming so far. Replace them with high-fibre and low-on-sugar carbohydrates, either through different foods, or supplements, if some seasonal food aren't available. Cook your own meals, and try to go for the unprocessed versions of your food (buy and cook your beans instead of getting them canned, for example).
In the end
As mentioned before, know your carbohydrates. Trusting the media is easy, but also detrimental for your health if you're not well-informed. Instead of following the latest fads and facing years of unsuccessful attempts to adapt your diet to the next popular thing, get to know your body and how it works. Maybe it has problems digesting dairy, maybe it's the hidden sugars in your bottled sports drinks, or you're getting your fruits and veggies packaged instead of fresh. Weight gain and health problems are often far from coming from a single food group.
The Carousel would like to thank Ian Pearson for this article.
The post Heroes Within our Nutrition – Carbohydrates appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Ginny and Georgia: Behind the Fashion in this Netflix Series appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The popular Netflix show stars Brianne Howey (Georgia) and Antonia Gentry (Ginny) and has recently been renewed for a second season.
Did you know more than 52-million-member households watched the new coming-of-age series in its first 28 days? The series made the Top 10 list in 87 countries around the world and hit number 1 in 46c countries, including Australia, Brazil, Kenya and the U.S.
As the characters find their feet in the new town, they start to develop more confidence and this is reflected the characters' style.
Interview with Ginny and Georgia Costume designer, Bernadette Croft
Costume designer, Bernadette Croft, talks about dressing the two main characters for the Ginny and Georgia Netflix series:
What was your inspiration behind/how did you approach Georgia's costuming?
"My charismatic con artist! The inspiration for Georgia comes directly from the script. Sarah Lampert, the creator of Ginny and Georgia, painted such dynamic and complex characters. From my initial conversations with Sarah and showrunner Deb Fisher, I instantly got a feel for who Georgia was and her character arc for the season. I then collected images and created mood boards so there was a visual language."
How would you describe her personal style? What do you think her clothes say about her?
"Georgia is a chameleon. She has a survival instinct that activates in a second. If it means leaving a marriage, covering up a crime, or fitting into a new town, she knows how to blend in our stand out depending on her motives. Her personal style is strong, powerful, and feminine."
What were some of the brands you dressed Georgia in?
"Georgia wears brands like: Smythe, Greta Constantine, Valentino, Rag and Bone, Alice and Olivia, Veronica Beard, Armani, Zimmerman, Club Monaco, Hérve Léger, Coach, Elie Tahari, Celebrity Pink, Stuart Weitzman, Judith Charles, Levis, Swarovski, Babaton, Mackage, L'Agence, Manolo Blahnik, Hugo Boss, Reiss and Chloe."
Do you have any tips for someone who wants to recreate Georgia's style? What types of clothing, brands, accessories, jewellery, etc. should they look for to achieve her look?
"Bold structured blazers, high-waisted pants, silk blouses. Colour and pattern. I liked flashy gold jewelry on Georgia. Check out your local designer consignment stores to recreate the vibe!"
Ginny's style is much more relaxed than Georgia's but it evolves and changes over the course of the season as she does. How did you approach styling her and how did your approach change depending on where Ginny was in her story?
"Baggy muted Ts and distressed jeans helped Ginny hide and become invisible. It was kind of like her armour. At the start of the season she avoided attention and struggled with anxiety. After making friends with Max, Norah, and Abby, she comes out of her shell. She starts wearing cute cropped tops and tight jeans. Her inspiration, support, and style comes directly from her new friendship circle. She becomes popular and her confidence grows. When she learns some horrifying news about her mom, she slips back into the baggy clothes that hold comfort to her."
How would you describe Ginny's style? What do you think her clothes say about her?
"Ginny's style is grungy. She wore distressed jeans, oversized and baggy shirts in muted colours to help her blend in and become invisible. When her style evolved, she started dressing more on trend with a preppy edge."
Do you have any tips for someone who wants to recreate Ginny's style? What types of clothing, brands, accessories should they look for to achieve her look?
"For Ginny's grungy side, we thrifted band T-shirts and men's flannels. Doc Martens were her signature boot. When Ginny started making friends and feeling like she belonged in Wellsbury, we shopped at places like Abercrombie and Fitch, Urban Outfitters, Levi's, Aritzia, Hollister, Top Shop, Converse, Garage, Vans, Paige and Free People."
What were some of your favourite looks for both Ginny and Georgia and why? How did you go about styling them?
"Georgia's Pretty Woman homage. That famous scene in the film is such a favourite of mine. Costume designer Marilyn Vance created those cult classic looks and her work will always be an inspiration to me."
"THAT pink dress: Georgia knows how to make an entrance and to turn heads. Definitely had an Elle Woods vibe. The Costume designer of Legally Blonde was Sophie De Rakoff and her work is so legendary."
"The Icon. The legend. Britney Spears. We had major in-depth discussions about what were Britney's most memorable stage and screen costumes. It was so fun to look at all the details of each of her outfits and recreate them. We wanted to pay tribute and honour Britney's incredible career. Our cast loved dressing up in these looks and they really brought them to life. "
"Max's Sing Sing costume was my favourite. I was inspired [by] the work of costume designer Colleen Atwood and her work on Chicago. Max's reveal was so fantastic. She went from her 1920s-inspired dress, coat, and cloche hat to her dance leotard. We amped up the colour palette and gave it a neon twist. I loved mixing the fabrics of Max's coat and dress. Her hair and make-up was gorgeous too."
Where do you tend to source the clothes you use?
"Buying is character-based. We try and get as much info from the script as possible. Where are they from? What's their social status and income? I create mood boards to help inform the team on the look. We can be shopping in thrift stores for one character and designer boutiques for another. Our team of talented buyers really nailed these characters. They would bring back so many great options which helped in the fitting process."
Is anything custom on the show?
"Georgia's pale yellow winter coat in the final episode. We were inspired by Stella McCartney's beautiful midnight blue coat worn by Meghan Markle. It would be just like Georgia to be influenced by royalty! Sometimes it's hard to find the perfect piece so you just have to make it! The Britney costumes were all custom as well as Georgia's Gone with the Wind costume inspired by costume designer Walter Plunkett. We also custom-made the guard costumes and Max's costume in the Sing Sing musical in the final episode."
About Ginny and Georgina
Angsty and awkward fifteen-year-old Ginny Miller (Antonia Gentry) often feels she doesn't measure up to her thirty-year-old mother, the irresistible and dynamic Georgia Miller (Brianne Howey). Growing up on the move, Georgia desperately wants to put down roots in picturesque New England and give her family something they've never had… a normal life. But it's not all carpool and Kombucha as Georgia's past follows them to threaten her and her family's fresh start. #GinnyandGeorgia
About Bernadette Croft
Bernadette is a Costume Designer for Film and TV. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Design. She is a permanent resident of Canada and an Australian citizen. She is represented by The Characters agency in Toronto. https://www.bernadettecroft.com/
The post Ginny and Georgia: Behind the Fashion in this Netflix Series appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Which Famous Celebrities and Sportspeople Wear a Rolex Watch? appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Rolex watches are designed and built to last many generations. This is a purchase you'll be able to wear for the rest of your life and pass on to the younger generations.
Here's our guide to some Rolex watches and who wears them:
Oyster Perpetual Ladies-Datejust
The Oyster Perpetual Ladies is a classic feminine watch which offers a number of customizations to make it your own. You can customize your watch with a bezel in domed, fluted or diamond-set. It is available in 18 ct yellow, white or Everose gold.
This watch is based on the Datejust model which was launched in 1945. The female version is available in a small 28mm size to suit a slender wrist.
Cellini
The Cellini Date is a more modern design which was revealed in 2014. The display is elegant yet traditional. The Cellini monophase watch features an exclusive display of the lunar cycle.
All watches are required to pass rigorous certification. These are a series of tests to ensure a first-class performance. There is an international guarantee. Rolex has registered over 500 patents in the course of its history.
Famous Sportspeople Who Wear Rolex Watches
Rolex has had a long and prolific relationship with many exceptional athletes, explorers, artists and musicians. Some of these Testimonees include the following people:
Cinema
Rolex supports emerging filmmakers through mentorship. Some of the film Testimonees are: Martin Scorsese, James Cameron, directors Alfonso Cuarón, Stephen Frears, Alejandro G. Iñárritu, Mira Nair, Zhang Yimou, film editor Walter Murch and Spike Lee.
Artists and Musicians
Testimonees include soprano Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, tenor Plácido Domingo, Italian mezzo-soprano Cecilia Bartoli, Bulgarian operatic soprano Sonya Yoncheva, tenor Juan Diego Flórez, German tenor Jonas Kaufmann, bass-baritone Sir Bryn Terfel, tenor Rolando Villazón, French tenor Benjamin Bernheim, conductor Gustavo Dudamel, conductor Sir Antonio Pappano, concert pianist Yuja Wang, French concert pianist Hélène Grimaud, the pianist Yundi, sitar player Anoushka Shanka, singer Michael Bublé and more.
Swimming
In 1927, a young Englishwoman, Mercedes Gleitze, swam the English Channel. She emerged from the water after 10 hours wearing a fully functioning waterproof Rolex Oyster wristwatch. Mercedes was the Swiss watchmaker's first Testimonee.
Tennis
The Rolex Testimonees in the tennis sport include:
- Roger Federer and established talent, such as Juan Martín Del Potro (Argentina), Grigor Dimitrov (Bulgaria), Caroline Garcia (France), Angelique Kerber (Germany), Garbiñe Muguruza (Spain), Lucas Pouille (France), Milos Raonic (Canada), Sloane Stephens (United States), Dominic Thiem (Austria), Stéfanos Tsitsipás (Greece) and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (France).
- Legends of the sport Björn Borg (Sweden), Jim Courier (United States), Stefan Edberg (Sweden), Chris Evert (United States), Justine Henin (Belgium), Rod Laver (Australia) and Li Na (China).
Golf
For more than 50 years, Rolex has partnered the finest players of every era, from players of every era, from Arnold Palmer and his fellow members of The Big Three, namely Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player. Rolex has collaborated with following golfing talent:
- Tiger Woods, Annika Sörenstam, Phil Mickelson
- Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson, Bernhard Langer, Fred Couples, Colin Montgomerie (Scotland), José María Olazábal, Paul McGinley (Republic of Ireland), Steve Stricker (US), Thomas Bjørn (Denmark), and many others.
Motor Sports
Rolex's alliance with motor sport dates back to the 1930s when Sir Malcolm Campbell, one of the fastest drivers in the world, broke the 300-mph barrier. Motor sports legends who wore Rolex watches include Sir Jackie Stewart, Tom Kristensen, Mark Webber.
Equestrian
The Rolex family of equestrian Testimonees extends across all ages, gender and the three Olympic disciplines of show jumping, dressage and eventing. These outstanding athletes include Rodrigo Pessoa, Eric Lamaze, Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum, Scott Brash, Steve Guerdat, Kent Farrington, Kevin Staut, Jeroen Dubbeldam, Bertram Allen, Martin Fuchs, Harry Charles, Isabell Werth and Zara Tindall.
Rolex has committed to a perpetual planet by supporting key individuals and organizations working towards preserving the natural world.
About Rolex
Rolex, a Swiss watch manufacture headquartered in Geneva, is recognized the world over for its expertise and the quality of its products. Its Oyster Perpetual and Cellini watches, all certified as Superlative Chronometers for their precision, performance and reliability, are symbols of excellence, elegance and prestige. The word "Perpetual" is inscribed on every Rolex Oyster. But more than just a word on a dial, it is a philosophy that embodies the company's vision and values. Hans Wilsdorf, the founder of the company, instilled a notion of perpetual excellence that would drive the company forward. Rolex is the origin of numerous major watchmaking innovations, such as the Oyster, the first waterproof wristwatch, launched in 1926, and the Perpetual rotor self-winding mechanism invented in 1931. The brand has registered over 500 patents in the course of its history.
Rolex is also actively involved in supporting the arts and culture, sport and exploration, and encourages the spirit of enterprise, as well as those who are devising solutions to preserve the planet.
Rolex seeks partnerships with individuals and organizations in the arts and in sport who set the highest standards of performance. From the four Grand Slam® tournaments – the Australian Open, Roland-Garros, The Championships, Wimbledon, and the US Open – to Swiss phenomenon Roger Federer, Rolex has been a loyal and enthusiastic partner of tennis for more than 40 years, during which time it has built a rich legacy of championing excellence and helping to maintain the sport's traditions. https://www.rolex.com/
Image Credits: Watch Copyright Rolex/Joël Von Allmen, and Roger Federer © Rolex/Jon Buckle.
The post Which Famous Celebrities and Sportspeople Wear a Rolex Watch? appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post How Will A Solar Eclipse Coming Off A Total Lunar Eclipse Affect You? appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>This year's only solar eclipse is on its way and, coupled with the recent total lunar eclipse, could be wreaking havoc on our bodies, hearts and minds.
Eclipses work in pairs, and with a lunar and solar eclipse occurring within a fortnight of each other, we should be paying attention to any emotional and physical effects we may be experiencing.
A lunar and solar eclipse are as powerful as each other, and with both happening so close together a spiritual process has started but isn't complete until sometime after this Thursday's (June 10th) solar eclipse.
With its approach I am hearing reports from many people that they are now experiencing more physical effects, particularly headaches, neck and shoulder pain.
This is because we are now making things more physical, including our emotions and decisions as the internal changes have already been made following May 26's total lunar eclipse and super blood moon.
Lunar eclipses are about integrating experiences; the focus is internal or within – while solar eclipses are about taking action and the focus is external. You make the inner changes first then do something about the situation by releasing these experiences physically.
Despite the fact the solar eclipse won't be seen in Australia with the naked eye (only in the northern hemisphere), we will still experience the spiritual, emotional and physical consequences.
Just because we don't see it physically, doesn't mean it's not happening. It is a time of new beginnings and a new cycle moving forward. Turn your face to the future.
The eclipse phenomena will also have some special flow on effects for our star signs. If people have their astrology natal chart with any planets near 19 degrees of the mutable signs Gemini, Sagittarius, Pisces and Virgo, then they will be very strongly affected.
The solar eclipse is in Gemini, this means that Gemini and other air signs Libra and Aquarius will also be affected and will need to have a good handle on their emotions.
They are also doubly affected because Mercury is in Retrograde in Gemini now and until June 21st, making for lots of misunderstandings and miscommunications and problems with technology.
The solar eclipse in Gemini is also all about masculine principles.
Women have inner masculine forces and it's time to be more proactive, independent and externally focussed so they can get more of what they want in the world.
Body meridians and power switches called chakras also release physical and spiritual emotions.
Following the lunar eclipse, chakras are opening up and releasing the past… turbulent energy comes up and we may be feeling irritable, angry, argumentative, volatile, upset, unmotivated, exhausted, lethargic – even bloated.
The good news is we should feel alleviation from these symptoms following Thursday's solar eclipse.
People should be starting to feel better, and our minds and emotions should be clearer so we can start to realise the direction we need to go in to move forward.
Whether that's coming to terms with ending a relationship, focusing on work or business after an initial shock or confrontation, or whatever it may be – starting to plan and taking action will help.
In Australia, the June 10th solar eclipse will be "felt" here at 8.41pm AEST, while the best actual viewing locations will be in countries including Canada, Russia and Greenland.
The eclipse is sometimes referred to as the Ring of Fire because the moon doesn't completely block out the sun and leaves a ring of light. There will still be plenty of live streams happening.
Tips for people to look after themselves during the eclipse period:
- Meditate: be mindful of what you are feeling, feelings are every bit as valid as thoughts.
- Have some quiet time: be alone with your thoughts and think about things you want to accomplish physically, with your health and wellbeing, in the workplace, or in relationships.
- Write down your feelings in a diary or journal: particularly if you don't feel like you can talk to someone trusted about your emotions.
- Try not to look back at the past or into the future: not being present in your body or with your feelings is a problem. Be truly present and at home in your body now.
Here is my YouTube Video detailing physical manifestations which are likely to happen by star sign during the solar eclipse period, and they're also below:
Aries (March 21 to April 19): Communications and your local environment are highlighted. There are new beginnings coming soon in communications, publications, promotion, study or perhaps communications with distant family members including siblings. Be extra careful now with Mercury Retrograde with miscommunications and misunderstandings!
Taurus (April 20 to May 20): Seeds can be planted now which will transform your money, possessions and communications. Events from the past may pop up and any feelings with those may also influence your current thinking, especially regarding the things you value. Mercury is Retrograde so ensure everything important is in writing. There may be glitches involving your money or the things you value.
Gemini (May 21 to June 20): It's time to think about a new look! Change your appearance and your core beliefs about a new direction you could take in life. You can be more perceptive and sensitive now which enables you to pick up what's going on with others now. A new cycle is beginning for you when you can more closely align your life to your core beliefs.
Cancer (June 21 to July 22): You may feel sensitive and perhaps even a little moody so it's best to grab some quiet time now. It's a great time to meditate and pay special attention to your dreams and intuitions. It's also worth contemplating your life's direction and spiritual journey. Plant some seeds now in your spiritual life which will help to rejuvenate and enliven you as they grow in future.
Leo (July 23 to August 22): There are new beginnings with groups and connections. Perhaps some new friends come into your life, and you may also feel a need for community now. Deepening your relationships is worthwhile. You could attend functions, socialize, and make some new friends.
Virgo (August 23 to September 22): New beginnings are starting in your house of vocation, career and life direction. Your reputation and social status may also feature strongly now. Whatever you do tends to be more public than usual. The world sees more of you personally, whether you want them to or not.
Libra (September 23 to October 22): Perhaps you're thinking about going on a break somewhere? Travel and expanding your life generally could be on your mind now. Your life can become larger now through study or meeting new people, especially those with foreign connections. Your spiritual life also expands so look at the big picture and don't be afraid to try new things.
Scorpio (October 23 to November 21): You may have concerns about joint finances or intimacy now. Do try to be objective especially around women and your partner because your emotions are likely to show. There are new beginnings around shared resources such as finances, property or some deep hidden things like secrets.
Sagittarius (November 22 to December 21): Give your time and attention to close relationships especially with women or significant partners both personal and business. There could be a rejuvenation of existing arrangement or new partnerships can form. You could also plant seeds to get a casual relationship onto a more committed level now.
Capricorn (December 22nd to January 19): New beginnings are likely in your health or general wellbeing. Your everyday habits and work could also have new procedures or arrangements. Self-improvement both mind and body could be on your mind. You may try to turn your emotions into something practical by starting something new.
Aquarius (January 20th to February 18): It's time to come out of your shell by expressing your true feelings, especially your playful or dramatic side. Perhaps romance is on your agenda too. You may also be more interested in drama, sports and entertainment in general. The world of the child comes closer to you now.
Pisces (February 19 to March 20): Spend some time at home or with your family. There are opportunities for positive growth at home and you may do some renovations, gardening or perhaps your home becomes more of a sanctuary where people feel comfortable, private and secure. Relationships with women or your mother may feature now.
The post How Will A Solar Eclipse Coming Off A Total Lunar Eclipse Affect You? appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Can Botox Stop Teeth Grinding? appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Bruxism can also have an effect on the masseter muscles responsible for jaw movement, causing them to bulk up, creating a heavy set look to the lower face. While the Gold Standard treatment for teeth grinding has been to use a mouthguard at night, this protects the teeth, but it doesn't prevent the movement itself. Teeth Grinding can also lead to other health issues such as tension headaches and migraines. It's possible to lessen the movement by cleverly injecting Botox into the masseter muscles of the jaw.
"People with bruxism often have jaw related issues that lead to poor sleep, headaches and unexplained migraines," adds Dr Verdian. "By placing wrinkle relaxing injections into the muscles that produce powerful jaw movements [the masseter muscles] we are able to reduce the strength of contraction of the overall muscle."
Can I Expect My Teeth Grinding To Stop?
"This Procedure allows the muscle to relax into a state where it is not constantly tense, which leads to fewer symptoms and less damage to teeth," says Dr. Verdian. "It also stops our ability to clench and grind as hard as we normally would without affecting our ability to chew and eat. This in turn leads to less force generated through our teeth and less fractures and wear over time."
Consequently, the bulk of the masseter muscles is also lessened, created a more sculpted and refined look to the jaw.
Is it painful?
"Of all the areas that Botox is generally injected, the masseter region has much less of a nerve supply and feels much less painful than other areas," explains Dr Verdian. "The injection occurs externally and is in a much less tender area than say the nose or eyes."
How many treatments do I need?
"We prefer our patients to have four treatments every three months in the first year. That allows the muscle to have long lasting reduction in force production and provides significant long-term benefits. In the second year the treatments generally last four to six months before you need another top up."
The post Can Botox Stop Teeth Grinding? appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Bev Brock: My 5 Simple Yoga Moves That Turned Back The Clock! appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Remember that you and you alone are responsible for the choices you make and you are the only one who can implement the changes you need to be the best that you can be!
Your health and well-being is in your hands!
It is the most important, essential DIY project that each and every one of us is involved in on a daily basis and yet is treated with scant regard.
Taking simple steps to prevent ill health is not difficult – you simply have to want to do it!
After breaking my neck and damaging my spine I knew that my ability to live a life free of the disabilities the medicos foresaw for me that I would have to invest fully in that journey.
Research led me to the Tibetan Five Rites which proved to be my Golden Chalice.
This is a daily yoga routine otherwise known as the Fountain of Youth. Google will produce numerous sites extolling the benefits of the practice.
The book, The Ancient Secrets of the Fountain of Youth written by Peter Kelder in 1939, will leave you determined to take up the practice just as it did me.
As a direct result of the success of his first book, Kelder updated it with The Eye of Revelation – The Original Five Rites of Rejuvenation (Borderland Sciences Research Foundation, 1989). Those books will go into the energetic philosophy behind each movement, which may or may not be relevant for you.
I have been doing this routine on a daily basis since reading of his journey to Tibet and have rarely missed a day since 1990.
It is how I welcome each morning. I have occasionally added some Pilates over the years to extend and slightly vary the workout.
This has helped me completely overcome my neck and spinal problems and keeps me supple and enjoying life. [Ed's note: Bev is now 69 and we think she looks amazing!]
Before you begin
A 4-stage breathing pattern is an essential part of the routine.
Inhale deeply, expanding your belly and then your chest.
Hold that breath.
Completely exhale sucking in your belly.
With each Rite, breathe in deeply as you open your chest up and breathe out fully as you compress your lungs.
The objective is to reach a maximum of 21 of each of the Rites. I initially struggled to do 3 of each but with persistence I gradually increased the number until reaching 21.
Feel free to modify the movements slightly in order to feel comfortable until your body can manage the full movement.
Rite 1: Spinning
This stimulates the body's energy systems and wakes up the chakras.
With arms held straight out to the sides spin in an anti-clockwise direction when in the Southern Hemisphere. To help overcome dizziness, focus on a reference point in front of your starting position, then close your eyes and open them again when you have completed one turn. Repeat in a continual flowing motion as you are able.
If dizzy, lie flat on the floor and breathe deeply before commencing the 2nd Rite.
Rite 2: Leg raises
Best to use a mat to protect your back.
- Lie flat on the floor with your face up and arms by your sides, palms down, fingers together.
- Lift your head up and tuck your chin into your chest as you breathe in.
- Raise your legs, knees straight into the vertical position.
- Lower your head to the floor as you lower your straight legs breathing out as you do so.
- When completed, slide your hands down the outside of your legs as close to your feet as possible and grab hold pulling your head as close to your knees as possible.
Rite 3: Solar plexus
- Opening the Solar Plexus and the heart draws energy into the emotional body
- Kneel on the floor with your hips directly above your ankles, body erect and toes flat on the floor.
- Place your hands just under your buttocks.
- Tilt the head forward tucking the chin onto your chest as you breathe out.
- Tilt the head back while arching the spine backward and looking up while breathing in.
- Finish by stretching your arms directly in front and remaining erect.
Rite 4: Sacral area tabletop
- Sit on the floor with your spine erect, arms straight by your side and your palms flat on the floor with fingers pointed towards your feet.
- Tuck your chin onto your chest as you breathe out.
- Tilt your head backwards as far as it will go and bend your knees while pushing up to a tabletop position and breathing in.
- Tense all of your body muscles while doing this movement.
- Relax your muscles and breathe out while returning to sit on the floor.
- Continue to breathe deeply while sitting between repetitions.
Rite 5: Up and down dog
- This speeds up all of the energy centres in the body leaving you feeling energised.
- Begin on all fours with palms on the floor and toes flexed.
- Keep your hands and feet straight.
- Start with your arms perpendicular and your spine arched toward the floor while breathing in.
- Lift your bottom upward while dropping your head toward the floor and breathe out. Your body makes an inverted "V".
Yoga For Seniors Is The Best Way To Stay Forever Young. Here's The Proof!
The post Bev Brock: My 5 Simple Yoga Moves That Turned Back The Clock! appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post 19 Super Cute Tiny Tattoos appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>
Sail away with me honey.
Naughty little monkey for those who will still be using emojis when they are old and grey.
Hidden cats are the best! For the cat lovers out there.
An elephant never forgets…and also this guy is just so cute.
Whether you are an avid Harry Potter fan or you think a storm is a powerful force of nature, this little thunderbolt can mean whatever you want it to.
For those who are destined to wander, you don't need a map.
Keep it tropical and fun, always.
This beautiful lotus flower sits perfectly on your finger.
Fly away and keep on having adventures.
Peter Pan…for those who never want to grow up.
It's a super cute tiny little unicorn…need I say anymore.
Smile and the whole world smiles with you, even when they have to tilt their heads to the side to read your tattoo, makes it a little more fun and quirky.
This intricate and delicate feather is a beautiful design and would look perfect anywhere.
'Aint no mountain high enough' to stop you getting this adorable little piece.
Make your own waves in life.
"If there ever comes a day when we can't be together keep me in your heart. I'll stay there forever." Because a tattoo is not just for Christmas, or it could just be for a special someone or for your love of old Winnie the Pooh who had many a wise words when it came to life.
This bumble bee is as sweet as honey.
Somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue.
This tiny 'Love' tattoo is cute and easily hidden expect for when you want a special someone to see it.
The post 19 Super Cute Tiny Tattoos appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Standing Tall for Australia's Youth appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The Stand Tall –Australia's largest youth mental wellbeing convention event was founded in 2012 by three mothers of high school students Jeanine Treharne, Angela Farr-Jones and Roslyn Hills in response to the tragic level of drug use, depression, bullying, hopelessness and self-harm among high school students.
The foundation for Stand Tall was simple – to see change in the next generation by providing young students with hope for their future. They set about creating a unique one-day TEDx style event with the aim of getting cut-through with teenagers and change their mindset and ultimately, the course of their lives.
The first event was hosted in 2013 with an army of friends. The inaugural Stand Tall event touched some 1,100 secondary students in the Knox school hall where they were treated to inspiring stories from a diversity of speakers including blind surfer Derek Rabelo who flew in especially from Brazil. They were also entertained by popular young singers, including X factor runner up, Taylor Henderson.
The success of this event triggered a new way of providing effective wellbeing lessons to secondary students. One year 11 student told the crew, that day – "You have to keep doing what you are doing because today you have given me hope. I have had depression for two years and teachers told me I would get better but I didn't really believe them but today I know I am going to be ok."
The rest was history.
Stand Tall quickly evolved from a small scale at Knox to two regional events in 2015, then moved to the Luna Park Big Top in 2016 and then found its new home today at the ICC Sydney in 2017.
Stand Tall has now become the largest youth event of its kind in Australia outgrowing the 2500 seat Darling Harbour Theatre within 2 years and today celebrated their 10th event in the 8,000 seat Aware Super Theatre with 6000 students and more than 50,000 watching the live streamed event.
Secondary school student from all backgrounds gather at the ICC Sydney to hear messages of hope and inspiration from speakers who have either faced major adversities or set themselves incredible goals and have then gone on to lead amazing lives.
Through these events Stand Tall arms youth with the skills of resilience, the strength to stand up to bullying, the keys to motivation, the power of perspective, plus the benefits of making good and wise decisions. One massive day of positive input into a young Australian can change a life.
Young people are inspired to dream big and set achievable goals by speakers such as this year's speaker, the Melbourne Cup winning jockey Michelle Payne. Whose story is beautifully told in the movie Ride Like a Girl.
Stand Tall promotes the idea that everyone has the power to help others, whether it be in large numbers or the person next door. This year's event includes young Orange Sky Laundry charity founders Nic Marchesi OAM and Lucas Patchett OAM, Michael Crossland who founded an orphanage in Haiti and Aminata Conteh-Biger who founded the Aminata Maternal foundation that assist young mothers in Sierra Leone.
Schools can also access excellent follow-up resources, online modules for class discussions around the topics brought forward by their inspirational speakers.
This work continues beyond the one-day event, with Stand Tall providing a week-long specialised summer camps in Sydney for disadvantaged and vulnerable teens. The concepts discussed at the event are also developed into online practical wellbeing classes for secondary students.
For more information on Stand Tall, please visit: https://www.standtallevent.com. The event is sold out, however schools and students are welcome to join in the live stream for free!
About Stand Tall
Stand Tall is a not-for-profit organisation established by Jeanine Treharne and Angela Farr-Jones to build hope and help address mental health issues in young people. From humble beginnings in 2013 where 1,200 secondary students sat in a school hall to hear inspiring stories of hope, the success of this first event triggered a new way of providing effective wellbeing lessons to secondary students.
Stand Tall has now become the largest youth event of its kind in Australia, experiencing exponential growth over the last eight years. Student cohorts, from a range of schools, gather in the ICC Sydney theatre to hear messages of hope from speakers who have either faced major adversities, or set themselves incredible goals and have then gone on to lead amazing lives.
For further information or to provide support and donations to the Stand Tall charity please visit www.standtallevent.com. Schools, students and anyone else keen to participate can sign up for the free online event here. The event will be available to view online until August 9, 2021.
The post Standing Tall for Australia's Youth appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Spoil Your Dog with Stylish Hound appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>My rescue dog, Dash tested out some of the products.
No Pull Harness
The no pull harnesses are ideal for your dog as they take the pressure off their neck. It's a safer and more gentle way to take your dog walking. It's easy to clip on. These harnesses eliminate choking and excess pulling.
Stylish Hound also sells a range of chest plate harnesses with neoprene padded straps. These have front and back attachment options. You can use the front chest attachment to discourage pulling. The auto-locks are extra tough.
Express Pouch
The express pouch is can be attached to my belt, another bag or the dog lead. It has a good quality zipper to open. There are some pockets to store your keys and a credit card or ID. I like to keep doggie bags and treats in mine. There is a larger version that can hold more.
The express pouch comes in a range of fun colours, including black, baby blue, mint green, apple green, lilac, baby pink, peach pink, burgundy, burnt orange, tangerine, citrus yellow, lemonade, evergreen, midnight, newtown, zebra.
Hercules Chew Toy
Chew toys are a great way to keep your dog entertained, but it's best to supervise them and take them away when they are finished. The Hercules chew toy comes in two different colours, and sizes (small-medium, medium-large). There's a version with rope for dogs who are play motivated over food.
My friend has a new puppy so she takes a travel water bottle with her when visiting dog friendly venues. Look out for the super cute snuffle mats.
Night Glow Light
The night glow light is great if you like to take your dog for walks around dawn, dusk or night-time. It's ideal if you take your dog off the leash during a bushwalk, beach trip or dog park. This LED light is made from 100% recycled materials. You just rotate the light to turn it on or off, and you can flip the battery over to change the light pattern from steady to flashing. You can clip it on a dog collar, the lead or your bag near your keys. The light is very lightweight. It comes in blue, pink, white, green, red and orange. It's water-resistant and has up to 100 hours of battery life.
If you're a die-hard dog lover then you don't want to miss out on the super cute matching dog and owner pyjama sets. Choose from their signature Corgi, Golden, Spaniel and Beagle prints.
View the full range at the Stylish Hound website: https://stylish-hound.com/
Express Worldwide Shipping.
About Stylish Hound
Stylish Hound creates fun and modern dog accessories that bring humans and hounds closer together! Shop our stylish range of accessories online now.
The post Spoil Your Dog with Stylish Hound appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post How To Look After Platinum Blonde Hair appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>"To look after platinum blonde hair, I recommend using products with a violet base," says hairstylist Elyston Hayden. "Purple shampoos, conditioners and masks will erase red, orange and yellow tones instantly, so you're left with salon-perfect results every time you wash your hair at home."
Shampoos
A must-have product of mine – you won't regret purchasing this salon-quality product.Try O&M Conquer Blonde, $25.95
This hydrating formula prevents colour from fading.Try Joico Color Balance Purple Shampoo, $29.95
Eliminates warm tones instantly, and leaves tresses super shiny.Try Goldwell Refining Silver Shampoo, $25.45
Conditioners
This clever product lets you control the ratio of purple pigment to conditioner with a few clicks.Try Redken Blonde Idol Custom Tone Violet, $39.95
Give warm tones the flick with a conditioner that's light enough for daily use. Try John Frieda Sheer Blonde Colour Renew Tone Correcting Conditioner, $17.99
A rich purple conditioner that banishes brassiness in one wash.Try Oribe Bright Blonde Conditioner, $68
Masks
Nothing says luxury like this nourishing hair treatment from the best of the best.Try Christophe Robin Hair Mask in Baby Blond, $63
Love the strengthening in-salon treatment? Follow it up with a take-home version to DIY at home.Try Olaplex No. 3, $49.95
The post How To Look After Platinum Blonde Hair appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Meet Isabel Aagaard, theCo-founder Of LastObject appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>
Her mission is to create durable and well-designed products that are reusable. When she and her team discovered the harmful effects of single-use cotton swabs on the environment, they started working on a solution to fix it. In April 2019, they launched LastSwab, the first sanitary, reusable alternative to cotton swabs.
LastSwab was followed by LastTissue, which aims to bring the handkerchief back and stop the waste caused by single-use tissues; LastRound, a set of six reusable, washable make-up pads; LastMask x Spray, a reusable mask and sanitizer kit; and most recently LastTissue Box, a tabletop version of LastTissue. One by one, Isabel is tackling the single-use items that have become an unfortunate part of our daily routine.
Isabel, who lives in Copenhagen, Denmark with her husband and their baby boy, created these fabulous products below which she recommends for gift ideas for your dad or the man in your life:
LastObject — whether he's going on a business trip or a quick supermarket run, Dad won't want to leave the house without these sustainable essentials.
LastTissue is the modern take on the handkerchief. Each pack contains six reusable tissues made from 100% organic cotton, fitted into a 100% silicone carrying case. Each pack saves the planet from more than 3,100 single-use tissues as well as their plastic packaging.
LastMask x Spray is a reusable kit to help people stay protected on the go without sacrificing our environment. It includes a face mask and a refillable sanitizer spray in a compact silicon carry case — all of which can be washed and repacked. The mask meets the WHO guidelines for fabric masks and can be machine washed 500 times.
The post Meet Isabel Aagaard, theCo-founder Of LastObject appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Who Said Beauty Was Just For Women? Men Are Tackling The Stigma appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>But now, Aussie men are dismantling these stereotypes and shifting their focus onto taking care of themselves!
Tony & Munro fusion cosmetics found that sales for their products have increasingly been purchases by male customers. Since March last year, sales have tripled!
What are men buying?
Tony & Munro has reported that there was huge interest in its three-step skincare routine:
- Revive Hydrating Eye Gel
- Correcting Concealer
- Renew Nourishing BB Cream For Men
"It hydrates and primes skin, reducing fine lines, reducing oil and allowing shine control whilst smoothing pores to give a radiant matte finish, and can be used alone or before the other products in the range," says Ewan Munro Belsey, co-founder of Tony & Munro fusion cosmetics.
And clearly, taking care of yourself is paying off:
-
Lachlan before Tony & Munro products -
Lachlan after products
From spots to clear skin. Simple as that.
Munro Belsey noted that men are under-serviced in the beauty market compared to Asia and Europe, but this shift is promising for the future of men's beauty products. "Men are allowed to be blokey blokes or whomever they want to be," says Ewan Munro Belsey, however, don't let toxic masculinity determine your personality and your choices.
Check out Tony & Munro's beauty products here.
Feature image via Stryx
The post Who Said Beauty Was Just For Women? Men Are Tackling The Stigma appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Camel Pose – Yoga Pose Of The Week appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Generally, camel pose is practiced towards the end of a yoga class, after you have warmed up your spine in preparatory poses. It's very important not to come into it 'cold' without doing the preparatory postures, or you risk hurting yourself. In yoga, each preceding posture prepares the body for the one to follow.
Camel Pose, while intense when you're in it, is a great way to work your way into deeper backbends, especially if you have balance issues. It's an intense pose, so always listen to your body and never go deeper into the pose than you feel you are able to at any given time. Everything comes with time and with regular practice. That's another thing about yoga – it teaches us gentle goal setting, as well as patience.
Practising Camel Pose can help to alleviate back aches, as it relieves and stretches the front of the body, mainly the hips, which are forgotten about in every day life, especially with all the forward leading we do on our devices and at our desks.
How to enter Camel Pose
- The usual starting position for Camel Pose is kneeling on the yoga mat or floor.
- Kneel with body upright, with hips stacked over and directly in-line with your knees.
- Bring your hands to your hips.
- Engage your core, as though you were trying to draw your belly button towards your spine.
This is where we begin the backwards arc that becomes the beautiful back bend of Camel Pose.
- Reach your hands back, one at a time and take hold of your heels. If you are a little bit sweaty, fold a towel over your feet to allow for better grip.
- Press your hips forward, so that they stay in line over your knees.
- If it feels ok, tilt your head back, opening your throat chakra. Keep your shoulders down away from the ears.
- Breathe deeply here, for five full breaths, or as long as your body says this is ok. If you begin to feel uncomfortable or overwhelmed, exit the pose as below.
To exit the pose
- Bring your chin to your chest.
- Engage your core as though you were drawing your belly button into your spine. This to protect your lower back.
- Remove one hand from your heel and bring it to your hip on the same side.
- Remove the other hand and bring to your hip on the other side.
- Slowly and gently bring your body to the upright kneeling position that you started in.
Counter Pose – Childs Pose.
In yoga, as with life, there is always Ying and Yang – one thing counters, or balances the other. And so it is with Camel Pose. The counter pose for Camel Pose is Child's Pose and it's a beautifully restful, stress releasing pose to follow the intense posture that is Camel's Pose.
The Benefits
- Builds confidence and empowerment with your practice.
- Improves posture and can counteract slouching and hunching.
- May help alleviate back pain.
- Promotes hip flexibility.
- Aids in emotional release.
- Stretches the whole front of your body – abdomen, chest, shoulders, front of your hips and front of your thighs.
Contraindications
- Any pre-existing back or neck injuries.
- High blood pressure.
- Knee issues.
Variations
Any yoga pose can be modified based on your body needs. Camel Pose may require some modifications until you've been practising yoga for a little while longer, or you may be a pro already. As I mentioned at the beginning, you must take things at your own pace to get the most from this ancient, wonderful practice.
- Tuck your toes. Instead of having the top on the foot on the floor, you may feel more balanced and have a greater reach for your heels.
- You don't need to backbend, simply keep your hands on your hips until you are ready.
- Place yoga blocks by your feet to use if your hands can't quite reach your heels. Bring your yoga accessories closer to you so you work smarter instead of harder.
- Place a folder blanket under your knees for comfort.
- You can keep your chin tucked, instead of tilting your head back, if it makes the pose less overwhelming.
Listen to your body, there is no need to go straight for the more intense version. It's totally your practice and whatever you can do on that day is what you should be doing.
Always be kind to yourself, move with ease and grace. You are the most important person in your life.
Namaste,
Trudy
The post Camel Pose – Yoga Pose Of The Week appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post 5 Mind Shifts For Instant Happiness appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>#1. Claim your right to nurture yourself.
Take a bubblebath, have a massage, cook yourself a special meal, read your favourite poetry, meditate, potter, or do something nice for yourself. Tell yourself you deserve to be nurtured. Give your desires a high priority in your day. Enjoying a good quality of life is just as important as fulfilling your responsibilities. Keep a balance between expending and replenishing your energy. Treat yourself well and enjoy life.
#2. Wholeheartedly embrace alternatives.
Consider the possibility that your way of doing things is not the only way. Other methods may be just as valid. Think about how you want the chores to be completed, your opinions about what makes good driving, or the way you communicate. Consider deeply your personal rules — are they so essential that everyone should do the same? Acquire tolerance, become less set in your ways, learn to adapt and be in harmony with others rather than trying to control them. Respect alternative points of view.
#3. Put a full stop on the past.
Whatever happened cannot be changed; it is now part of your history. Your past has shaped you and brought you to this moment. Cast from your mind phrases such as 'I should have', 'why didn't I' and 'if only'. Accept the lessons you have learnt from past choices. Make peace with yourself.
Disentangle yourself from regret, shame and guilt. Shake off the past and move forward with peace of mind.
#4. Free yourself from the subtle chains of an unfinished project.
Perhaps the unfinished project is no longer relevant or necessary, or has been given a much lower priority. Decide if the project is still worth investing your energy in and, if not, put it to rest once and for all. Is the cause of your procrastination fear or confusion? Invoke the appropriate virtue or power needed to complete the task. You are a powerful soul.
#5. Simply let go.
It's great to be in control, and it's great to let go. Let go of your expectations and fixed ideas about how things should be done. Don't try to force things to happen. Just do as much as you can, then step back and see what takes shape. If you feel responsible for someone else's moods or emotions, let these feelings go. Relax and allow new influences and options to emerge. Let your destiny steer you.
This is an edited extract from Today I Will… by Carmen Warrington, $16.99, published by Hachette Australia.
ABOUT: Carmen Warrington is an accomplished performer, meditation artist, songwriter, celebrant and author. Carmen has a degree in psychology and is a graduate of the National Institute of Dramatic Art. Through her business, Calm and Creative, Carmen lives in Melbourne and runs workshops which focus on creativity and meditation for professional artists and people who simply want to experience and develop their innate artistic talents. Today I Will… is also available on CD through Carmen's website.
The post 5 Mind Shifts For Instant Happiness appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Fashion Queen Camilla Talks To Tory Archbold About What Gives Her Strength appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>
Camilla, who is three years into remission from a stage three breast cancer diagnosis that came just three months after she had daughter Luna, talked to Tory about how she faced chemo, the innovations deployed to save her fashion label during the pandemic and how she manages a long distance relationship. The Aussie designer also revealed the personal heartbreak she faced before filming the latest season of Nine'sCelebrity Apprentice.
"I'd just finished five rounds of IVF," Camilla told Tory. "The day before, I was in hospital getting the eggs taken out. Two days into shooting, I found out the eggs hadn't survived. So I was on my own personal journey, emotional pain, to have to put the game face on every day and show up." Tory Archbold's interview is now airing on the Nova Entertainment Podcast Network. Link to listen
You can find more about Tory's Powerful Steps programme here: https://powerful-steps.com/
The post Fashion Queen Camilla Talks To Tory Archbold About What Gives Her Strength appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post The Best Housewarming Gifts That People Actually Want appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Moving into a new home is a momentous occasion, so why not celebrate with a fabulous gift? Not only could your gift help ease the transition and relieve the stress of moving, but it could also add serious value to their new home.
Forget the bouquet of flowers and scented candles. We've rounded up a list of the very best housewarming gifts that people actually want.
Cheese board set
The art of entertaining always involves a good cheese board. There's no doubt that moving into a new home brings with it lots of visitors – so gifting a cheese board may just be the most useful present you can give.
There are heaps on the market, all in different sizes and shapes and with different attachments. You can also opt for one that's personalised (if they're into that kind of thing). Our favourite is this ocean-inspired resign set from Etsy, or this five piece bamboo set from Temple & Webster.
Something personalised
The easiest way to add a special touch to your moving gift is to get it personalised. Your actual gift options are endless if you've decided on something custom.
It can be anything from a towel set, coasters, a doormat – whatever you think they'll appreciate and get the most use out of.
Wine aficionados will love these gorgeous personalised wine glasses from Officeworks. Or you could help them to really get comfortable with some monogrammed pyjamas from Peter Alexander.
Gift card
What's the one gift that we can guarantee they're going to love? A gift card. Moving is not only a tiring process, it's also very expensive. So no matter what kind of gift card you give, it's going to relieve some of the financial stress.
If you want extra brownie points, we recommend gift cards for a furniture store or an online marketplace like Amazon or eBay.
Food and/or alcohol hamper
If your family member or friend is short on time to do a full grocery shop, gifting them a plentiful food or alcohol hamper is sure to knock their socks off.
You can share the products when you go for a visit, or send it to them in advance, giving them a wonderful surprise.
Hampers with Bite have some great food and wine packages available from as little as $45. Prefer to ditch the booze? Check out The Hamper Emporium for a delicious range of hampers to suit every budget.
Sheet set
While they may already own a few sheet sets, you can never have enough. And you can get them something a little more special.
Bamboo is great for those who are eco-conscious. Those who really feel the cold will seriously appreciate a flannelette set. And luxury lovers will adore a silk sheet set.
If you're prepared to splash out, cult brand Bed Threads is a great place to start, with 100% flax linen bedding in a range of bright and buttery tones.
Custom framed photo
Give your family member or friend a hand with decorating and gift them a custom framed photo. It can be a photo of them with their partner, a family member, a pet or even a photo of the two of you! The options are truly endless, and at the end of the day, it will show them how much you truly care.
You can print and customise your photos at various outlets including Kmart, Officeworks and Snapfish, for a relatively low price.
Gardening kit
When decorating a new home, people tend to focus on the inside rather than outside. You could help them start their houseplant collection, but we really like the idea of a gardening kit. It's something that you don't usually remember to buy, and it can provide all the essentials they need to create and maintain their very own garden escape.
You can buy a ready-made kit, or make your own. Just make sure it includes things like gloves, shovels and trimmers. Stuck for ideas? Check out the kits available at Bunnings Warehouse or Australian Plants Online.
Bartender kit
Moving into a new place always involves some kind of entertaining. That's why we think a good quality bartender kit could be super valuable.
It can include various alcohol options, but don't neglect the essentials, including a shaker and a strainer. Similar to the gardening kit, you can opt for a ready-made kit (which we think is the easiest option) or you can DIY if you're feeling brave.
You can purchase affordable individual pieces at stores like Target, but if you'd prefer to purchase a ready-made kit, head to retailers like Victoria's Basement or Temple & Webster.
Basic tool kit
You can't be naive and think nothing is going to go wrong with their new home. Better to be safe than sorry. Be prepared with a basic tool kit.
If you can't find an existing kit that you love, feel free to make your own by buying the individual tools. Just make sure it has the basics, like a screwdriver, nails, screws and tape measure.
Bathroom guest book
Now this present idea is a little quirky, and frankly, not for everyone. But it is super cute. A bathroom guest book adds a personal touch to a bathroom and can hold hilarious memories and conversation starters.
You can find these at most bookstores.
Cook book
If this is their first time moving out of home, a brand new cook book is essential. Chances are, they haven't had much experience in the kitchen, so a good recipe book will give them valuable knowledge and a full tummy.
Be sure to know their dietary requirements beforehand, just in case they're vegan, vegetarian or gluten-free. Dymocks and Booktopia have hundreds of cookbooks to choose from depending on their culinary preferences.
Christmas ornament
While it's not technically the holiday season, you can't go wrong with a beautiful ornament to help them celebrate their first Christmas in their new home. You can opt for something traditional or something personalised. Either way, it will provide them with a lasting memory of their move.
The Carousel would like to thank Marina Tatas – the shopping writer at Finder – for her article.
The post The Best Housewarming Gifts That People Actually Want appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Why Are Blueberries the Perfect Superfood For Our Brain? appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>We chatted with Dr Tal Friedman, Head of Naturopathic and Research and Development at Chiva-Som International Health Resort. He talks about why blueberries are a great brain food choice and their benefits for cognitive health:
"Blueberries are healthy, sweet, a little tart and make a great snack. But these little purple berries are a legitimate super food."
"We have probably all heard that berries of all types are good antioxidants. This is very true. Blueberries in particular are particularly rich in a variety of antioxidant compounds called anthocyanins (which give the berries their characteristic deep purple color) and flavonoids. These powerful compounds are what give blueberries their unique health benefits."
"The most exciting research surrounding blueberries are the multiple potential benefits they have for brain and cognitive health. Blueberries are good for our brains in a number of different ways."
Improves Memory Function
"It's no surprise that memory start to deteriorate as we age, but it's looking like blueberries may help support our memory. When wild blueberry juice was supplemented for 12 weeks to older adults, it improved their memory function significantly."
Increases BDNF
"One of the more unique ways that blueberries have been shown to improve brain health is by increasing something called BDNF (Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor). BDNF helps to ensure the survival of existing brain cells and tissues, as well as to promote the growth and proliferation of new neurons. Studies have shown that adding blueberries to your diet can increase the birth rate of brain cells in the hippocampus – the brain region responsible for memory. In fact, studies on both older and younger rats have shown an increase in BDNF in otherwise healthy rats."
Improves mental heath
"Including some extra blueberries into your diet can also make you happier. In one recent study people were asked to supplement their diet with wild blueberry juice for 12 weeks. At the end of the study, the participants showed significantly lessened depressive symptoms overall. Another study from 2016 found that eating blueberries can help reduce the genetic and biochemical drivers behind depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. There is also broader research showing that the anti-anxiety and anti-depressant effects of antioxidant-rich foods are mediated through several pathways that work together in harmony."
How to eat blueberries
"When it comes to eating blueberries, fresh is great but frozen can be just as good. Blueberries, unlike many other frozen fruits and veggies, are not blanched or treated before being frozen which leaves many of the compounds in blueberries intact. In fact, a 2004 study in the Journal of Biomedicine and Biotechnology found that drying and freezing blueberries has no impact on the antioxidant activity of anthocyanin. So, pick whichever kind of blueberries you have available to you."
"Choosing a diet high in a variety of fruits and vegetables and including some delicious blueberries may help to support brain health and cognitive function as we age. Blueberries are amazingly powerful, delicious and unique fruits with so many ways to include them as part of your daily diet. This is a solid case where the superfood term actually has a bit of solid science to support it. "
Thank you, Dr. Tal Friedman ND.
About Chiva-Som International Health Resort
For more than 25 years, the company behind the award-winning Chiva-Som has been a pioneer in transformative wellness practices to global acclaim. Its commitment to an innovative, holistic approach which expertly balances mind, body and spirit, continues to this day with its flagship resort in Hua Hin, Thailand and the latest addition to the Chiva-Som family – Zulal Wellness Resort in Khasooma, Qatar.
Optimal, bespoke wellness lies at the heart of each Chiva-Som experience. With its unique synergy of indigenous traditions and evidence-based wellness, Chiva-Som partners with guests on highly personalised wellness journeys focused on complete lifestyle transformation. At the new Zulal Wellness Resort these extend to the entire family. Guests are motivated throughout their journey by knowledgeable and caring staff, who address their goals with the unique heart of Chiva-Som Hospitality.
Chiva-Som's genuine approach to wellness extends to the wider community, with educational opportunities and global sustainability initiatives at the core of everything the brand does.
For more information about Chiva-Som please visit www.chivasom.com
The post Why Are Blueberries the Perfect Superfood For Our Brain? appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Let's Get Tampon Jars Trending appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Over the years, I've been asked a number of times by co-workers and friends whether I had a spare tampon. I usually keep my spare feminine products in my handbag and a makeup bag in my filing cabinet.
When I thought about it, I couldn't remember a time when I'd visited a friend's place and saw their feminine products out in view in their bathroom or toilet. The industry often sells feminine products with tins and packaging that hides what is inside.
Period Names
We call the time around having a period or menstruation, odd names – 'visit by Aunty Flo', ' crimson tide' or 'that time of the month'. These euphemisms contribute to period shame.
"While the distribution of products is so important, if we still have shame and stigma surrounding menstruation, we can't empower those in need to take control of their period," said Rochelle Courtenay, Founder and Managing Director of Share the Dignity.
Share the Dignity currently requires data to prove the social, personal, and financial impacts of menstruation among Australians. As a result, they have create a three-pronged approach to ending period poverty:
- Distribution of products to those in need
- Education around menstruation
- Reducing the shame and stigma surrounding menstruation
Learn more about period pride and complete the bloody big survey:
https://www.sharethedignity.org.au/period-pride
Create Your Own Tampon Jar
If you're looking at different options on how to create your own tampon jar at home or work, then look for something that's clear and open-ended or something where the lid comes off easily. Reusing a large glass coffee jar would be ideal.
Amazon has a great range of bathroom and vanity countertop storage options. I found some classic apothecary canister jars. If you have a tight space, then lean towards the rectangular ones so they sit together nicely. YOKOKO make a cotton swab storage box that can be mounted on the wall and would be ideal for feminine products.
A tampon jar is a simple way to avoid 'period shame' and the embarrassment of having your period arrive early or being left unprepared.
Share the Dignity is an Australian charity bringing dignity to women and girls experiencing homelessness, domestic violence, and period poverty through the distribution of period products.
The biannual Dignity Drive aims to give dignity to those experiencing period poverty through collecting period products across the country in all Woolworths stores and a number of nominated businesses.
Since Share the Dignity was founded in 2015, they have been able to donate 2.8 million packets of pads and tampons to those in need. Share the Dignity believes that everyone experiencing period poverty deserves the right to their dignity. https://www.sharethedignity.org.au/
The post Let's Get Tampon Jars Trending appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Winter Lipstick Roundup: The Best Reds, Wines And Mauves appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>No.1 The Never Fail Classic: Nars Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in "Cruella"
This deep red is as icy as the Queen of Mean, it takes its name from. Channel Glenn Close as Cruella, or any other Hollywood badass for that matter in this blue-toned classic matte villainous red will leave you feeling sophisticated, glamorous and a little bit dangerous. Be warned, this is the first but not the last Nars winter lipstick in the round up! Francois knows his reds!
No.2 The One That's More Stylish Than You: Hourglass Confession Ultra-Slim Lipstick in "At Night"
The confession lipsticks are the perfect combination of style and substance. The sleek, baton style packaging is matched by complete opacity, with a luxurious satin formula. Shades from this range are a case of get-them-while-they're-hot – the formula's five star rating mean popular colours are often sold out. And "At Night" is definitely one of them. A brick red with brown undertones this shade will add some grungy 90's opulence to any look.
No.3 The Easy Going One: Bobbi Brown Crushed Lip Colour in Blackberry
Everyone in Sydney heard this Beauty Editor howling her appreciation for the Bobbi Brown Lip Tints so imagine my relief when I found out that they had a dramatic older sister! The Bobbi Brown Crushed Lip Colours are for those of us that come the winter have serious dryness to contend with. These melt-on-your mouth concoctions deliver medium to full-coverage pigment, a soft matte finish and the long-wear of a stain. They are also loaded up with E and C, just like their little sister Lip Tints. My personal favourite is Blackberry, the darkest colour in the range that leaves my lips looking like I've been snacking at the mulberry tree.
No. 4 The One That's a Little Aggressive Sometime But Will NEVER Leave Your Side : Nars Powermatte Lipstick in "Don't Stop"
This little guy is true to its name. It says it won't stop and it does. not. budge. Nars Cosmetics was late to the party in the best way on liquid lipsticks. Think of that friend who always turns up just before midnight in the most show-stopping outfit of the evening. The power matte lipsticks have turned everything we thought we knew about chalky, drying liquid lipsticks on their head. They are weightless, silky, and don't dry tight on the lips. Instead they offer full coverage and boundless colour. Don't Stop is a vibrant true red, and like the best reds you wont need to wear much else with it. Chuck on a cheeky flick and you're good to go and go.
No.5 The Bad Influence: Tom Ford Lip Colour in "So Vain"
This cool-toned satin mauve is decadent, charming and totally unique – just like your most irresponsible friend. Sure seventy dollars is a lot for a lip, but there's a lot to be said for a little reckless indulgence. Need to make it worth your while? I like to use this shade one eyes, lips and cheeks for an editorial high close look. That's right, she's versatile.
No. 6 The Annoyingly "Natural" Beauty: Karen Murrell Natural Lipstick in "Fiery Ruby"
You know that friend whose effortlessly perfect? While the rest of your girl gang weigh the pro's and cons of injectables she gets by on good sleep, morning yoga and a couple of glasses of water? That's Karen Murrell's natural lipstick range. With avocado, evening primrose, candelilla and sweet orange oils along with carnuaba wax these lipsticks are a treat for dry lips but somehow still stay the distance creating a sheer wash of hydrating colour with one application and full opacity at the next swipe. What more could you want in a winter lipstick you ask? Well, the formula contains cinnamon an ingredient that naturally stimulates plumpness of the pout while delivering a deliciously toasty winter scent. We'll forgive her for being too perfect.
The post Winter Lipstick Roundup: The Best Reds, Wines And Mauves appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Winter Winning: How To Conquer Bad Winter Habits appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>However, indulging in these unhealthy habits not only leaves us looking and feeling less than our best, but can also weaken our immune system.
Dietitian and Exercise Physiologist Kate Save says that protecting and supporting the immune system during the winter months is key to promoting optimal health, preventing weight gain and safeguarding against winter illness, and this can easily be achieved by a wholesome, nutritious diet and regular exercise.
"By recognising the common pitfalls, making a few small dietary changes and overcoming barriers to exercise, it's easy to make it through winter feeling motivated and without putting on those unwanted, extra kilos," she adds.
Kate shares the top five winter woes with expert tips to avoid temptation to hibernate this winter:
1. Don't be fooled by hunger pains
During winter, we tend to avoid the elements and hibernate, comforted by indoor heating which can easily lead to dehydration. Since the body confuses thirst with hunger, it is common to over-eat when liquid intake is low. Dehydration can also cause fatigue, as organs need plenty of fluid to function effectively.
Kate's tip:
If it's too cold to drink regular water, try drinking hot water with fresh ginger or lemon – this is still hydrating and will help prevent sweet cravings and promote better digestion.
2. Avoid the comforts of carbs
Many crave comfort food during winter and often reach for bread to accompany casseroles or soups. With greater inactivity and less exposure to sunlight during the colder months, carbohydrate cravings are common as the body looks for other sources of serotonin to lift mood and energy levels.
Kate's tip:
Mash cauliflower until fluffy and use as a low calorie substitute to thicken meals and for a natural boost of vitamin C, vitamin K and folate. Legumes are also a great addition to your favourite winter warmer dish with the benefits of additional dietary fibre and micronutrient intake while reducing total saturated fat intake.
3. Boost your immune system to combat the cold
The immune system requires extra support during winter as we tend to avoid fresh fruit and salads which are good sources of fibre and vitamin C. Vitamin C-rich foods are important for immunity and may also reduce cold severity and duration. It is essential to maintain fibre intake to ensure good digestive health, especially since heavier more processed foods are generally consumed in the colder months.
Kate's tip:
Boosting your immune system in the lead up to winter and maintaining a nutritious diet throughout is the best thing you can do to protect against cold and flu. Get your vitamin C fix with foods such as oranges, pumpkin, cauliflower, squash, kiwi fruit, and green leafy vegetables like kale. Berries are also a great source of vitamin C with the added benefits of being antioxidants. Satisfy your sweet tooth by serving berries warm with a dollop of greek-style yoghurt. Most of these foods are easy to incorporate into the diet but you may consider supplementation if preferred.
4. Don't go back for 'seconds'
It is tempting to opt for 'seconds' to warm up during winter, especially when you're hibernating inside all day and night. Remember to also monitor the number of milk-based hot drinks consumed each day, as the extra milk can add to your calorie intake – and mean you may have to work a little harder to shed the extra winter coat!
Kate's tip:
Try a pot of herbal tea after eating to keep you satisfied until your brain registers that you are full. Herbal tea is also a healthy warming alternative to milky hot drinks.
5. No more exercise excuses!
For many, the cold, wet and dark winter days are a major deterrent to exercise. While you might be lacking motivation, it's important to focus on your health and fitness goals as well as the benefits of a regular fitness routine. Moderate exercise not only helps us remain fit and in shape, but also helps manage stress and energy levels, and may even boost immunity by improving lymphatic and cardiovascular circulation.
Kate's tip:
The winter weather is no excuse to ditch the exercise routine! There are many great total body workouts that can be done without leaving the house.
Try to include leg muscles in every home-based exercise program as they are the largest muscles in the body and burn the most calories for the best body fat-reduction results. Strategic moves that target the legs include jumping squats, wall holds and static lunges, and for a more intense workout, incorporate a light weight plate or kettle bell.
Skipping is a fantastic high-intensity cardiovascular exercise that also tones shoulders, chest, arms and legs. For added guidance and motivation, put on your favourite exercise DVD and get moving!
About Kate Save
As one of the country's most respected dietiticans and exercise physiologists, Kate Save is truly passionate about helping to empower individuals across all walks of life make real change within their own lives to achieve optimal health and wellness. Holding a double degree in Nutrition/Dietetics and Exercise Science from Deakin University and possessing more than a decade of experience, Kate has a robust resume which also includes Pilates instructor, boxing trainer, former model and television presenter.
Try these healthy winter recipes to boost your immune system!
Tasty & Easy Winter Ratatouille
Cheesy Cauliflower & White Bean Soup
The post Winter Winning: How To Conquer Bad Winter Habits appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Quick Fixes: Simple Solutions for Dry Winter Skin appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Protect Dry Skin by Changing Up Your Cleanser – and Showering Smart!
A common complaint of makeup wearers is those foaming cleansers that leave them feeling squeaky clean also strip their skin. But can a cream cleanser cut the mustard (or the makeup)? As a lady who wears a tonne of base and eye makeup on the regular, I was dubious. However, it turns out recent additions to the cream cleanser category CAN handle the dirty work!
The Kate Somerville Cold Cream Cleanser is my new favourite – designed to remove makeup (I haven't tested this as I am an AVID oil cleanser fanatic) the product has more grip than traditional cream cleansers. This is attributable to its water in oil composition that makes cold cream a little thicker than conventional cream cleansers, and able to break down dirt and oil more effectively.
The traditional cold creams from which Somerville's products take its name contained mineral oil and thick waxes. You can guess that Somerville, a Los Angeles based aesthetician entrusted with the complexions of Jessica Alba, Meghan Markle, and Chrissy Teigen, isn't using those ingredients on her A-List clients.
Instead, she has opted for a formula containing white honey, jasmine, daisy and rose along with skin-boosting omegas. My favourite trick is to apply the cold cream like a mask in the shower and remove it just before stepping out. It acts as a softening mask as well as a cleanser and stops the hot water stripping the delicate skin on my face. Rather than stripping my skin, it's doubling down on hydration while cleansing effectively.
Prevent Dryness by Powering Up Your Serum
One of my favourite hacks at any time of year is maximising my hyaluronic acid serum with a hydrating mist. Hyaluronic acid is a molecule well beloved in the skincare industry for holding 1000x its weight in water. However, hyaluronic acid traps water from the surrounding area into the skin. If there is very little moisture in the environment you are in, this can pose problems – and some have suggested that hyaluronic acid can even draw moisture out of the skin if it can't find any externally. Short of white walkers, I can't think of a more blood-chilling winter scenario. To ward off this dreaded dry skin situation, I pair my hyaluronic acid serum with a solid dousing of face mist.
There are many on the market but my favourites give a little extra – with antioxidants or glycerin to add additional protection.
At night, or pre-makeup, I use what I call a "sandwich technique" – once you've spritzed quickly follow with a couple of drops of face oil that will seal in the goodness and act as a barrier for your skin. My current top picks are August Organics Face Care Oil, the only face oil on the market to utilise organic soy along with argan, jojoba and apricot oil and the Rodin Olio Lusso. Both vials of liquid gold give an exceptional glow, smell divine, and sit beautifully under makeup. Pick your poison!
Banish Dryness by Oiling Up!
There is no more telltale sign of winter than dry, flakey skin on shins and elbows. Nothing leaves us feeling LESS snugly. Fortunately, this is one of the most straightforward winter problems to fix. I like to keep a body oil in my bathroom cabinet, so I can grease up as soon as I get out of the shoer. The oil traps the remaining moisture against the skin and heats up in your hands, providing a delightfully warming and dry skin banishing massage. The best oils contain omegas and antioxidants which support overall skin health. My top picks? The Mecca Cosmetica Luxury Body Elixir contains Rosehip and almond oil, Beaute Pacifique's Copus Paradoxe Body Oil contains super antioxidant Chilean Grapeseed and squalene while Sheer Shea's Body and Bath Oil provides 100% organic shea nut oil with a delightful citrus scent. Any, and all, of these elixirs, will keep you silken and snug this winter.
What are your favourite dry skin hacks for winter? Sound off in the comments and read about the foundation you should be taking for a spin this chilly season below.
The post Quick Fixes: Simple Solutions for Dry Winter Skin appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Delicious Warm Mexican Black Rice Salad appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Preparation time 30 minutes
Cooking time 30 minutes
INGREDIENTS
1 1/3 cups Black Rice
1 Corn cob, silks and husk removed 1/4 cup Olive oil
1 Red onion, thinly sliced
2 Chorizo sausages, sliced on an angle 1 Red capsicum, cut into 2cm pieces
1 Green capsicum, cut into 2cm pieces
2 Garlic cloves, thinly sliced
1/2 cup Coriander leaves, coarsely chopped 200g Mixed cherry tomatoes, halved
4 Lime wedges, to serve
METHOD
1 Cook the rice following absorption instructions on the packet, remove from the heat. Stand 5 minutes.
2 Meanwhile, cut the corn into 8 pieces. Cook in a large saucepan of boiling salted water for 3 minutes. Drain.
3 Heat oil in a large deep frying pan. Add onion and chorizo, cook, stirring occasionally until golden. Add capsicum, garlic and corn. Cook for 2 minutes or until capsicum softens slightly. Add warm rice and toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from heat and stir through coriander and tomatoes. Serve with lime wedges. Serving suggestion: Serve with barbecue fish or chicken.
The Carousel thanks the Grains & Legumes Nutrition Council for this recipe.
The post Delicious Warm Mexican Black Rice Salad appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Organic Bacon And Egg Butty appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Prep time 15–20 mins
INGREDIENTS
4 medium-sized rolls (we like corn rolls)
4 rashers organic bacon, rind removed
4 whole organic eggs
4 tbsp tomato relish or good-quality chutney
4 tbsp Green Goddess dressing
Green Goddess dressing (makes 1 1⁄2 cups)
1 cup mayonnaise
1⁄2 cup sour cream
juice of 1 lemon
1 small clove garlic
1 cup herb leaves, finely chopped (we use parsley and tarragon with a little sage, oregano and marjoram)
3 tbsp finely chopped chives
METHOD
1 Slice the rolls in half, and toast – we toast on the cut side only, then warm the tops and bottoms with the roof of the sandwich press, but you can do this however you want. Let's face it, it's not rocket science. If you are making this for breakfast at home, you can do the whole lot on the barbecue.
2 Meanwhile, pop your bacon rashers on to cook, followed closely by the eggs.
3 For the Green Goddess Dressing, Mix the mayonnaise and sour cream together until smooth. Add the lemon juice and whisk to combine. Finely crush the garlic and add with all the chopped herbs, then season with sea salt and freshly ground pepper to taste. Keep covered in the fridge for up to three days.
4 Spread the tomato relish or chutney over the toasted bottoms of the four rolls and spread Green Goddess over the tops. Place an egg on top of the relish, followed by the bacon, with each rasher curled into a roll. Add the top half to each roll and serve.
The Carouselthanks Sarah Swan and Jeremy Burn for this recipe from The Great Australian Cookbook. Published by Hachette. This cookbook is a collection of 100 contributors, 165 recipes, 81 locations and 440 pages and an impressive lineup of the nation's culinary legends and renowned chefs.
The post Organic Bacon And Egg Butty appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post How To Go On A Camping Trip In Your Own Backyard appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>There are four things you need to ensure in either to do this:
Combine comfort and style
What's a camping trip without a hammock? Get your hands on a Two Trees Quilted Double Rod Hammock (RRP $99) which can either be hung up independently or with the Two Trees Universal Hammock Frame (RRP $129). This hammock is strong, stylish and perfect for a lie in.
Keep the insects away
We can all agree that there is nothing worse than being pestered by insects the entirety of the camping trip, let alone in your backyard!
To ensure you're left in peace, the Gecko Portable Lantern Zapper (RRP $59.95), keeps the mozzies away and out of sight while also serving as a lantern. The lantern charges in a mere 2 hours and produces 20 hours of run time.
Stay covered
Although the whole point of going camping is to profit
Get grilling
A camping trip is never really complete without a barbecue, which is why you need the Char-Griller Akorn Kamado Kooker (RRP $549). This barbecue spreads the temperature evenly, producing a smoky, tender
Want some more camping tips? Check out the below:
The post How To Go On A Camping Trip In Your Own Backyard appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Top Five Queensland Camping Frontiers You Must Visit In Winter And Why appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Now that winter has settled in, many people start to hibernate in their homes and retract from nature. But little do they know, winter is the perfect time to experience some new frontiers blooming with the weather change. We talked to the outdoor adventure experts at OZtrail to suggest five of the top camping destinations to visit in winter and why.
Cape Tribulation
At the end of a long winding road and nestled amongst the Daintree National Park lies a compact village known as Cape Tribulation. The area is renowned for its diverse flora and fauna, sweeping heritage rainforests and expansive sandy beaches. Being approximately two hours north of Cairns, guests will not be surprised by its un-dramatic weather, which remains a steady 24 degrees for most of the season. The temperature being only one major drawcard, the location offers a range of activities no matter where you pitch your tent. Spend your days snorkelling, kayaking, and trekking through the remote headland.
Double Island Point
Double Island Point is known as one of Australia's most beautiful stretches of sand, accessible only by 4WD along Cooloola's beach drive between Noosa North Shore and Rainbow Beach. Set up camp between the sand dunes at Teewah Beach and let the tides take you in. The change in season will not hold a camper back from experiencing all Double Island Point has to offer. If swimming, fishing and surfing aren't enough, choose from one of the many day hikes right on your doorstep. The Lighthouse Telegraph Line will take you right up to the Double Island Point headland where you will enjoy sweeping ocean views as far as the eyes can see.
Girraween National Park
Many campers are drawn to Girraween National Park because of the mystery behind its ancient balancing rock formations. Set in the Granite Belt, enthusiasts are lured by the panoramic views from where they pitch their tent to where their next bushwalk takes them. There is adventure around every boulder, including wild flora and fauna weaving along every trail. Extend your trip and stop by Stanthorpe on your way home!
Carnarvon Gorge
Locals call this hidden gem nirvana. Surrounded by white cliffs in the heart of Central Queensland, Carnarvon Gorge overflows with cool waters, native plants, wildlife, and cultural heritage. The gorge is carved out of ancient sandstone, capturing the cool temperatures many crave in the hot and dry heart of this Queensland destination. Campers can experience the real Australia and still feel as if they are travelling through a far off distant country.
Lamington National Park
Like camels to water, campers are drawn to rugged mountains, tropical rainforests, fresh waters and endless adventure. Lamington National Park is a playground for the new-timer and the most experienced camper. From left to right, there is over 160kms of trails that can be trekked, waterfalls to swim beneath and wildlife calling this rare find home. Set up camp one day by the flowing rivers and the next inside a mysterious cave – it is the perfect destination for a diverse day and night in Queensland.
To learn more about how to navigate through Australia's trodden paths, speak to the outdoor adventure experts at OZtrail.com.au.
The post Top Five Queensland Camping Frontiers You Must Visit In Winter And Why appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Sustainable Fashion Will Be The Star Of Afterpay Australian Fashion Week appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>This year's fashion week, which runs from 31 May to 4 June, celebrates more than 70 established and emerging Australian designers, with runway shows at Carriageworks plus there will be an exciting line up of workshops, panel talks, and live podcasts.
What has us excited is First Nations designers have a new focus on sustainability.
Fashion industry's top names and sustainability pioneers, including eco-conscious Maggie Marilyn designer Maggie Hewitt, Nobody Denim Co-Founder John Condilis, and Glam Corner's Audrey Khaing-Jones will all make appearances.
Fashioning the Future' will shine the spotlight on sustainability in fashion, exploring its role at the forefront of the global fashion dialogue and the bigger picture around social sustainability.
"We feel so excited and honoured to be presenting at AAFW this year," said Maggie Hewitt. "Not only is it a chance for us to showcase Maggie Marilyn in Australia but being part of the panel for Fashioning the Future will allow us to connect with other brands who share our values."
Lord Mayor Clover Moore said: "The past year of Covid restrictions has been particularly hard on our valuable creative industries, including fashion. AAFW represents a fantastic kickstart to the industry's recovery, offering the city and our stable of talented designers a unique opportunity to be showcased globally.
"This year's focus on eco-conscious and sustainable designers and fashion practices is in keeping with the City's long-term commitment to the environment, to addressing the worsening climate crisis, and to delivering sustainable programs across the City and local government area."
There is a sustainability strategy to reduce the environmental impact of the event and this is aimed at bringing awareness and thought leadership to the fashion industry regarding sustainability issues.
This includes reduction of single-use plastic, elimination of plastic straws, waste-paper reduction and energy efficiency strategies. Sustainable guidelines are also promoted to all participating designers, set designers, event producers, media, suppliers, delegates, staff and attendees.
"We can show the world that Sydney is a hub for fashion innovation and a leader in sustainably produced fashion and events.
For more information of AAFW and to buy tickets visit australianfashionweek.com
The post Sustainable Fashion Will Be The Star Of Afterpay Australian Fashion Week appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Coffee Fanatics Rejoice – 5 Ways To Enjoy This Favourite Brew! appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>There are many reasons to visit any one of the Industry Beans' locations in Newstead or Adelaide St. Brisbane, York St. Sydney, Fitzroy, Chadstone or Lt. Collins Melbourne, but the most important thing will always be the coffee.
With the rapidly changing hospitality market, regular coffee is becoming mainstream. While anything coffee-centred will hit the spot, one type of coffee is no longer enough. Industry Beans is changing the game, and these are our top 5 coffee-themed picks from the local joint that you must try.
Bubble Coffee
With all the hype around bubble tea, Industry Beans didn't want to discriminate against non-tea drinkers. So Bubble Coffee it is! We're talking cold brew, soy milk and of course – tapioca pearls. You can try the likes of Pandan, Salted Caramel or stick with the Original (vegan too) which is equally delicious. Available at all Industry Beans stores, there's sure to be a bubble coffee near you.
Coffee Rubbed Wagyu Burger
You can enjoy a delicious meal at Industry Beans' flagship locations – Chadstone and Fitzroy in Melbourne, Newstead in Queensland, and York St. in Sydney. If you're feeling a bit fancy, make sure to indulge in the Coffee Rubbed Wagyu Burger. If you didn't know already, coffee and meat go hand in hand. The succulent wagyu patty is delicately rubbed in coffee, with a beautiful addition of chilli jam, cheddar, pickled zucchini; tied together by a soft milk bun. You can grace it with bacon, polenta chips or regular hand cut chips to top it off.
Cold Brew Cans
While you're sitting here thinking everyone already does cold brew – Industry Beans takes a twist. Not only have they figured out how to house your favourite drink in a convenient (and very cute) can, they also have both still and sparkling options to give your cold brew that little extra fizz. Enjoy a can during your visit, or pick up a pack to take away with you. Hint: for those who love coffee alcoholic drinks, these can serve well as accompaniment or ingredient to favourite coffee cocktails!
Coffee Garden
To finish off your visit, a dessert is in order. Available in select venues, this one is beautifully presented, constructed as its title suggests, an enchanted garden. A chocolate creme trio, peanut chocolate soil, green matcha moss, berry gelato, chocolate twigs and coffee caviar; this one will leave you salivating.
Fresh Roasted Coffee
Just when you thought your trip to Industry Beans couldn't get any better, you bring your coffee experience home by picking up a bag of freshly roasted coffee beans. With on-site roasteries at their Chadstone, Fitzroy and Newstead stores, you may even get to see the magic happen with your own eyes.
With all this and more available at Industry Beans' host of venues, there's no reason not to stop in any time.
www.industrybeans.com
The post Coffee Fanatics Rejoice – 5 Ways To Enjoy This Favourite Brew! appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Tasty And Easy Ratatouille For The Cold Winter Days To Come appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>If it can be eaten cold in Summer, it is also a perfect Winter warm recipe. Ratatouille is very easy to make and brings a lot of vegetables to your meal. You can easily cook a big pan of it and freeze the rest for a future lazy cooking day.
INGREDIENTS
- 1kg tomatoes seeded and diced (fresh are higher in Vitamin C)
- 1 tb tomato paste
- 1 cup tomato puree'
- 2 tb white vinegar
- 3 tb olive oil
- 2 fresh garlic cloves, crushed
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 red capsicum
- 1 yellow capsicum
- 1 eggplant, chopped
- 1 zucchini, chopped
- 2 tb fresh thyme
- 10 x fresh basil Leaves
- Black pepper
METHOD
1 Heat 1 tb olive oil in pan and cook onion and garlic for 3 minutes. Add capsicum and cook for another 5 minutes. Remove from pan and set aside.
2 Heat remaining 2 tb olive oil and cook eggplant for 3 minutes over medium heat.
3 Add zucchini and cook for an additional 3 minutes. Add onion, garlic and capsicum mix, followed by tomato paste and tomato puree. Stir for 2 minutes.
4 Add fresh tomatoes, thyme, pepper, vinegar and reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5 Stir in fresh basil before serving with a lean source of protein such as steamed fish or poached chicken.
The Carouselthanks Nature's Own Dietitian and Exercise Physiologist Kate Save.
The post Tasty And Easy Ratatouille For The Cold Winter Days To Come appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Up And Away With Planpay appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Think of Planpay as Afterpay, only you're in an airplane, and the trip's paid for in full, in regular up front instalments, instead of after you've taken your trip. Conceived by Playtravel, Planpay is making it possible to book your next holiday with financial confidence.
How do I pay later with Planpay?
Step One: Choose your destination. Tahiti looks nice? We think so too. From there, build or choose your own package. Too easy!
Step 2: Create Your Account
Create your account and manage payments and cancellations around the clock. The flexibility to tweak your trip and change the angle of your compass is one of the most appealing parts of this offering.
Step 3: Select Planpay At Checkout
This option allows you to book ahead for smaller weekly instalments or automatic instalments via debit or credit card, meaning your trip is fully paid for (aside from shopping and other excess travel expenses), before you take off. You can spend up to $12,000 with minimum weekly instalments of just $10.
How Planpay Came To Be
Research by Travel Play has shown that with domestic borders reopening and the trans-Tasman bubble operating between Australia and New Zealand, Southern Hemisphere travellers are ready to explore!
The stats reveal that over half (51%) feel like they really need a holiday. However, despite this sentiment, 1 in 4 (41%) also state that their current financial situation will not allow it.
Identifying the desire for travel and activities, but also the common financial barriers, Play Travel launched its new payment plan 'Planpay'. Giving travellers the opportunity to choose a holiday package, or build their own to the value of $12,000 and pay back in weekly interest-free instalments, it appeals to consumers who like to budget and book with financial confidence.
Research also revealed that two thirds (67%) of Aussies find being able to pay off their holiday before they go appealing and of these, seven in 10 (70%) are willing to loosen their purse strings and spend more when they've paid their holiday off in advance.
"Over the past year we've seen the idea of travel completely reinvented due to the pandemic," says Andrew Paykel, CEO Play Travel. "Despite the barriers we've been faced with, including financial, consumers are still eager to get out and explore. That's why we've chosen to grow our offering beyond 'AfterPay' and launch 'Planpay'. We want to be the gateway to helping Aussies live their travel dreams."
AfterPay Your Trip Away
The online travel agency also offers customers the option to 'AfterPay' their holiday. With a limit of $3,000, paid in four fortnightly instalments, travellers can book and travel within 48 hours. Both payment options allow customers to take control, planning and paying for travel in a responsible and stress-free way.
About Play Travel (TM)
| Play Travel is an online travel agency supported by AP Ventures who are leading the way in Buy Now, Pay Later solutions for travel with a variety of instalment options including AfterPay and PlanPay. PlanPay is a traditional Lay-Buy model where customers can book a holiday package and pay for it in full or in weekly instalments over a two-to-12-month period, before they travel. Play Travel embodies the same Afterpay values that |
| Australians have come to know and trust – like responsible spending, no interest, and regular payments.Play Travel is an ATAS industry accredited online travel agency and member of the Australian Federation of Travel Agents (AFTA). |
The post Up And Away With Planpay appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post How Does Our Breathing Impact Us On A Daily Basis? appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>
When we are stressed our breathing becomes short, and shallow. We often breath out through our mouths. When we are stressed we are often told to take big breath and blow it out. Our thought is to immediately get as much oxygen into our systems particularly when we have strenuously exercised.
When and how we breathe is largely a mindless activity, like our heart beating, our muscles moving it happens thanks to our Autonomic Nervous System. When we breathe and how we breathe is habitual dependent upon our circumstances and previous experiences.
It may seem counter-intuitive, but science is showing us that in fact, the level of Carbon Dioxide and our sensitivity to it in our system plays a critical role in how much oxygen gets to our cells. Carbon Dioxide tells your brain when to breathe again and when you have a low tolerance to it you breathe more often than is needed.
Without being aware when we shallow breath through the mouth we are stimulating a stress response in the body. When we are in a chronic state of stress, we can develop a habit and chronically 'over breathe which has a flow-on effect throughout the entire body both biochemically and physically and can impact our physical and mental health negatively.
Our lifestyle factors not only affect our health, but it can also affect our ability to correctly breathe. How we breathe at rest, affects our ability to breathe when sleeping as well when we exercise.
Do you find yourself having cold feet and hands? Do you find it difficult to concentrate when practicing mindfulness? Do you have a low Heart Rate Variability? Do you wake up feeling tired? How we breathe can have an impact on all of this.
Every time we breathe in through our nose, we activate our sympathetic nervous system and when we breathe out through our nose we engage our parasympathetic nervous system. A simple action is help calm down is to exhale longer than we inhale through the nose.
When we breathe through our nose we produce Nitric Oxide, an important vasodilator that reaches the lungs and allow more blood to circulate. When we engage the diaphagm and take slow breaths on the exhale our lungs stimulate the vagus nerve which engages our parasympathetic nervous system. When we take long, slow, deep diaphragmatic breaths and slow down the respiration rate we increase the amount of air that enters the lungs.
If we look at the ancient wisdom and practices, we can see a common thread of the importance of breathing. Yogis 'pranayama' breathing exercises help improve tolerance to Carbon dioxide and why breathing in synchronization to movement is a key component of the yoga practice. If we breathe too quickly when doing physical postures we can hyperventilate. Tai Chi is another ancient which is the practice of breath synchronization to the movement and practice slowing down our breath. Praying and chanting is another way of practicing our focus and engaging our parasympathetic nervous system.
Research given us a greater understanding of the biomechanics, biochemistry of the body, and neuroscience of how the brain works and habit change. We can re-wire the brain to learn how to breath more efficiently and more effectively with breathing exercises to help gradually build our tolerance to carbon dioxide and allow more oxygen to reach our tissues and to turn off the stress response if it is not needed.
Breathing exercises have been used and well known to help asthma, however, what is less well known is its benefits in a range of chronic health conditions and is another tool in Lifestyle Medicine that can help patients.
About Vanita Smith
Vanita Smith is a nutritionist (MHumNut), board certified lifestyle medicine professional, NBHWC certified health coach. She has a particular interest in habit change and has completed training and learnt from neuroscientists and behaviour scientists to better understand how she can help clients with habit change.
In her business, Ayubowan Health & Lifestyle Medicine, she draws on this insight to help clients bridge the gap between their health intentions and daily life. She works as a keynote speaker, health coach, breathwork instructor and health program facilitator. Connect with her at hello@ayubowanhealth.com or http://www.ayubowanhealth.com/
The post How Does Our Breathing Impact Us On A Daily Basis? appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Liz Hurley Enlists Elton John To Raise Money For Breast Cancer Research appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Liz, 55, who shot to fame 27 years ago when she donned a black Versace number slit to the thigh and held together by large gold safety pins, held a glamorous virtual event which helped raise $6 million for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF).
The highlight of the evening was the musical tribute by Elton John, who closed the evening with a spectacular performance of "Tiny Dancer," in tribute to BCRF's Founder, Evelyn Lauder.
"When I reflect upon my favourite memories of my dear friend, I am thrilled to think how proud she would be that BCRF is now the largest private funder of breast cancer research in the world," said Elton John speaking about Evelyn Lauder. "No force of nature, no pandemic, can stop Evelyn's dream of saving lives from breast cancer.'
Liz, who is the Global Ambassador for the Estee Lauder Companies Breast Cancer Campaign, said her role of 25 years is: "the most important things I do in my life.'
"I have met so many people who have lost family and friends, who may be helping the cause or who have been brave enough to talk about their own experiences with the disease, and as a result I feel my life has been enlarged and enhanced by the work I do for the BCRF," she said.
The foundation has raised $79 million since it started in the 90s and the late businesswoman Evelyn Lauder, who died of ovarian cancer in 2011, is credited with creating and popularising the pink ribbon symbol now synonymous with breast cancer awareness.
Liz admits: 'When I first started working for Estee Lauder and the BCRF, nobody really talked about breast cancer, it was something that was whispered about. Now it's a brave new world.
'It's not a dirty little secret anymore. It is something that affects all of us. Every 14 seconds, someone, somewhere in the world is diagnosed with breast cancer. Little surprise perhaps that it is now the most common cancer worldwide.
'Fortunately, by talking about it we've been able to pull together, raise awareness, raise money and we've seen so much progress in diagnosis, treatments, prevention. Many things have improved over the years and I'm proud to still be a part of it today. I just wish that Evelyn could be sitting here with me to see the wonderful work being done'.
Medical experts have been concerned that the pandemic has led to many people cancelling their doctors' appointments and annual mammograms and the fear is that this will mean in sone cases the disease will be left undetected. So, it's also a timely reminder for people to get their checks done.
Liz says: "Having a virtual evening is a lot of fun but it's an important reminder that just because we had a pandemic, breast cancer hasn't gone away. I am really hopeful that we will one day live in a world where women don't die of breast cancer."
The post Liz Hurley Enlists Elton John To Raise Money For Breast Cancer Research appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Fluffy Pancakes With Blackberry Sauce Recipe appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Fluffy Pancakes With Blackberry Sauce
Ingredients
- 1½ cups (375 ml) milk
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2½ cups (375 g) self-raising flour
- 2 tablespoons caster sugar
- ½ teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
- 2 eggs, separated
- 80 g unsalted butter, melted, plus extra for greasing
- vanilla ice cream, to serve
- 1/3 cup (50 g) pistachios, coarsely chopped, to serve
Blackberry sauce
- 2 x 125 g punnets Driscoll's blackberries, plus extra to serve
- 2 tablespoons caster sugar
- 1 tablespoon water
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Method
PrehPreheat the oven to 100 °C.
Blackberry sauce
Place the blackberries, sugar, water and vanilla in a small saucepan over low heat and bring to the simmer. Simmer for 5 minutes, or until sugar dissolves, berries soften and release their juice and liquid becomes syrupy. Strain through a fine mesh sieve, using the back of a spoon to press the pulp through. Discard the seeds. Sauce should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. If too thin, if too thin gently simmer to reduce slightly, if too thick, add a little water. Set aside to cool.
Pancake mixture
Combine the milk and lemon juice in a small bowl and set aside for 5 minutes. Place the flour, sugar and bicarb soda in a medium bowl and whisk to combine. Make a well in the centre, pour in the soured milk, egg yolks and melted butter. Stir until just combined, the mixture should still be a little lumpy. Do not overmix. In a separate bowl, using an electric mixer, whisk the egg whites until soft peaks form. Fold through the batter, to just combine.
Cooking
Preheat a large non-stick frying pan over low-medium heat. Wipe the pan with some paper towel dipped in butter, to lightly grease. Cook the pancakes in batches, dropping 1/3 cup (80 ml) of the batter at intervals over the pan, allowing enough space for the batter to spread. Cook for 2 minutes, or until bubbles appear and begin to pop on the surface and the edges start to cook and lose their sheen. Using a spatula, flip and cook for 30-60 seconds on the other side, until golden brown. Once cooked place pancakes on a baking tray in a single layer and keep warm in the oven, while you cook the remaining pancakes.
Serve pancakes topped with vanilla ice cream, blackberry sauce and pistachios.
The post Fluffy Pancakes With Blackberry Sauce Recipe appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Hayley Hasselhoff Talks About Body Image, Acting & What's Next For This Curvaceous Model appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>
Being a plus-size model and actress has many benefits according to Hayley Hasselhoff, not least of which is using her voice to speak out on behalf of curvaceous gals everywhere.
In the final part of her interview with Psychologist Jo Lamble she tells us why she doesn't expect everyone to take her style advice.
The post Hayley Hasselhoff Talks About Body Image, Acting & What's Next For This Curvaceous Model appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Green Curry With Beef, Eggplant And Thai Basil Ready In 15 Minutes appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Preparation: 15 minutes – Cooking: 60 minutes – Serves: 4
INGREDIENTS
- 600g diced beef rump
- 2 tbsp. green curry paste
- 400g tin coconut milk
- 2 long, thin eggplants (Japanese eggplants), cut into 1 cm discs
- 1 punnet baby corn, halved lengthways
- 1 tsp. Thai fish sauce
- 2 tsp. sugar
- Thai basil leaves, green chilli (optional) and jasmine rice, to serve
METHOD
- Place a large, heavy based pan over a moderately high heat. Toss the meat with some vegetable oil and cook for 4 minutes, or until lightly coloured. You may need to do this in two batches.
- Reduce the heat to moderate, add the curry paste to the meat and cook until fragrant. Add the coconut milk and bring up to a gentle simmer. Cover with a lid, turn down the heat to low and cook for 45 minutes or until the meat is tender.
- Add the eggplant and baby corn and gently simmer for 15 minutes or until the vegetables are tender. Add the fish sauce and sugar and stir in the Thai basil leaves. Serve with jasmine rice.
COOKING TIPS
Make sure the pan is hot before you add the beef, as a hot pan is essential for ensuring caramelisation i.e. extra flavour.
If you'd like to try a different cut of beef, try using beef sirloin.
The Carousel would like to thank the Beef and Lamb Association for this recipe.
Find more delicious Thai recipes to try at home:
- Thai Beef Patties And Rice Noodle Salad
- Healthy And Affordable: The Thai Beef Power Bowl
The post Green Curry With Beef, Eggplant And Thai Basil Ready In 15 Minutes appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Yoga At Your Desk appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Here are a couple of quick stretches that you can do anywhere, anytime. I highly recommend doing some form of yoga at your desk every hour to feel better throughout your day. It will also encourage deep, rhythmical breathing rather than the short, shallow breaths we tend to take when working.
Hold each stretch for around 60 seconds. It makes so much of a difference to you physically, and because practising yoga at your desk makes you feel so good, you will ultimately be more productive.
Yoga At Your Desk – Thigh Stretch
This is a standing balancing stretch. It's great to get blood flowing through the legs and it gives a slight core activation. Standing straight encourages you to breath better as well. If your balance is a little off, that's ok. Simply hold onto your chair or desk. Hold for 60 seconds on each side. It helps to counter the forward leaning we do all day while on our computers.
The Side Body Stretch
This is actually a total upper body stretch, from your hips and lower back, right up to your shoulders. Our shoulders are quick to stress and become tense. Most of us hunch while we are sitting, causing our shoulders to tense up and eventually ache. When you stretch be sure to draw the stretch right from your hips all the way through your side and through to your hands, as though you are trying to touch the wall. Repeat on both sides, holding for 60 seconds each side.
Neck Stretch.
We carry so much tension in our neck, and if the shoulders are already tied up in knots, rest assured your neck will feel it too. When sitting at your desk, simply close your eyes and stretch your neck to one side, using your hand to gently extend the stretch. Hold for 60 seconds and repeat on the other side. Finish by allowing your head to drop forward for 60 seconds, then back for 60 seconds. You will feel the tension sliding away beautifully.
Wrists Stretch So many of us spend our days typing non-stop. We forget to care about our wrists. This simple wrist stretch can help ease tension and improve wrist flexibility. Simply pull your hand back and try to resist the pull as you hold the posture. It's great for loosening up tight wrists and hands and will make your day's work much easier.
A great way to remind yourself to practise yoga at your desk is to set a reminder on your computer or phone. Also remember to stand up, go for a walk, stretch and breath deeply regularly throughout the day.
The post Yoga At Your Desk appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Recipe For Beef Rib-Eye With Irish Whiskey Sauce & Pea Medley appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Cooking time 10 minutes plus 5 minutes rest time
Serves 2
INGREDIENTS
500g rib-eye, on the bone
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon (20g) butter
1 tablespoon (20ml) rapeseed oil
Irish whiskey sauce
1/4 cup (60ml) Irish whisky
1/4 cup (60ml) cream
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
Pea medley
1 red onion, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, sliced
80g green beans, topped and tailed
80g sugar snap peas, topped and tailed
80g snow peas, topped and tailed
4 (100g) oyster mushrooms, sliced lengthways
1 teaspoon (5g) butter, extra
METHOD
- Season steak well on both sides with salt and pepper.
- Place a heavy deep pot over high heat. Add half the butter and half the oil and when foaming add steak. Cook for a few minutes or until browned on one side. Turn and brown the other side. Reduce heat to low, cover and cook for a further 8 minutes for medium or until cooked as desired. Remove to a plate and cover with foil to rest for at least five minutes.
- Meanwhile, add sauce ingredients to the same pot, whisking to dissolve the mustard. Simmer until reduced and stir through any juice from rested steak.
- For pea medley: add remaining butter and oil to a frying pan over medium heat. Add onion and garlic and cook until softened but not brown. Add green beans and 2 – 3 tablespoons of water and stir well. After a minute add sugar snaps and mix well. Finally add snow peas with another tablespoon of water if necessary. Stir and cook briefly as water evaporates. Move greens to one side of the pan, add mushrooms and extra butter. Turn to cook both sides. Mix through beans.
- Serve beef with pea medley and topped with Irish whiskey sauce.
COOK'S NOTES
Cooking the steak on the bone gives a greater depth of flavour.
The post Recipe For Beef Rib-Eye With Irish Whiskey Sauce & Pea Medley appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post How to Weigh Less Sleeping. What?! appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>
We've all heard quotes such as "I'll Sleep When I'm Dead" or "Sleep is for the weak"
So, is 'sleep is for the weak' or is it a MYTH?
New science shows that sleep is essential to our mental and physical health — and most of us aren't getting enough.
In fact, sleep is one of the most overlooked and one of the most important aspects of overeating.
Many people have become so accustomed to sleep deprivation that they don't even realise the impact this has on their eating habits.
Most Busy Women Don't Get Enough Sleep
Sleep is your body's time to restore and repair, but most busy women are not getting enough shuteye these days.
With sleep being one of the first things to go when we get busy.
- Being busy all the time triggers a stress response
- When you experiencing high levels of stress your sleep cycle is affected
How often do you get good night's sleep and wake up feeling refreshed?
Multiple current scientific studies suggest that you will be likely toreact emotionally rather than choose adeliberate response to emotional situations.
So, if your goal is to stop the comfort eating, meaning not reaching for chocolate when you are feeling tired or down, a lack of sleep is going to make it a lot harder to be successful.
Sleep Plays A Vital Role
Could you lose weight by sleeping?
When it comes to our metabolic health, sleep plays a vital role. At the same time, our food choices also have a big impact on how we sleep — or don't.
It's obvious enough that our food choices influence our digestive and metabolic health.
What may be less obvious – is the impact of sleep.
Sleep also affects digestion and metabolism, and getting enough sleep is essential to weight maintenance and preventing chronic diseases.
Our eating habits have can make or break our sleep -and our sleeping patterns can make or break our eating habits.
This Is What Happens When You Don't Get Enough Shuteye
Your prefrontal cortex is the center for decision making and is affected by sleep deprivation leaving you vulnerable to emotional eating.
And this is how it affects your eating habits
- Sleep deprivation can throw appetite-regulating hormones ghrelin and leptin out of balance, which can leave you extra hungry and reaching for junk food.
- You react emotionally and your ability to make deliberate choices is reduced
- You are a lot less likely to pause, think, and choose your response
- You are more likely to crave carbs and fatty foods
- Affects your mood, you may feel depressed which can make you more likely to crave and choose sugary foods
- You will have less stamina and you will be unlikely to last through the day without turning to stimulants like coffee
- Increased food intake as a result of insufficient sleep is a physiological adaptation to provide the energy needed to sustain longer hours awake
And here is something else to chew on…
The Link Between Sleep and Emotional Eating
People who are sleep deprived often experience one or more of the following:
- They have stronger cravings to eat between dinner and bedtime.
- They report increased cravings for highly processed and highly palatable foods.
- They find their cravings "impossible" to resist when fatigued.
Sleep Deprivation Test
The following test is a rendition of The Maas Robbins Alertness Questionnaire, developed by sleep expert James B. Maas, PhD, a pioneer of sleep research and a recently retired professor at Cornell University.
Please indicate "Yes" or "No" for the following statements.
- I often a struggle to get out of bed in the morning
- I often feel tired and stressed out during the week
- I often feel irritable and moody and get upset over little things.
- I often have trouble concentrating and remembering.
- I often feel fuzzy and slow with problem solving and being creative.
- I need caffeine to get going in the morning and more in the afternoon
- I often fall asleep watching TV
- I often wake up craving junk food, sugar and carbohydrates
- I often crave junk food, sugar and carbohydrates in the afternoons
- I often feel drowsy while driving.
- I rely on energy drinks or over-the-counter medications to keep me awake.
- I often sleep extra hours on the weekends.
If you answered "Yes" to four or more of these statements, you may be seriously sleep-deprived.
Hungry for Sleep?
Try these three ways to sleep more – weigh less and get your energy back!
The good news sleep is a behaviour and likeany other behaviour can be learned and modified.
Here's how:
1. Set sleep and wake times
- First decide the time that you will go to sleep and wake up each day and stick to these times even if you do not sleep well.
- Choosing to sleep in later on the weekends — to catch up on sleep — will only disrupt your sleep cycle further.
- Try to keep sleep and wake times consistent within the hour, even on weekends.
- Beconsistent with all the above
Be patient. It can take time to create good sleep habits and reset your circadian rhythms (body clock).
Over time, if you are consistent with your good sleep habits, you should have fewer sleepless nights.
2.Understand how sleep affects your mood
Improving your sleep habits is important because it could help to improve your mental health and your mood.
And with 85 percent of emotional eaters also struggling with a comorbid mood or anxiety disorder, sleep should be a high priority.
Focusing on improving the quality of your sleep will lead to less negative affect, more resilience and better coping with life's stressors.
3. Adjust your morning behaviours
When trying to improve their sleep, most people tend to focus on their night-time routines only.
What you do in the morning upon awakening is also crucial to improving sleep.
Here are some tips:
- Set your alarm
- Get out of bed immediately after your alarm wakes you up
- You may choose to have a small dose of caffeine
- Expose yourself to bright light or day light (you may even choose to go outside)
- Start moving, walk outside and move briefly to get the body feeling more "awake."
Remember: even if you feel tired from poor sleep the night before, pressing "snooze" button will return you to a shallow sleep state that will leave you even less refreshed and feeling worse in the morning and throughout the day.
And finally pausing several times during the day and reframing your thoughts will allow you to see what is going on and give you the opportunity to address it!
Trust yourself and be open to what might be possible.
Now it's over to you…
- How does your sleep habit affect your eating habits?
If you feel ready to change your sleep and eating habits book a free 30-minute-coaching session with me. I'll show you how to live the LIFE you deserve, looking amazing and feeling confident.
It's free. And it might change your life.
Food & Mood Coach
The post How to Weigh Less Sleeping. What?! appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Jess Rowe On Teens, Tantrums and Mince! appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>You see, Jess has a heart that's larger than her laugh and wider than her smile, and she basically just loves to help people. So in this instance, she's trying to get word to the average Aussie about getting more balance in their diet.
The collaboration also includes The Greatest Butcher On Your Block. With the help of leading dietician Veronique Droulez, and top butcher Trevor Hill, it aims to offer handy, unique tips for cooking meat and yes, even sneaking veggies onto your kid's dinner plates!
When I mention the tricks we pull to get kids to eat their greens, Jess lets out her infamously endearing snort laugh: "Mums have been doing that since the dawn of time! When I'm cooking for the kids, I'm always grating in zucchini or carrot, or slicing veggies so they never know they're there!
"But you also don't have to sweat it," she continues. "They will eventually eat it. Don't beat yourself up. When I'm cooking dinner, I always have a tasting plate out on the bench for the girls to nibble on. My mum used to do it for me, too. It has avocado, carrot, celery, a few cubes of cheese … they pick at it while I am cooking and it means I don't tie myself in knots over their intake of veggies. I also stick to cooking the things that I know they really like. For instance, when I cook an Aussie beef stir-fry, I'll use snow peas, because I know the girls love them and will eat them."
Jess Rowe X Meat And Livestock Australia
"By now everyone knows from my website Crap Housewife that I've always struggled with cooking," says Jess, with another endearing snort laugh. "However, since I've been working with the Greatest Butchers on Your Block, Veronique and Trevor, I'm proud to say I've come a long way. I have learnt from my own local butcher. I can cook a steak and roast a lamb, neither of which I could do before! We need to talk to our local butcher about how to cook our food and get great variety. They will even slice your meat for stir-fries.
"Veronique has been teaching me some great nutritional tips, which have come in handy when I've been trying out winter warmer recipes. I'm actually enjoying cooking so much more, as I cook more efficiently and have more variety in my meals."
Hats Off To Jess's Culinary Achievements
It's hard to imagine Jess Rowe enjoying cooking more than she already does. After all, we're talking about a woman who makes hats to match the meal she's making!
"Yes, I make them all," she says enthusiastically. "At first, I purchased a chicken hat, a pizza hat and a burger hat, because basically, I just like to be silly! These days though, I try to make them myself. I have a nachos hat, a Spaghetti Bolognese hat and also a fun sausages in the frypan hat, which took some tinkering.
"The sausages are made out of stockings stuffed with newspaper, which I then painted. The handle of the saucepan keeps falling off though, so I need to work on finding a glue that will help it stick better. I just love it. I think I spend more time making the hats than I do the meals."
">
Talking Teen Spirit
Listening to Jessica Rowe talk about her cooking for her family, one thing is crystal clear – she relishes being a wife to husband, newsreader Peter Overton and a mum to daughters Allegra (14) and Giselle (12).
">
"You have teenagers!" I exclaim, reminding her that the last time we caught up, her now 14 year old daughter Allegra, was in a stroller.
"Yeah, it's extraordinary how time flies," she marvels in reply. "Allegra is my height now!"
I quiz Jess … how are the teen tantrums? Are they as real as everyone says they are?
Back comes that fabulous snort laugh.
"They're beautiful girls and I really am very, very lucky, but of course we have the odd teen tantrum. I mean that just comes with the territory. I had tantrums as a teen, so now it's my turn. There is no secret to dealing with it. Some days are just better than others. Some days the wheels will fall off for no apparent reason. I just say, 'don't put the pressure on.' "
Taking on a more sombre tone, Jess adds, "I also think it's harder for teenagers and young people today. I just remember life being a lot easier when I was their age. There's so much pressure now on our kids, so much more that they have to deal with that we didn't have to even contemplate!
"I marvel at the their resilience and courage. They speak up far more than I ever did growing up. We recently went to the Women's March together. It's wonderful to be able to share those things with girls and I love that they actually want to do it!
"My youngest daughter, Gisele, well she is like an environmental warrior! She's got us all composting and implementing all sorts of eco-conscious things around the house. I really needed a kick up the bum with that stuff. She's so passionate and it's amazing. Too often, we give young people a hard time, when I actually I think they are far more passionate and engaged than we ever were when we were teenagers."
">
Making a Meal Of It
But back to why we are chatting … food! Jess reveals to me that one of her favourite meals is Mexican Mince (recipe below), and the family love it too!
"For me, food has to be simple. I think mince is fab. You can't overcook it, it's inexpensive, it's nutritious and most kids will eat it. There are a few easy go-to recipes. Tacos are a winner, as is Spaghetti Bolognese. I don't want to spend heaps of time in the kitchen, so mince is really a go-to for me."
How To Make Jess Rowe's Mexican Mince BowlServes 4
Ingredients
- 500g lean beef mince
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 red onion, thinly sliced
- 2 tsp Mexican spice blend
- 1 red capsicum, thinly sliced
- 1 green capsicum, thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 cup beef stock
- 250g packet 2-minute brown rice + quinoa
- 400g can black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 avocado, flesh diced
- 1 clove of garlic, crushed
To serve:
- 150g plain Greek yoghurt
- ½ bunch fresh coriander
- 1 whole lime, quartered.
Method
- Heat olive oil in a frying pan over a medium-high heat.
- Add onions, capsicum strips and spice mix, and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes.
- Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
- Add mince and cook, stirring for 6-8 minutes or until brown.
- Add tomato paste, stock and ½ a cup of water, then bring to a low simmer.
- Add the rice and beans and reduce heat, cooking uncovered for 8-10 minutes or until the liquid is absorbed.
- Place in a bowl and top with avocado, Greek yoghurt, fresh herbs and lime.
Hot Tip: Make your own spice blend with 1 tsp paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, ground cumin, and red pepper flakes.
The post Jess Rowe On Teens, Tantrums and Mince! appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Lee Holmes: Zesty Avocado And Sardines on Gluten-Free Toast Recipe appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Omega-3s are brilliant at oxygenating your skin tissue, revitalising and improving your skin tone and giving you a healthy glow.
Serves 1
INGREDIENTS
1/2 avocado, peeled and stone removed
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice
1 teaspoon chopped red chilli (optional)
pinch of Celtic sea salt
freshly ground black pepper
1-2 slices Gluten-Free Bread, or Chia and Flaxseed Loaf
1 small handful of rocket (arugula) leaves 120 g (41/4 oz) tin sardines, smashed extra virgin olive oil, for drizzling
METHOD
1. Place the avocado, lime juice, chilli, if using, salt and pepper in a bowl and mash together with a fork.
2. Toast one or two slices of your favourite gluten-free bread.
3. Spread the avocado mixture over the toast and top with the rocket and smashed sardines.
4. Drizzle with olive oil and serve with the lime wedges on the side.
Health Benefits of Sardines
The most intriguing benefit of sardines is that they help to slow the aging process. They are rich in the vital coenzyme Q10, which promotes a healthy immune system, restores vitality and is a potent antioxidant. The omega-3 oils in sardines benefit the circulatory system, have anti- inflammatory properties and hydrate the skin.
Recipes and images from Eat Yourself Beautiful: Supercharged Food by Lee Holmes, $35.00, published by Murdoch Books, photographed by Steve Brown.
The post Lee Holmes: Zesty Avocado And Sardines on Gluten-Free Toast Recipe appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Boost Your Energy With The World's Best Breathing Exercise appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>
"It's certainly not flattering but this breathing technique detoxes, boosts energy and even makes your breath fresh."
If you've ever been to a yoga class you may have heard the term 'pranayama' which is the practise of restricting your breath to move energy around your body. This month, The Carousel wellness expert Amy Molloy has a lesson in 'lion's breath' from yoga teacher Vicki Smart from Preshana yoga is Sydney (www.preshanayoga.com.au).
Now shop the video:
Amy wears: Vie Active Vibeke running in rome compression tights, www.vieactivewear.com, Liquido crop top www.liquidoactive.com, First Base super dropped tank, www.thisisfirstbase.com
Vicki wears: Vicki wears: Boogie short and Cool Racerback Tank, both Lululemon www.lululemon.com.au
The post Boost Your Energy With The World's Best Breathing Exercise appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Renee Stewart Gets A 'No Make-Up' Make-Up Look appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Renee Stewart is definitely a natural beauty and, at 27, the accomplished model, actress and dancer is also one of Glenn Nutley's favourite subjects to photograph, so for their latest shoot, he showed her how to use cosmetics cleverly to get that 'barely-there' make-up look.
Check out all his tips, Renee's reaction – and the resulting photos all nicely packaged in a single shoot.
Renee Stewart Gets A No Make-Up Make-Up Look
Tips
- Create a smooth surface by kicking off your canvas with a nourishing cream.
- You can make your own tinted moisturiser by mixing a touch of concealer with moisturiser.
- Spot concealer with a small brush, then pat it into skin with your fingers.
Below you can check out the products we used in our Los Angeles shoot with the beautiful dancer and model, Renee Stewart.
Products we love
NARS The Multiple in Copacabana, $59
M.A.C. Pro Conceal And Correct Palette, $86
Credits
Make-Up Glenn Nutley
Renee Stewart
Hair – Andrew Zepeda
Styling – Adeel Khan
Producer/director BP Major
The post Renee Stewart Gets A 'No Make-Up' Make-Up Look appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Washboard Ab Secrets: Kendall Jenner's 11-Minute Workout Revealed! appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The supermodel never neglects those million-dollar abs she loves to flash with abandon to her millions of Instagram devotees. The crop-top aficionado is legendary for her bikini selfies – but how does she maintain that six-pack with such a busy schedule?
Watching what you eat will certainly help – check out our five foods to avoid here – as will a few other tried-and-true shortcuts.
But if you ask the high priestess of social media, nothing beats the 11-minute workout below that you can do wherever you are, even at home in front of the new season of Seven Year Switch.
"If I'm traveling or don't feel like leaving my house, these are all the moves I try to get in," writes Kendall on her app that's crammed full of other workout and health secrets.
The do-anywhere routine involves a lot of dynamic planks and crunches, so even though it's short, your abdominals and obliques will definitely be burning by the end.
Here's a detailed breakdown of what you're in store for:
Forearm plank: 30 seconds
High plank: 30 seconds
Side plank: 15 seconds
Side plank with crunch: 5 reps each side
Single arm/leg plank: 15 seconds
Rocking plank: 15 seconds
Knee-to-elbow plank: 5 reps on each side
Standard crunch: 20 reps
Bicycle crunch: 30 seconds
Knee-to-elbow plank: 5 reps on each side
Standard crunch: 20 reps
Bicycle crunch: 30 seconds
The post Washboard Ab Secrets: Kendall Jenner's 11-Minute Workout Revealed! appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post How To Spot Counterfeit Ugg Boots? appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>There's nothing better than snuggling up on the couch with a rug, a warm dog and a pair of Ugg boots on. These winter shoes are super popular and there are plenty of knock-offs to be found.
How to Style Your Ugg Boots
How to spot a counterfeit Ugg Boot
Unfortunately, there are plenty of counterfeit Ugg boots online. Look out for social media messages and text messages that offer discounts too good to be true.
Here are some tips on how to spot a counterfeit or fake Ugg Boot.
- UGG Classic product is made with Grade A twin-faced sheepskin (it is one piece)
- Counterfeit outsoles are stiff and difficult to flex or bend – UGG boots bend with ease
- Hang tags are not used on Classic products – if you see a hang tag, it's a fake
"Counterfeiting remains a growing global problem – not only for companies but also consumers," said Angel Martinez, President, CEO and Chairman of the Board of Deckers Outdoor Corporation. "Online or off, we want consumers to shop for UGG products with confidence. That's why we remain committed to fighting this issue while continuing to raise awareness and educate consumers."
Make sure you only buy from trusted online retailers: If you aren't shopping our site or an authorized retailer, you are being fooled into buying fake product.
Why buy a Genuine Ugg Boot?
UGG sources sheepskin from sheep that were raised for food. The company has a strict animal welfare policy. It selects suppliers from Australia, United States, Ireland, the United Kingdom and Spain who meet ethical sourcing guidelines. They never use a sheep that is killed for its sheepskin alone. These sheep are not mulesed.
Please leave a comment and tell us about your Ugg boot collection and how you like to wear them.
About UGG®
Founded in 1978 by an Australian surfer on the coast of California, UGG® is a global lifestyle brand renowned for its iconic Classic boot. First worn by Hollywood royalty, fashion editors and then the world, UGG® designs and retails footwear, apparel, accessories and homewares with an uncompromising attitude toward quality and craftsmanship. Delivering more than $1 billion in annual sales, UGG® partners with the best retailers globally and owns over 130 concept and outlet stores worldwide in key markets including New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Paris, London, Tokyo, Shanghai and Beijing. https://www.ugg.com/
About Deckers Outdoor Corporation
Deckers Outdoor Corporation is a premier lifestyle marketer that builds niche brands into global market leaders by designing and marketing innovative, functional and fashion-oriented footwear developed for both high-performance outdoor activities and everyday casual lifestyle use. Teva®, Sanuk®, UGG® Australia, TSUBO®, Ahnu® and MOZO® are registered trademarks of Deckers Outdoor Corporation. http://www.deckers.com/
The post How To Spot Counterfeit Ugg Boots? appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post The Super Blood Moon: Prepare Yourselves For Extreme Emotional Highs And Lows appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Supermoons are rare enough, but the rarer combination of a supermoon AND a total lunar eclipse is why the event's called a Super Blood Moon. You'll witness a spectacular reddish hue up above when the earth casts its shadow across the moon during its eclipse phase.But while visually it's a breathtaking and exciting time, we need to be very mindful of our emotions.
Astrologically supermoons are associated with rebirth and renewal – it's a time to deal with issues from our subconscious; but throw in a total lunar eclipse and withheld emotions come to the forefront.
Full moons ordinarily can bring out the 'crazy' in people, but we can expect people doing crazier things than usual – and this can be attributed to pent up emotional tension. People should be trying to release this tension around the Super Blood Moon in healthy ways, sitting with their feelings and endeavouring not to deny them.
Especially women, generally speaking, traditionally we hold in emotion and make excuses for other people. The lunar phenomena will also have some special flow on effects for our star signs. As the total lunar eclipse and Blood Super Moon are in Sagittarius, it could be a particularly emotional time for fire signs Aries, Leo and Sagittarius.
On the other hand, water signs Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces are looking fortunate, with more balance coming into their lives. They could be feeling divinely inspired.
Depending what house your star sign is in, behaviours, arguments, past traumas – may all come to the forefront. It's a time to deal with issues but be mindful of channelling them in a healthy and appropriate way.
The lunar eclipse will occur during the full moon on Wednesday, May 26th, and it will be the first total lunar eclipse since January 2019. A total lunar eclipse happens when the moon is fully obscured by earth's shadow, giving it a reddish hue.
While the moon will be about 7% bigger than an average full moon, you probably won't notice – what you will notice is it will be about 15% brighter—the brightest of 2021. It will be brighter because it's theclosest full moon to earth this year; 158 kilometres closer to earth than April's Pink Super Moon.
The Super Blood Moon event is also known as the Full Flower Moon due to flowers blooming around this time in America. Ms Smith said there are other astrological influences to consider moving into June, with Mercury being in retrograde from May 29th to June 22ndand a solar eclipse on June 10th. Additionally, planets Jupiter, Saturn and Neptune are also going into retrograde.
Star signs most effected by Mercury retrograde will be Gemini, Libra and Aquarius who will need to have a good handle on their emotions. Mercury retrogrades are about miscommunications and misunderstandings in relationships and problems with technology – so back up your devices for one.
Relationships can also be testing – treat each situation anew. Don't let the weight of previous relationships overly influence you, thinking you know what the other person is going to do or say. It's important to give the other person room to move.
There's also a strong possibility of travel and scheduling issues. Signing contracts and making important decisions now can mean they have to been changed at a later date. The solar eclipse in Gemini – which is an air sign – is all about masculine principles.
Women have inner masculine forces and it's time to be more proactive, independent and externally focussed so they can get more of what they want in the world.
Tips to ensure people look after themselves during the Super Blood Moon and retrogrades
- Become aware of how you are feeling: be mindful of what you are feeling, feelings are every bit as valid as what we are thinking.
- Stop looking back at the past or into the future: not being present in your body or with your feelings is a problem. Be truly present and at home in your body now.
- Be mindful of what you are doing one step at a time and be aware of distractions: people don't think about feelings as they are distracted by life and thinking about what they are doing in the future rather than how they feel about certain things in the present.
- Slow down: especially if living in a big city. Get out into the country into nature orhave a picnic under the trees.
- Write down your feelings and emotions in a diary or journal: particularly if you don't feel like you can talk to someone trusted.
Providing there's little cloud cover, you'll have no problem seeing the Super Blood Moon across Australia from sunset on May 26th. Look for a wide-open space, with as little sky pollution as possible. The eclipse begins at 6.47pm on the east coast of Australia and will peak at 9.18pm, but the total lunar eclipse phase will last around 13 minutes from 9.11pm until 9.25pm.
The second and last lunar eclipse of 2021 is on November 19th but will only be a partial lunar eclipse as 97% of the full moon will enter earth's dark shadow and turn a reddish colour.
Star sign tips during the supermoon period:
Aries (March 21 to April 19): The supermoon is encouraging you to broaden your horizons by making your life larger in some way. Perhaps you're thinking about studying or travel. Your spiritual journey could also take the driver's seat in your life now and you may be a little surprised about your spiritual side.
Taurus (April 20 to May 20): Issues may arise about shared resources and other people's money. Taxes, superannuation, inheritances and joint assets might be on your mind. There might also be a strong desire for union and deeper intimacy with another person. Relationships can be rejuvenated now.
Gemini (May 21 to June 20): Important connections such as a marriage or business partner might be on your mind. Transformation comes with issues that need to be dealt with in close relationships. There might also be some legalities or problems with someone you don't see eye to eye with. It's time to sort out these issues.
Cancer (June 21 to July 22): Your everyday habits or work changes in some way. Daily life could get a bit of a shakeup, but this is needed to get you thinking about how to improve your life. Your health or wellbeing could also be affected which could prompt you to take better care of yourself. Change your diet and your exercise regime.
Leo (July 23 to August 22): Your creativity gets a shake up and you realise just how brilliant you can be! Even if you suffer from writer's block or it feels like your creative well has run dry, this is happening to get you to focus on your inner life. You may also have more dealings with children or your own inner child. Your romantic life could also change, and this is probably overdue.
Virgo (August 23 to September 22): There is transformation around your home or your family. Do ensure you attend to any necessary repairs before they get worse. But there could be a silver lining here because you may improve your home in the process of rectifying faults. Regarding your family, change is likely, perhaps children leave home or changes take place in some way.
Libra (September 23 to October 22): There could be changes in your local area which somehow affect you. Perhaps there are things like road works or additional traffic. You may be thinking of studying or running lots of errands around your local community. Issues could also arise with siblings or distant family members. With Mercury retrograde, the lunar eclipse and the supermoon, you're really quite likely to have issues with miscommunications, technology and delays around travel. Back up all your devices.
Scorpio (October 23 to November 21): There's transformation around your money, especially the money you earn. It's time to protect and secure your possessions. You may also experience changes around other things you value, perhaps your belief systems. Watch you don't overspend or waste money on a whim. Buy practical things you need.
Sagittarius (November 22 to December 21): It's all about you! It's time to re-examine what you believe, especially about you! What do you really want in life? You may be more perceptive than usual and get some extraordinary insight into your life, even if your thoughts are a little cloudy at the moment. Take some time out, especially if your emotions are all over the shop.
Capricorn (December 22nd to January 19): You may feel more sensitive than usual and unusually intuitive. Right now, you probably need more quiet time alone so you can reflect on your life. Transformational changes from deep down emerge now so it's a great time to meditate and watch your dreams as you are changing.
Aquarius (January 20th to February 18): You may need a deeper sense of community and connection with others now. Group efforts and community events, especially with women are likely. Your friends, groups and connections are transforming so let go of the past and embrace the future. New people are entering your life.
Pisces (February 19 to March 20): There's transformation in your career zone and if you're not enjoying work that makes your heart sings you may consider leaving and finding another job. Your reputation and social status is also changing, so do be careful not to overshare online, especially if you're looking for work. If you stay in the same job, it might be changing – there could be some sort of shakeup regarding procedures or administration.
Feature image via Upstate New York
The post The Super Blood Moon: Prepare Yourselves For Extreme Emotional Highs And Lows appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Why Don't We Cook More Healthy Meals At Home? appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>
We know that home cooking is best for our health and our wallet – so what stops us from doing what's good for us?
Home cooking is associated with numerous health benefits. People who cook at home generally eat higher quality food, consume less kilojoules, spend less money on food, and experience less weight gain over time than those who dine out and eat pre-prepared meals on a regular basis.
Whilst we may have the best intentions when it comes to eating healthy food and cooking at home, many of us struggle to follow through with this change in behaviour. Known as the intention-behaviour gap, it is a concept that can apply whether it is losing weight, exercising or drinking less alcohol.
While, most of us know what we should do, we struggle to overcome the barriers that prevent us from cooking at home and eating healthily.
Some of those barriers include:
- "Nudging" by food marketers
- Lack of time to prepare meals
- Lack of understanding about nutrition and cooking skills
- Our underlying perceptions and beliefs that eating healthy food is expensive and boring
The good news is that we can learn to address these barriers as they arise and learn to bridge the gap between good intentions and healthy behaviours. The latest science demonstrates that when it comes to changing behaviours and bad habits, small consistent steps are the order of the day.
Let's look at some of these home cooking barriers in further detail.
The power of a "nudge"
"Nudging" is a term used in behavioural science that suggests changing an environment can leverage changes in behaviour. The concept is heavily used by food marketers to encourage consumer spending, for example, placing junk food at checkouts, and placing discretionary foods and specials at the beginning of supermarket catalogues to encourage spending.
You can be one jump ahead of the marketers and use this technique to help drive change in your own behaviour. For example, placing discretionary or "sometimes" foods out of sight and positioning healthier choices front and centre helps "nudge" us towards positive health behaviours.
Other examples of "nudging" include having all your recipe ingredients chopped and prepared at the front of the fridge. Or a copy of the recipe you are planning to cook, attached to the front of the fridge with a magnet.What nudges could you put in place to help support you in your home environment?
Time management
The explosive growth of online shopping has given us the ability to have greater control over our spending as well saving time by not physically having to go to the supermarket. Plus, online shopping platforms have the functionality to be able to create lists, save commonly bought products etc. Adopting online shopping could be a way of allowing you to spend more time cooking and less time shopping.
Have you explored meal preparation services where ingredients are portion controlled and ready to go? This may also help save time and manage costs. These services reduce meal preparation time and are delivered to your front door, fresh and ready to go. Using a service like this is a great example of positive nudging with the ingredients ready in the fridge for the end of the day. The vegetable content could be bolstered with some additional steamed vegetables or a salad.
Another option is taking some time to investigate recipe websites with direct links to online supermarkets. Using apps, for example, Paprika, can allow you to download recipes, create your own meal plans and shopping lists.
Spending some extra time on the weekend doing some meal preparation can be an excellent time saving solution. Ensuring that you have a variety of ingredients that are chopped up and ready to go when lunch time hunger hits, or you're about to feed your family of teenagers after sport, not only saves time, but the money that would have been spent on takeout too as well! Having pre prepared meals in sight during stressful times is another good example of nudging.
When planning for the week could you look for common ingredients (particularly vegetables) that can be used in multiple dishes? Are there ways the ingredients can be repurposed or be cooked in batches and frozen?
Cooking up ingredients and freezing them could also be an option. For example, did you know you can cook and freeze lentils? They can be frozen and portion controlled, like you might have your meat in the freezer.
Learning new cooking tricks and understanding nutrition
Studies show that mostly consuming a diet of plant based whole foods has a number of health benefits. Eating in this manner can help prevent, as well as support, the treatment of many common chronic health conditions.
Plant based eating has been popularized by documentaries such as, "Forks Over Knives". There is growing support for this way of eating among general practitioners and the wider health care community, which recognizes that eating plenty of plant based whole foods can support health and wellbeing.
However, most Australian consumers rarely meet the Australian Healthy Eating guidelines' recommended servings of fruit and vegetables. Many people overconsume processed meat and dairy products, and discretionary food that has little or no nutritional value, often accounts for a third of an individual's total energy intake.
It has been demonstrated that the better cooking skills someone has, the greater the probability that they will consume more fruit and vegetables.
Recognizing this, a concept known as "Culinary Medicine" has evolved within the healthcare community where doctors, health coaches, and chefs work together to coach clients to improve their nutrition by upskilling their culinary abilities.
Are there skills that you could learn or courses that you could attend to improve your culinary skills and nutrition knowledge? For example, ensuring a vegetarian dish or meal has some form of vitamin C helps improve the absorption of iron from vegetables. A spinach salad with a salad dressing made with lemon juice and capsicum would fit the bill.
Another nutrition hack involves using your freezer. Freezing fruit like plums, mangoes and berries in season can then be added to smoothies or served on top of cereal or yoghurt. Freezing vegetables and adding them with the fruit to smoothies can boost the nutrient content without the sweetness.
Smashing the perception that healthy food is expensive and tasteless!
If you compare the cost per kilogram of protein from plant source versus an animal source, there is a sizeable cost difference. Plant based protein sources are generally cheaper, and when swap some of our animal sources of protein with plant based sources, we can lower the overall cost of our meals as well as improving our health.
Could you start to add more plant protein to your intake and reduce the amount of animal protein used? The addition of plant protein such as lentils and beans to meals such as bolognaise, Mexican dishes etc improves the fibre content and phytonutrient profile of these dishes. The addition of plant protein improves satiety and feelings of "fullness" after a meal, therefore promoting weight control as less calories are consumed.
Another way you could incorporate more plants into your diet is have one meat free day per week. For example, replacing the animal protein component of a stir fry and using tofu, chickpeas or lentils with your favourite stir fry sauce can be a great way to get started. Topping with some lightly roasted nuts amps up the deliciousness factor even more.
Making such changes in small steps, helps your brain and taste buds adjust over time. This will help to make such changes sustainable over the longer term, with the added bonus of reducing the cost of your butchery bill.
How to make it work
The ideas above are 'food for thought'. It's worth taking the opportunity to explore your current challenges with eating well and cooking at home and see if any of these barriers resonate with you. Instead of jumping straight to a quick solution, take time and plan through how you would implement any of these ideas. What resources and support do you need to make it happen ? What steps are needed ? When you explore and understand what these barriers are and plan how you will address them you are likely to be more successful in the long term. If you need support, an accredited Health Coach can help.
_______________________________________________________________
Vanita Smith is a nutritionist, lifestyle medicine professional, and NBHWC certified health coach. She has a particular interest in habit change and has completed training and learned from neuroscientists and behaviour scientists to better understand how she can help clients with habit change.
In her business, Ayubowan Health & Lifestyle Medicine, she draws on this insight to help clients bridge the gap between their health intentions and daily life. She works as a keynote speaker, health coach, breathwork instructor and health program facilitator. Connect with her at hello@ayubowanhealth.com or http://www.ayubowanhealth.com/
The post Why Don't We Cook More Healthy Meals At Home? appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Aussies Are Going For Local Products! appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>According to research conducted earlier this May, it was found that nine out of 10 Aussie shoppers preferred buying local to overseas products.
"…the ongoing global supply chain issues has driven an increased interest from consumers on supporting local producers and manufacturers," said Kelly Armstrong, Business Australia, Senior Manager, Strategic Advisory Consulting Services.
And it is precisely the uncertainties and issues surrounding international and domestic border closures that are making the decision to go local easier than ever. During these times, "convenience is king," says Armstrong, and it helps that locally-sourced products in Australia are not only convenient, but fresh, high-quality, and supportive of local producers.
According to Business Australia, the three most in-demand sectors for Australian-made goods are:
Food & Drink
This trends has been prominent even before Covid-19 with ongoing bushfires and droughts devastating local regions in Australia.
Aussies are now buying directly from farmers and producers, and buying local seafood that was originally headed for China right from their supermarkets.
Health & Wellbeing
Quality, organic, and natural products are not only characteristics that Aussies look for in their food, but also their health and wellbeing products. Australians trust locally-produced products more than ever before.
Pharmaceuticals
While this has been a steadily-growing sector, this an area with even more potential for growth
Do you support local products? Let us know why in the comments.
The post Aussies Are Going For Local Products! appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Review: Motorola Moto g30 is an unexpected thrill appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>There are a number of fun features with the Moto g30 including the Moto Actions where with a simple gesture, you can instantly turn on your torch or switch on your camera.
Speaking of the camera, this is the real selling point of the Moto g30 with its 64 MP ultra-high resolution quad camera system, providing sharper, brighter high-res images that will elevate your content from every angle. Low light is not an issue and I was able to capture sharp and bright photos thanks to 4x the low-light sensitivity, but you can also switch to Night Vision mode if you require more clarity.
There are a suite of camera features including the dedicated Macro Vision camera to bring you 4x closer to your subject and a great portrait feature where you can blur the background of your photos by adjusting the intensity.
If battery life is important to you, the Moto g30 over delivers here with it's huge 5000 mAh battery giving you over two days of power on a single charge. Plus, the TurboPower 20 gives you up to 12 hours of power in just 20 minutes of charging.
With 128GB built-in storage, the Moto g30 rivals its more expensive competitors giving you plenty of room to take all your photos, movies, songs, apps, and games, animal memes…wherever you go. You can also add up to 512GB more using a microSD card.
At the tasty price of just $299, the Moto g30 delivers on all your basic needs of a smart phone, with upgrades worthy of a premium price.
The post Review: Motorola Moto g30 is an unexpected thrill appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Review: Jabra Elite 85t earbuds are your stylish WFH companion appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>With WFH now standard practice, Jabra's Advanced Active Noise Cancellation technology allows you to pick and choose which sounds you want to block out during those never-ending work calls. The fully adjustable digital ANC, allows you to slide between full ANC, full transparency with HearThrough mode, and every possible level (there's 11!) in between.
This has got to be the biggest perk to the Elite 85t's and I especially loved that you could switch between settings with a touch of a button for when you need to order that all important morning coffee from your Local.
Speaking of work calls, another feature of the Elite 85t's is the three professional-grade microphones built into each bud. They've also added sidetone, so you can hear your own voice more naturally on calls, along with wind protection algorithms, so your conversations will be crystal clear. This means you can take your meetings outdoors and move your body while you get a dose of vitamin D.
-
Jabra Elite 85 Black -
Jabra Elite 85 Copper Black -
Jabra Elite 85 Gold Beige -
Jabra Elite 85 Grey
With so many amazing specs, you'd expect the earbuds to be clunky and uncomfortable. I was pleasantly surprised by the oval, semi-open design that sat comfortably in my ear for most of the work day. The earbuds come in three sizes of smooth, silicone oval EarGels. And I appreciated the small touches such as the flat bottom of the case so it can charge upright.
I've merely scratched the surface of the Elite 85t features, here's everything you need to know:
The Elite 85t's retail for $299.
Here's what else is new to the headphones market.
For the music lovers: CX 400BT True Wireless headphones from Sennheiser
Stylish, minimalist, and perfectly balanced, the earbuds' ergonomic design from Sennheiser brings its high-end acoustic technology to an exciting new pair of everyday earphones. With intuitive customisable controls, all-day comfort and a 7-hour battery life that can be extended to up to 20 hours using the supplied charging case, they are the ideal, uncompromised choice for anyone with a passion for great sound.
Retailing for $149.95
For those who go all day: HUAWEI FreeBuds 4i
If you need your earbuds to last all day, Huawei has you covered with the large, high energy density battery in the compact frame of their latest FreeBuds 4i.
When ANC is turned off, HUAWEI FreeBuds 4i offers 10 hours of continuous music playback or 6.5 hours of a voice call. Together with the charging case, it can achieve 22 hours of music playback or 14 hours of a voice call. With their industry-leading quick charge technology, you can enjoy 4 hours of audio from a 10-minute charge.
Retailing for $159
For those that want to control the noise around them: IQbuds2 MAX
The latest development by Australian-based, smart-hearing company Nuheara, the IQbuds2 MAX hearing buds were recently named one of the top 100 inventions of 2020 by TIME magazine. The IQbuds2 MAX uses the latest acoustic technology, which enhances normal hearing and allows users to fine-tune their sound environment. Nuheara's EarIDTM technology and Speech in Noise Control (SINC) provide wearers with unrivalled customisation and control over their personal hearing experience, so they can enjoy music, conversations or silence wherever they go.
Retailing for $499
The post Review: Jabra Elite 85t earbuds are your stylish WFH companion appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post The Neuroscience Of Changing Habits appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>
Read about The Neuroscience Of Changing Habits by Vanita Smith, a nutritionist and certified health coach, who runs Ayubowan Health & Lifestyle Medicine.
One of the biggest challenges we can face is changing our behaviour to our improve health. We may be optimistic and agree that we need to change our lifestyle, however, more often than not, we have difficulty making those changes "stick". Conversely, we also see others who make lifestyle changes permanent, for example, undertaking regular exercise; and we wonder what the "secret" is for long term success.
A key can be found in the study of habits. Emerging science is currently showing us that changing our habits is possible at any age.
Habits are those behaviours that we find ourselves doing without even thinking. They are behaviours which lack conscious effort. Our habits affect all areas of our health. Before we know it, we have eaten the ice cream we didn't want to, or automatically sat on the couch and watched Youtube videos.
Why? The action once served a need and our brains made a mental note to repeat the action the next time we encountered the same situation. Habits are a way to save our brain's energy. Over 40% of our behaviours are habits, as our brains processes over 35,000 decisions every day. Those habits are stored and imprinted in our brains and nervous system.
Our brains are constantly guessing via our nervous system what is happening based on past experiences, emotions and visual cues. A habit is triggered by a cue that prompts us into action or behaviour. The result of such behaviour leads to a reward which could be an extrinsic or intrinsic.
For example, Jane complains that every afternoon after work she comes home, and eats chips, dips and wine before dinner. She believes it has contributed to a ten kilogram weight gain over time and wants to stop. Yet, as soon as a stressful time at work hits, it's almost as if the dips and chips have come out on autopilot.
Neuroscience has been able to pinpoint where and how these changes occur in the brain, and why certain steps are required during the process of change, irrespective of age.
Bringing non-judgmental awareness and an open curiosity to what is experienced when the current unwanted behaviour occurs is the first step in the process. When we have a critical view or judgment of our behaviour, the sympathetic nervous system is activated. Allowing ourselves a compassionate view helps us to relax and examine the big picture. This helps us to understand what the potential trigger or cue might be.
As Dr Susan David, psychologist, states: "when you are self-compassionate, you're actually doing something very specific for yourself- you're noticing difficult thoughts, showing up for them, and creating a sense of psychological safety for yourself".
For Jane, it's about creating a space for her to explore what the cue may be when she comes home from work, what triggers the habit of eating chips, dip and wine. It is an emotion, place or time that usually triggers the behaviour. Helping Jane understand what the initial reward for the habit was, was it relaxation, tiredness, stress release, hunger or thirst?
When we encounter a problematic trigger and consciously make an effort to change a behaviour, we activate our pre-frontal cortex. The neurotransmitter, norepinephrine (noradrenaline) sends a signal within the brain advising that something is different.
Andrew Huberman, Professor of Neuroscience at Stanford University states, "the brain changes when certain neurochemicals namely acetylcholine, noradrenaline, and dopamine are released in ways and in specific time that allow neural circuits to be marked for change and then change occurs later in sleep."
When we first initiate a new habit and experience a positive outcome as a result, dopamine is released across brain pathways. The next time we encounter the same situation our brain activates dopamine in anticipation of the reward rather than after the action. It's our brain's way of helping motivate us to carry out the habit the next time round, based on past experience.
We create new neural pathways within the brain from the pre-frontal cortex to an area of the basal ganglia, and in particular, the area of the stratium. This process of 'neuroplasticity' where neural pathways are created, can happen at any time throughout our life, whereas the generation of new neurons, known as neurogenesis generally ceases around age 25. Every time we encounter a cue, and dopamine is released, the neural pathway becomes stronger. The brain also prunes synaptic connections when we consistently do not repeat the behaviour.
Habit change requires repetition and consistency. However, it is also important to recognize our emotional, mental, and physical state, and to be able to understand our underlying motivations as they play an important role in the process, as demonstrated by neuroscience.
With this understanding, we can understand why certain steps are needed if we want to change habits that may be affecting our health.
A discussion with Jane revealed that having chips, dip and wine when she got home from work, was a way of offsetting feeling tired from a busy day of work. "It's like releasing a pressure valve "
To meet her need for energy at the end of the day, Jane decided that she was going work on building a number of new habits. This included having some pre prepared cut up vegetables and low calorie dip ready to go when she got home from work. This meant creating a new habit to ensure this was in the fridge at the end of the day. She decided to put the wine in a different location to break the habit of reaching for the bottle in the fridge. Instead, she replaced it with a bottle of sparkling water.
Each time she completed these actions she ensured she took the time to pause, reflect and celebrate with a reminder that this was a positive step toward her ideal picture of health and energy.
These tweaks to her routine were enough to ensure that these changes were still rewarding her, yet also enough to positively impact her health. Since making these changes, Jane has "effortlessly" lost three kilograms, which has further cemented this particular neural pathway becoming stronger.
Habit change can be simple, yet have a profound impact on quality of life and health, one small step at a time.
_______________________________________________________________
Vanita Smith is a nutritionist, lifestyle medicine professional, and NBHWC certified health coach. She has a particular interest in habit change and has completed training and learned from neuroscientists and behaviour scientists to better understand how she can help clients with habit change.
In her business, Ayubowan Health & Lifestyle Medicine, she draws on this insight to help clients bridge the gap between their health intentions and daily life. She works as a keynote speaker, health coach, breathwork instructor and health program facilitator. Connect with her at hello@ayubowanhealth.com or http://www.ayubowanhealth.com/
The post The Neuroscience Of Changing Habits appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post This Seasons Tech Accessories Pack A Colourful Punch appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Wireless charging is great, so long as you don't need to use your phone and you have your device sitting in the perfect position. With these new 'Made for MagSafe' phone cases, charging stands and portable grips, you can use Apple's new wireless charging technology to its fullest potential.
OtterBox Symmetry Plus Case Series
We love the slim look of the new 'Made for MagSafe' Symmetry series. With the added bonus of antimicrobial technology to help protect the case exterior against many common bacteria, we give this the COVID-19 seal of approval.
Available in Black and Tea Petal Pink
Retailing for $99.95
EFM Aspen Case Armour Series
For those of you that need something a little hardier but still with a great design, the Aspen Case series is for you. Tested to withstand a 6 meter drop and with a 2-year warrant, you'll no longer be that friend with the everlasting cracked screen.
Available in Clear, Glitter Mint, Glitter Coral, Glitter Burst and Slate Grey
Retailing for 59.95
PopSockets PopGrip Slide Stretch
The classic PopGrip with added functionality so you can slide it down to get that perfect selfie angle, use it as a FaceTime in portrait stand or for MegaSafe charging. We love that it is available with all PopTops so you can indulge your colour obsession by swapping out as you please.
Available in 13 different colours and compatable with all PopTops.
Retailing for $24.95
Maison de Sabre Limited Edition Make Your Mark Phone Case
Maison de Sabre have partnered with Cure Cancer via the Make Your Mark Foundation to donate 10% of sales from every Make Your Mark phone Case to directly support Cure Cancer's ground-breaking research into children's leukaemia. Wrapped in an exclusive Make Your Mark artwork and with premium top-grain pebbled leather, this phone case is compatible with wireless charging and in our opinion, pure luxury.
Retailing for $89
The post This Seasons Tech Accessories Pack A Colourful Punch appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Skincare Product Review: Biore Yuzu Lemon Skincare Collection appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Yuzu is a citrus fruit native to Japan. It's fairly tart to taste, but smells amazing. It's a known source of Vitamin C which helps to keep your skin looking young.
I tried all three skincare products and here are my thoughts:
Biore Brightening Exfoliating Scrub
The exfoliating scrub is my favourite product from the collection. It is a gentle scrub that you can use once a week. It contains dragon fruit and has a likeable smell.
Biore beauty products are cruelty free, vegan friendly and the packaging is made with partial recycled materials.
Biore Brightening Jelly Cleanser
The jelly cleanser dissolves and removes stubborn pore buildup to leave a radiant glow. It contains Ginseng to energize and brighten skin. You can use this daily to avoid pore buildup.
Biore Brightening Clay Mask
The clay mask promises to give brighter skin within one week. It lifts off dead skin cells and leaves your skin feeling smooth. The added papaya contains a natural fruit acid to improve skin tone and texture. One pouch provides 4 to 5 uses. Allow the mask to sit for 3 to 5 minutes.
The Biore collection are available online and at Priceline, Chemist Warehouse, Target, MyChemist, Big W, Woolworths and Coles.
About Biore
Did you know that the Bioré® brand's parent company is Kao Corporation (pronounced like 'cow') and is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan?
The story behind Kao begins with a small face-care company in Tokyo founded by Mr. Tomiro Nagase in 1887. Tomiro was on a mission to make affordable, high-quality, facial soap—which he called "Kao" – pronounced the same way as the Japanese word for "face" (makes sense, right!?).
Today, Bioré® is a pore focused–or more like a pore obsessed– face care brand in Australia that continues the mission to make high quality, affordable skincare products that provide a variety of skincare benefits. Even though our own line of products are created in the US, we approach all of our product development with a Japanese Beauty Philosophy and are able to leverage our parent company's amazing Japanese technology. These technologies are backed by years of research and development (hello skincare jackpot!).
Our Japanese beauty roots inspire us to improve and innovate in everything we do—innovation is in our DNA. Bottom line, our products perform. With technology rooted in science, we take a no-nonsense approach to fight smarter, not harder–while having a little bit of fun along the way! Our products focus on those 20,000 pesky pores, providing deep cleansing products for the skin of your dreams. https://www.biore.com/en-au/
The post Skincare Product Review: Biore Yuzu Lemon Skincare Collection appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Lyndey Milan's Failsafe Risotto Bianco Recipe appeared first on The Carousel.
]]> Preparation time 10 minutes
Cooking time 30 minutes
Serves 4
INGREDIENTS
1.25 litres (5 cups) chicken, beef or veal stock
3 tablespoons (1/4 cup) extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons butter
1 onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
440g (2 cups) arborio or other risotto rice
125ml (1/2 cup) white wine
4 tablespoons (1/3 cup) chopped fresh herbs, such as parsley, basil and sage
100g (1 cup) freshly grated parmesan
METHOD
1Put the stock in a saucepan and heat to boiling. Reduce the heat and maintain at a simmer.
2Heat the olive oil and half the butter in a large heavy-based frying pan over moderate heat. When the butter has melted, add the onion and fry for a minute or two without browning. Add the garlic and cook, stirring frequently, until the onion is translucent. Add the rice and stir well to coat with the oil and butter (it will take on a glassy appearance). Add the wine and stir until it has evaporated.
3Reduce the heat to low and add one ladleful of hot stock. Stir constantly until the liquid is completely absorbed. Keep adding the stock, a ladleful at a time, stirring and waiting until it has been completely absorbed by the rice before adding the next ladle. Keep it cooking at a low simmer. After about 15 minutes taste a few grains of rice: it should be tender, not soft, yet still a little firm to the bite. It will probably take around 20-25 minutes to reach this point. When the risotto is ready it should still be a little liquid, not dry like fried rice.
4Fold in the herbs, remaining butter and parmesan. If you have any leftover roast chicken or vegetables such as pumpkin, add them now. Even sliced cooked sausage is good. Taste for salt and pepper. Usually the stock and parmesan make the risotto salty enough and ground black pepper is better left to the individual. Spoon into warm bowls and serve at once.
COOK'S NOTES
To make a mushroom risotto, use beef stock and replace the herbs with 500g mushrooms. Wipe the mushrooms clean with kitchen paper; never wash them. Leave button mushrooms whole and slice larger varieties. Saute in butter for a few minutes before adding to the risotto. For asparagus risotto, use chicken stock and replace the herbs with cooked chopped asparagus. Or use chicken or veal stock and replace the herbs with 250g chopped ham or cooked, crumbled bacon or pancetta and 1 tablespoon freshly chopped parsley.
CreditsRecipe and photograph also appeared in The OzHarvest Cookbook, published by OzHarvest
The post Lyndey Milan's Failsafe Risotto Bianco Recipe appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post How To Trick Your Body Into Losing Weight – Medical Expert's Guide appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>He completed his doctorate on the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of different obesity weight-loss treatments, and has also completed degrees in exercise physiology and nutrition and dietetics.
Here, The Carousel asks Dr Nick Fuller to talk about his new book and explain the secret is behind tricking your body into weight loss without dieting.
- How does the body's fight or flight response apply to weight loss, and why is this important?
Whenever we follow any sort of diet we will lose weight but our body's innate response is to fight that weight loss and get back to its set point, to defend its level of fatness. The set point is the weight that the body defends, and everyone has one – think of the weight you have been at for a long period of time. The problem with following all these diets is that not only do you regain the weight you lose on any weight loss diet, but you often put on more kilos than when you started, and hence redefine you set point at a higher starting point.
- What are the biggest mistakes dieters make and how can you avoid them?
Skipping meals or omitting food groups/certain foods (eg carbohydrates/carbs) is the biggest mistake. Such food eating practices or diets will result in short-term results for long term pain. You will lose weight but then you will put it back on when you reintroduce the foods you had been excluding. Diets are unhealthy, unrealistic and can be very dangerous for a person's long-term health. It is important to follow a food eating plan that includes all food groups and keeps foods that are not nutritious to a minimum – but we should never exclude anything.
- What are some of your best success stories?
People that follow the Interval Weight Loss plan not only lose the weight but they keep it off for good. The reason being is that Interval Weight Loss helps a person redefine their set point. It prevents the usual response to weight loss where a person experiences a decrease in metabolism (i.e. the amount of energy burnt at rest) and an increase in appetite hormones telling you to eat more and hence driving your weight back to where it started, if not heavier.
People will succeed on the Interval Weight Loss plan if they follow the principles in the book and a stepped approach i.e. a small weight loss, followed by maintaining that weight loss for the next month, and so on, until their goal weight is achieved. People on this plan have shed 30 plus kilos and kept it off for greater than five years.
- What are some clever mind tricks you can deploy to motivate yourself to stick to the plan?
Everyone finds it easy to stick to Interval Weight Loss because you don't have to omit any foods or food groups. You are also not required to restrict your food intake as what any diet will prescribe, but rather Interval Weight Loss encourage you to eat more -from wholesome, nutrient dense foods. The weight maintenance months also allow you to have a break and include more of those 'treat' foods you enjoy, or to engage in less structured physical activity. Interval Weight Loss is for everyone.
The post How To Trick Your Body Into Losing Weight – Medical Expert's Guide appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Halston: Behind the Fashion in this Netflix Drama appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>
The Netflix dramatic series follows Halston's meteoric rise to fame. He dressed celebrities like Elizabeth Taylor, Lauren Bacall, and Liza Minnelli. Halston was extremely close to Minnelli and Ewan McGregor, who plays the designer, made it his business to meet her prior to filming the series to get a closer insight into the man himself. A colourful character, he held many star-studded parties at his stylish New York pad, known as 101.
Interview with Halston's Costume designer, Jeriana San Juan
Costume designer, Jeriana San Juan, talks about recreating the wardrobe for the Haslton Netflix television series:
Were you familiar with Halston's story and work when you first got involved with the show?
"Yes, I first connected with the project because I'm such a fan of Halston's work. In my initial meetings with Dan Minahan, our fearless director, I gushed about my experience studying Halston's work in fashion design school — pouring over images of his collections in the library at school and looking through archival footage. It was exciting to do something that married my costume design knowledge with my fashion design background."
How did you approach dressing Halston in the show?
"In researching Halston, one of the most incredible things was finding people who had known him personally and who wanted to help this project because they wanted to help their friend. I came to know Halston's personal style very intimately, and that began when I found a tailor named Gino Balsamo who worked at Halston Limited. He was the tailor in the shop assigned to make Halston's personal clothes."
"Halston only wore his own designs, and he wanted to wear fabrics that did all the things for him that they did for women; created ease, effortless strength, and effortless beauty."
"Halston had unique nuances in his clothes — he created these pants with no side seam and specific pocket placements. Gino actually came to my shop and worked with us to create and pattern clothes the same way that he did for Halston."
How did you collaborate with Ewan McGregor on Halston's costuming?
"We worked very closely together not just on his costuming, but on the design process. He would come to the shop just to observe the tailors, or watch me do a fitting, to get a better idea of how a designer works. It was a very unique experience — we worked on how to pin clothes properly, how clothes are constructed and assembled, how to move through a workroom, and I even walked him through where my eyes go when I'm designing so he could better track his eyeline when he's designing as Halston in the show."
How did you source the key costumes for the show?
"Most of the pieces in our show on our main characters are created from scratch. I found vintage dealers from every corner of the world, but vintage clothes are often not in fantastic shape, and I wanted to make sure the costumes fit with the same ease and pristine effortless style that defines Halston."
"There are also many original Halston pieces in the show. Halston's entire archive was disassembled when he left the company, but I was able to find pieces that were tucked away. Lesley Frowick, Halston's niece, had gifted a great deal of his work to Lipscomb University. I worked with a company called Toray International, the original manufacturer of Ultrasuede fabric, and they gave me a ton of Ultrasuede that was the same quality Halston used in his designing. We also worked with Tiffany & Co. to obtain all of the original Elsa Peretti jewelry."
What about Halston's work as a fashion designer was so ground-breaking?
"There's an ease, a suaveness to his clothing — and even in his early work as a milliner. But if you look at the architecture and practical building of all those pieces, they're actually quite complicated."
"Halston's work is very much like sculpture; he treated fabrics as his medium and manipulated them like a true artist. He would pleat, wrap, and use textiles in a way that was unconventional and celebrated a woman's figure instead of creating rigid tailoring that bound it. It was all about ease and softness, and that approach is still influencing fashion today."
About Halston
The limited series HALSTON follows the legendary fashion designer (Ewan McGregor), as he leverages his single, invented name into a worldwide fashion empire that's synonymous with luxury, sex, status and fame, literally defining the era he lives in, 1970's and '80's New York — until a hostile takeover forces him to battle for control of his most precious asset… the name Halston itself.
Executive Produced by Ryan Murphy, Ian Brennan, Alexis Martin Woodall, Daniel Minahan, Ewan McGregor, Christine Vachon and Pamela Koffler of Killer Films, Eric Kovtun and Sharr White. Minahan also serves as the series director.
The post Halston: Behind the Fashion in this Netflix Drama appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Traditional Tastes: Mum's Bran Loaf appeared first on The Carousel.
]]> Serves 10-12
Preparation 10 minutes plus 10 minutes soaking
Cooking 35 – 40 minutes
INGREDIENTS
1 cup (60g) bran cereal e.g. All Bran
1 cup (250mls) low-fat milk
1 cup (150g) self-raising flour
1/2 cup (110g) brown sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon ginger
1 level teaspoon bicarbonate soda
1 cup (140g) chopped, pitted dates/walnuts/sultanas/raisins/mixed fruit
1/2 cup (180g) treacle or golden syrup
caramelised walnuts, to serve (optional)
METHOD
1Preheat oven to 180'C (160'C fan-forced). Grease a 13cm x 20cm loaf tin or line with baking paper.
2Soak bran in milk In a large bowl for 10 – 15 minutes. (Alternatively warm briefly in the microwave to speed this up.) Add the remaining ingredients and mix well with a wooden spoon.
3Pour into prepared tin and bake in the lower half of the oven for 35 – 40 minutes or until brown on top. Test with a skewer. (If the top browns too much before this, cover with foil).
4Cool, then top with caramelised walnuts, slice and butter if desired. Store in an airtight container, at room temperature for up to 3 days (if it lasts that long!).
The post Traditional Tastes: Mum's Bran Loaf appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Susie Burrell's Hot Chocolate Recipe With Peanut Butter appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>In addition to eating a balanced diet that includes whole foods, adding foods that contain vitamins and minerals that are known for supporting the immune system is the first step to take.
Essential foods to add to your winter diet include spinach, strawberries, peanuts or a 100% natural peanut butter, almonds, garlic, ginger, sweet potato and foods that contain omega-3 fatty acids.
Omega-3 fatty acids assist in reducing inflammation within the body to support the immune system and are typically found in different types of fish and flaxseeds.
Here's my delicious Hot Chocolate Recipe – made with peanut butter!
Ingredients
1.5 tbsp Mayver's Omega-3 Super Peanut Butter
1.5 tbsp cocoa powder
1 tsp honey
2 tbsp boiling water
1 cup skim milk
15g 70% cocoa dark chocolate, grated (optional)
Method
- Combine the cocoa powder, honey and boiling water in a small saucepan over medium heat. Whisk to combine.
- Add in peanut butter and whisk rapidly to form a thick consistency.
- Gradually pour in milk and continue to whisk over medium heat for a further two minutes.
- Pour hot chocolate mixture into a mug and top with grated dark chocolate (if desired). Serve immediately.
The post Susie Burrell's Hot Chocolate Recipe With Peanut Butter appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Lyndey Milan & Herbie's Linguine With Spanner Crab And Lemon Myrtle appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Preparation 5 minutes
Cooking 10 minutes
INGREDIENTS
500g linguine
220 – 250ml pouring cream
325 – 375ml fish stock
½ cup (125ml) white wine
3 leaves fresh lemon myrtle, finely chopped
1 tablespoon (20ml) lemon juice or to taste
500g uncooked spanner crab meat
1 tablespoon dill sprigs
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
METHOD
1Bring at least 4 litres of salted water to the boil in a large pot. Add linguine, stir and put a lid on the pot until it returns to the boil. Remove lid, stir again and cook until al dente or according to pack directions. Drain.
2 Meanwhile put cream, fish stock and wine into a pan over high heat. Bring to the boil and simmer to reduce. Add lemon myrtle. When thickened and reduced, taste to see if it needs more lemon myrtle and add lemon juice to taste.
3 Add spanner crab meat to the reduced cream mixture and stir to mix well. Cook only very briefly and add dill sprigs, salt and pepper. Add more cream and fish stock if sauce is too dry. Pour over the drained pasta, mix well and serve immediately, topped with extra dill sprigs if desired.
Lyndey's tip: when cooking pasta, adding olive oil to the water will stop the sauce from adhering to the pasta so it is better to stir until the water returns to the boil.
Herbie's tip: when stripping the dill, or any herb, pull leaves upward.
Note: Australian measurements 1 tablespoon = 20ml are used throughout.
Lyndey Milan & Herbie's Moveable Feast
Back in 2015, Lyndey Milan was joined by her long-term friend Ian "Herbie" Hemphill to take a culinary road trip in Edna, through Queensland, northern and southern NSW and on to Tasmania revealing not only the ingredients to cook but also the colourful characters and ideas that inspire them.
The show had eight half hour episodes featuring the dynamic duo's adventures in Byron, the Sunshine Coast, Riverina, Tasmania and the Hawkesbury.
Take a look at the trailer…
What do you think of the trailer? Tell us below!…
The post Lyndey Milan & Herbie's Linguine With Spanner Crab And Lemon Myrtle appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post How to Contour Your Face: Easily & Quickly appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>
Watch this tutorial from beauty expert Eleanor Pendleton for contouring made easy.
Watch the tutorials from beauty expert Eleanor Pendleton for ways to wear different lipsticks from orange to nude to pink lips. They were filmed when Eleanor was The Carousel's contributing beauty editor back when we launched the site in 2017!
The post How to Contour Your Face: Easily & Quickly appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post How To Get Your Beauty Sleep appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>There are many sleep disrupters. One's offspring for starters – it begins when they are born and morphs into sheer sleepless panic when they are teenagers and out till all hours. Just when you think it is safe to get some shuteye, the husband develops a weird snoring pattern. Are you kidding me! No wonder I am looking ravaged.
First things first, I dispatch said husband to our favourite dentist, Dr Michael Finkelstein, to have a Snoreguard fitted which, praise the lord, fixes the dreadful snoring.
So now it's time to address my visage.
One hot tip I have picked up on the beauty circuit is that to get the most out of your nocturnal skincare, it's best to begin the process as soon as you arrive home in the evening. Take your makeup off and the grime of the day and apply your night-time skincare ritual for long-lasting results.
In my search for some after-hours beauty revivers, I have come up with the fab five to try …
Elemis Pro-Intense Lift Effect Night Cream, $256 at Mecca, (call 07 5564 6767 for salon stockist details) is for you if saggy skin is a concern. This rich – but also somehow lightweight – cream uses plant stem cell technology (gardenia is a star ingredient here) to re-energise slackening skin and tighten things up. Skin looks beautifully plump by morning.
Estée Lauder's signature Advanced Night Repair range has a long history of night-time winners – my favourite for the delicate eye area is Advanced Night Repair Eye, $120. Apply a tiny amount and massage onto the orbital bone with your ring finger.
Guerlain Issima Midnight Recovery Secret, $145 … the name says it all. A must on those nights when you tumble into bed in the wee hours, with an early morning meeting looming.
To nourish hair overnight, try L'Oréal Paris Hair Expertise Ever Strong Overnight Repair Treatment, $42 (from supermarkets). Just set and forget.
And for soothing pillow talk you can't go past, The Body Shop Deep Sleep Dreamy Pillow and Body Mist, $29.95. Even the process of spritzing your pillow has a calming effect and sets up a lovely pre-sleep ritual.
The post How To Get Your Beauty Sleep appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Hayley Hasselhoff : Why I Became a Plus Size Model appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>
She launched her modelling career at the age of 14 and is now one of the most talked about plus-size models in the world.
Hayley Hasselhoff took time out to chat to Jo Lamble shortly after landing in Sydney for a three-week visit. Here she tells us what it means to her to be part of this industry celebrating curvaceous women.
Hayley Hasselhoff
The post Hayley Hasselhoff : Why I Became a Plus Size Model appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Nutritionist Michele Chevally Hedge Takes A Healthy View On Life appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>
Robyn: I'm delighted to be here with Michele Chevalley Hedge who is a nutritionist. I first saw you doing TED Talks and thought, who is this amazing woman? I just love your food philosophy, you're an amazing nutritionist and you have a great approach to food.
Michele: Well first of all, thank you. I should start by saying that people who love food are my favourite people. I love food, I come from a big Italian family so food is everything to us. It's community, it's connection, it's energy, it's all of those things and more. And I've worked really hard at positioning myself as the nutritionist that can build wellbeing or build health without hassle. I don't mind when people introduce me as the modern day nutritionist, the one who likes a little bit of coffee and wine. I remember the first time I was introduced like that, at first I was shocked but then I thought no, I'm going to own that space because I believe there's a way to wellness where you can have a little fun along the way. It doesn't have to be all or nothing, it can just be a series of tiny micro habits that lead to wellbeing.
Robyn: Right, it's about moderation and incorporating it into your day to day.
Michele: Absolutely, I dislike using the word diet or detox in anything because both of these give a sense of deprivation. Wellbeing is not about a number on a scale, that number on the scale is a great measure of gravity but it doesn't measure somebody's good heart, their purpose, their ability to connect with one another, those are the things that define true wellbeing.
Robyn: Tell me your views on sugar, is it true we have too much sugar in our diet?
Michele: My first book was 'Beating Sugar Addictions For Dummies' so I've been researching the effects of sugar for over 12 years. If there were two things that people could start to embrace and change, it is firstly to move towards real, whole food, unpackaged and unprocessed food. Why? Mostly because real whole food doesn't contain added sugar and it is the added sugar that's the culprit in so many things, physically and mentally. So when we take sugar in (most of us are having six, seven, eight times the amount the world health organisation recommends), all of a sudden our gut goes 'wow this is great, theres a party in my gut' and we create something called dysbiosis. This creates symptoms such as burping, farting, constipation lack of energy and so on. Our gut makes 85% of our serotonin, our happy hormone, the very thing people are seeking when they have anxiety, depression and mood disorders. Isn't it remarkable that it's created here in our gut and not here in our brain. So that's one big factor around sugar. The other big thing to know is about sugar is that we go from a high to a low in a matter of 90 minutes. So as high as your blood sugar goes up with a healthy smoothie or healthy muesli bar, is equal to how low it drops off and as we drop off people experience brain fog, low energy or tiredness, the inability to connect or communicate effectively. And often the result is that person will go looking for the vending machine, hoping to get that high again. It can be a vicious cycle.
Robyn: You often say, "we need to get curious", what has been your own experience with food?
Michele: In the last few years my younger brother passed away from cancer. When he was diagnosed he had just had twin babies and even though I live here in Sydney and he lives in New York City, I travelled back and forth every 3 weeks to be the wingman. I initially said, "Greg we're gonna have green smoothies, we're going to do yoga, we're going to bark at the moon at midnight." And he said "Shelly we're not going to do anything like that, I'm going to have a Budweiser and you're going to have a cheeky Pinot and this is how it's going to go down", so that's what brought me to write my book, Eat, Drink and Still Shrink, because there is a way to wellness without severe hassle or deprivation and I'm a firm believer that there's things that we can choose and there's things that just happen. Like Greg being diagnosed out of the blue and being told he only had three months to live, my point of the story is to say, don't wait until next week to live, don't wait until next month, or when the mortgage is done or your child finishes HSC. No, live today, live abundantly and start with small, tiny micro habits.
Robyn: What is your top three tips for a healthy life?
Michele: Number 1, eat real whole food, unpackaged, unprocessed as often as possible. If you can, choose seasonal, choose local and choose organic. Number 2, avoid added sugar, natural sugars are fine in your fruits and vegetables. And number 3, hashtag no guilt, this is the biggest issue facing the wellness industry, peaople feeling badly about themselves. If you have a bad night, no problem, pick up at your next meal.
Robyn: I want say the thing I've taken away from you is to get curious about your health, we all deserve to do that.
Michele: Absolutely!
You can find out more about Michele Chevally Hedge here: A Healthy View
The post Nutritionist Michele Chevally Hedge Takes A Healthy View On Life appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Are You Micro-Cheating? appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Millionaire Matchmaker and Dating and Relationship coachLouanne Ward shares how you could be cheating and not even know it? Find out the most toxic modern dating habits that could have your relationship on the verge of a breakdown.
Could you be cheating and not even know it? Micro cheating is amongst some of the most toxic modern dating habits that could have your relationship on the verge of a breakdown.
Infidelity used to mean one thing: sneaking around with someone other than your partner. From emotional cheating between Rachel and Joey onFriends to movies titledMy Best Friend's Wedding, many of us are familiar with the tale of the cheating partner and the heartache they leave in their wake.
But there's a new type of cheating making its way into modern dating. It shows up in the most harmless of places. The one-off conversations, seemingly benign hair twirls and glances that last just a second longer than usual. The ' you look great' comment while scrolling social media that leads to checking out and commenting on other posts. Most often they're behaviours that wouldn't be considered cheating at all. It's incidental, harmless, and on a macro level it seems like nothing at first, but these are micro-behaviours that have the potential to create long-lasting issues in a relationship.
This modern dating phenomenon is called micro-cheating.
What is micro-cheating?
Micro cheating is defined by small affectionate or romantic behaviours toward someone other than ones' partner that could be interpreted as flirty and therefore, a subset of infidelity. It's the secret Tinder profile you never deleted, the flirty water cooler conversations with a coworker which lead to regular lunches, the seemingly harmless wink at the waitress in your favourite local.
Additionally, COVID-19 has seen a resurgence in the use of the term as we shift to a predominantly digital dating world. We are no longer connecting as easily 'in the wild', so a simple swipe, 'like' or DM becomes the best form of connection between loved up partners with wandering eyes and the (attractive) strangers that catch them. But aside from the pandemic, why is micro-cheating such a common affliction to modern dating?
Why is micro-cheating happening?
Our phones have become our new best friend and favourite accessory, with the potential of ruining our relationships. The scary part is that despite all the positives of convenience and connection, partnered men and women can also talk to people they probably shouldn't. They can join apps they probably shouldn't. And they can arrange meetups with connections they probably shouldn't. Additionally, with the blurred lines of modern online dating derived from the dating app culture which challenges exclusivity by providing temptation on tap, micro-cheating is especially prevalent. It is difficult to agree (or even discuss) boundaries around dating, loyalty and respectful behaviours, so the non-existent rules of the relationship (or situation-ship) are easily broken by micro-cheating and its loose, subjective definition.
Are you a micro-cheater? Or suffering at the hands of one?
16 of the most common examples of micro-cheating
and the 5 least talked about .
What counts as micro-cheating?
Here are some common scenarios that could be interpreted as micro-cheating. Whether you're actively dating or partnered, are you guilty of any of these or have you experienced them?
- Following or talking to an ex on social media or stalking someone's profile regularly.
- Deleting messages so your partner doesn't see them.
- Dating someone on an ongoing basis who believes you're exclusive, while still talking to other people.
- Dressing differently when you know a certain person is going to be at an event.
- Planning to catch up with someone who is interested in you and not telling your partner.
- Sharing sexual fantasies or kinks with someone outside of your relationship.
- Being overly protective of your phone
- Keeping an active dating profile
- Lying about who was at a social gathering.
- Regularly making plans to go out in a group of singles without inviting your partner.
- Making flirty or overtly complimentary comments on other people's social media.
- Not sharing your relationship status for extended periods of time when someone is interested in you.
- Messaging people in secret, building emotional connections.
- Listing someone by a fake name in your contacts
- Sharing regular lunches, coffees or after-work drinks with someone.
- Paying more attention in a flirtatious manner to someone else in front of your partner.
5 surprising least talked about forms of micro cheating.
- Watching porn to fulfill your desires in preference to sharing sexual fantasies with your partner.
- Massages with an attractive masseuse, or one leading to a happy ending.
- Visiting strip clubs when you know it upsets your partner.
- Talking to other people about your relationship problems without resolving them with your partner.
- Looking at your partner's mobile phone, iPad or computer in secret
Micro-cheating may be growing more prevalent in the era of online dating and COVID-19, but it's a subset of infidelity with the same amount of power to tear down the strongest relationships. Even behaviours as harmless as a flirty emoji or after-work drinks can, when repeatedly engaged in, create lasting divides. As a result, open communication and clear boundaries are crucial to navigating this modern dating phenomenon that looks like it's here to stay.
The post Are You Micro-Cheating? appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Handmade Pumpkin Tortelli With Mostarda, Burnt Butter & Sage appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Preparation time 1 hour
Cooking time 30 mins
INGREDIENTS
Pasta dough
250 g (8 oz) 00 flour
2 free range eggs
pinch of salt
1 tablespoon olive oil
Pumpkin tortelli
1 pumpkin, medium sized (Japanese or butternut), peeled, deseeded and roughly chopped
salt and pepper
drizzle of olive oil
8–10 amaretti biscuits (or to taste),
finely crumbled
1–2 tablespoons fruit mostarda,
finely chopped (pear mostarda is ideal for this recipe)
150 g (5 oz) unsalted butter
1 bunch sage
90 g (3 oz) parmigiano reggiano, grated
extra virgin olive oil
METHOD
1 Sift the flour and place onto a working bench. Make a large well in the middle. In a bowl, crack 2 eggs, add oil and salt and gently mix. Place the eggs in the well and with your fingertips, start combine the eggs with the flour a little at the time. Keep mixing until dough is formed.
2 Knead the dough for a minimum 5–10 minutes until firm and smooth. Rest the dough for at least 30 minutes before using it.
3 To make the pumpkin tortelli, preheat oven to 170°C (325°F).
4 Place pumpkin on a baking tray. Add salt and pepper, a drizzle of oil, then bake for up 30 minutes. Remove pumpkin from the oven, and allow to cool. Puree pumpkin then add biscuits and mostarda.
5 Roll the dough into the pasta machine until the last narrow setting. Cut the pasta sheets into long 30 cm (12 in) rectangles. Fold the sheet in half and gently press with your hand to make a visible mark. Unfold the pasta sheet. Place about 1 tablespoon of pumpkin mix and lay the next one about 5–8 cm (2–3 in) away from the previous one.
6 Brush with egg wash around the filling, and then gently fold it on top of the other half. Seal avoiding any air bubbles. With a 8–10 cm (3–4 in) square or round cutter, cut to make individual parcels.
7 Bring plenty of water to the boil in a large pot, (1½ teaspoons of rock salt per 1 L/32 fl oz of water for 100 g/3½ oz pasta). When boiling, drop in the tortelli and cook for 3–4 minutes.
8 Meanwhile, in a large frying pan, add the butter and sage and melt until the butter becomes frothy.
9 Drain the tortelli. Toss in the butter sauce for up to 1 minute. Remove from the heat and serve with parmigiano reggiano and a drizzle of oil.
Recipe and images from Luca's Seasonal Journey, published by New Holland Publishers.
The post Handmade Pumpkin Tortelli With Mostarda, Burnt Butter & Sage appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Lamington Trifle With Raspberry Sauce appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Serves 8-10
INGREDIENTS
¾ cup (105g) plain flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon cornflour
2 tablespoons cocoa
3 eggs, separated
2/3 cup (150g) caster sugar
1/4 cup (60ml) extra virgin olive oil
1/3 cup (80ml) espresso coffee, cooled
1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
300ml cream, whipped to soft peaks
1/3 cup (80ml) coconut liqueur
Raspberry sauce
300g frozen raspberries
1 tablespoon icing sugar
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Coconut Toffe Shards
1 cup (50g) flaked coconut
1 cup (220g) caster sugar
METHOD
For the sponge cake
1 Pre-heat oven to 160°C. Grease a (30cm x 20cm) lamington tin with butter and line the base with baking paper. Sift flour, baking powder, salt, cornflour and cocoa into a medium bowl and stir to combine.
2 Place the egg yolks in a medium bowl. Add 1/3 cup of the caster sugar, oil, coffee and vanilla bean paste and whisk until light and smooth. Gently fold through the sifted flour mixture.
3 Whisk the egg whites in a large bowl until they form soft peaks. With the motor running, gradually add the remaining 1/3 cup of caster sugar, a tablespoon at a time, whisking well to ensure the sugar dissolves.
4 Using a spatula carefully fold one-third of the egg white mixture into the cake batter. Once no streaks of egg white remain, gently fold in remaining egg white mixture. Pour the mixture into the prepared tin, tap on the bench a few times to remove air bubbles and bake for 30 minutes or until the top springs back when pressed. Set aside on a wire rack to cool.
For the raspberry sauce
1 Combine raspberry, icing sugar and lemon juice in a small saucepan. Stir over a low heat to break up the raspberries. Simmer for two minutes. Strain into a jug through a fine sieve to remove seeds.
2 Refrigerate until cold.
For the coconut toffee
1 Toast the flaked coconut in a pan over medium heat until golden. Remove to large baking paper lined tray, spread the coconut out to cool. Place a wide heavy based frypan, over a low to medium heat, add the sugar and gently shake the pan to distribute the sugar evenly over the base.
2 Cook until sugar has dissolved, carefully and gently shaking the pan as the sugar melts from time to time.
3 Once sugar has melted, raise the heat to medium and boil without stirring until the mixture is golden Brown.
4 Carefully pour the toffee over the coconut. Set tray aside until the toffee sets. Do not refrigerate.
To assemble
1 Fold 1 tablespoon of the coconut liqueur into the whipped cream.
2 Cut chocolate cake into small squares, place a few pieces into eight glasses, sprinkle with some of the remaining coconut liqueur. Top with a few spoonfuls of whipped coconut cream and a drizzle of raspberry sauce.
3 Continue layering each glass with cake, liqueur and cream ,finishing with raspberry sauce. Alternatively, layer in a 1.5 litre glass bowl for a large trifle.
4 Break the coconut toffee into shards and sprinkle over each trifle, and serve immediately.
The Carousel thanks Lyndey Milan for this recipe.
The post Lamington Trifle With Raspberry Sauce appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post 5 Surprising Foods To Avoid If You Want A Flat Stomach appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>If you're exercising like a demon, but they still won't shift it could be that those foods you thought were good for you, are holding you back.
Leading London nutritionist Rhiannon Lambert shares some surprising facts about five supposed healthy food options.
1. Lentils
"Foods high in fibre do have a tendency to make people produce large amounts of gas," says Rhiannon. This can lead to bloating in the stomach.
She continued: "Lentils are one of most fibre rich foods available typically over 15g per cup, cooked.
"But if you can't be without your lentils, it's worth noting that light coloured lentils are generally lower in fibre than darker ones, and therefore, may cause less bloating.
"Other foods high in fibre include beans and artichokes."
2. Dairy
Dairy is an excellent source of protein and calcium with sources including milk, cheese, yoghurt and butter," advises Rhiannon.
"However, the US Library of Medicine says that with over 65 per cent of the world's population lacking the enzyme lactase, and therefore unable to break down lactose (the sugar found in milk), dairy can cause major digestive problems.
"If you're lactose intolerant, symptoms include bloating, gas, cramping and diarrhoea.
"Switching to fortified and unsweetened milk is always the best option, replacing dairy milk with unsweetened almond milk, for example."
3. Apples
Rhiannon says: "Although apples are great additions to a healthy diet given their high fibre, vitamin C and antioxidant rich contents, they are known to cause bloating and other digestive issues for some people.
"The combination of fructose and high fibre content means they ferment in your large intestine, which is likely to lead to gas and bloating.
"A cooked apple will be easier to digest than fresh ones. I like to bake apples for a tasty dessert with added cinnamon and a dollop of Greek yoghurt to stabalise blood sugar levels!"
4. Wheat
For those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, wheat causes major digestive problems, says Rhiannon. "This includes bloating, gas, diarrhea and stomach pain.
"However, this shouldn't be a problem for those who do not have a gluten sensitivity or are celiac and these items may also have added sugar, salt and chemicals so it is worth identifying the trigger before eliminating any food group or going gluten free."
5. Onions
Even though they're usually eaten in small quantities, onions are one of the main dietary sources of fructans – soluble fibres that can cause bloating, she says.
"Those that are sensitive to fructans will have discomfort especially when consuming raw onions.
"Cooking the onions may reduce these digestive effects. Alternatively, fresh herbs or spices can be used an alternative to onions."
The post 5 Surprising Foods To Avoid If You Want A Flat Stomach appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Long Lashes – An Australian-made Eyelash Growth Serum Created By Two Aussie Mums appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>It's been an absolute whirlwind and incredibly exciting to think that in less than one year, Long Lashes, the business I launched with my best friend Belinda reached six figures in just six months and we're still growing fast.
Belinda and I first met when we both each owned businesses within the baby arena. We met at a baby expo and instantly clicked, from there we quickly became close friends, regularly catching up talking shop as well bonding on juggling full-time businesses and young families.
A few years down the track, we had both begun using eyelash growth serums after experiencing eyelash damage from the use of eyelash extensions. It was during one of our catchups and after some months of use, we both began suffering from red, itchy and irritated eyes despite the fact that we were both using two different products. With a bit of research, we realised the irritations were a result of using products with an ingredient with harsh side effects that is classed as a poison in Australia. Being entrepreneurial minded, it was a light-bulb moment for both of us and we set out to create an eyelash growth enhancer that was safe to use – low irritant and containing only approved ingredients.
We have made it our mission to challenge this industry because we believe consumers deserve to be informed about the products they're using and deserve to use a product that is not only effective but is most importantly safe. Through our guts, persistence, and determination, we have spent countless months researching, creating and re-creating formulas, trialling serums on humans (not animals) to ensure our end product is true to our mission statement; an Australian-made eyelash enhancer that is safe, free of harmful ingredients with undeniable and incredible results.
Following this, we finally landed on a successful formula and the result was the Long Lashes product we have today. An Australian-made, high quality, vegan, cruelty-free, growth hormone free, gluten free and gentle enough for the most sensitive eyes.
Although the process has had many challenges we wouldn't change a thing. While we have faced many hurdles, we continued to push through and being able to have the support and motivation to do this with a close friend was really invaluable. We're very proud about the product we have created, the feedback we have received from customers has been overwhelming, the confidence it has given women not only those with sparse or damaged lashes but also those who have gone through chemotherapy as well.
What started as a humble brand backed by a 20k Indiegogo campaign, has now grown to a fully fledged business that is now stocked in salons across Australia, as well as internationally in the UK, USA, Hong Kong, New Zealand, and Scandinavia. We have also added to the Long Lashes family with an eyebrow growth serum; Bold Brows, with more formulas in the pipeline.
More About Long Lashes
Long Lashes, is an Australian owned and made company, created by Felecia Tappenden and Belinda Robinson. After endless hours and money spent on lash extensions and various lash enhancement products, that made their eyes sensitive, red and had very little effect (except on their bank balance), they enlisted the help of a Cosmetic Chemist to develop their own eyelash enhancer to nourish, nurture and GROW lashes, making them appear longer, fuller and darker. After months of research and testing, they created Long Lashes, a growth-enhancing serum that repairs and strengthens lashes, leaving them longer and fuller in just 4 to 8 weeks. Best of all, its vegan, cruelty-free and gluten-free. Following the success of Long Lashes, Belinda and Felecia have added to the family and launched brow serum, Bold Brows.
longlashes.com.au
The post Long Lashes – An Australian-made Eyelash Growth Serum Created By Two Aussie Mums appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post From Tech to Track: Why This Marketing Executive Is Running Ultra-marathons appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>
Jamie Fitzcarlos, Marketing Director, Industries – SAP
The ramifications of COVID-19 are steadily increasing discussions around mental health in the workplace. From pursuing passions to giving more time to loved ones, more and more businesses are looking to provide their employees with a better work life balance.
As women working full-time in the corporate world, we're able to leverage the opportunities presented by our employers to do exactly that.
Personally, as a young stroke survivor, it's important to me that I'm able to give back, as well as help raise awareness and support for the Stroke Foundation.
Four years ago, I woke up ready to power through a day of working from home. After taking the dog for a walk and getting my morning coffee, I dialled into a conference call. But just minutes into the call I realised I could no longer formulate words.
At the age of 34, I was astounded to discover that I'd suffered from a brain clot, more commonly known as a stroke.
Looking back, the warning signs were there. I felt tightness in my chest the night before it happened, but I put this down to pulling a muscle at the gym. My neurologist has since pointed out that this was most likely a clot in my lung.
As a result, my health is now one of my top priorities. That's why I'm using recently introduced 'Life Leave' from my employer, SAP, to train for and participate in endurance events.
Running an ultra-marathon is emotional. From setting pre-dawn alarms to running through pain and fatigue, I endure months of blood, sweat and tears before I even reach the start line. This also fills me with a sense of achievement. Thinking back to when I was recovering, I didn't know if I'd be able to run again.
Being out on the trails is my way of disconnecting and restoring balance. This has been particularly important over the last year. With COVID-19 holding us captive to NSW, my husband Steve and I used our training to explore our own backyard, spending most of our weekends in the Royal National Park or Blue Mountains. This made us appreciate our surroundings and focus on what's important.
That said, it's hard to be disciplined when it comes to taking time out to focus on personal passions. I book the time in my calendar like I would for a work meeting. I also look for ways to integrate my personal hobbies into my work life, running with my SAP colleagues at lunch.
Being active benefits my work mindset. My best ideas come when I'm out on the trails and I'm more productive after I run.
With this in mind, it's inspiring to see other women prioritise work-life balance, whether it's taking time to recharge or to pursue personal projects.
My colleague, Kike Abegunde, is an excellent example, having started her own podcast, The Kikelomo Show. Here, Kike shares details of her career journey and personal life as a Nigerian-American living in Australia, in the hopes of inspiring other female executives to follow their passion.
We know that working remotely during COVID-19 has put the spotlight on flexible work more than ever before. For women everywhere, now is the time to think about how you can prioritise whatever circumstances are most meaningful to you, and work with your manager to strike the right balance.
The post From Tech to Track: Why This Marketing Executive Is Running Ultra-marathons appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Cat-Cow Pose – Yoga Pose of the Week appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The cat part of the stretch releases tension in the head, neck, shoulders and upper back, so is great for those who sit at a desk all day. The Cow part of this short sequence, activates your tailbone, the base of the spine. This small but relaxing and effective yoga sequence will also help flush blood and nutrients through your body.
So, practise cat-cow daily and with joy! It will set you up for a truly positive start to the day, and it's especially helpful if you're pregnant to help ease tension through the spine and back.
Coming Into Cat-Cow Pose
- Begin on all fours – hands and knees position, with arms shoulder width apart and feet hip-width apart.
- Engage your core to start, as though you were drawing your belly button towards your spine.
- Keep your head and neck in a neutral position and soften your gaze downward. This is the "cat" part of cat-cow pose.
- Coming into Cow Pose, inhale as you slowly release your belly button down in the direction of the floor, lifting your chin and chest at the same time, as your eyes gaze upwards. You are now in the "cow" part of cat-cow pose (please refer to image above).
- In a slow, rhythmic motion without stopping, come into cat pose. Exhale as you draw your belly button towards your spice and arch your back toward the cleaning as much as you can without straying. The pose should look like an angry cat.
Do five rounds of cat-cow pose, inhaling and exhaling deeply, slowly and steadily.
Note – if you have a sore lower back, or you suffer from general lower back issues, keeping your spine I a neutral position is just fine.
Namaste!
Trudy 
The post Cat-Cow Pose – Yoga Pose of the Week appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Skincare Ingredients That Belong In Everyone's Routine, And How To Use Them appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>
Building your very own skincare routine can be an exhausting process. What will the products actually do to my skin? What does all this beauty jargon mean? How do I know what will work for my skin type?
If you've found yourself asking these questions once (or twice) before, we've put together a handy list of skincare ingredients that we recommend adding to your routine. Dry skin, oily skin, combination, sensitive or acne-prone – find out what skin type these ingredients are best suited to, what they can do for you and how to use them.
SPF
Who it's good for: All skin types.
What it does: One of the most important skincare products you can use is SPF. No matter how many active ingredients you add to your routine, if your skin is not protected, it will show. Here's a list of the best face sunscreens for all skin types and budgets.
How to use it: SPF should always be the final step of your skincare routine, before makeup application. The more you use, the better. In fact, it's recommended to use about a teaspoon amount.
Retinol
Who it's good for: All skin types, but especially those with mature and acne-prone skin.
What it does: A derivative of vitamin A, retinol is a tried and true powerhouse anti-ageing ingredient. It works to promote skin cell turnover, fight acne, reduce hyperpigmentation and increase collagen production.
How to use it: Always start small and gradually increase the amount and frequency of application. It's highly recommended to only use retinol at night and to wear plenty of sunscreen during the day, as it can make your skin more sensitive to the sun.
Don't mix it with: Vitamin C and AHA/BHA.
Niacinamide
Who it's good for: All skin types, but specifically those with sensitive skin.
What it does: Niacinamide works hard as an anti-inflammatory product. It supports the skin's barrier, increasing its resiliency, improving texture and reducing oil production.
How to use it: Niacinamide is a pretty safe ingredient. This means it can be used both morning and night and it's well tolerated by most people.
Don't mix it with: Vitamin C.
Suitable for all skin types, especially those who want to break the spell of dark circles, puffiness and crow's feet.
AHA/BHA
Who it's good for: Most skin types (it just depends on the type of acid).
What it does: Alpha hydroxy acids (AHA) include glycolic acids and lactic acids, which are suited to those with normal or dry skin. Beta hydroxy acids (BHA) include salicylic acids, which are ideal for those with oily and acne-prone skin. Both are essential for those looking to renew their skin. They are known as chemical exfoliants, which work to resurface and smooth the skin.
How to use it: We do recommend using AHA/BHA sparingly, as chemical exfoliants can be harsh when used too frequently.
Don't mix it with: Retinol.
-
AgeWell Intense Repairing Night Cream -
Vitamin C
Who it's good for: Most skin types (those with sensitive skin should patch test first).
What it does: Vitamin C is an antioxidant that protects the skin from free radical damage. It works to fight signs of discoloration and hyperpigmentation and improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, all while stimulating collagen production.
How to use it: It's best used in the morning as it brightens your skin – just make sure to layer it underneath sunscreen. We also recommend looking for a product that comes in a pump-style bottle, as vitamin C can lose its efficacy if exposed to air and light.
Don't mix it with: Retinol and niacinamide.
Hyaluronic acid
Who it's good for: All skin types, but especially those with dry skin.
What it does: Looking for hydration? When hyaluronic acid is applied to the skin, it acts as a humectant, absorbing up to 1,000 times its weight in water. It also does a wonderful job at plumping the skin.
How to use it: Hyaluronic acid can fit seamlessly into your routine with just about any other ingredient. If you really want to reap the benefits, use it in the morning for a hydration boost.
Ceramides
Who it's good for: All skin types, but especially those with dry skin.
What it does: Ceramides act as magnets, forming a protective barrier on the skin's surface to hold in moisture. They are naturally produced in the skin, but production levels can drop due to factors such as ageing and seasonal changes.
How to use it: Applying ceramides onto damp skin is recommended. That way, all the moisture is locked in and can't escape.
The Carousel would like to thank Marina Tatas – a shopping writer at Finder – for her article.
The post Skincare Ingredients That Belong In Everyone's Routine, And How To Use Them appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post The Importance Of Prebiotics And Probiotics For The Skin appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>
I wish it could be as easy as one single product, but the secret ingredient to life is balance. Whether it's work, leisure, nutrition, exercise or your social life, all things are better in balance. So, when it comes to our health, balancing the microbiome of the gut has been on-trend for years, and now balancing the skin microbiome is finally just as important.
Our bodies house trillions of teeny tiny bacteria − even more than our skin cells! So, to maintain a healthy, strong skin barrier we really need to nurture and balance these little critters with skin 'food', or prebiotics and probiotics.
Both prebiotics and probiotics are great for your skin individually, but teamwork makes the dream work, right? Consider prebiotics as the 'food' for the good bacteria, providing a healthy environment, and the probiotics as the seeds that allow the skin to thrive and grow.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, I saw a steep rise in redness, inflammation and sensitivity concerns. The skin's barrier became compromised with elevated stress levels and wearing face masks. Using a topical prebiotic and probiotic in your skincare routine can significantly reduce symptoms such as dryness, flaking, blemishes, breakouts, and assist with the balancing of the pH to strengthen the skin's barrier.
So which skincare prebiotics and probiotic are best? As a cosmetic scientist, I recommend avoiding skincare products with whole, live probiotic bacteria. All skincare formulations must contain preservative ingredients that are designed to kill bacteria to prevent them from contaminating your product and harming your skin and eyes. So, if you think about it, preservatives in skincare don't know how to distinguish between keeping the good probiotic bacteria and killing the harmful bacteria.
At Synergie Skin, we have harnessed both prebiotics and probiotics in an innovative pre-serum elixir, Dermiotic, to boost the skin's resistance to physical and environmental aggressors. It uses my favourite prebiotic skin food, alpha-glucan oligosaccharide, and probiotic ingredient, bifida ferment lysates. The technology behind lysates means they are small, cut pieces of the whole, live probiotic bacteria that trigger beneficial changes in the skin just like the whole bacteria.
There are also some great ways to boost your prebiotics and probiotics by incorporating them in your diet. To increase your intake of prebiotics, reach for good quality fibre sources. There are many fibrous fruits and vegetables that contain prebiotics – asparagus, leeks, broccoli, garlic and apples. My number one form of prebiotic in food is konjac root. To increase your daily intake of probiotics, some great go-to foods are natural yoghurt, kefir, miso, sauerkraut, kimchi, tempeh and kombucha.
Prebiotics and probiotics in a topical formulation can truly be a skincare game-changer for all skin types and conditions. Together, they provide the optimal environment for healthy cell renewal, microbiome balance, reducing skin inflammation and restoring your natural glow.
Consider prebiotic and probiotic skincare to be an essential part of every daily skincare routine for every skin type. Let's ditch the old fashioned 'toner' as an outdated skin balancer and replace it with a quality prebiotic and probiotic elixir as the ultimate skin balancer!
The post The Importance Of Prebiotics And Probiotics For The Skin appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post What's New In Vegan Beauty? appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Arbonne's AgeWell range features ingredients that work together to target effects of ageing in all skin tones, with the plant derived Bakuchiol – sustainably sourced from India.
Bakuchiol has been referred to as the plant-based, gentle alternative to retinol. When paired with AgeWell's other key ingredients Stabilised Vitamin C and Plant Stem Cell Extract, it is just as affective in firming the skin and evening skin tone as retinol, without the harsh effects.
While retinol frequents the charts of dermatologist recommendations thanks to its ties to the appearance of healthy ageing, it is commonly known to trigger unwanted sensitivity on the skin. To further complicate matters, retinol becomes unstable when combined with other key ingredients (case in point: Vitamin C, also highly praised by dermatologists).
Bakuchiol, the hero ingredient of Arbonne's new line, helps skin look radiant. Other ingredients include stabilised Vitamin C and Sustainable Plant Cell Extract.
- Bakuchiol: A plant-based retinol alternative, helps to reduce the look of facial wrinkles
- Stabilised Vitamin C: Supports collagen through moisturisation
- Sustainable Plant Stem Cell Extract: Helps improve the appearance of skin radiance, elasticity, firmness and texture
On its effect on the skin, Raja Sivamani, MD MS AP Board-Certified Dermatologist and Ayurvedic Practitioner, says, "Bakuchiol is a naturally derived ingredient that's great as a highly effective, yet more gentle approach than retinol in improving the appearances of photo-ageing".
Skincare Regime To Keep Your Skin Healthy
- For a gentle rinse, use the AgeWell Silky Cleanser with Vegan Surfactants
- Spritz the AgeWell Refreshing Toning Mist with Vitamin B3 over your skin
- Nourish your skin with the AgeWell Collagen Nurturing Serum with 2% Bakuchiol
- Reduce dark circles and puffiness with the AgeWell Enriching Eye Cream with Caffeine + Bakuchiol
- The next step depends on personal preference:
- For SPF protection during the day, cover up with the AgeWell Moisture Restoring Cream with Broad Spectrum SPF 15
- For replenishment and hydration, cover up with the AgeWell Moisture Restoring Cream with 0.5% Bakuchiol
- At night, repair skin with the AgeWell Intense Repairing Night Cream with 2% Bakuchiol
- Enhance the regime with the AgeWell Firming Neck Cream with 0.5% Bakuchiol, suitable for morning and night. Hello, youthful décolleté!
The post What's New In Vegan Beauty? appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Is This The World's Best Looking Burger Creation? appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Here is what's in store at The Rocks in Sydney.
Chick-pieeee Burger – Baker's Oven – $10.50
Ever struggle to pick between ordering a burger and a pie? Well, now you don't have to! Baker's Oven has created the Chick-pieeee Burger, complete with mediterranean marinated lemon chicken breast, avocado, lettuce, tomato, sitting on top an entire chicken and vegetable pie in white sauce in place of the bun!
Parma Burger – The Orient Hotel – $22.50
Legendary pub foods unite! The Orient's limited edition Parma Burger is loaded with chicken parma, bacon, waffle fries, melted mozzarella cheese and slaw, topped off with a spicy jalapeño popper. Served with even more waffle fries, sour cream and chilli, grab them while you can!
Lobster & Eggplant Sambal Balado Burger – ASLAN Coffee Roasters – $28.50
In celebration of Burger Day, The Rocks favourite ASLAN Coffee Roasters are leaning into their Indonesian heritage to create something truly unique – a lobster and eggplant burger slathered in delicious sambal balado (a spicy Indonesian sauce made using chilli, garlic and tomato).
The post Is This The World's Best Looking Burger Creation? appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Delicious Gut Healing Kefir Yoghurt appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Serves 2
You'll need
A sterilised glass bowl or large jar
a blender
a strainer
a square of muslin (cheesecloth)
1 elastic band
a wooden spoon.
Avoid using metal, and store in a glass jar
INGREDIENTS
3 young coconuts, at room temperature
2 dairy-free probiotic capsules or 1 tablespoon dairy-free probiotic powder
liquid stevia or stevia powder, to taste
fresh berries, to serve (optional)
METHOD
1 Open the coconuts. Strain the coconut water into a bowl. Set aside.
2 Scrape out the coconut flesh. Try not to include any husk. Place in a blender. Add the coconut water. Blend until creamy- it should have
the consistency of yoghurt.
3 Pour the mixture into a glass bowl. Then add the contents of the probiotic capsules or probiotic powder.
4 Cover the bowl with muslin (cheesecloth), securing it with the elastic band. Put in a cool, dry, dark place for 1–2 days. When ready, it should taste fairly sharp without a hint of sweetness.
5 Add stevia to taste. Refrigerate and enjoy over the next 7 days. Serve with fresh berries, if using.
Heal Your Gut by Lee Holmes, published by Murdoch Books
The post Delicious Gut Healing Kefir Yoghurt appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Fermenstation Founder Yuka Yamamura: How Miso Helped Get My Health Back appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Scientist Yuka Yamamura grew up in Tokyo and moved to Australia 12 years ago because she was drawn by the pull of nature and the outdoor lifestyle including spear fishing, surfing and camping. The one thing she didn't reckon on was that by changing to a more Western-style diet, she was lacking in some of the essential food that had previously kept her healthy: namely Miso.
Here, she tells her story about how she got her health back from increasing the amount of fermented food in her daily diet and in the process she and her husband Yuki launched their business Fermenstation and now produce Organic Sunshine Miso and Organi Salt Koji, Organic Chickpea Miso, Tamari and Sweet Koji.
HOW MISO HELPED GET MY HEALTH BACK
Five years ago, I was sick all the time. Every month I had fever, my glands were swollen all the time. I was catching colds numerous times without any particular reason, even in summer!
One day, I heard an interesting story about Miso being good for gut health.
Miso is a traditional fermented food from Japan. It is also good for your health.
Despite growing up in Japan, we had no idea Miso was so important to our health.
Living in Tokyo, we used Miso for soup and other dishes everyday but for some reason stopped using it when we moved to Australia.
Since, I learned more about the health benefits of Miso we started having more meals with Miso. After a while, I realised that having been sick for almost four years I suddenly felt better! My fever was gone and glands were no longer swollen.
Our aim is to let all Australian people know and enjoy Miso and Koji (a Japanese rice) just because it is so good for you and delicious.
You may be still wondering what Koji is?? Koji is basically cooked rice that contains a rice culture. It is a major component in many common Japanese products such as Sake, Soy sauce, Mirin and Miso.
Koji breaks down protein to amino acid, so that if you add Koji to your food, your food will be full of Umami flavour. Koji also helps digestion and the absorption of nutrients, and contains vitamins as well.
Now, my husband and I sell organic Koji (Salt Koji, Tamari Koji, Sweet Koji) on the Sunshine coast and you can buy our locally produced Miso at the Marrickville and King's Cross markets in Sydney via True_Blue_Organics.
"GUT IS THE SECOND BRAIN"
Since my sickness was no longer a problem, we became increasingly curious about the benefits of fermented food. The gut is called the second brain. Gut environment is very important to our immune system. And, fermented foods have so many good probiotics which improve gut environment!
"YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT"
We've started our business because we wanted to educate Australian people more about the benefits of great Japanese food such as Miso and other fermented food.
Find out more about FermentStation here
The post Fermenstation Founder Yuka Yamamura: How Miso Helped Get My Health Back appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post World Bee Day: What's The Buzz About Mānuka Honey appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Have you heard the latest health buzz? This World Bee Day, the spotlight is firmly on Mānuka Honey, nature's rich and dark golden resource that's got health researchers talking, for its health benefits. Dr Beth Steels, Nutritional Biochemist helps us comb through the facts.
For centuries, Mānuka honey has been used by the Maori people in New Zealand, where it is well-regarded for its unique properties in wound healing and other uses. Many naturopaths, dietitians, and athletes have also been privy to the powerful wellbeing properties for a long time? So what's all the fuss about?
The source of Mānuka honey
The common understanding is that all honey is created equal. But that is not necessarily true. Mānuka honey, often referred to as the Queen of Honeys, is different from other pasture-type honey varieties, since it contains up to 20 times more concentrated naturally-occurring plant compounds[i] than other field honeys. These compounds help to support wound healing and the honey, when sterilized, may be beneficial for topical antibacterial and anti-inflammatory application[ii]. It's also been shown to be useful in supporting gut and digestive health, soothing coughs and sore throats and even used as a beauty boost to support a glowing complexion.[iii] [iv]
Monofloral Mānuka honey is unique as it can only be produced in areas thriving with Mānuka blossoms, which are found in some of the most remote parts of New Zealand. It contains three compounds that signify purity and quality, and which occur in much greater concentrations in Mānuka honey than other commercially-produced varieties. These compounds contribute to Manuka's antibacterial and antiseptic properties and are measured using the UMF grading system to ensure consistency, purity and traceability.
- Methylglyoxal (MGO) is the compound chiefly responsible for the antibacterial property of Mānuka Honey and forms the basis of the UMF grading system.
- Leptosperin is found in the nectar of Mānuka flowers and is the most discerning characteristic to distinguish Mānuka Honey from other honey types.
- Hydroxymethylfurfural is also found in the nectar of Mānuka flowers and converts into MGO once the bees gather the nectar and turn it into honey.
The goodness of Mānuka honey
Poor diet, nutrition and lifestyle factors such as stress and lack of sleep can impact our wellbeing in particular, our gut microbiome composition. When we are suffering dysbiosis, or a gut microbiome imbalance or depletion, the rest of our body might also become run-down and we may experience some digestive or gut issues. Researchers at Comvita, the world's largest producer of UMF certified Mānuka honey have been committed to unlocking the science of Mānuka honey through deep research for over 4 decades. Their initial research has shown promise that Mānuka honey may help support our digestive health, by acting as a prebiotic which is "feeding" our gut microbiome which in turn will help support a healthy immune system.[v] [vi]
The antioxidant compounds in Mānuka honey have been shown to help support our overall wellbeing.
How to enjoy your Mānuka honey
This golden goodness is a 100% natural, single-ingredient that is a truly functional food. You can add it to so many of your dinner recipes, teas, sourdough and muesli for some extra goodness. As a source of natural sugar with so many added health benefits, it's a much better option for you than conventional table honey and refined sugar.
www.comvita.com.au
About Dr Beth Steels
Dr Beth Steels has been in clinical practice as a biochemical nutritionist for over 20 years. She is currently Director of Research and specialises in clinical trial protocol designs in integrative medicine compliant with international clinical and regulatory requirements. She is also well published and lectures in Integrated Health at universities, industry functions and private tertiary organisations.
Beth's focus as a practitioner is to look for the underlying causes of imbalance or illness and focus on re-balancing metabolism allowing the body to correct itself, rather than just treatment of the symptoms. We have to understand modern medicine, fundamental physiology of the healthy body and metabolic changes that occur with health complications, and we are also defined in health by "what we eat and what we think".
Dr Beth Steels also has an interest in nutritional diagnostics, including nutritional pathology and the emerging new area of nutrigenomics. Nutrigenomics is the study of the interactions between foods and dietary actives with our genes. By understanding our genetic profile, we can develop another tool to optimise an individual's nutrition to bring the body back into balance, potentially to help treat those difficult diseases and provide optimal wellness as we age.
Dr Beth also consults at Brisbane Hynosis Clinic in New Farm helping people manage weight control and sugar addiction issues.
[i] Antibacterial activity of Mānuka honey and its components: An overview (nih.gov)
[ii] Antibacterial activity of Mānuka honey and its components: An overview (nih.gov)
[iii] A comparison of the effect of honey, dextromethorphan, and diphenhydramine on nightly cough and sleep quality in children and their parents – PubMed (nih.gov)
[iv] Honey as a Complementary Medicine (nih.gov)
[v] Effect of honey in improving the gut microbial balance | Food Quality and Safety | Oxford Academic (oup.com)
[vi] Honey as a Complementary Medicine (nih.gov)
The post World Bee Day: What's The Buzz About Mānuka Honey appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post There's A More Sustainable Way To Tie Your Hair – Try Eco Hair Ties appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>
Eco Hair Ties is a closed circle small business founded by me (Jessie) and my husband Adam to take our love for the environment and sustainability to the next level. With the recent interest growth in society to be more environmentally conscious, we still found that there was a big gap for more businesses to just follow that trend yet it seemed like no one was really taking that leap!
Eco Hair Ties was founded because sustainability, style and convenience are super important in our lives. Our little tribe has always wanted to put our needs for sustainability at the top of our priority list all while being super convenient.
Being environmentally conscious has always had a bad wrap when it comes to cost, convenience and aesthetic – so it was our mission to change that.
Because if you can't find what you need, make it yourself and that's what we did!
We created our amazing hair tie to not only encourage and celebrate loving the environment but we also want everyone to switch their mindset towards making sustainability a style of its own .
we also want everyone to switch their mindset towards making sustainability a style of its own .
Jessie alice
Usually we turn to changes like cars, lightbulbs, power consumption and all that other complicated stuff to change our negative impact on the planet to a positive one. But the thing is, it actually doesn't have to be complicated at all. Making a positive change in your life to be gentle with our environment can be as easy as tying your hair – so we set that to be our mission!
Our journey started with a tiny idea that sparked a wave of inspiration in our lives. Being two people who are always around nature (we love catching a wave or finding a new walking trail), we wanted to make sure that our mark left on the planet was a positive one, even if it is the smallest thing.
So, not only are our hair ties made from zero plastic so that they don't harm any little living thing in nature, but they are created through a process called up-cycling which is a quirky and innovative way to turn one man's trash into another man's treasure.
This is how we are able to turn a humble bicycle inner tube (our main resource) into a stylish product for your hair. But don't worry – the bike inner tube goes through an intensive cleaning process to retrieve the freshest and sleekest product that we possibly can.
We also finish the process by bathing the hair ties in coconut oil to give them a beautiful and healthy finish – ready to create the most amazing hairstyles!
And that's Eco Hair Ties! Just a dream for a more nature-lovin world that we turned into a full time business. Our mission is to save the planet one hair-do at a time! This business is our passion and we're so excited to share it with you… If you want to follow our journey we are online @ecohairties on Instagram or to shop our products visit us at ecohairties.com.au
The post There's A More Sustainable Way To Tie Your Hair – Try Eco Hair Ties appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Taurus Marketing CEO Sharon Williams Talks Branding And Marketing appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>
Sharon Williams launched her company Taurus Marketing 25 years ago. Here, the marketing guru shares the secrets behind branding, latest marketing trends and growing your business during the pandemic.
Robyn:I'm delighted to have Sharon Williams here today from Taurus Marketing. So tell us some of the lessons you have learnt in the last year?
Sharon:So marketing is always changing and I've been in business for a long time.
Robyn:25 years
Sharon:I've seen a lot of change and this year has been a catalyst for more change than ever and the biggest thing for us as marketers this year was the importance of internal communication. Empathy is the new brand currency. Brands that were struggling to deal with Covid, cash flow, safety, families, and just trying to survive had to really show a much deeper understanding of empathy in the markets they were working with. Empathy to everyone, to supplies to staff to office workers to everybody, so empathy really was the main theme we went out with when Covid hit.
Empathy is the new brand currency
Sharon williams
Robyn:How have you done that? We were talking earlier about how you introduced tea time to meetings and sent roses and have just done lovely things that have lifted people around you and changed the way business meetings have been conducted.
Sharon:If you're leading with empathy for people and leading with taking care of people, then 'experiential' suddenly starts to come back to the floor. So you're looking at your breakdown of audiences and what they need at this point, and if you're leading with empathy what you need to do is see how they're feeling and most people were frightened and concerned and worried and scared during that period, so what we led with was experiences to make themselves feel better, whatever that was.
Robyn:How have you helped your own team and their mental health through this period?
Sharon:Yes, well they've been the priority. They were immediately sent home so they were safe, OH&S was contacted so we knew they were working in an environment that they would be able to sustain. I'm very lucky, I've got a fantastic team with me and we've been together a long time. And so immediate zooms, social zooms, buddy systems, connecting every morning at 9:30 for a team meeting and then yes taking care of them in way like sending them a pack of dog biscuits if they've got a new puppy, a Covid puppy. If they've got somebody in hospital, if they're caring for an elderly parent, then we just try to tailor our approach to them as we did with our clients and our network.
Robyn:I think one of the fundamental things is we've learnt to be more caring and aware that people are going through difficult experiences. I had a friend telling me his mother is in Chile on a ventilator, you just don't know what's happening to people. I think we all need to be more empathetic and caring.
Sharon:And you just asked me about mental health and interestingly one of the clients we signed up during this time was a psychiatrist. He immediately got us into what we could do to make life better and it was really great to learn first hand what we could do for clients and team members and my own family. Our teams and family were our prime responsibility
Robyn:So going forward into the next year, what's happening for Taurus Marketing?
Sharon:I've been running Taurus for 25 years so my challenge is to never accept the status quo and ensure I am continuing to blow it up and reinvent it. I'm really excited about looking at the bullseye methodology that I created and extending that out in the next year and seeing what that looks like for clients. We're terribly excited to have moved our office headquarters to Barangaroo in Sydney.
Robyn:Yes that is exciting!
Sharon:It's been the absolute highlight of my year, so I feel like the team and I have really stepped up, we've got an office in the clouds and it's all so exciting. We want to maximise that opportunity, we're in the most exciting part of town so I'm looking to lift the game on every level.
Robyn: Just tell us some of the tips in your Taurus Bullseye, the things you really started 25 years ago that have been part of the values that have guided you right through. Explain to us more about your Bullseye approach.
Sharon:The Bullseye is like a dart board. So if you were throwing a dart you'd want to hit the centre and we always say to people we work with and indeed my own family and my own team, you ought to know where you're heading and what success looks like and then identify that and work backwards so that the premise never changes. And it has been the same and consistent for all of these year and helped us through the global financial crises and it's got me through, we've talked about breast cancer.
Robyn:Because you've overcome breast cancer, you're a friend of mine but also someone I know that is tremendously resilient something I've always admired in you.
Sharon:Thank you Robyn. It was very exciting for me to look at the Bullseye this year and go, yes crisis comms, internal comms, experiential, empathy, they're all of the things that are going to be foremost for us to get through and of course elasticity – the resilience. You've got to have the half cup full. Otherwise, it's pretty hard going.
Robyn: I've got to say you've always been a glass full person and someone that's always been an inspiration to me. So thank you for talking to me today Sharon and best of luck with Taurus, I'm sure it'll go on for another 25 years.
Sharon:Thanks Robyn, that's lovely.
The post Taurus Marketing CEO Sharon Williams Talks Branding And Marketing appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Dr Eisen Liang Talks About Adenomyosis – The Bad Cousin Of Endometriosis appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Adenomyosis isn't easy to diagnose, often taking a decade to be detected in an ultrasound, which is why some women undergo a hysterectomy as they feel they are out of options. Here, Bashir Kumar reveals her experience with Adenomyosis
It was the most terrifying experience of my life. I was bleeding everyday for almost a year. I was in constant pain, I always had a headache and I was fatigued all the time. It got to a point where I had to get iron infusions and at one stage, even a blood transfusion.
I never planned a family holiday or risked going anywhere where I didn't have access to a bathroom. Occasionally I would experience "flooding" – which means blood would gush out of me like a river. I couldn't control it. It was so traumatic.
And the worst thing is… I couldn't tell anyone.
I remember going to the bathroom at least every hour when I was at work. I was embarrassed and I couldn't confide in anyone. It was having a massive impact on my life – even a normal working day turned into a nightmare for me. It wasn't until I had to get my third iron infusion. I thought to myself.. I need to stop doing this to my body and find another alternative.
Every doctor I went to recommended a hysterectomy. I didn't want to go down that path, so I continued my search for an alternative. Until I came across UAE. Uterine Artery Embolisation (UAE) is a non-surgical and non-hormonal radiology procedure that is performed under local anaesthetic and light sedation.
A small tube is navigated under x-ray to find the uterine arteries then small particles are injected into them to block the blood supply. The adenomyotic tissue will die due to the lack of oxygen and the normal uterine muscle wall can open up collaterals and therefore isn't harmed.
The UAE procedure provides hope for women and has a 90% success rate. I underwent the procedure and only needed a week of recovery time. I would recommend this to anyone who is looking for another alternative other than surgery.
For more information : http://sydneyfibroidclinic.com.au/
The post Dr Eisen Liang Talks About Adenomyosis – The Bad Cousin Of Endometriosis appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post My Cupcake Addiction's Yummy Popsicle Ice Cream Cake appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>It's another no bake 'cake' idea that you can make a week or so in advance and store in the freezer until it's required.
INGREDIENTS
1/2 L Good quality Strawberry Ice cream
1/2 L Good quality Vanilla Ice cream
1/2 L Good quality Chocolate Ice cream
Melted chocolate
Sprinkles / Nuts
Make sure that you use good quality ice cream here as lower quality ice cream contains more water and gets 'icey' when softened and refrozen.
The post My Cupcake Addiction's Yummy Popsicle Ice Cream Cake appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Make it tonight: Foolproof Barbeque Potato gnocchi appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>There is no fear of overmixing with choux paste as the base. Make sure your potato flakes contains nothing but dehydrated potatoes. You can mix the batter in advance and then cook the gnocchi to order. If you are a fan of barbecue potato chips, you'll love the surprise of smoky flavour in this pasta.
Serves 8 as a side dish
INGREDIENTS
2 cups / 120 grams potato flakes (instant mashed potato)
195 grams beer
2⁄3 cup / 165 grams barbecue sauce
12 tablespoons / 175 grams unsalted butter
1 tablespoon / 6 grams garlic powder
1 tablespoon / 6 grams onion powder
2 1/2 teaspoons / 5 grams garam masala
1 teaspoon / 6 grams fine sea salt
1/2 teaspoon / 1 gram freshly grated nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon / 1 gram cracked black pepper
1 cup minus 1 tablespoon / 140 grams plain flour
165 grams Cheddar cheese, grated (about 1 1/2 cups)
6 large eggs
4 tablespoons / 56 grams unsalted butter, sliced
30 grams Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, freshly grated (about 5 tablespoons)
METHOD
1 Preheat the oven to 175°C.
2 Spread the potato flakes on a baking sheet and toast in the oven for 5 minutes, then stir. Continue toasting until they are a deep, golden brown, about 5 minutes longer. Remove from the oven and let cool at room temperature. Once cool, grind in a food processor to make a fine flour.
3 In a medium saucepan, combine the beer, barbecue sauce, butter, garlic powder, onion powder, garam masala, salt, nutmeg and pepper.
4 Bring to a simmer over medium heat. Add the ground potato flakes and flour and stir until the dough forms a ball and pulls away from the
edges, about 1 minute. Cook, stirring, for 1 minute more until a light film forms on the bottom of the pan. Transfer the dough to an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and add the cheese. 5 Paddle the dough for 5 minutes to cool and then start adding the eggs one at a time, allowing each to be incorporated into the dough. Turn the mixer off and let the dough cool to room temperature, about 30 minutes. It can be used immediately or you can chill it and shape it cold.
6 Set a large saucepan of salted water over high heat and bring to a boil. Transfer the dough to a piping bag fitted with a 13 mm plain nozzle.
7 Working quickly, pipe the gnocchi over the boiling water, using a paring knife to cut off 13 mm portions and letting them fall into the water. Cook until just set and tender, 3 to 5 minutes. You can check by cutting one open and tasting it. Drain lightly and transfer to a large bowl.
8 Melt the butter in a large pan over medium heat. Add the gnocchi and sauté until golden brown, 2 minutes. Gently fold the Parmigiano into the gnocchi. Serve hot.
Recipes and Images extracted from Maximum Flavour by Aki Kamozawa and H. Alexander Talbot published by Hardie Grant $39.95 available in stores nationally.
The post Make it tonight: Foolproof Barbeque Potato gnocchi appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Rockpool's Crazy Good Spaghetti With Prawns, Clams And Chilli Recipe appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>For a tasty seafood salad, simply add a dressing of herbs and chilli, lemon juice and extra virgin olive oil to cooked and shelled clams, mussels and prawns, then serve it all with cold pasta of your choice and a crisp glass of wine. Acqua pazza, or crazy water, is an Italian technique usually used for poaching fish, but this simple tomato sauce is also awesome for chicken. This dish can be served with boiled potatoes, rice or a green salad if preferred.
Serves4
INGREDIENTS
500kg live clams (vongole)
125ml extra virgin olive oil
4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
4 eschalots, finely chopped
1/2 tsp chilli flakes
60ml dry white wine
8 large green king prawns, peeled and chopped
400g spaghetti
1/2 bunch continental parsley
sea salt and freshly ground pepper
METHOD
1Clean clams by giving them a quick rinse in water. Heat the extra virgin olive oil over high heat in a large saucepan that has a tight-fitting lid, then add garlic, eschalots, chilli flakes and white wine and bring to boil. Add clams and cover.
2Steam for 3-4 minutes, shaking saucepan until shells open, then add in prawn meat and mix through; it will cook quickly.
3Meanwhile, cook spaghetti in plenty of boiling salted water until al dente and drain well.
4Add spaghetti and chopped parsley to saucepan and toss through. Season with sea salt and freshly ground pepper, and serve.
The Carousel thanks 'Rockpool' for this recipe.
The post Rockpool's Crazy Good Spaghetti With Prawns, Clams And Chilli Recipe appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Winter Makeup Tips – Get Set For Glamour! appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>I like to call Stephen the 'Francois Nars' of Australia. He's strikingly handsome, innovative, creative, gives great make-up for any occasion and has created a line of premium cosmetics that would make any Nars aficionado swap in a second (side note: I live for his foundations).
Anyway, here's what we unravelled in our chat about winter makeup!
1. Winter Makeup Has Star Quality
"Girls are so lucky," says Stephen, as he paints a Hollywood red lipstick over my pout. "Winter 2021 is seeing a revival in Hollywood Vintage Glam. It is so fun, particularly after we've been wearing masks and living in lockdown. Now, it's time to have fun with deep, glamorous hues reminiscent of the Golden Days of La-La Land!
"Look for a long-lasting, richly pigmented 'Movie Star' stain for your lips, but ensure it hydrates at the same time. Apply using a brush, to ensure precise results and minimise bleeding. Remember always to blot with a tissue too. This helps prevent lippy ending up on your teeth. If a big bold red is too much for you, opt for a strong coral hue, which suits all skin tones and be equally as dramatic without being so 'look at me'."
The Carousel Loves:
- Adderton Lipstick in Hollywood
- Adderton Lip Brush
- Bourjois Rouge Fabuleaux in Bohemian Rhapsody
2. Purple Is The New Black
It suits that purple is the hottest colour for eyes in winter. Did you know the Elizabeth Taylor used to wear purple eyeshot to enhance the incredible blue of her eyes? It's the kind of colour that does that for everyone. Stephen says, "simply brush the complete lid contour, then simply wing the colour out. This has the effect of lifting the eye contour and thus, giving maximum impact."
The Carousel Loves:
* Adderton Party Girl Triple Eye Shadow Palette.
- Clarins Ombre Satin Eyeshadow in Purple Rain
3. Eyeliner is essential
For definition, and to make your eyes truly 'pop' eyeliner is a must. Stephen says, it's all about a waterproof liner with saying power – and choose black, to complete your Hollywood look. "Add a distinct waterproof eyeliner in black that perfectly defines the lash line. Simply apply by drawing one distinct line close to the lash line. Smudge the line a touch with a cotton tip and then allow it to set for a few minutes.
The Carousel loves:
- Adderton Beauty Waterproof Retractable Eye Liner in Black
- Elizabeth Arden Beautiful Color Precision Glide Eye Liner in Black
4. Lashes are thick and dramatic
Two generous coats of jet black mascara will not only make your eyes appear more contoured," says Stephen, "but it will add to the entire Hollywood glam feel. Apply it to the top lashes only, concentrating on the outer edges to give a Marilyn Monroe doe eyed look."
The Carousel Loves:
- Arbonne Speaks Volumes Mascara in Black
- Adderton Mineral Mascara In Jet Black
5. Skin is a soft, luminous matte
"For winter makeup, opt for a complete foundation formulation that covers and hides any imperfections, offering the perfect canvas that has staying power."
The Carousel loves:
- Adderton Beauty Pressed Mineral Foundation Powder Matt
- Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear
The post Winter Makeup Tips – Get Set For Glamour! appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Little Beef & Onion Pot Pies With Mushy Peas appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>500 g beef chuck steak, cut into small diced pieces
¼ cup seasoned plain flour, for dusting
2 onion, thinly sliced
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
2 cups beef stock
2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tbsp finely chopped thyme
1 cup coarsely grated cheddar
2 sheets of store bought short crust pastry
Lightly beaten egg, for brushing
Mushy peas
300 g frozen peas
3 mint sprigs
30 g butter, diced
1½ tbsp pouring cream
2 tsp malt vinegar
METHOD
1 Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in large frying pan over medium-high heat. Dust beef in seasoned flour, shaking off excess and cook in a pan in 2 to 3 batches. Cook until well browned all over and set aside.
2 Meanwhile, heat another tablespoon of olive oil in a saucepan, add onion and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally for about 7 minutes until onion is tender.
3 Add the browned beef, stock, Worcestershire sauce and thyme. Season to taste with salt and freshly ground pepper, reduce heat to medium and simmer gently, stirring occasionally for about 45 minutes until the beef is very tender. Cool to room temperature, then divide among six individual ovenproof bowls or ramekins (about 1 cup-capacity), refrigerate to cool completely, then scatter the tops of each with a little cheddar.
4 Preheat oven to 180°C. Cut out rounds from the pastry large enough to overhang the sides of your dishes by about 1cm. Brush edges with a little egg wash, then place over beef mixture, egg wash side down (the egg wash will help seal the pastry to the dish). Pierce or score a hole in the top of each pie, brush pastry with egg wash and bake until for about 15 minutes until pastry is golden brown.
5 Meanwhile, cook peas and mint in a saucepan of boiling salted water for about 2 minutes until tender, drain, discard mint and pulse in a small food processor with butter and cream to combine.
6 Season to taste and just before serving stir though vinegar. Spoon on top of pies and serve.
Tips
1 You can make the pie filling a couple of days in advance and store in an airtight container in the fridge or freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw in the freezer before using.
2 Instead of using chuck steak, you could use minced beef instead and stir the peas through at the end of cooking. Top with mashed potato instead of pastry and serve with a tangy tomato relish.
The Carousel thanks Beef and Lamb Australia for this recipe
The post Little Beef & Onion Pot Pies With Mushy Peas appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Horticulturalist On How To Style Your Houseplants With Wellbeing In Mind appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>It's no secret that our obsession with indoor plants has grown faster than a devil's ivy in recent years, with more or us looking for ways to bring the outside in, especially during isolation. As a horticulturist, plant stylist and owner of Leaf an Impression – as well as an avid plant collector for over 10 years – I'm passionate about sharing and teaching the community about the myriad of benefits plants bring, while sharing styling tips that can help you get the most out of your plant pals.
The benefits
Plants soften a space and can tie your interior elements together, but they are more than just aesthetically pleasing. It's been scientifically proven, time and time again, that greening up our lives with a few fronds is good for our health and wellbeing. The Plant Life Balance simple science report tells us that this is something that has been deeply researched for over fifty years and that plants have the ability to create feelings of relaxation and positivity, and bonus – improved concentration! And not only that, but in a medium-sized room, one plant can increase the air quality by 25%. So, it's great to have a few (or many) plant babies about the place!
Consider your space
Think about the areas of the home you spend the most time in and work towards bringing plants into these spaces – is it the bedroom, the kitchen or even the bathroom? Then consider what conditions your prospective new fronds will be growing in – is the room brightly it, does it only get afternoon sun, or perhaps there is very little light for most of the day? If you're not familiar with your plant's needs, your local horticulturist can advise if the plants you have in mind are suitable – don't be afraid to take in a photo of the room you plan to green, it makes their job much easier!
Colours and textures
Once you have your plant choices, it's time to have fun with placement. Now, it sounds easy and don't get me wrong, it can be, but grouping plants in certain ways can help create a more aesthetically pleasing display. This diversity of plants is also essential in reaping the benefits according to the Plant Life Balance simple science. Grouping plants in odd numbers – 3 or 5 – is usually a good place to start. Play with pot heights by using stands (or even books) and mix foliage colours and textures. The large fenestrated leaves of monstera contrast beautifully with the graceful leathery foliage of the fiddle leaf fig or the glossy dark green leaves of the rubber tree. Hanging plants, particularly with trailing foliage like hoyas or chain of hearts can help soften the display.
If you're starting out, go for low maintenance options like devil's ivy, peace lily, or
sansevieria. The Plant Life Balance 2020 trend report also recommends the rubber tree, if you're looking for a statement piece. Play with pot colour and designs, too. Terracotta pots are great for uniformity and allow more bespoke pieces to shine, or you might want to go for a more monochromatic scheme with different shapes and sizes.
Shelfies and other opportunities
Once you start to see every surface as a planting opportunity, you'll quickly realise how much space you *actually* have to dedicate to plants – yep, even if you have a 'small' apartment. Bookshelves, curtain rods, clothes racks, window sills provided the rooms they reside in the right conditions for plants, they're all potential planting spots!
I spend a lot of time in the work/study, so I have completely filled the room with plants to give it a lush, jungle vibe. Plants help me relax, but also focus, so it makes sense to surround my workspace with them. I think it's also important to fill the entrance/hallway with plants – you're greeted with a lovely 'welcome home' every time you open the door.
Last words
Plants and wellbeing go hand-in-hand. But if something goes wrong – a plant loses its leaves or suddenly dies on you – try not to despair. Find out what happened – speaking to a horticulturist can help or try your local nursery – and use it as a lesson for next time as you continue to cultivate your urban jungle dream.
Tammy Huynh
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bz7yoO3AHTQ/
Horticulturist, plant stylist, and owner at Leaf an Impression and Plant Life Balance ambassador. Keep up with Tammy @leaf_an_impression.
The Carousel would like to thank Tammy Huynh for her story.
The post Horticulturalist On How To Style Your Houseplants With Wellbeing In Mind appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post 8 Best Interior Design Tips To Make Your Home Cozy appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Today we'll present you with the best interior design tips to make your home cozy, so make sure to stick around if you are interested.
1. Combine Different Types of Furniture
Crafty use of different styles of furniture is something that brings a sense of warmth and happiness at home. The idea is to combine multiple natural materials, as well as use different details, such as pillows, rugs, blankets, candlesticks, baskets, flowers, etc.
The use of wooden furniture is something that is trending, as well as lasting since most pieces are very durable and long-lasting. They can last for several generations, which is why it is a good idea to invest in classic wooden furniture, especially in dining room sets.
The dining area is usually where family members spend time with each other the most, so this is where the family warmth and comfort should start with.
2. Utilize Warm Colors
It's a common saying that whenever you go to someone's home, you can judge their character and personality by the color they chose to paint their home with. Bright and light colors are usually quite common everywhere, from restaurants to institutions, so a lot of people try not to use them in their homes, especially if they have a lot of space.
And this is not a joke, you can really transform a room with color, making it warmer and more welcoming to other people. Warm colors are great for this purpose, even though they are not so good for already small rooms and areas since they will give the impression that there is even less space than usual.
3. Focus on Little Details
In order to make your home cozy and welcoming, you need to let people get to know you. And you can only do that if you focus on little decorating details.
For example, if you have a distinctive style, try to get a wall clock that would fit right in, since, you know, wall clocks have always been popular. Or, simply add some little details, that will show what kind of person you are, in order to personalize the interior of your home.
4. Create a Bright Home Environment
When people come to your home, you want them to feel comfortable and welcome. It simply cannot be the case if your home is dark.
It would be best if you had a lot of natural light in your home, thanks to large windows or cozy outside balcony. However, if that is not the case, you can always use stylish artificial lighting, for instance, floor lamps, or decorative wall lamps.
5. Use Pillows
Having a lot of pillows is also one of the good ways to tell other people to make themselves feel like in their homes. When people buy sofas or beds, they usually get some pillows, but not in the amount we're talking about, so it is always a good way to get some fringe throw pillows and get some that would fit well with the rest of your home décor.
6. Overall Ambience Matters
Another quite important tip is to set up a nice ambiance, which will make your home look and feel cozy and very welcoming. This includes playing some relaxing music you like, using an air refresher that smells nice, and overall, simply having a furniture setup that is not too formal.
You could say that home ambiance matters, even more, today, because of the pandemic, which forced a lot of people to work from home. And we all know that people are more productive when they feel relaxed.
7. Get Some Indoor Plants
To let people know your home is cozy, you can also use a bit of help from nature itself. Having some plants indoors is quite useful, not just for aesthetics, but also for health, since the vast majority of indoor plants is known to work as air purifiers.
Even if you are not a master gardener, you could probably grow some of them with ease, especially since there are houseplants that easily grow without soil.
8. Decorate with the Stuff You Like
Last, but not least, make sure to decorate your home with the stuff you like, so you would always feel cozy where you live. If you like to read, make yourself a house library. If you like to watch movies, make yourself a house cinema. Anything that would further personalize your home, and make it more welcoming.
There you go, folks! Those were some of the best interior design tips to make your home cozy and welcoming. If you enjoyed the article, or if you have anything to ask, let us know.
The Carousel would like to thank Stella Green Thompson for her article.
The post 8 Best Interior Design Tips To Make Your Home Cozy appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Orange & Poppy Seed Cake appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Preparation time 10 minutes
Cooking time 3¾ hours (slow cooker) or 1¼ hours (oven)
INGREDIENTS
200g (7 oz/2 cups) almond meal
(ground almonds)
120 g (4¼ oz/1 cup) quinoa flour
2½ teaspoons baking powder
4 tablespoons poppy seeds
finely grated zest and juice of 2 oranges – you need 250 ml (9 fl oz/1 cup) juice
125 ml (4 fl oz/½ cup) light olive oil
130 g (4¾ oz/½ cup) Greek-style yoghurt
185 ml (6 fl oz/¾ cup) honey
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 eggs, lightly beaten
Candied oranges and syrup
juice of 1 large orange
4 tablespoons honey
1 large orange, thinly sliced
METHOD
In the slow cooker
1 Grease the slow cooker and line with baking paper. Cover the lid of the slow cooker with a clean tea towel, securing the corners around the knob with string or an elastic band – this is to prevent condensation dripping onto the cake as it cooks.
2 Combine the almond meal, flour, baking powder and poppy seeds in a large bowl.
3 In another bowl, whisk together the orange zest and juice, oil, yoghurt, honey, vanilla and eggs, then gradually whisk into the almond meal mixture to make a batter.
4 Pour the cake batter into the slow cooker and cook on low for 3 hours until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean.
5 Turn off the slow cooker but leave the cake in it for another 30 minutes.
6 For the candied oranges and syrup, put the orange juice and and honey in a small, non-reactive pan. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat to medium. Add the orange slices and cook for 5 minutes each side until the oranges shrink and caramelise.
7 Carefully remove the cake and top with the candied oranges and syrup.
In the oven
1 Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F/Gas 4) and grease and line a 24 cm (9½ in) cake tin.
2 Combine the almond meal, flour, baking powder and poppy seeds in a large bowl.
3 In another bowl, whisk together the orange zest and juice, oil, yoghurt, honey, vanilla and eggs, then gradually whisk into the almond meal mixture to make a batter.
4 Pour the cake batter into the tin and bake for 55 minutes until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. Cover the cake with foil if it browns too quickly.
5 For the candied oranges and syrup, put the orange juice and and honey in a small, non-reactive pan. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat to medium. Add the orange slices and cook for 5 minutes each side until the oranges shrink and caramelise.
6 Carefully turn out the cake and top with the candied oranges and syrup.
The post Orange & Poppy Seed Cake appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post 7 New Beauty And Health Products That We Know You'll Love appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Whether you're looking for sunscreen, lipstick or cleansing lotion, The Carousel has 7 beauty and health products for you to consider that we think you'll love.
Sun Bum – SPF 50 Sunscreen Lotion for the Face
Use this premium lotion on a daily basis to protect your face from the sun wherever you may be; don't just save it for the beach. The issue with 50+ SPF sunscreens is that they tend to slowly absorb in the skin usually leaving your face ghostly. Sun Bum doesn't have that problem since it absorbs quickly to create an invisible, matte-looking protective layer.
Buy it here for $12.99.
Trinny London: Rossy
Combine long-lasting, intense pigment and a matte texture that can be applied across the lips and cheek and you get Trinny London's Lip2Cheek range. Its latest release, Rossy, is a powerful red that is bold yet approachable. Its rustic undertone transforms this shade into a rich yet workable red.
You can buy it here.
Cherry Morello
The collaboration between Youtuber Chloe Morello and Face Halo sees the special Cherry Morello makeup remover. One set includes three Face Halos, a wash bag and comes in the exclusive holiday holographic packaging. One face halo can replace up to 500 disposable wipes since they're reusable for up to 200 machine washes.
Get a pack of three for $38
Baby Bum
The new Baby Bum range of beauty products including a Shampoo & Wash, Bubble Bath, Hand Sanitiser, Moisturiser and Coconut Balm are made with the best high-quality plant-based ingredients, with 70% of them coming from a renewable vegetable source.
You can buy the range here.
Ardell's Extension FX lashes
This beauty range has the same characteristics of lash extensions including curl type, thickness, length and design. Achieve the true salon effect with Ardell's latest range.
Buy it here for $29.99
Mere Skin
The products merging nature and skin science. Packed with biocompatible ingredients, Mere Skin's products contain biocompatible ingredients that penetrate the skin and nourish deep below. All the products are packaged in biophotonic glass making their products not only toxic-free and irritant-free but also cruelty-free and 100% vegan.
Ecoya Bodycare
Ecoya Bodycare's hand and body wash lotions are made with bases of Macadamia, Coconut and Almond Oils with rich Vitamin E. They are fragrant, vegan-friendly and free from Parabens, Propylene Glycol, Silicone and artificial colours. Its lotions are now packaged in frosted bottles, made from fully recyclable PET plastic.
The post 7 New Beauty And Health Products That We Know You'll Love appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Jamie Oliver's Potato Cakes With Smoked Salmon appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Total time 40 minutes, plus chilling
INGREDIENTS
330 g Cream delight potatoes
2 spring onions
1 heaped tablespoon plain Flour
1 small knob of unsalted butter
2 large free-range eggs
3 slices of smoked salmon, from sustainable sources
2 heaped teaspoons sour cream
1 bunch of fresh chives
METHOD
1 Peel the potatoes and place in a pan, just covered with boiling salted water and cook on a medium heat for 15 minutes, or until tender. Drain and leave to steam dry.
2 Once cool enough to handle, coarsely grate into a mixing bowl.
3 Trim, finely slice and add the spring onions along with a pinch of sea salt and black pepper. Add the flour and half the butter, then mix well.
4 Divide into 4 equal-sized balls and pat into at rounds. Place on a plate, cover with plastic wrap and pop in the fridge to chill for at least 30 minutes to firm up.
5 Place a large non-stick frying pan over a medium heat and dot in the remaining butter. Gently fry the potato cakes for 2 to 3 minutes on each side, or until lightly browned and hot through. Remove to a plate and keep warm until ready to serve.
6 Meanwhile, carefully lower the eggs into a small pan of boiling salted water and cook on a medium heat for 5 minutes for a runny yolk.
7 Slice the smoked salmon, arrange two potato cakes on each plate and top with equal amounts of salmon.
8 Peel the eggs, then divide between your plates. Spoon over the sour cream, snip over the chives, season well and serve.
Tip: Get ahead and save yourself a bit of time by working up to step 4 the day before – they'll sit happily in the fridge until you're ready to go!
The Carousel thanks Jamie Oliver and Woolworths for this recipe
The post Jamie Oliver's Potato Cakes With Smoked Salmon appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post First Appointment with SmileDirectClub appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Move over old school braces and multiple visits to a dentist. This is an easier and less expensive process costing around 60 per cent less than braces. You just need to attend one in-store appointment where they will ask you a few questions. They will then take scans of your upper and lower teeth and then your bite. These scans will create an amazing 3D image that you can see.
Your scans are sent off to an Australian registered dentist or orthodontist who then designs your custom treatment plan. They will oversee your program from start to finish and order your clear aligners. They will approve your treatment and monitor your progress.
The clear aligners are created with an advanced 3D printer. The only drawback is that the aligners are currently only being made in America, so there's a bit of wait to get started. Your box will arrive in a couple of weeks containing everything you need.
There are two ways you can wear your aligners. The shortest timeframe is to wear them both day and night for 22 hours per day. This is the most popular option and takes on average 4 to 6 months. If you'd prefer, you can wear them just at night time but this will take a couple more months to see the results you are after. However, you only have to wear them for 10 hours overnight.
The appointment took around half an hour. It's a pleasant and pain-free experience. I'm looking forward to getting started.
After your SmileShop visit, you'll go home with a teeth whitening kit.
Your dentist or orthodontist will use a teledentistry platform to track your progress with regular virtual check-ins. At the completion, you'll need to wear retainers to keep your new smile in place.
About SmileDirectClub
SmileDirectClub is the largest provider of dentist directed, at-home clear aligners and have over 1 million satisfied grinners worldwide. SmileDirectClub provides safe and effective dentist-prescribed and monitored clear aligners for people with mild to moderate crowding and spacing. They straighten most smiles in an average of 4-6 months for quick, clear confidence.
A SmileDirectClub affiliated, Australian-registered dentist or orthodontist reviews your photos, medical and dental history, and a 3D image of your teeth before approving your custom treatment plan. Their dental care teams are available 24/7 by phone, email, video chat, and social media to answer any questions you might have.
SmileDirectClub has SmileShops located across Australia in Brisbane, Sydney, Parramatta, Newcastle, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth.
SmileDirectClub website: https://smiledirectclub.com.au/en-au/
The post First Appointment with SmileDirectClub appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Fried Eggs With Pistachio Dukkah appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Serves 2
INGREDIENTS
4 eggs
1 tablespoon sesame seeds
1 tablespoon cumin seeds
3 teaspoon coriander seeds
1/2 cup finely chopped unsalted pistachios
1 teaspoon sea salt
10 g butter
1 small clove garlic, crushed
100 g baby spinach leaves
4 slices toasted Turkish bread
METHOD
1 In a small dry pan toast the sesame seeds, cumin and coriander seeds until aromatic. Remove from the heat and place in a bowl.
2 Place the pistachios in the bowl of a small food processor and pulse until finely chopped. Combine with the spices and salt. Set aside.
3 Heat a large non stick frying pan over medium high and add a little olive oil. Crack two eggs into the pan and fry for 2-3 minutes or until cooked to your liking. Turn over if desired and cook for another minute. Repeat with remaining eggs.
4 Meanwhile in another pan melt the butter and add the garlic. Cook for a minute then add the spinach. Cook for 2-3 minutes or until wilted. Season with salt and cracked black pepper.
5 To serve, place the Turkish bread on serving plates and spoon over wilted spinach. Top with fried eggs and sprinkle liberally with dukkah.
The Carousel thanks Egg Corporation for this recipe
The post Fried Eggs With Pistachio Dukkah appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Sleeping Beauty: 7 Overnight Masks You Need Now appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Let your skin drink up these rich creams while you dream. Your morning skin will be ever thankful.
Now close those eyes and drift off into a halcyon slumber…bedtime beauty at its best.
Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte's Magic Cream
This is Charlotte's nocturnal answer to her wondrous day cream. Ok, so not technically a mask, this elixir essentially performs the same function with a similar consistency. Boasting oils, vitamins and the like, her skin stars are the Daphne Stem Cell Extract and Time-Released Retinol – which cackle in the face of ageing – ha! But be warned, it is seriously rich and sticky, and you may incur some literal pillow talk in the night – so the dry damsels need only apply. Eight-hours sleep in a jar – magical indeed.
100ml RRP $400. Stockist: Charlotte Tilbury
Erno Laszlo Hydra Therapy Memory Sleep Mask
If it was good enough for Marylin…Laszlo was Monroe's (and Audrey's, and Jackie O's) dermatologist, so you know you're onto a good thing. This pale pink gel isn't just pretty – but will also give you a pretty face. The weightless, bouncy texture shies away from greasy counterparts and literally melts into your skin. It's springy consistency is actually based on memory foam developed for NASA – fancy pants much? With 24-hour skin hydrators, you wake with seriously smoother, plumped skin – sans any dryness, anywhere.
$136 RRP 39ml Stockist Adore Beauty
Origins Dr Weil Dark Spot Correcting Night Mask
This miracle mask works to fight melasma overnight. You know that pesky smattering of dark spots – thanks, hormones – this pot aims to perfect those whilst you slumber. Enriched with Molasses, Mulberry, Vitamin C and Chestnut Seed extract, the mask helps to brighten and smooth the skin while you get your zzz's. Whilst my spots aren't quite 'gone' – a definite brightness is palpable, as is soft, bouncy skin. Like a nap for you face.
Kiehl's Ultra Facial Overnight Hydrating Masque
One for the night-dwellers, this tub of hydrating goodness is a cult fave. In the heavyweight corner, this potent masque is packed of moisture-attracting glistyrn and plant-based lipids. Cleverly, when your skin's water levels are low – this guy knows, and replenishes them whilst simultaneously retaining your water reserves. So you rise from your slumber with resuscitated skin.
Nude Skincare Advanced Renewal Overnight Repair Mask
As a huge fan of Nude already, this little (or big) tub ticked my night mask fantasies. It also ticked off my Greek foodie desires, a delicious combination of softening honey and vitamin-rich fig, coupled with Cupuaçu butter, which delivers Omega's 6 and 9 deep in the skin. This natural, nasty-free mask is the perfect hydrating skin hugger for those with a holistic hankering.
Shiseido Ibuki Beauty Sleeping Mask
This is skin sleep in a jar. When wear and tear from the day begins to manifest on my face – hello lines that were never there before – I slather this on just before hitting the sack. It's a cool, gel-like texture that comprises tiny white capsules of Vitamin C and E that burst and melt onto skin upon application, wrapping, shielding and protecting your largest organ. For a well-rested guise – sans the zzz – it contains a phytoplankton extract which thrives in the severely dry Sahara Desert, whilst its aromatic scent is intended to generate a state of relaxation. When you awaken from slumber, skin is visibility plumper and bouncy, and above all, hydrated.
The Estée Edit by Estée LauderPink Peony Overnight Water Pack
Like freshly plucked peonies, this overnight mask brought to you by Estée Lauder's diffusion line (aimed at the millennials) smells divine and is one smooth operator. The water-based gel mask is rich in pink peony skin, gogi berry, blueberry, and cranberry to soothe, smooth, and brighten unhappy skin whilst the hyaluronic acid hydrates overnight. You'll wake up glowing and baby soft.
The post Sleeping Beauty: 7 Overnight Masks You Need Now appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Reclining Butterfly – Yoga Pose Of The Week appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Reclining Yoga Pose is great for:
- Stimulating abdominal organs like the ovaries and prostate gland, bladder, and kidneys.
- Stimulating the heart and improves general circulation.
- Stretches the inner thighs, groins, and knees.
- Helps relieve the symptoms of stress, mild depression, menstruation and menopause.
- Thebutterfly stretch targets your hips along with your groin, inner thighs, and knees. It loosens up these areas of the body and strengthens your back muscles, helping to improveposture, without requiring overexertion or too much effort.
Coming into Reclining Butterfly Pose
- Begin by laying on your back.
- Press the soles of your feet together and let your knees fall to the side.
- You can have your hands at your sides or above your head.
- Extend your legs out in front of you.
- Stay here for a few deep inhalations and exhalations, until you feel truly relaxed.
Reclining Butterfly Pose is a wonderful pose to assist with sleeplessness and racing minds.
Contraindications
- groin injury
- knee injury
Precautions
- If you can't get your knees to touch the ground, don't worry – you will be able to go deeper into the stretch each time you practice it.
- Ensure your spine is erect and your core is engaged when practising this pose.
Always be kind to yourself, move with ease and grace. You are the most important person in your life.
The post Reclining Butterfly – Yoga Pose Of The Week appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Ballet Neutral: The Secrets From A Ballerina Makeup Artist appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>When we think of ballerinas, a gorgeous, glowing complexion always comes to mind – they never look too caked-on when waltzing across the stage, and all their features seem to balance out seamlessly with each other.
"The key to perfecting this contoured and highlighted look is choosing a foundation that will perfect your complexion without looking like you're wearing a mask," says Max May. "I chose to use a liquid foundation that you can work into the skin making the skin and the foundation become one."
He describes the ballet neutral makeup look as total 'on trend", adding "there was no difference in the looks to the ones he has created for his celebrity or fashion clients.
The good news is for the everyday gal, the look is so easy to achieve at home. Simply follow the guide below by Makeup Director Rae Morris.
"I'm crazy about the chic clean lines and fresh aesthetic of sport luxe," says Rae. "The trick is going back to basics. A flawless base lets your complexion take centre stage with soft pinks, blush tones and gorgeous, full brows."
Ready to give it a go yourself? Just follow these steps…
Step 1 – Your base is the most important step. Warm a few drops in your palms, and press into your skin for a natural look. Try Maybelline NY Fit Me Foundation.
Step 2 – Tidy up brows with a multi-tasking brow tool. Use the pencil side to lightly shade in areas that need a bit of help, and then use the spooly-side to tame unruly hairs into place. Try Nude By Nature Natural Mineral Brow Pencil.
Step 3 – Ballerinas always have the prettiest cheeks. Using the brush included with the product, gently sweep the product just underneath cheekbones for a light, shimmery glow. Try Bourjois Blush in Rose D'Or.
Step 4 – Pop a light pink lippie to seal the deal – a lip crayon is the perfect accessory to take with you on the go as it won't spill when you're on the road and you won't even need to sharpen it. Try Burt's Bees Lip Crayon in Carolina Coast, $16.99.
Step 5 – Pump 3-4 drops of shine serum into your hands, and pull your hair back with a combing motion. Try Toni & Guy Classic Shine and Gloss Serum.
The post Ballet Neutral: The Secrets From A Ballerina Makeup Artist appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Australian Version Of Hamilton Does The Smash Hit Proud appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Since then, both critics and audiences have raved about the show the world over so we're happy to report the Sydney version of Hamilton is as good as everyone hoped it would be – adding a few nice touches and definitely keeping the tradition which is everything 'Hamilton' alive!
So when it was announced Sydney would hold the show, everyone knew it would need to match the other productions – in performances, staging, production and direction. Thankfully it achieves this in spades – and yes, it really is as good as you've heard it is.
So far nearly 8 million people around the globe have watched Hamilton live and another three million have watched it on Disney+ when it opened on the streaming platform only back in mid 2020. As well, nearly the full soundtrack of Hamilton has had nearly 8 million views on YouTube and nearly 45 million people have viewed the first song of the Broadway production on YouTube. That's why the person who wrote it – Lin-Manuel Miranda – is now almost as well-known as his show.
How can a story about the American Revolution strike a chord with so many?
It seems obvious now, but when Hamilton first came out in New York in 2015 and we heard a musical about the American Revolution – set to hip-hop and rap – was bringing the house down, it seemed a little unlikely a show like this could keep up this widespread appeal and acclaim.
But it has. It's writer, Lin-Manuel Miranda, has harnessed the power of one of the greatest stories of all time – the American revolution – and set it to modern music so it virtually grabs you by the throat and demands you listen.
You must have been hiding under a rock if you haven't heard some of Hamilton's songs by now – especially if you're in the 18 – 30 age group who virtually claim the show as their own. It's likely you could know the words of every song – even though they're spoken at a hundred miles and hour, covering the events of the American revolution with an intelligence and humour which defies our preconceptions of musical theatre.
If you're a novice, you can swot up by listening to the soundtrack on Spotify before you go or watching the original Broadway cast version on Disney+ because otherwise you can miss some key points as they zing past you, rapid fire.
Should you make the effort to see Hamilton live?
Because you can enjoy Hamilton in the comfort of your own home, it does beg the question – is it worth the effort and expense of seeing it live? We can only answer with a resounding 'Yes!'
Because even though this is a completely new cast, every person on stage seems to understand the essence of what Hamilton is all about. Every move made, every action taken, is performed with the passion and precision we've come to know and expect from a Hamilton production. From the big musical numbers such as My Shot to the romantic, Helpless, we're treated to performances which fire us up or melt our heart – the quintessential qualities of musical theatre at its best.
Hamilton tradition of reimagining the US founding fathers as men of colour is upheld
The Australian cast has kept up the Hamilton tradition of purposely challenging the stereotypes of theatre by exploring the themes of race, immigration and colonisation. Each production of Hamilton has reimagined the US's founding fathers as men of colour and the Australian production includes three performers of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander backgrounds.
while Chloe Zuel plays his wife, Eliza.
These performers are Shaka Cook who plays Hercules Mulligan, Torres Strait Islander Tainga Savage is in the ensemble, along with Callan Purcell, a Wiradjuri man. Other backgrounds represented in the cast include Samoan, Maori, Filipino, Jamaican, South African, Nigerian, Egyptian, Japanese and Italian.
All the performers play their roles incredibly well. Jason Arrow plays Alexander Hamilton and while he's a newcomer to a major role like this, he rises to the challenge and gives us the wit and charisma we would expect. Hamilton's best frenemy is Aaron Burr and Lyndon Watts plays this character with just as much presence as his adversary, maintaining the constant sparring between them as it becomes a pivotal part of the show.
Perhaps now's the time for Lin-Manuel Miranda to write a new story about the women of this era?
While the women in the Australian production of Hamilton are quite exceptional and their story is fascinating to watch, their role is still very much as the 'love interests' of the American founding fathers. In the environment we live in today, where women are demanding to be heard every day – and succeeding – this seems a glaring omission.
influence and success in her own right.
While we can enjoy the performances of the women in Hamilton, we're sure there could be more told about these amazing women of this era. Sure – at the very end of the show, Eliza Hamilton (played by Chloe Zuel) tells us she's 'written herself back into the narrative' and she now runs an orphanage in New York, helping homeless children. We finally get a sense of a woman who has a life of her own.
But if you research it, it turns out Eliza always had a life of her own – she was not only the wife of one of America's founding fathers – she was an inspirational and successful philanthropist throughout her life and one whose impact is still felt today.
And another fact along these lines – George Washington's wife, Martha, is not part of Hamilton the show, but she was an interesting woman who stood by Washington as America's first lady and ended up freeing their 123 slaves early in 1801.
In these days of the 2000's, a story about these stoic, exceptional women would go down well. If only Lin-Manuel Miranda had found a way to work these stories into his musical – but perhaps it's something we'll see further down the track?
Seeing Hamilton strikes a chord in everyone who attends – read here an honest reaction from someone who attended the show in Sydney on the weekend….
People! Crowds! A full house and the excitement of a big Broadway show already of cult status. And it had me from the first word. I was in heaven. We were all in for an emotional, important and living experience – as one – sharing the theatrical experience again!!!
I was enchanted from beginning to end. One always knows when one is in for a good night. When actors sublimate their personal ego to the "telling of the story"- to the "purpose" of the story, something's gonna happen. We knew we were in for a thrill.
And what an emotional, meaningful and enlightening experience that was. And one would go far to find a story more important than the fledgling democracy that changed the world, the American revolutionary epic. The greatest story ever told.
How Washington took a ragtag, small untrained army, to confront the 32,000 highly trained British troops and through seven long years, with ultimate support of the French – won. And then led the move to actually create the higher principles of our underlying equality and the right to joy in each others existence to a state of government .
Washington knew the potential and talent of young, loyal officers. This night sees this epic through the eyes of one of those young officers – Alexander Hamilton. Through Hamilton's story , we feel tied up on the higher viewpoints that led to our freedoms today. The energy, skill, movement and music, tells us this story is not dead .
We fell the energy and excitement when young men and women are in touch with a known timeless principle. And I for one left , hoping that the young fans perhaps were seeing something more than their stars. I prayed they would feel their responsibility to Hamilton, to fight for and not carelessly erode, these principles.
Sad to see Jefferson, so much the heart of the real revolution, whose efforts helped bring the French into the fight and whose cannons ultimately ensured the final victory, so demeaned.
Hamilton's systems gave the impetus to the super power we see today in America. But Jefferson, who foresaw this, wanted something more people-orientated. That was his battle with Hamilton – he did not represent the interests of the money-grabbing south. He was a true revolutionary – the author of the famous American Declaration of Independence. It was Jefferson and Madison who truly represented the revolutionary vision.
Still, Hamilton is an amazing show – GO see it now! BUT read history and know it is slanted towards an ambitious Scotsman who played a part.
The post Australian Version Of Hamilton Does The Smash Hit Proud appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Say How You Feel – Inspirational Quotes From Mums appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Here, we take a look at some of our favourite quotes from personalities and celebrities about their mums, or about being a mum.
On Family Ties & Home Life…
"I remember being absolutely rocked to my core by how profoundly I could love another human being."
Cheryl Strayed – The now-famous hiker + author of Wild whose biggest adventure yet has been being a mum.
"I came late to motherhood and as a result I tend to look at the world of parenting with the wide eyes of a tourist."
Li ane Moriarty – The best-selling novelist known for observing everyday life.
"You can't aspire to this magic that takes place as a parent. It's just incredible."
Cathy Freeman – The Olympic-gold sprinter + mother who advocates for indigenous rights.
"I'm learning to step back, let go, and watch my daughter soar."
Maria Shriver - Journalist + rights activist {not to mention, former first lady of California, daughter of Special Olympics founder and niece of US President John F. Kennedy}.
"She always has a smile and a devilish joke on hand, and my life would be so much duller without her."
Lorde - The singer-songwriter who's inseparable from her poetic mother.
On Shared Passions…Together, they build businesses, travel, design and drink wine…
"My mother, grandmother and I all have different styles, but we share the same taste."
Margherita Missoni – The newest designer in the world's first family of fashion.
"Make great wine. Laugh more, live more, love more!"
Vanya Cullen – The award-winning vintner who learned the roots of the family business from her mom {chief winemaker} and dad.
"We love to eat, we love to drink, we love to explore."
Camilla Franks – The adventurous designer who travels the world with her mum.
On Motherly Wisdom & Important Lessons Learned…
"If a mother is well, a family is well."
Dame Quentin Bryce – The first female Governor-General of Australia.
"Educate yourself up to your senses. …dear girls, keep up! Let the world feel you are on its surface, alive!"
Abigail May Alcott – The mother of Little Women author Louisa Mae and 3 other daughters.
"My mother always told me that inaction is not an option. And neither is going it alone."
Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka – The leader of UN Women.
"My grandmother would constantly say, 'Sister, when you get, give. When you learn, teach.'"
Maya Angelou – Inspiring writer & humanitarian.
"I am prouder of my years as a single mother than of any other part of my life."
J.K. Rowling – The world-famous word wizard whose foundation disrupts single parent stereotypes.
On Unity & One Global FamilyWomen who've channeled their motherly love towards making the world a better place for all children…
"To save a child is a blessing; to save a million is a God-given opportunity."
Audrey Hepburn – Movie legend & UNICEF ambassador.
"There is nothing sweeter, gentler or softer than water. But water has the power to move mountains."
Dame Claire Bertschinger – Nurse & aid worker whose photo with Ethiopian children {c. 1984} inspired a song + sparked a global movement.
"Our desire to bring every good thing to our children is a force for good in the world."
Melinda Gates – The co-chair of the world's largest private foundation.
"We do not need magic to transform our world. We carry all the power we need inside ourselves already: we have the power to imagine better."
J.K. Rowling – The once-single mum and word wizard who sparked a worldwide love of reading.
Thanks to Quotabelle for these quotes.
Send your mum a message below…
The post Say How You Feel – Inspirational Quotes From Mums appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Guide To What To Do When Your Facebook Friends Die appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>I had no idea Tim had been ill, but he had been sending several of his friends rambling messages, sharing poetry he had written when he was an exchange student in Japan in the early 1990s and posting photographs of the Fijian woman he fell in love with when he was nineteen — an unrequited love that forever haunted him. It would not have been surprising if the last word to reach his lips had been "Melaia."
Goodbye Veronica
Then my friend Veronica was killed in a car accident. I'd seen on the TV news that a mother-of-four had died when her car skidded off the road and hit a tree but didn't know it was Veronica until her husband posted the tragic news on her page. It was an awful way to find out — but I soon realised how great social media can be in times of death.
I joined the hundreds of people writing on his timeline, "RIP sweet Veronica, taken too soon. I'll never forget dancing to Abba with you on a stormy night on Sydney Harbour. Fernando forever." It felt like I was writing to her. It made me feel good.
Who was Anika?
But it was the third death that impacted me the most. My friend Anika tragically took her own life. We communicated via social media, we shared funny stories about our children and, because she was extremely bright, I regularly picked her brain when I was in need of an ear to listen to my more outlandish story ideas.
I knew a lot about her. I knew her husband died on the football field following a heart attack. I knew she loved her cats, Billy and Bobby. I knew she had two daughters with fire truck-red hair. I knew she dreamed of returning to Paris, the place her husband had proposed to her beneath the Eiffel Tower. I also knew that Anika suffered from depression. Once I sent a private message, asking if she was OK. I also asked her, "What is your depression like?" And she replied, "It's like waking up every morning and asking yourself, 'How the hell am I going to get through this day?'"
But when I heard that Anika had died — when friends began posting RIP on her timeline — I felt like I did not deserve to grieve with them. See, I had never ever met Anika in the flesh.
Me, the impostor
She was the friend of a friend of a friend of mine and we became Facebook friends thanks to a mutual love of typewriters. So while her real friends were posting updates reminiscing on their friendship with Anika; posting photographs of themselves with Anika basking in the sun in Italy, or at her 21st, or more recently at a mother's group lunch at the horse races, I could only offer a lame "RIP sweet lady."
But what I really wanted to write was that, although I hadn't met Anika, I felt like we were friends and I believe she felt like I was her friend — even though we'd never looked each other in the eye, or given each other a hug or shared a bottle of wine. I wanted her real friends to know that I really cared about her too. But I felt like an impostor.
Her real friends were posting updates about the funeral and asking if anybody would be kind enough to adopt Anika's beloved cats. Then, some well-known local celebrities were posting on her page saying how heartbroken they were to learn of her death. See, I didn't really know her! I didn't know that pre-motherhood, she was a highly regarded publicist, everybody trusted her, she was a "somebody" who was widely adored within the entertainment industry. I'd only known the person she wanted to show on Facebook.
Funeral Day
Thanks to social media I knew the day, time and location of Anika's funeral. I really wanted to attend, but something held me back. Let's call it embarrassment. What if somebody asked me, "How did you know Anika?" I would feel like a sham if I'd replied, "I'm just a Facebook friend. We never met." I was being a coward. Like many people when it comes to death, grieving and funerals, I made it all about me. So I decided to stay home.
It was a beautiful Sydney Tuesday, one of those days where the sky was a priceless, vivid blue and the clouds looked like living creatures. But I felt I didn't deserve to join the mourners who had known the real Anika. Instead, I went to my local church and said a prayer for her soul. Only now I have a new regret to add to the regret that I never met her — I regret that I was too self-conscious to go to her funeral. Farewell Anika, I hope one day I will see you in the Land of the Angels.
LJ Charleston is a Sydney-based journalist. She is also the author of The Mommy Mafia: the urban dictionary of mothers, and Fatal Females. She has three sons; she will love them until the Sydney Opera House sails away.
The post Guide To What To Do When Your Facebook Friends Die appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Award Winning Chef Peter Gilmore Talks Food and His Book, Organum appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>With Quay, his multi award winning restaurant going strength to strength, the 'Snow Egg' man can do no wrong. Never one to command the limelight, his book Organum is his most personal book yet. In Organum, he shares the journeys behind each dish on a plate – the people, the process and his connection to land, earth and sea.
Organum is such a beautiful book, almost a work of art. Where does your inspiration come from to be able to push the bar to another level?
My first book, Quay was all about the food I was creating at the restaurant. I felt I had a lot more to say. This book expresses what I have learnt over 30 years of cooking and my philosophy as a chef. It explores questions around Australian cuisine and celebrates the fisherman and the farmers and tells their stories. It's a much more personal book.
You work with a wide range of growers and suppliers; many have been with you for years. How did you first meet them?
Ten years ago I was on holiday in Europe and it was spring. Many of the dishes I was eating used green almonds. I hadn't seen them in Australia yet they are so crisp and beautiful when they're young. Most Australian almonds are grown on huge plantations but green almonds are picked two months earlier. They have a milky crispness to them; you can't crack them with a machine but you need a knife. So I was trying to find someone in Australia. So I went to my chestnut lady! Who told me about Jude an almond grower in South Australia. I rang her up and asked if she would pick them green. She gave it a go. So that's how it started. Actually, she first sent over almonds picked even earlier (when they were chewy) so there are actually 3 different stages to eat them!
Are there any growers or artisans you would like to work with but haven't yet managed to get them into the 'Peter Gilmore club'?
Not really… most people are quite open and sometimes organising delivery can be tricky but we often meet half way and go that extra mile. We can cut out the middle man and pay them more. We recognise they go to extra trouble to provide us with wonderful produce and we are prepared to pay for that.
Your development process can take years; what's in the development pipeline (Peter's garden) that we haven't seen yet?
This book has been a year long project and labour of love. There will be other books and I would like to explore simpler cooking from my garden at home and maybe a new restaurant to reflect that style at some point in the future. In the garden this year I am growing four new types of potatoes, five new beans, heirloom white corn and beautiful kakai pumpkins as an experiment. In fact, Tim Johnstone is now growing them for me. I am playing around with an Italian variety which is a turnip-cabbage cross. There are many possibilities and projects.
What is the creative process for a dish?
It normally starts with the produce. I grow something interesting and look at the stages and tastes of development. When it's young, does it have edible leaves, shoots or flowers? One of my fishmongers might bring in a beautiful hand caught octopus. Sometimes it's the other way around. I could be inspired by an interesting cooking technique or fermentation. It's important to explore and keep them all individually written down or in the memory bank! As a dish starts coming together it changes and you often end up with something completely different.
You talk about the four elements; nature, texture, intensity and purity. When do you know when to stop?
Sometimes I have ten different techniques and flavours on the plate and it's not until I start taking away that its right. Do I have everything I need to be balanced? Or, if I take away will it be more direct?
How do you start to create a dish which many would describe as artwork on a plate?
It's part of creative process. Sometimes I want a dish to be sculptural but sometimes it's dictated by the aesthetics which need balance, texture and flavour. What are the ingredients? The layers? What part do I want to emphasise? It's different each time.
Do you consider yourself to be a chef or an artist?
I don't know! It's a combination of both. A chef needs to think like an artist creating something special and unique but if you are re-creating then you need to think like a craftsman. You are not just feeding someone a nourishing meal but giving people an emotional experience beyond just a physical level.
Many of your dishes tell a story. What dish provokes others to think about what they are eating the most?
I try to achieve that level of thought in all my dishes. Sometimes you make a statement of cultural reference or lineage with nature. It's like picking your favourite child. Xo Sea is evocative but the smoked pig jowl represents my style perfectly. There are four ingredients (pig jowl, shitake, sea scallop and Jerusalem artichoke) but they have multiple cooking processes. It's how they work together. On the palate you taste the smoking, the butter infused mushrooms; the texture is pretty incredible from the richness of jamon to the crispy Jerusalem artichoke peeled and fried.
Noma has arguably made foraging cool. Why do you think Australians haven't embraced foraging or our bush food?
Bush food is often in diverse areas of Australia as opposed to places like Europe which are much more accessible. Samphire and worrigal greens are examples but much of it is restricted due to the laws here. So many heirloom varieties available but often one family or one region have saved it. That fascinates me – if it's not grown every year, we lose it forever. Diversity is so important. There are hundreds of apples that take centuries to create. Farmers markets need to be embraced.
Are you seeing a broader approach from your diners? Are they more explorative?
Absolutely. Even a cooking show like Masterchef can change a generation of kids who now care about learning to make pasta. Australians are very open minded because of our multicultural society. You can have Thai green curry one night and Spaghetti bolognese the next.
What produce have you fallen in love with?
For me it is variety. But am very passionate about mushrooms I think they are fascinating, so many flavours and you can much you can do with that species. If you go to Japan it blows your mind with what you see, the sheer diversity and flavour is amazing. Australian seafood is something else I absolutely love and we should embrace it and look after it. We need to use different fish not under so much pressure from fishing.
Organum isn't for the novice cook. If you were going to tackle a dish where would you start?
I haven't tried to write a book for home cooks, it's reflective of my cuisine. It's for passionate cooks and young chefs. A good dish would be summer tomatoes with a golden aromatic broth. It's such a beautiful dish to create. There are ones that are complex and take three days. But they are broken up so you can tackle a component such as a sauce or vegetable garnish.
Is the 'Snow Egg' the greatest thing you created or a curse?
I feel quite privileged to have such an iconic dish that people know and love. Someone said recently that it's one of the most recognisable desserts in modern culture. Flavours change all the time with the fruit. I still get heaps of customers who saw it and want to try it.
Be honest, you are knackered you have come home from work what is your fast food fix?
I have been known to make a cheese and ham toastie, but if I am hungry I will often create a simple pasta dish, garlic, olive oil..
Try this delicious recipe from Organum:
Celery Heart with Aged Feta, Rare Herbs & Flowers
Organum by Peter Gilmore, published by Murdoch Books is $100 from Booktopia
The post Award Winning Chef Peter Gilmore Talks Food and His Book, Organum appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Remodelling Your Home To Become More Sustainable appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Today, sustainable living is the need of the hour — and the sooner everyone jumps on the bandwagon, the longer we can retain our quality of lives. As climate change continues to become more real every day, a focus on preservation is the way to go. And what better place to begin that journey than your own home? Not only do environmentally sustainable homes bring with them the satisfaction and joy of doing your bit for the environment; but they can also turn out to be easier on the pocket in terms of living expenses.
If you're starting to think about remodelling, let's take a look at some of the simple things you can do to make your remodel environment-friendly:
Look For The Energy Star
Saving energy is a key factor in making a home sustainable. The most straightforward way to do this is to opt for renewable energy. A relatively simple solution for renewable energy could be to harness the power of the sun. Solar energy panels are easier to set up than most other forms of renewable energy and are growing in popularity, and in turn, can be quite affordable to install.
A renewable energy-powered home is ideal, but unfortunately, not all places have the resources needed for implementing renewable energy into home design. In these cases, you can still save energy by purchasing energy-efficient appliances. Energy-efficient appliances are usually marked with the Energy Star, which symbolizes the energy you'll be saving by using that appliance as opposed to a less energy-efficient version. Not only does this help the environment, but energy-efficient appliances can also reduce your electricity bills.
Find The Right Materials
Using natural and sustainable materials for remodelling is a great way to minimize your environmental impact. Some popular natural materials include rock, granite, natural linoleum, and stone. For your remodel, try to find materials that have the Greenguard Certification. Greenguard certified materials don't emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs), thus also decreasing the health risks of long-term exposure to VOCs during construction.
These materials are also known to last longer which roughly translates to lesser repair charges over the years and a longer time gap to the next remodel. Additionally, the lack of harmful chemical compounds in these materials can also benefit your health, by improving the air quality in your house.
Declutter and Deconstruct Before You Demolish
If you plan to completely transform your house by bringing down walls and pillars, think again. First consider whether there are areas that can be salvaged, and saved from complete demolition. Is there a room that could look as good as new with a simple furniture change? Could you use furniture from one room to decorate another? A complete overhaul of your current space will cost you way more than what a deconstruction would.
Not to mention decluttering and deconstructing is much kinder to the environment than a full demolition. It is worth considering these before you demolish your current space. For instance, incorporating multifunctional furniture is a great idea if you have a space crunch and are looking to maximize storage space. If you do have to demolish, try to use as much of the original materials as possible. Look to incorporate them into your new design in unique and exciting ways! A word of warning: If your house was built before 1975, you might run into asbestos during your demolition. It's absolutely imperative you have a professional check your home for asbestos before you start any remodelling or demolition.
Implement a Waste Management System
While any commercial undertaking would have to be much more vigilant towards sustainable waste management policies, a home setup affords you the freedom to choose the waste management systems you want to implement. Inside a home, the most substantial waste generated is food. This is where one must apply the "reduce, reuse, and recycle" mantra every day. Remember, a sustainable home can only be truly effective when paired with a sustainable lifestyle and habits. With this in mind, use the process of your sustainable remodel to inculcate general habits that contribute to the long-term sustainability of your home. Reduce your food waste as much as you can, share leftovers instead of storing them till they become waste, and try to reuse your kitchen waste in different ways rather than throwing it away. If we collectively consume less and recycle, the waste generated will consequently be much lesser too.
Buy Pre-owned Furniture
Some materials such as wood are gaining popularity as second-hand materials. Not only does a pre-loved wooden cabinet look great, but good-quality wood is also expensive to buy new. Buying second-hand allows you to get quality items at cheaper rates while also saving the environment!
Final Thoughts
Remodelling your home is not something you will do often, but it is something that will impact your life every single day. So make the right long-term choice about what you want from your newly remodelled home. Whether it's a small section you're changing or a complete transformation, make sure you look at eco-friendly options. While you might not be able to make every aspect of your living quarters eco-friendly, it is worth trying to incorporate as many sustainable options as possible.
Sustainability might appear to be a daunting concept, but in reality, it can be a fun way to show your creativity. In the long-term, prioritizing sustainability has also proven to be a more affordable and fulfilling option. No doubt, building a sustainable and beautiful home that will last you not just for years, but for generations to come, will be worth every bit of effort!
The post Remodelling Your Home To Become More Sustainable appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Wine of the Week – Mitchelton 2018 Preece Yarra Valley Chardonnay appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>2018 Preece Yarra Valley Chardonnay Palate
The palate unfurls with fresh flavours of nectarine, white peach and cut flowers, built along with crisp acid backbone and textured mouthfeel.
VineyardFruit for the 2018 Preece Yarra Valley Chardonnay has been sourced from the Upper Yarra sub-region of Victoria's famed Yarra Valley. At an altitude of over 300 metres above sea level, the diverse soil types and cool climate lend themselves to the gradual development of elegant and complex fruit flavours and integrated natural acid backbone.
Vintage Conditionsfor 2018 Preece Yarra Valley Chardonnay
Winter 2018 was cold, delivering a good dormancy for vines, and the rainfall leading into the season meant the soil's moisture was replenished and the vines remained healthy.
The Winter and Spring rainfall leading into the 2018 season was excellent, with soil moisture's replenished, and vines in excellent condition, while October through to December was warmer than average, but without peak temperatures causing any issues.
The flowering to fruit set period was quick, assisting in good berry numbers. The berry development and ripening period from December to March was dry, consequently there was little disease pressure. Preece 2018 yields were moderate, and the slow cool ripening was very even, delivering fruit with freshness and strong varietal flavours – making the 2018 Preece Yarra Valley Chardonnay a classic drop.
The Winemaking
The fruit for the 2018 Preece Yarra Valley Chardonnay was harvested in the cool of the night with gentle draining and pressing aimed to preserve freshness and flavour. Following
a brief settling period, juice was racked to seasoned and new barrels for fermentation and maturation. A period of battonage was employed post fermentation to tease out additional complexity and texture into the finished wine. Following 10 months maturation on lees, barrels were carefully assessed to ensure balance of flavour was achieved in the final exquisite blend!
Pair it with
About Mitchelton Preece Wines
The Preece Wines collection pay homage to the legacy of Mitchelton's founding winemaker Colin Preece, also known as one of Australia's masterful blenders. Embracing the fastidious approach and innovative flair that Colin Preece extolled throughout his highly decorated career, the Mitchelton winemakers' creatively explore Victoria's rich and diverse viticultural landscape and some of the best patchwork of exciting sub regions in search of highly expressive sites and the finest quality. Handcrafting a collection of fruit-forward varieties, the contemporary Preece wines herald an exciting new era of wine and viticultural exploration from this iconic Victorian winery.
Mitchelton wines are made from the vineyards on the Estate in Nagambie and also from the surrounding Heathcote region. We have a distinct variety of ranges, including Estate, Preece, The Bend, Heathcote Luxury and more.
The post Wine of the Week – Mitchelton 2018 Preece Yarra Valley Chardonnay appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Beauty Revelation: Bobbi Brown's Crushed Shine Jelly Stick appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>
The reason for this is that it's infused with fruit oils and Hyaluronic Acid which gives you an instant burst of colour, and adds loads of moisture to your lips leaving them soft and plump. The jelly formula is quite different from any other lipstick I've used before. It glides on easily imparting a strong tint to your lips with each swipe. In fact, just one swipe is enough to give you a decent layer of colour but go for the second swipe if your want a real pop of colour. Personally, I've found it something of a mood booster which explains why I find myself reaching for it regularly to give me a quick pick me up.
The two shades above – Papaya and Candy Apple – have been what I've been using but you can also try out Cranberry, Tahiti, Honey and Lilac. Each of these have a $47 RRP which given the luscious ingredients is good value. Available now at select Myer & David Jones locations, and at select Mecca locations, as well as online via www.bobbibrown.com.au & AdoreBeauty
The post Beauty Revelation: Bobbi Brown's Crushed Shine Jelly Stick appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post The Truth About Toners appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>To tone or not to tone — that is the question. Over the years, toners have become a confusing category of skin care as a result of out-dated information and formulas.
Originally, toners (or "astringents") were developed to remove mineral oil based cleansers. Since traditional cleansers were tissued off because mineral oil couldn't be washed off the skin, a toner had to contain SD alcohol to remove the cleanser and mineral oil off the skin's surface. As a result, many people found toners — or more specifically, SD alcohol — irritating and drying to their skin.
But, those days are over and a lot has since changed. Nowadays, toners come in a variety of gentle splash-on and spray-on formulas.
"Toners not only rebalances the skin but removes any trace of cleansing particles – making sure the skin is super cleansed, balanced and pores are refined – preventing the skin from becoming congested," says Nichola Joss, Sanctuary Spa skin expert. "It might seem like an unnecessary step after you've just washed your face, but honestly, your skin will be so much better for it."
Modern toners are designed to intensely hydrate the skin, calm and refresh thanks to gentle yet effective ingredients such as plant botanicals; and give the complexion overall clarity and evenness.
Here, we reveal the do's and don'ts of using toners.
DO use a toner if you have oily skin:
If you have combination or oily skin, a toner can help balance your sebum levels and restore your skin to it's protective pH level while removing residue. Opt for a formula that contains hydroxy acids — these will gently exfoliate and remove dead skin cells while botanical extracts such as witch hazel, rosemary, aloe vera and chamomile work to soften, sooth and tone the skin.
L'Occitane Angelica Lemon Mattifying Toner
DO apply a toner after cleansing:
By applying a toner to freshly clean skin, the skin's barrier is more susceptible to skin-nourishing ingredients. Soak a cotton pad with your toner or splash some in the palm of your hand and then pat gently onto your skin. Skin will be hydrated and texture smooth — and your face will be ready to tackle whatever serum and daily moisturiser you throw at it.
Dr. Lewinn's Synergise Toner
DO apply a toner if you have sensitive skin:
Those with dry or sensitive skin typically shy away from toners because of their astringent, drying reputation. After all, the last thing dry, sensitive skin needs are irritants that make it even drier or redder. But the right toner for dry or sensitive skin can make a world of difference: you'll see less redness, less flaking, and your skin will feel comfortable and soothed.
NP St Detoxifying Tone
DON'T apply a toner after your makeup:
It's a no brainer: a splash-on toner will muddle your make-up, however, a spritz formula won't. In fact, a spritz toner is a great hygienic option, which will rehydrate your skin and cool and refresh your complexion — all the while keeping your make-up in check.
Dermalogica Multi-Active Toner
DON'T use alcohol based toner:
While most toners are now alcohol-free, it doesn't hurt to check the ingredients list and label. When choosing a toner, natural ingredients come out on top. Look for calming naturals such as calendula, which is an oil extracted from the common marigold flower. Its mild properties make it ideal for use on all oily skin types including sensitive skin.
Kiehl's Calendula Herbal-Extract Alcohol-Free Toner
DON'T use a toner if you want big pores:
But, who wants enlarged pores anyway? It's true — a toner can help minimise the size of them. Pore refining toners are best applied after cleansing or a mask (as opposed to over the top of make-up). A gentle toning formula will help shrink the size of pores and reduce the formation of blemishes, without stripping the skin.
Sanctuary Spa Deep Cleanse Facial Pore Refining Toner
The post The Truth About Toners appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Shop The Gary Pepper Girl Look appeared first on The Carousel.
]]> 
Add a touch of pretty, preppy and elegant to your wardrobe and shop Gary Pepper Girl's chic winter look below!
Get Gary Pepper Girl's Look
Topshop Roll neck sweater, $60
ASOS Mixed Stone Fine Ring Set, $15.69
River Island Navy Lace Pencil Skirt, $54
MAC Peach Blossom Lipstick, $36
River Island Contrast Gusset Metal Edged Lady Bag, $88
Report Signature Spike Two Part Flat Shoes, $127
What are some of your favourite Gary Pepper Girl winter looks? Tell us in the comments below!
The post Shop The Gary Pepper Girl Look appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post How To Have A Healthy Pregnancy appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>"Your pregnancy journey actually begins a good three to four months prior to conceiving, when you are trying for your precious baby," she reveals. "During this time, it is important for both you and your partner to be as 'fertility fit' as possible – to maximise your chances of falling pregnant, as well as to ensure the good health of both you and your baby." Dr Raewyn's soon-to-launch fertility app can also help you track your daily intake of nutrients to ensure you enjoy a healthy pregnancy.
Lifestyle Tweaks To Support A Healthy Pregnancy
This is the time to give up unhealthy lifestyle choices such as smoking, drinking too much alcohol, taking drugs or eating unhealthily. it's also a great time to ensure you are getting enough exercise and that your body is functioning optimally.
"Your first step should be to see your GP for a general check up and conversation about any prescription meds you may be taking, or any underlying conditions you may have, such as diabetes," advises Dr Raewyn. "You should also ask your GP for a referral to a gynaecologist who can do an overall health check and ensure you are indeed what fertility specialists refer to as 'fertility fit".
"Part of this is getting your correct daily intake of essential nutrients for your own health, as well as the healthy development of your baby throughout pregnancy, during breastfeeding and beyond.
Start Taking Folate Before You Start Trying To Ensure A Healthy Pregnancy And Baby
"Folate is absolutely essential to promote the healthy development of your baby's neural tube (brain and spinal cord) and a healthy pregnancy," advises Dr Raewyn. Your little one's brain and spinal cord begins to develop even before you get those two lines on your pregnancy test!
It's pretty common for women to be naturally low in folate, so fertility specialists recommend taking prenatal supplements that include folate at least three months, but ideally six, months prior to conception.
"Folic acid is important for the closure of the baby's neural tube in early pregnancy and prevents conditions like Spina Bifida," reveals Dr Raewyn.
Folate can be found in lentils, legume beans, green leafy vegetables (the darker, the better), avocados and oranges. However, most medical and fertility specialists recommend a supplement, no matter how healthy your diet may be.
Iodine
"Iodine supports the metabolism and assists with fetal brain development," states Dr Raewyn. "Both the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) recommend all women thinking about a healthy pregnancy, or trying to conceive should take a vitamin supplement containing both folic acid and iodine.
"The National Health and Medical Research Council recommends taking a daily pregnancy vitamin that includes500 mcg of folic acid and 150 mcg of iodine. For men, studies have emphasised the importance of antioxidants to maintain healthy sperm and reproductive health. To assist with sperm health and function men can improve their anti-oxidant intake with a daily supplement of anti-oxidants. These include Zinc, Selenium, Lycopene, Folic acid, Garlic, Vitamins C, E, and D."
Magnesium
A study by Advanced Biomedical Research found that during pregnancy and breastfeeding, pregnant women who supplemented with magnesium had less complications in their pregnancy. The study concluded that a woman who's breastfeeding or pregnant could need as much as 1000mg of magnesium per day.
Magnesium has been found to reduce cramps which are very common during pregnancy and research has shown it will lessen the strength of Braxton Hicks contractions, which is extremely helpful during childbirth.
While magnesium is an essential mineral for all of us there are some other specific functions it performs when during pregnancy. It's used to maintain healthy blood sugar levels in the body and it works together with calcium to help build baby's healthy teeth and bones. It also regulates cholesterol and heartbeat in Mum-to-be. While magnesium is relatively east to get through food (just a few servings daily of magnesium rich foods – nuts, seeds, whole grains, beans, leafy vegetables, milk, yogurt and fortified foods) will suffice), many of us are actually low in this essential mineral, in which case a supplement can be useful.
Oral supplements can assist, however applying trans-dermally, as a cream, can often be more palatable for people, especially during pregnancy. Just the simple act of massage is an act of self care and a wonderful way to connect with your body and your baby at this precious time. Then there's the added bonus that you're massaging essential moisture into your skin throughout your pregnancy, which may help warn off stretch marks.
Director of Elektra Magnesium, Sandy Sanderson prefers the cream as it contains 15 percent magnesium chloride (food grade), infused in a complex blend of rich plant oils and butters, with essential fatty acids and fat soluble vitamins providing some buffering and skin barrier protection.
Be careful when breastfeeding though, as baby should not be ingesting the cream. "Don't use the cream on the nipple area where your baby is feeding, as it's not supposed to be ingested orally," Sandy warns. "It's best to lubricate and condition the nipple area with an edible vegetable oil and wait until this is fully absorbed before feeding."
Zinc
"Zinc is an essential trace element important for rapid cell division and growth during pregnancy," says Dr Raewyn." Your zinc demands increase during pregnancy and lactation, so if you are low in zinc prior to conception, it will be harder for you to adequately meet the requirements to support the rapid growth of your baby.
Zinc can be found in myriad foods like oysters, beef, chicken, eggs, fish, milk, cheese, cashews, legumes such as chickpeas, and seeds!
Vitamin D
There is some indication that low vitamin D levels can influence the development of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM), an autoimmune condition, in your baby after birth. T1DM is where the body does not produce enough, or no insulin to take the sugars from the bloodstream into the cells of the body to use for energy. Studies show a rich vitamin D intake leading up to, and during pregnancy, can reduce the risk of your baby developing T1DM later in life.
"Emerging evidence suggests it may also be instrumental in hormonal balance, ovulation, egg development, and embryo quality, especially if you are deficient in anything else. Check your Vitamin D with your GP and load up on fortified eggs, salmon and tuna and a little sunshine ever day (don't forget your SPF)."
Ingesting healthy fats helps your body absorb vitamin D more readily, so check you are getting some extra virgin olive oil, avocado, oily fish, nuts and seeds daily.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 is a water soluble vitamin that is instrumental in maintaining a health brain and nervous system function. "Deficiency in Vitamin B12 may cause difficulty in conception, as inadequate levels can cause changes in the blood that affect egg development and ovulatory function," says Dr Raewyn.
"B12 is readily available in any animal-based foods such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs and milk, as well as fortified milk alternatives like soy milk. For those women who follow a vegan diet – supplementation is necessary as there are no plant-based sources of B12. Speak to your GP to check your current levels and a dietitian for the best supplement regime.
Iron
"Iron is vital for for women, especially those trying to conceive," says Dr Raewyn. "Research looking at 92 studies assessing the relationship between maternal iron anaemia and pregnancy outcomes found that a woman's daily prenatal intake of iron improves the birth weight of your baby.
"Avoiding iron deficiency before becoming pregnant can make it easier to maintain iron stores, especially when you reach your third trimester where your iron needs increase by almost double (from 18 mg per day to 27 mg per day). These iron stores will be used to produce more blood, which will be provided to your growing baby."
Calcium
Calcium is vital to help strengthen your growing baby's rapidly-developing bones and teeth. It also boosts muscle, heart and nerve development, and let's not forget, it remains as important as ever for you to be getting your RDI daily for your own teeth and bones throughout pregnancy. The World Health Organization (WHO) advises that pregnant women take up to 1200mg per day of calcium.
The post How To Have A Healthy Pregnancy appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Jet-Setting The World As A Digital Nomad appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Being a digital nomad in no way has to disrupt your jet-setting lifestyle, on the contrary. It can take it to new heights, giving you more various opportunities to enjoy the abundance of luxurious living. Let's see how you can maximize your jet-setting potential by becoming a digital nomad and travelling the world in style and opulence while working for a living.
Choosing secluded and luxe spots
image source
We've learned that some of the most cherished, beautiful places in the world are extremely difficult to visit during a crisis such as the pandemic. When you work on the go and have the luxury of staying put for longer stretches of time, thus respecting the need for quarantine and social distancing, you can actually access such places with greater ease. Plus, you get to taste them without the regular crowds, turning even the more ordinary places into hidden treasure troves of luxury.
All you need is a secure internet connection, a solid laptop that can handle your workload, and you're set. With that taken care of, you can book a luxurious suite with a view of the ocean and no people in sight, to spend your days with room service at your disposal, sipping cocktails and working at your leisure!
Exploring your adventurous side
image source
Jetsetters often want to taste more of life than just sunbathing and yachting, correct? With that in mind, digital nomadism can take you to places you've never seen before, but it can also enable you to book incredible adventures and learn new survival skills at the same time. You can learn how to use different exciting tools like a top-notch switch blade knife in different situations while glamping or mountain climbing. Such skills can come in handy later in your travel adventures too!
You'll learn how to find fresh water and use a portable filter to make sure its drinkable on the spot. You can learn how to mend things on your own with that knife or find your way in the wilderness. By being able to finance all of these adventures and the gear you'll need, you'll have more freedom to expand your experiences and learn new skills while jet-setting the globe one day at a time.
Reconnecting with Mother Nature
image source
Jetsetters often truly love the chance to spend more time away from crowds, even though the occasional hour or two at a rooftop party isn't a bad idea at all. As a digital nomad determining your own work schedule and earning a living while traveling, you can actually spend more time away from urban environments, and within reach of the most beautiful natural wonders.
A common mistake travellers make is that of overburdening their itinerary. As a jetsetter, you have the chance to take your sweet time when discovering different natural wonders, wherever you go. There's no need to stuff your schedule with long meetings while you rush for a 30-minute hiking adventure only to rush back to your hotel room to another meeting. Now that you're a digital nomad, you're the master of your time and you can take entire days admiring Mother Nature while you take other days to complete your projects.
Tapping into long-term opportunities
image source
Jet-setting often takes you to different places during a single month, although it's not really mandatory, and people can define their own agenda as they please. Today, as travel is changing due to the health crisis, and people need to be more careful than ever, traveling for short periods of time cause more stress than pleasure. As a result, even jetsetters often decide to abandon their plans.
As a digital nomad, you can settle wherever you please, so long as the destination in question matches your needs and preferences, and ensures enough security for you and your health. Make sure that you have a health insurance policy that covers all your needs, and you can spend months on end in a single, luxurious spot with much-needed peace of mind.
It takes time to adapt to your new lifestyle if you suddenly choose to work on the go. However, as soon as you take on your very first project and book your first flight into the unknown, you'll learn to appreciate your new life even more. The freedom that comes with taking your work with you will allow you to explore even more luxurious destinations, spend more time immersing yourself in the local culture, or booking adventures you never thought possible! Take these tips to heart before you start your jet-setting journey, and you'll be ready to make the most of every opportunity that presents itself.
The post Jet-Setting The World As A Digital Nomad appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Creating Cool Craft Projects with Cricut Joy appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>It is the smallest of the three machines currently on offer by Cricut. The smaller size Cricut is ideal for transportation and packing away easily. It is perfect for apartments or small craft rooms.
Cricut Joy Setup
The box contains a Cricut Joy machine, power cord and adapter, black fine point pen, an envelope containing a let's get started instructions, warranty card, green StandardGrip adhesive mat, silver smart vinyl, blue cardboard to create your first project.
Before purchasing you'll want to check you have a compatible computer or mobile device, and a high-speed internet connection. You'll need to head to the dedicated setup webpage for instructions: https://www.cricut.com/setup or download the app.
The app includes 50 pre-designed projects to select from. You can purchase other project templates for under ten dollars. Don't forget you can also upload your own designs and ones you find online. There are numerous websites packed with free SVG files suitable.
Browse projects and use the website:
https://youtu.be/IRPz93TUNWc
You'll need to pair the app to your machine. I turned on location settings, but did not allow access to contacts.
After you have selected your design, it's then a simple three step process. Select the material you're using, load the correct tools and materials (in the front), and then tap to go. You'll need to unload and press the finish button.
I was creating craft projects within half an hour. My first couple of attempts took a couple of minutes to be completed. Perhaps the hardest part is selecting a design.
You might like to purchase some extra vinyl and materials with your machine. I'd suggest purchasing the starter tool kit which contains three helpful tools:
- Spatula – to carefully life materials from your mat
- Weeder – to remove unwanted vinyl and iron-on pieces
- Scraper – to easily clean your mat and apply vinyl designs
Cricut Joy Features
The Cricut Joy builds on the technology from the two larger machines, but takes up a third of the space. This innovation is based on technology found in robotics, CNC machinery, or other automated devices.
Other key technological and design elements include:
- Compact (15cm) and less than 1.8kgs size that sets up instantly and packs away easily
- Accurate precision and speed of Cricut's full-size smart cutting machines at 75 percent less weight and one-third of the size
- Buttonless design with Bluetooth wireless connectivity for designing and cutting
- Free, downloadable design app, Design Space®,
- Cuts over 50 different types of materials
- Access to nearly 130,000 images and ready-to-make projects in Design Space
- Load and go sensor technology that facilitates automated loading of materials and detection of material length
- Single, combined housing unit to hold blade or pen tools
- Off-axis motor design that reduces the carriage size by 73 percent
Cricut software works on mobile devices and laptops. It's in the Cloud and available for PC, Mac, iOS, and Android. Just download the app and create an account. You'll then need to select your machine.
Cricut Joy enables users to cut single designs up to 1.2 metres long. You can also create continuous designs up to 6 metres with Smart Materials. Imagine cutting 100 stars to decorate your child's room within minutes. Additionally, you can create customized greeting cards easier.
You can use Cricut materials like iron-on, vinyl, and Cricut's revolutionary Infusible Ink system to create custom projects. You can make personalized products, custom stickers, decals, labels, and more in as little as 15 minutes.
It's best to start off with a design from the library. When you get the hang of it, then you can upload designs from other users and even design your own patterns.
Cricut Joy is a fun compact smart cutting machine that allows an easier, more convenient way to personalise everyday items.
Cricut Joy | RRP AUD$349 from Spotlight, Harvey Norman, Big W and JB Hi-Fi
The post Creating Cool Craft Projects with Cricut Joy appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post How To Create Perfect Chocolate appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Undoubtedly, there is an ever-present fascination surrounding plated creations with a personalised touch, and it's for this reason the creators of the finest Belgian chocolate-Callebaut- have put together some fun (and fool-proof) hacks for tempering chocolate for The Carousel. They are ideal for taking your favourite sweet treats, or desserts to the next level.
Traditionally consider a complex process, tempering's main objective is to create a smooth, glossy texture that has an irresistiblesnaponce set. Perfect for covering your favourite fruits or coating your desired desserts, tempering allows the cocoa butter to crystallise within the chocolate, and you only need a microwave and spatula to be successful.
Top Tips For Making Tempering Chocolate
– Always melt chocolate in a plastic bowl as glass has the tendency to retain heat that can potentially ruin the heat sensitive tempering process
– Always microwave the chocolate in intervals of 30-seconds, stirring generously between each interval. This will allow you to control the temperature of chocolate, in which is vital in keeping the cocoa butter together, for a glossier finish.
– It's important to never melt the chocolate completely. Once you can see that approximately half the bowl of chocolate has began to melt, start to stir generously to melt the remaining half of chocolate in the bowl.
– To test if the chocolate is tempered correctly, dip a small piece of baking paper into the mixture, shaking off any excess. The chocolate should set at room temperature.
-Tempered chocolate will reduce in size slightly when cooled, which makes removing from moulds a simple process, if you're looking to be creative and make your very own chocolates.
By following these simple chocolate hacks, you can transform your next dinner party with friends, or romantic night in, whilst impressing even the fussiest of sweet-tooths.
The post How To Create Perfect Chocolate appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Beauty Review: Probiotic Skin Mylck And Nivea Hyaluronic Celluar Filler appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Esmi Skin Minerals'
Probiotic Skin Mylck
This product felt super nourishing from the first application and absorbed straight into the skin without leaving any residue. Gently hydrating this will benefit those wishing to use a serum but have had adverse reactions to products containing irritants such as perfumes and preservatives. The interesting ingredients are the probiotic lysates which boost the natural ecosystem of the skin allowing for a barrier between our skin and the elements.
This serum was particularly light and fresh on the skin, allowing for easy application of moisturiser. Very pleasant texture and perfect for super sensitive skin types.
More details here:
esmi Skin Minerals were created by Gold Coast based Evette Hess in 2017.
- A gentle, lightweight moisturising lotion and great for extremely sensitive, compromised skin
- Features specially selected Australian made probiotic Lysates ideal for skin application that can help create an ideal environment for your skin to thrive when compromised by outside elements and bad-bacteria
- First ever skincare brand to use a 100% Australian made probiotic
- Anti-inflammatory and hypo-allergenic
URL: https://www.esmi.com.au/shop/probiotic-skincare
Instagram: @esmiskinminerals
RRP $65
Nivea Hyaluronic Cellular Filler
If you are needing slightly more hydration, you will enjoy the Nivea Hyaluronic Cellular Filler serum which helps to reduce the apparition of skin spots by slowing the production of melanin in the skin. Lightly fragranced, this serum seems to immediately hydrate and densify the skin, without leaving an oily film – a very good night cream booster.
I used this both morning and evening with very pleasing results and no extra oiliness or excess shine. This product felt like it energised my more mature skin.
URL: https://www.priceline.com.au/nivea-hyaluron-cellular-filler-elasticity-dry-touch-oil-30-ml
RRP $34.99
Dominique Rohan is the owner and founder of P4Pilates.
The post Beauty Review: Probiotic Skin Mylck And Nivea Hyaluronic Celluar Filler appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post A Day In The Life Of AFLW Player Tayla Harris appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>She is fighting fit and full of life, so what's her secret? Here, Tayla gives us a glance into her day-to-day life.
Now in AFLW's off-season, I'm shifting my focus toward training for my next boxing fight. So my day-to-day routine looks a little different than usual. As an athlete, you have to stay on top of your nutrition and your fitness, and that comes with developing a split that works for you.
I've always been an early riser, so I'll usually make a coffee and soak up the morning rays with my boy Beans, before I head to 9Round. 9Round has become my new obsession. The moment I walk into the arena and see everyone, I'm instantly in a good mood and ready to smash out my workout – it's such an empowering start to the day.
I usually complete two or three training sessions a day when prepping for a fight, so I'll start the morning with boxing, before heading to the gym for strength and conditioning, and finish with some swimming. (Which, yes, is brutal coming into Winter.) Sometimes I'll switch out swimming for a run or hike with friends (Trentham Falls is amazing) – it just depends on how I'm feeling.
Ultimately, my focus is working to maintain my strength base in the gym and regaining my boxing skills after months of focusing on football training.
Post-training, I'll have a shower, whip my trackies on and start recovery with time in the sauna.
I'm in meal-prep mode now, so all of my meals are piled in my fridge and ready for me when I come home from training. I've been working with my nutritionist to develop my new meal plan ahead of my fights, so it's all gluten-free, heavy on protein, and filled with healthy fats. And, most importantly, it's yummy. None of this dry chicken and broccoli stuff!
Aside from training and nutrition, a huge part of my life revolves around spending time with my friends, especially because I live away from my family. I'm someone who is energised by other people, so spending time with people who make me happy is so important. If I'm not working or with my friends after training, I'm at the park with my dogs. They go crazy over a frisbee and tennis ball.
I end the day with lots of doggie cuddles and Netflix before heading to bed – after all, recovery time is just as important as training time!Then, we repeat it all tomorrow!
Feature image via Morning Bulletin
The post A Day In The Life Of AFLW Player Tayla Harris appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Vegan Choc Chip Cookies Recipe appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>INGREDIENTS FOR 20 SERVINGS
Metric Cups
Prep time: 20 Min Cooking time: 20 min
- 110g vegan butter or spread
- 85g caster sugar
- 90g Nestlé Plant Based Condensed Milk Alternative
- 200g self-raising flour, sifted
- 50g vegan chocolate chips
- Preheat the oven to 180°C, (160°C for fan ovens).
- In a large bowl, use a wooden spoon to beat the vegan spread, sugar and Nestlé Plant Based Condensed Milk Alternative until light and fluffy. Mix in the flour to a soft dough and then mix in the chocolate chips.
- Roll the dough into walnut size balls and place on a baking sheet onto a baking tray, flattening them out slightly. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until desired colour.
- Make 20 cookies
The post Vegan Choc Chip Cookies Recipe appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post 5 Quick Ways To Get A Flat Tummy appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Winter foods may have wreaked havoc on your bod, but fear not, there are ways to fight the case of the persistent muffin top.
Here are five quick ways to fight the flab and get that taught tummy in time for the swimming season.
1. An apple cider vinegar a day keeps the doctor away
You know what they say…a shot of apple cider vinegar keeps the fat away. One or two (morning and night) shots of apple cider vinegar every day flushes toxins and reduces water retention which likes to reside around the belly, say studies. One 2009 study published in Bioscience, Biotechnology and Biochemistry, hypothesised that the acetic acid led to a lower body weight and girth in users. Other studies say that apple cider is good for regulating insulin levels, meaning you won't store as much fat after eating too many carbs.
2. Lose the gum
Remember what happened to Violet in Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory?Avoid similar blueberry incidents, and ditch the gum. Chewing gum causes you to swallow excess air, which can cause stomach pain, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and bloating. It also sends your body physical signals that food is about to enter your body which means enzymes and acids are activated, leading to even more potential bloating.
3. Drink dandelion tea
This is a fine and dandy way to beat the bulge. Studies have shown that dandelion tea flushes water retention, plus is packed full of zinc, iron, potassium and magnesium. It is also a great alternative to coffee, so you can have your fix and fight the bloat at the same time.
4. Pop a celery and juniper berry pill
Banish the bloat with this magic little supplement. Celery has long been known as a natural diuretic, as too its partner in crime, juniper berry, which also flushes out the system, aids with water retention and your digestive system and is an all round stomach-settler.
5. Freeze the fat
The latest bulge-busting craze, a fat freezing treatment, like Coolsculpting, literally freezes your fat off – for good. Particularly perfect for tummy fat, your muffin top fits perfectly into the suction head and up to 25% of the fat in the targeted area can be removed per CoolSuclpting treatment. Give your tum that Ice Queen treatment.
The post 5 Quick Ways To Get A Flat Tummy appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Spicy Chips With Sumac & Herbs appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Give these chips a try. The recipe uses frozen chips as a starting point, so it is super simple, and the use of chilli and spices really ramps up an old classic. I guarantee the hardest part will be stopping yourself from making a second batch straight away. Thanks Dahlia!"Shane Delia, Author.
Serves 4
Preparation time 5 minutes
Cooking time 5 minutes
INGREDIENTS
canola oil, for deep-frying
500 g (1 lb 2 oz) frozen crinkle-cut French fries
100 g (3½ oz) butter
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 garlic cloves, crushed
50 g (1¾ oz/½ cup) flaked almonds, toasted
pinch of red Aleppo pepper (pul biber)
pinch of sumac
pinch of ground coriander
coriander (cilantro) leaves, to serve
lemon wedges, to serve
METHOD
1 Pour some canola oil into a deep frying pan, about 4 cm (1½ inches) deep, then heat over medium–high heat until it shimmers. If you have a kitchen thermometer, the oil will be ready when the temperature reaches 180°C (350°F). Alternatively, use a deep-fryer. Carefully add the French fries to the pan and cook for 3–5 minutes until golden brown.
2 Meanwhile, heat the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat for 5 minutes or until nut brown in colour and frothy. Remove from the heat and set aside.
3 Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan over medium–high heat, add the garlic and sauté until soft and fragrant. Add the chips, straight from the pan, then add the almonds, Aleppo pepper, sumac and ground coriander. Toss really well to ensure all the seasonings are well dispersed. Drizzle over the brown butter and scatter over the coriander leaves. Place in a serving dish with lemon wedges on the side and serve immediately.
Tip
Spicy dahlia chips are great served on their own, but are also delicious served with grilled fish and at barbecues.
The post Spicy Chips With Sumac & Herbs appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Sarah Napthali: Parenting Can Teach You Compassion. Here's How… appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>
Sarah Napthali is the Author of 'Buddhism for Mothers'. She explains how parenting using the Buddhist philosophies can help you to become a more compassionate and helpful person overall.
Jacinta Tynam from Mother Zen says Buddhism for Mothers helped her focus on the joy of being a mother. Together, they talk about ways to be a better parent using Buddhist philosophies and you don't need to be a Buddhist to practice self-compassion and other Buddhist techniques.
"Calling yourself a Buddhist is really not the point," says Sarah when Jacinta. "The Buddha himself even says 'try what I have taught, if it works for you good.' He wasn't fundamentalist about his teachings.'
"I'm very much for relying on your instincts but having said that you have to be present and attentive. you can't live on automatic pilot. When you are really mindful and self-aware, then i think you are well equipped to rely on your instincts and can respond to the moment.
It feels very hard to live in the present and we have to remind ourselves time and time again.
Motherhood has been transformative for me. It really teaches you not to take on all the messages of the world. being a mother can potentially teach you to drop all that and just be. Children live in the present – they model it for us.
They can teach us about fun and playfulness. Travelling with them can really bring that out. They are always pointing things out.
Jacinta says parents often wish the time away? Sarah says, ironically, she had one word for parents to think about and that is 'dealth'.
She adds: "Buddhists don't shy away from the concept of death. Buddhists might meditate in a cemetery or about the decaying of the body. It is a great way to appreciate the quality of life. it makes them realise that evert moment matters. It help you not count down every moment of the day. Our children are not going to be there for ever. Children are changing all the time."
Think about pausing for a minute, Sarah says. She says 'come back to the present, come back to your breath, notice if you have tension in your body.' These one minute check ins are good to do.
Top Tips for joyful experiences as a mother from parenting guru Sarah Napthali
Guard your thoughts and be mindful of your inner commentary. It can often be negative.
The first noble truth is suffering. we live in a world of chasing pleasures. Buddha says understand your suffering.
Realise your suffering can end. You can do work on it. By suffering, I mean any form of stress. Be aware of it and what is causing it.
Pure awareness will do so much to help you overcome it.
Find self-compassion. We have a lot of mother guilt. Cut yourself a lot of slack and love yourself just the way you love your child.
The post Sarah Napthali: Parenting Can Teach You Compassion. Here's How… appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Weekender101: Luxury Designer Getaway – The Headland House appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Every window is a living painting as sky and earth meet and the mustard coloured beach sweeps beyond view. Black and white cows roam the hills, magpies swoop, eagles soar – it's beyond the imagination of Emily Bronte.
I am clearly no 'Cathy' but Headland House is mine all mine for a few days. It's enough to turn a woman to her dastardly Heathcliff side, except that I am sharing it with my partner Mr. G, and his glorious family (who I have adopted!) to celebrate my birthday.
It's impossible not to be smitten on arrival, the road stitches a dark seam through green rolling hills, nonchalant cows look up from their munching, another simply decides to walk onto the road and ponder the meaning of life. Two chestnut horses are resting in the shade of a large fig tree and our car travels to the horizon, magnetically drawn to the gates which open to the magic words "Headland House please".
Dovecote House is an experience that makes you want to ooh and arrh like a lusty teenager. Like a loved puppy you may roll around rubbing yourself up against every surface, chair, pool lounger, and fabric. I am ready to prance in my kaftan and get a butt cheek uplift.
White pebble stepping stones lead to the front double height doors opening into an infinity-like glass corridor with each of the four bedrooms a surprise to the right. The main bedroom is a haven for any hedonistic rock star, the low-slung king-size bed looks tiny against an entire wall of views and a sexy black sofa to chillax.
Bathrooms are all moodily clad in black tiles, rainforest showers, and Aesop toiletries. Bedroom upon bedroom reveals seductive but different touches; there are window seats perfect for reading a book, voyeuristic bathrooms with huge windows to showcase your birthday suit to the minions below.
The corridor opens into the main section where design and nature combine in one room. A black suspended fireplace with two chairs looks out onto the world below – simply slide open the glass doors and step into your own storm room. The open plan lounge is a delight for little feet with soft cotton wool ball rugs.
Masculine lines and feminine touches blend with low slung sofas, caramel leather day beds, paintings, cow hides, rose gold mirrors and copper touches. The Miele kitchen has a curated and well-stocked pantry with luxury goodies such as Veuve Fourney & Fils champagne, organic coconut yoghurt, smoked bacon, chocolates and a cupboard bursting with spices. Even the Kitchen Aid kettle is just too cool for school allowing you to choose that perfect 70 degrees for your green tea to enjoy in the TV room.
It's a roasting day so it would be rude not to while away the afternoon flicking through Vogue by our private swimming pool. It's hard to leave, but dinner at Blue Swimmer is calling and with family connections to Three Blue ducks (and a reputation to match) we are seated by the window watching a huge storm roll in over the ocean.
Crispy croquette spheres of luscious potato and speck are served with a bowl of calamari, its tentacles sprawling on a bed of bomba and quinoa with a celery and dill salad. The bouillabaisse is a jumble of mussels, prawns and all things fabulously fishy.
Heidi returns with a big smile and more of their delicious house-made sourdough. Mr. G is rather partial to legs… and this braised duck is no exception, everything about the dish is exceptional from the beetroot and tapioca crisp to the rich jus. Donut lovers might question a grating of haloumi into the batter, but it creates a delicate salty backdrop to blackberry jam. We brave the storm and return to Headland House.
Day Two
We head south to Berry. Mountain Ridge Winery is just off the highway and its change in ownership reflects Tom's environmental and ecological view point, from the kitchen gardens to pop up pizza and collaborations with organic producers.
There is not a male chromosome in sight as the veranda becomes packed with girls celebrating. The rest of the 'G family clan' arrive from Sydney and we kick off lunch with a sparkling blend of Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, and Pinot after tasting a magnificent Verdelho and macadamia dessert wine harvested from trees they are nursing back to life.
We dine on share plates of dips, poached chicken tamarind coconut salad, house-made pumpkin and ricotta gnocchi it's the perfect veranda lunch with stunning views onto Saddleback and Cambewarra Mountains.
We head back to the house. By afternoon the 'G family' have all dispersed into their natural habitats, dad on a fancy beanbag under a gold freestanding reading light, mum on the long sofa reading a book, brother on another sofa. After an evening of 'cards of humanity' (I did manage to win with 14), I retire leaving the rest of the gang to carry on. A simple glass door separates living with sleeping so no matter how big the party, you can keep calm and snooze on.
Day Three
We head back to Blue Swimmer for breakfast as we have to try their 'eggcellent' award-winning Baghdad Eggs. Every single one of us orders it, apart from Mr. G who goes rogue with mushrooms on toast with mozzarella and arguably wins the ordering stakes. A blustery walk along 7-mile beach works off breakfast. Kids are playing in the shallows, surfers are catching waves only to be outnumbered by the Nippers!
We spend a lazy day at the house. We know there are a million places to explore, Berry, Kiama, beaches and surrounds but the highlight is dinner thanks to our private chef!
Karina is the founder and cook behind Dandelion and Mallow Wholefood kitchen , she's a younger but no less passionate version of Maggie Beer, who left her company job to follow her passion for cooking. Within minutes our kitchen is a hive of activity decorated with local organic produce tumbling from wooden boxes and carrots so gorgeous I wish I could date them.
Like gravity, the G family are dressed for dinner and are drawn to the beautifully laid table as we are served an aromatic plate chimichurri prawns. Nothing says love more than a roast chook (sourced from Buena Vista Farm) It's a looker and more tanned than George Hamilton!
Soon the table is laden with roasted veggies drizzled with tahini and Wollongong honey, a leafy salad dotted with jewel-like radishes and green beans along with broccoli seasoned with chilli. The house fills with the extraordinary smell of baking and five perfect chocolate beetroot fondants have us enraptured with the drama of it all.
Karina quietly packs away leaving us with her delicious home backed range of lavish and cheeses from Pecora Dairy and extraordinary memories of a meal where the family and the food were centre stage.
Dovecote House represents an extraordinary feat of architectural design thanks to Atelier Andy Carson. It is a very special place in the world. As we leave, we reflect how gloriously, hedonistically happy we have all been here; but then perhaps it's hard not to be on top of the world when the property you are staying in, literally is.
Photographs by Tim Bean
Sardinia's Millionaire Playground, Costa Smeralda
The post Weekender101: Luxury Designer Getaway – The Headland House appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Your Personal Destiny And Life Path Numerology Test appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>
HERE'S HOW TO USE NUMEROLOGY TO BOOST YOUR PERSONAL ENERGY
Each year we enter new personal energy on our birthday…..this energy lasts for 12 months and influences the energy part of our lives for that year. We move in 9 year cycles so when you complete a personal year 9 you are about to embark on a brand new cycle!
Lets see what YOUR personal year is and how it will impact on your love and career choices for this coming year.
Start by taking your day and month of birth and adding that to the current Earth year….eg..
If your birthday was on the 13th of April it would be
13 + 4 + 2019 = 2036 add that together till you reach a single digit…2 + 0 + 3 + 6 = 11
1+1=2
So, your personal year energy vibration would be 2
See the meanings of all the Year Numbers below:
Life Path #1
A year for new beginnings for you! You have been through a transformation which may have brought about big changes in your life. Now it's time to put all you have learned into action. You are going to be encouraged to put yourself out there and show the world this new you. Starting new projects, a new job or promotion and focusing on your own needs is a big part of this years energy.
Life Path #2
The singular focus from last year is now moving forward and now you will look to others for help and guidance. Looking for support and guidance can reinforce your relationships and forge new friendships and love relationships. Partnerships is the theme for this year, both on love and career creating trustworthy and solid unions.
Life Path #3
Teamwork is the theme this year and it's a very important and special year for you. Creative energy is flowing and self-belief is strong. Putting your mind and energy into your dreams will manifest your wishes and luck is on your side. A huge year for personal growth remember to balance mind body and soul through meditation exercise and good nutrition.
Life Path #4
A year of fortunes and prosperity, there's a great deal to learn about your security in your family and career path. Opportunities for future financial growth can show up and test your boundaries. Using your intuition at this time will prove beneficial as it will be a year to follow your gut on major decisions which could influence your family and long-term security. A great year for both growth and gain.
Life Path #5
One of the best years for creative endeavours, you'll be feeling adventurous and crave travel and freedom. A high energy year for learning or studying something new. Make sure you use this dynamic energy for expanding your horizons or it could result in chaos!
Life Path #6
A powerful healing year for you and your relationships with family. Responsibilities to others will be higher the agenda so pay particular attention to the needs of your body and be sure to make self-care a priority. Set your boundaries and learn to say no once in a while. A busy but productive year.
Life Path #7
A spiritual growth and development year you will be drawn to all things that bring peace to your soul. Your intuition will be at an all-time high. Loads of potential this year to make progress in all areas of your life, so think about what you want and then follow up on your desires. A fantastic year for creating long-term partnerships whether in your personal life or in business.
Life Path #8
A year for success and transformation. You will want to up-skill and update so expect some powerful people to cross your path. Remember to release and let go of the past in order to welcome in these new changes and opportunities. This is also a year of learning self-control and overcoming fear. Self-discipline is a must for achieving success in the power year.
Life Path #9
The year of completion has you cleaning out the emotional and physical closets. Letting go of old beliefs and limited thinking once and for all. 2019 will see you reach the end of a cycle in some way, and you are going to be feeling a sense of triumph and pride for all you have achieved. This year can bring endings in all aspects of your life, especially when relationships have run their course, know that whatever ends the next cycle of your life is about to begin bringing in a new and wonderful energy for your future.
The post Your Personal Destiny And Life Path Numerology Test appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Delicious Recipe For Portland's Mother's Crunchy French Toast appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>French toast goes by the name pain perdu in France, which translates as "lost bread." It's a recipe created to save stale bread from being "lost" to the garbage by soaking it in eggs and milk to get it moist and tender again, and frying it up. Although you can certainly use whatever stale bread slices you have lingering in the fridge (except something strong-flavoured like rye), you'd be missing out on the wonderful richness that fresh challah provides (Love Note). A roll in cornflakes adds a wonderful, addictive crunch.
Ingredients
- 4 eggs
- ¾ cup heavy cream
- ¾ cup half-and-half
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- Pinch ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 4 cups cornflakes (Love Note 1)
- 1 loaf egg (challah) bread, sliced into 6 one-inch-thick slices (Love Note 2)
- 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter (divided), preferably clarified
- Powdered sugar (optional)
Instructions
1. If your pan isn't big enough to cook all the French toast at the same time, preheat oven to 200°F. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, cream, half-and-half, cinnamon, sugar, nutmeg and vanilla.
2. Place cornflakes in another larger bowl and crush with your hands until pieces are small (but not like bread crumbs) and somewhat uniform in size. Place a rimmed baking sheet nearby to hold the prepared bread.
3. Dip a slice of bread into the cream mixture, immersing both sides (saturate it, but do not let fall apart.)
4. Dip the slice into the corn flakes on both sides, pressing to adhere the flakes; set aside on the baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining slices.
5. Place a griddle or wide (preferably 14-inch) sauté pan over medium heat for several minutes. If using an electric griddle, set the heat to 350 °F.
6. Sprinkle griddle with a few drops of water; they should bounce around before evaporating. If they sizzle away quickly, the heat is too high. If they just sit there and slowly steam, the heat is too low. When griddle is properly heated, add a tablespoon of clarified butter for each piece of French toast and tilt to coat the pan.
7. Add prepared bread in an even layer. Cook until golden on one side, about 4 minutes. Pick each toast up with a spatula and put ½ tablespoon butter in their spot. Flip the toasts onto the butter to cook the other side, about 4 minutes more. Repeat with the remaining slices of bread. Serve immediately or keep warm oven until all the French toast is cooked.
8. Cut each piece of bread in diagonally half to make triangles. Arrange like shingles on serving plates, sprinkle with powdered sugar if desired and serve with softened butter and maple syrup.
Love Note:
1. Challah (pronounced hall-uh) is a slightly sweet, eggy Jewish bread that's becoming increasingly common at gourmet grocery stores and bakeries. Many bakeries often carry it only on Fridays, for the Jewish Sabbath. If you can't find it, substitute any soft sweet bread, such as brioche, Hawaiian bread, or thick slices of Texas toast.
2. Clarified butter is important for this recipe because it allows you to cook the French toast at a high enough heat to get a proper sizzle going, ensuring the toasts stay crunchy. If the butter isn't clarified, the milk solids will melt and impart moisture that can impede crunchiness. And when the solids inevitably burn, they'll impart a burnt flavour to the food.
The post Delicious Recipe For Portland's Mother's Crunchy French Toast appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Lamb Burgers With Middle Eastern Coleslaw appeared first on The Carousel.
]]> INGREDIENTS
750 g (1 lb 10 oz) good-quality coarse minced (ground) lamb
2 teaspoons coriander seeds, toasted and crushed
1 handful coriander (cilantro), leaves finely chopped
3 tablespoons olive oil
5 tablespoons red harissa
1 teaspoon chilli flakes
4 tablespoons aïoli, to serve
4 brioche burger buns, toasted
Middle Eastern coleslaw , to serve
Red harissa
Makes about 1 kg (2 lb 4 oz)
700 g (1 lb 9 oz) capsicums (peppers), roasted, peeled and seeded
6 garlic cloves, peeled
2 large green chillies
2 handfuls coriander (cilantro), leaves and stems washed and coarsely chopped
3 teaspoons mild paprika
2 teaspoons ground cumin
2 teaspoons ground coriander
2 teaspoons caster (superfine) sugar
2½ tablespoons red wine vinegar
200 ml (7 fl oz) extra virgin olive oil
Aïoli
Makes 750 g (1 lb 10 oz)
5 garlic cloves, peeled
5 egg yolks
1 teaspoon dijon mustard
½ teaspoon sea salt flakes
1 teaspoon white wine vinegar
500 ml (17 fl oz/2 cups) light olive oil
Middle Eastern coleslaw
Serves 4–6 as a side dish
½ red cabbage
2 carrots
sea salt flakes
1 handful mint, leaves picked
2 large handfuls flat-leaf (Italian) parsley, leaves finely chopped
1 handful coriander (cilantro), leaves coarsely chopped
100 ml (3½ fl oz) extra virgin olive oil
4 tablespoons husroum (verjuice)
METHOD
1 Put the minced lamb, coriander seeds, chopped coriander, olive oil, 4 tablespoons of the harissa and the chilli flakes in a large bowl. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper and mix to combine.
2 Divide the meat mixture into four equal portions and gently shape into burger patties with your hands. (Don't overwork the patties as the meat will become tough.)
3 Cook the burgers in a non-stick frying pan over medium heat for 2–3 minutes each side (for medium–rare), or to your taste. You can also cook them using the grill (broiler) or barbecue heated to medium.
4 Combine the aïoli and remaining harissa in a small bowl.
5 To assemble the burgers, toast the cut side of the buns. Place the bun bottoms on plates and add a dollop of the harissa aïoli, a handful of coleslaw and a pattie. Add another handful of coleslaw, another dollop of aïoli and top with the bun lid.
For the red harissa
1 Put the roasted capsicums, garlic, chillies and chopped coriander in a food processor and blend to a paste.
2 Add the paprika, cumin, ground coriander and sugar and blend for a further minute. Add the vinegar and salt to taste, then drizzle in the olive oil slowly with the motor running until combined.
For the aïoli
1 Preheat the oven to 170°C (325°F). Put the garlic on a baking tray and cook until lightly golden, about 7–8 minutes (if overcooked it will have a bitter taste). Cool the garlic to room temperature.
2 Mash with a fork. Blend the egg yolks, mustard, salt, vinegar and garlic in a blender or food processor until well combined and smooth, scraping down the side of the bowl. Very slowly, drizzle in the olive oil while the motor is running, until the aïoli is well emulsified and thick. Always keep aïoli refrigerated. It will last in the fridge up to 7 days.
For the Middle Eastern coleslaw
1 Use a mandolin or knife to shave the cabbage finely and julienne the carrots. Place in a large bowl, sprinkle with sea salt flakes and press down on the cabbage and carrot with your hands to soften them.
2 Add the mint, parsley and coriander to the bowl and mix well. Add the olive oil and husroum, and season with freshly ground black pepper. Toss to combine and serve.
The post Lamb Burgers With Middle Eastern Coleslaw appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Marion Grasby's Five Spice Bread & Butter Pudding appeared first on The Carousel.
]]> INGREDIENTS
¼ cup currants
¼ cup port or brandy
10 slices thick white bread, crusts removed
50 g unsalted butter, softened, plus extra for greasing
150 g caster sugar
2 tsp Chinese five-spice powder
250 ml milk
500 ml cream
1 tsp vanilla paste or extract
4 eggs
1 tbsp raw sugar
vanilla ice cream to serve
METHOD
1 Preheat oven to 160°C. Lightly grease a 6-cup capacity ovenproof dish with softened butter.
2 Heat port or brandy in small sauce until simmering. Remove from heat and add currants to soak. Set aside for 15 minutes.
3 Butter one side of each slice of bread. Layer slices, slightly overlapping, into the greased ovenproof dish.
4 Place sugar, Chinese five-spice, milk, cream, vanilla and eggs into a large bowl. Whisk until well combined.
5 Pour liquid mixture over the bread. Stand for 10 minutes so the bread absorbs some of the liquid. Sprinkle the raw sugar over the top. Then pop the whole thing into your preheated oven for 45-50 minutes or until the pudding is just set and the top is golden brown.
6 Serve warm with ice cream.
Tip
To bake ahead and reheat pudding can be baked ahead, cooled and then reheated when ready to serve. To reheat, cover with foil and warm for 20-30 minutes in a 160°C oven. Or bake in a microwave-proof dish and reheat in the microwave.
The Carousel thanks Marion Grasby for this recipe
The post Marion Grasby's Five Spice Bread & Butter Pudding appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post 'Green With Envy' – Australians' Preference For Sustainable Foods appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>There's nothing more frustrating than going to a restaurant, and not being able to eat anything on the menu because they don't provide meals suited to your dietary requirements. Nicole Warne, well-known Australian instagrammer and influencer, would definitely vouch for that, especially after her disastrous trip to Ristorante Hotel Grotta Palazzese (read below).
">
OpenTable, the world's largest online restaurant reservations platform, released its second Sustainable Dining Report, which revealed that 46% of Aussies actually preferred dining at environmentally friendly restaurants, with eco-friendly options, organic ingredients, and plant-based menus.
Australia is "home to some of the world's best locally grown produce", says Tim Domelow, OpenTable's Senior Business Development Manager for APAC.
With this trend, many restaurants are now following greener practices and are becoming 100% environmentally friendly, with plenty of restaurants across Australia now practicing eco-friendly dining.
Interestingly, it is the younger generations who are the ones who have a keener eyes for the greens, with Millennials racking up high numbers of vegetarians and vegans compared to Baby Boomers.
And it shows, given the growing presence of plant-based foodie accounts on instagram influencing trends, food preferences and practices. Check out some of their pages below:
- @thrivingonplants (352k followers)
- @mealsbymiri (32.7k followers)
- @tessbegg (269k followers)
- @foodarounded (881 followers)
- @thepbtreatqueen (452 followers)
- @ez_ve (1.8k followers)
With over 1 billion people using Instagram globally, Instagram and other online tools present, people are sharing common passions in droves, shedding light on various social and environmental issues.
"Instagram is an amazing online platform where sustainable dining and conscious eating are positively represented, with like-minded people sharing their tips with others!"
Below, we've compiled a list of a few of the best eco-friendly restaurants in Australia:
Lake House – Daylesford, VIC
With its very own 38 acre farm, Lake House has an abundance of locally grown produce, handpicked every morning before it's served to guests for lunch or dinner. Lamb, rare-breed pork, grass-fed beef, fresh seafood and local cheeses are some of the popular items showcased on the menu, as is heirloom fruit from heritage orchards sourced from around Melbourne.
Zinc Port Douglas – Port Douglas, QLD
Located in tropical North Queensland, Zinc offers a contemporary Australian menu inspired by the variety of quality products available on the coast. From the local reef fish, to the tropical fruit and tableland-grown vegetables, the restaurant maintains their focus on delivering simple and fresh high quality dishes.
Cape Lodge Restaurant – Yallingup, WA
Located in the stunning Margaret River region in Western Australia, Cape Lodge Restaurant features seasonal, local and homegrown produce plucked from the nearby ocean, local farms and the kitchen garden to create fresh innovative French fare cuisine. Paired with beautiful lakeside views and the green landscape, Cape Lodge highlights the best of Margaret River's produce.
CHISWICK – Woollahra, NSW
CHISWICK runs its own kitchen garden, which is the source of much of its fresh, seasonal produce used in their elegant, vegetable-focused cuisine. The restaurant also maintains a hive of native Australian bees that provide honey and help pollinate the garden.
Three Blue Ducks (The W) – Brisbane, QLD
Mixing Queensland's vibrant culture with their paddock to plate ethos, Three Blue Ducks restaurant is centred on providing fresh, local and delicious food. The owners work with local farmers, producers and brewers to create an ethical based menu that captures their strong focus on real food, great service and honest cooking.
Love.Fish – Barangaroo, NSW
Since opening in 2010, Love.Fish has been offering sustainably sourced seafood in a scenic waterfront setting taking Australian seafood to the next level. Co-owners Michael and Michelle Milkovic have delighted locals and tourists with their ecological approach to food forging their reputation as 'the fish bar with a green heart.'
Press* Food & Wine – Adelaide, SA
At Press* Food & Wine in Adelaide, executive chef Andrew Davies and head chef Joshua Lansley create their elegant, contemporary dishes around the freshest seasonal bounty of South Australia- bringing the best products from their patch of the earth to the table.
Vue De Monde – Melbourne CBD, VIC
Vue de Monde, an elegant fine-dining restaurant in Melbourne, has fitted its space with recycled furniture and low-emissions fixtures. Acclaimed chef Shannon Bennett has evolved the restaurant's award-winning cuisine to feature predominantly heirloom, organic fruits and vegetables, including many grown in its own gardens, along with local and sustainable meats and seafood.
For more information, or to view the full list of sustainable restaurants, visit https://www.opentable.com.au/lists/green-restaurants/australia
The post 'Green With Envy' – Australians' Preference For Sustainable Foods appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post LAST DAY LEFT: Aussie SMBs Can Apply Now For A Grant Worth More Than $200K appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The program is committed to helping Aussie startups and entrepreneurs bring innovative products to customers across the country and this year, to celebrate innovation as the economic recovery gathers pace, Amazon will provide five businesses with one of its Amazon Launchpad Innovation Grants.
The grants, worth more than $200,000 each, will include: a $20,000 cash grant, Amazon advertising support, an exclusive boot camp experience with access to Amazon experts, a national advertising package with JCDecaux Nurture, industry mentorship, and onsite marketing placements on Amazon.com.au.
Excitingly for the first time, Amazon Launchpad will give finalists the opportunity to virtually pitch their entry direct into Amazon Australia HQ, with a panel of judges. This year's judges include Chadd Ciccarelli from Amazon Launchpad, last year's grant recipients Rosa-Clare Willis and Andrew Ford from Crockd, Carolyn Creswell, founder of the country's leading muesli brand Carman's (pictured above), and managing partner, Kylie Frazer of tech investment group Eleanor Ventures.
"The Amazon Launchpad Innovation Grant came at the perfect time for our business. We were about 6 months into our e-commerce journey and growing without any real structure in place for proper scale." says Rosa-Clare Willis, 2020 Innovation Grant winner and 2021 judge.
"The grant offered us an exclusive boot campaign experience showing us how Amazon.com.au can support us in a number of areas from marketing, access to new customers to alleviating a lot of the logistics around our business. We now use Amazon in Australia and the USA to distribute our orders."
Rosa is encouraging all Aussie entrepreneurs and startups to apply for the grants.
"I would definitely recommend starting your e-commerce journey with Amazon Australia. It's so beneficial to learn how the world of Amazon works in Australia before you expand!"
Coinciding with the launch of the grants, Amazon Australia has also released the 2021 Amazon Launchpad Innovation Report which explores how Aussie SMBs have evolved their businesses over the past twelve months and what they need most in 2021.
"Guidance and support remain important for SMBs in 2021, with 34 per cent seeking marketing, advertising and social media support, 30 per cent seeking help with future growth planning, 21 per cent wanting help building their e-commerce capabilities, 14 per cent seeking mentorship from established businesses and 17 per cent wanting help with infrastructure and logistics," says Amazon's Chadd Ciccarelli, the Head of the Amazon Launchpad program in Australia.
"The Amazon Launchpad Innovation Grant package will support recipients with all those areas. We're committing to helping Aussie SMBs bring their unique products to customers across the country."
Applications for these five incredible grants are now open to Australian start-ups, entrepreneurs and small to medium businesses and will be closing in a week's time at 11.59pm AEST, Monday 10 May. To apply head to amazon.com.au/Launchpad.
The post LAST DAY LEFT: Aussie SMBs Can Apply Now For A Grant Worth More Than $200K appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post The Best Ever Hummingbird Cake Recipe In History appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Prep + Cook time: 1 hour (+ cooling)
Serving: makes 3 cakes (each serves 4)
Ingredients:
1 cup (150g) plain (all-purpose) flour
½ cup (75g) self-raising flour
½ teaspoon bicarbonate of soda (baking soda)
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground ginger
1 cup (220g) firmly packed brown sugar
½ cup (40g) desiccated coconut
440g (14oz) can crushed pineapple, drained
1 cup (240g) mashed banana (see tips)
2 eggs, beaten lightly
¾ cup (180ml) vegetable oil
1 cup (75g) shredded coconut CREAM CHEESE FROSTING
60g (2oz) butter, softened
125g (4oz) cream cheese, softened
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 cups (480g) icing (confectioners') sugar
Method:
Preheat oven to 160°C/325°F. Grease three 8cm x 16cm (3in x (6½in) loaf cake pans; line base and long sides with baking paper, extending the paper 5cm (2in) over the sides.
Sift flours, soda, spices and sugar in a large bowl. Stir in desiccated coconut, pineapple, mashed banana, egg and oil until combined. Divide mixture evenly among loaf pans; place on an oven tray.
Bake cakes for 45 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. Cool in pans.
Meanwhile, make cream cheese frosting.
Spread cakes with frosting and top with shredded coconut.
cream cheese frosting Beat butter, cream cheese and vanilla in a small bowl with electric mixer until light and fluffy. Gradually beat in sifted icing sugar.
Tip: You will need 2 large (460g) overripe bananas for the amount of mashed banana required.
THE AUSTRALIAN WOMEN'S WEEKLY: AUSTRALIA BAKES RRP: $49.99; HARDBACKAvailable where all good books are sold and www.awwcookbooks.com.au
The post The Best Ever Hummingbird Cake Recipe In History appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Chocolate And Chestnut Cake Recipe appeared first on The Carousel.
]]> INGREDIENTS
1 tablespoon cocoa
200g pre-cooked, peeled chestnuts
75g caster sugar + 2 tablespoons caster sugar
100ml full fat organic milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
100g unsalted butter
150g chopped dark chocolate
3 large organic eggs
METHOD
1 Preheat the oven to 180°C/gas mark 4. Grease the inside of a 20cm springform tin and line the base with a disc of buttered baking parchment.
2 Dust with cocoa and tip out the excess. Tip chestnuts into a small frying pan, add 2 tablespoons caster sugar and milk and cook over a low-medium heat for 5 minutes until the chestnuts start to soften. Remove from the heat and tip into the bowl of a food-processor and whizz until smooth. Add vanilla extract and cool.
3 Place butter and chopped chocolate in a heatproof bowl and melt either in the microwave on a low setting or over a pan of barely simmering water. Stir until smooth, remove from the heat and cool slightly.
4 Whisk eggs and 75 g caster sugar until thick, pale and doubled in volume. Mix in the chestnuts until thoroughly combined. Add the melted chocolate mixture and fold in until smooth.
5 Carefully pour the batter into the prepared tin, spread level and bake on the middle shelf of the preheated oven for about 30 minutes until risen and the top has formed a light crust.
6 Remove the cake from the oven and set the tin on a wire cooling rack and leave to cool to room temperature. The cake will sink and the crust might crack as it cools but this is part of the cake's appeal.
7 Dust with cocoa and serve with crème fraîche
This is an edited extract from The Meat Free Monday Cookbook by Paul, Mary & Stella McCartney, published by Kyle Books. Available in stores now, RRP $35.00
The post Chocolate And Chestnut Cake Recipe appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post What My Mum Taught Me About Beauty appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>
Kate Waterhouse
On what she taught you…
My mum taught me so much about beauty. She is always beautifully presented and always encouraged me to try and look my best. My mum also has amazing skin. She taught me to look after my skin from an early age and I can only hope my skin is in as good condition as my mum's is at her age!
On her favourite products…
My mum never goes anywhere without lipstick… she uses multiple brands but has a large collection of YSL shades. I'm more of an eye girl and can quite happily forget about lipstick but I won't go anywhere without mascara!
On following her beauty regime…
I'm always trying new products but yes, we do follow a similar beauty regime. She always told me to use a cleanser, toner and moisturiser twice a day, morning and night, and I've done that since I was 16 years old.
On what you wish you had listened to…
I wish I had listed to her advice to wear sunscreen when I was a teen! Now I never leave the house without it on, but as a teen I never could be bothered. But she does make me smile is when I try to go for the "beachy hair" look and she will always chase me around with a brush trying to smooth out my "messy" hair. That's one beauty look we will never agree on!
Elyse and her mum, Kim. Image, Instagram @elyseknowzly
Elyse Knowles
On what she taught you…
"My mum was a true believer in moisturiser. It was always the first thing you did as soon as you got out of the shower. She would say, "Look after your skin young darling and you won't have wrinkles like me" – I'm glad l listened haha!
On her favourite products…
Mum always used a beautiful blush. She glowed with pinky cheeks and when l was younger she would put a little on my cheeks for special occasions – I always felt so grown up!
On following her beauty regime…
We are now both loving the new ultra3 pretty plum blush!"
Deborah Hutton
On what she taught you…
Not a hell of a lot to be honest, in her day it was a jar of Ponds Cream that did the trick. She did however introduce me to the Clinique 1, 2, 3 Step Cleansing, Tone, Moisturise routine when I was 15, which instilled within me a good understanding of looking after my skin.
On her favourite products…
Olay…didn't everyone back then?
On following her beauty regime…
I was the face of Olay Regenerist for many years and have a great appreciation for their products, but these days I lean more towards cosmeceuticals (Rationale is seriously good!). I feel the need for more active skincare.
On what you wish you had listened to…
None that comes to mind, she was a working mum and a beauty routine was far from the top of her list. Funnily enough, being Queenslanders I wish I'd known more about sun protection! But she always said, "Always look on the bright side of life" – I never knew she had something for Monty Python!
Mimi Elashiry
On what she taught you…
Mum taught me that if you feel confident and show that confidence your beauty will shine through.
On her favourite products…
Skincerity – a silicon and water based masque with grapeseed and vitamin E oil. I put it on over night and it heals blemishes, scars, wounds, grazes, eczema anything!
On following her beauty regime…
Hehe I use all natural products and rarely wear makeup too…
On what you wish you had listened to…
"Don't cut your hair short" – wish I could rewind to when I decided to layer it and lost 6 inches hehe!
Carissa Walford
On what she taught you…
"To look after your skin at a young age! Wish I did surprisingly! I've been wearing sunscreen on my face every day since school and I really see how my skin hasn't aged as much as a lot of my other friends who are 28 or even younger.
On her favourite products…
She loves Clinque products and I started using their night cream at a young age when I didn't know too much about beauty. So night anti-wrinkle creams for the face and eyes.
On following her beauty regime…
We don't because mum has an allergy to certain products and she's very sensitive. I love the Clinque Toner that she uses and I steal that for her every now and again.
On what you wish you had listened to…
Don't go in the sun and tan!!! I'm pretty good now and I actually like looking 'white' rather than tanned!! God she hassles me on a daily basis! But I'm a mummy's girl so I generally listen to her too!
The post What My Mum Taught Me About Beauty appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Treat Your Mum To A Gorgeous Home Cooked Meal On Mother's Day appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Whether it be breakfast in bed, lunch in the sun or a candlelit family dinner, she will appreciate the thought (even if you're a terrible cook!) Below are some ideas to get you going..
BREAKFAST IN BED
Chai Chia Breakfast Pudding
Get the recipe here!
Vegan Chocolate Pikelets with Chocolate Topping
Get the recipe here!
Lorna Jane's I Love You Berry Much Tart
Get the recipe here!
Matt Moran's Omelette With Herbs
Get the recipe here!
GOURMET LUNCH
Spiced Lamb with Roast Vegetables, Kasundi and Coriander Yoghurt
Get the recipe here!
Lemongrass, Beef, Broccolini & Macadamia Stir Fry
Get the recipe here!
Massimo Mele's Nonna's Boiled Octopus with Almond Puree, Garlic, Chilli & Olive Oil
Get the recipe here!
DINNER
Fragrant Spiced Indian Vegetable & Lentil Soup
Get the recipe here!
Miso Glazed Trout With Coriander Zucchini Noodles
Get the recipe here!
Classic Italian Favourite: Pork and Veal Ragu
Get the recipe here!
What will you cook for your mum this Mothers Day? Tell us in the comments below..
The post Treat Your Mum To A Gorgeous Home Cooked Meal On Mother's Day appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post A Mother's Courage: Dr Jacqueline Kerr Shares Her Story appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Mum, who turns 80 this year, is happily married to John Coggan and they live together in Tweed Heads, NSW. She has five children, five grandchildren and went to Sydney University and later Oxford University as a mature age student. She now has a PHD. She still has a big dimpled smile. Wishing all of our brave and wonderful mothers a happy mother's day.
It's not often you ask your mum to pose naked for a photo shoot.
But there was method to my madness – to raise awareness about breast cancer. Besides I knew my mum – Dr Jacqueline Kerr – was brave enough to agree because as a survivor of breast cancer herself she understands more than most how lives can be saved if women are encouraged to regularly check their breasts.
My mother was first diagnosed with breast cancer when she was aged 50 and again when she was in her early 60s. As a result, she had a double mastectomy and like so many women, she was also diagnosed with lymphedema – a condition caused from impaired flow of the lymphatic system which has led to painful swelling of her arms.
Back in 2005, I had never seen any photo of a woman revealing her breast cancer scars. I knew that sharing my mum's story would show that women like her can remain strong, resilient and still feel feminine. After the story was published, I received a call from a woman who told me that my mum's story saved her life.
Mum and I were also interviewed by Melissa Doyle for Sunrise and later mum was invited by the NBCF to join the Speakers Bureau and Consumer Advisory Group and has subsequently spoken at numerous fundraising events.
"Having survived breast cancer more than once I am passionate about raising awareness and funds for cancer research," says Mum. "Not only will this assist NBCF achieve its aim to find a cure for breast cancer by 2030, it will eliminate the potential of serving a life sentence of lymphedema resulting from breast cancer which, having advanced lymphedema myself makes working with NBCF even more personal."
NBCF's research and fundraising has raised $162 million for 514 life-changing research projects in Australia, and is funded entirely by the Australian public. Survival rates have increased significantly since its inception in 1994 (the five-year survival rate for breast cancer has gone from 76% to 91%).
Here, I would like to share my mum's story in her own words.
A MOTHER'S COURAGE: DR JACQUELINE KERR'S STORY IN HER OWN WORDS
I have had both breast removed. My first diagnosis was in 1992 – two years before the NBC Foundation was formed. Since then millions of dollars have been raised to fund research. Not only does this save the lives of many women, it helps decrease pain and suffering. By the time I had my second mastectomy things had changed dramatically. The latest research shows that eight out of 10 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer before they are 80-years-old and it is the largest cause of deaths in Australian women. I imagine that many of you reading this have either been touched by or know someone with breast cancer.
My eldest daughter Robyn was a magazine editor and shortly after my second mastectomy I was telling her about the number of women who have never shown their scars to their husband's. Knowing me as she does she saw an opportunity for an article to show women that they can still be feminine. I have to say it was a bit risqué and the next thing I knew I was posing for what can only be described as a centrefold for the magazine.
In an interview on Sunrise I remember saying to Mel Doyle we are more than our breasts. While this is true, I have to admit they are still a vital part of our bodies.
I am happy to say that the article saved a number of women's lives and I was fortunate enough to meet one of the women who recognised similar symptoms and went to see her doctor. She was admitted immediately and underwent a radical mastectomy followed by six months of chemotherapy. Apparently they operated in the nick of time and she is now looking forward to a new grandchild.
When I showed the article to my 87-year-old father, he was a bit taken aback.
"Err …. Jacqueline you have no clothes on," he said."Well you should see the Playboy edition," I replied.
Like many challenges in life there's always a positive …
The cancer did spread to other places and by the time I had the second mastectomy I simply thought well now my body is back in balance. No more wondering if one breast was higher than the other, no more prosthesis falling out of my bra, once landing on the deck of a yacht in the middle of Lake Como … there's a conversation starter let me tell you. I could even change size, Dolly Parton, or Twiggy depending on the clothes. I mean why should men have all the fun?
I was unable to have reconstruction surgery because at the time it was not discussed and the extent of my surgery prevented it.
I made up my mind then and there not to let anything get me down and I didn't. Instead I made every day mean something. When four burly doctors came into my room to talk about my choice of chemo drugs and prognosis which wasn't very good, all I could say was 'Do whatever you want just bring in a fridge, stock it with gin, champagne, oysters and beer.' I even sent home for my Waterford crystal, doona and frilly bed linen and feather pillows. I needed to introduce some positive energy.
My family arrived from all over the world and I became the centre of attention which I have to admit I loved. Among my visitors were a few of my ex's …… and I heard my kids devised a roster so they wouldn't bump into each other. One day a young nurse came in and asked "which one is your husband?" to which I replied, "All of them." She left looking confused but smiling and I wasn't about to explain.
The lessons of my illness just seemed to keep coming and it wasn't until I kept getting asked what was the secret of my recovery that I realised it is the LOVE you have and are given. And sheer stubbornness …
So, would I have cancer again? Hopefully No … What have I learned from having it? PLENTY. Is there a positive side? YES.
Every day I think how wonderful life is and how blessed I am. It is not so much THAT I survived … but WHY and that is because we have come so far with medical advancement. The most important message we need is that there is hope but without research we cannot find a cure and with funding we can. So in the end it is up to us to make a difference. Buying a wristband or pink ribbon we are all helping to fight this dreadful disease.
Find out more about the NBCF, and donate here.
The post A Mother's Courage: Dr Jacqueline Kerr Shares Her Story appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Mother And Child Yoga appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>You're guaranteed to laugh a lot, find yourselves tippling over or losing balance and stretching your bodies with love and compassion.
Why Should We Practise Mother And Child Yoga?
Well, it's such a great experience, creates new adventures, you get to test out new poses, spend time with your child, and a build new level of your relationship. Don't forget that laughing at each other when you fall over is allowed and that the movement releases feel-good endorphins, so you will both be happier after your sequence.
A regular routine of yoga with your child can create healthy habits. Pick out your active wear together, or simply stay in your pyjamas! Make rolling out the yoga mats together a fun 'ritual' to begin your practise.
Taking The Busyness From Your Life
Yoga, especially mother and child yoga, outweighs the busyness of life. It helps us pause from the constant hustle. Removing the busyness makes the distance between us smaller. It means we become closer and we make time to stop and have fun together!
How Mother And Child Yoga Helps Children
It's important to remember that children are just as busy as we are, if not more. They go to school all day, they have sports after school, homework, tutors, and don't forget devices! It's important to factor in being together, playing games (that aren't on the tablet or phone), having family time and especially, having fun.
By practising yoga together, as mother and child, you will both learn self care. This is such an important lesson. When you are kind to yourself, your child will not only see this, but follow suit.
Yoga can help your child harness the power of positive thinking, and practising it from a young age can improve immunity and mobility, as well as promote wellness in later years. It helps them to hone and retain skills and compassion that last a lifetime. It creates healthy habits, improves posture, creates positive words and thoughts and gives them clarity of mind.
Yoga also helps to relieve stress and anxiety, it boosts self esteem and improves emotional regulation and processing of thoughts and events.
So, here are a couple of yoga poses that will be so much fun for mother and child to practise and reap all the wonderful benefits!
Mother and Child Plank Pose AKA Kumbhakasana
This Is an arm balancing yoga pose that helps to tone abdominal muscles, while strengthening arms and spine. There are many core muscle benefits for this pose, and the main concepts are posture and alignment.
How to get there
- Start on hands and knees.
- Keep your hands beneath your shoulders and your knees beneath your hips.
- Engage core as though you are bringing your belly button to your spine.
- Tuck your toes and step your feet back, as you bring your body into one straight line.
- Thighs are lifted, no rounding through back, or dipping of hips.
- Keeping core drawn in. Holding this pose for five breaths.
To exit this pose
- Keep your core engaged.
- Exhale anda bring your knees to the floor
- Come into Child's Pose to balance the posture. It's a wonderful counter pose.
Benefits of Plank
- Helps with posture.
- Strengthens core.
- Aids in strengthening wrists, shoulders, chest and lower back.
Variations
- Keep knees on the floor.
- If you have wrist issues, use your forearms to balance on.
Contraindications
- Carpal tunnel
- Elbow issues
- Lower back injury
Mother And Child Forward Fold
- Begin sitting opposite each other on the floor, legs stretched out and wide with Mother's and Child's feet touching, sole to sole. Keep legs and core engaged at all times.
- Take each others' hands and as you inhale and exhale deeply, move backwards and forwards with your upper body, resisting each other's movement as you go. So, Mum will be holding back as child tries to pull her towards her and vice versa.
- Do this as many times as you like. It will help stretch and strengthen both the legs, hips and the arms shoulders and upper back.
Enjoy your mothers day and I hope you have lots of fun.
Love, Trudy x
The post Mother And Child Yoga appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Lee Holmes Chai Chia Breakfast Pudding Recipe appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Serves 4
INGREDIENTS
1/4 teaspoon Celtic sea salt
40 g (11/2 oz/1/4 cup) hazelnuts
120 g (41/4 oz/3/4 cup) raw cashews
1/2 teaspoon alcohol-free vanilla extract
6 drops stevia liquid, or 2 tablespoons sweetener of your choice, such as xylitol or rice malt syrup
1/2 teaspoon cardamom
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
30 g (1 oz/1/4 cup) chia seeds
1/2 cup chopped nuts, to serve
strawberries, to serve (optional)
almond milk, to serve
METHOD
1 Combine the salt, hazelnuts, cashews, vanilla, stevia and spices with 750 ml (26 fl oz/3 cups) of filtered water in a blender and whizz until smooth.
2 Transfer to a bowl and add the ehia seeds. Stir to combine well, then cover and place in the fridge overnight.
3 To serve, scatter with chopped nuts and strawberries, if using, and add almond milk.
Health Benefits
Chia seeds are teeny tiny, but impressively clever. When soaked in water they transform into a highly detoxifying gel. They absorb other flavours well.
The Carousel thanks Lee Holmes for these images and recipes. Buy the book now.
The post Lee Holmes Chai Chia Breakfast Pudding Recipe appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Auckland's Hidden Gems: Waiheke Island To Fabulous Food appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Following a short three-hour flight from Sydney, my three companions and I arrived at the brand-new Adina Auckland Apartment Hotel in the waterfront Britomart district, which was our base for the weekend. Adina, a TFE Hotel, provides modern studio and one, two & three-bedroom apartments, an onsite gym & restaurant and 24-hour reception, striking the perfect balance between the freedom of staying in your own apartment and the comfort of a hotel. After some time to relax in our stylish rooms, manager Ricky took us on a tour of the hotel, which culminated in the beautiful two-storey, three-bedroom penthouse. Here, we were treated to bubbles, canapés and dinner courtesy of Adina's own Yard Bar and Eatery. Highlights of the meal included scrumptious grilled prawns with avocado mousse and crisp blue cheese and fig filo tartlets.
On Saturday we rose bright and early, ready to spend a full day on Waiheke Island. Listed by Lonely Planet as the world's fifth-best region to visit in 2016 and only 35 minutes by ferry from Auckland's CBD, Waiheke is not to be missed. The island boasts sights and activities for all types of traveller, ranging from pristine beaches and nature walks to wine tasting and superb dining.
We began our day by doing a two-and-a-half hour nature walk with Gabrielle from Walking by Nature. The time flew by as we hiked through a variety of breathtaking landscapes including lush rainforest, wild meadows and groves of giant kauri trees. Gabrielle made us very welcome with her warm Kiwi spirit and delivered a wealth of knowledge on the local flora, fauna, history and Maori culture. Walking at this time of year, the põhutukawa, affectionately nicknamed the "New Zealand Christmas Tree," was in full bloom with bright red blossoms. We were also lucky enough to catch a few glimpses of the elusive kākā parrot.
By the time we arrived at Charlie Farley's seaside restaurant, we had worked up quite an appetite. A meal featuring fresh local hapuka (a sweet white fish), smoked snapper pie in golden pastry and delightful wines from the island's wineries, all delivered with friendly and attentive service, did not disappoint and left us eagerly anticipating the wine tour which was to follow.
Graeme from Around Waiheke Tours shuttled us between four of the island's wineries with the Kiwi friendliness that we were now growing accustomed to. Our first stop was Kennedy Point Vineyard, an organic winery that produces world-award winning rosé as well as its own olive oil. The rosé was particularly delicious when taken a shot with fresh Pacific oysters – something I'll definitely be trying at home! We then sampled some of the lovely wines at Peacock Sky Vineyard, which provided food pairings for each glass. This was followed by a stop at Passage Rock Wines, which served the most divine pinot gris I've ever tasted and a delectable rosé and syrah (what we call Shiraz in Australia) too.
Finally, we were treated to a wine tasting at the Batch Winery, where I loved the sparkling rosé and riesling. I had a vegan burger for dinner at the winery restaurant, which was excellent like all of our meals so far and my companions' hapuka, steak and chicken received the same approval. Whilst still at the dinner table, something magical happened: the weather, which had been a bit grey all day, lifted to reveal a stunning view of rolling hills, vineyards, rainforest, ocean and the Auckland skyline against the backdrop of a glowing sunset. It was the perfect end to our glorious day on Waiheke.
Sunday started in a more relaxed fashion, which gave me time to try out Adina's smart gym and work off in advance the coffee and pastries we were to devour at La Cigale French Markets. The chocolate and hazelnut croissant, still warm from the oven, was mind-blowingly delicious and the robust coffee washed it down wonderfully. We spent an hour or so meandering around the stalls selling food to go, fresh New Zealand produce, European cheeses, cured meats and freshly baked breads. I could not think of a better way to spend a lazy Sunday morning and judging by the buzzing crowds, the locals seemed to agree.
For lunch, we headed back to Britomart and had some beautiful Italian fare at Ortolana. Standout dishes included fresh pasta, burrata with herbs and an extensive selection of refreshing homemade sodas like lemon & thyme. All was served with warm hospitality in a trendy, exposed-brick industrial setting.
I used my free time after lunch to Britomart's chic designer outlets, green spaces and dessert parlours as well as downtown Auckland. Queen St, the city's main road, was lined with tourists and locals alike, lunching and Christmas shopping. The gorgeous old Town Hall and Albert Park won my heart over and I also enjoyed learning about New Zealand's first peoples in an exhibition of Maori portraits at the Auckland Art Gallery.
In the afternoon we took the ferry over to the northern Auckland suburb of Devonport for a Segway tour with the lovely Pauline from Magic Broomstick Tours. After a little tuition on how to ride the Segway, which is surprisingly easy and an absolute heap of fun, we zoomed past the neighbourhood's charming Victorian weatherboard houses and pristine beaches up to North Head, one of Auckland's many extinct volcanic cones and former military station. Here we were rewarded of spectacular 360-degree views of Auckland city, the turquoise harbour, the volcanic island Rangitoto and in the distance, Waiheke. Pauline then showed us the enormous disappearing guns used by the army and took us through the labyrinth of tunnels between them.
We then headed back to Adina and prepared for a night on the town. This began with delectable cocktails in a Britomart alleyway bar before dinner at one of Auckland's best Japanese restaurants, Ebisu. The sashimi and sushi platter, with a selection of fresh kingfish, salmon and tuna; sticky miso glazed eggplant; and yuzu brulée certainly left me with a sweet taste in my mouth on my final night in Auckland!
Reflecting on our Auckland adventure on the way home, I almost had one regret: that we didn't have more time! But then I remembered that this gem of a city and all its wonderful food, entertainment and activities are only a stone's throw away from home – the perfect excuse for another weekend getaway sometime soon.
Meals were at:
The Yard (Adina Auckland) https://www.tfehotels.com/brands/adina-apartment-hotels/adina-apartment-hotel-auckland-britomart
Charlie Farley's www. charliefarleys.co.nz
Thomas's Bach https://www.batchwinery.com/waiheke-food-thomass-bach.html
Ortolana – http://www.ortolana.co.nz/
Ebisu – http://ebisu.co.nz/
Activities provided by:
Walking by Nature http://walkingbynature.nz
Around Waiheke Tours http://www.aroundwaiheketours.co.nz/
Magic Broomstick Tours http://www.magicbroomsticktours.co.nz/
The Carousel would like to thank Charmaine D'Souza for the article. Charmaine was a guest of TFE Hotels during her stay in Auckland.
The post Auckland's Hidden Gems: Waiheke Island To Fabulous Food appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Impress Your Mum This Mother's Day With A Feast appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>BREAKFAST IN BED
Blinis With Egg & Smoked Salmon
Click here for the recipe!
Organic Bacon & Egg Butty
Click here for the recipe!
Fried Eggs With Pistachio Dukkah
Click here for the recipe!
Pear, Hazelnut & Ginger Granola
Click here for the recipe!
Chai Chia Breakfast Pudding
Click here for the recipe!
LUNCH
Spaghetti With Prawns, Clams & Chilli
Click here for the recipe!
Little Beef & Onion Pot Pies With Mushy Peas
Click here for the recipe!
Lamb Burgers With Middle Eastern Coleslaw
Click here for the recipe!
Vegetarian, Healthy & Gluten-Free Pumpkin Ricotta Gnocchi With Pancetta
Click here for the recipe
DINNER
Handmade Pumpkin Tortelli With Mostarda, Burnt Butter & Sage
Click here for the recipe!
Six-Hour Slow-Roasted Lamb Shoulder With Rosemary Jus
Click here for the recipe!
Fish en Papillote With A Pumpkin & Quinoa Salad
Click here for the recipe!
Snapper With Fennel & Roman Beans
Click here for the recipe!
DESSERT
Baked Lemon & Rhubarb Tarts
Click here for the recipe!
Warming Slow-Baked Apple Pie
Click here for the recipe!
Vanilla Cake With Rose Buttercream
Click here for the recipe!
Egg White Cake With Strawberry Icing
Click here for the recipe!
Dairy-Free Baked Blueberry Custards
Click here for the recipe!
Fresh, Zesty Lime & Coconut Mousse Cake
Click here for the recipe!
The post Impress Your Mum This Mother's Day With A Feast appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Turia Pitt's Mother's Day Message appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>So, when her weekly newsletter landed in my inbox today, I had to share it here, because with Turia Pitt, every word she speak or writes lifts your mood higher (I encourage you to sign up – you will love reading her words).
It's a beautiful letter to her Mum, which will be featured in Samuel Johnson's new book Dear Mum.
I'll hand over now to Turia Pitt, who strings words together in a way like no other.
Turia says, "I leapt at the chance [to be in the book], because you know I like writing letters, and Dear Mum helps raise money for cancer research!
So, because Mother's Day is this weekend in Aus, I thought I'd share the letter I included in the book (alongside Patti Newton, Guy Pearce, Amanda Keller, Rebecca Gibney, Peter Helliar, Shane Jacobson, Adam Spencer, Lehmo, Georgie Parker, Jacqui Lambie, Stephanie Alexander and Shannon Noll!).
It's a cracking book. It celebrates mums. And it raises money for cancer research. So, go get your mitts on a copy!!
Here's my letter:
Dear Mum,
Remember when I went away for work with my son Hakavai, and you came along to help out?
It was the end of a three week trip and I was exhausted, Hakavai was irritated, and your perpetual enthusiasm was excruciating.
We were slowly walking up the boardwalk, only one plane ride away until touch down in Sydney.
"Mum, where are our seats?" I asked.
"How should I know?!", you replied in a haughty tone.
"Um…. you've got the boarding passes."
You peered down through your glasses (bought at the chemist down the road). I knew you couldn't read our seat numbers.
"Here, give it to me," I said.
"No", you huffed back. As if to prove to me that you could indeed read, you made the following announcement in your boombox supersonic circus ringmaster voice.
"Masterrrrr Hakavai Hoskin – seatttttttt 25aaaaaaaaaaa!!!".
The other passengers jumped, startled by your announcement.
We moved to our seats and while I got Hakavai settled, I saw you had spotted a new friend in the flight attendant (not the same one that you were talking to earlier, the one you thought was Polish, but was actually from Serbia).
I tuned into your conversation in time and heard you playfully admonish him "I'm not from New Zealand, I'm from Tahiti!". Your face has that focused intensity I know so well.
"That is fascinating, Madam".
His body language, tone of voice and lack of any expression indicated that he was anything but fascinated.
"Ah, so where is that?", he said with a modicum of polite interest.
"In French Polynesia of course! Everybody should know where French Polynesia is!"
(Because of COURSE everyone should know the exact location of some islands sprinkled around the Pacific Ocean!).
"My uncle was president of Tahiti. Three times!" you exclaimed, with a knowing smile.
(I'm still not sure if this is factually correct as you seem to find an ancestral connection to almost everyone from Tahiti).
"Ahhhhhh" … he looked at me through 'Help me!' eyes and I pretended to be busy reading. I wanted to see how this was going to play out.
"Yes!", you proclaimed. "Us Tahitians, we're proud of our culture!"
Then, just as I saw you draw a big breath, ready to launch into your next verbal barrage, there was an announcement over the PA and the flight attendant's shoulders sank with relief.
"Please excuse me Madam, we're about to take off".
"Oh! No worries darling!" You stood to kiss him but he was already moving quickly down the aisle.
"Māuruuru Māuruuru roa!" you called after him, quickly adding "That means Thank You in Tahitian!".
You settled back in your seat and started tickling my son's feet. He giggled, enraptured by your clinking shell necklaces and the daisies in your hair. Your chignon was held up with an old ballpoint pen, you were wearing a vibrant floral shirt, and psychedelic patterned tights.
Awwww. I was suddenly overwhelmed by feelings of love and gratitude for you. I was a bit of a bitch to you on that trip. I thought about when I was a kid, and you took me to a big running race. I thought of the time when I won an award for my "Colourful Imagination" and you bought me an old clunky typewriter to celebrate. I remembered when I was in hospital, and you were there every day, brightening up the place with your bright colours and raucous laughter.
I grabbed your hand and kissed it.
"Love ya mum".
You smiled at me, and kissed my hand too.
Turia x
Happy Mother's Day to you, my friend, wherever and however this letter finds you.
Much love,
Turia x
The post Turia Pitt's Mother's Day Message appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Astro Mum: Gifts For Her Star Sign! appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>
AriesMarch 21 – April 19
Daring, fearless and brimming with enthusiasm, Aries mums thrive on excitement. As the pioneers of the zodiac they love nothing more than a challenge and breaking new ground.
Soft option: Nano iPod, yoga membership, jewellery display stand, gourmet chilli jam.
Something different: Krav Maga self-defence course, cage dive with sharks, vintage spice rack, woollen poncho.
TaurusApril 20 – May 20
Good-humoured, affectionate and calm, Taurus mums are the sensualists of the zodiac enjoying both simple pleasures and luxuries. However, they need the occasional nudge out of their comfort zone.
Soft option: Culinary club subscription, degustation dinner, chakra balancing massage, wish candles.
Something different: Chocolate making workshop, Latin American dance classes, seed-grow kit, massage pillow.
GeminiMay 21 – June 20
Youthful, witty and sprightly, Gemini mums are energetic powerhouses who love being kept on their toes. As the sign associated with intellect they also crave plenty of mental stimulation.
Soft option: Key finder, monogrammed leather journal, hands free phone accessories.
Something different: Winning Mensa Mind Game, first edition of a well-loved book, clairvoyant reading, life drawing art classes.
CancerJune 21 – July 22
Cancer mums are nurturing, sentimental and always available. As the domestic goddess of the zodiac they love primping their surroundings but also like a walk on the wild side!
Soft option: Gourmet preserves, Himalayan salt block, personalised jewellery, hall gallery frame set.
Something different: Acoustic iPhone speaker, pie bird and cooling rack, cashmere ballet slippers, magazine subscription.
LeoJuly 23 – August 22
Playful, extroverted and generous, Leo mums love a touch of drama and extravagance. As one of the most creative signs various hobbies and outlets for their artistic self-expression are important.
Soft option: Leather tote bag, theatre tickets, day spa voucher, stretch bracelet.
Take a chance: Coffee club membership, canvas self-portrait, dinner party table topics, singing lessons.
Virgo August 23 – September 22
Pragmatic, sincere and sophisticated, Virgo mums love anything that smacks of quality. As the sign associated with perfection and self-improvement, they also love solving problems and organising their surroundings.
Soft option: Organiser valet tray, Oil-Less air fryer, Japanese dinner set, portable lap desk.
Something different: Magnetic key holder, Luminosity brain games, tandem skydiving voucher, hand-made salted caramels.
LibraSeptember 23 – October 22
Sociable, diplomatic and innately charming, Libran mothers are the stellar style queens. An eye for detail and delicate sensibilities gives them a flair for decorating and deep appreciation of art.
Soft option: Tassel drop pendant, woollen beret, high tea and champagne, make-up palette.
Something different: Wine tasting set, wall-pops, Huon Pine salad bowl, jewellery workshop.
ScorpioOctober 23 – November 21
Loyal, strong and highly perceptive, Scorpio mums can be intense but they're also mischievous! As the sign associated with secrecy and psychology they love playing detective and delving deep.
Soft option: Psychological thriller book or DVD set, cookbook stand, unwind gift set, robot vacuum cleaner.
Something different: Glass terrarium,salt cave therapy treatment, bamboo herb growing kit, whale watching tour.
SagittariusNovember 22 – December 21
Optimistic, spirited and open-minded, Saggie mums have a philosophical nature and enjoy broadening their horizons. As one of the more athletic signs they also see life as a big adventure!
Soft option: Solar GPS, gym bag, picnic wicker basket,Teppanyaki dining experience.
Something different: Quirky apron, vintage map poster, mood light aroma diffuser, ticket stub diary.
CapricornDecember 22 – January 19
Reliable, down to earth and effortlessly chic Capricorn mothers love the finer things in life. They may be conservative but underneath the prim exterior is a wickedly cheeky side!
Soft option: Gourmet olive oil sampler, Kindle E-reader, wine and cheese tasting day tour, silk scarf.
Something different: Food dehydrator, personalised perfume, balance board, wooden iPhone case.
Aquarius January 20 – February 18
Eccentric, sociable and forward thinking the Aquarius mum is a bit of rebel who always encourages you to embrace your individuality. They are also the sign associated with humanity.
Soft option: Oxfam fair-trade gift, pillow speaker, bento box dining kit, Bluetooth speaker.
Something different: Solar phone charger, Name-A-Star, Japanese kitchen knives, digital Polaroid camera.
PiscesFebruary 19 – March 20
Compassionate, selfless and sensitive, Pisces mothers are the sign associated with intuition and spirituality. Blessed with a flair for music and a vivid imagination they often have inspired ideas.
Soft option: Detox foot spa, cubby storage hooks, pocket beach towel, Serene Sounds Therapy.
Something different: Yoghurt maker, Goggles and snorkel, book on crystals or astrology, juice fountain.
What are you buying mum for Mother's Day? Tell us in the comments below!
The post Astro Mum: Gifts For Her Star Sign! appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Treat Your Mum To Travel This Mother's Day appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Soft Adventure
Full of culture, history and natural wonders, Peru's mythical Inca Trail is the perfect experience to give to any adventurous Mother on her special day. Mum will spend her days ascending and exploring the inspiring mountain scenery before being treated to a range of luxury Peruvian pampering massages, exotic cuisines and tasteful wines on Adventure World's extraordinary Luxury Inca Trail. Trekking towards the Doorway of the Sun, she'll witness the first glimpse of the impressive lost city of Machu Picchu before unlocking the secrets to this sacred heritage site, all before recovering in luxurious boutiques in the region's valleys.
Luxury
Pamper your Mum with a holiday that will make her feel like a queen with a stay at Red Carnation Hotel's newly-opened Ashford Castle in Ireland. Dating back to 1228, the magnificent five-star property graces her beauty on the picturesque shores of Lough Corrib. Mum will dine like royalty in the George V Dining Room named after the Prince of Wales. The graceful setting is rich with twinkling Waterford Crystal chandeliers bestowing a grand sense of occasion. Relax and unwind to the soothing sounds of Ashford Castle's resident pianist while indulging in exceptional dishes of acclaimed Chef Stefan Matz. For more information visit www.ashfordcastle.com.
Cultural
If your mum has a passion for culture and new experiences, it's hard to look past India, one of the oldest, most unique and diverse cultures in the world. Collectively known as the Golden Triangle, the cities of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur showcase India's rich Mughal and Rajput heritage – from imposing forts, to sumptuous palaces and gleaming marble temples and tombs, such as the exquisite Taj Mahal. On Insight Vacations' 7-day Essence of IndiaAll-Inclusive Luxury Goldjourney, guests will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the rich culture of the Golden Triangle and enjoy Signature Experiences such as visiting the Taj Mahal and the desert imperial city of Fatehpur Sikri, ascending by Jeep to the Amber Fort and enjoying a Celebration Gala Dinner under the stars at Samode Palace.
Island getaway/Flop & Drop
We all know mums have the hardest job of all, so what better way to say thank you this Mother's Day than giving mum the chance to put her feet up with stunning Fiji as a backdrop. Creative Holidays currently has a range of fly and stay packages available, where mum can unwind in style in one of three 5-star Starwood Hotels & Resorts located on Denarau Island, a small private island in Fiji, northwest of the main island of Viti Levu. As Fiji's only 5-star integrated resort complex, she'll be able to enjoy access to the facilities of Sheraton Fiji Resort, Sheraton Denarau Villas and The Westin Denarau Island Resort & Spa. The resort complex offers an exciting tropical wonderland, complete with lush tropical gardens, relaxing beaches, leisure facilities including the Heavenly Spa, a choice of 17 restaurants and bars and six swimming pools. Watch out – she may not want to come back!
Food
There's nothing more satisfying for a Mother than having her loved ones all sitting around the dinner table and sharing stories. What better place to do just that than in Italy? A haven for some of the world's best food and wines, Mum will be in her element as she indulges her way through Italy's Piedmont region on Trafalgar'sSecrets of Italy Hidden Journey. From sharing stories with a local family in their home and staying in authentic accommodation at the Albergo Dell'Agenzia in Pollenzo, Mum will feel spoiled as she explores Europe's largest open air food market in Turin and the food markets of Astola. She'll uncover a town synonymous with sparkling wine in Asti and join the local Nicola family on their wine estate for a beautifulBe My Guest lunch. The family will treat her to the region's famous Spumante and Barbera d'Asti wines before inviting her to sit down with the family for a homemade meal.
City break
Show your mum a different side of Sydney with a day of exploring and adventure in the city's most iconic and picturesque spots. Let AAT Kings do all the driving so you can kick back, relax and take in Sydney from the best roof top in town on the see-through roof Double Decker coach. Experience the Sydney Harbour Bridge like never before, walk the bridge to get the ultimate family photo and stop off for a bite to eat at The Rocks. Priced from $20 per person, visit www.aatkings.com for more details.
Cruise
What better place to show your mum how much you love her than in the city of love itself, Paris. Experience some extra magic over the holidays and celebrate in the holiday spirit cruising along the Seine River visiting a marché de Noël in towns along the way, indulging in French food and champagne and explore the rich culture that the French are famous for. Explore the beautiful French streets as they are dressed in Christmas spirit and admire the Eiffel tower under a sprinkling of snow as it lights up the night sky on Uniworld's 8 day all-inclusive Parisian Holiday river cruise priced from $3,519 per person. For more information visit www.uniworldcruises.com.au
How are you going to spoil your mum this Mother's Day? Tell us below…
The post Treat Your Mum To Travel This Mother's Day appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Plant Mum A Bouquet This Mother's Day appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Matt says, "You can make her garden experience that much more enjoyable with Winter blooms. Or if you don't have the option of planting in her garden, plant some flowers in a pot or corner of your garden ready to pick for the ultimate in fresh, fragrant flowers for mum on Mother's Day."
Matt's top three recommendations for planting Mother's Day blooms are…
Gardenias
Gardenias flower the best from November through to May so catch the last of the fragrant white blooms for Mother's Day. Their large white petals and glossy green foliage make them a beautiful garden addition and they can be used as hedging or a feature, and also grow well in pots. Matt recommends planting Gardenias near a deck or window, prime positions to enjoy the plants perfumed fragrance.
They grow from approximately 1/2m – 1.6m depending on the variety Matt suggests avoiding planting gardenias near a concrete walk or foundation where the pH maybe too high for good growth.
Salvias
Salvias make a beautiful Mother's Day bouquet and come in a range of appealing flower colours, including blue, mauve, cerise, pink, red, white and orange. Salvias can be shrubs perennials and annuals and grow from the small border style plants to the taller and bushy. There is a Salvia for just about any style garden, they are long-flowering and easy to propagate and grow. Salvias are a part of the mint family and give off a beautiful perfume when brushed past.
Matt recommends pruning Salvias to the ground every year after flowering; they respond well to being dug up and divided every 2-3 years.
Echinacea's
Echinacea's are long flowering, look great and are easy to care for making them a great choice for a floral burst in the garden. Not only are they a beautiful addition to the garden, they are also a medicinal plant that are useful for alleviating skin rashes, and will help stimulate the immune system- if consumed in the correct way.
Echinacea's are very resilient flowering plants that don't get bothered by pests or diseases. They generally come in beautiful shades of purple and lavender, with a raised dark centre cone.
Matt's tip is to plant Echinacea's in your herb garden or if your garden allows some free space for clumping of different textural planting. They can be used along with the Salvias and lower growing ornamental grasses and hedges. Don't overdo it though, as they tend to work best when they are not dominated in the garden.
Are you going to plant your mum a bouquet this Mother's Day? Tell us below…
The post Plant Mum A Bouquet This Mother's Day appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post The Ultimate Mother's Day Gift Guide appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The Softie
For the teddy-bear like mamas, who favour cuddles and kisses, gift her with equally soft and squishy presents in a pretty palette of powdery pink, apricot and sand. Smooches all round.
The Conservative
This mother has traditional tastes, and favours a typically old-fashioned colour wheel of primary reds and blues, with slithers of gold for that hit of luxury. Fit for a Queen.
The Bohemian
For those Mother Earths' who prefer the rolling surf or viridescent settings; zen her world with bohemian pieces in a soft rainbow of colours, with natural textures aplenty. Namaste, mama.
The Style Queen
This mum takes style seriously, so gift her accordingly, with fashionable pieces from the latest crop of cool-cat designers in basic (but oh-so chic) blues, blacks and whites. Modish mama 101.
The Classicist
For the mum who favours the finer things, stick to a mostly monochromatic palette; add a pop of red for that extra dose of love and and golden accents for a rich sense of opulence. Love is in the air.
The post The Ultimate Mother's Day Gift Guide appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Pamper Mum With An Urban Wellness Experience This Mother's Day appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>We were welcomed with cups of their soothing house-blend tea, before we entered the peaceful candle-lit practice room.
Fiona took us through a simple partner yoga sequence. It was very doable for beginners like Mum and I – such a fun bonding experience. I think we got an extra work-out for our abs because we were giggling the whole time!
We were then treated to a scrumptious and nutritious morning tea of fresh fruit and veg, dips, cheeses, healthy baked goods and cold pressed juices.
The next event on the agenda was a special talk from Michelle of A Healthy View, who enlightened us on how we can improve our health and wellbeing simply through nutrition.
We finished the day with some full-scale pampering: makeup demonstrations from Napoleon Perdis, cupcake decorating with Sparkle Cupcakery and making our own terrariums to take home.
Thank you to RedBalloon for such a relaxing, indulgent experience!
Treat your mum with one of their experiences this Mother's Day – with 3,500 experiences Australia-wide, there's one to suit every mum.
Indulgence packages, such as massages and facials, rose in popularity by over 84% in 2016 with outdoor activities and gourmet experiences not far behind.
But if you're really looking to spoil mum this year you can't go wrong with RedBalloon's new product offering, Urban Wellness Retreat, where mum can enjoy yoga, indulge in some whole foods and attend wellness workshops.
Naomi Simson, RedBalloon Founding Director, said "Mother's Day is a really special day. It is a time to thank our mums and show them how much we appreciate everything they do for us throughout the year.
"We're seeing a clear favourite among Aussie mums for shared experiences. At RedBalloon we've witnessed a spike in our 'for 2' experiences, proving that mums just want to spend some quality time with their children on Mother's Day."
RedBalloon's Top 4 Mother's Day Gifting Categories
1. Experiences For Two Wine and Dine High Tea
2. Indulgence Massages Facials
3. Gourmet Experiences Dining Out Cooking Classes
4. Outdoor Experiences Sailing Harbour cruises
The post Pamper Mum With An Urban Wellness Experience This Mother's Day appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Spoil Your Mum With Flowers: 5 Different Types Of Chrysanthemums appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>"But did you know that the favourite flowers given on this special day are the vibrant and fragrant chrysanthemums, also commonly known as 'mums'."
So with the big day on Sunday 14th May, we set out to find out everything there is to know about our 'mums' of the floral variety from the difference between the most popular varieties to how to care for them.
Here we explain the difference between the five most popular types of 'mums' and give helpful tips to make them last longer.
RED – DAISY CHRYSANTHEMUM
Red Daisy chrysanthemum is covered in stunning red daisy flowers with yellow eyes at the ends of the stems. The flowers are excellent for cutting. Its fragrant ferny leaves remain dark green in colour too throughout the season.
WHITE – POLARIS
This tried-and-true favourite with traditionalists has been putting a smile on mums' faces for longer than most. Available in white, cream, yellow, and shades of pink, the Polaris is mainstay of almost every bouquet because of its versatility and long-lasting qualities – up to 10-12 days.
GREEN – SPIDER
Appropriately named for their long, curling petals that look like spiders sitting on top of stems, spider mums are revered as one of the more unusual chrysanthemum plant types.
YELLOW – DISBUD
So named because this varietal has just one single large flower per stem, produced by moving all the side buds when the plant is still young. With an eye-catching bloom 7-9cm in diameter, a yellow disbud makes the perfect focal flower for any Mother's Day 'mum' arrangement.
PINK – POMPOM
A small globular bloom, somewhat flat when young, but fully round and bursting with character when mature. Size ranges from small button types to large disbudded blooms almost 10cm in diametre. The florets incurve or reflex in a regular manner and fully conceal the centre.
7 TIPS TO LOOK AFTER YOUR 'MUMS
Chrysanthemums are a forgiving flower and have a good vase life. Even still, it's handy to know these little tricks to keep them vibrant for longer.
- Ensure your vase or vessel is very clean.
- Chrysanthemums have a woody stem, so you need to help them absorb water. Before placing them in a clean vase, trim 2 to 5 cm off the stem base at a sharp angle. Every few days, trim 1 cm off the stem to aid water absorption.
- Place flowers in clean tepid water, enough for them not to go dry quickly- about half the vase full.
- Strip leaves that would be below the water line.
- Remove leaves from the stem when they start to droop.
- Change the water regularly.
- For a maximum vase life and display, don't mix chrysanthemums with other flowers. They release a chemical called ethylene, which may cause other flowers to wilt quickly.
WHAT THE COLOURS MEAN
Chrysanthemums generally symbolise longevity, fidelity, joy and optimism. Various colours symbolise other important meanings as well.
- Red chrysanthemums symbolise love and devotion.
- Yellow chrysanthemums symbolise happiness and joy.
- White chrysanthemums symbolise loyalty and honesty.
- Violet chrysanthemums symbolise a wish to good health.
For more fabulous flower stories, head to the Sydney Markets website for their regular flower blogs and inspiration.
The post Spoil Your Mum With Flowers: 5 Different Types Of Chrysanthemums appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Tell The One's You Love How Special They Are This Mother's Day appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>While we may all be getting bogged down in thoughts and the push to end isolation and get 'back to normal', we still need to stop and take time to consider how we continue to behave and interact with others during this time.
Mother's Day is just around the corner and this year the holiday is being impacted like it never has been before in most of our lifetimes. A day which is often dedicated to celebrating mums and grandmothers, surrounding them with their family and loved ones is now unable to happen the way we might be used to but it is actually more important than ever to ensure a celebration is made in dedication to mum.
For many they are the rock and centre of the universe, Mum keeps our worlds spinning in the most chaotic of times, but for many Mums they may be experiencing more anxiety surrounding the impacts of the pandemic on their families than what they are letting on. They often shoulder the burden of stress with ease, but in unprecedented times like this even mums can't be sure how to proceed at every turn.
It can be even more unsettling for mothers and grandmothers of retirement age, as they are part of the higher-risk category for COVID-19. Their own mortality is called into the spotlight and they are being isolated without contact or engagement from those who they value most and hold so dear. The elderly often makes up a big portion of those who suffer from depression and loneliness off the back of isolation – their mobility and physical health and wellbeing can cause issues which means they are reliant on others at the best of times, let alone in these difficult circumstances.
Recently we've seen the elderly in some of their most vulnerable states – unable to buy basic necessities due to the panic shopping and lack of consideration shown to them by others. Don't let them suffer again because of selfishness in the pandemic.
How we celebrate Mother's Day this year may look a little different to normal, but it doesn't mean it shouldn't go ahead.
Research from eharmony shows this pandemic has impacted almost forty per cent of Mother's Day plans for Australians. That's nearly half of the population who suddenly need to rethink how they go about making Mother's Day special this year.
Virtual calls are becoming something of the norm and fortunately the ease of use across smartphones, even the elderly are able to enjoy this way of getting some face to face time safely and responsibly. Fortunately, twenty-five per cent of Aussies who celebrate Mother's Day will be switching to video calls, to ensure their celebrations still go ahead.
The beauty of video calls is that they are more intimate than phone calls and allow for mums and their families to properly tap into how they're feeling. A video call can go a long way, especially for mothers and grandmothers isolated from their families for many months due to their age and health.
Economically we are struggling, the dark cloud of uncertainty is hanging low so gift giving may be taking a back seat for a while, but now more than ever is a great time to test those creative skills. Sometimes the effort alone is enough for Mum, no matter how the finished product looks she is just grateful you tried.
I think most interestingly from the eharmony research was that forty per cent of Aussies don't purchase gifts for mum on Mother's Day and fifteen per cent don't believe they need to tell their mum they love her on Mother's Day because she 'already knows'.
Gift-giving is one thing, but I think now more than ever it is so important to be telling our loved ones how much they mean to us. A simple expression of the emotion doesn't cost anything yet delivers so much to the people we love. Mums are often the unsung hero for the most part, but Mother's Day is when we take the time to acknowledge just how important our mum is and what she does do for us. While they may appear strong on the outside, like all humans – they need to be told how loved they are. So if there's one thing that I encourage you to do this Mother's Day, is to take the time to get in touch with your Mum. Pick up the phone, get on the video call, send a carrier pigeon if you have to – but just let her know you are thinking of her and you appreciate her. You'll be surprised how good it makes you feel too…
The Carousel would like to thank Sharon Draper for her article.
The post Tell The One's You Love How Special They Are This Mother's Day appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Top Luxury Stays To Treat Your Mum This Mother's Day appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The Cape Retreat, Brunswick Heads, NSW
Sleeps 10
Why we love it:
1. Uninterrupted river & ocean views
2. Expansive salt water pool and hot tub
3. Multiple indoor and outdoor entertaining areas with gazebo and outdoor fire pit
Southerly Ashore, Eagle Bay, WA
Sleeps 8
Why we love it:
Spacious 4 bedroom, 3 bathroom house
Custom built eight person spa and sauna
Expansive teak deck with an outlook over the native landscape and dam
Starhaven Retreat, Portarlington, VIC
Sleeps 10
Why we love it:
1. Internationally acclaimed stay with an unbeatable beach side location
2. Breathtaking views from the multiple balconies and rooftop terrace
3. 15 seat cinema with starlit ceiling
Yacht Club 10, Hamilton Island, QLD
Sleeps 8
Why we love it
1. Luxury Yacht Club freestanding house
2. Absolute ocean front location with breathtaking water views
3. Expansive outdoor entertaining area with alfresco cooking options
The Carousel thanks Stayz for this article. For more information on Stayz properties click here
The post Top Luxury Stays To Treat Your Mum This Mother's Day appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Last Minute Mother's Day Skincare Treats appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The Discoloration Buster
Did you know that uneven skin tone plays more of a role in how more mature women think about themselves than wrinkles? Australian women are more likely to experience sun-damaged induced pigmentation than women from cooler climates. What's more? Women who have had children are even more likely to experience pigmentation due to hormones released in the body during pregnancy. Doing the maths this means the average Australian Mum could probably benefit from some pigmentation punching ingredients. Enter Drunk Elephant's "Get Even Kit" containing skincare ingredients proven to combat dark spots and unevenness like retinol, Vitamin C and Alpha and Beta Hydroxy Acids. Even better? Drunk Elephant's products are "clean clinical" meaning they deliver clinical results with natural ingredients and no parabens or fragrance.
All three serums in the kit come in generous minis so she can use them long enough to see results. And the kit also comes with two of Drunk Elephants moisturisers so she wont have to suffer the drying effects of more active ingredients.
The Perfect Pair
If it's good enough for Crown Princess Mary of Denmark it just might be good enough for your Mum! Beaute Pacifique's "Paradoxe" Serum and Body Oil are the perfect products to take your mum into winter. The key active ingredient in the range is Chilean Grapeseed Oil rich in resveratrol and procyanidin – both antioxidants that can assist in repairing UV Damage. Two forms of Vitamin E are added via Tocopherol and Tocopheryl acetate, while Squalene makes for an intensely hydrating but light weight carrier. The serum doubles as a base for makeup creating unbeatable luminosity and a great priming option for dry and textured skin types. The body oil sinks into the skin delivering silky, luxurious hydration sans grease. A perfect pair.
The Skincare Icon
Who wouldn't want to give their Mum the gift of Galadriel worthy skin? SK-II was one of the first brands to bring essence products to the mainstream beauty market and their essence is still one of the best loved. Spruiked by the ethereally complected Cate Blanchett SK-II's brightening benefits hail from the skin softening and rejuvenating properties of Pitera. This set contains a full size of the iconic essence, plus the brand's AHA-based Clear Lotion and their super hydrating sheet mask. Luxury an elven queen would be proud to own.
The post Last Minute Mother's Day Skincare Treats appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Learn How To Cook A Deep Dish Apple And Rhubarb Pie appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Prep + cook time : 2 hours (+cooling and refrigeration)
Serving : 8
Ingredients:
5 large apples (1kg), sliced thickly
1⁄3 cup (75g) caster (superfine) sugar
1 vanilla bean, split lengthways
500g (1lb) trimmed rhubarb, chopped coarsely
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 tablespoons almond meal
1 egg, beaten lightly
1 tablespoon demerara sugar ALMOND PASTRY
2½ cups (375g) plain (all-purpose) flour
½ cup (60g) almond meal
1 cup (160g) icing (confectioners') sugar
250g (8oz) cold butter, chopped
2 egg yolks
1 tablespoon iced water, approximately
Method:
Combine apple, caster sugar, ½ cup (125ml) water and one half of the vanilla bean in a large saucepan over high heat, cover; bring to the boil. Reduce heat to low; cook for 10 minutes or until apple is tender. Stir in rhubarb; cook, covered, for a further 3 minutes or until rhubarb is soft. Drain well. Transfer fruit mixture to a medium bowl; stir in juice. Cool.
Make almond pastry.
Preheat oven to 180°C/350°F.
Roll two thirds of the pastry between sheets of baking paper until large enough to line a deep 24cm (9½in) pie dish. Lift pastry into dish, press into base and side; trim edge. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
Line pastry with baking paper; fill with dried beans or rice. Place on an oven tray; bake for 20 minutes. Remove paper and beans; bake for a further 15 minutes or until browned lightly. Cool.
Sprinkle almond meal evenly over base of pastry case. Spoon fruit mixture into pastry case. Brush edge of pastry case with a little egg. Roll remaining pastry between sheets of baking paper until 5mm (¼in) thick. Cut 1.5cm (¾in) wide strips from pastry; arrange strips in a lattice pattern over filling. Trim edges, pressing to seal. Brush pastry with remaining egg; sprinkle with demerara sugar.
Bake pie for 35 minutes or until browned lightly. Stand for 10 minutes before serving. Serve warm or at room temperature.
almond pastry Scrape seeds from remaining half of vanilla bean. Process flour, almond meal, icing sugar and butter until crumbly. Add egg yolks, vanilla seeds and the water, a little at a time, processing until ingredients just come together. Knead on a floured surface until smooth. Enclose in plastic wrap; refrigerate for 30 minutes.
Tip: The pastry case can be made a day ahead; store in an airtight container.
THE AUSTRALIAN WOMEN'S WEEKLY: AUSTRALIA BAKES RRP: $49.99; HARDBACK
Available where all good books are sold andwww.awwcookbooks.com.au
The post Learn How To Cook A Deep Dish Apple And Rhubarb Pie appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Decadent Velvety Chocolate & Avocado Mousse appeared first on The Carousel.
]]> INGREDIENTS
1/4 cup pure Canadian maple syrup (or honey)
2 ripe avocados
1 ripe banana
I tsp vanilla extract
1/3 cup raw cacao powder or cocoa powder
Small pinch of cinnamon to taste
METHOD
1 Blend all ingredients in a food processor on high speed for 30 seconds.
2 Add small amounts of water whilst blending to lighten the texture of the mousse.
3 Set in small glass bowls in the fridge for 2 hours.
The Carousel thanksKate Save for this recipe.
The post Decadent Velvety Chocolate & Avocado Mousse appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Awwwww…Cutest Celebrity Mother's Day Pics appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Here's our pick of the cutest celebrity Mother's Day celebrations…
Kim Kardashian with daughter North West and mum Kris Jenner.
Brooklyn Beckham with mum Victoria Beckham.
Giuliana Rancic with mum, Anna DePandi.
Lourdes, Mercy James, David Banda & Rocco Ritchie – Madonna's children.
Kris Jenner and Khloe Kardashian
James Franco with mum, Betsy Lou.
Justin Timberlake with mum, Lynn Bomar Harless and Grandma Sadie Bomar.
Jason Derulo with his mum.
Britney Spears with mum, Lynne
A beautiful mother's day message to Kris Jenner from daughter Kendall
Zac Efron with mum Starla Baskett.
Beyonce with mum, Tina Knowles. And with her own little girl, Blue Ivy
Kate Upton with mum, Shelley.
Mariah Carey with mum, Patricia Hickey
Megan Gale with baby, River
Kate Waterhouse with daughter, Sophia
Images all courtesy of Instagram
How did you celebrate Mother's Day? Share your experiences below…
The post Awwwww…Cutest Celebrity Mother's Day Pics appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post It's Cocktail Time With This Tequila Blu Strawberry Cooler appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>INGREDIENTS
45ml Tequila Blu
20ml fresh strawberry purée
10ml Monin Rose syrup
15ml fresh lime juice
20ml pineapple juice
METHOD
1 Add all ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice and shake well.
2 Strain into a tall cocktail glass with cubed ice.
3 Garnish with strawberry or lime.
The Carousel thanks Tequila Blu for this recipe.
The post It's Cocktail Time With This Tequila Blu Strawberry Cooler appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Mother Knows Best: The Top Beauty Tips to Learn from Mum appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>We did look ridiculous when we wore heels with cargo pants, we should never have gone out with that wanna-be-actor-guy called Warren, and yep, it really would have paid (literally) to listen more in economics class. Sigh.
Well, at least it's not too late to heed some of her wise words of beauty wisdom …
Don't Scowl! The Wind Will Turn …
Life seems like such a fun lark when there are many paths to take, and before your particular roadmap starts to etch itself out in the form of lines and wrinkles. When you're young your skin, with its full-to-the-brim levels of collagen and elastin, always springs right back into smooth and supple shape, even after a lengthy bout of forehead-furrowing existential angst, or a day of face-grimacing hangover hell. These expression lines – the ones that signal worry or pain, or the creases around your eyes that indicate a smiley happiness – are called dynamic wrinkles. That is, they form when an expression is being made, before disappearing when said expression does. Until they don't anymore … You see, over time, as the skin's support network diminishes, the skin becomes less resilient. Static lines begin to set in, and dynamic ones linger for longer … and longer. What to do? You could try to smile less – but that wouldn't be fun. Better to scowl only when necessary. Or if you're pro-Botox, use that as a way avoid making such motions in the first place.
Don't Forget the Sunscreen!
If your Mum's version of sunscreen was a thick coating of white zinc, it's little surprise you probably came to turn your wrinkly red nose up at the thought of suncare. But she was onto something. Because nothing ages skin like unprotected sun exposure. Think lines, age spots, sagginess and roughness of texture. Fortunately, sunscreens are easier to wear these days – they're lighter but they're also more effective, mostly clocking in at an SPF of 50+. To get the most anti-ageing power from your suncare lotion, use it every day – yep, even winter, as the ever-present UVA rays trigger skin-ageing free radicals – and, for good measure, apply a double-dose to ensure you're getting the promised SPF.
Wear a Signature Scent
A fragrance wardrobe is the more modern approach to wearing perfume these days – why wouldn't it be, when there are so many gorgeous new scents continually hitting the beauty counters? But that's not to totally discount mum's monogamous fragrance relationship. It's a more budget-friendly option, for one. But on a less pragmatic, and more romantic, note, a signature scent is an invisible yet effective way to brand yourself into someone's psyche. Think about the lovely memories you have of your mum (or anyone else who is committed to a single scent) when you come across a similar smell to theirs. Just as you might own a particular hair style or fashion look, so too can a perfume mark you in a particularly powerful way, especially if you go for one of the old-school fragrances so many of our mums favour – such as Chanel No.5 or Robert Piguet Fracas. They're sit-up-and-take-notice-of-me perfumes, and when you're trying to make your way in this complex and competitive world, you need all the help you can get, right?
Don't Pick Your Pimples!
Zits are bad enough, but then comes the aftermath – a mark that can hang around for months, until skin has turned over sufficiently for it to disappear. Technically called post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), this spot is a melanin-triggering reaction to a skin injury, such as squeezing. Sure, it's almost humanly impossible to resist picking at some pimples, but try to keep PIH in mind next time your staring down an angry pimple in the mirror. Better still, use exfoliating products regularly – to avoid pore build-up and blockages in the first place – as well as a spot treatment that also works to reduce residual marks, such as the reformulated La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo Plus.
Your mum might have told you that spinach would make you strong, and carrots help you see in the dark, but what she should have added is that they contain high levels of carotene, which is a pre-cursor to vitamin A, a super-active vitamin in the skin that switches on collagen, tones down excessive oil activity and helps fight sun damage. In addition to these vibrant orange and green veggies, you should eat a rainbow of fresh foods, to reap the benefits of the widest number of antioxidants, which are again essential for long-term skin health.
Take Off Your Makeup!
It's no newsflash that not removing your makeup before bed is considered The Ultimate Beauty Crime. But remember how your mum – and nanna before her – used to spend so long cleansing? True, cleansers back then weren't as advanced and effective as ours are, but this extra time still pays off today, considering that many of us have more product on our faces, in the form of layers of skincare, suncare and mineral makeup. So take the time to cleanse your face once, and then again, making the most of the process to indulge in some good old-fashioned facial massage. You'll get skin that's both cleaner and smoother in one simple step.
Brush Your Hair!
You might have grown out of your messy-haired grunge stage, but it will still pay to start brushing your hair more. That's because doing so is actually more about creating a healthy scalp than grooming hair. Use a natural-bristle brush – such as the classic Mason Pearson ones – and commit to a few minutes' brush-time every morning or night. This will stimulate the scalp for a healthier follicle, as well as removing dirt, dust and any old product residue, making for a lighter, fresher look.
What beauty advice did your mum give you? Let us know in the comments below.
The post Mother Knows Best: The Top Beauty Tips to Learn from Mum appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Meet Australian Mother and Daughter Jewellery Designers Maria and Anastasia appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Tell us about The Silver Collective
THE SILVER COLLECTIVE is an Australian jewellery brand started by mother and daughter, Maria and Anastasia. In 2015, the duo saw a gap in the market for affordable finer sterling silver jewellery and were inspired to build a brand that was accessible and affordable for all.
Originally recognised as an online jewellery store only, the brand has now expanded and is currently working on opening their first flagship boutique in Westfield Miranda in 2020.
Maria and Anastasia have created a family culture throughout the brand which resonates throughout the jewellery collections and a combined social following of over 150,000 followers.
What motivated you to create the collection?
Maria – With a lifetime of experience in fashion, co-owner Maria is the head designer and mum of THE SILVER COLLECTIVE. After starting a successful children's clothing line in her early 20's, "Small Fun Children's Wear" took a back seat as Maria put her career on hold to raise her two children. By the age of 50, Maria's children were all grown up and she started a styling business called ICONIC-STYLE. ICONIC-STYLE later becameTHE SILVER COLLECTIVE,jewellery brand you now know and love.
Anastasia – She started THE SILVER COLLECTIVE at the young age of 22 by building the brand's first website and setting up the online store. Anastasia saw an opportunity on social media for their young brand and started posting daily photos of the brand's rings worn on her hand. These images would later be recognised as the brand's signature look. With a background in jewellery and retail, Anastasia did not foresee how her earlier career skills would become the roots of THE SILVER COLLECTIVE today. Anastasia leads the online team and co-designs each jewellery piece with her mother, Maria.
Can you tell us about the design process?
Each piece is designed in-house by owners Maria and Anastasia. The women acknowledge the brand is very personal to them and credit their close bond and simplistic designs to the brand's success.
What's it been like working together as mother and daughter?
It's been a wild ride, but we wouldn't change a thing! We've always had a close relationship, but this has definitely taken us to new heights. Being a mother and daughter business, it has helped us to keep the values of our business tight knit and ensure that our team embrace the family values we hold and want to express through not only our company culture but also out product offering.
What pieces are ideal as gifts for mums?
Knowing what to pick for Mum can be tricky, so we've curated a specific Mother's Day Gift Guide to help guide our customers in the right direction https://thesilvercollective.com/collections/mothers-day-gift-guide-tsc
What pieces are ideal for birthday presents?
The zodiac is a great birthday present as it's obviously closely linked to the occasion! You can view the range here: https://thesilvercollective.com/collections/zodiac-collection-tsc
Tell about the collaboration with Fayt by Brittney Saunders?
We partnered with Fayt as we wanted to unveil a new range inspired by the journey of womanhood. This was the first time The Silver Collective have collaborated with any other brand on a jewellery collection. View the range here: https://thesilvercollective.com/collections/tsc-x-fayt-tsc
This was made up of two collections, Feminine Energy and Odyssey Collection.
- Feminine Energy was designed by The Silver Collective co-owners Maria and Anastasia along with Brittney Saunders, with each piece featuring stunning rounded shapes inspired by the curves of a woman's body. Unique and diverse, this collection is all about being unapologetically you.
- The Odyssey Collection is inspired by the journey through womanhood. As strong inspiring women themselves, the collection symbolises the empowerment of women coming together and encouraging each other through the journey of life.
What's your most popular product?
Our A-Z collection and the Jet Earrings are our most popular products.
Where is your Sydney Boutique?
Miranda Westfield in Sydney, NSW.
There's no secrets – that's the trick! We are an open book and do everything we can to bring our audience along on the amazing journey we are on.
We share our successes but also our blooper moments both personally and professionally. We love embracing our staff and heroing them on our socials because after all, we are only as good as the people we have working with us and we want to celebrate them every day. Ways we do this is getting the team to do social takeovers and show what a day in their life at TSC looks like, or just having some fun and hosting a bake off to which we then created a content series out of it.
Do you have any predictions for the future of jewellery?
For us, the future of jewellery and our range in particular is all about identifying meaningful moments in our lives and in society and matching this with current trends. We love creating collections that reflect who we are as a team and what we stand for.
Do you have plans for future releases?
Yes! We're always launching new products and have some amazing pieces coming out in the next few months which will really help our customers make their winter wardrobe sparkle!
About The Silver Collective
Australian label THE SILVER COLLECTIVE specialise in Sterling Silver jewellery at an affordable price. Find a range of simple luxe jewellery in Silver, Gold or Rose Gold.
For more information, visit The Silver Collective website: https://thesilvercollective.com/
The post Meet Australian Mother and Daughter Jewellery Designers Maria and Anastasia appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Mother's Day Martini? Shaken, Not Stirred! appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The The Mysteries Surrounding The Martini
These mysteries are something that will likely never be solved, which is all part of the drink's allure and mystique. There are so many questions … should it be shaken or stirred? Why are there three olives? Would you like vodka or gin? For true martini aficionados, the answers to these questions are imperative. However, for the rest of us, it's a bit of brevity in an otherwise tricky time in our lives.
Which is why we thought we'd share this fun Mother's Day Martini recipe for Mum's special day, designed to be served at breakfast, in place of a Mimosa.
Just be careful Mum only enjoys one, or it may mark the day over! This drink can pack quite the punch. One part of the martini history that does stand true – and one we should heed in order to be aware of for responsible intake of alcohol – is the old "three martini lunch".
This refers back to the 1950's, where it was widespread practice for cosmopolitan executives and businesspeople to enjoy several of the decadent drops over lunch. Dare we say, very little was achieved later in the afternoon.
How Did The Mother's Day Martini Come About?
With all the various (and fabulous) martinis on offer these days, from Espresso to Lychee to even a Dripping Wet Martini, one can't help but wonder how a Mother's Day Martini – served for breakfast, came to be.
"The Breakfast Martini is a true modern-day classic, first created in 1990s London by Salvatore Calabrese, one of the world's most famous bartenders," says Tom Warner from Warner's Distillery. "We now consider it the ultimate breakfast-in-bed indulgence for mums!"
Well, now that we have that sorted, let's get to the good part – making your Mother's Day Martini!
What You'll Need
· Warner's London Dry Gin – 50ml
· sugar syrup – 15ml
· lemon juice – 15ml
· A generous dollop of marmalade
The How-To
· Making the Mother's Day martini is a breeze. Simply place all the ingredients into a shaker and stir well to dissolve the marmalade. Add ice, shake and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Place a twist of orange peel over the drink to garnish and serve with side of buttered toast.
The Carousel would like to wish an incredibly Happy Mother's Day to all the mums, the mums-to-be, the mums of fur-kids, the aunts and the stand-in, best friend mums. You are all doing an incredible job and we love you!
The post Mother's Day Martini? Shaken, Not Stirred! appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Days Like These Author Pip Lincolne: 3 Simple Ways Mums Can Have Much Better Days appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>First, drop the guilt
Guilt. Ugh. If you're a parent it's very, very likely that you have navigated the mishmash of regret and responsibility that this big feeling entails. Possibly daily. Who knows, even hourly? Guilt is part and parcel of mum life, a life where we are always, always learning.
Realising that the nagging mum guilt is an important cog in the parenting machine means that you don't have to see it as a negative. Guilt is proof that you care about your kiddo, that you are thoughtful, that you are keen to be self-critical when it counts. The trick is to not let the guilt get out of control. Guilt as a prompt to examine your parenting style and what you might like to tweak? YES! Guilt as a burden that's weighing you down? No thank you.
When guilt raises its niggly head, remember to treat it constructively: Notice its focus and consider what you might do differently next time. Then, take a few deep breaths and then … move on.
Try a social media three-step
Chances are you're reading this article on your phone right now and I'm so glad you are! Our phones are a total lifeline, a hub of information, a mine for inspiration. But what about when your phone is making you feel less than inspired? How about when scrolling sparks anxiety or envy or inadequacy or distress?
If this is you, I raise my coffee cup in a solidarity cheers. Social media, while having the very helpful power to bring us together, can also make us feel lonely and lazy and lacking in a whole bunch of ways. Luckily, we can perform some three-step first aid to ensure those tiny screens are not making us feel more stressed and less like us:
- Unfollow anyone that makes you feel bad about yourself. Don't think about it too hard. Just do it. If anyone notices you can blame a pesky Instagram glitch – or simply tell them that you are trying to follow fewer folk.
- Aim for connection and inspiration, not comparison and consumption. Choose your followers accordingly. If you work on it, social media can be (mostly) friendly and creatively nourishing.
- Stay out of drama. Yes, it can be very exciting to be involved in an Insta-spat between two people you don't even know, but is it really worth the effort? Especially if you are constantly checking back for further developments? Especially if it's not even something you're going to give a toss about next week? Not your circus. Not your monkeys.
Return to your roots
While we're talking about shaking up our life for the better, how about shifting the focus to … YOU! Look at you! You are brilliant and interesting and – I have no doubt – an ace mum. So now is the time to reward that ace-ness with a reminder of who you really are (alongside being a parent) and what you love to do the most.
If reading that last sentence made you recoil in confusion because you're so much mum at the moment, know this: You are not alone in this slightly lost feeling and finding your way back to some of the other bits that make you you is really simple.
Why not begin by thinking about the things you loved doing as a child or young adult. Write them down, make a list, let's go! Once you have your list of things you loved back then, write another list, this time of things you love to do (but perhaps don't have time to do) right now. These two lists will provide lots of clues about the things you are yearning for most.
Next, slowly and gently start thinking about where you can carve out some time to get started doing some of your favourite things. Perhaps you can arrange a couple of hours babysitting each fortnight? Do the same for another parent you trust? A sort of childcare exchange? If you have a partner, here's where they can step up. Or perhaps you have a family member who would love to support your interests (and wellbeing) with a couple of hours babysitting?
There is no time like the present to get started with this, dear reader. Because you deserve to do happy-making things. And also … happy mum, happier kids!
Written by Pip Lincolne
You can check out the Pip Lincolne's book here.
The post Days Like These Author Pip Lincolne: 3 Simple Ways Mums Can Have Much Better Days appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Iceberg Lettuce, Kanzi Apple & Maple Walnut Salad appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Serves: 6
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Gluten Free | Dairy Free | Refined Sugar Free
INGREDIENTS
- 2 Kanzi apples, finely sliced
- 80g walnuts (approx. 3/4 cup)
- Pinch sea salt
- 2 tbsp pure maple syrup
- 1/2 lemon, juiced
- 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 spring onions, finely sliced
- 1 cup red grapes, halved
- 2 stalks celery, finely sliced
- Handful snow pea sprouts, roughly chopped
- 1/2 cup whole egg mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup fresh dill, finely chopped
- 1 whole iceberg lettuce, cut into 6 wedges
METHOD
- Preheat oven to 180 degrees, fan forced.
- To make the maple walnuts, line an oven tray with baking paper. Place walnuts close together. Sprinkle with sea salt and drizzle with maple syrup. Roast in the oven for 5-7 minutes until golden brown and lightly caramelised. Set aside to cool completely.
- Whisk lemon juice and olive oil together in a bowl. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Add spring onions, grapes, celery and snow pea sprouts. Toss to combine.
- Mix together mayonnaise and dill. Season to taste.
- To assemble the salad, spread a generous amount of dill mayonnaise onto a serving plate. Arrange wedges of iceberg lettuce and Kanzi apple slices. Top with grape and celery mixture. Garnish with maple walnuts and extra dill. Serve as a side dish or as a light and refreshing starter.
The post Iceberg Lettuce, Kanzi Apple & Maple Walnut Salad appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Treat Mum With Breakfast In Bed This Mother's Day appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Buy some last minute ingredients (shhh!) and get cooking…Mother's Day Breakfast In Bed Recipes below will give you all the inspiration you need.
Blueberry Pancakes With Bacon
See recipe here!
Raw Chocolate Mudshake
See recipe here!
Breakfast Parfait Pina Colada
See recipe here!
Zesty Avocado & Sardines on Gluten-Free Toast
See recipe here!
Matt Moran's Granola With Stewed Rhubarb
See recipe here
Matt Moran's Omelette With Herbs
See recipe here
Matt Moran's Buttermilk Pancakes With Ricotta and Berry Compote
See recipe here!
The post Treat Mum With Breakfast In Bed This Mother's Day appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Lazy Yoga – Yes, It's A Thing! appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>I don't know of a single person who hasn't said their life vastly improved once they began their yoga journey. Here's the thing though. We all get a little lazy from time to time. Who hasn't looked for legit excuses to get out of going to class? You don't even have to be lazy. It might be that you've got an injury, you're recovering from an operation, or you simply want a day in bed.
With this in mind, it's a great idea to have a lazy yoga sequence up your Pyjama sleeve that you can do in bed. Begin and end your day with some simple postures that you can hold while under the doona, and throw in a mantra for extra relaxation. A mantra is a beautiful reminder of gratitude, peace and hope for the future. A mantra helps bring sharper focus, increased clarity and a beautiful sense of calmness.
So, let's get into this lazy yoga thing, shall we? Practise this lazy yoga sequence in the morning before getting out of bed, and again at night, before turning off the lights and slipping into dreamland.
Lazy Yoga Breathing
It might be lazy yoga, but that doesn't mean we get away with incorrect breathing techniques.
- Begin laying on your back, with one hand up to your heart and the other resting on your belly. Have your legs stretched out, or place the soles of your feet together so your knees come out into Butterfly Pose.
- Allow your elbows to touch the bed, so that you feel slightly off centre with hand placement, but still comfortable at the same time.
- Now, begin slowly inhaling through your nose, noticing how your breath causes your chest and belly to rise. Exhale out through your nose, and notice again how your chest and belly fall. Do 10 rounds of this and try to stay awake. It's Lazy Yoga, not Sleeping Yoga. Ha-ha.
Lazy Yoga Mountain Pose
In traditional yoga, Mountain Pose, or Tadasana, is a standing pose. But with my Lazy Yoga sequence, we do it laying down and we chill. Simply lay still with legs straight and arms resting by your side. Stay in this pose for at least 60 seconds, inhaling and exhaling deeply, before moving into the next pose.
Knee to chest
- Extend your legs on the bed and then lift your arms up and over your head.
- Reach your fingers away so you are stretching out tall, as though you are trying to touch the bed head or the wall. At the same time, flex your feet, as though you are trying to bring your toes up to your knees. Bring arms back down to your side and then bend one leg, bringing the knee to your chest. Keep your foot close to your bottom, in level with the outside of your hip.
- Slightly engage your core and interlace your fingers around the knee or shin, keeping foot flexed at all times.
- Draw your knee in as close to your chest as you can.
- Hold for five deep breaths – slow and steady – and repeat with other leg, then bring both feet flat to the bed, knees still bent.
Gentle side stretch
- Keep knees bent and feet flat on your bed, hip-width apart.
- Keeping both knees together, slowly float the legs over to the right side of your body and rest them on the bed. This is a gentle stretch that is wonderful for the lower back.
- Hold and take five deep breaths in and out through the nose.
- Slightly engage your core, as though you are drawing your belly button towards your spine to come out of the pose.
- Bring knees slowly back to centre. Feel free to use your arms to help bring them up if you are experiencing any strain on the lower back.
- Repeat the sequence on the other side.
Neck Stretch
This is the ultimate lazy yoga pose, as all you need to do is remain lying in bed.
- Gently turn your head and neck to the right side.
- Hold for five breaths through the nose – slow and steady.
- Bring your head and neck can to centre and repeat on the other side.
Mantra and Gratefulness
Laying or sitting, bring both hands to your heart centre, ask yourself these two questions
- What am I grateful for?
- What will my mantra be today?
For instance, I would say to myself – 'I am grateful for my health' and 'my body is prefect just as it is'.
What will you say to yourself?
Now that you are set for the start of your day, with wonderful energy and nicely stretched body, you should be ready for anything! If you find that things happen throughout your day that impact your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual self, stop and take a round of five deep breaths in and out through your nose to bring yourself back to centre.
At nighttime, repeat the same sequence, especially if you're having trouble sleeping or you're overthinking.
Namaste
The post Lazy Yoga – Yes, It's A Thing! appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Wedding Trend: Bridesmaids That POP! appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Bright colours are no longer reserved for retro theme weddings. In fact, the wedding rules have been broken! Where once a traditional bride carried a bouquet in shades of one colour, now we're seeing an eclectic mix of bold multi-coloured blooms. Bridesmaids are no longer wearing versions of the same dress, instead they're shimmying down the aisle in pops of colour and completely different styles, lengths and fabrics. It's time to say adios to those wedding rules de rigueur, embrace colour and make your bridemaids POP!
SHOP THE LOOK!
Bright Bridesmaids: Dresses
For years Bridesmaids have dreaded the dress chosen for them by the bride, but not anymore. Todays 'maids are having a whole lot of fun in frocks that say wedding and fun simultaneously. Here's a few to get the party started…
Get your 'maid to wear your 'something blue' with a frock that's as fun as it is formal. The box pleats, structured bodice and cap sleeve are perfect for a fancy occasion but the palette is tu-tu fun… Add contrasting shoes to get the party started.
Lea-Anne in Mosaic, $325, available at Bridesmaid Only
Make sunshine on a rainy day in summer's happiest colour, yellow.
Tamara in Mango, $325, available at Bridesmaids Only
Leticia in Strawberry, $325, available at Bridesmaids Only
It's formal, it's fun, it's sexy and uber stylish.
Tina Gown in flame, $569, available at George.
For the fashionista's super sleek wedding, try a formal length with cut-out panel waist.
Vanessa gown in lemon, $319, available at George
Anything but blue, this super structured bodice creates shape in all the right places.
Elin Dress in cobalt, $289, available at George
When money is no object, dazzle the guests in an emerald green Lanvin one-shoulder ruffled crepe gown, if you dare… $5,714.37
A cocktail wedding with super style. Roland Mouret Maniola one-shoulder stretch-jersey dress, $2,813.29
Bright Bridesmaids: Shoes, Bags, Jewellery & Accessories
If the shoes fits, and the colour goes pop, do it! These shoes were made for dancing, with bags and bling to match!
Choose a pointed style for a longer leg silhouette. Diana Ferrari Tiffanie, $139.95 available at www.dianaferrari.com.au
Take your wedding to new heights in a mid-height stiletto in popping pink.
Melissa Classic Pop Pink Gloss Heeled Shoes, $177.89, available at ASOS
Watch the 'maids fancy feet carve up a storm when Brown Eyed Girl starts playing on the decks… ASOS HIGHBURY Heeled Sandals, $83.02
Your flower girls and mini 'maids will appreciate these soles when they feel a little flat… ASOS LILY PAD Ballet Flats, $23.72
As a bride, you can do anything but lay off those blue suede shoes… Just saying. ASOS PENSIVE Pointed High Heels, $59.30
Style things up with accessories in bright blue hues to woo… Ti Sento Chunky Resin Bangle in denim, $75
Julie Sandlau Gold & Pink Drop Earring, $685
Julie Sandlau Gold & Jade Mermaid Earring, $685
Bright clutches are a quirky way to spice up your wedding wardrobe. Diana Ferrari Chaplin Clutch, $69.95, available at www.dianaferrari.com.au
Elsa Peretti for Tiffany & Co Tanzanite CBY Earrings in sterling silver, $725
The ultimate getting-ready robe. Just add Champers…. Bridal Party Satin Robes, $69, available at The Doll House
Bright Bridesmaids: Makeup
Choose a feature and have a lotta fun with colour – whether the nails, lips, eyes or hair. And don't you dare add an Instagram filter on the snaps! These colours work all by their pretty little selves.
They may not be donning a sparkling ring, but that doesn't mean the 'maids hands should be neglected. Rita Ora is the perfect ambassador for 'pop' bridesmaids, having just launched her new Colour Rush Lip and Nail Collection by Rita Ora for Rimmel London.
Team Pink talons with contrasting dress shades like turquoise and blue for extra pop.
60 Seconds Colour Rush Nail Polish in Don't Be Shy #323, $7.95, available at www.rimmellondon.com.au
Lilac dresses with bold purple finishes add drama for an ultra-dramatic day.
60 Seconds Colour Rush Nail Polish in Midnight Rendevous, $7.95, available at www.rimmellondon.com.au
Share the love and let the girls do some kissing with an intense colour lip locker.
Lasting Finish Colour Rush Intense Colour Balm in Give Me a Cuddle, $12.95, available at http://au.rimmellondon.com
Let your lips do the talking in the ultimate colour of love, red-hot red.
Lasting Finish Colour Rush Intense Colour Balm in On Fire, $12.95, Available at www.rimmellondon.com.au
Super Hair Stylist and Myer Hair Director Kevin Murphy has just released his Color.Bug, $24.95 temporary hair colours that come in a range of bright colours.
Bright Bridesmaids:Headpieces
Floral accents and jewels have been a popular choice for a while now, and now headpieces are making an entrance – and not just by the bride! TIP: Headwear is great for windy locations and a few bobby pins are brilliant for keeping the 'do in place.
Veils and headpieces aren't only for the bride… Morgan & Taylor, $139.95, available at David Jones.
Little bow peep. Add quirk factor with this head turner. Morgan & Taylor red bow, $139, available at Myer.
For the maid allergic to flowers, have her wear faux petals in her hair. Just a thought?! Morgan & Taylor aqua floral headpiece, $89.95, available at David Jones.
A showstopper and the perfect disguise for windblown bad hair. Morgan & Taylor headpiece, $49.95
A contemporary spin on oriental accents. Morgan & Taylor Pink headpiece, $129.95, available at David Jones.
Guests will be green with envy…. Morgan & Taylor Emerald headpiece, $129.95
Go troppo with an island style garland. River Island Tropical Flower Garland, $19.77
Bright Bridesmaids: Wedding Decorations
Complement the Bright Pop wedding look with cute favours and decorations. Think mixed floral bouquets, paper garlands, confetti and favours. Voila!
Colourful photo props, cute favours and reflective of what the big celebration is all about, these cute little suckers will provide a sugar rush when the energy slumps. Pink Frosting Red Heart Lollipops, 20 cents each.
Be showered in love with these mini circles of love. Tissue Paper Confetti Bright, $9.99
Stand under the mistletoe, err, rainbow tassels, and seal the deal with a kiss.
Pink Frosting Tassel Garland Kit, Neon Rainbow, $24.38
What do you think of the colour pop wedding trend? Tell us in the comments below!
The post Wedding Trend: Bridesmaids That POP! appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Frozen Icy Granita & Icy Poles appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>
INGREDIENTS
Choose your favourite Vodka O premix flavour – we suggest Pineapple, Cucumber & Mint or Strawberry, Cranberry & a Hint of Basil; perfect for a fresh tasting drink.
METHOD
1 Pour into a shallow baking tray.
2 Cover and freeze for approximately 1 hour.
3 Using a fork scrape ice from the edges back into the centre of the tray until it dissolves back into liquid.
4 Repeat this process three or four times during the early freezing process, and then let it set overnight.
5 To serve, scrape the ice into bowls and top with fresh fruit.
Summer Icy Poles
There's nothing better than a refreshing icy pole on a hot day. Try using Vodka O's fresh and fruity premixed drinks as a basis for your frozen treat.
INGREDIENTS
Choose one or more of Vodka O's new fresh and fruity premixed range…
- Apple, Ginger & Spice
- Pear With A Hint Of Vanilla
- Pineapple, Cucumber & Mint
- Strawberry, Cranberry & A Hint of Basil
METHOD
1 All you have to do is pour your chosen flavour into an icy pole mould, add some fresh berries and chopped fruit and leave to freeze.
2 Leave to set overnight, and there you have it!
The Carousel thanks Vodka O for these recipes.
The post Frozen Icy Granita & Icy Poles appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post No Meat May – Tips To Get You Through! appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>No Meat May was founded former meat eater Ryan Alexander and his best mate Guy James Whitworth, a couple of passionate creatives wanting to do some good. They got together in 2013 thirty of their friends, all giving up meat for the month of May. The reasons are fourfold: health, environment, animals, and food security.
With participation more than doubling year on year, No Meat May is now a global campaign, with thousands of new recruits participating each year. Surveys confirming more than 90 percent of people reduce or eliminate meat permanently after participating.
"We recognise that people change incrementally, over time," says Ryan. "We [hope to] provide a safe stepping stone, evidence based information and support for that bold first step. More than 90 percent of past No Meat May participants go on to reduce or eliminate meat all together, but even those that go back to eating meat are still making a difference to their health, animal welfare and the environment by just taking that one month off."
How Does It Work?
As an Australian-founded not-for-profit, No Meat May challenges people around the world to eliminate meat from their diets for 31 days. It provides them with free support, tools, and an inclusive community to test out a meat-free or plant-based lifestyle for the month of May.
The Carousel chatted to Ryan Alexander, founder of No Meat May, for his best advice on getting through the month and more.
Why Did You Start No Meat May?
There are so many reasons we need to change our culture and introduce more plant based foods. None bigger than taking care of this beautiful planet. I'm a pretty logical guy, and the maths just didn't add up to me. There are twice as many people in the world now that when I was born, but the planet we all share has not grown. Add into this the rising global demand for eating meat, which is destroying our forests, climate and oceans, and you can see the cliff edge ahead.
No Meat May is an attempt to help grab the wheel Keanu Reeves style (or maybe more Sandra Bullock) as the bus hurtles towards a cliff.
Is that too dramatic? Basically we started No Meat May as our way to contribute to this global cultural shift and to show people how to take hold of the wheel themselves, show them how to use the stereo and turn it into a party bus.
Did you experience resistance from family and friends?
Sure, a few friends and family members thought we were mad, either to take this on, or because they thought no one would be interested in a month. A week maybe, but not a month. Though over the eight years that we have been running the campaign there has been a huge shift in awareness of the issues, and also in the availability and quality of plant based food. And my dad is now cooking recipes off our instafeed, so I'll take that as a win (though it was only mushrooms and avocado on toast).
How did you deal with the resistance?
We were pretty focused, and just bulldozed through any naysayers. When you believe in something so much and see that it is connecting with other people it gains its own momentum and fuels itself.
Why do you think it is that we all care so much about what is on another person's plate?
We are social animals, and food is such an integral part of us being both social, and being animals. Food is like the foundation of our culture, the threads of our memories. It brings us joy, pleasure and it brings us together. And when someone challenges this it can be kinda confronting.
I don't think it's so much about caring what is on someone's plate, its much more about understanding the impact of what we all put on our plates. And when people are not aware of the impact, or much worse don't care about the impact of what they put on their plates that's when it gets difficult.
Any tips for transitioning to a vegetarian or vegan diet plan?
- Sign up for No Meat May!!! Seriously, being part of a mass participation global challenge is a great way to change things up. Even if your family or friends are not onboard you can connect with many others around the world, or just know you are not doing this alone.
- Get creative in the kitchen! Try new foods and flavours. We are so lucky here in Oz to have access to food from so many cultures, and sampling the best vegetarian or vegan food from a range of different countries is a great way to see the abundance of options. Italian, Mexican, Thai, Lebanese, Sri Lankan, Chinese … so many cultures have long histories of plating up the plants.
- Download Happy Cow for a GPS enabled app to find the closest and best veggie burger near you.
- Don't aim for perfection or beat yourself up if you slip up.
- Get social Instagram and YouTube for recipes. Facebook groups are brilliant for community and support. The No Meat May Community Facebook Group is incredible. The food and the people in there are inspiring. We have over 72,000 active members from around the globe who are so supportive and have brilliant ideas!
What are your favourite brands that lend themselves to a vegan lifestyle and make plant-based life easier?
There are so many great brands out there now, and seems to be fab new products on the supermarket shelves every week.
Plant Based milks have come a long way, just be sure to buy those fortified with calcium, and give 'em a good shake.
The Vegan Supermarket (formerly known as the Cruelty Free Shop) has Australia's biggest range of plant based meats and cheeses, which is very useful to find your feet when starting out. And their omelette mix made from chickpea flour is a complete game changer.
I'm also a big fan of Lamyong products. They're an Australian company that make the best plant based seafood, prawns made from Konjac and chunky fish made from soy beans. Add a bit of beer batter and plate them up with some chickpea tuna and they are still talking about you three years later.
The post No Meat May – Tips To Get You Through! appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Seven Inspiring Mums Who Hustle Have Their Say appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>- For Alex McCabe, Founder of lifestyle business Kip & Co, and for many working mums, the ability to multitask is key to the daily hustle.
"I appreciate the idea is to be completely present in each moment, but it's a reality for me that there are many times during the day when I am trying to fill both the mum role and the business owner role, and the ability to do both simultaneously is key," she says.
Being a mum who hustles means Alex says she needs a good appetite for risk, as well as a good sense of humour. "Sometimes you've just got to take a leap of faith with both business and parenting, there's no guarantee the thing you're doing, whether it's a new product or a new parenting technique, will work. But on the other side of it you will know how to do it better the next time!"
She says there's a tonne of reasons why women are underrepresented in start ups – a lack of network and mentors, limited access to capital, and the challenges of juggling motherhood and careers. "Add to that women have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 and things might start to seem a bit glum. And yet, there's an explosion of female creativity, ambition and energy in our world. We need to collectively and individually focus on each of these challenges and figure out practical solutions, even if they aren't big."
- Founder and CEO of maternity activewear business Cadenshae, Nikki Clarke, likes to challenge the status quo and refuses to believe women have to choose between being a mum and being a business owner.
"Just because a woman has children does not mean she can't perform at the top level anymore. In fact quite the opposite, the old saying 'if you want something done, then ask a busy person to do it' could never ring more true than to a working mum. It's high time working mothers are recognised, celebrated, and rewarded," she says.
"There needs to be a real cultural shift to create a society that supports working mothers, entrepreneurs, and business leaders better, and allow them more scope to grow and flourish. I don't mean men have to do better, but women also."
For Nikki, this means stepping up more, speaking up, asking questions, challenging theories, and pushing for things that matter to mothers in the workplace, such as better maternity coverage, private rooms for pumping for working mums who breastfeed, or allowing their partners to pick up their kids from school at 3pm or take a day off to look after sick kids.
"The stand out piece of advice to my younger self would be to trust, and never doubt myself. You've got to believe you can achieve your goals and strive for them with unwavering confidence. There will always be 'haters,' who will disagree with you, or think your ideas are no good, but at the end of the day, if you think it's a good idea, go with it." she says.
"Back yourself! I'd also tell my younger self that I am enough, and what success looks like to me may be very different to what other people perceive as success, but as long as I'm achieving all my goals, then this is all that matters."
- Being a mum who hustles allows Leah Betts, one of the founders of sleepwear business Cachia, to combine her two loves: her business and inspiring her daughters.
"Working for myself gives me the flexibility to set my own hours. It allows me to do the two things I love best in life, being a mum and running my businesses, and I get to enjoy both. Because I love what I do, my girls see a woman who is driven, and who works towards our family's future success. I love work and I hope by being a positive role model I can inspire my girls to find the thing they love and a career that supports it," she says.
As for the delicate balance of work and parenting, Leah doesn't think women need support or help doing their 9-5 job, she thinks they need it when they go home.
"Partners need to share the mental burden that comes with trying to run a household. The stereotype regarding women's duties in the house has been in existence for a very long time. Society has come a long way with regards to "workplace" equality but this must also flow into households, equality should not disappear the moment we step foot outside our workplaces."
- Fellow Founder of Cachia, Sophie Cachia, is also dedicated to living her life in a way that inspires her children by challenging society's set narratives.
"I want them to live life in the most authentic way, as well as encouraging them to chase every opportunity without the limiting beliefs set by society for so long regarding gender and the ridiculous notion of gender roles," she says.
"My children are raised with an independent mother who has challenged narratives her entire life, who leads by example to work hard, and they see what can be achieved by doing that. I show my daughter that you don't need someone to 'look after you' as a female – that you, in fact, can build your career and your family simultaneously whilst looking after yourself."
To this end, Sophie shows her children life doesn't need to look a certain way and you don't necessarily need the best grades in school, you don't always need a university degree, and you don't have to slog away at a job you hate in order to build your way up.
"If you are determined and passionate enough, and if you put the right people around you, you really can create whatever life you wish."
- Sam B, Co-founder of skincare company Naked Sundays, says the way she hustles in her career is she is always trying to push herself to learn new skills and be challenged in new and exciting ways.
"Whether it be writinga new book, taking on a new skill, like website building or graphic design, there's never a dull moment! I love seeing my daughter's excitement when she comes with me to work, or sees a project come tofruition I've been working on."
For Samantha, juggling the work life balance is key, and while it's hard for any working mum to get right, trying is what matters.
"Society should start treating women in low and high positions as capable of so much more than we give them credit for, and not expect them to always bring an emotional reaction. "
- Zoe Salmen, Founder of baby and kids business,Little & Loved, says her children are the inspiration for her company, and she wants to show them if you work hard, you can achieve your dreams.
"The biggest lesson I've learnt along the way is to stop chasing the 'balance'. In business there will always be something more to do. Learn to switch off and put yourself first. Say no when it feels right. Ask for help, you'll need all the support you can get!"
- Ali Clarke, Owner of skincare business Bondi Blades, says giving up her corporate job to pursue a better balance was the most rewarding thing she ever did. That being said, she says women shouldn't feel like they have to choose between a career and a family.
"I believe that you can have it all – if you want to. It's up to you. However, at some point something will give. For me it was giving up my six-figure banking job. Money comes and goes but you get burnt out. Having it all now to me is knowing my daughter can have all my attention, and my family is financially stable even without that job," she says.
"I am working to show her she can be her own boss, and I am looking after my health and fitness again. Being a mum should not stop you from achieving your dreams and goals."
As for success, Ali says to hustle, women need to be better at tooting their own horns, and supporting fellow women in their successes.
"Stop caring what the people around you think, especially the ones with negative things to say about what you are trying to do, and go for it. They won't even be in your life in years to come. Stop holding back, you are going to achieve greatness in your life!"We need to start encouraging women to apply for roles even when they don't meet all the criteria. We are quick learners and should not doubt ourselves, society should encourage women to take on male dominated roles in business regardless. Women should never have to feel they need to lie about their desire to be a mum for fear that they won't get the role, even when they are clearly the best person for the role."
The post Seven Inspiring Mums Who Hustle Have Their Say appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Hayley Hasselhoff : On Growing Up In Hollywood As Hoff's Daughter appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>
She was born in to an entertainment family in the world's most image-conscious city.Here Hayley Hasselhoff talks to Jo Lamble about her dad, David Hasselhoff and being a teenager in Hollywood.
"I look at him as just Poppa," says Hayley. "I think the cool thing about him is that he showed me to follow my dreams at a very young age.
"Yeah, there are difficult things growing up in the spotlight but I would say to you always look at the positive in that situation – in any situation really."
Watch the interview to hear what else Hayley had to say.
The post Hayley Hasselhoff : On Growing Up In Hollywood As Hoff's Daughter appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post The Sexy Pre-Wedding Gift Brides Are Giving Grooms appeared first on The Carousel.
]]> 
How did you come up with the idea, For His Eyes Only?
"I've been doing fashion style portraits for women for many years, and sometimes we shoot lingerie images. I also have a wedding hair and make-up business, and this was an idea I developed for my brides that come for a trial to my studio and see the photos I take hanging on the walls.They love the shots I create, and let's face it, every girl want a Victoria Secret style shot of herself! Often women look and feel their best before a wedding so I thought, why not capture that for him, and the bride. The name, 'For His Eyes Only', comes from a James Bond film, and I thought it was very befitting."
Why the big bridal attraction?
"Photography is everywhere now – girls are taking selfies and posting their images online – but this is something they can't do themselves. It's a whole pamper experience like a fashion shoot – they have their hair and make-up done, clothing styled and photographed in a fashion editorial style, not the old fashioned 'glamour photography' way."
How do Grooms respond?
"They love it and are usually very surprised. One of first comments or questions the girls get asked is, 'Which man saw and photographed you like this?' The grooms are relieved when they realise the photos were taken by a woman!"
How is it different to glamour photography?
"It's contemporary and more fashion but still beautiful portraiture that doesn't date."
What's can a bride expect at the shoot?
"I have a private day light studio in Leichhardt, NSW. The bride comes in, her hair and make-up done, and they bring around five clothing options. I also have vintage pieces, lingerie, dresses and accessories we can add to what they bring. From there, we work out the look we are going for. Sometimes the client shows me photos of styles they like in terms of feel and mood, if they have something specific in mind they want captured. The photo shoot takes around two hours and is a very relaxed, private studio space. I direct them on how to stand and pose, and talk them through every step. My clients are not models and it's not their job to be photogenic – it's my job to guide them the whole way through. I also have female assistant, so it's all very friendly and comfortable. We have lots of fun!
The cost?
"The package is $1795 and includes hair + make up, photoshoot, a reveal and album design session. The book is 6×8 inches, leather to linen cover with images over 16 sides. All photos are professionally retouched and you also receive a copy of your book images on a USB.
Book: Visit Simona Janek Hair + Make up & Photography or call 0414 525 027 to book a consultation.
The post The Sexy Pre-Wedding Gift Brides Are Giving Grooms appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Maggie Beer's Famous Lemon Tart appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The first time you make it, start well in advance so that you can refrigerate the tart for an hour or so if the filling does not set. This is pretty delicious served with clotted cream.
Serves 8
INGREDIENTS
1 × quantity Sour-cream Pastry (see page 62)
150 g castor sugar
9 egg yolks (from large, fresh free-range eggs)
1⁄3 cup (80 ml) lemon juice grated rind of 1 lemon
600 ml cream
icing sugar (optional), to serve
METHOD
1 Make and chill the pastry as instructed. Roll out the chilled dough and use to line a 20 cm flan tin with a removable base. Chill the pastry case for 20 minutes.
2 Preheat the oven to 200°C. Line the chilled pastry case with foil and pastry weights and blind bake for 15 minutes. Remove the foil and weights and bake for another 5 minutes.
3 Reduce the oven temperature to 180°C. Meanwhile, beat the sugar, egg yolks, lemon juice and rind until smooth, then fold in the cream. Fill the warm pastry case with the lemon mixture, taking care not to overfill it. Bake until the filling is set around the edges but still wobbly in the middle (this will take anywhere from 25–45 minutes, depending on your oven). Remove the tart from the oven and set aside to cool to room temperature to allow the filling to set completely – it should be the consistency of a very ripe brie, yet firm enough to cut into portions. Refrigerate for an hour or so if necessary to help set the filling. Serve dusted with icing sugar.
Recipe and image from Maggie Beer's Winter Harvest Recipes, available now for $29.99.
The post Maggie Beer's Famous Lemon Tart appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Here's How To Look Younger In 5 Minutes Flat! appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>
It's official, you don't need to go to extremes to look younger! Celebrity makeup artist Garry Siutz says it's all about putting back some of that vital glow that's been lost over time.
Sound too easy? He tells Beauty Contributor Stephanie Darling you can do it in five minutes. Or less. Watch here.
"Essentially, what you are doing is putting the moisture back into your face, the moisture you had when you were young," said Garry as his first tip.
Stephanie suggested primer and blur creams are an excellent way to add an extra dose of moisture to your skin prior to putting on foundation 'to get the longevity back'.
Garry said concealer is a good thing to use on the mini spots and around the corner of your eyes.
Brows. "What you want to do is bring back the definition to your brows," said Garry and then follow up with the mascara.
Stephanie said 'your canvas can look flat' if you don't use blush. Garry said make sure you use the blush . Lucky last, Stephanie said a lipstick with spf is the perfect way to give your face a younger look – in a flash.
The post Here's How To Look Younger In 5 Minutes Flat! appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Maggie Beer's Baby Onions Roasted In Vino Cotto appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>INGREDIENTS
500 g baby onions, outer skin removed
1⁄4 cup (60 ml) extra virgin olive oil
1⁄2 cup (125 ml) vino cotto (see Glossary)
sea salt flakes and freshly ground black pepper
sprigs of lemon thyme, to garnish
METHOD
1 Preheat the oven to 180°C. Cut the onions in half. Line a roasting pan with a large piece of foil (enough to fold over the onions), then place the onions in the centre of the foil.
2 Whisk together the oil and vino cotto and pour over the onions, then season. Fold the foil over the onions and seal to form a parcel, then roast for 1 hour or until the onions are soft.
3 Increase the oven temperature to 200°C. Open the foil parcel then return the pan to the oven for a further 10 minutes, to caramelise the onions.
4 Garnish with lemon thyme and serve as an accompaniment to roasted or grilled meats or fish, or dot with goat's cheese and flat-leaf parsley and serve with crusty bread.
Recipe and image from Maggie Beer'sWinter Harvest Recipes, available now for $29.99.
The post Maggie Beer's Baby Onions Roasted In Vino Cotto appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Winter Woes – How To Protect Your Pets! appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>A Fur Coat Doesn't Stop Winter Woes
"If you can feel the chill in the air, your pet typically can too," says Dr. Liz. "Your fur babies will need a bit of extra care to stay cosy, happy and healthy during the colder months."
Enter, clothing for pets. While for many, this may evoke visions of crazy old women crocheting outfits for Fido or Kitty, these days, nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, legit pet care companies like Doggone Gorgeous, release a high fashion and perfectly functional line of polar fleeces, puffer coats, raincoats and more each winter, to ensure your baby stays snug as a pug in a rug.
"At all times of year, but especially so in winter, your animals need adequate shelter, and to be protected from the rain and wind," stresses Dr. Liz. If they're indoor animals, they'll require a warm area to sleep that is elevated from the cold floor and away from drafts. Pocket pets will need extra bedding – don't assume they'll snuggle up together. If you have a fireplace or use heaters, ensure these have safety grills and screens and your pet's bedding is a safe distance away from the source of heat – otherwise your pet could burn himself. The golden rule is always "stay at least a metre from the heater".
If your pet is an outdoor dweller, ensure their shelter covers the "three W's" – Warm, Waterproof and Windproof. "This could mean a warm kennel which is elevated from the ground with thick bedding materials," says Dr Liz, adding, "don't forget about farm animals – they should be able to get from their paddocks into three-sided shelters to escape the cold, rain and wind. Remember that putting a rug on a horse is not a substitute for shelter. Even your chooks will need extra bedding."
"Remember that young, elderly and sick animals will feel the cold more than others, so are best kept indoors. No matter how old they are, in extreme weather conditions,bring them inside when possible," stresses Dr Liz.
Expect An Increase In Appetite
Your fur kid is likely to want to eat more during the colder months to keep them warm, so don't be surprised if your pet's appetite increases. That's because animals need more energy to keep their core body temperature regulated when it's cold.
"This is particularly important if your pet spends significant amounts of time outside or is exposed to colder temperatures, as horses may be," says Dr Liz. "Horses use food as a source of warmth. Providing your horse free access to good quality hay will help keep them warm when the temperature drops."
However, don't go overboard with the food. Speak to your veterinarian about how much to feed your fur baby, as carrying too much weight can be a health hazard for all animals.
Your dog will definitely appreciate a few extra treats throughout the day, but choose a brand that has no added fat, artificial flavours, sugars, salt and preservatives. At The Carousel, we love a quality brand like Nude Pets, which ticks all the boxes. This nutritious brand is handmade in small batches and contains absolutely no nasties – just premium quality free range, Australian grown and raised meats and veggies.
Healthy Pets Are Happy Pets
Just like we humans, cats and dogs with arthritis will feel the condition inflame more throughout autumn and winter. "In fact, winter might even be the first time you notice the signs of arthritis in your pet," says Dr Liz. "Keep an eye out for your dog standing up more slowly, limping, slowing down, cats reluctant to jump up onto the same surfaces they used to… Your cat may even start to find it difficult to reach around to groom the hair on their back. Even your pet seeming grumpier and less interested in handling can be a sign they are uncomfortable."
At this point – if not earlier – it is vital to consult your vet, as there are a range of treatments available to prevent your pet from being in pain. Your vet can also advise you on right body weight for your fur baby, how much activity they should be getting and even how to gently massage your dog or cat to relieve their discomfort."
If you know your pet has arthritis, keeping it warm will help ease the pain. Even a little inside wool knit or polar fleece warm will help keep the heat in and therefore ease any pain.
You may be tempted to stop treating your dog or cat for fleas during winter. However, while it might be cold outside, fleas can survive in the warmth of houses, so keep the parasite control up at all times.
Prevent poisoning!
Winter woes in the form of mice is not something you'd typically associate with pets. However, it is actually the time people have trouble with mice as they enter homes looking for food and warmth. "Poisons used to control rodents are not only deadly to our pets but are also very attractive and tempting for them to eat," says Dr Liz. "The safest approach is to never use these poisons if you own a pet, but if you do make sure they are inaccessible to even the most curious dog or cat and call your vet as a matter of emergency if you have any suspicion that they have had access to the poison or indeed ingested it."
Exercise
"It may be tempting to turn into a couch potato during the winter months, but exercising your animals is still important," says Dr. Liz. "Dogs will hate being cooped up all season. If it's raining, you could play indoor hide-and-seek instead, do some trick training to keep your pet's mind active, use food-dispensing toys to stop it from becoming bored, or organise an indoor doggy play date."
The post Winter Woes – How To Protect Your Pets! appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Jamie Oliver's One-pan Huevos Rancheros appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Total time35 minutes
INGREDIENTS
500 g baby potatoes
75 g quality chorizo
2 cloves of garlic
a few sprigs of fresh at-leaf parsley
1 red capsicum
1 yellow capsicum
300 g ripe tomatoes
olive oil
1⁄2 teaspoon sweet smoked paprika
4 large free-range eggs
METHOD
1 Peel the potatoes and place in a pan, just cover with boiling salted water and cook on a medium heat for 15 minutes, or until tender. Drain and leave to steam dry.
2 Preheat the grill to medium-high.
3 Cut the chorizo into 1cm chunks, and peel and finely slice the garlic. Pick the parsley leaves and finely chop the stalks. Halve, de-seed and finely slice the capsicums. Roughly chop the tomatoes.
4 Place a large non-stick frying pan over a medium heat, drizzle in a little oil, add the chorizo and fry for 3 to 4 minutes, or until golden, stirring occasionally.
5 Add the garlic and parsley stalks, then continue frying for a further 2 minutes. Next, add the capsicums and paprika, reduce the heat to medium- low and cook for 10 minutes, or until the capsicums are so and turning golden.
6 Squash the potatoes slightly with your thumb and add to the pan – this will help them suck up all that incredible flavour. Turn the heat up to medium and fry for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring regularly.
7 Reduce the heat to medium-low, add the tomatoes, and continue cooking for 5 minutes, or until the tomatoes have cooked down slightly.
8 Using the back of a spoon, make 4 wells in the pan. Carefully crack in the eggs, fry for 2 minutes, then pop under the grill for 2 to 3 minutes, or until cooked to your liking – keep an eye on it.
9 Season to taste with sea salt and black pepper, sprinkle over the parsley leaves, and take straight to the table. Delicious served with tortillas for mopping up all the juices.
Jamie Oliver's tip
To turn this recipe into a late brunch or lunch, serve it up with black beans, some steamed rice, and a bottle of Tabasco
chilli sauce on the side.
The post Jamie Oliver's One-pan Huevos Rancheros appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Dr Jonica Newby On Why Snow Really Matters appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>As many snow lovers prepare to go skiing this winter, Dr Newby's book makes for fascinating reading. Here is an extract from Beyond Climate Grief which focuses on the latest research on snow.
Snow breathes life into our planet. It replenishes the polar caps. It shelters crops from the cold and provides safe insulated homes for animals. And it provides hundreds of millions of people (at one estimate 1.2 billion) across the globe with their water.
By locking up water over winter and releasing it slowly over spring and summer, seasonal snow evens out the flow that feeds streams and rivers during the dry season. If the same amount of water were to fall as winter rain, it would quickly cause reservoirs to overflow, with the excess flowing straight to the sea.
With snowmelt arriving earlier and earlier as time goes on across the globe, areas likely to feel the water pinch include the Himalayas and the Andes.
But surprisingly, the part of the world that will feel the harsh bite of snow loss first is the west coast of North America. It's happening already.
According to American hydrologist Dr Brad Udall, at least 80 per cent of the west coast of the United States derives its water from snow- pack. The dreadful Californian drought of 2015, when the Colorado River that feeds seven states part dried up, was a direct result of low snowfall.
There's an even bigger reason to care about snow. Snow is protecting our planet from detonating a heat bomb. It's called the albedo effect.
Snow is white. So it reflects light. And heat. That massive beautiful blanket that annually wraps around our world is protecting us from the sun's full force, bouncing 80 per cent of radiation harmlessly back into space. As the snows dwindle, so does our protection, and the world heats faster.
Snow also covers the permafrosts, the frozen soils that make up 24 per cent of the landmass of the northern hemisphere. If they thaw, permafrosts release methane, a gas with at least 25 times the greenhouse effect of carbon dioxide. If the snows disappear, the methane bomb goes off – and so does a tipping point in temperature.
In Australia, we have very few snow scientists, and some have moved on after government cutbacks at science agencies. The studies that do exist use pretty obscure technical language. But I pulled at leads, tracked down scientists who'd moved overseas, and gradually cracked open the truth.
Graph after graph showed the decline in snow over the past 60 years. The most striking are the records from Spencers Creek (between Thredbo and neighbouring Perisher in New South Wales), which, being one of the highest spots, should be the most resistant. Its annual snow has declined by 30 per cent since the 1950s. The Victorian ski fields have seen a decline in maximum snow depth of 38 per cent over the last 25 years. But it's the projections that are most disturbing.
If we don't change our emissions, we are on track for a rise in temperature of around 4 to 5 degrees in the Australian Alps by the end of the century. Six different super-sophisticated computer models – validated by checking whether they predict past snowfall, which they do – show that by between 2070 and 2099, only the highest mountain peaks will experience extended snow. It's practically a flatline.
Unfathomable.
The story of snow is the story of the whole world and global warming. It could be a story about your farm or your reef or your home under threat from fire or flood. We can focus on the headlines – the hurricanes, the floods, the fires – but watching the trends over the last 20 years I've come to realise on a personal level what climate change means to each of us.
It means watching parts of your home fade away. The landscapes you love, the places your kids played, the gradual or sudden loss of what I've come to call our 'heart places'. Fear of a nebulous possible future catastrophe is not the emotion that most gets under our skin. It's love. And loss. It's the possibility of losing a life and a place we love. Our heart places. Grief.
About Dr Jonica Newby
Dr Jonica Newby is a TV producer, writer, director and presenter with 20 years of experience making quality factual television in the specialist science genre. She has twice won Australia's most prestigious science journalism prize, theEureka Award, and is the recipient of aWorld TV Award.
Best known as a presenter / reporter on the popular long running flagship Australian TV science programCatalyst, what's less well known is that behind the camera, Dr Newby has produced, written and directed all her own programs for the past 15 years.
Jonica is currently on a book tour and her next engagement is in Perth. You can find out more details on her website.
And if Jonica's extract has inspired you to take action about climate change, then check out the charity Protect Our Winters and read her interview with the founder in her book.
The post Dr Jonica Newby On Why Snow Really Matters appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post 4 Ways Managing Enterprise IT Compares To Being A Chef appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>I know this because by day, I am a tech executive with more than 20 years of experience, including my current role as chief information officer of a major international tech company. In my off hours, however, my interests turn to another passion of mine – cooking.
The culinary arts are my joy and creative outlet. Dozens of cookbooks line the shelves and countertops in my kitchen. In the past, I would host a weekly dinner for 20 or more friends featuring cuisine from around the world. In fact, before choosing computer science as my collegiate field of study, I deeply considered training to become a chef.
As the pandemic forced many to remain in their homes over the last year, Australians spent more time cooking, with total time spent on online food and cooking websites increasing by more than 70%, according to one survey. People are finding solace in food, and I am no different. As I made a list the other day of goodies to bake, it occurred to me that, lo and behold, cooking and enterprise technology have much in common.
It is true. Many of the same elements that make up a fine dish are conceptually like those that comprise high-quality IT delivery. How well a cook or IT leader gets them right can spell the difference between an excellent experience and ablasé one.
So, with that in mind, here is a four-course meal of examples.
Framework visualisation.The best cooks do not think in terms of items on a plate, they imagine how those items combine for a great meal.
The same holds true for enterprise IT. It is not the myriad of technologies that matter as much as how they fit together for the broader customer or employee journey. Each fit-for-purpose technology has a job to do and an objective to meet. All that matters is delivering a superior experience for the users, whether that's a small IT team that has to deploy and troubleshoot a software upgrade in 1,000 retail stores, or a network operator in a telco who has to roll out new subscriber services more quickly to stay ahead of competitors.
If on a plate or in enterprise technology, everything must work on its own, together and as part of a larger whole. Both in the kitchen and in the network, it is all about delivering the best possible end-to-end experience.
Keeping it simple."The greatest dishes are very simple," French chef Auguste Escoffier once said.
So, why should IT be any different?
For too long, complexity was accepted as a given in enterprise IT. No more. Today, the goal is to "consumerize" enterprise IT – make it more user-friendly, without sacrificing functionality. This trend has seen IT companies shift their focus to experience-first networking, a concept that places the end user's experience at the centre of the network.
As in a great meal, simplicity is the ultimate elegance.
Proper portioning.A good dish should always contain the right amount of ingredients and leave diners feeling satisfied and well-nourished but not uncomfortably stuffed. Similarly, technology solutions should be scaled to the size of the problem – not too much and not too little.
When assessing technology purchases, enterprise buyers will sometimes be lured by an excessive feature list and gravitate towards a large, expensive solution when a more cost-effective, targeted one would get the job done.
If a solution does not match the size and scale of your problem, you are going to over-spend and set yourself up for unnecessary complexity.
Nailing the presentation.Studies have shown that food presentation can make a dish taste better. In one, diners at a restaurant on two different nights were served the same meal, but one was plated more attractively than the other – diners reported liking the meal more when it was presented in the more attractive way. The study ultimately found that how attractively food is presented can affect how good it is perceived to taste.
Presentation is also a tasty concept for IT – the entire experience of how easy it is to use the technology, the value that the user perceives (e.g. time savings or important insights gained) and how the solution is supported are all contributing factors. IT providers must constantly put the user first, from when they initially engage with the company to how they deploy solutions to the ongoing support of existing services.
As these four points show, both cooking and IT can, and should be, a source of delight, not indigestion.
Written by Sharon Mandell, Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer at Juniper Networks
The post 4 Ways Managing Enterprise IT Compares To Being A Chef appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post 5 Coolest Kids Brands You Need To Know Now appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>This one goes out to lovers of family, skateboarding and rock 'n' roll. Triangle Clothing is a Kiwi label for one to 12-year-olds founded by streetwear supremo Nick Clegg in 2015. An old school punk, Nick's seen some things, but credits his three kids – his triangle – for seeing him through tough times and more. Hell yeah.
DooWop Kids
There's something to be said for spectacularly fun, super bright, graphic print tees that every kid can wear everywhere. And that something is "WANT". The brainchild of two Sydney mums (DJ Wendy Zakaria and party stylist Astrid Jayengsari), DooWop makes t-shirts and socks that are the clothing equivalent of C+C Music Factory's Everybody Dance Now . Woo!
Minti
You've seen them in pajamas and on Andy Warhol prints – but this season bananas get the Minti treatment and, I've gotta say, I think it's their best look yet. Made with love in Melbourne.
Munsterkids
Rebels. Radicals. Grommets: this is your jam. Munsterkids is inspired by surf, skate and street culture. This Cronulla company is also a sleeping giant of the kids clothing scenes with an absolutely massive range and international reach.
[note: Eden wears Triangle Tee, MunsterKids silver leggings ]
Yoobi
It's not clothing, but any kid toting crazy-cool stationery from Yoobi will feel seriously smart. Even better: for every product bought, Yoobi donates another to a child in need via the Smith Family. Win.
The Carousel thanks Hipster Mum, Words, My Messy Room and Born To Party for this article
The post 5 Coolest Kids Brands You Need To Know Now appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Luxury Guide To Central Vietnam's Best Villas appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Best Villa for couples – Banyan Tree, Lang Co
If there is a formula for romance, Banyan Tree has it nailed. We think 8am is never too early for Moet. The BT breakfast across the world is legendary and a cooked to order Vietnamese pancake or Pho is a great way to start your day.
We know it's a tough call; leaving your villa on the lake, king-size bed illuminated by a shimming mural, the Hollywood bathroom with his n hers changing areas on opposite sides (so his mess never causes concern), the oh so private infinity pool, fluffy towel wrapped sunloungers, cooling spritzer spray, indulgent double day beds loaded with more cushions than Myer, but champagne is calling!
Continue that happy buzz with a cycle through the gardens to the spa. Ensconced in a private pavilion your couples massage starts with a rose petal foot soak. Choose your incense stick wisely, some boast of increasing romantic amour (er, yes we chose Sandalwood!). Swedish strokes are delivered by expert hands, concluding with your tea of choice and fresh fruit by the lily pond. Whilst the sand and sea are tempting, hop on the complimentary boat across citrus lantern strewn river waterways to the nearby Angsana resort – for a pool that really does have wow power in both size and beauty.
The manager's cocktail party is an absolute must. Roaring flares illuminate the main pool and a degustation of delights from satay to sushi is prepared in front of you as the wine flows and the service smoother than the pinot noir. Finish the evening at Saffron, their signature restaurant perched high above the sandy beach where Thai dishes reach new heights. Ocean waves become your soundtrack whilst dining alfresco on papaya salad with soft shell crab, delicate pancakes of shaved coconut and prawn and green chicken curry paired with a rice degustation. With food like this, it's more than just the view.
A short buggy ride and you'll be back in the villa, privacy, peace and the quietest air-conditioning will lull you into the best sleep of your life. All the tiniest details are thought of, your biggest challenge will be whether to do it all again tomorrow.
Best luxury villa for groups and families – Intercontinental Sun Peninsula Residences, Danang
So what is it like staying at the 'Best Luxury Resort in the World' as it launches its most elite villas 'The Residences'? Well…not to too shabby!
If you want a slice of the highlife this is it. Created by Time Magazines acclaimed architect Bill Bensley suites, villas and rooms dot the private bay in the Son Tra Peninsula like design gems. Descending the cliff face is easy, just climb aboard the boat-shaped funicular taking you to levels Earth, Sea, Sky and Heaven or whizz down by buggy. First check out Citron restaurant and secure the most wanted spot; seemingly airborne lily pad pods hanging over the edge of the resort. You'll be happy frogs indeed munching on prawn and pork spring rolls, mango salad and a superb Pho which even the local Hanoi's say is the best in Vietnam. Your buggy will pass La Maison 1888 where Michelin-starred chef, Pierre Gagnaire has just been appointed, the elevated infinity L_O_N_G pool (for adults to play), The Longbar with its mechanical Indian style fans and human hanging basket seats. It's tempting to stop at Barefoot where you can actually dine in a boat seemingly shipwrecked in the middle of the restaurant. If you want to 'meet the meat' you can pick your seafood lunch from live tanks. Personally, we would rather not be introduced!
On the far outreaches of the bay 'The Residences' are on a scale which makes us big kids feel small, the sense of wonderment is infectious. Unashamedly mahoosive, this is the epitome of luxury; wrap around verandas, external stairways, four poster king bed, standalone bath, complimentary mini bar, daily privileges such as the 'club room' and treatments at the award winning HARNN Heritage spa. There are more places to sit, perch, lounge and chill than Cafe del Mar has albums (now that's a lot). Everything is natural wood, marble floors and glass. The visual drama is better than The Bachelor with ever changing views onto the bay. You'll easily settle into the sumptuous sofa trying to concentrate on your butler's introduction. "Oh, and that the building in the distance, (the 2 story one) with another infinity pool and bedroom above, yep…that's yours too". This is the perfect spot to share with those you love, but with a big bonus – distance!
Newest Design Hotel – MGallery Hoi Ann
Hoi Ann is less about lounging more about living (well, shopping). The old town is a short walk with all its neon lights, restaurants and tailors but we love MGallery, firstly for its position, a short walk by the river in a quiet part of town and its design. You'll hardly hear a beep!
If red birdcages, vibrant fabrics and glimmering black tiled pools are your thing you'll love this newly opened boutique hotel. The rooms get bigger and better as you ascend floors. Our pick is the Royal Deluxe, 50sq meters of dramatic blacks, chrome and Japanese lanterns pack a compact punch with a small balcony to peruse over the pool or flop on the red velvet day bed
You may be treated to the GM's weekly cocktail party at the River Bar if you pick the right night. Chef's Wa Ka Ku's sushi is a must, then head to Laifo Restaurant (Luke Ngyuen's a popular guest here). Swap Pho for the popular Hoi Ann specialty Cao Lau, a chewy noodle dish with layers of smoky pork, flat crispy croutons and spicy sauce with a lawn of herbs. Chase it down with fresh prawn rolls, banana blossom salad with fresh mint and braised free range duck. If it's all getting too much finish the evening with a soothing massage in their newly opened spa.
Best Retreat Villa for nature lovers – Arman Resorts, AMANOI
They say that staying in an Aman resort is a cult; the list of celebs, notables and simply 'those' who can whisk up a private jet like chefs make omelettes' is just part of daily life here. Nestled inside Nui Chua National Park, this is a spot for nature lovers and peace seekers, just over an hours drive from Nha Trang airport. That's after the rush hour of sheep, goats and cows who find human roads superior to natural habitat. It's a scrubby, untamed beauty of bush and tree covered hills.
The Amanoi main reception has a Japanese influence which is imbedded throughout. Villas are hidden from the connecting pathways, simply marked by a numbered stone. Sliding doors reveal an expansive villa, part pavilion with soaring ceilings, calming tones of wood, cream and bursts of red from vertical lights. Make sure you 'splash' out on one with a pool – you'll be entertained from your luxurious vantage point as squirrels scamper and bell birds take $1000 bath from the deck of your infinity pool. Is it possible to charge wildlife rent?
Days merge into one another, it might be a morning at the infinity pool by the beach, snorkeling or paddle boarding. The spa pavilion is an oasis of healing, situated by the lake you can opt for yoga or let someone massage the knots away in lavish rooms decorated with art work and tapestries. Don't miss afternoon tea high on the dining terrace overlooking the ocean. Those moreish little rice cakes cooked over an iron skillet flavoured with pork, squid or beef become the perfect match to addictive Vietnamese condensed milk coffee.
At night it's mesmerizing to witness the growing floating city illuminate on the horizon before your eyes as local fishermen settle in for their nightly catch. British chef Danny, showcases local seafood with the tiniest baby scallops, aromatic glass noodle salad, grilled king prawns and a claypot loaded with juicy caramelized onions complimented with a superb Louis Jadot Chardonnay.
The post Luxury Guide To Central Vietnam's Best Villas appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Dr Joanna McMillan On New Research Revealing How Gut Health Is Neglected appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Nutrition scientist and dietitian Dr Joanna McMillan is on a mission to get Aussies and their gut health back on track and wants those at home to know that improving your gut health doesn't need to be complicated.
Whilst 2020 showed us how important it is to keep our health in check, the significant changes to our diet and lifestyle due to the COVID-19 pandemic has meant that our gut health has unfortunately suffered. With this new research, it is evident that Australians aren't receiving the support and education they need around what helps improve gut health, which in turn can help to boost your mood, which is something I believe we can change.
Focusing on and improving our gut health doesn't need to be complicated, and we can do so by increasing the amount and variety of plant-based foods we consume. Plant based foods including fruit are the key sources of fibre and other plant compounds essential for our gut health.
Incorporating fibrous foods, such as a pear, into our diets comes with real benefits, with Aussies attributing including fibre in their diet to their increased energy (72%), increased 'feel-good' mood (65%) and strengthened immune system (64%).
With these health benefits associated with adding more fibre to our diets, it's important that we are looking for ways to do so on a daily basis. Australian pears are a super quick and easy snack option and are perfect for doing just that, as they are one of the highest fibre fruits and can help with good gut health.
With many of us now slowly getting back to our normal daily routine and constantly on the go, ensuring you are incorporating fibre rich foods into your diet for gut health is more important than ever.
A few quick and simple ways that you can add more fibre to your diet include:
- Something as simple as swapping your breakfast cereal or bread options to wholemeal can really help up your daily fibre intake.
- When it comes to preparing your weekly meals, try things such as adding fibrous fruits such as pears, beans or legumes to your salads for lunch or dinner. Not only will this add texture and flavour, but it will also be doing your gut a favour.
- Opt for things such as fruits and nuts when searching for an early morning or mid-afternoon snack. One of my favourite afternoons snacks is sliced pear topped with a good chunk of mature cheddar cheese – yum!
Australian Pears not only help to support good gut health, they are also a good source of Vitamin C and potassium, which are nutrients needed everyday by your body for functions incuidng blood pressure control and a strong immune system. With this said, you really can't go wrong with picking a pear.
For further information on Australian Pears, along with recipe ideas to help you incorporate more fibre into your diet, visit: https://australianpears.com.au/
The post Dr Joanna McMillan On New Research Revealing How Gut Health Is Neglected appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Sardinia's Millionaire Playground, Costa Smeralda appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>I am sitting on my terracotta terrace in a deliciously comfy chair, eating petit fours of almond biscuits looking down at our private swimming pool overlooking a slightly bigger one, the Tyrrhenian Sea. The impossibly blue bay is carpeted by greenery from the roof gardens of the villas below creating a blissful blended oasis. The hill to my left has 3 communications antennas but Mr G is telling me these are the masts to the 5th most expensive yacht in the world owned by a Russian billionaire and the app tells us its just done Nice-Monaco-Nice- Porto Cervo loop.
Pitrizza is a legendary hotel nestled into the hillside which has the advantage of keeping you really fit and making you question do you really need to go down to the bar for that negroni? Its more private club than hotel. Golf buggy's zoom up and down the hillside, and one look at the car park tells me that the Ferrari, Maserati and Bentley mean we are in good company.
A 'suite' is here is terribly understated, It's a villa with its own garage, flagstone steps and entrance hall. To our right is a gorgeous bedroom all flint-stoned up with Cindy Crawford soft curves and alcoves painted with books. The king-size bed is in fact king sized up again and everywhere the views are brought into the villa with a veranda off the bedroom a terrace table off the lounge and of course the unmissable views from the lounge out to sea. The spa bath is so tempting that whilst Mr G snoozes off his jet lag on the sofa, I am listening to mood songs on Spotify as bath salts provide a lullaby I just never find time for at a home.
Sardinia has a different rhythm which includes a siesta so most things are shut between 12 and 4pm, so planning is crucial this includes dining!
Dinner at Pitrizza will go down in my all-time dining Top 10. We are transported to a time gone-by where black suited waiters of 'a certain age' zoom around like worker bees doing a private dance to ensure harmony better than honey. First courses of pasta are prepared in front of us by our waiter who lovingly divides spaghetti with clams and ravioli with seafood. Mains of spring chicken and veal are treated in the same manner creating an olfactory experience lost in a world of kitchens. For dessert, Peddro, (head waiter and George Clooney to our own lake Como by the sea), presides over Crepe Suzette. We are salivating as all ingredients are laid out in front of us, a copper burner is lit then the whoosh of the flame and noise is all part of the excitement.
The next day we drive south along the coast to the boundary of where Costa Smeralda, starts -Porto Rotondo, home to super yachts. We spin north dropping into impossibly pretty beaches of Liscia Ruja and Spiaggia Capriccioli with its good-looking rock formations. Sun loungers are already filling up.
Whilst its hard to drag ourselves from pearl white sands, we reach Nuraghe La Prisgiona in Azachena. These impressive stone structures and conical towers were created in the bronze age 17th Century BC. Amazing to wander around a village where elders met, discussed politics, religion and magic.
We transfer along the headland to Grand Hotel Poltu Quatu meaning hidden port. It's a stunner as the low rise white building sweeps around a panoramic swimming pool hugged by a marina. Its got a youthful vibe; the music is playing, cocktails are being served and loungers are packed with designer sunglass couples and groups of friends. Our Classic Suite has a side terrace with views onto a water and hillside. Sandy tones and terracotta tiles give it a homely feel as does the welcome cooler of sparkling wine in our lounge room. The sun is setting and the beautiful arched white dining room of Maymon comes alive. Our degustation dinner is matched with wines as we move from tuna carpaccio with slices of Sardinian truffle and crispy pork skin paired with the 'champagne of Sardinia' a Franca Contea Saten. Tonnarelli pasta with sweet red prawns, salmon confit with fennel on a bed of tapioca and peas followed by a decadent chocolate fondant is rounded off with a drinks trolley of aperitifs, rums and desert wines.
On our last day we drive across the northern tip to Santa Teresa di Gallura walking up the headland to the main fort. From here just a few kilometres east lies beaches of La Marmorta and Rena Maiore to the west surrounded by bushy pines. The main piazza is a heartbeat of community. Old men shout at each other from across tables, groups drink, eat gelato and share pasta from big communal dishes. Younger things smoke and look pretty.
In a country known for its love of meat, we spend our last night at the uber glamorous Churrascaria Porto Cervo. It's impossibly romantic terraced location drops down into multiple levels amongst olive trees and a restored wine cellar and bar from 1865. Skewers of over 12 cuts of meat from Noble Picanha baby beef to Crispy suckling pig belly are glowing from the flames. We start with Laurent Perrier overlooking their herb and vegetable garden with sea views. Mr G is in carnivore heaven and I opt for the seafood menu kicking off with 5 juicy red prawns in their shells on a rock salt bed followed by grilled salmon. Service is silky. In a few weeks this place will be pumping till 2am. For now we sit in silence reflecting on our memories of Sardinia and feel very lucky we been able to enjoy its peace, beauty and hospitality.
The post Sardinia's Millionaire Playground, Costa Smeralda appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Sarah Wilson Explains: "The No: 1 Weight-loss Mistake Brides Make." appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The second the engagement is announced, is usually the second a Bride starts dieting. It's only natural for women to want to look their absolute best on their wedding day – to be their healthiest weight, have skin that glows from the inside out, lustrous hair and look simply stunning for their new hubby, themselves and of course, the 100+ guests watching her walk down the aisle. But there's one crucial mistake that Brides make, according to Sarah Wilson, author of the Australian best-selling book I Quit Sugar, which was also a best-seller in the UK and the USA (New York Times, no mean feat!). "If there's a common 'mistake' I see people make regularly with food, it's opting for 'diet' and 'low-fat' options," explains Sarah. "The problem isn't the fat, as we've been taught for years… it's the sugar."
1. Fat doesn't make you fat. Sugar does!
"These days we see 'low-fat' and we think 'healthy'," explains Sarah. "But it's quite the opposite. When manufacturers take fat out of a product they often whack a lot of sugar and other nasties back in to make up for the lost flavour and texture. Dairy is one of the worst offenders, with a small tub of low-fat yoghurt often containing 6 teaspoons of sugar. So, what do I recommend instead? It's all about going 'dense nutrition'."
2. Go for full fat always.
"You'll feel more satiated, eat less overall and your body won't have excess sugar to convert into fat," explains Sarah.
Try: Full fat milk and yoghurt instead of diet, skim or low fat options.
3. Add fat to your veggies.
"Most people increase their vegetable consumption when trying to lose weight, but you can't properly absorb the essential vitamins A, E, D and K without fats," explains Sarah. "Notice how the Greeks and French eat their meals with butter and olive oil? Do as they do!"
Try: Drizzle olive oil on your salad and butter on your greens. Or add avocado to a green vegetable smoothie.
4. Ditto, always eat fat with protein.
"Fat is needed for proper protein assimilation," Sarah explains. "Also, fat often contains a lot of the enzymes required to break down the protein."
Try: Whole egg omelettes (not just egg whites!) and don't pick the skin off your chook or roast pork.
5. Prioritise your veggies.
"All vegetables are great, but there are ways to maximise their impact," explains Sarah.
Try: Choose leafy greens (the most nutritious option) over other vegetables, such as cauliflower and starchy vegetables (peas and corn).
6. Eat more protein.
Remember this: "Proteins offer the most energy and nutrients per calorie intake of all foods," Sarah advises. "The best sources of proteins are dairy, eggs, meat and fish. This is because animal protein is complete – it contains the right proportions of all the essential amino acids that our bodies can't synthesise on their own."
7. Up your enzymes.
"Eat a spoonful of sauerkraut or other fermented products with every meal," advises Sarah. "They produce a stack of helpful enzymes, which will assist the assimilation of the nutrition in the rest of your meal. The more enzymes you can derive from food, rather than your body itself, the better. Depletion of enzymes in your body is the ageing process!"
Are you engaged and embarking on a health and fitness regime? Tell us your highs, lows, learnings and tips here…
The post Sarah Wilson Explains: "The No: 1 Weight-loss Mistake Brides Make." appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Fresh Vietnamese Beef Noodle Soup Recipe appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Preparation time 15 minutes
Cooking time 25 minutes
INGREDIENTS
500g sirloin, cut into paper-thin slices
200g dried rice noodles
250g bean sprouts
1½ litre beef stock
1 cinnamon stick
3 star anise
1 50g ginger bulb, peeled and thinly sliced
2 tbsp fish sauce
1 tbsp sugar
4 shallots, peeled and sliced
2 bunches baby bok choy, roughly chopped
150g Asian-style mushrooms, torn into bite size pieces
1 lemon, quartered to serve
Coriander leaves to serve
Cracked black pepper, to serve
METHOD
1 Place the dried rice noodles into a large bowl, covering them with boiling water. Afterwards, allow them to stand for 20 minutes or until just soft before draining well. (The hot broth will soften them more when it is poured over at the end).
2 To prepare the broth, place the stock into a large pan with two cups water and add the cinnamon, star anise, ginger, fish sauce and sugar. Bring to the boil before reducing heat, simmering uncovered for 20 minutes.
3 Once the broth has been simmering for 20 minutes, strain to discard the spices and then return broth to the pan.
4 Afterwards, put the soup back onto the heat and bring to boil. Add the shallots and thinly sliced beef, mushrooms and bok choy to the broth and simmer for five minutes or until the beef is just cooked.
5 Divide the noodles and majority of the sprouts between four large soup bowls, and top with the boiling soup broth. To serve the dish, finish with some extra bean sprouts, a squeeze of lemon, coriander leaves and cracked black pepper.
Cooking tips
1 For beef that is tender, be sure to slice the meat against the grain. To make it easier try putting the meat in the freezer for 15 minutes before slicing.
2 Flat iron steak or rump medallions are great alternatives to sirloin.
The Carousel thanks Beef & Lamb Australia for this recipe
The post Fresh Vietnamese Beef Noodle Soup Recipe appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Maggie Beer's 'Sweet Little Meringues' Recipe appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>COOK 1 hour 20 minutes, plus cooling time
MAKES about 6 individual meringues
INGREDIENTS
- cornflour, for dusting
- apple cider vinegar or white vinegar, for cleaning
MERINGUES
- liquid from 1 x 400g can chickpeas (aquafaba), refrigerated
- pinch salt
- ¼ tsp cream of tartar
- 1¼ cups caster sugar
- 1½ tbsp cornflour
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
TO SERVE
- coconut yoghurt
- fresh fruit
- passionfruit pulp
- icing sugar (optional)
Preheat the oven to 110°C regular bake and line a large oven tray (or two smaller ones) with baking paper. Dust lightly with cornflour, using a small amount in a sieve, to stop the little meringues sticking. Have the racks in the oven set ready for two trays if needed.
Start by preparing the mixing bowl you'll use (an electric stand mixer works best, but otherwise a metal, glass or ceramic bowl with an handheld electric beater is okay). Make sure it's clean and dry, then wipe it out with a paper towel and a little vinegar to make sure it's spick-and-span. Do the same to the whisk attachment or beater heads. If you have time (or the space), pop the bowl and attachment in the fridge or freezer for 10 minutes or so to cool down (this will help the meringue fluff up nicely, but it's not essential).
Carefully drain the chilled chickpea liquid (aquafaba) out of the can and into your mixing bowl along with the salt. Reserve the chickpeas for something else (see pages 54, 70 or 186).
Beat the aquafaba on medium-high speed until it's foamy, then add the cream of tartar. Keep beating until it's reached soft-peak stage. This is when the mixture forms peaks that barely hold their shape when you lift up the beater — the peaks will have their tops flopping over.
Now start adding the sugar, about 1 tablespoon at a time, beating for 15 seconds or so between each addition, until all the sugar is used up. This could take around 10 minutes. It might pay to scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula once or twice while you're adding the sugar.
Once all the sugar is added, continue to beat until it has dissolved — this is important. Squidge some of the mixture between your fingers and you shouldn't feel any grit. By this time, the mixture should be thick, glossy and voluminous. It should really hold its shape. Sift in the cornflour and beat to just combine.
You can choose to pipe the meringues onto the baking paper or just freestyle it with a spoon. Make perky piles about 10cm in diameter — they will spread and puff up a little when they cook. Once I have a pile, I swirl it with the back of a dessertspoon in a circular motion to get it looking a bit like a meringue.
Bake for 1 hour and 20 minutes. When the time is up, turn the oven off without opening the door and leave the little meringues in there until they are completely cool. If you take them out early, they may be tacky and not crispy. As soon as they are out, they need to go into an airtight container so they won't go soft. They'll keep there for a couple of days.
Serve with coconut yoghurt, fresh fruit and passionfruit pulp. Dust with icing sugar, if you like.
TIPS
Make sure you use caster sugar not regular sugar, as the smaller granules will dissolve more quickly.
Cream of tartar helps stabilise the mixture and fluff it up more. It's worth finding at the supermarket, but if you don't have it use 1 tsp lemon juice instead.
Instead of coconut yoghurt, you can refrigerate coconut cream overnight and whip the solid cream instead
Extracted from Supergood by Chelsea Winter, published by Random House NZ, RRP $50.00. Text © Chelsea Winter 2020. Photography © Tam West 2020
Extracted fromMaggie's Harvestby Maggie Beer (Lantern, $80.00). Published 4 May 2021.
The post Maggie Beer's 'Sweet Little Meringues' Recipe appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post 3 Essential Lululemon Activewear Products for the Gym or Running appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>If you're just starting out at the gym or running, you can't go past plain black clothes. As you progress, you can branch out into different styles, colours and patterns. Here are my recommendations on what are some of the best items to add to your activewear wardrobe:
Lululemon Tops
I've found the best tops to wear while exercising are basic t-shirts. I prefer a loose fit so that I can move freely. You might prefer a more fitted top or something with a built-in bra.
I like both cotton tees and lightweight breathable sweat-wicking fabrics. Both fabrics are easy to care for, and you can throw them in the washing machine. If you look after them, they don't need to be ironed.
The Swiftly collection has seamless construction to avoid chafing while exercising. This range uses Silverscent technology, which inhibits the growth of odour-causing bacteria on the garments. These Lululemon tops are available in short and long sleeve, and race length.
I'm blessed to live in a city that's warm most of the year. If it's cold, I'll add a jumper or hoodie that I can easily take off, so I tend not to buy long sleeve fitness tops. If you live somewhere cooler, then look out for the fast and free windbreakers (and water repellent) with back pockets for snacks, or the super snug another mile jacket with a removable collar.
Lululemon Leggings
Once you have tried leggings with side pockets, you might not go back to regular ones. These are ideal for carrying your mobile phone, or keys if you are out running. Lululemon has one of the best ranges of leggings on the market. They have leggings in different lengths including cropped tights, 7/8 and full length.
This season they launched the Swift Speed Tight, made from supportive Luxtreme fabric. It is inseam-free construction designed to eliminate friction points when running. They also have side drop-in pockets and reflective details.
They are perfect to wear for running, yoga, Pilates, cardio or lifting weights. Some are super high waisted and others high waisted. There is a good range of colours from black, green, grey, blue, red, purple to more. The Align pants are super flattering with soft fabric.
I'd recommend always trying on your leggings. Make sure you can bend and squat in them comfortably. Double-check that they are the right size and that they aren't too see-through at the back.
Some of the activewear clothes are sized from 0-20 to cater for plus-sizes. Lululemon use American sizing, so you'll need to take that into consideration when trying on different sizes.
Lululemon Gym Bag
I like to have a dedicated bag for going to the gym. I add only a few essentials items: think a gym towel and a water bottle. You don't want a huge sports bag, as the gym shelves only fit a smaller bag. Lululemon make a number of plain coloured backpacks that would be suitable.
You'll find a good selection of belt bags and small bags designed for running.
You might need a bigger bag if you are going to change your clothes and shoes. Think the Go Gotter Bag in a classic black that is suitable to take to work.
Other people may like to keep their gym gear in their car boot. They might pack for the week in advance, and take a new towel for each session.
About Lululemon
Lululemon's running collection contains high-performance fabrics and cutting-edge technologies. A clear standout is the lightweight Fast and Free Short Sleeve, made from a breathable mesh fabric that wicks away sweat. Its streamlined design helps keep running distraction free.
This season, they launched the Swift Speed Tight, made from supportive Luxtreme TM fabric. Its inseam-free construction helps eliminate friction points from a runner's stride. And secure pockets keep essentials close, yet out of the way.
Good running gear makes a difference you'll notice. Great running gear makes a difference you'll feel.
Image Credit: © Copyright Lululemon
Please leave a comment and let us know what are your favourite Lululemon activewear products?
The post 3 Essential Lululemon Activewear Products for the Gym or Running appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post The Power Of Saying Sorry From Kate James' Book Building Resilience appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Here is an excerpt from her new book which outlines the power of apologising.
Learn to Apologise
We're all human and we all make mistakes. Sometimes, those mistakes can affect others. Learning to apologise, and knowing when we need to, is a crucial part of developing our sense of accountability. Bouncing back from guilt and shame, even if we're having difficulty owning up to those emotions, relies on our ability to apologise to those we've hurt or mistreated.
Apologising doesn't mean swallowing your pride or submitting to another person's will. There's enormous dignity and power in reaching out and being vulnerable with someone you care about. Instead of burying feelings of remorse and ill-ease, choosing to bring them to the surface and put them into action can feel incredibly empowering, and will add to your sense of self-worth.
Learning to apologise is difficult. Facing up to our mistakes doesn't come naturally, and often we attempt to exonerate ourselves by projecting culpability. For example, the phrase 'I'm sorry for what I said' is very different to the phrase 'I'm sorry that what I said upset you.'
The former means you're accepting responsibility and asking for forgiveness. The latter means you're implying that the other party should accept some responsibility. In terms of its function as a genuine apology, the latter does not meet the criteria.
Learn this difference. Consider how an apology has different forms and meanings when phrased in a way that serves one party over another.
Understand that it takes a great deal of humility and maturity to make the first move, but be assured there is rarely ever a loss in turning to someone with the courage and strength of character to say 'I did the wrong thing. I apologise.'
Think of how you've appreciated a genuine apology in the past, and consider how it changed your opinion of the person who offered it. Apologising with heartfelt sincerity can strengthen relationships and ultimately enhance respect and trust between two parties.
Now unlearn it
On the flipside of learning to apologise for our missteps and wrongdoings is the compulsion to say sorry for no reason at all. Many of us struggle with the constant urge to apologise for absolutely nothing, which in turn erodes at our self-esteem.
Making a determined effort to avoid needless apologising will enhance your sense of self-worth and increase your confidence.
When you feel the need to apologise in this way, rethink it.
- When we have a question for someone, particularly at work, many of us open with 'Sorry, can I just ask you something?' Examine what it is you're sorry for. We all have questions. We all require people to answer them. There is no wrongdoing here.
- Too often we fall into the trap of apologising for the way we look. We say things like 'Sorry, my hair's a mess,' or 'Sorry, I look so tired today.' What are you sorry for, exactly? As editor and lexicographer Erin McKean once so poignantly wrote, 'you don't owe prettiness to anyone. Prettiness is not the rent you pay to occupy space.'
- We all have the compulsion to apologise for circumstances beyond our control. Recall a time someone bumped into you in the street or knocked your drink at a crowded event. You may have felt inclined to say 'Sorry!' even if the incident was entirely the other person's fault. In situations such as these, apologising can be a way of building a connection and demonstrating forgiveness, but try to be mindful – don't just apologise by default.
We pre-emptively apologise as a means to neutralise tension or conflict before they arise. This is an unfounded defence mechanism as most of the things we apologise for are unlikely to ever become sources of conflict.
Challenge yourself to one full day (a work day, preferably) without saying sorry. Really analyse the moments in which you feel compelled to apologise. Understand that this is learned behaviour and you can climb out of it. You do not owe the world an apology for existing. You never have.
Kate James is a successful coach, meditation teacher, speaker and writer. Kate helps her clients discover their values and innate strengths and guides them toward purposeful, meaningful lives. She is the author of Change How You Think & Be Happier Now, Be Mindful and Simplify Your Life, Believe in Yourself and Do What You Love and The Mindfulness Journal.
The post The Power Of Saying Sorry From Kate James' Book Building Resilience appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Sydney Opera House Marks The Badu Gili Festival of First Nations Culture appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Filling our Sydney sky with bursts of colour, the Opera House lends its power to promote the Art Gallery of New South Wales' 150th anniversary celebrations. In what is its first collaboration with the Sydney Opera House, the annualBadu Gili festival kicked off this month.
The work of six leading Aboriginal women artists represented in the Art Gallery's permanent collection will light up each evening in a six-minute animation on the sails, as the Gallery leads up to the completion in 2022 of its Sydney Modern expansion project, designed by SANAA.
Badu Gili 2021: Wonder Womenweaves together the work of artists from across Australia: Wadawurrung elder Marlene Gilson; Yankunytjatjara woman Kaylene Whiskey; Luritja woman Sally Mulda; Western Arrarnta women Judith Inkamala and Marlene Rubuntja, and the late Kamilaroi woman Aunty Elaine Russell.
This is the first all-female line-up for Badu Gili.Badu Gili – meaning 'water light' in the language of the traditional owners of Bennelong Point, the Gadigal people – is a free daily experience that explores First Nations stories in a spectacular six-minute projection on the Opera House's eastern Bennelong sails.
The post Sydney Opera House Marks The Badu Gili Festival of First Nations Culture appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post 4 Ancient Australian Plants With Skin Magic appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Aussie animals get a lot of great press – the cuddly koalas, the epic roos, and the cheeky kookaburras.
But our exceptional plants have real magic, with amazing properties found nowhere else on earth. It is no wonder indigenous Australians have been wild-harvesting and using medicinally for thousands of years – you can put them in a vase for beauty and smell, cook with them… but by using them on your skin, you can harness the power of the bush to keep it healthy, strong, elastic and glowing.
Kakadu Plum has the highest Vitamin C content in the world – 100 times more than oranges – because to survive desert country it has to hold onto nutrients. And when it's wild-harvested, like ours, it has 200x more Vit C then when farmed. It was traditionally used to treat colds, flu, and headaches as well as antiseptic or soothing balm. We at Rohr Remedy use it for its nourishing and brightening effects and the powerful antioxidants and bio actives that do wonders for your skin. You'll find it in our Face Serum and our Activated Charcoal Soap.
Lilly Pilly is another magical flora, a rich source of antioxidants – essential for cell regeneration and restoring skin balance – plus Vitamin C and fruit acid, making skin look radiant and youthful. It is also a gentle natural astringent to firm and exfoliate the skin. That's why we made a Lilly Pilly Face Moisturiser for daily radiance.
BeautifulBoab trees give us seeds full of essential fatty acids, Vitamins A, D, E, C and F, plus Calcium, Potassium, Magnesium and other minerals – making it a great oil for everyday skincare and for tackling UV damage, hyperpigmentation, scars and stretch marks. The magnesium is great for fighting wrinkles, while calcium brings firmness and elasticity. Plus boab's antiviral, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties encourage smoother skin. It's the multivit for your skin, which is why we pack our Face & Body Oil full of it.
Desert Lime, a true wild citrus fruit,also has high concentrations of Vitamin C (encouraging natural collagen production) and E, Folate and antioxidants. Folate helps heal and replenish, so we combine it with olive and coconut oils for a richly hydrating Body Moisturiser that can be used to fight dry skin and eczema.
Also amazing for skin are Australian Gumbi Gumbi, Lemon Myrtle, Quandong, Davidson Plum, Wattle, Rosalina, Fragonia, Kunzea, Tamarind seeds – I could go on. You'll find them all working hard in our products to look after skin of every kind.
As Mother's Day approaches, here at Rohr Remedy we will be giving thanks for our mums, the knowledge of Australian mothers passed down through the centuries, and the magical native plants of this motherland that take such good care of our skin.
WRITTEN BY EMILY ROHR
Emily Rohr is the founder and creator of Australian-made skincare Rohr Remedy. Rohr is a family business that creates scientifically prove, bio-active skincare for every skin. Rohr products are naturally rich in vitamins and minerals, antioxidants, antibacterials and folates, made from sustainably wild-harvested by indigenous landowners.
The post 4 Ancient Australian Plants With Skin Magic appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Tadasana – Mountain Yoga Pose appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>'Tada' means mountain
'Asana' means posture.
This basic pose helps to improve posture and balance. While it may look easy, your whole body is actually being activated. It's a very conscious pose that brings your mind inward to your breath, and outward to your physical body. When you are in this pose you are present, grounded, standing tall and connecting with your prana (breath) and awareness of self.
How to Enter Tadasana pose
- Stand with your feet hip width apart.
- Lift and spread your toes and the balls of your feet, then lay them softly down on the floor.
- Rock back and forth and side to side, until you have even distribution of weight on both feet when at a standstill.
- Engage your core, as though. you were drawing your belly button to your spine.
- Have a slight bend in your knees.
- Engage your thighs slightly and lift kneecaps.
- Allow your arms to rest down by the sides of your body, palms facing forward.
- Be present with your breath – nice and deep, in and out through your nose.
- Spread your toes again, and stay grounded through all four corners of your feet.
- Find your Drishti (a focal point to gaze at to help retain balance and your sense of calm) Orclose your eyes if you feel safe, secure, and steady on your feet.
You are engaged from the crown of your head, all the way down to your feet. Imagine a line of energy moving all the way up (or down, its your preference)through your body.
Benefits
- Improves your resting posture.
- Tones and firms your belly and buttocks
- Great for lengthening the body.
- Can help improve digestive and respiratory systems.
- Connection to breath and meditation.
- Strengthens ankles and knees.
- Helps relieve Sciatica.
- Supports nervous system.
- Eases anxiety and stress.
- Helps maintain energy balance.
- Increases blood flow.
- Improve mood.
Contraindications
- Dizziness.
- Low blood pressure.
- Insomnia.
Variations
- You may like to have your feet closer together, it all depends on your balance and comfort.
- Use a wall if you need the support for balance.
- If you don't want to stand, you can always do Tadasana laying on the floor, which is Savasana! Nowthat is cool to know.
Always be kind to yourself, move with ease and grace. You are the most important person in your life.
Namaste.
The post Tadasana – Mountain Yoga Pose appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Dripping Wet Martini – Cocktail Of The Week appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Dripping Wet Martini – Which Vermouth To Use
A martini becomes a martini, traditionally because of the Vermouth. Without it, it's simply a glass of gin with water. For this reason alone, you want to pick the best brands you can find in both vermouth and vodka or gin. For a Dripping Wet Martini, we suggest using Regal Rogue Daring Dry Vermouth.
Led by savoury and light salty notes creating an umami finish, it also marries a grassy organic Sauvignon Blanc from Orange in NSW with native Anise Myrtle, Quandong and Native Thyme and followed by white pepper, gentian, olive leaf and juniper. This gives an earthy, salty and very herbaceous character. In terms of vodka, we always say you can't beat a good bottle of Grey Goose, while for Gin, Warners is a great choice, as the brand has a large variety of gin 'flavours' that marry well with most mixers and spirits.
What You'll Need
- Regal Rogue Daring Dry Vermouth
- Vodka or Dry Gin
- Ice
What To Do
- Fill a mixing glass with ice cubes.
- In the mixing glass, combine the Regal Rogue Daring Dryvermouth and vodka or dry gin in a 1:1 ratio.
- Stir until well-chilled then strain your martini into a chilled cocktail glass.
- Garnish with olives and sip your Dripping Wet Martini slowly with some smooth jazz playing to set the scene.
The post Dripping Wet Martini – Cocktail Of The Week appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Michelle Bridges On Being A Mum And The Lack Of Sleep appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Stepping into motherhood, nothing prepared me enough for the lack of sleep, but I do find even just going for a walk in the sunshine with Axel in the pram very beneficial.
For me, adjusting to the lifestyle changes was more of a mental shift than a physical one. Rather than focusing on a whole new exercise routine, as a Mum I think more pragmatically about what needs doing and how I can combine exercise while doing it. This could be as simple as washing the car or going on a brisk walk to the supermarket with the pram.
To help make this happen, the first thing I do when I wake up in the morning is pull on my activewear – this means I'm all the more inclined to exert some physical energy into whatever activity or chore comes my way. I also love it when I'm exercising and I accomplish something at the same time. There's really nothing better.
Leaving the home to exercise is often not an option with a small family member under the roof. How did you overcome this?
I love to incorporate my two-year old Axel into my exercise routines. I can't tell you how many times I've held my little boy while in plank or doing squats…and he loves it too! It's really a win-win. I also look at my options: do I have a gym nearby that has a creche? Or is there a neighbouring park
If I can't squeeze these activities into my day then I'll do things from my living room — online programs, floor exercises, that's suitable for prams? yoga — while Axel is playing in the same room.
In recent years, health and wellbeing has grown to be part of our everyday vernacular. Lots of people love to talk about their exercise and nutrition — what they're doing, what they're training for, what healthy breakfast they're making for themselves.
We certainly still have a long way to go and we clearly still have big issues to tackle — obesity and diabetes being the major ones — but with that being said, people are becoming more aware of the importance of regular exercise when it comes to living a long and healthy life.
When we were kids we'd come home from school and Mum would have a Sara Lee cake and some soft drink on the kitchen bench. We only knew what we knew, but we now know better. It's important for people to carry on learning, researching and imparting health knowledge onto others. That way we can get much better at making healthier choices, everyday.
There is a certain fear factor attached to exercise for a lot of people, which can often deter them from getting out and doing it. But if they stop and think about how they feel after they exercise, most of the time they can't wait to tell someone that they went for a long walk or jog — they're practically boasting about it.
After you get over that hump, it's then about consistency. The most successful fitness people are the ones that have a rhythm: "On Wednesday I'm going to spend 15 mins doing some upper body strength, on Thursday it's cardio." It's not so much what you're doing, it's the regularity.
It's also about not being too tough on yourself. Give yourself a 'get out of jail free card'; if after ten mins into your run you're still feeling dreadful then go home. You'll find it's rare that you pull that card.
The post Michelle Bridges On Being A Mum And The Lack Of Sleep appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Tech Gift Guide for Mother's Day appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Cricut
https://youtu.be/QORNZm_mf0Q
If your mum likes making things and craft projects, then she might enjoy a Cricut. The machine allows you to download designs from the website and cut them out to personalize products. It's ideal for making custom t-shirts and more. You can buy Cricut from Spotlight. You can debate how you say the company name. https://www.spotlightstores.com/cricut
Ember Mug
https://youtu.be/RiswriKP9c8
The Ember Mug is super expensive, but ideal if you're looking to spoil your mum. This is a temperature control smart mug, that keeps your beverages warm when you get distracted or need to answer a phone call. https://ember.com/
Havit RGB Headphones Stand
https://youtu.be/N9-rqtHjDjQ
I have a bad habit of leaving my gaming headphones lying around on top of a pile of paperwork or the filing cabinet. If your mum needs somewhere dedicated to leave her headphones, that also looks attractive consider the Havit RGB Headphones Stand. These have a cool RGB light at the bottom with two USB ports. https://www.havit.hk/product-category/gaming-peripherals/headphone-stand/
Havit Portable Rechargeable Neck Fan
https://youtu.be/iL6lYnYc1Og
If your mum likes to have a desk fan or lives in a hot city, then a portable rechargeable neck fan might be a winner. You can wear this one around your neck and it is small enough to fit in a handbag or your pocket to take it on the go. https://www.prohavit.com/products/f101-portable-rechargeable-neck-fan/
Lume Cube Mobile Creator Kit
https://youtu.be/fZJNgJvnCBo
The perfect gift for anyone who needs to create content online, videos or video conferencing. There are three different configuration options, with a stand, lighting kit (stand and mini panel) and audio lighting kit (stand, mini panel and Rode Video microphone). You can take photos and video in portrait or landscape mode for TikTok, YouTube, Zoom and more. https://lumecube.com/
Orbitkey
https://youtu.be/JSj5dpM0g8E
The Orbitkey allows you to carry your keys in a pocket-friendly way. You can add accessories to your key stack with handy tools and tech, like bottle openers, nail file and mirror, Bluetooth tracker and a USB drive. https://www.orbitkey.com.au/
Phillips Hue Lights
https://youtu.be/jDiTIIsUWzw
Phillips Hue have a range of smart lights including table lamps, strips and spotlights. You can use the app to change the colour and settings.
Torro Phone Charging Bracelets
https://youtu.be/UkOHHldF7Rw
Torro makes a range of attractive phone charging bracelets. If your mobile phone is full of photos or getting a little old (like mine), it might need a battery charging top-up during the day, then this is the perfect option. Currently available in black, grey, brown and white. https://torrotravel.com/
The post Tech Gift Guide for Mother's Day appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Our Favourite Beauty Brands That Have Their Own Recycling Programs appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>With the beauty industry booming, it's easy to see how quickly one can come to hoard a small (or big) collection of beauty products.
We've rounded up a list of beauty brands and stores that will happily accept your empty product containersand even reward you with some awesome goodies for doing so.
That means there's really no excuse to not recycle your used beauty products anymore!
LUSH
LUSH is a UK-born cosmetics company that prides itself on being good to the environment and offering a plethora of vegan and cruelty-free options. Not only does it utilise packaging-free options, but all the plastic it does use is made from recycled and recyclable plastic.
Its recycling program is simple. Once you've emptied five of LUSH's black product pots, you can exchange them for a free Fresh Face Mask.
Recently, LUSH has introduced a new bring-it-back scheme. From 10 May 2021, if you bring your empty LUSH pots and bottles back to the store, you'll get $1 per empty to spend on your purchase that day.
MAC Cosmetics
If you're obsessed with MAC Cosmetics and find yourself emptying a few of their products, we recommend keeping the empty containers aside.
By returning six MAC primary packaging containers, you'll receive a free lipstick of your choice. Keep in mind that these are limited to those with a retail price of $36.
In addition to the Back to MAC program, the global brand also prioritises minimal packaging and recycled paper and paperboard packaging in its offices and manufacturing and distribution facilities.
The Body Shop
The Body Shop is dominating the beauty world with its commitment to the environment. Not only is it a certified B Corp, but it's also got plans to develop zero-waste packaging.
The Body Shop has a Return.Recycle.Repeat scheme, which allows you to return all your empty tubs, tubes, jars and pots to the store for the team to recycle and repurpose.
Kiehl's
Kiehl's and TerraCycle are working together to encourage customers to recycle and get rewarded at the same time.
Simply return your empty bottles to any Kiehl's store, and they'll get sent to TerraCycle where they'll be repurposed into something great.
If you return three bottles, you'll receive a pouch, calendula seeds and a deluxe sample. Five bottles? You'll score a pouch, two deluxe samples and a sachet sample. 10 bottles, and a handy sustainable tote is all yours for free.
Jurlique
Just finished your favourite bottle of Jurlique serum? Don't throw it away. Put it aside until you get to your closest Jurlique standalone store.
Jurlique is partnered with TerraCycle and accepts all sorts of empty packing to be recycled. The best part? You'll get a cheeky 10% off reward to spend in-store.
MECCA
MECCA is an Australian beauty superstore, housing over 150 global brands. It's partnered with T erraCycle to make recycling your old products easy and fuss-free.
Next time you hit pan on your favourite powder, or scrape out every last bit of your moisturiser, you can take the empty packaging to your local MECCA store. There you can either pop them into a labelled bin or pass them onto a team member at the registers.
We love that this program isn't limited to one single brand. TerraCycle accepts shampoo and conditioner bottles, lip gloss and mascara tubes, jars and tubs of lotion, and so much more.
David Jones
Australia's favourite department store now allows you to return and recycle your empty beauty products. David Jones's BeautyCycle program is also in partnership with TerraCycle.
The team has set up special drop-off boxes in store, where you can drop off your empties and then go about your shopping. Materials that are accepted include soft and rigid plastics, glass packaging, foundation bottles, lipsticks, compacts, mascaras and more.
The Carousel would like to thank Marina Tatas whos is a shopping writer at Finder for her article.
The post Our Favourite Beauty Brands That Have Their Own Recycling Programs appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post 5 Bucket List Islands For Beaches And Natural Attractions appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Still, not all the islands are the same. Some of them are known for the crystal waters that surround them while others are defined by their mysterious jungles and sharp peaks.
That's why, deciding on the island you are going to visit can be quite a difficult task.
We have come up with a list of 5 most beautiful islands, famous for their beaches and natural attractions. From Maldives to Fiji, there's something for every traveller's taste.
1. Maldives
With 1190 islands in total, the Maldives are definitely a great place to visit when you want to take a break from everything and enjoy the water that surrounds you. And this is what the Maldives are all about. Crystal clear waters and beautiful coral reefs of these islands lure divers and snorkellers from all around the world. Not to mention that this is also a perfect place to be if you're into surfing. The coast of every popular island is full of luxury resorts which are a great place to launch your adventures from.
2. St. Lucia
Golden sand beaches of St. Lucia are something every travelling enthusiast has to see. The entire island is a paradise on earth – the Pitons, coconut palm forests, and amazing natural trails are just some of the things that make St. Lucia so special. It's also important to mention that this is a place with a lot of French influence which only makes the entire island more exotic.
3. Sardinia
What's there not to love about Italy's Sardinia? The isle is full of long white-sand beaches and ancient archaeological sites which make it just a perfect place to be. Many travellers decide to visit the famous Costa Smeralda, also known as Emerald Coast, which claims a number of attractions. In addition to this, Sardinia is also home to Europe's canyon, Golla Su Gorropu which is something everyone should see. Combine all of this with mouthwatering cuisine and you get a spectacular destination for everyone who likes travelling.
4. Bora Bora
There are few people who haven't heard about this magical place in the South Pacific. This volcanic island is a must see if you're visiting this part of the world. The tropical beauty of Bora Bora lies in numbers of exotic animals such as turtles, fish, sharks and rays. This is why, if you decide to visit Bora Bora, you shouldn't forget to pack your diving equipment. Also, if you're looking for a place with a heart-stopping view, luxurious Four Seasons at Bora Bora is the right place to be.
5. Fiji
If you are looking for a go-to tropical escape close to Australia, Fiji is definitely a place worth visiting. There's no need to say that all of the 333 tropical islands of Fiji have gorgeous sand beaches and coral reefs. What's also special about this place is that Fijians love tourists. This means that if you decide to visit this place, you will get a chance to take on activities such as surfing, diving, snorkeling, and fishing. Since, most of the resorts in Fiji are family-based, this is also a great place to go to if you're going on a family vacation.
About the author
Marie Nieves, a lifestyle blogger who loves unusual trips, gadgets and creative ideas. As she always loved to travel, she really loves to talk about her experiences. On her journeys she likes to read poetry and prose and loves to surf the Internet. She is an avid lover of photography and regular author on High Style Life. You can find Marie on Facebook or follow her on Twitter and G+.
The post 5 Bucket List Islands For Beaches And Natural Attractions appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Smoked Mango With Lime And Coconut Recipe appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>- 4 Mangos sliced down either side of the mango (disarmed)
- 1 Lime
- Coconut shredded (handful)
- 1x tub of coconut yoghurt
- Maple syrup
- Chilli optional
Method:
- Set the grill to 240˚C
- Grill the mango cheeks on the Traeger Grill (skin up) till golden in colour, toast the coconut flakes in a frying pan on the grill till lightly golden down.
- Cut the mango flesh from the skin (cubed or stips).
- Place the coconut yoghurt in a bowl with grilled mango cheeks and serve with chilli, a drizzle of maple and lime juice.
ABOUT:
Sarah Glover , Author of WILD: Adventure Cookbook and Ambassador for Traeger Grills Australia : The internationally renowned chef and explorer, who has travelled the world in search of epic food and wild adventures. As a classically trained chef and pastry chef, Sarah brings skill to wood-fired cooking, scaling windswept cliffs and salty stretches of beach to create simple, uncomplicated and seriously tasty food (always with a grin!).
Sarah has forged a career in Bondi Beach, Tasmania and beyond. She is the author of WILD: Adventure Cookbook and owner of the Wild Kitchen, a catering company founded on extraordinary events, cooked up under the stars.
The post Smoked Mango With Lime And Coconut Recipe appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post The Importance Of Teaching Your Children Self-Regulation appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>It's all difficult for a child to understand — let alone contend with — so it falls to parents to help their kids develop the skills they need to navigate these serious stressors.
The following will help you introduce your child to the idea of emotional self-regulation, covering the importance of developing healthy coping mechanisms and techniques you can use to get your child to become more capable of dealing with their emotions.
What is Self-Regulation?
The short answer is that self-regulation is the ability to manage emotions in a socially appropriate manner and stay focused during tough situations.
Going into greater detail, though, it encompasses the ability to avoid reacting emotionally in the face of stress. Those with proper self-regulation skills can reasonably calm themselves upon becoming upset and deal with frustrating situations without losing their cool.
For many adults, this is second nature, but for most younger children, it's an ability they've yet to develop. Instead of rolling with the proverbial punches, kids are more prone to feeling distressed and exhibiting immature behavioral responses — outbursts, tantrums, etc.
Emotional self-regulation skills are important for children and adults alike. First, though, let's explore what makes these abilities so critical for young and developing minds.
What Emotional Self-Regulation Can Do for Your Child
If you're wondering why learning self-regulation matters, consider the fact that research from the Duke Center for Child and Family Policy suggests that children with stronger self-regulation skills often perform better in school, form better relationships with their peers, have fewer behavioral setbacks, and set themselves up for further success as they develop.
For instance, think of how the transition to online learning has impacted kids, particularly those with disabilities. Those with underdeveloped self-regulation skills were more likely to suffer long-term negative effects from the loss of their daily routine, while those with greater ability to manage their thoughts and feelings could take the change in stride.
In short, children who have a better grip on their emotions are more capable of conquering the many challenges they may face. Moreover, they are adaptable and resilient — a perfect pair of characteristics for navigating the complexities of maturation.
Multiple factors contribute to the development of self-regulation in children — biology, their environment, internal motivation — but support from you, their caregiver, can have a profound impact on how quickly and how thoroughly those skills develop.
Next, let's discuss what you as a parent can do to help guide the development of your child's self-regulation abilities and teach them practical techniques for dealing with their feelings.
Imparting Self-Regulation Skills to Your Child
First things first, you need to remember that self-regulation skills develop gradually in children, so you'll have to exercise patience as they progress through various stages:
- As toddlers, children might be able to exhibit a modicum of self-regulation, but are prone to tantrums and will often let their feelings get the best of them because they only have a basic understanding of their emotional states.
- As preschoolers, children start developing greater levels of self-awareness and impulse control. They are capable of recognizing emotional states within themselves and others, and more or less know what displays of emotion are socially acceptable.
- Once they reach school age, children start to develop improved levels of self-control and can consider multiple perspectives before taking action. They can disagree with other people without starting a fight, and if something doesn't go their way, they can do a better job of preventing an immediate outburst.
Somewhere between preschool and school age, you may decide the time is right to start directly coaching your child on improving their self-regulation skills.
You might begin with some basics, like helping them identify strong emotions that can influence their behavior, encouraging them to consider other perspectives before jumping to action, and teaching them specific behavioral strategies for handling their emotions.
You can also try using stressful events in your own life to demonstrate to your child the appropriate way to respond. Using the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic as an example yet again, think of how it may have necessitated that you move and start working from home, the amount of stress that caused you, and how you had to roll with the change to succeed.
Finally, there's no teacher-like experience, so you'll have to give your child plenty of real-world opportunities to develop and practice their self-regulation. This means placing them in environments where they can interact with other children their age and letting them figure how they can cooperate while keeping their emotions in check.
Final Thoughts
Emotional self-regulation is a key skill for kids to possess — one that can serve as a predictor of their success later in life. They will start to develop this skill naturally, and their interactions with other children will further hone their ability, but as their parent, you can serve as a guiding force that will enhance their progress.
Be sure to invest in your child's success early, and support them as they mature so that they can learn to self-regulate properly. Doing so will help them fit in better with their peers, and serve as the bedrock upon which they can build a bright future.
The post The Importance Of Teaching Your Children Self-Regulation appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Lara Worthington The New Face Of Seafolly appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Lara Worthington – The Lady Herself
Having shared a few days working-vacation with Lara Worthington some years back in Vail Colorado (ironically in the snow), I got to see a side of her that most people don't. Lara is generous to a fault, gracious, kind and gentle-natured. She's also damn professional and gives every project her all. She flashed that trademark dazzling smile while snowboarding through a blizzard, take after take until we nailed the perfect shot. She also insisted on buying lunch for our entire crew of seven people, despite having probably as much (or little) in the bank as the rest of us, at the time (this was pre: Sam days and pre: Being Lara Bingle Days, when, like the rest of those of use who freelance for a living, live job to job). She is just a beautiful soul – inside and out.
We've kept in touch from time to time over the years and she just has not changed a bit. She's every bit as beautiful to the core and is the perfect choice for the iconic Aussie brand's ambassador.
About the Collab
As a model, entrepreneur, philanthropist and mother, Lara exudes the passion and confidence that Seafolly looks for in all their ambassadors. And she exhibits zero ego.
Seafolly introduces exciting new product lines including Seafolly Originals, knitwear and ready-to-wear pieces that perfectly personify the Australian beach lifestyle. New styles combine that beach feeling with function for the cooler months. Seafolly's new swim line Seaside Stripe, of which Lara Worthington is the very beautiful face, integrates premium sustainable yarns to create a considered and utterly luxurious product.
Like always, Seafolly have harnessed design, impeccable fit and innovation to create styles that inspire confidence to keep you feeling confident on and off the sand.
Cover Up
Don't forget to keep covered with SPF too, with Lara's own skincare collection Share The Base, which features its LB cream as the hero to distribute all profits to a charity of your choice. Honouring her home country and causes close to her heart, Lara met with a succession of credible Australian charity candidates and after much consideration, chose WWF Australia, The Humpty Dumpty Foundation, and Bowel Cancer Australia as the first three project partners to launch the initiative.
The distribution of funds is allocated through each online sale, allowing the customer to nominate at checkout where the proceeds from their purchase are directed. It is with hope, that this participatory model will also generate greater education around the important work of these organisations and their primary developmental focus.
To the Beach
But back to Lara Worthington X Seafolly … to launch the collaboration, the team spent a glorious few days in Jervis bay, just a couple of hours south of Sydney, photographing the collection on Lara's banging' bod, and now the sunkissed beauty has taken over their Instagram as part of the launch.
">
It's clear Lara had a blast on the shoot and is so happy with the collaboration, writing "Thrilled to be fronting a campaign inspired by a promise to empower women to #FeelThatWay, always. The #AlwaysSeafolly campaign inspires the unique feeling of embracing your true self and being at one with the beach, all year round. As always, Seafolly have harnessed design, impeccable fit and innovation to create styles that have inspired confidence at the beach for generations."
I'll confess to being more of a snow-chick than a beach-gal, but if anything is going to get me racing to the beach, it's this amazing collaboration and the beautiful collection of cossies, sweats and ready-to-wear pieces.
">
">
The post Lara Worthington The New Face Of Seafolly appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Top Ten Issues Mums Are Turning To Each Other For … ONLINE Everyday appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>"Traditional mothers groups where you meet in a park or café have dwindled, with babies on different eating and sleeping schedules, plus illness and irritability, mothers would be lucky to catch up with their mums group once a fortnight. However Facebook Mums Groups are there for mothers whenever they need, for whatever they need providing 24 hour support for Mums from Mums.
"Like so many other aspects of our lives that have transitioned to the digital space, so has mothering. In my Mums Facebook Group we have mothers with no family close by or new to Australia with no friends, some that have husbands that travel or work long hours and some that are single parents, all often home alone and feeling isolated. Facebook Mums Groups have eased this isolation dramatically.
SO WHAT ARE MUMS HELPING EACH OTHER OUT WITH THE MOST?
- SLEEP – sleep issues, how what, why for baby and toddler sleep but also sleeping issues can be problematic for Mums with older children like 7/8/9yrs
- Food – fussy eaters!
- What to Buy – like prams, sippy cups, first ride-ons etc
- Travel – best places to go with kids, what to pack, how to manage sleeping on planes and time changes
- Toilet Training
- Baby's firsts – when to start swimming lessons, when to start brushing teeth, when to move to a big bed
- Newborns – breast feeding, choosing formula and managing wind struggles
- Childcare – which ones, juggling work and family life, tips, time savers
- Flu shots – recent one that comes up a lot, what are other mums doing about this
- Businesses and Service Providers – Every day Aussie Mums are looking for trusted Businesses or Service Providers nearby. These came up so often it's why I started MumsPages.
About Me:
CARLY ABRAHAMS has over 18 years' experience in communications including; television presenting and producing, marketing, PR, brand management, project management, corporate communications and social media. She is the go-to mum for many, as the creator of the widely celebrated Mums the word-AusFacebook Group which boasts over 24,000 Aussie Mum members, she is also the founder of the leading online marketplace for Mums, MumsPages and had over one million views on her Parenting YouTube Channel. Basically she lives and breathes mummy-hood and has her very own gorgeous son as well.
Michelle Bridges On Being A Mum And The Lack Of Sleep
The post Top Ten Issues Mums Are Turning To Each Other For … ONLINE Everyday appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Driving You Crazy: What Annoys You Most About Others On The Road? appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The bottom line is, it's dangerous either way. Being alert, aware and calm on the road is the only way to minimise the chance of an accident – and we all need to be more aware of our own driving behaviours.
Every time you get behind the wheel, it's almost guaranteed another road user will do something annoying, inconsiderate or possibly even illegal.
From sneaky, last-minute mergers to those who don't seem to realise what an indicator is for, those that tailgate, stop in the middle of the road to let a passenger out, can't grasp the 'merge like a zipper' concept and those that fail to 'keep left unless overtaking' – plenty of drivers have bad habits that frustrate fellow road-users and create dangerous situations.
It's a vicious cycle and it creates a dangerous environment. Distracted, inconsiderate drivers make other drivers mad. Then the tailgating, swearing, beeping and shaking of a fist out of the window begins, and that can potentially end very badly.
Drivers out of cars, getting into a physical and verbal altercation on the side of the road, causing delays for other motorists… Sometimes the tailgater ends up rear-ending the car in front causing further disruption for others.
These people manage to create problems for everyone else that pays attention and is considerate to other road users. The majority of the time they arrive at their destination calm and with their vehicle and body intact.
Perhaps they get to their destination a few minutes later than an aggressive driver who weaves through lanes almost sideswiping other cars, but what are a few minutes in the grand scheme of things? Maybe more of us should think about that.
MORE:Selling Your Car? Why Choosing The Right Time Of Year Will Get You More
The post Driving You Crazy: What Annoys You Most About Others On The Road? appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Oscars 2021 Winners: The Most Diverse Yet appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>
Best Picture:
- "Nomadland" — Winner
- "The Father"
- "Judas and the Black Messiah"
- "Mank"
- "Minari"
- "Promising Young Woman"
- "Sound of Metal"
- "The Trial of the Chicago 7"
Best Director:
- Chloé Zhao, "Nomadland" — Winner
- Thomas Vinterberg, "Another Round"
- David Fincher, "Mank"
- Lee Isaac Chung, "Minari"
- Emerald Fennell, "Promising Young Woman"
Actress in Leading Role
- Frances McDormand, "Nomadland" — Winner
- Viola Davis, "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom"
- Andra Day, "The United States vs. Billie Holiday"
- Vanessa Kirby, "Pieces of a Woman"
- Carey Mulligan, "Promising Young Woman"
Actor in a Leading Role
- Anthony Hopkins, "The Father" — Winner
- Riz Ahmed, "Sound of Metal"
- Chadwick Boseman, "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom"
- Gary Oldman, "Mank"
- Steven Yeun, "Minari"
Actress in a Supporting Role
- Yuh-jung Youn, "Minari" — Winner
- Maria Bakalova, "Borat Subsequent Moviefilm"
- Glenn Close, "Hillbilly Elegy"
- Olivia Colman, "The Father"
- Amanda Seyfried, "Mank"
Actor in a Supporting Role
- Daniel Kaluuya, "Judas and the Black Messiah" — Winner
- Sacha Baron Cohen, "The Trial of the Chicago 7"
- Leslie Odom Jr., "One Night in Miami…"
- Paul Raci, "Sound of Metal"
- LaKeith Stanfield, "Judas and the Black Messiah"
Original Song
- "Fight For You" from "Judas and the Black Messiah" — Winner
- "Hear My Voice" from "The Trial of the Chicago 7"
- "Husavik" from "Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga"
- "lo Sì (Seen)" from "The Life Ahead (La Vita Davanti a Se)"
- "Speak Now" from "One Night in Miami…"
Animated Feature Film
- "Soul" — Winner
- "Onward"
- "Over the Moon"
- "A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon"
- "Wolfwalkers"
Makeup and Hairstyling
- "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" — Winner
- "Emma."
- "Hillbilly Elegy"
- "Mank"
- "Pinocchio"
Visual Effects
- "Tenet" — Winner
- "Love and Monsters"
- "The Midnight Sky"
- "Mulan"
- "The One and Only Ivan"
Cinematography
- "Mank" — Winner
- "Judas and the Black Messiah"
- "News of the World"
- "Nomadland"
- "The Trial of the Chicago 7"
Film Editing
- "Sound of Metal" — Winner
- "The Father"
- "Nomadland"
- "Promising Young Woman"
- "The Trial of the Chicago 7"
Production Design
- "Mank" — Winner
- "The Father"
- "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom"
- "News of the World"
- "Tenet"
Sound
- "Sound of Metal" — Winner
- "Greyhound"
- "Mank"
- "News of the World"
- "Soul"
International Feature Film
- Denmark, "Another Round" — Winner
- Hong Kong, "Better Days"
- Romania, "Collective"
- Tunisia, "The Man Who Sold His Skin"
- Bosnia and Herzegovina, "Quo Vadis, Aida?"
Documentary Short Subject
- "Colette" — Winner
- "A Concerto Is a Conversation"
- "Do Not Split"
- "Hunger Ward"
- "A Love Song for Latasha
Documentary Feature
- "My Octopus Teacher"— Winner
- "Collective"
- "Crip Camp"
- "The Mole Agent"
- "Time"
Live Action Short Film
- "Two Distant Strangers" — Winner
- "Feeling Through"
- "The Letter Room"
- "The Present"
- "White Eye"
Animated Short Film
- "If Anything Happens I Love You" — Winner
- "Burrow"
- "Genius Loci"
- "Opera"
- "Yes-People"
Original Screenplay
- Emerald Fennell, "Promising Young Woman" — Winner
- Screenplay by Will Berson and Shaka King; story by Will Berson, Shaka King, Kenny Lucas and Keith Lucas, "Judas and the Black Messiah"
- Lee Isaac Chung, "Minari"
- Screenplay by Darius Marder and Abraham Marder; story by Darius Marder and Derek Cianfrance, "Sound of Metal"
- Aaron Sorkin, "The Trial of the Chicago 7"
Adapted Screenplay
- Christopher Hampton and Florian Zeller, "The Father" — Winner
- Screenplay by Sacha Baron Cohen, Anthony Hines, Dan Swimer, Peter Baynham, Erica Rivinoja, Dan Mazer, Jena Friedman and Lee Kern; story by Sacha Baron Cohen, Anthony Hines, Dan Swimer and Nina Pedrad, "Borat Subsequent Moviefilm"
- Chloé Zhao, "Nomadland"
- Kemp Powers, "One Night in Miami…"
- Ramin Bahrani, "The White Tiger"
Original Score
- "Soul" — Winner
- "Da 5 Bloods"
- "Mank"
- "Minari"
- "News of the World"
Costume Design
- "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" — Winner
- "Emma."
- "Mank"
- "Mulan"
- "Pinocchio"
The post Oscars 2021 Winners: The Most Diverse Yet appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post 2021 Oscars – The Good, The Bad and The Downright Dreadful appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Demure, divine, devastatingly beautiful – Margot Robbie
Leave it to the Aussies to bring the glamour for 2021 Oscars! Demure, divine, devastatingly beautiful, Margot stole the show in this floral sheath by Chanel. Her new bangs added even more sophistication and classy drama to her entire ensemble. As usual, the Aussie actress could do no wrong.
">
2021 Oscars – The Bowl Cut Gone Bad.
I'm looking at you, Halle Berry, and I'm hoping you've 'done it for a role' and not simply let your little one go crazy with a pair of nail scissors. Love the dress to pieces, though and would kill for it, but it's in dire need of a glam hair-do, some way better accessorising and a more Uber-glam clutch. A different hairstyle and perhaps a statement necklace to enhance that out of control sexy cleavage would've done the trick, too?
">
Best Misuse Of Mismatched Fabrics and Textures – Laura Dern
I absolutely love Laura Dern in pretty much anything … except this number she's donned for 2021 Oscars. It can't seem decide if it wants to be stylish glam or frivolous feathers. If only they hadn't thought of the feathers and just let the entire gown identify as a full-length sexy sheath.
">
Best Clash By A Comedy Duo!
While lovely Isla Fischer has nailed the elegance of the classic black gown, and accessorised it perfectly, he's been let down badly by hubby, in his poo-bown-emoji jacket and crinkled pants sans socks. It is of my opinion that celebrities who breed together must also dress together, wearing complementary outfit that will be admired, not criticised, the world over.
">
And here is my proof… Isla alone is an absolute knockout, bringing true Old Hollywood Style to the 2021 Oscars! It wouldn't have taken much to bring Sacha to her standards and he'd look more dashing than dorky, any day of the week, not just at the 2021 Oscars!.
">
The post 2021 Oscars – The Good, The Bad and The Downright Dreadful appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Need A New Family Car? Save Time And Money With A Car Broker appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>They can help you lock in a low rate and get the best car loan, and save you a whole lot of time and money.
How do car loans work?
A car loan is a personal loan that's tied to the purchase of a car or similar vehicle. So, if you're in the market for a new or used car but don't have the funds to buy one outright, a car loan is the best way to finance a car.
There are two types of car loans. A secured car loan is where you offer the car up as collateral, which means the lender has the right to repossess it if you fail to make your repayments on time. Because of that arrangement, secured loans usually have lower interest rates. On the other hand, unsecured loans don't require any collateral, but they tend to have higher interest rates to compensate for the higher risk they pose to the lender.
Once you've decided on the type of car loan you want, you'll need to choose a loan term. A car loan is a contract, and you have to agree to pay back the amount you borrow within a certain period of time – aka the "term." In Australia, the average car loan term is 5 years. But you can opt for a term lasting between 1 and 7 years depending on the time you need to repay the loan. You'll have a repayment schedule, and some lenders are more flexible than others.
Along with paying back the amount you borrowed, your lender will charge you interest on the balance at either a fixed or variable rate. Plus, you may have to cough up additional fees. Ultimately, to qualify for the best car loan rates, you'll need to prove you have a steady income, a low debt-to-income ratio and a good credit score.
5 benefits of using a car broker
As you can see, there are a few pieces to the car loan puzzle! It can be tricky to secure a car loan with a low interest rate and flexible repayment schedule, which is why we recommend using a car broker like Savvy.
You might be asking, what does a car broker do? Here are a few reasons why you should consider calling a car broker:
- They can support you through the entire process. From creating a list of lenders to negotiating rates and running the pre-purchase check of your dream car, a good car broker will guide you. Thanks to their knowledge and industry experience, they can make each step seamless — just tell them your budget and what you're looking for in a new or used car, and they'll do the legwork for you.
- They run a car loan comparison for you. With any loan product, it's key to shop around to get the best car finance deal. Car loan brokers are familiar with the lending landscape, so they can point you towards the one that suits your needs and financial situation. For example, if you have less-than-perfect credit, they may steer you towards an online lender who has lenient eligibility requirements. And if your main priority is scoring a low interest rate, they'll let you know whether the big banks are a better bet. Savvy partners with over 25 of Australia's top lenders. This means they can not only assist you in securing financing for your new ride — but they can also drive down rates based on their connections.
- They act as the middleman between you and car dealerships. Gone are the days when you'd negotiate with a car dealer on your own. The best auto brokers have relationships with an extensive network of dealers nationwide, so they can help you to narrow down your options. Since they're so familiar with the auto industry, they also know the true value of cars — so you can drive off the lot knowing you got a great price. Plus, the top car brokers have access to cheaper "fleet pricing" because they broker deals for multiple vehicles a year.
- They save you money on your new car purchase. There are three major factors that affect your repayments: your loan amount, term and interest rate. A car broker can help you lock in the most competitive rate and save hundreds or even thousands of dollars over the life of your loan. Most car brokers charge a flat fee for their services to find the best car loan, but the savings they pass down typically make up for that cost.
- They boost your chances of getting your loan approved. Once you've chosen a lender, your broker will help you put together your application and gather all the details and documents you need.
Find the best car brokers in Australia
Buying a car is a huge financial commitment, and you want to make sure you're getting the lowest rate and most flexible repayment schedule. Hiring a car broker is a solid investment, as they'll walk you through the process and help you to save time and money in the long run.
The post Need A New Family Car? Save Time And Money With A Car Broker appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post How Millennial Mums Approach Motherhood appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>If you were born somewhere between 1980 and 1990 AND you have children, you are a millennial mum.
And while mums of previous generations are often eager to tut tut many of your choices when it comes to parenting (like technology use…social media) – the truth is, you are not only doing a great job, but you are also changing the parenting fabric of society as you go. You are innovators.
Millennial mums are all about setting the balance right. You see baby boomers were typically not very "hands on" when it comes to parenting, leading the next generation of parents to overcompensate by micro managing and being "helicopter" parents. Millennial mums on the other hand are hands on, but also recognise the importance of helping their children develop a healthy independence. One way they do this by not ignoring their own needs, which sometimes means "darling has to wait until mummy is ready". Until millennial mums, being a "good mum" was synonymous with being "self-less", and ALWAYS putting the kids first. Not anymore.
Millennial mums consider their needs. Some call this selfish – others call it basic self-care. However, this makes them rather healthy role models to their little ones, by demonstrating a healthy self-esteem. In their tech savvy world, millennial mums also have a voice, and this voice matters. Whether it be online via social media or in real life social groups, millennial mums are generally not afraid to give their opinion – something they pass on to their children: YOU matter, and what you say is important and should be heard.
And while mums of past generations stumbled through nappy changes, sleep routines, feeding and play time, often feeling alone and isolated – Millennial mums make it fun by creating online support groups and sharing ideas/inspiration/stories with mums all over the globe. AND they save time where they can, replacing the mundane every day bore with fun and excitement.
So what are some useful tips for these innovators?
1. Learn to filter advice.
It's often well meaning, but sometimes outdated. Don't take things personally when a friend or family member advises that you need to do things differently. What works for them may not work for you!
2. Get the balance right.
It's important to have fun with your little ones, even playing dress ups and posting on social media. BUT, down time away from technology is important too. Children need to learn to value ALL of their strengths, not just their cute looks.
3. Learn to say no.
Millennial mums are often good at saying "no" to others, just not so much to their children! Remember just because your little munchkin throws a tantrum and says she hates you – doesn't mean she will feel the same way in 5 minutes time! Children need healthy boundaries to prepare them for life.
4. Don't compare yourself to others!
Easier said than done, but always remember that social media IS the highlight reel. People only post what they want you to see! Try to resist the urge to compare your life and your children to what you see online.
We ALL have bad days, we just don't like to post about it!
Leanne Hall is a clinical psychologist and spokesperson for BabyLove Nappies.
The post How Millennial Mums Approach Motherhood appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Kate Save, CEO and Founder of Be Fit Food Shares Her Journey From Start-up To Success appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Because I was experiencing stomach pains, I became conscious of what I was putting in my body. I quickly learned that if food was powerful enough to create havoc in the body, then it was also powerful enough to heal it.
Fast forward 15 years, I was working as an obesity clinician with bariatric surgeon Geoffrey Draper. We began to notice many people held the belief that food alone couldn't help you lose weight. With more than 35 years of experience between us, and after treating over 20,000 patients, we knew that that couldn't be further from the truth. Healthy eating doesn't just promote weight loss, it can remedy chronic illnesses. We both strongly believe that food is the first medicine, and it's from this philosophy that we created Be Fit Food.
We began by providing ready-made meals to patients from our clinics, and began expanding our client base. Things really took off after we appeared on Shark Tank in 2017. After our episode aired, the business grew by a whopping 1500% overnight and our phone lines were ringing off the hook.
Despite our rapid success, it hasn't always been a straightforward path.
The most valuable lesson for me is to always hire people that are better at a job than you are. It's people that power your business. By enabling your staff to be the best they can be, your business will thrive as a result.
I also learned that it's easy to become overwhelmed by what people have to say about you or your products on social media. Not everybody will support you or agree with you, so it's best not to take anything personally.
And for those wanting to start a business, my one piece of advice is to be passionate about what you do. If you're doing it for money or fame, it won't be very fulfilling. You will make many sacrifices for your business, so make sure they're worth it!
In 2018, we were named Telstra Victorian Business of the Year. For me, it's an amazing acknowledgement of the work we are doing in changing how Australians think about food, and as a business owner it's also a testament to what our aim is.
The Carousel would like to thank Kate Save for her article. Check out Be Fit Food here.
The post Kate Save, CEO and Founder of Be Fit Food Shares Her Journey From Start-up To Success appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post 12 Beautiful, Unique Wedding Dresses (That No Bride Before You Has Worn) appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Poufy ball gowns not your thing? The modern, alternative bride is going to love George Wu's new collection, Wulfila's Message. With a strong poetic vision and Pagan influence, the collection has an ethereal feel featuring organic lace, delicate textiles, divine silhouettes and sensuous textures.
The Dress: Elven Star, $1,496.
The Brisbane designer is well known for his unique style, and this collection pays homage to the Pagan beliefs, celebrating the circle of life and birth, praising the power of women and worshiping them as goddesses, which of course is exactly what you are…
The Dresses: Aura, $4,356, Deity, $3,300, and Vedic, $6,732.
Wu's 2015 collection is uber feminine in design, accentuating the female form with heavy construction and hidden corsets, perfect for creating a curvy silhouette and floaty, romantic feel.
The Dresses: Moonstone, $5,885, Lunar, $3,696, and Akasha, $4,743.
Wu is a master when it comes to working with opulent fabrics, delicate hand-sewn embellishments and couture finishes. He has created a bridal collection that is elegant yet with a high fashion aesthetic, combining his masterful tailoring skills and classical training with innovative, modern techniques.
The Dresses:Divinity, $4,950,Summerland and Azurite, $3,344.
Hand-crafted from decadent laces, sheers and beaded embellishments in ivory, nude and neutral hues, the eclectic inspiration behind the design of the collection has formed a truly unique aesthetic for the contemporary woman.
The Dresses: Awen, $3,784, Moonstone, $5,885, and Trinity, $5,170.
The collection is available by appointment at George Wu's Brisbane studio.
Feature image – The Dress: Summerland, $5,698.
Have you worn a George Wu bespoke gown? Tell us below!…
The post 12 Beautiful, Unique Wedding Dresses (That No Bride Before You Has Worn) appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Interview: British actress Dame Helen Mirren Reveals Secrets To Her Success appeared first on The Carousel.
]]> 
"Film is a wonderful thing and it can be so many different things", the Oscar-winner went on, saying she had accepted the role in Fast 8 "for the fun of it".
So what still drives her relentless energy and enthusiasm for such a varied portfolio?
In the Makers video series, Helen Mirren talks about her childhood in Britain, the influence of her feminist parents, what first sparked her interest in acting, and how she became one of the most celebrated British actresses in a career spanning five decades.
Born in London, England, Mirren first took an interest in theatre when she watched an amateur production of Hamlet at the age of 13. Despite being "squeezed" by the pressure to be and do what was expected of her as a woman at the time, Helen followed her passion with the help of her teacher.
Shortly after her time with the National Youth Theatre, she joined the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) where she succeeded for four years before touring Africa and America with Peter Brook's Centre de Recherche Théâtral.
Though her dream of acting began on stage in theatrical productions, Helen eventually graced the big and little screens in a variety of award-winning roles. Starting with her roles in Age of Consent (1969) and Behind the Scenes (1972), and leading to Collateral Beauty [2016] and Phil Specter (2013).
Helen's career has made her a renowned and respected international actress, as well as an outspoken advocate for gender diversity in film.
"It used to make me so angry watching fellow actresses struggling to find work – it was so annoying…enraging," she shares in this candid clip.
The post Interview: British actress Dame Helen Mirren Reveals Secrets To Her Success appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Ode To My Grandfather Alexander Kerr On Anzac Day: His Story Of The D-Day Landings appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>His story is indeed one of bravery and commitment. My grandfather was not an ANZAC veteran but having arrived in Australia in the 1950s with his wife Marjorie and my mother and her sister Glenys, he considered himself an Aussie in spirit. He was a proud Aussie, although, he remained faithful to the British cricket team throughout his life. Grandad, who was a wonderful parent and grandparent, took pride in marching on Anzac Day with his fellow comrades, and even did so in the latter years of his life in a wheel chair.
As we celebrate ANZAC Day, we need to be ever thankful for all those who served or are serving in the armed forces. Lest we forget.
Here is my grandfather Alexander Kerr's story about his experience in the famous D-Day landings as told by him and written by my grandmother many years later.
3209 SERVICING COMMANDO UNIT.
D.DAY – NORMANDY FRANCE.
LANDED EARLY IN THE MORNING OF JUNE 6TH 1944.
Our unit had become so accustomed to early morning movement it was automatic for us to get up and dress in full battle kit then embark on transport to take us who knew where?
On the night of June 5th we were addressed briefly by our Commanding Officer. He told us we were about to embark on the action for which we had been trained. Our movements were to be carried out in silence, which was OK because none of us felt like talking.
Under shrouded lights, at an unknown and un-named dockside, teeming with military activity, we came under the control of naval personnel who were allocating units to vessels.
We were instructed to check our equipment before we trooped on to landing barges. We carried a variety of firearms and ammunition such as Bren guns, 303 rifles, Bayonets and a Commando knife or 'Dirk', as it is called.
The Bren gun is a light machine gun firing 303 rifle bullets at the rate of 500 R.P.M. It is 45 inches long and weighs about 23 lbs. When firing from a prone position, the weapon is equipped with two fold down legs. Because of its weight, it can be fired like a rifle or from the hip.
I carried a Sten gun, this is a quick firing sub-machine gun modelled on the American Tommy gun which fires 9 millimetre bullets at the rate of 700 rounds per minute. For this, I had 12 additional magazines each filled with 33 Sten bullets. I also carried six hand grenades and my Commando knife, a long dagger, strapped to my right thigh.
Our back packs contained all of our personal gear, blanket, waterproof cape, dungarees, a few pieces of underclothing and shirts, toiletries and mess tins. Strapped on the outside was a small shovel for digging trenches. Needless to say, after a few hours this load felt like it weighed a ton.
About this day it is difficult to recollect. One does tend to become involved in just following the training without question and that is uppermost in your mind. I remember just sitting waiting for something to happen and then the ramp going down and hearing the command to disembark onto the beach.
Some of my best mates did not even make it to the beach.
They were torpedoed by a German E. Boat on patrol. We heard later the E. Boat was on a training exercise and stumbled into the start of the invasion. A Royal Naval Destroyer sank it soon after we landed.
Activity in the channel was unbelievably frenetic. As far as the eye could see there were hundreds and hundreds of vessels all heading to the French Coast. The skies were filled with aircrafts, fighters and bombers flying North and South. As we neared the coast the noise of heavy gunfire was both deafening and frightening.
War historians write that active war is 90% noise and 10% danger. This was cold comfort to us. The noise was terrible. I remember clearly the tense atmosphere, the bloody uncomfortable seating, the rolling of the boat making us all sea sick in spite of the anti-nausea pills.
When the command to prepare to disembark rang out, the rush of adrenalin dispelled all other thoughts and the knots in my stomach tightened and twisted.
Down went the ramp and into the water we plunged. It was up to our thighs and freezing but I was completely oblivious. I recall just cursing the water for slowing our journey to the beach. We landed on the beach at Ver sur Mer. This is at the extreme eastern end of the beach head, code named 'Gold Beach' and specific for the landing of British troops.
Our beach was centred around Arromanche. To the extreme west we could see the American landing areas, code named Omaha and Utah. Further east were Juno and Sword Beach Heads.
Amidst the mayhem, we scrambled up to the beach littered already with the dead and wounded. The medical teams doing what they could. On the beach we joined the Royal Marine Commandos. It sounded like we had landed in hell, the constant noise of gunfire and the screams of the wounded, from both sides, is a memory I can never forget. The stench of death lives with all who have seen this type of action.
We moved away from the beach and fought our way towards the small town of Ver sur Mer which seemed to be full of snipers. The French population disappeared into their cellars whilst house to house fighting continued all day as we fought to clear the area. A few of the snipers were indeed young French women and some of our own were shot in the back.
Thinking on it now I realise Normandy had been occupied by the Nazis for four years and many of the girls would have been attached or married to German soldiers. Never the less it really shocked us to see young women handling guns and shooting to kill.
Our objective was to clear the town of enemy resistance. We worked in small twelve men patrols and during one of the house raids my partner and I became separated from our patrol. The modus operandi was to storm the houses under fire cover from the rear guard. When we attained the new position, the rear section would go forward under cover of our fire.
Having come under fire from the top floor ,we were pinned down and extremely vulnerable. With no rear guard in sight we were hurling grenades and shooting short bursts of fire. Crouching behind a low wall, their bullets clipping the top of the bricks, it seemed an eternity before the back up team could assist. When they finally arrived we burst into the house only to find four dead German officers about the same age as ourselves. The house was obviously their billet, unfortunately the French family did not survive either.
We continued through the countryside fighting to make the area under our control. We finally captured the town of Bayeux, designated as the site for our base as the service unit for the RAF. The Royal Engineers had to first prepare the airstrip. They had designed a metal mesh which could be rolled out and joined to create an all weather landing strip. A tower was erected for the aircraft controllers and all this took about three days. During this period we were working like navvies, backwards and forwards to the beach head, off loading and transporting the aviation fuel and ammunition.
The gun emplacements were situated on the perimeters of the airstrip so the Royal Artillery could fight back as enemy aircraft strafed the fields. We were travelling with millions of rounds of live ammunition and 44 gallon drums of high octane aviation fuel, so you could say it was extremely hazardous and dangerous work during these first few days. We put in 14 to 16 hour days until we were ready for the real task of servicing the fighters.
I can still recall the thrill when the Spitfires landed and we set to work. The turn around time to refuel and rearm barely gave the pilots time to get out and stretch their legs. But at least the lucky bastards could return home to England each evening.
We had one tragedy on our strip. It happened on a windless day when the wind sock was lying limp. Aircraft take off and land into the wind with instructions from the control tower. Two Spitfires at opposite ends of our runway must have misheard their instructions as they both took off and crashed into each other at the peak of their take-off speed. It brought the disaster of our 77 squadron at Leeming Bar flooding back.
Activity was frenzied and constant with whole squadrons swooping in for servicing whilst other aircrafts flew around waiting for landing permission. The feeling and atmosphere between the ground crew and pilots was much more relaxed and familiar than we had known in England. I was extremely proud to have a discussion with Wing Commander John Johnson, known as Johnno, who was one of the current Aces. You are seen as an 'Ace' when you have shot down more than ten enemy aircraft.
Pilots would bring in the daily UK newspapers which we devoured. It was great to read in our own language as well as get a handle on how the war was going.
During the day, we could see and hear the American Superfortress (B29) flying very high over our position. Many times we saw an air fight conclude with the B29 being shot down. There is nothing quite as horrific to see an aircraft of this size hurtling to earth. To hear the wailing, screaming engine noise as they spiral to the ground and then count the parachutes of the airmen who managed to escape.
After the Germans recovered from the shock of the invasion they gathered strength and counter-attacked pushing our advancing troops back. The ensuing bombardment and tank activity almost destroyed the entire city of Caen.
We had a Harley motor bike on camp and on one of my 'unofficial' forays into the countryside I ventured into the outskirts of Caen. It had been extensively bombed but I did see one large building still in tact. I now believe this to have been the Abbey of the Women.
Our work never let up. Indeed the further the fighting went into enemy territory, the more requirement for our fighter planes to be serviced. The original intention for our special unit was to advance and establish more airfields across the country. After two months, from June 6th to July 31st the RAF relief ground staff were finally posted from the UK and we received the news we were going home.
We travelled back home on an American naval vessel. As we were used to British army rations we were staggered at the feasts at meal time. White bread, tinned turkey, fruit and ice cream was every day fare. No wonder our boys rankled at the different treatment the American forces received.
We all hoped our war was over. Glad to be alive we played cards for hours betting on anything that moved. A game called Shoot saw me bet on the turn of a card to win 1,600 pounds. Sad to say I lost, C'est la guerre, et C'est la vie.
One evening the ship's loudspeaker called the fire crew to report to the fantail. The urgent warning; "fire in the fantail" brought us back to reality. We were still in enemy territory even in the English Channel. We were all up on deck when we heard the sound of a British destroyer and its distinctive siren : Woof Woof: About 300 yards on our starboard the destroyer was steaming along side with the captain calling to our skipper on his loudspeaker.
"Where the devil do you think you're going? Don't you realise you are heading for the middle of a bloody mine-field"
The destroyer then escorted us into safe waters. Thank heaven for the Royal Navy.
We were given two weeks leave after which we had to report to a fighter squadron in Redhill. I recall this squadron flew Typhoons and they were brutes to work on. They had a special starting technique where the pilot pushed a button which fired a cartridge to start the engine. It was necessary for the ground crew to stand in front of the propeller armed with a fire extinguisher because the plane had a tendency to back-fire and burst into flames in the underside cowling.
It came as quite a shock when we were kitted out with jungle greens and Aussie slouch hats and on November 2nd 1944, I was on a troop ship bound for Burma via Bombay India.
Post script to Grandad's story.
In June 1994 to commemorate the 50th year of liberation for France, Alexander Kerr was awarded a medal presented at l'Abbaye aux Dames de Caen. He is survived by three daughters my mother Jacqueline above and her two sisters Glenys and Sian and his many grandchildren.
The post Ode To My Grandfather Alexander Kerr On Anzac Day: His Story Of The D-Day Landings appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post ANZAC Biscuit Recipe That's Unbeatable appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Ingredients:
½ cup coconut oil
1/3 cup honey
1 tsp vanilla
Pinch of salt
½ tsp bicarb soda
1 tbsp boiling water
1 ½ cup oats
½ cup plain flour
1/3 cup coconut flour
½ tsp cinnamon
Steps:
First preheat your oven to 150 degrees Celsius.
Then melt over low heat coconut oil, honey and vanilla in a small sauce pan. Continuously stir until the mixture starts to bubble. Then add a pinch of salt and remove from the heat.
Next combine the bicarb soda and boiling water together in a separate bowl, and add to the hot mixture.
Combine the oats, plain flour, coconut flour and cinnamon in a bowl. Pour the melted mixture on top and mix together thoroughly.
Roll into balls and flatten onto a tray lined with baking paper.
Bake for 15 minutes until golden.
Remove from oven and allow the Anzac Biscuits to cool.
Finally eat your Anzac Biscuits guilt-free with your family!
The Carouselthanks Monica Meldrum for her recipe.
Monica is the founder of Whole Kids, Australia's leading organic healthy kids snack food company, helping mums and dads to create a happy and healthy life for their kids.
The post ANZAC Biscuit Recipe That's Unbeatable appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Chair Pose – Yoga Pose Of The Week appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Chair pose is used in many yoga classes as a 'stop and transition' pose, to prepare for any pose following that requires a forward or backward bend.
Chair pose also allows you to lengthen and strengthen at the same time, while bringing in qualities such as balance and mental clarity. It's a great leg and core asana, as well providing stability and grounding.
How To Get Into Chair Pose
- Start in Tadasana (AKA Mountain Pose), feet hip width apart.
- Engage your core, as though you were trying to get your belly button to touch your spine.
- Inhale and raise your arms over your head with palms facing each other, finger tips reaching for the ceiling.
- Exhale, bend your knees, lower your hips, and imagine you are taking a seat on a chair (that isn't there).
- Shift your weight back onto your heels.
- Keep your knees in line just above the feet.
- Look down at your toes to make sure you are in the right position.
- Lean your upper body slightly forwards.
- Lift your chest, to raise your upper body and lift up out of your ribcage, to create a gentle back bend.
- Relax shoulders down and away from ears.
- Stay here for as long as you like, taking deep breaths in and out through your nose.
When you are ready to exit this pose.
- Engage your core a little more.
- Take a deep breath in and start to lengthen through your body, coming up into a standing position.
- Bring your arms back down by the sides of your body and come back into Tadasana.
Hot Tip
In the beginning, your balance may be challenged, so practice your Chair Pose near a wall. Position yourself so you are pressing your bottom back towards the wall. This will create a safety net until you gain more experience and confidence.
Variations and props
- Arms – for better balance as you get used to Chair Pose, you can place your hands on your hips, or bring them into prayer hands. You could even rest hands on your thighs.
If You Have Lower Back Issues
- Place a rolled up mat under the heels of the feet as you come into the pose.
- Instead of a back bend, keep your spine neutral.
Benefits Of Chair Pose
- Toning of the muscles around the ankles, hips and knees
- Strengthening of the thighs
- Opening of the chest and shoulders
- Great Achilles stretch
- Stimulation of the circulatory system and abdominal organs
- Strengthening and stretching of Lower Back, Abdominals, Thighs, Glutes and Ankles
- It can help with mental clarity
- Regular practice of this yoga pose helps to lose weight, mainly from your buttocks
- Increases your physical balance
Contraindications Of Chair Pose
- Chronic knee or lower back injury.
- Dizziness.
- Injury to feet or ankles.
- Severe arthritis.
- Menstruation.
Always be kind to yourself, move with ease and grace. You are the most important person in your life.
Namaste
The post Chair Pose – Yoga Pose Of The Week appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Eton Mess – Cocktail Of The Week appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>
How to Make Warner's Rhubarb Eton Mess
Ingredients
- 50ml Warner's Rhubarb Gin
- 5 Strawberries (cut into quarters)
- 2 Meringue shells (smashed into little chunks)
- 2 Generous scoops of vanilla ice cream
- 1 Mint sprig
- Jar/glass
- Long spoon
Method
- Make your Eton Mess directly in the jar or glass that you will be serving it in
- Pour 50ml of Warner's Rhubarb Gin into the bottom of your jar/glass and place the cut strawberries in to soak – ideally for six to 12 hours
- Then, add your crushed meringues on top and press down lightly
- To top, add two generous scoops of vanilla ice cream (slightly melted is best) and garnish with a sprig of fresh mint
The post Eton Mess – Cocktail Of The Week appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post 2 Easy To Cook Post-Chocolate Binge Alternatives For Kids ! appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Luckily for us parents heading into chocolate battle post easter break, two of our favourite foodie influencers have shared their genius suggestions to sneak some healthy and delicious snacks into their kid's diets this Easter, in just two easy steps.
Healthy Little Foodies' One Ingredient Sorbet
- Pop a bunch of Australian Grapes into the freezer and let them do their thing
- Once frozen, blend up the grapes to a smooth consistency and serve
@Healthylittlefoodies
Wholesome Child's Nut Butter Grapes
- Cut a small slice into a handful of Australian Grapes
- Fill the grape with your child's favourite nut butter and sprinkle with chai seeds
Wholesome Child's Frozen 'Grapesicles'
- Place four Australian Grapes onto a skewer and dip them into your child's favourite yogurt
- Freeze the skewers to create a delicious frozen 'grapesicle'
@WholesomeChild
If all else fails and you're feeling particularly mischievous this weekend, try out the prank that spread across social media last year; trick your little ones by wrapping up grapes in mini Easter egg wrappers!
Grape producers across Australia have been growing the tasty little snack for generations; meaning not only are Australian Grapes full of goodness, they're juicy and delicious too.
The post 2 Easy To Cook Post-Chocolate Binge Alternatives For Kids ! appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Plus Size Blogger Inspires Brides Of All Sizes With Message appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Callie admits that she never dreamed that she'd be able to wear a dress like this at her wedding to long-time love Dan Heathrington.
"I used to think that I would never get married until I was thin. There were even times I doubted myself thinking I would be too self-conscious to wear it," writes UK-based Carrie.
"But as you grow older and you surround yourself with the right people, you begin to realise that what you look like doesn't really matter to those that love you.
"Dan has loved me at all different sizes and on the day of the wedding when I walked into the room he turned and teared as I walked towards him, he looked at me like I was magic."
Callie started her blog to create a space for herself and others that was 'body shame free', and to express her belief that all women should be able to love fashion, no matter what their size.
And when it came to her own wedding day, Callie was determined to send out the same positive message to brides of all shapes and sizes.
"I would like to say this one thing to brides to be everywhere, plus size or not," she writes.
"Do not feel you have to change yourself or your size to be happy on your wedding day, your partner loves you for who you are, not just what you look like.
"You are deserving of happiness no matter what your size, and you will still be the most beautiful person in the room next to your love because you will be glowing with the love you have for each other."
Callie ended her caption with this inspiring quote, which applies to absolutely everyone, plus size or not.
"The happy ending is for everyone so please, please let yourself have it."
The couple also tucked into ice cream sandwiches on their special day, and Callie captioned the photo with some more inspirational words.
"When you find the right person, a person that makes you laugh, shares your struggles, uplifts you when times are low it doesn't matter what you look like or what size dress you wear because all of that means nothing."
The post Plus Size Blogger Inspires Brides Of All Sizes With Message appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Fiona Tuck's Rosemary Anzac Day Biscuits appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>
The History Of ANZAC Day Biscuits
This will vary, depending on who you talk to, but general consensus is that the first version of this rolled oats-based biscuit cropped up around 1823, and over the next century took on a slew of different names, including 'surprise biscuits' and 'crispies'. Around the early WW1 years, the name evolved to 'Red Cross Biscuits', or 'Soldier's Biscuits', as they were baked for sales to raise money for war efforts.
According to the ABC, the biscuits were also frequently sent to soldiers abroad, as the ingredients were known to travel well and last a long time without turning mouldy, thank to the then-lack of eggs. Nowadays, butter, eggs and coconut make for a delicious biscuit to be enjoyed with remembrance and respect – not just on April 25, but all year round.
Nutritionist Fiona Tuck shares her Rosemary Anzac Day Biscuit recipe.
Rosemary Anzac Day Biscuits
Recipe (makes 20 cookies):
Ingredients:
· 1 cup buckwheat flour
· 1 cup rolled oats
· ½ cup sulphite-free desiccated
· coconut
· 1 cup coconut sugar
· ½ tsp bicarbonate of soda
· 1 tsp dried rosemary
· 125g butter
· 1/3 cup rice malt syrup
· 2 tbs filtered water
Method:
· Preheat the oven to 175°C. Grease and line a baking tray with baking paper.
· Combine the flour, oats, coconut, sugar, bicarbonate of soda and rosemary in a bowl.
· Melt the butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Add the rice malt syrup and water and stir until combined. Remove from heat.
· Add the butter mixture to the dry ingredients and stir to combine thoroughly.
· Using a teaspoon, form walnut-sized balls of Rosemary Anzac Day biscuits mixture and place on the prepared baking tray 4cm apart (the cookies will spread as they bake). Bake for 10 minutes or until just golden.
· Transfer to a wire rack to cool.
The post Fiona Tuck's Rosemary Anzac Day Biscuits appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Stefano Manfredi's Gorgonzola, Potato, Radicchio And Rosemary Pizza appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>INGREDIENTS
- 250 g (9 oz) ball of basic pizza dough shaped
- 100 g (3½ oz) fior di latte mozzarella
- 40 g (1½ oz/1 cup) radicchio leaves, sliced in 2 cm (¾ inch) wide strips
- 80 g (3 oz) gorgonzola cheese, cut into 12 pieces
- 12 very thin slices of potato (see note)
- A pinch of sea salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon fresh young rosemary leaves
ROSEMARY OIL
- 2 tablespoons fresh young rosemary leaves
- 170 ml (5½ fl oz/²⁄³ cup) extra virgin olive oil
METHOD
FOR THE ROSEMARY OIL / Finely chop the rosemary leaves with a very sharp knife. Place in a bowl and cover the leaves with the olive oil. Cover the bowl and place in a cool spot for 2 hours. Remove the leaves from the oil by passing through a fine sieve. Place the oil in a small squeezy bottle, ready to use. Any leftover oil can be kept in the refrigerator for up to a month.
TO ASSEMBLE / Place a large tile in your oven for the pizza, then turn the oven up to preheat to full heat (without using any fan-forced function) for at least 20 minutes. Thinly slice the mozzarella and scatter evenly, here and there, to top the shaped pizza base, leaving the edges clear to about
3–4 cm (1½ inches). Scatter the radicchio and gorgonzola evenly over the pizza. Lay the potato slices on top. Season with a little salt, a couple of turns of the pepper mill and cook the pizza for 3–5 minutes until cooked, turning to get
an even colour. Once out of the oven, drizzle with 1 tablespoon of the rosemary oil, scatter the rosemary leaves on top and serve.
Makes one 30 cm (12 inch) pizza
NOTE Use waxy, yellow-fleshed potatoes and to cut them very thin, use a mandolin or a food processor with a potato slicer. It's important that the potato slices are thin and see-through because they have to cook in a relatively short amount of time.
Basic pizza dough Direct method
The direct method for producing pizza dough is the easiest because all the ingredients are mixed together at about the same time. This is the method that the large majority of pizza-makers use because it's simple and quick.
For our recipes, however, we extend the maturation phase of the dough in the refrigerator so the
final cooked pizza is easily digested and the flavour of the wheat maximised. Using an unrefined, stoneground whole-wheat (not wholemeal) flour is important because of its rich nutrients and the fact that it means less yeast is needed for fermentation and the maturation phase is thus more effective.
Fresh Yeast Dough
This recipe is for making pizza at home using 'fresh' or compressed yeast. Each 250 g (9 oz) ball of dough will make one 30 cm (12 inch) pizza, which feeds one person.
INGREDIENTS
- 1 kg (2 lb 4 oz/6²⁄³ cups) unbleached, stoneground whole-wheat flour or strong bread flour
- 550 ml (19 fl oz) water at room temperature
- 8 g (¼ oz) fresh (compressed) yeast
- 20 g (¾ oz) sea salt
- 30 ml (1 fl oz) extra virgin olive oil
METHOD
Place the flour and 500 ml (17 fl oz/2 cups) of the water in a mixer fitted with a dough hook attachment. Begin mixing on a low speed and keep mixing until the flour has absorbed all the water but is still not smooth. This should take only 3–4 minutes. Stop the mixer and let the dough rest in the bowl for 15–20 minutes.
Meanwhile, dissolve the yeast in the remaining water. Once the dough has rested, turn the mixer on to medium and add the dissolved yeast. Two minutes later, add the salt, mix for 2 minutes and then add the olive oil. Keep mixing until the dough is shiny and homogenous, about 6 minutes. Turn the speed up a little and mix for 2 minutes more.
A good way to check the elasticity is right is to stretch a piece of dough and if it forms a strong, transparent membrane without breaking (similar to blowing a bubble with gum), it is ready. Let the dough sit, covered with plastic wrap, for 30 minutes in winter or 15 minutes in summer. The dough is now ready to be shaped into balls and then rested further in the refrigerator before shaping into discs.
Makes 6 pizzas (250 g/9 oz each)
Shaping Basic Dough into Balls
- Once the dough is ready to be shaped, take a bench scraper and cut off a piece from the edge.
- The dough will feel soft, airy and malleable. Take the piece of dough at one end and, using both hands, form a ball about 200–250 g (7–9 oz) in size. Work by tucking the folds under the ball so that the top surface is taut and smooth.
- Pinch the dough underneath the formed ball to separate it from the long piece of dough.
- Repeat this procedure to make more balls.
- Roll each ball gently on the work surface to make it even and round.
- Place the balls on a covered non-stick tray. Make sure there is at least one ball width between each ball and the edges of the tray and that the balls don't touch the cover. Use a fine mist water spray to hydrate the surface of the balls once they are on the tray. Let rise for 1 hour at 20–24°C (68–75°F). After resting, place in a refrigerator for at least 12 hours and up to 18 hours. The balls can sit in the refrigerator at around 4–5°C (39–41°F) for up to 3 days.
Shaping Basic Dough into Bases
- Once the dough has matured and tripled in size, remove from the refrigerator and leave at ambient temperature for 3–4 hours (less in summer and more in winter) before forming the bases. Choose the dough ball to be used and lightly sprinkle some flour on top and along the edges where it touches the surrounding balls.
- Use the bench scraper to separate the dough ball from its neighbours.
- Lift the dough ball from the tray and turn bottom side up, revealing the bubbles.
- Place the dough ball, still bottom side up, on a small mound of flour and turn it over in the flour so that both sides are covered.
- Begin by using your fingers to form the cornice (border) and push the dough out, making the circle larger.
- Once it has doubled in circumference, remove from the flour and place on the work surface.
- Keeping one hand on one side of the base, gently stretch the opposite side with the other hand and lift and slap the dough circle from side to side. This will stretch the gluten in the dough and the base will get larger and larger.
- Once stretched to the desired size (our pizze are around 30 cm/12 inches in diameter), place the base back on the work surface and neaten into a circle. The pizza base is now ready to dress with the toppings and then bake.
Cooking basic dough
Shaped and topped, here you'll find instructions for cooking your round pizze.
In a wood-fired oven
With the floor temperature between 360–400°C (680–750°F),
a pizza will take around 90 seconds to cook. Some pizzaioli cook at temperatures up to 450°C (840°F) and this takes less time. The pizza is put directly on to the oven floor to cook, thereby getting an immediate 'lift'.
In a domestic oven
My suggestion is to find a large terracotta tile that fits onto your oven rack. Place the rack on the bottom rung of your oven and
the tile on top, giving you plenty of room above to manipulate
the pizza. Turn to full heat without using any fan-forced function
and let the oven run for at least 20 minutes to heat the tile completely. When the pizza is ready, use a floured paddle to
take it from the bench on to the tile. Close the oven immediately.
At around 250–280°C (480–535°F) a pizza takes 3–5 minutes to cook, depending on your oven temperature. It will have a crisp, bread-like texture and should be no less delicious than the wood-fired version.
Images and recipes from New Pizza by Stefano Manfredi Murdoch Books, RRP $39.99
The post Stefano Manfredi's Gorgonzola, Potato, Radicchio And Rosemary Pizza appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post A Pink Supermoon Is Coming: When, Why & What Does It Mean For You? appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The supermoon's appearance on Tuesday, April 27th, will be visually impressive (despite it not actually being pink!), but it will also have some special flow on effects for our star signs.
A supermoon is a name given to a full moon when it is closest to earth, and astrologically it is associated with rebirth and renewal.
Supermoons are somewhat rare, happening about once every 12 to 14 months, although this year we're lucky to get two. The second will be visible just one month after the first, so this is unusual.
Spiritually, supermoons are all about transformation and bringing up subconscious content for us to deal with – it means it's time for a purge. What this means for you as an individual is reflected by your star sign.
Depending what house your star sign is in, behaviours, arguments, past traumas – may all come to the forefront. It's a time to deal with issues but be mindful of channelling them in the correct way.
Ultimately the spiritual effects of a supermoon are positive because an individual's issues needed to be dealt with in the correct way, rather than pushed down into the body.
The moon affects the ocean tides, as we are composed mostly of water, it affects us in some way, whether that be emotionally or physically.
All celestial bodies – planets, asteroids and the like have an important influence both psychologically and spiritually on all living things.
Despite its name, the moon will not actually appear pink in the sky. Its name comes from the wildflower pink phlox that blooms in the US at this time of year.
Most full moons get their names from Native American tribes, which generally gave distinctions to moons based on the time of year and the weather's relationships to crop harvests.
Providing there's little cloud cover, you'll have no problem seeing the pink moon across Australia on April 27th, as it will be shining brightly and largely most of the night.
But supermoons appear bigger when close to the horizon so viewing it at sunset as it rises will be the best time – although it will be at peak luminescence late in the evening. Look for a wide-open space, with as little sky pollution as possible.
On average, supermoons are about 7% bigger and about 15% brighter than a typical full moon.
Tips for each star sign during the supermoon period:
Aries (March 21 to April 19): It's a great time to take a short break away as the supermoon is asking you to broaden your horizons. Perhaps study or travel is on your agenda? Your life can become larger now and you can also expand your mind. Your Spirituality may also feature more strongly as you look at the big picture. Don't be afraid to try new things and change your thinking!
Taurus (April 20 to May 20): You may have concerns about money and joint assets. Perhaps intimacy is on your mind also. An intense emotional life is likely so don't overreact to a situation. Transformation is at hand! Your partner's income could change, or you may seek a loan. Shared resources and intimacy are highlighted now.
Gemini (May 21 to June 20): Feed your important relationships now and pay special attention to the women in your life because your female connections are being transformed. Your committed relationships e.g., wife, husband or business partner are also highlighted for change. Subconscious forces could influence situations and any legalities could undergo significant change. Female relatives or the public may also feature.
Cancer (June 21 to July 22): There's transformation around your health, wellbeing or everyday work. Get on with the job but don't forget to really feel your feelings. Be practical but stuffing feelings down into your body will only see them come back to haunt you at a later time. Even though your emotions could be a bit all over the show, honour them and treat yourself well.
Leo (July 23 to August 22): Now it's time to come out of your shell. Express yourself and allow your real feelings to come out. You could be quite playful, enjoying games, being creative and perhaps even romance is on the cards! There's transformation in your inner child zone so get out, have some fun and socialise.
Virgo (August 23 to September 22): Your desire for comfort and security at home is greater than usual. Matters with home and family are emphasised now, especially concerning female relatives. Transformation in your domestic sphere is likely, so you might renovate or do some long overdue home maintenance. Family can experience various changes now.
Libra (September 23 to October 22): There's a change in the way you communicate or perhaps in your local community. You may be thinking about studying or promoting yourself in some way. There's a possibility of hearing from siblings or distant family members. Communications are key now so take special care of your devices.
Scorpio (October 23 to November 21): There's transformation around your money so pay special attention to your finances now. Give yourself a sense of financial security by organising and securing your valuables. It's not a good time for spending money on a whim but it is a good time to be practical and buy what you really need. Your values might change so what you thought you needed; you realise is not really necessary after all.
Sagittarius (November 22 to December 21): You're more perceptive and sensitive than usual. Being at home also seems more important to you. Clear thinking might be in short supply, as your core beliefs are changing. That's ok, stay quiet and peaceful whilst you adjust to your new reality. Seek and you will find…within yourself.
Capricorn (December 22nd to January 19): You may feel more sensitive and intuitive than usual. Now is the time for quiet time and self-reflection. Transformational changes from deep down within emerge so it's a great time to watch your dreams and write your feelings down. Your deepest belief systems may change as you realise there's another layer to what you previously thought. Change is good for you now.
Aquarius (January 20th to February 18): You may feel a need for community and friendships. The connections you already have may also deepen. Group efforts and community events, especially with women may appeal to you now. There's likely to be changes with your friends and groups, new ones may come, and old ones go. Let go of the past to make space for the new. All will be fine.
Pisces (February 19 to March 20): There may be concerns about your career or your public reputation. Whatever you do is likely to become more public, so the world will notice you, whether you want it to or not! Some transformation in your career is likely, you may consider new work which is more self-fulfilling.
The second supermoon is on Wednesday, May 26th which is also the date of a total lunar eclipse, meaning the moon will turn into a super blood moon.
The eclipse begins at 6.47pm AEST and will peak at 9.18pm. This blood moon will be a reddish colour due to earth's umbra (the darkest, most central part of earth's shadow) covering the moon. Being able to see both events, however, will depend on clear skies.
The Carousel would like to thank Rose Smith for her story.
Rose Smith is a leading Australian spiritualist with more than 20 years' professional experience working as a psychic, spiritual healer and teacher, and intuitive astrologer. Rose currently runs Absolute Soul Secrets – the largest psychic network in the southern hemisphere. Prior to this she worked as a counselor in a local women's health centre and tutored in ethics and counselling at Southern Cross University. Rose has a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Canberra and a BA majoring in psychology from Charles Sturt University.
For more information visit Rose's website at www.absolutesoulsecrets.com or her popular YouTube channel www.YouTube.com/AbsoluteSoulSecrets.
Feature image via The Independent
The post A Pink Supermoon Is Coming: When, Why & What Does It Mean For You? appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Zero Waste with Pleasant State Refillable Bottles and Cleaning Bars appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>It's a bit of a revolutionary idea, that you can use non-toxic cleaning products which are also zero-waste. I like using natural products, but this company does all of the hard work for you.
Created by Sunshine Coast entrepreneurs Ami Bateman and Sian Murray, Pleasant State created Australia's first 'just add water' cleaning bars that help forward-thinking Australians reduce their use of toxic chemicals and single-use plastics in their homes.
You might like to start with the full house kit. This includes the entire Pleasant State range, featuring:
- 1 x Homebody multi-purpose bar, bottle and towel
- 1 x Stay glassy glass and window bar, bottle and towel
- 1 x Tub scrub bathroom bar, bottle and towel
I like the way the cleaning towels match the colour of the corresponding bottle. It's handy to be able to work out what is what with the name etched on the glass. Naturally there is minimal packaging.
How to use Pleasant State Cleaning Bottles
https://youtu.be/JJ2nvKuTQkU
The box comes with a card of instructions and you can scan the QR code if you want more clarification. But you just fill your bottle with 500ml of warm water and drop in the cleaning bar. Then let the bar dissolve for around 45 minutes (before adding the trigger lid). Then you are ready to get cleaning.
When you have run out of cleaning liquid, just hop back on the Pleasant State website to order some refills for the individual cleaner or save money with the mixed refill pack. The cleaning solution has a 12-month shelf life.
Pleasant State Features:
- Zero waste with refillable bottles
- Drop protected glass and silicone bottles
- Non-toxic and vegan
- Money-back guarantee
- Free postage
I liked the Pleasant State multi-purpose spray the best. It is scented with Australian lemon myrtle essential oils and is a great all-rounder for all the surfaces in your home. The glass and window have a nice mandarin and lemon myrtle scent. While the bathroom formula has scents of Australian peppermint and Spanish rosemary. It is handy for tiled areas and the walls. It can be used on soap scum and limescale for a deep clean.
Pleasant State is an ideal way to get started in the zero-waste living or as a present for your mum or friends.
About Pleasant State
Pleasant State are revolutionising the way Australian's clean their homes! Their Australian made concentrated bars dissolve in water to create effective, non-toxic and plastic-free multi-purpose, bathroom and glass cleaning products! https://www.pleasantstate.com/
The post Zero Waste with Pleasant State Refillable Bottles and Cleaning Bars appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Pea, Asparagus & Ham Risotto appeared first on The Carousel.
]]> INGREDIENTS
Risotto
1 leek finely sliced
1/2 a brown onion diced
Knob of butter
Olive oil
Pinch sea salt and pepper
300g risotto rice (I used arborio but have read that carnaroli is better)
4 cups of vegetable stock
1/2 cup white wine
Handful or so of freshly grated cheese (I used a mix of the fantastic Tom from Bruny Island Cheese Co and parmesan)
Another knob of butter
1/2 cup of fresh shelled peas (or frozen if you can't get them)
Bunch of asparagus chopped into approximately 2cm lengths
2 slices of lightly pan cooked ham chopped for garnishing (I used some lovely Rare Foods smoked ham)
Pea puree
1 cup fresh shelled peas (again frozen is fine)
Knob of butter
Sea salt and pepper
1-2 shallots finely chopped
1-2 tablespoons of vegetable stock
Clove of garlic crushed
METHOD
1To make the risotto, place your stock in pan on low heat and place a larger pan on medium-high heat with a lug of olive oil and knob of butter. Add the leek and onion, salt and pepper and cook until translucent. Add the rice and stir through cooking for a minute or so, then add the white wine. Allow this to cook down before adding a ladle full of stock and again cooking down. Continue this process until the rice is cooked through. I have found that you don't need to continuously stir it just keep and eye on it and make sure it's not catching on the bottom.
2While the risotto is cooking make the pea puree. In a small pan melt some butter, add the shallots and garlic and cook until translucent add the peas and cook for a few minutes, then add some stock and salt and pepper and heat until peas are cooked but still holding their shape. Put the pea mix into a blender and puree until smooth but still with some pea texture.
3With the risotto rice cooked turn the heat to low and add in the fresh peas and asparagus pieces and stir though along with another knob of butter and the cheese. Once the peas and asparagus are sufficiently cooked spoon in the pea puree and stir through. Garnish with the lightly pan cooked ham and some parsley, and maybe a little more cheese.
The post Pea, Asparagus & Ham Risotto appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Easy To Make Gluten Free Anzac Biscuit Recipe With Almonds appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Long been associated with the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) established in World War I.
The biscuits were sent by wives and women's groups to soldiers abroad because the ingredients do not spoil easily and they kept well during naval transportation.
Serves 9
Ingredients
• 1 cup almond meal
• 1 + ⅔ cup quinoa flakes
• 1 cup shredded coconut
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• ½ cup brown sugar
• 4 tablespoons treacle, golden syrup or rice malt syrup
• 1 teaspoon vanilla bean extract or essence
• ¼ cup water
Instructions
Line a baking tray with baking paper and preheat oven to 160 degrees Celsius.
Place all ingredients into a mixing bowl and mix with a wooden spoon until thoroughly combined.
Use a spoon or ice cream scoop to scoop out a large ball and place it on the baking tray. Flatten slightly with the palm of your hand and repeat until the mixture is used up.
Bake for 25 minutes or until edges are browning slightly.
Leave on tray for 10 minutes and then remove to rack to cool completely.
Makes 9-10 large biscuits.
- The Carousel would like to thank Australian Almonds for this recipe.
The post Easy To Make Gluten Free Anzac Biscuit Recipe With Almonds appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Unsung Heroes: Alex McCabe: Sailor, Soldier, Larrikin appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>
It was the nervous tension that Alex remembered most, that and the sudden brilliant flash that made everything disappear before the wind and the noise hit him from behind.
Alex McCabe, a lad born in Liverpool in the United Kingdom, was part of a contingent of Australian soldiers serving during British nuclear tests at Maralinga in South Australia in September 1957.
"Dad didn't talk about his military service very much," says Alex's son Jim McCabe. "But I remember him telling me about the atom bombs and what it was like when they went off.
"All the men in his unit were paraded to take part during the explosions. They lined up and the officers told to turn their backs. I remember dad saying that it was the light that surprised him most, this ultrabright light that enveloped everything and then a great gust of wind. He turned around he could see the atomic mushroom shaped cloud ascending into the sky.
"There aren't many people who can say they were present when an atom bomb went off, but that's what dad's life was like, an extraordinary rollercoaster".
A rollercoaster. It might sound like a cliché, but there's no better way to describe Alex McCabe's life. It has all the sweep of a grand novel, with a central character that survives the merciless German bombing of England during World War Two before he takes to the high seas as a merchant sailor ending up in Australia where he jumps ship to start a new life at the other end of the world.
As if that's not enough, he joins the army, fights in Korea, watches atom bombs explode at Maralinga, fights again in Vietnam before finally coming home to his beloved wife Eleanor – who Alex has always called his Elly – and settling down to a quiet, satisfying family life in Queensland.
"To me, Alex was always my lad from Liverpool, Scouse McCabe," says Alex's wife Elly. "A scouse is what people from Liverpool in the UK are called. He was a Liverpool larrikin and I think that's why he fitted in so well here in Australia."
Alex Gerald McCabe was born on the 31st of October 1933, one of five brothers and four sisters, to Margaret and James McCabe. They all lived in a humble working-class house at 31 Latham St in Kirkdale, Liverpool.
"They were poor, hardworking people but everyone was well-loved," recalls Elly. "His ma and da were Irish and Alex went to a Catholic school and church at St Alphonse's. He sang in the church choir. He could say the Mass in Latin and sing some of the hymns in Latin, too."
Alex was just six at the beginning of World War Two and by then they had moved to Lemon Street, which was just a few streets away from the famous Liverpool docks area. The docks were a vital part of England's war effort which also made Liverpool a natural target for German bombing.
What became known as the Liverpool Blitz began in 1940 and lasted for more than two years with seven-night-a-week bombardments that killed more than 4000 people.
"Alex's family lived own near the docks, but he said that the blackout was so effective that the German air force couldn't find their targets and missed to docks completely," recalls Elly.
"Sadly, the bombs fell on the houses and a lot of the family's friends were killed. Alex and his family lived in a large house with a big cellar and their neighbours would come to the house to shelter in the cellar. The house was damaged, but they were all safe."
Eventually the bombing became so bad – the most intense bombing outside London, except for Coventry – that Government ordered the evacuation of children from the besieged city. Alex went to Carnarvon in Wales where he was placed with a couple who took loving care of him.
"Alex said they had a son who was killed in the war and the came to care for him as their own," says Elly.
Later, Alex returned to his family, but the city was devastated. All the schools were little more than bombed out shells. When Alex left school, he worked in a jute factory but the dust and fibres from the jute affected his eyes, so his father had him leave and find work in a butcher's shop.
By the time he was 15, the world was beckoning. Money was tight in Liverpool after the war ended. Wages were low and rationing still in place. To help make ends meet, Alex decided to join the merchant navy, hoping that his wages would help keep the family while he was away.
As it turned out, a merchant sailor's pay was even less than wages at home. Eventually, Alex found himself bound for Australia with a cargo of wood aboard a trading vessel named the Massel Bay. After a massive storm that nearly sank the ship, they finally arrived in Perth, Western Australia.
After so long at sea, Alex was relieved and pleased to be on firm ground again and took leave to see what Perth had to offer a young sailor. "But when he went back to the docks, the ship had gone," says Elly.
After consulting immigration, he went to Melbourne and what followed was a series of jobs – the railways, sheep and cattle farms and other menial jobs before he decided to join the army but not before he found himself in trouble with the police.
"He went to sign up and an army officer took his papers to send away for verification," says Elly. "The officer said, 'We'll let you know when they come back.' And Alex said, 'Well, you better let me know now because I was picked up for a smash and grab. I was on the railways station and two cops said I was their man. I said I was not. They took me down to a jewellery shop and presented me to the owner. He said, 'I told you cops the man who took everything was a skinny small man. Does this man look skinny and small to you?' So they took me back to the station."
Alex was down on his luck but not enough to stoop to crime. He had no money and hadn't eaten for two days. The army officer said he could stay in camp till his papers came back. Alex was just 17 but the army took him anyway. Within a year, he was on his way to the Korean War where he served as an infantryman until the war ended in 1953.
After a 12-month stint on garrison duty in Tokyo, Alex came back to Australia and posted to Enoggera Army base in Brisbane. Australia has played a significant role in the Korean conflict and Time magazine sent a journalist and photographer to cover the story of America's staunch ally.
"An officer called all the men together and said that Time magazine needed a good looking Australian solider to go on the cover," says Elly. "The officer looked around and picked out Alex. He said 'McCabe, you'll do.' And he was exceptionally good looking. He looked a bit like Hollywood actor Burt Lancaster. All his mates said, 'He's not an Aussie, he's a bloody Liverpool Scouse Irish pom'. But they took his photo anyway."
After his experiences at Maralinga, Alex was posted back to Enoggera as a rifle instructor. Then one night, at an army dance, he met a young woman who was to change his life – Eleanor, who, like him, was also in uniform as a member of the Women's Royal Army Corps. It was love at first sight.
They were married on October 11, 1958 and, as rules at the time stipulated, Elly had to leave the army. "You couldn't stay in," she says. "We had four sons together and after Alex's six years enlistment was up, he left the service, too.
"He worked as a bricklayer sponsored by the army, but he also had a bad back because of his service and he had to give away the bricklaying. He tried a few jobs in security but then there was a credit squeeze and with no work around he reenlisted for another six years."
Alex ended up serving a tour of duty in Vietnam before his six years enlistment ended, but then he said goodbye to the army for the last time.
Alex bought two and a half acres of property at Strathpine. He still suffered from his bad back, so the army put him on a full pension. The family lived in Strathpine for the next 50 years. In later life, Alex developed several cases of skin cancer which some suspect may have come from the atom bombs and his service at Maralinga.
Sadly, Alex developed dementia at the age of 83. He joined a new aged care facility called NewDirection Care at Bellmere in Queensland where he now lives. His family visit him often and appreciate the care he receives from the staff.
"They really are wonderful here," says Elly. "Alex has nine grandchildren. He also has a great, great grandchild but such is Alex's condition that he will never know that. That's incredibly sad particularly if you know how much his family means to him.
"He gets the finest care here at NewDirection. The staff and carers are wonderful, just the best. And the lady who started it, Natasha, well it's a credit to her. It really is."
Elly and Alex have been married for 64 years. "Alex has done a lot of travelling," says Elly. "He's seen Australia, England and all around the world. He could tell you quite a few fine tales if he was able. And he'd enjoy telling them, too.
"He became an Australian citizen. He loves Australia but he never forgot he was a scouse for Liverpool. My lad from Liverpool."
The post Unsung Heroes: Alex McCabe: Sailor, Soldier, Larrikin appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Yoga Pose Of The Week: Strengthen Your Thighs & Open Your Hips With Warrior 1 appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>FOUNDATION
- Starting in your downward dog, raise the right leg in the air and step the foot in between the hands
- Cup the back heel down so its at a 45 degree angle with the toes still pointing towards the front of the mat
- Lift both arms up to the sky, keeping the arms at shoulder width apart
- Activate your fingers, spreading them wide and reaching them towards the ceiling
- Push down through the outside pinky toe edge of your back foot (this will release pressure off your front thigh, especially if you have to hold the pose for a longer period of time)
- Make sure you keep a micro bend in the back knee to protect the knee joint
- Bend into your front knee until the knee is inline with your front ankle
- Relax your front toes by lifting them up and then placing them lightly back down to the floor
- Tuck your pelvis under, and square off your hips to the front of the room
- Pull your belly button to the spine, switching on the core
- Relax your neck, looking straight ahead
BREATH
- Inhale the leg up in the air
- Exhale the foot in between the hands
- Inhale arms up
- Continue to inhale and exhale out through your nose
BENEFITS
- Strengthens your thighs, ankles, arms, shoulders and back
- Opens your hips
- Improves balance, energy, stability and focus
Sammy Veall owns and runs Yoga 213
Photography byDeanna Geralch.
The post Yoga Pose Of The Week: Strengthen Your Thighs & Open Your Hips With Warrior 1 appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post The Beauty And Versatility Of Australian Native Flowers appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>That word describes both Australian natives and South African natives (like proteas). "It's very confusing and not something that's been set right," he says. For his part, it's the Australian native flowers that he really loves. They offer such diversity. "There's such a variety of native flowers in different shapes and sizes," he says. "Whether you want a wedding bouquet in soft delicate colours or something bolder like some of the banksias, gum nuts or flowering eucalypts."
Craig, a fourth generation flower farmer, came to his property in Mangrove Mountain (one and a half hours out of Sydney) about thirty years ago. He grew traditional flowers before the passion to grow natives really took hold. Now he enjoys being part of an industry that is still emerging and developing. "You can be growing a hybrid that no one has ever grown before as a cut flower. It's a challenge, but it's also quite lovely to be doing something like that."
Australian natives are very seasonal, offering florists and flower lovers something new all year round. This seasonality is a constant source of conversation among his customers at the Sydney Flower Markets. "They've got something to look forward to. They ask 'when is the waratah season starting? Or when's the Christmas bush coming in?' That sort of thing."
Farming Australian native flowers is not as simple as some might think. There is such a diversity of climates across this country that a grower like Craig has to work hard to replicate those for each different species. Although some natives are hardy and can be grown without greenhouses, many are susceptible to root diseases. Native plants also tend to drink a lot of water, and can be thirsty in the vase. Craig recommends recutting stems with sharp secateurs before placing the flowers in a vase at least a third to a half full. Regularly topping up the vase and keeping the blooms out of draughts and direct sunlight will them looking fresher longer.
Find East Coast Wildflowers at the Sydney Flowers Markets Monday, Wednesday and Friday (stand F11-F12) and Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday (stand F7- F8).
Wild Flower Diary
There are so many colours and styles of native flowers to work with throughout the year. This guide from East Coast Wildflowers gives you some general rules about what is best throughout the year.
January-March: Grevillea flowers; last of the Kangaroo Paw; Bottlebrush; Flowering eucalyptus like Summer Red and Summer Beauty.
March-May: West Australian Banksias (many varieties and colours); Dryandras; Paper Daisies; Grevillia; Geraldton wax
June-July: Kangaroo Paw begins; Grevillia; Banksia
August-October: Waratah (September); more Kangaroo Paw; Lots of colours of Geraldton Wax available; Flannel flower
November-December: Christmas Bush; Christmas Bells; Height of the Kangaroo Paw season; Dorrigo Waratahs; South Australian Daisies; Paper Daisies; flowering eucalyptus
For more articles on flowers check out the Sydney Markets' flower blog.
Pic credit: Gregory Hunt
The post The Beauty And Versatility Of Australian Native Flowers appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Earth Day: 5 Aveda Products To Be More Sustainable appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>What I love about Aveda is its belief in the importance of environmental sustainability when it comes to business. Just imagine if every brand took the same viewpoint.
Aveda's focus this year is a limited edition NEW Shampoo bar, NEW sustainable scrunchie sets with Take 3 for the sea, No Wash Day products and litreship!
Here's 5 ways to make simple switches to your beauty routine to say thanks to mother nature this Earth Day.
Switch regular shampoo for NEW Aveda Shampure Bar
Gentle care for hair and planet. Weightless, long-lasting nourishment for hair.
The Bar is silicone-free, sulphate cleanser free, cruelty-free and vegan, offering gentle care for hair and the planet. Featuring Abyssinian oil, it gently cleanses & provides weightless, long-lasting nourishment while infusing hair with Aveda's signature calming aroma.The Bar features zero plastic packaging. The carton is 100% post-consumer recycled FSC certified fiber, and by purchasing this shampoo bar you could help us save 2 tons of plastic which is equivalent to 180K water bottles .
Buy A Scrunchie Trio To support Take 3 for the Sea
Aveda Australia has partnered with Take 3 for the Sea and designed a trio scrunchie set sustainably made from post-consumer recycled plastics. 100% RPET.
- This set includes: x 1 blue, x 1 green, x 1 green/blue print trio of Aveda x Take 3 For The Sea scrunchies.
- 100% of profits are donated to Take 3 for the Sea to protect oceans and stop plastic pollution.
- RRP – $20
Use Litres and save plastic!
Aveda's initiative to reduce the use of plastic with over 40 products within the range that offer a Litre size that also include skincare that come in a 500ml size.
Litreship helps reduce packaging waste by using upto 28% less plastic when you purchase litres instead of regular bottles or tubes.
Skip hair wash days
Did you know you could save 45 litres of water by skipping a shampoo? Aveda's no wash range encourage's consumers to save water and extend good hair days four ways with the 4 no wash day products.
Purchase brands who use RECYCLED PACKAGING on their products
90% of the high density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic bottles use a minimum of 80% PCR, made from milk bottles. By our calculation, it saves us over 600 tons of virgin plastic each year (HDPE, or PET).
Aveda also use PET from recycled soda and water bottles for many of our bottles and jars. Bottles with 80% or greater PCR make up nearly 90% of all retail and professional plastic bottles for Aveda. The remaining packaging is either glass, which is frequently recyclable, or plastic tubes that are not yet accepted by municipal recycling programs.
The post Earth Day: 5 Aveda Products To Be More Sustainable appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Changing Rooms: Kids Bedroom Decorating Ideas appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Decorating your little one's nursery is the golden egg of nesting! It's fun, creative and of course, important to create a slumber sanctuary. But if you're artistic skills are limited to scribbling smiley faces, relax. Super stylist Megan Morton has waved her interior wand over hundreds of rooms, transforming drab spaces into very special places. And here, Megan shares her expert advice to create the perfect nursery for your newborn…
Your No: 1 decorating tip is…?
"Don't go overboard! This is the biggest risk for new parents dressing nurseries. One idea is usually enough to carry through the whole room. When people decorate they aren't short of ideas, inspiration or time – just the foresight of editing. Going overboard can create a room that is confusing and hinders play. Whereas a single idea is a more sensible backdrop for the actual living, using and practical requirements of kid's rooms (something Pinterest never talks about!)."
Best nursery colour palettes for …
… boys "Grey and white. I love this handsome palette and just like nailing a good boys' name, the idea here is to select a colour scheme that will work with your son as a newborn, toddler, tween and onwards to young adulthood. Grey is the ideal background for so many other sensational colours. I'm also exploring some nice ideas around themes including tartan and pegboard (I can't get enough pegboard!)."
… girls "Grey, lilac and white are my go-to palettes for little ladies. It's the ideal coordinate with raspberry reds, fuchsia, navy or metallics. Ideally you want a room that works with the rest of the house but still has a signature that expresses the views or loves of the girl who inhabits the space. This is where putting your own personal wishes aside can really help in getting a room perfect for `her', not `you'! I love Jane Reiseger's removable Tutti Fruti wallpaper, www.janereiseger.com, for girls who don't want ballerina or Princess themes."
… unisex "Grey or lilac – both look incredibly beautiful, peaceful and unisex."
Storing mega toys in mini spaces: any solutions?
"Use the space under the bed and the overhead areas for storage. Toys can be stored underneath one single bed – you really don't want more toys than this anyway, unless you like to spend your days matching LEGO pieces! I'm a believer in not being overly sentimental [and hoarding]. Though this has got me into trouble in the past, as I am ruthless at times! My advice is to decide on a handful of decorative toys and items that are on display for visual effect (both parent and child should agree) and store the rest out of sight."
Decorating rented properties… help!
"Renters have the same lament – terrible carpets and bad Venetians. This is the opportunity to work on 'distractions' to the room, basically making sure you can avoid as much eye contact with these areas as possible! Choose some statement pieces – loud, 'look at me' feature pieces like artworks, rugs and floor standing lights. I rationalise the renters' carpet conundrum by realising that children and nice floors are not ideal playmates – renters' carpet is actually the best option for young children. When I rented a home I removed the Venetian blinds and rehung white matchstick blinds (they are hard to find though so I bought natural ones and sprayed them white)."
Best buys to transform a room?
"I love poster art for boys – it's affordable, heartily graphic and very easy to source boy themes. I also have a floor standing light in my own house that doubles as a hanger for caps, sporting gear and medals. Floor standing lights require minimal floor space, have big visual impact and are ideal bedside reading lights. The Jielde light by Euroluce, www.euroluce.com.au, is great – it's one part coat hanger, two parts feature piece!"
What about teen and tween spaces?
"I have a 14 year-old and a 4 year-old so I am constantly reminded of their different worlds! I just got the thumbs-up from my teen to create a relatively simple, low maintenance cactus farm for her windowsills. Potted in various tins, vessels and mugs she loved from childhood, it has given her a sense of room pride."
Last words… "A child's room is where so many formative things will be shaped and played out. I have such fond memories of playing in my room as a child (it was not styled by any means). It was a haven of unrestricted and creative play and chaos. I want an element of this opportunity for my own children and that of the children whose parents I am working with to make their rooms wonderful."
Megan Morton is a stylist first and foremost. She runs a styling school called The School where the most talented artists, makers and stylists teach their techniques. She works mostly in the realm of interiors and aims to make 'everything beautiful' daily. Her work can be seen at www.meganmorton.com
The post Changing Rooms: Kids Bedroom Decorating Ideas appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post 3 Must-Have Beauty Treatments For Every Bride appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Omnilux
If you're short on time but want brighter skin in an instant, then you'll love Omnilux. It's a light-therapy treatment that targets fine lines, wrinkles, pigmentation and acne, and is non-invasive. One visit for me made my skin absolutely shine – some freckles disappeared, and I had that lit-from-within glow that had people wondering if I'd been on holidays recently. The only discomfort were the intense bright lights during the session (even under 'goggles') but you get used to it within the first 10 minutes. For maximum benefits, they recommend 6-9 treatments (2-3 times a week), and it only takes 20 minutes of your day.
Dermalogica BioSurface Peel
It may be enough to send shivers down your spine (thanks to Samantha Jones' incident on SATC) but chemical peels don't have to be scary. The new and improved version of it is gentle on skin, yet effective in smoothing out uneven skin texture, erasing pigmentation and brightening your complexion. During your visit, your consultant will start with a "tingle test"; popping a small amount of product on your skin to see how it reacts to it. A slight sensation is what you'll feel – it's nothing more than a tickle. The texture of my skin was ultra-smooth after 1 session, but for best results, visit 4-6 times weekly. Best of all, there's no downtime afterwards, and minimal side effects – your skin may be a little pink but it's barely noticeable at all.
CoolSculpting
Ever wanted to remove fat from arms, belly or legs? I was sceptical when I first heard about CoolSculpting, but it made sense after some research. In a nutshell, this non-invasive procedure freezes fat cells in your body, which will eventually die and melt away, leaving you with a slimmer appearance. There's no recovery time afterwards, and you'll notice a difference after one 60-minute session, and there's no need to repeat areas. Not everyone is suitable for this treatment though, so it's best to book into a consultation to check first.
What's your best advice for new brides? Tell us in the comments below.
The post 3 Must-Have Beauty Treatments For Every Bride appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post The Rogroni Sundowner – Cocktail Of The Week appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>It uses Regal Rogue The Bold Red , which is a semi dry vermouth lead by beautiful Australian native botanicals. It compliments the softer Italian aperitif, Aperol, which again is a lighter version of the Italian sip, Campari.
When blended together, you get a smooth cocktail that is easy to drink and enjoyable as a pre-dinner mix, with some light nibbles.
What You Need To Make The Rogroni Sundownder
- Regal Rogue Bold Red Vermouth
- Gin
- Aperol
How To Make The Rogroni Sundowner
The Rogroni sundowner is quite possibly one of the simplest cocktails you'll ever make, requiring only a few ingredients, a glass and a cocktail mixing stick. Even the most novice mixologist will make this beautifully, and it will be enjoyed by all.
Here's all you need to do!
- Fill a mixing glass with ice cubes. You can also use a taller glass, if you prefer to drink your cocktails that way.
- Combine the Regal Rogue Bold Red vermouth, gin and Aperol in equal parts in your mixing glass.
- Stir the mix until it's well-chilled and then strain it into a rocks glass that has been filled with ice cubes.
- Garnish the drink with a large orange slice and enjoy with a canapé as the sun sets, imagining you're in Miami, the Caribbean or some other such tropical paradise!
About Regal Rogue Red Vermouth
Regal Rogue Red Vermouth is made with spiced Barossa Valley Shiraz and Hunter Valley Semillion grapes. It mixes well in many cocktail recipes, and is especially refreshing with served with ice cold ginger beer. Australian native botanicals give it a unique sharpness.
It also contains native pepper berry, wattleseed and native thyme. It also contains cinnamon, clove, star anise, nutmeg, ginger, bitter orange, dried fig and dried cherry.
The post The Rogroni Sundowner – Cocktail Of The Week appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post The Homewares Trend Turned Household Essential. appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>However, one that's emerged in recent years looks set to stay, and we couldn't be happier. In fact, the category is actually booming, with great reason. Increasingly, people are realising that making eco-smart choices in the home, contribute to the health of our planet, as well as our bank accounts.
Pearl Chan, founder and operator of Resparkle, offers these tips for turning your home into an eco-friendly haven.
Homewares Trend: Mindful Consumption
Mindful consumption is spearheading the eco-friendly homewares trend, according to Pearl.
"We simply need to stop consuming as much as we currently do," states Pearl. "Try to live with less. When you purchase mindfully, you tend to choose quality. The item lasts longer and therefore cuts down on waste."
Get on board this homewares trend by asking yourself these questions:
- Do I really need this or is it just an impulse buy ?
- Will it actually look good in my home and/or have a useful function?
- Could the money be used for something far more useful, such as saving for a deposit on a home, or taking that much-needed vacation?
- Am I buying this piece of clothing for when I lose weight and can fit into it?
- Will this item wind up in my next garage sale?
Your answers will help determine whether you make the purchase or not!
Homewares Trend: Swap Chemical For Natural
"Many household cleaning products have still harsh chemicals in them that aren't environmentally friendly," reveals Pearl. "Swap out traditional chemical-laden home cleaning products for natural alternatives. Look for those with earth-friendly ingredients like melaleuca, lime and lemon, or white vinegar.
"We are fortunate to live in a time where there is an abundance of better-for-you, better-for-the-planet alternatives for almost everything," smiles Pearl. "If you feel overwhelmed, just take it one step, one choice at a time. "
And remember, Google has the answer to almost everything except the meaning of life. "A simple Google search will usually yield more eco-friendly choices for almost anything in your house, and plenty of products not available in supermarkets or grocery stores, too," says Pearl.
Read The Ingredients
"Learn to read and understand ingredients label," stresses Pearl " I suggest checking out the Environmental Working Group. It rates ingredients in terms of toxicity to humans, waterways and the environment."
Avoid Plastic
The plastic economy is the second largest accelerator of climate change. Many people might think that recycling their plastic makes it okay – but the actual production of the plastic in the first place needs to be drastically minimised. "Furthermore, just under 10 percent of plastic in Australia actually ends up being recycled, which is a pretty staggering statistic," says Pearl So really look for ways to BUY LESS plastic and find alternatives.
Use Cold Water
"Wash your clothes in cold water," stresses Pearl. "Up to 90 percent of the energy used by a washing machine goes toward heating water, so skip the hot water settings when doing your laundry. Not only is this more eco-friendly but it will also keep your clothes in top condition for longer, as hot water deteriorate fabrics.
Dealing with stubborn stains? "Simply soak them in a small bucket of hot water and some detergent before putting them in the machine on cold wash," advises Pearl.
Be A Smart Shopper
When it comes to your weekly shopping list, there are plenty of products you can purchase that will minimise your footprint on the planet's eco-system. Here are some of our faves.
Resparkle
With a Natural Dish Wash Kit, Foaming Hand Wash Kit, Natural Laundry Powder and Natural All-Purpose Kit, Resparkle has your home sorted when it comes to reducing your carbon footprint. Simply choose a sachet of plant-based powder of your choice mix it with water in the re-useable glass bottle and you're good to go!
Grants of Australia Natural Toothpaste
A homewares trend should absolutely extend to what we use on – and in – our bodies. Enter, Grants of Australia Natural Toothpaste. Not only is grants free from the nasty chemicals many other oral care products contain, it's a lot cheaper too! Bonus: Grants of Australia takes a major stance against animal testing and support organisations that are dedicated to animal rights and protecting their natural environments.
In 2013 Grants adopted a koala called Fingal through the Australian Koala Foundation, a non-profit, non-government organisation dedicated to the conservation and effective management of the wild koala and its habitat.
Lovebyt Mouthwash Peppermint Oil
This natural, botanical, chemical-free mouthwash has been formulated to help reduce oral inflammation, boost immune support, relieve dry mouth and prevent plaque-causing bacteria known to cause bad breath. It won't compromise your mouth's natural pH or saliva production, either.
Nude Pets All-Natural Dog Treats
Many commercial dog and cat foods are made using factory farmed meats, meat meal and other undeterminable ingredients, which is why it clearly states on the packet "Not for Human Consumption" or "Pet Food Only". I'm of the philosophy that if I wouldn't eat it myself, I'm not feeding it to my dogs. Watch the Netflix Documentary Pet Fooled and you'll get a pretty great idea why.
Enter, Nude Pets. This range of all-natural treats is handmade in small batches, using premium quality meat sourced from ethical butchers, as well as Australian grown vegetables. The entire range is free from added fats, flavours, sugar, salt, preservatives and chemicals. And yes, they are totally fit for human consumption, too.
">
There's even a selection of grooming essentials that again, are all natural, chemical free and perfect for pets with sensitive skin.
">
The post The Homewares Trend Turned Household Essential. appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Have Your Cake And Eat It Too: Understanding Junk Food appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>But while a daily indulgence in the context of healthy diet is one thing, new research from the CSIRO has revealed nearly 4 in 5 Australians are overindulging in their favourite "sometimes" foods every single day.
After reviewing eating habits of more than 230,000 Australian adults, the CSIRO found almost 80 per cent consume too much discretionary food – things like cakes, biscuits, chips, pastries, lollies, ice-cream, and soft drink.
The research also found, on average, adults are eating twice the amount recommended by national dietary guidelines. In a nutshell, a whopping 5.1 servings of these discretionary items are consumed on average each day – the equivalent of about 3000 kilojoules.
While we can typically tell when we're feeling the pinch on the waistline of our favourite jeans, we're often not so aware of the impact excessive consumption of these discretionary items can have on our overall health – like poor nutrition, and higher risk of lifestyle diseases.
But before you clean out your pantry, there is good news. The CSIRO wants to support Australians to better understand and reduce (read: not completely eliminate!) their intake of discretionary items and has released a free online junk food analyser to kickstart our journey to healthier habits.
The CSIRO's Junk Food Analyser is a personalised and interactive tool that provides specific advice on which categories of discretionary foods you are consuming the most and offers strategies and tips on where kilojoules can be reduced.
Importantly, the tool recognises these types of food/drink play an important part in many Australian diets (adding variety and enjoyment to special occasions) and offers options to reduce consumption without sacrificing anything completely. A true, have-your-cake-and-eat-it-too scenario: we like it!
Reduce and rein in the junk food with these top tips:
- Understand and control your discretionary food intake by taking thefree quiz at www.junkfoodanalyser.com
- If you feel you need to take the next step with weight management then choose ascientifically proven weight loss program like the CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet thataccommodates indulgences and ensures your diet is enjoyable and sustainable over the long term.
Find out what works for you in terms of managing your intake. Whether it's:
- Eliminating: for example, no more takeaway – plan and prep so you always have healthy meals on hand.
- Halving: like halving the block chocolate so you only have one row rather than two.
- Cutting back: like saving alcoholic drinks for the weekend or social occasions, rather than every day.
Pennie McCoy
Pennie McCoy is an Accredited Practising Dietitian with over 15 years of experience in a range of practices, including hospital dietetics, research as well as corporate nutrition, and is passionate about empowering people to make healthier choices to meet their health and nutrition goals.
Currently, she provides online coaching sessions for the CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet Online program to hundreds of members, delivering nutrition counselling for general healthy eating, menu planning and dietary advice.
The post Have Your Cake And Eat It Too: Understanding Junk Food appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Yoga Poses For Inflammation appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Here are five yoga poses that can assist when the pain becomes a bit much to bear. You'll find them wonderfully relaxing, too.
Child's Pose
Child's Pose a gentle inversion that stretches the body all the from ankles up to shoulders. It gives a great stretch at the hips, while gently relieves tension and fatigue, thereby creating a healthy inflammation response. Child's Pose brings an overall feeling of wellbeing and of being uplifted and helps relieve fatigue, anxiety and stress, while promoting relaxation.
You get such a great stretch, especially along the spine, lengthening and stretching it. By stretching the spine, it also helps ease neck and back pain. Child's pose is also fantastic for healthy digestion.
Standing Forward Fold
Amazing for calming and de-cluttering the mind, Standing Forward Pose also stretches and nurtures your whole body, in particular the neck and the shoulders. It's a full-body stretch, which should always be performed at your own pace.
Allowing your head to be below your heart calms your mind helps to relieve stress, as well as aids with headaches and fatigue. Standing Forward Pose is an excellent stretch for your whole body, but you will likely feel it more in your hamstrings and calves. It can also improve digestion.
Legs Up The Wall
This inversion pose is relaxing, calming and soooo good for centring your mind. Who wouldn't want this? Legs Up The Wall, or Viparita Karani, is a restorative yoga pose that allows your mind and the body to relax. You can give yourself permission to completely let go physically, mentally, and spiritually.
It has such a calming effect, can help with anxiety, and encourages meditative breathing. This yoga pose also soothes swollen or cramped feet and legs, stretches the hamstrings and relieves tension in the lower back. Legs Up The Wall can help with pelvic floor muscles as well as help ease restless leg syndrome.
Downward Facing Dog
A wonderfully grounding and stabilising yoga pose, Downward Facing Dog also allows for a quiet meditation. While in the pose, breathe in and out through the nose, deeply, slowly and rhythmically. This yoga pose is an inversion, where your head is below your heart. It directs blood flow and oxygen to the brain as you stretch and strengthen your entire body – your hamstrings, calves, arms and hands, shoulders and back.
Downward Facing Dog also improves digestive system functioning, relieving back pain, headaches, insomnia, and fatigue. This yoga pose boosts your mood and opens your mind.
Savasana
Also referred to as shavasana, or Corpse Pose, this is an important restorative pose and is most commonly used at the end of a class for relaxation and mindfulness.
In Savasana, the body and mind integrate and you feel the effects of the practice. It's also a very important time for the nervous system to find the reset button and relax, which is so important in today's society.
Savasana helps to calm the body and mind, reduces anxiety and fatigue and improve coordination. It helps to lower blood pressure, calms the central nervous system and aids the digestive and immune systems.
Always be kind to yourself, move with ease and grace. You are the most important person in your life.
The post Yoga Poses For Inflammation appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post 5 Most Expensive Weddings From Around The World appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Planning your wedding may be a bit of a headache if you have a limited budget, but imagine what would happen if you had an unlimited budget? These people did. 
1.Paul McCartney and Heather Mills
When you are the most successful songwriter in history, you don't have to pay attention to the budget. Paul McCartney and Heather Mills spent over $3 million USD on their wedding. As PETA activist, Heather made an all-vegetarian menu for the guests that were stationed in an Irish castle for the after wedding banquet. Paul sang the song "Heather" with his Beatles bandmates – Ringo Star and George Harrison. It was an Indian themed wedding with Indian dancers, flowers and fireworks which cost over $300,000. 
2. Liza Minnelli and David Gest
When Liza Minnelli, the star of iconic movies like Cabaret and New York New York, married concert promoter David Gest, it was an extravagant ceremony in New York' Fifth Avenue. Elizabeth Taylor was matron of honour, Michael Jackson was the best man, and guests included world-famous stars such as Brian May, Liam Neeson, Joan Collins, Gloria Gaynor, Anthony Hopkins and Mia Farrow. Wedding costs exceeded $4 million.
3. Wayne Rooney and Coleen McLoughlin
This $8 million wedding wedding took place in Genoa in Italy and after wedding party included a masked ball on an exclusive yacht. Guests were flown from the United Kingdom in charter planes and before checking into five-star hotels. The wedding went on for five days. England's former leading goalscorer Wayne and Coleen are now the proud parents of four boys and devote themselves to charity work . 
4. Prince William and Kate Middleton
Referred to as a "wedding of a century", Kate was wearing a wedding dress made from Chantilly lace flowers. The ceremony itself was conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury at Westminster Abbey. After and the royal couple rode through the streets of London in a horse-drawn carriage to Buckingham Palace. Cost of the wedding? Barely $34 million (mostly spent on security)
5. Khadija Uzhakhovs and Said Gutseriev
If you think previous weddings cost much then hold your breath: how about $1 billion for a wedding? That is how much the wedding of Russian oil baron and billionaire Mikhail Gutseriev son Said and Khadija Uzhakhovs cost. It took place at Safisa Banquet Hall in Moscow. Only Khadija's dress cost $1 million and weighed 25 kilograms due to diamonds and custom beads emblazoned on her dress. J.Lo, Sting and Enrique Iglesias even entertained their guests.
The post 5 Most Expensive Weddings From Around The World appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Sweet! Celebrations: Chocolate Sprinkle Ice Cream Bowls appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Store them in jars or plastic wrap, as you never know when you'll need three pink jelly beans to complete a dessert.
Money Saver: Spread any leftover melted chocolate thinly onto baking parchment and scatter with sprinkles.
Set in the fridge, break into shards and use to top cakes, cupcakes or more ice-cream bowls!
MAKES 12 BOWLS
INGREDIENTS
- 12 (13 cm) water balloons
- 550 g white compound chocolate
- 1 cup rainbow sprinkles
- A small tub (about 500 ml) vanilla ice cream
- ¼ cup mini confetti sprinkles
METHOD
- Inflate and tie the water balloons, wash, dry and set aside.
- Melt the chocolate (see page 220) to dipping consistency. Make sure your melted chocolate is not hot.
- Dip a balloon into the melted chocolate until it comes one-third of the way up the sides of the balloon. Allow the excess to drip off and then hold the balloon over a piece of baking parchment before sprinkling with rainbow sprinkles, continually turning the balloon so the melted chocolate doesn't pool. Place the balloon standing up, not on its side, on a clean parchment-lined baking tray.
- Prepare four bowls and immediately place in the freezer to set before continuing to make all 12 bowls in sets of four.
- Once the balloon bowls have set, remove them from the freezer. Burst each balloon with a pin, toothpick or skewer, removing any balloon membrane that may remain stuck to the melted chocolate.
- To serve, fill each bowl with scoops of ice cream and top with 1 teaspoon of confetti sprinkles.
Note: While latex allergies are not very common, it pays to mention to your guests if you're using latex; or use latex-free balloons if you know someone with allergies is attending your event.
'Image and recipe from Sweet! Celebrations by Elise Strachan (Murdoch Books $39.99)
Check out Elise's freshly picked strawberry baskets here.
The post Sweet! Celebrations: Chocolate Sprinkle Ice Cream Bowls appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Does Weight Gain Make You A Loser? appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Does this sound familiar?
Your body is feeling sluggish and you may feel like you are wearing a thick, heavy winter coat that is weighing you down all the time.
You've stopped exercising because you've haven't got the time and it's just all too hard anyway.
As a result, your body feels "squishy" and you've reluctantly had to buy new clothes because you can't fit into any of your clothes.
You say to yourself: "I am the biggest I have ever been-I'm such a loser"
How Did This Happen?
Undoing the progress –I can play this situation out so perfectly – I have lost and gained weight more times than I can count.
When I think about countless times this has happened to me and what went wrong, it all comes down to my thinking that I'm too busy and letting go of all the healthy habits.
- I got busy and stressed with things in life – with less available time.
- Eating healthy took too much planning and effort. So, I stopped taking that time to prepare healthy food.
I felt like once my shape started to change it was easy to say "what the hell" and dive head first into all the things I didn't seem to want a few months ago.
It's so easy to feel deflated and shameful when then weight comes back on.
Intellectually, it's easy to understand that your-self-worth doesn't lie in your appearance but, emotionally that's the way it feels sometimes.
But despite all this, your weight gain doesn't make you a looser.
Get this out of your head and down in writing to help you move past your mental or emotional blocks.
Remember this my friend…
You can work your way back to feeling like yourself. YES, it may take some time but YOU are SO WORTH. IT.
And you don't need to give up- Never give up on yourself!
So rather than berating yourself what if I told that you could invest this energy into considering another perspective… explore this further shall we?
Why Is It So Damn Hard to Lose Weight and Keep It Off?
It's a question scientist have been asking since obesity rates began creeping upward in the 1960's. The stark statistics say that more than 95 percent of people who lose weight – no matter how they lose it – put most or all of the weight back on.The "WHY" may be hard to answer but the "HOW" is no mystery.
People Simply Return to Their Old Bad Habits.
- They get busy, begin skipping workouts and stop preparing healthy meals.
- And many of them tend to think that once the diet is over its time to go back to old habits.
- Yes, you can lose weight by going cold turkey on "naughty" foods but eventually you feel deprived and cave to temptation.
Quick Fix
Most dieters opt for the quick fix approach and ultimately find themselves trapped in a perpetual cycle of lose-gain-lose-gain. This wreaks havoc on self-esteem, metabolism and overall health
Willpower
When trying to achieve weight loss goals by staying persistent with a healthy diet and personalized exercise plans, willpower alone is not always enough to keep a weight loss person on track.
Accountability
To be able to lose weight and keep it off for good, accountability is key.
Many people lack the support, planning, and accountability that it takes to move forward and to maintain weight loss.
People are generally accountable only to themselves-and that often isn't enough. With such isolation and anatomy, it's easy for motivation, diligence, and follow –through to slip. Building an accountability helps to ensure that people remain on track.
Healthy Weight Throughout Different Life Stages
Maintaining a healthy weight throughout the different life stages involves a number of challenges for many women.
Weight gain is influenced by:
- Food – overeating and emotional eating (too many calories)
- Life – what is happening in your life (both past and present influences)
- Physical activity – not enough physical activity
- Emotions – anxiety, stress, overwhelm, loneliness, grief
- Environment – having healthy food around you
- Thinking – how you think; for example, negative thinking such as 'I will never be able to have the will power to stop eating sugar'
- Time – life is busy and often women prioritise everyone else above their own needs
Weight Gain does not make you a loser – BUT thinking so can get in the way of your weight loss progress and maintenance.
In fact It Makes You A Winner Because you get the opportunity to see what works and what doesn't in the long run so that you can do it better next time.
Where To From Here?
Is considering another perspective – Using Weight Maintenance-Specific Coaching and Strategies.
WHY – you may be thinking ???
Simply because the most important component of weight loss maintenance is getting your mindset to come along for the ride.
Let's face it – you can have the best food in the house and an exercise plan but you will only act if you have the right attitude.
The reality is, what you believe causes you to have certain thoughts, and therefore, to act a certain way.
In a nutshell- getting your mindset right will help you build your "I Can Do It" attitude, putting you in the right head space for your journey ahead and ultimately successful weight loss for the long term!
Weight Maintenance-Specific Coaching
It's very important to note that, several studies show improved weight loss outcomes in people receiving weight maintenance-specific coaching, compared with those who only receive traditional weight loss training and follow generic diets .
Weight-Loss Specific Behaviours Associated with Long Term Success Include:
- Frequent self-monitoring
- Some sort of frequent accountability sessions with wellness Health & Wellness professional of choice
- A healthy balance diet specific to your metabolic type
- Physical activity specific for your life style and needs
Seeing a health and wellness professional can help you recognize and restructure your core beliefs and thought processes that underlie these patterns helps minimize behavioural fatigue and prevent or productively manage slips and lapses.
Weight Maintenance-Specific Behavioural Skills and Strategies Help People To:
- Build insight for long-term management,
- Anticipate struggles and prepare contingency plans,
- Moderate behavioural fatigue,
- And put into perspective the inevitable lapses and relapses of any long-term engagement.
And lastly longer term sustained motivation is more likely when you take ownership of your behavioural changes and goals, and engage in them because they are deeply meaningful to you.
Now it's over to you…
• What are your challenges with managing your weight?
P.S If you want to learn HOW to manage YOUR thinking to manage a healthy weight – you can see it in my upcoming 60 minutes class – 21st or 22nd April.
Simply click here to save your seat NOW!
Irena Geller
Food & Mood
Coach.
The post Does Weight Gain Make You A Loser? appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Mascara – Five Formulas Your Lashes Will Love! appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Here, eight of our must have mascaras for any time to year!
Adderton Mineral Mascara
Created by make-up artist Stephen Adderton, otherwise known as the "Francois Nars of Australia', this long-wearing, easy-to-apply formula is a gal's best friend.
It has a jet black, intense volume and curling formula that's enriched with vitamins A, C and E. Clump-free and water resistant, its handy brush, with well spaced bristles, make it simply to apply to even the palest, finest lashes (like mine) and make them come alive, with just one coat.
For someone who has always required up to five coats to get anything dramatic in the lash area, this beauty is the Holy Grail of Mascara. I also usually prefer hair bristled mascara brushes over the rubber or plastic Ines, but this is by far the best brush I've ever used. Ever. In my whole 30 years as a beauty editor. Just add lipstick.
Lancome Hypnose
This is my second fave, alongside Adderton's Mineral Mascara. It's simply to apply and I adore that the tapered brush allows me to get into those teensy, blonde inner eye lashes and really give them mega-wow! It doesn't clump or smudge, it volumes and separates lashes and it drenches them with much-needed moisture.
Arbonne Speaks Volumes Mascara
This vegan, vitamin-infused mascara can be used for a natural look, or layered for a bold, dramatic statement. In one or two gentle swipes over your lashes, it enhances volume, length, curl and separation. Its smudge-resistant, lightweight formula stays in place comfortably all day and is a breeze to remove, without rubbing or tugging. Its tapered brush catches every lash to coat and create buildable impact.
Amy Jean Lash Elevate Mascara
This is another one of my all-time favourite lash enhancers. It is perfectly suited to showcasing lifted natural lashes and it can even be used individual lash extensions. The applicator is tailored to spin through the lashes to create separation and clumping. My tiny, so-blone-they're-almost-invisible lower lashes love this formula. It coats them perfectly, adding definition, volume and length, thanks to richly pigmented gloss neon fibres.
Clarins Wonderproof 4D Mascara
Think: Waterproof volume, length, curve and definition in a few simple sweeps. . Wonder Perfect Mascara 4D contains rose wax to protect and enhance lashes as it delivers volume, length, knockout curves and high definition. The superhero of mascara, this is available in one shade Perfect Black, which suits all eye colours and skin and hair hues.
The post Mascara – Five Formulas Your Lashes Will Love! appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post How to Make a FROZEN Snowglobe Cake appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Children everywhere have become infatuated with becoming either Queen Elsa or Princess Anna and little princesses the world over are requesting Frozen parties, Frozen toys and singing "Let It Go" at the top of their lungs.
In order to assist mothers trying to exceed the expectations of tiny divas everywhere, I created a really simple Frozen inspired Snowglobe cake which is incredibly easy to recreate AND has the added bonus of toys to add to the birthday girls (or boys) cache of presents.
I've provided a fully comprehensive video tutorial for you to follow at home, so you can see every step of the process to recreate this gorgeous Frozen inspired cake. You can also print your shopping list here so you have a reference to help with gathering the things you'll need.
This cake may seem daunting to begin with, but you'll see by the end of my video how utterly simple it is, and very achievable for even the most novice decorator!
To create your Frozen Snowglobe cake you will need:
Tools & Equipment:
- 1 x Silicone giant cupcake case (the flexible silicone ones are best)
- 1 x Offset spatula (optional)
- 1 x Normal Spatula
- 1 x Serrated knife
- 2 x paintbrushes (one for wet and one for dry)
- 1 x Zip lock bag
- 1 x Scissors
- 1 x Fondant rolling pin
- Cornflour
- Plain water
- Thin blue ribbon
- Snowflake cookie cutters (I used plunge cutters)
- Small (3″-4″) Frozen figurine set – I got mine on ebay for less than $20!
- 1 x 9″ presentation cake board
- 1 x 4″ circle cutter
- 1 x 4″ cardboard cake board (or a piece of trimmed cardboard)
- 1 x Small round bowl – Mine had a 4″ opening at the top which is the ideal size. You can go smaller, but try not to go larger than 4.5″ as it needs to fit on the base of your giant cupcake mold
Ingredients:
- 1 x Baked giant cupcake base (see video below for giant cupcake basics)
- 400g Melted white chocolate tinted blue, or melted blue candy melts
- 1 x Large jar of Nutella, or whatever frosting you desire
- White fondant (recipe video for DIY fondant below)
- 1 x white or pearl shimmer powder or luster dust (optional)
Useful Videos:
DIY fondant
Giant Cupcake Basics
Frozen Cakepops
I hope you enjoy this unique take on a Frozen cake, and I'm sure your little Frozen fan will be in awe of whatever you create!
Have you created the Frozen cake? Tell us in the comments below!
The post How to Make a FROZEN Snowglobe Cake appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post On-Trend Presents for Mother's Day from the Third Drawer Down appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The company was founded in 2003 by Abigail Crompton. The business has grown to become a wholesaler, a retailer and a design Studio. Some of their collaborations thus far, include Louise Bourgeois, Ai Weiwei, and David Shrigley.
Here's our top funky gifts to buy for your mum (or yourself):
The linen tea towels to are so cool, you might even want to frame them. Look out for the bestselling 'Advantages of being a Woman Artist' tea towel by feminist activist artists Guerrilla Girls. It is part of a very pink and very popular collection bringing to light sexism involved in the art industry and celebrating women artists. The colourful yeah tea towel was designed by Melbourne artist Jon Campbell.
These stools are made of molded resin and hand-painted. These fun statement pieces can be used for kids' bedrooms, or loungerooms as a stool, side table, plant stand or sculpture. The huge hamburger and the watermelon stools would be great for summer BBQ parties. Or you might like the corn cob with a bitemark. If you want to sit on piles of banknotes or a giant pineapple these two stools just arrived.
If your mum loves anything florals, then look out for the Margaret Preston range. The corkboard coasters, bridge set of playing cards and the pink waratah tea towel would make a gorgeous gift together.
Reg Mombassa fans might enjoy the puzzle, highly collectible enamel pins or the beachside lunchbox. There's even a highly patriotic Australian themed 100% linen tea towel.
I'm lusting after the giant ice-cream cone planters, please go away clutch, and the motel key tag.
For more cool stuff, head over to Third Drawer Down website: https://www.thirddrawerdown.com/
About Third Drawer Down
Founded in Melbourne, Australia in 2003, Third Drawer Down has collaborated with some of the most influential artists of our time, translating their works into gift and homeware collections with an uncompromising dedication to artistic integrity, functionality, and accessibility.
Originally established as a project producing limited edition artist tea towels as prints-on-linen, Third Drawer Down has grown into a global business, launching the United States company in fall 2018. Third Drawer Down's superbly crafted artist-driven gifts and homewares are brimming with irony and intelligence working with the greatest artists on the planet.
The studio has collaborated with more than 200 international artists including Louise Bourgeois, Judy Chicago, Guerrilla Girls, Alex Katz, Yayoi Kusama, Chris Ofili, Robert Rauschenberg, Cindy Sherman, Kiki Smith, David Salle, David Shrigley, and Mickalene Thomas.
Currently, women artists represent 65% of the Third Drawer Down Artist Collections, and it continues to inspire its customers to challenge gender, racial, and social barriers. https://www.thirddrawerdown.com/
Photo Credit: © Copyright Third Drawer Down
The post On-Trend Presents for Mother's Day from the Third Drawer Down appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Elizabeth Smith's Mars Bar Cheesecake appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>INGREDIENTS
Base
250 g plain chocolate biscuits
125 g butter, melted
Cheesecake topping
1 teaspoon gelatine
bit of hot water (enough to dissolve gelatine)
375 g cream cheese
½ cup caster sugar
few drops vanilla essence
300 ml thickened cream
3 Mars Bars (60 g each),
½ melted, ½ sliced
METHOD
1 Crush biscuits, add to melted butter, and mix well. Tip into a 20 cm (8 inch) spring-form tin, press down and push up slightly at the edge. Refrigerate.
2 Sprinkle gelatine over hot water. Cool. Beat cream cheese, sugar and vanilla together. Beat cream until peaks form.
3 Stir gelatine liquid into cream cheese mixture combined with cream and Mars Bars. Pour over biscuit base.
4 Refrigerate until set.
Recipe & image from Natalie Oldfield's fifth cook book, Love & Food at Gran's Table.
The post Elizabeth Smith's Mars Bar Cheesecake appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Work Overwhelm – The New Aussie Pandemic appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The report, which surveyed almost 1300 Australian working women, highlighted that despite decades of understanding and discussion on equality in the workplace and at home, COVID-19 revealed that little systemic change has actually occurred in that time.
Work Overwhelm + Burn Out
The study found that one in four women is at risk of burn out and there is a desperate need for non-gendered support – of equal paternal and maternal workplace flexibility across the board in the Australian workforce.
From claims of wage theft (more hours, less pay), and utter overwhelm, to increased parenting demands left largely to mothers, the survey, which covered both women's work and home experiences in the last year was largely a sombre tale.
Other key research findings include:
- 24 percent (1 in 4 women) said they are at complete overwhelm and have no sense of balance whatsoever between work and home
- 30 percent (almost 1 in 3) are working more than they did pre-pandemic
- 45 percent feel that they had an increased parenting load due to the impacts of COVID-19 while69 percent feel they do more parenting than their partner/co-parent
- 27 percent felt that Covid-19 had a negative impact on their ability to progress their careers
- 60 percent feel guilty that they're doing neither work nor home properly
- 81 percent would like to see a continuation of flexible work options going forward
- 50 percent would like leadership development opportunities.
Work Overwhelm Silver Linings?
Thankfully, there were some silver linings, with 55 percent of women surveyed reporting they were enjoying more flexible work at last and 30 percent saying they have enjoyed a slower pace over lockdown periods.
Despite this, however, the surveyed shone a spotlight on the fact that that despite a shift in ways of working over the last 12 months, Aussie women (particularly Mums) are more stressed, overwhelmed and unsupported than ever before. It also highlighted the imbalance between men and women that still exists in the workplace.
Mum Vs. Dad
"Evidence is mounting that working women have felt the effects of COVID-19 more than men and mothers are hardest hit," says Samantha. "They've borne the brunt of increases in the volume of domestic labour, unequal labour in the home and, in particular, periods of home-schooling during various lockdowns and school closures."
According to Samantha, the concept of 'working mothers' needs to shift to 'working parents' in company policies and we couldn't agree more. "There needs to a non-gendered approach to parental leave policies, flexible working and part-time opportunities for all employees. The pressures between domestic and work life are not mutually exclusive, and employers, whether they realise it or not, have a largely influential role to play in helping address this domestic and workplace imbalance," she says.
"One case I know was a father working in a ASX50 company who was on a three month trial compressing his days from five to four so he could look after the children on Fridays. Everything worked really well, and at the end of the trial HR said, 'you can't continue doing this, because then everyone will want to do it, and flexible working is for mothers.'
"That type of attitude completely entrenches the view that a woman's place is in the home and a man's place is at work. It's a direct barrier to women participating in the workforce."
How To Navigate The Imbalance And Prevent Work Overwhelm
Samantha reveals strategies to help navigate the workplace imbalance, while at the same time prevent workplace overwhelm in five strategic steps.
1. Have that hard conversation in the workplace
COVID's widespread flexible working arrangements were often implemented without an update of formal policies and procedures. Now is the chance to ask your employer update your formal arrangement and implement a work schedule that is mutually beneficial. It's your right to find out if company policies have been updated post-pandemic and support your current needs can be met if the situation arises. Ensure you are informed about the flexibility other employees in your team are implementing, and how your flexibility fits in with that. It's helpful to know whether you're asking for something that is well-supported or out of the ordinary.
Also consider the implications for your role. Some of your tasks can be easily done remotely, while some may require face to face. Many companies still value having time when the team is together to build relationships. Clearly demonstrate which of your tasks can be done remotely and those that require you to be in the office to connect with colleagues.
Don't be humble – be sure to highlight your past and recent successes. After all, we've all shown it's possible to be successful working remotely. Compile positive feedback and successes you've had while working from home, to highlight that it has not and will not impact your performance in a negative way should you continue working to this model moving forward. In particular, if you've improved performance in areas due to uninterrupted thinking time at home, list those examples.
Practice the confrontation by having a friend role play the conversation with you. This way, the first time you're saying, 'I'd like to work flexibly' isn't when you're in front of your manager. Practice what and how you'll say and also respond to potential resistance. Now go and book your meeting!
2. Beating Work Overwhelm
One of the biggest findings from the research was women (especially mothers) are on the brink of burnout. If you're feeling overwhelmed and frustrated at the lack of support, know that you're not alone.
Change the conversation at home. Tracey Spicer shared with me that equality starts in the lounge room before it gets to the Board Room, and she's right. Overwhelmingly, women pick up the bulk of the domestic load, but there is always an opportunity to discuss the shared load at home, and speak frankly to your partner (if you have one) about how it is shared – or not shared if the case may be.
On that note, lighten your load when you can. If possible, let things go or delegate responsibility to someone else. If you can afford a cleaner, or grocery delivery, or any other support in the home, use it.
While self care is a term that's probably a little overused, looking after yourself is essential. Support your mind and body to perform in all areas. Get enough sleep, move in a way you love, eat healthily, and take guilt-free time away from the family.
3. How to get the promotion you deserve
Research shows that women are less likely than men to apply for jobs when they don't meet 100 percent of the selection criteria. However, rather than being due to a gap in confidence or advocacy skills, it appears to be a lack of understanding about how hiring and promotions really work.
In many situations, it's simply a case of don't ask, don't get. Asking for what you want is the way to get what you want, or arrive where you want to be. Speak to your manager to lay the seeds that you're ready for more responsibility and ask for a formal conversation to discuss it. Take your list of achievements to support your case and be clear with your ask.
Be sure that you have your documents and examples together to support the specific job or promotion that you are seeking. Write a short document outlining your achievements, when you've added value to a deal to the company, and any positive feedback you've received. Make it specific, and wherever you can include the monetary value of your contribution or the outcome. Make it easy for your boss, or indeed a potential employer, to see your body of work. Keep your LinkedIn profile updated, current and demonstrative of not just your skills, but your achievements in past and present roles.
Remember, this is just the start of the conversation! Follow up, keep talking, and keep self-advocating.
4. Change the narrative on 'working mothers to a conversation about 'working parents'
Work and home life are more intertwined than ever before, especially with so many people continuing to work from home. We know that women carry the bulk of the domestic load, but fathers are missing out too. A gentleman I was consulting with after he changed jobs for more flexibility put it best when he said, "These big companies are paying men not to see their children".
Workplace overwhelm is a systemic issue that can't be anded by just one individual as there are myriad issues at play, including perception of part time workers' ambitions, availability of flexibility, gender role steroptypes, and more. However, you can start to push for changes in your own workplace and home.
Firstly, try asking for non-gendered support at work. It is a key starting point for enabling men to contribute more in the home, so women can participate more in the workplace. Check your company's policies for parental leave, flexibility and part time work. If they're gendered and refer to women or mothers, speak to HR about changing policies to support all genders.
Similarly, assumptions may still linger that part time workers are not ambitious, but this research proves the opposite. Women want to work and seek opportunities to progress. These survey results support the conversation about part time and job share opportunities at senior levels.
If you have a partner, speak with them about taking part time work and having this conversation at their own workplace. Many men realised how much they enjoy picking kids up after school and being a bigger part of their lives. As men push for that to continue, it helps everyone.
The post Work Overwhelm – The New Aussie Pandemic appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post The Duke Of Edinburgh, Prince Phllip: A Life Of 70 Years Of Service appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>His funeral will be held next Saturday at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle – and Prince Harry will be attending but not Meghan, Buckingham Palace has announced.
Funeral Fit For A Prince
The ceremonial royal funeral will take place at 3:00pm local time (12:00am Sunday AEST), with only 30 people in attendance because of COVID-19 restrictions.
The palace confirmed Prince Harry was planning to return from his new home in Los Angeles for the funeral, while his pregnant wife Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, will not attend on medical advice from her doctor.
There will be eight days of national mourning up until the funeral, and the royal family will observe two weeks of mourning following the prince's death.
Prince Philip requested a "no-fuss" farewell. It will feature a purpose-built Land Rover the duke helped design, which will take his coffin from the State Entrance at Windsor Castle to the 500-year-old St George's Chapel while flanked by military pallbearers.
Members of the royal family and the duke's household will walk behind in a procession to the chapel.
The chapel is the final resting place for monarchs, with 10 British sovereigns interred there, including the six times-married Henry VIII.
Union Jack flags will fly at half mast at royal residences around the country will remain that way until the day after the funeral.
A sports enthusiast, Prince Philip helped develop the equestrian event of carriage driving. He was a patron, president or member of over 780 organisations, and he served as chairman of The Duke of Edinburgh's Award, a self-improvement program for young people aged 14 to 24. He was the longest-serving consort of a reigning British monarch and the longest-lived male member of the British royal family. He retired from his royal duties two years ago at age 96.
The post The Duke Of Edinburgh, Prince Phllip: A Life Of 70 Years Of Service appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Lyndey Milan's Savoury Tarts (Tomato, Zucchini & Goats Cheese) appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>
Food Editor Lyndey Milan takes the complication out of working with pastry. She has a few tips in this video, including how to cut down on washing up!
Makes 4 (can be made as one big tart or four smaller ones)
Preparation time 15 mins.
Cooking time 15 mins
INGREDIENTS
1 sheet ready-rolled butter puff pastry
1 tablespoon (20ml) milk
80g soft goats or blue cheese, crumbled
2 baby zucchini (80g), shaved lengthways
24 cherry tomatoes, halved
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 cup (40g) finely grated parmesan cheese
METHOD
1 Preheat oven to very hot (230'C). Cut pastry sheet into quarters.
2 Place the pastry pieces on an oven tray lined with baking paper.. Fold pastry edges in to make a 1cm border around the outside. Prick inside of pastry to inhibit rising. Brush border with milk.
3 Sprinkle cheese over the centre of the pastry. Arrange zucchini and tomatoes on top; sprinkle with parmesan and splash with oil.
4 Bake, uncovered, in very hot oven for about 12 minutes or until pastry is puffed and browned.
The post Lyndey Milan's Savoury Tarts (Tomato, Zucchini & Goats Cheese) appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post On Your Bucket List: Cooking In Tuscany appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>By now we all know that Elizabeth Gilbert went to Italy for the 'eat' part of her 'Eat, Pray, Love' world tour. There is something about Italian food which just oozes romanticism and it's more than just the taste. Perhaps it's the tradition, the way the names sound, or the care that goes into its preparation.
One day to go a step further than Gilbert in experiencing Italian food is to learn how to cook it yourself. We went to Italy to see how it's all done and found ourselves in a beautiful villa in the Tuscan hills above the city of Siena.
Here are some of the delicious dishes that we made the traditional way with food straight from the garden…
Firstly we prepare the kitchen. It's a large room with a central island where all the preparation work will happen. Around the edges of the kitchen are large stove tops, an oven and two large sinks to keep things clean as we go. The local cook who is going to teach us is Stefano Schieppati.
For an easy bit of cooking to start off with, we make a plum jam. All the fruit has come fresh from the garden and is ripe and juicy. It takes a while to get rid of all the stones but then we add a lot of sugar to the flesh and put it on the stove to cook.
The key to the gnocchi is to use the right potatoes and make sure there is just the right amount of flour mixed in with them. You don't want the potatoes to be too moist or it will ruin the whole thing.
The hardest part of making this dish is getting rid of as much moisture as possible from the eggplants. We slice them, cover them in salt and then put pressure on top (using a pot filled with water). Only then can we start to layer them in a dish and build the parmigiano.
Ravioli is surprisingly easy to prepare and cook. Making the pasta dough and then getting thin sheets of it is the key. After that you can put dollops of filling on the sheets, fold another sheet over on top and cut them into little squares ready to be boiled.
Making tomato passata is an annual tradition in Italian families. When the tomatoes are ripe in the garden, everyone will come together for the whole day to boil them, mulch them and then store them in jars. This is the foundation for a lot of Italian cooking.
Of course you can't learn Italian cooking without making some pizza. Typically there are only a few toppings on each pizza because you want to appreciate the taste of each of them. The pizza are then best cooked in a wood-fired oven to get an even heat across the whole thing.
The post On Your Bucket List: Cooking In Tuscany appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post CSIRO's Dietitian's Pennie McCoy On How To Fight The WFH Waistline appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>While one could argue that lockdown has been the catalyst for a positive increase in flexible working, it's fair to say many of us may have become a little too flexible when it comes to food intake and exercise – something that's taking its toll on our weight, wellbeing…and waistline.
Here are my top tips to embracing your new work life, without the mindless munching:
Routine, prep and planning
- Take stock: Proactively take a moment to look at ways and opportunities to improve your diet. Consider a scientifically-backed program like the CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet that prompts you to think more mindfully about portion sizes, balanced and budget-friendly meals, and daily indulgences (yes, you can still have them!)
- Plan and prep: Review meal plans and food shop a week in advance. Having healthy food options at home makes it much easier to stay on track. CSIRO research found that those who reviewed week-by-week menu plans were more likely to be successful in their weight loss journey.
Nutrition: adding excitement and stocking the house with alternatives
- Select healthier alternative treats when the energy slump hits: Select sweet and savoury fixes, such as nuts, veggie sticks with hummus, air-popped popcorn, dark chocolate, berries and yogurt or even pear and apple and cheese.
- Add fresh and light meals/herbs and spices: Add some extra flavour to salads and leans proteins by swapping the fatty oils, butter and rich sauces for olive oils, fresh herbs and spices.
- Change up the "after work drink" at home: Swap the wine for low alcoholic beverages (such as hard seltzer) or sparkling water with lime or mint and cucumber.
Exercise
- Set goals – and put it in your diary.Set goals that fit in with your day – schedule a non-negotiable morning tea walk each day and fit meetings around that.
- Position your desk away from the kitchen:out of sight, out of mind.
- Include an element of fun:Try out a new exercise routine such as dance, or take up a new sport.
Wellbeing – motivation and resilience
- Connect with your community. Make your colleagues aware of your health goals and efforts so they can support you along the way.
- Identify measures of success. If your healthier lifestyle isn't being reflected on the scales, identify other measures of success such as your body measurements and improvements in your eating, sleep and exercise.
The CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet, a program that was developed over 20 years ago, that is scientifically formulated to help you lose weight for the long term. It works because it is designed to inform and provide Australians with an evidence-based, long-term and sustainable approach to healthy weight loss – while addressing our ever-changing living and working environments (WFH life!). The CSIRO Total Wellbeing Dietplans are ever-evolving and over the last 12-months, we have added a wellbeing enhancement with Positive Psychology at its core, the new Protein Balance Boost menu plan, as well as the Start Strong Interactive Guide and Quiz, to help you understand your diet mindset and motivation levels to ensure you meet all your weight loss milestones in these changing environments.
Pennie McCoy
Pennie McCoy is an Accredited Practising Dietitian with over 15 years of experience in a range of practices, including hospital dietetics, research as well as corporate nutrition, and is passionate about empowering people to make healthier choices to meet their health and nutrition goals.
Currently, she provides online coaching sessions for the CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet Online program to hundreds of members, delivering nutrition counselling for general healthy eating, menu planning and dietary advice.
The post CSIRO's Dietitian's Pennie McCoy On How To Fight The WFH Waistline appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Ovaries – Fashion Design Duo Get Loud About Reproductive Health appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>"It's very surprising to me and my colleagues that in 2021, schools still don't have comprehensive curriculums to teach young people the importance of the health and wellness of their reproductive organs," says Dr Raewyn Teirney, one of Australia's leading Gynaecologists and Fertility Specialists. "Unless a young woman presents to us with debilitating and painful endometriosis or PCOS, or a woman is struggling with fertility issues when trying to conceive a child, we rarely have any idea that her ovaries may not be functioning properly.
"Worse still, there is little education around general health of these vital organs, and sadly, with no early testing for ovarian cancer, we find that this silent killer affects a terribly high amount of women. It is my dream – and that of my colleagues, to not only find a cure for ovarian cancer, but also to teach young women from an early age the importance of their reproductive organs and lifestyle habits they can include, such as eating plenty of antioxidant-rich foods, not smoking and not drinking too much alcohol, to help ward off illnesses of the reproductive organs."
Ovaries and Cancer – The Stats
Ovarian Cancer Australia estimates that each day in Australia, four women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer and three will die from the disease.
In Australia the overall five-year survival rate for women diagnosed with ovarian cancer is 46 percent. In comparison, the overall five-year survival rate for women diagnosed with breast cancer is 91 percent. It's clear that we need to make more noise about it, which is exactly what Sydney design duo Camilla & Marc are doing.
Fashion Duo Camilla & Marc Get Loud About Ovarian Health
Camilla & Marc, in partnership with Associate Professor Caroline Ford at the Gynaecological Cancer Research Group, UNSW Sydney proudly launch the "Ovaries. Talk About Them" campaign on Monday 12th April.
Camilla & Marc's Creative Director Camilla Freeman-Topper and her CEO brother, Marc Freeman, sadly lost their mother to ovarian cancer 27 years ago when they were 11 and 13, respectively.
Motivated by their devastating loss, Camille & Marc launched "Ovaries. Talk About Them" in 2020 to provide both awareness of the disease and direct research funding for an early detection test, led by Associate Professor Caroline Ford at the Gynaecological Cancer Research Group, UNSW Sydney.
Every dollar raised from this campaign goes directly to Associate Professor Caroline Ford's team's work to fast track the development of an early detection test, which will be ground-breaking for this disease.
To date, Camilla & Marc has raised an incredible $225,000, kickstarting the further development of an early detection test and enabling the UNSW research group to employ two key female scientists to focus solely on this work.
In 2021, the fashion brand will again launch "Ovaries. Talk About Them" with a five-year philanthropic vision, which will come to life with a new unisex line of limited-edition t-shirts and hoodies. One hundred percent of of sale proceeds will go directly to Ovarian Cancer research.
Associate Professor Caroline Ford said the injection of funds from the first successful year of the 'Ovaries. Talk About Them' campaign has allowed UNSW to create a dedicated expert team of researchers focused on the development of an early detection test for ovarian cancer.
"The funds from the campaign have significantly progressed the development of our early detection test. This funding has meant an increased focus and our outlook is extremely positive. In the last 12 months, the team have identified a set of DNA changes specific for ovarian cancer and have begun the process of testing these in the lab on cells from patients," said Associate Professor Ford.
"Continued funding will mean trialling and testing in blood from diverse groups of women will happen more quickly, which will help to maximise accuracy and move the test to clinical trials. We are hopeful that we could be just years away from an early detection test which would be ground-breaking for this disease."
Don't Just Talk – Get Your Hands On Them!
The 2021 "Ovaries. Talk About Them" limited-edition t-shirt and limited-edition hoodie will be available at Camilla & Marc boutiques nationwide and online at camillaandmarc.com.
Camila & Marc is encouraging everyone who buys either the t-shirt or the hoodie to share their experience on their social media platforms with the hashtags #ovariestalkaboutthem #powerandsolidarity #CAMILLAANDMARC.
The post Ovaries – Fashion Design Duo Get Loud About Reproductive Health appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Fresh & Delicious Lobster And Chive Omelette By Analiese Gregory appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Prep time: 10-15 minutes
Cook time: 5 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 2 egg yolks
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 125 ml olive oil
- 125 ml grapeseed oil
- Salt to taste
- 1 cooked lobster about 500grams (MSC certified WA rock lobster)
- 3 eggs
- 10 ml grapeseed oil
- 5 dill sprigs
- 2 tablespoons of chopped chives
Instructions
- To make the mayonnaise, combine garlic, egg yolks, lemon juice, vinegar and mustard in a blender and blend till smooth.
- Slowly drizzle in the olive and grapeseed oils combined together. Season with sea salt to taste.
- Lay the lobster on a chopping board. With a sharp, large knife, halve the lobster lengthways.
- Scoop out the lobster tail meat and discard the intestinal tract that runs along the tail. Roughly dice all the lobster meat and add just enough mayonnaise to bind it together. Mix through the finely chopped chives. Check the seasoning. It should taste like your dream lobster sandwich filling.
- Lightly whisk three eggs and season with sea salt. Gently preheat a seasoned non-stick pan.
- Add the oil, followed by the egg mixture. Using a spatula or a fork, agitate the eggs with your right hand, holding the pan in your left, lifting the base and sides of the pan and stirring back to the middle.
- Flatten out the egg mixture and let it set gently on the heat. While the omelette is still slightly runny or baveuse on top, fold one side over and then the other and invert onto a plate.
- Top with the lobster mayonnaise mixture and fresh herbs. Season with pepper and flaky sea salt.
The post Fresh & Delicious Lobster And Chive Omelette By Analiese Gregory appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Tribute To Australian Icon And Designer Carla Zampatti appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>
Carla Zampatti will forever be the enduring and ever glamorous face of the Australian fashion landscape. After more than 50 glorious years in fashion, her designer collections of high-end, high-quality garments made women sophisticated the world over. Wearing Carla Zampitti clothes made you feel and look brilliant because they were so well tailored.
Her beautifully designed outfits always had the classic 'Carla' stamp and this was evident in both her design and on the runway.
With such an illustrious career, there are so many magical moments in her life to celebrate and The Carousel was proud to cover her fashion shows every year and I had the privilege of interviewing Carla many times about her latest range, views on fashion, and plans afoot to support up and coming designers.
Carla was always so gracious and generous of spirit. She was a woman in demand but she always had time for you.
Born in northern Italy, she emigrated to Australia with her family in 1950 and launched her first collection in 1965.
Since then, she has dressed Princess Mary of Denmark, Dame Quentin Bryce, former Prime Minister Julia Gillard , Delta Goodrem and actors Nicole Kidman and Cate Blanchett.
It must have been a source of great pride that her daughter Bianca Spender followed in her footstep as a designer and of course Allegra Spender has equally had an interesting life pursuing her passion for sustainability. She is also survived by her third child Alexander Schuman and nine grandchildren.
One of the highlights of Carla's shows was when she held her Spring / Summer 2016 at her lavish home in Sydney's Eastern suburbs. It was little the most sartorially savvy descended at her home. The uber chic crowd included models such as Jessica Gomes, the blogger brigade, Margaret Zhang, Kate Waterhouse, Tash Sefton and the likes, the television tribe of Kerri-Anne Kennerley, Sylvia Jeffreys and Nartarsha Belling, plus a plethora of the biggest editors, stylists and all round cool cats Sydney has to offer.
In what was a rather tropical affair, a wall of lush, viridescent ferns welcomed us inside the palatial property, with the fern theme continuing both on the 'runway' and in the styling.
There were oversized fern corsages and fern brimmed hats, a notable quirky touch from Romance Was Born, who lent their styling nous for the show. Bold Dinosaur Designs jewellery provided that extra pop-factor; chunky beaded necklaces in seafoam, sage green and navy offset white designs, whilst irregular golden earrings and necklaces were the perfect luxe addition.
Despite the odd quirk, the fashion remained true to that archetypal Zampatti style we've all known and loved for so long. Sharp tailoring, exquisite silhouettes, silks that billowed in the breeze. There was asymmetrical action, a slouchy power pantsuit, wide-legged jumpsuits with laced necklines, cut-away gowns, trains of chiffon, even a chambray denim jacket made the cut.
The arms did all the talking, with key trends like the big bell sleeve, detached arm and off the shoulder on show, all with a theatrical exuberance. But perhaps the showstopper was the detail, with artisanal prints and the most exquisite fabrications.
Texture played out in a palette of white, gold, black, yellow and blue. There was powder blue silk which looked be dipped in liquid gold, fantastical fringing, accordion pleats, tulle-wrapped arms, peacock blue bows, silverfish swirls, rich floral jacquards, canary yellow rope belts, even gold embossed zebra print.
In a final surprise, songstress Delta Goodrem closed the show. Bubbly and smiling as always, she donned a sheer white gown with a tropical twist, adorned with wheaten, fringed palm leaves. Yes, Carla knew how to finish with show-stopping fanfare.
The day was fitting for a Spring / Summer showing; the sun hot and the Harbour its usual show-off self, glittering and sparkling in the sunlight. The space was intimate, as the crowd wormed round from the large hall onto the sunlit terrace, squished like sartorial sardines, but in awe.
Even her insignia, a simple, gilded 'Carla' was testament to the brand and the show itself; sophisticated, timeless, classic, Carla. This was just one of the many stylish events that enriched our world with her style.
Fashion by Carla Zampatti over the years
Below is our film of Carla's show held at her Sydney home.
Below is an interview with Carla when she launched her new range of Carla sunglasses.
Carla was never happier than with shades on, whether she was inside or not.
Thank you for being so remarkable Carla and RIP
The post Tribute To Australian Icon And Designer Carla Zampatti appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post How to Create Modern Ringlet Curls appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Witness the usually-sleekly-styled Gwyneth Paltrow (above), along with Brit it-girl Laura Whitmore (below left) and Selena Gomez, whose hairstylist coiled her ponytail to super-pretty effect.
"For years, we've held tongs horizontally, which creates those big beachy Gisele waves, but lately there's been a move back to vertically tonging hair," notes hairstylist Anthony Nader. "One advantage of a vertical curl, or ringlet, is that it keeps length in the hair, whereas a horizontal curl promotes a wider look. But luckily the new version is a softer, looser and fatter style of ringlet – it's a world away from the tight, spiral '80s ones!"
Ringlets certainly earned a bad name for themselves during the perm-loving 1980s. But flash forward a quarter of a century, and it might just be time to revisit – and reinterpret – ringlet curls.
The easiest way to create vertical ringlets is with a hair-curling contraption such as Rusk MiraCurl or VS Sassoon Curl Secret – these nifty gizmos feature a heated chamber that sucks up a section of hair, spins it around and sets it in a coil, which in turn creates a spiral effect.
"Just be sure to brush these curls out for the most modern look," adds Nader, who personally prefers to create ringlets using a clamp-less 1- or 1.5-inch barrel tong.
"The key is to work on bigger sections of hair – think three inches by three inches," he advises. "This way you'll get more air in the hair and it will move, which makes it modern. Another way to ensure you look on-trend and not retro is to start curling at cheekbone height, so that you have a smoothness over the crown."
Once fired up, Nader says to hold your tong vertically and wrap a section of hair – which should be flat, not twisted – around and down the rod, always directing away from your face. "Hold hair here for thirty seconds or so, then let it go," he says. Work your way to the back of head, then repeat on your other side.
The finishing touch? "Don't forget to lightly brush the curls through for the most modern look," stresses Anthony.
Not that there's anything wrong with retro-esque ringlets, if that's the look you're after – as Zooey Deschanel evidently was here:
And, of course, if your hair is naturally full of tight curls, just like Kerry Washington, now is the time to wear them with pride.
After all, it would be an ideal tribute to the late great Ms Temple.
The post How to Create Modern Ringlet Curls appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Cook A Chorizo And Chickpea Stew Using Only 5 Ingredients appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The best thing about slow cooking is that you can throw all the ingredients into a slow cooker and let it do the work for you. It's so easy andThe Australian Women's Weekly have found a way to make it even easier! By using just 5 ingredients, plus some basic staples, not only will you have less to buy, but there'll be less to prepare too. Bringing a slow cooker into the equation creates the perfect scenario for saving time, while building the biggest flavours.The Australian Women's Weekly 5 Ingredients Slow Cookerhas over 100 delicious recipes including an influence from international cuisines – Greek, Middle Eastern and Italian to Mexican, Chinese and Indian –ensuring plenty of variety and flavours.
Making a delicious meal has never be so easy, with these effortless, heart-warming recipes.
Here try the Chorizo & Chickpea stew recipe
PREP TIME5 MINUTESCOOK TIME7 HOURS 10 MINUTESSERVES4
FIVE INGREDIENTS
2 x 400g (121⁄2oz) cans chickpeas (garbanzo beans)
500g (1lb) cured chorizo
1 tablespoon harissa paste
500g (1lb) jar tomato pasta sauce
120g (4oz) baby spinach leaves
STAPLES
sea salt flakes
freshly ground black pepper extra virgin olive oil
METHOD
1Preheat a 5-litre (20-cup) slow cooker on 'sear' (HIGH) setting.
2Drain, then rinse chickpeas.
3Cut chorizo into chunks; add to slow cooker. Cook, uncovered, turning, for 5 minutes or until browned lightly. Add harissa; cook for 30 seconds. Add tomato pasta sauce; bring to a simmer. Stir in chickpeas; season.
4Adjust setting to LOW; cook, covered, for 7 hours or until sauce is reduced, rich and thickened.
5Add spinach; stir until wilted. Drizzle with oil; season. Serve.
MAKE IT SIX Add chopped garlic or rosemary in step 3 with the chickpeas.
SERVE IT with the grilled sourdough, garlic naan or cheddar toast, if you like.
THE AUSTRALIAN WOMEN'S WEEKLY 5 INGREDIENTS SLOW COOKER
RRP: $34.99; PAPERBACK
Available where all good books are sold and www.awwcookbooks.com.au
The post Cook A Chorizo And Chickpea Stew Using Only 5 Ingredients appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post 6 Safe Online Dating Tips For Women appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>It's time dating got a makeover.
Lately, we've heard a lot about women's safety. And for all the media coverage, you'd be forgiven for feeling disheartened about the state of modern dating.
From 'ghosters' and 'time-wasters' to 'bread-crumbers' and 'submariners', if dating app vernacular is anything to go by, it's a complicated and confusing world for modern Australian singles. And that's especially true for women, who we know are twice as likely to experience harassment when online dating compared to men.
But is it time to give up on dating and ditch dating apps completely?
Definitely not.
There are so many opportunities both offline dating and online dating. Whatever way you choose to meet, there are matches to be made and experiences to be had (with 1.7 million Australians currently looking for love online) it is worth joining the masses and exploring dating apps. Before you do however, make sure you have a smart and strategic approach that puts your safety at the forefront. No matter if you're new to the dating scene or have been on the dating treadmill for a while it pays to be aware and consider the risks and rewards to online dating. Let's start with:
- Knowing the statistics about online dating safety
- When to start online dating (and when to avoid it)
- 6 tips for safe online dating
- 3 alternatives to online dating
- STATISTICS ON ONLINE DATING SAFETY
What does the current landscape of online dating look like? Here are the facts.
Broadly, safety online varies greatly depending on the apps, gender, and sexuality of the user. However, men were 60% more likely to consider online dating safe compared to women. Subsequently, more women believed meeting organically would lead to healthier, safer relationships than those formed online. These trends are replicated globally, with half of the US population of online daters saying dating sites are somewhat, or completely, unsafe.
This indicates a stigma that dating apps are less safe and desirable for women, who are more likely to feel vulnerable and at risk of harm when meeting someone online.
So when should this hesitation be listened to, and when is it appropriate to dip your toes in?
2. WHEN YOU SHOULD AND SHOULD NOT DATE ONLINE
Online dating isn't for everyone. It takes a huge investment of emotion, time, and energy to be successful, so it's worth weighing up whether it's the right or approach for you.
Here are some surefire indicators you should and shouldn't set up that profile:
You SHOULD online date when:
- You have high self-worth and emotional intelligence
If you don't get attached too easily and can handle rejection, you're emotionally equipped to handle the not-so-bright side of online dating. When you can acknowledge someone's lack of interest in you is not personal, you're ready to open yourself up to the possibilities.
- You find it easier to meet online than in real life
If work has been your most committed relationship and you stopped seeing the inside of a bar well before the pandemic, it could be time for you to expand your dating pool. Online dating can be a great way to meet people if you're prone to anxiety or work to anti-social schedules.
- You've exhausted your current dating options
When you can't bear seeing the same faces at your local hangout, it could be time to explore options beyond your immediate location. Online dating allows you to filter by interests, religion, and age and can be a great way to find a new (or more of your existing) type.
You SHOULD NOT online date when:
- You're feeling lonely and desperate to be in a relationship
If you want a relationship as soon as possible, you'll find plenty of eager one-night-stand companions. But online dating takes time (months, if not years), and lasting relationships are formed beyond the screen after multiple dates. If you're truly feeling lonely, it could be time to hire a professional who can match you with those on the same journey.
- You're struggling with mental or emotional health
If you're not feeling well mentally, you can't put your best foot forward online. You may be extra sensitive or get easily attached, which can cause you to spiral if it all comes to an end. The characteristic highs and lows of online dating are not for the faint of heart, so if your mental health is in question it's wise to skip the swipe.
- You have an addictive personality
The thrill of the swipe is alluring for many, so if you're prone to adopting addictive (not-so-productive) habits, avoid setting up a profile. If online dating is likely to interfere with your work, health, and social commitments, online dating may not be for you.
3. SIX TIPS FOR ONLINE DATING SAFETY
Only meet in public
End the date where you start it. Whether it's the first, second, or third day, meet in a public space where other people are present. Even as an adult, stranger danger still applies, so better yet, tell someone where you're going and have them as your go-to contact for the date. This way, if the night goes south you'll have plenty of people to turn to.
Do not accept a lift
People can be anyone online, so avoid those first date nerves by making your own way to the date location. Make your transport preferably by car, a lift from a friend, or rideshare to ensure you have a set way to and from the date.
No 'Netflix and chill'
With 60% of all sexual assaults occurring at residential locations, as appealing as a night in can be, it's best to meet up at a mutual location amongst other people. A date should be fun and relaxed with an exit strategy in place if things are not feeling right.
Limit the alcohol
We know alcohol can boost confidence and reduce inhibitions, but it can also cloud our judgment. And as almost 50% of sexual assaults occur when alcohol is present, it's best to limit the tipple to one or two glasses.
Take your time
Avoid rushing the process. Be it sexual advances, staying the night, or simply feeling obligated to go on the 3rd, 4th or 10th date!. Don't allow yourself to be pressured into anything you don't want to do. By following the above steps you should have a safe 'out' if things go in an undesirable direction.
Be prepared to report
As scary as this can be, reporting any unwanted advances or assaults from strangers you've met online will help save others. The eSafety commissioner has detailed how to recognise these 'bad eggs' when online dating before it even gets to this stage. That includes:
- Cheaters – often married or in a relationship with a wandering eye and secretive nature
- Players – looking for one night stands and present on multiple apps at once
- Predators – wanting a short-term partner or even worse preying on unsuspecting victims with ill intent
- Profile liars – lying about their age, hobbies, location, or interests in order to manipulate your feelings and interest in them
- Scammers – asking for money or other items before even meeting
4. THREE SAFER WAYS TO MEET SOMEONE/DATE ONLINE
Remember, online dating is an incredible way to expand the dating pool, and one bad experience doesn't mean they all have to be!
But if you're not quite ready to make your profile live, here are some great offline ways to meet a potential partner:
Friends and family
Another great way to meet a partner is through a friend or relative who can vouch for the both of you. Often, they can see commonalities that could form a great relationship. All you need to do is be open to a blind date!
Matchmakers
You outsource your cleaning, cooking, and maintenance. Why not outsource your dating? If you're serious about meeting someone, work with a matchmaker. They have a pool of vetted matches and can instantly partner you with high-quality connections. View my matchmaking services here.
Learning something new
Maybe you've always wanted to learn to surf or cook an irresistible pavlova. Join a class where there are likely to be people your age and gender preference. You'll not only pick up a new hobby but potentially a partner too!
Remember that one bad dating experience doesn't mean all of them are! With apps here to stay in a world where we live and love online, it's all about keeping alert. By following these six tips you keep enjoying the thrills and possibilities dating apps bring while staying safe.
And if you're ready to explore beyond the apps? Get on the waitlist and be the first to receive my new eBook, featuring 25 of the best places to meet someone 'in the wild'. Go to https://www.louannewardmatchmaking.com.au/blog/ and join the list.
The post 6 Safe Online Dating Tips For Women appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post The Ghan Train Transformed Into Moving Art Display appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The renowned Ghan passenger train has been active for nearly 100 years. For decades it's been providing passengers with the incredible experience of travelling right through the culturally rich heart of Australia. Offering more than just transit between Adelaide and Darwin, the train offers exquisite dining experiences, private cabins and an unforgettable outside adventure at each stop.
Tourism Northern Territory, NT Major Events Company (NTMEC), Journey Beyond, AGB Events, and of course Chantelle Mulladad, have put together a moving art installation on the train's exterior with an interior lights show for Parrtjima – A Festival in Light. The festival will run from April 9 – April 18 and will give passengers a new taste of the oldest culture in the world.
"Parrtjima is the only authentic Aboriginal light festival of its kind, and we're thrilled to be sharing the awe-inspiring magic of this iconic event with even more people across Australia this year," said Northern Territory Major Events Company CEO Tim Watsford.
Chantelle Mulladad's Crossroads uses an expert combination of colours, patterns, culture and identity to tell the story of travelling across country on a journey – which is very much what The Ghan encapsulates in their journeys.
Beginning its adventure at Ltyentye Apurte (Santa Teresa), a remote indigenous community 80km south-east of Alice Springs, the beautifully wrapped exterior will be revealed as the "Red Centre's vibrant colours as the backdrop creates a stunning visual as The Ghan travels through the Territory to Alice Springs (…)," explains Executive General Manager at Tourism NT, Tony Quarmby.
The festival runs from April 9 through to April 18. For more information, check out the Journey Beyond Rail website.
The post The Ghan Train Transformed Into Moving Art Display appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post 2021 BAFTAS Red Carpet – The Stars Who Stunned! appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The socially distanced ceremony brought some light relief to the heaviness falling over Britain recently, from the pandemic and the recent passing of The Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip.
Those who couldn't attend the actual ceremony chose to gather at a 2021 BAFTAS viewing party in Los Angeles.
Here's our pick of the best dressed, because what's an award ceremony without a fashion commentary?
Bridgerton's Phoebe Dynevor put her own stylish signature on the classic black gown.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CNiC3aVny2T/
Renee Zellweger stunned in this sleek silver Armani gown.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CNiik0EH1b3/
2021 BAFTAS Rising Star Award Winner Bukky Bakray in custom Prada.
">
Cynthia Erivo made jaws drop in Nicholas Ghesquiere for Louis Vuitton.
">
Looking every inch the fairytale princess, Maria Bakalova, shimmers in " target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Giorgio Armani Prive.
">
Anna Kendrick looked a million bucks in this traditional Hollywood glamour gown.
">
Priyanka Chopra wowed in two jaw-dropping ensembles.
">
Gugu Mbatha-Raw stole the show in Louis Vuitton.
">
Singer/Songwriter Andra Day in glimmering emerald green.
">
A bolt of blue from the blokes. How fabulous does Tahar Rahim look in this cobalt tux by Louis Vuitton. 2021 BAFTAS has set the bar high.
">
From a blue illusion to an all-white knock out custom Alexander McQueen tux, worn by Daniel Kaluuya – the men truly brought 2021 BAFTAs to life, don't you think?
">
And The 2021 BAFTAS Winners Are … (in case fashion isn't enough for you!)
Best Film
- "The Father"
- "The Mauritanian"
- "Nomadland"*WINNER
- "Promising Young Woman"
- "The Trial of the Chicago 7"
Outstanding British Film
- "Calm With Horses"
- "The Dig"
- "The Father"
- "His House"
- "Limbo"
- "The Mauritanian"
- "Mogul Mowgli"
- "Promising Young Woman"*WINNER
- "Rocks"
- "Saint Maud"
Director
- Thomas Vinterberg ("Another Round")
- Shannon Murphy ("Babyteeth")
- Lee Isaac Chung ("Minari")
- Chloé Zhao ("Nomadland")*WINNER
- Jasmila Žbanić ("Quo Vadis, Aida?")
- Sarah Gavron ("Rocks")
Original Screenplay
- "Another Round"
- "Mank"
- "Promising Young Woman"*WINNER
- "Rocks"
- "The Trial of the Chicago 7"
Adapted Screenplay
- Moira Buffini ("The Dig")
- Christopher Hampton, Florian Zeller ("The Father")*WINNER
- Rory Haines, Sohrab Noshirvani, M.B. Traven ("The Mauritanian")
- Chloé Zhao ("Nomadland")
- Ramin Bahrani ("The White Tiger")
Leading Actress
- Bukky Bakray ("Rocks")
- Radha Blank ("The Forty-Year-Old Version")
- Frances McDormand ("Nomadland")*WINNER
- Vanessa Kirby ("Pieces of a Woman")
- Wunmi Mosaku ("His House")
- Alfre Woodard ("Clemency")
Leading Actor
- Riz Ahmed ("Sound of Metal")
- Chadwick Boseman ("Ma Rainey's Black Bottom")
- Adarsh Gourav ("The White Tiger")
- Anthony Hopkins ("The Father")*WINNER
- Mads Mikkelsen ("Another Round")
- Tahar Rahim ("The Mauritanian")
Supporting Actress
- Niamh Algar ("Calm With Horses")
- Kosar Ali ("Rocks")
- Maria Bakalova ("Borat Subsequent Moviefilm")
- Dominique Fishback ("Judas and the Black Messiah")
- Ashley Madekwe ("County Lines")
- Yuh-Jung Youn ("Minari")*WINNER
Supporting Actor
- Daniel Kaluuya ("Judas and the Black Messiah") *WINNER
- Barry Keoghan ("Calm With Horses")
- Alan Kim ("Minari")
- Leslie Odom Jr. ("One Night In Miami…")
- Clarke Peters ("Da 5 Bloods")
- Paul Raci ("Sound of Metal")
Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer
- Remi Weekes ("His House")*WINNER
- Ben Sharrock, Irune Gurtubai ("Limbo")
- Jack Sidey ("Moffie")
- Theresa Ikoko, Claire Wilson ("Rocks")
- Rose Glass, Oliver Kassman ("Saint Maud")
Film not in English Language
- Thomas Vinterberg, Sisse Graum Jørgensen ("Another Round")*WINNER
- Andrei Konchalovsky, Alisher Usmanov ("Dear Comrades!")
- Ladj Ly ("Les Misérables")
- Lee Isaac Chung, Christina Oh ("Minari")
- Jasmila Žbanić, Damir Ibrahimovich ("Quo Vadis, Aida?")
Documentary
- Alexander Nanau ("Collective")
- Alastair Fothergill, Jonnie Hughes, Keith Scholey ("David Attenborough: A Life on Our Planet")
- Bryan Fogel, Thor Halvorssen ("The Dissident")
- Pippa Ehrlich, James Reed, Craig Foster ("My Octopus Teacher")*WINNER
- Jeff Orlowski, Larissa Rhodes ("The Social Dilemma")
Animated Film
- Dan Scanlon, Kori Rae ("Onward")
- Pete Docter, Dana Murray ("Soul")*WINNER
- Tomm Moore, Ross Stewart, Paul Young ("Wolfwalkers")
Original Score
- Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross ("Mank")
- Emile Mosseri ("Minari")
- James Newton Howard ("News of the World")
- Anthony Willis ("Promising Young Woman")
- Jon Batiste, Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross ("Soul")*WINNER
Casting
- Shaheen Baig ("Calm with Horses")
- Alexa L. Fogel ("Judas and the Black Messiah")
- Julia Kim ("Minari")
- Lindsay Graham Ahanonu, Mary Vernieu ("Promising Young Woman")
- Lucy Pardee ("Rocks")*WINNER
Cinematography
- Sean Bobbitt ("Judas and the Black Messiah")
- Erik Messerschmidt ("Mank")
- Alwin H. Küchler ("The Mauritanian")
- Dariusz Wolski ("News of the World")
- Joshua James Richards ("Nomadland") *WINNER
Editing
- Yorgos Lamprinos ("The Father")
- Chloé Zhao ("Nomadland")
- Frédéric Thoraval ("Prominsg Young Woman")
- Mikkel E.G. Nielsen ("Sound of Metal")*WINNER
- Alan Baumgarten ("The Trial of the Chicago 7")
Production Design
- Maria Djurkovic, Tatiana Macdonald ("The Dig")
- Peter Francis, Cathy Featherstone ("The Father")
- Donald Graham Burt, Jan Pascale ("Mank")*WINNER
- David Crank, Elizabeth Keenan ("News of the World")
- Sarah Greenwood, Katie Spencer ("Rebecca")
Costume Design
- Michael O'Connor ("Ammonite")
- Alice Babidge ("The Dig")
- Alexandra Byrne ("Emma")
- Ann Roth ("Ma Rainey's Black Bottom")*WINNER
- Trish Summerville ("Mank")
Make up and Hair
- Jenny Shircore ("The Dig")
- Patricia Dehaney, Eryn Krueger Mekash, Matthew Mungle ("Hillbilly Elegy")
- Matiki Anoff, Larry M. Cherry, Sergio Lopez-Rivera, Mia Neal ("Ma Rainey's Black Bottom")*WINNER
- Kimberley Spiteri, Gigi Williams ("Mank")
- Mark Coulier ("Pinocchio")
Sound
- Nominees TBC ("Greyhound")
- Michael Fentum, William Miller, Mike Prestwood Smith, John Pritchett, Oliver Tarney ("News of the World")
- Sergio Diaz, Zach Seivers, M. Wolf Snyder ("Nomadland")
- Coya Elliott, Ren Klyce, David Parker("Soul")
- Jaime Baksht, Nicolas Becker, Phillip Bladh, Carlos Cortés, Michelle Couttolenc ("Sound of Metal")*WINNER
Special Visual Effects
- Pete Bebb, Nathan McGuinness, Sebastian von Overheidt ("Greyhound")
- Matt Kasmir, Chris Lawrence, David Watkins ("The Midnight Sky")
- Sean Faden, Steve Ingram, Anders Langlands, Seth Maury ("Mulan")
- Santiago Colomo Martinez, Nick Davis, Greg Fisher ("The One and Only Ivan")
- Scott Fisher, Andrew Jackson, Andrew Lockley ("Tenet")*WINNER
British Short Animation
- Renaldho Pelle, Yanling Wang, Kerry Jade Kolbe ("The Fire Next Time")
- Mole Hill, Laura Duncalf ("The Owl and the Pussycat") *WINNER
- Daniel Quirke, Jamie MacDonald, Brid Arnstein ("The Song of a Lost Boy")
British Short Film
- Jesse Lewis Reece, Ike Newman ("Eyelash")
- Akinola Davies, Rachel Dargavel, Wale Davies ("Lizard")
- John Addis, Rami Sarras Pantoja ("Lucky Break")
- Ghada Eldemellawy ("Miss Curvy")
- Farah Nabulsi ("The Present")*WINNER
EE Rising Star Award
- Bukky Bakray *WINNER
- Conrad Khan
- Kingsley Ben-Adir
- Morfydd Clark
- Sope Dìrísù
The post 2021 BAFTAS Red Carpet – The Stars Who Stunned! appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Quick & Simple Cheat's Fruit Flan appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>500g crushed white cookies
150g melted butter (salted or unsalted are both fine)
Fresh fruit to decorate – use the stuff that's in season for the best flavors!
2 100g packets of vanilla pudding mix
Whole milk to make up the pudding
Tip: Reduce the required quantity of milk by approximately 1/3. If the pudding mix calls for 700ml milk, use 500ml per packet so you end up with a thicker, more custard-y pudding
METHOD
1 Combine the butter and crushed cookies and spoon into a 13" x 5" tart pan with a removable base. Press down till firmly compacted
2 Sprinkle pudding mix over chilled whole milk while whisking vigorously to avoid lumps
3 Pour pudding mix into tart base and refrigerate for 15 minutes
4 Slice your fruit and apply neatly to the top of the pudding to create a simple, no-fuss fruit flan in minutes.
5 Chill 1-2 hours prior to serving
If you like this recipe wait until you take a look at some more of Elise Strachan's recipes below!!
Twix Pie
How To Make A Sleeping Beauty Cake: Every Little Girls Dream!
The Cake That Broke The Internet
The post Quick & Simple Cheat's Fruit Flan appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Sweet! Celebrations: Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Pops Recipe appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>This recipe is from her no bake chapter and is perfect for a hot summer day to serve to your kids and their friends.
Elise's accessible approach to cooking has turned her into a social media phenomenon and drawn millions of followers to My Cupcake Addiction.
The secret to her success is her creative ideas that make any novice baker feel like a pro.
Happy cooking and for another favourite recipe by Elise from her new book, check out her giant Peanut Butter Cup recipe, here.
MAKES 10 FROZEN POPS
INGREDIENTS
- 900 g coarsely chopped strawberries
- 2 tablespoons white sugar
- 225 g cream cheese, at room temperature
- 60 g icing sugar
- Pink food colouring (optional)
- 125 ml thick (heavy) cream
- 100 g crushed shortbread biscuits
- 2 tablespoons salted butter, melted
- 10 wooden popsicle sticks
METHOD
- Place the strawberries in a medium bowl and sprinkle with the sugar. Allow to sit for 15 minutes at room temperature.
- In a medium bowl, combine the cream cheese and icing sugar and beat until very well combined. Pour the strawberries and any accumulated juices into the cream cheese mixture and gently fold in. For an enhanced strawberry-looking pop, add a little pink food colouring.
- Fold in the cream using large sweeping motions. Do not over beat.
- In a medium bowl, stir the shortbread crumbs and butter together. The mixture should resemble
wet sand. - Spoon the cheesecake mixture into a popsicle mould with ten 90 ml capacity cavities, filling each three-quarters full. Bang the mould on the counter to compact the mixture.
- Spoon in the biscuit crumb mixture and press down gently to compact, add the wooden sticks, and freeze for 6 hours (overnight is best).
Image and recipe from Sweet! Celebrations by Elise Strachan (Murdoch Books $39.99)
The post Sweet! Celebrations: Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Pops Recipe appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post DIY Home Makeovers: The Return of Wallpaper and Patchwork appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Soft furnishings extraordinaire and No Chintz owner Chrissie Jeffrey has more than 30 years' experience as a leading textiles authority, and has seen a lot of trends come and go. So Chrissie knows a keeper when she sees one. "The new spin on patchworks and wallpapers are incredibly exciting," explains Chrissie. "They're simple projects that even inexperienced sewers and decorators can easily master, are cost effective, visually interesting and can totally transform a room." Here's what you need to know about these reinvented crafts…
Patchwork Twenty-First Century Style:
Fabric remnants have never been in such high demand, with patchwork's reinvention tres cool and uber creative. "There are no rules and no boundaries," explains Chrissie. "People are making really unique things like lampshades and doorstops, as well as some old favourites, like traditional quilts. Fabrics are being mixed-up for effect – big offcuts with smaller pieces, soft finishes with textures, patterns with prints and plains, and casual cloth with florals! There is also a lot of abstract patterns and colour blocking, as is the trend in mainstream fashion."
But it's not just the DIY crew leading the patchwork movement, it's also being seen with main furniture pieces and soft furnishings being ordered through retailers, including No Chintz' stores. "We've been asked to make patchwork curtains, which look incredible as a backdrop in a living room or children's bedroom," says Chrissie. "We've also reupholstered settees and chairs with fantastic results. There are so many creative things you can make and the results are really quite impressive."
Patchwork for the cool crew. Go against the grain with thick awning stripes in poppy colours. in bold colours for impact.
A contemporary spin on patchwork curtains… Visit No Chintzfor their made-to-measure curtains, blinds and soft furnishings service.
Breathe new life into old furniture pieces by reupholstering chairs and settees with patchwork pieces. Contact the No Chintzteam for their upholstery service details.
Wallpaper (but not as you know it!)
Walls have been boring for far too long…. White. Boring. Walls. Blah… But with the modern wallpapers, you can add personality, sophistication, interest, even an industrial feel to your home. In fact, just about anything your heart so desires… "We've seen some amazing room transformations with wallpaper," explains Chrissie. "The options are endless, from contemporary ikat prints to florals, wood panel finishes and even faux metals.
At No Chintz, we have a 'naturals wallpaper collection' that includes wood panels in a range of greys, darks and naturals, and it's been a hit. We've seen faux metal and timber wallpapers totally transform entry foyers into incredible spaces. On the flipside, florals look divine in bedrooms. Wallpaper panelling and having fun with colour and movement is big too – people are using single panels on a wall to create impact. Think colour block panels in children's classrooms, floral or contemporary print panels in bathrooms, patchwork panels in youngster's rooms – the results are incredible!"
Use wood panel wallpaper to add warmth to your living spaces. No Chintzhave a wide wallpaper range from faux metals and wood panel timbers to bold colours, contemporary prints and classic florals.
Bring the great outdoors inside with wood panel wallpaper, concrete finishes and faux metals.
Lampshades that shine the light!
Raid the second-hand stores and Gran's attic for lampshade frames and create designer lights that will look like a piece of art. Really. "We've seen an increase in our No Chintz DIY lampshade kits, with visually interesting patchwork designs being created," explains Chrissie. If that doesn't float your boat, try a bright block colour, bold contemporary print or classic floral and be the envy of all your friends.
A bright idea! Upholstered lampshades for wow factor. Sign up for one of No Chintz regular craft workshops and learn how to create your own shades, cushions and more.
About Chrissie Jeffrey
Chrissie Jeffrey is the owner of No Chintz, retail stores that specialise in fabrics, soft furnishings, craft workshops and DIY projects, cushions, curtains, furniture reupholstering, as well as other home decorating ideas, including unique wallpapers. No Chintz carry their signature designs, limited editions by local Australian designers and collections from international Fabric Houses including Marimekko, Christian Lacroix for Designers Guild, Jane Churchill and more. No Chintz stores are located in Woollahra, Balmain and Willoughby (02 9958 0257), and orders can be made online at www.nochintz.com.
The post DIY Home Makeovers: The Return of Wallpaper and Patchwork appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Scrub Daddy and The Pink Stuff: Add a Smile to Your Spring Cleaning appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>
Scrub Daddy
Scrub Daddy was the original smiling sponge. The scrubber is soft in warm water and firm in cool water. Did you know the smiling mouth can be used to clean both sides of cutlery in one stroke? The eyes are ideal for placing your fingers in for a stronger grip. This is ideal for when you are trying to clean the bottom of cups.
Scrub Mommy
Scrub Mommy is a double-sided scrubber and sponge. This is made with FlexTexture on one side and a suds-generating ResoFoam sponge on the other.
Her FlexTexture® Side becomes firm in cold water to deliver added scrubbing power, while in warm water it softens, better suited for light cleaning jobs. While Her ResoFoam® Side is six times more absorbent than the leading brand, producing 60% more soap suds, in addition to being odour and stain-resistant.
I like to use scrub mommy to clean the bathtub. The sponge side is well paired with The Pink Stuff cleaning paste. While the scrubber is good to add a bit little bit of elbow grease to the tougher marks.
Eraser Daddy
The Eraser Daddy is a tough magic eraser. He's designed to last ten times longer than the other ones on the market. You can use the eraser daddy with a dip in water and no sprays. Try cleaning the eraser daddy with crayon, felt-tips and pencil marks, around the kitchen and bathroom. He even works outdoors and on scuff marks on sneakers.
The CEO and inventor, Aaron Krause says "Our FlexTexture material is firm in cold water for scrubbing without scratching, then softer in warm water for sponging, both without the need for extra cleaning chemicals, and all while remaining odourless. Not only can he replace all your other sponges and most of your sprays, but he lasts much longer and can even be deep cleaned in the dishwasher or microwave"
Miracle Cleaning Paste: The Pink Stuff
The Pink Stuff is a pale pink paste that is super-tough on stains. It's a tad gritty to allow you to remove dirt, grease and grime. You can use the paste for cleaning tiles, glass, paintwork, outdoor furniture, cooktops, ovens, pans, doorhandles, sinks, baths, showers, BBQs, car wheels and even trainers.
"Get your tub of Pink Stuff and your Scrub Mommy and start Hinching away all those stubborn marks on the inside of the oven and glass," says Sophie Hinchcliffe, aka Mrs Hinch. "Or take The Pink Stuff and a Scrub Mommy and work a decent amount of the paste onto the filthy underside of a saucepan. Leave for a bit and then work your Scrub Mommy in circular motions to work the paste into the pan then scrub off any burnt-on debris. Scrub Mommys is non-scratch so you won't damage your pans, leaving them as good as new!", says Instagram's queen of clean and glamour mum, Mrs Hinch.
Miracle Multi-Purpose Cleaner: The Pink Stuff
The multi-purpose cleaner spray is ideal for hard surfaces. It works on stains and removes grease to leave a shiny clean result. It is streak free with a pleasant scent.
The Pink Stuff is currently seeing mums setting social media alight around the globe beyond just Instagram… On TikTok, @maraleebell has clocked up 800K views beautifully upcycling her old brass door handles here, while @beckyboo___ cleaning10 yearsof dirt off her oven as the ultimate challenge is trending here, and Liz from Texas cleaning a doorcompletely covered in kids scribbles has over half a million views (and counting) here.
Over on YouTube, The Pink Stuff's five highest rating fan videos have clocked up over half a million views – here are five of their best cleaning hacks:
These cleaning products are worth trying on these:
- Tea and coffee stains in the bottom of old cups – Scrub Mommy is perfect for reaching the inside bottom rim
- Grouting between tiles – use an old toothbrush
- Anything rusted – doorknobs, knockers and handles, towel rails, toasters, kettles, bins and beyond
- Old bicycles or kiddie scooters looking muddy, dirty and rusty? Use the Pink Stuff on the wheels and frames to bring them back to life
- Metal garden furniture has a habit of rusting if it's left to the elements – use The Pink Stuff to remove the rust and get chairs and tables shining like new
Keep an eye out for Screen Daddy, a small but mighty, reusable wipe for smartphone and laptop screens.
Look out for the All Things Pink Pack at www.cleanhq.com.au.
About The Pink Stuff
The Pink Stuff is produced by Star Brands, a British company dedicated to designing cleaning products that allow you to clean your home with ease. In addition to the much-loved original The Pink Stuff – The Miracle Cleaning Paste, the new Miracle Cream Cleaner and Multi-purpose Cleaner spray offer versatile cleaning with amazing results. The range also includes The Miracle Bathroom Foam Cleaner, The Miracle Laundry Oxi Powder Stain Remover – Colours, and Whites, and The Miracle Laundry Oxi Stain Remover Spray.
The Pink Stuff is imported exclusively by CleanHQ for purchase at www.cleanhq.com.au
About Scrub Daddy
Scrub Daddy is the smiley-faced sponge that is taking over the world. It is made from FlexTexture® that changes texture based on the temperature of water you are using. Firm in cold water, soft in warm. The entire range is scratch-free on almost all surfaces and has been lab-tested to resist odours for up to eight weeks. For stockists and online purchases visit www.scrubdaddy.net.au
The post Scrub Daddy and The Pink Stuff: Add a Smile to Your Spring Cleaning appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post How To Protect Your Hearing, Now That Hearing Loss Is On The Rise appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Causes of hearing loss
In the past, hearing loss in adults was mostly caused by loud sounds – loud workplaces such as factories and mines, until employers gradually began implementing mandatory ear protection. These days, a lot of preventable ear damage is still caused by loud sounds, but it tends to be self-inflicted, particularly with music played through headphones. I have seen patients as young as 18 with high frequency hearing damage as a result of prolonged exposure to loud music through headphones, which is so easily preventable.
Of course, sometimes we might want to blast music while working out or on our commute. Doing this, to some degree, on the odd occasion won't cause long-term damage, as long as you balance it out with a moderate listening volume most of the time. As a guide, this is usually around the 50% mark.
Live music can have long-lasting effects on your hearing too. Exposure to sounds over 85dB can cause hearing loss. Most live performances are can be over 100dB, and even louder if you're closer to the speakers, which means it takes less time to suffer damage to your hearing. To help minimise this, wear ear protection such as noise protection earplugs that will allow you to still enjoy the music without risking as much damage. You can also use handy phone apps, such as Sound Meter, to check how loud your surroundings are and protect yourself accordingly.
In children, early intervention is imperative, as the most common causes of hearing loss are conductive and treatable. Children are more prone to ear infections and chronic glue ear. These infections often accompany other sicknesses such as a cold or flu, so can be extremely common. If you think your child may have glue ear, which often presents as not hearing well and maybe speech delay, take them to your doctor to treat it as soon as possible.
Treatment of hearing loss
In Australia, newborn hearing screenings detect hearing loss at birth, allowing for early intervention to maximise listening, hearing and speech and the early fitting of hearing aids or cochlear implant surgery if required.
For adults, once you are 50 or above you should get a hearing screening every five years, so any progressive hearing loss can be picked up and treated in a timely manner.
If you think you may be dealing with hearing loss, don't suffer in silence. Often we are afraid to admit we may be dealing with hearing loss. Perhaps we're younger than we think we ought to be for hearing loss to occur, or simply don't want to face the reality. You should first visit your GP who can review you and arrange a hearing test and refer you to an ENT specialist for a diagnosis. Depending on that, treatment options could include removing wax blockage, surgical procedures, hearing aids, and for more severe hearing loss, cochlear implants.
National providers, of which NextSense is the largest charity for hearing, offer a range of services for children and adult with hearing loss, including hearing surgery and ongoing support.
The truth is, much like many medical issues, if not addressed early it will worsen your condition. Since we're living longer than ever (and women even longer!), it's imperative that we take care of our hearing and get regular screenings, particularly as we get older.
About Catherine Birman
Clinical Professor Catherine Birman is Medical Director at NextSense and one of Australia's leading ENT surgeons. She has performed almost 2,000 cochlear implant surgeries, from patients as young as three months to those well into their 90s. In 2017 she was named the NSW Premier's Woman of the Year for her work.
NextSense is the new name for Royal Institute for Deaf & Blind Children (RIDBC). It is Australia's oldest and largest hearing charity and helps over 10,000 children, adults and families with hearing and vision loss every year.
The post How To Protect Your Hearing, Now That Hearing Loss Is On The Rise appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Elle McPherson X Marionne De Candia – Your Tran-Seasonal Skincare Sorted! appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Marionne has been iconic in skincare circles for years, as both a facialist and spa consultant, as well as collaborating to create some highly effective cosmeceutical skincare collections.
Elle McPherson is a regular with Marionne whenever possible when she's in town, and has recently taken to Instagram to rave about Marionne's latest launch, Medi Skinsaver, with another unforgettable beauty icon, Gucci Westman.
">
In the video, Elle raves in particular about how prepping the skin from both the inside and outside is paramount. She runs through the range and its benefits, stressing that it's "clean beauty … super efficient and not very expensive" as well as being amazing for sun damage. Which makes it perfect for year-round dermal care, but in particular, for trans-seasonal skincare.
There's so much more to the range than simply cleansing and moisturising and there's really nobody better to explain than the creator herself, Marionne!
Marionne's Tips For Trans-seasonal Skincare
"At this time of year, our skin is typically exposed either to much cooler, drier air, or air that is humid and hot, as the weather settles itself into the next season" says Marionne. "In addition, we tend to spend more time indoors in heated or cooled air conditioning. These factors working together can easily lead to an unbalanced complexion – either oily and congested/troubled, or dry, dehydrated or trapped."
Marionne says its of utmost importance to concentrate on the outer layer of the skin – the epidermis – when caring for trans-seasonal skin.
"Also known as the stratum corneum, the epidermis is responsible for the maintenance of healthy moisture levels in the skin. It was once considered as little more than a layer of dead cells to be removed via exfoliation. However, these days we understand that it is actually live tissue and vital to the overall health of the skin.
"Its role as a protective, cushioning barrier should be kept front of mind when choosing your skincare routine. Do everything you can to nourish and support this barrier, and not to strip it away with harsh chemicals, soaps, scrubs and exfoliants," warns Marionne.
MORNING ROUTINE FOR TRANS-SEASONAL SKIN
"Start with a gentle cleanser," advises Marionne, "and never fall into the trap of over cleansing. The notion that you need to scrub all the oil from your pores is outdated and only leads to irritated, sensitised skin. Use warm, not hot, water and leave the cleanser on for a brief time only. Be gentle and if you use a face washer, dab rather than wipe.
"Apply a serum containing the B vitamins niacinamide (B3) and panthenol (B5), such as Medi SkinSaver Vitamin B Serum, immediately after cleansing and whilst your skin is still moist," advises Marionne. "Recent studies have underscored the important role these two B vitamins play in the overall health of your skin. Their main actions are to energise the skin and improve overall hydration."
"Do not allow your skin to dry out before applying," stresses Marionne. "Your skin should not feel tight at any stage of your routine. After your B serum apply a layer of moisturiser, such as Medi SkinSaver Age Defying Moisturiser. This moisturiser is packed with antioxidants including Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Hyaluronate, Coenzyme Q10 and Resveratrol."
If your skin still feels tight and dry, add a few drops of facial oi, recommend Marionne.
"Medi SkinSaver Facial Oil will help seal in the moisture and add a protective layer against harsh, dry air. This can be mixed in with your moisturiser or applied prior."
Midday Skincare
With the change of seasons, it can be helpful to add a lunchtime element to your skincare routine. "It simply involves topping up your moisture levels with a quick reapplication of your moisturiser," says Marionne. "This addition is naturally most practical for those not wearing makeup, which should be your end goal regardless. Healthy, glowing skin shouldn't be hidden under a layer of makeup."
Trans-seasonal Evening Skincare Routine
Once you've cleaned the day away, reach for vitamin A serums to help strengthen skin with as little irritation as possible.
"My Medi SkinSaver Vitamin A Serum contains a new form of Vitamin A – HPR. When used correctly it produces little or no irritation. It's highly bioavailable in its current form and needs no (potentially weakening) conversion step to be active within the cell."
Remember if you're using any form of vitamin A on your skin, sunscreen during the day is a must. "Vitamin A is famous for its anti-wrinkle abilities," says Marionne, "however if you are not a vitamin A aficionado, you can simply repeat your morning skin routine at night and substitute a B serum for the A.
"Again, follow with a layer of moisturiser and add a few drops of facial oil as required."
Your Environment
As the weather turns cooler, and we lose humidity in the air, you may wish to consider investing in a humidifier, says Marionne. "Learn from those who live perpetually in colder climes and introduce a good humidifier into your bedroom. A humidifier increases the moisture levels in the air, helping the skin barrier to stay hydrated as you sleep.
Also remember that diet plays a vital role in your skin's health. In winter, increase your daily intake of foods such as salmon, walnuts, olive oil and avocados to nourish your skin from within as well as without. And of course, always stay hydrated by drinking plenty of pure water. Elle has always said she drinks three litres of purified water each day.
"I drink lots of water. It's the Number One thing. I've always drunk three litres of water a day. It hydrates the body. It flushes out the system. It is great for maintaining weight and keeping the body functioning really well. It is great for the texture of your skin. My moods. Everything. And then sleep. It's not so much what I put on the outside of my body, it is what I put inside."
And of course, she drinks her own @welleco SUPER ELIXIR Greens with it daily.
"Beauty comes from within," says the wellness entrepreneur. "If you look after the inside – that means emotionally, spiritually, nutritionally – it will show on the outside.
"I take two teaspoons of SUPER ELIXIR in water daily for its horsetail and dandelion (for hair, skin and nails), aloe vera juice (to reduce skin inflammation) and grapeseed extract (antioxidants that pack a punch at fighting free radicals). Try two teaspoons every day for 30 days to see and feel the difference."
Other skincare go-to's that Elle swears by are just as simple. Her go-to, favourite beauty product is budget beauty buy Lucas Paw Paw Ointment. "If the kids hurt themselves, I put on the Paw Paw. If my lips are dry, I put on the Paw Paw. If my cuticles are dry, if I want a bit of shine on my cheeks and I don't have my gloss, I put on the Paw Paw! I use it on the tops of my eyelids, to highlight the brow bone."
"No matter what season of the year, your skin needs to be nurtured, supported and protected. Be kind to it and it will reward you in turn," says Marionne.
The post Elle McPherson X Marionne De Candia – Your Tran-Seasonal Skincare Sorted! appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Vanilla Cake With Rose Buttercream appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>1 quantity Rose buttercream
2 quantities Vanilla cake batter
TO CROWN
INGREDIENTS
edible organic pink or coral roses
edible leaves
METHOD
Prepare the rose buttercream.
Prepare two quantities of vanilla cake batter. This mixture will make enough for three 15 cm (6 inch) cakes. Grease three 15 cm (6 inch) cake tins. Pour a third of the batter into each tin. Cook the cakes as per base recipe, but cook for 25–30 minutes. Allow the cakes to cool completely.
To assemble, place one of the cakes on a stand or serving plate. Using a clean, damp spatula, spread one-third of the buttercream over the top, then repeat with the second cake and another third of the buttercream. Now invert the third and final layer and place it on top – this will give you a lovely smooth top to work with. Smooth over the remaining buttercream and use some of the buttercream oozing out of the layers to lightly 'whitewash' the sides.
To 'whitewash', using a little of the buttercream oozing out of the layers, take a flat-bladed spatula and carefully smear a thin layer of the buttercream gently over the side of the cake. Wipe the spatula clean and dip it in cold water. Holding it upright, move it around the perimeter of the cake in a continuous motion. (The moisture on the spatula will help smooth out the buttercream and give a lovely finish.) A cake carousel can make this process a lot easier. Use a little extra buttercream to fill any gaps, then smooth over again with the damp spatula.
Crown with the roses.
Rose buttercream
this buttercream contains rosewater, which smells just like fresh rose petals.
the aroma gets me dreaming about summertime.
INGREDIENTS
175 g (6 oz) unsalted butter, softened
270 g (9½ oz/2¼ cups) icing (confectioners') sugar, sifted
120 g (4¼ oz/½ cup) cream cheese, softened
1 tablespoon milk
1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste or natural vanilla extract
2 teaspoons rosewater
2 drops of natural pink food colouring (optional)
METHOD
Using an electric mixer, beat all the ingredients together for 3–5 minutes or until light and fluffy. Use it to fill or top the cake of your choice.
Vanilla cake
This recipe is extremely versatile. You can use just about any
filling or frosting with it. You can also make the tiers smaller or larger using various quantities of the same batter in different tins – however, work out how much the bowl of your electric mixer can accommodate before attempting to double the quantity.
Makes one 20 cm (8 inch) round cake
INGREDIENTS
180 g (6 oz) plain (all-purpose) flour
½ tablespoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon fine salt
125 g (4½ oz) unsalted butter, softened, plus extra for greasing
220 g (7¾ oz/1 cups) caster (superfine) sugar
4 eggs, separated
½ teaspoon vanilla bean paste or natural vanilla extract
125 ml (4 fl oz/½ cup) milk
METHOD
Preheat the oven to 170°C (325°F). Lightly grease a 20 cm (8 inch) round cake tin. Sift the flour, baking powder and salt into a large bowl and combine well with a hand-held whisk.
Using an electric mixer, beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg yolks, one at a time, and beat until well combined, scraping down the side of the bowl from time to time. Add the vanilla and beat until well combined. With the mixer on low speed, gradually add the flour mixture and milk alternately and beat until well combined.
Place the egg whites in another clean bowl. Using an electric mixer, beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form. Fold one-third of the egg whites into the batter to loosen, then gently fold in the remaining egg whites. Be gentle and patient in this process as you want to keep as much air in the batter as possible to keep the cake light.
Pour the batter into the prepared tin and bake for 20–30 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the centre of the cake comes out clean. Let the cake stand in the tin for 10 minutes, then turn out and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Recipes and images from Naked Cakes by Lyndel Miller (Murdoch Books) $49.99 available now in all good bookstores and online.
The post Vanilla Cake With Rose Buttercream appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Sally Obermeder's 5 Top Tips To Living A Healthy Lifestyle appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Tip 1 – Make exercise a habit
I try to think of exercise like brushing my teeth, it's something you just to, every day. You don't have to punish yourself, just a little something to get the body working – even if it's taking the kids to the park or walking to the grocery store. I also wear a jawbone so I can keep tabs on how much exercise I am getting into my day. It keeps me honest!
Tip 2 – Go Green
To keep your health in tip top condition I really believe it's really important to get your recommended servings of fruit and vegetables each day. A quick way to do this is to blend it! Every morning I make a green smoothie with kale, spinach, broccoli, protein powder, chia seeds, fibre cleanse, a frozen banana and two passionfruits blended with water. It's delicious, nutritious and so easy.
Tip 3 – Be proactive
You and your body have a long journey together, so why wouldn't you prioritise it? For many people health is reactive and only a focus area when there is a problem. I think it's better to be proactive – getting those tests done regularly, eating right and listening to your body, before something becomes an issue. I recently went in-store to have my health check at my local Priceline to see how it all works. It takes only 15 minutes of time and I was able to get my blood glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol levels checked – it was a really smooth and easy experience!
Tip 4 – Sleep
As a working mum, I realise that getting enough sleep isn't always easy, but I'm really conscious that it's so important for my general wellbeing. When I'm sleeping around eight hours a night, I feel better, I eat better and I'm in a better mood!
Tip 5 – Do what you love
Many women don't realise the impact that stress has on health, in fact the survey has shown us that women are more stressed than men! So it's vital that we all take a bit of time for ourselves everyday to reflect, de-stress and do something we love – be it exercise, a particular hobby or just some much needed 'me-time.' I like to cook, go for walks and blog.
The post Sally Obermeder's 5 Top Tips To Living A Healthy Lifestyle appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post From Tom Ford To Chanel: Our Beauty Editor's Pick: The Best Five Cult Lipsticks appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>
Lipsticks come and go, but some stay the test of time and trends because they're simply fabulous colours.
Watch the video on The Best Five Cult Lipsticks to find out the five buys every self-respecting lipstick wardrobe should own …
Here are our beauty editor's picks for cult lipsticks
Mac Lipstick in Marange looks scary bright in the tube but it easily dabs on for a pretty coral stain. It's also intense for an instant party look and that's why it always turns up on the catwalk.
Huge in the 1990s when Liv Tyler was a fan, Clinique Almost Lipstick In Black Honey was one of the first balm stains that have been so popular over the decades. This lipstick is now a classic for the way it gives lips a perfect plum berry like look. It can be easily built up for impact.
No one does lipstick as well as Yves Saint Laurent. My favourite is YSL Rouge Per Culture in No 7 Fuschsia. This is the ones fashion insiders like Carinne Roitfeld will reach out for a hot look with a black dress.
Tom Ford Lip Colour in Pink Dusk. There are several cult buys in Tom Ford's range of lipsticks. But Pink dusk is my pink as it is the perfect nude, a balance of beige and pink. It looks great with a minimally made up face or worked back to smoky eyes. It works particularly well and happens to be Cate Blanchett's favourite lipstick.
This is a very cool-toned, medium red with a pearl finish.
Chanel Rouge Allure Luminous Intense Lip Colour in Pirate is an ultra glamorous red that regularly pops up on the red carpet. Being blue based, it compliments fair skin well but it also compliments darker skin. It also makes teeth look whiter and brighter which is an added bonus.
The post From Tom Ford To Chanel: Our Beauty Editor's Pick: The Best Five Cult Lipsticks appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Slimming Secrets For Your Star Sign! appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Sure, I love the endorphin rush and sense of accomplishment once I've actually completed my fat burning but until the teleportation machine is invented, dragging my sorry butt to the gym will always seem like a chore. Unless you're one of the blessed few who effortlessly sticks to a fitness regime it's likely that you dislike gruelling exercise routines too. But workouts don't have to be boot camp – all you need to do is discover the right kind of exercise for your personality. Use your star sign to steer you in the right direction.
ARIES
Ruled by Mars and a dynamic fire sign to boot, energetic Aries possess stamina, will power and an enormous amount of energy. No guts, no glory is the doctrine you live by and you're one of the fortunate few who actually like the idea of heading to boot camp for some tough love. You have a highly competitive nature and like challenging activities, therefore, the best forms of exercise involve combat – boxing, kick boxing or one of the many forms of martial arts – jujitsu, judo, karate or kung fu.
Dietary Tips
DON'T: Eat on the run.
DO: Eat three square meals a day – sit, chew and enjoy.
AVOID: Spicy food, red meat, salt.
TAURUS
Most Bulls would rather sit through and insurance seminar than exercise and need a regime that will inspire you to sweat. Ruled by Venus and an earth sign Taureans have a strong connection with beauty and appreciation for nature, so the thought of being cooped up inside a gym is not going to motivate you. Vigorous hiking, daily walks along the beach and training outdoors will provide a nature fix and distract you while you're getting in shape. As one of the most sensual signs you also enjoy a good boogie so check out a few dance classes.
Dietary Tips
DO: Remember to eat!
DON'T: Eat until you're stuffed – everything in moderation.
AVOID: Overindulging in your favourite foods – chocolate and red wine.
GEMINI
Ruled by quick-thinking Mercury, multi-faceted Geminis are notorious for having a low boredom threshold and need a variety of activities to maintain your interest. Mixing it up is the key, however, it's very important to stick to at least one form of exercise each week such as morning walks, swimming or visiting the gym and supplement it with a little diversity – yoga, Pilates and tennis are all ideal. Circuit classes at your local gym are also a big draw card as they involve varied activities from cycling to weights and change every few minutes.
Dietary Tips
DO: Eat more complex carbohydrates and fish.
DON'T: Eat late at night.
AVOID: Stimulants like caffeine – you're alert enough as it is!
CANCER
Ruled by the Moon, you're one of the most emotional signs of the zodiac and need exercise as a means of blowing off steam. The natural high produced by exercise keeps you centred and as you give so much of yourself it also provides the 'me' time you need. Activities which are going to make you feel empowered such as self defence or kick boxing are ideal. As a water sign, laps at your local pool or the beach and aqua aerobics are perfect. You also have a great amount of discipline good old fashioned aerobics can be the go.
Dietary Tips
DO: Eat more dairy and seafood.
DON'T: Eat when feeling emotional.
AVOID: Starchy highly seasoned or sugary foods.
LEO
Ruled by the energising sun Leos are creative and dramatic. You need exercise which will entertain, as well as allow you to express yourself. Therefore, all forms of dancing from belly to the latest Bollywood craze offer fun, therapeutic workouts, while hip hop or salsa give you a more dynamic workout. If boogie-ing your way to buns of steel isn't your thing at least make sure that you exercise to music – take your mp3 on your daily constitutional or if exercising at home make sure the music is upbeat and cranked.
Dietary Tips
DO: Sit down and make time for each meal.
DON'T: Eat when stressed out or in a hurry.
AVOID: Excess dairy and spicy foods.
VIRGO
Virgos know that a healthy body equals a sound mind and therefore you watch what you eat and try to maintain some semblance of an exercise regime. Ruled by Mercury you need activities which will stimulate your mind as well keep you looking buff, which is why ancient eastern practices are ideal. Tai chi and yoga, from the meditative and gentle forms to the more dynamic Bikram and Iyengar focus on connecting the body, mind and spirit – perfect for soothing nerves and helping you stay calm and centred.
Dietary Tips
DO: Incorporate more variety into your diet.
DON'T: See food as purely a means of fuel – make it a tasty experience.
AVOID: Caffeine – switch to herb teas instead.
LIBRA
Ruled by party-loving Venus, Librans are among the most sociable signs, and although you're perfectly capable of hauling yourself to the gym you always prefer working out in the company of others. The social aspect of rendezvousing with buddies and chewing the fat during your daily walks along the beach, game of doubles tennis or local laps is always something to you look forward to and helps make exercise a more enjoyable experience. You also like a group dynamic, so classes such as body balance, step or body pump at the gym are ideal.
Dietary Tips
DO: Drink in moderation.
DON'T: Drink on an empty stomach!
AVOID: Dairy and rich, heavy foods.
SCORPIO
Ruled by powerful Pluto Scorps have enormous will power, strength and intensity. Pain is gain in your book and you don't mind a punishing workout involving good old fashioned jogging, working out with weights, lunges, push ups and sit ups as long as it gets you the desired results. As a water sign jogging along the soft sand followed by a swim or body surf are also appealing forms of exercise. For the ladies, the sexy new pole dancing craze will also enhance your vixen persona and give you a fantastic workout at the same time.
Dietary Tips
DO: Eat several small meals instead of three large ones.
DON'T: Skip breakfast!
AVOID: Caffeine and carbohydrates.
SAGITTARIUS
Ruled by jolly Jupiter Saggies have enormous get-up-an-go. To you workouts aren't just about staying in shape, a daily dose prevents you from bouncing off the walls. In fact you become quite miserable if deprived of your daily fix. Having such an adventurous personality, sports such as sailing, indoor rock climbing or white water rafting are your bag. You're also extremely competitive, but encouraging so when you're not running against your rival on the track you're inspiring other friends who aren't as fit to shake it and join you in your routine.
Dietary Tips
DO: Stock up on healthy snacks when out or at work.
DON'T: Eat large meals.
AVOID: Eating bread on a daily basis.
CAPRICORN
Ruled by Saturn, the planet of discipline you Caps have the patience and persistence to steadily work towards your goals by stringently sticking to a step-by-step plan. You like to do things by yourself so apart from maintaining your physique exercise is a way for you relax, reflect and grab some much-needed alone time. As an earthy Goat hiking, mountain bike riding and other outdoor activities are great activities. You should also appeal to your ambitious nature by entering marathons and raising the bar each year.
Dietary Tips
DO: Eat more green veggies and rocket to aid digestion.
DON'T: Skip meals.
AVOID: Falling into a rut – make sure there's variety in your diet.
AQUARIUS
Ruled by Uranus, the unpredictable planet, Aquarians need variety and something a little out of the ordinary. You love anything novel and have a penchant for fads whether it's Tai Bo or Capoiera – you name it, you've tried it! As an air sign you're also very sociable and although you like to stand out from a crowd you don't mind exercising in one. Marathons, dance and gym classes – anything with a group atmosphere generally appeal to you. You also like your gadgets so working out in the most high tech state-of-the-art gym is also your scene.
Dietary Tips
DO: Cut out snacks.
DON'T: Eat at odd hours.
AVOID: Caffeine, fried and starchy foods.
PISCES
Ruled by Neptune, Mer-people have great imaginations and creative minds but aren't the most motivated people. You're easily discouraged if the results aren't instant so moderation is the key. Hitting the gym five times a week will only give you the guilts if you go twice the following week. Try exercising three times a week with a variety that will keep you coming back for more. Yoga appeals to your spiritual nature, as well as surfing, body surfing and swimming. Proximity is also a factor – choose activities close to home.
Dietary Tips
DO: Cut out salt, drink plenty of water and eat omega rich foods.
DON'T: Eat yeasty or oily foods.
AVOID: Excessive alcohol and grazing.
Does your exercise regime suit your star sign? Tell us in the comments below!
The post Slimming Secrets For Your Star Sign! appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Warm Chocolate Melting Cake appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Serves 4
INGREDIENTS
170g dark chocolate
170g butter
4 eggs
90g sugar
60g flour
METHOD
1 Melt the chocolate and butter.
2 Mix the eggs and sugar and whisk for a few minutes, add flour.
3 Add the egg and flour, and mix to the melted chocolate and stir to combine
4 Pour the mix in a small ramekin
5 Bake in the oven at 200C for 14 minutes.
Cook's notes: Make sure the eggs are at room temperature and the chocolate is warm enough while making the mixture.
The Carousel thanks Carnival Cruises for this recipe.
The post Warm Chocolate Melting Cake appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Sharon Stone On Fillers, Surgery & Recovering From Her Stroke appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Sharon Stone, who is actually a spokesperson for the brand Restylane, uses fillers, in part, as a corrective measure after a stroke in 2001 left her face damaged. She told Harper's BAZAAR in an interview that she prefers fillers over plastic surgery to maintain her youthful looks. And, the series of black and white nudes in the mag in 2016 leaves absolutely no doubt that the Basic Instinct star is looking flawless.
Image from Harper's BAZAAR
Sporting a tasteful selection of accessories, like a black lace-up pair of Jimmy Choo's, a serpentine Bulgari necklace and Tiffany & Co rings, Stone cuts a super-toned, youthful figure. She told Harper's BAZAAR, "It's so common now for people to use fillers, it's almost like a beauty treatment. It's like you have mascara and a filler. And it's a far better alternative than having your face cut apart and ending up looking like you got sucked into a wind tunnel."
Image from Harper's BAZAAR
Ever confident with her body, Stone posed for Playboy magazine in 1990 in a strategic move to re-carve a place for herself in the industry and prove that she could be sexy.
Two years later, she landed her iconic role as bisexual serial killer Catherine Trammel alongside Michael Douglas in the hit movie Basic Instinct.
Sharon Stone in Basic Instinct
Of this role, Stone told Harper's BAZAAR that it was a calculated attempt to recast her image as a sex symbol saying, "Everybody said I wasn't sexy and I couldn't get jobs because of it." And didn't she prove them wrong? The scene in this video is one of the most regularly referred to film moments in history in so far as 'sexiness' goes and Stone regularly appears on 'Most Sexy' lists around the world.
But, things took a turn for Stone in 2001 after suffering a brain hemorrhage and the actress talked about her experience and the ongoing recovery with Harper's BAZAAR. She told the magazine that after having felt unwell for three days and being admitted to emergency, doctors diagnosed a ruptures vertebral artery, which was then repaired with 22 platinum coils. This stroke had a huge impact on her life and the ensuing recovery was a long road. Stone recalled in the Harper's BAZAAR interview; "It took two years for my body just to absorb all the internal bleeding I had. It almost feels like my entire DNA changed. My brain isn't sitting where it used to, my body type changed, and even my food allergies are different."
Stone was left without feeling in one of her legs for a long time and it took years for her vision to return to normal after the episode. But, Stone told Harper's BAZAAR that the whole ordeal actually left her 'more emotionally intelligent' saying; "I chose to work very hard to open up other parts of my mind. Now I'm stronger. And I can be abrasively direct. That scares people, but I think that's not my problem. It's like, I have brain damage; you'll just have to deal with it".
While working on getting her health back in shape, her marriage to second husband, journalist Phil Bronstein, broke down and she lost custody of their son Roan to Bronstein during that ordeal.
Earlier this year, Stone was announced to front a campaign for Restylane fillers and skin booster anti-wrinkle treatments and has said of the partnership, "I am excited about Galderma's new and innovative aesthetic techniques to create natural-looking results. I am looking forward to working with the company to make aesthetic treatments more accepted. It is inspiring when science meets beauty in such an effective way and I'm sure people will be impressed with the natural looking results of Restylane fillers and Restylane Skinboosters."
Image from Restylane/Facebook
While those razor sharp cheekbones don't appear to have aged a day, her seemingly flawless blody, Stone claims, isn't due to grueling workouts. She once famously told E! News "I haven't worked out in a couple of months just because I didn't feel like it."
As a mother to three adopted sons, no doubt Stone gets the run around being a mum to keep fit and toned.
Check out some of our favourite Hollywood beauties ageing gracefully
The post Sharon Stone On Fillers, Surgery & Recovering From Her Stroke appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post TCM Karina Stewart's Tips For A Healthy Lifestyle With Less Stress appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Creating moments of time for yourself in your day to be with your self and enjoy alone-time is a healthy practice that helps you 'Slow down', relax your mind and reset your nervous system which is a mini recharge for your energy.
Guests often ask "How can I find 'me' time with a crazy schedule each day?" Everybody deserves 'me' time but this can only happen when you create it. If you have children, you mustn't feel guilty to schedule time just for you. You can still be the best mom or dad in the world but even you need a break for yourself, however short it may be.
If you make sure to take care of yourself you will be better equipped to take care of others around you.
Mindfulness practices often begin with just 5 or 10 min a day and these few minutes, over time with consistency can and do create huge changes in people's lives in a matter of weeks. Everyone can find 5-10 minutes, once or twice daily for a quiet moment in which to practice breathing or mindfulness.
Many of us tend to have a very busy schedule and complex lifestyle in our personal and professional lives.
Trying to juggle different demands and responsibilities at the same time we may not be able to find the time to be as healthy as we would like, whether that's an hour in the gym, going for a walk in the fresh air, cooking a healthy meal or getting to bed early enough for sufficient restoration. Daily pressures can make it quite difficult for us to stay balanced in our lifestyles and connected to ourselves, listen to our needs and make time to take care of them.
One thing I always recommend is trying to get daily time in nature and walking outdoors as and when possible. Daily walking is a gentle and ideal form of exercise. Daily movement is essential for vibrant health in Traditional Chinese Medicine as well as reconnecting with nature for our health and wellbeing. As well I recommend having a good eight hours of restful sleep each night. Getting enough sleep is not only vital for overall wellbeing, but also for prevention, management and treatment of various health imbalances. An inadequate amount of sleep (that is less than eight hours), has been associated with a weaker immune system, higher risks obesity, heart disease, depression, diabetes and even colon cancer (according to a study by University Hospitals (UH) Case Medical Centre and Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine that has been published in 2011). Nowadays it might be difficult for some of us to get a full eight hours of sleep on a regular basis, but we might want to prioritise it once we understand how important sufficient sleep is for our overall health – physically, emotionally and psychologically. Research has shown that we recover best when we go to bed between 9.00-10pm, allowing your body to wake rested in the early morning.
Are you ever stressed out and what do you do when you realise it?
Yes, of course I too get stressed out! In these moments I consciously try to slow down and breathe. No matter what you are doing, take a mental note to consciously slow down. Take a pause for only one or two minutes and focus on 10 deep abdominal breaths. Inhale through the nose and breathe deeply and slowly into the abdomen then exhale through the mouth. It is proven that this practice lowers cortisol levels immediately and significantly. You will feel it! So my first effort is to stop and breathe. Next I try to visually connect with nature.
At Kamalaya, I am very fortunate that I can look out the window or step out the door of my office and I can immerse myself visually in verdant, lush gardens, beautiful ocean views, small islands in the horizon and big vast blues skies. This also helps me reduce my stress immediately. And sometimes I have to take a 5-10 minute break for longer breathing or walking to move the energy, clear my head and reset my nervous system.
Kamalaya as a multi-award winning wellness sanctuary and holistic spa on the tropical southern coastline of Koh Samui offering inspired healthy cuisine alongside a choice of tailored wellness programmes including detox, weight loss, stress & burnout, sleep and personalised yoga.
Want to age beautifully? Read Kamalaya Co-Founder, Karina Stewart's top tips for health ageing here…
The post TCM Karina Stewart's Tips For A Healthy Lifestyle With Less Stress appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Reese Witherspoon To Help Boost Clean Beauty Movement. appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>For those unfamiliar with Biossance, it's essentially a brand born from a science lab in Berkeley, California, whose parent company Amyris originally set out to develop patented technology to create an accessible cure for malaria. Today, over 120 million royalty-free treatments have been successfully given thanks to this technology.
Not content to rest on its laurels, Amryis was inspired to continue using its innovative biotechnology to make a positive impact on the world. And so, turned to clean skincare, researching the ingredients we put on their faces and bodies every day.
From this research, Bioessence was created, an effective and safe skincare collection that treads lightly on our planet and respects the animals we share it with.
Reese Witherspoon X Bioessence
The five year collaboration between Reese Witherspoon and Biossance aims to shape the future of clean beauty, by leveraging Reese's global leadership in the entertainment industry and her passion for education. This, teamed with Biossance's expertise in skincare efficacy and clean beauty science looks set to be a winner.
Reese and the Biossance team, including industry-leading scientists, intend on creating engaging and educational content that's empowering savvy and health conscious. Reese also intends on getting hands-on in creation of products, developing and curating limited-edition items featuring her favourite products from Biossance.
"I have always been conscious of what's being put on my skin, and after all the time I've spent on-sets throughout my career, I've learned so much," says Reese. "As my knowledge has grown so has my desire to use clean and consciously created products.
"I not only fell in love with Biossance's products, especially their " target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rose Oil, but also their innovative, female-led team and their mission towards a sustainable future. My skin has never felt healthier and I'm proud to work with such a strong industry leader in sustainability and care for our planet."
">
About Biossance
As pioneers in science and biotechnology, Bioessence relies on rich expertise to create groundbreaking, high- performance skincare powered by squalane. Its intent is to also shape the future of clean beauty by reinventing ingredients, create more sustainable processes, and empower a community of change-makers. Bioessence believe the nerdy side of science and the charming side of beauty can co-exist, and you should never have to choose between having the most efficacious products and consciously created, sustainable formulas.
The post Reese Witherspoon To Help Boost Clean Beauty Movement. appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Beauty Report: Get The Sport Luxe Look At Alex Perry appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Roberts began by adding some signature Perry va-voom to models' freshly washed locks, with a generous helping of ghd Total Volume Foam. She then blow-dried hair – sans brush – keeping the part roughly centred and the crown smooth. To achieve the just-right amount of movement, she used a ghd Eclipse Styler to create bendy waves throughout the mid-lengths and ends, and – to help hair set into natural-look texture – twisted it all into a low bun, which was unfurled just as models were about to step onto the runway, their hair swishing behind them.
In keeping with the theme of modern glamour, the Napoleon Perdis team created a "sport luxe" makeup look. To ensure models' skin looked appropriately polished, makeup artists spent five minutes massaging in Napoleon Perdis Auto Pilot Radiance Boosting Mask (which launches in May); they then applied a primer followed by Stroke of Genius Liquid Cashmere Foundation (also out in May). "We used the Boudoir Brush to 'feather' foundation on," noted co-lead makeup artist Nicole Snell. "This gives enough of a velvety finish, while still allowing the glow from the skin to shine through." Highlighter blended along the cheekbones, brow bone and bridge of nose enhanced things all the more, while a dusting of Matte Bronzer beneath the cheekbones added both definition and an outdoorsy feel. Lids were dusted in copper shimmer, while lips dabbed in a barely-there shade of balm.
Makeup artist Rachael Brook, working for St Tropez, extended the idea of glimmering, bronzed skin to the rest of the body. "Alex wanted us to make the girls golden but not too tanned," she said. "We wanted them to look healthy." Models – who had prepped by exfoliating and moisturising during the previous few days, were covered in the Light to Medium shade of St Tropez Instant Tan Wash Off Lotion from neck-to-toe (makeup artists matched base to each body), and finished off with Skin Illuminator in Gold along the arms, legs and collarbones.
Finally, nails: Essie manicurist Ali Veras slicked on two coats of No More Film; the purple-based navy polish – which was hand-picked by Alex Perry to pick up on the denim tones and fabrics in his collection – "is both warm and cool," noted Veras, "so it suits all skintones."
Image by Kelly Defina, courtesy of Napoleon Perdis
The post Beauty Report: Get The Sport Luxe Look At Alex Perry appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Giant Peanut Butter Cup Recipe – 4 Ingredients Only appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Yes, only four.
What's more this recipe is straight from our baking editor's first cook book – Sweet! Celebrations, published by Murdoch Books.
Try this recipe and then, no doubt, you'll be racing to the nearest bookstore to buy Elise's book.
MAKES ONE 23 CM TART
INGREDIENTS
- 750 g milk chocolate (compound or tempered)
- 600 g smooth peanut butter
- 600 g icing sugar, sifted
- 125 g salted butter, softened
METHODS
- Grease the bottom of a nonstick 23 cm (9 inch) fluted
tart tin (with a removable bottom) with butter or oil and
line with a round of baking parchment. - Melt 450 g of the chocolate to a smooth pourable consistency. Pour the chocolate into the bottom of the tart tin, spreading up the sides using a spoon. This should be quite thick and spread evenly over the whole tart tin. Refrigerate for 15 minutes to set.
- Beat the peanut butter, powdered sugar and butter using an electric mixer. The mixture should be well mixed but a little firm and lumpy.
- Remove the chocolate shell from the tin and set aside.
- Scrape the peanut butter filling into the empty tart tin and press firmly until you have a compressed, even disc of peanut butter filling. Cut away a 5 mm border from the outside edges of the peanut butter disc using a knife. Then slide an offset spatula under the filling to release it from the base and transfer it. It will behave a little like pizza dough as you transfer it to the chocolate shell. It should sit just below the edge of the shell.
- Return the entire peanut butter cup to the tart tin (make sure it's clean).
- Melt the remaining chocolate and pour it onto the top of the peanut butter cup. Use a ruler to even out the top of the peanut butter cup and make it perfectly flat and smooth. Refrigerate for 15 minutes.
- Store and serve at room temperature. Cut with a hot knife to avoid cracking.
Image and recipe from Sweet! Celebrations by Elise Strachan (Murdoch Books $39.99)
The post Giant Peanut Butter Cup Recipe – 4 Ingredients Only appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Half Lord Of The Fish – Yoga Pose Of The Week appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Twisting poses are a common addition to any yoga class because they provide benefits to our entire body.
Half Lord of the Fish pose is otherwise known as Ardhamatsyaindraasana .
To break it down:
"Archer" — meaning "half"
"Matsya" — meaning "fish"
"Indra" — meaning "ruler"
"Asana" — meaning "pose"
Please always keep in mind that this is a deep twist, so always be mindful to see how your body responds. Take things gently and slowly – go at your own pace.
How to Enter Half Lord Of The Fish
- Sit on your mat with your legs extended straight out in front, ankles and feet touching.
- Core engaged and draw your belly button to spine.
- Bend your right knee and cross it over the left thigh so your right heels at the outside of the left hip.
- If comfortable, bend your left knee and bring the left heel to the right hip, resting the top of the foot on the ground. Or, just leave the left leg extended.
- Reach your left arm in the air, then twisting at the lower belly, place the left elbow outside the right knee.
- Place the right hand on the floor behind your bottom, as close to the body as possible, sitting as tall as you can.
- If you feel up to it, bring both hands together in prayer/namaste hands.
- Allow deep nostril breathing to aid you in this pose, counting to four with a deep breath in and counting to five with a deep breath out.
- Hold this pose for up to one minute, or whatever feels ok for you on any given day.
To Exit The Pose
- Core engaged – draw belly button to spine.
- Exhale and unwind your torso.
- Come back to the centre and extend both legs in front of you. Remember to always sit tall.
- Repeat the twist for the same length of time on the opposite side.
- You may wish to rest in savasana following this pose
Modifications & Variations –
- If you need some height, pop a folded blanket under your bottom to sit taller and make the pose easier. Keep your back and/or shoulders curling forward.
- If you have tight hips only bend one knee when twisting, keep the other leg extended.
- Instead of bringing your elbow to knee, try to wrap your entire arm around your thigh.
Never rush or force the pose. Move with your breath. Inhale to lengthen your spine, and exhale to gently rotate deeper.
Happy twisting!
Benefits
- Performing twists literally wrings out the digestive organs, gives our bodies a chance to clear out tension and realign the spine.
- Stretches out shoulders, hips, neck, and spine
- Lengthens and energises spine
- Massages and tones abdominals
- Relieves digestive problems
- Helps with metabolism
- Aids function of liver, kidney and adrenal glands
Cautions and Contraindications
- Recent or chronic injury to your knees, hips, or spine. Please have a look at modifications and always listen to your body, never twist past what your body says is ok.
- Pregnancy
- Ulcer, hernia, hyperthyroidism
- Slipped disc
The post Half Lord Of The Fish – Yoga Pose Of The Week appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post 5 Ways To Nail The Mismatched Bridesmaid Dress Trend appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>But today, brides are beginning to embrace variation within their bridal party, which has seen the trend of mismatching bridesmaid dresses increase.
Rebecca Lau Marsh, founder and general manager of Australian formal and bridal wear destination White Runway, has helped brides across the globe nail the mismatching bridesmaid trend by personally sourcing over 100,000 dress options for her online occasion wear boutique.
"This trend makes for great wedding photos, adds originality to the bridal party and allows the bridesmaids to express their individuality," says Rebecca.
"It is great for large bridal parties as it makes the bridesmaids look less uniform and more unique."
Of course, opting for the mismatched look does come with a new set of challenges – if it's not done carefully, you could end up with one very disjointed-looking bridal party.
Here then are Rebecca's top five tips for ensuring the big day goes off without a hitch.
1. Keep the dress length of the bridal party the same
Keeping the dresses the same length is an easy way to ensure the bridal party looks cohesive, without all of the girls wearing the exact same dress. It doesn't always have to be the length, but it is important to ensure that there is one element of consistency and the length is an easy option.
2. Ensure the dresses are the same colour, or have elements of the same material
A safe option that brides can do is to select a dress that comes in a full maxi length and also a cocktail length. The Sequinned Cap Sleeve Dress from White Runway comes in both lengths, which is great for bridesmaid parties who all stand at different heights. A long maxi bridesmaid gown may look frumpy on a girl who is short, so selecting a dress that comes in both options is a great solution for everyone to feel comfortable and look amazing.
3. Use bouquets and the same colour of shoes to tie the bridesmaid looks together
A great way to tie in mismatched bridesmaid gowns is by ensuring elements of the bouquet are the same within the bridal party and that they reflect and compliment the tones on the dresses. Ensuring the bridesmaids are all wearing the same shoe, is a great way to tie in the different styled dresses and add a cohesive touch.
4. Ensure there is a common link between the dresses
There are some rules that say to vary no more than two elements such as fabric, colour and neckline, however, mismatched dresses can still work if there is one link that ties the whole look together. Different textures can still flow if there is some tone or shape consistency. We've styled bridal parties in 10 different dresses and the photos look stunning. Styling your bridal party in 10 different dresses can be successful if the bride has stuck to a particular colour theme or colour set. A great example is when the bride selects a neutral coloured theme, such as pink or champagne. The whole party can look ethereal and really beautiful when it all comes together.
5. Let the bride set the guidelines and the bridesmaid select the dress
A great way for a bride to decide on what she wants is by creating a college and a mood board of different textures, fabrics and colours. The whole process is collaboratively as the bride may pick the colours, styles and textures that she wants and then let the bridesmaid select their dresses based around the guidelines that she has set. The bride may even select the three specific dress styles that she wants and let her bridal party make the decision on what they want to wear based on what they feel comfortable in.
The post 5 Ways To Nail The Mismatched Bridesmaid Dress Trend appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post World Health Day 2021 – Eight Things You Can Do To Make A Difference appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>
1. Wash And Sanitise Your Hands Every Day, Not Just On World Health Day 2021!
How many times have we heard this the past year? Soooooo many. However, on World Health Day 2021 especially, we can't hear it enough. Washing your hands frequently and correctly is one of the most important ways to prevent COVID-19 infection, as well as just your regular every day cold and flu.
2. Continue To Social Distance And Wear a Mask
Sure, in some countries, like Australia, there are relatively few cases of Covid-19, however we know this virus is sneaky and can appear without people knowing how they contracted it. Some may even be completely asymptomatic, or what we call 'silent spreaders.' It can also reappear in areas that have reported no cases for a while, without us knowing how or why. Stay safe, stay at least 1.5 metres apart and wear a mask whenever appropriate.
3. Respect Boundaries, Borders Or Simply Stay Home
Travel restrictions are no fun, but they are necessary to help contain the spread of the virus. Of course we all want to explore this great big beautiful world of ours, but for now, we simply need to pause and enjoy our own backyards – literally! Travel within your own state seems safe enough, as long as you follow all precautions, so if you're really yearning for a trip away, try exploring your own locale!
4. Have a COVID-19 Test
Sniffly? Sore throat? Aches and pains? It's likely you may just have the common flu, but there's little sense in risking your own health and that of those around you. If you feel as though you are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms, go get a test. Don't worry about appearing paranoid. It's far better to be safe than sorry, particularly as the virus is mutating, as is typical of all viruses.
5. Get Your Covid-19 Vaccination
While the vaccine is being rolled out in stages, it's important to keep a note of what category you fall into and when the vaccine will be available to you. You can keep updated as to when the vaccine will be available for you here.
6. Eat To Boost Your Immunity
Skip the highly processed junk food and enjoy plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, which are rich in immune-building nutrients and antioxidants. Eat the rainbow – ensure your plate has a variety of different colours on it and savour every mouthful, knowing you're doing yourself the world of good!
6. Try to Cut Down (Or Cut Out) Bad Habits
Why not make World Health Day 2021 the day you stop smoking, or reduce the amount of alcohol you drink? Smoking is not healthy in any way, shape or form, while drinking more than the two standard drinks as advised by medics can be harmful to the liver and general immunity.
Giving up certain habits can leave you with a sense of loss, so try to replace them with something healthy, such as a twilight power walk instead of a cocktail, or a morning green juice over a cigarette with your coffee.
7. Get Regular Exercise
According to Harvard University, "regular exercise can contribute to general good health and therefore to a healthy immune system". Whether you choose to walk, jog, swim, compete in team sports, cycle or even horse ride, getting out and getting moving will help boost your immunity. Why not make World Health Day 2021 the day you finally sign up to your gym?
8. Drink Plenty Of Pure Water
According to the Centre for Disease Control (CDC), water helps your body to keep a normal temperature, lubricate and cushion joints, protect your spinal cord and other sensitive tissues and get rid of wastes through urination, perspiration, and bowel movements. The CDC also suggests drinking more water when you are in hot climates, more physically active, running a fever, or experiencing diarrhea or vomiting.
The post World Health Day 2021 – Eight Things You Can Do To Make A Difference appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Cooking With Edible Flowers: Bougainvillea Switzel Recipe appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Makes about 5 cups of concentrate GF, V, DF
- 4 cups bright, fresh, bougainvillea flower bracts
- 4 cups filtered water
- ¾ cup white sugar
- 4 slices of lemon
- 1 cup fresh lemon verbena flowers and leaves OR lemon myrtle leaves
- 1 cup fresh pineapple pieces
- ½ cup unpasteurized apple cider vinegar with the mother
To serve: Seasonal fruits
Rinse the bougainvillea to remove pollen before adding them and the water to a large saucepan. Bring to the boil and remove from heat. Allow to sit 5 minutes. The water will take on the colour of the bracts.
Strain out the bracts, retaining the liquid. Return the coloured liquid to the pot and add the sugar.
Stir to dissolve then reheat to boil 1 minute to create a syrup.
Turn off the heat and add the lemon slices, leaves and pineapple. Mash them with a potato masher to release the flavours of the fruit. Allow it to infuse in the syrup for 5 minutes.
Strain the liquid and keep it, but discard the solids. Cool to room temperature.
Once cooled, add the vinegar and leave on the bench, covered, for 8-12 hours to begin fermentation. This will consume some of the sugar and give you a very slightly effervescent drink.
Pour into bottles and refrigerate.
To serve, add ice and chopped seasonal fruits to a glass. Pour in a little switzel concentrate as you would for cordial. Dilute with soda or mineral water.
Cook's note:
Using unpasteurised apple cider vinegar, which has the vinegar mother, encourages the development of beneficial bacteria in a very mild ferment, so it's good for gut health. For an alcoholic switzel, add a little gin to your glass!
The Carousel would like to thank Linda from Ecobotanica for this recipe.
Read also Gorgonzola, Potato, Radicchio And Rosemary Pizza
The post Cooking With Edible Flowers: Bougainvillea Switzel Recipe appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Why Mindful Eating Can Help You Run Faster appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>What's the best way to prepare yourself nutritionally before a big race?
When preparing for a marathon, half-marathon or any other long distance run, it is vital to consider the foods you are consuming before and during the training period.
Mindful eating is a concept that echoes aspects of life to encourage self-reflection and self-awareness. This concept promotes greater food freedom, less strict eating rules that are often wrapped with guilt and the notion of foods from a positive or negative outlook in conjunction with the counting of calories.
It is extremely important to see food as a contributor to your overall wellbeing regarding its effects and how they make you feel. For example, the impact of a sugar filled donut in comparison to a leafy green salad is vastly identifiable. How the sugar-filled doughnut will affect energy levels and your mood in the long-run, will in turn impact your health.
Being mindful asks that you listen to hunger cues and can effectively distinguish hunger from boredom and stress. Distractions such as eating at your work desk or in front of the TV are not encouraged when being mindful about what you're eating.
Watch out for 'runner's guts' (the feeling of urgency that hits during exercise) by avoiding the major culprits – fructose, lactose and caffeine. Too much fat and fibre can also rush your gut. If you are vibrating too much when you running this can also cause you to shake your gut, so be sure to choose a good quality running shoe made specifically for runners!
Prior to the race, a mindful approach to eating helps determine when it is necessary to override hunger and meet fuelling or recovery priorities. By recognising cues for overeating or under-eating you are developing a healthy relationship with what you are putting into your body.
Mindful eating encourages learning on how to be critical and analytical of external marketing messages on nutrition and fuelling that can lead to uncertainty, doubt and confusion. Mindful eating helps balance nutritional requirements for training with an overall satisfaction and enjoyment for food!
Being deliberate and mindful regarding food and eating allows for a greater consciousness and awareness allowing you to excel in your training and ultimately improve performance.
What are the most common reasons runners don't reach their PB?
The most common reasons runners don't reach peak performance are due to lack of nutrition or the onset of nerves before or during a race. There are a number of reasons why you may sometimes have a lack of performance:
- Lack of training – When training your muscles and lungs to get you through the big race, you must also train your digestive system. Training the digestive system teaches it to cope with foods and fluids both before and during the race. It is not a natural thing to be eating or drinking while on the run, but your stomach, like other muscles, is very adaptive and the more you practice the easier it becomes.
- Over or under watered – If you don't hydrate correctly before your run, you are increasing your chances for dehydration. This is generally due to not drinking enough water to replenish water emitted through breathing and sweating – dehydration can compromise your performance in a big race. People generally think that guzzling down fluids is the answer, however too much water can be just as problematic.
- Leaky gut – Good gut health is imperative to being able to withstand the physical and mental stress of race day. A healthy gut is the result of daily intake of foods – and is as much about what you do eat (lots of fibre, fruits and veg and unprocessed foods, as well as probiotic containing foods) as what you don't eat (high sugar, highly refined carbohydrates).
- Too many butterflies – Some nerves can be good before a big race, but being overly anxious can be crippling for performance. There is a strong connection between the brain and the gut, and being overly anxious increases risk of gastrointestinal distress.
What can be the impact of long distance running on the body?
Running is a wholesome full-body workout. Going for a run gets the blood pumping, increases cardiovascular fitness, tones you up while also burning a hell of a lot of calories.
Long distance running can have extremely positive benefits on your body including improved mood and sleep patterns, while also strengthening your bones and muscles. Regular runners are proven to live three years longer than non-runners, while engaging in just a few minutes of running a day can decrease the risk of heart disease significantly.
While running is a great contributor to your fitness, health and well-being it can also have some detrimental effects and cause long-standing injuries both now and later in life. Around 40 per cent of running injuries start in the knees.
The motion of running causes irritation at the point where the kneecap rests on the thighbone. These injuries usually come as a result of lack of stretching or weak quads which are unable to support this alignment. Knee injuries can be avoided with strength training and consistent stretching after exercise, always in combination with a good shoe.
My first choice for running shoes is Saucony because their technology puts your foot in a more balanced and comfortable position, allowing for a more powerful and natural running stride. This can make a huge difference when running long distances, such as a half marathon. The human foot and ankle contains 26 bones, 33 joints and over 100 muscles, tendons and ligaments, so a good pair of shoes is crucial when running long distances.
About the author:
Pip Taylor's sporting career spans over 15 years and includes multiple appearances at World Championships representing Australia, multiple World Cup and 70.3 wins, and podium places and victories in other major international triathlon races. In 2015, Pip published her first book, The Athlete's Fix: a program for finding your best foods for health and performance.
The post Why Mindful Eating Can Help You Run Faster appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Pomegranate Clementine Salad appeared first on The Carousel.
]]> INGREDIENTS
For the salad
1 head radicchio, washed and dried
1 head Boston Bibb or butter lettuce, washed and dried
1 pomegranate
4 clementines
Vinaigrette
3 tablespoons (45 milliliters) balsamic vinegar
1/4 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/2 cup (125 milliliters) extra-virgin olive oil
Kosher salt and pepper, to taste
METHOD
Salad
1Core the radicchio and roughly chop it; place it in a large salad bowl. Tear the pieces of butter lettuce into bite-size pieces and toss it with the radicchio.
2To seed the pomegranate, cut it into quarters. One quarter at a time, submerge them in a bowl of warm water and start releasing the seeds with your fingertips (the warm water helps the pith to loosen the seeds). As you do this, the seeds will fall to the bottom of the bowl of water, and the white membrane will float to the top (skim and discard as you go). Drain the water from the pomegranate seeds.
3Peel the clementines and thinly slice them crosswise to create little wheels.
4Sprinkle the lettuce with the pomegranate seeds and clementines and lightly toss.
Vinaigrette
1In a medium bowl, whisk together the balsamic vinegar and the Dijon. Whisk in the olive oil in a slow and steady stream. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Either serve alongside the salad or toss with the salad right before serving.
Credits Assistant StylistSonja Konevich;Assistant Garry Belinsky; Thanks toLuke Regalbuto, Maggie Beth Levinger, Jordan Atanat and Molly Myerson
T he Carousel thanks 'kinfolk' for this recipe
The post Pomegranate Clementine Salad appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Review: Patchology Getaway Plan Masks appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>You could, of course, share these with your partner. Alternatively, just do these over a couple of days and start your morning off with a refreshed spa feeling.
For example, you might like to start with the Illuminating eye gels then follow up later with the matching sheet mask for glowing healthy skin. After that move on to trying the Happy Place eye gels followed by the hydrate sheet mask.
Patchology Getaway Plan Masks
Flashmasque: Hydrate
The Flashmasque hydrate is a 5-minute sheet mask designed to hydrate your skin. It's perfect if you've been on an aeroplane, at the beach or outside exercising. It contains nourishing ingredients like hyaluronic acid and vitamin B5.
Place the Patchology mask on your face and smooth out any wrinkles. It's best to do this over a bathroom sink and line up your eyes with the eye holes first. Leave it for 5 minutes or more and then discard the mask. You can rub in any excess serum as it's best not to rinse off.
Flashmasque: Illuminate
The Flashmasque: Illuminate is similar but comes in a mustard yellow package. The 5-minute Patchology sheet mask is packed with liquorice extract, grapefruit seed and Vitamin C to create glowing skin. The ingredients are designed to brighten and even skin tone, provide antioxidant protection, encourage collagen production and improve skin elasticity.
Happy Place: Eye Gels
The Happy Place eye gels are tea-infused aromatherapy eye gel patches. They are scented with rose, hibiscus and lotus flower. These scents encourage creativity, positive energy and flying dreams. You just place them under your eyes for 10 minutes, or longer. Then discard and massage any remaining serum into your face. Ideal for all skin types. Happy Place have a lovely mild rose and floral scent.
Illuminating Eye Gels
The Illuminating eye gels by Patchology are similar but you place them under your eyes for 5 minutes, or longer. These have a pleasant floral scent.
Patchology have started the packing for you with their Getaway Plan kit. In conclusion, these are the perfect packet of face masks for travelling or weekends away.
Buy your Getaway Plan kit at Mecca or online at the Patchology website: https://www.patchology.com/
About Patchology
Patchology was formed around the idea that truly effective delivery of the best ingredients — on your terms — is a game-changer. Over ten years ago, our founding team began developing innovative patch technologies for the medical field. Today, we're continuing to expand that expertise in ingredient delivery to create products that do more, work faster, and deliver better results.
Not content to stop there, we're also driven to create products that keep up with your busy schedule, whether you've only got 5 minutes, or you're ready to slow down and have a little fun. Whatever your speed, our products will not only fulfil their promise, but fit your life. We call it "beauty at the speed of you," and it's the inspiration for everything we do. https://www.patchology.com/ #patchology #skincare #selfcare
The post Review: Patchology Getaway Plan Masks appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Fiona Tuck's Gentle Post Easter Cleanse appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>You might be feeling lethargic, bloated, sluggish and your skin could suffer from sensitivities including breakouts, rosacea, dehydration or blotchiness. These can all be the result of eating a diet high in refined sugar, saturated fat and alcohol, which we tend to do a lot of over Easter!
What we eat has a direct effect on our gut microbiota, which in turn can impact the health and condition of our skin. Yes, skincare can help, however, we need to look at treating our whole body – inside and out – with TLC in order to achieve holistic health and wellbeing. So, while you definitely should treat yourself to a new serum if you can afford afford it, you should check that your diet is healthy with lots of fruit and veggies and your alcohol intake isn't excessive. These two simple factors can improve gut health and get your back on track after Easter's indulgence.
Minimise Highly Processed Foods
Processed foods are typically low in nutrients as well as fibre. They also may contain additives, saturated fat, emulsifiers salt and sugar, all of which if eaten regularly may be detrimental to the health of our gut. Keep them off your plate as much as possible, replacing them with lean proteins, whole grains and lots of fruits and veggies.
Enjoy A Diverse Diet During Your Post Easter Cleanse
Diversity is key – all year round, but especially during your post-easter cleanse. The more diverse your diet, in particular the wider range of plant foods you consume, the more diverse your gut microbiome will be.
Try to eat a variety of different foods rather than the same foods every day. Mix up the colours and types of foods. For example: if you always eat green apples try switching to red, eat rye bread one day, spelt another and sourdough another day. Always include a rainbow of colours of fruit and veggies in your daily diet.
Photo by Trang Doan on Pexels.com
Boost Fibre And Pre-Biotics
Our gut needs different types of fibre to stay healthy, such as resistant starch and soluble and insoluble fibre. It also needs prebiotics which provide the necessary fuel for gut microbes to thrive. Without adequate pre-biotics our gut microbes starve. While fibre and probiotics are clearly important for your post-easter cleanse, it's vital we eat them daily to boost overall health and wellness.
Prebiotics come from certain types of plant fibre, resistant starch and polyphenolic compounds found in fruits and vegetables. Include wholegrains, nuts, seeds, fruits, vegetables and legumes to ensure you are getting enough fibre and the very important prebiotics that the gut needs to stay healthy.
Include Polyphenol Rich Foods
Polyphenols are micronutrients that we get through certain plant-based foods. They're packed with antioxidants and have myriad skin protective benefits. They have been shown to act as prebiotics, providing necessary fuel for the beneficial microbes that live in our gut. Polyphenolic compounds come from plant foods such as red and blue foods, for example: berries, cherries, extra virgin olive oil and even tea and coffee.
Embrace Fermented Foods
Once thought to be a fad, fermented foods have now shown that they can reduce risks of type two diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and heart disease, along with improved weight management. Fermented foods such as saukraut, kimichi, and kefir contain live bacteria and nutrients that may support a healthy gut.
Amp Up Your Exercise
Regular exercise is important for a healthy mind and body. It helps with cardiovascular health, skeletal health and general health and wellness. If you've overdone it over Easter, why not add an extra 15 to 30 minutes to your work out that day, or take an extra lap of the block?
The post Fiona Tuck's Gentle Post Easter Cleanse appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post Top 10 Positive News Sites appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>1. Happy Ali News
A contemporary digital newspaper delivering seriously happy global news. They're on a mission to brighten your mornings and make sure the good news outweighs the bad. Their content goes beyond current affairs, they have partnered with celebrity chef Lyndey Milan to bring you mouth-watering food, Shelley Ferguson to inspire your home-improvement projects, and have uplifting sections on wellbeing, travel and the environment.
2.Huffington Post's Good News
Arianna Huffington's good news outlet is a breath of a fresh air. From local stories of community heroes and a huge dose of cute animals, to entrepreneur passion-projects and celebrities doing great things. Guaranteed mood-booster.
3. Good News Network
News designed to be "an antidote to the barrage of negativity experienced in the mainstream media", and it does exactly that. Their stories confirm what we already believe: good news itself is not in short supply; the broadcasting of it is. Great for hometown family stories too, as they invite good news submissions.
4. Soul Talk News
A news and media brand that was created to publish positive and empowering stories from all over the world on health, business, tech and science. Notably they have a news section on inspiring women and one that covers outstanding achievements by kids and passionate youths – a great publication to encourage your young ones to start engaging in current affairs.
5. Good
"For people who give a damn." Articles about the planet, innovation, culture, design, cities and politics. The sister news outlet of Upworthy that tells the important stories that matter, more serious than the others, but still with a positive outlook.
6. 1000 Awesome Things
A blog by Neil Pasricha, who began documenting life's little joys as therapy when his marriage broke down and his best friend took his own life. He chose one awesome thing to write about everyday and is still going! A really fun read that opens your eyes to delightful daily moments.
7. Upworthy
A popular positive news site for stories worth sharing. A wealth of uplifting and happy stories of local heroes, family laughs and viral memes. Follow them for great positive and relatable stories that remind us of our common humanity.
8. The Happy Broadcast
A happy news outlet publishing positive movements across the globe, such as Brasil's national soccer team dedicated to paying their female players as much as their male players, and a town in Finland who give free cake and transport tokens for citizens who cut their carbon emissions. The bonus: A happy illustrator designs and draws a special cartoon for each article.
9. The Happy Newspaper
Designed to celebrate all that's good in the world and celebrates wonderful people! It's available as a print subscription with global news as well as a section dedicated to everyday heroes. A great reminder of all the things we have be happy about, and stunning colourful artwork throughout.
10. Positive News UK
"The magazine for for good journalism about the good things that are happening". They are a media company dedicated to quality, independent reporting about what's going right in the world. Although they are UK-based they deliver stories on worldwide current affairs and have great sections specifically for economics and society.
The post Top 10 Positive News Sites appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post 6 Must-Listen New Songs from Local Musicians appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Ella French – No Thank You
'No Thank You' is a collection of new music featuring 'Hurricane', 'More to Life', 'This Was Supposed to my Freedom', 'Move to Slow' and 'Known Better'. You'll want to be sipping pink mojitos by the pool while listening to her new music. http://www.ellafencemusic.com
Nicole Millar – Are You Kidding
The catchy single 'Are you Kidding' is a taste of Nicole Millar's upcoming EP of the same name. Listen to the choppy dance beat, bass and guitar with smoking hot vocals.
"I wrote this track to a beat in my head and brought it into the studio with Kilter. He helped to take it to a new place," Nicole says. "Kilter sped it up and started doing vocal chops as a joke and I was like, wait, that is actually so sick. So, I made him recreate it and put it in the song," said Nicole Millar.
Ash Kennedy – Chocolate in the Morning
And who hasn't eaten chocolate in the morning? A fun song perfect for playing on the weekend while baking or as part of your Easter playlist. The song was created with Ben Oldland during a Zoom writing session that evolved into sharing love stories.
"I spilled to Ben about my new iso-boyfriend; who is an amazing cook, my best friend, but cringes at the thought of pet names and big romantic gestures. We laughed at how I playfully taunt him by referring to him as 'pumpkin' and other food-related pet names. I'm a teeny bit of a stirrer, so I thought it would be hilarious to write a song about our relationship in isolation with extra cheese!" said Ash Kennedy.
Isadoré – One Step
Look out for Isadoré's sophomore EP 'Sun Queen' released on the 9th of April 2021. She wrote and produced this track entirely by herself and matched it perfectly with a music video that has an old-school French like cinematic style.
"This current EP I have been releasing over the last 12 months has been inspired by the feminist classic Women Who Run with The Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola Estés. 'One Step' was inspired by one of the stories from this book 'The Handless Maiden' who has had her hands cut off by the devil. The tale is a rite of passage, a descent and return designed to build endurance and strength and bring a wounded soul back to life. I wanted to capture this on film in a way that would connect with everyone differently, I am really proud of this visual and I am so excited to be releasing my EP in April" – Isadoré. https://www.isadoremusic.com/
Souldrop – Jive
A relaxed single 'Jive' was recorded in Wellington and is from the new EP titled 'Gypsy Lizard King' This band excels at indie-soul grooves, earning them over 1 million Spotify streams. https://www.facebook.com/souldropofficial/
Jamel – 24/7
This is the hotly anticipated second single from Jamel after debuting 'Remedy' ft Rops1' last year. Being a part of Freesouls, Jamel was ready to launch a solo career and has enjoyed being heavily featured on Triple J. This is the song you'll want to play while cruising with your brothers in your sweet ride.
"It's for the fans, I know I don't have many so far, but, I appreciate the ones that are here riding this journey out with me, I'm grateful, so this is for them" – Jamel
Image Credit: Isadoré by Alicia Owen
Please leave a comment and let us know what you are listening to:
The post 6 Must-Listen New Songs from Local Musicians appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>The post 5 Best Easter Getaway Spots appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Just an hour and a half south of Byron, you'll find this laid back, quaint beach town. While Byron Bay has been in the spotlight and growing in popularity, Yamba's been flying under the radar but we're sure it won't last long! From surfing at Angourie Point or Pippi Beach to swimming in the calm waters of Convent Beach, holidayers will be spoilt for choice with 11 beaches to spread your beach towel at.
2. Magnetic Island, QLD
Only a short 25 minute ferry ride from Townsville, 'Maggie Island' (as the locals call it) offers a tropical island escape but without the crowds of the Whitsundays. Pack your beach bag and head to Picnic Bay for a relaxed day by the water. For Jet Ski rides, kayaking and other water sport activities, Horseshoe Bay is where it's at. If you're looking to get in touch with nature, there's 24 km of walking tracks – a great way to get a view over the bays or to meet the local wallabies and koalas.
3. Exmouth, WA: If you're an east coaster, you may have been distracted by the well-known West Australian beaches of Broome and Cable Beach. The town of Exmouth, south of Broome, offers an affordable Easter getaway. The town centre is only one km from the closest beach, Town Beach, and just a short 15min drive away from Bundegi Beach, the start of Ningaloo Reef Marine Park and less than an hour away from the stunning Turquoise Bay. The marine park is home to white sandy beaches with clear blue water and the largest fringing coral reef in Australia.
4. Mt Gambier, SA
Close to the South Australian boarder, almost bang in the middle of Melbourne and Adelaide is Mt Gambier, a town with impressive lakes and sinkholes. There are lakes dotted all around the area, but the most unique is the Blue Lake. True to its name, the lake is a vibrant blue colour up until March before the colour of the water changes to grey. Another must-do is a visit to the sinkhole turned garden, The Sunken Garden, a green wonderland of hanging vines and tree ferns.
5. Port Fairy, VIC
This small coastal town is at the end of the Great Ocean Road and a great value Easter holiday spot. It's got the charm of 19th century cottages and historic cafes overlooking Port Fairy's beaches. Griffiths Island is also an easy walk across from the edge of Port Fairy, a great spot for watching the sunset over the lighthouse.
The post 5 Best Easter Getaway Spots appeared first on The Carousel.
]]>Better Homes And Gardens Chicken And Sweetcorn Soup
Source: https://thecarousel.com/feed/
Posted by: gonzalesbeepargang97.blogspot.com
0 Response to "Better Homes And Gardens Chicken And Sweetcorn Soup"
Post a Comment