The rosy fingered dawn illuminates the snow capped mountain peaks beyond my villa window. The crisp morning air bristles the back of my neck as I hustle along the marigold lined pathway to the panoramic yoga room for the first of two ninety minute yoga practice sessions each day. As the spring sun burns off the overnight cloud that drapes the mountain range, our internal hara ignites through yogic breath work and asana unpacking busy minds and releasing tight hamstrings and constricted tendons … [Read more...] about Well into the future
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A very short history of Gowings
The Gowing name has been synonymous with good food, bars and cars in Australia since the automative boom of the 60s and the gastronomic boom of the 70s. [dt_sc_clear /] Excerpt from The Byron Bay Echo 2009 by Victoria Cosford. Samantha Gowing was 20 years old when her father’s horse won the Melbourne Cup. His hand gripping hers, she watched as What A Nuisance came hurtling over the finish line – and even, later on, meeting the Prince and Princess of Wales could not compete with that … [Read more...] about A very short history of Gowings
The Top 10 Healthy Things to Do in Byron Bay
People always ask me for healing recommendations in Byron Bay so I thought I'd share my top 10 treatments, tips and tastes to stay tippity top. These are plates and places that are walking distance around town, affordable, and help to heal stress related symptoms. Nurture 1. Dolphins No matter the season, they're always around whether you're in the water waiting for a wave at Wategos or The Pass, or looking down from the lighthouse. I call them the 'labradors of the sea' as they will … [Read more...] about The Top 10 Healthy Things to Do in Byron Bay
Seven Byron Bay dishes you must try
GINGER TURMERIC BEER, ELIXIBA BOTANICAL BREWS Brewed in nearby Tweed Heads, this botanical brew is the perfect integration where healthy treats meet good times, sold at Byron Bay's new Elixiba. A groundbreaking taste of things to come in plant-based cuisine. I was a publican for eight years in Melbourne and never did we have such a tipple. See elixiba.com CHICKEN AND GINGER CONGEE, 100 MILE TABLE In a town where smashed avocado or kale is the breakfast norm, 100 Mile Table dishes up the most … [Read more...] about Seven Byron Bay dishes you must try
Liver a little longer
Function, Fad or Fashion - How to turn your scepticism into belief when it comes to healthy eating. The thing about common sense is that it’s not very common. Take Michael Pollan’s healthy dose of wisdom, ''Eat food, not too much, mostly plants'', for example. It couldn’t be more straightforward yet year after year the pandemic of obesity and diabetes rises incrementally. The evidence is out there, but so too is the easy access to highly processed convenience foods. Sadly it’s more cost … [Read more...] about Liver a little longer
Open Garden Mawallok
Along the sprawling Golden Plains of Victoria rises the historic Western District property Mawallok. Resplendent with a 2.5-hectare garden designed by renowned landscape architect William Guilfoyle in 1909, the garden features serpentine paths, sweeping lawns and impressive vistas across the lake designed by Sir John Monash. When my ol' school buddy of 41 years Zarby Mitchell below posted she was opening the family home at Stockyard Hill as part of the wonderful Open Gardens Victoria I … [Read more...] about Open Garden Mawallok
A Cream Come True
In December 2014 Pam Burnett slipped through my front door with the style and grace of a catwalk model. This elegant woman with her subtle South African drawl was seeking my help. She had a big idea - Cream Collection - and I immediately knew it would be a great success - in time. Like a well planned stitch. Pam has been in Australia for five years, prior to that she lived in South Africa all her life where she worked in fashion for more than 25 years. Back in 2004 she started a company in … [Read more...] about A Cream Come True
Byron Bay Cooking School
Thinking Christmas Parties? Then think about a culinary corporate challenge! Our popular Byron Bay Cooking School is just the ticket for executive team building events and festive breakout sessions. Here's a reminder of what we're up to around the Byron Shire. MEDIA RELEASE Australia’s Leading Spa Chef Cooking for Corporate Wellness and Team building September 2015 - In a world of wellness information overload, fad eating trends and superfood confusion, cue Australia’s leading spa chef … [Read more...] about Byron Bay Cooking School
A Sample of Remy Tancred
Remy Tancred deserves a regional Oscar for amplifying awareness to unprecedented heights about the glorious bounty the Northern Rivers of NSW has to offer. Her extensive background in editorial and publication led her to Sample, a series of events that unite an entire region, feeds the community, and showcases the extraordinary diversity of growers, produce and people within our deliciously vast food bowl. This year the program extends across four days featuring plenty of men and women in food, … [Read more...] about A Sample of Remy Tancred
Sustainable Seafood
Here's a handy list of sustainable fish and seafood for Australian waters. Choose wisely and choose well. Snapper is very prominent in our local waters near Byron Bay, as are Tweed Heads' prawns, so it's a good idea to check with your local supplier or fishmonger what is happening near your home. Enjoy Avoid Abalone Australian Salmon Blue Mussel Blue Swimmer Crab Bream Calamari Crayfish Cuttlefish Flathead King George Whiting Leatherjacket Mullet Mulloway … [Read more...] about Sustainable Seafood
Graduating Gratitude
Here's an extract from the Keynote Address for the Endeavour College of Natural Health - Melbourne ceremony May 6 2016. "It is with immense pleasure that I stand before you. Just six days ago I sat in anticipation just as you have waiting for my name to be called so I could officially graduate as a Le Cordon Bleu Master of Gastronomic Tourism. However – unlike you I’m sure – I had just come from my kitchen where I had been prepping fish and ‘uncooking’ raw cheesecakes for a catering job … [Read more...] about Graduating Gratitude
Fad diets – Australian Financial Review
Melissa Leong
When it comes to the Australian food industry, chances are that Melissa Leong has written about it, broadcast it, promoted it, been friends with it, or initiated a Twitter fight about it at some point. Starting out as a freelance food writer, she took a quick 5 year detour into restaurant PR consulting (focusing on brand management, social media strategy and trouble making). She returned to what she knows and loves best; writing, radio broadcasting, television presenting and generally shouting … [Read more...] about Melissa Leong