Linda deWilde-Moon

Freelance feature writer

Australia

Writer / Dreamer
Qualified naturopath & permaculture designer
Katoomba, Blue Mountains
Contact: [email protected]

Portfolio

LATEST STORIES

WellBeing Magazine
07/17/2023
Chemtrails: crop circles of the sky?

White trails in our skies have sparked a horde of theories and counter-arguments. What are they and do they present any risk to human and environmental health?

WellBeing Magazine
04/19/2023
Why do we dream? - WellBeing Magazine

Once thought to be messages from other realms, new science shines a light on the causes of our fascinating and frightening dreams!

AWARDS

BOOKAZINES

Universal Media Co (UMCO)
2022
Healthy Home

How to create a happy, peaceful, non-toxic, social, sustainable and resilient home.

Universal Shop AU
2022
The Healing Garden Bookazine

Hidden in our gardens within humble fruits, vegetables and herbs are many life-enhancing ingredients. With interest in DIY experiencing a revival, we thought it time to assist you in tapping into this natural healing resource through the art of creating your own remedies.

Universal Shop AU
2021
Mindful Gardening

These days more of us are turning to our gardens to find solace in a difficult world. As we instinctively know, nurturing plants also nurtures us. We look at the science behind this and the case for gardening for your mental health and wellbeing.

UMCO
2022
MY SLEEP COACH

A guide to overcoming modern sleep problems according to the latest sleep science.

Universal Shop AU
2022
Smart Food Ideas - Healthy Desserts Bookazine

Looking to have your cake and eat it too? Then Smart Food Ideas: Healthy Desserts is for you! Packed with delicious recipes sure to tantalise your taste buds, it's the ideal recipe book for any reader looking to cut their calories yet still satisfy their sweet tooth.

MENTAL HEALTH

WellBeing Magazine
07/20/2021
Navigating life as a hypersensitive person - WellBeing Magazine

A small but growing body of neuro-scientific research confirms the existence of "empaths" and "highly sensitive people". Here's what to do if you're one of them. Do you feel deeply affected by the suffering of others or pick up easily on vibes around you?

WellBeing Magazine
08/10/2022
The keys to healthy self-esteem -

Do you often feel that, to put it bluntly, you suck? Welcome to the club. At the same time, our common struggle with self-worth can mean we're liable to brush aside the problem.

WellBeing Magazine
09/21/2022
Building rainbows in children's minds - WellBeing Magazine

Exalted as one of the three most important virtues of Christianity, and a powerful force enabling us to battle the inevitable obstacles of life, hope is a less-examined, vital ingredient for a happy, healthy childhood and adult life.

WellBeing Magazine
10/18/2021
The inner rebel: Rethinking bad behaviour - WellBeing Magazine

When used in the right context and manner, some behaviours deemed taboo by society can actually be good for you. Here's why you should unleash your inner rebel more often. Nice people don't swear, break wind, get angry or display selfishness. Sound familiar?

Being magazine
2022
How to Use Humour Mindfully

Humour is a less-thought-of wellbeing tool and power for good. Here’s how to harness the benefits of wit and apply it more mindfully to your life.

The Saturday Paper
08/28/2020
Uni students' mental health

With the support and guidance of family and teachers Jaymee Wolff studied hard and achieved her goal - to get into a double degree in outdoor recreation and teaching. But the sensitive straight-A student and former sports captain from Victoria found the social isolation and academic pressure of university life crippling.

the Guardian
06/30/2019
'You grow up hating yourself': why child abuse survivors keep - and break - their silence

Earlier this year Erin Delaney revealed on Facebook a secret she'd kept from almost everyone. As a child she suffered physical and emotional abuse and severe neglect. The neglect had significant consequences, including a fractured skull from falling - which was only picked up when, after she vomited at school the next day, a member of her extended family intervened and took her to hospital.

Intheblack
11/27/2020
6 signs you're doing self-care wrong

Due to the ongoing pandemic, months-long stretches of isolation have elevated self-care to a national pastime. By Linda Moon Due to the ongoing pandemic, months-long stretches of isolation have elevated self-care to a national pastime.

The Sydney Morning Herald
09/20/2018
Is there such thing as 'vegan depression'?

Vystopia" is a term which attempts to describe psychological symptoms experienced by some people who choose veganism for ethical reasons.

The Saturday Paper
08/10/2018
Midlife suicide

In 2008 Martina McGrath had all the trappings of midlife success. "I was engaged to a wonderful partner, we owned our own home, I drove a fancy-schmancy car and had a kick-arse job earning well over $100,000," McGrath recalls. In the space of a year her fortunes had dramatically changed.

The New Daily
04/21/2018
How to eat your way to better mental health

Rather than reaching for comfort junk foods when we're feeling down, we should fuel our bodies with mood-protective foods . In a world first, an Australian research team has discovered a wholesome, healthy diet can lessen depression.

The Sydney Morning Herald
10/15/2016
The delicate business of disclosing a mental illness in the early stage of a relationship

A stint in the psych ward isn't something one might want to advertise to a prospective suitor. But it's precisely what 28-year-old Stefani Caminiti had to contend with when she started dating. Caminiti, who was formerly diagnosed with clinical depression and anxiety at age 18, spent three months as an inpatient in a psychiatric unit after attempting suicide in 2013.

Sydney Morning Herald
11/23/2014
7 ways to combat depression and anxiety for free

Move that body: regular exercise can help in the fight against depression. Photo: Stocksy More than three million Australians experience depression and/or anxiety each year, according to Beyond Blue. The cost of therapy (from $70-$150 an hour for an accredited counsellor to up to $235 and more for a one-hour psychology session), combined with the stigma of mental illness, can mean our psychic sufferings remain a private struggle.

The Saturday Paper
10/05/2017
Behavioural Activation for depression

Like many, 50-year-old Jane Curnow credits overcoming depression to an absorbing hobby. Curnow was diagnosed with clinical depression at the age of 32 and had made two attempts on her life. "I had spent my entire adult life in and out of therapy," she says, explaining that her depression stemmed from life circumstances and low self-worth.

The New Daily
04/08/2017
How to stay 'up' in a negative world

In these ultra-connected times, being privy to all the problems of the world via our screens has its disadvantages. The news and those dystopian shows we tend to relax to at the end of the day can all add to a sense of gloom.

SBS News
08/29/2014
Comment: The secret life of depression

Close friends who had never given an inkling they suffered from the disease suddenly fessed up to secret stashes of anti-depressant medication. I wondered why people who had shared such intimate revelations as their child abuse had never been able to tell me about their depression.

SBS Life
09/06/2016
Male suicide: Let's get this conversation started to save lives

Carlo Laruccia, 42, a former chief financial officer from Melbourne, never imagined in his wildest dreams he'd attempt to end his own life. Now an ambassador for Beyondblue and speaker for Sane Australia and Well Ways, he's one of several suicide survivors sharing their stories to break down stigma and promote community openness on the topic in order to save lives.

The Sydney Morning Herald
10/10/2016
How three suicide survivors turned their lives around

In the midst of attempting suicide, Peta Dampney suddenly realised she didn't want to die. "I remember having to talk myself through it to convince myself it was the right thing to do. It was such a beautiful, sunny day with a perfect blue sky." Then the 22-year-old called an ambulance.

HEALTH & WELLBEING

WellBeing Magazine
09/21/2022
How to stay active when you hate exercise - WellBeing Magazine

Like eating more greens, we know exercise is good for our body and mind. What stands in the way of getting a healthy dose of movement? How can exercise loathers develop more fondness for physical activity? We take a look. More than half (55 per cent) of all Australian adults don't get the recommended amount of exercise for good health.

INTHEBLACK
2022
How to improve your memory | INTHEBLACK

Properly encoding a new memory requires focusing on the information you are receiving. Minimise distractions and be present when trying to absorb important facts. Avoid multi-tasking, because it scatters your concentration. We remember things better if we have a good reason.

The Saturday Paper
05/17/2019
Bias-free dietary guidance

Canada's revamped 2019 Food Guide centres on a simple yet arresting image: a plate filled with unprocessed, mostly plant-based foods. Dairy foods no longer have their own category, with the usual five food groups trimmed to just four.

WellBeing Magazine
20/04/2020
Menopause Myths

Understanding menopause better can help you create a more empowered experience.

WellBeing Magazine
05/14/2019
Here's everything you need to know to maximise your fertility naturally

Credit: Julie Johnson Making the decision to have a child is a wonderful, life-changing moment in life. Having made that decision, the last thing you want is to have difficulty conceiving. Equally, you want the pregnancy to be as smooth, and the baby as healthy, as possible.

The New Daily
10/13/2018
How being introverted or extroverted affects your chances in life

In Western countries, introverts have traditionally suffered from cultural bias that favours the outgoing. However, the underdog of personality typing is being re-framed in a positive light, thanks to a growing number of books, blogs and articles suggesting their superiority in skills important to society - like listening and empathy.

The New Daily
09/15/2018
Gluten may not be the cause of your bloating

Many people report bloating and other health issues after eating bread, pasta and other gluten-containing foods. For decades, gluten, a naturally occurring protein in wheat, rye and barley, has been blamed as the culprit, spawning a billion dollar industry in gluten-free products.

The New Daily
10/27/2018
What alcohol is good for your health? We asked a nutritionist

With new research suggesting even light drinking might be bad for us, short of becoming a teetotaller, what should we choose at the bar? Quashing the merits of moderate alcohol consumption, a large-scale US study of light drinkers by Washington University School of Medicine, found one to two alcoholic drinks four or more times a week was associated with a 20 per cent increased risk of premature death.

The New Daily
09/22/2018
Shift your meal times to shift some fat

With more of us fighting the bulge, but challenged to exercise and eat healthy, we're all on the lookout for that holy grail of weight loss. While that hasn't yet been discovered, researchers have discovered what may be a surprising and potentially easy way to reduce body fat - shifting our meal times.

The Saturday Paper
05/04/2018
Aerotoxic syndrome

Nearly three years ago flight attendant Jessica Manning was exposed to 21 hours of engine fumes aboard a flight. In the years that followed, the previously healthy Queenslander suffered persistent skin lesions, 75 per cent hair loss, vision deterioration, multiple chemical sensitivity, impaired short-term memory and cognitive function, liver and brain tumours, crippling fatigue and more.

The Sydney Morning Herald
12/02/2017
The wellness benefits of finding your voice through singing

When 42-year-old Rebecca Gibson gets home from work she likes to belt out a few '80s classic rock songs. The Newcastle nurse started using a karaoke app this year to improve her health problems, which include systemic lupus and fibromyalgia. "My job is very stressful and I have a lot of illness and trauma to heal," she says.

Australian Natural Health magazine
2017
Face Yogi

Face yoga is the latest trend in the wellness industry.

WellBeing Magazine
01/31/2019
Can you restore the health of your teeth? We look at dental health

Credit: Bigstock Able to survive fire and the grave, your teeth are unique, identifying you like a fingerprint. Like the rings of a tree, they're also a time capsule of information about your diet and lifestyle, reveals Debbie Guatelli-Steinberg in her 2016 book What Teeth Reveal About Human Evolution.

WellBeing Magazine
05/06/2019
An in-depth look at leafy greens and their health benefits

Credit: Heather Barnes Consumed by humans throughout history and maligned by salad-haters as "rabbit food", leafy greens include some of the easiest-to-grow, most nutrient-dense yet inexpensive health foods on the planet. Consisting of the edible leaves of plants, these inauspicious wonder foods may also include the shoots (as in sprouts and micro-greens) and stalks (as in celery) of plants.

The New Daily
07/28/2018
The chemicals lurking in your daily cup of tea

The daily cup of tea has many positive associations. Winding down (thought to be due to the relaxing presence of amino acid L-theanine), or winding up (thanks to caffeine's influence). Along with a dose of ritual comfort, there's also the health-giving benefits of herbal teas, lauded for antioxidants - the molecules that prevent free radical cell damage - and more.

The Saturday Paper
08/23/2019
Natural therapies under attack

As natural therapies grow in popularity, efforts to regulate the industry and curtail public use have increased. But are these efforts about control rather than science, and are they restricting our access to well-researched, low-risk therapies that may improve public health?

The New Daily
09/16/2017
Aerotoxic syndrome, the 'asbestos of the sky'

Those symptoms after a long-haul flight might not be jet lag, but something more sinister, according to a study recently published by the World Health Organisation. The study confirms a link between chemical contaminants in aeroplane cabin air and chronic and acute health problems. While airline crew are most exposed to the risks, it's a health hazard and flight safety issue potentially affecting anyone onboard.

The New Daily
07/21/2018
Why your weekend sleep-in is good for you - just don't overdo it

With insufficient sleep in the news as a health hazard, is it possible for those of us strapped for shut-eye by busy schedules to compensate by sleeping in on the weekend? A study published in the Journal of Sleep Research is one of few to look in-depth at the question.

Australian Natural Health magazine
Speaking out (Tara Moss)

Whether it's asking for a raise, giving a talk, blogging or advocating for others, speaking out in the public domain can be challenging. Tara Moss, author of Speaking Out: A 21st Century Handbook for Women and Girls, provides tips to help us speak out safely and effectively.

Domain, Sydney Morning Herald
01/19/2017
Having trouble losing weight? It could be your home

A sleek, clutter-free kitchen has many benefits, but did you know it can also help you lose weight? Everything from the layout of your kitchen to the type of dinnerware you use, can have a subliminal effect on how much you eat.

The New Daily
05/13/2017
Why swearing is good for you, according to science

The expletive that pops out when you stub your toe or are heaving a particularly heavy piece of furniture may have a purpose after all. Curiously, a bout of cussing can make you stronger and better able to endure pain, according to research presented this month to the Annual Conference of the British Psychological Society by Dr Richard Stephens of Keele University.

The New Daily
05/27/2017
Is sparkling water bad for you? We find out

Unflavoured sparkling mineral water is the go-to choice for those who want to stay healthy but still enjoy a few fun bubbles. However, new research conducted by Birzeit University in Palestine has raised concerns the carbonated beverage may not be as slimming to our waistlines as we'd thought.

The New Daily
01/07/2017
The low-carb, healthy fat diet: How it can help you lose weight

If supermarket labels spruiking fat-free claims are anything to go by, fat is a macronutrient we should handle with caution. That's an outdated health concern you might want to lose, according to ProfessorGrant Schofield, Dr Caryn Zinn and Craig Rodger, co-authors of Turning the food pyramid and conventional nutritional thought on its head, they recommend we eat more fat and reduce carbohydrates.

Sunday Life, Sun-Herald
02/07/2016
Take a stand

The trend in standing and treadmill desks and walking meetings

Domain, Sydney Morning Herald
02/16/2016
Five household chores to reduce stress

The sight of dirty dishes piled up on the sink is about as un-relaxing as it gets. But recent research suggests you need never look at the housework in the same negative light again. Household chores can officially be used as a way to chill out. Sound radical?

Sunday Life Sun-Herald
Birth by seasons

The season of your birth could have a lasting impact on your health.

Nature & Health magazine
Chemical free fragrances

As one of the main sources of chemicals into the bodies, personal care products pose many health risks.

Nature & Health magazine
10/01/2014
Into the green

The health benefits of shinrin-yoku (forest bathing), a scientifically validated therapy popular in Japan.

Sydney Morning Herald (Daily Life & Sunday Life Sun Herald)
07/06/2014
The upside to winter

"Winter is coming!" is the fearful catch-cry of TV series Game of Thrones. And historically, there's good reason to be afraid. In ancient communities, the months following the winter solstice were famine months. While starvation may not be something to fear in contemporary Australia, the season can have a profound effect on our well-being, influencing our mood, mental health, hormones, fertility, brain function and activity levels.

The New Daily
03/17/2018
Eat your way to sweeter-smelling breath

While most of us readily open up about our headaches, fatigue or toothaches, we're less up front about our bad breath. Recent market research commissioned by Sydney Holistic Dental Centre, found 72 per cent of Australian adults surveyed lived in fear of having bad breath.

The New Daily
07/22/2017
How to relax: switch off with this step-by-step guide

You finally have some downtime. But, with life so under the pump, doing 'nothing' feels abnormal and stresses you out even more. In short, you suck at relaxing. Inability to switch off after work is on the rise, says author of The Off Switch , Dr Mark Cropley.

RELATIONSHIPS & FAMILY

The New Daily
2018
Women reveal how men can win at online dating

In today's click-friendly world, about 4.5 million Australians hunt online for love every year, according to industry figures. On the surface it might seem easy to snare a potential mate from the virtual smorgasbord. But a common gripe from men is that women are too picky and dating sites are dominated by dudes.

WellBeing Magazine
06/05/2019
Loneliness and how we can rebuild our lost connections

Photo Credit: Clarisse Meyer If you're a typical Westerner in the 21st century, you probably feel lonely - occasionally, often or even most of the time. But, unlike with other afflictions, we're not likely to confess our loneliness to others. However, loneliness hurts. Terribly.

WellBeing Magazine
10/21/2019
The Intimate Home

Our homes are the perfect place to start designing better relationships.

Sunday Life, Sun-Herald
Second time around

The perils of second women - marrying the man they love ... and his problems.

The New Daily
04/22/2017
Faux-cialising: inside our growing lack of social commitment

Our social lives are increasingly moving online. While interacting with each other through social media might seem harmless, experts believe its prevalence is directly linked to the growth in loneliness plaguing the young.

The New Daily
03/11/2017
Living with your ex: a new reality for many Australians

Living with the ex after a relationship ends (technically dubbed 'separated under one roof') is a growing phenomenon reported by an increasing number of divorce lawyers. The high cost of housing is the main factor, says family law specialist, Catherine Ross.

Domain
07/15/2019
'My marriage was in turmoil': How messy homes lead to breakups

A decluttered interior is all the rage and good for our health. But what happens when our aspirations for domestic bliss are incompatible with our partner? Writer and mother Stacey Freeman believes fighting about household tidiness played a key role in why her ex-husband walked out of their marriage seven years ago.

The New Daily
07/07/2018
Women reveal how men can win at online dating

In today's click-friendly world, about 4.5 million Australians hunt online for love every year, according to industry figures. On the surface it might seem easy to snare a potential mate from the virtual smorgasbord. But a common gripe from men is that women are too picky and dating sites are dominated by dudes.

The New Daily
06/24/2017
Do men need women more than women need men?

Single men are less interested in marriage and commitment than single women. Ironically, once married, females are more likely to break that commitment. While the gap is closing, self-reports of Australians divorcing suggest around 69 per cent of marriage break-ups might be initiated by the wife.

The New Daily
12/01/2018
How to decline a Xmas invite without losing friends

As the party invites of the season roll in, there are those we can't fit in. Others we regard with dread. Declining a social invitation should be easy, right? Why, then, do so many of us suffer angst over it? How can we decline and still save face, our integrity and relationships?

The New Daily
12/09/2017
The engagement watch for men - it's a thing

Representative of a growing trend, Jen Cole (now 26), bought her husband, Tomo, a watch as a surprise engagement gift. At the time, the Launceston-based former high-school sweethearts were 22 and 24 respectively. Ms Cole, a high school chaplain from Launceston, saved for a month to buy the Nixon 51-30 Chrono watch.

The New Daily
05/26/2018
How 'phubbing' is killing the richness of our social life

Being snubbed by someone you're with in favour of their mobile phone - known as 'phubbing' - is extremely irritating. This is well known. What's less known is that this all-too-common practice can also have a detrimental impact on the offender.

Essential Kids
07/20/2015
When playdates cause conflict and resentment among parents

When Rachel Stone's five-year-old learned Santa wasn't real from a friend on a playdate it led to a fallout between the respective mothers. "When I spoke to her mum she said she'd ask her again not to," Rachel reported. "But her child is only 7 so she can't control what she says.

Essential Kids
03/24/2014
Should your new partner help support you and your children?

Negotiating money and finances in a new relationship is tricky enough, but doubly so when you have dependent children to bring into the mix. When Sophia, a separated working woman with one dependent child, decided to move in with Zac she worried how she'd survive financially without government assistance.

Essential Kids
08/05/2014
How technology is shaping their future

My only child played with her toys in her room, while on the screen of her iPad, another little girl also played. Watching from the door, a range of emotions rocked me: pity, guilt, fascination and a fair dose of anxiety.

Essential Kids
10/09/2015
When poor etiquette ruins a kid's birthday party

The number of birthday parties children attend each year increasingly dominate the lives of their parents. Organising gifts and costumes for such occasions, not to mention the expense and prepararion associated with birthday celebrations for their own offspring, can leave parents feeling less than enthusiastic about recieving yet another invite home from school.

BUSINESS, WORK & MONEY

INTHEBLACK
2022
How you can silence your inner impostor | INTHEBLACK

Not feeling up to par and overworking to compensate causes high levels of stress, Mann says. Practising mindful meditation and slow breathing can sooth our nervous system, bring us into a more beneficial state of balance and change our thinking at a body level, she says.

INTHEBLACK
2022
How to improve your focus at work | INTHEBLACK

Can't focus? Feel frazzled? You are not alone. According to a study by the Technical University of Denmark, our attention span is decreasing. Using historical data from Twitter, Google Books, Google Trends, Reddit and movie ticket sales, researchers have discovered that, over time, popular cultural items such as books, movies and social media topics have started to command less and less public attention.

Intheblack
09/15/2020
Buzzwords: The 'new normal' of business jargon

Research suggests jargon has many positives. However, overdoing it could have a negative effect on your business or employees. It all depends on how you use it. By Linda Moon Nice to e-meet you. Corporate lingo and office-speak. We all use it. And loathe it - especially when we're the recipient.

Intheblack
05/27/2020
Occupational loneliness: When the home office doesn't work

Loneliness can literally hurt and incapacitate us. If you're feeling its pangs, it's probably affecting your career. A few strategies can make a world of difference. By Linda Moon A lot has been written about loneliness. However, the occupational kind has had scant recognition. If you're feeling isolated at work join the club.

INTHEBLACK
2022
Humour at work: a teachable skill that's not just for laughs | INTHEBLACK

When used well, humour can be one of the greatest competitive advantages in business, say Dr Jennifer Aaker and Naomi Bagdonas, who have written a book, Humour, Seriously , on this very topic. Behavioural scientist Aaker and corporate strategist and lecturer at Stanford's Graduate School of Business Bagdonas have spent the past decade researching humour in the context of work.

Intheblack
06/15/2020
Leap of faith: When to call it quits on your job

Conventionally held beliefs encourage workers to grind out a living through thick and thin. But during a crisis, many are rethinking their professional path. Here's how to know when it's time to go. By Linda Moon Locked down under coronavirus, many people have had time to reflect on what matters, including job fulfilment.

Intheblack
07/10/2020
Digital minimalism - 9 ways to deal with virtual clutter

Mounting evidence suggests virtual clutter is as problematic as the physical variety. Here's what you can do to reduce the problem, according to experts. By Linda Moon In Digital Minimalism , Cal Newport warns our reckless and ubiquitous uptake of tech is leading us into "lives of quiet desperation".

Domain
05/06/2020
How landlords can make their rental property stand out in a crowded market

With industry experts predicting increases in rental vacancies due to the economic impact of COVID-19 measures, heavily geared landlords may come under pressure. The vast majority of Aussie landlords are on an income of less than $65,000 a year, says Ray Ellis, chief executive of First National Real Estate.

Domain
05/22/2020
How to reduce your biggest household expenses

More than a quarter of the Australian workforce is unemployed or underemployed, and many are searching for ways to trim the fat from household expenses. But what do you do when you've already cut discretionary spending and are living close to the bone?

Domain
09/23/2019
Four creatives who have turned their gardens into businesses

We tend to think of our gardens as showpieces adding to the attractiveness, property value and pleasure of our home. For some they're a stressful reminder of the mowing, weeding and other chores to be done. But, your garden could also be earning you hard cash.

The Sydney Morning Herald
11/08/2018
Making a career out of activism

Job opportunities are out there for idealists and dreamers who want to change the world, writes Linda Moon.

The New Daily
10/12/2018
How valuable are workplace wellness programs?

Wellness programs are becoming common in Australian workplaces - and for good reason. The average adult spends one-third of their life at work, so it makes sense to target health promotion strategies at the workplace. Increasingly, governments and the public are recognising the economic and social toll of poor physical and mental health at work.

The New Daily
04/28/2018
The 'retire early' strategy enthralling millennials

With pressure from housing stress, debt and high living costs, FIRE, an American movement where followers save and invest at least 50 per cent of their income to retire early, is gaining followers in Australia. Popular with millennials, FIRE stands for "Financially Independent Retiring Early".

The Sydney Morning Herald
08/16/2017
Strangled by ghosts, saving lives: a psychic's work day is never boring

Chatting to the dead is all in a day's work for 53-year-old Debbie Malone. "I can see someone as clear as though they're alive. Sometimes they're a see-through blue sort of image," she explains. Her extraordinary, 25-year-long career has seen her strangled by a ghost, receiving messages from brutally murdered victims and working with police artists to produce identikits of criminals.

The Age
12/01/2016
Making a living from music can be done

More than 37,000 Australians between 15 and 64 held a music qualification in 2009, according to Australian Bureau of Statistics figures. However, those employed full-time in the field remains small. In the last census nearly 8000 Australians claimed to be full-time musicians (defined as instrumental musicians, singers, composers and music directors).

The New Daily
The nightmare interviews you won't believe

Job interviews can be challenging at the best of times, but when twenty-something Jayden Toukley had to perform rap in front of a group for a bookstore position, the experience felt more like a nightmare. "It was awkward," Jayden recalled. "It would have been awkward to refuse, so you just did it.

Sprout Magazine
06/24/2017
The technology of farming "

Technology is changing the face of farming and Australian researchers are at the forefront of farm robot intelligence worldwide. By gathering on-farm data for crop and livestock monitoring, they're working to reduce risk, increase yields and support small farmers by taking over repetitive manual tasks.

The Sydney Morning Herald
01/28/2018
The reality behind rags to riches tales

Best known as a regular cast member on Network Ten's The Living Room, 47-year-old property renovator, Cherie Barber, is a self-made multi-millionaire and founder of Renovating For Profit. But her start to life wasn't easy. Barber is the oldest daughter of an earth-moving tractor operator and stay-at-home mother who grew up Sydney's western suburbs.

The New Daily
12/10/2016
The new digital nomads: Australian employees working remotely

With technology making it possible to work from anywhere in the world many of us fantasise about traveling or moving to dream locations while funding a livelihood from our laptop. It's a lifestyle generally associated with travel writing or high-paid IT and executive positions.

The Sydney Morning Herald
07/09/2016
No place like home for happy admin workers

Full-time "virtual" executive assistant Ingrid Bayer only has to walk down the hall to work. "Most people don't know that I'm virtual - and I don't tell them," she says. "They wouldn't have a clue where I am." Bayer works from her home in Taree, NSW, and admits on freezing days she's been known to don fluffy slippers.

The Sydney Morning Herald
07/28/2017
Connecting those who work alone

As technology revolutionises the way we work, occupational loneliness is emerging as a significant employment-related issue. But, with no centralised organisation or taskforce addressing the issue, few solutions have been offered. Research suggests it's a problem affecting a broad spectrum of the working population, including those working from home, in small-to-medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and employees with minimal face-to-face human interaction.

The Sydney Morning Herald
11/16/2017
Paradise found with the right job

Before moving to Kingscliff, 32-year-old former executive assistant Martha Passos was a frequent tourist to the northern New South Wales beachside town. "When I noticed Santai Retreat was searching for a professional to head up their events and conference division I could not believe it," Passos says.

The Sydney Morning Herald
11/18/2017
Secrets of a masseuse: The intimate insight into humanity

My career as a masseuse came about fortuitously, in my mid-30s, after I'd trained to be a naturopath. Despite being physically exhausting, I did it for 14 years; it was my favourite job and unlike any other I'd had.

The Sydney Morning Herald
10/12/2017
You're never too old to be an apprentice

When Melbourne-based, married father Leigh Garipidis started an internship at 41, people said he was taking a risk. Exchanging work experience for unpaid work, internships are typically more associated with young people than those in mid-life. After completing an advanced diploma in commercial photography at the Photography Studies College three years previously, Garipidis was mainly performing studio assistant work.

OUR HOMES

Domain
2021
How to recycle your household waste, properly

Are tinned food cans recycled when you don't wash them out? Which wheelie bin do takeout coffee cups go in? There's still a lot of confusion around best recycling practices, but this guide will help you sort through the rubbish.

Domain
2021
Easy ways to reduce your food waste

November 9, 2021 Delving deep into the private kitchens of Australians, new research has identified personas associated with different food waste behaviours. A collaboration of the Fight Food Waste Cooperative Research Centre and Monash University, the study surveyed more than 2800 Aussie households.

Domain
09/25/2020
The top towns in Australia where you can live a sustainable life

With interest in personal food production and sustainable living booming, more of us are turning to permaculture - a lifestyle and design concept based on meeting our needs in harmony with nature. Permaculture Australia describes it as a do-it-yourself approach to our households.

Domain
05/18/2021
Could where you live be making you unhealthy?

There's a lot to weigh up when considering where to live. A less thought of consideration is how a postcode affects our health and fitness levels. We are where we live, suggests Dr Ivan Parise , a GP, lecturer and researcher in public health and tropical medicine.

Domain
09/09/2020
The subtle ways your home could be affecting your mental health

Does going home cause a slump in your mood or fill you with dread? It could be that your home is contributing to a low mood or even poor mental health. Such was the case for Monique Ceccato . The 30-year-old freelance writer says she fell into depression after moving into a "hell hole" in Karawara, WA in 2008.

Domain
10/10/2020
Where to learn the art of beekeeping in your state

Greater recognition of the importance of bees has created a surge in backyard beekeeping. Also driving the trend is an increased interest in producing our own food. Beekeeping registrations in Victoria rose by 1000 in 2018-2019, according to the Australian Honey Bee Industry Council Annual Report .

Domain
10/05/2020
Why growing your own food should be an essential life skill

Current times (the COVID-19 pandemic, recession and an increased interest in sustainable living) have elevated the backyard food garden to a national pastime. Australian gardening hub The Diggers Club reports a 200 per cent rise in demand for edible and ornamental seeds throughout the COVID-19 crisis.

Domain
07/22/2020
The room design concept that keeps you feeling cosy, safe and warm

With winter here and more time spent indoors in a COVID-19 world, a comforting interior is more desirable than ever. However, Australian homes are among the most ill-prepared for winter in the world, according to researchers at the University of Adelaide's School of Architecture and Built Environment.

Domain
08/23/2020
The do's and don'ts of creating a will for a blended family

Making a will is something many of us place it in the too-hard basket. For blended families, the process can seem more fraught. Parents wanting to provide for their loved ones when they pass balance competing responsibilities, social politics and family dynamics, and often delay doing so - or don't make one at all.

WellBeing Magazine
20/04/2020
Home storage and decluttering solutions

73 per cent of us feel our home is too cluttered while it's a common cause of domestic arguments. How we sort, store and retrieve our stuff matters more than ever.

WELLBEING MAGAZINE, Feb 2020 Issue
2020
Serene Spaces

Understanding the link between interior design and your mood can help you create more nurturing and supportive spaces.

WellBeing Magazine
10/21/2019
The Intimate Home

Our homes are the perfect place to start designing better relationships.

Domain
11/25/2019
10 tips to keep your garden alive under tough new water restrictions

With level two water restrictions to hit those in Sydney, Illawarra and the Blue Mountains from December 10, many are wondering how to keep their gardens going during one of NSW's worst recorded droughts. According to the new Sydney Water guidelines, gardens can only be watered using a watering can or bucket before 10am or after 4pm.

Domain
09/02/2019
The latest trend in garden design adds value and beauty to your home

Want to grow food, but don't have enough space for both a veggie patch and the pretty ornamentals that add value and beauty to your home? According to Joshua Zeunert , an award-winning author and senior lecturer with the University of NSW's Landscape Architecture program, you can have a beautiful garden and eat it too.

WellBeing Magazine Issue 182
08/19/2019
The Healthy Home Office

With some forethought, planning and knowledge, it's possible to turn a chaotic, sterile and OH&S-unfriendly home office into a healthier, pleasanter and more productive space.

The Sydney Morning Herald
02/09/2018
The perils and pleasures of remarrying in my 50s

"Can a 50-year-old frump look good in a wedding dress?" Someone called "joolz50" posed the question on a forum post dedicated to attire for the mature-age bride. Being in my 50s, and with my own big day looming, I also wanted to know. I too felt I lacked a comfy social identity (and frock) to slip into.

WellBeing Magazine
04/22/2019
Sweet schemes: how to create a bedroom that helps you thrive

Credit: Swabdesign_official Mahatma Gandhi once said: "When I wake up, I am reborn." If you sleep poorly, you're more likely to feel strain and fatigue. Inadequate sleep and its consequences plague 33-45 per cent of adult Australians, according to a 2016 health report by the University of Adelaide and the Adelaide Institute for Sleep Health.

Domain
04/10/2019
Should you buy a property with a sibling?

When Amy Webster's sister, Margie, found her dream home in Balgowlah, NSW, there was one problem. It was totally out of her price range. "Then, we realised we could pool our resources and buy it together," Webster says. With housing affordability a national social and economic issue, should more siblings consider joining forces to get a slice of the property pie?

WellBeing Magazine
04/24/2019
9 simple DIY natural cleaning recipes for a healthy home

Credit: Daiga Ellaby Supporting a global industry worth tens of billions of dollars, our quest for a sparklingly clean, sweet-smelling home has spawned a vast array of products. But dig beneath the familiar, friendly packaging and marketing claims so many of us inherently trust and you'll find a scourge of chemical irritants, toxins and carcinogens.

Domain
09/02/2018
Is the popularity of minimalism causing more stress and domestic arguments?

Fuelled by books like Marie Kondo's The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, decluttering and minimalism have been held up as the path to household harmony. But, if the latest IKEA catalogue is anything to go by, we should embrace our stuff and stop stressing with the effort to attain perfect, minimalist interiors.

WellBeing Magazine
05/29/2019
How to choose the best low-tox paint for a healthy home

Credit: Joseph Perez With more of us turning to DIY paint jobs to beautify our spaces, it's important to look beyond colour swatches and trends to those often neglected health aspects. Fortunately, staying informed needn't involve rigorous study of technical manuals.

WellBeing Magazine
06/17/2019
Here is your comprehensive guide to sustainable flooring

Credit: Sarah Dorweiler You've settled on a timber-look floor. But, at the shop, you're inundated by brands, colours, grains, sizes, finishes and species of wood. There's also engineered wood, floating wood, reclaimed wood, wood look-alike vinyl and tile, and environmentally sustainable bamboo to choose from.

WellBeing Magazine
2018
The nature of things

Biophilic design encourages us to bring nature and its therapeutic benefits into the places we dwell most of the time: our homes and workplaces.

Australian Natural Health magazine
Zen inspired design

Whether it's a caravan or mansion, incorporating the principles of wabi sabi into your home can help you lead a more conscious, happy and purposeful life.

Domain, Sydney Morning Herald
03/07/2016
Does your bedroom need a 'sleep makeover'?

Can't sleep? Perhaps it's your bedroom. And the solution might be as simple as swapping those sheer curtains for some heavy light-blocking drapes. Regular insomnia plagues 13 to 33 per cent (up to a third) of Australians according to the Medical Journal of Australia - something to keep in mind when browsing the magazines or Pinterest for design ideas for your bedroom.

Domain - Sydney Morning Herald
05/25/2017
Could moving house be good for you?

In an era of infinite choice, the idea of packing up in pursuit of happier times tempts many of us. Yet for such an important decision, there is a surprising lack of research to guide us. What should we weigh up in making the choice?

Domain, Sydney Morning Herald
11/14/2017
Meet the professional couple who live on a bus

When the landlord hiked their rent in May this year, Catherine Coomans, 28, and Tom Low, 31, took a creative approach to the housing affordability issue and decided to live life on the road.

Domain
07/05/2017
Why you're more likely to buy property if your parents did

Housing affordability and income are the major variables as to whether or not we own our own home. However, a 2016 report by American real estate site Trulia, suggests another potential piece of the puzzle - family history.

Domain, Sydney Morning Herald
08/22/2016
Sourcing safe products and materials for your home reno

About six million (32 per cent of) Australians undertake minor improvements to their homes each year according to a recent Morgan Gallop Poll. With so many decisions at stake in selecting products for the home - from price and aesthetics to durability and environmental issues - it's easy for health considerations to slide.

Domain, Sydney Morning Herald
03/16/2017
Home shame: the people too embarrassed to invite anyone over

Ever wondered about that friend who never invites you around? International research suggests "home shame" could be responsible. This rarely remarked upon social phenomena may be more prevalent and pervasive than many of us realise. Research commissioned by glue manufacturer Sugru, discovered 57 per cent of Britons surveyed were embarrassed about the state of their home.

Domain
06/17/2016
How to use free DIY advice to save money on your renovation

Tapping into free DIY advice and training can save the home renovator money, reduce the overall cost of home improvements or make those projects a bit beyond the budget, attainable. More Australians are choosing to improve their living surroundings by renovating rather than moving house, according to Australian Bureau of Statistics figures.

Domain, Sydney Morning Herald
06/27/2016
Bamboo flooring: what you need to know

Touted as tough and environmentally friendly, with the stylishness of timber at a cheaper price, bamboo flooring is all the rage. Considered the "new timber", bamboo is relatively new to the Australian scene, and not so well understood by consumers. How well do the claims about bamboo stack up?

Domain
10/10/2017
Sneak peek into the lives (and bedrooms) of adults living at home

Amid the financial pressures of soaring housing prices, HECS debts and childcare costs, many young adults, and some older ones, have had to re-think expectations about their own nest. Increasingly, that nest is a smaller one within their parent's home.

GARDENING

Good Organic Gardening
2022
From Little Things (Micro-farming)

MICROFARMING IS ALL ABOUT IDENTIFYING A GAP IN THE MARKET AND FILLING IT. START SMALL, THINK LOCAL — AND WATCH THE BUSINESS GROW

Domain
12/06/2020
A renter's guide to growing your own food at home

Brad Barber hasn't let leasing hold back his vision of food self-sufficiency. After travelling for years, in December 2019 the retired permaculture enthusiast settled in a beach shack at Halls Head, south of Perth. "It was just a blank canvas, totally bare," he says.

Good Organic Gardening
2021
Much ado about mulch

INDISPENSABLE TO HEALTHY PLANTS, MULCH IS AN ONGOING COST FOR GARDENERS — SO WHY NOT MAKE YOUR OWN FOR FREE?

Domain
February 17, 2022
Tulips, daffodils and lilies: The everyday plants that are toxic to pets

Plants are one of our favourite home and garden accessories - they're great for our mental health and we love to pretty up our indoor and outdoor spaces with luscious greenery and blooms. But some of the most popular and common varieties may be dangerous to our furry and feathered friends.

Nature & Health magazine
Healing gardens

Naturopath, Linda Moon, describes how to create a garden designed to relax, revitalise and solve health problems.

PLANET & ENVIRONMENT

WELLBEING MAGAZINE - Feb Issue
2020
The Sustainable Diet

With our world expanding by 82 million souls a year, we need to switch to a more equitable, healthier and sustainable diet for the planet and human health.

WELLBEING MAGAZINE
27/02/2020
How to nurture an insect-friendly garden

Lars, Unsplash The fate of Earth's tiny creatures is tied to our own and should concern us all. Here's what we can do at home to help insects on the decline due to man-made forces including pesticides, habitat destruction, climate change and more.

WellBeing Magazine
10/23/2018
What you can do to save the only planet we have from climate change

Credit: Ishan Seefromthesky Stained and weathered like an ancient giant, the Mount Titlis glacier prods the heavens of central Switzerland. Even in this icy, otherworldly realm, surrounded by the Alps of nearby Germany, France and Italy, and 3238 metres above sea level, nature cannot escape the ravages of global warming and a changing climate.

Domain
06/28/2018
#PlasticFreeJuly: How to get on board the plastic free movement

With Australia's major supermarkets banning the plastic bag it's a good time to get on board #PlasticFreeJuly. The initiative, whereby people pledge to reduce plastic from their lives for a month, is a great opportunity to learn about plastic-free eco alternatives beyond the tote bag.

TRAVEL

Newcastle Herald
09/18/2020
Sanctuary stays heaven for animal-loving travellers

Sanctuaries offer animal-loving travellers a chance to contribute and get up close and personal with rescued wildlife, writes Linda Moon. I've fallen in love... with three friendly turkeys. Emitting a musical coo, they waddle after me.

International Traveller. The Green Issue.
2020
Buzzworthy

Canada BC's most buzzworthy hotels feature bee-centric experiences for nature-loving travellers.

AUSTRALIAN TRAVELLER - Jan/Feb/Mar Issue
2020
Fairies of the Night

Big ticket tour items in New Zealand, glow worms are virtually unheard of in Australia despite their preponderance here.

The Canberra Times (Australian Community Media)
03/10/2020
Where to gather your autumn harvest and fill that empty esky

Linda Moon goes foraging in the Blue Mountains and inland to Oberon, NSW, where, before the drab days of winter, nature puts on one last magical show and burst of colour and abundance.

escape.com.au
01/12/2021
The new Newcastle

Newcastle's transformation from a smelly, industrial port to one of Australia's leading smart cities has led to a tourism revival. We like what we see. See also: I found NSW's cutest roadside diner See also: Best feature in $22k-a-night hotel room Where the rail line once stood, flowers (lavender and society garlic) are blooming and cafes, cycle paths, a vibrant piazza and lime picnic lawns have sprung up.

THE NEW DAILY
31/01/2020
How to house-sit your way around the world

After a low-cost way to travel that involves living like a local? And animals? You might want to consider house-sitting. Taking the concept of local house-sitting and pet minding services to a new level, global house-sitting organisations can offer an unusual way to see the world.

escape.com.au
08/25/2020
Worth travelling for: The lemon tart with a national following

Five days a week, in the Central West town of Bathurst, Legall Patisserie bakes up what fans have lauded the tastiest lemon tart in the world. Tucked in the broad arm of Keppel Street, Bathurst - a three-hour drive west of Sydney into rural Oz - Legall Patisserie Café offers an enchanting reminiscence of traditional French baking.

The New Daily
07/01/2020
Nature, cycling, art trails ... a few reasons to plan a Canberra wishlist now

Far from being a dull workplace for politicians, Canberra ranked third on Lonely Planet's Best in Travel, 2018 Top 10 Cities list. Jam-packed with architecturally interesting buildings, culture, cool cuisine, and things to do outdoors - all within a compact radius - it's got the added benefits of headache-free parking and less congested roads than bigger cities.

WELLBEING MAGAZINE, Issue 177, October
2018
Heaven Spent (NZ South Island)

Cinematic views and big scenery are the South Island’s main currency, and a self-guided road trip is the most popular way to enjoy them.

International traveller magazine
2017
The lakes of Switzerland - better than a beach

Lined by medieval towns and shining mountains, the lakes of Switzerland offer a welcome point of difference to the usual seaside escapes. Linda Moon indulges in five of the best lakeside reveries. Tinkling and streaming through mountain and meadow, water is omnipresent in Switzerland.

WellBeing Magazine
2017
Finding peace in rainbow country

Internationally renowned for mining, the Pilbara in Australia's far west, has a lesser known spiritual and feminine side.

The New Daily
09/07/2019
Spring is here - this is where to see the best blooms | The New Daily

Connecting us to the season and nature at its most beautiful, spring blossoms are a key event for garden and nature lovers, photographers and romantics. Think sweeping clouds of cherry blossom, bursts of bulbs, but also golden canola fields, wildflower meadows, rhododendron gardens and jacaranda-lined streets.

The New Daily
07/01/2020
Nature, cycling, art trails ... a few reasons to plan a Canberra wishlist now

Far from being a dull workplace for politicians, Canberra ranked third on Lonely Planet's Best in Travel, 2018 Top 10 Cities list. Jam-packed with architecturally interesting buildings, culture, cool cuisine, and things to do outdoors - all within a compact radius - it's got the added benefits of headache-free parking and less congested roads than bigger cities.

The New Daily
05/03/2019
Enjoy the Great Barrier Reef on a budget | The New Daily

While places like Phuket, Fiji and Bali are popular tropical travel destinations for cost-conscious Australians, better beaches and world-class snorkelling are on our own doorstep in the Whitsundays. Despite the association with high-end, palm-treed, white-sand luxury, our World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef and islands can be enjoyed inexpensively.

The New Daily
10/05/2018
Tips for packing light for holidays | The New Daily

Packing is one of the biggest stresses related to travel, according to a 2012 US study. Unsurprisingly, more than two-thirds of couples fought while packing, while women over-packed by about 50 per cent, a survey conducted by British travel website Holiday Hypermarket found.

International traveller magazine
Switzerland by train - the iconic journey from Lucerne to Montreaux

Passing lakes, Alps and meadows, a Switzerland train journey through the Bernese Oberland allows you to sit back and watch the scenery roll by, writes Linda Moon. After taking in the delights of the fairytale lake city Lucerne, I'm standing at its train platform bound for my next adventure.

Lightfoot Travel
08/28/2018
Bucket List Adventures For Families In New Zealand - Lightfoot Travel

When boatsman, Dougie, plucks an iceberg out of the water, Angeline is thrilled to hold it. New Zealand's South Island offers opportunity aplenty for children to venture into the kind of epic scenery usually glimpsed on the big screen, says Linda Moon Staring from the window, I'm as mesmerised as a child in Jurassic World.

The New Daily
08/03/2018
Australia's best hot springs

Australians with winter cabin fever might consider a more economical way to warm up than flying north for the winter - visiting a hot spring or onsen. Here's our roundup of the best places - from zen pools to tropical waterholes - to take the plunge into warm waters.

Australian Natural Health magazine
Mountain High

Best known for its Alps, Switzerland is also blessed with a bounty of pure glacial melt and geothermal groundwater. Go for the spas but stay for the scenery.

WellBeing magazine
10/01/2015
Treasure Island

Remote, fragrant and graced with Jurassic-era scenery and magical lagoons, Moorea is the subject of the first-ever scientific inventory of an entire ecosystem.

WellBeing Magazine
A magical mystery tour

Not far from the big smoke's well-trodden streets lie the heights of the NSW Central Tablelands and a bounty of natural wonders just waiting to be discovered.

Nourish Magazine
2017
Tasting Nature

Food and Ecotourism in the Entlebuch Biosphere, Switzerland

Australian Natural Health magazine
10/12/2017
Take a Soul-cation

Pursuing our soul purpose can be another reason to take a holiday break

Weekendnotes
Cycling in Orange

Cycling through shining maples in the country under a fair blue sky trumps driving through traffic with hundreds of commuters headed to the usual places.

The New Daily
02/17/2017
When will we all be able to access free Wi-Fi on planes?

The frustration of being disconnected from the internet on a long-haul flight could soon be a thing of the past for Australian travellers, with several local airlines planning to roll out in-flight Wi-Fi. Qantas plans to have the technology installed by late February, and Virgin Airlines is expected to follow suit later in the year.

Slow Living magazine
Warmed by three suns

Switzerland's World Heritage-listed Lavaux wine region is home to some of the oldest, and most picturesque vineyards in the world.

Voyeur (Virgin inflight magazine)
Keeping the peace

Resplendent with stunning alpine views, wild snow monkeys and hot springs, Kamikochi is the perfect location to refresh the body and soul.

Jetstar Asia
Discovering a rare peace in Japan

In contrast to bustling Tokyo, a visit to Ogimachi in central Japan provides a timeless glimpse into remote village life in the Middle Ages

Travel Associates
10/06/2015
10 Unique Ways To Experience Tahiti & Her Islands

Imbued with myth, Tahiti and her 13 fellow isles of the Society Island archipelago offer much more than just another tropical island paradise. After your eyes have adjusted to the electric blue water, delve into the unique sights, scents, flavours and experiences that have enticed people from Fletcher Christian to Marlon Brando.

Weekendnotes
Escape to Mount Wilson Village

After a brief drive through jungle style rainforest you come to its' broad avenue of deciduous trees and stately gardens, as if to a surprise or a dream. For this patch of England seems unlikely, sequestered as it is within rainforest gums and tree ferns.

The Big Bus tour and travel guide
12/16/2015
Japan - Ten exquisite and essential experiences

Beyond sushi and karaoke, Japan is a land of paradox and surprise, intriguing the traveler with its mix of modernity and tradition, big city mania and natural beauty. Dig beyond the cliches and you'll discover some of the most exquisite experiences to be had anywhere on the planet.

The Big Bus tour and travel guide
11/04/2015
Top things to see and do in Lucerne

At the junction of Lake Lucerne and the Reuss river is Lucerne, as lovely as any fairytale city. Legend tells that a light showed people of the 7 th century where to build the first chapel here, while according to myth, dragons inhabit the peaks of nearby Mount Pilatus, 2,128m at its highest.

The Big Bus tour and travel guide
08/12/2015
Top things to see and do in Hoi An

There are cities we visit; others that capture our hearts like lovers. Hoi An with its twinkling lanterns, lazy emerald river and ancient laneways is surely one of the latter.

International traveller magazine
Catching a coach in Switzerland

As the coach rounds the steep bends of the road, I spot glimpses of snow on lofty, faraway mountains. In the foreground, sunlight filters through dramatic stands of sombre fir forest. There are only a few couples and families with me on the Mount Titlis day tour, an approximately 90-minute trip from Zurich via Lucerne to the 3020-metre Mount Titlis Glacier Park.

Weekendnotes
33 Fascinating Facts about the Blue Mountains

Thousands of tourists visit every year to experience sweeping views of the ancient landscape from lookouts, bushwalking and seasonal events like Yulefest (Winter in July), spring and autumn garden festivals.

Nourish Magazine
June 2017
Get away from it all

As NSW's first official 'Slow Town' Katoomba is building a reputation for slow food and a place to get away from it all.

Nourishmagazine
Get away from it all...

Anyone who has travelled to, or through, the Blue Mountains before has likely been to Katoomba: the highest profile village of the region. Katoomba has a long-standing reputation as a place popular for seeking total time out and good, old fashioned nourishment.

Weekendnotes
The Taj Mahal

No photograph can do it justice, nor prepare you for the magical sight of its sparkling countenance hovering in mega 3D.

Weekendnotes
Trees Adventure High Ropes Park Nowra

There's a moment of fear as I stare at the platform far away. An abyss of trees stretches between me and the other side. With my partner about to climb up behind me, there's no choice but to go on. The next moment I'm flying over the treetops, my feet skimming leaves and scraping branches. Releasing a ninja type whoop of euphoria, I land with a thump on the platform at the top of a tree. Alive.

Weekendnotes
Valley of the Waters National Pass Trail

Not the Valley of the Kings, but with equivalent drama, majesty and enchantment. This Best Walk of the Blue Mt's stars bountiful waterfalls, soaring rock escarpments, mini caves and rainforest canopies that combine in an unforgettable experience of the ancient natural landscape of the Blue Mountains.

Travel Associates
07/10/2019
New Zealand: 10 enchanting moments not to miss

Chocked full of enchanted lakes and mountain ranges, New Zealand's fairer southern isle is full of mind-blowing experiences. Unfortunately, it's impossible to fit them all into a ten-day self-drive tour - the typical timeframe and mode of travel of a visit to New Zealand.

Weekendnotes
Where to See the Best Autumn Tree Displays in the Blue Mountains

Trees in delectable shades of peach, plum and lemon, mild weather, blue skies beyond the curtains of coloured leaves, picnics on the grass. This guide tells you where to find the best spots to enjoy autumn in the Blue Mountains. Just be sure to make it before winter.

The New Daily
11/09/2018
Doing NZ's South Island in one to two weeks

More Australians are lured to New Zealand than any other international destination. And no wonder. Just a relatively quick flight across the Tasman Sea, the South Island offers the Aussie traveller scenery rivaling anything in Switzerland or Canada at a fraction of the cost.

Holidaysforcouples
20 October 2015
Discover How to Make the Most of Switzerland

At 41,000 square kilometres, about two-thirds the size of Tasmania, it's blissfully possible to see the diversity of Switzerland in a relatively short time. Linda Moon joins Tourism Switzerland's Grand Tour to check out the best sights of the country...

The New Daily
10/05/2018
Car or camper van? Choose the right vehicle | The New Daily

For some, camper-vanning is a bucket-list goal. Others are lured by the practical advantages - which range from saving money on accommodation and meals to the flexibility of being able to customise your own trip. There's plenty of quality time with your co-travellers, and the freedom to follow your whimsy.

The New Daily
01/04/2019
The deadly Australian creatures you might meet on holiday

The schoolgirl was swimming in the shallows in the Whitsundays when the shark struck last September. She lost her leg in the attack. A day later, a Tasmanian mother of two was bitten, and had 18 hours of surgery. In November, a young Melbourne doctor was also attacked while holidaying in the same area, Cid Harbour.

The New Daily
03/25/2017
The meal-high club: Why is airline food so bad?

Tasteless and shrouded in mystery, airline meals are the butt of jokes and the element of travel we all love to hate. But what are the facts behind the most maligned food on the planet? Blame it on altitude. Dining at 30,000 to 40,000 feet (the average cruise altitude of commercial planes), impairs our taste and smell receptors.

Travel Associates
12/05/2018
Historic Rail Adventure Turns 90. Get On Board.

On the approach of its' 90th anniversary, The Ghan has come a long way since its beginnings as a camel route in the 1830s. An iconic, world famous rail journey, it offers a relaxing experience of Australia's unique, ancient outback with all the mod cons and richness of history.

FOOD & FARMING

Food
08/04/2020
Should you eat like your ancestors?

As I grew up between divorced parents from different cultures, I compared food in a way that led to it flavouring the rest of my life. At my Anglo-Saxon mums' place, mealtimes were a healthy version of a home-cooked Western diet: three or more veg, meat and potato, salads, a regular spaghetti bolognese, dessert and occasional fish.

Food
03/12/2020
Science suggests prebiotic foods might help you sleep

The discovery of prebiotics, a fibre-rich food group first defined in 1995, has greatly enhanced our understanding of gut health. The food promotes the diversity and function of good bacteria in our gut, a key indicator of health. But recent research suggests the gut-friendly foods may have other benefits, including helping us sleep.

MINDFOOD
2018
Harvested by hand

Indigenous women are harvesting food from the outback and sparking a renaissance in traditional tucker for a new generation.

Food
08/21/2020
Would you eat a steak from a 3D printer?

Meat substitutes have been around for centuries. Advances in food technology have even led to realistic imitations with their own dedicated supermarket aisle. What's eluded the industry, so far, is the ability to replicate identical-looking and tasting 'cuts' of meat. Enter the Alt-Steak.

Food
05/28/2020
How to make the most of mushroom season

"15 to 20 years ago, the only people picking mushrooms in the forest were speaking Italian, Polish, Russian or Czech," claims environmental educator and professional forager, Diego Bonetto. "Now everyone wants to do it." It's a reflection of the mushroom's cultural expansion and surging popularity.

Sprout Magazine
09/29/2017
The ark of food "

Adding his latest finding, an iodine-rich Tasmanian seaweed, to his database of 29,270 plants, 72-year-old Bruce French is close to cataloguing every possible edible plant on our planet.

Nourish magazine
10/12/2017
Keep calm and eat together

Bringing zen to mealtimes can enhance our health, wellbeing, relationships and more.

Nourish Magazine
2017
Gluten: Food Frenemy

Explores the rise in gluten free eating. How healthy is it and is gluten the real enemy or something else?

Sprout magazine
09/08/2016
The power of raw food "

Over the last decade raw food has moved beyond the private kitchen of the health junkie. Boosted by the popularity of green smoothies and cold-pressed juices, foodie entrepreneurs are fashioning food creations under the banner of raw food, and championing fresh, local produce.

SBS News
02/27/2015
Comment: Consumers distrustful of 'big food' companies turn to local food

Mounting hepatitis cases linked to frozen berries supplied by frozen desserts and pie manufacturer Patties Foods is another in a long list of food blights fuelling consumer distrust in "big food" companies. Aided by consumer movements and the information explosion, fed up consumers are turning in greater numbers towards local food.

Sprout magazine
03/31/2016
Worth their salt "

For something so commonplace and unsexy, salt has a riveting past. Building and destroying economies, prompting wars, salt has also driven the development of civilisation through its role in food preservation, travel, trade, religion and culture.

Nourish magazine
The power of paddock to plate

Reconnecting us to our food source, the Slow Food Movement could have vast implications from improving our health to solving world hunger.

Sproutmagazine
06/10/2016
Fruit of the desert "

The edge of the Simpson desert might seem an unlikely location for growing food. According to Ben Wall, co-founder of the Tamara Date Co-operative, it's perfect for growing dates.

Nourish Magazine
Different dessert

A line-up of intolerance friendly, vegan, raw and sugar-free treats across the nation.

Nourish Magazine
The rise of dairy-free dairy

The rise of the 'new' dairy foods - ice-cream, cheese, butter, sour cream and yoghurt without the cow.

Sproutmagazine
06/24/2017
The technology of farming "

Technology is changing the face of farming and Australian researchers are at the forefront of farm robot intelligence worldwide. By gathering on-farm data for crop and livestock monitoring, they're working to reduce risk, increase yields and support small farmers by taking over repetitive manual tasks.

SOCIAL COMMENT, LAW & HUMAN RIGHTS

Topics
Should we remain friends with people who have different political views to us?

Unless you live on another planet, you've probably noticed an up-tick in "social distancing". Not just the 1.5 metre type, but people falling out over polarising politics. Whether you're a member of I stand With Dan, Rise Up Australia, Black Rights or Extinction Rebellion what's mutual is a heightening barbed-wire fence of intolerance for a view unlike ours.

WellBeing Magazine
08/12/2022
The lasting legacy of Olivia Newton-John - WellBeing Magazine

Many of us - particularly those who came of age with Grease - have felt personally affected by the passing of Olivia Newton-John. While the multi-awarded singer, actress, entrepreneur and philanthropist achieved a stardom and popularity paralleled by few, remarkably, she remained levelheaded, gracious and kind: someone we could relate to.

Murphys Law Accident Lawyers
2022
Why Qatar 2022 Shows We Can’t Take Work Safety Rights for Granted

In Qatar, poor construction workers rights – drastically below Australian standards – for the migrant workers tasked with building infrastructure including stadiums, hotels and transport for the FIFA 2022 World Cup, have contributed to the deaths of potentially thousands of foreign workers.

Murphys Law Accident Lawyers
2022
The inspiring women who changed the face of law in Australia

In honour of International Women’s Day, here we pay tribute to the gutsy female Australian lawyers who have pioneered the way and overcome discrimination. We also take a look at the challenges of being female in the industry today. What still needs to change?

The New Daily
03/21/2017
Penalty rates expose the plight of Australia's underclass

The Fair Work Commission's slashing of penalty rates exposes the powerlessness of Australia's underclass: its casualised workforce. This growing group, especially vulnerable to poverty, is often forgotten in key economic debates, including the current one raging over weekend wages. Ask any casual worker: it's a precarious and powerless existence.