In reflecting on the events of the past weeks, I am reminded of everyday health practices that I used growing up in a large family. We lived a modest life, living within our means. Both my parents were born during WW2, and my grandparents were born soon after WW1 and lived through the Depression.

• We ate simple, fresh home-cooked food,
• We had a veggie garden, and Dad made wine from his very own grapes,
• We had chickens, a duck, a turtle, guinea pigs, a cat and dogs,
• We protected our animals, fed them and took care of them as we would our children,
• We prayed morning and night and dressed up for Sunday mass,
• We helped each other and our neighbours. We laughed. We enjoyed our simple life, and
• Every Sunday after dinner, Dad would play his piano accordion, and we would sing along.

Those were some fundamentals of life, that we should revisit. Achieving balance in all aspects of consciousness creates happiness, beauty and peace, and supports health and wellbeing.
It is at the core of Ayurveda and the essence of life.

 

Immunity is our entire lifestyle

In light of the current situation and this specific virus, I would encourage you to follow some of the preventative measures below:

 

NUTRITION

• Drink warm water but avoid excess water accumulation in the body as this virus thrives on moisture. Minimise high water content fruits, such as melons,
• Avoid or decrease your intake of animal protein and eggs. Instead, increase your complex carbohydrates intake, such as taro root, arrowroot, sweet potatoes,
• Increase your intake of vegetables such as cooked lentils, mung beans and dark leafy greens. This will make your body more alkaline, which is ideal for immunity, and
• Eat warm, cooked foods – nothing cold nor directly from the fridge. Eat dry snacks and dry fruits

 

SUPPLEMENTS AND SELF CARE REMEDIES

• Take a natural calcium supplement or one tablespoon per day of sesame seed powder as a natural calcium source. This keeps the lower part of the lungs clean and dry from excess mucus,
• Take natural Vitamin D and C, and incorporate vegetarian foods that contain K2-7, including ghee and fresh green chillies. This will help keep your lungs clear,
• Take 25mg of zinc to ward off viral infections,
• Keep your nasal passages very clean. While all salts are antibacterial, rock salt (which are mined from rocks is devoid of any chemical components and environmental pollutants), does not hold moisture like other salts, like sea salt. It is therefore ideal to use rock salt with a Neti Pot to decrease mucus, congestion and moisture,
• Put a couple of drops of eucalyptus oil on a handkerchief or tissue and routinely inhale the scent. It helps to keep the lungs clean and open while reducing congestion and mucus in the lungs,
• Gargle once per day: 1/4 cup of warm water, 1/4 tsp rock salt, 1/8 tsp baking soda, a pinch of turmeric. This will make your throat more alkaline, increasing resistance to infection. For any persistent irritation, pain or inflammation, increase to three times per day,
• Drink tea with ginger, holy basil (Tulsi), fresh turmeric and honey,
• Give yourself a gentle massage with warm sesame oil, incorporating some essential oils according to your dosha (For Vata: lemon, neroli and sweet orange; for Pitta: rose and sandalwood; for Kapha: sage and lavender),
• Sleep more, especially during this time. For optimal healing and rejuvenation, most people need 7-8 hours of good, sound sleep. This allows the body to regenerate, therefore enhancing your innate immunity, Perform simple, breathing exercises such as alternate-nostril or breath retention (kumbhaka) breathing. Ten minutes of this practice each morning and night is ideal, Perform sun salutations with the Om Surya Namaha mantra. Invoking the energy of the sun within yourself will enhance the body’s ability to fight bacteria and viruses, Burn incense and herbs in the house to clean and purify the air, Meditate as much as possible. Inhale and say, “I’m healthy”, exhale and repeat “I’m happy”, Get to know yourself. Experience your higher consciousness, Be vigilant handwashing with soap, Connect with Mother Nature and look up, and focus on gratitude – note things for which you are grateful.

 

Extra support

You may have other specific questions regarding your situation, and I will provide additional online/phone wellness support if you would like to discuss any diet and lifestyle recommendations further from the context of this confinement period, I am here for you; we are all in this together.

I am currently checking in regularly over the phone or via Face Time/WhatsApp, with a number of clients wanting support with:

• pregnancy
• emotional eating
• managing anxiety and/or insomnia
• relationship and life guidance counsel
• spiritual awakening and connection
• learning to meditate
• developing a self-care practise regime
• distant sound/energy healings

We have set up a private Community Facebook Page “Chat and Chai Wellness Lounge” as a way we can stay connected; it is a safe, non-judgement educational forum to help each other build resilience.

maiaveda

https://www.facebook.com/groups/ChatandChaiWellnessLounge/

Maiaveda is a wellness sanctuary.

At the heart of Maiaveda are the profound treatment programs that help restore balance and reawaken the body’s natural healing mechanisms. The treatments are only a part of a comprehensive approach to creating health. Guests at Maiaveda also gain an understanding of how all the various aspects of their lives are interrelated and contribute either positively or negatively to overall well being.. Leave feeling honoured and fully rejuvenated. Our Founder, Marye O’Brien, a qualified Ayurvedic Practitioner and Vedic Counsellor is available for online Wellness Consultations and Life Guidance Support, during the current pandemic restrictions.

The Maiaveda experience has been designed keeping in mind the individual’s desire to relax, rebalance and revitalise. Let us cocoon you within an oasis, a peaceful place where you can find sustenance – calm, small, sacred and nurturing. Leave feeling honoured and completely rejuvenated.

The Victoria Government reversed their decision on accredited Wellness Centres being able to deliver Remedial & Therapeutic Massage during the current Covid-19 pandemic restrictions. So we are now taking appointments, yet continuing to adhere to strict hygienic protocols. Only seeing one client at a time, by appointment only. If you are unwell, please re-frame from visiting us until you are fully recovered. To claim a health rebate from Remedial Massage, only Saturday appointments are available at this stage. All other days are available for Therapeutic Massage.

maiaveda.com.au

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Upstairs in The Mill
18 Piper Street
Kyneton, Victoria 3444

Phone: 0420 580 886

Current Trading Hours:

We are now taking appointments, yet continuing to adhere to strict hygienic protocols. Only seeing one client at a time, by appointment only.

Located in Piper Street Kyneton, Fook Shing brings modern and vibrant south east Asian cuisine to life in an historic gold rush era pub.

Fook Shing is named after the infamous Chinese Detective who was posted to the goldfields during Victoria’s Gold Rush. The policeman originally based in Melbourne’s Chinatown was the go to plain clothes detective for any issues related to Chinese in Victoria. “Send Fook Shing” was a regular message from Victoria’s Police Commissioner. A colourful period in Victoria’s history it seemed only fitting to link the cuisine and the person with the place. First operated as a temperance hotel (accommodation, no grog) by the Alexander family, Fook Shing has seen many changes in its life. Originally hosting coaches and their crew on the gold route it is also believed that Fook Shing himself stayed at the Pub as the pub offered excellent stables most suitable for constabulary.

Justin and Martine Forrester, veterans of hospitality and local to the area, have enjoyed breathing life into a beautiful hotel and bringing pieces of south east Asia into the venue. With some help from local designer Janeene Heath, Fook Shing takes on subtle Singaporean interior styling to complement the 1850’s brickwork and original timber flooring.
Executive Chef Danielle Rensonnet and Sous Chef Dale Kelly bring a menu full of flavour inspired by traditional dishes from across south east Asia using local and regional Victorian produce.

Fook Shing features a number of dining and drinking spaces including open fires and outdoor spaces for the sunnier days! True to its namesake Fook Shing’s likeness is captured from early drawings by local artist Amber McLindin and can be seen inside the pub’s entry foyer.

fookshing.com.au

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84 Piper Street
Kyneton, Victoria 3444

Phone: 03 5422 6560

Current Trading Hours:

Friday 5-8pm
Saturday 5-8pm
Sunday 12-3 / 5-8pm
Monday 5-8pm

The Victoria Hotel are offering a take away menu with many options to choose from including our stone based pizzas, our traditional pub grub as well as light meals and healthy options. Delivery to Woodend, Ashborne, Macedon, Newham and Hesket – there is a small fee for delivery dependant on delivery distance or you can pick this up in our drive thru bottle shop where you don’t even need to get out of your car! The bottle shop is filled with over 55 regional wines and 80 craft beers as well as local gins so you can still support local!

thevictoriawoodend.com.au

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67 High St
Woodend, VIC 3442

Phone: 0405 125 156

Current Trading Hours:

7 Days Lunch and Dinner
Bottle shop, Takeaway and Delivery
12-2.30pm Lunch
5-8.30pm Dinner
Bottleshop 12-8.30pm

We are foodies and we are passionate about all things deliciousness!

Our focus is on fresh, local and sustainable produce crafted into sophisticated, stylish and succulent menus.

​Harvest & Soul can provide a full range of catering and event services in any location. From the office boardroom or warehouse to the trendiest or most traditional of venues Australia wide.

With over 20 years’ experience in the hospitality, venues and events industries, we have the experience and know-how to ensure any event or conference is seamlessly organised and perfectly executed.

We cater exclusively to a range of prestigious Australian venues as well as setting the standard for both drop off corporate catering and contract commercial catering.

Our clients benefit from our extensive network of complementary event suppliers, comprising everything from event stylists, florists, furniture hire, entertainment such as bands to specialist roving entertainers and high-profile comedians! We have designed and delivered many thousands of events and our experience plus our close relationships with our trusted event partners allow us to provide the best value for our clients.

Contact us today to discuss your catering and event requirements.

Waterfalls Road, Mount Macedon
Venue Management Services
Mount Macedon, VIC 3441

Phone

0425 775 885

Website

harvestandsoul.com.au

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Foraging for edible mushrooms is gaining popularity in Australia. With their earthy fragrances of wet forest, mushrooms truly capture the essence of the cooler months. However, those who fancy collecting a few mushies for dinner should take heed. Dangerously poisonous species lurk among the edibles that could land you in hospital or even in the grave. Telling them apart takes time and experience. Those foraging for edible fungi must be able to identify toxic lookalike species, especially the infamous death cap, Amanita phalloides.

Novice foragers should begin with more easily recognisable edible species such as the saffron milkcap, (Lactarius deliciosus), the slippery jack (Suillus luteus and S. granulatus) and the lawyer’s wig (Coprinus comatus). Each has its own particular features that need to be understood and recognised to make accurate identifications. Also, be aware that edible fungi cannot be identified from photos alone.

Saffron milkcaps (Lactarius deliciosus) grow in association with pines. Foragers in the region typically head to Pinus radiata plantations where they grow in great abundance.

The lawyer’s wig (Coprinus comatus) is so-called because of its tufted cap that resembles…you guessed it…a lawyer’s wig. Also known as an inkcap, this species produces copious quantities of black spores that resemble black ink as it deliquesces. They commonly pop up in lawns and disturbed areas such as track edges.

Slippery jacks are often found alongside saffron milk caps in pine plantations.

Keep in mind that dozens of native mammals such as wallabies and potoroos rely on fungi as food. Fungi are generally fairly indigestible to humans; hence we’re best just to eat them in small quantities. If you’re collecting edible fungi, remember only to take what you’ll eat that day and leave plenty for our native fauna.

Although the world is currently in lockdown, the fungi are running riot out there in the forest. The recent rains could mean we are in for a bumper mushroom season, but please forage within the constraints of the current isolation rules and remember that foraging is not permitted on public land.

Each year ecologist and environmental photographer, Alison Pouliot, runs forays and workshops to show people how to identify fungi and this year they are happening online.

Words and Photography: © Alison Pouliot

www.alisonpouliot.com

Working from home has its advantages, but also presents us with lots of challenges. One of these challenges can be displaying your home space to the world while engaging in zoom meetings. So, hide the clutter and raise the bar with your virtual meetings, with a beautiful background image from our region.

Scroll down to access an array of pre-sized Daylesford Macedon region images to use as your Zoom background. It’s very easy, and we’ve provided a step-by-step guide on how to use these images.

If nothing else, you’re providing your fellow zoom meeting attendees with some inspirational images and brightening their lives a bit. Better still, if you have an image from our region you’d like added to our collection, submit your image here.

STEP 1:
Download a background from our free photo library of high-resolution photos below.

STEP 2 (DESKTOP):

• Open the Zoom app on your mobile device or desktop and go to Settings.
• On the left panel of the Settings window, click on Virtual Backgrounds.
• Under your video preview, click on the + button to add your own virtual background. Uncheck the Mirror My Video box. Then, upload your recently downloaded Daylesford Macedon region photo.

STEP 2 (MOBILE):

• When you log into your account and join a meeting, tap the three dots at the bottom right of the screen to open the More menu.
• Tap Virtual Background.
• Select a background from the default options, or upload your own.

For more in-depth instructions, watch this online tutorial from Zoom.

DOWNLOAD BELOW:

Click on the image that you like and it will open a larger version of the image. Right click to download (‘save as’) the file onto your personal computer.

Businesses that have staff and have relied on a steady flow through their door, which has now dwindled into a shadow of its former self.

Great news though, you can still support many of these places that you love. You may not be able to visit but can give them a big virtual online hug online or over the phone. Snap up little luxuries, pantry staples, thoughtful gifts and the perfect pieces to make your cocoon-time cosier.

We’re keeping track of the open businesses, so you don’t have to.

They are happy to send their goodies right to your door.

YOU CAN FIND THIS LIST HERE

One such business is Overwrought, who specialise in garden art and custom pieces. With over 700 products on their website, they have an item that is sure to have you outdoors enjoying your garden more, if that’s even possible at this time.

So stay safe and start to plan for the day when you can return, and know we will be here – with luxuries spa treatments, fabulous food and wine, history and culture that make your head spin, and all the nature you can handle.

 

Published on 16 April 2020 by Narenna Bloomfield, Daylesford Macedon Tourism

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