A home among the Rainbows.

B Y R O N  B A Y ! !

What can i say really, I've always wanted to experience byron, and had an amazing, awesome time away in the Rainbow Region and wanted never to  return! This trip came right at the perfect time when i was feeling pretty down about life, and whether I had made the right decision to postpone work and travel to pursue a career in midwifery (which is not playing out quite how i would like) And ThePartner has just finished his last (and very stressful) placement for his degree and is therefore about to graduate and embark on life in the 'real world.' While it was the week before my big huge A&P exam, we decided to go anyway to give me some perspective and i came out better for it. We were able to take some time out to ponder our future and even better, escape the rain, cold and thunderstorms of Adelaide and soak up some sunshine, beach and everything a little on the 'hippie' side. We really want to move somewhere where we feel more at home, and we have been planning for years to travel the country on our "Australian Odyssey" in the Kombi to find out perfect place, but seeing as we cant afford that just yet, and this opportunity came forth we went for it, keeping in mind the possibility of moving- thus constantly checking local papers and notice boards for job vacancies, rentals etc.

We flew in to Coolongata in Qld and picked up a rental car in which we had two hiccups to begin our trip; first we had to pay $45 for overweight baggage because Tiger has a limit less than the other airlines that we had forgotten about, and then our rental car was out of rego so we had to wait around to get another one. Once sorted we drove down to just outside of Byron Bay where we stayed in an amazing eco "treehouse" surrounded by greenery, palm trees and lots of wildlife.It was three levels, with the bottom level being an open spa area, the second an open wooden kitchen area, only surrounded by three walls, with a beautiful wooden table that overlooks the lush forest and beach, and the top, a bedroom enclosed by widows that give an amazing view and let in all the sunshine when you wake up.

Treehouse: three leveled, open house, surrounded by palmtrees and wildlife.

                  
Fresh: Produce in Byron
                          

                                                                                                         Our View: from the balcony

 Compost: it was great to see that everywhere had recycling and compost available, although they still use plastic bags in NSW.

 
 








  Bottom level: Open spa area

                      
  Kitchen: Open kitchen that let in all the sunlight        

                                                 

  Sunshine: soaking up the sun at the beach   

After checking out Byron we drove to Nimbin which i was very excited to be finally experiencing despite having had mixed reviews about how strange it is. Nimbin certainly was strange, but for me i felt so sad. Sad that a place with just amazing history that brought so many people together has become so run down, filled with people who are not all there (not just from weed, but clearly heavier substances), and is clearly a laughing stock for the bus loads of tourists that float in and out everyday. The fact that Nimbin is known for its Marijiuana culture didnt bother me as it does some, in fact it made it all the more interesting,  to see how people are getting on if they are that into that much weed. I really loved the place though, it was soo beautiful- a little too far from the beach for our liking, but amazing nontheless, and the people were really friendly and welcoming. However it is very run down, and it was pretty scary once it got dark and all the tourists had gone home.

We stayed at the backbackers which was a pretty funny experience- we had booked what was called a 'yurt' which to me sounds amazing, and seeing as yurts are from cold countries you would assume it would be warm enough for the weather (it was pretty cold at night even though it was around 23 degrees during the day). I had asked if it would get cold and was told "no, no, you can just have extra blankets." well when we got there we realised that the whole top part of the sides of this 'yurt' or should i say canvas tent, were actually just open mesh! This would be amazing in summer, but not so much in minus temperatures. We tried to stick it out, with layers of thermals, jackets, beanies, sleeping bag and quilt, but by 1.30am the air we were breathing was just freezing so be took everything and walked down to the car where we stayed out the night having a very uncomfortable and broken sleep. It was fun though, ThePartner rationalises the experience by stating that he's always wanted to sleep in the car (apparently the kombi doesnt count) and we are young so any experience is a good one, and i guess he's right becasue its a pretty funny story to tell! So by 6.30am we were up, heading back glazy-eyed, and hung out on the hammocks under the fig tree until the sun came out to warm up our tent so we could get a bit more sleep. We didnt want anyone to know, especially because the girl at the counter was so nice, so we just politely asked if we could get another room, with walls for the next night!!

 

 

                          

 ThePartner's mum and sister who came up to meet us a couple of days later stayed at Blacksheep Farm in Nimbin and cant stop raving about it. We had heard it was good there, but we decided not to stay there becasue we figured we'd stay somewhere fun this trip and stay at BSF when we get older and actually have money. Blacksheep farm make handmade pottery and essential oils, and do various classes there. The buildings are all handmade and eco friendly and the property, which has been reforested is lush and green.

Our other fav place in Nimbin was the Candle factory. I learnt alot about what candles to buy- and so i bought up big. Its a family owned buisiness run from and old dairy factory. I was told that they are the most eco friendly candles on the market, with no toxic fumes released from burning, and are more sustainable for the environment than beeswax and even soy, and they are the main providers of light for many Pagan and Wiccan groups and families. Their candles look and smell amazing- but its great that they are also ethically and sustainably made.

After Nimbin we headed to Mt Warning in the hinterland. It is so amazingly beautiful there, I just cant even try to give it justice by describing it. The greenery that surrounds this part of NSW is like nothing ive experiened, especially not living in SA, and i just want to be able to open my window and look out and see this everyday! We stayed at a beautiful place called Mavis' Kitchen, a restaurant, big orchard/veggie patch that grows alot of what they cook with, and three dwellings that are rented are on the property. We visited Mt Warning and walked about an hour up excitedly through the forest with our necks strained trying to see above the trees. It was such a refreshing experience! And then we visited Uki where i got to meet the amazing Majikfaerie who gave me lots of great tips for not giving up on midwifery! Would have liked a bit more time to chat with her, but im sure there will be another time.

We travelled through Mullimbimby which we loved and were told that there or somewhere like Fingal might suit us more because it was close to both the beach and the hills, and we want some where not particularly touristy but with more of a community feel. All the people we met in Mullimbimy were really nice, its just a shame about the price of rent.

We went back to Byron for out last night and stayed at another Backpackers (a little scared that we might be in for another night in the car), called the Arts Factory Lodge which is a really 'happening' and vibrant place. There is always something happening- didjeridoo making, bongo lessons, talent nights, massages, dread making. I would have loved to stay in the Tipee, but we had already booked the island retreat which wasnt too bad, and warm at least. Its really a place you'd need to be for a week or more because there is just so much to see and do, and so many people that you could meet, but we hadnt really wanted to spend much time in Byron itself because of the 'party' culture and the fact that it seems to always be overflowing with tourists and we had wanted to meet locals and get to know the culture of the place more than party, particularly because we wanted to see if it fit us as a place to live and settle down.

I had an amazing Crystal-Reiki massage at the Arts factory, which was something id wanted to do the whole trip. The lady who did it was so lovely, and I finally got to chat with a local about the place. She was so warm and friendly and was even able to tell me about some of the local news about Midwifery. I have also recently become quite interested in Crystal healing, despite always thinking it was a load of nonesense, but she said that she had thought the same- coming from a scientific background, but now swears by them and was able to give me alot of information about both Crystal healing, and Reiki (which is something else that has been on my mind to possibly learn), raising my interest in the area significantly and offering to teach me if i were in the area again- although i think I'll have to find someone a little closer to home.

On our last day we got to immerse ourselves in true Byron culture at the amazing Channon markets where you could barely see past the flowing dreadlocks, long indian skirts and rainbow flags and Chai tent. It was awesome and i felt so at home. I bought lots of wooley things, and even met a lady who used to live in Adelaide- she was the third person I had spoken to on the trip who had moved from Adelaide and never looked back, so i took it as a bit of a sign. We wandered around until it started to rain, and couldnt really find any room to snuggle in under the Chai tent, so after one last purchase for ThePartner of a Bear Grylls style survival tool we headed to the airport.

I was so sad to be going home, not only because of the stress that lay ahead but it hit me that you never really realise how much you dont fit in somewhere until you find a place where you do, so im scheming ways to get back before I forget how much i loved it and felt at home.

 

babies and rainbows and fire, oh my.

I went to a beautiful mother-blessing/solstice-blessing on the weekend. The rain had just stopped in time for the women to all move outdoors to meet the men and children who were building a big fire, which was when a big beautiful rainbow appeared.

It was a beautiful night, that filled me with inspiration and love from the strength and power of women. I have always loved the idea of mother blessings (inspired by traditional Blessingways of Native American traditions) in which special women in the mother-to-be's life are invited to bring strength and positive energy to the circle, offering positive birth stories, speacial beads, candles and poems/words for the mother to use until/during and after labour. A wrist binding was done to signify all the women as being on a joint journey or experience, with the wool remaining on each wrist until the baby is born remiding us to think about the expectant mother until she births. This is a very powerful way of reminding the woman (particularly if she is anxious about the birth) that we are there for her, and that she has the strength within her to birth her baby and enter into motherhood- which is quite far from a minastream 'baby shower' which is often focused on the baby, gifts, and not the mother. We then took turns putting henna patterns on her glowing baby belly. This was my first mother blessing, for a dear friend who i think will also be my first birth support experience, and i know it will be amazing and peaceful, so her blessing was particularly poignant and special to me, and im very greatful to her for allowing me to be a part of her journey.

At the fire built by the men on some land a few blocks away we lit candles in honour of our families, stories were told, yummy homemade soup made by the women and other delights brought by each guest were consumed; drums, flutes and violins were played as fire twirling and glow poi were displayed. the kids ran around excitedly (or fell asleep when it all got too much), we all chatted, and it was great! One of the expectant mother's sleepy toddlers came and snuggle up to me and fell asleep in my lap, in which my clucky factor grew dramatically, much to ThePartner's unease ;)

Favourites of the week #1

I hope to be able to keep this going, but will try to put up my album or song, and recipe of the week (and hopefully also a quote or affirmation).

Album of the week: Brothers by The Black Keys. 
I loooove The Black Keys, I love every album and even though every album has been quite different i continue to love them individually. Unlike other bands/artists, when they change or tweak they style they dont lose their ability to make toe tapping-dancearoundthehousenaked-great music!

Recipe of the week:Tofu Burgers!
We have been craving tofu burgers since Byron when no one was open when we wanted one, so when we got home we decided our only option was to make it ourselves.

500 gram block of Tofu cut into 4 slices
egg
soy sauce or terryaki sauce
flour
breadcrumbs
oil
Bread rolls/buns and filling (Sauce, mayo, mustard, lettuce, cheese, pickles)

Places each slice of tofu in to flour until covered, then into the sauce mixed with the egg, then cover with breadcrumbs.
Fry in oil until brown
add to bread roll with filling.

The same recipe can also be used to make yummy tofu-chicken wraps. Just cut tofu into smaller chunks, prepare and fry in same way, and add to pita bread with garlic sauce (Greek yogurt with garlic added) and salad.

Yum!

a bit of this and that

I have just come back from a week away in Byron Bay which was amazing and of which I will blog about in a later post (when ive uploaded the photos) and I've been thinking alot about some things that i want to blog about, but for tonight, as a bit or procrastination from exam study i thought that i had better write a little something about myself. I guess i can start with the the point that i feel that one of my strongest points is that i am a very passionate person- if im not passionate i wont do it. Im passionate about what i do, who i love, what i eat, where and how i live, the world around me, social issues, and everything in between. This passion leads me to a state of being that makes me satisfied with who i am and the life i am leading, but can also lead to quite down days too as my 'quixotic'/idealism and hope in the world is eroded by the human nature and the injustice that life brings. But i strive nonetheless for a life that i (and those around me) can be happy with, knowing that i have done everything i possibly can to make this happen- letting everyone know about my latest crusade or passion (hence the birth of this blog)!

So my parents are of European descent, my mum being one of 5 children from Italian parents. She, and most of her family are teachers and are an amazing rowdy group full of laughter and noise when we get together. We still go to 'nonna and nonno's' house for big Italian feasts including homemade pasta, bread and tomato sauce, and im so grateful to have grown up in this environment which has given me my first real sense of 'community,' the importance of family- and of food! Although no-one seems to believe me that i am Italian, i mean with my pale white skin and bright red hair how could they not haha. My dad has a complex history originating in Austria and Hungary, and while im close with my distant uncle and his family, my grandparents on that side died when i was quite young. My parents own a farm and produce yummy Dukkah and organic olive oil.

I have a younger brother who makes me laugh like no other. We get along really well (most of the time), but have always been called chalk and cheese, we dont even look like we could be related and our personalities reflect this distinct difference. We fit the mold of how birth order affect us exactly (if you have ever read "why first borns want to rule the world, and last borns want to change it" by Michael Grose you'll understand, and if not you should definitely get a copy!)

I went to private school my whole life, and never fit in. I always had friends and always did well, but school just never fit. I changed high schools three times and was glad for the freedom to be able to do that, but school just didnt really suit me. I always loved to learn (hence why i havnt been able to leave uni) but the strict constrains of school, particularly adding in the constant religious blackmail  and rich yuppie peers of private school that always had values and priorities in life so vastly different from my own left me frustrated and restricted. I wanted to save the world from poverty, not add to its collapse with a $1000 formal dress or BMW. But at least at the school i chose i was able to meet some great people, i was able to do really well academically to enable me university entrance and i did have alot of support.

I met ThePartner in year 12 and we have never looked back. We have been able to grow and learn together from our late teens to now and its been great all the way. We have the same passions (except maybe for team sport) and goals for the future and we want the same things from life which makes living a whole lot more fun when you can share it.

I have graduated from a Bachelor of Behavioural Science, Psychology, i am 3/4 through a Masters in Social Work, and am half way through my first year Midwifery- (more about my life as a student and lots on midwifery and birth to come). I have worked as a receptionist, an oil and dukkah sales person for my parents, a Faerie for childrens parties, a babysitter/childcarer, a bookshop sales assistant, and now in an organic baby store. I love to dress up and will use any opportunity to do so- Adelaide Zombie walk being one of my favourites! I love to sew and paint, and my fav colour is GREEN. We own two VWs- one beetle and one kombi that are my babies. My fav place is lying under a tree in a hammock under the sunshine and i love to travel, particularly to places where i can become involved in and learn about the culture from a ground level. My favourite places so far are the Great Ocean Road Vic, the surrounding areas of the Byron Bay Shire, NSW and Vorovoro Island in Fiji (a post about why everyone should go there will come)- all places that have included a hammock or two. I love the idea of living in a community and the purpose of this blog will be like a diary i suppose to document the ways in which im trying to accomplish a happy, more sustainable, ethical and simple life while continuously learning all sorts of new things.

Moo Magic

I have recently started a new job working for a baby/family store that specialises in everything organic and natural. This suits me very well as I try very hard to eliminate unwanted chemicals and toxins from my life, which started mainly through my mum because I have always had very sensitive skin, and both my mum and brother also suffered from allergies and eczema (my mum also has quite bad psoriasis). While we mainly sell cloth nappies, baby carriers and baby.new mum essentials, I have been able to find a few new things that i just love; the main product being Moo Goo! My mum and i have tried nearly every product on the market to help with sensitive skin and rashes and nothing ever seems to really work- from prescription creams to emu oil, to liver cleansing diets, and ive tried every natural shampoo/conditioner/body wash! and nothing has every really seemed right either for our skin or for our wallets, but ive come across moo goo which i cant stop raving about!I have been using it for a couple of months now, and when i went away and was a normal chemist 'natural' brand that i had previously liked I couldnt stand it and my skin broke out. My skin is so smooth and soft, and my rashes are gone. But it really proved it value for my mum who has pretty bad psoriosis (particularly on her scalp) and her forehead had become particularly dry, red and flaky and looked really angry and raw and nothing was working after a few months of different treatments- after a week of moisurising with moo goo her scalp was really soft and we both were really shocked, and i keep hearing similar storied from happy customers and others i have recommended it too. So im writing this not to advertise, but just for everyone with persistantly dry or sensitive skin because i wish i had known about it much ealier.

So what is Moo Goo? we'll there is a lot of information on their website about recent studies on try skin and the hidden chemicals in popular products and the inaccurate labeling system on most products and food on the market, but basically it was created as a basic (no frills), natural moisturiser for dairy farmers to keep the udders or cows healthy, with a natural skin repairer ingredient. This was then modified but the founder for a family member with skin problems, particularly because people kept commenting on how soft the hands of dairy farmers were. But best of all they are all natural! there are no nasty or hidden chemicals like Parrafin oil which is a cheap partoleum based oil in most commercial products and is not good for the skin, no carcinogenic or skin irritating ingredients like Propylene Glycol, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, parabens, or Zinc Pyrithione. It is also an Australian Company, based in Queesland and they work ethically and sustainably to produce a good quality and well priced product that works! And cows are my Favourite animal this stuff makes me even more happy! ;)

Henna

Ive been using henna in my hair for around 5 years now and just love it- and people are always coming up to me and asking me what i use. Ive always had reddish hair, but having red hair has always suited my personality very well and been part of my identity, so once i was old enough to 'dye' my hair  i wanted to enhance this trait but didn't like the idea of using chemicals on my body/hair and didn't want to put a colour in that wasn't close to my natural colour. I don't like the idea of changing my appearance purely for aesthetic reasons, but a more fiery shade of red has been something Ive always longed for, and henna only brightens my natural colour by a few shades. When i was in high school i tried a couple of colours from store bought brands, and even found some really bright orange reds that i just loved, but both that i loved stopped being made, and the idea of using chemicals in my hair weighed heavy with me. Henna had always been something id wanted to try, but i had thought it only came in a dark red and im very much a bright orange red, so when i found a brand that i thought i could trust i was over the moon and have never looked back.

I did a lot of  research into henna and some of the things that can be added to enhance its healing and moisturising properties so i have been experimenting a lot with what makes my hair feel the best. Firstly i use i chemical free Henna (many hennas still have alot of chemicals in them so labels need to be read carefully) that i buy from the healthfood store called Nazeer Henna and comes in a calico bag. I use the colour 'sunset red' which is the brightest of the hennas. It also comes in clear, dark red, standard red, chestnut and black. There are lots of myths around the use of henna such as it can make your hair dry and it can damage hair. I know that it was really popular in the 70's which were most likely chemical hennas so im assuming that some henna can do this, but in my experience it has been the total opposite, and this could also be because of what i add to it. i know i need to re-henna when my hair is feeling dry because after i do it makes my hair so soft and shiny. Henna does technically stain the shafts of the hair and therefore it is very difficult to get rid of the red tones in the hair. Using normal chemical dyes after henna may be difficult to get the right colour, and i have even heard of someone who shaved her head after using henna and still got red hairs growing through so i probably wouldnt recommend using it unless you want permanent red hair. I love the colour i get from my henna and cant imagine having any other colour. The colour also changes its shade over a few weeks and it looks really natural and not that different from my natural colour. NB: the photos show my hair as being very red before actually redoing the henna, while it was quite red, it had faded alot, but the light on in (because it was dark) makes it look much redder than it was. note though that even after three months my hair is still very red after years of using henna so think twice about using it if you dont want permanently red hair!

    

         

Before- with garbage bag around me so that i don't get stained.

So my process for henna-ing my hair is: I need a house paint brush, gloves, an icecream container, Vaseline or paw paw ointment, a big garbage bag, a towel, tissues, glad wrap/shower cap and butterfly hair clips. I also need boiling water, one egg, 1/2 cup of olive oil, 2 tablespoons of plain yogurt, and sometime i also add brewed chamomile tea to make the henna brighter. You can also add coffee, beetroot juice, red wine, and a number of other things to naturally alter the henna shade, and many people recommend adding a few drops of a complimentary essential oil like Patchouli to make your hair smell nice as the henna smell is quite strong.

Its much easier of you have two people because i cant evenly spead all the henna onto my hair, and it is quite messy so would recommend doing it outside (preferably when it is warm). Pour the contents of the henna into the icecream container and pour in the boiling water, i dont have an exact amount (it takes practice and depends on the length of your hair) but i usually pour it in slowly until i get the constitancy i want. Even with my long hair i only need one packet of henna, but i need to add a bit more water to get enough to paint on without running out and without it dripping everywhere. You stir it through until you get all the lumps out and the mixture is not too thick but not runny either. Then stir in the egg, oil and yogurt (tea should be added with the water). The egg might cook a little with the boiling water but thats not a problem. Then gear up with the garbage bag around you and towels around your neck. Henna stains everything so you dont want to get it on you or anything around you.

 

 Henna: the powered henna after the water, oil and egg are stirred through.

The person helping me puts the vasoline all around my forehead, ears, neck and anywhere that might get stained and then literally paints on the henna, usually starting with the front/regrowth and works in patches down to the end. By the end the henna is so thick you just need to massage it all in. Shorter hair will probably only need 1/2 a packet. Then my hair gets wraped at the top of my head with a few layers of glad wrap and a towel over the top (heat helps to activate the henna). The henna then needs to stay in for a min of 2-3 hours- i try to leave it in as long as possible, so you need to be comfortable in the way that the hair has been wrapped up and make sure you can sit down without staining anything.

 Wrapped: My hair wrapped in glad-wrap for 3+ hours, but a towel goes over the top to keep in heat.

The henna can be difficult to wash out and quite messy but will need a couple of shampoos and conditions as it will be oily- although i have read online that some people dont like to use shampoo for a couple of days after henna to let it set in. The consistancy of henna is like mud so you need to be able to wash out all the mud somewhere that can get messy- although it is easy enough to clean up. Also, hair will wash out red for a couple of weeks after so dont use white towels at least for the first week after as they will also stain red. (NB- staining shouldnt occur with clear henna, clear is used just for keeping hair healthy). They say to re henna every 6-8 weeks but i probably only do it every 3 months. It is a little bit of a process and can be a little messy but you get used to it and it is definitely worth it; your hair will thank you for it!

AFTER: Enjoying the sunshine in Byron Bay

Midfulness

I was speaking with a social worker friend the other day who was discussing some good techniques to help getting to sleep. Like most people who know me, know that im pretty wired most of the time, i worry alot- particularly when it comes to exams, and especially when its a Physiology and Anatomy exam; and i do find it quite difficult to get to sleep sometimes. As a child i could never sleep. Ive always slept better during the day, although in saying that Ive never really liked night time so im not sure why i cant just sleep and get it over with. ThePartner on the other hand can sleep anywhere at any time, and loves to sleep. In fact his eyes start to get red and droopy if he hasnt gone to bed. Anyway, she suggested a technique called Mindfulness based on Buddhist principles. I have heard of it before but had never really bothered to look into it enough to use it. Alot of psychologist and the like prefer the good ol' trusty CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) for clients who are worried, or in a nut shell for people needing to change their negative thoughts. Im not an expert in this at all so i could be a little out on my facts, but Ive never really looked into it because i thought it was a load of nonsense, if i say dont think about the word pink spotted elephant, can you really not think about it? and i know that it works for alot of people and its very popular with many therapists, but this mindfulness thing doesnt try to get you to change your thoughts, rather it help you in a sense to accept and distract from the worry.

So when you are sitting in traffic, running late, there are no green lights for you, its peak hour and you havnt made dinner for the family, in fact there is no food in the house, the kids need to be picked up, and the dishes need doing, instead of getting into a negative thought pattern that leads you to thoughts like, im a bad mother, im a bad wife/partner, damn the government for crappy traffic lights that never change, damn the husband for never helping, im just a bad person etc etc. Stop at the "im running late" and ponder the idea- ok, im running late, yep im running late. Then take a breathe, im running late and well, im running late and there is not much i can do about it at this moment. Then... close eyes (not in traffic of course), or focus mind and slowly try to list 5-10 things that you can see- a car, a bird, a person, your hand etc... then list some things that you can feel-  your hand clenched on the steering wheel, you seat belt on your neck, your foot is itchy etc etc, and then slowly a few things you can hear- the wind, the crappy pop on the radio, the car next to you... and you can repeat things if you hear them more than once.

It seems so basic and common sense, but in the moment of stress and frustration ive never really thought about doing something like this, and it really does seem to distract from all of those yucky negative thoughts that can turn quite toxic if you focus on them for too long- and honestly the stress starts to release and sleep is made much easier at night. Im going to give it ago and see how it works, and i will look into it a little further so will post any more interesting info i can find.

Pondering the blog...

So its 1am and im pondering the reasons that led me to the decision of starting a blog. Its way too late, or early to think about all of them, but what I'm finding most interesting at this moment is that even though i can talk about anything and everything till all hours of the night, and im always the first person with an opinion about whatever it is we could be talking about, sitting here writting and knowing that it could be viewed by people from all over the place makes me just that little bit nervous!