Car lovers- Sparkle and shine your wheels chemical free!

So you might think what's a shiny car got to do with chemical free living? Well like all aspects of our lives it's another area we can reduce our impact on the earth while maintaining our stylish lifestyle. 

I was raised in a car loving household, my grandfather was a huge car ethusiast, a collector of Cadillacs and worked in the car industry most of his life; the GM of Good Year and involved with Olympic Dunlop and Beaurepairs meant my childhood was filled with gorgeous cars, car racing and funny stories of Mr Beaurepairs and how my father worked and drove for him, often getting into trouble as most car enthusiasts do from time to time. My mother raced Go-carts built by my grandfather an obsessive auto engineer and my fathers enthusiasm for Formula 1, V8 Super Cars and rally car racing was unparalleled. I just thought all girls watched the car racing with their dads! 

Needless to say from the day I could hold a sponge and hose I was taught the therapeutic satisfaction of washing, polishing and waxing a car.... Immaculate cars is a must in my family.  Over the years I've also learnt to appreciate like most things if you take care of them, they'll last a lifetime. Which is probably why I've had to upgrade my car (to a gorgeous shiny black Subaru Outback with cream leather interior) recently purely to ensure I have a car with the latest safety features more than anything else. In fact my previous car is still in such good nick after 15 years I've decided to keep it. 

So where am I going with all this? ... Like most women (and men) I like shiny things... So keeping my car nice has just as much importance as keeping my home nice. Let's face it we spend so much time in our cars it's like a lounge suite on wheels. 

So how do you keep your cars looking gorgeous whilst  adhering to the same ethical philosophies you implement at home to minimise chemical use and choose eco friendly options?  It's all about the quality of the cloths, how they are manufactured and being able to use them with just water! 

About 12 months ago I discovered the Norwex range and I'm officially addicted! 

Keeping it Clean

I use the two-sided Car Wash Mitt which has nubby chenille micro fibre on one side and sponge layer micro fibre on the other to collect dirt and debris. It washes out easily with just a quick rinse. The thick, plush fibres hold dirt and grime away from your car’s surface to reduce scratching. (I still have the words "Don't scratch the duco" ringing in my ears from childhood). On this Car Wash mitt the spaces in the  fibres created by the splitting process in manufacturing allow the mitt to lift away maximum dirt and grime. It's very absorbent, so you can clean your entire car using just one bucket of water. Rinse clean with just water.... I bet you've never tried cleaning your car with just water, no cleaners! 

Did you know the  water droplets when your car is left to dry can collect dirt at their base and leave behind ugly streaks on the newly cleaned surface, it’s important to dry your car quickly after washing it. That's where the car cloth comes in. 

The Car Cloth gets your car sparkling clean with only water, the extremely fine fibres are tightly woven, which helps prevent the cloth from holding dirt that may scratch your vehicle. Plus it quickly dries and polishes your entire car, including windows, mirrors, glass, chrome and other smooth or shiny surfaces like the interior trim and dash. So why use it? 

1. Save money and protect the environment by eliminating the need for chemicals or paper towels.

2. No more streaks.

3. Car stays shiny and repels dust and dirt longer.

4. Tightly woven fibres helps prevent paint from scratching.

5. Eliminates residual “chemical muck” left behind

6. Used dry, it creates static electricity that lifts the smallest particles of dust and dirt up into the cloth and prevents them from resettling back onto surfaces.

7. Dries quickly so it’s ready to use again in no time.

So how do you use it? 

1. Use the Car Cloth for drying and polishing after normal washing with the Car Wash Mitt.

2. Dry surfaces quickly with Car Cloth before water evaporates. Preferably wash your car out of direct sunlight or in the cool of the day.

3. Use slightly damp on car windows, mirrors, chrome and other smooth surfaces.

Looking after your mitt and cloths: Slightly dirty micro fibre can be washed with Norwex Dishwashing Liquid under warm running water and used again before laundering. Rinse thoroughly after washing and air or machine dry. Cloths that have been used heavily should be laundered using Norwex Ultra Power PlusTM, which contains no  fillers, after each use.  

Interior, window trims and lights. 

 I often use my microfibre Enviro cloths around the window trims to soak up the excess water then polish the windows and trims with the Car Cloth or the Window cloth. 

If like me you have grubby kids, keeping the interior of your car fresh and new looking is usually hard work. I can't live without the Norwex EnviroCloth to clean the interior of my car. It leaves the surfaces almost dry and totally streak free, with just water, so the days of spray window cleaners and car interior cleaners are gone and the result is far better anyway. 

So how does it work? The Norwex antibacterial micro fibre EnviroCloth removes dust, dirt and grease from all washable surfaces using only water– no chemicals! Norwex micro fibre has the ability to remove up to 99 % of bacteria from a surface when following the proper care and use instructions.  Plus it removes residual “chemical muck” left behind by typical cotton cloths and harsh cleaning products. It picks up dust particles and traps them in the cloth until you rinse it out. Then BacLockTM* in the cloth (micro silver antibacterial agent)  works by  self-purifying and inhibiting bacterial odours, mould and mildew growth within the cloth. At  1/200 th the size of a human hair, Norwex micro fibre is one of the most innovative products in the cleaning industry today. One of my favourite options is that if you're  wanting to give your car a really quick freshen up it can  be used dry for dusting, or wet for general cleaning and heavily soiled areas.

My new car has lots of shiny surfaces... That's one if reasons I bought it if course, prior to using these natural cleaning clothes I would have been put off a car that needed so many shiny surfaces maintained but quite honestly one of the reasons I chose this car was because I knew I'd have no problem keeping everything clean and shiny using the Enviocloth and the Window cloth. The touch screen displays get little finger prints and the back door handles and window buttons are very shiny so little sticky fingers appear out of nowhere. Inside the doors often get dusty and scuffed so give them a wipe over with the EnviroCloth. That's it, just water! 

This is where the Window cloth is amazing! The Window cloth also contains the BacLocTM antibacterial agent. I use these cloths on every shiny surface in my car and home and they leave absolutely no streaks.

However one of the most important reasons for using these water only cloths.... Did you know that butyl  cellosolve is commonly found in glass cleaners. Readily absorbed through the skin, overexposure can irritate mucous membranes and may cause liver and kidney damage.(www.osha.gov/dts/sltc/methods/ organic/org083/org083.html). In addition according  to the Environmental Working Group, there is strong evidence that ammonia is a human immune and respiratory toxicant or allergen. (www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredient/ 700353/AMMONIA).

I was so impressed with the Norwex ethics and eco friendly philosophy that they are available via our website! You can order them online by following the links below. Happy polishing!!!

 

August Special Click HERE

Go to store for Car Wash Mitt here

Go to store for Car Cloth here

Go to store for Enviro Cloth here

 

Go to store for Window Cloth here

Information provided by Priscilla Green - Independent Norwex Consultant 

Behind the scenes of a colour analysis with Stylist Amalia Simpson

Imagine being able to walk into any clothing store and be able to scan the room and instantly walk over a pick up a dress, a jacket, a top and know that when you put it on that its going to look fabulous  on you!

Sounds too good to be true? No I don't have a magic spell to turn you into a supermodel... Although the effect is similar. Working with a professional stylist who specialises in colour analysis and dressing for your shape has given me the opportunity to witness stunning transformations. 

Here I take you on a journey to follow stylist Amalia Simpson as she transforms Trudi from an already attractive lady into an absolute knockout!!!! 

Amalia explains "The fastest and easiest way to look younger, healthier and more beautiful is to wear colours that flatter your complexion. Wearing the right colours is a basic, and under-utilised tool which pays endless rewards in making you look fantastic".

Shopping for clothes is an entirely new experience once you've experienced having your colour analysis completed. Simply because it saves you wasting prescious time trying on outfits that simply will not suit you. When combining colour analysis with dressing for your shape you instantly have a formula that will all but guarantee what you pick off the rack will look fabulous on you. Combine these techniques to help you select better makeup choices and  you'll be transformed in to the best possible version of you. 

So how does it work? We'll revisit some information we provide in a past article.

The method that Amalia uses to help clients determine the best possible colours for their completion is to categorise them into Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter.

Autumn (see all natural makeup stockist below) 

Autumn - If you suit Autumn tones your colouring is  soft and rich, warm and blended. The Autumn shades can be dull on many people, but on you they look classic, rich and luxurious. If your colour characteristics are warm deep and soft then these are the colours for you. Your hair is likely to be auburn through to a rich warm deep chestnut, sometimes even deeper.  Your eyes may be warm probably a  golden amber, soft and glowing green or if your hair is very dark they may be deeper brown, but always with a golden warmth. Your skin tone may be warm with a golden undertone that creates a distinct contrast with your eyebrows and hair tone. Autumn’s suit yellow, golden warm undertones, shades from nature like deep golds and oranges, rich reds and greens, blue mountains and deep teals. Pure white may not suit your golden tones so try creamy ivory. When it comes to neutrals try camel, coffee brown, rusty shades and deep chocolate. You’ll also look great in navy or olive green with your neutrals. Avoid too bright or too pale as this does not have the depth you need.

Winter

Winter - A ‘Winter’ has a stunning seasonal colour palette. The colours are clear and bold. Your colour characteristics may be deep, cool and bright. Your hair may be deep brown to black with well defined eyebrows providing strong contrast with your skin. Your skin is cool and fair porcelain with blue undertones giving a pink tinge. Your eyes are bright and usually the first thing that’s noticed about you. They may be bright clear blue, light turquoise blue, green, even violet usually with a cool darker rim around the iris. 

 

This colour palette has blue undertones and clear hues. Whilst the colours are cool, they are the deep cool tones with sharp and icy shades. Winters look great in black and white which is so fashionable. You’ll also look great in clear strong pure colour like royal blue, emerald green, rich red, hot pink, hot turquoise. Also match these with icy shades of the winter landscape like snow white, icy pink, blue, turquoise and aqua. 

 

Neutrals that will suit you are black, charcoal and cool silver greys. However you should avoid warm golden tones, yellows and oranges, tan and mustard, light pastel colours and warm shades like salmon or coral or soft and dusky pastels or earthy tones. Anything with yellow undertones particularly gingery browns and oranges will not suit your skin.

Spring

Spring - If you have Spring tones, you have a beautiful bright fresh colour palette. You may have 3 distinct colour characteristics warm, light and bright. Each of the beautiful shades in the Spring colour palette has the same color characteristics as your own, to complement your natural colouring harmoniously. Your hair may be light or darker with a definite golden warm tone and elements of red or auburn, from golden or strawberry blonde through to a rich auburn or light chestnut. You will usually have been a golden haired child and even with grey hair, you can still have a ‘golden glow’. Your eyes may be bright and the clarity of your eye colour is one of the most obvious characteristics of a Spring. 

Clear blue or turquoise, sometimes green and often flecked with yellow and there may be a darker rim around the iris. Your skin tone may be fair through to a golden beige often with a sprinkling of freckles but always with golden/yellow warm undertones. When choosing colours try warm, light and clear (bright). Light and bright ivory is better than pure white for you, clear shades of peach and apricot and light blue, bright aqua and clear bright red. These will enhance your bright eyes. The best Neutrals for you are light warm beige, light camel, golden tan, medium gold brown is your deepest neutral. Try to avoid cool colours with a blue undertone like icy pinks, blues, fuchsia and magenta, along with deep colours that don’t harmonise with your golden tone as they will make you grey. Also avoid dusky or muted shades.

Summer

Summer - ‘Summer’s’ colours are soft and dreamy with a hazy quality.  You will have light, cool and soft colouring. Your hair may be ash blonde through to fair, or light brown. As a child you may have been white blonde, fair or light brown. It is likely that it has darkened but overall ashy. There maybe a very slight red tinge to your hair but it is best to play this down otherwise it can make your skin look sallow. Sometimes hair darkens so choose ash blonde highlights.  Your eyes may be light blue, blue grey, green grey, slate blue with a darker rim around the iris indicating cool tones. 

 

Your skin tone is fair to porcelain, ivory through to a medium beige, with a blue undertone which gives a pink tinge.  You will not suit  beige foundation, instead use a slight pink. ‘Summers’ may be light, cool or soft and your blue undertone means most blue shades from pastel through to navy blue is for you. Also try pinks, soft berry, fuchsia, green and light red. Pure white is too harsh so try a soft white near to your face.  The best neutrals for you are rose beige, cocoa, rose brown, light blue grey to grey navy, keep the shades soft and dusty. You’ll also look great in country garden mauves, blues, violets, pinks. You should avoid warm golden tones, yellows, oranges, tan and mustard, bright sharp greens and warm salmon or coral pinks. Black is too heavy for you instead try navy blue.

So now that you know differences between each colour type let's have a look at Amalia in action. Amalia goes through a process of analysis detirmining the undertone of Trudi's skin and establishes the correct foundation colour. Using a huge range of colour swatches categorised into the seasonal groups Amalia shows Trudi the vast difference they make against her skin. 

Below Amalia has styled Trudi in both makeup and clothing colours that are NOT suited to her. Trudi's skintone analysis has established Trudi is a Summer, however here she is dressed in Spring and Autumn tones. Whilst she still looks attractive she looks rather washed out.

Next Amalia has Trudi's makeup applied by Makeup artist Amea May. Amea uses the correct foundation colour and makeup for Trudi's skintone.

After the correct makeup is applied by Amea May,  Trudi is then styled by Amalia using the correct colour choices.

The transformation complete it's easy to see Trudi looks fresh, vibrant and healthy with the techniques Amalia has applied.

If you would like to book an exclusive one on one consultation with Stylist Amalia Simpson, visit her website at  

www.melbournefashionstylist.com.au

Stockists

Autumn makeup picture:

Opposite Page Top Left to Right: 100 Percent Pure Creamy Nail Polish, 100 Percent Pure Fruit Pigment Lip and Cheek Tint (Peach Glow), Pacifica Natural Mineral Eye Shadows, Zuii Organic Eye Shadows (Vibe) Honeybee Gardens Luscious Lip Gloss (Viper), 100 Percent Pure Creamy Nail Polish (Truffle), Pacifica Natural Minerals Natural Lipstick (Devocean), 100 Percent Pure Fruit Pigment Satin Eye Shadow, 100 Percent Pure Fruit Pigment Blush, Ere Perez Cheek and Lip Balm (Holy) , 100 Percent Pure Fruit Pigmented Blush (Berry), Honeybee Gardens Eye Shadow (Cairo).

Spring  makeup picture: 

Opposite Page Top Left to Right: 100 Percent Pure Fruit Pigment Blush (Pretty Naked), Pacifica Natural Minerals Eye Shadows, Pacifica Natural Lipstick (Devocean), Zuii Organic Eye shadow (Vibe), 100 Percent Pure Creamy Nail Polish (Casaba Melon), 100 Percent Pure Fruit Pigmented Lipstick (Fruit Punch, Peach Bellini), 100 Percent Pure 100 Percent Pure Fruit Pigmented Blush (Berry), 100 Percent Pure Creamy Nail Polish (Tart), Ere Perez Cheek and Lip Balm (Holy),   Zuii Organic Lip Liner, Honeybee Gardens Eye Shadow (Daredevil, Canterbury), Zuii Organic Lipstick (Daisy).

Winter Makep picture:

Opposite Page Top Left to Right: Dr. Hauschka Volume Mascara (Black),  100 Percent Pure Fruit Pigmented Lip Stick (Caberet, Peach Bellini, Fruit Punch) Honeybee Gardens (Queen Bee), RGB Nail Polish (scarlet), Zuii Organic Lip Gloss (Dream), 100 Percent Pure Lip Tint ( Cherry), 100 Percent Pure Creamy Long Last Liner (Blackest, Gleaming Pewter), Zuii Organic Eyeliner Pencil (Black), Zuii Organic Eyebrow Definer, 100 Percent Pure Fruit Pigmented  Creamy Eye Liner Liquid (Dark Chocolate), Dirty Hippie Eyeliner and Mascara Cake, 100 Percent Pure Fruit Pigmented Lip and Cheek Tint (Cranberry), Dr. Hauschka Lipstick (12).

Summer makeup picture:

 Zuii Organic Eye Shadow (Summer), Zuii Organic Eyebrow Definer (Taupe), RGB Nail Polish (Minty), Ere Perez Cheek and Lip Balm (Holy), Dirty Hippie Alkanet Root Lip and Cheek Tint, Zuii Organic Lip Gloss (Dream), 100 Percent Pure Lip Tint (Cherry), Dr. Hauschka Lipstick (12), Honeybee Gardens Eye Shadow (Daredevil and Cranberry), 100 Percent Pure Lip and Cheek Tint (Cherry).

SALE - Detox your Life

It's a great time to purchase a few products to help you shift to a detoxed lifestyle.

Hurry, stock is limited and the sale ends midday, July 1st AEST.

Please use codes listed. Click on links below each product image to go direct to individual products in the online store.  You can also go direct to the full range   HERE!

Click to go to store

Here’s your chance to grab some great Norwex products at discounted prices, in our End Of Financial Year Sale! 

Try these specials. 

Skincare

Click here to go to this product in the online store

Timeless Organic Shea Butter.  (Code 403016). The rich emollient benefits of pure Organic Shea Butter, Avocado  Oil and Vitamin E combine to offer an incredible moisturising cream that intensely nourishes and protects. Excellent for severely dry skin, including elbows and feet and also works well on dry cuticles and sparingly to tame the ends of dry hair.  

  

Click here to go to this product in the online store

Naurally Timeless Firming Face Serum. Contains no parabens, sulfates, phthalates, synthetic fragrances, artificial colours or animal derived ingredients.Look more radiant, revitalised and glowing. This nourishing, plant-powered serum enriched with Apple Stem Cells, Multi-Peptides and Sea Algae visibly firms and smooths skin for a more youthful appearance.

Click here to go to this product in the online store

Naturally Timeless #Anti-Gravity Night #Cream was $66.90 now $43.00. (Code 403086) Contains no parabens, sulfates, phthalates, synthetic fragrances, artificial colours or animal derived ingredients. A blend of essential plant #oils, Shea Butter, plant peptides and Apple Stem#Cells reduces the appearance of fine lines and #wrinkles. The soothing Sea #Algae Extract rejuvenates skin at the cellular level overnight, reducing the visible signs of gravity.

Click here to go to this product in the online store

Timeless Footprints Foot Lotion was $35.95 now $18.50, (code 403126) with Aloe Vera and Olive Oil planted on beautiful, sun-drenched Italian hillsides, they are organically cultivated, hand harvested and quickly cold processed to retain 100% of their beneficial active ingredients.

Non-toxic Home Cleaning 

Try some of these great specials! 

Click here to go to this product in the online store

This multipurpose, antibacterial, microfibre Enviro Cloth removes dust, dirt,and grease from all washable surfaces. Use it dry for dusting, or damp for cleaning walls, tiles, bathtubs, counters, metal surfaces, car interiors, etc. Between laundering, simply rinse, wring out and hang to dry.  35 cm x 35 cm 2-year warranty.

Click here to go to this product in the online store

A small version of the antibac Enviro Cloth that is great for taking anywhere! The perfect clean up for just about anything. Also, a great way to share our products with a friend! Set of four.  16 cm x 16 cm

Click here to go to this product in the online store

Don't be overwhelmed with the aromas of toxic air fresheners. Freshen the air in your home with natural porous Bamboo charcoal in beautiful linen bags. Great for areas odours exist to absorb unpleasant smells and mould and mildew causing moisture, and to remove allergens without adding harmful chemicals to the air.
75 g; 6cm x 16cm

Enjoy!

Winter Trends 2016

Following the seasonal fashion trends shouldn't be a slavish, tiresome endeavour. Instead look at it as an opportunity to reflect on the beauty that surrounds us. Fashion, style and design should inspire our creativity. It should encourage us to lift our design game. These trends are the backdrop to our life. Don't ever underestimate the power of the ever changing trends. They pin point times in history. They punctuate our memories. Enjoy them, have fun with them, draw upon them when creating and revile in their beauty.

Trend spotting is about identifying patterns, prints, texture, structure, form, exploring the feminine and masculine design elements and reflecting on how they can fit with your style, your aesthetic, your wardrobe, home and environment.

In business,  an awareness of asthetic trends is critical to ensure your brand stays current, your marketing is on point and how you communicate your brands message is done in a stylish current manner.

Some of the Winter trends for 2016 that we can have fun with include:

TRANSPERENT SHEER X-RAY

This Winter season is a real treat, the days of heavy Melbourne-style black on black winter dressing are long gone. This winter we'll be sporting transperent almost sheer fabrics and motives reminiscent of skeletal forms. 

Plan your wardrobe to include soft layering and glimpses of sheer structure. 

PATTERNS IN NATURE

Serene marbel stone and cloud like forms add an air of whimsy to our winter wardrobe and homewares this winter. Taking the hard cold edge off the cooler months and reminding us to look upwards and appreciate the soft blue sky and flossy floating clouds and the icy snow covered peaks.

BURNT

I love this trend, burnt edges are a truly original and powerful trend this winter. There is a multitude of ways you can incorporate this trend into your design aesthetic, wardrobe and branding styling....just don't get burnt! 

FLORAL ON BLACK

1980's flashbacks aside this floral on black trend has an edgy, Wedding Singer, big hair feminine feel. It's a great dramatic pattern that adds a little glamour to any winter outfit and adds an old world romantic feel to any look. This style is very on trend for branding and is an eye catching design for marketing women's products. 

GOTHIC REVIVAL

Again those of us that we're teens in the 80's will have a bit of a nostalgic response to this Goth Trend. However the modern trend has an asthetic reminiscent of the horror movie The Ring crossed with American Horror Stories The Covern. Whether you're into the Goth look or not, you can incorporate the mystery and moody aspects of this look easily into your wardrobe. 

VINTAGE FLORAL

Vintage prints are kitchy and fun and this is a great way to add colour depth to your wardrobe without ending up with a heavy dark winter look. Vintage and retro looks are huge in business branding presently so you can't go wrong with this trend in your work life. 

CORAL

Admittedly I'm a Coraloholic, after having my colour analysis complete by stylist Amalia Simpson, Coral is in my Spring colour palette so if you're a Spring like me this colour will make your skin glow! Use it in accessories and you'll keep a little bit of Spring in the air, all the way through Winter! 

Want more of a fashion trend fix? Visit the Lily Online Magazine Pinterest page.

(All images credits and links found on our Pinterest Page Lily Online Magazine - Trends Autumn Winter 2016)

Spoil yourself and mum on Mother's Day

 

What better way to treat yourself and mum on Mother's Day than a trip to the Peninsula  Hot Springs, located at Fingal on the Mornington Peninsula, Victoria. 

 

A good friend and I decided to treat our mum's to a day of spa fun yesterday. It's the ideal place to relax, chat and spend quality time with your mum, so I highly recommend it. 

The Hot Springs offers outdoor bathing with over 20 experiences to choose from set amongst meandering paths surrounded by pristine native gardens complete with birds and ducks and a lake. 

 

You can choose from thermal mineral spring pools, Turkish steam bath (Hamam), cave pool, hilltop pool offering 360 degree views of the region, underground sauna, reflexology walk, massaging thermal mineral showers, family bathing area, lakeside pool and naturally landscaped bathing gully.

So what is so special about these hot springs? 

According to Peninsula Hot Springs they are filtration hot springs. The water that surfaces is estimated to have been deep within the Earth for more than 10,000 years.

 

The water rises from 637 metres below The Cups at Rye. By the time the water comes to the surface the temperature is approximately 50°C . The temperature of the pools varies from 42°C to 36°C depending on the pool and the time of the year.

Peninsula Hot Springs are classified as true mineral springs, with dissolved solids measuring over 3500 parts per millon (PPM), based on the assessment conducted by the Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences in New Zealand.

Peninsula Hot Springs are sodium chloride bicarbonate hot springs, with a pH level of 6.8. The near neutral (slightly acidic) pH is primarily the result of the potassium, calcium, magnesium and sodium ions. 

How does this benefit you? 

Peninsula Hot Springs advise that:

• Bathing in bicarbonate water assists in opening peripheral blood vessels, improving circulation to the body's extremities and potentially helping to address hypertension and mild atherosclerosis. Some researchers believe that bicarbonate baths also assist cardiovascular disease and nervous system imbalances. Peninsula Hot Springs thermal mineral water contains 1163 PPM bicarbonate.
• Mineral springs naturally rich in chlorides, in amounts between 0.5 to 3%, are considered by some researchers to be beneficial for rheumatic conditions, arthritis, central nervous system conditions, post-traumatic and post-operative disorders. Peninsula Hot Springs contain 1432 PPM chloride content.
• Boron builds muscle mass, increases brain activity and strengthens bones. Peninsula Hot Springs contains 1.3 PPM boron.
• Magnesium converts blood sugar to energy and promotes healthy skin. Peninsula Hot Springs contains 90 PPM magnesium.
• Potassium assists in the normalisation of heart rhythms, assists in reducing high blood pressure, helps to eliminate body toxins and promotes healthy skin. Peninsula Hot Springs contain 64 PPM potassium.
• Sodium and natural salts assist with the alleviation of arthritic symptoms and may stimulate the body's lymphatic system when used in baths. Peninsula Hot Springs contain 868 PPM sodium.

One of my favourite attractions is the Reflexology Walk. It contains different sized stones to massage your feet as you walk the length  of the pool. 

 

What's more at lunch time you can stop for a cuppa and lunch at their outdoor cafe in your bathers and robe then return to the spas for some more indulgence. 

You can also opt for their massage and spa treatments and they even have a gorgeous restaurant onsite. 

Visit the Mornington Peninsula Hot Springs website at 

http://www.peninsulahotsprings.com/

Apple Crumble... My comfort food's story

Organic Apple Crumble 

One of my most vivid memories as a very small child around 2-3 yrs old is sitting in the kitchen of my grandparents farmhouse in Warrandyte eating my Nana's apple crumble. 

Apple Crumble for me is the ultimate dessert, not because it is particularly complex or luxurious but because it's simple ingredients, aroma and texture evoke such wonderful memories. 

I know most of you reading this will have a dish that has the same effect on you. These are the things in life we truly should cherish.

This is my Apple Crumble's story...

Mum in her 20's at Twickenham Farmhouse in Warrandyte 

Just the drive to Warrandyte was an adventure for me, the hills, the winding roads, the bush, in the 70's as a little girl it was pure excitement. It was a Sunday family tradition that has instilled a deep love of Warrandyte in both myself and my older sister Melinda. For my mum however who had been travelling between Camberwell and Warrandyte most of her life it was a normal part of life and an easy drive for her from our modest home in Blackburn to the sprawling farm. During her childhood her mother and father had owned an electronics store in Burke Road Camberwell and they had a residence above the store. 

  

Above: Popa and Nana (Archibald and Evelyn) and mums younger sister with Bessy the pony.

 

Above: Mum and her younger sister and father, Above right: The view from Twickenham, Warrandyte.

Their weekends were spent on the farm in a large but cosy Federation farm house  set on 100 or so acres with steep paddocks leading all the way to the Yarra River. Sitting in the kitchen you had the perfect view of the orchard filled with apple trees.

The apple trees were bursting with more fruit than they knew what to do with and the fragrance of fresh apples hung in the air. The pony Bessy spent lazy days rolling around under the trees and munching on the fallen apples and pottering on the lawns around the kitchen. The kitchen was little more than a lean-to annex built on to the back of the house.

Bessy 

Outside the kitchen with Bessy on the lawns 

 Like many rather grand farmhouses of it's time the beautiful 'Twickenham's'  Federation facade was at the opposite end facing the stunning views over Warrandyte and the Yarra and yet most of our time was spent in the back annex in the kitchen and talking to the pony.

Twickenham, Warrandyte 1964 (6 years before I was born) 

  

Above: Twickenham driveway today, Above right: Twickenham in the 70's.

Etched into my memory is the sensation of sitting in kitchen smelling the aroma of Nana's Apple Crumble and anticipating the heavenly taste! It never disappointed. That memory is as clear to me 43 years later as if it were yesterday. 

Sadly by the time I was 5 my grandmother had passed away very  suddenly. The world as I knew it changed. Twickenham was never the same. My mother was utterly devastated and our hearts were broken, the farmhouse and the land were sold. 

The memories of this place, of the aroma of cooking apples and crunch of the Apple Crumble remain as vivid for me as if they were yesterday. So it's hardly surprising that I harboured a somewhat obsessive desire to recreate the exact sensation of having Apple Crumble at Nanas. 

So after 46 years I have achieved one of my life goals.  I've finally mastered recreating the most beautiful thing I have ever tasted, that's something worth writing about in my opinion. At nearly 40 I finally had a beautiful little boy I was determined  to share my love of Apple Crumble with him.

Just the fragrance evokes such wonderful childhood memories of exploring the grounds of Twickenham,  watching Nana dig around the veggie garden outside the kitchen and sitting in the kitchen with my mum and my big sister watching Nana Cook, whilst keeping a watchful eye on the ever present huntsman spiders that always seemed to be lurking in that kitchen. 

Me at about 3 on the path leading from the bottom driveway up to the house

Now that I'm regularly cooking Nana's Apple Crumble for my son, with organic ingredients of course, I'm pleased to report his evaluation is  "Hmmmmm I really like this Apple Crumble Mummy". What better review can you get than that??!!!

So many childhood memories encompass meal times, one of the reasons a dinner time at the table with my son is one of the most important parts of my day.  I'd love you to  try the recipe I've added at the end of this article. I hope it helps create beautiful memories for your family too. 

Enjoy!

Priscilla X

Nana's Amazing Organic Apple Crumble 

 

Using organic ingredients means the simple flavour of the apples and coconut are the star of this dish. Try to use organic flour, sugar, rolled oats and butter and you'll have a beautiful chemical free dessert.

 150g (1 cup) plain flour

 100g (1/2 cup, firmly packed) brown sugar

 100g chilled butter, chopped

 50g (1/2 cup) rolled oats

 60g (1/2 cup) dedicated coconut

1/4 tsp All Spice

 8 large cooking apples

 Vanilla ice-cream, to serve

Step 1

Preheat oven to 180°C. Combine the flour, sugar, butter and oats and coconut in a bowl.

Step 2

Use your fingertips to rub the butter into the mixture until butter is mixed in. 

Step 3

Spoon the apple into a pot and add 1/2 cup water, simmer on a low heat for 5 minutes until just soft. Scoop into a medium size baking dish and mix in 1/4 tsp of all spice. Then sprinkle the crumble mixture on top evenly. Bake in oven for 15-25 minutes or until golden. Spoon the apple crumble into serving bowls.

Serve with ice-cream.