LIFE IN THE SLOW LANE

Our busy lifestyles may be putting us on the fast track to health problems. So go slow and reap the benefits!
In a recent episode of Packed to the Rafters, Ben Rafter espoused the virtues of slow living. More than just a fad, the Slow Movement has been around since the 1980s and is a response to the fast-paced, fast-food, technologydriven world around us. Slow is all about connection, explains Jacqui Mott, editor of Slow Magazine (www.slowmagazine.com.au). Here are some slow living philosophies Slow Food The antithesis of fast food, slow food is about wholesome, healthy meals and savouring the time spent preparing, eating and sharing them. Slow Travel This is for those of us who come back from holidays feeling like we need another holiday, having raced from place to place with a jam-packed itinerary. Slow travellers meander, pause as the mood takes them and connect

W ellbeing

YOU
Health

QUIZ

According to the indian tradition of Ayurveda, three doshas govern our bodies: vata (ether and air), pitta (fire and water) and kapha (water and earth). for many, one type dominates. find yours below

Whats your ayurvedic body type?

Are you a good sleeper

VATA BOdy TyPE

or coarse hair?

Is it difficult to gain weight? Do you have dry skin and dry Do you have an erratic appetite? Are you always thinking? Do you have a quick,

adaptable, imaginative mind?

Do you regularly feel anxious? Are you a light sleeper and

but find it hard to get back to sleep if woken? Are you sensitive to heat, fire and the sun? Are you a motivated person? Do you have intense, slow-changing moods? Number of yes answers

prone to insomnia?
Are you sensitive to cold,

KAPHA BOdy TyPE

wind and dryness? Are you often hyperactive? Do you change moods easily or are easily excited? Number of yes answers

Do you tend to be overweight? Do you have oily skin and hair? Do you have a constant but

fairly low appetite?

Do you get congested a lot? Do you have a slow, steady

PiTTA BOdy TyPE

mental nature?
Would you describe yourself as

Do you have a moderate body

calm, content and emotional?

Are you a heavy sleeper and

with locals instead of being isolated in resort-style destinations, Jacqui explains. Slow ParenTing This is a response to the growing trend of families rushing through their lives with hectic schedules and little together time, resulting in a

generation of stressed kids. Parents can start by simplifying schedules, allowing for nothing time where children can learn to be creative, Jacqui says. It also requires a change of attitude, where parents stop playing the push-push-push tune.
Have you started a diet regimen only to give up days later because it was too hard? The good news is, small changes can make a big difference! Dont stop the things you love just have less of them, less often! The governments Swap It, Dont Stop It website is full of ways you can live healthily without feeling deprived. Check it out at www.swapit.gov.au.

Allergic to dust?
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weight with good muscle tone? Do you have oily skin, fine hair, early greying or baldness? Do you have a good appetite and get thirsty easily? Do you have digestion issues? Do you have an aggressive, clever and determined mind? Are you easily irritated?

have difficulty waking up?

Are you sensitive to cold and

damp, preferring wind and sun?

Are you slow-moving,

preferring leisurely activities?

Are you stubborn and slow to

change your opinion or mood? Number of yes answers

1on complex carbohydrates

Look at your diet focus (brown rice and oats), proteins derived from plant foods (legumes and nuts) rather than animals, fruit and veg aplenty, a daily serve of full-fat dairy and the right fats (polyunsaturated, monounsaturated and omega-3 fatty acids).

3 on the big no-noes

Cut out or cut back when it comes to fertility. Thats alcohol, caffeine, cigarettes, trans fats and processed food. All have been shown to have a negative effect on the reproductive system.

Text Zoe Meunier. Illustrations Maude Guesne at www.illustrationroom.com.au

BOOST yOur fErTiLiTy

How to

2every day and keep an eye on the scales

Get at least half an hour of cardio exercise being overweight and being underweight can both lower your fertility levels.

Note to self

answers
The body type that received the most yes responses is your most dominant. Heres what it means: VATA A vata imbalance can be linked to conditions such as anxiety and insomnia. To counteract this, choose warming spices such as ginger, cayenne and cinnamon, sweet, moist fruits like mangoes, nectarines and bananas, and cooked grains such as oatmeal, basmati rice and brown rice. Avoid an abundance of raw food and legumes. PiTTA An excess of pitta can lead to irritability, anger and impatience. Youll benefit most from foods that are cooling, such as fresh fruit and vegetables, especially bitter green vegies. Most dairy products suit you, but limit sour cream, hard cheeses and yoghurt. Avoid excessive consumption of red meat, salt, spicy or sour food and alcohol. KAPHA Too much kapha can be linked to obesity, diabetes and excessive colds. Opt for light protein such as chicken and legumes and plenty of vegetables, including bitter vegies, broccoli, eggplant and potatoes. A lot of dairy is too heavy and cooling, so limit this along with too much sugar, fried food and salt.

First Response can detect small amounts of the pregnancy hormone, so you can know sooner.
First Response let us tell you rst.
rstresponsepregnancy.com.au
Available from supermarkets, pharmacies and selected stores nationally. Always read the label. Use only as directed. First Response and the Human Figure Design are registered trademarks of Church & Dwight Co., Inc.

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