Our Community 

Maintaining Connections

Welcome to our current edition of Our Community page, with tips aimed to help you and your family navigate some areas of your life disrupted in the COVID -19 (Coronavirus) time. Remember ‘We’re all in this together’. As more and more of us are required to ‘Stay at Home’, remember to STAY CONNECTED during this time of Stage 4 Lockdowns

Thoughts for Today

"Be Not Afraid. I go before you always. Come follow me and I will give you rest." 

- Father Bob Dufford

"Be strong, Be brave, Be true…… Endure."

- Dave Eggers

Little Reminders

Maintain Connections: Be there for each other. At this stage we are probably all well versed in how to stay connected with technology; phone calls, video calls, social media, online groups, video games, to name just a few, BUT here are a few ideas to stay connected without technology.

Not everyone wants to, or can use technologies, like smartphones and computers to connect with others. But there are still ways you can connect without using any digital technology at all.

Write letters or notes. When was the last time you picked up a pen and paper and wrote a message to someone? Pop a letter or even just your child’s drawing in the neighbour’s letterbox. Receiving mail is a rare treat these days, and you never know, they just might write back.

Create some street art. Chalk drawings on the footpath. Children’s drawings displayed in the windows. Leave a drawing for the postman or the delivery van driver. All these things are guaranteed to bring a smile to someone’s face.

Share books or movies. Put your mask on and drop books or DVDs you’re finished with into the letterboxes of neighbours and friends. Bonus points if you accompany them with a note saying why you enjoyed them. Encourage them to let you know what they think and pass the favour along to someone they know.

Bake some muffins, cupcakes or cookies. Place them on a plate, pop your mask on and leave them on your neighbours doorstop, knock and step back or call out over the fence and hand them over, let them know you are thinking of them and check they don’t need any support. 

Good old fashioned conversation. Whether it’s with someone in your household over the kitchen table, or a friend on the phone or neighbours fence, nothing beats a good chat. We’ve listed all types of fancy ways to connect above, but sometimes a simple conversation feels the best.

Here are some activities you and your family may find helpful and in some cases fun:

Health & Nutrition - Jessica Paynter, Nutritionist & Parent

Everyday Superfoods for health and wellbeing

It seems we are all feeling a bit flat after hearing about our next lot of restrictions and if low mood tends to result in craving comfort food then you are not alone!

Often, we blame our lack of willpower for a lack of control over food choices, but in fact sweet cravings are a sign that your brain is trying to boost serotonin levels and endorphins to help you feel better. The trick here is to attempt to reduce the refined sugar and boost the nutrient density of your snacking.

This recipe ticks all the boxes when it comes to nutrient dense comfort food! Sweet and decadent, with dark chocolate and cacao which both have naturally high levels of Magnesium, as well as eggs, black beans and almonds which provide protein and fibre.

Remember to follow serving sizes and freeze any leftovers for another day!

Black Bean Brownies

9 servings

Stay Well and Stay Safe