We speak to Amanda Essery, the founder of Lovekins. Australian-owned, Lovekins is a brand of gentle, eco-friendly baby products and skincare born out of a desire for natural alternatives to eczema for her own daughter. Here, Essery shares her story.

This is one of my favourite noodle dishes. After a busy day you can have this nourishing tasty meal on the table in five minutes.

You don’t need to consume meat in order to help your iron levels. Per calorie, studies suggest that kale has more iron than beef, so for those meat-free meals, using ingredients like kale is a great way to help boost your iron levels (which in most cases is essential for good health, especially for women). The nuttiness from the roasted butternut combined with the kale and tomato is a match made in heaven!

Science confirms that diets containing a diverse range of vegetables produce healthier gut bacteria. So while eating vegetables is important, eating a good variety is beneficial for your gut and also nutritionally. This tagine is one very nourishing pot of plant-powered goodness. Don’t be put off by the long list of ingredients — remember that variety is a good thing. The method is really simple (just 30 mins of prep) and it produces a delicious, rich, hearty stew. Leftovers are delicious for lunch the next day.

Known as the “queen of spices”, the active ingredients in cardamom exhibit a variety of metabolic activities including reducing spasms and cramps, lowering blood pressure and relaxing the heart.

They are Far North Queensland’s most incongruous neighbours: tourists, sea changers and land developers chasing a slice of tropical paradise versus the world’s most at-risk ratite — the flamboyant, flightless and very much endangered southern cassowary.

Recent research suggests social ties are as important to our health and wellbeing as diet and exercise. As extensions of ourselves and microcosms of society, our homes are the perfect place to start designing and building better relationships.

When I was a kid, my mum made the best pea and ham soup. Now that I’m vegan I’ve created my plant-based version. Smoked tofu gives it the smokiness of ham.

Finding opportunities for stillness throughout your day helps soothe the nervous system for optimal health.

Clutter is junk we accumulate in our houses or offices and it is important to declutter and tidy up. Physically it helps our houses look tidier. Mentally and emotionally it also gives us the satisfaction of a clean environment creating space for new experiences in life. If you are uncomfortable with where you are at in your life it’s time to let go, get rid of the clutter and move on.

Learning to breathe better not only boosts your energy levels. A controlled, calm breath can help reduce stress, improve your thinking, ease chronic pain and bridge the connection between your body and mind.

This is my plant-based version of the classic Italian pasta and meatballs. You can make super-good balls from vegies and legumes and grains. The trick to binding them is chickpea flour.