If you only hold a pen to scrawl out your shopping list and the contents of your letterbox are solely bills, you’re not alone. While these days most of us communicate mainly through social media, email and text, fortunately the art of letter writing is not lost. Time to put pen to paper.

This cake is a nourishing take on the more traditional fruity and chocolate cake recipes we all know and love. I’ve swapped grain-based flours for nutrient dense almonds and made the cake deliciously rich with dark chocolate and seasonal winter pears.

From sunrise to sunset and beyond, Noosa’s beautiful nature, acclaimed food scene, luxurious day spas, outdoor adventure and passionate wellness practitioners come together in a sublime way that immerses all your senses.

My Dutch background means I love croquettes — soft, tasty and often cheesy on the inside and crunchy on the outside. Normally, croquettes are not the healthiest option but I’ve put a healthy twist on these that makes them perfect to enjoy for an evening meal. Feel free to replace the free-range ham with any other cooked protein such as leftover shredded chicken or smoked salmon.

A traditional Dutch apple tart, or appeltaart as they say in Holland, is absolutely delicious and surprisingly easy to make. The pastry is thicker than any other pastry shell, which means the finished tart is crunchy on the outside but soft and cake-like on the inside.

The Eastern modalities of yoga and Ayurveda have held cleansing at the centre of their philosophies for millennia. The specific techniques they have created are still powerful detoxification tools for mind, body and soul.

A good book can be an absolute pleasure but research shows that the right book can also be a healing tool.

When you visit your closet, are garments threatening to spill out onto the floor? You’re not alone. In recent years, concerns have been raised over excessive consumption of clothing, two thirds of it synthetic, and the environmental impacts from this voracious demand for new clothes.

The Dutch often combine smoked meats and legumes in stews and soups. This delicious soup is a hearty, wholesome meal. While it takes a long time to cook it really is a no-fuss, set-and-forget dish my whole family loves.

This thermal wellness destination is located in the beautiful Lewis Pass National Reserve, which is a two-hour drive from Christchurch and one-hour drive from Hanmer Springs. You can truly immerse yourself in the ultimate outdoor healing experience at Maruia Hot Springs. Connect with nature as you sauna and bathe in mineral hot springs and take in the views of the river and surrounding mountains.

My memory of Dutch cuisine always includes big bowls of mussels, crusty bread, frites and beer. I love mussels but only used to eat them when I was out for dinner. I somehow had convinced myself they were too hard and fussy to cook at home. Wrong! They are so quick, easy and versatile. I have many favourite ways to eat them but this simple flavour combo is a classic.

In Chitwan, Nepal’s “heart of the jungle”, the greater one-horned rhinoceros is making a remarkable comeback. We explore the world’s most important rhino refuge.