And now for a little me time
THE POWER OF ... SERIES
Power of growing your own fruit and veggies by Lorna Gordon
Spring has sprung , the days are getting warmer and it ’ s the perfect time to get outside and work in your garden or on your balcony and plant some seeds to grow your own fruit and veggies .
Working in your own veggie patch can give you so much more than fresh fruit and veggies at your fingertips , it can save you money and transform your lifestyle in meaningful ways .
Growing your own vegetables is a positive impact on your health , homegrown vegetables are typically fresher and better for you than store-bought produce . You have the added benefits of controlling what goes into the soil and onto your plants , letting you avoid harmful pesticides and chemicals , so your food is not only tastier but also healthier .
Gardening is a physical activity and the planting , weeding , and picking of your veggies requires physical effort and improves your fitness levels . It ’ s also great to spend time outdoors topping up your vitamin D and working in the garden is a mindful activity which can reduce stress and anxiety . The connection to nature and the satisfaction of growing your own food
PODCASTS
by Lorna Gordon
Ladies we need to talk . Not with me personally , but through this podcast by the ABC , hosted by Yumi Stynes . This poddy is a no hold bars look at life as a woman and digs into the topics you might not bring up with your besties , but maybe should .
This is definitely an adult ’ s only podcast , so put your headphones on and don ’ t listen to it in front of little ones . Some of the topics Yumi dives into are burnout , being cheated on , the mental load , perimenopause , the 12 week rule around telling people you are pregnant and many different episodes about sex . Yumi discusses
can boost your mood and provide a sense of accomplishment .
The initial investment in seeds , soil , and gardening tools is relatively low , but the return on your investment can be substantial . With an established garden you can enjoy a supply of fresh produce at a fraction of the cost of store-bought vegetables ; even a small garden on a balcony can provide you with a surprising amount of produce . And if you plan your garden well , you can enjoy fresh food for a large part of the year !
Growing your own vegetables supports biodiversity if you plant heirloom varieties that might not be widely available in stores . If you add in a few wild flowers to your garden beds or pots , then you can keep the bees and other insects happy , and we know that without bees our crops can ’ t thrive , so this is a very important part of having a garden .
September is a great time to dust off the gardening equipment and plan what you will grow to see you through the spring and summer . When you get to sit down and enjoy a home grown salad with your own veggies or a bowl of delicious strawberries you grew yourself , you can be happy that you took the time to do something for yourself and your family .
Ladies we need to talk
a lot of these topics on her own , but also brings in special guests and gets feedback from her co-workers who are behind the scenes in the studio .
The thing I like about this podcast is that these topics are ones that many women want to talk about , but could be unsure on how to broach the subject with their friends or partner . Listening to the episodes gives you insights into the subjects discussed and a way to bring it in to conversation by mentioning you had listened to it .
With the nature of the topics discussed , this podcast isn ’ t for everyone , but I think it ’ s worth dipping into the ones that interest you . You can listen to Ladies we need to talk on all your usual streaming services .
MOVIE TICKETS GIVEAWAY
Runt
Release Date : In Cinemas September 19 Duration : approx . 95min Classification : TBC | Censorship Advice : TBC
Craig Silvey ’ s beloved best-selling novel leaps onto the big screen in a charming new Australian family movie .
RUNT is the heartfelt and hilarious tale of eleven-year-old Annie Shearer and her best friend Runt , an adopted stray dog with remarkable abilities .
In a bid to save their family farm , the two aspire to compete in the Agility Course Championships at the prestigious Krumpets Dog Show in London , whilst overcoming hurdles , obstacles and nefarious villains .
In Cinemas September 19 .
WE ARE GIVING AWAY 15 DOUBLE PASSES TO SEE RUNT Just email us at info @ hdinews . com . au with “ Movie Giveaway ” in the subject line . Please leave us your name , address ( for posting ) and phone number . All winners will be notified by phone / email .
GIVEAWAY
18 double passes to the West HQ Music Festival GIG60 !
The Coliseum at Rooty Hill is bringing GIG60 , an immersive three-night entertainment celebration , to Western Sydney this September . This music festival is part of a jubilee celebration honouring 60 years of providing premium entertainment , dining , fitness and accommodation in Rooty Hill .
With an array of music performances at the Coliseum from 25 to 27 September , the festival will take audiences on a journey through time as they celebrate entertainment from the venue ’ s beginnings in 1964 as Rooty Hill RSL through to today .
The first night will celebrate Australian legends on the multimode theatre stage with a line-up including American-born Australian
singer and TV personality , Marcia Hines , Australian hard rock band , Baby Animals and seasoned Australian singer , Daryl Braithwaite with number one hits ‘ The Horses ’ and ‘ You ’ re My World ’.
The star-studded event continues into the second night with country music , as GIG60 presents Max Jackson , country music ’ s 2024 New Talent of the Year , alongside Brooke McClymont and Adam Eckersley , Australia ’ s favourite country duo , and Troy Cassar-Daley , acclaimed Australian country music songwriter and entertainer Closing out GIG60 for the third night are some of
Australia ’ s current musical icons including 2024 Australian Idol winner , Dylan Wright , alternative indie rock band from Sydney , Middle Kids and indie folk band , Boy and Bear .
We are giving away 18 Double passes to the West HQ music festival , tell us what night you would like to attend and why and send an email with your name address and phone number to info @ hdinews . com . au to enter .
14 ISSUE 172 // SEPTEMBER 2024 theindependentmagazine . com . au THE HAWKESBURY INDEPENDENT