Health and Food

Health & Food Articles

Neem: Nature’s healing gift to humanity

15 Apr 25

The neem tree has many benefits, including as a natural pesticide, fertiliser and it's a plant with various healing qualities. Katherine Smith reviews this book by Klaus Ferlow of Neem Research.

Hot cross buns

14 Apr 25

This spicy, fruity and delicious hot cross bun recipe is by Isabel Pasch, who ran Bread and Butter Bakery in Auckland.

Healthy weight loss

27 Mar 25

Diana Noonan discovered a surprising bonus while following a plant-based whole food eating plan. She also shares her super-easy and delicious recipes for bliss balls and whole-grain crackers.

Sheryl Stivens: Organic Pioneer

26 Mar 25

Sheryl Stivens is a Soil & Health member who embodies the motto of ‘healthy soil, healthy food, healthy people’. Mercedes Walkham traces her life and finds out what makes her an organic pioneer and champion.

Cultivating Change

25 Feb 25

Sarah Smuts-Kennedy shares her journey as an artist and advocate for regenerative farming practices, and her role in founding For the Love of Bees, OMG market garden, and the Earthworkers 101 course.

Sri Lankan pulled jackfruit curry

23 Jan 25

A deliciously unique vegan curry recipe. If you haven’t cooked with jackfruit before, this is an easy way to start. Recipe from Healthy Kelsi by Kelsi Boocock

From paddock to plate and back again

23 Jan 25

As he deepens his knowledge of organic and regenerative horticulture and the links with soil, food and health, Chris McIntosh of Ethos Café has found his life journey coming full circle.

Easy peri peri chicken

22 Jan 25

A simple spicy chicken recipe from The Good Farm Cookbook, which features wholefood, ethical protein, gluten-free, low-sugar recipes.

Mushrooming with next-gen homesteaders

22 Jan 25

Lenny Prinz and Jodi Collins lead a busy and inspiring life that includes growing mushrooms and cultivating spawn, developing compostable mushroom packaging, creating art, raising children, gardening and community projects. Read their story here.

Belinda Clark with her granddaughter Isla

My journey to healthier skin

19 Dec 24

For most of her life Belinda Clark has enjoyed good health, despite a tendency to do too much, but her skin has often shown when something’s amiss. Here she shares her story.

Dark chocolate crunch bars (aka ‘healthy’ protein bars)

25 Nov 24

Each of these easy-to-make healthy protein bars gives you about 5 grams of protein - perfect for a snack!

Differently wired brains

25 Nov 24

What is neurodiversity? Understanding what is going on for people – especially children – is the only way to inform strategies and systems to help them cope with life, writes Mary Allan.

Spring into Kōanga!

22 Oct 24

Spring into Kōanga is a seasonal celebration on Waiheke Island. It’s one of the Kai for Community projects that focus on reconnecting with true seasonal celebrations and the stories and traditions around growing, harvesting and sharing food in the Waiheke community.

Steamed eggplant with spicy sauce drizzle

22 Oct 24

This is an extremely simple dish that’s packed full of flavour. It’s great to cook during peak eggplant (aubergine) season in the garden. There's a homemade chilli oil recipe here too!

When Micromanaging is Good

20 Sep 24

Microbes are a big name in organic agriculture – in fact, they are the reason for everything. I’m not exaggerating here: the first life forms thought to have existed were – you guessed it – of such tiny proportions that you and I would have thought nothing of them. Story and photos by Paige Murray.

Asparagus & Lemon Walnut Crumble

20 Sep 24

The asparagus season is short, so make use of the season with a nutrient-laden crumble you can whip up in 10 minutes.

Fat Hen & Cashew Cheese Tart

19 Sep 24

A commonly foraged vegetable throughout the world, fat hen is a good source of protein, fibre, calcium, magnesium, potassium, vitamin C, vitamin A and trace elements, making this vegan tart — which uses both the seeds and leaves of the plant — highly nutritious.