How to plan your own foodie tour on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland

Looking for a foodie tour on the Sunshine Coast? Create your own. Here’s how.

Having been a visitor to the Sunshine Coast, Queensland for over 50 years, I’ve never really been one for doing the touristy thing on every visit. We love nothing more than just hanging out at the beach.

My grandparents retired on the Sunshine Coast in 1969 so every other weekend we would visit from Brisbane and go to the beach for a swim. The only tourist attractions to really see were The Big Pineapple, The Big Cow (which used to be at Yandina), The Ginger Factory (in Buderim in the early days) and the Sunshine Castle in Bli Bli.

Now you’re spoiled for choice when it comes to the Sunshine Coast, especially as far as food and alcohol goes. Here’s a way you can plan your own foodie tour on the Sunshine Coast and make the most of what’s on offer, in your own time.

Why plan your own tour?

We visit the Sunshine Coast often. It’s our second home. Having been there so much over the years, it’s our favourite place to visit. I have noticed that it has really come of age as being a foodie destination in South East Queensland so wanted to make the most of my next visit.

When I started researching the foodie tours already available (why reinvent the wheel right?), I noticed most of them included wine, beer or other alcohol destinations and we’re talking a couple of hundred dollars.

I don’t drink alcohol anymore so it really wouldn’t be worth it for me. There were also parts of some tours I liked and parts of others I didn’t. So that’s why I decided to start researching the places I wanted to visit the most and found this amazing website that does all the hard work for you.

How to plan your own foodie tour

South East Queensland Food Trails is a website that allows you to plan and create your own foodie tour on the Sunshine Coast and anywhere else in South East Queensland.

There already pre-planned routes you can take that make the most of the region, for example bicycle tours, walking tours or what’s happening right now. They also include some hidden gems you may not have even existed, in your own backyard!

There are also links to that particular region’s tourist websites for even more information. Really a one stop shop to find out all the information you can about the area you’re visiting.

How it works

You simply choose which region you’d like to visit. Either check out the information already available or click on “Create My Trail”.

Choose which region you are visiting from either the List or the Map, then click which Sub Region. You can select all or on an individual region in that area.

Enter the address from which you’ll be starting at. This could be your home address, if you live in South East Queensland, or your accommodation address.

This is, of course, a self-drive tour and if you wanted to visit places that serve alcohol, choose a designated driver. If there are a lot of you, look at the cost of hiring an Uber driver for the day. It might work out a lot cheaper than an organised tour.

After you’ve entered your starting point address, choose your “Interests”. This could be “All”, dining, markets, cooking schools or other attractions in that region.

Your places of interest are then displayed and then it’s a matter of selecting which places you’d like to visit. Click on each one you’d like to include on your tour.

A map is then created with all of the places you’ve chosen with the distance, time and location of each place.

You can then save the link to return to when you’re out on the road and follow the Google map driving instructions to find your way around.

Conclusion

I’m going to be using this tool more for my own area. There’s really so much to see and do in your own backyard, if you really look hard enough. It will save you money, it will be tailor made for your tastes and you can take your time. The South East Queensland Food Trails website has made the job of planning your DIY foodie tour even easier.

Natural Treatments for IBS

The good news is there are natural treatments for IBS.

If you regularly suffer with gut issues such as bloating, abdominal pain, nausea, flatulence, constipation, and/or diarrhoea, then it could be Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).

The name implies that it’s a bowel disorder, but in fact it is much broader than that, affecting many of the body’s systems.

IBS can affect anyone, even children, but it does tend to be more common in women.

The Many Causes of IBS

There are many factors which may contribute to the discomfort of Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

• Studies have found that IBS patients often have the parasitic infections Blastocystis hominis (BH) and Dientameoba fragilis. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) testing is recommended to detect genetic material from a specific organism.

• After taking antibiotics, a microbial imbalance in the gastrointestinal tract, Dysbiosis, can develop. This is commonly diagnosed alongside BH infections and symptoms include altered bowel motions, pain, bloating and flatulence.

• Food poisoning or acute gastroenteritis can trigger an overgrowth of short intestinal bacteria in the small intestine.

• Chronic, elevated stress hormones have a negative impact on your digestion. Your digestive enzyme function is reduced, disrupting the movement of food along the gastrointestinal tract. 

• Food intolerances can cause IBS with wheat, gluten, yeast, dairy, and eggs being some of the most common culprits.

• A “leaky gut” can occur when there is a weakening of the protein fibres that line the gut wall, meaning that you’re unable to absorb vitamins, minerals, and nutrients.

While traditional medical treatment aims to relieve the symptoms (usually with mixed results), naturopathy takes a different approach to IBS – identifying and treating the underlying cause/s so that the symptoms reduce.

Natural Treatments for IBS

As with many conditions, a combination of therapies is most successful in treating IBS.

One of the most important treatments involves restoring digestive acid and enzymes to support your body to break down food and extract nutrients.

Natural supplements may help to soothe and reduce gut inflammation, since IBS patients often have an inflamed digestive tract.

You may be also advised to start taking powerful probiotics to re-establish healthy gut bacteria. Since there are many different strains of bacteria, your naturopath will identify which are the most suitable for your body.

Learning how to reduce stress and anxiety can help tremendously since IBS plays havoc with your mind as well as your body. As a holistic health professional, a naturopath can give you practical and caring techniques, such as relaxation therapy, to reduce the impact of stress and boost your energy and vitality.

If you suffer from IBS and are looking for relief without the need to rely on long-term medication, it’s worth booking an appointment with your local naturopath.

Preparing for the Passing of a Pet

It’s never going to be easy preparing for the passing of a pet but here are a few tips to help make the process a little easier.

Anyone who has owned a pet would agree that they are certainly more than just animals; they become a member of the family, providing endless unconditional love and support.

As pets age and start to slow down, it becomes apparent that the inevitable is approaching.  Whilst having to think and prepare for a pet’s passing is sad, the reality is that we will usually outlive them and have to say goodbye. It’s important to remember that all living creatures do pass on and we need to acknowledge and plan for it. 

Social support and rituals are a large part of the grieving process for human beings, but the same cannot always be said when the loss is a beloved pet. Due to this, many people find the grief to be quite lonely and isolating.

As the time approaches to say goodbye, here are some ideas to help prepare and comfort you.

Spend quality time with your pet

Spending time with your pet allows you to start the grieving process in a way that you can control.  At this time, you can allow a few extra indulgences and treats and incorporate visits to favourite outdoor spaces.

Talk to family members about the passing

Talking to family, especially children, and explaining that a pet is sick/old and that they may not be around much longer can reduce the shock when they finally do pass. Answering questions and providing them with appropriate details before the death happens will have everyone better prepared.

Have a trusted vet to assist with the passing of a pet

There are times when a pet may need to be euthanised to prevent them from suffering.  Ensuring you have a good relationship with your vet will allow you to feel comfortable making that decision when the time is right.

Take photos and gather mementos

Now is the time to make sure you have all the photos that you want of your pet as well as maybe getting a paw print to remember them by. When your pet does pass, you can put together a collage of photos and memories to remind you of the good times.

Make arrangements for burial

What will happen after your pet passes? There are lots of options and having this put in place beforehand, saves you from having to make difficult decisions when the time comes.  They can be buried or cremated, though you will have to check that you comply with your local council rules.  If you decide to have them cremated, you could choose a pet urn for their ashes, so you can keep them at your home or other special place.

A place of remembrance

Whatever you decide to do with their remains, having a place to go to reflect and remember your beloved pet is a fantastic way to deal with the grief. A special spot, seat or tree could be used to spark joy.

Preparing for the passing of a pet

There’s no way to remove the sadness and grief that comes when you lose a beloved fur baby. But taking control of the process means that you will be better prepared when the time does come for them to cross that rainbow bridge.

‘Everyone thinks they have the best dog.  And none of them is wrong’.  W.R Purche

How to upgrade your home for free without moving

Are you outgrowing your house? Feel like you need to move? There might be a way to upgrade your home without moving. It’s what I’ve done over the last 22 years since I’ve been in my house. Here’s how.

When I purchased this house with my (now ex) husband 22 years ago, we had plans to have children eventually one day so a 3 bedroom home was going to be more than enough space. In the 4 years before our children were born, there was a spare room I used with a single bed for visitors, our desktop computer (it was the early 2000’s so desktop computers were still relatively a new thing) and a second bedroom set up for visitors.

How our home started out

In the 4 years before our children were born, there was a spare room I used with a single bed for visitors, our desktop computer (it was the early 2000’s so desktop computers were still relatively a new thing) and a second bedroom set up for visitors.

I thought there was more than enough space for our clothes in the built in cupboard in our bedroom and there was a freestanding wardrobe in the third bedroom and plenty of cupboard space in our relatively small kitchen. No real pantry as such but I certainly could make do (and just quietly, love my small kitchen – there’s less to clean and it functions perfectly).

My ex always though there wasn’t enough storage but not having a lot of clutter, back then, I found it quite easy to fit everything in that we owned.

The converted garage

We were lucky that we had what was a converted double garage under our house that was an entertainment room. There was a built in bar, a pool table, a dart board and a TV. Everything that a young couple, soon to be married needed to entertain family and friends. The downstairs laundry had enough room for the washing machine, a dryer and storage under the internal stairs.

I was an avid gardener back in those days so one of the first things we did was put in a downstairs second toilet. It saved me having to run upstairs to our only toilet if I was in the middle of yard work.

The next thing we did was put in a double carport with a solid roof. There was only a timber structure with mesh to cover and it didn’t provide much protection to our vehicle if it stormed.

Getting a double shed

The next thing we did was put in a double shed in the back yard. This was a huge expense at around $10,000 but well worth it in the end. It is now a really great space for storing garden equipment, a workout space, kid’s wet weather space, out of season clothes, Christmas decorations and tools for my now husband to do odd jobs. (My ex didn’t keep the space very neat and tidy so it was a nightmare to find or store anything so a bit of a wasted space all those years ago. It’s been a great asset to the house and come in very handy. It has allowed any storage that didn’t fit inside the house to be stored in the shed.

In saying that, we have tried to declutter all of these things in the shed. There is no point in holding onto them. My husband keeps it very neat and tidy and uses wall and ceiling space to store things out of the way like his surfboards and gardening equipment.

When the children arrived, sadly the days of entertaining and partying were over so it didn’t take long for the downstairs room to become a convertible space for visitors. We had a convertible lounge/fold out bed that my in laws used when they visited. There was a fridge downstairs so they could make their own tea and coffee. Also that downstairs toilet. They could come and go as they pleased and joined us for meals.

How the house changed when the children came

Upstairs, the third bedroom became the nursery. Two years later, my second child was born so the first baby went into that second bedroom and the new baby stayed in the nursery.

Built-in cupboards were put in both the second and third bedrooms nearly tripling the amount of storage space I now had in my house. Out of that came a linen closet. Something I hadn’t had before but made do with a freestanding wardrobe.

When the children were babies (both born in November), it was hot in the summer and I tried to stay indoors in the air conditioning so the living room became the play room. There was a blow up ball pit, a box of toys each (that were on rotation) and we painted outside and drew at the dining table. As they got older, that downstairs room became their play area with a TV/video player, lounge and our computer (where I started this blog all those years ago).

It was also my sewing space, craft area and where Santa would leave the presents for the children under our tree.

The downstairs room became such a convertible space over the years. The trouble was, it was only ever a built-in garage with a cement floor that the previous owners had converted into that entertaining space all those years before. We had no clue that it could or would ever flood as we hadn’t seen flooding in my home town of Brisbane since 1974.

Making changes after flooding

By my daughter’s 7th year, things were going to change with the downstairs room. Heavy rain came in 2011 that flooded the downstairs room. Carpet had to be thrown out, timber swelled around the walls. We had a terrible mess. Little did I know that over the years we would get even more rain and every attempt at rebuilding the space and reconverting it to something bigger, better and more useful met with more heartbreak.

After the last rain of 2022 where we received a year’s worth of rain in 3 days and we were flooded again, we decided to keep the downstairs room as it was intended and that was a concreted floor garage that has a few lounge chairs and my son’s gaming equipment, ie TV and PlayStation.

The room still needs a bit of work to make it look nice, ie painting walls and ceilings, painting the concrete floor with a non slip paint and a new blind for the window. Just small cosmetic fixes. But the home office/craft space is now in the spare bedroom and that’s a job and a half to sort through.

I’ve been having a big declutter and trying to make the space still calm and that’s been a work in progress. The upstairs living room, which was just a quiet space to sit and read, without a television, is now a homely and cosy space again. We purchased 2 x $79 rugs and repurposed the TV unit to hold all of the sound system and television.

There’s still a bit of sorting and decorating to do but not too much. As it’s coming into winter, the throws will come out and I can give it an update with a few new cushion covers.

Conclusion

You can outgrow a house but you can look at it as rather rethinking a room or space. Ask yourself:

• Can I repurpose this room?
• Can I reuse furniture and décor that I’ve already got?
• If I haven’t used or touched something taking up space in this room, can I donate, sell or repurpose it?

We are so influenced by what we see in magazines, on television and on social media to think that we need a bedroom for every child, a bathroom for every person in the house and a toy room, a walk-in pantry, a kitchen island (and the list goes on). Unless you can really afford to move and upgrade to a bigger house (and bigger mortgage), stay put, enjoy the home you already have and rethink spaces.

PIN FOR LATER

10 Tips to Make a Rental Feel Like Home

Tips to make a rental feel like home.

There’s no place like home – but what if you are renting?

It’s still your home, whether it be for six months or six years. It should be a place that you cannot wait to return to after a big day, a place where you can relax and enjoy sharing with friends and family.

Here are a few tips to help you truly feel at home in your rental property.

1. Add a Splash of Green

Having a plant at the front door can be inviting, while placing a fern in the bathroom will exude comfort and homeliness.

Not only do indoor plants enhance the appearance of a space, but they have also been shown to boost mood, increase creativity, improve air quality and reduce stress. So, they don’t just look good – they can help you feel good too!

2. Picture This

Don’t be afraid to hang your favourite paintings or pictures on the walls (if they aren’t too heavy). There is a multitude of options regarding safe hanging hooks that can be removed when you move out.

3. Rug Up

Rugs can make a statement and give a comfortable feel to any space, especially if the property is mostly tile or has wooden floors.

4. Let there be Light

Changing the lighting can enhance the atmosphere of any space. Simply switching out a white light bulb for a softer yellow-toned one can help make your home feel warmer and more welcoming.

5. Give your old furniture a facelift

Repurposing old furniture to suit your new space is a beautiful way to bring the pieces of furniture you love into your new home, with pizazz!

6. Control the Clutter

Extra storage is always a clever idea, so if you do need to purchase new furniture consider investing in pieces that offer built in storage.

7. A Soft Touch

Throw rugs and cushions can be colourful and a fun addition to any couch or bed.

8. Accessorise your rental!

Using candles, books, ornaments, vases and bowls will really spruce up a space and help to make it feel like home for you.

9. The Power of Colour

Never underestimate having a colour theme, and use that as a base to guide your decorating.

10. The Nose Knows

The first thing someone notices when coming into your home is the smell, so light candles and choose home fragrances that make you feel happy.

Conclusion

It is amazing how subtle changes and a little creativity can help you turn a humdrum rental property into a happy haven, a place that you are happy and proud to call home!

Garage Door Repair: DIY Or Professional?

Your garage door offers you great service daily. It conveniently allows you to drive in and out of your home and protects your vehicles from harsh weather elements. Therefore, taking good care of it is recommended to ensure it serves you for longer. 

That said, even the best-maintained garage doors develop problems at least once in their lifetime. They could get stuck, become noisy, start moving unevenly, or stop closing or opening. On such occasions, many homeowners may find themselves in a dilemma choosing whether to do the repairs themselves or hire a professional. 

Factors That Determine If A Professional Or DIY Garage Door Repair Is Suitable

If your garage door has a problem, immediate repairs are necessary. This is because the door might not perform as it should, which could be a huge inconvenience to you and our family. Also, a malfunctioning door might not protect your vehicles from the harsh weather elements or offer sufficient safety to your home.

Therefore, even if your garage door may only seem to have a minor issue, it’s advisable to restore it as soon as possible. This way, you’ll prevent the issue from developing into a more complicated problem that may be more costly to fix.   

If you’re confused about whether to do the repairs yourself or hire a technician for the job, this article could be helpful. Here, you’ll learn about several factors that could determine who’s suitable to do the job. These are:

1. The Repair May Take Time

If you’ve done garage door restorations several times before, you may have gathered adequate knowledge on how to fix any problem. Therefore, it’ll be easier for you to identify the root cause of your garage door issue. Once you’ve done so, you’ll get straight into the repairs using less time to restore your door.  

If you hire a professional, they’ll first have to examine the situation then come back later for the repairs with the right tools. If they have other jobs scheduled, you’ll have to set a date for them to come to restore your door.

This means that repairs will be delayed, and you’ll stay longer with a damaged door. In this case, DIY restorations may be quicker if you have the expertise to handle the task.  

However, hiring a professional may be more recommendable if you don’t have the experience or proper skills to fix a garage door. Even though you could find videos or articles online to do the required repairs, you’ll take time learning, and any errors could delay the restorations even longer.

Therefore, it’s better to have a technician handle the repairs in this case, preferably a local individual. This means, if you need a garage door repair Mooresville NC or similar services, consider hiring professionals around your area. Such people will get to you faster than an out-of-state technician, thereby finishing repairs quickly.

Besides that, since transport might not be a huge expense to them, they could charge you less than what an out-of-state professional could.  

2. Cost Of Repairs

If you have the required skills and tools to restore your garage door, DIY repairs could help you save some money on the cost of hiring a technician. However, if you don’t, you could spend more cash than you would have used if an expert did the restorations for you.

This is because you’ll need to buy tools, some of which can be expensive. Also, if you make errors causing secondary damage to the door, you may incur additional costs if you have to hire a technician afterward. 

On the other hand, a professional will report to your home with the right tools at hand. Also, they’ll do the job right the first time, with zero or minimal errors. Therefore, the only cost you’ll have to pay is the final charge you initially agreed on with them.

This means, if you were planning to improve the entire garage or other parts of your home and only set aside a certain amount of money to repair your damaged garage door, you won’t go over your budget.   

Besides that, some technicians offer a warranty of service. This way, if the garage door isn’t sufficiently fixed the first time and it develops other issues, you won’t have to pay for repairs the second time.  

3. Types Of Repairs

The choice of whether to hire a professional or do DIY restorations on your damaged garage door may also depend on the type of repairs required. Usually, there are some restorations you can handle yourself, while others may need a professional.  

For instance, a frozen garage door may only require a hairdryer or heat gun to free it from ice. Also, if only a single hinge is damaged, this may be easy for you to repair. However, if you have multiple malfunctioning hinges, restorations can be complex, and therefore, a professional may be more suited for the job.

Also, broken door panels or springs might need a technician because these tasks require a person who knows how to do the job sufficiently without causing secondary damages or compromising their safety. Therefore, an initial assessment of the problem with your garage door is essential. It’ll help you decide whether to do the repairs yourself or call a technician.  

Conclusion

Your garage door requires proper maintenance to ensure it stays in good shape for longer. However, these doors sometimes get damaged or malfunction even if you’ve taken great care of them. On such occasions, it may be challenging to decide whether to hire a professional for the repairs or do the restorations yourself.

If you’re in such a dilemma, this article provides some factors that may help you identify who may be suitable for the job. They include the restorations’ costs, the types of repairs required, and how much time the task may take.  

Abandon New Year's resolutions and get better results doing it this way

Abandon making New Year’s resolutions this year and get better results for your life goals doing it this way instead.

I swear, I haven’t made New Year’s resolutions for years. Perhaps in my 20’s or early 30’s I might’ve said I wanted to drink less alcohol and get more fit but that’s about it.

It’s probably been a couple years now that I’ve been doing this and getting the results I want. Here’s what I do now.

Review the year that was

You probably see and hear a lot of people sharing on social media or telling you about their review of the year that was.

Photo by Alina Vilchenko on Pexels.com

There are a few reasons to do this. One is to identify what worked and went well to congratulate yourself and, two, what didn’t go so well for you.

I know we can start out a new year with great intentions of losing a few pounds, getting fitter, saving money etc etc but these are goals that you can set at any time of the year not just for New Year’s resolutions.

Don’t spend too much time worrying about what didn’t go so well. This should make you more hungry for a better result this coming year.

Make setting New Year’s resolutions a simple process

You don’t have to tear apart every day of the year that was nor do you have to analyse your thoughts, the reasons why things didn’t work out the way you would’ve liked or even who’s fault it was. (It’s always someone else’s fault, right?)

It always feels better for me when I can put the blame onto someone or something that has stopped me from achieving my goals. We are in total control of our own thoughts and our actions.

Sure, there are always outside influences like children (of any change), work or no work, money or not enough of it etc etc. How we react to these set backs will ultimately affect the outcome of the goals we set ourselves. It is up to us to overcome these hurdles.

Don’t set high expectations

If you start the year off with, I want to:

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels.com

• lose weight
• get fit
• join a gym
• run a marathon
• save money
• travel more
• find another job
• quit work
• move to the country
• etc etc

you’re going to be setting yourself up for failure pretty much from the start. If you set yourself really high expectations of achieving a whole bunch of goals, you’ll become overwhelmed with the actual steps of what you’re going to need to do to achieve these goals.

Start off with one goal and implement daily habits to try and achieve the goal. If that’s to save money, redo your household budget and work out where you can cut back on spending and start a saving plan.

If it’s to quit work and find another job, start looking at the job ads. Set up an email notification to go to your Inbox with specific attributes of the ideal job you’re looking for.

If you’re looking at getting fitter this year or eating healthier foods, look at hiring a Personal Trainer who specialises in working with mothers with children. Someone who has experience in this area.

Be grateful for what you have right now

Something amazing has been working for me all of my life which has allowed me to live the rich life I currently live. It’s because I’ve always been able to show gratitude for what I have.

BUY NOW

A lot of people call this the Law of Attraction. When you express gratitude for what you have and are positive about the life you have, more of that will happen in your life.

If you want more money and you express gratitude for the money you have, you will never run out of money.

If you want to get fit, express gratitude for your body and how it has carried you through yet another busy day. Naturally, you will attract more ways of getting fitter.

For the last 3 years, I have been recording what I’ve been grateful for in my Gratitude Diary. Even on my hardest days, I can still find something to be grateful for. Even if it’s the air that I breathe, the roof over my head, the food on the table or the clothes on my back, I still write it in my Gratitude diary.

Conclusion – Abandon New Year’s Resolutions

So this year, when you’re thinking about the areas of your life that you’d like to improve, right those goals down. Whether that’s in a diary, in your phone, on the fridge or on a white board. Then practice being grateful for the life you do have to attract more of those changes you want to see in your life.

Whether you call them a New Year’s resolution, a goal or something you want to achieve, be grateful for what you have to attract more of that.