Get strong smelling plants amongst your garden. These can also double as great additions to salads and your cooking e.g. Basil, Rosemary, Thyme, Sage, Lavender, Marigolds and Garlic.

Hang your mature garlic to dry (usually harvested October to November) in a pantry or kitchen helps to ward off these little vampires.

Remove containers holding water inside and outside the home, as well as dense foliage around windows and entrances. Aedes aegypti mosquitoes(the dengue fever variety) breed in stagnant water in sub-tropic zones, rarely flying more than 200 metres from the breeding site.

Natural personal repellants that do not contain toxic chemicals such as DEET, can still be effective for up to 2-3 hours if they contain strong-smelling essential oils like Eucalyptus, Tea tree, Lemon Myrtle, Pennyroyal and Sandalwood.

Use of citronella oil candles, coils or sandalwood incense around outdoor entertaining areas. The smoke and strong smells can discourage their voracity.

Avoid the M-zone times just after sunrise and before sunset. Plan outdoor activities in areas away from dense foliage and where a dispersing breeze can be found.

Cb’s favourite choice is Synthesis Natural Insect Repellent, which can be purchased at Transparency.tv

The post Mosquito-Proof Your Summer appeared first on Coastbeat.

Aussie summers consist of long days at the beach and backyard BBQ’s but we mustn’t forget the sun is harsh in the land down under, so we need to make sure we’re making the right choices and being sun smart.

A large number of sunscreens sold to us are full of toxic ingredients that are detrimental to health (and remember our skin absorbs a whopping 70% of what we put on it). Thankfully, there are companies out there who are striving to create non-toxic yet effective natural sunscreens to protect our body’s largest organ – the skin!

Here is Cb’s review of some of the most popular natural sunscreens on the market.

1. Graham’s Natural Alternatives

SunClear SPF 30+ is two hours water resistant and protects from both UVA and UVB rays. Good for sensitive skin types and those who suffer with eczema. Rubs on clear not pasty white but texture is thick so you need to work it into skin well. Quite greasy, more suited to dry skin or in cooler months.

2. UV Natural

SPF 30+ and is two hours water resistant, not tested on animals and is the only Australian sunscreen to be CCF (Choose Cruelty Free) endorsed. Feels moisturising on the skin and non-greasy if applied in small amounts. Great for sensitive skin and eczema sufferers. Needs a good shake of the bottle to combine before applying as oil and cream separate.

3. Natural Instinct

Invisible Natural Sunscreen is SPF 30+, protects from UVA and UVB rays and is three hours water resistant. This new ‘Invisible’ formula doesn’t leave a white coat like it’s older version. Is still quite thick so you need to rub well.

4. MooGoo

Natural Sunscreen with an SPF of 40+, very high in zinc oxide (natural active compound reflecting sun rays) which means great for sun protection and preventing burns but also makes it thick, oily and takes work to rub in. Gentle for eczema sufferers and kids.

5. Mojo Surf Zinc

This is a tinted zinc so will obviously not rub in clear. Protects against UVA and UVB rays and has a very high zinc oxide component of 29% meaning strong sun protection. Great for surfing and water sports, long lasting and rubs on smoothly.

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The post Natural Sunscreen Review appeared first on Coastbeat.

1. Force of Nature, Jane Harper

Second hotly anticipated novel from this emerging Australian author. What happened to Alice Russell? Five women go into the bush but only four come out. A terrific suspenseful novel, it’s a great read for everyone and making waves around the world.

2. Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow, Jessica Townsend

Morrigan Crow is cursed, born on an unlucky day she’s blamed for all the local misfortunes. A breathtakingly beautiful debut by Australian Author Jessica Townsend. Ages 8+. Perfect for fans of Harry Potter.

3. Goodnight Stories for Rebel Girls, Elena Favilli & Francesca Cavallo

A reinvention of fairy tales, inspiring children with the stories of 100 heroic women from Elizabeth 1st to Serena Williams. A book for bedtime and beyond.

 4. The Secrets She Keeps, Michael Robotham

Two vastly different women both with a secret that could destroy all they hold dear. A compelling psychological thriller that delves deeply into the psyche of the human mind, by Internationally bestselling Australian author.

 5. Wednesdays with Bob, Derek Rielly

On Wednesdays Robert Hawke, our 23rd and oldest living prime minister, would invite Derek into his home to share cigars and irreverent conversation. The result is an extraordinary portrayal of a beloved Australia – strange, funny and uniquely personal.

6. Little Secrets, Anna Snoekstra

Another fantastic Australian author, “what happens when ambition trumps the truth – an arsonist is on the loose”. Full of twists and turns, this dark examination of human nature is a fast-paced thriller set in small town Australia.

7. First Person, Richard Flanagan

Australian award winning author, by turns compelling, comic and chilling. First person is a haunting journey into the heart of our age.

8. Sweet, Ottolenghi

His stunning new baking and desserts cookbook. Fresh evocative ingredients, exotic spices and complex flavourings. Features 110 innovative recipes. A must for all baking fans.

9. 110 Best Australian albums, Toby Creswell

The best Australian albums for the past 60 years, placing each album in order and discusses why each album deserves its place. Tells the story behind the making and the impact the album made on the local and world stage. Interviews with artists and those involved in the record making processes.

10. The Horner, Jeff Horn

His journey from bullied schoolboy to world champion, written with award winning author Grantlee Kieza. His story proves that anything is possible if you never give up.

You can see more from Cathy at Book Face here.

The post Top 10 Summer Reads appeared first on Coastbeat.

When compiling a list of Port’s coolest places to sit and enjoy your daily brew, one can’t look past Book Face Store and Café at Port Central. The bookshop with a café inside is the winning combo where you can grab yourself a cuppa with a yummy treat whilst perusing the colorful isles of literary fascination.

The Berkelouw family has been trading in books for six generations.

Books are their passion and they love meeting new customers who share a love of all things creative. We chatted to Cathy Bayes Hunt, store manager of Book Face since its conception in November 2014 and she’ll be the first to tell you that books are in her blood.

Cathy’s family moved to Port Macquarie in 1977 and opened their own bookstore, which serviced Port through the 70’s and 80’s. Cathy literally grew up around books and managing Book Face Store today, makes her feel like she’s come full circle.

Cathy treats the shop likes it’s her own and her passion for the business itself is inspiring.

The role of a bookstore is to create an environment and space people want to hang out in”, Cathy explains. People like to touch and feel books, to turn the pages and make an informed decision before walking away with their choice in hand.

With the introduction of online bookstores, the physical stores had to change with the times and offer an enticing reason for people to step foot inside their doors. Book Face Store doesn’t just sell books, they offer a wide array of gift ideas, household items and knick-knacks you never knew you wanted, but could definitely find a use for. There is even a kid’s corner with a fabulous variety of children’s titles to keep the little ones occupied.

The introduction of the café owned by Jo Hawes, which sits side by side with the bookstore was an ingenious decision and confirmed BookFace Store and Café as a destination in Port Macquarie.

Cathy believes the scheme for online bookstores is pure marketing. They take all your personal information, spam your inbox and subtly upsell with their personalised ‘suggested titles for you’. Compare that to a physical store where you can guarantee at least one staff member has read the book you want and can tell you all about it.

Although busy running the café, Jo is equally passionate about books and excited for others to share their love of reading while enjoying her unique blend produced by local roasters, Peak Coffee and savouring her delectable delights made in store or by locals.

Book Face Store and Café are also avid supporters of local charities and schools, regular donating to special causes and striving to improve education in the region. They make a point of stocking local works and supporting home grown artists who have yet to secure publishing deals. The concept store fits perfectly with the town’s growing art culture and the iconic experience that is Glasshouse theatre and gallery, which is just a stone’s throw away.

Bookface Store and Café is located on the ground floor of Port Central Shopping Centre www.portcentralshopping.com.au.

For more on Cathy and Jo at Bookface, head to www.coastbeat.tv

The post The Coffee Chronicles appeared first on Coastbeat.

Micah and Ange give us the scoop on what’s trending this summer..

Bold floral prints

Nothing says summer like big floral prints. A little Gucci, a little Hawaiian, a little Australian Summer. Florals can take you from day to night, and beach to bar and not just for the feminine dressers. Dress it down with Converse and denim for a more casual look.

Linen

Made a big come back last year and is continuing through to this summer too. Perfect for the Australian lifestyle – casual and relaxed with an air of elegance. Linen adds structure to an outfit and in neutral tones such as white and nude make for a classic summer look. An absolute wardrobe staple.

Gingham is back

Expect to see a 50’s influence coming through this summer as bold checks in black, navy or red. Dresses, swimwear, mini skirts and jackets are perfect pieces for these bold statements. Gingham works well on lycra, cotton seersucker as well as silk fabrics.

Red

Big, bright and bold, you can expect to see red coming through as a dominant colour for the season. Think fun summer dresses, eye-catching bikinis, high heels and a perfect base for florals. Not game for a statement piece just yet? Start with a red lippy, every girl’s go-to accessory.

Kitten heels

A nod to 90’s influence, add a little height to any outfit with kitten heels and tick the boxes of stylish, wearable and comfortable. Audrey Hepburn may have put them on the fashion map and some may consider them old fashioned, but if they’re good enough to grace the runways of Prada and Dior, it’s good enough for us.

For all these trends and so much more visit Uptown Local: Ground Floor, Coffs Central Shopping Centre, Harbour Drive, Coffs Harbour.

The post What’s Trending This Summer appeared first on Coastbeat.

Stumbling across Mana Fitness, tucked away in Suffolk Park in Byron Hinterland is therefore a refreshing and welcome change. Family friendly, down to earth and locally owned by father and son duo Joe and Bruce, this gem of a gym places huge emphasis on providing an unintimidating and encouraging environment.

It seems that more than some are a little over self-obsessed training types, as this humble gym, which opened its doors four years ago, has fast become a local’s favourite. Mana’s training studio and group fitness centre is where you can feel comfortable sweating it out, whether that be in a private or semi-private training session or hitting the gym solo for your own workout. Joe explains:

“At Mana, everybody is encouraged to improve themselves in every facet of their lives, not just fitness.”

He goes onto say, “We are very close knit and extremely passionate about what we do. We love coming to work everyday and creating a vibe that is infectious. In my opinion, that’s exactly what you need when you’re working out – people to encourage and inspire you to want to better yourself, not a drill sergeant barking orders and pushing you to your limits.”

Mana also stock a comprehensive selection of locally made supplements and tasty health foods to fuel your workout or pep you up post-training. And, if you’re looking to take your health and fitness to the next level, Mana hosts fitness retreats both locally around Byron Bay and internationally in Bali.

If you are wanting to sculpt that physique whilst not taking yourself too seriously, then you’ll be made in Mana.

The post Mana Made appeared first on Coastbeat.

Here are Cb’s top ten spots around Port which won’t leave you empty handed!

1. Limeburners Creek

Part of the long winding Hastings River, this is the most popular spot to take the boat out on the water. Great for catching freshwater bass, luderick (blackfish), bream, garfish, mullet, flathead, whiting and blue swimmer crabs.

2. Southern Breakwall

In the heart of Port Macquarie, the Southern Breakwall is a perfect spot for catching tailor, bream, mulloway (jewfish) and luderick.

3. Town Wharf

Town Wharf and the surrounding wharves near the Fish Co-Op are great places for families and those looking for a relaxing fishing experience. A mixed catch can be found around these spots.

4. Settlement Point Picnic area

This is another favoured location for families with good catches of whiting, bream and flathead.

5. Maria River

Blackman’s Point and Boomerang Island are popular for catches of whiting, flathead, garfish, bream.

6. Laurieton

A hugely popular fishing town half an hour south of Port Macquarie. Great spots known for mullet, bass and catfish.

7. Lake Cathie

About a 15-minute drive south of Port Macquarie. Here you can expect to catch prawns, bream, luderick, flathead, mullet and garfish.

8. Queens Head

Just an hour’s north of Port Macquarie this spot is considered one of the best fishing areas on the coast for black drummer and luderick.

9. Town Beach to Lighthouse Beach

Beaches along this stretch are great for tailor, whiting and mulloway.

10. Perpendicular Point

Great for rock fishing and catches of tail tuna, kingfish, tailor, mulloway and mackerel tuna.

The post Fisherman’s Paradise – Port Macquarie appeared first on Coastbeat.

For Byron Bay based boys Ryan and Oscar, this was something that really bothered them, so much so that they jumped into the kitchen experimenting and developing their own protein blend. And it was there that Bare Blends was born.

If you’re not yet familiar with the boys and the brand I’ll simplify it as this – their aim is to harness the raw power of natural wholefoods to create the highest-quality WPI (whey protein isolate) blends, nutritional powders and superfoods.

If you’re lucky enough to live around Byron Bay you can experience the powers of their Smoothie Bar for yourself (Matcha, Mango & Macadamia a personal favourite of mine). Dedicated to supporting local, organic and sustainable, all nut milks are made in-house from organic, pesticide free nuts; organic bananas are sourced from a farmer 40kms up the road; and all packaging is plant-based and biodegradable. Bare Blends superfood products are grown on organic farms or wild crafted such as Gubinge collected by the Nyul Nyul people in the Kimberley.

Don’t live around the Rainbow Region? Fear not, you can purchase these potent blends online to create your own bare goodness in the kitchen.

GREEN VITALITY SMOOTHIE

Ingredients
300ml coconut water or pure water
1-2 frozen bananas, peeled
1 cup frozen mango
2 cups spinach leaves
1/2 cup fresh parsley, flat leaf
1 handful fresh mint
1 apple
1 medjool date, pitted
1 thumb size piece of ginger root
1 slice lemon, with peel
1 tsp Bare Greens
1/2 cup ice cubes

OPTIONAL TOPPINGS

Mango stars
Goji berries
Coconut flakes
Method

1.Place ingredients into a high-speed blender, blend on high until smooth.
2.Pour into a glass jar and optionally top with mango stars, goji berries and coconut flakes and enjoy.

The post Bare Goodness appeared first on Coastbeat.