by You and Bamboo Team | Mar 21, 2017 | Blog
For a unique escape like no other in Northern NSW, you cannot go past Halcyon House, Cabarita Beach. Just a short drive from the Gold Coast and Byron Bay, Halcyon House is the tucked just back by the ocean, resting peacefully amongst its stunning manicured gardens as your head into Cabarita.
Halcyon House is the perfect getaway couples, families or corporates. Each of their rooms have been personally styled so you are sure to find something unique at every turn. Arrive early afternoon and head to Paper Daisy – Halcyon House’s gorgeous restaurant for a welcoming Aperol Spritz – their signature cocktail and take in the sun while lazing by the pool. If the ocean is your thing, drop those bags and head down to Cabarita Beach for an afternoon walk along the sand. You cannot go past the spectacular sunsets over the water’s edge!
After a spectacularly restful nights sleep, get up early and enjoy the many activities in and around the area like yoga, surfing or just take a leisurely stroll into Cabarita itself and browse the many shops along the strip – not forgetting to come and say hi to us at You and Bamboo – Y&B Co for an organic treat and morning coffee!
If you are heading to Northern NSW, Halcyon House at Cabarita Beach will be the perfect choice. Take a look at their website and their gallery – you know you want to!
by You and Bamboo Team | Mar 21, 2017 | Blog
Western societies are just starting to realise the benefits of bamboo clothing from its anti bacterial and anti fungal qualities which assists those with sensitive skin, making bamboo the perfect choice for socks, underwear, T-shirts, singlets and even babies clothing. It won’t irritate the skin, is super soft and a pleasure to wear. Bamboo is a highly versatile and sustainable material that can be used in manufacturing and construction, food and now all the way through to clothing.
Bamboo itself can grow up to a metre a day, does not need much water to grow and can be done with the use of very few pesticides as bamboo is naturally pest resistant. Bamboo sequesters more carbon than trees from the atmosphere making it a much more sustainable to grow than cotton.
Bamboo’s very unique anti-bacterial nature is an antimicrobial bio-agent called bamboo kun which is found naturally in the fibre. This kun makes bamboo a naturally antibacterial, anti fungal and odour resistant fibre which makes it a great choice for all the family. Bamboo hypoallergenic, is breathable and thermo regulating allowing you to keep the perfect temperature throughout the seasons.
Bamboo is completely natural and is biodegradable which when compared to plastic, will damage our eco systems, making it by far the better choice. As it is a natural fibre, it will break down naturally with ease.
Once you experience the luxurious texture of bamboo fibres against your skin on a daily basis, you will realise the benefits of bamboo clothing for the whole family
You and Bamboo – Y&B Co stocks and creates a wide range of mens and womens underwear, socks, singlets and accessories including technology items like USB sticks, earrings, scarfs and more.
Our philosophy is simple, be kind the earth and the earth will be kind to us.
Take a look at our bamboo clothing here online or visit us at our Cabarita Beach store in Northern NSW.
by You and Bamboo Team | Mar 21, 2017 | Blog
Aussies love their grilled barbecues, sausages and meaty burgers, but who says that you need to eat boring tasting dishes if you want to try going organic for a change? There are loads of healthy and delicious organic ingredients around that you add to your recipe to make your dishes both nutritious and equally coluorful and tasty. You can even do organic desserts that you can whip up on a whim if you are short on time but want to serve tasty treats to your dinner guests.
Black beluga lentils salad
Some people like to complete their meal course by having an appetiser first and when we mention an appetiser, we usually think of a soup or salad. Your bowl of salad can be completely organic especially if you keep the ingredients simple, tasty and all natural.
To make this delicious lentil salad, put your pumpkin and beetroot in a bowl with three teaspoons of oil and a dash of salt and pepper. Toss your vegetables and place them on a tray, and bake them in the oven for 35 to 40 minutes or until it softens or turns brown. Meanwhile mix and shake up balsamic vinegar, honey, mustard and one tablespoon of oil in a jar, then drissle over your cooked lentils. Next wash your rocket and spread it on your serving plate. Place the roasted pumpkin, beetroot, lentils and avocado on top of the lettuce and sprinkle small cuts of feta cheese on top to complete the dish.
Rainbow vegetable slice
This easy recipe is a delicious treat for everyone and it is packed with vegetables, so it makes for a great school snack for your kids. It is colourful as well so it is an excellent way to make children love eating their vegetables.
First, preheat your oven to 180 degrees Celsius. Next place eggs, vegetables, garlic, herbs and olive oil in a bowl and mix well. Add coconut flour, salt and pepper. Spoon the mixture into a greased baking tray and bake for around 35 minutes until the top looks golden brown. Let it cool off before cutting into slices and serving can be either warm or cold, both taste delicious.
by You and Bamboo Team | Mar 21, 2017 | Blog
Whoever said that organic snacks always taste bland, plain and boring are definitely wrong. Most people these days know better than to serve their friends bad-tasting food, much less unhealthy and mass produced snacks.
Australia has a lot to offer to its locals and tourists alike and we are fortunate that we have many different organic produce options available. With a wide selection of organic snack options on offer, you can munch on and share these healthy eating choices with your family and friends.
Be sure to stock up on these organic snacks in your kitchen pantry or have them at the ready in your bag for a quick snack on the go. Besides the healthy benefits of organic snacks, these snacks are equally delightful to the taste buds and it won’t be long before you start hoarding these for your own pleasure.
Organic snacks
When it comes to choosing organic snacks, there are plenty of different options to choose from. Macadamia nuts are a native eastern Australian treat (just take a look around Alstonville and Lismore) and these nuts taste delightful enough to be eaten alone or mixed in with your favourite organic salad. You can also eat these nuts with bread, lamb roasts or in fruit cakes. From appetisers to main dishes and to desserts, there is always a place for Australia’s macadamia nuts.
Liquorice or licorice is another delicious and nutritious snack favourite and there is no better choice than the all-natural and organic licorice varieties. From hard licorice types to soft eating licorice, the best tasting ones are those made from all natural and organic ground licorice root with no artificial flavours or additives.
Another great tasting organic snack are Paleo bars and these do not have to taste bland or boring. The local Aussie made Blue Dinosaur Paleo Bars have many exciting flavours to suit your taste buds, including Cacao Mint, Ginger Nut, Lamington, and Brazilian. These are all made from only the finest of raw organic ingredients, so that you can be sure that you are fueling your body with nothing but nutritious and delicious snack food.
by You and Bamboo Team | Mar 21, 2017 | Blog
Cabarita Beach which is a beautiful beach destination, an area of land located to the east of the Tweed Coast Road. The beach is centrally located towards the Tweed Heads suburb of Bogangar in NSW and a lot of people tend to interchange ‘Cabarita Beach’ and ‘Bogangar’ in terms of reference. But if you were to look at a map you can quite clearly see the distance between the two locations, with clubs, restaurants, and resorts in between.
Cabarita Beach is a well known local tourist spot near the Tweed Coast Road and is also popular with tourists visiting from interstate. It was first recognised with the establishment of the Cabarita Hotel on December 17th, 1960. Back in the day the hotel was one of the first developments in the area.
Cabarita Beach was originally referred to as Bogangar, an Aboriginal word that means ‘place of many pippies’. Pippies refer to the ceremonial shell middens that can be seen scattered about within the area. Shell middens are typically shellfish remains.
Boganga is known for the Norries Headland and is the halfway point between Currumbin and Byron Bay. It’s a popular destination for locals and tourists who want to enjoy a laidback holiday, with great views and a large variety of activities to choose from morning or evening.
These days Cabarita Beach has been turned into a go-to destination for beach lovers. With surrounding hotel accommodation for their enjoyment and pleasure, tourists enjoying their stay wouldn’t have it any other way
by You and Bamboo Team | Mar 21, 2017 | Blog
When it comes to delicious organic recipes, we have got you covered here at You and Bamboo! From a yummy Berry Smoothie, tasty Buckwheat Banana Bread to Chocolate Chia Pudding, you will be loving these organic recipes.
Berry Smoothie
Who says that you have to go out of your way to buy tasty treats for your snack cravings, when you can make them at home? These organic treats will have you wondering why you don’t eat enough organic food and are perfect for you and your family to snack on.
This berry smoothie is so easy to make you can quickly whip it up as a weekly snack or when you are simply craving for something sweet but healthy. To make this smoothie you only need ½ a punnet of frozen berries, ½ an avocado, one teaspoon of chia seeds, one cup of organic coconut milk, one to two teaspoons of raw honey and you are good to go. Mix everything together in a blender and serve this berry smoothie in tall chilled glasses. Top with real berries or any other berry fruits as you please.
Buckwheat banana bread
The ingredients for this recipe are so simple and easy this will quickly become a family favorite at your home. To begin include one cup of buckwheat flour, a pinch of sea salt, ½ cup of cinnamon powder, 1 and ½ teaspoons of gluten-free baking powder, ½ cup of raw honey, one cup of mashed banana, three organic eggs and a ¼ cup of milk.
Before following this recipe be sure to preheat your oven to 180 degrees Celsius and use baking paper to line a baking loaf tin. To make the mixture you simply combine the buckwheat flour, salt, cinnamon and baking powder in a large mixing bowl. Next using either a spoon or a whisk, mix the ingredients together until a nice pasty texture. After this add the honey, mashed banana, eggs and milk. After stirring well, pour the mixture into your baking loaf tin. Bake for 45 minutes or until the banana bread has a nice golden top.
Chocolate chia pudding
This yummy chocolate chia pudding makes a tasty treat for either kids or parents. It is super simple to whip up and uses every day organic ingredients, along with an easy to follow simple recipe. To start prepare 1/3 cup of chia seeds, one cup of organic coconut milk, one teaspoon of cacao powder, one teaspoon of honey, raspberries, and yogurt. Mix the ingredients together in a large bowl, except for the raspberries and the yogurt which are added later on. Once mixed well place into your fridge and allow to set. Finally, the last step is to thoroughly mix and to divide into cups. Add the yogurt and raspberries on top of each chia pudding.
by You and Bamboo Team | Mar 21, 2017 | Blog
If you are looking for some simple and organic recipes, check out these delicious finds!
Warm Buckwheat & Chia Porridge
To make the buckwheat and chia porridge, first soak one cup of buckwheat overnight to prepare for this delicious and nutritious porridge. The next morning drain and rinse the buckwheat and place it into a saucepan with water and let it boil gently. Lower the heat once boiled and reduce to a simmer until the buckwheat has mostly absorbed the water.
Add a ¾ cup of organic milk, one teaspoon of vanilla extract, honey and two tablespoons of chia seeds. Stir the pot well and let it rest for a while until the chia seeds have absorbed all of the moisture. Serve with fresh seasonal organic fruits of your choice and enjoy a tasty bowl of this Chia Porridge.
Slow Cooked Roast Chicken & Broth
To prepare this delicious recipe and roast chook, start by using a knife to create slices of lemon and place them in the chicken’s cavity together with fresh herbs like rosemary and thyme. Put two tablespoons of grass-fed butter into the bottom of a slow cooker and place the chicken on top. Don’t forget to salt the chicken before you begin and be sure to slow cook the chicken for four to eight hours, or until it’s cooked nicely.
To make the tasty chicken broth, shred the meat from the bones and place the bones back in the slow cooker. Add a cup of water to the pot along with all the juices from the chicken, being sure to use just enough water to cover everything. Add one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and two bay leaves and place the lid back on. Cook the broth over low heat for 12 hours. Serve warm with slices of fresh organic bread.
Herb Pesto
Herb pesto makes for a great tasting sauce perfect for winter pasta dishes. It also tastes great with fried fish, grilled salmon, or taco shell snacks. To make the herb pesto simply prepare two large peeled garlic cloves, one cup of spinach, a half cup of basil, a half cup of parsley, ¼ cup of dill or any other fresh organic herb of your choice, ¼ cup of olive oil, ¼ cup of cashews, ¼ cup of macadamia nuts, plus salt and pepper to taste.
Using your food processor, mix all of the above ingredients together to make a smooth paste. If you don’t have an electric processor at home, you can also use a traditional mortar and pestle. Once done place your herb pesto paste into a glass jar and store in the fridge until needed.
by You and Bamboo Team | Mar 21, 2017 | Blog
Cabarita Beach is located on the Northern Rivers of New South Wales and is well known for being a coastal town that features delightful views. It is the perfect place to relax for locals and tourists. It is an ideal summer getaway location as there is a plenty to see and do while visiting the area.
The name of the town Bogangar comes from the indigenous term for “place of many pippies”, which refers to the shell middens where remains of the eaten shellfish wash up on the beach and can be found.
Cabarita Beach has excellent quality waves for avid surfers and plenty of accommodation options for solo travellers and families visiting the area. With ample fun activities on offer, Cabarita enjoys a moderate temperature during the summer season. Average temperatures range between 18 degrees and 29 degrees Celsius, so it doesn’t feel as hot or sticky compared with other places a little further north in Queensland.
The excellent summer weather will enable you to enjoy the delicious local food, relax in comfortable accommodation, experience the nearby shopping centres and nature trips around Cabarita Beach. There is something for everybody, with Cabarita’s wide array of activities including sightseeing, swimming, surfing, dining, touring and exploring.
There are many restaurants you can dine at along the main road of Cabarita, including C-Vue Bar and Bistro where you can enjoy a sumptuous meal with your family or friends. Locals simply rave about the local Thai food restaurant where you can pick your favourite Thai dishes from Thai In-Fa, that serves fresh Thai delicacies cooked to perfection.
With plenty of relaxing hotels to choose from, you’ll always get a great nights sleep. There are many local favourites in the area include Halcyon House, Diamond Beach Resort and The Beach. There’s the Cabarita Beach Surf Club that provides a low key atmosphere for casual guests, who just want to enjoy the natural beauty of Cabarita. It’s also an excellent spot for your surfing or surfing lessons, guaranteeing that you catch a big wave the next time you come around.
by You and Bamboo Team | Mar 21, 2017 | Blog
Spring in Australia is from around September to November each year, with average temperatures between 13 to 26 degrees Celsius. Byron Bay usually carries a mild temperate climate all year around, that makes it easy to pick as an ideal place for your vacation, no matter the time of the year. Byron Bay is the perfect holiday destination whether you’re into beach trips or cultural events.
For avid movie goers you don’t have to travel far to enjoy authentic independent films. The Byron Bay Film Festival (BBFF) is the largest regional film festival in Australia. It caters to exceptional film talents that showcase their skills in cinematography through a collection of captivating films. The film festival aims to promote the Australian film industry among locals and tourists visiting the area. The Byron Bay Film Festival happens every October, so be sure to bring your family and friends with you to catch some brilliant films and critique them based on your favourites.
If you like doing things for a good cause, then the Byron Lighthouse Run should be a treat for you. It’s an annual community event held every September and is supported by local businesses. This annual event is run every year to raise funds for charity. The run comprises of a 2 km climb up the lighthouse beginning from Denning Park. There are various charities that benefit from this run, so you can join the event to be more active and to run for a solid local cause.
Another annual event that you should look forward to in Byron Bay every spring is the Byron Latin Fiesta. You don’t have to be a good dancer to join in and have fun with the crowd. The music, energy and people should be enough to get you all pumped up. This is a great way to get together with your friends and to dance the night away.
Byron Bay is well known for having a rich history of grass roots music. The Byron Latin Fiesta runs for four nights and three days every November to celebrate Latin music and to provide a platform for talented Latin musicians to gather and share their music.
Picture via http://freeaussiestock.com
by You and Bamboo Team | Nov 2, 2015 | Blog
It all starts with a pair of high heels, the pair that I decide to wear to the wedding. They don’t feel bad when I try them on, my partner says they make my legs look great, so I’m momentarily happy. They make my legs look ‘sexy’ and compliment my dress so I buy them.
But this one pair of high heels leads to a whole evening of distracted focus, because I can’t just leave it at the heels. I have to compliment the heels with the rest of my outfit and I can’t step out of the house without looking perfect. But … I’m not perfect, so it takes even longer for me to leave the bathroom as I just can’t feel satisfied with my own appearance. I leave feeling self-conscious, already concerned, verging on paranoid, about how I look.
Every second step I’m slipping and wobbling. I think I could break my ankle in these – how do other girls do this? The heels change the way my dress sits, my butt pokes out and my dress slips higher on my leg, so now I’m distracted by pulling my dress down. In my ridiculous focus on my own personal appearance, I forget that I’m actually out to have fun.
Now my feet are sore and I feel yuck. Just as well I’m looking good! My focus is entirely on the outfit I’m wearing, the accessories that I’ve added to it, my make up. I’m constant thinking: Does it look okay? I hope I didn’t smudge it. When others look at me during conversations I can’t focus. I keep wondering why they are staring at me so intensely. Do I have mascara smudged across my eyes? What about lipstick on my teeth? Mum always used to have lippy on her teeth, I hope I’m not doing this.
This inner-critique of self-loathing starts to become too much. I spot the wine and sit down. I’ve found my escape. A glass of wine to take the edge off the evening. Perfect.
Perhaps my experience of this is more amplified than a lot of women’s. To be honest, I rarely put myself through this social strain. Most of the time I leave the house in my jeans, thongs and a singlet, even for dinner. One of the perks of where I live is that it’s socially acceptable to step out of the house looking relaxed, normal, even peaceful.
It’s amazing how uncomfortable a pair of shores can make you feel – and that’s before you even consider where they came from, how they were made and by whom, and where they go to when your done with them.
If I let myself, I can really destroy a shopping experience. Perhaps this is why I really don’t like shopping. It is rare that I even let myself buy unneeded accessories any more.
My mind agonises over the labour that has gone into them, the distance they have travelled to get to me, and the natural resources they have depleted or polluted as part of the process. I review the synthetic materials often in these shoes. I consider the fact they are often designed to break, and that no one fixes them when they inevitably do, as it’s cheaper to buy a new pair. I think about the landfill … and the fact that they will not breakdown in landfill for potentially hundreds or thousands of years.
I then ponder how we can validate selling a pair of shoes for $20 considering all of this. I sigh more deeply …
As you can see, shopping with me is a whole barrel of laughs. I often try and forget about the entire product cycle so I can just enjoy moments. I will buy a cheap pair of shoes, like I did this weekend, because I also can’t justify spending $400 on a pair of shoes that I’m still not sure will last.
I look at my friends’ focus on appearances, daily dramas, simple silly things, and often feel envious and sadness at once. I often wish my mind didn’t consume so many of my experiences, but then I wonder – if some of us didn’t think about these things, us ‘hippies’ as I’ve often been referred to, what would our world become?
We rarely take the time to think bigger picture. We’re rarely encouraged to do so. I wonder if we did, and if we did this daily, perhaps the shoes we would buy would be comfortable, last us years and be fixable when broken. Perhaps we’d spend less time in the bathroom trying to make ourselves look flawless and more time enjoying our friends and family, enjoying the environment around us.
Perhaps we’d feel free to simply be ourselves, to worry less about trying to fill a certain pair of shoes and choose the shoes instead that fit, and serve, us.
