Wilma Oakes

A Stranger’s Act of Kindness Uplifts Mother Battling Postnatal Depression

Postnatal depression (PND) is a serious condition affecting one in seven mothers or pregnant women, and it should not be ignored. It can become easy for mothers to not talk about this due to embarrassment; as mothers, we have so many pressures on us, and many people might think staying at home is fun. Let me assure ...

Wilma Oakes

A new mother with postnatal depression.

Horses Can Read Human Emotions, Even From Photos

You can’t hide your anger from horses as they can read your facial expressions, a study published by the University of Sussex has found. Psychologists from the University found, for the first time, that they can differentiate from human facial expressions whether people are angry or happy. Twenty-eight animals were recruited from five riding or livery stables ...

Wilma Oakes

A horse in a stable.

Everything We Know About Breaking Addiction Is Wrong

Everyone believes drugs are addictive and once you start taking them, after a certain period you’ll become subject to the chemical hooks of addiction, right? Well, not necessarily. If at a hospital after an overdose, the patient is often given diamorphine — which is much stronger than heroin on the streets. So after they leave ...

Wilma Oakes

Heroin syringe and pills.

Have You Tried a Thai Green Papaya Salad?

Salads are a great way to lose weight quickly; they are light, so you don’t feel heavy and tired after you eat — and are cooling. One of my all-time favorite salads is the Thai green papaya salad. Growing up in Darwin, going to the weekly markets and buying a green papaya salad was a treat ...

Wilma Oakes

Thai green papaya salad.

Try Making Gyoza: It’s Really Simple and Addictive

Gyoza, or potstickers, are Japanese dumplings filled with meat and some vegetables — and wrapped in a thin dough. Originally from China, where they are known as jiaozi, gyoza are now a very popular dish in Japan. When I worked as an apprentice chef at a Japanese restaurant, I found folding the gyoza took a bit ...

Wilma Oakes

Pair of chopsticks holding a fried dumpling with a serving tray holding more dumplings and dipping sauce in the background.

Bottom Line, Domestic Violence Can Ruin Children’s Lives: I Know

Physical and mental abuse toward young children can ruin their whole lives, often irreparably. I know, as I grew up in a home with domestic violence. It didn’t really start till I was 8. Before that, things were quite good. Then, it was like a switch was turned on, and my whole life changed. Constant ...

Wilma Oakes

Sad Asian boy covers his face with his hands.

4 Natural Home Remedies That Should Not Be Overlooked

Before running off to the doctor or the pharmacy to get some over-the-counter drugs, just have a look in your cupboard and you could find natural home remedies to cure a variety of ailments. Here are a few natural home remedies that should not be overlooked 1. Honey Honey can be used to treat minor cuts ...

Wilma Oakes

A honey dipper balanced on an open jar of honey.

How Can This Lucky Iron Fish Make You Stronger?

The Lucky Iron Fish is a simple, reusable, and effective cooking tool that adds extra iron to foods or drinks. It is an affordable solution, especially for those with anemia.  Anemia, which is an iron deficiency, is a very common health problem around the world, particularly in developing countries where they don’t have sufficient food or nutritional supplements. Canadian ...

Wilma Oakes

Lucky iron fish.

100 Years of Women’s Fitness Trends

For the last decade, women’s fitness trends have changed dramatically. I myself have done aerobics, weights, yoga, kickboxing, and I am sure many more I can’t remember as the styles have changed so much. Let’s take a trip down memory lane and see what women’s fitness trends were used to keep fit. Women’s fitness trends through the ...

Wilma Oakes

Jazzercise.

Try This Simple Free Method to Help Relax

When you are relaxed, have you ever noticed your breathing? It is slow, gentle, and usually you don’t notice that you are breathing. Breathing exercises are a great, quick way to help relax, and that’s because when you slow your breathing, you help relax your whole body. Take time to notice how you feel next time you ...

Wilma Oakes

Young Asian woman with her eyes closed, face turned up to the sun, hands raised, and arms outstretched standing on a beach.