You can't see them, but they are quietly working away, doing you a lot of good.  Probiotics is the general term for bacteria, yeasts and other microorganisms that are beneficial to gut and general health.  Our bodies contain trillions of bacteria of over 500 different species.  Bacteria in our gut help to keep harmful microorganisms (known as pathogens) under control, assist with digestion and absorption of nutrients, and aid the immune system. Different strains of bacteria perform varying functions, e.g. some will aid in the fight against Crohn's disease, some work against digestive tract ulcers, and others help with the treatment and prevention of diarrhea, urinary tract infections and bladder cancer (Harvard Health Publishing, 2005).   

Taking probiotics on a regular basis can rebalance the body's natural gut flora, particularly after a course of antibiotics which can wreak havoc on the 'good' bacteria in the gut and cause digestive upsets as a result.  Look for product labels which tell you the specific strains used, and what the live count is, then you can do your own research into the beneficial effects of each type.  In today's COVID environment it makes good sense to take steps to boost your immune system and take charge of your overall health and wellbeing.  Probiotic-containing foods are an excellent way of ensuring this happens.

These kinds of foods include kombucha, kimchi, yoghurts and other types of cultured milk, sauerkraut, miso, some types of sourdough bread, and any other live fermented food.  It is also important to 'feed' these good bacteria with the right kind of diet, which is why processed foods high in carbohydrates and low in fibre are frowned upon.  They lead to poor gut health, lift blood sugar, and encourage the wrong types of gut flora.  Instead, try adding extra fruit and vegetables to your diet, including blueberries, apples, chickpeas, lentils and almonds.  Eating a wide range of proven health food choices is the best way to keep your gut in tip top condition, your weight in check, and  a spring in your step.

 ... no problem, I'll just have it for lunch instead.

See our yummy range of soft serve and frozen yoghurt products to beat the lockdown blues.

It was the time when the world stood still and took a breath.
The roar of traffic has become muted.
Airplanes fly in solitary isolation as we look up and wonder where they could be going.
No more schedules, no more commute.
Just a stillness that needs to be recognised as something we should not take lightly.
We have time for kindness, time to be thankful.
Time to acknowledge the little things we have been too busy to see until now.
And when the world moves on,
We hope these reminders remain with us
To make our world that little bit more gentle.

There has been a lot of discussion recently regarding the novel coronavirus outbreak, now labelled as COVID-19.  There is also a lot of misinformation circulating about how to protect yourself and remain healthy.  Best practice tells us to follow good hygiene such as thoroughly washing hands, not touching your face, covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue,  isolating yourself if unwell and then seeking medical advice. 

According to medical experts there are things, however, that you can do to also strengthen your immunity and boost your body's response to viral infections.
Among the things listed are:
Nutrition - improve your nutrition.  Give your body the things it needs to repair, enhance and recover.  See our nutritional products and research pages for immune boosting ideas.
Exercise - moderate exercise strengthens the body, kick starts the immune system, improves circulation and general well being.
Sleep - get enough of it by reducing distractions such as screens and devices towards the end of the evening.  Practise good sleep hygiene, it is important.
Stress Management - work out your stress triggers and actively reduce them.  Stress lowers our immunity and opens the door to physiological and psychological disorders. 

Another year is nearly gone, and we wish everyone a very happy Christmas holiday time.  It is traditionally the time of year to indulge so here is a list of what people across the world will typically be enjoying.
Australia
- often consists of cold ham and turkey, seafood, salads, trifle and pavlova to suit the summer warmth. This feast is served up on Christmas Day. To snack on, Aussies love nothing more than a delicious mince pie. Other treats include rum balls, gingerbread and Christmas pudding.

Peru
- on Christmas Eve, the extended family join together for roast turkey stuffed with ground beef and peanuts and decorated with fresh slices of pineapple and cherries. The turkey is served with roast potatoes and apple sauce. After dinner Peruvians will get stuck into panettone and a cup of thick hot chocolate.
UK
- Christmas dinner in the UK is usually served around 3pm and consists of roast turkey, roast potatoes, brussel sprouts, pigs in blankets (chipolatas wrapped in bacon), stuffing and cranberry sauce. The meal is finished with plum pudding and brandy butter, in which a lucky penny can be found. When cooking the pudding, it is also customary for every member of the family to stir the mixture clockwise while making a wish.
USA
- since Turkey is the mainstay for Thanksgiving dinner, many American’s choose to serve ham or roast beef instead at Christmas time. Sides generally include corn, pumpkin and green beans. For dessert, a pumpkin pie is usually served along with sugar cookies and mince pies. In regions with strong cultural heritage there are some variations.
Greenland
- there are plenty of local delicacies to be had at Christmas in Greenland including ‘mattak’, whale skin with a strip of blubber inside, and ‘kiviak’, raw flesh of auks (an arctic bird) which have been decomposing while buried in seal skin for several months. More palatable options include ‘suaasat’ (soup), barbecued caribou, fish, and Danish pastries. It is tradition for men to serve food to women on Christmas night, even stirring their meals for them.
Italy
In Southern Italy and Italian-American regions, Christmas Eve is associated with the “Feast of the Seven Fishes”. A typical seafood feast will include anchovies, whiting, lobster, sardines, dried salt cod, squid and mussels. This is served with pasta, vegetables, fried kale patties and homemade wine.
Source: giftfoodcard.com.au

Ice cream's origins are known to reach back as far as the second century B.C., although no specific date of origin nor inventor has been actually credited with its discovery. We know that Alexander the Great enjoyed snow and ice flavored with honey and nectar.
Biblical references also show that King Solomon was fond of iced drinks during harvesting. During the Roman Empire, Nero Claudius Caesar (A.D. 54-86) frequently sent runners into the mountains for snow, which was then flavored with fruits and juices.

Over a thousand years later, Marco Polo returned to Italy from the Far East with a recipe that closely resembled what is now called sherbet. Historians estimate that this recipe evolved into ice cream sometime in the 16th century. England seems to have discovered ice cream at the same time, or perhaps even earlier than the Italians. "Cream Ice," as it was called, appeared regularly at the table of Charles I during the 17th century. France was introduced to similar frozen desserts in 1553 by the Italian Catherine de Medici when she became the wife of Henry II of France. It wasn't until 1660 that ice cream was made available to the general public. The Sicilian Procopio introduced a recipe blending milk, cream, butter and eggs at Café Procope, the first café in Paris.
source: International Dairy Foods Assn

Normally reserved for Asian tastebuds, matcha products are making their way into Western consciousness and cuisine more and more.  Matcha powder comes from the tea plant Camellia Sinensis.  Its leaves can be dried to use as tea - in tea bags or just loose - but when ground into a fine powder it becomes matcha.  And that's all there is to it - 100% tea powder.   The health benefits of matcha are widely believed to include  aiding with heart disease, weight loss and some would even claim fight cancer.  We believe it is best to do your own research on this although there are some quality studies out there showing some of these claims may have merit. 

It certainly makes a fine addition to soft serve, in the form of a flavouring, a thickshake with float topping, or as a latte float.  Our Goldenfarm product carries this flavour exceptionally well and has been extremely successful throughout Asia.  It's the ultimate East meets West experience, and in our opinion well worth trying.

No matter where you are in the world, nothing beats a warm sunny day with a refreshing soft serve ice cream, or a frozen yoghurt.  In Brisbane, Australia we don't get many really cold days over winter, and our cold season only lasts a few months. But parts of Australia can get quite chilly, with snow and low temperatures right through until September.  It really is a land of extremes.  If you're down under and reading this stay warm until spring!

New Zealand is known for its sheep, but have you ever wondered how many cows there are as well?  As we source our dairy from both New Zealand and Australia it certainly is of interest to us.  We want to know that we are getting the best product from fully audited farms and compliant facilities.  New Zealand is beautiful place, clean and green for both cows and people - we highly recommend a visit to see for yourself.

With cooler weather beginning to take hold down under, there is nothing nicer than being able to get yourself a great winter warmer.  For comfort food you can't go past a cheesey fondue.  Our cheese sauce mix makes a wonderful fondue base.  Add a dash of white wine, a little paprika or some herbs, and you have the perfect night in or out.  Great for entertaining friends or something more cosy.