The authors, Celeste Mitchell (our former HWH podcast guest), Katie Gannon and Krista Eppelstun present a compelling and visually engaging argument for why it’s important to take a step back and live life at a more leisurely pace.

Throughout the book, the trio – also the founders of the highly successful directory website and blog of the same name – draw on personal experiences, research and artfully written summaries of a spectrum of sustainable stays, from the humble and tiny to the large and luxurious, to illustrate the many benefits of slowing down.

They touch on topics such as mindfulness, work-life balance, and the impact of technology on our lives, and provide practical tips and exercises to help readers incorporate the principles of unhurried living into their own lives.

One of the standout aspects of the book is the writing style, which is engaging, relatable, and often humorous. Celeste, Katie and Krista have a way of making complex ideas accessible and understandable, and the book is filled with insightful quotes and anecdotes that drive home the message of the importance of taking life at a slower pace.

Overall, I found the book to be a really enjoyable read. The only minor criticism would be the lack of discussion around the accessibility features of many of the properties profiled, but that’s admittedly not Life Unhurried’s bag, but ours here at Hosting With Heart.

Whether you’re someone who is feeling overwhelmed by the pace of modern life or just looking for ways to live more mindfully, I would highly recommend getting your hands on this book. It’s a great reminder to appreciate the beauty in life’s smaller, fleeting moments, and it’s sure to leave you feeling inspired and refreshed.

A heartful thumbs-up.

Get your copy of Life Unhurried here.

Published by Hardie Grant, 2022.

The post REVIEW: Life Unhurried appeared first on Hosting With Heart.

It has come to my attention that a certain cohort regularly wipes themselves with wet wipes and then flush them down the toilet. And unlike regular toilet paper, these do not break down. 

You may be in one of two (booty) camps: the wet-wipe users or the wet-wipe novices. If you are a regular wet-wipe user, please keep your tush firmly seated until the end as I have lots to share with you. As for the novices like myself, there is much to learn about the world of wet wipes and clean derrieres.

But first, a story:

Many years ago, when I was a young arts student, I was invited by an older, more mature student to their house for a dinner party. Having never been invited to such an event, I panicked at the bottle shop, unsure which of the many white wines would be a suitable offering. Thus stumped, I chose the most foreign-looking one, with a name I could not pronounce. Was it German? Swiss? I had no idea, but with it I hoped I’d come across as sophisticated. 

The wine was uncorked at dinner and received with a frown from the host. I took a quick sip and realised I had delivered a bottle of sickly-sweet dessert wine. Mortified, I headed to the bathroom to compose myself and it was there I saw for the first time, by the toilet – a packet of wet wipes for general use. The moment is burned in my memory as I couldn’t work out the mechanics of such a product. One wipes oneself and then … flushes it down the toilet? Was this what mature, middle-aged people do?

Now a middle-aged person myself, and having birthed a child and experienced a glittering array of health issues which require a tender touch, I understand the appeal of a soft wet wipe on one’s rear end. But there is the environment to consider. One can’t just go around tenderly touching one’s arsehole with single-use products that contribute to climate change in the hopes that one day all will be forgiven (it won’t, dear reader). 

Billions of wet wipes containing plastic are flushed down toilets every day, causing havoc in our sewer systems and creating foul pollution. Dear reader, know that I am only too sympathetic to those who see wet wipes as a necessary part of their day-to-day life. Every bottom deserves a sensitive solution, but so too does our environment, which is where Cheeky Squirt comes in.

Cheeky Squirt is an ideal product in so many ways. It cleans your bum (check) doesn’t harm the earth (check) and it can be used in septic tanks – for an off-grid-living greenie like myself, this is a big win. Having used Cheeky Squirt for some time, I can now say, hand on bum, it’s a peach. The process is simple: one cheeky squirt on toilet paper as you go about your business and voila, clean as a whistle!

As a wet-wipe novice and bidet-curious individual, it’s been a satisfying journey with Cheeky Squirt, one I would recommend to everyone!

Visit www.cheekysquirt.com.au for more info and/or to order today.

The post REVIEW: Cheeky Squirt Bum Wipes appeared first on Hosting With Heart.

A good morning coffee while on holiday? Next level. It can be the difference between dutifully attending ho-hum (read: unimaginative) tourist attractions or uncovering a hidden gem only known to true locals (inspired).

Emme Mac Black represents that next level in coffee. It ticks all the boxes: ethical, organic and fair trade, with sustainability in sharp focus.

Hailing from Mollyulah in regional Victoria, Emme Mac Black consists of two distinctive offerings: capsules, featuring three blend options for the discerning palette, and locally roasted beans (also with three blends to choose from) for the DIY coffee enthusiast.

As far as sustainable coffee production goes, Emme Mac Black is a rare breed in Australia. Their capsules are biodegradable and 100% compostable which is super comforting given. regular coffee pods are made up of plastics and aluminium, which would take 150 to 500 years to break down in landfill. If we want to lessen our impact on the earth, it’s clear we need innovations like this.

Does it taste better because it’s sustainable? Quite possibly. For capsule coffee lovers, Emme Mac Black is a must (the environmental damage caused by regular coffee capsule leaves a bad taste in one’s mouth). In contrast, Emme Mac Black rolls off the tongue and feels much more honest and grown up. Plus, it looks real nice on the kitchen bench.

The post REVIEW: Emme Mac Black: Coffee grounded in sustainability appeared first on Hosting With Heart.