Here are a few things we’re loving this May... from a delicious healthy recipe, to the local Milton Farm Shop, and a stunning scenic bush walk. 

The new monthly theme is 'Eat Your Skincare', because what you put on your plate is just as powerful as what you put on your face. This recipe from @brownpapernutrition is packed with ingredients that work from the inside out to support healthy, glowing skin. Carrots are rich in beta-carotene, which your body converts into Vitamin A — the same nutrient family as retinol, and a key player in skin cell renewal. Pomegranate brings a vibrant hit of antioxidants to help protect your skin from daily damage. And because a healthy gut is one of the best things you can do for your complexion, we've included yoghurt and feta — two nutrient-dense fermented dairy ingredients that love your gut back. Keeping it dairy-free? Hummus is a wonderful alternative that fits right in. Delicious food, glowing results! 

Recipe credit goes to the wonderful @brownpapernutrition, give them a follow for more nourishing inspiration! 

RECIPE

ROAST SPICED CARROTS WITH WHIPPED FETA 
Serves 4 as a side 

500g baby carrots, trimmed
3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 
2 tbsp honey 
1 1/2 tsp cumin 
1 tsp sweet paprika 
3/4 tsp cinnamon 
1/2 tsp ground sumac 
1/2 pomegranate 
1/2 cup fresh parsley leaves 
3 tbsp pecans, toasted and roughly chopped 

Whipped feta:
1/2 cup yoghurt 
100g feta 
2 tbsp lemon juice 
4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 
1 clove garlic 

If you're craving a walk that truly takes your breath away, the Mount Bushwalker track in Morton National Park is one worth putting on your list. Set deep in the rugged Budawang Ranges on the far South Coast of NSW, this 7km return walk winds through some of the most spectacular bushland in the state. It's best suited to those who enjoy a proper hike - Grade 4, so a little more of a challenge, but the reward is extraordinary. From the ridge, you're treated to beautiful, sweeping views of the mountains including the iconic Castle. The plateau is surprisingly gentle to walk, and you'll find yourself pausing under the canopy of native eucalypts, camera in hand, wondering how we're lucky enough to have this on our doorstep. Allow between 2.5 to 4 hours, bring plenty of water, and go with the kind of quiet wonder this landscape deserves.

A few things we’re loving this month... from an omega-3 rich recipe, to an upcoming musical festival, and the health benefits of getting out for sunrise.

The Milton Folk Jazz and Blues Festival is back! This is one of those events that feels less like a typical festival and more like the whole town coming alive through music.

Getting outside for first light is one of the simplest things you can do for your health.  And this time of year, the sunrises are especially beautiful! 

That early morning sunlight signals to your brain that it’s time to wake up, helping to set your circadian rhythm for the day. When your rhythm is in sync, everything works better including sleep, digestion, energy levels and hormone balance.

Morning light exposure also supports your body’s internal systems by regulating cortisol (your natural “get up and go” hormone) and setting you up for better sleep that night.

It doesn’t need to be complicated, step outside, enjoy a tea or coffee, take a short walk. Just a few minutes of that early light can make a real difference to how you feel across the day.

A few things we’re loving this season... great food at a delicious local, the Milton Crawl, and the Blessing of the Fleet celebrates it's 70th year!

The Milton Crawl is back!  A beautiful celebration of music, art and community. Set across the village of Milton, this free, all day event brings together local venues, galleries and eateries, with over 30 artists performing throughout the day. From vinyl DJ sets to live bands and everything in between, it’s a vibrant, feel good day out and a lovely way to experience the energy of the community.  We’ll have the shop open, so feel free to drop in and say hello.

The Ulladulla Blessing of the Fleet Festival is returning this Easter Sunday (5 April), celebrating its 70th anniversary! It’s a special local tradition by the water, bringing together the community to honour the boats, the people behind them, and the coastal lifestyle.

There’ll be plenty to enjoy throughout the day — live music, local stalls, good food and a relaxed, family friendly atmosphere. This year is set to be a little bigger too, with plans to bring back the much loved float parade, adding colour and that classic community feel to the day. 

This month we’re sharing something delicious from the kitchen, a note on International Women’s Day and the local event bringing women together in The Shoalhaven, along with a local favourite, the Tawillah Milton Luxury Retreat.

We’ve been loving making crunchy, tangy quick-pickled cucumbers lately. One of those simple recipes that always hits the mark. Thinly sliced cucumbers are brined with garlic, dill and vinegar, developing extra crunch and bright flavour overnight in the fridge, ready to add a burst of freshness to salads, sandwiches or a charcuterie board.  You can find the simple yet delicious recipe here: https://www.themediterraneandish.com/quick-pickled-cucumber-recipe/

International Women’s Day is a chance to come together and recognise the strength, contribution, and stories of women in our community. This year, it’s being celebrated locally on Sunday 8th March with a special afternoon hosted by Women’s Connection South Shoalhaven at Salt and Spencer overlooking Mollymook Beach. With good food, shared stories, and space to connect, it’s set to be a welcoming and inspiring way to spend the day celebrating local women, supporting one another, and strengthening the community we’re part of.  For more details click here.

Just minutes from historic Milton, Tawillah Milton Luxury Retreat is a beautiful, peaceful space where you get the best of the country and the coast. Set on a quiet rural property with sweeping views across farmland and the Budawang Ranges, the retreat is cosy, private, and thoughtfully designed for comfort — including bath salts provided by Delicious Vibrant Beauty for a deeply relaxing soak. If you’re in need of slowing down, a sense of calm, or a proper reset, I highly recommend this little getaway.

We wanted to share a few small moments of joy with you this week.  From nourishing rituals to community vibes and new beginnings happening right here in Milton.

We’re currently loving the Rise & Be ceremonial matcha, it's smooth, grounding, and such a beautiful daily ritual. It’s available in-store for our local community, and also online via the Rise & Be website (riseandbe.com.au) if you're not local. Perfect for a slow morning ritual or an afternoon moment of calm, this matcha offers clean, steady energy without the jitters, inviting you to pause, sip, and savour something truly nourishing.  

This Saturday, Milton is coming alive with Yuki Fest — a full street takeover with a stage, street bar and street kitchen, turning the neighbourhood into a day to night celebration. If you’re heading along, we’ll be open at Delicious Vibrant Beauty from 9am–1pm, so pop in before the festivities kick off. And if the sun’s out and you’ve forgotten your SPF… don’t worry we’ve got you covered!  Bar Yuki and the Milton Hotel will be buzzing all day too, so there’s plenty of space to dance, sip, and soak up the atmosphere.

A warm welcome to the newly opened Milton 2hand. A thoughtfully curated second-hand store specialising in furniture, vintage audio and musical equipment, photography gear, and the wonderfully quirky pieces the shop has become known for. Alongside the unique finds, visitors will also find an on-site electronics whiz, Tim, who restores and repairs vintage valve equipment, guitars, and more.

The store will be open Thursday to Sunday, roughly 10am–3pm (outside of holiday periods). For the owner, returning to Milton feels like coming home, having lived here for 25 years and run the local pizza shop over two decades ago. While much has changed, the familiar faces, warm hellos, and timeless rural charm remain, making this new chapter a special one for the community.

We’re sharing three little things we’re loving right now.  Something delicious, something vibrant, and something beautiful to add a bit of festive inspiration to your week! 

If you’re looking for a simple, festive snack or homemade gift this Christmas, I came across this beautiful Chocolate Bark recipe from Brod & Taylor and had to share it. It’s easy to make, uses simple ingredients, and is such a treat! I love how versatile it is too, you can add nuts, seeds or dried fruit depending on what you have on hand. It’s perfect to keep in the fridge over the holidays or to wrap up as a thoughtful little gift. You can find the full recipe and instructions on their website.

The Batemans Bay Christmas Night Market is on this Friday, December 19th.  It’s such a wonderful way to soak up the festive spirit locally. Wander through the stalls, support small businesses, discover unique gifts, and enjoy the lively atmosphere as the community comes together. If you’re holidaying nearby, it’s the perfect excuse to pop in, browse the stalls, and take in the Christmas buzz. It’s one of those easy, feel good ways to experience the town at this time of year.

Summer Christmas evenings are hard to beat. The light stays around longer, people linger a bit more, and everything feels a little more relaxed and social. It’s the perfect time of year to catch a sunset with family or friends.

This month, we’re turning our attention inward, to the foods, rituals, and habits that support skin health from within. Our skin reflects so much of what’s happening beneath the surface, from how well we rest to what we choose to nourish ourselves with.

These “Three Things” are all about that deeper kind of beauty, one that begins with nourishment, awareness, and care.

Every so often, you come across someone whose approach to health just feels right. For me, that’s Brooke Kelly a Clinical Nutritionist (BSc), cook and presenter with a passion for gut health and balanced living.

I’ve followed Brooke for years and often turn to her recipes for everyday nourishment. Her approach is simple and sustainable, grounded in real food and small, meaningful habits that make you feel good from the inside out.

One of my favourites is her Healthy Banana Bread a naturally sweet, protein-rich loaf that fills the kitchen with warmth and comfort.

This month, we’re welcoming a familiar local face to the DVB community — Harrison Scott, Naturopath and Nutritionist at South Coast Holistic Health

Harrison has been a longtime friend and collaborator of mine. Over the years, we’ve shared countless conversations about ingredients, skin health, and the science behind natural formulations. During his studies, he often dropped by the store to source particular botanicals for his clinic work, or simply to chat about the overlaps between nutrition and skincare. It’s been such a joy to watch him build his practice and share his deep understanding of how the body and skin work together.

Now, Harrison is joining us in a new series exploring nutrition for skin health — beginning with a reflection on how what we eat can shape the way we look and feel.

As the seasons shift toward Spring, I find myself turning more and more to the simple rituals that bring nourishment, beauty, and a sense of connection to both place and time. This month, I’ve been inspired by the grounding presence of my garden, the wisdom of an ancient flower still revered today, and the wild beauty of our coastal walks here on the South Coast. I hope these “Three Things” bring you a little calm, curiosity, and wonder too.

Delicious: My Garden

There’s a particular magic in stepping barefoot into the garden and gathering what you’ve grown yourself. The garden has become both sanctuary and teacher for me, reminding me to slow down, to notice, and to work with the seasons rather than against them.

This year, my tomatoes ripened in the full warmth of the sun, bursting with sweetness that no store-bought tomato could ever compare to. Herbs like basil, parsley, rosemary... perfume the kitchen and make the simplest meals feel elevated. Even a handful of freshly cut greens feels like a gift when you’ve nurtured it from seed.

There’s a deep grounding in this ritual of tending, harvesting, and cooking with what’s on hand. It connects me to the earth and to cycles of growth, rest, and renewal. Homegrown produce isn’t just delicious; it’s a reminder that beauty and nourishment often begin right at our own back doors.

Vibrant: Blue Lotus Essential Oil

Few flowers carry as much history and mystique as the Blue Lotus (Nymphaea caerulea), sometimes called the Sacred Blue Lily. Though often mistaken for the lotus, it is, in fact, a water lily — its blossoms an otherworldly blue, floating delicately on the surface of still water.

In Ancient Egypt, the Blue Lotus was more than just a flower. It appeared on temple walls, in tombs, and in sacred texts, celebrated as a symbol of creation, rebirth, and divine connection. Its flowers opened with the morning sun and closed again at dusk, mirroring the daily journey of light and life. The Egyptians believed it held spiritual power, opening the heart, calming the mind, and helping the spirit transcend the ordinary world.

Beyond its cultural and spiritual resonance, the Blue Lotus also carries therapeutic qualities that are still valued today. Its fragrance is soft yet complex, both floral and slightly sweet. Traditionally, it has been used as a relaxant, aphrodisiac, and aid for meditation. Modern aromatherapy often calls on it to ease stress and anxiety, to invite stillness, or to deepen moments of spiritual practice.

For me, the Blue Lotus is a reminder of the way scent can transform the everyday into ritual. A drop of essential oil, a quiet inhale, and suddenly the mind softens, the breath steadies, and a sense of timelessness lingers.

Beautiful: The South Pacific Heathland Reserve

For those of you near the South Coast or anyone planning a visit... the South Pacific Heathland Reserve in Ulladulla is one of the most beautiful places to wander right now. This 14-hectare reserve is home to an incredible variety of native plants, and in spring it comes alive with colour.

The real stars at the moment are the flannel flowers. Their delicate white petals, brushed with silver-green, look almost like they’ve stepped out of a fairytale. To walk among them with the ocean as a backdrop feels at once grounding and uplifting, nature therapy at its most simple and profound.

The heathland walk is an easy, peaceful trail that invites you to slow down, breathe deeply, and soak in the beauty of our coastline. These blooms are fleeting, and that’s part of what makes them so special. A reminder of resilience, grace, and the gifts that come from wild places.

You can find more about the reserve here: South Pacific Heathland Reserve