Home & Lifestyle Spring 2021

WARNING! Toxic Plants: Is Your Pet Safe?

Free Pet Registration for Rescue Animals Central Coast Council is encouraging community members to ‘adopt, not shop’ when making the commitment to bring a new companion animal into their home. This follows theNSWGovernment’sannouncement of free lifetimepet registration for people who adopt a rescue pet from Council pounds, animal shelters and re- homing organisations. Council Unit Manager Environmental Compliance and Systems, Sara Foster said free registration for rescue pets will ensure more abandoned or surrendered cats and dogs find a forever home, reinforcing the benefits of animal adoption. “Council works closely with our Animal Care Facilities at Charmhaven and Erina to ensure surrendered pets can find a suitable and safe new home. “With backyard breeding a huge issue on the Central Coast, we hope that this new initiative will make adoption an even more desirable pathway for those looking for a pet, so that we can reduce the number of people accessing unregistered breeders. Council Administrator, Rik Hart said pets are a much-loved part of the fabric of the Central Coast and this new registration fee exemption will make adoption an even more desirable choice for community members searching for a new companion animal. “It’s important to remember that while owning a pet can be highly rewarding, it is also a big responsibility. Pet owners are encouraged to visit Council’s website to learn more about their responsibilities, not only to their pet, but also to the wider Central Coast community.” To learn more about pet ownership on the Central Coast as well as information on Council’s Animal Care Facilities, search ‘pet ownership’ at centralcoast.nsw.gov.au.

We all love our pets and want what it best for them. Keeping them safe can be a big responsibility and dangers to our pets are not always obvious. With owners spending more time at home than ever before, there has been an influx in home renovations and improvements. Plants, both indoor and outdoor have become popular decorations in Australian homes. While a little extra foliage can make a lovely addition to homes, not all greenery is safe for pets, with some varieties causing serious illness or even death. Here is a list of the most common toxic plants that may pose a risk to your pet: Lilies, Japanese Sago Palm, (Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow), Oleander, Aloe Vera, Azalea, Snake Plant, Philodendron, Daffodils, Lantana, Tulips, Ivy, Asparagus Fern, Rubber Tree Plants, Jade Plant, Bird of Paradise, Fiddle Leaf Fig, Chrysanthemum. Warning: If you believe your pet has consumed or has been in contact with a toxic plant please immediately contact your local vet, 24hr vet emergency clinic or call the Australian Animal Poisons Helpline on 1300 TOX PET (1300 689 738). Delaying treatment may worsen the symptoms.

14 Home & Lifestyle Magazine | Spring 2021 Sourdough starters are referred to as “ferments” or “cultures”, which are complex ecosystems composed of multiple species of yeast and lactic acid-producing bacteria whereas ordinary baker’s yeast is a single Why Eat Sourdough Bread? A t Bill’s, we’re focused on inspiring healthier living through healthier choices. All of our delicious sourdoughs are made using pure, natural ingredients from certified organic farms. Our flour is milled using a traditional stoneground method. This method of milling avoids overheating and dehydration, thereby retaining nutrients and wheat germ. The 18 hour fermentation of our sourdough starter allows beneficial lactobacilli to fully develop, which aids digestion.

preservatives). Naturally leavened bread is easily assimilated by the body and does not produce yeast overgrowth, so is often recommended by health care professionals. Sourdough cultures contain multiple species of yeast and lactic acid-producing bacteria, which help control yeast overgrowths. Another health benefit of sourdough bread is that it has a lower glycemic index. Sourdough bread’s glycemic index is also lower if the flour is stoneground, which means it has larger flour particles. Our huge assortment of breads are available from Coles, Woolworths, Harris Farm Markets, IGA Erina Heights. Lyn Roberts Bills Certified Organic Sourdough Bakery

variety of manufactured yeast that can make dough rise fast without complete fermentation. Sourdough bacteria are lactic acid- producing bacteria (lactobacilli) that are also found in numerous other fermented foods (like yoghurt). These bacteria (which need a minimum of 12 hours to ferment) produce many benefits including increasing the nutritional value of a food. They also create the wonderful unique flavours and textures of real sourdough. The pH of sourdough is around 4, whereas the pH of Baker’s yeast is 5.5 to 6. Pathogenic microorganisms such as botulism, E. coli and moulds cannot reproduce in an environment with a pH below 4.6 This keeps sourdough bread mould free naturally (no artificial