Live Well with Leonie

24/08/2025

While I know from my research that breast cancer in men is a real thing, it's not as common as in women.

That doesn't mean it's not an issue and what makes it more of an issue is that, being less common, it doesn't always get the attention it needs. It seems that 'man-boobs' can be a precursor not just to breast cancer in men but also testicular cancer.

Growth of 'man-boobs' or excess tissue in the breast cancer for men starts at a relatively early age and can affect 75% of men!

Have a read of this article and if you know someone who is developing excess 'fat' in this area or has developed it, then make sure they're aware of the signs that all might not be right and seek medical attention quickly as both cancers are survivable if diagnosed early.

Recent warnings from healthcare professionals have highlighted an unlikely trait as a potential early warning sign of serious health conditions.

23/08/2025

You know it’s true!

23/08/2025

There’s been a lot in the news recently about the toxicity of Omega-6 in products and supplements. In fact, there’s currently a huge court case against Blackmores about their supplements.

So hearing that seed oils are high in Omega-6 only reinforces to me how horrible they are for our health.

Please avoid seed oils and that includes canola, sunflower, safflower, cottonseed, and so on. Canola is also a seed oil and is one of the most common oils in the food we buy. It’s so hard to avoid it sometimes but I nevertheless try.

Thankfully I can avoid a lot of those foods by making my own in my Thermomix.

Ever shop at the grocery store and notice that seed oils are marketed as “heart healthy?” The truth is they are anything but.

They can get away with this because seed oils have been shown to lower cholesterol, and the assumption is that lower cholesterol equates to lower risk of heart disease… but this isn’t always the case.

Plus, the results of these studies are biased. Many favorable seed oil studies are funded by the industry itself.

Not only that, but most seed oils are rancid before they hit store shelves, promoting inflammation and oxidative stress in the body.

Ready to remove ultra-processed foods from your diet? My free mobile app lets you scan the barcodes of packaged food items to uncover hidden ultra-processed ingredients instantly.

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22/08/2025

Thermie lovers

Have you ever been to a Thermomix cooking class? It’s a great way to learn different ways to use your Thermomix. I always learn something when I go to one, whether as an attendee or helping as I did last night.

They’re such fun as well. Here’s some pics from the Eat Well class last night.

You can find a cooking class close to you here: https://thermomix.com.au/pages/events

22/08/2025

The story title caught my eye: The Bucket List Edit. I mean who hasn't got a bucket list of places they want to go and things they want to do.

So of course I had to read it. It's a very short story and while I get the message is (I think) that we should not let adversity and set-backs stop us living our life, I was also a bit aghast at so much in the story.

Please understand I'm not shaming the author, it's an all-too-real story and is based on a true life story but there are a few things that really made me groan a little.

Firstly, 60 years old isn't old. If you're anywhere near or over that age, stop telling yourself you're getting old, or it's just old age. Stuff that! Age is a number not a condition and certainly no excuse for being unhealthy.

I was then horrified at the energy-supports the lady chose: chocolate and sugar jubes. While I get sugar is instant energy, it's going to totally crash your blood sugar levels and, when under stress as this lady was, that is going to send the body completely haywire. As happened: she gets that instant energy boost and then crashes - and that's what happens when we eat sugar: it gives us a high and then a crashing low and that leads to insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.

In fact, what the group has chosen to eat to sustain them is so damn bad and particularly in that situation, it's no wonder they were all exhausted at the end - they've impacted their physical body and their internal organs so much.

They would have been so much better eating a salad with nuts and seeds, and lots of protein: eggs, chicken, beef, anything! And lots and lots of water with electrolytes like our dōTERRA Recharge which wouldn't cause a sugar spike.

I do applaud her tho for finishing the hike and revelling in her achievement and that she's been sensible in reviewing her bucket list but still maintaining the desire to live her life.

Love to know what you think of the story.

When Lizzie retired at 60, she began planning her bucket list. First up was hiking the Tongariro Crossing with her husband. After all, how hard could it really be? Yet the reality – complete with indignities, weak knees and bloody toenails – quickly made her want to rethink some of the items on ...

22/08/2025

I'm sure I'm not the only person who "doom" scrolls social media and online platforms. I'm not sure it's an addiction so much as an easy way to multi-task the brain at night. I usually watch something on TV - well half-watch cos the other half of my attention is focussed on social media, emails, YouTube... ie online content.

Last year I resolved to just set everything down an hour or so before bed, got to bed earlier and read a book or mag. It worked really well for quite a few months, then I went on hols and returned to social media-ing in the evenings because I was posting updates and info at the end of hectic days.

Of course, I haven't gotten back to my earlier-to-bed-and-read regime and I really do need to do it. This article is a bit scary cos, when it comes to brain health, I know I need to focus more on healthy brain, healthy body, healthy life.

How are you on doom-scrolling?

If you’ve ever found yourself trapped in the cycle of telling yourself “just five more minutes” of screen time, only for it to turn into a full-blown doom-scrolling session, you might want to reconsider your phone habits.

20/08/2025

Keen to find out more about the new dōTERRA skincare range IKISE?

Well, you can do just that from the comfort of your home.

I’d love you to join Jackie Isles and Jessie Reimers tomorrow night as they talk…. I mean rave about their experience with the range.

Thursday the 21st at 7pm AEST. It’s a free webinar.

Here’s what Jessie has to say about the range: “I honestly did not care when I heard dōTERRA was dropping a new skincare range. As nothing has ever really made a difference to my skin. I react and breakout with everything. Doesn’t matter how clean or expensive it is.

This stuff is truly amazing. I have such a glow. My skin is plump and feels like velvety silk. No reactions. No breakouts. Just skin that I feel the most confident I’ve ever felt in.”

And Jackie: “Before IKISE I would avoid the camera… after IKISE the skinfedence I have is next level GOOD! Fine lines, dry skin, pigmentation - is replaced with a hydrated smooth even GLOW - totally obsessed.”

Book here you won’t want to miss our class 👇🏽

https://getafreshstart.lpages.co/camilla-of-skincare/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR6AmUajj4H1M3U6PlI6NEUHKECEZne_7Qd7###UVGKvOCs26871ZHKnxWw5-A_aem_Z2b9LQ_4hhetMLpp3Yy4LA

Learn about the brand new, super luxe, Japanese Skincare. Where beauty meets dōTERRA - Like no other product on the market. This isn’t just another skincare workshop — it’s your front-row seat to the future of beauty, where cutting-edge science meets ancient botanical wisdom.

20/08/2025

Hey Brissie Thermie folks, we still have some seats available at our Eat Well cooking class tomorrow night from 6:30-8:30pm.

Cooking classes are such a great way to learn more about and different ways to use your Thermomix. There’s some fab menu items I know you’ll love - you do get to taste everything!

Love to see you there. Tickets are just $45 and you can register here: https://thermomix.my.site.com/event/s/detail?eventid=00UOY00000CVRLB2A5

19/08/2025

Do you throw away cauliflower leaves? I always regret not using them but they’re often a bit dirty. However, the inner paler leaves aren’t and they are delicious!

I slice them off, pop them on a rack in my benchtop oven, spray with a bit of olive oil (I used garlic olive oil), then roast them for 20 mins at 230 degrees.

The green parts go crispy and the thicker bits end up being really sweet - believe it or not.

19/08/2025

I agree. These chicken are just amazing. Proper chickens raised properly. True free-range, they live a good life before being humanely killed. Just delicious!

If you’re interested in buying some, just go to Hand Sourced.

Grassland Poultry chicken is truly a bird of a different feather, and once you try it, you may never be able to look at a supermarket chook the same way again.

Raised on pasture and free to roam as they please, these are not your standard broiler chickens. This is a bird specifically bred for Australia. Bryan and Kim Kiss of Grassland Poultry proudly produce their chickens without chemicals, and carefully manage every step in the life cycle of each bird, creating a more sustainable, ethical and resilient food system.

This is why they’re once again National Finalists in the delicious. Produce Awards.

Find out more about why Grassland Poultry is ruling the roost here: bit.ly/45TI1n4

19/08/2025

The Health Star ratings system is a joke. Has been for a long time. When foods high in sugar are given lots of stars, it’s supposed to mean it’s healthy.

Sugar is one of the most addictive life-limiting foods. It’s killing us. Type 2 diabetes is now being labelled as an epidemic. What’s causing it? Sugar whether in the usual sugary foods or in high starch carbs.

And yet foods containing sugar are being given high numbers of stars.

So, yes, the Health Star rating system is a joke and sadly so many still believe what the labels say.

Why voluntary Health Star Ratings have failed Australian shoppers and how mandatory labelling could finally deliver the clear nutrition guidance older adults need most.

18/08/2025

Wow. Had NO idea very hot drinks could cause oesophageal cancer!

Vincent Ho, Western Sydney University When you order a coffee, do you ask for it to be “extra hot”? You May Like Loading ads... Whether you enjoy tea, coffee or something else, hot drinks are a comforting and often highly personal ritual. The exact temperature to brew tea or serve coffee for the...