Raising awareness about mental health issues is a cause close to everyone’s heart in one way or another and at the moment, we all need to be vigilant about taking care of our own and keeping an eye on that of those around us.

Because we’re all about sharing/stealing good advice when we come across it, here are a couple of tips from local not-for-profit LIVIN if you’re feeling like your mental health could use a little TLC.

Get enough sleep
It’s super important to develop a regular sleeping schedule to help you feel energized, focused and motivated. Try to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day and if you can’t sleep, practice controlled breathing (focusing on inhaling and exhaling to help you relax).

Exercise
Sounds very uncool but is actually very good for not only your physical health (obviously) but your mental health too. Even just a short stint (15 minutes) will give you a rush of feel good energy and can help to relieve stress and pent up frustration.

Eat healthily
It’s no surprise fruit and veggies are good for you but did you know they can help your sleeping patterns, energy levels and general wellbeing? True story. Obviously fast food, that is easy to get when you don’t feel like doing anything, has very low levels of nutrition, which means low energy, and generally feeling worse than you otherwise would.

Enjoy yourself
Having fun for the win! Here’s an excuse to find things that bring you joy, watch hilarious show online and have a good laugh whenever you can. Talking to people who uplift your mood is clearly a positive thing to do, not to mention, if you need a chat about how you’re feeling, your friends are the perfect people to do that with. At the moment we”re in such uncertain times, it’s highly likely everyone could do with a chat and since we aren’t really meant to go near each other, may as well pick up that phone.

If you, or someone you know, needs immediate assistance please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Words by Kirra Smith

Who doesn’t love it when one space houses two separate eating experiences that are same same but different. This may sound mildly cryptic but stay with us because by “same same”, we mean both serve healthy eats to make your tummies and tastebuds sing in unison. And by “different”, we mean one is a new generation food store and eatery, and the other a gluten free/dairy free/coeliac friendly fish and chips market. Yes, we’re talking about the trailblazing Urban Eatery & Café and Urban Fish Market, located side-by-side in the heart of Broadbeach. This nutrition-rich, environmentally conscious, and highly convenient power couple are changing up the GC food game one bite (or sip) at a time.

Let’s start with Urban Eatery & Café, which offers a healthy balance of sustainable, delicious, and freshly prepped eats and ingredients. Months of researching overseas eateries and the latest eating trends culminated in an exciting menu that is nourishing and packed with flavour. Everything Urban does aligns with their ‘unify, rejuvenate, balance, authentic and natural’ philosophy and yes, this is acronym sorcery at its finest. Encouraging us to embrace fresh, simple, and healthy ‘foodvenience’ to support our fast-paced lifestyles, we need no coercing coz this is srsly scratching an almighty itch.

Sit outside for people-watching gold, or park yourself inside to admire the natural fresh setting of deep basil green subway tiles, exposed timber beam ceiling weaved with green ceiling plants, and fitting green neon “live consciously” sign. Or maybe you’d rather pick up some takeaway meals, fresh cabinet eats, snacks, drinks and other essentials to enjoy at home. Whatever tosses your salad, the nosh and vibe are on point and these guys really deliver. Like literally – they actually deliver. Plus, the high quality food is fairly priced and packaged to be as minimally harmful to the environment as possible, and we’ll raise our glasses to that.

Enjoy an all-day breaky or lunch with wraps, burgers, salads and more. There are plenty of gluten-free and vegan options, like the Signature Buckwheat Pancakes and Churros, or the Vegan Club Sandwich. Pair your feed with a premium Allpress coffee, or one of the famous house-made Vegan Smoothies. Our vote goes to the Urban Acai Smoothie with Acai berry soft serve, mixed berries and coconut water which is especially satisfying after a ‘b(l)ender’.

Flowing seamlessly into the equally popular Urban Fish Market, the collaborative and super friendly Urban team have another winner on their hands here. Boasting a menu which is completely gluten and dairy free, everyone can o-fishally enjoy their seafood safely. Like next door, Urban’s owners executed the in-house design along with builder Keith Hundle from Constructure, nailing a fresh, modern, and easy vibe to match their nosh. Dine inside on the gorgeous mosaic tables, take in the fresh air and sea breeze outside, or grab-and-go, perhaps over to the big blue coz LBH, fish and chips always taste better on the beach.

The Chef and his team tick all the right boxes with an epic fresh and cooked seafood menu. How about a Barra Burger or some grilled coral trout, cassava wedges, and a sweet potato scallop coz #MoreTatersLessHaters. We also recommend signature dishes like the Snapper Pie and Spicy Grilled Prawn Salad, and why not throw in some fresh Tasmanian oysters or a fresh bucket of Trawler Prawns for good measure. Ooh and bonus, you can pre-order Fresh Fish Market Platters for Christmas and New Year coz nothing says silly season in Oz like a dirty big helping of seafood. Only it’s clean of course, and there’ll be no mood-killing trips to A&E coz Uncle Joe smashed too many loaded eggnogs and forgot about his dairy allergy.

So if you have common food intolerances, or simply want to feel recharged, refuelled and refreshed after a meal, it’s all about Urban Eatery & Café and Urban Fish Market. Also accommodating up to 60 bods for functions, what’s not to love about these tried-and-true sistas all under the one roof. It’s one of those rare gems that will suit everybody, even your fussiest of friends.

Where: 90 Surf Parade, Broadbeach
When:  Café: 6am – 8pm Monday – Sunday (coffee & cabinet eats)
Kitchen Service Daily from 6.30am – 2.30pm (all day breakfast & lunch).
Fish Market: 11am – 8pm Monday – Sunday.

Words by Bianca Trathen.

SPONSORED BY URBAN EATERY & CAFÉ AND URBAN FISH MARKET

Takeaway could well be the greatest thing ever invented and if wasn’t so bad for you, you’d probably get it every day right? WELL GUESS WHAT! According to this very article, takeaway food doesn’t have to be bad for you and that could be the greatest news ever not invented.

Here’s a list of the top 9 restaurants offering healthy takeaway options. Happy days.

Raw Energy, Coolangatta and Burleigh Heads
Located on the corner of Marine Parade in Coolangatta is Raw Energy, a healthy food and lifestyle café that started on the Sunshine Coast. Their focus is on fresh food, served fast in a funky environment. Raw Energy’s got you covered, offering anything from healthy smoothies or juices to macadamia and lentil burgers, YUMM!
Where: 110 Marine Pde, Coolangatta 

The Pocket
If you haven’t been there yet, put this one on your ‘to do’ list! The Pocket in Burleigh’s Connor Street is an absolute favourite amongst locals and offers a great range of healthy take away options (with an extensive vegetarian/gluten free menu). The Pocket aims to be a conscientious restaurant serving locally sourced, wholesome food, often using produce grown by owners David and Michelle.
Where: 13 Connor St, Burleigh Heads

Marie Anita’s Gluten Free Health Cafe
Marie Anita’s offers a solely gluten free and sugar free menu designed to provide dairy free, vegetarian, vegan, and raw alternatives. With the aim to source from local suppliers and to use as much organic produce as possible, Marie Anita’s challenges the image of healthy eating.
Where: 2364 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach

Greenhouse Canteen & Bar
A personal favorite is Greenhouse Canteen & Bar, the holy grail of all healthy food. With the motto ‘anything you can do, we can do vegan’ they’re onto something, because they are busy every day of the week. But not to worry, they do take away, too! All produce are sourced from trusted suppliers and farmer’s markets – food is medicine and it should nourish the mind, body and soul. Amen!
Where: 1916 Gold Coast Hwy, Miami and 1/140 Griffith Street, Coolangatta

BSKT Cafe
BSKT Cafe (Biscuit) was founded with the belief that people care about their health. They just needed the right place to deliver these health options in an indulgent and accessible manner.
All products are designed to inspire through nutritional quality, taste and a global conscious. Made from high quality plants and free from refined sugar and anything artificial. All products are hand crafted with love using traditional methods busting the myth Vegan and Paleo products can’t be delicious as well as nutritious.
Where: 4 Lavarack Rd, Mermaid Beach

The Shack Superfood Cafe
The name says it all, the Shack Superfood Café in Nobby’s is a health freaks paradise with real and fresh food that tastes great and is nutritious! On offer is quinoa, acai, smoothies and juices, breakfast, takeaway lunch and dinner boxes, plus tea and coffee. If you are looking for a hassle free, convenient and easy takeaway option look no further and go give the team at the Shack a visit.
Where: 2221 Gold Coast Highway, Nobby Beach 

Cardamom Pod
Cardamom Pod in Broadbeach is a vegetarian and plant-based restaurant inspired by the art of creative and tasty cuisine. With an extensive salad bar and delicious hot meal options such as curries or lasagne, Cardamom Pod is the perfect place to get some tasty and healthy takeaway, and word on the street is there are opening one in Brickworks! But be warned, their desserts are out of this world, especially the raw peanut butter cups.
Where: 2685 Gold Coast Hwy, Broadbeach 

Govindas
Govindas is without a doubt one of the most popular vegetarian, eco-friendly take-away restaurants on the Gold Coast. They offer a variety of pure vegetarian foods (vegan and gluten free options available) including vegetable dishes, basmati rice, dhal, potato bake, samosas and a variety of salads, desserts and drinks. Veggies are sourced locally and all dishes are prepared daily using the freshest produce. The buffet style approach lets customer create their own meal at reasonable prices. YUM.
Where: James St, Burleigh Heads

Giri Kana Cafe
The Giri Kana Cafe is a fresh take on vegan and vegetarian food, with a wide selection of freshly made vegan / vegetarian items (many organic and gluten free options also), including an extensive dessert menu. Their emphasis is on fresh and wholesome foods, which are good for the body, as well as the mind and spirit – and to this end, food is cooked with love and devotion. Try one of their signature tofu or vegie burgers served on turkish bread or as a gluten free option the Open Burger on rice. All so good!
Where: Cnr of Nind St and Gold Coast Highway, Southport 

Words by Kirra Smith