Kawai: Tree of Nourishment by Monty Soutar.

This is the sequel to the book Kawai: For Such a Time as This which came out two years ago, and this new one is the second in a planned trilogy. The original book was set in mid 18th century New Zealand, and the new one picks up the story in the early 19th century, a couple of generations on. The main character this time is Hine-aute, granddaughter of Kaitanga who was the legendary warrior in the first book and the story is grounded in New Zealand’s history at that time – the coming of muskets, white people, disease and a new religion. It’s a riveting read, fully immersed in the history of those years and very much brought to life.

From Here to the Great Unknown by Lisa Marie Presley and Riley Keough.

Lisa Marie Presley had intended to write her memoir and recorded many hours of audio for the project but died before she was able to complete the book. Her daughter Riley Keough (Elvis’s granddaughter) has taken the tapes and written the book on behalf of her mother – it’s all told in the first person, using either her mother’s words or her own, and tells the story of what it was like to grow up at Graceland; of the incredibly close relationship Lisa Marie had with her father; of battling grief and demons for the rest of her life; her relationship with Danny Keough and her subsequent marriage to Michael Jackson – and much more. It’s another story about how you can have all the money in the world and still not be able to fix the things that need fixing. The book is an extraordinary labour of love and respect from Riley to her mother, with insight into what it was like to be part of the Elvis myth and legacy.

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It's Halloween this week - and to mark the occasion, Megan Singleton recapped her experience at Philadelphia's spookiest fundraiser.

Eastern State Penitentiary's 'Halloween Nights event runs from September 20 to November 9 and it's designed to scare the life out of visitors while raising money for a good cause.

BloggerAtLarge's Megan Singleton shared the memorable moments from her experience - including the cocktail bar for 'scaredy cats' who want to contribute without being frightened.

Read more about Megan's experience here.

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This week on the Sunday Panel, comedian Penny Ashton and Newstalk ZB host Roman Travers joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!

Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has confirmed he's going to step in and intervene at Wellington Council amid concerns about their finances. Is this the right move?

Waikato has earned New Zealand its first spot in Expedia Group’s global travel trends list. Do we agree with this?

The story of Basil/Muffin the cat made the news and sparked a debate - how long is too long to reclaim your lost pet?

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On the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast for Sunday 27 October 2024, comedian Jack Whitehall and his father Michael talked about their upcoming tour set to come to New Zealand in January.

We're less than two weeks away from the US election and emotions are running high. US correspondent Dan Mitchinson joined Francesca to discuss the mood of the voters ahead of the big day.

It's the end of an era for Kiwi parents, as Francesca reflects on her son finishing year 13 and getting out into the world.

Plus, Nagi Maehashi previews more quick, easy and tasty recipes in her second cookbook Tonight.

Get the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast every Sunday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.

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A recent article about a woman who engineered her life to ensure she lived to 150 made the rounds online and sparked discussion about whether we can really extend our lives though diet and excercise.

'Biohacking' has recently captured the minds of people - but are there really practical 'silver bullet' solutions that can keep you healthier and livelier for longer?

Naturopath and wellness expert Erin O'Hara says there's no expensive trick to help you look better, live longer or stay healthier, and regular exercise and a healthy diet can boost wellness without the gimmicks.

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Kiwi metal fans can rejoice - as Metallica has confirmed they'll bring their M72 world tour to New Zealand in November 2025.

The band will perform at Auckland's Eden Park, and fans will be able to experience the band in person for the first time since 2010.

Entertainment commentator Chris Schulz says this experience comes with a high price - as tickets are expected to sell for a record-shattering sum.

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If you are going in for surgery soon and are looking for a simple, creative way to recover faster - music might be the key. According to research presented at the 2024 American College of Surgeons (ACS) Clinical Congress, listening to music post-surgery can make a noticeable difference in your recovery.

The researchers analysed 35 studies on the effects of music on surgery patients.

They found that listening to music either through headphones or speakers resulted in:

Lower pain levels: Patients who listened to music reported less pain the day after surgery, with up to a 19% reduction on pain scales. What's interesting is that the researchers couldn't prove that the patients were actually in less pain, but their perception around the amount of pain they were in was reduced.

Reduced anxiety: Music helped lower anxiety levels by about 3%, offering patients much-needed calm during recovery.

Less opioid use: Patients listening to music used less than half the amount of morphine compared to those who didn’t.

Slower heart rate: Music listeners had a reduced heart rate, which aids recovery by promoting better circulation and reducing the risk of complications like abnormal heart rhythms.

The theory is that when patients wake up after surgery, they might feel scared or be unsure about where they are. Music helps to ease this transition after surgery and reduces stress levels in the body.

Unlike more active recovery methods, listening to music requires little effort, making it a perfect option for post-op patients.

So, if you’ve just had surgery, the advice is simple - just play the music you love.

Whether it’s classical, rock, or pop, music could be a comforting and powerful tool to help you heal.

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Cook time: 10 minutes

Prep time: 15 minutes

Serves: 6

10g gelatine powder

¼ cup warm water

¾ cup sugar

¼ cup glucose

¼ cup water

Pinch salt

½ tsp vanilla paste

1 rockmelon, peeled and cut into wedges

Handful mint leaves to garnish

Lime honey syrup

1 tbsp honey

½ tsp vanilla paste

Juice of 2 limes

Line a deep loaf or baking tin with cling film and spray with cooking spray.

Dissolve gelatine in first measure of warm water. Combine sugar, glucose, salt, vanilla and second measure of water in a saucepan. Bring to the boil, reduce heat and cook for 1 minute. Add the dissolved gelatine and mix. Transfer the hot mixture to the bowl of a mixer and beat on high speed (using whisk attachment) for 12 minutes until thick and cool. Pour into prepared tin, smooth and refrigerate until set. Using a hot, wet knife, cut the marshmallow into 3cm x 3cm cubes. Dip the knife into hot water in between each cut.

Thread 2-3 pieces of marshmallow onto each skewer and grill until golden.

To serve, arrange marshmallow skewers and rockmelon wedges on a serving plate. Drizzle with lime syrup and garnish with mint leaves.

Place honey, vanilla and lime juice in a small saucepan and bring to the boil. Simmer for 2 minutes and remove from heat.

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