by | | Curated Content
May 1st 2025
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WellBeing Magazine
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Alfred Abbatangelo of Classica International shares the story behind the brand, its commitment to sustainability, and what sets Classica’s organic products apart. A behind-the-scenes look at quality, innovation, and purpose-driven production.
How did the Classica brand come to life, and what inspired its unique identity?
The word Classica is tied to the concept of quality and excellence, and it has historically been used to describe something of established or superior standards. The term “Classica” carries a sense of timelessness, refinement, and premium quality, which aligns with the concept of organic and ancient grains like spelt.
Spelt is often regarded as a classic, original alternative to modern wheat varieties, so the name “Classica” fits perfectly for our brand that’s focused on organic, wholesome products.
The use of the word “Classica” by Classica International for their spelt products draws from the Latin word “classicus”, which suggests something of superior quality or belonging to the best class. We aim to position our products as premium, high-quality, and rooted in tradition. It aligns with the growing consumer demand for organic, natural, and historically significant foods.
If someone’s never tried Classica before, which product should they start with—and why?
Start with Classica Spelt Milk. It’s an ideal introduction to the brand.
We started importing Organic Spelt Milk from Italy in 2010 and remain the only company wholesaling it throughout Australia. Now it will be made in Melbourne and exported throughout the world as it ticks all the boxes:
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High-Quality Ingredients:
Classica Spelt Milk is made from organic spelt, an ancient grain known for its rich nutritional profile. It’s free from seed oils, stabilizers, emulsifiers, fortification, or added sweeteners, making it a pure and natural choice.
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Made Locally in Melbourne, Australia:
Our local production in Melbourne and use of amber glass bottles reflect our commitment to sustainability and environmental care.
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Vegan and Diabetic-Friendly:
With a low glycemic index and no animal products, it suits both diabetic and vegan lifestyles.
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Rich in Natural Nutrients:
Loaded with B vitamins, protein, fiber, iron, and magnesium, it’s a clean, nutrient-rich alternative to other milks.
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Versatile and Delicious:
Whether in coffee, smoothies, baking, or on its own—Classica Spelt Milk blends seamlessly into everyday life.
What has been one of the most defining milestones for Classica so far?
The major highlight of the Classica brand journey to date is the branding and launch of Classica Spelt Milk in an amber glass bottle, which has set a new premium standard in the market.
This innovation is not only about introducing the first-ever spelt milk in such packaging but also about denouncing the use of Tetra Pak and other less eco-friendly packaging options.
Why this matters:
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Innovative Packaging: Amber glass protects product quality and is fully recyclable.
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Sustainability First: We’ve made a bold commitment to minimizing waste and avoiding multi-layered packaging that harms the planet.
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Pioneering the Spelt Milk Trend: We were first to launch spelt milk in such eco-friendly, premium packaging.
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Elevating the Brand: This move reinforces our commitment to purity, innovation, and premium presentation.
Where can customers find Classica products?
Classica products will be available at Woolworths Supermarkets, selected IGA Supermarkets, good health food stores, Queen Victoria Market, South Melbourne Market, Prahran Market, and Leo’s Fine Food and Wine in Heidelberg and Kew.
Beyond your products, what values and principles define Classica as a brand?
If there’s one thing we’d love readers to know about Classica, it’s that our core mission goes far beyond just providing high-quality products. We are committed to creating a holistic food experience that aligns with both health-conscious choices and environmental responsibility.
What sets us apart:
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A Commitment to Purity:
All of our products are free from harmful additives—clean, simple, and natural.
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Sustainability at Our Core:
From our amber glass packaging to local production, we’re focused on reducing our environmental footprint.
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Supporting Local Communities:
We proudly collaborate with Australian farmers and producers, ensuring freshness while supporting the local economy.
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Innovation Meets Tradition:
Our spelt products bring together ancient grains and modern wellness, offering a healthier alternative rooted in history.
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Accessible Wellness:
We make nourishing, organic options that are inclusive for all—vegan, diabetic, or simply health-conscious.
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A Brand Built on Integrity:
Transparency, honesty, and ethical practices guide every step of our journey.
At Classica International, we are more than just a brand. We are a movement towards healthier living, sustainable practices, and greater environmental consciousness. We believe that every little choice matters, and by choosing organic, sustainably packaged, and nutrient-rich products, our customers are taking a step towards a healthier planet and a healthier you.
To learn more about Classica’s range of premium organic products or to get in touch, visit www.classica.net.au or call +61 3 9077 2422.
The post Q&A with Alfred Abbatangelo, Classica International appeared first on WellBeing Magazine.
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Q&A with Alfred Abbatangelo, Classica International
by | | Curated Content
May 1st 2025
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WellBeing Magazine
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Near the centre of the 5000-year-old stone circle known as Stonehenge is a six-tonne stone known as the “altar stone”. It was believed to have been transported from Wales to its current resting place on Salisbury Plain in southern England.
Stonehenge features two types of rocks, the larger sarsens and the smaller bluestones. The sarsens are sandstone slabs found naturally in southern England and weigh 20 tonnes on average. The bluestones are smaller and made of sandstone mixed with volcanic material. They are called bluestones because they look blue-grey when wet or freshly broken.
The largest of the bluestones is the altar stone and it weighs six tonnes and is 5m long. It is thought that the altar stone was installed in the second phase of the construction of Stonehenge, sometime between 2620 BCE and 2480 BCE. At the winter solstice, the setting sun would have shone between the largest of the trilithons (two upright stones capped by a horizontal lintel) and onto the altar stone. It was a significant part of the Stonehenge set up and for years it was thought to have come from Wales. This alone is an impressive enough feat of Stone Age engineering and transport, but new research has thrown new light on the altar stone.
Analysis of mineral grains in two microscopic fragments of the altar stone found that the stone’s source was the Orcadian Basin in northeast Scotland in the area of modern-day Inverness, the
Orkneys and Shetland. This means that to reach Salisbury, the altar stone would have needed to travel at least 745km by land or 1000km by sea.
Transporting the altar stone by land meant taking the six-tonne rock across rivers, around mountains and through dense forests. The sea route would mean putting the stone on a Stone Age boat and navigating the often-treacherous coastal waters.
We know that the altar stone made this heroic journey, but how and why remains a mystery.
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The impossible journey of an ancient stone
by | | Curated Content
May 1st 2025
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WellBeing Magazine
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When I turned 47 in 2019, just before Covid, I was a confident writer, artist and corporate climber with two daughters fresh out of college and a hard-working husband. By most definitions, I was living a happy, fulfilling, successful life. Outside, I was smiling and enjoying my life. Inside, I had become a bundle of nervous energy, fearful of things that I usually would not give a second thought. I didn’t recognise this sick, paranoid woman at all.
After a little more research and a chat with a woman at my favourite health-food store, I finally discovered a condition that stuck — health anxiety. Particularly for women my age, health anxiety is an actual, debilitating condition that can go untreated for far too long. Fortunately, with increased awareness of mind-body health, a greater understanding of complementary and alternative medicines and the popularity of self-care, we have new options for discovering and managing health anxiety.
The symptoms
I first noticed my anxiety as I was preparing for a trip home to visit my family, something I always looked forward to. For some reason, I didn’t feel the joy. Instead, I was nervous, anxious and filled with dread. I didn’t know where these feelings were coming from or why I was having an adverse reaction to a positive thing. I went on the trip and enjoyed myself but returned home still disturbed by my thoughts and feelings.
Shortly after returning home, I found myself acutely aware of any physical pain or sensation. If my back hurt, I wondered if I had sciatica; an upset stomach found me Googling the symptoms of gastrointestinal disease or pancreatitis; and tender breasts during ovulation sent me spiralling into breast cancer panic. The internet only increased my fears by connecting my symptoms to the scariest illnesses. Just one year before, I would have visited my doctor for an exam. But my new talent for catastrophising led to a new level of anxiety — fear of doctors. I was trapped in a spiral of thinking I was sick while being too afraid to do anything about it.
Learning begins
One day, I walked into the health-food store in my neighborhood. I bumped into the woman who managed the herbal remedies and she asked me how I was. I shared my experience and was sure she would tell me to see my doctor. Instead, she asked me my age. When I told her I was 48, she smiled and said “Oh, honey, you’re going into menopause.” It shook me to my core.
For the next few weeks, I replaced my disease and illness research with research on perimenopause and anxiety. Armed with new information, I felt strong enough to face my fear and visit the doctor. The first doctor was not a gynaecologist, but a therapist. I needed someone to hear my concerns and help me understand the mind-body aspects of perimenopause. Together, we discovered my triggers and connected them with the physical changes I was experiencing. I started to understand how fear was preventing me from using my built-in tools for reason, logic and problem-solving.
Knowledge into action
Now, five years into my perimenopause journey, I’ve made some major changes that are working for me. I opted not to use hormone therapy. I made an informed decision for myself and understand it is a viable option for women who decide to use it. Here are a few highlights from my anxiety management practice:
- Choosing a gynaecologist with a strong reputation for her communication style and patience.
- Eating a diet rich in plants, flaxseed and chia seeds, which mimic oestrogen in the body.
- Walking for 30–45 minutes daily to drive down my cortisol stress hormone and improve my mood.
- Using five-minute breathing exercises or my meditation app whenever I feel anxiety creeping up.
- Spending time in nature to release calm, joyful endorphins and increase vitamin D for bone health.
- Strength training to keep muscle mass and bone density high.
- Finding community with other women on the peri
journey and with others managing health anxiety. I have learned that no single thing will quiet my anxiety or stop my physical symptoms. I now understand how the mind and body can work together to result in overall wellness.
While perimenopause is one of the significant causes of health anxiety in women, it is far from the only cause. Women and men can experience hormonal changes, life changes and environmental stress that are all capable of triggering anxiety. When thoughts, feelings and emotions all change in unsettling ways, anxiety is worth considering. The most important thing I did for myself was seek help and not allow myself to live in shame. Turning to loved ones, my doctor and a smart lady at a health-food store got me on the road to getting my power back.
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Uncovering health anxiety
by | | Curated Content
May 1st 2025
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WellBeing Magazine
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In 2008, researchers from The University of New Mexico announced the discovery of a new species of chameleon. This new species is remarkable because every year it takes a huge evolutionary risk in order to survive.
There are more than 28,000 species of tetrapods (four-limbed vertebrates) on this planet, and nearly all of them are perennial (living multiple years). Labord’s chameleon (species name Furcifer labordi) is different.
Labord’s chameleon was discovered in the lowlands of south-western Madagascar, where there is a fierce dry season that lasts from April to October. To survive this harsh season in an arid environment, this particular chameleon has decided that the best thing they can do is die.
All Labord’s chameleon eggs hatch at the same time, in November just as the wet season begins. The hatchlings grow rapidly and reach adulthood by January. Between late January and March, mating occurs and females lay eggs in clutches of about 11. Males compete heavily for mating rights and then will guard their female, often not eating for days as they do. Females put all their energy into their eggs to help them survive the long April to October drought. By May, all of the adults are spent and after a short six-month life outside the egg, they die.
This means that for months, between May and October, the entire species is functionally extinct, existing only in egg form. If something happened to damage those eggs, the Labord’s chameleon would disappear as a species. It is an extraordinary evolutionary gamble for a species to embrace virtual extinction to survive, but for Labord’s chameleon, it has worked … so far.
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An evolutionary gamble
by | | Curated Content
May 1st 2025
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WellBeing Magazine
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Dengue fever is a serious (potentially life-threatening) viral, mosquito-borne illness that medicine today has little to offer for treatment, apart from symptom relief. There is a vaccine but, due to its potential side effects and toxicity, there is a list of clinical criteria (in Australia) that must be complied with, before it is considered.
It was of interest that a healthy and fit 51-year-old woman consulted me before visiting dengue-endemic Southeast Asia (40 per cent of the population was infected at the time) for a preventive program against the virus. Her lack of prior infection was an advantage.
Dengue fever is spread by the Aedes aegypti mosquitoes — a known vector of several viruses including Zika, Chikungunya and yellow fever, as well as dengue fever. Dengue fever is not contagious by human-to-human contact, as its transmission is reliant on the mosquito vector.
As such, we discussed various aspects of prevention initially with a focus on reducing the risk of being bitten. These mosquitoes thrive in densely populated areas lacking reliable water, waste management and sanitation. They inhabit human buildings as these are protected and provide a major food source — humans. They are attracted by the chemical scents secreted by the human body. They also like stagnant water to breed in and are active during the day, as well as at dawn and dusk.
Personal protective measures are therefore critical. Wearing loose, light-coloured clothing that covers the whole body — reducing skin exposure — and utilising an effective mosquito repellent is important. Lemon eucalyptus spray is less toxic to the person than pharmaceutical repellents containing the chemical DEET (research indicates it is generally as effective). Spraying clothing is also effective. A non-toxic mosquito-repellent bracelet was also suggested.
Research shows daily use of coconut oil as a moisturiser may help deter Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, as it masks the human scent. Essential oils mixed in coconut oil for dilution can be used topically, research recommending neem, clove and lemongrass as being the most effective. Burning these oils in rooms along with citronella may also help.
Indoors should be mosquito-proof. Using a mosquito net preferably also sprayed with a repellent (lemon eucalyptus) was suggested. She could also purchase insecticide-treated mosquito nets. Well-screened and air-conditioned rooms are safer.
Thiamine (vitamin B1) is an old remedy to prevent being bitten by mosquitoes (and other insects).
Research suggests that it changes the human scent to one that repels mosquitoes. The standard dose is 100mg of B1 along with a high-dose activated multi-B vitamin — to be taken daily for a few days before leaving and every day while away (which was about a month in this patient’s case).
Certain foods are known to help prevent viral damage and to increase platelets (the dengue virus can cause hemorrhagic (severe bleeding) conditions and can trigger a sudden drop in blood pressure by significantly lowering platelet and white cell counts). Foods that will help increase platelets are (primarily) papaya leaf — which is more effective as a juice rather than the fruit — pomegranate, beetroot, spinach, aloe vera juice, vitamin C-rich foods (citrus, kiwi fruit, capsicums) and fenugreek seeds (as tea) consumed daily. Curries containing turmeric and fenugreek were recommended. Ensuring she was well hydrated and drinking filtered or fresh coconut water was also essential.
Glucosamine and chondroitin sulphate were recommended as these have been shown to reduce vital entry into the cells. These supplements are also taken to reduce inflammation of arthritis, so they have multiple applications. Quercetin also reduces the inflammation associated with the dengue virus, and zinc and vitamin C are important antivirals.
There is also some interesting research on several herbal medicines that strengthen various pathways that reduce the risk of dengue fever infection. They work by inhibiting viral entry by blocking receptors, inhibiting viral maturation, reducing the inflammatory response to the virus, maintaining platelet levels and blood profiles and supporting the immune system and liver.
A herbal mixture was therefore prescribed (from this research) that included baical skullcap, cats claw, houttynia, eurphorbia, holy basil, schisandra and pawpaw leaf extracts, to be taken three times a day. A herbal tablet with andrographis and olive leaf was
also prescribed. It was also suggested she maintain this program for three weeks after arriving home (it can take two to three weeks to manifest symptoms of dengue fever after being infected).
Although the program seemed extensive, she was pleased with it, recognising the significant risk and need for thorough precautions. Several weeks later, she rang with good news and was impressed. Despite usually being a mosquito magnet, she received only three bites (treated with clove oil) while others nearby were heavily bitten. She also felt extremely well, with no health issues since starting the program, deeming it a great success.
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A traveller’s guide to dengue fever
