There are certain things we always seem to reach for when someone in the family is feeling a little under the weather. A warm drink with honey and lemon, a comforting bowl of broth, or that one homemade recipe that’s become a household favourite.
There’s something comforting about these little rituals, especially when they’re made from scratch with simple ingredients you already have at home.
For Annabel, the woman behind Aje Wellness, that familiarity is part of the appeal. A qualified nutritionist, registered nurse and mum living on a cattle property in Central Queensland, Annabel has spent the past decade exploring nutrition and more mindful living.
Her interest began while navigating her own gut health concerns, which led her to see a naturopath and eventually study nutrition herself. Since becoming a mum, she’s become even more conscious of the ingredients and everyday products her family uses.
We spoke with Annabel about the homemade remedies she keeps on hand, the pantry staples she couldn’t do without, and a particularly delicious recipe that’s become part of her evening routine.
We Asked Annabel:
1. What Are Your Go-To Natural Home Remedies or Wellness Rituals When Your Family Is Feeling Run-Down?
One thing I always have in the fridge is a homemade garlic- and turmeric-infused honey made with onion, fresh garlic, turmeric, and black pepper mixed through honey.
I'll have a small spoonful on its own or use it alongside warm lemon and ginger drinks. It's one of those simple things I like having prepared and ready to reach for as soon as I start to feel unwell.
Otherwise, I usually come back to the basics first! Nourishing whole foods, plenty of fluids, rest, fresh air, and getting outside in the sunshine.
I also love having things like bone broth, herbal teas, honey, ginger, and lemon on hand.
2. What Ingredients Do You Always Keep in Your Pantry for Everyday Wellness?
A few things I nearly always have are:
Raw honey: I'll often add it to tea or warm water with lemon and ginger, particularly if someone has a scratchy throat or is feeling a little run-down.
Fresh ginger: I use it in cooking, tea, and cold-pressed juices because I love the warmth and flavour it adds.
Lemons: We use them constantly, whether it's in water, dressings, tea, or cooking.
Good-quality Celtic sea salt: Something I use every day in cooking and often add a pinch to water for mineral replenishment, especially through our hot Queensland summers.
Bone broth concentrates: I like these on hand for an easy, nourishing option when we want something warm and simple. I also add them to lots of meals for extra nourishment.
3. As a Nutritionist and Mum, How Do You Support Your Family's Wellbeing Naturally Without Making It Complicated?
I try to focus on the things we do consistently rather than chasing perfection.
For us, that means prioritising nourishing whole foods, enough protein, good hydration, sleep, getting outdoors, movement, and keeping our home environment as simple as possible.
When it comes to buying organic produce, I also use the 'Dirty Dozen' and 'Clean Fifteen' lists as guides for deciding where to prioritise.
I also try to make changes gradually. I don't believe you need to throw everything in your house out overnight or completely overhaul your lifestyle. I'd rather look at the products and habits we use every single day and make better choices there first.
Since becoming a mum, that approach has become even more important to me because I want healthy living to feel achievable and sustainable for our family, not stressful.
4. What's One Simple Homemade Wellness Recipe You Think Every Household Could Try? And Why Is It One Of Your Favorites?
One of my favourites would have to be my homemade tart cherry sleep gummies. They're really simple to make and have become one of my favourite additions to our evening routine.
I make them using tart cherry juice, coconut cream, a little maple syrup, and gelatin.
Tart cherries naturally contain melatonin and polyphenols, while gelatin provides a source of protein-derived amino acids.
I love them because they’re an easy whole-food-based recipe and they taste delicious.
5. For Someone Wanting To Introduce More Homemade Remedies Or Low-Tox Habits Into Their Home, Where Would You Suggest Starting?
I'd start with the products you use most often. It can feel really overwhelming when you first start looking into low-tox living, so I definitely wouldn't try to change everything at once.
Look at the things your family uses every single day. This often means starting in the kitchen and bathroom with things like cleaning products, laundry products, skincare, cookware, food storage, and everyday household products — and replace them gradually as they run out.
Another thing that I think is important when swapping to a low-tox lifestyle that doesn’t cost any money is doing things like opening your windows, dusting regularly, throwing out any synthetic fragrance products like candles & de-cluttering your home. These simple little things contribute to a low-tox home, and yet they don’t cost anything
Sometimes the Simplest Things Are the Ones We Come Back To
One of our favourite takeaways from Annabel is how much you can do with a handful of everyday ingredients. Honey, ginger, lemons and a few pantry staples can become warming drinks, nourishing meals and homemade treats that the whole family can enjoy.
Her advice is a good reminder that looking after ourselves doesn't always require something new. Sometimes, it's about making better use of what we already have and finding little routines that work for our households.
It's an approach we appreciate at Eco Cheeks, too. Whether it's being more mindful of what goes into our food or choosing everyday essentials like our unbleached bamboo toilet paper, tissues and paper towels, we believe thoughtful choices should fit naturally into daily life.
About Annabel
Annabel is a qualified nutritionist, registered nurse and the woman behind Aje Wellness. Based in Central Queensland, she shares nourishing homemade recipes, practical low-tox swaps and everyday family life through her perspective as a mum.
With a passion for cooking from scratch and using simple, wholesome ingredients, Annabel hopes to make healthy eating and more mindful living feel achievable for everyone, especially busy mums and families.
Her philosophy is centred around whole foods, simple ingredients, mindful household choices and making gradual changes that work for real life.
Connect with Annabel:
Website: Aje Wellness
Instagram: @annabel.jane.wellness
