All kids love critters. What is a critter? The word comes from 'creature' and can refer to any living thing, including insects and other creepy crawlies.

Critters also include parasites, worms, fungi, moulds, flukes, viruses or bacteria that are lurking inside your body. How many of those do you and your kids have?

Probably more than you'd really care to know about.

What science today knows

Hundreds of millions of people may be infected with intestinal parasites. Some critters can live up to 25 years in the body, and under the microscope, they may be up to 10 meters long! Tape worms have a quarter of a million eggs, that can break open into the body.

Parasites can affect our entire system – eyes, digestive system, reproductive system, brain, sinus cavity, liver, muscle tissue, lymph glands, bones and more.

Many tumors when removed have been found to contain parasitic material. Tumors are thought to be the body's way of trapping worms and worm food (plaque) in order to keep us alive.

Our bowel, for instance, hosts over a kilo of up to 400 species of bacteria and other organisms to help break down food to absorb nutrients and eliminate waste.

If you are not flushing away all your waste every day or your guts are clogged, it will be harder for your system to get rid of the unhelpful critters.

These critters can contribute to seriously ill health and disease, including poor eyesight, tumours and cancer. If your child has eyesight problems you might want to check for parasites as a first pre-cautionary step. Worms are potentially deadly.

Nothing to fear?

Most critters get into our systems via our food, but they can also be due to contact with infected excrement.

While we might not be able to avoid critter contact, we can invite them to leave quickly and easily. How? By keeping your body healthy and clean.

The answer is not to smother your house and body with '99% germ killing' potions, which may contain potentially harmful chemicals which may both weaken your immune system and build up in your liver and feed the critters.

Maintaining good health and a clean body is the best approach. Here is a list of simple steps:

• Stay healthy and strengthen your immune system by eating whole, uncooked organic foods, supplementing as required, and getting plenty of exercise and rest
  
  
• Drink plenty of water throughout the day
  
  
• Avoid processed food and eliminate excess sugar (parasites love sugar)
  
  
• Remove all sources of potentially harmful chemicals in your body and house, including in personal care, beauty, and cleaning products
  
  
• Remove rubbish from your house and office
  
  
• Wash sheets, towels and clothes regularly
  
  
• De-worm your pets
  
  
• Practice good hygiene around animals, handling rubbish, and after using the toilet - wash your hands even just with water!
  

A healthy body will remove parasites naturally over time.

If you have a serious metabolic condition, like cancer, asthma, you might consider a faster approach using a one of the many available parasite purging remedies. Ingredients often include black walnut, clove, ginger root, anise seed, peppermint, fennel

As always, ask questions, be aware and choose what works for your body. Bodies are amazing things and usually drive themselves without any interference from our high brains.

So my invitation to you is not to put your higher 'educated' brain into overdrive with worry or concern. Rather, to ask your body what it might need to feel even better, and take if from there?

This article is for information and you should seek the advice of a health professional if you suffer from particular conditions. When you do, remember you can ask for additional information. Need a hand asking questions? Start here...

Or if you really want to know more fascinating things about critters, read on here...

***

Mary-Jane Liddicoat is an ex-diplomat now looking at ways to create more ease, joy, prosperity and abundance in her communities. For more information visit www.conscious-living.asia and www.healthyhomes.asia. Mary-Jane lives between Seoul, Korea and New South Wales, Australia, with her Korean sculptor husband and their three children aged eight, six and two.

As an Australian, I grew up being told to slip (on a shirt), slop (on sunscreen), slap (on a hat) and stay out of the sun to avoid skin cancer. They almost got it right.

In June, the Washington-based non-profit Environmental Working Group's published it's findings on the 'best sunscreen', which was: a hat and shirt. So what about sunscreen?

Australians have been slip, slop, slapping for decades. But did you know the incidence of skin cancer in Australia skyrocketed from the point when people began decreasing their sun exposure this way?

It seems that not only have we been denying our bodies the very thing they need to stay healthy (vitamin D), we have been absorbing highly toxic chemicals directly through our skin all summer long.

What Vitamin D can do for you

We all know we can get vitamin D from the sun and that lack of vitamin D causes rickets. In 2009, a study by a group of Leeds University researchers found that higher levels of Vitamin D were linked to improved skin cancer survival odds.

Here's what the Vitamin D Council says: "Current research has implicated Vitamin D deficiency as a major factor in the pathology of at least 17 varieties of cancer, as well as heart disease, stroke, hypertension, autoimmune diseases, diabetes, depression, chronic pain, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, muscle weakness, muscle wasting, birth defects, periodontal disease and more."

Sun-dosing

The recommended daily allowance for vitamin D is set at 200-400 international units a day (IU) -- thought to be the level above which overt cases of the classic vitamin D deficiency disease rickets will not be observed - however, you actually need around 4,000 IU/day just to maintain the vitamin D levels you already have.

The easiest, most effective, and cheapest way of getting the Vitamin D you need is from the sun. How much do you need? That depends on the colour of your skin.

If you lay naked in the park in June in Britain for half an hour between 11am and 2pm, scientists say you could generate around 20,000 IU of vitamin D. Of course, the mitigating factors are skin pigmentation, where you are on the planet, cloud cover, pollution, speed at which the police came to arrest you...

Don't wash it off!

And did you know that it takes around 48 hours for vitamin D to penetrate the skin? By this time, most of us have probably washed it off.

Being oil-soluble, vitamin D is broken down by soap and washed away in your shower. To avoid this happening after adequate sun exposure (enough for fair-skinned types to turn pinkish), wash off the skin with water only, using soap only under arms, feet and other particularly whiffy bits.

If you were a cat, you'd lick it off...

Trying to get sun exposure behind glass won't work since the vitamin-D-making UVB wavelength is disrupted. UVA gets through, but that's not what you need.

Sun-screens

Today most people are aware that for years personal care products have contained harmful chemicals. Sunscreens have their own particular pitfalls with many of the commonly used ingredients becoming highly toxic when exposed to the sun.

The US Food and Drug Administration has known about the dangers of vitamin A in sunscreens for ten years: "Retinyl palmitate was selected by (FDA's) Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition for photo-toxicity and photocarcinogenicity testing based on the increasingly widespread use of this compound in cosmetic retail products for use on sun-exposed skin." (October 2000 report by the National Toxicology Program).

And yet this ingredient is still allowed in sunscreens and other personal care products.

Other chemicals used as filtering agents are also highly toxic. Avoid sunscreens containing oxybenzone, para-amino benzoic acid (PABA), octyl salicyclate, avobenzone, cinoxate, padimate O, dioxybenzone, phenylbenzimidazole, homosalate, sulisobenzone, menthyl anthranilate, trolamine salicyclate, and octocrylene, just to name a few.

Take this list with you when you go shopping. You can also download a free list of common chemicals to avoid from www.healthyhomes.asia (available in English, Korean, Japanese and simplified and traditional Chinese).

And don't just trust a 'brand name'. Different countries have different regulatory standards. So even if you buy a trusted brand in country X, the ingredients may not be the same as in the product you buy in country Y. So double check the label.

What do I do?

These days, I spend December to March in Australia, and the rest of the year in Korea. So I am spending most of my time in summer. I wear a hat, shirt and use a trusted sunscreen bought in Australia (and mailed to myself in Korea when necessary).

I have lived in Korea for 11 years and have always self imported all my own personal care products and supplements. Why? Because it's easy to do and gives me peace of mind.

The short story for summer fun and sun

• Don't burn and avoid baking in the sun at midday, especially in the first few days of sun exposure
  
  
• Be aware of how much sun your body needs to absorb the required amount of vitamin D (ask your doctor for a Vitamin D test to check your levels, see below)
  
  
• Once you have received your required dose of sun, cover up with clothing and a hat, stay in the shade
  
  
• Eat a diet of fresh, raw, unprocessed, organic foods, which are full of natural antioxidants which will help counter damage from exposure to ultraviolet radiation and maintain a healthy balance of omega 6 and omega 3 oils in your skin, the first line of defence against sunburn.
  
  
• Avoid processed foods which will load your cells with damaged, oxidized fats, which will not give your skin the proper fat protection it needs at a cellular level.
  
  
• Avoid using sunscreen unless you must be out in the sun long enough to burn
  
  
• Check the ingredients listed on the back of all your personal care products, including sunscreen, and avoid the potentially harmful ones.
  
  
• If you choose to use a sunscreen, use a product that protects against both UVA and UVB, and
  
  
• Choose the safest sunscreen available...

The safest sunscreen?

Right now, it appears the short answer is zinc or titanium mineral products (make sure it doesn't contain nano particles, which are still being studied).

Other safe sunscreen ingredients that will nourish your skin include: coconut oil, jojoba oil, sunflower oil, shea butter, vitamins D and E and eucalyptus oil.

And check out the extensive product listing at www.ewg.org.

A new internal sunscreen

Also take a look at astaxanthin, which is becoming known as a 'supernutrient' and is now the focus of a large and growing number of peer-reviewed scientific studies. In 2002, the Journal of Dermatological Science published a study finding astaxanthin is able to protect against alterations in human DNA induced by UVA light exposure.

It's produced from marine algae in response to exposure to UV light. This is the way the algae protects itself, so it makes sense that this deeply pigmented substance would have the capacity to 'shield' you when it is taken in large enough quantities for a long enough time to saturate your body's tissues. Typically this is several weeks.

One of the benefits of astaxanthin that has caught the attention of researchers is its ability to reduce signs of aging, by helping protect skin from sun damage. I'll be looking into this more for sure!

It's summer, have fun!

What if you could read this article without fear or concern? It's summer - enjoy! Stress, worry and fear, after all, can be just as toxic as some sunscreens...

So simply: get enough sun for Vitamin D, and don't burn or slap on toxins. Easy?

Further reading

• article Best Beach and Sport Sunscreens, Environmental Working Group, June 2011
  
  
• article The Bottom Line on Sunscreens - Which Sunscreens are the Safest? Dr Mercola, 6 June 2011 www.mercola.com
  
  
• article Scientists reverse stance on sun and cancer: now they admit sunlight can prevent skin cancer, 27 May 2011, www.NaturalNews.com
  
  
• article How Supermodel Gisele Bundchen "Infuriated Cancer Experts, April 2011 www.mercola.com
  
  
• The Vitamin D council - www.vitamindcouncil.org
  
  
• The Essential Guide to Vitamin D by Phillip Day (includes details of how to ask your doctor for a Vitamin D test and what to look for in the results that the doctor might not tell you)
  
  
• Interview with leading Vitamin D expert Dr Michael F Holick, MD, PhD www.doctoryourself.com/holick.html
  
  
• Dr Joseph Mercola, www.mercola.com

***

Mary-Jane Liddicoat is an ex-diplomat now looking at what different choices we might be making to help create more fun and wellbeing in our communities. For more information visit www.conscious-living.asia. Mary-Jane lives between Seoul, Korea and Wollongong, Australia, with her Korean sculptor husband and their three children, aged seven, five and two.

This is your new blog post. Click here and start typing, or drag in elements from the top bar.

서울 vs SEOUL … 메리제인 리디코트(Mary Liddicoat)

이번 주 [서울 vs Seoul]에서는 2000년 한국 내 호주 대사관으로 부임하면서 한국과 사랑에 빠져 서울 북촌 한옥마을에 정착하여 행복한 가정을 꾸려가고 있는 Mary Liddicoat씨를 만났다. 누구보다 변화와 자유, 그리고 자연스러운 삶을 사랑하며 자신만의 독창적인 방식으로 인생을 즐겁게 개척해가고 있는 그녀. 인터뷰를 마치며 서울 시민들에게 감사의 메시지를 적어달라고 하자, 자신은 이미 서울 시민이기 때문에 서울 시민의 한 사람으로서 메시지를 써도 되는지를 되묻는 그녀야말로 서울 사람들보다 서울을 더 사랑하는, 진정한 서울인이었다.

1. 서울에는 언제 왔고 어떤 계기로 오게 되었나요?

제가 호주 대사로 서울에 발령받는 행운을 갖지 않았겠어요? 그때가 2000년 8월이었어요. 1987년에 관광객으로 서울에 방문해 본 적이 있었기 때문에 2000년에 제가 발견한 것들은 매우 놀라운 것이었어요.

2. 그간 서울에서 무엇을 했나요?

서울에 발령받은 첫 해에는 미국무성의 외국인학원에서 한국어를 공부했지요. 그 후, 2001년부터 2004년까지 호주 대사관에서 정무 1등 서기관으로 근무하며 한국의 국내 정치상황에 대한 이해와 보고 등을 담당했죠. 그때가 노무현 정권 당시였는데, 군비 축소라든가 인권 그리고 환경 등을 포함한 여러 국제적인 업무들도 다루었지요. 그러던 중 2005년 1년 동안 호주에 돌아갔다가 다시 호주대사관의 상담교육 부문의 대표가 되어 한국에 돌아오게 되었어요.

3. 서울과 호주의 수도는 무엇이 다르고 무엇이 비슷한가요?

호주의 수도, 캔버라는 인근에 수많은 그린벨트를 지닌 매우 푸른 녹색도시예요. 이 점이 서울과 비슷하지요. 전 한때, 1980년대와 1990년대에 도쿄에서 살았고, 1990년대 중후반에는 중동의 카이로와 다마스커스에서 살았던 적이 있는데요. 그러다가 2000년 서울에 왔을 때 얼마나 도시가 푸르던지 깜짝 놀랐어요! 서울은 정말 잘 가꿔진 비밀정원같았어요. 진짜 그랬어요.

4. 당신이 생각하는 서울 사람의 특징은 무엇인가? 당신 나라 사람과의 차이는 무엇일까요?

전 새로운 사람, 정확하게 말해 제가 개인적으로 한번도 만나본 적이 없는 사람을 만나는 걸 즐기거든요. 한국인이냐 한국인이 아니냐라는 선입견에 갇혀 엄청난 결론을 만들어버리는 대신, 개인적으로 그 사람에 대해 알아나가는 것을 더 즐기는 거죠. 전 오히려 좀더 많이 배우고 대화하는 것에 더 흥미가 있어요. 그래서 어디에서나 다양한 형태와 규모의 매우 흥미로운 사람들을 만났죠. 제게는 서울 사람인지, 외국인인지 하는 것은 큰 차이가 없어요.

5. 아무리 서울이 좋다 해도 혹시 서울을 떠나고 싶은 생각이 드는 때는 없었나요? 있다면 왜 그런가요?

사실 전 언제나 변화를 즐기는 편이에요. 그래서 언제나 떠나는 것 같은 기분을 느끼며 살죠. 또 한편으로는, 호주에 있을 때면 (해마다 크리스마스 무렵 몇 개월씩 호주에 가있곤 하는데요) 언제나 서울로 돌아오고 싶은 마음이 들어요. 정말이지 변화는 사람을 상쾌하게 만드는 것 같아요. 휴식 없이 반복되는 일상생활은 창의성과 기쁨을 없애버리죠. 이게 왜 휴식을, 특히 오랜 휴가를 갖거나 여행을 통한 휴식을 취하는 게 얼마나 중요한가 하는 것에 대한 이유가 되죠. 한국의 직장인들 입장에서 보자면 말도 안 되는 생각이겠지만……수많은 연구들이 푹 쉬고 일상으로부터 휴식을 취했을 때 사람들이 더 능률적이고 창의적일 수 있다는 걸 보여주잖아요. 당신이 제게 거의 변화 중독자라고 말할지도 모르겠지만, 행운인 건 제게 그런 변화가 계속 주어졌다는 거죠.

6. 모국에서 친구가 다음 달에 서울에 온다면 꼭 데리고 가고 싶은 곳 세 곳과 그 이유를 꼽는다면 무엇일까요?

당연히 맨 먼저 북촌이나 인사동을 가야죠. 제가 저의 웹사이트 www.hanokgirl.net에 서 말한 것처럼, 한국의 모든 관광은 여기에서 출발해야 해요. 그리고 맑은 날 남산에 가야죠, 서울 도심 전체의 진면목을 한눈에 볼 수 있으니까요. 마지막으로 남대문 시장에도 꼭 가봐야 하구요. 복잡하고 붐비는 시장 전체를 거닐고 다니는 것은 정말 재미있거든요. 그리고 남대문 시장에 가면 서울 에너지의 진정한 감각을 제공해주고 당신이 필요한 기념품이 뭐든지 구할 수 있고 말이지요.

7. 당신이 북촌마을에 살게된 계기가 궁금한데요?

그것은 분명히 이 마법 같은 곳에 대해 제게 처음 말해준 제 아버지 때문이었어요. 2006년 호주 대사관에 두 번째 발령을 받아 돌아왔을 때 화가인 아버지께서는 그가 실제로 그렸던 이 북촌 지역에서 집을 찾아보도록 권유하셨죠. 제 아버진 정말 지혜로운 분 인 것 같아요.

8. 전통 한옥의 매력은 한마디로 무엇일까요?

한옥의 매력은 한마디로 그게 흙으로부터 나왔다는 것이죠. 한옥은 제게 삶이 얼마나 단순하고, 자연스럽고, 실용적이며, 미학적으로 즐거운 것인지를 상기시켜 줘요.

9. 외국인으로서 한국의 전통마을에서 살아가는 것이 힘들지 않나요?

전혀 그렇지 않아요. 만약 당신이 한옥에 사는 게 어렵지 않냐고 제게 묻는다면, 그건 어떤 한옥에 사느냐에 따라 다를 거예요. 전 매우 편하게 개조된 몇몇 한옥에서 살아본 적이 있는데, 그 곳에 산다는 것은 정말 큰 즐거움이었답니다. 지금 전 그냥 오래된 서양스타일의 집에서 살고 있긴 하지만요.
사 실 북촌 한옥마을에서 사는 건 아주 편해요. 집 근처에서 유기농 재료들을 살 수 있고, 가까운 곳의 수많은 레스토랑과 카페에서 건강식을 먹고 마실 수 있죠. 푸른 산들에 둘러싸여 있고, 정독 도서관이나 삼청동처럼 대중적인 정원들이 많은 곳에 쉽게 갈 수 있죠. 제가 가고 싶은 곳이 어디든지 걷거나, 대중 교통을 타고 갈 수 있죠. 그 중 단연 최고는 북촌에 사는 한 제가 인기 있고, 예술적이고 그리고 깨끗한 분위기와 상쾌한 공기를 즐길 수 있다는 것이죠. 전 건축물 때문에 여기에 사는 게 아니라 이곳의 에너지 때문에 사는 셈이에요.

10. 당신은 사람들이 북촌마을에 왔을 때 무엇을 느끼기를 바라나요?

많은 사람들이 북촌을 방문하고 나면 여기에 살고 싶어하죠. 몇몇 사람들은 실제로 이리 이사도 오구요. 그러나 수많은 사람들이 그렇게 하는 건 가능하지 않잖아요. 그렇지만 만약 그들의 이웃과 지역에 북촌의 에너지를 복사한다면 어떨까요? 다시 한번 말씀 드리지만, 전 단지 아름다운 건물들 때문에 북촌이 특별하다고 하는 게 아니거든요. 만약 서울 전체가 북촌처럼 이런 에너지를 갖는다면(모두 한옥마을을 만들자는 말이 아니라, 전 서울이 이런 에너지를 갖는다면….) 정말 서울이 얼마나 멋진 도시가 될까요?

11. 북촌 한옥마을 가꾸기에 대한 당신의 의견은 무엇인가요?

북촌 한옥마을을 오랫동안 잘 유지시키기 위해서는 서울시가 기본 보호 법률을 잘 고려하면서 이와 잘 일치되게 도시 개발을 조화롭게 하는 것을 보장하는 법을 강화하고 제정할 필요가 있다고 봐요. 세계적으로 그런 성공 사례들은 많이 있어요. 전 특별히 북촌처럼 오래된 전통적 센터로 기능하는 영국의 오래된 도시들(차들이 차단된 도심)을 좋아하는데요. 그들은 오직 오전 5시부터 7시 사이에 트럭이나 차로 배달하는 것만 허용하거든요. 나머지 시간은 그 지역에 차들이 완전히 하나도 없죠. 이 법안 덕분에 그 지역의 오래된 건물들을 공해와 스트레스로부터 지켜지고 또한 보행자들도 건강하고 안전하게 다닐 수 있답니다. 제가 제 웹사이트 www.hanokgirl.net에 서 방문자들에게 북촌을 방문할 때 차를 집에 두고 오라고 하는 것도 바로 이 때문이에요.

12. 유기농과 재활용 등 웰빙 분야에도 관심이 많은 것 같은데, 이 같은 본인의 관심사에 대해 이야기해주시겠어요?

지난 10년 동안, 전 여기에서 가족을 이루었답니다. 우리 가족은 남편과 7살 난 아들 샘, 5살 된 딸 로미, 그리고 1.5살 된 리아예요. 서울에 살면서, 제가 아무리 한국어를 읽을 수 있다고 해도 유기농 식품, 무농약 음식, 제가 원하는 가정에서 제조된 화장품들을 사는 것에는 어려움을 겪었어요. 실제로 한국말을 할 줄 몰라서 이곳에 거주하면서도 유기농 제품을 찾지 못하는 국제인들이 많아서, 오스트레일리아 공사 업무에서 은퇴하면서 한국과 아시아 지역에서 사람들이 지역 생산물들, 가게들, 음식점들로부터 자신들이 원하는 건강하고 안전한 삶을 쉽게 얻을 수 있도록 하기 위해 www.healthyhomes.asia를 런칭했어요.

사 실 이러한 웰빙과 관련된 활동들 대부분은 이미 개인적인 차원에서 이루어졌다고 봐요. 한국사람들은 전통적으로 자원을 낭비하는 것을 꺼려하잖아요. 제가 방문한 서울의 대부분 목욕탕들에는 ‘물을 낭비하지 맙시다!’라고 써 붙어져 있었거든요. 그런 의미에서 한국 전체가 아시아의 유기농 식품의 본산이 되면 어떨까요? 그렇게 되면 한국의 건강과 부에 큰 영향을 줄 수 있을 거예요. 그게 제가 열렬히 꿈꾸는 거죠.

13. 마지막으로 당신의 가장 큰 소망은 무엇인가요?

매일 아침 ‘내가 오늘 할 수 있는 야심차고 대단히 즐거운 모험은 무엇일까?’하고 물으면서 일어나는 걸 기억하는 게 아닐까 싶어요. 때때로 전 어떤 일의 의미와 계획의 중요성에 사로잡힌 나머지 우리 친구들과 가족들과 함께 누려야 할 매일의 단순한 즐거움을 잊곤 하거든요. 만약 인생의 목적이 즐거움을 갖는 것이라면 어떨까요? 그래서 저의 소망은 매일 제가 하는 일을 즐기고 즐겁게 사는 거죠. 그리고 우리 모두가 이렇게 살아갈 수 있다면 어떨까요? 서울이 기쁨으로 충만하고, 생산적인 도시가 될 거예요.

Interview with Mary-Jane Liddicoat (published originally in Korean, 5 July 2010, Online Seoul Daily)

1. When did you come to Seoul and what caused you to come here?

How did I get so lucky to be posted as an Australian diplomat to Seoul? I first arrived here in August 2000. I had visited Korea as a tourist in 1987, so I was very surprised at what I found in 2000!

2. What did you do at Seoul until now?

For the first year I studied Korean at the US State Department's Foreign Service Institute. Then from 2001-04 I was the First Secretary (Political) at the Australian embassy. My job involved understanding and reporting about Korean domestic politics (I covered Roh Moo-hyun's election). I also worked on a variety of international fields including disarmament, human rights and the environment.

I returned to Australia for one year in 2005 and then returned as head (Counsellor Education) of the Education Section in the Australian Embassy.

3. What is both dissimilarity and similarity between Seoul and Canberra, the Australian capital?

The capital of Australia is Canberra. Canberra is an extremely green city with many 'green belts' between suburbs. This is similar to Seoul. I lived in Tokyo for many years in the 1980s and 1990s and then in the Middle East (Cairo and Damascus) in the mid/late 1990s. When I first came to Seoul in 2000 I was very surprised at how green it was! It really was, and is a well kept secret.

4. What is characteristic of Seoul citizens in your opinion? Also what is the difference between your nation's citizens?

I enjoy meeting each new person as just exactly that: an individual I haven't met before. Instead of first thinking of someone as 'Korean' or 'non-Korean', which draws a whole lot of conclusions, I enjoy finding out about that person as an individual. I have much more interesting conversations and learn a great deal more. I have met some very interesting people of all shapes and sizes in both places.

5. Even though Seoul, especially Bukchon, is nice to live, did you have any moment that you felt like leaving here, by any chance? If yes why?

I always feel like a change, so I always feel like leaving. Then again, when I am in Australia (for a few months every year over Christmas) I always feel like coming back to Seoul.

Change is invigorating. Routine without a break kills creativity and joy. This this is why taking a break, especially having a long holiday and traveling is so important. It may seem like a crazy idea for most Korean workers, but studies show that people are much more efficient and creative when they are well rested and have had a break from routine.

You could almost say I am addicted to change, which is lucky, given that change is the only constant.

6. If your friend from your country visits Seoul next month, choose three places that you would like to take him or her? What is the reason for that?

Bukchon/Insadong - of course. As I say on my website www.hanokgirl.net, every tour of Korea should start here. Then Namsan tower on a clear day - you can get a real sense of the whole city. Finally, Namdaemun market - it is great fun to walk around the hustling and bustling wholesale markets; it gives a real sense of Seoul's energy and you can pick up whatever souviner you need!

7. I wanted to ask you, what inspired you to live at Bukchon, Seoul, if you don't mind.

It was actually my father, an Australian painter, who first told me about this magical area. When I came back for my second posting at the Australian Embassy in 2006, he demanded I look for a house in the area so he could paint there (which he did)! My father is very wise.

8.What is attractiveness of traditional Korean house (Hanok) in a word?

Earthy - they remind me that living can be simple, natural, funcationall and aesthetically pleasing.

9. Isn't it hard to live as a foreigner at traditional village like Bukchon in Korea?

Not at all. If you're asking if it's hard to live in a hanok, that would depend on the hanok. I have seen some very comfortably renovated hanoks which would be a pleasure to live in. As it is, I live in an old western style house.

Living in Bukchon is very easy. I can buy organic food locally, I can drink and eat organic food in many cafes and restaurants nearby. I am surrounded by green mountains and have easy access to public gardens (Jeongdok Library ) and parts (Samcheong). I can walk or catch public transport to wherever I need to go. Best of all, I enjoy a well loved, artistic and clean environment and with an invigorating atmosphere. I live here not because of the architecture, but because of the energy.

10. What do you hope they will feel when people visit on Bukchon village?

Many people visit and wish they could live here. Some actually do move here. But for many people that's not possible. But what if, instead, they could duplicate the energy of Bukchon in their own neighborhoods and communities? Again, I'm not talking about the beautiful old buildings, which is not the only reason Bukchon is special. It has a certain energy. What if all parts of Seoul had this energy (I'm not saying they all need to have hanoks, just the energy) - what a great city Seoul would truly become!

11. What is your opinion for sustainable Hanok village, Bukchon Seoul?

To ensure that the Bukchon village is kept long into the future then Seoul city simply needs to enact and reinforce laws to ensure that city development is conducted in keeping with well considered basic principles.

There are many successful examples around the world. I particularly like some beautiful cities in England which have blocked off the old traditional centers (like Bukchon) to cars. They only allow delivery by trucks/cars into the area between 5-7 am. The rest of the time the area is completely free of cars. This law helps keep the stress and pollution on the old buildings very low. It is also very healthy and safe for the pedestrians.

On my website www.hanokgirl.net I advise visitors to leave their cars at home when they visit Bukchon.

12. Could you tell us about your interest in wellbeing, organic food and recycling?

For the last 10 years, as I have started a family (we now have three children, a boy Sam 7 years, and two girls Romy 5 years and Lia 1.5 years) I have become more and more interested in health and wellbeing. I think most parents are like this.

While living in Seoul, I have had difficulty buying all the organic, and non-toxic food, personal care, beauty and household products I'd like, even though I can read Korean. There are many non-Korean speaking international residents living in Korea who would probably find it impossible.

So since retiring from the Australian public service, I have launched a project www.healthyhomes.asia to make it easier for expats in Korea and other parts of Asia to live the safe, healthy life they desire by introducing local products, shops, restaurants and health/wellbeing experts.

A lot can be done at an individual level. Koreans are traditional very mindful of not wasting resources. All of the bathhouses I visited in Seoul have signs saying 'don't waste the water'!

What if the whole of Korea became Asia's organic food bowl? What impact would that have on the health and wealth of Korea I wonder? Anyway, that's a crazy dream I have.

13. What is your biggest wish now?

To remember to wake up every morning and ask what grand and glorious adventure I can have today?

Sometimes I caught up in the 'importance' of this project and the 'significance' of that job that I lose sight of the simple joys of each day with our friends and families. What if that the purpose of life was to have fun? So that's my wish, to have fun and enjoy what I do every day. And what if we all did this? What a joyful and generative city Seoul would be!