By Leigh O’Connor, Editor.
One of the biggest challenges Australian women face is the expectation they have to do it all – balancing career, family, friendships, parenting and personal well-being.
There’s often pressure to be everything to everyone, which can lead to stress and burn out.
As we celebrate Australian women this week in the lead-up to International Women’s Day on Saturday, March 8, we chat exclusively with Super Mum, Chef, TV presenter, author and nutritionist, Zoe Bingley-Pullin.
"Women need to learn internal dialogue – the way we speak to ourselves matters. A positive mindset can make a huge difference in how we navigate our responsibilities and challenges,” she explains.
"Learning to be kinder to ourselves and letting go of unrealistic expectations is crucial for both mental and physical well-being.”
The most common mistake women make is to try to do too much at once:
"Women often take on more than they can handle, thinking they need to be in control of everything. Life is fluid and we as women are fluid —we are not always the same every day. Being open to change, adapting to different circumstances and letting go of rigid expectations allows for a much healthier, more balanced approach to life.”
Zoe’s top tip for getting through each day?
"Being organised and prepared is key for me. I do a lot of food prep to save time - roasting vegetables ahead of time means I can easily add them to salads, soups, or pair them with protein for a quick meal.
"I also swear by juicing - I make a cold-pressed juice every day, but I prepare enough for 2–3 days and store it in a glass container in the fridge. Having healthy options readily available helps keep me on track.”
In Zoe’s family, they play a funny game - if you could be one food, what would you be?
"My answer is always avocado. It’s nourishing, versatile and packed with healthy fats that help you live longer and feel your best.”
So, how can we personally create a better relationship with food?
"For me, food has always been about curiosity and connection - I love trying new recipes and learning about different ingredients.
"Engaging with food providers and understanding how our food is grown helps create a deeper respect for what we eat. If we know where our food comes from, we’re more likely to make healthier, more mindful choices.”
Growing your own food - even something small like herbs on a windowsill - is also a great way to build that connection and appreciation for food.
Zoe shares her recipe for garlic prawns with orange zest aioli with AGFG home cooks, try this for a quick and easy dinner. If you aren’t a fan of prawns, the marinade works well with scallops, calamari, fish and even chicken.
As for lifestyle balance, who better to ask than Zoe, who juggles so many different aspects of the daily routine?
"For me, balance comes from community and support - I lean heavily on the networks and the support team I’ve built around me.
"I also take things one step at a time - one of my favourite sayings is, ‘How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time’. Instead of trying to do everything at once, I prioritise one task per day and focus on completing it.”
Above all Sleep, Sleep, Sleep!
"Sleep is my non-negotiable. It’s the foundation of my health and well-being. I have spent many years really practising and discovering how I can get the best quality sleep and my sleep routine begins in the morning.
"Most notably for me, as I have a very active mind, I try to avoid screens as much as possible particularly after 8 pm so I have the time to unwind and rest.”
Don’t miss our future chats with Zoe and the invaluable advice she has to share!
