I've tried a lot of therapies for chronic neck and shoulder muscle spasms and some work well while others are just ok. But Bowen Therapy, available at the Brisbane Healing & Training Centre is an entirely different animal. It's gentle, effective and absolutely works! Desley Faulks, the owner-operator is a true Master of Bowen Therapy and also trains others in the discipline.

If you don't know about Bowen Therapy, or if you're curious to learn more, look up the website or do your own Google search. It's not an 'alternative' therapy in that it doesn't require mind training, is not a placebo therapy and is not founded on 'hocus pocus'. I'd say the best way to discover its benefits is to try it yourself.

Treatments (at time of writing) are just $65 and you can also get a health fund rebate.

If you have any niggling aches and pains or other concerns as listed on the website, I urge you to give it a go.

Approximate cost: $65

What a cool concept! From the website: "Happy Feet Steam Massage combines the benefits of steam and professional massage which have been developed together as an effective therapy to maximise results."

Unfortunately, I didn't need a foot massage when I went but was really intrigued to try it. Still, the neck and shoulder massage I had was fantastic. And $20 for 30 minutes was cheap!

The premises are clean and well maintained. They have curtained off private massage table areas as well but I chose seated massage.

Next time, I'll definitely try the Happy Feet treatment!!

For the best stuffed mushrooms anywhere, you have to go to Rossini's! I think it's their signature dish and even if it isn't, it ought to be. They're stuffed with mozzarella, crumbed then fried and served with an amazing red sauce.

The food is excellent here and the service is very friendly and obliging. Prices are good, the ambience is pleasant and it gets quite busy, which says a lot about the quality and the reputation as it's been around for years. We went on a Tuesday night and it was almost full.

You can park pretty much right out the front, they are licensed and it's just a nice, simple restaurant with no pretence but good, honest food.

If you need a little 'chicken soup for the soul', drop in to Espresso House Windsor and you'll get some love with your coffee. Michelle is a mother hen who adores everyone and if you need a hug, she'll give you a great one.

The food is your usual cafe fare but with extra TLC. They have special gluten free offerings which I don't need but like. Some are even grain free but you wouldn't know it. My favourite meal of all is Michelle's pulled pork salad plate which always hits the spot for me.

If you like your cafes quirky, you have to visit! Every time we go, we find something new and interesting to look at. The decor is eclectic and busy; there are lots of different seating options including out the back on the shady verandah and you can pass the time by amusing yourself with the tiny tins of cards. Some are trivia, others are anecdotes and so on.

Robbie, the barista makes a great cup of coffee but I often order tea because it's served in a big old fashioned china cup and saucer. You can't beat that! You also get the tea pot and little milk jug. It's like a grown-up kids' tea party!!

Parking is just outside, there's a nice and clean bathroom on the premises, there's always something going on such as promotions, fundraising, card readings, book club meetings and a live flautist, and it's a real little neighbourhood meeting place.

I also have to say that they do an amazing job on their Facebook page, always keeping us up to date on what's happening and maintaining a happy disposition!

Love Espresso House Windsor!! Oh and it's a very short walk to Kedron Brook and the dog off-leash park.

Wow, I really love the soaps we bought from Washpool Soaperie. They're all natural, beautifully scented and come in a huge variety of fragrances and 'recipes'. They also make pet soaps, soaps for people with skin conditions and even smaller soaps for the elderly and for kids.

Melissa was a great help when I was trying to decide what to buy and replied promptly to my emails. She hand-picked the appropriate soaps for our needs and I was really impressed when they arrived, gift wrapped separately for the two people whose needs were different. Delivery was very quick too.

Have a look over their website as it's lovely to read about their family business, and to support it means a lot to them.

We recently stayed at Jupiters Casino and as my mother is elderly, we didn't want to stray too far for meals. Suffice to say, we thoroughly enjoyed our meals at Spinners Cafe because the quality is excellent, the meal sizes are generous and the prices are reasonable. Breakfast is a decent sized plate of bacon, eggs, two types of toast, grilled tomato and two hash browns, all for $13! My mother ordered Weet-Bix and it came with FOUR, served with milk, which she asked to be warmed. That was $7.

We ate a couple of lunches and dinners there as well and always found the service to be pleasant and accommodating. Given that the prices at the Food Fantasy buffet (right next door) are quite high, Spinners was a welcome alternative.

We enjoyed our dinner here tonight and were very impressed with the quality of the food and the friendly service. I loved my bento box which came with a steaming cup of miso soup, and the spring rolls were really fresh and crispy. My son had the chicken and avocado sushi rolls and was impressed.

The setting is beautiful, overlooking Raby Bay Marina which, even at night was picturesque. The Sushi 79 is located along a busy strip of restaurants and cafes so it can be hard to choose which one to eat at, but rest assured, if you give The Sushi 79 a go, you'll be very happy.

Lovely and clean, friendly and professional with fantastic fresh ingredients and great presentation. I'd highly recommend that sushi and sashimi lovers try it, even if you travel a little, as we did. Oh and the prices are extremely reasonable!

We found Beirut Cafe as a result of an online deal. Tucked away where they are, the cafe is not easily visible from the street so they miss a lot of passing trade, but they're well worth a visit. The food was excellent. We had mezze and a chicken shish grill, all of which was very fresh, beautifully presented and in adequate proportions. My friend who is a bit of a coffee head said her long black was very good.

Parking is right outside (off street) and you can also park under the building. You can sit inside or outside. Enjoy a glass of cucumber and citrus scented water while you wait for your meal. Fahdi, the owner, is pleasant and genuine and seems to enjoy presenting good food well.

Highly recommend ... we'll be going back soon.

Approximate cost: $20

We were really impressed with breakfast here this morning. The prices are very reasonable and you get a decent sized serving. I had the Big Breakfast which included two perfectly poached eggs, bacon, mushrooms, hash browns, sausages, sourdough toast and tomatoes. At $16.50, this is excellent value! They have quite a large range of breakfast options including a Canadian Breakfast (pancakes with maple syrup, eggs and bacon). Coffee is good, parking was easy and free though being a week day it's probably better than on weekends.

The staff are friendly and obliging. Very much enjoyed brekky!!

Approximate cost: $16.50

This guy did a seriously good job on my lawn, hedges and edges. He's only young but very polite and well spoken and it's his own business. He presents very professionally and I'd highly recommend him for anyone who needs their garden maintained.

Pricing was standard and he left the yard clean, tidy and looking better than it has in a long time. There's no way I'd bother doing it myself anymore when I can get Chris in to do it on a regular basis. The hedges won't need trimming every time but at least now they'll grow thicker and be looked after.

A very decent young man with a great work ethic. Well done!