Nourish Your Soul

This is what inspires me...

Thu, 23 May 2013 14:51:00 +1000

I have been working with an amazing client Alicia for over a year now. She is such a delight to work with, taking the programs I develop for her and embracing them in every way.

If you have ever thought that you might like to try a detox program, lifestyle program or wellness program, but don’t know what to expect, here is a little more about Alicia and her experiences with Nourish Your Soul…

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Alicia: tell us about why you choose to take a detox?
I was feeling lousy in the body and mind and knew I needed to make some serious changes. I had addictions that were hard to crack like chocolate and coffee and needed to shock my body back into a healthy state.

What did your detox encompass?
Green smoothies, veggies and salads initially, then incorporating some more protein the second time around.

What did you like and not like about your program?
I loved the results - how it made me feel after about a week, my increase in energy levels and how it curbed my sugar habits. I had issues with cutting out coffee and it took a bit of getting used to initially.

Was it worth the things you didn’t like?
Absolutely

How did it make you feel? (day 1, week 1,2,3,4, last day)
Day 1 - crap but inspired; week 1,2,3,4 - great!; last day - what last day? I don’t think I have had this yet - my detox sort of evolved into a lifestyle change and smarter choices. I still have the off day/s but I know I can help these with some great veggie juice and healthy choices and get back into balance.

Did you lose any weight on your program?
Yes - about 7kgs over about 4 months following my initial detox

What were your initial goals? Did you achieve them?
I wanted more energy and to get out of a ‘rut’ - yes definitely!

How did you stay motivated?
My husband helped by doing some also and we both watched inspiring films like food matters, hungry for change and fat, sick and nearly dead etc.

Do you think your lifestyle changes will stick?
Yes - I live a much more balanced lifestyle now

How has the program affected family life?
It has had a positive affect on all of us!

Did your program fit with having a young family?
I have a very fussy nearly 5 year old so I often had to do separate meals for her, however she is slowly increasing her foods and incorporating more vegetables and salads. I have managed to sneak vital greens in her fresh OJ too!

What’s the best thing about working with NYS?
Jen is awesome. Someone who is passionate and knowledgeable and is able to tailor her approach to suit the needs of individuals. Something to aspire to Jen!

Would you use NYS again?
Absolutely - I see Jen as a key player in my ongoing nutrition and health learning. I know she will always be there for questions and advice, and I enjoy keeping up-to-date with blogs and posts.

We are now expecting our next baby. So I am over the moon. I strongly believe I have achieved this blessing by changing my lifestyle with my nutrition and also headspace - so thank you Jen!________________________________________________________________

Thank you Alicia, you inspire me so much!

I have just spent the last few days designing an amazing new program for another Client I have been working with for over a year. I cannot wait to share her journey with you.

Each and every client is such a source of inspiration and I always find that when I spend the time designing a killer program, I too lift my game and endeavour to improve my lifestyle. It is about gently asking myself… What can I do better? Is this serving my life and the person that I am?

May this ever-evolving journey into all things health, wellbeing and happiness never cease!

Love, J x

MUESLI SLICE | for lunch boxes, snacks or breakfast Ill warn...

Thu, 21 Mar 2013 20:52:00 +1100

MUESLI SLICE | for lunch boxes, snacks or breakfast

Ill warn upfront, this is my most lazy and disorganised recipe, yet it is the most important and lifesaving recipe I use every week; an instant snack, a dessert on the fly, breakfast when running late and a lunch box filler that is cheap and healthy.

It is also important to note that I make this by throwing ingredients in a bowl until I see the right consistency so amounts are all approximate. Rebel cook!

INGREDIENTS
2 cups oats
2-3 eggs
3/4 cup spelt flour
1 little packet of sultanas
Sprinkle goji berries
Sprinkle chia seeds
Sprinkle rice milk
4 nectarines
1/4 cup coconut sugar

I simply combine everything into a bowl at once and play with the balance of wet vs dry ingredients until I get a consistency that is sticky but not runny. Each week I change the ingredients depending on what I have on hand so sometimes I need more flour sometimes more milk. Sometimes I use honey, agave or coconut sugar, sometimes eggs, sometimes not…

This week we had ripe nectarines to use up so I stewed them lightly, mashed them up and added them, no added sugar or juice when stewing just in a pot with the lid on, as the liquid comes out of the fruit use it to mush back in and make a nice gooey fruity sauce.

Bake for 20 minutes at 180 C degrees. Keep it the fridge, I wrap it, in the baking tray with a tea towel and slice off pieces as I need it.

Tasty. Simple. Healthy. Versatile.

One of my favourites.

Love, J x

RECIPE | simple pumpkin with haloumi dippers and dressed with...

Wed, 20 Mar 2013 06:40:50 +1100

RECIPE | simple pumpkin with haloumi dippers and dressed with spinach and chilli flakes

INGREDIENTS
1/2 pumpkin
1 clove garlic (finely diced)
1 cup vegetable stock
100ml cream (optional)
Couple of handfuls of spinach
2 slices of haloumi (1/2cm off the end of the block and cut into sticks)
Dash of chilli flakes

Preheat the oven to 180 degrees, cut the pumpkin into cubes, drizzle with a smidge of olive oil, roast for 30 minutes or until a knife glides through the pumpkin.

If you have a high powered blender, place the roast pumpkin, stock, cream (optional - I just needed to use a small amount up but wouldn’t normally put cream in, sour cream will also work) and garlic into the blender. Whizz for a minute or so until the soup is mixed and creamy.

If you don’t have a blender use a hand stick blender.

Meanwhile heat a non stick pan and fry the haloumi until golden brown.

Serve soup and haloumi immediately while hot, top with spinach and chilli flakes.

D E L I C I O U S!

Love, J x

RECIPE | simple pumpkin with haloumi dippers and dressed with...

Tue, 19 Mar 2013 20:01:20 +1100

RECIPE | simple pumpkin with haloumi dippers and dressed with spinach and chilli flakes

Preheat the oven to 180 degrees, cut the pumpkin into cubes, drizzle with a smidge of olive oil, roast for 30 minutes or until a knife glides through the pumpkin.

If you don’t have a blender use a hand stick blender.

Meanwhile heat a non stick pan and fry the haloumi until golden brown.

Serve soup and haloumi immediately while hot, top with spinach and chilli flakes.

D E L I C I O U S!

Love, J x

CHEAP SKATE | today I bagged a $1.79 bargain… A...

Sun, 17 Mar 2013 16:53:03 +1100

CHEAP SKATE | today I bagged a $1.79 bargain… A pumpkin!!

We love pumpkin so I spent the afternoon making a few delicious meals for the week, the first of which is a pasta sauce!

INGREDIENTS
1/2 pumpkin
1 clove garlic
Couple handfuls of peas
3/4 cup macadamias
Pasta
Goats cheese (optional)
Spinach leaves

Warm a sauce pan and put a drizzle of olive oil in, once warm place in cubes of pumpkin, cover and lightly cook. Once the pumpkin softens mash up.
Either by hand with a mortar and pestle or with a whizzer crush/whizz up the macadamias until small but still with a few chunky bits.

Finely dice the garlic.

Mix all ingredients into the sauce pan.

Cook your pasta. Once cooked mix together and serve straight from the stove.

Dress with a few chunks of goats cheese and a handful of spinach leaves.

So simple. So cheap. So yummy!

Love, J x
Ps. For those who work long hours; the sauce will freeze, cook pasta fresh and dress upon serving…

[RECIPE] creamy quinoa pudding

Sat, 09 Mar 2013 15:43:00 +1100

This pudding rocks! Quinoa (keen-wah) is literally packed with protein, its baked with coconut milk, with hints of cinnamon and lightly sweetened with coconut sugar, sure does meet mama’s approval for the dinner table!

Theres alot to be said for quinoa. here are a few great facts…

Quinoa is a complete source of protein so it’s a great choice for those choosing a meat free diet. The main health benefits are found in the manganese present which is used in the body to activate enzymes to metabolise carbohdrates, lysine an amino acid important for the bodies production of collagen and lysine is also used in the absorption of calcium and finally it is a grain approved by diets such as body ecology, that looks to reduce candida causing foods…

INGREDIENTS
1 cup quinoa
1 tin coconut milk
1 cup rice milk
1 1/2 tablespoon coconut sugar
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla
Sultanas and vanilla yoghurt to serve.

Preheat the oven to 180 degrees C.

Wash the quinoa, beware it filters through a sieve! Lesson learnt the hard way! I just used my hand to block the bowl and drained most of the water. Mix in all the ingredients I left the sultanas out to top the pudding before serving, but you could mix them in if you wanted to.

Transfer mixture to a loaf pan, the mixture is very wet, this is normal.

Bake for 35 minutes or until firm, once ready top with sultanas and serve straight away with a little vanilla yoghurt on the side.

This pudding will stay in the fridge for a few days, if it lasts that long! I am going to add shredded coconut and raspberries next week or perhaps some cacao for a chocolate pudding! Have fun experimenting with this one…

Love, J x

[RECIPE] spelt bread

Thu, 28 Feb 2013 15:49:00 +1100

Twice weekly my little one steps into the world of Steiner preschool, full of imagination, exploration and fun and each afternoon when I meet him on the wooden verandah he rushes over to me with a giant grin, filled with joy and excitement; “mama, mama! … Can I have my bun?”

Yep. Bun. Not me. *sigh* But I have to say, it’s little wonder that he is excited, these morsels are delicious, just eaten alone with nothing on them. Mmm-MMM yummy.

So imagine how popular I am going to be when he wakes up from his afternoon nap…

Ingredients

3 cups and 3 tablespoons of organic spelt flour [excuse my dodgy measurements I converted this from an old recipe]
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
2 medium eggs
320ml organic rice milk
sprinkle of chia seeds and flax seeds

Preheat oven to 180 degrees C.

Combine the dry ingredients and separately whisk the eggs, then add the milk. Combine the dry and wet ingredients, be careful to not over work the dough, bare minimum mixing only.

Get your hands dirty by taking out blobs of the mixture and plopping them on a lined baking tray, the mixture is very sticky so don’t worry about pretty blobs, they will bake to be beautifully rustic. Try to keep the sizes consistent for baking.

Place them in the oven for 25 minutes. Use a skewer to test that the bread is cooked through once they come out (skewer should come out clean). Easy peasy.

They will only last a few days so dig in.

Love, J x

[FOOD IS FREE] a community project

Wed, 27 Feb 2013 20:52:38 +1100

[FOOD IS FREE] a community project

[CLEAN ME] why I need a detox

Mon, 25 Feb 2013 12:18:00 +1100

My little family just took a road trip southbound to see family and friends and share in a most beautiful wedding, for the trip I packed raw nut bars, fruit and rice crackers but alas the usual 12 hour trip turned quickly into 16 hours and we sinned, oh yes we did, unfortunately the Hume, littered with fast food chains, claimed us. And my goodness do I feel (sh)it.

When you live clean, changes in the diet, contrary to what you enjoy, hits you hard! So I am planning some hard core cleansing over the next week to re-alkalize myself and my boys. Now let me share with you what we are going to do…

Daily green smoothies will adorn our breakfast table along with raw muesli, antioxidant rich berries and culture laden natural yoghurt.

My favourite green smoothie recipe - rice milk, spinach, banana, spirulina, kiwi, coconut oil, chia seeds, honey and ice.

Homemade muesli - rolled oats, coconut flakes, goji berries, macadamia nuts, chia seeds and flax seeds topped with pot set organic vanilla yoghurt.

For lunch we will be munching on giant raw salads topped with sea vegetables (dulse) and sipping on our favourite superfood smoothie - rice milk, banana, cacao, camu camu, ice, honey, maca, spirulina.

Snacking on fruit and homemade superfood bliss balls.

Dinner will be a mixed plate of, curried lentil burgers, smashed avocado, quinoa infused beetroot, spinach and cherry tomato salad with fresh asparagus or broccolini. There are such a mix of amazing flavours in this dinner that we can eat it over and over with out getting bored, plus because ill be working massive days to make up for being off today, it’s me just being plain lazy!

I am reminded daily of why we choose this organic, clean lifestyle in how healthy and vibrant I feel, today I am reminded by the opposite! But it’s the knowledge gained daily and the lessons sent that remind us to keep striving for the best possible versions of ourselves. Plus falling off the wagon every now and again only motivates us more to keep going.

In the end it’s not the length but the breadth of life that keeps things interesting!

Love, J x

Photos: all my own.

Not all calories are created equal

Thu, 21 Feb 2013 11:36:00 +1100

Written by Ann Gibbons
Source: Sydney Morning Herald

When it comes to weight loss, a calorie is a calorie; a kilojoule is a kilojoule. That is been the mantra of nutritionists, dietitians, and food regulators for more than a century. But when it comes to comparing raw food with cooked food, or beans with breakfast cereals, that thinking may be incorrect. That is the consensus of a panel of researchers in Boston who list the many ways the maths doesn’t always add up correctly on food labels.

Our current system for assessing calories is surely wrong, says evolutionary biologist Richard Wrangham of Harvard University.

In a wide-ranging discussion of how food is digested in everything from humans to rats to pythons, the panel reviewed a new spate of studies showing foods were processed differently as they moved from our gullet to our guts and beyond. They agreed net caloric counts for many foods were flawed because they did not take into account the energy used to digest food; the bite oral and gut bacteria took out of various foods; or the properties of different foods themselves that sped up or slowed down their journey through the intestines, such as whether they were cooked or resistant to digestion.

The process used to estimate calories for food was developed at the turn of the 20th century by Wilbur Atwater. It was a simple system of calculating four calories for each gram of protein, nine calories for each gram of fat, and four calories for each gram of carbohydrate (modified later by others to add two calories for a gram of fibre).

Although it has been useful for estimating the energetic costs of metabolising many foods, its shortcomings have been known for decades - and some nations, such as Australia, have dropped the system because it is inaccurate and impractical, says panelist Geoffrey Livesey, a nutritional biochemist and director of Independent Nutrition Logic in Britain.

One key area where the system is inaccurate, Wrangham reports, is in estimating the calories for cooked food. Cooked items often are listed as having more calories than raw items, yet the process of cooking meat gelatinises the collagen protein in meat, making it easier to chew and digest - so it takes fewer calories to eat. Heat also denatures the proteins in vegetables such as sweet potatoes, says Harvard University evolutionary biologist Rachel Carmody, who studies the energetics of digestion.

The way foods are processed can also make them easier to digest. Take starch in cereal kernels, such as barley grain, or beans, which take a long time to digest. Grind the same cereals into flour or process it into breakfast cereal or instant oatmeal, and it becomes easy to digest, says biochemist nutritionist Klaus Englyst of Englyst Carbohydrates, a carbohydrate chemistry firm in Southampton, in Britain. This is why bread is more rapidly digested; beans more slowly he says.

New studies also are finding that bacteria in the gut respond differently to processed foods and cooked foods. Carmody reports she and Peter Turnbaugh of Harvard University are finding key differences in the type of bacterial communities in the guts of mice, depending on whether they are fed chow or cooked meat.

The food you eat has an enormous impact on the gut bacteria, and, in turn, on the energetics of digestion, Carmody says.

Why does all of this matter? Because the West is in the midst of an obesity epidemic and counting calories has been misleading, says David Ludwig, a paediatric endocrinologist at Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School. How the body processes different foods matters. The quality of calories is as important as the quantity of calories.

While others welcome applying the best science; to the problem of weight loss, they provide a word of caution about getting too worried about precise calorie counts.

You can put a tonne of effort into getting more accurate calorie counts, says nutrition scientist Christopher Gardner of Stanford University. But why are you doing this? Will it make a real difference? If you want to lose weight, you still have to cut back on calories.

A few calories here or there may not matter to most people. But to the panel members, every little bit counts.

Love, J x

I found this saying on instagram and it made me laugh. There is no doubting that unicorns rock and...

Sun, 17 Feb 2013 07:01:32 +1100

I found this saying on instagram and it made me laugh.

There is no doubting that unicorns rock and it would be pretty special to be one, but as a mama I am conscious that being oneself is always the best.

I always strive to encourage Emerson to express himself and be comfortable within himself.

He dresses himself.
Can express emotion freely.
Says whats on his mind.

So when he said to me once he wants to be a girl so he can grow a baby, we went with that. When he tells me he saw a grumpy boots and we need to hide. I dont tell him to stop making up stories, we talk about this grumpy boots and have a laugh about it. When he asks for 10 pieces of toast, I cut up his toast into 10 pieces. The delight in his little face is, well, awesome.

Teaching him that he is ok, just as he is, makes me feel that I am ok, just as I am too.

Love, J x

[WINTER] & preparing your pantry

Fri, 15 Feb 2013 07:01:25 +1100

So winter is still a while away but there has already been outbreaks of flus, colds, coughs with at least 3 people sneezing on me this past week! So keeping those sniffs and sneezes at bay has meant I have started my prep for winter.

In the past, each winter season I would come down with a nasty case of tonsillitis at least 3 times, plus general sniffs and sneezes in between. Once I started my journey into natural medicine this was the first thing that I worked on. Plus putting a toddler (aka germ bag) into the mix has meant that my immune system needs to be stronger than ever.

Today I want to share with you what I have tried and what works…

#1 Olive leaf extract - if you can catch the bug early enough this stuff works. I have kept cold and flus at bay by drinking the olive leaf extract twice daily and chasing it quickly with water. It tastes… weird. I couldn’t describe is as gross but its not something I’d want a flavour of ice cream in either. Diluting it with water (enough for one mouthful) and chasing with water is enough to get it down! You can get olive leaf extract at most health food stores, pharmacies are starting to stock it now and it should cost around $30-$40 for a bottle.

#2 Garlic - I have shared in the past my solution to bugs by chewing raw garlic. It works. No doubt. But I can understand that its not for all. (By the way if you are game start with only 1/4 clove as it can make you have a queasy stomach - learnt that one the hard way!). But if you don’t want to fend off vampires or fellow colleagues then I suggest trying a tablet form. You can get straight garlic (aged garlic is the best) and you can get combination tablets. I have used the swisse brand tablet: garlic, horseradish and vitamin C. And it has worked well with no nasty after taste.

#3 Superfoods - we all know that I love my superfoods, my daily smoothie is what I can attribute to my great general health as well as curing other ailments such as dermatitis and hayfever. The ones that will be a must during winter are; goji berries and camu camu for their antioxidant profile and barley grass for its alkalizing effects.

#4 Supplements - For when I was experiencing continuous sickness and illness I knew that I must be deficient in something, and this was when I turned to supplements; vitamin c and zinc. Remember that with zinc you must only take the RDI and its best to take at the end of the day before bed. Vitamin C you can play around with more, at one point I was taking 2000mg daily, its what I needed, seek professional advice for your individual needs.

[A healthy breakfast of rolled oat porridge made on rice milk served with; honey, goji berries, LSA, chia seeds and bee pollen]

#5 General diet, fitness and H20 - So a part from the above additions to your diet, its also important to keep a good general diet. Avoiding sugar is important for when you know you are around those who are ill, did you know that sugar depresses the immune system while it is being processed leaving you vulnerable to any passing bacteria or virus!

Eating a wide range of healthy natural foods will ensure that your body has all that it needs in terms of vitamins and minerals. Please, please, please start the day on a fantastic breakfast (see above photo!), its important to keep your energy levels up and then you are less likely to look towards sugar as a pick-me-up!

Water is detoxifying and cleansing and essential to proper bodily functions, so in winter its still important to have at least 1 litre a day, sip it slowly and at room temperature to ensure proper absorption.

I for one, hope that summer holds on for as long as possible, its my favourite time of year, but winter is inevitable and so the above will give you a great chance at tackling the cooler months with your health intact!

Love, J x

Top photo: www.freedigitalphotos.net - dan

[OUR SIMPLE LIFE] & how we're going to do it

Thu, 14 Feb 2013 14:26:00 +1100

For years now I have been clearing, cleansing, simplifying and reducing to achieve a life less full of distracting stuff more full of fun and love and LIFE.

In 2011 I boycotted purchasing anything new (besides the essentials of food, cleaning products etc) and this lasted 9 months. It was uplifting, I rarely saw the inside of a shopping mall and found much peace from not lusting after ‘this’ or convincing myself I needed ‘that’.

This silly season, I got a little silly with the credit card, I can only rationalise that I was trying to fill a void after our experiences last year [read about that here]. But it made me realise that we are constantly sold the idea that life will get better, easier or we will magically become; slimmer, smarter, more attractive and far more funny if we purchase {fill blank here} “Because your worth it” Right?!?

Its often in times that we feel that we have lost, we gain. Gain a lesson, a new perspective or a new lease on life. And for my little household this is true. Living between places and now in a teeny tiny rental has made us take stock of what we were lugging around. We are still living with half our stuff packed in boxes, and are getting by quite well, so what does that say for all that stuff!?!!!

Welcome to mission do-delete-delegate (aka: use the item - throw it away if it is useless/broken - give it away if it will serve another)

I came across a great article blogged by one of my new favourites [read the post here] and learnt that I am not alone is this longing to be lighter and free of material burden.

Feeling inspired and motivated I began by jumping in neck deep with Emerson’s Bedroom! We don’t buy toys often for Emerson -mainly just birthday and celebrations - but 3 years circulating the sun and the loving gift giving from Mama, Papa, family and friends has meant that his room was jam packed.

Now I don’t want to bin all this stuff, nope, no way. But I do want to make it more valuable by making it accessible and also sifting out the things that are no longer age appropriate (yep all his baby stuff is still in there!)

So…I waited for a quiet moment when he was distracted by play dough, then I nipped in and out grabbing all the things that I hadn’t seen him play with for a while. I placed it all in the ~~spare~~ junk room (lets be honest, its a dumping ground). I then cleared his desk and placed his posters and numeral/alphabetical cards on the wall.

Within an hour his room was less wild and I sat on his bed absorbing the space. My mind felt clearer, wow, it was working. Now to show Em…

EMERSON: Shocked intake of air “MAMA wheres all my stuff?”

MAMA: “I tidied up, its just packed away.”

EMERSON: “My D I N O S A U R. Can I build a teepee?”

Um… yeah he didn’t seem bothered, nor has he asked for what I removed. He is actually going in to his room more and playing for longer, even though there is less in there! Go figure. I guess its a space that is less distracting now so he can use his imagination more and that’s waaaay more fun!

I am noting what he plays with and what he doesn’t for stage two of the cleanse. Craft stuff doesn’t get touched often (much to my dismay) blocks are a fav, animals fav, big truck fav. He NEVER plays with his train station, but he has lots of attachment to it and I have no where else to put it yet so it will stay until I can figure that one out.

We are going to tackle the garage next, with the aim of emptying it and the junk room. It feels great, really, and we haven’t missed a thing!

Eventually we will be surrounded by only the things that we use or find beautiful.

Love, J x

[THE REAL ME] & the year thus far

Wed, 06 Feb 2013 17:43:00 +1100

I dont often share my personal life on here but this is fun and I think (?) its interesting so here goes…

This year I have challenged myself to #52 inspiring acts; “to keep things interesting”. [Full list of INSPIRING ACTS here] I had such fun putting the list together I didn’t really think about how much fun I would have picking out different things to do or how much fun doing them would be!

Here are the inspiring acts already completed…

#1 WATCH A DOCUMENTARY | This happened by chance one evening when we stumbled across “Kumare” on SBS. It was an amazing documentary that looked at the idea of a Guru and its place in society. A Western man/film maker took on the persona of his alter-ego Kumare, a Guru from India, who started a dedicated and loving following in America. While his tactics are a little full on, the essence of this film is beautiful, incredibly interesting and it pleased me very much by having a happy ending! [You can watch KUMARE here]

#6 DO SOMETHING FOR THE COMMUNITY | After the year that was 2012 I made the decision that I needed space away from the house. I have been at home for 3 years (and loved ~~every~~ almost every moment) so what better way to achieve time away, with serving a greater good in the community.

I have taken a 6 month, part time position with a local not-for-profit company who have just won funding for a foster care service. I am now working closely with the Children’s Services team to set up the program and offer assistance where I can.

Its hectic busy. I forget to eat all the time. And I always end up busting for the loo because I just-need-to-get-one-more-thing-done plus stretching my brain back to its right side function has been a (re)awakening. But I have to say I am LOVING it.

#19 HOST A DINNER PARTY | I tied this one in with my birthday and went away for the weekend to a beach house with some of my closest friends to shower them with love and darn good times.

cue grainy iphone photos…

The theme for the first evening was barefoot-black-tie… everyone looked amazing and as the hosts my hubby and I served the following:-

[MAIN]

- Spicy Cous Cous with Homemade Tzatiki
- Dory Fish Fillets cooked in Butter, Lemon and Red Onion
- Freshly baked Turkish Bread
- Smoked Salmon with Capers and Dill
- Greek Style Garden Salad

All recipes will be shared in the coming weeks!

[DESSERT]

Avocado chocolate mousse [Recipe to come] served with raspberries and almond butter and raspberry jam biscuits [Recipe Here].

We all shared the cooking and since it was pouring with rain all weekend, we spent the whole time around the dining table, in the massive open planned living area, playing cards, eating, drinking, laughing and telling stories! Twas a wonderful time!

So that is it for me so far, I feel that we have started the year with a B-A-N-G and left the bad energy of 2012 behind. Yeehah!

How has your 2013 kicked off?

Love, J x

Love Heart Photo - www.freedigitalphotos.net - tungphoto

Recipe: Tomato and Basil Soup

Wed, 06 Feb 2013 16:18:00 +1100

After a visit to my local green grocer and falling in love with the abundant buckets of ripe fleshy tomatoes I felt inspired to make myself a raw tomato and basil soup.

The recipe took some tweaking as initially I couldn’t balance the acidity of the tomatoes but this is what I ended up with; feel free to tweak and report back your findings…

Ingredients

- 5 tomatoes
- 1/2 - 1 cup basil
- 1 clove garlic
- 1-2 ripe avocados (depending on creaminess desired
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup vegetable stock
- 1 chilli with seeds (optional if you like things HOT!)

Directions: Place all ingredients into a HIGH powered blender and whizz for 2 minutes.

If using a vitamix or other blender that heats, whizz for longer to allow the soup to warm (this is still considered raw for those of you who wondered). Alternatively heat lightly on the stove or serve room temperature if you are in to that sort of thing.

Cheap, easy and f-r-e-s-h!

Love, J x

Hi Jen, are there any vitamins you would recommend for acne breakouts? I tend to break out around my chin area, I've heard that this can be due to bad digestion but my digestion and everything seems to be normal! I've heard that some vitamins to do with mood stabilizers can help clear the skin. or are there any other natural treatments you'd recommend? I can't really afford expensive skin care treatment, i've heard coconut oil can work? Any tips would help me heaps! I'm sick of them! Joanna

Fri, 01 Feb 2013 13:37:37 +1100

Hi Joanna,

Thank you for your email, its hard to say without having a consult and seeing what is going on; could be hormonal, digestive, diet related, a reaction to something, so many different possibilities. However a few general things that have worked for me… Alkalize your system daily, detox bi annually, avoid refined sugar like its a drug (because it really is!!), drink lots of water and green tea, scrub regularly (i use sugar to do this!) and have lots of green juices (they alkalize, hydrate, detox and nourish).

Hope this helps :)
Love, J x

Recipe: Chewy Gooey Chocolate Goodness

Sun, 27 Jan 2013 19:15:00 +1100

After our Australia Day celebrations yesterday I was feeling in need of some nurturing, nourishing, delicious chocolate so I grabbed out my favourite ingredients and created a masterpiece!

Ingredients (makes 4)

Base:

1 cup cashews
4 tbsn agave nectar
1 tbsn coconut oil
3 tbsn goji berries
1 tbsn cacao powder

Mousse:

1 avocado
1 tbsn coconut sugar
1 tbsn cacao powder

plus 2 cups frozen berries.

Take all the base ingredients and whiz up for 2-3 minutes until a paste is formed. Place a few tablespoons of the mixture into each ramekin and place into the freezer for a few minutes to set.

Then take the mousse ingredients and whiz up for 30 seconds.

Remove ramekins with base and sprinkle 1/2 cup frozen berries into each, top with mousse and enjoy.

Enjoy the chewy base, enjoy the velvet mousse and enjoy the fresh tart bite of the berries. Protein packed, antioxidant dense, super food goodness.

Love, J x

Recipe: Almond, Oat & Coconut Cookies

Fri, 25 Jan 2013 15:34:00 +1100

Inspired by a friends recent kiddie birthday party and with an Australia Day celebration tomorrow, Emerson and I a-got-a-baking!

This recipe was adapted from www.mynewroots.org making only a few changes to accommodate what I had on hand.

There are two stages to the recipe; firstly to make the Almond Butter!

Almond Butter [makes approx 1 cup]

2 cups of shelled raw almonds

1. Preheat oven to 150 degrees. Spread almonds in a single layer on baking paper and roast for 20-30 minutes. The best way to check if they are ready is to bite one in half [be careful HOT] and see if the insides are golden rather than white.

2. Set aside to cool.

3. Once cooled whizz up in a processor for 1-2 minutes, scrap down the sides of the container. Continue to whizz for another 1-2 minutes. You will notice that the almonds will release an oil and the mixture will become creamy.

4. Store in an airtight container for up to one month.

now for the cookies…

Almond, Oat and Coconut Cookies (makes approx 40)

4 Tbsp Coconut oil
4 Tbsp Almond butter
1/2 cup coconut sugar
2 Tbsp chia seeds
4 Tbsp water
2 Tbsp agave nectar
1 1/2 cups of oat flour [make by processing rolled oats in a food processor]
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
Jam of your choice

1. Combine water and agave together, mix in chia seeds and set aside to form a gel

2. Preheat oven to 175 degrees

3. Blend rolled oats in a food processor, approx 2 cups rolled oats processed makes 1.5 cups flour, add baking soda and salt, whizz up to combine.

4. Whisk coconut oil and almond butter in a separate bowl, add coconut sugar and chai seed gel, add flour slowly, mixing as you go.

5. Line a baking tray with baking paper. Using a tablespoon measure out equal amounts of the mixture and make balls on the paper. Using a flat bottom cup or glass flatten out the balls into cookie shapes.

6. Bake for 10-15 minutes, mine took 15 minutes, the original recipe stated 8-10… guess it depends on your oven.

7. Remove once the bottoms are turning brown and let cool slightly before transferring to a cooling rack.

8. Take two cookies, place a small amount of jam in the middle of one and push another on top to form a little biscuit sandwich. [the cookies will go soggy if you do this all at once so do it as you eat them].

Enjoy!!!

Love, J x

Recipe: Berry Smoothie

Mon, 21 Jan 2013 08:12:40 +1100

Berries are an important aspect of your diet, they include a rich and wide range of antioxidants. Antioxidants are important for fighting free radicals which are charged cells that can cause damage and have been linked to causing cancer. Recent research has also noted that free radicals can effect our DNA which has unknown but serious consequences.

Antioxidants are great for their anti-aging properties, immune system boosting abilities and also help detoxify the body.

Each morning a great way to start the day is with a smoothie, loaded with nutrition you mind, body and soul will thank you.

Try this delicious summer recipe:

250ml Organic rice milk
1 ripe banana
1 tbl cacao powder
1 handful mixed frozen berries
2 tsp chia seeds
1 tsp goji berries
6-8 ice cubes

Blend well and enjoy immediately.

Love, J x

Photo: www.freedigitalphotos.net - Brian Holm

Its in the small things that we achieve...

Fri, 11 Jan 2013 08:02:00 +1100

Inspired by the above I pondered the small things that I can do this year that will bring me bliss and love.

I decided to make a list (love lists) and find enough small things to do that I can choose one a week to keep me motivated and inspired all year long; so here it is…what do you think?

#1 Watch a documentary

#2 Exercise in a new way

#3 Go to bed early and get up early

#4 Body brush

#5 Get a manicure

#6 Do something for the community

#7 Sugar craving? Turn to fruit!

#8 Clean my car

#9 Write a blog post

#10 Make a financial wise decision

#11 Do a florist design course with my bestie

#12 Simplify

#13 Complete a random act of kindness

#14 Clean out my wardrobe

#15 Spend time drawing and writing

#16 Make a smoothie

#17 Avoid shopping centres

#18 Read a book

#19 Host a dinner party

#20 Do something spontaneous

#21 Stay in bed all day

#22 Watch a foreign film

#23 Go to an art exhibition

#24 Wander around a city aimlessly

#25 Make a juice

#26 Eat homemade sushi

#27 Help someone

#28 Have a girls night

#29 Call my mum

#30 Eat something new

#31 Go overseas (!)

#32 Do a handstand

#33 Teach Emerson to do a handstand

#34 Ride a bike

#35 Get a health check (skin)

#36 Skinny dip (!!)

#37 Make a mood board

#38 Pick up my guitar

#39 Write a song

#40 Paint a picture

#41 Get an aura reading (Eva - Aura Answers. Check her out on Facebook.)

#42 Visit a market not visited before

#43 Walk in the rain

#44 Go to the beach and watch the sunset

#45 Go to the beach and watch the sunrise

#46 Wear red lipstick

#47 Research something new

#48 Teach it to somebody else

#49 Go to a national park

#50 Have a picnic

#51 See a comedy show

#52 Take a pretty photograph

and one for luck…

#53 Sleep under the stars.

I had so much fun writing this list and imagining all the good times ahead, so why not try it, guaranteed feel good factor!!!

Love, J x