DIET CONFESSIONS OF A YOGI!

I only have one rule when it comes to dieting and that is DO NOT DIET! My outlook on healthy eating and nutrition is very simple. Do what is right for YOU and be balanced in your approach. Unless you have a specific medical condition that requires a prescribed diet, don’t follow a faddy, mass produced diet by somebody selling books to make money!! Every BODY is different and if you listen to your unique, intelligent, perfectly designed body – it will tell you what it needs and when it needs it. Okay, my rant is finished...phew! Now onto the fun stuff!

Throughout my life, my relationship with food has been complicated and challenging.  As my parents will tell you, the word ‘fussy’ doesn’t quite cut it when describing my childhood eating self! I basically lived on chicken and peanut butter and jelly for 15 years!  Then in my late teens/early twenties I went through quite a few phases of disordered eating, even though at the time I thought I was being ‘healthy’.

Since then I have learned a LOT about nutrition, healthy eating and most importantly about myself. I know what my body needs, what foods agree with it and those that don't. I have become very in tune to how my body changes throughout the month, and through the seasons. Today I can whole heartedly say that I eat a healthy, well balanced diet that nourishes my body, my mind and my soul. I think there is a lot of truth in the theory of ‘soul food’ and as corny as it may sound, I believe that when food is prepared with love, care and attention it brings comfort and healing on a deeper level.

My inspiring teacher and fabulous fellow trainees!
From Right: Nick, Julie, Steph, Jason xxx

Our delicious lunch!
 Lentil dhal, kale and beetroot salad, hummous, sun-dried tomatos and mozzarella balls, prawns and samosas.

On that note, I thought that I’d share with you a few of my super healthy store cupboard staples. These are items that I use on a regular basis (most of them daily) and could not do without!

COCONUT OIL (and extra virgin coconut oil):

This is my superstar ingredient! I use it for pretty much EVERYTHING including as a skin moisturiser and hair conditioner!!! In the kitchen I pretty much cook, sauté, fry, and bake everything I can with coconut oil.

The health benefits for using this amazing oil are too many to mention here (which is why i've linked all of the main headings for further information), but a few of the main ones include: hair care, skin care, stress relief, maintaining cholesterol levels, weight loss, increased immunity, proper digestion and metabolism, relief from kidney problems, heart diseases, high blood pressure, and increased bone strength.

These benefits of coconut oil can be attributed to the presence of lauric acid, capric acid and caprylic acid, and its properties such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, antifungal, antibacterial, and it is extremely soothing internally and externally. If you take anything away from this blog...let it be this star ingredient! Go out and get some Extra Virgin Coconut oil and give it a try, I promise you won't be dissapointed!

GHEE:

Ayurveda places ghee, or clarified butter, at the top of the oily foods list, as it has the healing benefits of butter without the impurities (saturated fat, milk solids). Ghee lubricates the connective tissues and promotes flexibility and modern science tells us that ghee also harbours phenolic antioxidants, which bolster the immune system.

I use ghee in cooking whenever I would use ordinary butter, but in baking I most often prefer coconut oil for the sweeter taste. I even make the kids omelettes with ghee or put it on their toast!!

NUTS,SEEDS AND NUT BUTTERS:

 

These little babies are the perfect high protein, high energy snack! But I put them in any dish I can think of, starting with my porridge or cereal in the morning, to stir fry’s, pasta dishes and muffins and cakes!!  We eat them whole, ground and I adore RAW nut butters (cashew and almond being current faves!).

If you, like me, get low blood sugar and a bit shaky between meals, a few oatcakes (or any of your favourite crackers will do) with a bit of nut butter and seeds sprinkled on top will keep your energy levels balanced and keep you feeling awesome until lunch time!

SEAWEED:

My amazing Canadian uncle has just sent me a massive box of gorgeous mixed seaweeds, and I am desperate to find recipes to try all of them (please send any that you may have!). On a regular basis I use Dulse and Nori flakes in most of my savoury dishes, and last week I even made carrot muffins with dulse flakes – which were so yummy!

Like the other super foods listed above, seaweed has many amazing health benefits: weight control, blood sugar regulation, source of many minerals, and a fabulous digestive aid. If you haven’t tried seaweed before, just add a bit to your cooked rice or pasta dishes...instead of adding salt!!

MIXED GRAINS:

Most mornings we (the children and I) sit down to a bowl of ‘magic porridge’, which is a super fuelling mix of grains, seeds, nuts and oil (yes, oil!). This is probably the healthiest bowl of porridge on the planet but also delish, here’s the recipe if you fancy giving it a try:

½ cup per person of Mixed grains: quinoa flakes, spelt, oats, buckwheat flakes1 cup rice milk or coconut milk
2 tbsp mixed ground seeds, nuts and goji berries
1 tbsp while sunflower and pumpkin seeds
1 tbsp Udo’s choice Oil (another truly amazing super oil!)
1 tsp apple cider vinegar
*Raisins or berries optional
sprinkled with a bit of Stevia and cinnamon on top

KEFIR:

Kefir is called the ‘champagne of milk’. It is raw cultured milk that is super creamy and thick, like a milkshake, but has a slight effervescent bubbly taste. It is renowned for its gut healing properties, so is fantastic for Candida, IBS, digestion, colitis etc..

We drink it most days (the kids love it!) but it is quite pricey so just a small amount daily is all you really need (1/4 – ½ cup is fine!).

KALE:

Curly kale is my absolute favourite green leafy veg – especially this time of year! I make a huge Kale salad every week and have it in the fridge so it’s on hand for a quick lunch or snack.

Kale is a fabulous natural detoxifier. It helps lower cholesterol, an amazing source of fiber and Vitamins A,C, and K...and many many others!

Quick Kale Salad:
1 large bag of kale (remove woody stems)
1 carrot or beetroot
pumpkin and sunflower seeds
Cherry tomatoes halved
3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
½ lemon juice
pink Himalayan crystal salt to taste

Massage oil, vinegar, lemon juice and salt into kale. Then mix all ingredients together – it’s that simple and SO yummy!

APPLE CIDER VINEGAR (with mother):

You’ve all heard of the apple cider vinegar diet I’m sure!! Well that isn’t why this fabulous ingredient is on here, but Beyonce sings its praises (apparently it helped her lose 20lbs!). I use apple cider vinegar (raw, unfiltered) in dressings, marinades, porridge, and in baking!

It’s health properties include: fighting Candida, aiding in weight loss, treating diabetes, balancing cholesterol, healing the gut lining, healing skin conditions, boosts immune system, reduces sinus infections and sore throats...and the list goes on...give it a try – it tastes delicious and will make such a positive addition to your cupboard.

PINK HIMALAYAN CRYSTAL SALT:

this little gem is one of my fave’s, although my husband thinks it’s utterly ridiculous  that we spend money on pink salt; I will let you decide for yourself! I’m not sure what I love more, the fact that my salt is PINK or that it is a truly remarkable ingredient that I get to use every day!!

Himalayan pink crystal salt originates from the primal seas of millions of years ago, where life began. Dried by the sun at a time where pollution did not exist, Himalayan pink salt is completely pure and contains every mineral and trace element found in the human body. The mineral particles in pink salt are totally natural and so tiny that they are easily metabolised for the bio-chemical functioning of human cells. Because of this, Himalayan pink salt is one of nature’s most effective natural balancers.

Pink crystal salt helps to restore and balance the body’s energy, rebalance acid-alkaline levels, dissolve and releases crystallised deposits, helps breakdown heavy metals such as mercury from dental fillings and cadium from smoking and everyday pollution. Crystals salts are extremely versatile and can also be used to flush the sinuses to prevent runny and congested noses and sinus infections, used as an eye bath to restore moisture to dry eyes, for inhalations to help breathing, as a cleansing bath that has the same detoxifying effect as a three day fast, and for rejuvenating beauty masks and wraps to treat skin, joints and cellulite.

I use TWO forms of this salt: fine grade salt for cooking and course grade for my indulgent bath soaks!!

I truly believe that the more you get to know yourself, the more you understand what foods nourish your own body and what foods are more of a challenge to the body.  I take a lot of care into what my family and I eat and although we are not 100% organic, nor are we vegetarian I find comfort and solace in knowing that we are eating a diet full of nourishing whole foods.

Just one last note...

The above ingredients are my super foods and I love them dearly...but please don’t get me wrong, alongside these beauties you will still find some chocolate, wine, the occasional steak and even fish and chips!!  As I said at the start, I believe a healthy diet is all about BALANCE and doing what is right for you! And yes my friends chocolate will always be right for me (although RAW chocolate is my absolute favourite indulgent treat!)