Tuesday 13 December 2016

winter salad -fresh from the garden

winter salad - straight from my garden - easy to grow
the various herbs give the warmth we look for in the winter

handful of lettuce - pick a mixture of the outside leaves and a few new ones for sweetness
handful of kale -slice this thinly
handful of coriander - tear up
handful of parsley - tear up
sprigs of oregano
handful of baby spinach
sprigs of mint

add your favourite preserve - peppers, artichokes, sour cherrys
and if you like use some of the vinaigrette from their jar and toss all together

add chopped chick peas or smoked chicken

a dob of aioli or chilli salsa for that extra flavour.

yum, yum.


gut buster lunch in 90 seconds


1 avocado - soft and ripe
1 tomato - seeds removed
1/2 tsp of chopped crushed chilli (fresh if you prefer)
1 dessert spoon of chia seed
Squeeze of lemon

Throw all food into a zyliss chopper or use hand held wand and chop until its smashed 

Spoon mixture onto lettuce leaves. Roll up and eat. Scrumptious and quick.
 



Friday 9 December 2016

fresh beetroot/ginger coleslaw -




Beetroot/ginger coleslaw

1 medium beetroot - fresh uncooked
1 medium carrot
1 tbsp crushed ginger
3-4 slow roasted tomatoes - or semi dried
Squirt of lime juice
1 tbsp sesame oil
Soy sauce - low salt 
1/3 cabbage







Grate the beetroot and carrot
Mix in the ginger, chopped tomatoes, lime juice
Finely slice the cabbage
Combine the beetroot/carrot combo with the cabbage
Add the sesame oil
Add soy sauce to taste

Sprinkle with seeds trio or chopped nuts for texture

Serve
Very fresh and cleansing to eat.







tasty light spicy pulled pork and cous cous dinner for 2-3 people - original

Pork

choose 2 large pork chops - preferably non pen farmed (organic)
dash of oil
1 brown onion
2-4 cloves of garlic
1 tsp ras el hanout
2-3 cups of vegetable stock - campbells is great

heat the oil in an ovenproof casserole pot on a hot stove top
seer the pork chops until browned
remove from pot
put onions and garlic in the pot - cook until browned
return pork chops
add stock to cover chops
stir in the teaspoon of ras el hanout
bring to the boil
put pot into oven with the lid on - fan bake on 170C for 2 hours or until the meat falls of the bone 
shred or pull the meat apart discarding fat
spoon onion and vege juice onto pork and set aside to cool

cous-cous
 1 cup of cous cous - preferably larger Egyptian type
1 shallot, chopped very fine
1 clove crushed garlic
2 dried figs - chopped to small pieces - could use dates
1 tsp of ras el hanout
2 cups of water - add more if required

put all ingredients into a saucepan and boil until cous cous is tender, stirring frequently
rest for 3-4 minutes - cous cous should be fluffy

plate up couscous with a side of coleslaw, smashed avocado and a spoonful of hummus, top with the pork.

enjoy

rock melons - I grew them

my garden

Rock melon - sometimes referred to as Musk melon.

These grew surprisingly easily. In January I planted 2 plants as seedlings which I got the from the garden centre. I had successfully grown cucumbers in this patch for the last 2 summers and thought the melons might do well.Within a few weeks the plants were flowering. Unfortunately some of the flowers didn't develop into melons. I believe they weren't pollenated. Some did grow to very small melons but because the nights started to get cooler (below 15C) they didn't mature.


me holding the biggest melon


the cut melon, so yummy


luxury healthy hearty breakfast - original

Ingredients (for 1 bowlful/person)

2 dried figs
8 dried pitted dates
2 handfuls rolled oats - pure
25 grams tofu -or as you like
sprinkle of your favourite seed mix (chia, linseed, flaxseed etc)
yoghurt - unsweetened, low fat

Method

Chop the figs and dates into small pieces, add to saucepan with a small amount of water. Boil until partially soft. Add the rolled oats and top up the pot with water to cover. Boil until oats are soft and soaked up most of the water, add more water if needed.
At the last minute throw in your seed mix.
Serve into a bowl which has the tofu cut and spread across the bottom.
Pour over yoghurt to suit.

Eat and lick the bowl.

Sunday 27 November 2016

stomach healer - juice

Stomach healer - juice

1/2 small cabbage
1 raw beetroot -peeled
4 small apples -cored
1 slice of fresh pineapple -2 cm thick -peeled
Piece of fresh ginger -peeled

Makes 2 x 300 ml glasses of juice
Serve with ice.
Yum.
For chronic stomach issues - drink 1 x 300ml twice a day

Great for stomach healing because;

Cabbage - The amino acid glutamine in cabbage juice is totally gentle and cleansing on the digestive system, detoxifying, repairing ulcers, healing and regenerating. 

Pineapple contains bromelain and helps treat symptoms of bowel conditions like ulcerative colitis, potentially reducing swelling and even ulcers.

Apples- The phytonutrients and antioxidants in apples may help reduce the risk of developing cancer, hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease. 

Beetroot - full of vitamin C, and essential minerals like potassium (essential for healthy nerve and muscle function) and manganese (which is good for your bones, liver, kidneys, and pancreas). Beets also contain the B vitamin folate.

Ginger - Ginger is known to speed up emptying of the stomach, which can be beneficial for people with indigestion and related stomach discomfort.

Ginger contains a substance called 6-gingerol, which may have protective effects against cancer. However, this needs to be studied a lot more.

Tuesday 25 October 2016

triple protein smoothie

triple protein smoothie

1 egg
1/2 cup chick peas (cooked and soft)could use canned peas
1/2 cup Yoghurt -dairy or coconut -plain

3/4 cup Berries
1/2 Banana
1 Green leaf -lettuce, or kale, or 1 handful if baby spinach
1/2cup Coconut water, or fresh pressed juice (celery/apple), or plain water
1 tbsp LSA
1 tbsp Physillium 

Blend
Drink

yum

pan-o-greens - delicious greens with feta/blue cheese topping

Pan- o -greens

5-6 small mushrooms - any type -chopped
Fennel bulb - 1/2 cup sliced thin
4-5 sprigs of fresh asparagus - chop into 2cm pieces
1/4 cup chopped spring onions
4-5 cloves of garlic- crushed
4 brussels sprouts - sliced thinly
2-3 tbsp coconut oil 
3 large leaves of silver beet
2-3 large leaves of other greens, kale, mustard greens, collard cabbage -slice thinly so its like ribbons
A sprinkle of salt, turmeric, and kelp
1/2 cup of feta cheese - crumbled 
1/4 cup blue cheese -crumbled
A handful of fresh green sprouts(any kind)


Heat the pan -add the oil
Throw the chopped mushrooms, fennel, asparagus, onions in -toss until coated and starting to soften
Add the garlic and sprouts and salts
Toss
Then add the leafy greens -cook until wilted(like 2-3 minutes)
Fold everything in
Sprinkle the cheese and sprouts on top for 30 seconds -turn the heat off

Serves 3 people 







Wednesday 19 October 2016

wholemeal pizza - chicken and chorizo


Pizza base
Use a bread maker if you wish ( I did, it takes 90 mins)
200mls cold water
2 and 1/2 cups of flour - I used wholemeal
2 tablespoons of oil ( your choice of oil)
Salt (I leave it out)
1 and 3/4 teaspoons of dry yeast

mix, knead, rise, knead, roll out

toppings
2 large red onions, cut(long ways), softened and caramelised in hot pan, use a little oil, deglaze the pan with a splash of white wine (if you like) - set aside
1/2 chicken breast skinless, cut into small strips, marinate in a combo of 2/3 sweet chilli sauce/jam and 1/3 soy sauce (about a cup full in total)for 30 minutes
then toss chicken in pan until the sauce has caramelised (it goes kind of sticky) - set aside
chorizo sausage, about 4 inches long - slice very thinly
sweet corn, cooked and cut off the cob - 2 cobs is plenty
125gms grated edam cheese (less fat) -this binds the toppings together nicely

smear onto pizza base - 
tomato paste or puree - about 3 tablespoons
crushed garlic - about 3 teaspoons  
sprinkle corn
sprinkle 3/4 of the grated cheese
spread onions over
place chicken and chorizo pieces evenly (I left chorizo off my 1/4 of the pizza)
top with final sprinkle of grated cheese

cook in 180C oven for about 30 minutes or until top is lightly browned
serve with salad

yum

Running late? Lets do oats for breakfast anyway.



Oats smoothie

1/2 cup of oats, more if you like, jumbo organic is best
3/4 cup Berries
1/2 Banana
1 Egg
1/2 cup Yoghurt
1 Green leaf -lettuce, or kale, or 1 handful if baby spinach
1/2cup Coconut water, or fresh pressed juice, or plain water 

Blend
Drink

yum

Monday 17 October 2016

13 liver aids -food you can eat - easy as - no pills, nasty drinks or fasting


The liver is the main organ that helps the body with detoxification process. Everything you swallow and breathe is absorbed into the bloodstream and passes through the liver. 
The liver regulates, synthesize, stores, and secretes many important proteins and nutrients. It purifies, transforms, and clears toxic or unneeded substances, according to the German Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care.
Many detoxification products claim to "cleanse" the liver, but in healthy individuals, the liver is not a place where toxins are stored. Rather, the liver turns potentially harmful chemicals into water-soluble chemicals that can be sweated or excreted from the body. 
Eating these 13 foods  is a great way to help keep your liver function properly. 

1. Garlic
Just 4 cloves of garlic a day  has the ability to activate liver enzymes that help your body flush out toxins. Garlic holds high amounts of allicin and selenium, two natural compounds that aid the liver. Garlic also contains arginine, an amino acid important for relaxing the blood vessels, and selenium, a mineral important for increasing the action of antioxidants. 

2. Grapefruit
High in vitamin C and antioxidants, grapefruit increases the natural cleansing processes of the liver.  200mls of freshly-squeezed grapefruit juice can boost production of the liver detoxification enzymes.

3. Beetroot and Carrots
Both are high in plant-flavonoids and beta-carotene which when eaten can stimulate and improve overall liver function.

4. Green Tea
This deliciously refreshing tea is full of plant antioxidants known as catechins, a compound known to aid liver function.  Remember that green tea offers the benefits so keep it simple and stick to the cuppa tea.

5. Leafy Green Vegetables
Leafy greens can be eaten raw (in smaller quantities) or cooked. High in plant chlorophylls, greens cleanses environmental toxins from the blood stream. With their distinct ability to neutralize heavy metals, chemicals and pesticides, these cleansing foods offer a powerful protective mechanism for the liver.

6. Avocados
This super-food helps the body produce glutathione, a compound that is necessary for the liver to excrete toxins.

7. Apples
High in pectin, apples hold the chemical constituents necessary for the body to cleanse and release toxins from the digestive tract. This makes it easier for the liver to handle the toxic load.

8. Olive Oil
Cold-pressed organic oils such as olive, hemp and flax-seed are great for the liver, when used in moderation. They help the body by providing a lipid base that can suck up harmful toxins in the body. 

9. Cruciferous Vegetables
When you eat broccoli and cauliflower the glucosinolate is increased in your system, adding to enzyme production in the liver. These natural enzymes can help flush toxins.

10. Lemons & Limes
These citrus fruits contain high amounts of vitamin C, which aids the body in synthesizing toxic materials into substances that can be absorbed by water. Drinking freshly-squeezed lemon or lime juice in the morning helps stimulate the liver.

11. Walnuts
Holding high amounts of the amino acid arginine, walnuts aid the liver in detoxifying ammonia. Walnuts are also high in glutathione and omega-3 fatty acids, which support normal liver cleansing actions. 

12. Cabbage
Like broccoli and cauliflower, eating cabbage helps stimulate the activation of two crucial liver detoxifying enzymes that help flush out toxins. Try eating more kimchi, coleslaw, cabbage soup and sauerkraut.

13. Turmeric
Put this spice on your favorites list. Add it into your next lentil stew or veggie dish for an instant liver pick-me-up. Or slice it fresh and infuse it into hot water to drink as a tea. Turmeric helps boost liver detox, by assisting enzymes that actively flush out toxins.

Other liver cleanse foods include artichoke, asparagus, kale, and Brussels sprouts. 

The nutritional advice expressed  are not intended to be a substitute for conventional medical service. If you have a severe medical condition or health concern see your Doctor first.

thanks to http://www.livescience.com/34845-detox-cleansing-facts-fallacies.html



Saturday 15 October 2016

one pan dinner - Hearty homemade baked beans - with or without chorizo

Home made baked beans

1 440gm can of cannelloni beans
2 440gm cans of diced tomatoes in juice
1 chorizo sausage - more if you like
1 onion -chopped
4 cloves of garlic -chopped
4 mushrooms - chopped
2-3 leftover roast vegetables(kumera, pumpkin) -chopped
1 tbsp of chopped fresh oregano - or dried if u wish
2 tbsp chopped fresh basil
1/2 tsp of celery salt
1 tsp fresh chopped chilli  or to taste
1tsp Salt
 1/2 tsp powdered kelp
Cocoanut oil to cook

Heat pan with oil. 
Cook onions, putting the lid on so onions sweat down. When soft add garlic, mushrooms and vegetables. Stir over.
Add sausage, cook for 2 mins.
Add tomatoes, beans, fresh herbs, chilli,  and salts. Carefully stir.
Simmer for 5 minutes until the flavour is rich.and infused with herbs etc. Taste test, add more salt or chilli to taste. Should be warm and rich.

Serves 3-4  a hearty dish.
Yum.



all the talk about leaky gut - how do you know yours is healthy or not?


Leaky gut is a condition often unrecognised by most of us. It is one of the primary root causes of autoimmune and thyroid diseases. If your gut has become leaky it means the the tight junctions that usually hold the walls of your intestines together have become loose, allowing undigested food particles, microbes, toxins, and more to escape your gut and enter your bloodstream. 
You can think of your gut lining as a sieve. 
Teeny micronutrients in food that are meant to travel back and forth are able to go through the sieve without a problem. 
But, things such as gluten, gut infections, medications, or toxins, can cause the sieve to widen its gaps, allowing bigger things through that aren’t meant to travel through. In this case, it’s microbes, toxins, pathogens, proteins, and partially digested food particles that are passing through and escaping into your bloodstream.

The chronic state of inflammation caused by leaky gut is what triggers and worsens autoimmune disease. As your immune system becomes more stressed, it is less able to attack pathogens and invaders with precision. Instead, it begins indiscriminate attacks, in a desperate attempt to fight off the invaders. Eventually, your body’s own tissues end up on the receiving end of the attack, and you end up with an autoimmune disease.

Gluten causes leaky gut When you eat gluten, it travels through your stomach and arrives in your small intestine, where we know from Dr. Alessio Fasano’s research that it triggers the release of zonulin. Zonulin is a chemical that signals the tight junctions of your intestinal wall to open up, creating leaky gut.

Eating an anti-inflammatory diet will help repair your gut.

Foods called probiotics like - leeks, garlic, sauerkraut, kimchi, kombucha, miso soup, yoghurt, tempeh, sourdough gluten free bread.
While probiotic-foods have live bacteria, prebiotic foods feed the good bacteria already living in your gut. 
You can find prebiotics in items such as asparagus, Jerusalem artichokes, bananas, oatmeal, red wine, honey, maple syrup, and legumes. Try prebiotic foods on their own or with probiotic foods to perhaps give the probiotics a boost.
Homemade bone broths contain gelatin which heals the mucosal lining of the digestive tract and helps aid in the digestion of nutrients. Gelatin is also a potent helper for hair, skin, nails, and joints because it replenishes the collagen that we lose as we age or due to malabsorption. 
Studies also show that eating chicken soup during a respiratory infection reduces the number of white blood cells, which are the cells that cause flu and cold symptoms. Think of bone broth as a healer for the immune system, bones, connective tissue, and gut. 

Basil, mint, pineapple, turmeric, apples and many other green vegetables. Also aid in the process of maintaining a healthy gut.


Tuesday 11 October 2016

SUGAR - last time Nicole (my niece) gave me a facial - she told me she was using sugar - WHAT?

this is the best use of SUGAR - a face scrub for clogged pores


Sugar can be used as scrubbing particle in order to open the clogged pores. It can be also considered as best kind of exfoliating agent that help in reducing the number of clogged pores. Scrubbing has always become the best choice for people to solve clogged pores. Take some amount of powdered sugar and add lemon juice into it. Make it a paste and start scrubbing the area with clogged pores. Massage in a circular motion in order to increase blood circulation and also remove clogged pores.





Thanks to www.remediesandherbs.com

Sleeping beauty - NOT!


Part 1 

Before you rush to the Doctor or Health shop for remedies chasing the ultimate sleep support ask your self the following questions - or you can send your answers to me in a private email (jocelyn@ihug.co.nz) if you wish, I’ll make some suggestions for you.

1. What medications (prescribed by GP or health supplements) am I taking each day?

2. What drinks in the day did I have? - Tea, coffee, alcohol

3. What foods did I eat in the day? We are all affected differently by various foods - eggs, grain(bread, cereal), spice, meat. Is there any foods I know I might react to? 

4. What physical activity did I do today? Walk, golf, drive long distance, fly?

5. Did I watch TV in bed until I fell asleep? Or turn it off in the lounge 5 minutes before I went to bed?

6. Did I bring my phone or laptop into the bedroom?

7. Am I a ‘like to be busy person’ ?

8. Did I wear any jewellery to bed?

9. When did I last get a new bed? Pillow? 

10. When did I last give my pillow an airing? In the dryer or hot water cupboard, or out in the sun?

11. What face cream did I put on before I got into bed?

12.  Do other people in the house or neighbourhood move around at night?


Thursday 6 October 2016

Friday night one pan dinner - choritzo, chicken and greens


1 Choritzo sausage - or salami type sausage-sliced thin
Chicken meat pulled from leftover roast chicken (1 cup)
roast veggie’s leftovers - 3-4 pieces -chopped 
Cabbage- 2-3 handfuls sliced fine
Silverbeet or spinach - 3 large leaves sliced fine or 3 handfuls if baby spinach.
1 tbsp tumeric powder or grated fresh tumeric
1/2 leek -sliced thin
3 cloves of garlic -crushed
1 tsp kelp powder/dulce or sea salt
Soy sauce 
1 spring onion -sliced
Fennel bulb, 2 tbsp sliced
4 mushrooms -portobello or shiitake -sliced
1 tbsp of coconut oil
Handful of fresh coriander 
4 small tomatoes cut into 1/4’s


Heat pan with oil in. Toss leeks, onion, fennel bulb, mushrooms, until soft - la dente.
Sprinkle on -Tumeric, kelp, garlic and a splash of soy sauce.
Add sausage and chicken along with roast vege.
Fold all together.
Place greens on top along with tomatoes. 
Put the lid on the pan and cook for 2-3 minutes.
Fold everything over in the pan until mixed thru.
Throw on the coriander.

Its ready to serve 3 people.
Easy one pan dinner. 


Tuesday 20 September 2016

hate cauliflower? me too. So I invented this recipe


take a whole cauliflower head - steam until tender.
mash 

slice 1 small leek thinly
a few thin slices of fennel bulb
2 garlic cloves -crushed
2 tbsp tumeric powder

in the pan on medium heat -with a tablespoon of coconut oil - toss the leeks, fennel, garlic until tender.
add the cauliflower and tumeric
toss over until it browns like hash 

salt and pepper to taste
serve

delicious

Thursday 25 August 2016

good morning smoothie



1/2cup coconut water
1 egg - split off yolk if you dont want it
1/2 handful fresh baby spinach
1/2 banana
1/2 cup frozen blueberries
2 tbsp LSA or Chia seeds, or psyllium husk
plain yoghurt - 1/3 cup

then blend - yum

for a change -you could swap out

the egg - for 1/2 avocado
coconut water - for  (1/2 apple juice 1/2 celery) - juiced in your own juicer
spinach  -for kale
blueberries - for cranberries


Monday 8 August 2016

tasty healthy -pork fillet curry -with amazing topping

Pork fillet casserole - green curry style with amazing topping

1 pork fillet -long slender and tender
1 onion
1 orange kumera(sweet potato)
2 sticks of celery
a few slices of fennel bulb (optional)
1 small potato 
2 tbsp of green curry paste
400ml coconut cream (lite)

Chop all the vegetables lay in the bottom of the oven casserole dish or crock pot.
Cut the meat to bit size pieces, put on top of the vege. Mix the green curry paste and coconut milk together in a jug and pour over everything in the pot. Add a bit more water to cover if needed. Cook until meat/vege is tender. Approximately 1.5hrs at 175C. Or 4 hours in a crockpot on high. 

Then thinly slice -
1/3 cabbage 
3 kale leaves
1 silver beet leaf(more if small)
2-3 tbsp of chopped dried tomatoes
Handful of fresh coriander

Put these fresh vege on top of your curry. Place the lid on and cook for 3-4 more minutes.
Serve.


Thursday 4 August 2016

Diuretics - cleanse your cells of toxins and fluid - veges and fruit


Diuretics - veggies and fruit

Tomatoes

Tomatoes are approximately 90% water content. They are full of antioxidant such as lycopene, beta-carotene, vitamin C and selenium. 
These antioxidants prevent the damages caused by free radicals to body tissues leading to premature aging and many chronic degenerative diseases. When these free radicals damage the walls of the blood vessels, they can cause the leakage of fluids and therefore, local swelling.
Tomatoes are low in calories - good for people watching their weight.

Cucumber

Cucumber is high in water content and a good choice as a natural diuretic. 
It contains high amount of silicon and sulfur which induce the kidneys to eliminate uric acids. This contributes to an efficient system of waste removal from body and relief from being bloated.
Cucumber gets rid of toxins from the body. Its action of uric acid removal makes it good for arthritis relief too.
Caffeic and ascorbic acid are also present in cucumber and they can contribute to its diuretic effect. Swelling around the eyes can also be treated with cucumber, resting on your day bed, with slices of it on your eyes.
Cucumber is rich in potassium and contains other anti-oxidants such as beta carotene and alpha carotene, vitamins A and C, zeaxanthin and lutein, all of which reduce the effects of ageing.

Cranberry Juice

Cranberry juice is traditionally used to treat urinary tract infections. This is because of its antibacterial and diuretic properties. One notable benefit the diuretic effect of cranberry is that it does not drain the body of potassium.
Some of the phytochemicals present in cranberry include catechins, triterpenoids, quinic acid, hippuric acid, anthocyanins.

Carrots

Carrots are widely regarded as one of the most effective diuretic vegetables because of the vitamins, minerals and antioxidants they contain. Some of the phytochemicals in carrots are lutein, lycopene, carotenes, zeaxanthin and xanthophyll. 
These phytochemicals can promote detoxification and increase the rate of metabolism and in the process discharge vitamins and minerals. Part of the detoxification achieved by these phytochemicals in carrot is done through diuresis.
In addition, the alkaline elements richly present in carrots can invigorate the blood and promote the right pH balance in the body.

Eggplant

There is sufficient evidence that suggests the diuretic importance of egg plant. Its high water content is an obvious example.
Eggplant improves the circulation of blood and reduces toxic heat. Its diuretic properties makes it useful in the treatment of hypertension and edema.
The major phytochemicals found in eggplants are flavonoids. They are also loaded with other antioxidants, fiber, minerals and vitamins.

Artichoke

Artichoke is an excellent diuretic food. This vegetable is especially known to improve kidney functions.
Some of the phytochemicals found in artichoke are caffeic acid, cynarin and flavonoids. They are also a rich source of several nutrients, vitamins and minerals that help to drive normal bodily functions.
The overall antioxidant capacity of artichoke flower heads is one of the highest for vegetables.
The cynarin contained in artichoke improves the flow of bile which reduces the amount of excess fluids and consequently reduces swelling.
Artichokes should be eaten in raw form because heat destroys the cynarin contained in the artichoke.
Herbs made of leaf extract from artichokes have been used to improve bile release and for various liver problems.

Celery

Celery seed speeds up uric acid excretion and increases the rate of urine production. These are the means by which celery detoxifies the body.
When excess uric acid crystals collect in the joint, as in the case of gout, celery seeds can be particularly helpful. Therefore, celery is specially recommended for treating gout edema.
However, celery contains more sodium than most other vegetables. Fortunately, the sodium is counterbalanced by the high potassium it contains.  Studies have revealed that the quantity of sodium in celery is not considerable even for the salt-susceptible individuals.
The major phytochemicals present in celery are coumarins.  Studies reveal that coumarin compounds decrease blood pressure and improve the vascular system. 
Celery is recommended for treating bladder disorders, cystitis and other kidney problems because of its diuretic actions.

Grapes

Grape has a high water content and it is also rich in potassium. Both of these properties make it an effective and unique diuretic food.
Phytochemicals found in grape include phenolic acids, flavonols, flavon-3-ols, myricetin, peonidin, flavonoids, resveratrol, and anthocyanins.
Due to their rich source of potassium and low level of salt, grape can remove toxins from the body through increased urine flow, and for this reason, it is traditionally used for treating kidney disorders.
Due to the fiber in the skin and seeds, grape has a cleansing effect.  Grapes also help in the stimulation of liver functions and also bile secretion.

Asparagus

Asparagus packs low calories and contains a lot of vitamins and minerals such as folic acid, vitamin A, vitamin B and vitamin C. Glutathione, a phytochemical found in asparagus acts as an oxidant and has anti-carcinogenic properties.
Asparagine, an amino acid found in asparagus, is an efficient diuretic and has been known to treat swelling, arthritis, rheumatism, and PMS-related water retention.
The fiber in asparagus helps in cleaning out our gastrointestinal tract.

Sources

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/diuretics/HI00030
http://www.rxlist.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=94169&page=4
http://www.dietobio.com/aliments/en/tomato.html

Monday 21 March 2016

Icecream - homemade - best and easy as



1 cup of frozen blueberries
1 banana - peeled, sliced and frozen - can be over ripe
About 1/4 cup of your best yoghurt 

Throw all ingredients into the blender - blitz until smooth - add more yoghurt if needed.
Serves 2-3 people.
Yum Yum

Please try to use organic fruit and homemade yoghurt.
See my yoghurt recipe on previous post.

Forgot to take a photo - will do next time I make it.

Sunday 20 March 2016

yoghurt - home made - easy as

750ml of raw milk - organic preferred, can be homogenised
1+1/2 tbsp of natural yoghurt - organic, no additives like sugar, flavouring etc
2 tbsp of milk powder - optional 

Heat the milk until it just starts to froth or rise in the pot  
Leave to cool for 20-25 minutes.
Skim the top
Add the yoghurt
Place in a sealed jar, wrap with a towel, and sit on top of the hot water cylinder - or any other really warm place.
After about 6 hours - check thickness - leave longer for thicker consistency - the longer you leave the more tart it becomes.
Then - take off 1 1/2 tbsp for your next batch - use a jar, place in the fridge.
If you like keep half for unflavoured yoghurt

To the other half add
2 tsp of vanilla extract, the best you can get
1 tbsp of the best maple syrup or runny honey.
and put in the fridge.


Yummy as.

Saturday 27 February 2016

crusted vege frittata



In a pie dish spread around evenly-

1 red onion -sliced thin
1/2 leek - sliced thin
1 cup of grated daikon or turnip
Any other leftover veg from the fridge - I used some cooked potato 
2 slices of smoked salmon (100gms) cut into smaller pieces 
Capers - 1/4cup or as you like
Sprinkle shaved/grated parmesan - 1/4 cup or as you like

Mix in a bowl - 
4 eggs
3/4 cup milk - any type not sweet
1/2 cup of flour - any type
2 tsp paprika

Pour mixture over the veg in the pie dish
On the top place sliced tomatoes and another light sprinkle of parmesan cheese.

Bake in the oven on fanbake 195C for about 25 mins - you will see a crust forming around the sides and the top will be golden.

Cut and serve with lettuce or whatever salad.

You could use left over chicken or any meat you like.
And gherkins or pickles to suit.

Or with no meat perhaps some tofu or tempeh for a vegetarian dish.

Thursday 25 February 2016

wanna get ya oats in -but hate them plain? try this


For years I have tricked my family into eating oats. Yes plain rolled oats.
Nobody liked porridge in the mornings.
Nobody really like oaty cakes or biscuits.
So.....I tricked them.

When making a stew or curry that used minced meat - I'd replace 1/3 of the meat with rolled oats.
In a slow cooker of soup, I'd throw 3/4 cup of oats in.
Spaghetti Bolognese? again swap 1/3 of the meat for rolled oats.
In lasagne? same thing - 1/3 of the meat swapped for rolled oats.

Too easy.

Wednesday 24 February 2016

Roasted tomato lentil hummus

Roasted tomato lentil hummus

  • 2 cups water
  • 3/4 cup dried red lentils
  • 2or 3 medium garlic cloves, finely chopped
  • 3 tablespoons tahini
  • 1 cup of slow roasted tomatoes - need about 15 small tomatoes
  • 5 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

  • Cut tomatoes in half, add small amount of coconut oil and slow roast at 160C for approx 40 mins in oven on fan bake.
  • Boil water in a saucepan, add lentils and simmer until almost all of the liquid has been absorbed, about 15 mins. Drain and let cool.
  • Place lentils, roasted tomatoes, garlic, and tahini in the food processor fitted with a blade attachment and pulse until lentils are broken up.
  • Add oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper to taste, blend. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and blend for 30 seconds more or until smooth.



Refrigerate until cold - spread on whatever you like - YUM.

Monday 22 February 2016

curried chicken salad with warm coconut dressing

Mix 2 tbsp of your favourite curry powder with enough lemon or lime juice to make a nice paste - in a small container suitable for the fridge
Slice 1 whole chicken breast (organic) up and put in with the curry, turning over and over until coated. Place in fridge for 5mins to 1 hour (as it suits)

Prepare a salad 
Lettuce - handful per person
Grate and combine, equal quantities of raw daikon(chinese turnip), carrot and beetroot, ginger to taste
Cucumber sliced
Tomato sliced - 1 per person
Plate up for each person - spreading vege around the plate to look nice

Boil a small amount (allow 1/2 cup person) of edamame noodles or wild rice as you prefer
When ready - use 2 tbsp sesame oil in pan and cook chicken pieces
Serve noodles and chicken on top of the salad
With 200mls of coconut cream deglaze the pan you cooked the chicken in - when the cream is nicely coloured and bubbling pour over the chicken and salad.
Delicious
Serves 3-4 people.


Tuesday 16 February 2016

soy bean babies

soy bean babies - seem easy enough to grow - seeds are organic.



I'm keen to see these develop and then eat them. Also keen to know how easy it will be.

Monday 15 February 2016

Sunday 14 February 2016

my easy fig and date loaf - perfect with soy latte


easy fig and date loaf


1/2 cup chopped dried dates
3/4 cup chopped dried figs
Place in a bowl and pour over 1 cup boiling water
Add 1 tsp baking soda - stir - let sit while you prepare other ingredients

Beat 1 egg with 1/2 cup 100% unrefined cane sugar
Add flour - 1 cup of stoneground white, 1 cup of Einkorn flour - or wholemeal, or any other ancient grain flour you have
1 tsp baking powder
1 tbsp melted butter or coconut oil
2-3  tbsp chopped nuts and seeds - whatever you have


Combine all ingredients 
spoon into loaf tin - either buttered or lined with baking paper

Oven bake(fan bake) for approximately 40 mins at 180C.
Leave to cool, store in a airtight container overnight. The next day it is divine for eating.

Nutrition note-
Figs balance your acidic diet (meat, dairy, coffee, alcohol, refined foods = all highly acidic).
Dried figs are also very high in fibre, iron, calcium, and magnesium.

spicy wild rice and vege


1 cup of cooked wild rice
1 red onion or shallot
4-6 cloves of garlic - chopped
1 med tomato - chopped
1/2 chopped capsicum - fresh or bottled
Left over veg from the fridge - anything will do -  I used potato, kumera, pumpkin - about 2 cups 
1-2 teaspoon garam masala
1 teaspoon turmeric
1 tablespoon coriander pesto
1 tsp dulse flakes - or sea salt if you like


Saute onions and garlic.
Add all other ingredients.
Toss until spices are blended nicely
throw some fresh coriander on to serve



Looks great- serves 3 people- counts as 1 vege serving for the day -gets in dulse and tumeric



Thursday 11 February 2016

what to swap for a better bolognese

Spaghetti Bolognese - 
replace the spaghetti with wild rice, or 
Organic Edamame spaghetti
and the beef with lentils or dhal

Too easy.