Sweet potatoes are extremely nutritious and unlike white potatoes, they can be counted as part of your 7 a day. Their orange flesh is packed with beta-carotene, which the body converts to Vitamin A, which helps support our immune system and maintain our vision and healthy skin. They also contain fibre, vitamin C, and potassium. They are incredibly versatile and can be steamed or roasted or used in soups, stews,...
I quite simply adore Thai food! And the good news is not only that Thai curry’s are surprisingly easy to make thanks to readymade curry pastes, they are also detox friendly! Once again I have made use of some of the fabulous seasonal produce to make an Autumnal curry. Serves: 4 #3 portions of vegetables per serving Ingredients: ½ tablespoon raw coconut oil (fat) 1 cup brown basmati rice (carb) 2 raw coconut...
Both the ruby red colour and rich flavour of this soup is quite simply stunning! The acidity of the tomatoes contrast the sweetness of the beetroot. An excellent source of folic acid and a very good source of fibre, manganese and potassium, beetroot is also great for reducing blood pressure. Serves: 4 #3 portions vegetables per serving Ingredients: 2 tablespoons olive oil (fat) 750gm beetroot (carb) 500gm vine tomatoes (carb) 4 shallots - peeled...
A great way to start the day during the Autumn, or any other day that you feel like a moreish smoothie for breakfast, delicately spiced with warming winter spices. Think of it as pumpkin pie in a glass! Serves: 2 Ingredients: 150gm roasted pumpkin 150ml coconut milk 200ml coconut water 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice 1-2 teaspoons nut butter 1 teaspoon raw honey ¼ teaspoon vanilla essence Ingredients for Pumpkin Pie Spice: 3 teaspoons ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon ground ginger 1 teaspoon freshly...
I spend as much time as I able to each year visiting my parents who live in Spain. One of the things I love to do when there is go out for Sunday lunch and watch three generations of Spanish families gather around large tables to share enormous dishes of Paella. Think of it as the Spanish equivalent of a Sunday Roast! There are a number of varieties of Paella....
This soup provides a real blast on sunshine on a grey day! Serves: 4 #3 portions vegetables per serving Ingredients: 2 tablespoons raw coconut oil (fat) 2 small onions – finely chopped (carb) 2 cloves garlic (carb) 1” piece of turmeric root peeled & grated or 1 teaspoon ground turmeric 1” piece of fresh ginger – peeled and finely grated (carb) ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon 650gm carrots – peeled and roughly chopped (carb) ...
I have to thank Skye Gyngell for the inspiration to this dish. These beautiful curried beans make a meal on their own. I have also found them to be a crowd pleaser amongst the carnivores in the house! Serves: 4 #2 portion of vegetables per serving 1 teaspoon coriander seeds 1 teaspoon yellow mustard seeds 1 teaspoon fenugreek seeds 4 cardamom pods, seeds removed (discard pods) 2 tablespoons coconut oil 2 onions, finely chopped 2 long red chillies, sliced...
Despite its name, buckwheat is not related to wheat and is in fact a gluten free power food! Also known as 'beech wheat' the name comes from its triangular seeds, which resemble the much larger seeds of the beech nut from the beech tree. Classified by macrobiotics as a yang food it is great for eating in the cold winter months. It contains protein, iron, calcium, B vitamins and antioxidants....
These burgers are insanely tasty and take only minutes to make. Serve with a large mixed salad of your choice (I love them with my Green Slaw with Mango Mayo) and perhaps a little tomato salsa. Serves: 4 Ingredients: 500g chicken (protein) 2 cloves garlic, roughly chopped (carb) 1 small piece of fresh ginger, finely chopped 1/2 small bunch fresh coriander, roughly chopped 1 onion, roughly chopped (carb) 1 small red chilli,...
Inspired by my recent trip to Spain, I am thrilled to share with you my latest experiment, which uses the almonds usually used in white gazpacho to replace the bread often used in the red gazpacho - genius! The result - absolutely delicious, even if I say so myself! Serves: 4 as a starter #2 portions of vegetables per serving Ingredients: 40g almonds (fat) 2 cloves garlic (carb) 200ml water 4 large ripe...
Serves: 4 #1 portions of vegetables per serving 1 cup quinoa, approx. 200g (carb) 1 ½ cups vegetable stock (approx. 375ml) 120g vine ripened cherry tomatoes, halved (carb) ½ cucumber, chopped (carb) 4 spring onions (carb) 1 small bunch flat leaf parsley, chopped ½ small bunch fresh mint, chopped ½ small bunch fresh coriander, chopped Optional: add your favourite white fish to include protein in the meal For the dressing; Juice 1 lemon (carb) 3...
This is to all intents and purposes a chocolate ‘milk’ shake that tastes so good it’s hard to believe it’s so good for you! A great way for the whole family to start their day, packed full of superfoods with their vitamins, minerals and omega oils. Serves: 2 Ingredients: 1 ripe avocado 250ml coconut water 250ml almond milk (unsweetened) 1 tbsp raw cacao powder 1 tbsp hemp powder or hemp seeds finely ground 2 tsp raw honey or...
This light, crisp and tangy green slaw with its light fruity and yet spicy dressing is quick and easy to make and goes beautifully with chicken or rice dishes, providing lots of lovely raw enzymes to aid your digestion. Serves: 4 Ingredients: ½ Savoy Cabbage 1 green pepper 1 green apple A few sprigs fresh mint A few sprigs fresh coriander Dressing: 4 tablespoons olive oil Juice and zest of 2 limes ½ mango ½ - 1 green chilli, deseeded and roughly...
This is quite simply the best salad, ever, inspired by Peter Gordon. Capable of turning the most convicted of carnivores into vegetarians! And yes, there is enough garlic in there to keep the vampires away! Serves: 4 #1 portion of vegetables per serving 450g cooked chick peas (2 x 450g tins precooked) - thoroughly rinsed 3 red onions - peeled and finely sliced 6 tbsp olive oil 1 or 2 red chillies - de-seeded and finely...
These amazing seeds pack one hell of a punch when it comes to nutritional content and most definitely worthy of the title of Superfood. Just one tablespoon has 7 grams of fibre (of your recommended 24g a day), 500 times more calcium than a glass of milk, more Omega-3s than Salmon and more antioxidants than blueberries. They contain four essential fatty acids, 30% protein, Vitamins A, B, E, and D,...
This breakfast recipe created by a Swiss physician in approximately 1900 Dr Maximilian Bircher-Brenner who used to give it to his patients in hospital. If only hospital food was this good now! Serves 4 100g oats (soaked to make them easier to digest) (carb) 100ml almond milk (or other non-dairy milk of your choice) (fat) 150ml pot natural live yoghurt (with live friendly gut bacteria), fat or protein 100ml apple juice (ideally...
Serves: 4 #3 portions of vegetables per serving Ingredients: 1 cup quinoa + 1 ½ cups water 300g mixed green leaves (I love spinach, watercress and rocket) ½ cucumber, chopped 1 avocado, chopped 1 bunch asparagus 1 red onion, finely chopped 100g shelled pistachios or hazelnuts , chopped (not suitable for Rejuvadetox) 3 tbsp chopped mint 3 tbsp chopped flat leaf parsley For the dressing; Juice & grated rind of 1 lemon 4 tbsp olive oil 2 tbsp pomegranate molasses (optional, not suitable for...
These fabulous small but nutritionally mighty lentils are another favourite of mine. Originating in France, they have a wonderful nutty flavour and when cooked with the addition of some stock and herbs they are absolutely delicious and can be used in a variety of ways. They also get the thumbs up on the fibre front containing approximately 40% insoluble dietary fibre. The pomegranate molasses is now available in most supermarkets...
The combination of these fruits creates quite an explosion of textures and flavours in your mouth and is quite simply delicious! Serves: 2 #3 portions of fruit per serving Ingredients: 4 slices of pineapple 1 pomegranate 2 passion fruit Remove the skin from the pineapple and cut into bite size chunks and place in a bowl. Cut the pomegranate in half, hold cut side down in the palm of your hand and with the other hand firmly...
These lovely little snacks are easy to make and highly nutritious. Packed full of protein and fibre, they are great to help curb any sweet cravings you may have and keep you satisfied for longer. Soaking the almonds overnight activates the enzymes in them. Soaking the almonds activates them, releasing enzyme inhibitors, making them more easily digested allowing for greater absorption of nutrients. Makes 18 100g almonds, soaked in water overnight 125g raisins 2 tablespoons...
This avocado based Mexican dip is quick and easy to make, either by hand or with the aid of a food processor. You can omit the chilli if you like things on the cooler side. Serve either on its own, or with tomato Salsa, with vegetable crudité either as a snack or light lunch with some oatcakes. Also makes a great healthy snack for kids! Serves 4 Ingredients 2 avocados, peeled, deseeded and...
‘Gluten Free’ tends to be over used as a marketing ploy these days. Oats themselves are gluten free, however often they come into contact with gluten during either the growing or manufacturing process. Unless you are a coeliac, in which case you would do well to avoid even the ones labelled ‘gluten free’ to be safe, you don’t need to go out of your way to find the ‘gluten free’...
Very much a meal in itself, this soup packs a punch on the flavour front, is most definitely good for mind, body and soul and great for boosting the immune system. This should blast any potential threat of a cold clear! Serves: 2 Ingredients 200gm chicken or turkey breast 2 teaspoons olive 2 teaspoons sesame oil 2 cloves garlic – finely chopped 1 tsp grated fresh ginger 1 small red chilli – sliced into rounds (seeds removed) 4 spring...
This amazing smoothie makes a heavy duty snack or even a light lunch. Feel free to add a whole avocado if you are having it as a lunch. The avocado provides a perfectly balanced diet, containing all 6 nutritional needs; water, fat, protein, natural sugar, vitamins and minerals. The carrot supports the cleansing of the liver and the basil adds a beautiful twist. Serves 1 2 portions of vegetables and 2 portions...
This is a Turkish family recipe that my college friend Aisha used to make for me when I visited her at home. I love the zingy combination of the lemon and lentils and the addition of rice makes it a meal in itself. Serves: 4 Ingredients 2 tablespoons olive oil (fat) 1 large onion – finely chopped (carb) 2 carrots – finely chopped (carb) 4 cloves garlic – finely sliced (carb) 200gm red lentils (carb) 100gm...
Feel free to play around with whatever vegetables are in season to your liking. You could for example replace the peas or beans with courgettes or mushrooms if you prefer. Serves: 4 #3 portions of veg per serving. Ingredients: 2 tbsp olive oil (fat) 2 tbsp coconut oil (fat) 1 large onion – finely chopped (carb) 2 sticks celery – finely chopped (carb) 2 cloves garlic - crushed (carb) 200g risotto rice (carb) 900ml chicken or...
Having left London when I was 5 years old, I grew up in rural Suffolk, a child of the 70s with the heat wave in 1976 being the hottest summer on record. TV was limited to Play School after school and Swap Shop on a Saturday morning, which allowed my parents to have a lie in.
My brother, sister and I would spend most of our free time exploring and playing in the great outdoors that was our adventure playground. Our nearest friends were a cycle ride away, the nearest shop, a farmyard tuck shop, was a 15 minute walk across the fields. Visits to friend’s birthday parties were a rarity.
We made dens with sun loungers, climbed trees, played badminton of sorts over a make shift net made of garden string, painted pictures outdoors, ran amuck amongst the bales of hay in neighboring fields, and squealed with delight as our gorgeous English Pointer of a dog would tow my younger brother, sister and I across the lawn on his blanket, gripping it between his teeth until his gums bled, such was his devotion to us. 
Sometimes all you need is a hug from the right person …
and all your stress will melt away.
For many secondary school and university students, May marks the beginning of a stressful time as exams begin. A racing heart, stomach cramps, headaches, migraines, forgetfulness, trouble sleeping, feeling irritable or tearful, loss of appetite or over eating are all symptoms of stress. High levels of stress and anxiety before or during an exam can also reduce exam performance. In addition to being prepared, the following can help to combat exam stress.
My love of all things coconut continues with my discovery of coconut flour, which makes the perfect partnership with bananas in this gluten and dairy free bread. Try this as a healthy cake alternative at Easter. A great way to use up over ripe bananas. Serves: 12 Ingredients; 4 organic eggs 3 large ripe bananas, mashed 4 Mejool dates, pitted and chopped 50g walnuts, chopped 5 tablespoons raw organic coconut oil 1 tablespoon maple syrup 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 100g...
Indulge in this delightful delicately flavoured desert on Valentine’s Day (or any other special occasion for that matter), totally guilt free! Agar is a vegetarian gelling agent made from Japanese sea vegetables, available from most health food stores some online supermarkets. Serves: 4 Ingredients • 1 x 400ml can coconut milk • 200ml almond milk • 1 vanilla pod, seeds scraped • 8 cardamom pods, seeds removed and crushed • 1 teaspoon rose water (optional) • 3 tablespoons...
Detoxing on a Monday morning[/caption]
I found myself dancing around my house this morning. Not the early hours as some may think but actually first thing this cold wet Monday morning.
I believe I owe my new found energy to the detox that I am currently on. I am on day 7 of 28 and weird things are starting to happen. Having attempted many many (fad) diets over the years I never thought I could go on a detox programme as the only thing I have ever stuck to is my complete devotion and loyalty to chocolate!
These delicious truffles are the perfect way to end a celebratory meal or a fabulous alternative to those chocolates at Christmas! I have used the big fat juicy Medjool dates which I feel are appropriately luxurious for the festive season. The truffles are extremely nutritious containing protein, fibre, vitamins E & B complex, minerals, omega 3 oil and antioxidants. Soaking the almonds activates them, releasing enzyme inhibitors, making them more...
I am learning that I'm becoming pretty good at some things. And there is one thing in particular that I'm really great at.
Saying sorry.
I'm not talking about the heart felt apology for something that has hurt or harmed another human-being or animal. I'm talking about the unashamedly 'sorrys' that either begin or end almost every single sentence.
stress can turn you into a real monster[/caption]
I remember the first time I experienced that nauseating, stomach churning, heart pounding, adrenaline rush for the first time, after stepping up into the big wide ‘glamorous’ world of the film industry. It was my first job abroad and I had landed a nine month contract in the enchanting city of Prague. 
The chia seeds provide 11gm fibre, 5gm Omega 3 and 4.4gm protein per serving! Serves 2 50g Chia seeds 250ml almond milk OR pomegranate juice (unsweetened) 200g strawberries OR raspberries or other berries of your choice 2tsp raw honey or agave syrup Place the seeds in a bowl and add the milk or pomegranate juice and leave to soak for 1 hour, stirring occasionally to make sure it doesn’t go lumpy! They will swell up and...
Serves: 4 #3 portions of vegetables per serving • 1 cup quinoa + 1 ½ cups water • 300g mixed green leaves (I love spinach, watercress and rocket) • ½ cucumber, chopped • 1 avocado, chopped • 1 bunch asparagus • 1 red onion, finely chopped • 100g shelled pistachios or hazelnuts , chopped. • 3 tbsp chopped mint • 3 tbsp chopped flat leaf parsley For the dressing; • Juice & grated rind of 1 lemon • 4 tbsp olive oil • 2...
pleaded a woman when I suggested a cleanse to her. How could I deny her this support? That’s when the flash of inspiration hit me – how many people would be prepared to cleanse if we did it together? I sent an email out inviting others to join me and was astounded when over 30 of them responded YES! And so the concept of group detoxing was born. During this gentle 10 day programme participants avoid red meat, wheat, dairy, sugar, fried food, tea, coffee and possibly the most challenging for some, alcohol. Added to this they increase their daily intake of water, fresh fruit and vegetables and take a course of herbal supplements which assist with cleansing the major organs in the body.“Please will you do it with me? I don’t think I can do it on my own – PLEASE?”
Freedom from panic[/caption]
Written by Louise
How many times have you heard of women going to the doctors with one of the following symptoms: IBS, headaches, depression, lethargy, pre-menstrual tension, post-menstrual tension, all month menstrual tension! Skin conditions, panic attacks and stress to name but a few? These are common ailments that the modern day woman is cursed with.
Have you ever been to the doctors and been told that you need to keep a record of what you eat to see if there are any "triggers" for the above symptoms or maybe you were sent away with a list of medication or even those wonderful antidepressants that are going to level out your hormones and make everything just perfect? (excuse my cynicism)!