Just Flow

It was a beautiful weekend here in Sydney, with warm weather and plenty of sunshine. I managed to get back in to the pool for the first time this season and it felt so amazing. We took my parents to The Basin, north of Sydney for a day at the beach. There's so much wildlife; wallabies, goannas and all kinds of  sea creatures. So many fascinating things for a three year old to explore as well!

We brought food and drinks and set up a picnic on my huge Turkish towel, which is a perfect size for a family gathering or just for yourself to lie on the beach (very) comfortably.

It's days like these when I can just "flow" so easily. Finding alignment (and staying there!) can be so challenging during busy work days, but I'm getting better at knowing what kind of situations set me off more easily.

Hope you're having an inspired week! 

This Turkish towel was sent to me as a gift. All opinions are my own.

November Edit

I can't believe it's November already! October was such a busy month with a road trip to Melbourne, lots of work (in retail we are busy getting ready for Christmas!) and of course all the everyday errands that need to be run as well.

I thought I'd gather up a few stand-outs for me, for the month of October. I can't promise this will be a permanent feature, but I will certainly try and share some of my favourite things more frequently.

In no particular order, here goes.

This blog and the podcast has given me so much energy this month. I had heard of Jess a long time ago, but never had time to properly take time and explore her extensive content. Her podcasts have been so helpful in finding alignment, positivity and generally higher vibes, especially after a busy day at work or dealing with a temperamental toddler here at home. I've started taking a moment in the morning to either write down or just to think a few simple things I'm grateful for, then listening to Jess' podcast on my way to work. By the time I park my car I feel like I've already found alignment for the day. If it's been a stressful and busy day at work, I do the same thing again on my way back home, so I don't end up taking the stress and negativity back home. I'm still learning about all this, so more on this later!

Reading this book, it so fascinating and a lot of it really resonates with me. I'm hoping to do a full post about this soon.

I've added these "supplements" in to my diet this month. It's too early to report back on the results, but I've read some really good reviews about the product, so fingers cross! You can read more about my recent skincare routine, here.

This month I've also spent more time exploring the essential oils my friend Anita wrote about here.
I'm still thinking of which oils to order, but I seem to be most drawn to lavender, a revitalising citrus oil and an oil that is a bit more grounding and balancing.

These towels were such a pleasant surprise! I've used them as decorative blankets on our sofa and on the bed. I've just finished spring cleaning and reorganising the balcony and one of the towels will be perfect for our outdoor lounge. I love how versatile the towels are and the quality is great, too!

Some of the highlights of the month have been the super fun Iittala event I attended earlier in the month, and our little road trip to Melbourne to see my cousin and her family. It was quite hectic with three kids between us, but so fun nevertheless!

Now I'm excited about November!

Essential Oils - Guest Post by Anita Whittingham

Essential Oils for mums

This is a guest post from doTERRA essential oil leader Anita Whittingham from Anita Whittingham Healthy Habits. Anita is a mum, a high school maths teacher, mindset coach, fit foodie, and essential oils wellness advocate. She is passionate about health and wellness and personal development. In this post she shares her journey into the world of essential oils and will help you to feel more empowered with plant medicine for any mood and ailment. To find out more about Anita or Essential Oils you can follow her on Instagram or Facebook or visit her website.

Anita is also doing a free SpOil yourself event starting Saturday 21st October. You can register on this link. More details at the bottom of the page.

                             

I love essential oils. I have been using them for over a year now and my whole life has changed. I have become the natural healer in our home and essential oils are our first go-to whenever any health issue arises. We also use essential oils to make our own cleaning products and self care products. They have infused our lives with so much love, energy and happiness.

I started using essential oils in May 2016 when my daughter Bella was 8 months old and got her first cold. A friend gave me a blend of oils called EasyAir and within 24 hours of diffusing it and applying it diluted to the bottom of Bella’s feet, her breathing had improved heaps. I then got a Home Essentials kit, incorporated the oils into my daily life and started sharing my experiences.

My journey into the world of cutting out toxins began during our 4 yr struggle with unexplained infertility. I learned about all the different toxins such as phthalates in our cleaning products and personal care products that were wreaking havoc on our hormones. This is when I first started making small changes. Then when essential oils came along I did a happy dance. I was so impressed with how versatile these little bottles of plant magic were and how only 1 drop was needed to see a result.

As a breastfeeding mum when I got a cold last year in April I was hesitant to use cold and flu med’s from the chemist as some can mess up milk supply. I bought some of the meds anyway. The ones that say they are OK for breastfeeding. But they didn’t work. The cold turned into sinusitis. It was the most horrible pain.

Since then when I’ve got a cold (and that’s the worst thing I’ve got since using essential oils) I now just use a combination of immune supporting oils and they are effective at combating it.  

So how do essential oils work? And what are essential oils?

Essential oils are volatile aromatic compounds from plants. I like to think of them as the plant’s immune system. They protect the plant from disease and pests. Essential oils are extracted from plants through either distillation or the rinds of citrus fruit are cold pressed. Depending on the plant, the essential oils may come from the root, leaves, flowers, resin or bark. Being lipid soluble and coming from nature they are able to cross our cell membranes to get inside our cells and work their magic on viruses inside the cell and bacteria outside the cell. Whereas anti-biotics can NOT get inside our cells which is why they are not effective against viruses.

Straight out of high school I did a Science degree so I am loving learning about how essential oils work in the body. It’s absolutely incredible. I love how our bodies have a natural ability to heal itself. I don’t ever claim that essential oils cure, treat or prevent any disease. They simply support our bodies to return to a healthy state.    

How can we use Essential Oils?

Essential Oils can be used in 3 ways.

• Aromatically – in a diffuser, on your pillow case, sprayed in the room, inhaled from a drop in your hands or just simply smelt out of the bottle.
• Topically – placed on pulse points, soles of your feet, as an aromatic dressing all over your body whilst saying positive affirmations or rubbed into muscles, joints or affected body parts.
• Internally  – in your water, cooking or in a empty veggie cap. Please note that all oils are not created equal and it is due to the incredible quality of doTERRA oils that we are able to safely do this.

5 oils every mum needs

Peppermint: This essential oil is so versatile. If I get a headache I rub a drop of peppermint on my temples then wipe my hands across the back of my neck. It’s cooling sensation makes my neck tingle then dissolves any head tension. I haven’t used panadol in over a year. Peppermint is also great for an instant energy boost. Think 3pm slump….. For me that’s when Bella is having her afternoon nap. So instead of laying down for a nap with her after boobing her to sleep, I get up, inhale some peppermint from my hands then smash out a quick workout. Peppermint is so invigorating and opens up my airways. It’s awesome! It’s also great for nausea and supporting digestion. Plus it’s ah-mazing in raw treats and smoothies. Hello choc-mint!!! Yes please.

Lavender: Lavender soothes and calms. It is the swiss army knife of oils. It can soothe and calm the mind so it’s great for sleep support, stress & anxious feelings. And its great to soothe and calm the skin so its perfect for any cuts and scratches, bites, stings and burns. We mix it with Peppermint, fractionated coconut oil and water for an instant sunburn relief spray. We put a few drops in the bath tub with coconut oil to help us wind down and prepare for sleep. I also like adding a drop to our pillows to support a restful nights sleep and I like to diffuse it with Frankincense at night time too. Lavender’s subtle floral scent is relaxing and makes us feel safe and secure.

EasyAir: This is the respiratory blend. It is a proprietary blend of Laurel Leaf, Peppermint, Eucalyptus, Melaleuca (Tea Tree), Lemon and Ravensara. It can be used aromatically in a diffuser or diluted with coconut oil and applied topically to the chest, back or the bottoms of your feet. While it can be used any time of the day, it is commonly used for nighttime diffusion and may assist with a more restful and calming sleep. This is the first doTERRA essential oil I was introduced to so has a special place in our home. We go through this blend a lot. Especially when Bella comes home from childcare with a snotty face.   

OnGuard: This is also called the protective blend. It is a powerful proprietary blend of Wild Orange Peel, Clove Bud, Cinnamon Leaf, Cinnamon Bark, Eucalyptus Leaf, and Rosemary Leaf/Flower essential oils that supports healthy immune function* and contains cleansing properties. We like to diffuse OnGuard to kill airborne pathogens especially if one of us is coughing. I also use it as a hand sanitiser and spray Bella’s hands when I pick her up from childcare. I’ve made some delicious bliss balls with OnGuard and sometimes add to popcorn with Pepe Saya cultured butter. We apply OnGuard topically to our feet after a bath to boost our immunity and protect us against environmental and seasonal threats. I also make an ‘immune bomb’ by combining OnGuard with Frankincense, Tea Tree, Lemon and Oregano. At the first sign of a cold I make this Immune Bomb in a veggie capsule and take it internally and I also make the Immune Bomb into a roller bottle with fractionated coconut oil and appy it topically down our spines and across the back of our necks. I also gargle with water and a drop of OnGuard at the first sign of a sore throat to nip it in the bud. doTERRA have used this OnGuard blend to create a range of natural products that we use including toothpaste, laundry liquid, throat drops, beadlets and cleaner concentrate.

Balance: Also called the grounding blend. This is a beautiful blend of oils from trees with deep roots that promotes tranquillity while bringing harmony to the mind and body, and balance to the emotions. I call it the ‘big emotions’ blend. When Bella started childcare earlier this year I applied balance down her spine before drop off to help her process her emotions and ease into this transition. It also gets whipped out in the afternoon if she is having a tough time. Balance is a great oil to diffuse too. Especially for car trips, shopping with kids, family get togethers and other stressful situations. Lots of my mama friends wear it on their wrists as their ‘purefume’. Since discovering that most synthetic perfumes contain pthalates (endocrine disrupting chemicals), I ditched all my department store perfumes and just use essential oils instead. I get daily compliments about how great I smell but that is just a secondary benefit of using essential oils.

So how can you get these oils into your life?

1. Send Anita a message: hello@anitawhittingham.com or connect on social media facebook.com/anitawhittingham or instagram.com/anitawhittingham
2. Join Anita’s upcoming SpOil yourself event where you will get to try these 5 oils for free. Hurry, limited spaces available and conditions apply. More info here.

Revisiting Old Favourites

   

It feels like forever since my food blogging days; always coming up with new recipes, testing, taking photos, creating. Nowadays my cooking is pretty limited and my mother-in-law is incredibly helpful creating beautiful Japanese meals for my husband and our daughter. So I mostly cook for myself (vegetarian meals) and on weekends often bake something as well. Here are a few of my favourite recipes, revisited. You can view the whole recipe index here.

I can't go past a good salad and these are some of my all time favourites

Rich Mineral Salad - amazing with buckwheat, papaya, spinach and fresh herbs. This salad is packed with flavour!

Skin Beauty Salad - full of good oils essential for your skin. I love how simple, yet nutritious this salad is.

Greenlicious Kale Salad - who doesn't love kale? Enough said, this salad is definitely in my top 5 of all time. The simple tahini dressing is to die for.

A few "heartier" meals

Earth Bowl - full or protein to keep you full for longer and I love the addition of pomegranate. Perfect for summer or winter!

Cauliflower curry - I'm normally not a curry-girl, but this is not too oily and it's super fresh.

Red lentil and sweet potato soup - a staple dish I make most weeks, especially in the cooler months.

Another lentil dish! Roasted cauliflower with lentils - perfect hearty meal for winter, I love this one.

The sugar-free coconut granola with almond milk makes a delicious breakfast.

And for a quick snack, these coconut balls are so so addictive. These are also so good to bring along for long trips, as they're packed with energy.

One of my recent favourites has been this banana bread. Works every time without a fail!

Spring is in full swing here in Sydney and we've had some beautiful, warm days. I cannot help, but crave for lighter meals like fresh salads and green smoothies. There are lots of fresh seasonal fruit available as well, making every meal a colourful feast!

Back on Track - Diet and Exercise Update

This is part two of my "back on track" updates, after a long hiatus. 

After pregnancy, my diet went from being healthy and balanced to grabbing snacks on the go. I was surviving on caffeine and quick meals and never drank enough water. I also developed some sort of intolerance for a few different ingredients I had been eating daily before having a baby (like some green vegetables and especially eggs). This made my diet even more restricted and I felt trapped in between severe stomach pains and an unbalanced diet. I had tests done for reflux, lactose intolerance, gluten intolerance and gallbladder, but all test results came back normal. I slowly started introducing ingredients back into my diet knowing I could manage the symptoms with some dietary changes. It's been a frustrating journey, but I am feeling almost back to normal now. 

These are still some of my favourite recipes I make frequently

Red Lentil and Sweet Potato Soup I've adjusted this recipe by adding fresh ginger and fresh turmeric.

Green smoothies with kale, lemon, almond milk, papaya, blueberries, etc.

Fresh salads with spinach, tomatoes, avocado, chickpeas, sauerkraut (I love this brand), etc. Sometimes I add tofu or 1/2 a boiled egg for extra protein or cooked sweet potato, green beans with Japanese style sesame seed paste, flaxseed oil, etc. 

I try to eat fish at least once a week, usually salmon with a salad. 

This Soba Salad  is also a favourite. 

As snacks I have dandelion tea with a piece of dark (90% cacao) chocolate, a small handful of almonds or fresh fruit. I've cut down sugar and caffeine, and I drink a lot of water throughout the day!

Getting back on track with my exercise has also been quite challenging. I haven't had the chance to go to the pool every morning like I used to, but I'm determined to get back regularly this summer. I've continued long walks (often with my daughter in a pram) and a short yoga session in the morning just to stretch things out. All in all I finally feel like I'm getting back to my old-self again!

I hope this has been helpful, more updates/news coming up shortly, so stay tuned! 

Back on Track - Skincare Update

I don't really remember having problems with my skin during my teenage years or even in my twenties. After pregnancy, however, all sorts of problems started to surface. Some were clearly hormonal, but also sun damage/pigmentation (that worsened during pregnancy) and just general dullness. Also after pregnancy, my diet went from being super healthy and balanced to eating on the go. Combined with a lack of sleep this resulted in a variety of skin problems, including dryness (from the lack of healthy oils and enough hydration ie. drinking water) and breakouts. In the process I tried and tested quite a few skincare products that probably made my skin even angrier.

Whilst I don't feel like my skin is back to 100% yet, I definitely feel like it has improved and hopefully I've learned a lot in the process. Here are some of the products and tips that have worked for me (sensitive, combination skin with hormonal breakouts).

Morning Routine

I start my day with plenty of water. I haven't given up my morning coffee, but limit my caffeine intake to just one cup per day (rest of the day I drink herbal teas and water). After splashing my face with cold water I apply eye cream (I've been using this one lately and really love it), then B3 serum (from this brand) and 10% AHA lotion (this one). On the days I'm not working and spending time outdoors, I will also use sunscreen (this one from Skinstitut has been really great). For work I apply make up on top of the AHA lotion. I'm still trying to perfect my make up routine, but have really loved the powder foundation from Nude by Nature (this one).

Evening Routine

I love using my konjac sponge to cleanse my skin in the evening (similar sponges here). I've tested a few cleansers (including this from Skinstitut and this from Arbonne) and whilst both are great at removing make up, I find using them every day can be too harsh on my skin. After shower I repeat eye cream, B3 and AHA lotion and add moisturiser as well (this one is really affordable and suitable for sensitive skin). I have been using the Kora Organics Noni Glow Face Oil for about a week now and it has been amazing - highly recommend!

I am obviously not a professional beautician, but with the Health Coach training, I covered the basics of healthy skin and how to care for it. I hope some of this has been helpful and I'd love to hear your tips and recommendations if there are any!

This post is not sponsored and all opinions are my own. 

Good Morning Smoothies

I never get tired of smoothies, no matter what time of the year it is! Lately I've been loving a combination of banana, spinach and vanilla or a strawberry one with just banana and vanilla. Such a delicious start for the day! 

A Glimpse Into My Daily Diet

I thought I'd share a little snapshot of my daily diet, although you may have a pretty good idea of it already based on the recipes I've shared here over the years. I can quite happily eat the same foods (mostly plant-based whole foods) every day without ever getting sick of them, so my daily meals usually consist of copious amounts of vegetables served with legumes or whole grains, as well as some nuts, seeds and fruit. Of course there are sometimes exceptions to these daily foods, and those are often the ones that end up here on my blog.

During the cooler months I start my day with a bowl of oat porridge with a tablespoon of chia seeds, but as the weather gets warmer I tend to swap this breakfast to that of a protein smoothie. I drink a green juice most days and snack with raw nuts (mostly almonds and walnuts) and a few pieces of dried (Medjool dates or organic apricots) or fresh fruit.

In winter I love having vegetables soups (like this one) for lunch and/or dinner, but in spring and summer I prefer a big salad made with legumes (chickpeas, lentils, etc.), various types of vegetables (kale, avocado, cucumber, tomato, snow peas, carrots, etc.), scattered with seeds (sunflower or pumpkin) and drizzled with some fresh lemon juice and flaxseed oil. Dinner is often very similar to lunch, but with a different type of protein, often tempeh or a different type of legume or whole grain (quinoa, freekeh, etc.) I do eat eggs occasionally, even a small piece of fish once in a while, but I can happily do without any animal products (including dairy) for long periods of time.

Since I don't have a particularly sweet tooth, dessert is more often than not a piece of fresh fruit or dark chocolate (Loving Earth is one of my favourites), even a glass of home-made almond milk before bed will do.

So there you go, a short glimpse into my daily diet. Please feel free to send through any comments/questions if you have any!

On the photos, left to right: almond milk, protein smoothie, green juice, lentil salad with kale, fresh salad with tempeh and fresh kale salad with chickpeas.

Protein Smoothies

 Strawberry Protein Smoothie

(serves 1)

a few fresh strawberries

250ml almond milk (recipe here)

a few ice cubes

2 tablespoons pure pea protein isolate

ground vanilla, to taste

Banana Protein Smoothie

(serves 1)

1 ripe banana, peeled

250ml almond milk (recipe here)

a few ice cubes

1 heaped teaspoon Miessence Berryradical Antioxidant Superfood/

raw cacao powder

Feel free to add your favourite leafy greens (kale is superb), avocado, different berries, etc. 
Sky is your limit!

Roasted Beets with Black Rice and Kale

I just can't get enough of kale, so here's another delicious little meal I made the other day. Beetroot are a great source of iron (as well as other nutrients) and I love how well they marry with earthy black rice. I add good oils to all my meals; sunflower seeds, flaxseed oil or tahini, for example. You can play around with the add-ons in this recipe; walnuts or tahini dressing would go great as well.

Roasted Beets with Black Rice and Kale

(serves 2)

3 small to medium sized beetroot

180g wholegrain black (non-glutinous) rice

a few stems of kale

sunflower seeds (or walnuts, sesame seeds, etc)

1/2 lemon

flaxseed oil

balsamic vinegar

ground pepper

pinch of salt (optional)

1. Preheat the oven to 200C and clean the beetroot. Remove the leaves (if the leaves are in good condition, don't chuck them out! Just wash them well, steam lightly and enjoy as a salad) leaving some of the stems attached. Wrap each beetroot in foil and roast on a tray for about 45-60 minutes or until tender. Remove from the oven, let cool and peel off the skins. Cut into wedges.

2. Cook the black rice until tender. Set aside.

3. Remove the kale leaves from the stems, rinse well and 'massage' the leaves in a bowl until tender. Add rice and beetroot wedges. Add sunflower seeds, juice of 1/2 a lemon, a dash of balsamic, flaxseed oil and seasoning. Eat warm or room temperature.

Greenlicious Kale Salad with Tahini Dressing

It's been a busy weekend at home, catching up on housework and everything else that has piled up during the past few very busy weeks. With warmer weather I have been craving for everything green, including juices and smoothies, but also more and more salads. This kale salad, delicious and full of good oils, was a real energy booster after a long walk in the near by park.

Greenilicious Kale Salad with Tahini Dressing

(serves 2)

1/2 big bunch of kale, washed and stems removed

1 avocado, peeled, seeded and diced

2 green onions (shallots), finely sliced

a handful of walnuts

pinch of salt (optional)

freshly ground black pepper

2 tablespoons flaxseed oil

Tahini Dressing

2 generous tablespoons of tahini

1/2 small lemon, juiced

1-2 tablespoons  water

1. Massage the kale until wilted and tender. Add avocado, green onions and walnuts. Season with salt and pepper and toss in the oil. 

2. Whisk tahini, lemon and water in a jug and stir through the salad.

Inspirational Friends: Elenore from Earthsprout

Greetings from the Arctic Circle, my friends!

We finally arrived here on Monday morning, after travelling for almost 30 hours. Needless to say we've been jet lagged, but very excited at the same time. It feels so good to be home. Spring has arrived even on these altitudes, but it is still early days and we even had a few snowflakes falling down yesterday. I've taken a few happy snaps here and there and will share those with you a bit later.

Whilst we are busy getting everything organised for the wedding, I've invited another fabulously inspiring friend as a guest here on my blog. I've been a huge fan of Elenore's blog for quite some time now and her endless positive energy has been both addictive and contagious. I am so honoured to have Elenore here to answer a few questions about her raw food journey and share yet another delicious recipe with us. 

Thank you Elenore and much love back to you!

PS. The giveaway entries close today, May 31. I will announce the winners of Sarah's e-book later this week.

I just fell in love. With myself. And yes, it had everything to do with the Liquorice toffee on the picture above. I might even have to go get me a ring or something.

If you are familiar with me or with Earthsprout then you know I tend to rave about all kinds of Greenylicious health boosting things but quite frankly it is Raw chocolate and leafy veggie-focused most of the time. So now I'm breaking a pattern for Beautiful Maria and all of you Scandi Foodies on this amazingly bright page! I am really happy to get to share these recipes with you (cuz then you´ll fall in love with yourselves too) plus I am crazy glad to be able to help Maria give all her attention to the wedding. I think we all agree that she should, right!?

Now you might be wondering who on earth I am who suddenly popped up here. Well, I am Elenore, your official Tree Hugger and Sassy Health Gal. I run with the wolves and I love long fabulous dresses. I mix the wonders of nature with the latest of knowledge in the world of natural nutrition an I firmly believe in the magic of this Planet. I mean I doubt that the date pits that I throw out in the vegetable garden will grow since I live in Sweden. but still, this Earth is pretty magical indeed. So what I do is that I use my knowledge and inspiration to hopefully make a change in the world. I spread Greenylicious tips and love and crazy dance this whole life through! (More in the interview below)

Fun & Fabulous Facts

So if the earth is magical then of course so is the Liquorice root! Liquorice is derived from a plant part of the pea family which means that Liquorice is a legume and was actually also sold in pharmacies up until the 70´s! I remember the first time I met this root, I was around 6 or 7 year old and I got one to chew on in the health food store. Instant love for sure. It is traditionally used as a mouth refresher so I'm not the only one who likes to chew on it apparently.

There are many studies and many things said about the wondrous root of the Liquorice plant one of them being it´s effect on the hormones of the endocrine system. There are active substances in Liquorice that acts balancing in particularly the bodies of women by adding plant estrogens (phytoestrogens) and lowering the amount of testosterone (the "male" hormone). Based on studies that show this, the liquorice root is commonly used to help balance menstrual irregularities and other problems liked to the hormonal system. I think that is a really good excuse to indulge in these toffee squares at least! That being said, it is not advised to eat more than 50g liquorice per day as it can in access consumption for example rise blood pressure or disrupt the water balance in the body.

Raw Liquorice Toffee with Rhubarb compote

This is one of those ridiculously easy raw dessert recipes that you can create in a few minutes and while the toffee rests in the freezer you have time to make the compote. I know it may seem like the weirdest collision of flavors but I'm telling you. It´s so darn delish! (did I mention it's free from added sugars?) Now go fall in love with yourself!

Raw Liquorice Toffee

 (Makes 8 mid sized squares)

165 g prunes

40 g virgin coconut oil, carefully melted in a bowl over hot water

40 g almond flour or ground almonds

2 tsp Raw Liquorice powder
0.5 tsp Himalayan salt

6 drops of anise seed oil

1 tsp Raw Liquorice powder (to dust the toffees with)

1. Add all ingredients to your a food processor and blend thoroughly until it has formed a smooth dough.

2. Press the dough into a a square on a baking sheet, dust with the additional liquorice powder and put in the freezer while you make the rhubarb compote.

3. Cut the toffee in squares and enjoy together with the compote.

Rhubarb Compote

400 g rhubarb, peeled & sliced

170 g apple

0.5 cup water

3 tsp arrowroot powder

10 drops of stevia concentrate

0.5 tsp pure vanilla

1. Add rhubarb, apple and water to a large saucepan and bring to a boil then let it simmer at a low temperature for 10 minutes.

2. Add arrowroot powder, stevia and vanilla and stir until incorporated.

3. Turn of the heat, put on the lid and let it rest for at least 5 minutes.

Assembly

Put a small liquorice square on a pretty plate sprinkle some Himalayan sea salt over it and add some rhubarb compote, decorate with a few mint leaves. EAT!

What inspired you to become a raw, vegan foodie?

Lets start by saying that I am not eating 100% raw but I sure am a raw lover and continuously amazed by how raw food makes me feel.  So. Being close to nature and venturing the world of yoga always makes me question eating animals and this was also where it all started. Going completely green might not be for everyone but it sure does resonate with me and my belief that lot´s of veggies = world peace. I know it sounds a bit cheesy but it will continue to be a huge part of my core.

You’re an organic gardener and a raw food chef. Tell us how you got into this kind of a career?

It is actually a funny story but when I tell it is just makes perfect sense. I am all for following your intuition and there was a period of time in my life when I was not sure where I should go next. One day this thought popped into my head that said "let´s create a vegetable garden" and so i did. From that day on everything else kind of followed. Growing vegetables sparked my interest in natural nutrition and when realizing that the veggies are such powerful superheroes, all I wanted to do was to spread the word. Years of education and experience followed, Earthsprout was born and now here I am really glad that I went with my gut feeling. Our intuition rocks!

What tips do you have for people wanting to make the switch to a raw food diet?

I´d say experiment, play, find all sorts of fun inspiration and if you live in an area that have cold seasons, wait for summer to come! Oh, and Raw Food desserts are such a perfect eye opener and definitely have the power to make people want more of the raw stuff!

What is your favourite raw food meal to prepare?

Yesterday I made a raw meal for me and Fabian. Zucchini pasta with tomato sauce and olives, topped off with greens and raw crackers. It made me realize how much I love the simple meals. Pure, Whole and Oh So Tasty!

What are your future plans? Any upcoming projects you’d like to share with us?

Well first and foremost I was thinking I´d save the world... I am part of an AMAZING weekend course called Goddess Boost in July where I´ll whip up some glorious raw foods and speak about my yummy passions. I am really looking forward to that! You should come!

Also I am putting the final touches on the design of my fabulous Nordic Superfood Mix which I am going to launch this summer. This is such a heart project of mine and with it I wish to spread knowledge about the superb superfoods that we have here up north. The Nordic Superfood Mix is exclusively handpicked, extremely powerful and really tasty. If you want to hear more about it or maybe know some place suitable to sell the product, do contact me! I´d love to hear from you!

Hugest thanks to Maria for having me, such an honor (Scandi foodie is Totally Earthsprout Approved)! And all you Scandi Foodie honeys, you are more than welcome to join me on Facebook and Twitter and tell me all about your Greenylicious adventures!

xxx

°° Elenore Earth °°

Sources:

http://www.livestrong.com/article/527708-licorice-root-hormone-imbalance

My Sugar-Free Journey + A Giveaway!

My sugar-free journey so far

Those of you who have followed this blog for a while may remember that back in October 2011, I was inspired by this book to quit sugar. The challenge for me was not as dramatic as it may sound - it basically meant no fruit (for about 4 months), no more dark chocolate and baking with rice syrup instead of raw sugar or honey which I had done in the past. It's been over 8 months since I went sugar-free and although I now eat fruit daily, I haven't got back to eating dark chocolate and when I do bake, I use either a couple of tablespoons of rice syrup or just fresh fruit as a sweetener.

Sprouted quinoa and coconut crisp

What changes did I experience after quitting sugar?

Contrary to many testimonies of the sugar-free diet, I didn't actually loose any weight. I like to think of this as a good result as it indicated that I wasn't actually eating a lot of sugar to begin with. I did, however, stop craving for sweet things, especially after meals and I noticed my palate became much 'cleaner'. I don't eat as much fruit as I used to eat and I tend to stick to apples, unless I'm baking with fruit (like bananas). When I eat out I don't order desserts, but this is not just because of sugar, but also because it's almost impossible to find vegan desserts at "main stream" restaurants.

Low-sugar, vegan millet and blueberry pancakes

Why should you go sugar-free?

I do recommend people to first become aware of the amount of sugar they are consuming daily and then adjusting their diet accordingly. I don't really think you should get so hung up on whether or not you should eat fruit, but I would instead encourage you to look at all the processed foods (including processed white sugar) you may be consuming and cutting down on those. As a tip, and this goes for going vegan too by the way, I would suggest that you change your way of thinking. Instead of thinking that you are "missing out" on something if you don't eat sugar, processed foods, etc. try to think about what else is available and how much you will gain in terms of better health, cleaner skin and more energy.

Toasted Super Muesli

Chocolate-blueberry pudding, persimmon brownies and banana and walnut bread (all vegan, low-sugar)

The I Quit Sugar Cookbook by Sarah Wilson

I am so excited to announce that earlier this week, Sarah published another great e-book titled "I Quit Sugar Cookbook". This book is full of sugar-free and low-sugar recipes from Sarah and many others including Aran, Maggie, Gwyneth and myself. Needless to say I feel utterly honoured to be amongst the contributors for this book. You will find 4 of my recipes included in the I Quit Sugar Cookbook and I am so smitten to be featured.

Since I'm on the topic, if you are in Australia, you may want to pick up a copy of the latest Wellbeing Magazine, as well. Sarah's e-book and my recipes are featured there, along with my photos. Thank you Sarah and Wellbeing Magazine for the features! 

Photography by Marija Ivkovic

I am so pleased to let you know that Sarah has kindly offered three I Quit Sugar Cookbooks to give away to Scandi Foodie readers! The competition is open to all readers, in Australia and overseas, and all you have to do to enter is leave a comment below answering this simple question "Why do I want to quit sugar?" This competition ends May 31, 2012.

If you have any comments or questions about my sugar-free journey (or my vegan journey, for that matter!), please don't hesitate to email me at scandifoodie [at] gmail [dot] com or leave a comment below. You can also find me on Twitter @ScandiFoodie.

I'm looking forward to hearing from you and good luck!

Skin Beauty Salad

I never really used to worry about my skin health back in Finland. There was hardly any need to be concerned about sun damage, I didn’t have bad acne or other skin conditions and I was getting enough sleep, exercising and eating well. When I moved to Australia, I was surprised how many people were complementing me on my skin. No one had ever said anything about it to me before and I had just taken good skin for granted.

After 6 years in Australia, however, my skin has clearly changed. Not just because I’ve aged (obviously), but also because it’s hard to avoid the harsh Australian sun. Even though I don't sun bake, I do all my exercise outdoors and thus spend quite a bit of time in the sun. I do use sunscreen (there are some great non-toxic creams available!), wear protective clothing and try to avoid staying in the sun for long periods between 11am and 4pm. I also get my skin checked regularly for any suspicious spots. Equally important, I take care of my skin by eating well.

Karen Fischer, skin beauty queen and author of ‘The Healthy Skin Diet’, recommends increasing the amount of alkalising foods in your diet to promote healthy skin. These could include salads, cooked and raw vegetables, avocado, almonds, fresh lemon or lime and apple cider vinegar. Excess acidity in the body can cause a variety of skin problems and result in a dull complexion.

Moisturising foods, especially those containing valuable omega-3 fats, are essential to your skin’s well-being. For vegetarians and vegans, foods rich in omega-3 include flaxseed, walnuts, soy beans and tofu. Other important foods to include in your diet include avocados, a variety of seeds (pepitas, sunflower, hemp), nuts (almonds, walnuts, Brazil nuts), good oils (flaxseed, walnut, coconut) and leafy greens.

This beauty salad combines many of those ingredients vital for good skin health. Tahini dressing coats the chickpeas and the baby spinach leaves, and grilled zucchini and diced avocado bring extra creaminess to the dish. I also added some soaked almonds for an extra layer of texture. Delicious!

Skin Beauty Salad

(serves 2)

230g cooked chickpeas (or use 1 tin)

2 big handfuls of baby spinach leaves

1/2 avocado, diced

1 small handful of almonds, soaked in water overnight

1 zucchini, sliced into 1/2 cm disks

olive oil, for brushing

2 tablespoons unhulled tahini (or use this recipe)

1/2 lemon, juiced

water

pinch of salt

1 small garlic clove

freshly ground black pepper

1. Lightly brush the zucchini slices with olive oil and grill on a pan for a couple of minutes on each side. Set aside.

2. Combine tahini, lemon juice and grated garlic in a small bowl. Add enough water to form a smooth, runny dressing. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper.

3. Place the chickpeas in a bowl and coat them with the tahini dressing. 

4. Place the baby spinach leaves in serving bowls, top with tahini coated chickpeas, diced avocado and the zucchini slices. Sprinkle with soaked almonds (or seeds of choice).