Have you ever wondered exactly how much sugar you add to your diet each and every day? Well, I counted… and it wasn’t pretty. If you add a teaspoon (or two) to your coffee in the morning, a sprinkle on your cereal and another spoon (or two) to your late night cuppa you are already adding a lot. But what about all that hidden added sugar? Muesli bars, chocolate, cakes, donuts, biscuits… Even the so-called ‘healthy’ options can be loaded…
Affirmation – the act of confirming something to be true, a written or oral statement that confirms something is true Do you find doubt and negative thoughts stopping you from moving forward and achieving your goals? Are you always second guessing yourself? Do you let other people’s opinions weigh you down? Are your past ‘failures’ holding you back? Daily Affirmations Will Help Your words are powerful. You can use them to turn negative self-talk into positive change. What are Affirmations?…
We are hearing the words ‘Plant-Based Nutrition’ more and more. With the launch of documentaries like Game Changers, books like Forks over knives and athletes changing their nutrition to be plant-based, you could be forgiven for thinking you have to go vegetarian or even vegan to add plant-based nutrition to your menu. But plant-based nutrition differs from one person to the next. In the world of nutrition, plant-based eating means having a large portion of your nutrition coming from vegetables,…
When you discover that you (or a family member) have to give up dairy it can be overwhelming. (Take it from me, I know. I was raised on a dairy farm!) There are plenty of other options out there and as long as there are no other allergies (soy or nut), it is simply a matter of taste. Almond Milk Almond milk is made from ground almonds and filtered water. It may also contain starches or thickeners to improve the…
Quinoa Quinoa is the seed of the Chenopodium quinoa plant and is pronounced Keen-wah. The United Nations named 2013 as ‘The International Year of Quinoa’ due to its nutritional value and its potential to fight world hunger. Quinoa was a vital crop for the Inca Empire. In fact, they named it ‘The Mother of all Grains’. Quinoa is actually a pseudo-cereal, which means it is a seed that is prepared and eaten similarly to a grain. Quinoa has anti-inflammatory,…
When you’re stressed, the foods you turn to are most likely going to be the traditional ‘comfort’ foods – big meals, take-out, fatty foods, sweet foods, and drinks. Let’s face it – we’ve all found some comfort in a tasty meal when we’ve been stressed out or upset about something. However, this isn’t a good permanent solution. When you’re turning to unhealthy foods you can feel better temporarily, but in the long run, you will feel worse. When your body…
Our body is amazing. It actually has it’s own way of removing toxins and keeping us in peak condition. But it only works if we look after it. The Body’s Detoxification System The body eliminates waste and toxins through the kidneys, liver, digestive system, lungs and skin. But our diets and lifestyle affect how well it works. Alcohol, smoking, fatty foods, salt, sugar, lack of exercise, and a good night’s sleep all contribute to our body’s detoxification processes not working…
Kale is a cruciferous vegetable and a member of the cabbage family. There are many different varieties of kale but Scots Kale, or curly kale, is the most common. Packed with antioxidants, kale is one of the most nutrient dense foods available. It also contains Vitamin A, Vitamin B1 (thiamin), Vitamin B2 (riboflavin), Vitamin B3 (niacin), Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, phosphate, and potassium. Cooking reduces the nutritional value of kale so it is best…
We know they’re good for us, but we rarely eat enough of these nutrition powerhouses. So, what exactly is so special about leafy greens anyway? 1. Disease Prevention Leafy green vegetables are a nutrient dense food. They contain Vitamin A, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Folate, Calcium, Copper, Magnesium, Potassium, Zinc, and fibre. Eating a diet rich in leafy green vegetables may help reduce the risk of stroke and prevent cardiovascular disease. 2. Brain Function Dark leafy…
Turmeric (Curcu longa) is a member of the ginger family and is cultivated from the rhizomes (roots) of a flowering plant from India and South East Asia. A staple in Middle Eastern and South East Asian cuisine, Turmeric has long been used in Ayurvedic medicine to treat a range of illnesses. Turmeric was first used in the western world as a fabric dye and only in recent years studies have been conducted on curcumin (the substance in turmeric that gives…