Be Back Soon.

I have been quiet the past week.  I've found myself retreating to the couch with magazines, sipping on tea around the clock and hiding under bulky scarves - I'm wanting to do anything except get on a computer.  I feel quite tired.

(gorgeous photo cred)

I start my new job tomorrow and I am so excited to take on a new challenge and tackle what looks to be a great opportunity, but of course I am nervous.  In fact, between us, I appear to be experiencing some general anxiety at the moment; another reason I am focusing on me for a while.

So I just wanted to let you know I am still here and will come back. I am still cooking and eating, and the 50 Days No Sugar challenge is going really well (I feel amazing and I've never been more full).   Just taking a little break from online life - I'd rather this than posting without the passion.

Eat well, stay well & we'll speak soon,

Nat x

You MUST try...

Drinking Coconut/Young Coconut! 

I got my first ever today at Coles (on special for a dollar something) and I am so impressed.  Tastes amazing!


I tried coconut water out of a bottle once, too, and it was revolting.  This is completely different.

YUMMO!
(time for a new web cam)

Ohh the possibilities with this water and it's left over flesh are going to be endless...

I am food excited!

(You can read a little about it's nutrients here, or with a quick Google)

Stay well,

Nat x

Q&A

I got this little questionairre from the gorgeous Dig In blog of which I am a regular reader.  I love reading things like this others have filled out as I am, like I believe most people are, a big sticky nose!  I just love knowing what other people do and think and.. well everything.  I think this is why reality TV and blogs are so popular.  Anyway....

(part of buffet breakfast this morning)


Q&A

What is the secret to a great recipe?

For me, it should be simple and surprising.  I'm not into 40 ingredients and I love being surprised by the flavour combinations of a few simple ingredients being put together in a way I wouldn't have thought of.  Simplicity is the key! 

How can we cook a restaurant-quality meal at home?

Practice, but having said that I agree with Dig In's answer; why aim for a restaurant quality dish at home?  Enjoy that in the restaurant and keep it simple in your own kitchen.

What is your number one rule in the kitchen?

I don't need help!  I know that sounds silly, but when I am cooking I like to take control.  It's relaxing to me and I get irritated if people jump in and start doing parts of it.  It's alone time, in a way (that or I'm a control freak). From a cooking point of view I'd have three rules; keep in simple, have fun and don't be scared.

What meal best reminds you of your childhood?

Minestrone.  I used to eat it by the bucket loads.  I loved vegetables as a kid.  

Can you give us some inspiration for a quick and easy weeknight meal?

Omelette's are always easy, you can add garlic, onions, herbs and spices for flavour and any vegetables you have around - and they're healthy!  You can even soak some rice noodles or add some left over rice or pasta for a bit more bulk - or a can of tuna!

What’s in your fridge at home right now?

A lot - eggs, milk, bread (yes I keep it in the fridge), butter, cheese (about 5 types, we love cheese), lots of fresh vegetables, green apples, bacon, sparkling mineral water, firm tofu, muesli, nuts, pure maple syrup, seafood for dinner tonight, LSA, chia seeds, loads and loads of lemons (both sets of parents have trees - one Meyer, one traditional), milk (rice and lactose free), natural Vaalia yoghurt, various seeds, sultanas, tahini, various condiments, mountain bread.... you get the idea.

If we asked you what are the essential ingredients in any kitchen, what would be on your list?

Garlic!  Tomatoes, onion, chilli, plenty of fresh fruit & vegetables (preferably what's in season), loads of herbs & spices, olive oil, eggs, cans of tuna, cans of beans, cheeses, flour, rice and rice noodles, pasta.... I could go on forever.  If I had a top 5 - Garlic, tomatoes, legumes, sweet potatoes and eggs are always in my house.

I would love to hear your answers...

In other news, I have decided to integrate my two blogs into the one Facebook page.  Click here to like them now!

What do you think of me merging this blog with my fashion etc blog into one big blog?  I'd love your thoughts.

I hope you all had a great weekend.

Stay well,

Nat x

Food from the Week

Morning!  First of all, thank you all for your wonderful feedback last week regarding my food from the week posts; it's sooo lovely to hear people like staring at them as much as I like putting them together.  I love seeing what other people eat as well, so maybe some of you could start doing a similar post so I can sticky nose?  I think so!

It's a beautiful and sunny winter's morning here in Melbourne.  M & I are off for a night away in the country and I can't wait.  Tomorrow I am starting the 50 Days No Sugar challenge!  


Anyway, here is my food from the week....

Din of grilled eggplant and zucchini, topped with a chunky tomato based pasta sauce and parmesan cheese.  M got actual pasta.

Recipe in the making - a no sugar friendly slice.
Ignore the chocolate drizzles which were added for M.

Some Sunday mornings just need bacon & eggs.

Cheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeese.

Lazy Lunch.  

Lucky my local sushi place is good.

Soba noodles with broccoli, cabbage, carrot and an egg for lunch.

Super filling.

Shopping.
This is the first week I've started eating Chia.. it makes everything more filling.

Prawns on roast veg with beans and lots of garlic, chilli and parsley for dinner.

A traditional soup from my childhood.
Usually involves lamb, but I replaced with sweet potato.

First time in ages I've eaten this - I missed it!

Felafel, cabbage, egg, cheese and mountain bread lunch.  Perfect!

Light breakfast.

I'm on and off with the gluten free thing.  I found myself hungry all the time, but I still feel really heavy if I have too much gluten at once.  That being said I have been tested before and I am not intolerant.

What's on for everyone's weekend?

Did you eat any good food this past week?

Stay well,

Nat x

Spotted this Morning

What is on for everyone's Wednesday?  I can't stand that people call it hump day.  I like to think the working week is not some horrible obstacle to be conquered - even if you're in a job you don't like, or you've got a cold and are struggling through, try to embrace it.  If you're unhappy I find it's a lot easier to deal with your situation if you know you are actively trying to change it.


Anyway!  Two things I spotted this morning and wanted to share with you...

Health Hamper

Lola Berry posted this on her Instagram this morning - what a brilliant idea!  Who doesn't love a hamper?  And wouldn't it be great to open it up and discover all sorts of healthy, tasty treats instead of the usual choccy biscuits and quince paste?  Everyone loves strolling through health food stores wondering what it all tastes like!  I can't believe I've never seen this done or thought of this before. Dahhh!

The Power of Chia Seeds 

a comparison to other foods

(posted on this Facebook - though a friend of mine shared & that's how I got it)

Pretty impressive.  I'll admit Chia seeds are not a part of my daily diet, but I think I'll have to buy a bag and see how I go!

Today I am going to meet my new boss!  I am a little nervous and very excited - we spoke on the phone and he sounds great, so I'm hoping we get on as well face to face!

I'm also working on a slice recipe  - super healthy, high in protein, packed with goodness and 50 Days No Sugar friendly!  Hopefully I'll have a recipe for you by this time next week.  Still refining..

Have a beautiful Wednesday.

Stay well,
Nat x

PS.  Somebody semi-attacked me for advocating the Nat Carter's no sugar challenge yesterday on my personal Facebook.  Can I just say that I respect all of my readers and personal friends and, as a result, I know that they make decisions about what they do with their bodies and lives based on their own research and opinion, not based on what I or anybody else says.  I know you're not sheep!  x

Why I Love Yoga

Yoga is something I consistently practiced as I started to and was recovering from CFS/ME. First with the assistance of the Wii Fit M bought me at the time and then, after trying a few DVDs and youtube videos to get the hang of doing the poses I liked properly, I did it solo.  I've only recently introduced yoga back into my life and today decided to make it a daily thing again.  I truly believe it played a part in helping my body heal and prepare for healthy life and it got me moving again in a way that wasn't as strenuous as something like walking or pilates (which came a few months after starting yoga).  It was my first foray into exercise after 5+ years without any and I still feel better after a session which always consists of almost identical sets of poses that I did all those years ago, today.  

Me.... doing yoga....
img cred

So why do I love yoga?

These may not all be scientifically proven reasons, but this is how it affects me and why I love it...

- It helps me digest

- It gives me greater flexibility

- I feel it helps strengthen my core 

- It is so, so relaxing

- It brings attention to my breathing and feels quite meditative

- It requires no special equipment and costs nothing

- It's challenging without completely physically exhausting like.. running sprints

If you want to give Yoga a go and have never done it before, I recommend taking a class, or at least watching some reputable youtube videos or DVDs; don't just get a chart and try and copy the moves without any verbal instruction or physical demonstration as you might hurt yourself.

Wear comfortable clothing - nothing constrictive.  I do my yoga at home and just between you, me and the internet, I like to wear no pants.

I do a series of 13 poses and it only takes 25-30 minutes, depending on how many breaths I hold each one for, but even if you spend 5 minutes doing 3 poses each day I truly believe you'll see benefit in a few weeks.

I do want to add, though, that I do not see yoga as a replacement for cardio or weight training, just as a beautiful addition.  

Do you practice yoga?

Stay well,

Nat x

Everybody is a Genius.

(I'm not sure where it originally came from, but the Gay Rights Australia Facebook page is where I saw it)

What a lovely thought for a Sunday morning.

Go forth & use your genius!

Stay well,

Nat x