I absolutely love food! It’s never far from my mind! When I was growing up we use to eat a lot of what was considered “healthy” according to the traditional food pyramid, like pasta, sandwiches & other refined carbohydrates. These are delicious at the time of eating, but can leave you feeling tired, low in energy/mood & still hungry an hour or so later.
Over the past few years I have been reducing my intake of wheat, refined sugar & dairy. Experimenting with alternatives such as Ancient grains; quinoa, buckwheat, millet & other whole grains like; brown or wild rice. As well as experimenting with alternatives for refined sugar, such as; honey, maple syrup, rice syrup & dates. And substituting cows milk with unsweetened almond, rice or coconut milk. The meals & treats taste much more wholesome & have tones more nutritional benefits & leave you feeling satisfied, rather than heavy, hungry & tired.
I also use to think it was important to have a “balanced meal”… packing as many nutrients into each meal as I could, including protein, carbs & good fats (believing more was surely better!)… but over time realising combining too many different types of foods together can be very taxing on the digestive system, leaving you feeling "heavy". A sluggish digestive system can cause bloating, cramping & other digestive issues, along with lack of energy, as the nutrients from the meal can’t be absorbed & utilized properly by the body.
Over the past few years I have been reducing my intake of wheat, refined sugar & dairy. Experimenting with alternatives such as Ancient grains; quinoa, buckwheat, millet & other whole grains like; brown or wild rice. As well as experimenting with alternatives for refined sugar, such as; honey, maple syrup, rice syrup & dates. And substituting cows milk with unsweetened almond, rice or coconut milk. The meals & treats taste much more wholesome & have tones more nutritional benefits & leave you feeling satisfied, rather than heavy, hungry & tired.
I also use to think it was important to have a “balanced meal”… packing as many nutrients into each meal as I could, including protein, carbs & good fats (believing more was surely better!)… but over time realising combining too many different types of foods together can be very taxing on the digestive system, leaving you feeling "heavy". A sluggish digestive system can cause bloating, cramping & other digestive issues, along with lack of energy, as the nutrients from the meal can’t be absorbed & utilized properly by the body.
Through research & experimenting with food combinations & swapping or cutting out certain ingredients from recipes, I found a way that worked for me. And when I say “worked” for me, this means… foods/meals that leave me feeling; satisfied, energised & light. I generally follow the philosophy that "food can heal & it affects how you feel". This belief has a major influence on how I look at food & what I choose to cook & eat.... Don't get me wrong, I also absolutely enjoy the occasional indulgences in life like an almond croissant & dark chocolate... Yummo! :)
General criteria for the meals/recipes chosen;
These recipes have been selected from a variety of sources & inspiring chefs, cooks & foodies.
Happy Cooking!
General criteria for the meals/recipes chosen;
- KEEP IT REAL! - Meals made mainly from REAL, FRESH, NUTRITIOUS ingredients, based on the seasons
- KEEP IT SIMPLE! - Few ingredients with simple food combinations that don't take too long to whip up
- KEEP IT LIGHT! - Meals that leave you feeling light & energised!
These recipes have been selected from a variety of sources & inspiring chefs, cooks & foodies.
Happy Cooking!
