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Going Grain Free

Many people today are giving up grains. Why you may ask? Well, grains can contribute to inflammation and inflammation is the root cause to all disease.  Many are going gluten free, and going grain free is just taking it one step further.  Eating grain free involves eliminating not only wheat products containing gluten, but also gluten free grains, such as rice, corn, oats and barley.   Some people may have heard of a ketogenic diet, which restricts carbohydrates to below 20 grams ...

Holiday Tips To Not Pack On The Kilos

The holidays are almost here, which should be a time of celebration and relaxation.  Of course with the holidays comes all sorts of treats, and more time on our hands to enjoy them.  It’s easy to become food-centric during this time, but try not to focus too much on food and instead the company you’re with. Be realistic, now is not the time to go on a diet and set a goal to lose so many kilos.  A more realistic idea is to try to maintain your current weight. So, if you’ve to...

Do you Need A Liver Cleanse?

Did you know that your health and well-being is dependent on how well your body removes toxins from the body? That’s right, everyday we are exposed to numerous toxins from our environment, personal hygiene products and foods.  In reality, most of us could use a serious detox, and a liver cleanse is a great way to do this! So, a little bit about your liver…it is the second largest organ next to your skin and is the primary way the body rids itself of toxins.  It works very hard...

Why We Need Fat In Our Diet

What are fats? Well, they are an essential nutrient that provides a lot of energy to the body. They have several roles including: absorbing nutrients, regulating body temperature, hormonal balance, supporting immune function, weight management and maintaining healthy skin and hair. Did you know that fats are actually needed to properly absorb the fat soluble vitamins found in plants? That’s right, vitamins A, D, E and K are fat soluble vitamins and therefore in order to be absorbed must be eat...

Foods That Damage Your Metabolism

As I'm about to launch a new weight loss package, I thought it would be a good time to talk about foods that hurt your ability to burn fat.  I often hear people start an exercise program to lose weight, make good diet changes, but still not see the results they’re after.  Does that sound like you? What could be keeping you from losing that last 10 pounds can be referred to as metabolism death foods! You body recognises these foods as toxins, and some negative effects can result if yo...

Ways to Get More Vegetables Into Your Diet

All to often I see people who think they’re getting enough vegetables, but in reality they’re falling short. Vegetables are packed with so many vitamins and minerals that our bodies need to function properly, but often people dismiss them because they are not as tasty, or take too long to prepare.  Maybe they’re a bit too costly and just don’t light up our taste buds the way that other junk foods are made to do. We should aim to get in at least five servings of vegetables a day. I k...

Beat the Winter Sniffles & Boost Your Immune System

Winter is here and with it many bugs as immune systems can be weakened during the colder sedentary months.  Your immune system helps protect you from invaders, and also impacts almost every other system in your body from your hormones to your brain health.  By boosting immunity you’ll have better digestion, more energy, clearer skin and more. First, how do you know you have a weakened immune system? Here are some obvious signs: low energy, irritability, restlessness, inflammation, bl...

Depression – What Can You Do About It

Did you know that in 2013 one in every six New Zealanders were depressed? Clinical depression is serious and impacts so many. This month I’m going to discuss the causes, how it can be diagnosed and what can be done. Firstly, to be diagnosed with clinical depression you must possess five out of eight of the following criteria: Poor appetite accompanied by weight loss, or increased appetiie accompanied by weight gain. Insomnia or excessive sleep habit Physical hyperactivity or inactivity Loss of...

Winter Tips to Stay Healthy

The weather is turning and the days are getting shorter. This means less daylight and sun exposure, (your best source of Vitamin D)!  We tend to eat more comfort foods in the winter to keep the body warmer, and sometimes those very foods can be unhealthy ones, leading to compromised immune systems and inflammation.  Here I share my top tips to keep you in tip top shape over winter. Enjoy! Eat Seasonally – Some nutrient-rich winter plant foods include: garlic, onion, parsnip, pum...

Bone Broth – What is it and is it good for me?

Bone broth is a dressed up stock really made of water in which bones of meat have been simmered over a long period of time.  It can be eaten alone, but is more tasty and commonly used to prepare dishes such as soups, gravies and bases for sauces.  Why is it good for you?  Well, it’s packed with collagen, (great for skin), amino acids and many trace minerals. It is also used to help heal a gut that is inflamed or ‘leaky’.  It is one of those nutrient packed foods that is...

Natural Ways to Boost Your Metabolism - Part 2

Here’s the continuation from last months blog on ways to boost your metabolism at the start of this new year! Try lifting weights.  Lifting weights can help speed resting metabolic rate because it builds lean muscle mass, which naturally uses more calories than body fat does. To gain muscle means to increase the amount of metabolic work your body needs to do daily in order to just keep you going, since muscle tissue is more active than fat is. You can get some weights and perform body res...

Natural Ways to Boost Your Metabolism – Part 1

We’ve all indulged in the holiday treats and may now feel the need to eat clean and work towards shedding a few holiday kilos.  Of course swapping the biscuits and chips for bliss balls and kale chips is going to help, but there are also some other natural ways to boost your metabolic rate which is going to help shed those kilos even faster! So, what is metabolism anyway?  It is the process of the body turning calories we consume into usable energy. Calories (also called kilojoules) ...

Seasonal Allergies – What Can You Do?

It’s that time of year again, sniffy runny nose, sneezing, itchy watery eyes, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing…it can be misery for those that suffer from seasonal allergies.  Yes, you can take medications such as antihistamines, corticosteroids and decongestants, but not without side effects such as drowsiness, dry mouth, bruising, insomnia and more.  Natural treatment can be just as effective without all the side effects. So what causes the allergies?  Well, it...

Is Turmeric Really that Good for You?

Turmeric is the main spice used in curry around the world, and is now becoming known as the most powerful spice on the planet for fighting and reversing disease.  What makes it so powerful is the healing compound, curcumin.  Curcumin counters inflammation, supports liver detox, helps with oestrogen detox, supports the body as an antioxidant to combat free radicals, helps with high blood fat ratios, and boosts immunity.  New recognition for this mighty spice are making the way into...

What are the best fats for you and why?

Last month I discussed why it’s important to include natural fats in your diet, the many benefits and the harm that a low fat diet can cause.  This month I’m going to talk to you about what healthy fats are, what they do for you and why it’s important to consume them regularly. Remember, not all fats are created equal, but the following natural fats can really boost the body!  From helping to shed excess weight, to lowering LDL cholesterol, (bad cholesterol), to giving you health...

What is Wrong With Eating a Low-Fat Diet

For some time now we’ve been fed information to put aside fatty foods like eggs, butter, fatty meats, full fat dairy, etc.  Diet Guidelines focus on reducing fats in the diet claiming it can increase the risk for heart disease and stroke.  Because of this, many people today are concerned over high fat foods, assuming that if they consume these foods that they will pack on the pounds.  Marketing has grabbed a hold of this low-fat era and stocked the shelves with all sorts of ligh...

Benefits of Eating a Mediterranean Diet

There are so many diets out there to choose from, that it can be really hard to know which one is best.  As we all have different biochemistry that makes us unique, no one diet will suit everyone.  However, the mediterranean diet has shown time and time again that it is a way to stay healthy, happy and full of life! So, why is this diet so beneficial for so many?  Well, in my opinion to start, it consists of all unprocessed foods, that are free from additives, preservatives, colou...

Cholesterol, & Why Your Body Needs It

So, what is cholesterol? Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance found in every cell in the body.  Your body actually needs and uses cholesterol to make sex hormones, vitamin D and substances that aid digestion such as bile, (bile is needed in the body to digest fats).   Those who suffer from low cholesterol actually have problems digesting fats.  Cholesterol is also a powerful antioxidant, which protects us from cancer and the ageing process.  Since every cell contains cho...