Chocolate + Gelatin! What, why and how!

Oh hey! Whaddya know? It’s Easter again! And what does Easter mean?

Treasure hunting of course!!

What? Is that not what your mind first wandered to? Well, I guess given the title of this post, I can’t really blame you. Your mouth is probably salivating in the hope that I’m going to give you some delicious chocolate recipe. I might. We’ll see where things go….

But as an aside, why not go on a treasure hunt? Why not grab a little basket and go fossicking around in the bush like you did when you were 10? How much fun was that?! And as I have blogged about before (actually my hubby wrote it, but I’ll claim it, thank you very much), incorporating PLAY into our life is super important for our health and longevity.

OK back to chocolate…’cos it’s so so good. Interesting factoid – cacao (the only form of chocolate you should be consuming) contains several components that make us feel all lovey-dovey. These are:

• Anandamide, which has been termed “The Bliss Chemical” and is apparently being studied for use in treating anxiety and depression
• Phenethylamin (PEA), which is a feel-good neurotransmitter (brain messenger) that is responsible for the feeling of love!
• Tryptophan, an amino acid that serves as a precursor (starting point) for serotonin, our happy hormone that is often depleted in people who suffer from depression

Plus it tastes delicious, so you probably don’t need convincing do you?

BUT - word of caution - cocoa powder and your average store-bought chocolate (I’m looking at you, Cadbury Crème Egg) do not contain these loved-up bliss chemicals as the processing destroys them. And if we’re talking about aforementioned popular easter “egg”, the cocoa content is not even the part we should be worried about. There’s the sugar, the oils, the emulsifiers, the preservatives, the colours, the artificial flavours……just step away from the egg, people.

As a side note, does the Easter Bunny freak the shit out of you, too? Clowns too. Stephen King has a lot to answer for!

Image via myorganizedchaos.net

OK, so what’s a brother to do if he wants some chocolate, sans crapola? Make your own! It’s stupidly easy. And nutritious. And delicious. (Like what Nutella claim their product is, but they’re lying – don’t trust those bastards at Ferrero!)

Anywho, it just so happens that I am running a chocolate workshop at my house tonight and we are going to make lots of yummy chocolate. Bet you wish you could come, right? Well, you can’t, but I thought it only fair that I give you one of the recipes. This one contains gelatin (I only use GreatLakes Beef Gelatin, and so should you – all of the others are rubbish!). 

Why is gelatin so good for you? 

Lots of reasons, including:

• It supports the growth of hair, skin and nails (it is a great source of bioavailable collagen and keratin)
• It nourishes your joints and helps with joint recovery
• It can improve digestion (the glycine content is very nourishing for the gut lining)
• It provides an anti-inflammatory effect (and considering inflammation is at the root of all disease, this is a good thing, no?)
• The glycine can also help improve sleep quality
• It helps the liver to detoxify your body (again, the glycine helps bind up those bad boys)

I add gelatin to pretty much everything – smoothies, breakfast, soup, broth, and now…..

CHOCOLATE JELLY

Now when I say “chocolate jelly”, don’t expect it to be all “wibble wobble, wibble wobble, jelly on a plate” (what? You didn’t sing that song when you were little?)

This recipe actually turns out more like a delectable, creamy, melt-in-your-mouth chocolate mousse. Here’s your how-to:

Makes 2 large serves (it’s pretty rich – you may want to divide it into 4)

Ingredients

• 1 cup full fat coconut milk
• 2 T cacao powder
• 1-2 teaspoons honey (depending on how sweet you like it)
• 1 T gelatin powder
• 2 T water

Method

1. Add coconut milk, cacao, and honey to a pot over medium heat and whisk
2. Combine gelatin and water in small bowl
3. Add gelatin mix to the pot and stir well until dissolved
4. When the mixture is warm, transfer into 2-4 small serving dishes (e.g. ramekins or cups)
5. Place in the fridge for 30-45 minutes (or freezer to set faster)
6. Serve as is or with fresh berries/coconut flakes

Now if you’re thinking “that’s not really a substitute for Easter eggs”, I say “stop being so ungrateful!”. Kidding. The team over at I Quit Sugar, as per usual, have you sorted with a variety of crap-free Easter options.

Happy Easter everyone! x

Live, love and play. The secret to longevity - a guest post

Happy new year!

What do a monkey, child and the most creative adults in the world all have in common?

You guessed it - they all PLAY!

Flying a kite on Christmas Day with my 4yr old niece

Latest research has confirmed that play is as important as sleep to our wellbeing, happiness and performance. In fact we are hard-wired for play. It is essential for survival.

Before we start asking the hard questions let take a quick look at what play is.

Play is any voluntary activity that is FUN and really has NO purpose or goal-orientated outcome. It allows the participant to get into a state of flow where very little conscious thought is occurring. It becomes an out-of-self experience….hey, a little bit of time when our brain isn’t thinking a hundred things can’t be all bad, right?

Surprisingly there are very few rules and regulations on what constitutes play. How hard can it be? Scientists actually consider flirting to be a form play in many cases!

Image by Artie Carmie via pinterest

As a side note, with our super-structured schools and competitive sport systems, are we coaching the creative ability out of our kids? Perhaps. But I digress.

Yes, yes I can hear you… 

Peace, love and happiness are great for the kids but what’s in it for me?!

Let’s start strong.

Play could be the best anti-aging treatment for your brain. Boom! FMRI (functional MRI) scanning shows that nothing lights up the brain more than three-dimensional play.

The random nature of play forces the brain to form new neural pathways. Do it for 15-20mins and then your brain releases a neurotransmitter called BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor) that acts like a fertilizer for the brain. Pretty cool, really. At any age, we have the ability to grow and rewire our brain. Oh, and did I mention it’s FUN.

So we know that play is great for keeping our brain in tip top shape. 

What about the body?

I think we would all agree movement is vital for health and happiness. During play, movement is performed subconsciously. This helps develop rhythm and timing due to our conscious thoughts not getting in the way. Therefore building resilience from injury and efficiency in performance. As they say "motion is lotion for the body", and did I mention it’s FUN?!

So you’re starting to get the picture - play is good for body and brain!

Let’s not forget plays teaches us how to socialize, connect, handle stress, develop empathy and enhances creativity. In fact, studies have shown in adults that as play decreases, social, emotional and cognitive intelligence decrease also.

Now it’s time to ask yourself the hard question:

Do you prioritize time for play?

If the answer is no, hopefully I have convinced you to ask yourself a few questions.

If you’re struggling for ideas, watch and learn from the masters of play - kids. 

Run...

Jump...

Climb...

Roll...

Chase...

Skip...

Hide (and seek)...

...and laugh without shame. 

Remember one person’s work might be another’s play. As Einstein once said: 

Image source

 Thanks for hanging in! I’m off to play balloon with my four year old niece!

Cheers, Azza (AKA Kate's special friend/husband)

How to not get fat this silly season

Do you drink? Oh my god, you do? Why are you reading this blog then. You clearly don't care about your health! Kidding. I'm kidding. Keep your panties on! 

I'm not here to tell you not to drink, that would be incredibly hypocritical and grinch-like of me. However, with just one week until Santa comes, we are well and truly into the silly season. And unless you want a load of stored joy (aka fat) to deal with in the new year, it might be worth considering what you are putting down your grain-free, gluten-free, dairy-free pie-hole. What?! I'm sure such a thing would exist somewhere!

Now I am fully aware that you are probably not going to be squeaky-clean on the diet front until detox time comes around, and I am not one to say you shouldn't indulge in a little Christmas cheer. But at the same time, you don't want to treat your body like a rubbish bin. I know what you're thinking - whatever, I'll deal with it in the new year. You could, or you could just manage it a little better now and spend more time in January flaunting your hot ass on the beach (sorry northern hemisphere folks) rather than hiding it under your moo moo while you struggle through yet another juice cleanse. The choice is yours.

So, let's talk alcohol. I'm not going to lie - it's not exactly a "superfood". Yes, there are some antioxidants in red wine, but for the most part, alcohol kind of kicks your liver in the guts. Given that the liver is the body's detoxification hub, if you give it too much to do, and too many toxins to get rid of, it is eventually going to go on strike, resulting in a build up of toxins in your body. Not only will you look and feel like crap, but your whole hormonal system will be thrown out of whack (as it is the liver's job to metabolise hormones), which could take quite a while to fix. 

Alright, now that I have given my responsible service if alcohol spiel, let's be realistic. You know it's not a health food. And you're probably going to have a few drinks anyway. So....what are the best choices if you are going to partake in such festivities?

1. The Jesus Drink

The what now? This is basically vodka with water and a squeeze of fresh lime or lemon. Not exactly sure why, but my friend coined it "the Jesus drink" - I have to admit though, it is pretty good for minimising a hangover. Possibly because you are upping your water intake and avoiding all of the added nasties and extra sugar that usually come with mixers. Be even better behaved by having a plain water in between - just be wary though....too many of these and you will forget which is vodka and which is water….or so I have heard…

Vodka with soda water and lime is also good, especially if the bubbles make you feel a little bit fancy. What?! Don't pretend they don't! 

2. The Vod-Bucha

I just made that name up then. Pretty clever eh? This one is a new favourite - vodka mixed with kombucha, a fantastic probiotic-rich drink. The good bacteria in the kombucha work to negate the bacteria-killing effects of the alcohol. Note: this may or may not be true. It's quite possible I made it up to justify my behaviours. Either way, it's better than other mixers

3. Paleo vodka
Are you seeing a trend yet? That maybe vodka is your safest bet?!

So what is Paleo vodka? Well, to be honest, I don't think Paleo man made vodka. I could be wrong, but that's my guess. Paleo vodka, unofficially, is Ciroc vodka, which is made from grapes, rather than grains. So, if you are following a Paleo diet, and you want to avoid grains on principal (as most of the negative effects of grains are pretty much non-existent in alcohol), Ciroc might be the way to go. In my experience, I get less adverse side effects from Ciroc. Mix it with some coconut water to up the au-natural ante! Or maybe you could take a leaf out of P.Diddy's books and enjoy a few bottles while having a bubble bath. Cos that's completely normal….

Image via thehiphopupdate.com 

4. NorCal margarita

Wok hoo! Now we have a non-vodka drink. Check out the recipe (and info on why this drink is superior) HERE. 

5. Wine

Red is probably best, due to the small amounts of resveratrol. If possible, drink organic in order to dodge the nasty preservatives. Motto to minimise damage: waters between wines

What to avoid as much as possible:

1. Pre-mixed drinks

Full of crap, especially sugar. End of story. 

2. Cocktails

The occasional cocktail isn't going to  kill you, but if it is your drink of choice, and you're somewhat of a social butterfly, you're probably going to put on a bit of Christmas cheer. These are often loaded with extra sugar syrup, juices and liqueurs. I should know - I used to work in a bar! Sorry.

3. Beer

Mainly because it contains gluten. Yes, I am one of those "nut-jobs" who thinks most people do better without gluten. In my experience (personal and with clients), people DO notice a real difference when they give gluten the boot. Beer is also quite calorically dense - expect a Santa-belly come January.

What about food???

Do the best you can and prepare well. This means:

1. If you can pack your own lunch, do it.
2. If you can have breakfast and or dinner at home, do it. Maybe this also means inviting friends over to your place for a dinner party. That way you will know EXACTLY what you are eating and you can dazzle your guests with your healthy culinary skills - they won't even know that the usual suspects are missing. Tip: slow-cook your meats (oven or slow cooker) - you can't go wrong. Tip 2: make a "raw vegan" dessert. I'm far from pro-vegan or even pro-raw, but when it comes to desserts, these folk have got it sorted! Check out my "Paleo-ish Cheesecake" - raw AND vegan! 
3. If you are going out for dinner, eat a regular-sized meal. This probably won't be your final feast ever, so no need to behave like it will be. If you feel like you want to eat loads, get an extra side of veggies. And don't eat pasta. Aside from being against grain consumption, I feel that pasta is such as waste of going out for dinner. Instead of dessert, opt for a cheese platter to avoid a big sugar hit. 
4. If you have a Christmas party, eat before you go. Chances are the canapés are going to be party pies and sausage rolls. No bueno. 
5. Start your day off with a big, protein-filled breakfast, such as eggs and greens (see recipe below), to help keep your blood sugar levels stable, minimise cravings, and lessen the chance of binging on a box of Ferrero Rochers come 3pm. 

Eggs & Greens (serves 1 hungry hippo)

1. Chop about 1 cup of veggies (zucchini, capsicum, silver beet, spring onion - whatever you have, but the spring onion is a must) 
2. Sauté in 1 tbspn of coconut oil and a splash of apple cider vinegar
3. Stir in 2-3 eggs until just cooked (low heat)
4. Sprinkle with sea salt

Add a nutritional boost: 
Add in 1 tsp of savoury (nutritional) yeast flakes, rich in B vitamins to give you an energy boost, while adding a delicious cheesy flavour to the eggs, completely dairy free!

Serving options:
1. 1/2 an avocado OR
2. A little smoothie OR
3. A mug of bone broth OR
4. A slice of sprouted, gluten-free bread. Try THIS ONE

Eat slowly, savour the flavour and enjoy your day! 

That's it for now, friends! Next you hear from me, I'll be in New Zealand! Yes, I will still be continuing my inconsistent (I'm working on it) blog posts with my usual rant. Have a very merry Christmas! Stay safe and be sure to spend lots of quality time with loved ones! x

Oh, and just one more thing….

Image by Andrew Mitchell via pinterest

How's that for awkward!! 

Period Party!

Image by Laura C George via pinterest

A few months ago, it was suggested that I undergo a procedure known as a “HyCoSy” to check for any structural problems with my lady garden, given I had not had a period in two years (which you can read more about HERE and HERE). They say that you may experience “mild discomfort” during the procedure and that you should consider taking pain-killers prior. Having had this done, sans pain-killers, all I can say is, don’t be a hero – take the drugs – the “discomfort” is more than “mild”. I’m not going to go into the gory details, but you can read more about HERE if you want. It was traumatic, to say the least. 

So anyway, post-procedure, I was lying on the bed/chair thingy, half-naked and wanting to throw up and/or pass out, and the doctor informed me that:

“You have PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome). You aren’t going to get your period back and you probably won’t conceive naturally, so we’ll start you on injections and then you’ll probably need IVF”.

Here's a picture taken from that moment: 

Image via http://blogs.voanews.com

 Talk about bedside manner. What a douche!

As you can imagine, this wasn’t the easiest thing to hear. I got home and I lost my shit. Big time.

After a few days of feeling sorry for myself I thought I should take a look at the images of my baby-maker. What I discovered was that I did not have PCOS, but normal, healthy ovaries in the follicular phase, which was confirmed by my GP and naturopath. Woo hoo!

In other news, while I was in Broome, I got my period back! So it turns out that this trusted gynaecologist, in one of Sydney’s best ultrasound clinics, was wrong. And did I mention he was a douche?

It just goes to show that, when it comes to your body and your health, QUESTION EVERYTHING and don’t accept anything as gospel.

OK let’s back up – I got my period back – in outback Western Australia! I’m pretty sure my dietetics supervisor thought I was crazy when I exclaimed 

“You don’t understand how EXCITING this is!!!” 

And it was! I can’t explain the feeling, but it was like I felt like a woman again. I know all of you ladies out there with a regular period are scoffing at me right now, and all of you guys have either stopped reading or are thinking I’m a weirdo. By the way, kudos to you, boys, if you are still here!

It all suddenly made sense why I had completely devoured a whole block of Green & Black’s chocolate the night before. And why my skin was breaking out. And why I cried watching “How I met your mother”. Seriously?!

So what triggered the return of my lady-time that had been MIA for so long? Well, I think it was probably a combination of things, but I don’t think it was any coincidence that it came back while I was in Broome AKA “most relaxing, laid-back, picturesque getaway spot in Australia” (you can check out my pics from Broome, and a yummy recipe HERE). I embraced “Broome-time”, which involved……not much. Not much at all. And that’s the point. I said enough is enough, stopped trying to do everything all at once and calmed the f#@k down.

A typical day looked like this:

6am: Rise with the sun. Walk to Cable Beach. Do 15 minutes of yoga or a quick Tabata workout. Go for a swim in the ocean (this became a little less relaxing after a 4m salt-water croc was sighted on the beach). Meditate. Walk home

7:15am: Eat breakfast. Slowly.

8:10am: Go to work

4:30pm: Come home. Walk to beach. Swim. Watch sunset. Walk home.

6:30pm: Dinner.

7:30pm:Maybe a little work for Sarah Wilson’s I Quit Sugar. Maybe nothing.

8:30pm: Bed

9pm: Sleep

I spent lots of time by myself. And I spent plenty of time with some of the most beautiful, generous people I have ever met.

I’m sure to some, this looks pretty boring, but it was clearly what I needed.

Now I’m under no disillusion that this is achievable for everyone. I’m back in Sydney now and it all seems like a distant memory and, unfortunately, so is my period – MIA again, but I’m confident it will return when the time is right.

So if, like me, you don’t live in Broome and are having some lady-problems, here are a few things I would suggest:

1. Eat. And eat regularly. Every 3-4 hours have something small to eat.  And don’t cut out carbs. Why? If we leave it for too long, our blood sugar will drop. When this happens, cortisol, our stress hormone is released to bring blood sugar back up. This happens at the expense of our sex hormones (oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone). Eat!!
2. Practice yoga. I highly recommend the “YogaStudio” app for iphone or ipad. Not only do I feel this has helped my body, but it has worked wonders for my head. As I have mentioned, I have put on ~7kg this year, all in the pursuit of fertility. I have struggled with this, having previously been quite athletic-looking. Yoga has helped me focus more on my body’s ability rather than its aesthetics. I know how this sounds – like I am one of those crazy yoga hippies. Maybe I am. Whatever.
3. Walk around bare foot. Speaking of crazy hippies. It’s called “earthing”. It feels amazing. On that note – just get out and into nature more. Climb some trees, swim in the ocean, make sand angels, whatever floats your boat. Just don’t spend all of your time inside. It’s stifling, in more ways than one.
4. Go to bed early. Stop playing with your phone/computer/ipad at least an hour before you go to bed to help your body wind down.
5. Sleep in a pitch black room to allow adequate production of melatonin, our sleep hormone
6. Enjoy social time. Drink a little red wine. Play – lots!
7. Have sex. Often, if you can. Not only does this promote blood flow to our lady-bits, but also helps reduce stress. Winning!
8. Exercise, but not too much.
9. Cut out caffeine. Sorry, but this can really mess with your hormone regulation.
10. Speak to yourself as if you were speaking to your best friend. Would you tell your best friend “you’re fat”, “you’re ugly”, “you’re not worthy”? No? Then why tell yourself that? Your body has done more for you than ANYONE else will ever do.
    
11. Get help. I can’t thank the gorgeous naturopath Kate from Kore Wellbeing enough for all of her support.

My final word of advice would be this: don’t wait. Don’t wait until you decide you want to have babies to fix your period problems. If you do, it becomes all-consuming. And as much as you try to not let it, it can start to take over your life. It saddens me that so many girls accept menstrual irregularities as normal. It’s not! The time is right NOW to fix it. Not tomorrow. Not next year. NOW!

Oh, and just a little gratuitous shot to show that an extra 7kg isn't so scary:

Weird angle - my head looks very disproportionate, but you get the picture.