When you have a bath with Epsom salts, the magnesium sulphate is absorbed through the skin, and draws toxins from the body. It also sedates the nervous system to relax you completely, reduces swelling, relaxes muscles, relieves muscular aches and pains and is also a natural emollient and exfoliator.
Lemons are a fantastic detoxifier and have amazing digestive qualities. Drinking lemon juice in water daily is not only a good detoxifier but also alleviates symptoms of indigestion stomach pain and bloating. By drinking lemon juice regularly, the bowels are aided in eliminating waste more efficiently thus controlling constipation and diarrhoea. Lemon also helps the body to obtain the energy from the nutrients in food.
The most important step to detoxifying your body is to eat a nutrient-dense diet along with the supplements I have recommended. The diet not only detoxifies but also heals the body from any health issues. A beneficial detox diet consists of eating healthy protein sources from meat, eggs and fish along with fats which are beneficial such as extra virgin cold pressed olive oil, extra virgin coconut oil as well natural animal fats and fish oils which contain omega-3 essential fatty acids.
This 100% natural complete protein powder is a nutrient dense blend of synergistic natural whole foods, high in vitamins and minerals.
Shakti's unique Superfood Blend contains Bee Pollen sourced from the eucalypt forests of Western Australia, together with Mesquite – a sweet tasting pod from Mexico, as well as other natural ingredients. Pollen is a complete food and one of nature’s magical offerings (yes, people call this blend magical!!) The blend contains no natural fillers or sweeteners.
All in all it is a high protein, energy giving, alchemy of the best from plant world, no isolates or derivatives just pure 100% whole food…SUPERFOOD!
The availability in sachets and tubs means you can have some in your fridge and some in your desk at work and gym bag for energy and vitality on the GO!
Find out more here.
If you are feeling like you need a little help in boosting the nutritional value of your everyday meals then SF SuperFoods has just the answer! Their Protein Blend and Omega-3 Blend are two of their four specifically formulated blends. These blends contain a wide range of nutrients sourced from the finest quality grains, seeds, nuts and berries from Australia and around the world. The blends help with digestion and assist with absorption of vital nutrients into the body. Incorporating these blends into your diet will allow you to easily meet the Daily Intake (DI) levels for Protein and Omega-3.
It’s really important to ensure you include an adequate amount of protein in your diet as it is essential for maintaining strong bones, muscles, cartilage, skin and blood. Proteins also act as the building blocks for vitamins, hormones and enzymes. The SF SuperFoods Protein Blend contains a mix of milled flaxseed, almonds, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds and pepitas and provides 23% of your daily DI levels in each 45g serve.
Omega-3 fatty acids offer so many benefits for the body. They help reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke; reduce symptoms of hypertension, depression, joint pain and other rheumatoid problems as well as assisting with certain skin ailments. The SF Superfoods Omega-3 Blend is made up of a mix of milled flaxseed, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, hazelnuts, pepitas and chia seeds.
The blends contain no artificial colours, flavours or added preservatives and the addition of these blends will boost your energy levels and allow you to meet the DI levels for Protein and Omega-3…all in all providing great support for a well balanced diet.
For stockists details visit their website:
I recently used the SF Superfoods Protein Blend as part of my latest Bliss Ball recipe….
Coconut and Almond Bliss Balls
Makes 12
Ingredients
I’m a firm believer in beauty coming from the inside. So when I stumbled upon Carla Oates GLOW Inner Beauty Powder I was really eager to try it. The naturally fermented powder is a combination of twenty-three super foods, working together to provide your skin with a vast quantity of nutrients, allowing it to function at an optimal level and this enables you to glow from the inside and let it show on the outside!
The unique fermentation process used to create this powder not only produces food that is more easily available to the body, but also provides beneficial bacteria and probiotics, which work to enhance the natural glow of your skin. For more information on Carla Oates, The Beauty Chef, visit her website.
I was sent this gorgeous Bill Brown London stripy beach bag which I have used so much over summer.
The bag is the perfect size tote to throw in all of your beach gear and what's so great about it is that you can wash it when you get home if there have been any spillages, i.e. coconut oil!.
There's also an internal pocket in case you want to carry any smaller items.
The other good news is that $1 from your bill brown London purchase will empower women in India to break the poverty cycle which is a very worthy cause.
For more information visit the website.
Me and my slow cooker are like that.
With the help of this wonderful household appliance there are countless lip-smacking dishes that can be whipped up in a jiffy, thrown into the pot, and left to bubble pleasantly whilst you head off for an eventful day.
Think delectable casseroles, sumptuous soups, and tender, aromatic curries. A miniscule amount of work in the morning surely does pay off when you come home to the consolatory heartiness of a slow cooked meal, bursting with interwoven flavours.
The only work required from you when you get in the door is the conversion from work clothes to your coziest attire.
The balmy summer months are slowly becoming a distant memory, and as the icy winds begin to creep in, the desire for warming, restoring comfort food is becoming more and more apparent.
There is a growing need for meals that will alleviate any languid moods which often accompany autumn’s chilly weather. Dishes that really sympathize with your hard day’s work and give you a big cuddle to make you feel nourished and pepped up again.
This Slow Cooked Lamb Hotpot will gladly fulfill all these duties for you. All you need to do is invest a measly five minutes of hasty ingredient preparation in the morning, to reap an evening of hearty deliciousness from this meaty crowd pleaser. Not only will this meal soothe and nurture your senses; it will also work wonders for your health at a cellular level.
When we think about Omega 3’s we usually attribute their benefits to oily fish or nuts and seeds. Did you know that lamb is also an impressive source of Omega-3 fatty acids? Omega-3 fatty acids are wonderful in preventing heart disease, and are a great anti-inflammatory for rheumatoid arthritis sufferers. However, the Omega-3 content in lamb is highly dependent on the young sheep’s diet, as well as the mother’s diet (this affects the mother’s milk, which also has a notable effect on the quality of the meat).
Recent studies have revealed that pasture feeding is especially important to receive optimal health benefits from lamb. With this in mind, be sure to invest into some good quality, grass fed and finished lamb; organic if possible, and definitely free from antibiotics, added hormones and pesticides, which can hinder the integrity of the meats nutritional benefits.
This delicious hot pot also contains the wonder ingredient; celery. Again, this is probably not an ingredient you would commonly recognize for its nutritional benefits, but we really shouldn’t overlook the goodness that can be found in this simple everyday vegetable. Celery contains vitamins A, B and C, and minerals calcium, iron, phosphorous, chromium, magnesium, potassium iron and sulphur.
Celery has also been found to contain considerable levels of lutein and zeaxanthin. These are two phytochemicals made by plants, which are found in the lens of the eye. According to the Linus Pauling Institute, a diet higher in levels of these phytochemicals may help to preserve your vision by preventing the onset and development of age-related macular degeneration and cataracts.
The humble turnip is booming in the nutritional department, and lucky for us they are super cheap! You can often pick up turnips for around two dollars a kilo. They are high in vitamins B, C, E and beta carotene, and minerals calcium, iron, phosphorous and potassium.
Turnips are a cruciferous vegetable, placing them into a special group of plants that are known for their significant levels of sulfur containing compounds known as glucosinolates, which have been shown to stop the growth of cancer cells. And rest assured, you don’t have to worry about all of these wonderful nutrients being lost in the slow cooking process either; glucosinolates are water soluble, and therefore all of the goodness will be consumed in the cooking liquid.
Cooking at a lower heat for longer periods of time also helps to preserve these nutrients; where as high temperatures can cause enzyme changes that make it difficult for the body to absorb any beneficial properties.
So the time has come to put that cobweb covered slow cooker to use, or to finally invest in one! Do not fear; a good slow cooker won’t send you bankrupt; you can pick of these convenient must-haves up for around thirty dollars. Just make sure you invest in a slow cooker with a large pot, so that you can create large meals, and freeze them for busy weeknight dinners.
The opportunities for easy, healthy slow cooked meals are endless from Slow Cooked Saag and Slow Cooked Lamb Shanks which you will find in my book Supercharged Food. Or why not give this flavour-filled concoction a try this week, as the perfect autumn dinner fix. With minimal effort involved, this dish will keep your taste buds tingling, and give you that extra love and care you need in the turbulent frenzy that the mid week can bring.
Slow Cooked Lamb Hotpot
Method
For more gluten, wheat, dairy, yeast and sugar-free recipes visit supercharged.wpengine.com
Have you ever commenced a detox after going through a phase of partying like it’s 1999, only to find that within the first few days your symptoms seem to have actually increased and you’re feeling worse than ever?! Trying to reverse the damage of an excessive lifestyle can be daunting but it’s comforting to know that this is a fairly common reaction to the detoxification process and one that is only transitory, like that caftan that seemed like such a good idea at the time or the marble wash jeans and hyper-coloured tee that once hung proudly in your wardrobe. So yesterday.
The increase of symptoms we feel when embarking on a detox is often known as a Detox Reaction or a Herxheimer Reaction. These reactions occur when the body tries to eliminate toxins at a faster rate than they can be properly disposed of. Often times, you may feel worse, like you are majorly hung-over with additional flu-like symptoms and headaches, and conclude that the treatment is not working. However, these reactions are in fact signs that your body is beginning the process of cleansing itself of impurities, toxins and imbalances. The increased reactions are temporary and can occur immediately or within several days or weeks. In some cases, the symptoms can be identical to the health issues you may be experiencing at the time so it can be really confusing.
The type of detox reaction you’ll experience will depend on your level of health or the severity of your present health condition. As old bacteria die off and are replaced with new tissues, the toxins within the bacteria (endotoxins) are released into the body. The more severe the initial state of the body, the more bacteria present. With larger quantities of bacteria come an increased number of endotoxins and hence a stronger cleansing reaction. This is when it’s really important to rest and try and help the detox process along.
A very simple method for avoiding or decreasing detox reactions is to ensure adequate hydration and mineral consumption. It’s important to drink as much water as possible to flush the toxins from your body. The addition of a green juice will provide needed nutrients which can be absorbed easily by the body. Commencing the day with a hot water and lemon will kick-start your metabolism, alkalise the body and help with water retention.
The body uses alkaline minerals like calcium, magnesium, sodium and potassium to process cellular debris and counter increased uric acid production when fighting a detox reaction. It is important to ensure that you are consuming adequate amounts of these minerals when detoxing. If not, the body will remove calcium and magnesium from the bones and teeth to combat the lost minerals. Try and get all of your vitamins and minerals from your food but if you have mal-absorption issues then it is a good idea to speak to your local naturopath or nutritionist to give you a non-synthetic magnesium and calcium supplement and ensure that the amounts you are taking are balanced. If you’re planning on buying a detox kit, many of these contain synthetic ingredients, additives and laxatives that will do you more harm than good and burn a whole in your back pocket. Remember that the best way to approach things is naturally.
One of the most important vitamins to include when detoxing is Vitamin C which is a powerful antioxidant that helps the body break down toxins, allowing them to be flushed out of the body. A diet high in Vitamin C rich foods also works to stabilise free radicals, lowering the risk of chronic diseases. You can enjoy delicious foods on your detox and foods which are rich in Vitamin C include:
If you are embarking on a detox, and wondering what to eat, then the golden rule is to enjoy a simple whole-foods diet which eliminates processed foods, gluten, wheat, dairy, yeast, sugar and caffeine. Consuming easily digestible foods along with good fats such as extra virgin cold pressed olive oil, extra virgin coconut oil and fish oils which contain omega-3 essential fatty acids, will help to eliminate toxins and heavy metals from your body and assist you by drawing out nutrients from food, enabling the healing process.
After the initial detox reaction you should be feeling lighter and have more energy. This is when you may feel like jumping off the wagon, and leaping headlong into your old eating and drinking habits, but once you have detoxed, it’s important to continue to make changes to your diet every day, however small and these will help you to achieve optimum long term health and heal your body at cellular level to prevent disease.
What's in your makeup bag?
It seems that the world’s obsession with beauty is screaming louder and louder everyday. Take a look at your local supermarket and there’s an entire aisle lined with a vast array of lotions and potions to up your beauty factor. I remember a time when I used to cover myself with commercial moisturisers, spritz myself with perfume, lather up with quick foaming body washes, and continue with layer upon layer of makeup. Because I was so focused on the goal of beautification, I was oblivious to the ugly truth behind my lengthy list of products. As you probably all know, I’m a loud advocate for wholesome food, free from harmful additives and artificial ingredients. However, food is just one area that you need to clean up in order to ensure you’re avoiding the consumption of disease breeding toxins.
Did you know that our skin absorbs a whopping 60 percent of any topical product we use? Have a think about it; nicotine patches are designed to be placed on the skin and absorbed into the body, so why wouldn’t the ingredients you layer on your skin everyday be leeched into your system? Take this into consideration with the fact that the average woman also wears nearly five hundred and fifteen chemicals a day!
The message to eat less sugar is well and truly drummed into us from all angles. However, what often misleads people is the lack of understanding of what constitutes ‘sugar’. Sugar includes glucose, fructose (as in fruit sugar), lactose (as in milk), sucrose (table sugar), maltose or malts (rice malt and honey), jam (made from highly concentrated juice, high in fruit sugar), maple syrup, corn syrup, palm sugar (traditionally used in macrobiotic cooking), organic brown sugar and agave. Even alcohol contains sugar!
Once you start looking you’ll notice that sugar in different forms is added to countless products, canned foods, baked goods, desserts, salad dressings, sauces, meat products, breads, cereals, soft drinks, and disguised under assorted names depending upon the processing method it has gone through. If you want to shelve sugar, the following list will help you to identify it and its many secret disguises. If you’re following a completely sugar free diet remember ingredient such as agave are still sugars and stevia is a better option.
30 Uncovered Sugars
We all know that sugar is bad for us…but to what extent? Kicking the sugar habit will have you and your whole family reaping the rewards. It’s clear to see that as the array of processed foods available has expanded over time, so too has the obesity epidemic. Although not always linked to sugar consumption, it does seem somewhat coincidental that along with this increase in obesity an increase in food intolerances and diseases. (more…)
Inflammation is the foundation for the body’s healing response, bringing nourishment and immune activity to a location of infection or injury. However, when inflammation is unnecessary or persistent, it can be seriously damaging to the body and cause a range of illnesses. It is becoming increasingly clear that chronic inflammation is a root cause for many serious health conditions including cancer, degenerative diseases and heart disease. The good news is that with a healthy lifestyle including stress management, exercise and specific dietary choices, you can help to transform your body to optimum health. When eating to prevent and ease inflammation, it is important to include as many fresh ingredients as possible. Avoiding processed foods and fast food is also paramount. Here are some specific ingredients that you can include into your diet that will have a positive influence on inflammatory conditions, as well as providing a range of nutrients that will allow your body to thrive.
For delicious gluten, wheat, dairy, yeast and sugar free recipes visit the website supercharged.wpengine.com