2011 is here and I feel very excited about the gifts a new year can bring - so many possibilities, so much to learn, so much to share and lots of love to boot.
Make this year your healthiest ever - I'm here to help you do this – I will show you how. Stick with me and we will go places together.
Enjoy my blog in 2011 friends!
Before I embarked on my Malaysia travels I was lucky enough to attend the Clinique Super Skin Super Food Event at Zinc @ Fed Square with two of my good friends.
The food was amazing - infused not only with taste but with goodness. It was a welcome change to see an event dedicated to promoting healthier eating, whilst still being all about delicious flavours.
Healthy food isn't boring food anymore. Healthy food can be creative and delicious. I want to share with you Luke Nguyen's Steamed Line Caught Mulloway It was delectable! I will definitely be making this many times over in my own kitchen.
Method
600g mulloway fillet, skin on, sliced into 5 even pieces
Sea salt
2 sheets banana leaf (40cm in length), softened
Marinade:
½ tablespoon pounded galangal (2cm piece)
1 tablespoon pounded turmeric (4cm piece)
1 tablespoon pounded lemongrass
¼ tablespoon pounded garlic
½ teaspoon red curry powder (ayam brand)
2 tablespoon vegetable oil
2 tablespoon fish sauce
Combine pounded galangal, turmeric, lemongrass & garlic in a mortar and make a fine paste.
In a mixing bowl, combine all marinate ingredients, mix well then allow the ingredients to infuse for 10 minutes.
Season the fish with sea salt then add to the marinate mix and marinate for 2 hours. Turning it after the hour.
Wrap the fish in banana leaf and steam in a bamboo steamer on rapid boil for 7-8 minutes.
Serve with suggested Salad (seen in full version of the recipe)
Most young children lack the ability to switch off when they are full. Their immature gut and digestive systems simply can’t handle foods the same way that adult’s can – in fact many adults lack the ability also. In addition this time of year foods are generally richer and heavier than normal, children are probably allowed more treats and are eating at irregular times. This places substantial strain on normal body function.
My best suggestion throughout the Christmas period is to aim for a balance. As a parent, it’s your job to make sure that your child is getting the nutrients they require - unfortunately it doesn’t come in the shape of candy canes or snowballs. Even the fussiest of children generally have at least one healthy food they do enjoy, so be mindful and aim to get the good stuff in.
If you do find your child ill from eating too much, it is common that vomiting will occur (often overnight). Usually it is nothing to be too worried about and normally the child wakes the following morning feeling ok. If vomiting continues be mindful of dehydration. Introducing a probiotic to assist the tummy is an excellent way to get things working well again. Also try to limit foods and keep a bland diet for a few days. As difficult as it may be, it is important that you don’t allow a repeat effort of overeating too soon after. Immature tummies do recovery very quickly but if they are repeatedly abused long term digestive issues can result.
There are so many delicious foods around including healthy ones, so enjoy and be mindful your family’s health this festive season. I wish all readers a wonderful Christmas and many blessings for 2011.
I've been so blessed to have some time off this silly season. I have just got back after two weeks on holiday in beautiful Malaysia, where I had very little contact to my 'real work' life. No phones, no internet, just me and my family, the sun and the water, lots of delicious food and a quiet mind. It actually just occurred to me, I didn't think about work, babies, writing, educating... not once. How wonderful! I do love these things, but there is such a thing as brain fry and I could feel myself yearning for a rest. Luckily for me this holiday was filled with relaxation, time to rest my mind and enjoy. Now I'm home my mind is buzzing with ideas and stories I want to put on my blog. It's amazing what a holiday can do.
I do feel as though I've been plunked smack bang into the middle of crazy Christmas happenings. I'm choosing not to let it consume me this year. Of course, we will still celebrate Christmas - it's a very important time for family as well as me personally. I take it as a time to count my blessings and be thankful for all that I have been given.
Surviving the festive season can be difficult. There are so many commitments, indulgent foods, alcohol, late nights, socialising, temptation... I could go on and on. It seems to be a common theme that at this time of year. Everywhere to you look celebrities, health professionals and guru's give advice on how to get through this time of year. I sat here to type my 'tips' to get through the next 11 days but I struggled to get my point across. OF course the first thing I think of to say is "eat well, sleep enough, drink adequate water", but that stuff you already know and hear on repeat this time of year. What I focus on on is choice. Your choices. The choices we all make, not just this time of the year but all year to be a better, healthy person and to reward your body with everything it deserves.
My best advice to you this this Christmas season, is to create space in order to have YOU time. No matter what. Create the space. You are in charge of your schedule. Can you schedule in some down time, even if it's 5 minutes to sit and be still, clear your mind and focus on your breathing? Of course you can! Mini meditation can replenish much better than sugary sweets or coffee which will only find you more tired in the long run. Go for a walk, get to bed 30 minutes earlier or rise with the sun and just enjoy.
I went on a holiday and chose to completely switch off. Admittedly I was in another country - but I'm choosing this Christmas to be less indulgent in the foods I eat and indulge more through replenishing my body with what it needs mentally and physically. I choose less hype and more rest. I feel certain this is going to be the best Christmas EVER.
bellaMUMMA blog
