Nat Kringoudis - Fertile Body, Heart & Soul

We've moved!

2011-03-11T15:08:00.004+11:00

I got this in an email yesterday - so cute and so true - loved ones are absolutely special.

If you're wondering what is going on - Fertile Body Heart and Soul has gotten so big, we needed an overhaul.

So from now on, you will find us at this address: http://melbournenaturalfertility.com.au/

Same blog. Same me - but with an awesome new look! Please join me over there.

4 delectable bars coming your way...

2011-03-09T07:14:00.002+11:00

Livvi just had the honours of pulling a name out of a hat - if you're unhappy with the decision, you can take it up with her - she is a totally rational almost 3 year old. Good luck with that.

Who doesn't need luck is our winner! CONGRATULATIONS JoMark! We will have these off to you today - you're going to L.O.V.E. them.

These are in stock at the clinic now, so if you can't find them at your awesome local grocer, you can certainly find them at my awesome clinic - The Pagoda Tree.

International Women's Day 2011

2011-03-08T07:54:00.005+11:00

Grabbing my beautiful sister and her (at the time) tiny daughter for a hug - celebrating sisterhood.

Today marks the 100th annual International Woman's Day - which celebrates and recognises achievements that women have made economically, politically and socially.

As a woman, I'm grateful for the progression we have made over so many years. Each day in the clinic, I'm also reminded on how our needs vary from men. Whilst we strive for equality in the work place and a louder voice, physically and mentally we are very different. Both sexes are specifically unique. We have different requirements nutritionally, our hormones are different, our bodies work on different cycles and on the whole we generally require more emotional support. From a fertility perspective, we see the greatest variance as women carry and nurture offspring in the womb.

You may recall a post I placed up last week - I love how it demonstrated emotionally the beauty of sisterhood :: They teach it at Stanford.

"Women connect with each other differently and provide support

systems that help each other to deal with stress and difficult life
experiences. Physically this quality "girlfriend time" helps us to create
more serotonin - a neurotransmitter that helps combat depression and can
create a general feeling of well being. Women share feelings whereas men
often form relationships around activities. They rarely sit down with a
buddy and talk about how they feel about certain things or how their
personal lives are going. Jobs? Yes. Sports? Yes. Cars? Yes. Fishing,
hunting, golf? Yes. But their feelings? Rarely."

Celebrate your uniqueness this International Women's Day - and grab your sister, mother, friend and colleague for a hug.

GIVEAWAY :: Emma & Tom's Life Bars

2011-03-05T07:57:00.004+11:00

I almost tripped and gave myself whiplash when I took a double take to check out these beauties.

WOW! Fruit bars that are actually GOOD for you - packed with enzymes, antioxidants and busting with deliciousness. I'm in love. REAL love - my favourite is the cacao & orange bar.

These wonder bars are made with no more than 5 ingredients and include exceptionally choice ingredients. But what got me was - NO SUGAR! They are all kinds of fruit and nuts. They had me at hello.

Head to the website for more info - Emma & Tom's Website

I have to share. I'm giving away one of each flavour (4 in total) to one lucky follower. Just tell me which flavour you think would be your favourite. (I mean how do you decide? How good does Lemon Fig sound?!!) For your nearest stockist refer to the website - or we have them at The Pagoda Tree for you to grab one to try at your next visit.

* winner will be announced & notified Wednesday 9th of March.

my fertility sandals

2011-03-04T09:58:00.010+11:00

Images by Hayley @ little pinwheel

You might have heard me joke about my fertility sandals recently. They are my very orange and much loved salt water sandals and came all the way from little pinwheel. So why am I referring to them as my fertility sandals? Well, I know that the colour orange, according to various therapies represents fertility - hence the crowning 'fertility sandals.'

Orange is the colour that carries both yellow and red. When you combine these properties of the two colours you get subtle influences of both - orange might be the colour you should be sporting right now! It's also related to the uterus, large intestine, breasts, testis & prostate - all the necessary organs for reproduction. Its influence is said to treat aliments including period pain, digestive issues and support breastfeeding. It also stimulates the thyroid (important for fertility to stimulate hormones).

If you're reading this wondering how this all works, I assume you're not alone. I'm not an expert in colour therapy but my understanding and logic certainly tells me that when I wear particular colours, I reflect a certain mood. More scientifically, colour is said to vibrate a specific frequencies just as organs and glands in our bodies also do the same. Colours respond to areas of the body the vibrate the same frequency - this meaning that these organs (mentioned above) must vibrate to the same tune of the colour orange. When we become sick, our body become imbalanced and may not function in their proper frequencies. When we can restore this (using colour in this instance) we can benefit health and create harmony within.

So whats the best way to incorporate orange into your life? According to Alla Kondrant, it's best not to go painting walls - subtle and small is the key. Use orange accessories both as attire and to decorate your homes, especially the bedroom. She says that orange is sure to brighten up the space and enhance communication between a couple.

Orange is a warm colour - great to lift any spirits but a colour that isn't as much now days (compared to the 60's & 70's). Watch out if I find me some orange boots this winter - I will be all fitted up to the neck to take on this fertility business! Or I could simply dress like Hayley from little pinwheel but would my patients take me seriously is the question....

Don't forget to enter my Emma And Tom's Life Bar Competition. Entries close tomorrow night at 11:59pm.

Good food friday :: Micro Mania Microgreens sharing the love challenge

2011-03-04T06:54:00.005+11:00

Images by CJ photography

Nadia & Anthony from Micro Mania set me the challenge - to come up with a savory dish and a dessert using Micro Mint and Micro Lemon Balm. Last Saturday saw me rise to the challenge of creating healthy, nutritious and beautiful eats - just in time for the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival which kicks of as of today - 4th of March, here in this wonderful city.

"Microgreens are rich in a wide variety of energy giving nutrients. Packed with minerals such as calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium along with chlorophyll, lecithin, active enzymes, proteins (amino acids), vitamins and are full of antioxidants - extremely beneficial for human health and been found to contain particular health promoting or disease preventing properties and are totally fat and cholesterol free! Shoots that are eaten while still growing and 'alive' can have up to 100 times more enzymes than in fruit and vegetables as well as also being a good supply of vitamins A, C ,E and K plus B complex. The fresher the shoot, the higher the vitamin content hence the reason why these living microgreens are such a great lifestyle alternative."

Need I say anymore - these recipes provide wonderful essentials plus taste bud approval.

pomegranate broad bean mint and feta salad

Depending on when broad beans are in season - my pick would be to use the fresh variety if possible. Otherwise frozen are available from your local supermarket.

1 pack broad beans

1 pomegranate - arils (seeds) removed ready to be used

1 tin of Persian feta

the juice of 1 lemon

3 tbs Olive oil

I garlic clove crushed

1 bunch of Micro Mint (available from Micro Mania)

salt and pepper to taste

Combine broad beans, pomegranate, 3/4 of the feta and 1/2 the mint in a salad bowl.

In an appropriate container combine lemon, crushed garlic, oil, salt and pepper and shake vigorously to combine ingredients until creamy.

Pour dressing over the combined ingredients and toss to coat. Garnish with remaining feta and mint. Serve immediately.

raspberry mold with lemon balm and double cream

Again, fresh is best but you can also purchase frozen berries at your local supermarket.

4 punnets of raspberries

1/2 cup of honey

1 bunch of lemon balm

1 sachet of gelatin

Double cream to serve

In a saucepan combine raspberries, 3/4 of the lemon balm and honey. Melt down the two on a very low heat (approximately 10 minutes) until well combined.

Once combined, push mixture through a sieve to separate raspberry seeds. Discard.

In a clean saucepan, place in sieved mixture and stir continuously until almost boiling - careful not to allow to boil.

Sprinkle gelatin over the top and mix well until dissolved.

Pour into molds and place in fridge until set (approximately 2 hours).

Once set and ready to serve, remove from mold and serve with cream and left over lemon balm to garnish.

They Teach It at Stanford

2011-03-03T09:32:00.002+11:00

These are the girls in my family - we share genetics but most of all we share friendship.

I receive this email last night and I just had to share it!

"I just finished taking an evening class at Stanford. The last
lecture was on the mind-body connection - the relationship between stress
and disease. The speaker (head of psychiatry at Stanford) said, among other
things, that one of the best things that a man could do for his health is to
be married to a woman, whereas for a woman, one of the best things she
could do for her health was to nurture her relationships with her
girlfriends.

At first everyone laughed, but he was serious.

Women connect with each other differently and provide support
systems that help each other to deal with stress and difficult life
experiences. Physically this quality βgirlfriend time" helps us to create
more serotonin - a neurotransmitter that helps combat depression and can
create a general feeling of well being. Women share feelings whereas men
often form relationships around activities. They rarely sit down with a
buddy and talk about how they feel about certain things or how their
personal lives are going. Jobs? Yes. Sports? Yes. Cars? Yes. Fishing,
hunting, golf? Yes. But their feelings? Rarely.

Women do it all of the time. We share from our souls with our
sisters/mothers, and evidently that is very good for our health. He said
that spending time with a friend is just as important to our general health
as jogging or working out at a gym.

There's a tendency to think that when we are "exercising" we
are doing something good for our bodies, but when we are hanging out with
friends, we are wasting our time and should be more productively engaged not
true. In fact, he said that failure to create and maintain quality personal
relationships with other humans is as dangerous to our physical health as
smoking!

So every time you hang out to schmooze with a gal pal, just
pat yourself on the back and congratulate yourself for doing something good
for your health! We are indeed very, very lucky. Sooooo let's toast to our
friendship with our girlfriends. Evidently it's very good for our health."

meet Amy.

2011-03-02T07:38:00.002+11:00

Image by the lovely Clare Metcalf Photography

This is Amy - and we can show her face on my blog because she isn't a dentist. She is my Amy. Amy is my new assistant, and it is fair to say I am absolutely beyond excited that she is joining us here at the clinic.

This has been a rather frantic week so far at The Pagoda Tree. Sara, my business partner and I, said our goodbye's on Monday, as we both walk our separate ways as health practitioners. Not an easy thing to do by any means - but I am thankful. Thankful for 8 wonderful years together. Thankful for the beauty she brought to this clinic not just in presence and appearance but as a whole package. I wish her all the blessings in her future journey - she will do great things because she is a wonderful practitioner and more-so a beautiful woman.

New beginnings make room for changes. Some big, some small. I'm really excited about this new chapter in my life, for the clinic and for the future.

Amy has a lot of work to do! She's a go-er and I know she's up for it. I'm equally thankful for her ability to slip into the clinic and make this transition for me as painless as possible. Thank you Amy - you have no idea what you're in for!

breathing a NEW breath of fresh air

2011-02-28T07:20:00.004+11:00

image here

In...... and out..... For all those who joined me with the End of Summer Body Cleanse.... YOU'VE DONE IT! Well done to you. The emails have been flooding in of just how amazing you are all feeling. What's more, you have inspired a new week of cleansers - there is a big bout of cleansers starting today also. For the newbies, there is an entire weeks worth of recipes on the blog - so go back and check them out for inspiration, you won't be left hungry with these wonderful treats I have complied for you.

Cleansing is nothing short of a life changing process. Each and every time I cleanse I learn something new about myself. This time is no different - I've discovered a new level of clarity, and a real sense of calmness through my entire self. Many of you have been reporting this also, as well as a heightened sense of awareness not just within but for the things you are putting into your body. Be encourage to continue with good eating habits - we have been blessed with amazing and beautiful bodies - and in seriousness my heart does break when I see the way in which we can abuse and take ourselves for granted. Health isn't something we are simply given, it is something we need to work at and maintain.

Since substantial diet changes at the beginning of the month, I have been able to see a new perspective of just how important the fuel we put into our bodies is. The connection between fertility and food is even more evident to me right now. Poor food/lifestyle leads to poor gut function. The gut and the bowel are so closely related; the bowel and the uterus share the same nerve innervation; this sequence of events that occur inside us everyday must be oiled and greased correctly to work well.

Be encouraged by all of this, continue to eat well and respect your inner workings. There are some wonderful events coming up (like Sam's) that can show you new and exciting ways to prepare your food and deliver everything to your body that it needs! I will be joining the crowds next week at the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival at some of their events - come along and learn something new too!

I'm so excited to be attending Sam's surf spa food event - come along with me - we might learn something new together!

SURF SPA FOOD EVENT Monday 7th March 2011. South Melbourne Market 6.30pm.

Join therapeutic chef Samantha Gowing for a transformational journey into her world of Conscious Cuisine. Sam will share her proven methods of achieving optimal wellness in daily life. Discover the secrets of her global Surf Spa Food business and how you can create an amazing lifestyle in the hospitality wellness industry. A must for organic business and spa owners.

What: Surf Spa Food

When: 7 March

Time: 6:30PM – 8:30PM
Where: South Melbourne Market, Corner Cecil and Coventry Streets, South Melbourne

Cost: $110.00
Bookings: 02 6685 5400 / 0411 852 387

beans glorious beans!

2011-02-26T07:20:00.002+11:00

Image from Hayley @ little pinwheel - who by the way since starting the cleanse has developed her very own 6 pack. You heard it here first.

This is the most delicious recipe - the first time I made this was for my birthday dinner (amongst other things) where I had a tapas style meal. It works perfectly as a side dish or as a main. You could add some brown rice if you wanted a bit more - I find it delicious on it's own. Definitely a household favourite.

beans braised in olive oil and tomato

olive oil
2 onions chopped
2 cloves of garlic, chopped finely or crushed
thyme sprigs
1 tin of canned tomato
300gm green beans, ends trimmed off
50ml red wine vinegar
3 teaspoons of coriander seeds

pre-heat oven 160 degrees
Place olive oil in an ovenproof saucepan over a high heat on the stove (of you do not have an ovenproof pan, you will need to use two separate dishes).
Add 2 tbs of oil, adding garlic and onion and sweat until translucent - approximately 5 minutes. Add tomatoes, thyme (10 sprigs) and cook for a few minutes before adding vinegar. Bring to a simmer.
Place baking paper over the pan and cover with foil.
Transfer to oven and roast for 1 - 1.5 hours (or as long as possible really - up to 4 hours)
Increase oven temperature and place beans into the baking dish. Sprinkle with coriander seeds. Recover with baking paper and foil and roast for a further 20 minutes or until beans are cooked.

Good Food Friday Treats :: cleansers apple crumble

2011-02-25T07:20:00.007+11:00

Hayley was so excited to make and snap this one - she called seventy eleven times to tell me so! I don't blame her really...

Cleansers will welcome this one as it comes as a sweet treat for your weekend. Apples are starting to make their way into the grocers - they are delicious and are the all round wonder food being full of antioxidents, canter fighting properties, good for your heart and assist in weight loss. What are you waiting for? Just beware - Hayley will be over in an instant if you do whip it up tonight!

cleansers apple crumble

4 apples

2 peaches

1 cup of rolled oats

1/2 cup of crasins (or sultanas)

1/2 cup of walnuts/almonds (or nuts of your choice)

1/4 sunflower seeds

pre-heat oven to 180 degrees.

Peel apples and cut into chunks.

Place in a saucepan with 1 cup of water and bring to the boil.

Once boiling, gently simmer for approx 15 - 20 minutes or until the apples are soft.

Remove from heat and set aside. Strain liquid but keep for later use.

In a bowl combine dry ingredients.

In a baking dish, place apples in the bottom to cover the dish. Sprinkle dry ingredients on top. Once done, pour 1/2 cup of the left over juice over the top of the dry ingredients and place in the oven - cook for 15-20 minutes, checking regularly or until the top is golden brown.

Enjoy!

*Those cleansing - If you're stuck for dinner tonight (because I've shared a dessert rather than a main) you can't go past a big tray of roast veggies - get in it whatever you can; pumpkin, potatoes, zucchini, eggplant, red peppers, onion. The list is endless!

shiitake and barley soup

2011-02-24T07:25:00.000+11:00

Since the weather has turned slightly cooler - so must the food. This will warm you good and proper!

I could look at these food images all day! Thank you Hayley.

shiitake and barley soup

8 dried shiitake mushrooms
1tbs oil/coconut oil
4 spring onions chopped
2 garlic cloves crushed
1 celery stick, diced
1 carrot, diced
250g fresh shiitake mushrooms chopped
2lt of veggie stock
200gm of pearl barley

Place dried mushrooms in a bowl with hot water. Soak for 30 minutes. Once soaked, squeeze out the liquid from the mushrooms and slice thinly.

Heat oil in a pan over a medium heat. Add spring onions, garlic, celery, carrot and fresh mushrooms. Cook for a few minutes, stirring, until softened. Add stock and barley and 125ml of water and bring to the boil. Reduce heat and summer for about 40 minutes, until the barley is tender.

Plate up and enjoy!

we quit sugar! talking with Jo Foster

2011-02-23T06:55:00.004+11:00

THIS is the lovely Jo Foster positively glowing sans sugar!

I would be kidding if I didn't say it's been a huge month for me. Inspired by the lovely Sarah Wilson, I made the decision to quit sugar at the beginning of Febuary. I also started Feb fast. At the time I wasn't sure how I was going manage without dark chocolate, but now I couldn't be laughing at myself more. The month has been nothing short of wonderful! For me, the big shift was in my state of mental clarity – it has been amazing. My brain feels like it is working at a new level. In addition - my skin is really clear and I have lost a few kilo's along the way.

I asked Jo – who works with Sarah Wilson to share how she has been going since she gave sugar the boot. Here is our conversation:

Why quit sugar? I can tell you are a leader not a follower so what was your motivation?

I actually spent a lot of last year refining and tweaking my eating habits, and had been feeling for a few months that I needed to step it up another notch. Giving up sugar was "THE NOTCH", but I was really hesitant to take that leap.... Then the lovely Sarah Wilson declared that she was going to do the no sugar as well, and, well, I'm a girl, we like to do things with friends, so I figured if I was ever going to actually do it, I might as well do it with Sarah. Also, she forced me... ha :) I think I was about 85% convinced when I read David Gillespie's "Sweet Poison", and then that was it. I was on board. And I'm not one for doing anything half heartedly - once I'm in, I'M IN!

What changes have you noticed - are you hotter already? No seriously have you noticed changes in your body? Mind? Tastebuds?

Ha, yeah, I'm super hot now! No, I wish! I have noticed my taste buds changing, and my sense of smell! Our vanilla fridge wipe(which I used to love) smells sickly sweet to me now, as do some sauces that my friend's cook with. I am finding I am loving the taste of my natural yoghurt - which was really 'tart' a few weeks ago. I'm finding it quite sweet now that I'm not eating anything really sugary. I thought I was pretty sharp mentally(don't laugh!) but I feel really alert. There's a much brighter sense of clarity - I feel like all of my senses are heightened. I've been off sugar for three weeks(started Friday 28th Jan) and I've lost a kilo as well - which is a miracle, as I've been eating LOTS of cheese to curb my sugary cravings!

Will you go back? No! I feel really good. And I'm really aware of how bad sugar(fructose) is for me, so I couldn't possibly justify ranting on about it, only to embrace it all over again... I'm of the persuasion that once you know something, you're responsible for what you know(yeah, ouch!), and even if I don't like what I know about sugar, I know too much to let myself go sugar crazy again. Sigh, the responsibility of being a grown up hey.... Having said that, I'm sure there'll be days down the track where I take a slice of cake(ahhhh, CAKE!) offered at a birthday party, but I'm ever hopeful that I will only have a bite or two, and not want any more. (is that even possible!?) As I said, ever hopeful!

Advice to others thinking about quitting sugar - even if for a short period of time? Try it! What have you got to lose! Other than a crazy addiction you don't need! My advice - you've got to do it cold turkey. When we interviewed Gillespie, he said this, and it really impacted me. He said that a smoker doesn't make the effort to quit, and then just allow themselves a cigarette a day. That's not helpful to the process at all. I think the same applies here. If I'd been allowing myself a 'little' sugar every day, I'm never truly free of that addiction am I? And cold turkey will be quicker. And more intense, YES, but, it will be quicker!

Favorite food replacing sugar - At the moment I'm addicted to haloumi! And avocado. I keep driving to my favourite bookshop/cafe in Bondi, and ordering their smoked chicken salad, with EXTRA HALOUMI. It's delicious. And it completely satisfies. I have no sugary cravings if I have a bit of haloumi! Haloumi is the new Cadburys!

Last one - I think you're on feb fast? How did you feel combining the two? I am doing FebFast! I'm not actually a big drinker - maybe a couple of glasses of wine in a week... so it wasn't too bad. Although, once I stopped the sugar, there have been a few nights I've stared longingly at the bottles of wine in our kitchen! In hindsight, doing both at the same time has been really good. The no alcohol is probably also helping with the mental clarity!

Quitting sugar might not be at the top of your list of things to do for 2011 - but I hope you feel encouraged by seeing how wonderful both Jo and I feel without it. We have unfortunately become so 'addicted' to sugar, refined foods, caffeine and alcohol many of us panic at the idea of going without it – just like I did a month ago. For me the bottom line is that these things are ok in moderation - but they really aren't doing our body any favours. When we eat sugar, we want more. The cycle continues and we continue to attempt to fill up on sugar when really we would be better to fill up on whole foods.

Sugar fueled foods don't supply us with adequate nutrients - our body tells us we are dissatisfied, as it's nutritional needs haven't been met and so we eat more - more sugar. Swapping sugary foods for wholesome alternatives means that your body is getting all the vitamins and minerals it wants . In turn, you aren't left looking for more food because you feel satisfied.

Saying no to sugar has really shown me how strongly sugar impacts my well being – as a fertility expert, this has given me new insights. Your fertility relies strongly on good nutrition and choices so be encouraged to choose wisely.

tomato and basil risotto

2011-02-22T21:38:00.005+11:00

and as promised... another beauty! Enjoy.

another beautiful image by Hayley Blease

tomato and basil risotto

3 tomatoes

1 Lt veg stock

2 tbs oil

2 garlic cloves

1 leak trimmed and sliced

325g brown rice

handful of basil leaves

extra oil to drizzle

Cut tomatoes in half and remove the pulp. Dice and set asside.

Place stock into a saucepan and put over a low heat. In another pan, place in oil over a medium heat. Add garlic and leak and cook for a few minutes until soft. Add the rice and cook for a further minutes until coated.

Add 50-60 ml of the hot stock to the rice, stirring constantly until liquid has been absorbed. Continue doing this until all the stock is used.

Stir in the tomtatoes and basil.

Drizzle with oil and serve.

*cook brown rice partially before and freeze in fridge - in zip lock bags. When ready to use, it takes half the time to cook.

Cleansing Eats :: Coconut Dahl

2011-02-22T07:39:00.001+11:00

I promise you with recipes this good - you won't ever feel like your missing out!

Awesomse image by Hayley Blease

Coconut Dahl

3 tbs coconut oil (or similar)

1 onions, diced.

1 deseeded green chilli chopped (optional)

1/4 tsp tumeric

1/2 tsp cumin

1 tomato chopped

225g red lentils split

250ml coconut milk

Basil leaves to serve

Heat oil in a saucepan and place over medium heat.

Add the diced onions and chilli and cook until softened.

Stur in tumeric and cumin and cook until aromatic (approx one minute)

Increase heat and add lentils, cocont milk, tomato and 750ml of water. Bring to bil and then reduce to a low simmer, stirring often. Cook for 25 - 30 minutes until lentils are soft and mushy. Season to taste.

Top with Basil and serve.

Just like I said - this is just one of many awesome recipes I'm sharing this week. This simple dahl can take the fuss out of cooking the family meal for us cleansers - just add some baked chicken and the whole tribe will be happy!

D - Day. End of Summer Body Cleanse :: Nat's pumpkin curry

2011-02-20T11:48:00.011+11:00

Today see's the first day of the End of Summer Cleanse. If you aren't familiar with this - it is a program that I have been chatting about here on the blog, which sets you up for a week of cleaning out every corner of your body.

As promised, over the next 7 days you will see many new recipes pop up on the blog for those participating. If you aren't joining in on the cleanse - these recipes can still make their way to your table! Be inspired by health food and clean vegan eating. It might not be your cup of tea but I encourage you to step outside your comfort zone, even if only for one day to see what you and your body is capable of. Watch how your body responds. Of course initially it takes a great dose of willpower, but as each day rolls on, it gets easier and easier. By day 7 - you're in a habit of it and I can bet my last dollar that a large handful of you won't be ready to finish cleansing. Cutting out specific foods that are literally toxic to our system does wonderful things to our inner workings - and of course increase fertility considerably.

Whatever reason you have stopped by the blog today, cleansing or not, this recipe is a mighty wonderful Monday night healthy treat. You've seen it on here before - it is a beauty!

Pumpkin & Veggie Thai Curry with Rice

*Cleansers note - today, day 1 is the hardest as your body adjusts and 'withdraws' from sugar, caffeine and refined foods. Keep up the water - drinking one glass hourly at minimum. You may experience headaches as your body detoxifies - know it's normal and not harmful. An early night may be on the cards tonight.

Good Food Friday Treats :: Gowings' Byron love cake

2011-02-18T07:08:00.001+11:00

This week I've asked Sam Gowling - therapeutic chef (and some) to share her current favourite recipe for Good Food Friday Treats. Treat is an understatement with this recipe, but more on that in a tick. Sam will be here in a few weeks for the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival - details are at the bottom of the page. Sam knows a thing or two about the importance of good food and healthy eating. This recipe is a winner and in the week of Valentine's Day - this cake is a beauty!

"This gluten free indulgence has been such a crowd pleaser and each time it gets better and better. It's the perfect treat after a long day in the surf, or as a mid-afternoon pick-me-up. Baker beware! It is very, very high in sugar so please enjoy sparingly. I'll be demonstrating this at my exclusive Surf Spa Food event in the forthcoming Melbourne Food and Wine Festival on March 7th."

Gowings' Byron love cake

360 gm (3 cups) almond meal
220 gm (1 cup) raw sugar
220 gm (1 cup) brown sugar
120 gm unsalted butter, softened
2 eggs, lightly beaten
250 gm Greek-style yoghurt, plus extra to serve
1 tbsp freshly grated nutmeg
45 gm (¼ cup) Pistachios

1 Preheat oven to 180C. Combine almond meal, sugars, butter and 1 tsp salt in a bowl, then rub with fingertips until coarse crumbs form. Spoon half the mixture into a lightly buttered and baking paper-lined 26cm-diameter springform pan, gently pressing to evenly cover base

2 Add egg, yoghurt and nutmeg to remaining crumble mixture and beat with a wooden spoon until smooth and creamy. Pour over prepared base, smooth top, scatter pistachios around edge and bake until golden (30-35 minutes.) Cool completely in pan on a wire rack to room temperature, then serve with extra yoghurt. The cake will keep in an airtight container for up to a week

Serves 8 - 10
Cooking Time Prep time 15 mins, cook 35 mins (plus cooling)

SURF SPA FOOD EVENT Monday 7th March 2011. South Melbourne Market 6.30pm.
Join me for a transformational journey into her world of Conscious Cuisine.
What: Surf Spa Food

When: 7 March
Time: 6:30PM – 8:30PM
Where: South Melbourne Market, Corner Cecil and Coventry Streets, South Melbourne
Cost: $110.00
Bookings: 02 6685 5400 / 0411 852 387
Surf Spa Food Tickets sold here:
http://www.samanthagowing.com/category/surffood

Why exactly alcohol affects your fertility

2011-02-16T07:41:00.002+11:00

image here

In the spirit of feb fast, I want to talk more about alcohol and its effects on the body. Moderate alcohol consumption (more than two drinks per week) can reduce fertility by up to 50%.

To date, scientists have not been able to conclude as to how much alcohol is too much when it comes to affecting fertility. We know that alcohol and other drugs substantially affect normal body function. This means it poses a problem when it comes to the reproductive organs as well. The reason science hasn't been able to give us the answer as to how much is ok is because no two people are the same. Body weight, type, gender, age and metabolism all come into play when we talk the effects of alcohol - we see this purely by observation. One person may consume five drinks in 2.5 hours and not be over the driving limit of 0.05 - if that were me personally I would be snoring in a corner somewhere..

Why does alcohol affects your fertility?

Alcohol causes havoc with male hormones and alters the way testosterone is produced and released. Alcoholic beverages contain estrogen like compounds - these “fake” hormones set our real ones out of kilter. No wonder alcohol can mess up fertility! This can result in lower sperm count and poor motility - two vital elements necessary for conception. Alcohol also substantially lowers zinc absorption - this is bad news for semen. Lower zinc = less sperm = reduced chances.

It has a similar effect on women zapping hormones and affecting ovulation and menstruation - again due to these estrogen mimicking properties. (Gill, 2000; Eggert et al., 2004).

How much are we talking?

The guidelines set out by most fertility specialists are no more than two glasses per week. Some will say one glass, others will cross it off the list all together. Anything more than this is considered 'moderate' consumption. Moderate consumption has been proven to half your fertility potential.

What other effects?

There is still more. Moderate to high alcohol consumption has been linked with higher rates of miscarriage. This is again because of its affect on hormones which are necessary to support a pregnancy. Progesterone is very important in the later stage of the cycle with Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) hormone - the two set about supporting the pregnancy. Without these, the pregnancy can not continue.

In clinical practice, I maintain there isn't one factor in sub-fertility. So many little pieces fit together to make up the puzzle for each couple. However, smoking and alcohol are two things we know that reduce health and fertility substantially. That said, I know that it is easy to become consumed by the daunting task of trying to conceive a baby. It can be very stressful. Adding a glass of wine to your table on a Saturday night may a help rather than a hinderance! On the positive side - a glass of wine with food is packed with far more nutritional benefits including anti-oxidients, than a glass of softdrink.

End of Summer Body Cleanse - 4 days left to jump onboard.

2011-02-14T12:50:00.006+11:00

Many of you have registered your interest to participate in the End of Summer Body Cleanse. The response has been wonderful - and now we are getting to the business end of the month.

If you haven't received an email from me, it is because I can't access your information from when you replied to the initial Cleansing post. You will need to email me directly at natalie@thepagodatree.com.au so I can email you the relevant information and organise your cleansing shake.

The cleanse starts this coming Monday the 21st of February and goes for 1 week in total. In this time we are aiming to get your body to function as alkaline as possible (a state free from toxic build up) - encouraged by the shake, consumption of alkaline forming foods and a pro-biotic. I will post recipes for you and support you along the way.

So if an email didn't arrive yesterday - please email me and we can get things started. Of course you can start the cleanse at any time, it would be ideal however, if we do this together to ensure you are supported. Initially it can be daunting - but with my help we will have you on the road to better health and increased fertility by March!

Running for a cause - running for you!

2011-02-14T07:55:00.002+11:00

I've spoken about exercise and fertility many times before and established the importance of getting the balance right. You can read more here. But today I have something else to share. How's this? Holistic Personal Fitness Training Services Melbourne. It's a tongue twister for a big load of personal training services with a difference. It's Hummingbird Health & Wellbeing.

Brooke from Hummingbird Health & Wellbeing contacted me last week. She was inspired by the post on Giving without expectation of reward - and so, in the spirit of community she

has invited team Pagoda Tree to participate in one of her running groups.

It's set to start 8am the 19th of February for girls to get together to do long runs - a free social session on a Saturday morning. Brooke says "the idea is to really encourage and motivate each other & encourage community spirit." I'm loving this.

Brook also has a group running on a Wednesday morning. This is a paid group which you are also more than welcome to join. You don't have to be running as part of Run for the Kids, although should you decide to join us there is still time!

Be sure to take a look at Hummingbirds services or drop Brooke an email with any questions you may have. Some supported training might just be the key to finding your balance. Remember, weight affects fertility so keeping it in check is a must for a happy and healthy woman (and man - nobody is exempt here).

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Good Food Friday Treats :: it's a date

2011-02-11T06:59:00.001+11:00

No kidding - not a date, date - but a date nonetheless. One of those juicy sweet squishy little numbers that I am oh so in love with at the moment. Of course, I want you to join me for a 'date' every week because you as a reader are very important to me, but for today we are talking about the fruit date.

Wiki tells me that the date palm is actually native to the middle east and (here is my fav part because it sounds oh so ancient) it was mentioned in the bible as the 'tree of life.' Date comes from the greek word, daktulos which means finger.

On my no refined sugar quest, dates have moved right back onto my menu. They have a wonderful sweetness, similar tasting to sugar and make a perfect substitute for sugar in many recipes. This Good Food Friday - I'm sharing the love.

Spiced Dates with Yoghurt

Ingredients:

1/2 cup of orange juice

1 cinnamon stick

3 cardamon pods bruised

500gm of pitted dates

500gm organic greek style yoghurt

1/4 cup of Slithered almonds

In a saucepan combine orange juice, cinnamon, cardamon and dates with 1/4 cup of water and bring to the boil, simmering for 5 - 7 minutes or until the it becomes thick. Remove and allow to cool.

Place date mixture into glasses, top with yoghurt, pour over left over date syrup and garnish with almonds. This one is good enough to serve at your next dinner party.

Top 10 - long, shiny hair SUPERFOODS

2011-02-09T07:45:00.006+11:00

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Last week Bree at The Blog Stylist wrote that the the subject of hair is a hot topic right now. I have to agree. I love hair! I'm very particular about my hair and I am fortunate enough to have co-operative hair most of the time. Bree knows about these things. She was the beauty and website editor at Cosmo, during her career has tested and tried all kinds of products - many I'm sure were hair products. I have no doubt that to some degree most beauty products do something to the state of hair and skin, but I'm also here to tell you that you can slather, brush and comb products through your hair until the end of the day – but if you're not putting the right foods into your body - any result from product will only be short lived.

From a Chinese Medicine perspective – good hair is dependent on good blood flow to the scalp. This may not occur if a person is blood deficient or jing deficient (a term we use to describe our 'essence' or 'youth'). When we are deficient of these properties we can see poor quality hair, premature greying and dry, broken hair. So using foods that assist in supplementing this will work well - and probably iron our a few other creases along the way. What's more, this 'jing' that I speak off is also associated to our fertility - as we get older this diminishes and whilst for the purpose of this blog post it's all about hair, know that these same foods will also do wonders for a more fertile you.

With this all in mind - today I'm sharing my Top 10 shiny hair super foods.

1. Wild Salmon.

Salmon is hard to beat when it comes to a 'beauty superfood.' This is one food you can't go past for top condition hair. It's full of omega 3, fatty acids, high quality protein, B12 & iron. These essentials are great for a healthy scalp. Make sure your fish isn't farmed - farmed fish is nasty and substantially lacks nutrients. Fresh deep sea fish is always the best choice.

2. Dark Green Veg.

Full of anti oxidents, Vitamins C & A, dark green leafy veg is necessary to assist your hair follicles to produce sebum. It's said that sebum (hair oil) is the hair’s natural conditioner.

3. Oysters.

These decadent treats are a perfect package of nutrients and Zinc. Zinc is hair food.

4. Tomatoes.

They are in season and are oh-so-delicious at the moment. Tomatoes are packed of lycopene - a natural anti-aging anti-oxident. Cooking tomato actually heightens your body’s ability to absorb it.

5. Walnuts.

It is no secret that I love walnuts - a lot. Again - these are full of omega 3 essentials. They also contain Vitamin E - wonderful for healthy shiny hair.

6. Yoghurt.

Again – I am a huge fan. For me it must be greek yoghurt - they know how to make good yoghurt! High in calcium as well as a pro-biotics, yoghurt is good for strong healthy hair, nails and bones. For many of you who are lactose intolerant, yoghurt is something that can often be digested because of it's ability to work on the gut.

7. Eggs.

Eggs are high in protein and provide the body with essential vitamins including iron and zinc - both important for healthy, shiny hair as well as vitamin B & biotin.

8. Beans.

Again a veg that is high in protein and essential vitamins and mineral including zinc, iron and rare biotin – all important to assist in preventing split ends and dryness.

9. Brown Rice

Brown rice provides carbohydrates and is one of the best superfoods for your hair.

10. Water.

Where would our bodies be without water? We need water to be well hydrated which contributes to healthy, shiny hair. Hair which doesn't get oily quickly - oily hair can be a sign of toxic build up.

I get excited when I look at this list of foods because they are all super delicious, chocker block with nutrients foods - which will not only make your hair great but make all of your body ooze healthfulness!

Bottle feeding teeth debate

2011-02-07T21:39:00.007+11:00

I had the happy experience to be on the Morning Show with Larry Edmur and Kylie Gillies on Monday morning.

The hot topic of bottle feeding babies was on the lips of many parents this week, after a study conducted by Westmed hospital in Sydney found that leaving bottles in a baby’s mouth for long periods of time can lead to significant tooth decay. Babies as young as 12 months are having their teeth removed due to decay.

See what I have to say here:

Since then I have been asked my stance on bottle feeding and breastfeeding.

I am an advocate of breastfeeding when this is possible. That said, if for whatever reason (and I realise there are so many) a woman is unable to breastfeed there are certainly things you can do to help support your baby. I recently wrote two blogs for the practical parenting website on these topics.

You (and your baby) are what you eat

It's all in the formula

As for the tooth decay? There are several things that can lead to tooth decay in small children. As Dr Richard Widmer mentioned in the segment, lactose (sugar) in milk is one contributing factor as are sugary drinks - including fruit juices.

Pharmaceuticals (including anti-biotics) can also lead to tooth erosion. It's a good idea to be mindful that if you or your child is taking medication, you can support the body with a good pro-biotic as well as other healing such as spinal care to maximise immunity and lessen side effects.

Supporting a formula fed baby with these things could also lessen infections.

Good Food Friday Treats :: Double Trouble!

2011-02-04T07:24:00.005+11:00

This week - you're getting two! Two treats to add to your plate. I called out on facebook to ask what you wanted and you asked for both recipes I spoke of - with these recipes. So enjoy your weekend because I've got it covered when it comes to gourmet healthy eats.

chickpea & silverbeet curry

ingredients:

1 onion

1 garlic clove

1 small piece of ginger (2cm x 2cm)

coconut oil (this is my preference - it isn't carcinogenic like frying other oils can be)

2 tbs of curry paste - good quality, proper stuff without additives. It should be only made up of ground herbs and spices.

250ml cold water

1 can of organic chick peas, rinsed and drained

1 can of organic crushed tomatoes or passata

1 bunch of silverbeet chopped

basil to garnish

Chop onion, garlic and ginger in a food processor (or by hand if you don't have one)

Place a tablespoon of coconut oil in a fry pan, adding onion, garlic & ginger and cook for 5 minutes.

Add Curry paste and allow to simmer for a few minutes to allow the aromatic flavours to be released.

Add tomatoes, water and chick peas and allow to simmer for 10 minutes.

Add chopped silver beet and cook for a further few minutes until silver beet is wilted and cooked.

Place in serving dish and top with basil. Serve with flat bread and a dollop of yoghurt. Scrummo.

granola topped apple crumble

This recipe actually allows for extra granola to be made up and stored. Granola is wonderful for breakfast or as a desert with yoghurt. In my quest to avoid sugar - I have removed it from this recipe all together. If you don't want extra granola, then you would probably divide the recipe by 5 (it makes enough for approximately 4 cups left over)

Peel and slice 8 apples and place in a saucepan with enough water to come 2cm up the side. Stew apples - cooking for approximately 30 minutes or until tender. Keep liquid.

granola

Combine 5 cups of whole oats (I used the 5 grains mix that has rice and barley in it), 3 cups of chopped walnuts, 1 cup chopped mixed nuts, 1/2 cup of sunflower seeds & 1/2 cup almond meal.

In a separate bowl, place 1 cup of the stewed apple - mashed, 1 cup of the liquid left from the stewing process and 3 tbs of coconut oil (or similar).

Combine the two bowls - add the liquid to the dry ingredients and mix well adding more liquid if necessary (stewed liquid).

Line two trays with baking paper and divide mixture between the two, then place into a 180 degree oven and bake for 40 - 50, stirring every 10 minutes until mixture is completely golden and begins to dry out and harden.

Remove from oven and mix through dried fruit of your choice. I chose to chop dates and add currants.

apple crumble

Place apples in a baking dish. Place the granola mixture on top of the apples and bake in the oven for a further 5 minutes.

Serve with greek yoghurt.

Store the left over granola in an airtight container.

Giving without expectation of reward

2011-02-02T07:14:00.003+11:00

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I've been challenged over recent months to give more back to the community. One way that I contribute is through my blog and making the most of my opportunity to talk to patients, but I have been feeling the urge to get out amongst it. My desire to get my hands dirty may have been sparked by the generosity and community spirit I witnessed during the recent floods that hit Australia. We all felt the impact. The way Australians come together to build a stronger unit is something we can all be very proud of.

I've long been of the belief that if we give, we receive. This doesn't have to necessarily be a monetary thing (although since I'm doing Feb Fast - do feel free to sponsor me), there are so many ways we can contribute to the greater good. The best way to practice generosity is to give energy where you can, and where there is a need. As I was searching for some ways to express this idea, I came across one kind act.com which sums it up beautifully give without expectation of anything in return, and what comes back will astound you.

What a lovely way to live! I'm adopting this idea - starting now.

So here is what I'm into at the moment:

Feb Fast

As you would have already seen - I'm doing Feb Fast. I want to use this opportunity to educate and share my experience over the next month - specifically focusing on fertility and the effects alcohol has on our health.

Run for Kids

I'm going to run. I'm really excited about this for many reasons. I get to train for a purpose other than for me - I know that exercise is so vital to my overall health but exercising with a goal is even more rewarding. Plus, I'm raising money for the Royal Childrens Hospital (RCH). What a wonderful organisation. When my best friend’s little boy was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis, suddenly I had a new found appreciation for RCH. This is something that is very close to my heart . I run, I raise money, I get fit and I have fun! It is a win/win situation.

We have a team - team Pagoda Tree. Feel free to join us - the password is pagoda.

Dare to Dream : Dream to Dance

This is a youth project taking place in the western suburbs of Melbourne - kind of like a 'so you think you can dance-esque' event. They are looking for volunteers and professionals who may be able to give them time and skills. I'm spreading the word with this one. Perhaps you know somebody who might be able to give their time to this youth event?

Giving is rewarding. It's also good for your mind - and when our mind is healthy, we are healthier on the whole. Our body benefits, creating a fertile body, heart and soul.

I really encourage you to practice random acts of kindness without expectation of reward.

Sometime soon something awesome will come back to you.

Me, Feb Fast, Alcohol & Fertility

2011-01-31T14:43:00.001+11:00

This year for the first time, I'm taking part in Feb Fast. I'm not doing this because I need time off alcohol - I'm doing End of Body Summer Cleanse anyway. I am doing this because I see first hand how alcohol can affect the body and most relevant to me and my practice, affects fertility.

Feb Fast is a program run to encourage people to pause, clean their body and raise awareness and money to assist resource centres around Australia. You can read more here.

Alcohol consumption is up there with stress when it comes to being a fertility zapper. We know that by cutting out alcohol, we increase a couple’s chance of conceiving by up to 50%. We also increase their health at the same time; a huge bonus! This may be more relevant to men, who are often able to drink more than women can. Our recommendation for couples who come into the clinic with fertility in mind, is two standard drinks per week – many of us would be guilty of far more than that, especially during a weekend.

Over the month of February I will be writing more about Feb Fast, alcohol, fertility and health. I encourage you to think about taking part - there are so many great reasons to participate –both for the individual and for the greater community. I'm on team for Sarah Wilson - her team last year raised over $8K. Top effort that.

If you can’t survive the month - you could always support me here. (hint hint, nudge nudge - I would love that!)

Good Food Friday Treats :: veggie burgers

2011-01-28T08:20:00.003+11:00

Each week we get a delivery box of produce from Aussie Farmers Direct. I'm not kidding you when I say I'm like a kid at Christmas when this arrives. I get a present every Wednesday, waiting on my door step for when I get in from work. A box packed full of the best local produce - no stress and for the same price I might pay if I took a trip to the market. Aussie Farmers have introduced an organic range recently - this has completed our little love affair. Check out their website for delivery locations and variety of produce they have on offer. I get the large box of veggies which can last up to 2 weeks (even though I get a weekly order). The quality is second to none.

At the end of each week, I take a look in my fridge and aim to use up most of what is left to make room for the new box of fruit and veg that is eagerly on it's way. This week I whipped up a batch of lip smacking veggie burgers. These were so full of flavour, the mixture saw me eating it out of the bowl! You could add or subtract any veggies from the base mixture - and best of all they are free of gluten - perfect for the weekend BBQ.

Nat's Veggie Burgers

4 peeled potatos
1 cup of peas (I prefer fresh but frozen are ok)
2 grated carrots
8 mushrooms (I used button), chopped
2 diced shallots
1/4 cup basil shredded
1 nob of butter
salt and pepper to taste
Coconut oil to fry

In a steamer, steam potatoes until almost soft. Add peas and cook until both peas and potatoes are very soft.
Mash together peas and potato with a potato masher. Add butter, carrots, mushrooms, shallots, basil, salt and pepper and mix well.
Scoop small handfuls of mixture and work into a patty shape and size of your choice. Repeat until the mixture is finished. Cover and place in the fridge for 30 minutes).
Heat a tsp of Coconut Oil in a fry pan and cook patties in batches.
Serve with Salad or in between bread to make an awesome burger.

talking fake stuff :: artificial sweeteners

2011-01-26T07:14:00.003+11:00

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If you think about it, nothing fake is ever that great. Fake tans are bad. Fake handbags, not so great. Fake chesticles, (aka breasts) very often bad! (although some may argue that one, especially those who enjoy the sport of spectating) I'm yet to come across anything good that is pretending to be something else. At the top of this list of bade fakes is fake sugar - really bad!

Aspartame is horrible stuff. So horrible in fact that it was denied eight times by Food and Drug Administration Department (FDA), before it snuck through a loophole and made it's way into food. If you're scratching your head wondering what I'm talking about - I'm talking fake sugar aka artificial sweetener.

Let's talk about the side effects:

Memory loss, nerve cell damage, migraines, reproductive disorders, mental confusion and brain lesions, blindness, joint pain, Alzheimer's, bloating, nervous system disorders, hair loss, food cravings and surprise surprise, weight gain!

Let's talk ingredients:

Aspartame contains a substance called methyl alcohol which, once ingested turns into a formaldehyde - a deadly neurotoxin. Some sweetners also contain Phenylalanine. Phenylalanine naturally occurs in our brain, however high levels of this can lead to seizures, depression and schizophrenia. It is pretty simple to see there is no way known that any of this stuff is good.

Let's talk weight:

The whole point of fake stuff like this is to combat the weight gain associated with sugar consumption. There has been evidence to suggest that these products actually stimulate appetite and therefore increase food intake. On top of that, there is actually no clear evidence to support the theory that these products are useful in weight reduction. There really is no point is there? You are far better off having the real thing, although in most cases steering clear of high sugar foods is the best option.

I have written about cleansing and keeping your body more alkaline than acidic. Acidic forming foods lead to acidic bodies - resulting in lowered immunity, greater illness and a host of other issues. The upcoming End of Summer Body Cleanse I'm running, is one of the best ways to get your body clean and alkaline - sweeping out all the gunk that has formed over time.

My best suggestion is to stick with real sugar - nature has provided us with some great options. Mayple syrup is my personal pick. It tastes wonderful and in its pure form it is nutritious. Depending on how you are using it, raw cane sugar is also a good choice. It's all a matter of combination and what foods you are putting together.

Base your diet around whole food and you really can't go wrong.

A good thought to have is if it isn't off the land, it is probably isn't very good for your insides. What you put into your body - you can expect out of it.

Nutritious v New-trick-ious.

2011-01-24T08:51:00.005+11:00

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I've just watched the umpteenth breakfast cereal advertisement selling foodstuffs (I love that word) promoted as highly nutritious, full of this and that, promising you can travel to the moon and back and then some. Well, I have one word for all of this. Fib. From now on I am re-labeling these sorts of products as “new-trick-ious”.

These ads are fibbing. They are telling Big Fibs!

It's not just limited to breakfast cereals - these advertising tricks are everywhere. Unfortunately we often believe them and who can blame us? The products always look awesome, and why shouldn’t we believe their claims? However these very fibs are making us extremely unhealthy, contributing to poor diet and unhealthy guts. A result of these choices is one that I see every day at the clinic - decreased fertility in men and in women. With this in mind, I want to talk a bit about food choices. Anthelme Brillat-Savarin said, "Tell me what you eat and I will tell you what you are" (wiki answers told me so) - what a clever man he was! With this at the forefront of my mind, today I am not so good. This hasn’t really been as a result of a fib, but as a result of my breakfast choice.

This morning I went for breakfast to my favourite haunt. They serve the most lip-licking breaky dish my tongue has ever placed it's buds on. I asked for it to be served on the gluten free bread however they had unfortunately run out. I decided to suck it up and order it anyway, choosing to eat just half the bread serve. I thought this would be okay and that my tummy would be fine. I was wrong. I sit here now, bloated and I am actually in pain - with a stretched, tummy gurgling ache.

So here I sit bloated and I am inflamed. I'm gluten inflamed to the max. My little gut is working overtime to try and process the culprit and as a result I am really tired. When this happens as a one off - my body is fine. I cope okay with gluten in dribs and drabs but to include large portions of this at every meal sets my gut into a crazy spasm. If this crazy spasm is maintained every day, body systems just like the reproductive kind, are compromised.

A chain of events occur from the gut, bowel and beyond. Because the bowel and the uterus are innervated by the same nerve supply, if one be placed under strain (requiring more energy) the other misses out. This yin/yang struggle sees the reproductive organs excluded or substantially deprived .This results in a less fertile woman. Fellas - don't think you are exempt here - your fertility also starts with your gut. Healthy sperm rely on all the good stuff taken from your food. It's equally important both parties are eating themselves fertile.

Not everybody reacts to gluten, although I suspect that the majority of us function better with less of it in our diets. We don't all fit the same bill when it comes to what works best in our diets however, when it comes to fertility, in the clinic we suggest that all our patients follow our fertility eating plan. As health professionals we know that the right combination of essential protein, carbohydrate and fat, is one of the best ways to maximise a healthy gut and therefore gain higher fertility. The gut is the pivot point of our health – once we get this little baby working properly and many of our health concerns are no longer.

Learn from my lesson, don't be tricked into eating foods that are hindering your health. If you're unsure, ask a professional, read up - and educate yourself. Know what the side of the box really means. New-trick-ious food is everywhere. Be vigilant!

Good Food Friday Treats :: Fruit Salad with Coconut Dressing

2011-01-21T07:40:00.002+11:00

Summer fruits are in full swing and I must say I am a massive fan. This time of year the fruit is so wonderful and delicious - my fridge is overflowing with produce. In fact, I had to get a new fridge. The fruit and veg section of the old one collapsed! That's how much I pack in there!

This recipe isn't any ordinary fruit salad. It has a dressing on it which is absolutely delicious. It contains coconut milk which has long been used in Ayurvedic medicine. It is as a remarkable medicinal food used to treat a host of issues including mouth ulcers and works equally well the on gastrointestinal tract to treat any types of ulceration.

This is good enough to add to the table at your next dinner party - your guests will walk away happy and most of all with a healthy belly full!

Fruit Salad with Coconut Dressing

2 blood oranges (orange oranges would be ok too)

1 pineapple

2 kiwi fruit

1 apple

1 banana

175ml unsweetened coconut milk

1 tbsp honey

juice of 1 lemon

seeds from 1 pomegranate

1 tbsp chopped mint

Peel and slice the oranges, pineapple, apple, banana & kiwi fruit and put into a large bowl.

Add coconut milk, honey and lemon and stir well. Taste and add more honey or lemon if desired.

Lastly, place pomegranate seeds and mint on top before serving.

End of Summer Body Cleanse - Come join me!

2011-01-19T07:28:00.002+11:00

May it be known, that these images are taken from hayley at little pinwheels blog, who joined me for the Spring Cleanse. How awesome is this food! How awesome is a good cleanse? VERY awesome.

You all should know by now that I love nothing more than a good, wholesome cleanse. Many of you would be familiar with my Spring Body Cleanse - a program I ran in 2010 on the blog, to help clean out those tummies and to prepare for the warmer months. The response last year was amazing - I was flushed with testimonials singing the cleanse’s praises. One reader wrote to me a very special thanks - she had fallen pregnant and had attributed it to her new healthy ways - post cleanse. Well, I'm back with another - just as awesome as the previous one was, but specifically tailored for now - after too much Christmas turkey.

In the clinic, we encourage patients to cleanse their bodies at appropriate times of the year. The warmer months are ideal to do so, because the body requires less fuel and responds well. Smack bang in the middle of the warmer months are Christmas and New Year - times of major indulgence. With this in mind - now is a perfect time for a little clean out, to get the inner workings back into order for the full on year ahead.

The End of Summer Body Cleanse isn't too different from the Spring cleanse - foods and recipes differ slightly but the main aim of alkalising the body for maximising gut function remains the foundation. If you are interested why don’t you take a peek back at a few of these links.

Why Cleanse?

Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, Day 4, Day 5,

Post Cleanse

What do you think? How do you feel? I put the challenge out there - who will join me for the End of Summer Body Cleanse?

Male Fertility :: Are his swimmers up to scratch?

2011-01-17T07:23:00.004+11:00

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Men are as equally important as women when it comes to fertility - perhaps even more than you think. In the clinic we often treat both partners to achieve maximum results, as we know men make up approximately 60% of the equation when it comes to health and fertility. Quality of semen has decreased by up to 50% in recent years - men are ejaculating half the amount of sperm they were in the past - this may be one reason why we continue to see infertility rates rise. (Andrew Orr, 2010.)

Fortunately, men's reproductive function is usually very easy to treat with Chinese Medicine (CM). Western Medicine often falls short in being able to offer treatment for sperm issues and is increasingly acknowledging need to turn to alternative therapies to assist in treatment.(Medscape -Curr Drug Metab. 2005; 6 (5): 495-501-Mechanisms of male infertility: Role of antioxidants)

There is so much we can offer in the clinic to improve men’s fertility, sperm quality and overall reproductive function. It is important to remember that fertility isn't separate from overall health - so if semen analysis results suggest that your partner’s swimmers are struggling, there is a good chance that there are other areas of his health that would benefit from some treatment - as well as diet and lifestyle changes.

It is important we look at each case individually as there are several elements of sperm that can show up as problematic. Motility, Abnormality and Low Sperm Count are all important aspects that need to be considered. Levels of these may vary between males. This knowledge allows us to make our treatment specific, achieving quicker results. It is imperative that I study each males semen analysis results. Levels of just 14% (of motility, count & morphology) are considered fine by fertility doctors. This figure can certainly be improved, which in turn brings about substantially higher chances of conception, and much healthier sperm. If only 14% are doing what they are supposed to - what are the other 86% doing? Maybe swimming in the wrong direction? It's certainly worth investing into.

Men handle stress differently to women. Stress is a major contributor to fertility, as is poor diet, inadequate exercise, excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, generally poor lifestyle habits and constitutional weakness. Many of us can tick a few of these boxes, and so changes can be quickly seen once these areas are addressed.

As with all good treatments, CM is about making positive long lasting changes without nasty and toxic side effects. Sperm take 120 days to fully regenerate. Whilst this may sound like a long time, the outcome during and beyond this time can be quite remarkable. In any case, from the instant that positive changes are made, the body begins repairing and increased fertility can be certain.

Good Food Friday Eats :: Beetroot & Fetta Salad

2011-01-14T07:18:00.003+11:00

image from taste

This is one of my all time favourite Salads - perfect for this weather. I first tasted this at a friends BBQ and year ago - I think I've made it at least 100 times since!

The main ingredient in this beauty is Beetroot. Beetroot is jam packed full of potent antioxidants and minerals. It's awesome for your heart and cardiovascular system, it lowers blood pressure and assists in treating stress as it is high in B vitamins.

Put this on the menu at your next BBQ and watch everybody ask for the recipe!

Baby Beetroot & Fetta Salad

4 baby beetroots trimmed (or a tin is ok too)

1/2 cup persian fetta

1 large handful of rocket leaves

1/4 cup of walnuts

juice of one lemon

1 tsp crushed garlic

3 tbs olive oil

salt and pepper to taste

~ Prepare baby beetroots - in a roasting pan, place 250ml of water add beetroot and place in an oven pre-heated to 180 degrees. Cover with foil and bake for 1 hour. Then allow to cool. Once cool slice into wedges (into eights).

~ In a bowl combine beetroot, fetta and rocket.

~ To prepare the dressing, place lemon, garlic, oil, salt and pepper and shake well to combine. You will find the dressing with become thick and almost creamy like.

~ Pour dressing over and toss salad.

~ Sprinkle walnuts over the top and serve immediately.

Floods, fires and beyond.

2011-01-11T22:19:00.007+11:00

original image

I had a post all set to flick live this morning on male fertility, but as I sit here watching the news and live coverage of the floods roll in, my heart is telling me it's best left for another day.

I can't quite explain how I'm feeling. I know I'm extremely sad and my heart is broken for our fellow Australians in Queensland. I can't even begin to imagine how they feel. I can compare this situation to times in the clinic where I see couples battling drawn out fertility journeys - I can see their pain and my heart hurts so much for them - but it is not a feeling that I, myself has experienced. I don't want to pretend I know - simply because I feel like that's not fair either.

I do believe in the power of prayer and so, that's what I can do. I can ask. I'm asking for safety of Australians right across the board today and every day, through floods and fires and beyond (lets not forget our neighbours in Western Australia and the fire situation either). Buildings can be rebuilt. Lives cannot. My sincere prayer and hope is that no more lives are lost.

I'm so proud to be Australian. We are an awesome community - one and many, and as we pull through this hard time, I hope that I can be a strength to others that need it. The support I'm seeing on twitter and facebook is nothing short of amazing. My fellow blogger's are pulling out the goods too - here are two of my favorites who write of the reality of the floods:

Little Pinwheel

Potty Mouth Mumma

You can show your support -

or donate here to the flood relief appeal.

and finally - as a devout reader of Sarah Wilson - she shared something yesterday which has stayed in the front window of my mind since. "We are at our most lonely and anti-human when we fail to take part in a tragedy." Keep pulling it together Australia - you are awesome.

Are you disposable?

2011-01-10T07:20:00.005+11:00

original Image

Giving my body the respect it deserves allows me to believe it will look as good as this vintage fridge. It might be old, you can see it's old, but its well looked after and will probably last a very long time.

Over the holidays I had a string of meltdowns. First the fridge died. Then the vacuum called it quits. Finally - and the most devastatingly - my old n' faithful hair straightener decided her time was also up. Whilst I sat wondering what I had done to deserve such a ridiculous (not to mention, costly) string of events, I started thinking that now days, things are made to be disposed of. Long gone are the days of 30 year old fridges and vaccum cleaners that your Nana passed down. Thing's are not made to last. Well... at least, some things. It made me realise that at times, we treat our bodies no different to a disposable fridge. Unlike the fridge - your body is built to last a lifetime as long as we afford it the care it needs.

Potentially if we serviced the fridge, vacuum cleaner and hair straightener – if we oiled their bits and bobs - treating them with the respect these life saving gadgets deserve, they might last longer. Your body could probably do with this same level of care and service. This care would shine through the whites of your eyes and the glisten of your healthy glowing skin.

What I am saying is this - don't treat your body like a vaccum. If it's anything like my vacuum, I put off emptying it's innards for as long as possible, I let it fly around the room behind me like a rally car whilst I suck up yesterday's crumbs, and I have never once considered servicing it. Not ever. What I do realise is that my body needs me to make sure I treat it right. I'm in charge of my decision making brain and my actions.

Don't fall into the trap of thinking your body will withstand repeated bashings and flying around like my vacuum. We all know we can not live forever - but I can bet my bottom dollar that when we treat our bodies with the love and respect they deserve - in the form of healthy living – our bodies will live for a long time and give us many reasons to be grateful. Be kind to your body; feed it well, rest it well and your body system will work well - including those reproductive bits. There is one thing I repeat to my patients - your body is a very smart mechanism. It knows where to direct it's attention to keep your vital organs working. However, your reproductive organs aren't vital. Your body will work without them and if these reproductive parts aren't working well, it's a sure sign that your body is saying 'we can't focus your energy on here right now, so we will simply switch it off.'

A more fertile you, starts with you (and a little help from me).

Good Food Friday Eats :: Pesto Pasta Salad

2011-01-07T07:28:00.002+11:00

Martha Goes Green - a vegetarian cookbook, hit our shelves at The Pagoda Tree a month back. Boy has this little gem walked out the door - we have just received our 3rd shipment! Even if your not a vegetarian, you will love this book. The recipes are so delicious, I can't stop sharing them!

My recipe today is straight out of Martha. If you're looking for a gluten free option, substitute the pasta accordingly.

Enjoy!

Pesto pasta salad

serves 4

400g penne pasta
½ Tbsp oil
½ red onion, sliced
¾ cup sliced black olives
¾ cup roughly chopped sundried tomatoes
½ cup roughly torn basil leaves
4 Tbsp pesto
2 Tbsp pine nuts, toasted
200g feta cheese (optional)

Cook penne in a large pot of boiling salted water until al dente (firm to the bite). Drain pasta and set aside to cool. Heat oil in a small to medium sized pan. Add onion and cook until soft. Remove from heat and add olives, sun dried tomatoes, basil leaves and pesto and stir to combine. In a large bowl toss together cooled pasta, pesto mixture and toasted pine nuts until thoroughly mixed. If desired, serve topped with crumbled feta.

Breakfast Eats

2011-01-06T22:25:00.005+11:00

What do you eat for breakfast? It's easy to be fooled by cereals and breakfast foods that claim to be healthy but are in fact loaded with sugar, salt and other refined ingredients. Nutritionally, your probably better off eating the packaging. Not all cereals are offenders - but the majority rank rather poorly when put under the nutritional microscope.

Since my September Body Cleanse, I haven't gone back to heavy carb loaded breakfasts. I stick to a hot beverage and a bowl of fruit. I continue to eat fruit for the morning if I need to. Some days I want more and others less, but I always listen to my body. It's easy to stick to lighter meals in summer and as an added bonus summer fruits certainly pack a sack full of nutrients, including antioxidants.

If your unfamiliar as to what antioxidants do, they provide the body with essential nutrients which assist in fighting diseases including cancer and heart related illness. Berries contain very high levels of antioxidants. I'm in love with karak berries at the moment! Colourful fruits (and veggies) contain a huge variety of essential vitamins and nutrients that the body gladly invites and uses throughout your day.

If you do enjoy your cereal, then I encourage you to choose wisely. Read the labels and familiarise yourself with what you're putting into your body. Choose cereals made of whole foods with less ingredients. Muesli and puffed grains are fantastic options.

So, what's in your bowl this morning? I've shown you mine... show me yours!

A NEW YEAR - a more fertile, healthy YOU?

2011-01-03T22:00:00.010+11:00

Hayley - Little Pinwheel original Image

I know it is a cliché but I still feel the need to say it - the new year is a perfect time to evaluate your health situation and to make positive changes. Truthfully, any day is a great day to do this, but the beginning of a new year brings with it the notion of a 'clean slate.' I'm not into New Years resolutions, simply because for many they seem to be short lived and forgotten by the 3rd of January. Instead, I prefer making conscious decisions to improve my life and make it better and encourage my patients to do the same.

There are so many ways we can improve our overall health - which in turn will see a more fertile you. Simple positive changes will make the world of difference.

In this new 2011 think about areas of your health that need attention. There is no time like the present to set in place new challenges and goals for the year ahead. Make your goals achievable. I encourage you to aim at maintaining health in 2011 rather than fixing it. It's not necessarily difficult to do and your body will love you for it. Improve your diet, get more sleep, take more rest time, more holidays and more time for yourself. Most of us lead ridiculously busy lives. Whilst we can't always eradicate stress we can certainly add or change small elements to our daily routines that will help our bodies cope better with this sort of stress.

Start small. Little but effective changes will allow you to build up to more challenging ones.

I'm going to give you my best three - see how you go. We can all benefit from these.

Here's to a more fertile you in 2011.

My 3 small (but essential) 2011 “to do list” for better health;

1. Increase your intake of vegetables. Add lots of colourful veggies (especially greens) and benefit by essential vitamins and elements including antioxidants for vitality and greater health.

2. Cut down your sugar intake by half. A healthy digestive system produces quality fuel for the body - improving all body systems including fertility and immunity.

3. Consult a health professional for a 'once over' and get some good advice as to how you can improve and maintain health for 2011.

Happy HEALTHY New YEAR!

2010-12-31T07:55:00.001+11:00

original here

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!

HAPPY Christmas to you all.... and... the winner is...

2010-12-23T07:55:00.002+11:00

original image here

Firstly - Happy Christmas to you all. I trust it will be full of blessings and you will enjoy family time, giving, delicious eats and rest.

This will be my last blog post for the year and what an exciting way to end the year with the gift of wellness.

Over the next few weeks I'm going to go slow and take it easy. There may be a blog post here and there but I'm taking time off to rejuvenate.

But before I toddle off - I have an announcement to make - the winner of my GIVEAWAY!

CONGRATULATIONS to Jadegrrrl. I know you're going to love this! Be sure to email me with your postal address - I would love for you to have this in time for Christmas.

Signing out whilst sending love.

Nat x

Clinique Super Skin Super Food Party

2010-12-20T14:35:00.020+11:00

original image here

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)

Sarah Wilson hosted the evening and did a wonderful job along side top chefs Luke Nguyen & Teresa Cutter. I was fortunate enough to be able to catch up with her for a chat and a quick snap. I must say I have really enjoyed our connection this year and look forward to more in 2011.

Tis the season to GIVEAWAY!

2010-12-20T13:40:00.004+11:00

I'm in a mood. The mood to give! So, I'm giving one lucky person the chance to win a wellness pack just in time for Christmas. The pack includes our famous Organic Pagoda Chai as well as a bottle of Weleda Lavender Creamy Body Wash. Total Value $40.

You have until Thursday to tell as many people as you know to enter - simply by being a follower of the blog you will go in the draw to win.

Winners will be announced thursday - so watch out the the announcement because I will need postage details to ensure it arrives in time for Christmas!

Remember - products free of nasty chemicals and toxins equal a more fertile, healthier YOU! Best of Luck and blessings this Christmas season.

Good Food Friday Treats :: freekeh with roasted parsnip and honey

2010-12-17T09:13:00.001+11:00

original image here

Have you heard of Freekeh? It's an ancient grain which holds a nutty flavour and is kinda chewy when cooked well. You can give it a try once you make this delicious recipe.

freekeh with roasted parsnip and honey

165g cracked freekeh

625ml water

sea salt flakes and fresh ground pepper

3 parsnips, halved lengthways, top portions puatered

2 tbs olive oil

1 red onion, cut into 8 wedges

3 sprigs of thyme

25g walnuts

1/2 tsp ground cumin

1 glove of garlic, thinly sliced

1/2 tsp honey

finely grated zest and the juice of one lemon

125ml extra virgin olive oil

95g natural sheep's milk yoghurt

small handful of mache (lamb's lettuce)

1. Place the freekeh and water in a small saucepan over a high heat and bring to the boil. Redce the heat to low, pop on a lid and summer for 15 minutes or until all the water has been absorbed. Pop the lid back on and leave to cool. Transfer to a large bowl, season with a sprinkle of salt and pepper, stir well and let sit.

2. Preheat Oven to 180 degrees

3. Remove the woody centre of the parsnips. Heat an ovenproof fry pan over a medium heat, add the oil, onion and parsnip and cook for 3-4 minutes or until light golden brown. Scatter with the thyme, walnuts, cumin and half the garlic, then season with a pinch of salt. Roast for 10 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from the oven and drizzle with honey and then set asside.

4. Finely chop remaining garlic and place in a small bowl with the lemon zest and juice. Whist in the oil and season.

5. Spread the sheeps's milk yoghurt onto a large plate. Sprinkle with the freekeh, drizzle with a little of the dressing and pile the parsnip, onion and walnuts on top. Scatter with the mache and drizzle with the remaining dressing, then serve.

Sick Christmas Bellies

2010-12-16T07:42:00.004+11:00

I shared this on the Practical Parenting website yesterday. I thought it appropriate to share on Fertile Body, Heart and Soul also. This time of year is crazy. A few of my tips, might just help get you and your little ones through the silly season.

With the festive season in full swing many parents may find themselves with sick little ones – usually following a session of over indulgence. I hear the same story so often - children literally eating themselves sick.

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.

The Choice this Christmas

2010-12-13T20:56:00.006+11:00

original image here

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.

Good Food Friday Treats :: Aromatic Baked Fish

2010-12-03T10:42:00.002+11:00

original image here

I was speaking with the lovely Sam Gowling this week, who by the way will be doing some work in our clinic from time to time. Sam is a therapeutic chef, business coach and motivation speaker - all in all, one heck of a cleaver lady! She asked me if I was vegetarian - I'm assuming she got that vibe from my Good Food Friday Treat's.

Answer: for the most part, yes I am. I do eat the odd bit of meat when fed to me, but I generally don't cook it for myself. I know my body feels better without it. Chinese Medicine understands this. Everybody is different. Some people need meat. Others don't. People with weak Spleens (digestive function) will not respond well to raw foods, just as people who are blood deficient often require meat. Food isn't simply one size fits all. Sam and I sat and talked about this for a little while, where she shared about her new love of specific foods that she can feel are doing her body good.

What I do enjoy is fish. So I guess technically you could call me a Pesceterian. Fish is delicious, baked and grilled. It is easy to digest and gets the digestive system working. This recipe is appropriate for those who are cold or deficient - in other words it is warming and invigorating. It will also assist in getting your blood pumping!

aromatic baked fish

whole trout (cleaned and scaled)

bay leaves

butter

sea salt

chopped tarragon

lemon slices (cut thinly)

bunch chinese green

Place fish in pyrex dish and add remaining ingredients. Bake in a warm over (150 degrees) until fish is tender. Enjoy with rice and a side-dish of steamed greens.

See you soon!

2010-12-01T07:59:00.005+11:00

image here

I'm so very lucky to be taking a break for a little while. Until I'm back on deck, you will find wonderful contributions on here, from people who I love and admire their work. Good Food Friday Treats will still be shared - I have some wonderful recipes lined up for you all to enjoy.

So until then, happy reading!

Nikki Yazxhi talks beauty @ Fertile Body, Heart & Soul.

2010-11-30T07:32:00.003+11:00

I was fortunate enough to catch up with Nikki Yazxhi from bellaMUMMA. Nikki is a lifestyle and beauty writer who features in various glossy publications that I love (eg. Shop till YouDrop). I wanted to hear her thoughts on using natural products - a subject I feel very strongly about. It's great to eat healthily and live healthy, but what about what we put on our skin everyday?

I'll let Nikki tell you why it's important to consider your options when it comes to skin care and beauty products.

NATURAL PRODUCTS ARE THE PERFECT CHOICE FOR HEALTHIER SKIN, UNBLOCKED PORES AND WITH NO NASTY SIDE EFFECTS…

Research have shown putting chemicals on the skin can be more harmful than ingesting them. When you eat something that has chemicals, the enzymes in your stomach and saliva can break it down and flush it of the body. However if you apply chemicals on the skin, they are absorbed straight into the blood stream; there is no breaking down, no filtering; therefore the body can be attacked with these toxins.   These toxins are not only harmful, they can block the pores of the skin and make it prone to pimples, acne and eczema.

Always check the labels of what you buy . Make sure they don’t contain chemicals such as petroleum, parabens, alcohols or artificial fragrances. If they do, then they’re not natural and are unlikely to be gentle on your skin.

With that in mind here are more reasons why ‘natural’ is better…

Natural products are:
… KIND TO YOUR SKIN
Because natural products are made from natural ingredients, they don’t contain the harsh petrochemicals that can harm skin. Using natural ingredients means that the product will do what it was designed to do, naturally, and won’t damage your skin or hair.

… GREEN
Most natural products are environment-friendly as they don’t need to go through rigorous processes that pump awful chemicals into the atmosphere. It’s more usually a case of harvesting the natural ingredients and then putting them in a bottle.

… TRIED AND TESTED
Most of the recipes for natural products are ones that have been around for generations and have been used for years way before the products containing chemicals arrived.

NIKKI'S FAVE NATURAL PRODUCTS
Natio
AUM
weleda
jurlique

I totally agree with Nikki's list. We are LOVING our Weleda products in the clinic at the moment. The Lavender Body wash is beautiful - perfect for a Christmas gift. I am also an avid fan of Jurlique - their rose geranium oil is divine. If you’re not already using natural products, I encourage you to give them a go. Know that your body will love you for it.

My picks from L to R - Weleda lavender body wash and Jurlique rose geranium oil