thpadmin, Author at The Healthy Patch

Your guide to wholefood colours & what they mean for your health

February 23, 2017

We grew up in a time where “eating the rainbow” was common knowledge…

Only for most of us, the rainbow was little sugary treats known as skittles…

These days this expression has exploded in popularity… & thankfully, the skittles have been swapped out with the real deal… wholefoods.

So is it actually THAT important to get an array of colours on your plate instead of opting for just a green salad every day?

The short answer – You betcha!

You see – these beautiful colours aren’t just for show!

Not only does eating a wide variety of colours help you get the vitamins & minerals that are absolutely crucial for good health – Each colour also contain different & extremely powerful antioxidants or phytonutrients (plant based nutrients) which assist your body with different things – & when eaten as a whole – help you achieve optimal health overall.

The colours (along with their different phytonutrients) are generally broken up into 5 different categories.

Green
Yellow & Orange
Red
Purple/Blue & Black
White & Brown

And here’s what each one brings to the table 😉

GREEN

Green always means an abundance of important nutrients to look forward to – one of the main one’s being chlorophyll – Chlorophyll is the pigment in plants responsible for photosynthesis – which plants needs to survive.

The other really cool thing about chlorophyll is that it is almost identical to haemoglobin – the oxygen carrying molecule that’s found in our red blood cells.

Because they’re so similar, chlorophyll actually provides the same benefits that haemoglobin does when we eat it- including cleansing & building of blood cells which ultimately improves oxygen levels in the body.

Main nutrients:
Chlorophyl, Lutein, Zeaxanthin, Indoles, Saponins, Isothiocyanates, Vitamin A + K, Magnesium

Great for:
Your eyes
Your skin
Your immune system
Detoxifying your liver
Purifying your blood
Your bones
Your heart

Foods to include:

Asparagus
Avocado
Basil
Bok Choy
Broccoli
Brussels sprouts
Chinese cabbage
Cabbage
Celery
Collard Greens
Coriander
Cucumber
Grapes
Green Apples
Green beans
Green capsicum
Green chilli
Green olives
Kiwi fruit
Kale
Leeks
Lemon Balm
Lemon Verbena
Lettuce
Lime
Mint
Okra
Parsley
Peas
Pineapple Sage
Rocket
Rosemary
Sage
Silverbeet
Snow peas
Sorrel
Spring Onion
Spinach
Wheat Grass
Watercress
Zucchini

YELLOW & ORANGE

Among other incredible nutrients, yellow/orange means you’re in the presence of Beta Carotene.

Beta Carotene is a type of carotenoid – & a seriously powerful one at that! With some of it’s effect including anti-aging, anti-cancer, anti-inflammation & strong skin protection – Beta Carotene should definitely find its way onto your plate everyday!

Main Nutrients:
Beta Carotene, Flavanoids including Quercetin, Rutin & Hesperidin, Vitamin A, Vitamin C

Great for:
Your Immune System
Allergies
Your Blood Pressure
Cold Sores & other skin issues
Inflammation of the liver
Your Hormones

Foods to include:

Apricots
Carrots
Ginger
Lemon
Mango
Nectarines
Oranges
Pineapple
Pumpkin
Sweet Potato
Turmeric
Yellow/Orange Capsicum
Yellow Tomato
Yellow Zucchini

RED

If you love a good sweet bite of tomato or a juicy piece of watermelon (& let’s be honest, who in their right mind doesn’t??) chances are you’re already getting a good dose of the antioxidant Lycopene.

Lycopene is a type of carotenoid that appears in red foods.

It’s a powerful antioxidant that protects the body from disease, cancer & diabetes. It helps to keep your gums healthy, fights infections & stops arteriosclerosis – a condition that can occur during old age where your arteries literally turn stiff!

Main Nutrients:
Lycopene, Tocopherols, Vitamin E, Phytoene, Vitamin A, Vitamin C,

Great for:
Your brain
Your gums
Your eyes
Blood Pressure
Your prostate
Candida

Foods to include:

Beetroot
Cherries
Pomegranate
Radish
Red Apple
Red Capsicum
Red Grapes
Rhubard
Plums
Strawberries
Tomato
Watermelon

PURPLE/BLUE & BLACK

The two big players when it comes to purple/blue & black foods are Anthocyanins & Resveratrol – two flavanoids that bring a whole host of health benefits with them.

Both are powerful antioxidants that boost brain function, promote a healthy heart & offer protection from inflammation, & cancer.

Main Nutrients:
Anthocyanins, Resveratrol, Gallic Acid, Manganese

Great for:
Your Eyes
Your Skin
Your Heart
Your Circulation
Your Digestion
Your Memory

Foods to include:

Blueberries
Blackberries
Black Capsicum
Black Olives
Eggplant
Figs
Purple kale
Purple carrots
Purple Cabbage
Purple grapes
Purple onion
Radicchio

WHITE & BROWN

When you eat white veg, you’re also getting a good dose of Allicin – the compound that garlic uses to defend itself against pests.

Allicin has strong antimicrobial effect & protects from bacteria & infections. It’s also been shown to fight cancer & lower blood pressure.

Pro Tip = Crush/grate/cut up your garlic & allow it to sit on the bench for 5 mins before cooking with it to get the most benefit from the Allicin!

Main Nutrients:
Allicin, Potassium, B vitamins

Great for:

Your Immune System
Bacterial & fungal issues
Your gallbladder
Your pancreas
Your gums & teeth
Your Heart
Your Brain

Foods to include:

Artichoke Jerusalem
Brown Onion
Cauliflower
Coconut
Daikon
Dates
Mushroom
Onions
Garlic
Parsnip

So there you have it – eating the rainbow is an absolute MUST if you want to make sure your body is getting all those important vitamins, minerals & other nutrients that it needs to keep you healthy!

Try to make sure you get every colour on your plate EVERY DAY! 🙂 xx

Get rid of stretch marks & improve memory with Gotu Kola!

February 16, 2017

Catchy title hey? But seriously… that’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the (almost) unbelievable health benefits of Gotu Kola!

I first came across the incredible powers of this little herb whilst listening to a podcast with Charles Poliquin…

Charles Poliquin is one of the World’s best strength coaches & suffice to say… people have lost a lot of weight around their belly region whilst working with him… which can of course lead to stretch marks & saggy skin.

The herb Gotu Kola made it to the top of his list to improve & even remove stretch marks whilst also tightening up loose skin.

That’s when I started doing research of my own… & from then on Gotu Kola became a regular in the ol Healthy Patches!

Gotu Kola is a perennial herb (meaning it has a lifecycle of more than 2 years) native to Asia that has been an essential part of Ayurvedic & Traditional Chinese Medicine for thousands of years.

But just because it’s native to Asia, don’t think it isn’t super easy to grow (or to get your hands on!) down here in Australia – because it is!

It’s known by many as ‘The Elixir of Life’ & once you’ve seen what this awesome little herb can do, you’ll understand why!

Alright, so here goes….

I’ll start with my favourite….

1. It helps with cellulite & stretch marks.

Cellulite is caused by a build up of fat cells in an area of the body that have actually pushed through the collagen fibres & out towards the surface of the skin. Stretch marks occur when the skin is – yep – stretched, most commonly as a result of pregnancy but it’s also caused by significant weight gain or weight loss as well as puberty.

In a study where 20 people were given 60mg of dried Gotu Kola extract once a day for 90 days – they experienced a decrease in the size of their fat cells (meaning their cellulite!) – especially around their gluteofemoral area – that’s your bum & thighs!

Another study involving 100 pregnant women for 30 months from the 3rd month of pregnancy – showed that Gotu Kola was able to significantly reduce the occurrence & severity of stretch marks as well as provide protection to the women involved in the study who had already experienced stretch marks during puberty.

Gotu Kola also contains powerful compounds called triterpenes that influence the production of lysine & proline – two amino acids that our body needs to make collagen, a crucial part of healthy skin, muscle & connective tissue that can help with both cellulite & stretch marks.

2. It’ll sharpen your noodle!

Gotu Kola has been shown to improve memory, attention span as well as overall brain & nervous system function. It may even be a candidate as a treatment to Alzheimer’s Disease.

3. It can increase longevity & fight ageing

Professor Li Chung Yun, a Chinese herbalist who – according to official Chinese records – lived to the ripe old age of 256!

Among other things, he attributed his longevity to taking a cocktail of herbs that included Gotu Kola everyday!

Gotu Kola also has some incredible antioxidant properties & a more recent study actually showed it was able to improve the strength & vigour of the elderly people who took part in the study. And who doesn’t want to be strong & full of vigour after they hit 65?

4. Wound healing & protection from inflammation

The increase in antioxidants caused by Gotu Kola has also been shown to greatly reduce recovery time from wounds as well as being able to fight inflammation & provide protection from oxidative stress.

5. It relieves arthritic pain

Rheumatoid arthritis is caused by chronic inflammation in the joints – as Gotu Kola has some pretty powerful anti inflammatory properties, it’s able to provide relief from this crippling disease.

6. It helps with depression, reduces anxiety & improves your mood

Multiple studies have shown that Gotu Kola can be effectively used against mood disorders. One study showed it was able to reduce anxiety – another showed it significantly reduced depression & this same study also observed an improvement in insomnia, nerve inflammation & even loss of appetite!

7. It strengthens your gut

Gotu Kola has been shown to keep the gastric mucosal barrier strong (the section of your stomach that houses gastric acid – which you need for digestion & to absorb the nutrients from your food!)

It’s also been shown to stop the growth of stomach ulcers – which are seriously painful sores that can develop on the lining of your gut.

How to grow your own?

Gotu Kola is a member of the Apiaceae family & is actually related to celery & parsley!

As I mentioned before – It’s a perennial herb & it’s suuuuuper easy to grow your own.

Grow it in full sun or with a bit of shade but keep it away from any frost as it will likely die back. (Remember – it’s native to Asia!)

Keep it well watered, especially during those really hot days.

After 8 weeks (from seedling size) you can start harvesting & remember, the more you harvest the more growth you’ll get!

How to use Gotu Kola

You can use Gotu Kola as you would most other herbs.

We juice it with a bunch of other greens, add it to salads, add it to smoothies or if it’s a cold rainy day – add it to our teas.

I’ve also been known to eat it raw straight out of the garden 😉

So what are you waiting for!!! Get out there & plant some Gotu Kola already – I promise you WON’T regret it!

Happy herbing & speak soon!

Anth

Paleo Salted Chili Chocolate Tart

February 9, 2017

Chili & Chocolate?

I’d actually never tried it before but I’d heard some good stuff…

And considering the explosion of Chili we’ve had in our Healthy Patches lately + the fact that old V day’s around the corner I thought… why not!?

So I did…

& ohhhhh ma goodness!

These 2 seriously pair up like no other!

Rich dark chocolatey goodness with a sudden bite of Chili at the end… add in a pinch of pink salt & it’s the ultimate combo… seriously awesome!

If you haven’t tried them together before & you think i’ve gone mad… I assure you I haven’t!

Once you make this tart you’ll be hooked, I promise!

Alright, so let’s talk about the tart…

It’s super simple & insanely delicious, but it’s even better when you have a heap of fun making it!

A few pointers… 🙂

First off – You don’t have to use a rectangular baking dish, just use whatever you have on hand! We had a rectangle one so that’s what I used. Also, I spent a good minute making sure the tart casing was nice, even & smooth – but if that will give you the irrates… just slap on the old “rustic” tag! (They do this on Masterchef a lot, so it’s all good!)

Secondly – Choose your own Chili! We have 4 different types of Chilis growing at the moment & we ended up using 1 big super HOT Chili because we like the heat, however you might like a milder Chili – your call.

Thirdly – I topped the tart with berries & flowers because we have a heap growing, you might like to top it with something else… again – your call!

Alright – let’s get onto the Health Benefits!

Cacao – One of the richest sources of magnesium on the planet which is essential for healthy well hydrated skin, muscle & nerve function. Cacao also contains the chemical anandamide aka the ‘bliss molecule’ which has been shown to improve your mood!

Coconut – Packed to the brim with healthy fats, coconut helps you stay satiated for longer, quickly burn fat for energy & balance both your hormones & cholesterol.

Chili – A great source of vitamin A + C & it also contains capsaicin – the compound chili gets its hotness from – capsaicin has been shown to reduce pain, reduce your risk of coronary heart disease & even help your body to adapt to hot temperatures.

Pink Salt – AKA Himalayan Salt, contains over 80 minerals, has been shown to help balance your body’s pH levels & help you to get a more restful sleep – it’s seriously incredible stuff!!

Okay… Now for the recipe!!

Ingredients

Tart Case

1 tbsp Cacao Powder

1 Cup Coconut Chips

1 Cup Almond Meal

1/2 Cup Hemp seeds (optional, add another 1/2 Cup Almond Meal if not using)

1 tsp Manuka Honey

1 tsp Cinnamon

1/4 Cup Coconut Oil

Good pinch of Pink Salt

Tart Filling

1/2 Cup Cacao Powder

1/2 Cup Coconut Oil

1 Heaped Tbsp Manuka Honey

1 piece of Cacao Butter, equivalent to around 1/4 Cup (have a look at photo for size) or alternatively use 1/4 cup of Coconut Butter.

1/2 Cup Cashews

1 tsp Cinnamon

1/2 Cup Coconut Milk

1 fresh chili (The type of chili you use is up to you – We have used 1 mighty hot Chili as we like a lot of heat!)

Pink Salt to taste.

Method

Tart Case

1. Place all ingredients into food processor & process until moist crumbs form.

2. Create your tart case/shell by firmly pressing the crumb mixture into a rectangular silicon mould, or if you want to use just a normal baking dish make sure to place baking paper underneath so the tart shell doesn’t stick to the dish. Smooth out & try & make as even as possible… or go with the rustic look.

3. Place into the freezer whilst you make your filling.

Tart Filling

1. Place all ingredients except chili & salt into a high speed blender.

2. Blend until smooth

3. Add your desired chili & a nice pinch of salt & blend again – taste test to make sure you’ve got just the right amount of chili & salt – if not, add more!

4. Remove tart case from freezer & spoon the filling into the case.

5. Refrigerate for a few hours before eating.

6. Cover with fresh berries if desired & ENJOY!

Crystal xx

Paleo Tzatziki

February 2, 2017

This creamy little dip came about because we’ve recently had a hugeeee influx of cucumbers growing in our garden… seriously… they were coming out of our ears!

So I thought – what better way to use a fresh cucumber than a homemade tzatziki yes? YES!!

And whilst the classic version calls for Greek yogurt – something that we choose not to eat – I decided to use coconut cream instead.

The result? It works an absolute treat!

Does it taste coconutty? Nope!

As you’ll see in the ingredients – I did use a little spoon of arrowroot flour to get the consistency more firm, however if you don’t want to use this you don’t have to – it will just be a little more runny.

Now even though the classic version just calls for dill, I also put a little coriander in there as well because we just have so much growing.

I made one with & one without coriander, overall we like the coriander one better… It just adds another level of flavour to it however you might choose to leave it out – totally cool.

Now before we get to the recipe… you know the drill!

Let me tell you why your body is going to love it!

CUCUMBER: The humble cuke – not only does it help to stop you from becoming dehydrated – it keeps skin smooth, detoxes the body, maintains healthy digestion, & contains compounds that have been shown to fight cancer cells & protect your DNA.

COCONUT CREAM: A must have for every pantry! Coconut Cream is packed with healthy saturated fats which are essential for hormone production & cholesterol regulation. It’s also a fantastic source of Lauric Acid – a medium chain fatty acid that gets used immediately by the body for energy rather than being stored as fat for later. If that isn’t enough – it also actually helps the body to burn fat!

GARLIC: Garlic can help to prevent diabetes by normalising blood sugar levels & contains some serious anti-fungal, anti-viral & anti-microbial properties which make it very effective against colds or other infections. Garlic consumption has also been linked to a reduced risk of certain types of cancer & even the prevention of heart disease.

ONION: Just like its cousin garlic, onion has been shown to have awesome cancer fighting properties. They’re also a powerful anti-inflammatory food & can help to maintain strong bone density – one study actually concluded that women over 50 who eat onion everyday were 20% less likely to suffer a hip fracture than those who never eat it!

LEMON: Lemon is a great source of Vitamin C which is crucial for a strong immune system & overall good health. It also contains Pectin, a type of fibre that feeds your good gut bugs. Lemon also helps you to better digest & absorb your food.

Okay – now for the recipe!!

Ingredients

1 can Coconut Cream, refrigerated overnight.

1 large Cucumber, grated

Juice of half a SMALL Lemon

1 Onion, diced

3 Garlic Cloves, minced

Small handful of Dill, chopped

1 teaspoon of Arrowroot flour

Small handful of Coriander (optional)

Pink Salt & Pepper to season

Olive Oil to serve

Method

Open can of Coconut Cream & drain liquid. You only want to use the thick creamy solid part.

Place in blender & add grated cucumber, garlic, lemon juice, onion, dill, arrowroot flour & coriander if using.

Season well with Pink Salt & Pepper & blend until smooth.

Pour dip into a bowl & refrigerate overnight. The dip will be quite runny after you have blended everything so refrigerating overnight will let it set as well as enhance the flavours.

In the morning you will have a creamy beautiful dip!

Drizzle with olive oil & serve with veggies OR use it in your cooking, on top of pizzas, in zucchini flowers, on pastas – wherever you can think of really!

Enjoy! xox

Tulsi – One of the most powerful anti-stress herbs ever!

January 19, 2017

We’ve become a little bit obsessed with Tulsi lately.

And even though people have been using this healing herb for literally thousands & thousands of years – for some reason we’ve only recently started growing it ourselves.

In hindsight – We should have started years ago because this is one POWERFUL herb!

Now you might know Tulsi as “Sacred Basil” or “Holy Basil” – It goes by a few different names.

It also gets called “The Queen of Herbs” or ‘The Mother Medicine of Nature“.

And as you’ve probably guessed… it has some seriously incredible health benefits!

Ready for this?

The Amazing Health Benefits Of Tulsi…

1 – It’s one of the most powerful Adaptogens you can get your hands on!

An adaptogen is something the helps your body adapt to stress.

And whether you’re stressing because you’re in some bad traffic OR because you’re being chased by a lion – you’re body can’t tell the difference… As far as it’s concerned – stress is stress.

…And daily stress can be detrimental to your health!

Among many many health concerns, issues like fatigue, hair loss, fertility challenges & weight gain can all be caused by stress!

Tulsi not only helps you cope with stress on a daily basis – but it can actually help to repair the damage from past stress on your body!

Now we’ve been putting Tulsi to the test to see if it actually helps in our day to day life – & It really does work! We’re more calm… more energised… & it’s easier to think clearer in stressful situations.

2 – It protects the body from environmental toxins & chemicals

Tulsi has been shown to be able to protect organs like your liver & brain as well as your immune system & even your cells from heavy metals including lead, arsenic & mercury.

It also provides protection from a laundry list of industrial chemicals, pesticides & even RADIATION! (This is SO important!)

3 – It keeps your skin clear, healthy & glowing!

Tulsi has strong anti bacterial & anti fungal properties & is able to bring relief from infections, skin wounds & acne.

4 – It reduces your risk of diabetes

Every time you consume sugar, your glucose (blood sugar) spikes & this leads to the production of insulin.

Chronic insulin production leads to many health issues, the worst of which is diabetes.

Tulsi has been shown to reduce glucose levels in the blood which can stop diabetes in its tracks – & even more amazingly it’s been shown to actually reduce the symptoms of people already living with diabetes!

5 – It keeps colds, flus & other annoying illnesses at bay!

Tulsi has powerful anti viral properties & is able to help with the treatment of & even prevent things like colds, flus & other illnesses by boosting your immune system!

6 – It Fights inflammation

Inflammation has been called the root of all diseases & it’s something you should go out of your way to avoid!!!

Thanks to eugenol – a compound found in this incredible herb – Tulsi is able to very effectively fight inflammation at the same level as many non-steroidal anti inflammatory drugs including ibuprofen & aspirin.

7 – It can kill cancer cells.

Eugenol – that awesome little compound we just spoke about can actually stop cancer cells from multiplying. On top of this – Tulsi also has a number of amazing phytochemicals that can help increase antioxidant activity & kill cancer cells.

Now another cool thing which doesn’t really fit into the “Health Benefit” side of things is that Tulsi gets rid of Mosquitoes!

Yeah… not quite as powerful as the other benefits but things like Aeroguard are incredibly toxic, so finding a natural mosquito repellent that actually works is always awesome!

How to grow your own?

Super easy!

It really just grows like normal basil.

Grow it in warmer weather as it will die in frost.

Grow it in full sun or with a little bit of shade.

Keep him well watered, especially during periods of high heat!

Pinch out the top growth to expose the little tiny buds underneath. This will activate the buds into growing & they will form 2 beautiful branches. Keep doing this to promote bushiness! (Take a look at the photo below, which by the way is actually common Basil… because we have managed to cut off all the top growth on our Tulsi! :p)

And that’s really all there is to it!

You can expect to start harvesting your Tulsi within 8-10 weeks!

How you can use Tulsi

Firstly – You can use Tulsi just like you would common (sweet Basil), however it is no where near as sweet.

Out of all the basils – it tastes the most similar to Thai Basil.

In saying that, we have been making a beautiful pesto using half sweet basil & half Holy Basil/Tulsi – works like a charm!

Secondly – You can make Tulsi Tea.

Just pop the leaves in your tea pot & pour boiling water over them – very simple.

Thirdly – Use the leaves in salads! We have been garnishing every salad lately with beautiful Tulsi & it always tastes great!

Oh – & Fourthly – You could just pick it straight out of your garden & eat it! Sometimes the Tulsi doesn’t make it back to our kitchen 😉

So will you be embracing the wonders of Tulsi into your life? We hope so!

And if you already are – How do you use it in your cooking?

We would love to know!

Happy Herbing!

Anth & Crystal xo

Simple Homegrown Stirfry with Tahini & Poached Eggs

January 12, 2017

Whilst we usually put up classic recipes that we have recreated in Healthy Paleo form…

Today we wanted to feature just a Simple Homegrown Stirfry.

Why?

Because it’s what we have for lunch most days & it’s just so simple to whip up.

Especially if you’re growing your own food.

In fact… every single veggie in this dish except the onion & garlic came from our Healthy Patches.(Yes…even the mushrooms!)

The other awesome thing is that it’s incredibly versatile.

Stick with the onion, garlic & ginger as they make the dish ZING… but apart from that – whatever veggies you’re growing or have in the fridge should do the trick!

The other beautiful thing about this dish is the poached egg that sits on top! Now if you’ve never poached an egg before, it’s super super super easy… + we’re also going to tell you exactly how to make the perfect poached egg so don’t stress!

Another beautiful thing? The health benefits of course!

Organic Pasture Raised Eggs are a complete protein source… meaning that they contain every amino acid the body needs to rebuild itself in order to stay strong & healthy. They’re an excellent source of Omega 3 fatty acids which are vital for cardiovascular & brain health (Omega 3 fatty acid deficiency is incredibly common in the Western world today) & they also contain the compounds lutein & zeaxanthin which protect your eyes & skin from sun light damage, as well as choline which helps maintain healthy liver function.

Hemp Seeds are the absolute bomb – we love topping all kind of dishes with them! They’re another complete protein source (in fact they’re one of the few complete plant based protein foods out there!). They’re high in fibre & contain the perfect balance of omega 3/omega 6 fatty acids including Gama Linolenic Acid – an important omega 6 fatty acid that we need to maintain healthy hormones. They’re also a rich source of a number of vitamins + minerals & help to keep your hair, skin & nails strong, promote healthy digestion & fight inflammation.

Ginger – our little superhero – is one of our favourite medicinal edibles & brings some amazing health benefits, including pain relief, mineral absorption & improving insulin sensitivity (you can learn more about Ginger + how to grow your own here)

Tahini is made from ground up sesame seeds & it is AWESOME – High in healthy fats, protein, B vitamins & minerals – especially iron (very important against anaemia). Tahini also contains the precursor to (they help the body to produce) lignans – which have been shown to have anti-cancer properties. When shopping for tahini try to go with unhulled, hulled sesame seeds have had their shells removed & don’t contain as much nutrition!

Zucchinis are one of our favourite fruits ever (Yes it’s a fruit here in edible gardening world!) Zucchini is packed with antioxidants that help the body deal with stress & damage. They also contain a fibre called Pectin which has been shown to help reduce inflammation & promote healthy digestion & gut health.

Greens …Whether it’s kale, silverbeet, chard, spinach, rocket… or anything else that you decide to include in this dish… If it’s green you know you’re getting a good dose of vitamins, minerals & phytonutrients. The benefits of consuming greens are endless, from healthy skin, to strong bones, to healthy blood flow & even a more balanced pH level in your body! Get some more (home grown) greens on your plate! (you can learn more about why greens are AMAZING here)

Okay – let’s do the recipe!

Simple Homegrown Stirfry – Serves 2 Hungry People! 😉

Ingredients

2 large Zucchinis, spiralized

3 Large Silverbeet leaves, stalks removed, roughly chopped

2 Carrots, diced

Big handful of Mushrooms, sliced

1 Large Chili, sliced

1 Large Onion, sliced,

1 thumbsize knob of Ginger, grated

3 large Garlic Cloves, minced

A few sprigs or Coriander for serving on top

1/4 cup Tahini (we used black unhulled Tahini)

1/4 cup hemp seeds

2 Organic eggs

A good splash of Apple Cider Vinegar

Coconut Yogurt for serving.

1 tbsp Coconut oil, for frying.

Method

STIRFRY

Melt Coconut Oil in large frying pan over medium heat.

Add Onion & cook for 5 minutes – cover with lid if you have one.

Add Garlic & Ginger & cook for another minute.

Add all other veggies except the Coriander (so everything but Coriander, Tamari, Hemp Seeds & Eggs)

Cook until desired texture – we only cook for about 5 minutes so everything still has a bit of a crunch.

In the mean time get your Poached Eggs ready! (recipe below)

Serve stirfry onto a plate with tongs.

Drizzle with Tahini & scatter hemp seeds.

Place Poached Egg (recipe below) & Coriander on top.

Serve with one heaped tbsp of Coconut Yogurt & enjoy!

POACHED EGGS

Fill up saucepan with water (you want the sauce pan to be at least a 1/4 full of water)

Place on full heat & bring to the boil, then turn to a medium heat & wait until you have a steady simmer.

Put a good splash of Apple Cider Vinegar in the water (this will help the egg whites stay together)

Crack each egg into a cup & get your stopwatch ready.

Get a butter knife or fork & whisk around the sides of the saucepan to make a nice circular current in the water.

Now pour the eggs in, one at a time, trying to make sure they don’t hit each other.

Cook for 3 minutes.

Put some paper towel down on the kitchen bench.

After 3 minutes, lift eggs out of the water with a slotted spoon & rest on paper towel until they are ready to be served up!

9 Healthy Food & Drink Swaps Your Body Will Love This Christmas

December 22, 2016

Christmas is an awesome time of year, especially when it comes to the food part!

But unfortunately… it’s also the time of year where we tend to eat (or overeat!!) & drink things that aren’t exactly the most nourishing for our bodies!

This can lead to things like bloating, exhaustion, blood sugar imbalances, mood swings, sleeping problems… & overall – can take a real toll on your health… all while you’re meant to be celebrating! …ehhh no THANK YOU!

The good news is that there are a lot of simple swaps you can make in order to have an oh-so-delicious + good-for-you Christmas!

Here we go…

SWAP 1

Swap White Wine FOR Red, Organic wine

Red wine is A LOT better for you than white as red grapes contains high concentrations of the compound “Resveratrol” (the same compound found in blueberries). Resveratrol is an anti ageing, anti-inflammatory compound which helps protect against free radical damage, lowers blood pressure & can even kill off cancer cells.

Why Organic? Grapes rate high on the list of most sprayed foods & actually came in 6th place in this year’s Dirty Dozen. Something else extra special about organic red wine? – it’s been said that organic contains 80% more resveratrol than conventional wine!

SWAP 2

Swap Olive Oil FOR Coconut Oil, Tallow or lard.

Okay so you’re likely going to be reading a lot of Christmas recipes who tell you to cook with olive oil. The thing is, olive oil does NOT have a high smoke point & it will go rancid if cooked at high temperatures, causing harm to your body. Coconut Oil, Tallow & lard are ALL stable under high heat (plus they taste awesome & are great for you!)

A good quality Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil can of course still be used raw for dressings & drizzles – but always make sure to purchase Olive Oil that is stored in a dark glass bottle, if it’s in clear plastic the light will react with the oil & cause it to go rancid!

SWAP 3

Swap Dairy Milk Chocolate FOR Raw Chocolate

Pasteurised cows milk is very harmful to your body & the process destroys “Phosphatase” which is the enzyme that helps us absorb Vitamin D! On top of this, cow’s milk can also be hard work for your digestive system & can lead to things like nausea, bloating, farting..seriously…& diarrhoea (and that’s just the tip of the iceberg). Milk Chocolate is also obviously filled with refined sugar which to sum it up in a teeny tiny sentence, is responsible for causing havoc on your liver & gut, as well as insulin resistance, weight gain, acidic Ph levels, hormone imbalances & even cancer.

Raw chocolate on the other hand is made with raw cacao powder. Raw cacao is loaded with magnesium, iron, Phytonutrients, antioxidants & fibre. See our recipe for Paleo Raw Chocolate or our Paleo Chocolate Mousse – you’ll love em!

SWAP 4

Swap Pancakes & syrup FOR Bacon & Eggs

Even if you’re planning on making banana pancakes, they will still contain a lot of sugar – ESPECIALLY when you have it with maple syrup!! As we just mentioned… sugar is MOST DEFINITELY not our friend! And even though this sugar is natural (not refined) – at the end of the day your body sees them the same way & they will still cause you harm.

Organic Nitrate Free Bacon & Organic grass fed free range eggs in our books are equally (if not more so) delicious + they contain the perfect amount of healthy fats & proteins. Your hormones will thank you later on 🙂

SWAP 5

Swap Normal Potatoes FOR Sweet Potatoes

The humble spud has been a favourite around the world for ages & while they are a good source of potassium as well as copper, manganese & magnesium – Potatoes have a very high Glycemic Index which means they cause your blood sugar levels to spike & then plummet soon after causing you to experience a crash followed by a craving for something sweet (the same thing happens when you eat refined sugar). They also contain anti nutrients that can actually create holes in the gut lining & damage red blood cells. Sweet potatoes on the other hand have a low GI & are rich in a number of nutrients. They also contain beta carotene which can help slow down the ageing process.

SWAP 6

Swap Salted Nuts FOR Raw Activated Nuts

Unless you find activated nuts with pink salt – stay away from salted nuts.

Standard salt (table salt/white salt) is completely refined and contains literally zero minerals! Not only does it contain NOTHING good for you, white salt can lead to an acidic PH & fluid retention.

Why activated? Well in a nut shell (ha!) if you don’t activate (soak in water) your nuts they will contain enzyme inhibitors which can prevent your body from absorbing specific minerals. Long term, this can lead to mineral deficiencies.

Check out our post on how to easily activate your own nuts!

SWAP 7

Swap Sour Cream FOR Coconut Yoghurt

Like the milk chocolate, Sour cream is also made with pasteurised cows milk (read swap # 3 on why this is bad) – Coconut Yoghurt on the other hand is generally made with 3 ingredients… Coconut milk, tapioca & live cultures… So not only does it act as a probiotic, it is also loaded with Medium Chain Triglycerides (or MCT’s) which your body is able to use right away as energy rather than store it for later usage.

SWAP 8

Swap Cows Cheese (yellow cheese) FOR Goats Cheese (white cheese)

Now as you probably guessed, cheese is made from Milk – so why is Goats milk better than cows milk?? The fat globules in goat’s milk are one ninth of the size of those found in cows milk, which makes it easier to digest… + Goats milk is also high in riboflavin which is essential for the body to gain and maintain energy.

Because goats milk is still a dairy product, we only recommend a little bit & only if you can tolerate it.

SWAP 9

Swap Gluten breads FOR homemade nut & seed breads

Not as traditional as the white fluffy bread… but 1000 times better for your gut. Gluten is a protein found in wheat – & thanks to commonly occurring contamination, oats & buckwheat – that our bodies can’t actually digest. While gluten sensitivity varies from person to person – it’s not just a concern for people with coeliac disease. It causes inflammation, affects the immune system & could potentially be the root cause of many health issues.

Seed breads can easily be made with almond meal, seeds, psyllium husk & eggs + they still work great for a Christmas feast!

So there you have it! Our 9 swaps for a healthier, happier & more energetic Christmas this year!

We hope you have a fantastic & very very Merry Christmas – & of course – any Qs – pop them in the comments below or shoot us through an email!

Crystal & Anth xox

Paleo Chocolate Mousse with Lemon Thyme Cream – A Simple Christmas Recipe

December 15, 2016

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Chocolate Mousse… is there actually a better Christmas dessert? Not a chance if you ask me!

However… this year is actually the first year we’re going to have it since embarking on our health journey & switching to a gluten free, sugar free, grain free, Organic diet… better known as Paleo :p

Why did I wait so long to make it?

Well truth be told… I actually did make it a few times using a few different “avocado choc mousse” recipes I found… but I hated them!

Probably like yourself – I don’t like bland tasting food… or food that doesn’t taste like the traditional version (AKA… full of “crap” version) of that particular dish.

So that’s why we didn’t have it.

BUT…

This year we are having the fam over for Christmas at our house… so I thought… why not come up with an awesome recipe myself?

I got to work… & Holy Sweet Potato – did I hit the Mousse pot! It tastes A-MAY-ZING!

…But I will say this – if you’re not planning on using the hydrolyzed collagen in the cream (you’ll know what I’m talking about when you get into the ingredients list) it WILL NOT be as firm.
…Which is funny considering Gelatin – not Collagen – is the one that’s meant to make it set (or ‘gel”), but I added Collagen just because Anth & I love it so much (health benefits are coming!).

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When I was making a vegan friendly version for my sister, it was a bit runnier. So add the collagen, it’s better for you & the cream!

And speaking of awesome ingredients like collagen… before we get into the recipe… I just want to give you a run down of what is AMAZING about this mousse… apart from the taste 😉

Awesome Ingredients

Hydrolyzed Collagen – This is one of our favourite supplements. Gelatin has a tonne of buzz around it these days but it’s cousin Collagen (which is actually made from Gelatin) is one of the largest & most important proteins in our body & Hydrolysed Collagen goes through a process that makes it incredibly bioavailable – meaning that it’s much easier for your body to absorb & utilise. Collagen makes up our skin, hair, nails, organs including the heart, lungs & arteries just to name a few! Once we turn 25 our bodies start to slow down collagen production – & left unchecked this can lead to things like saggy skin, weakened muscles & arthritis (Although Hydrolysed Collagen is often used to treat these conditions once they occur). Basically everyone should be supplementing with Hydrolysed Collagen! We use Great Lakes Hyrolyzed Collagen which you can purchase from iHerb.

Cacao – Raw Organic Cacao is a total godsend. Not only is it pumping with magnesium & iron… it’s absolutely choc full of phytonutrients, antioxidants & fibre. It helps treat anaemia, maintain healthy nerve function, regular digestion & bowel movements & it even contains neurotransmitters that can improve your mood!

Coconut Cream – Coconut – in almost all its forms – should be a staple in everyones pantry. Not only is Coconut Cream super versatile (we use it in all kinds of sweet & savoury dishes) but it’s an amazing source of healthy fats – one being Medium Chain Triglycerides or MCT’s. MCT’s are a type of fat that get used by the body immediately rather than being stored as fat for later use, so it’s a great source of energy for your body & even helps you to burn fat! Coconut is also high in Lauric acid which helps maintain healthy blood flow which is of course incredibly important!

Lemon Thyme – Lemon thyme not only tastes amazing – it’s rich in vitamins A + C which are important for vibrant glowing skin, healthy vision & a strong immune system. It’s also used to treat coughs & other respiratory tract infections. Plus it’s super easy to grow!

ORGANIC Strawberries – Notice how I put Organic in capital letters? That wasn’t me playing fast & loose with Caps Lock or anything… it’s because conventional strawberries are sprayed with chemical pesticides more than almost any other edible! So if you’re going to eat strawberries, grow them yourself OR buy Organic! The strawberries we’ve used are freshly picked from our healthy patches.
…but back to the health benefits…strawberries help to maintain a healthy nervous system, skin health, vision & bone structure. They also contain a number of anti oxidants & even contain cancer fighting compounds!

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Oh & just a quick note about why I chose to make a Lemon thyme cream – it was because we have SO MUCH of it growing in our garden – bucket loads. But can I tell you – it just tastes out of this world & compliments the choc mousse so well!

But if you don’t have any Lemon thyme, you could just make it with the lemon juice – or alternatively… you could use coyo instead (but try & do the cream – it’s worth it!!)

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Okay… Now to the recipe!

Paleo Chocolate Mousse with Lemon Thyme Cream

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Ingredients

Chocolate Mousse

1 Can Organic Coconut Cream

2 Heaped tbsp ABC Butter (or nut butter of your choice)

1/2 Cup Cacao Powder

1 Tsp. Cinnamon

3 heaped tbsp. Hydrolyzed Collagen powder

2 Tbsp. Manuka Honey

Lemon Thyme Cream

1/2 Can Organic Coconut Cream

1 tsp Manuka Honey

1 tbsp ABC Butter

2 tbsp Hydrolyzed Collagen powder

Lemon juice from 1/2 a medium lemon

leaves from 4 long (10+ cm) sprigs of lemon thyme

Fresh ORGANIC Strawberries to serve.

Method

Chocolate Mousse

Put all ingredients into a high speed blender & blend until smooth.

Pour into serving glasses/dishes of your choice & refrigerate overnight.

Lemon Thyme Cream

Put all ingredients into a high speed blender & blend until smooth.

Pour into serving glasses/dishes of your choice & refrigerate overnight.

In the morning both the mousse & cream will be set for you to serve. Spoon cream onto mousse & top with strawberries.

The last essential step… enjoy your mousse!

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What You Need To Know About Pesticides & Male Hormones …A Must Read for Men’s Health!

December 7, 2016

When it comes to talking about hormones, ladies are generally the main focus…

And although female hormone health is extremely important, hormone health for us dudes is no less important.

Another thing that might come to mind when you hear the words “hormone health” is fertility.

Yep, your hormones are responsible for the fertility side of things…

BUT

They are also responsible for many other incredible & important processes in your body as well.

Think of your hormones as little messenger boys (or girls)… who travel around to different hormone receptors in your body, giving them a signal which then triggers different (& seriously amazing) responses.

Your hormones are like the key, & your hormone receptors are like the lock.

Once the hormones have travelled to their rightful receptor – & metaphorically speaking – ‘unlocked’ the receptor – this results in physiological reactions responsible for things like temperature control, fat storage, skin conditions, blood sugar levels, hunger, your mood, your sleep, sex drive & heart rate.

Another important thing to understand is that your hormones are produced in your Endocrine System – maybe you’ve heard of this before?

In short – it’s a system of glands located throughout the body that regulates the storage & release of your hormones.

Your Thyroid, Adrenals, & Pancreas are all part of your Endocrine system, as well as ovaries in females, testes in males + a few other glands.

All sounds pretty hunky dory doesn’t it?

But here’s the bad news…

Pesticide residues can have similar chemical structures to some of your naturally occurring hormones – & in the case of men – our Androgen hormones.

These pesticides are known as “endocrine disruptors” & they usually harm your precious hormones in 2 ways…

They can mimic your hormones & cause an excess amount of hormones in your body – of course leading to an imbalance.OR
They can block our your hormone receptors which stops your hormones from engaging with (or unlocking) their specific receptor, stopping essential processes inside the body from taking place.

Endocrine disruptors effect men in the form of anti-androgens & xenoestrogens.

As mentioned briefly before – Androgens are hormones that play key roles in men’s health.

Testosterone being the most important Androgen, is needed for male reproductive health, as well as muscle & bone development.

It’s also especially important during puberty.

Anti-Androgens actually stop the naturally occurring Androgens from reaching their receptors & from performing the functions they were made for.

And Xenoestrogens add to the hurt by mimicking oestrogen (the main female hormone – although guys do produce a little as well) which can lead to an excess supply of oestrogen in the body.

So as you may have guessed… when Oestrogen goes up, & Androgens go down… it’s a real problem.

Some of the not-so-fun symptoms resulting from exposure to endocrine disruptors include:

– Weight gain

– Lack of energy/Loss of strength

– Low sperm count

– Infertility

– Skin issues

– Gynecomastia (Man boobs)

– Lack of concentration

– Erectile disfunction

– Prostate cancer

Even though these issues are becoming more & more common – It’s also fairly common to feel pretty alone or ashamed from these symptoms, meaning that on top of what you’re already going through, your emotional wellbeing also suffers.

The good news is there’s a way out!

First & foremost – Cut out conventional produce – or at least make sure you’re eating organic when you can – we can’t stress this enough!

Secondly – Make sure you’re eating ORGANIC meat! In addition to the absolutely horrendous conditions that conventionally raised animals are put through – Remember that if you’re consuming meat that isn’t organic, you will be consuming the artificial hormones & chemicals that the animal consumed too.

Thirdly – Try to use chemical free skin care, hair care & even body sprays or aftershaves. There are SO MANY great brands on the market these days that are Certified Organic!

Fourthly – Cut out soy! Unless it is organic & fermented, soy contains natural endocrine disruptors. A small amount of organic tamari or tempeh is okay every now & then but make damn sure you’re cutting out the conventional stuff!

And lastly – Be weary of plastics & aluminium (including cans, water bottles & food storage containers) – always look for BPA free cans & go for glass storage containers & water bottles.

If this seems overwhelming to you – just start off with cutting out as much conventional produce & meat as you can – then gradually include the other steps when the time is right for you.

A way that I like to look at is – the most important thing in my life is my health… because without it I am nothing.

I hope this post helped you – & if it did – I would love you to give it a share!

And of course any Q’s – shoot us through an email or leave a comment below.

Speak soon,

Anth

P.S – This is part 1 of a 2 part series! In part 2 we will be focusing on female hormone health 🙂

The incredible power of Selenium + how to amp up your intake naturally

November 14, 2016

Selenium is an incredibly powerful trace mineral (meaning your body requires less than 100mg of it per day) & is responsible for a humongous number of important functions in your body.

Most adults requires around 55 micrograms of Selenium per day (I’ll show you what that means in terms of actual food in a minute) but this amount can vary across individuals with some people requiring more such as pregnant & breastfeeding mums.

If you aren’t getting enough Selenium (which unfortunately is quite common these days) a few places you’ll likely notice it in is your skin, energy levels & overall health.

THE POWER OF SELENIUM IN YOUR BODY

So what does Selenium do exactly?

It keeps your skin firm & glowing – Selenium works with vitamin E & C to create a team of nutritional superheroes for your skin! Together they rebuild new skin cells, protect your skin from prolonged sun exposure, repair skin wounds & boost collagen production which slows the aging processes of your skin & connective tissue.

It acts as a powerful antioxidant – Selenium protects your body from oxidation & free radical damage that occurs from everyday life. Even things like digesting food & breathing cause damage in your body… & it’s this damage that causes us to age! Antioxidants like Selenium reduce the damage of free radicals & slow the aging process!

It boosts immune system function – Selenium plays an important role in keeping your immune system strong… which is SUPER important for your overall health. Your immune system protects you from viruses, bugs & skin conditions like cold sores! It cases of serious viral infections such as HIV it can stop the virus progressing further into AIDS.

It reduces inflammation – Inflammation is said to be the cause of a huge number of diseases. It’s caused by a constantly activated immune system in response to toxins either from diet or from the environment that can affect the body. Keeping inflammation at bay is absolutely CRUCIAL for long term health & Selenium plays a big part in fighting it!

It maintains healthy thyroid function – The thyroid gland is an incredibly important organ that produces hormones responsible for regulating metabolism, body temperature & energy production. Many health problems occur from a dysfunctional thyroid gland including hair loss, fatigue, weight gain & dry skin. Selenium plays a big role in maintaining healthy thyroid hormone production.

It promotes fertility – Selenium has been shown to actually ‘incorporate into the sperm mitochondria” & so plays a crucial role in sperm health & therefore male fertility. It is also thought to reduce the risk of miscarriage, however more research needs to be done to confirm or deny this.

It fights against cancer – Selenium protects your DNA from damage which over time can lead to cancer. It not only reduces the risk of cancer, but has been shown to also reduce the growth & spread of existing cancer.

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Told you Selenium was pretty powerful didn’t I?

ARE YOU DEFICIENT?

So now the question is – are you getting sufficient amounts of Selenium?

Some telltale signs of a Selenium deficiency can include:

Dry or Aged skin
Memory issues
Frequent cold or flu symptoms
Exhaustion
Thyroid gland issues – particularly hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid)
Fertility problems in men

HOW TO AMP UP YOUR SELENIUM NATURALLY

If you want to boost your Selenium levels naturally, there are some great whole food sources you can amp up to make sure your body is getting what it needs!

#1 Brazil nuts – Brazil nuts are absolutely packed to the brim with Selenium… in fact just a few nuts per day is enough to fulfil your daily requirement!

#2 White Button Mushrooms – 1/2 cup gives you 33% of your daily Selenium needs

#3 Sunflower Seeds – 1 cup gives you more than your daily requirements – although you shouldn’t eat an entire cup of sunflower seeds every day!

#4 Chia Seeds – 30 grams can get you 28% of your daily requirement

#5 Green vegetables including spinach, cabbage & broccoli – 1 cup of any of these will get between 4-6% of your daily needs so it’s good to incoporate these with some other sources as well.

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You can also get selenium from animal sources such as liver, chicken, salmon, tuna & eggs.

BUT WE’RE NOT TALKING ABOUT CONVENTIONAL PRODUCE…

It’s important to remember that when it comes to whole food sources of minerals, the level of nutrients in the food is determined by the level of nutrients in the soil that food is grown in.

Selenium levels in Australian & New Zealand soil are quite low, so the foods conventionally grown in deficient soil WILL NOT CUT IT!

To ensure you aren’t missing on this vital mineral – always try to buy organic!

Or of course – better yet – grow your own!

Remember that growing your own food gives you control over the mineral levels in your soil… which is important these days more than ever!

So there you have it… I hope this post has given you a whole new appreciation for that awesome little mineral… & if it did please feel free to share with someone who you think it’ll benefit!

And of course – any Q’s – just pop them in the comments below or shoot me an email 🙂

Speak soon

Anth

7 types of incredible Basil you can grow this summer + their different benefits

November 7, 2016

Basil is an ESSENTIAL for the Summer edible garden!

It’s nutrient dense, packs a MIGHTY flavour punch + as a little side bonus… is quick & easy to grow!

Now if we had it our way… Basil would be an all-year-round super hardy herb that we could come & pick from whenever we please… but unfortunately basil had other plans for us as it likes to hit the road mighty fast as soon as winter rolls around.

This means that if you’re down in Australia – now is the PERFECT time to plant your basil!

Why should you eat Basil for your health?

Basil is actually an amazing anti-stress herb that helps regulate your bodies natural stress response. It can also be used to assist with gut issues such as parasites & diarrhoea.

Basil also contains the compound (E)-Beta-Caryophyllene (BCP) which can not only provide relief from arthritis & IBS… but naturally stimulates your cannabinoid receptors which help to regulate mood, appetite, pain sensation & memory (Super important!)

It’s safe to say that if you aren’t already growing your own basil… NOW is a very good time to start!

BUT!!!! Before you race off to go get your basil seedlings – know this…

Basil doesn’t just stop at “Sweet Basil”… you know… the type of basil that you see hanging out in your local supermarket.

Nope…

There are all types of incredibly powerful basils out there which you can (& should) get your hands on!

So today let me introduce you to 7 types of incredible Basil you can start growing this summer… + of course, their different benefits…

7 types of incredible Basil + their different benefits

#1. Holy Basil

Holy Basil – also known as Tulsi or Sacred Basil – is the most powerful basil you can get in terms of medicinal properties.

Holy Basil is frequently used in Ayurvedic medicine & is referred to as an “elixir of life” as it is thought to promote longevity.

It’s also an adaptogenic herb helping your body adapt to stress.

Holy Basil has also been shown to kill off harmful molecules & prevent some of the damage caused by free radicals in your body – it’s pretty potent stuff!

Holy Basil leaves are quite little compared to “Sweet” Basil & have a spicy, peppery clove-like flavour.

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#2. Dark Opal Basil
This is that deep dark purple basil you have likely seen before. It gets its beautiful purple colour from the presence of anthocyanins which is a type of flavonoid (present in berries, acai, grapes etc.) that acts as a powerful antioxidant.

Dark Opal has a strong flavour but isn’t as sweet as “Sweet” Basil.

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# 3. Cinnamon Basil
Cinnamon Basil contains the chemical “Methyl Cinnamate” which is the same chemical that Cinnamon gets its flavour from!

It has a spicy cinnamon smell & taste & can be used in desserts or treated like normal basil.

It has dark green leaves, smaller than traditional basil & produces beautiful violet stems. A great asset to the summer garden!

#4. Greek Basil
Greek Basil is a teeny-tiny miniature leafed basil that is actually a little sweeter than “Sweet” Basil!

Greek basil grows into a cute little dome shape which makes it nice & neat in your edible garden.

#5. Lemon Basil

Lemon basil has a beautiful lemon fragrance & of course – a citrusy lemon flavour! Lemon Basil gets its scent from it’s high concentration of “Citral” – The same compound found in edibles like “Lemon Myrtle”, “Lemongrass”, “Lemon Verbena” etc.

Lemon Basil can be used in deserts, fresh teas, cold drinks & asian dishes alike!

#6. Lime Basil

A beautiful lime scented basil with a zesty lime flavour.

Like Lemon Basil, Lime Basil also has a high concentration of the compound “Citral” in their leaves which gives it its beautiful scent.

Lime Basil is frequently used in Thai & Indonesian cooking.

#7. Thai Basil

Just incase you didn’t guess it – Thai Basil is a must when it comes to cooking Thai!

Thai Basil is grown on gorgeous purple stems & has an anise like flavour with a little citrus & mint.

Thai Basil is also known to be able to handle incredibly high cooking temperatures making it again, a great choice for Thai dishes.

Thai Basil is quite sweet & is often referred to as “Sweet Thai Basil“.

Personally – my favourite is Holy Basil – a herb that will ALWAYS have a place in our patch come summer! Which one will you plant out??

Any Q’s, hit me up in the comments below or shoot us through an email.

Also – if you think this post might be of benefit to someone you know I would LOVE you to share it with them!

Speak soon

Crystal x

One little pesticide that’s causing a whole lot of havoc in you & your child’s body!

October 26, 2016

Something that really ticks us right off?

Pesticides!

You could say they’re the joker to our batman… or maybe the Lex Luthor to our Superman? But the short of it is, they’re really bad news.

Now we’re guessing that the fact that you’re reading this post means you likely agree… or at least know enough about them to question their motives… either way… you’ll want to keep reading!

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A super-quick 101 in Pesticides…

Pesticides are used to destroy weeds, pests, speed up the ripening process & finally, to make sure the produce looks appealing on the shelf.

Conventional produce is sprayed with Pesticides anywhere between 10 to over 40 times before it hits the store shelf.

We spend billions of dollars on the ‘crop protection industry’ – as it likes to be called – every year.

And as demand for ‘perfect’ looking – yet cheap – produce that’s pleasing to the eyes increases, so will the use of pesticides.

But here’s that kind-of-extremely-important thing that they fail to tell us – many pesticides are actually known carcinogens, meaning they cause cancer, while others are known to promote tumour growth.

But unfortunately for us – that’s not even the half of it.

Many studies have shown the adverse health affects of consuming pesticides… this one always blows our mind:

A study out of Hawaii showed that men who drank two glasses of milk a day contaminated by pesticides had 40% fewer brain cells in the substantia nigra region (the part of the brain that’s important for movement) which is a sign of Parkinson’s disease.

Pretty scary isn’t it?

But today we actually want to talk about 1 pesticide in particular (oh yes – there are many different pesticides out there!)…

Let us introduce you to…

Organophosphate Pesticides

…even the name is kind of menacing isn’t it?

Organophosphate Pesticides – AKA OP – first came about after WWII – when the USA realised that nerve agents developed in Germany turned out to be really good at killing insects.

To answer your next question… Nerve agents are nasty compounds designed to attack the nervous system in order to prevent it from sending messages around the body to your organs & muscles. That’s how they kill insects…

So in a nutshell – this pesticide originated from chemical weapons designed to harm & kill people! Just think about that for a second… I mean REALLY think about it… Insane, yes?

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Even though there’s been a heap of super scary research regarding OP’s & it’s negative affects on your body – it’s still widely used.

In fact, the Centre for Disease Control & Prevention has an entire list of health issues that can occur as a result of exposure to OPs.

These include headaches, nausea, vomiting, convulsions, loss of consciousness & a whole host more…you can check out the rest out here.

Think that’s scary? Unfortunately it gets worse. Especially for kids.

Children are at a greater risk than adults because their bodies & organs are still developing & as a result, their detoxification organs (liver & kidneys) are not able to remove the OP residues.

– In a study in the US, 96 kids were tested for pesticide exposure & 95 of them showed traces of Organophosphate pesticides.

– In 2013 more than 20 primary school children in India died after eating a meal containing dangerously high levels of Organophosphate Pesticides.

– Another study showed that when pregnant women were exposed to OPs the chemicals can actually penetrate the placental & blood brain barrier of the human foetus, exposing the unborn child to toxins.

Pretty scary shiz hey?

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So let’s talk about solutions.

Well… let’s jump back to that study we just mentioned… where out of 96 children screened for pesticide exposure, all of them showed traces in them but 1. The parents of that of 1 child ate organic food exclusively & did not use any pesticides around the house.

Another study showed that an organic diet significantly lowered children’s exposure to Organophosphorus pesticides. We say “lowered” their exposure & not wiped out completely because unfortunately food is not the only source of exposure. Buildings, parks & sporting fields are often sprayed with pesticide as well. This stuff is literally everywhere!

Now while there are multiple forms of exposure… diet is the one thing you have complete control over – eating organic foods really is that important!

A great way to bring more organic food into your diet is by growing your own.

Even if you have very little space – a few herbs & leafy greens (which are very easy to grow & can all be “smooshed” in together) go a long way.

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Plus growing your own can help mitigate the cost of buying organic.

But when you do buy – rather than looking at it as an expense – try to look at it as an investment in your health & the health of your kids… because if you’re not eating organic chances are you are exposing yourself to some very nasty chemicals.

The way we see it…you’re better off paying a little more now that paying big time down the road!

So just to recap – eating Organic food is just so important to your health – we can’t stress it enough!

In the coming weeks we’ll be digging into the dangers of pesticides a little more + the different affects it can have on your body… so stay tuned for that!

In the meantime, if you have any Q’s at all pop them in the comments below or shoot us through an email!

Speak soon!

Anth & Crystal

P.S Think someone you know might benefit from this?? We would LOVE for you to share it around!! xx

References

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9498903

http://www.whatsonmyfood.org/index.jsp

https://emergency.cdc.gov/agent/nerve/tsd.asp

http://americannutritionassociation.org/newsletter/pesticides-exposure-among-preschool-children

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1513324/

http://www.ewg.org/research/body-burden-pollution-newborns

http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/early/2012/11/21/peds.2012-2757