Last night I had the absolute pleasure of attending Soul Sessions which is an exclusive event hosted and created by Eloise King, journalist for Body & Soul. She invites 33 people to be a part of a small, intimate audience where the emphasis is on the sharing of knowledge, ingenuity and creativity. I have been a guest speaker at Soul Sessions and was amazed at the sharing, safe environment Eloise created. Since beginning in May 2010, Soul Sessions has moved to a very groovy venue of scented candles, great vino, amazing food by Jeevi the Laughing Chef and intimate round tables that are perfect for meeting new friends.Yesterday’s session was titled “Eat Your Heart Out” and featured the gorgeous Nici Andronicus from Organicus and rock star raw foodist, David Wolfe. The night was set to be spectacular with these two but it just exceeded all of my expectations!Nici and her husband Paul have a company called Organicus and are incredibly passionate about organic food. Their company makes organic food for many venues and they have recently opened the doors to their organic Manly cafe. They shared with me last night that they have had many requests to open another in the inner west and I certainly have my fingers crossed. Nici is a former pentathlete and triathlete (makes me hurt just contemplating that one!) but it was when Paul was diagnosed with a very rare cancer that things began to shift for them.After seeking treatment with Charlie Teo and then Harvard Medical School in Boston, Nici and Paul knew that to give it their best shot they needed to do more. So they embraced organic food with a passion and haven’t looked back since. […]
Day 24 – Natural Anti-Inflammatories for Disease Prevention
Inflammation is at the cause of all chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity and cancer. Eating a diet rich in anti inflammatory foods will go a long way towards disease prevention.What do fish, flaxseeds, garlic, kiwi fruit, cherries, turmeric, ginger and water have in common? They will prevent inflammation and keep you disease free so make sure they become part of your regular diet for a long and healthy life. Here are some of my favourite foods that prevent inflammation: Omega 3 fats help to produce hormone-like substances called prostaglandins, which help regulate the inflammatory response. Foods such as salmon, mackerel, herring, sardines, flaxseeds and flaxseed oil and walnuts are all great sources of Omega 3 fats and should be included regularly in the diet. Garlic is a powerful anti-inflammatory food, containing compounds that inhibit lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase, (the enzymes that generate inflammatory prostaglandins) thus noticeably reducing inflammation. Fresh garlic is better to consume in this case. Vitamin C has also been shown to reduce inflammation, as a recent study at the University of California in Berkeley demonstrated. Researchers showed that Vitamin C can lower levels of C-reactive protein, a biomarker of inflammation that has been shown to be a powerful predictor of heart disease and diabetes. Vitamin C-rich foods include kiwi fruit, capsicum, tomatoes, broccoli, citrus fruits and berries. A study by the Journal of Nutrition in April 2006 showed that cherries can significantly reduce inflammation, especially when eaten every day. Cherry juice in particular has been shown to reduce the pain of gout-associated inflammation as well as ease suffering for arthritis-related aches and pains. Turmeric has been used for centuries as a medicinal tool in India and China to treat […]
Day 23 – Kids are Much More Susceptible to Pesticides Than Us!
Children more vulnerable to pesticides until age 7 due to lower enzyme level.Children are more susceptible to the toxic effects of certain pesticides than adults, and this vulnerability lasts longer than previously believed. I passionately believe in eating organic food and this study demonstrates that for children, it is not a luxury but a necessity!A new study finds that young children have significantly lower levels of a key enzyme that protects against the toxic effects of certain pesticides. The youngsters’ enzyme levels do not catch up to an adult’s until after age seven – far longer than previously thought.In addition, a person’s genes dictate how effective the enzyme is at breaking down the pesticides. This is one reason why some people are more susceptible to the effects of pesticides than others.Regulations governing organophosphate pesticide use should recognize that some individuals are more susceptible to the toxic effects of pesticides, say the researchers from the University of California, Berkeley who authored the study. Children are also more susceptible and this increased vulnerability appears to continue into school age.The enzyme, called paraoxonase, plays a key role in helping the body neutralize and eliminate organophosphate pesticides. Organophosphates are a class of acutely toxic insecticides that have been largely banned for home use, but continue to be widely used in agriculture. Organophosphate pesticides target the nervous systems of insects, but have similar effects on humans. Some studies have shown reduced IQs among young children whose mothers were exposed to these pesticides during pregnancy.Although it has been known that newborns have low levels of the paraoxonase enzyme, it was previously believed that paraoxonase concentrations reached adult levels by 2 years of age.This assumption was based on one earlier study […]
Day 22 – Top 12 Detox Foods For Beautiful Skin
The body is continuously working to stay in an alkaline state and the body’s acid-alkaline balance adjusts throughout the day depending on the types of foods you consume. In today’s fast paced society, we consume high amounts of refined foods that contain sugar, cow’s milk products, excess salt, alcohol, wheat as well as meats that contain high amounts of saturated fat. Over time these foods can cause increased inflammation in the body and can wreak havoc on the skin causing acne, psoriasis and eczema.Adding more detoxifying foods to your diet will not only keep your body in an alkaline state, but depending on which detox foods you include in your diet, will help to eliminate toxins that have accumulated over time. Adding the following foods to your diet, will allow your body to detox naturally and improve your skin and overall health and energy:Apple contains pectin which helps to excrete heavy metals and is cleansing for the liver and the kidneysArtichoke increases bile production and purifies and protects the liver and has a diuretic effect on the kidneys.Asparagus is a great diuretic that helps to support and maintain restorative properties that promote good bacteria in the intestines.Cruciferous Vegetables (Broccoli, Sprouts, Cabbage and Cauliflower) increase levels of glutathione, a powerful antioxidant that supports the liver in releasing toxins.Fennel has strong diuretic properties that help eliminate fats from the body.Garlic known as nature’s pharmacy has powerful antioxidants properties that convert to sulphur based compounds which bind to mercury as well as food […]
Day 21 – Too Hot to Eat!!
It is too hot to eat so I will share with you my Detox salad that I make. It will last for lunch the next day so make enough and enjoy it often. I adore broccoli sprouts and you must read my article on them to get the low down on why they are simply a powerhouse for DetoxEmma’s Detoxification SaladUse organic ingredients only, preferably home grown where possible!Salad ingredients:1 red capsicum1 cucumber1 carrot1/8 red cabbage40gr broccoli sprouts50gr rocket50gr spinach50gr cos lettuce1 teaspoon black sesame seeds1 can sustainable fished tuna½ avocadoDressing Ingredients1 teaspoon seeded mustard1 teaspoon red wine vinegarJuice of one lemon100ml extra virgin olive oil½ teaspoon Dulse flakesCracked pepperInstructionsUse a mandolin to finely slice the capsicum, cucumber, carrot and cabbage. Put in a large bowl. Add the rocket, spinach, cos lettuce, broccoli sprouts and black sesame seeds. Gently mix together. Cut avocado into slices and add to bowl. Drain tuna and add to bowl.Combine all dressing ingredients in a glass jar, shake vigorously and pour over salad. Mix dressing through the salad until all salad leaves have a shiny appearance. Fill a large salad bowl and enjoy, knowing that with every mouthful, you are providing the essential nutrients to enhance detoxification pathways.
Day 20 – Pomegranates, a old flame revisited!
I have had an amazing 2 days experiencing Sydney as a tourist would – taking ferries to the city on a spectacular sunny day, seeing a show at the Opera House, having picnics in the parks and lots of other fun things. It is important to just slow down every now and then and soak it all up!Let’s talk about a food item that I am in love with and you may not know too much about – the humble pomegranate! Pomegranates have a long and colourful history, appearing in ancient Egyptian art works and mentioned numerous times in the Old Testament under the name “rimmon.” But it’s only recently that this incredible fruit has come into its own. And it’s no wonder. Scores of studies have attested to its plethora of health benefits-from promoting healthy blood flow and supporting normal blood pressure to helping maintain proper cholesterol levels and fighting free radicals.While pomegranates aren’t high on most Australians’ shopping lists, new research suggests they ought to be. Pomegranates are rich in bioflavonoids and were recently shown to have nearly three times the antioxidant activity of red wine or green tea.In research conducted over a three year period, Professor Michael Aviram, an internationally recognized authority on the effect of food on heart disease, and his research group showed that pomegranate juice could significantly lower the systolic blood pressure of hypertensive patients in just two weeks. Patients with pre-existing cardiovascular disease showed great improvement in many important physiological measurements and pathological signs compared to the control group. The Aviram research group concluded that pomegranate juice can offer a wide protection against cardiovascular diseases which may be attributable to its antioxidative properties.I put pomegranate seeds […]
Day 18 – Nasty Toxins & What To Do About Them
The common plastic additive bisphenol A has been getting a lot of attention for a while now. It’s a hormone disruptor that can be found in almost everybody, and animal studies have linked it to breast and prostate cancer as well as infertility. In April of 2008, the National Toxicology Program raised concerns that exposure to BPA during pregnancy and childhood could impact the developing breast and prostate, hasten puberty, and affect behavior in American children. Knowing how you’re exposed is among the best ways to minimize further exposure.
How’d it get there?
Studies show canned foods are a common source of daily BPA exposure in our lives. Cans of soft drink generally contain less BPA than canned pasta or soup. The worst foods tested contain enough BPA to put pregnant women and formula-fed infants much closer to dangerous levels than the government typically allows. Even some liquid infant formula is packed in cans lined with BPA, which seems ludicrous given the special vulnerabilities of children’s developing systems.
In addition to canned food, certain plastics are often made with BPA. Called polycarbonate, these plastics are rigid and clear or translucent and usually marked with a recycle label #7. Not all #7 containers are made with BPA, but it makes for a reasonable and useful guideline for avoiding a category of plastics. Some reusable polycarbonate water bottles , marketed as non-leaching because they minimize plastic taste and odor, may still leach trace amounts of BPA. But hold on before you run out and buy a metal water bottle – make sure you know what you’re getting. Many reusable metal water bottles are lined with the same BPA-leaching plastic found in cans of food.
How do you get rid of […]
Day 18 – Nasty Toxins&What To Do About Them
The common plastic additive bisphenol A has been getting a lot of attention for a while now. It’s a hormone disruptor that can be found in almost everybody, and animal studies have linked it to breast and prostate cancer as well as infertility. In April of 2008, the National Toxicology Program raised concerns that exposure to BPA during pregnancy and childhood could impact the developing breast and prostate, hasten puberty, and affect behavior in American children. Knowing how you’re exposed is among the best ways to minimize further exposure.How’d it get there?Studies show canned foods are a common source of daily BPA exposure in our lives. Cans of soft drink generally contain less BPA than canned pasta or soup. The worst foods tested contain enough BPA to put pregnant women and formula-fed infants much closer to dangerous levels than the government typically allows. Even some liquid infant formula is packed in cans lined with BPA, which seems ludicrous given the special vulnerabilities of children’s developing systems.In addition to canned food, certain plastics are often made with BPA. Called polycarbonate, these plastics are rigid and clear or translucent and usually marked with a recycle label #7. Not all #7 containers are made with BPA, but it makes for a reasonable and useful guideline for avoiding a category of plastics. Some reusable polycarbonate water bottles , marketed as non-leaching because they minimize plastic taste and odor, may still leach trace amounts of BPA. But hold on before you run out and buy a metal water bottle – make sure you know what you’re getting. Many reusable metal water bottles are lined with the same BPA-leaching plastic found in cans of food.How do you get rid of […]
Day 16 – Want to Know What I Prescribe Myself for Detox?
Today I will let you in on what I take during Detox – so many clients ask me this question , here we go!. My therapeutic aim is to cleanse out my liver and get my fitness back to peak condition. I am taking the following herbs, nutrients and Superfoods:A methylated B vitamin – this form of vitamin doesn’t need to be activated by your body and can go straight into your cells for useFish oil – loads of these in liquid form as they are anti inflammatorycoQ10 – brilliant fat soluble antioxidant and great for energyZinc – hair, skin, nails ladies!Iron – not eating meat and will have a period at some pointVitamin E – another gorgeous anti oxidantProbiotics – essential to rebalance the gut flora when detoxingHerbs – turmeric (antioxidant), St Mary’s thistle (liver tonic) and Schizandra (liver tonic)Fulvic acid – helps to chelate heavy metalsAcai berry – richest anti oxidant berry in the worldChlorophyll – internal alkaliser and cleanserAloe Vera juice – soothes the entire digestive systemP2 Detox – stunning formula to eliminate the bad estrogens in our body and support liver DetoxMagnesium after the gymAcetyl carnitine before the gymCoconut water […]
Day 15 – Too Hot!
I am feeling rather dehydrated this morning so I crack open a coconut and then add the meat to my morning smoothie. Coconuts are fantastic and if you don’t know how amazing they are then have a read of this article. I am starting to measure my pH on a regular basis and it is fascinating to see what makes my body more acidic and what makes it more alkaline. Exercise makes it more acidic for a couple of hours – I drink shots of aloe Vera and chlorophyll to help alkalise, amongst other things.When your body is acidic it is also inflamed and inflammation is the base of all chronic diseases. An acidic pH makes it harder for your cells to receive all the nutrients and oxygen that they require for optimal functioning. Being too alkaline is not the answer either as this is pushing the pendulum too far the other way. You need to aim for 7.2 and by checking a few times a day you can get an average and also work out what affects your body in a negative way.Today was really too hot to eat so I had a smoothie, a couple of coconuts and a chicken salad for dinner. When it is this hot I can’t exercise and I lose my appetite and the only thing I feel like is liquids or a light salad. For really hot days cut come cucumber strips and add them to your water for an instant cooling effect and sip on a coconut too.B – smoothie of oat milk, sheep’s milk yoghurt, frozen berries and protein powderL – 2 coconuts, an appleD – warm chicken salad of rocket, cucumber, avocado, carrot and […]
