KISS Smart in the Sun

With a scorchio forecast ahead for 32-36 degrees between now and New Year’s day here in Melbourne, it’s timely for some sensible sun loving reminders.

I have typical English skin, you know the type that goes pink by just reading a sunny weather forecast?  I can just about handle the sun in Europe.  I can lie out for a bit and I know when my skin starts to turn pink so I get in the shade and all is well.  In Australia however, it’s like a 5 minute exposure is a session in front of a blow torch. 

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!

Merry Christmas Everyone!!  Have a wonderful time full of joy.  Looking forward to sharing it and more tips with you next year.  Lots of Love xx

Another Mebourne Cafe Gem - The Salford Lads Club

The boy drove towards Bunnings on Saturday and I started throwing a little tanty.....dolls came flying out of the pram....."I don't want to go to Bunnings" I shamelessly exclaimed as he smirked and drove just past to pull up at a cafe I could immediately see I would love. 

The Salford Lads Club is tucked in behind Bunnings (corner of Fennell and Bridge Street) in Port Melbourne.  The spot used to be a car workshop and I've read that the owner recyled the bricks from a pavement (with his own fair hands) so you can imagine the space has a warehouse feel.  It's raw, light and spacious enough.  Bike's, skateboards and artwork on the walls throw a colourful retro splash to the canvas and the place hums with a chilled out vibe. 

 

Goldilocks........Porridge Recipes!!

On a cold winters morning there is NOTHING quite like a bowl of steaming porridge.  Oats are a great source of fibre, they also provide protein and other key minerals such as potassium, magnesium, copper, zinc and more*!!  I love them because they are so calming for your nervous system and keep you full up for hours!!!

Basic - how to cook Porridge
For the best results, soak your oats over night.  To do this, place about 4 tablespoons in a bowl (per person) and cover with room temperature water, place a saucer or tea towel over the top to cover the bowl and leave over night (quick and easy to do before you jump into bed).  This speeds up the cooking time in the morning and also breaks down phytic acid which is a mineral inhibitor in grains.  Phytic acid can actually bind vitamins and minerals in the digestive tract and inhibit absorbtion.  By reducing phytic acid you can improve your mineral absorbtion by at least twice!!  Pretty cool huh! 

To cook the oats.  Place in a saucepan with a splash / glug more water and cook on low / medium heat stirring now and again until piping hot.  This doesn't even need milk!!  You can of course add milk in at the end to thicken / cream the mixture if you wish.Here are some ideas to get you inspired and jumping out of bed to start cooking your oats!!  These should give those of you who have hit your porridge quote as a kid intruige enough to give them a go again!!

One of my first porridge numbers was whilst I was on a Naturopathic diet....
Oats (quantity as above), add 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon and 1/2 teaspoon of dried ginger, add chopped dates (2 per person) and raw organic honey in whilst cooking.  Upon serving add chopped nuts (small handful of brazil, cashews and almonds) and a dollop of organic fruit or natural flavoured yoghurt on top.  I used to use Jalna which is flavoured with fruit juice concentrate and no sugar, however now I would use an organic equivalent.

Sugar Substitute - A practical way to give up processed sugar!!

I love this Marie Antionette picture......and for many MANY years have lived for the hunt of sugar, like a heat seeking missile!!  Sugar in all it's vessels was my focus....cakes, pastries, chocolate, biscuits....I LOVED them all....and in sizeable quantities. 

For the context of this blog, the sugar I speak of is white processed sugar.  It's highly processed, heat treated, stripped of nutrients and pretty addictive wouldn't you say?  Some of the side effects of processed sugar include; fatigue and adrenal weakness, feeding internal parasites, one teaspoon is said to set the immune system back three and a half hours and there are PLENTY more reasons to cut the stuff out!!

In my case, sugar had me on an energy roller coaster.  Trying to stay awake in the afternoon was almost impossible, I would crawl home from work and have to have a power snooze.  In addition, my digestive system was hardly functioning, on a daily basis I was bloated and had sharp abdominal pains.

Although the addiction to sugar is a multi-faceted beast (habit and emotional attachment are often deeply ingrained), the main thing that helped wedge a gap between me and my sweet friend, was to get practical.  I outwitted my cravings by making better choices.  Every time I fell off the wagon, I was kind to myself and I got back on.  And if I fancied a piece of chocolate cake, I had a piece, I enjoyed every bite, I didn't feel guilty and I didn't gorge, because I gave up the fight!! 

Here is a list of goodies you can stock up on which will help you in your hour of need.  Since choosing sweet alternatives I have had more energy, feel more relaxed, have smoother healthier skin and I would hope it is delaying my wrinkle collection (processed sugar speeds up wrinkles).  Sugar can also wreak havoc with hormones and leave you full of the grumps!!

Conscious Eating in Melbourne - The Yellow Door, Albert Park

I love going out for breakfast or lunch at the weekend, taking it easy, reading the weekend papers and drinking tea.  I'm always looking for places to go that have healthy yummy food, a vibe and if possible are sustainable and conscious minded.  The Yellow Door Cafe in Albert Park is certainly giving it a go!!


The food is fab, today I had scrambled eggs, avocado, smoked salmon and organic shoots on sourdough toast and the boy had their burger special (which apparently is a hit).  The menu touts free range eggs, organic veggies where possible and all together looks to be taking the bigger picture into account!!