Happy new year peeps

Here we are then, you and me and the end of a wonderful, turbulent year. It's always tempting to make a thousand resolutions, especially after a few bottles of something grape-ish, or to loudly proclaim resolutions are for quitters. But they can be completely life-changing when done in the right way.

Yet life doesn't change overnight. It's unlikely anyone will quit smoking, drinking jagerbombs or shopping past their credit limit tomorrow, so remember to take things slow. Baby steps work. Focus on doing things that really make you smile so you're outlook for 2010 isn't to cut out the nasties, but to make every day incredible. Forget about your weight, please I beg of you, forget all about it. Fill your life with healthy habits - that you LOVE - and your body will be fit and thriving at the weight it's meant to be. It's called having your cake and eating it too, something I'm a big fan and advocate of.

Make each promise specific - the clearer you are about what you want, the more likely you are to get it. Also set a time, this obviously makes you more accountable but will also help you stay focussed. Join a volleyball team by March, go away for a meditation weekend by February or sort out your wardrobe for an op-shop drop next weekend.

Finally, don't be a victim. You are capable of doing absolutely anything you can dream of, so blaming other people, your job or long-held habits on living without those dreams is a waste of time. After all, 2010 is the year of the tiger... a year for the courageous and passionate. Are you in?

Nature's pick-me-up

I'm feeling a bit sluggish today. The weather's terrible so I can't go for a swim or jog and my diet, although not disastrous, has been a bit on the naughty side of nice. So as of this morning I'm doing the lemon juice and tepid water thing, just to see if it makes a difference. I have a friend who replaced all tea and coffee with lemon water and swears by it, so here goes. And as usual, I've researched a few benefits. I was surprised with what I found...

* flushes out toxins from body = more energy, glowing skin and eyes
* lemons help alkalize your body (better than an acidic body which leads to health problems)
* it reduces bad breath, nausea, constipation and aids digestion
* the vitamin C content protects against infections and allergies
* potassium benefits brain and nerve functions
* calcium for strong, lasting bones and teeth
* magnesium assists with asthma and heartburn

Don't microwave it to make it juicier, you'll only zap out all the nutrients and make yourself sick. Instead, roll room-temp lemons on the kitchen counter with your hand to help get the juice flowing.
Leftover halves are a brilliant cleaning tool: shake some bi-carb inside the lemon half and use to clean the shower, tiles, bath and sink.

Food, freakishly glorious food

Merry Christmas readers, fans and amigos. As I slurp on a mango and dream of lunch, I'm happy to report Christmas Day was as divine as we hoped! We started the day with toasted, buttered panettone topped with cherries, peaches, apricots, blueberries, strawberries and cinnamon and a glass of Veuve Clicquot. (Yes, yes, we had a glass of deliriously delicious champers in the morning - first drink in almost 5 months. Straight to our topsy little heads!)

Lunch was poultry and piggy heaven. The stuffing I mentioned the other day was from Vogue Entertaining & Travel, Dec/Jan 2006. It was chunky and rustic and fantastically delicious. Here tis our version: Take 200g cooked chestnuts and simmer in 300ml of verjuice for ten minutes. Put in a heatproof bowl and set aside. In the same pot, melt 20g butter and cook two peeled, cored, roughly chopped apples until brown, add to chestnuts. In the same pot melt a little butter and oil and add one brown onion, roughly diced. Cook on low until translucent, add 200g smoked speck or pancetta, diced, cook for five minutes, add two squashed garlic cloves, leaves from a few sprigs of thyme, the meat from two or three pork sausages - cook until they're not so pink. Throw all ingredients into the same bowl as the chestnuts and apples, add about 150g sourdough breadcrumbs (roughly or finely chopped), fresh parsley and seasoning. Mix well, place in fridge overnight.

Hubby BBQ'd the birdie, a 4.5kg organic turkey, stuffed full, legs tied together for three hours - first hour at 220C, then rest at 200C. He pulled it out to rest when we sat for entrees (prawn, poached snapper, endive and watercress salad with lemon pepper aioli), so by the time he got carving it was perfect. He basted it with its own juices every half hour (and put a cup of water in the pan to start, I've never been more proud). I served with the pan juices (I can never be bothered making gravy, and this tasted amazing).

We had a salad of yellow, orange, red and dark red cherry tomatoes, halved, mixed with parsley, local kalamatas and marinated fetta. For the beans, I whizzed up some butter, oil, sambal oelek, garlic, basil, lemon rind and lemon juice in a mini processor and dolloped on top of the blanched stringies. Yum! We also had mashed spuds, natch, and a mouth-watering bottle of Cassegrain Fromenteau - 2006 Reserve Chardonnay.

To finish, a large pot of Earl Grey tea and Dad's candied orange, ginger and white chocolate cheesecake. Oh. Holy. Night. What a leisurely, gastronomically exquisite day. All with happy families (sorry we missed you bro and girls)... and perlenty of leftovers.

All I need now is a mumu and a good book...

Turkeys roasting on an open fire

I'm under pressure this year. Mum and Dad are coming to our place for Chrissy lunch and the outlaws are also here, so there's a few good cooks around the table waiting to see if I - self-proclaimed foodie frankie - can come up with the tasty goods. Hubby has offered to stuff and BBQ the turkey and although that makes me happy, I'm seriously worried about turkey burn-out.

But it's not my first time handling an oversized bird, so I have the three tools a good turkey cooker needs: foil, butter and a baster. And I'm not afraid to make my hubby use them. But the BIG decision of the week has been... what to stuff with? Rice? Bread? Three spatchcocks and a sage leaf? Here's my list of nominations for best stuffing in a BBQ birdie...

* Wild rice, hazelnuts and mushrooms
Cook wild rice and brown rice together (the wild ones might have to go in a bit earlier). While they're boiling, saute some mushrooms in butter and oil for a couple of minutes, remove from heat, season and stir in a handful of parsley and thyme. Add some spring onion, leeks, pinenuts and cooked bacon if you fancy. Let the rice cool, mix together with mushies and other ingredients, put in fridge overnight.

* Sourdough, speck and chestnuts
The chestnuts need to be cooked - buy them already cooked or do yourself. Saute the nuts in a bit of verjuice, reduce and add smoked speck, pork sausage, prunes, garlic and onion. Remove from heat, add a heap of parsley and sourdough bread, cubed. Drizzle with oil, place in bird.

* Pistachio, sage and cranberry
An old fave, this one's as easy as mixing cubed bread with a lightly beaten egg, chopped pistachios, cranberries, roasted garlic (pop a few whole cloves in the oven for 20 minutes), sage and seasoning. Yum.

And the winner goes to... Speck n chesties! Will let you know how we go. Can't wait.
Oh and amigos, if you're doing the turkey for the first time, my only advice is this: baste every half hour (leave the foil on until the last 30 minutes) and make a damn fine gravy lest it all go to jingle bell hell.

Bludge me happy

It's a few days before Christmas and everyone I know is either bludging or frantically shopping, partying and working like mad. As I'm a bit clever, I'm assuming if you're scrolling through my fabulous bloggie you're in holiday mode and not breathing into a paper bag while queuing in the city.

So I thought I'd share my fave health blogs and sites on the interwebs so you can improve the quality of your bludge time..

* Info about toxins, chemicals, natural beauty, organic food, environmental stuff is on the Environmental Working Group's site, one of my absolute faves.
* Care2 satisfies most of my cravings... be it food, spirituality, great causes, beauty design.
* When I need some inspiration about living closer to the ground, especially nutrition and therapies, I head to Natural Health, a fab Aussie site.
* One of the few amazing newsletters I receive is from Daily Om
* I love this Aussie online shop... not such a glamorous name, but everything at Non-Toxic Life is good for you.
* Here's an interesting blog on exploring happiness... The Happiness Project
* When I want to sink my teeth into something geeky, I go for the science section of The Guardian paper, or NYTimes and Newsweek.

Enjoy my merry peeps!

The sweetest thing

I've been a foodie for a long time but I must admit, I was a sugar ignoramus. Now that I've seen the error of my sweet, sweet ways and cut back big time, my hawk eye spots it on most ingredient lists. The local shops here at the beach don't have my usual chocolate (Green & Black's Organic Dark), so I thought I'd be safe with a conventional bar. Bah-bowm. You'd expect any dark chocolate bar to have cocoa as the first ingredient but not this baby: sugar first, then cocoa and then a hit of some hideous processed vegetable oil and then... it was back on the shelf.

Once you sharpen your peepers, you'll start seeing sugar (white, raw, brown, caster, honey, maple syrup, malt, glucose, fructose, sucrose, dextrose, corn syrup) in everything from stocks to sauces, bread to soup. Avoid it, you don't need it. And if you're craving sugar, it's because you're eating it. Believe me, once you've cut most of it out, you won't want it. Food tastes good again, energy is better than ever and even your skin will thank you. Need some scary facts to get going? Ok, here goes...

* puts you at risk for developing type 2 diabetes.
* it can clog up your arteries, putting you at risk of heart disease and stroke.
* your body releases insulin to cope with sugar, which promotes the storage of fat. Nuff said.
* the immune system gets horribly sluggish, leading to anything from a cold to disease.
* messes with your mind... can aggravate mood and anxiety disorders.
* reduces good cholesterol and pumps up the bad cholesterol.
* tooth decay anyone?
* it interferes with the absorption of calcium and magnesium.
* skin sags because sugar causes a loss of tissue elasticity and function.
* there's also headaches, kidney stones, eczema, gallstones, appendicitis, haemorrhoids, varicose veins, food allergies...

And don't even think about choosing sweeteners. Just because your body doesn't recognize them as sugar doesn't mean they don't cause complete anarchy on the inside.
If the cravings are driving you nuts, up your intake of wholemeal foods and proteins. Or eat a handful of nature's best: berries. You'll be right.

Golden oldies

I've had quite an active week away, and this morning when we were out for a long bushwalk I looked at my healthier than anything in-laws and wondered, not for the first time, what their secret is. In their 70's, they have shiny, healthy skin, glowing eyes, strong bodies and a quicker mind than me when I'm not careful. Plus they've been married for 50 years and I for 5. After knowing them almost 10 years I've whittled down their amazing lifestyle to five things...

* they have a brilliant sense of humour; there's many a giggle, joke, wink and belly laugh, the mood is never serious for too long. They've lived (and fought) through war, lost siblings, endured terrible things and yet they never wallow or moan about their lot.
* they like new things. Some Dutchies need new things to such an extent it takes over their lives. But my Dutch outlaws like keeping up - not obsessing - with the latest ideas in any area - food, interior, lifestyle, art, fashion - as it bring fresh chapters and ideas to their lives.
* good food is a lifestyle. They never eat fatty foods, avoid too much alcohol or sugar and take a multi-vitamin if they need one. They'll also try (just about) anything once, and I love that attitude!
* every day includes a walk. And I don't mean a wander around the local lake (where I took the pic above). They hike up hills and trek through bush for two hours at a time, preferably.
* they still earn pocket money. Mum paints and shows her art in exhibitions while Dad puts up a shed in half the time a man half his age could... (I mean that literally, you should see his hands).

So it's been a beautiful week. Lots of adventures with hubby and keeping up with an inspiring couple over twice my age.

Boost your bod

If I go for a couple if days without fresh fruit and vegies I get a bit weird. Ok, weirder. The human body can clearly survive on not a whole lot, but once you've felt a healthy, light body and clear mind, it's hard to eat five cheese pizzas for too long (eww, if at all). If you have a varied diet, you're probably getting your vitamins and minerals, but here's a quick list to keep in mind when shopping...

Minerals
Calcium for strong bones and teeth. Eat cheddar, natural yoghurt, organic milk and broccoli.
Iron for the manufacture of red blood cells. Try meat, seafood, red kidney beans and dried apricots.
Zinc to maintain a health immune system. Go for prawns, oysters and good quality wholemeal bread.
Potassium promotes muscle activity and nerve function. Good sources include bananas and avocados.
Magnesium for a healthy nervous system. Eat organic, raw nuts, steamed spinach and wholemeal bread.

Vitamins
A to strengthen immune system. Get into dairy and yellow/orange foods (they contain beta carotene, which turns into vitamin A in the body).
B1 converts carbs into energy. Try raisins, eggs and bran.
B2 restores health to the eyes, skin and nervous system. Sources include cooked rice, mushrooms and eggs.
B6 allows the body to use and store energy from food. Eat chicken, turkey, cod and peanuts.
B12 prevents anaemia, maintains a healthy nervous system and relieves irritability. Lamb, salmon, cheddar and eggs will do the trick.
C boosts resistance to infection and free radicals. Go for oranges, red capsicum and steamed broccoli.
D is vital for strong bones and for absorption of calcium. Chomp on a few mackerels, salmon fillets and eggs.
E protects from free radical damage. Keep sunflower seeds and almonds handy for salads.
Folate, not just for pregnant women but also for breaking down protein in the body. Carve up some steamed broccoli, peas and chickpeas.

Source: Women's Health for Life, Dr Sarah Jarvis.

Sand between my toes

I'm on holidays with my hubby and the outlaws (and the crazy staffie who never wants to leave), but nope, not here to brag. Not really. Though it's hard not to when there's 32 private steps onto a gorgeous beach where dolphins play at dusk. Sorry, I didn't mean to put that bit in. I mean, the water's glorious and all that, but... where was I?

Oh yes, that's right. Something interesting about wellness for those gorgeous peeps who follow my blog. Well, I tried jogging on the beach last night but honestly was so puffed after seven metres that I stopped. Ok, it was three. I walked the rest and back at a leisurely-ish pace and didn't feel any more tired than a normal walk, but I wondered if walking on the shore is better for legs than strolling on grass.

Well I'm glad I asked, because as it turns out, it is. Navigating sand with your feet works muscles and tendons harder, and get this, walking in sand requires about 2.5 times more energy than walking on the ground while jogging in sand uses about 1.5 times more energy than jogging elsewhere. You'll also burn more calories, about 50% more of 'em. Lovely. And then there's the view... dolphins, waves, sunsets and all. Just don't work it too hard or you might suffer from shin splints. I know I won't...

Closer to the ground

I've come across a new saying that I adore, and that's 'getting closer to the ground'. Don't you love? It doesn't mean napping on the sheepskin at every chance (what's the time now?), just getting back to nature. Doing and buying and living as close to the source as you can. It's about filling your house with natural materials, eating hormone, chemical and pesticide-free food, walking barefoot on the grass and limiting waste.

One category I struggle with when it comes to natural living is beauty. As a beauty writer I come across all sorts of products and I enjoy trying them all, the cheap the colourful and the luxurious. I understand that most of what goes on your skin goes into your system, that certain chemicals are nasty and aging and should be banned (and believe me I do draw a line when it comes to formaldehyde and friends) but there are a trillion ingredients to research and understand and look for... and I suppose my lazy side just says 'meh, pass the caviar creme...'

Then a friend introduced me to Dr Hauschka, a brand that goes back to 1967 and has kept its roots strongly based in nature. So I had a facial and was seriously impressed. In fact, I wouldn't mind at all if they wanted to sponsor me for life. Ok just kidding, (I'm not really) here are the fast facts:

* each product is made from medicinal plants grown by biodynamic methods
* they hand pick from over 150 of these plants... at sunrise. Apparently that's when the plant's life forces are most concentrated
* everything is free from synthetic fragrances, preservatives and colourings
* dr h was one of the first skin care companies to list ingredients
* they look past skin problems to a holistic space where essential oils play a big role and skin is healed from the inside-out, never covered up
* they embrace aging as a part of our evolution, not something to be feared
* each potion smells sublime, feels like heaven and makes skin glow

Future self, love sounds

I don't think I'm particularly wise, but I like to think I have a wiser self. When I get caught up in bills and a packed diary and an unraveling wardrobe and petty things that really shouldn't annoy me but do to the core... I sit back and wonder what advice I would give myself if I were ten years older. Usually the dialogue remains the same, but it's a good reminder of what's important...

* forgive quickly and tell people you love them
* book yourself in for a massage, you totally deserve it
* the TV isn't doing you good every night, light a candle or seven and get lost in an inspiring book
* money never, ever brought anyone happiness, get creative with what you've got
* your wellbeing is more important than anything else... sleep in if you need it, meditate every day and laugh like crazy
* buy yourself flowers every week
* trust your instinct; it's always, always bang on
* call your mother

A day on the green

Last minute invites to spend an afternoon with friends usually turn out to be the best... and yesterday was no exception. Birthday girl D invited a few of us for lawn bowls at her local club. And I can't tell you how much fun it was. Lawn bowls gets you moving, but none of that vigorous sporty nuisance (it was Sunday). It keeps you guessing, how much speed, what angle, what's the flippin' wind going to do next? Catching up with good friends is fun anytime, any place, but with a gentle competitive spirit thrown in, things are always more interesting. Add a full blue sky, gentle breeze, cheap beverages, world-famous pastry shop around the corner and the afternoon was perfect. Perfectly divine.

And I won... sort of.

Fly me to the moon

Did you hear me howling? Last night at 5.30 pm the moon was full. I spied it at about 11pm and it was so bright and such a beauty! As it was in Gemini, it can mean good things homeboys and girls... lovely, brilliant things...
* Gemini (apart from being mad, which you'll understand if you are a Gemini, like moi, or know a few) is the sign of communication, changeability and short trips. If you haven't already booked a mini vacay, do it now.
* Under Mercury's influence, there may be a bit of impulsive thinking and anxiety. Don't let your nerves get to you, just blame the full moon, sing a few omm's and you'll be right. And use impulsive thinking to your advantage, not the other way around.
* Anticipate sudden and surprising events; big, dramatic, fabulous things are afoot. Expect change and innovation in your world... be as flexible and adaptable as you can and you'll benefit abundantly.
* Sometimes change makes us forge our own path, so if you feel like the Blahniks have been pulled from under you, dust yourself off and look for ways to make your stamp on what you do and say.
* Have a party or look for ways to meet new peeps... your communication skills are better than ever. And if you meet a pair of crazy twins, run!

Rise, graze & shine

They say in order to get and stay fit you need to find an exercise you love. So straight-forward and true, yet many people still slog it out in gym classes they hate only to give it all up three months later. I love jogging and walking (having a dog is beyond helpful) and adore yoga and shopping.

Breakfast is the same. If you're not eating in the morning, you clearly haven't found something to look forward to. So here's a few to try:

Rhubarb, bircher muesli and sheeps milk yogurt
Grab some rhubarb from the markets on the weekend, chop it up (any size you want), add enough water to almost cover, two heaped tablespoons of brown sugar and a bit of cinnamon or vanilla. Simmer on very low for 30 minutes, let it cool, store in the fridge for the week. Sheeps milk yoghurt is creamier than cows, plus it contains lactobacillus acidophilus, a bacteria that encourages the growth of healthy bacteria in the gut. Throw in a splash of organic milk if you like.

Strawberry and fromage frais toast
Thinly slice a good, heavy loaf of sourdough or spelt bread and toast. Top with fromage frais, fresh strawberries or raspberries and a drizzle of manuka honey. Spelt is an ancient form of wheat that suits most peeps (like moi) who are sensitive to wheat. Fromage frais is fresh, soft curd cheese that has a slightly sweet flavour and is low in fat. Find it at good delis and use within a few days (Jannei is my fave brand).

Eggs and dukkah soldiers
Boil an egg and eat it with strips of toast coated in olive oil and dukkah and cucumber fingers. Dukkah is an Egyptian mix of crushed nuts, seeds and spices - incredibly tasty and so good for you. Don't even think of skipping the egg yolk... they might contain more fat, but it's actually essential fatty acids omega-3 (good for brain and eyes) and omega-6 (healthy skin, hair, libido, growth and reproduction), plus vitamins A, E, D and K. And always, always buy organic.

These brekkies contain both protein and carbs, which will keep you feeling satisfied until lunch and reduce carb and sugar cravings for the rest of the day. So delicious. So clever.