Okie dokie girls (this one is specifically targeted at my ladies today, but definitely applicable to men too!) this has been prompted by a few too many borderline undiagnosed eating disorders in my clinic recently, and something that really bums me out! I'm not trying to be righteous; any one of my girlfriends (and boyfriends! And my brothers! I've complained to anyone who will listen) will tell you that in previous years, I have HATED literally everything about my body. I've been every different kind of weight range while on the PCOS hormonal roller coaster, and I'm here to tell you that I still hated my body when I was at my skinniest! The self-loathing does not leave when you get to your goal weight, or even below that. I still have days when I bemoan my broad bricklayers shoulders, my humungous hips and chunky thighs, thick ankles, weird toes, pick a body part and I will tell you what I hate about it! BUT in more recent times I've been working on my perfect body, and man, my body is PERFECT! So here are my tips for getting to appreciate your perfect body too: -Be grateful. Everything is relative. I got broad shoulders. Really broad shoulders. They are the genetic legacy of my beautiful angel of a grandfather, and they suited him really well, but on me, if I wear anything that isn't strictly tailored, I look like a poorly disguised man (and not in a good way). But do you know that these shoulders are invaluable for lifting 30kg bags of horse feed well above head height? And backpacking unhindered throughout the entire world? And can carry 2 children or one medium sized adult very easily? And thank heavens for my stout little chunky legs! They are not the mile long legs of a Victoria's Secret model; and thank god, because these legs have walked across more countries than I care to number; including 5-day hikes through the Peruvian Andes, 6000m above sea level; they keep me firmly on my horses, I still have both of them, and they create the perfect pedestal for my ass. Be grateful for every single part of your perfect body. And it is perfect. Right bloody now. Stop bemoaning what you don't have. Your body is working so hard to maintain a healthy equilibrium and keep you happy and healthy! It is your very best mate so stop being mean to it and calling it fat (please). -Don't speak negatively of another woman, but especially of her physical appearance. In fact, start paying everybody compliments. There is no doubt in my mind at all that when you comment negatively about another person's physical appearance, that that has a negative affect on your own self esteem. No doubt. It serves no one. It doesn't make you feel better or a better person. All it does is create a really awful method of comparison between you and her. Start paying perfect strangers random compliments in the supermarket. Both of you will walk away with happy hearts. Negativity on others breeds negativity in yourself. I truly believe that. Practice being grateful for your body for allllllll the magical things it does for you every day, and start projecting positivity about your own and other people's physicality. Do it for a month and you will know in your heart that you and your body are indeed perfect!
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bedside table essentials
Getting enough sleep is so important for almost every process of the body! I for one am an absolute nightmare to deal with if I don't get my 8 hours of sleep, but it is not just about length of sleep, but quality. While we sleep, our bodies are producing and regulating lots of different hormones, and is the time when are bodies are doing their best repair work. If we don't sleep enough, our immunity is compromised, our cortisol (inflammatory stress hormones) levels go up, our skin, hair and eyes dull, and of course our mental state, self esteem and ability to deal with stress are diminished (and high cortisol causes weight gain ) Some of the best ways I have found to help out your chances of getting a solid nights shut eye are: - completely eliminating blue light-emiting objects at least 2 hours before bed time (all electronic devices, computers, mobile phones especially! Charge your phone overnight in the kitchen so the temptation is not there). Rediscover books (David Attenborough's biography! Do it!) or try candle gazing or another easy form of meditation - lavender oil: 100% essential, applied to the pillow. Makes your hair smell amazing too! - Neil Young. Love his music so much but seriously what a snooze-fest. Go directly to sleep, do not collect $200. - valerian root tea. (I have not found the OTC homeopathic capsules to be effective. The tea most definitely IS!) This is the most effective sleep aid I have ever tried. The kind of 'do not operate heavy machinery or sign legal documents' type of sleep aid. 1.5 teaspoons steeped in hot water and you will drop immediately into a restful sleep and wake feeling refreshed. I get mine from the Happy Herb shop ($9 for a packet but lasts a long time). I generally recommend only to those NOT on anti depressant medication, and only those who truly struggle to sleep (either falling asleep or staying asleep) Hope this helps, as I constantly treat the sleep deprived in my clinic, and people don't seem to realise how much of a big deal it is to your overall health! X — at The Edible Pharmacy. Paper on the pan (and fish on the paper)! People always look at me real strange when they see me cook fish (and sometimes vegetables) on a layer of baking paper in the pan. Is it so it is low-fat? NO! Y'all know I love my fats, and I add coconut oil on top of the paper to cook it in. I do it to stop it from burning easily! Fish is so delicate and so easy to mess up. Don't overlook your fish guys !
As ALWAYS, buy local, sustainable fish (I posted a while ago about how to make the best possible choices when buying seafood a while back now). Fish cooked in coco oil with homegrown Vietnamese basil, habanero chilli and garlic and lemon juice added after cooking. Served with homegrown veg sautéed in coco oil and garam masala. Too yum for words I've been a little quiet on Facebook lately while I was making preparations to welcome the latest member of my family home, this magnificent big Warmblood horse, Harry! my heart has opened exponentially after bringing him home! I'm on cloud nine right now, nothing makes me happier than being a mother to my animal children!
On a nutrition note, I always have to laugh when I ask people what they feed their horses; it is extremely common for people to feed powdered garlic to ward off parasites (feeding my horses garlic has proven to be the ONLY effective barrier against ticks on my horses; and yes I have tried the nasty Ivomectin drench programs!), they will feed organic unfiltered Apple cider vinegar, cod liver oil, echinacea, dandelion, rescue remedy, all easily accessible at any stock feeder, and common powerful nutritional supplements for humans too! Horse people will happily treat all of their horse's ailments from worms to flies to parasites to itch to nervousness with nutritional herbs and supplements, but baulk at trying it for themselves! I say: if it works for your horse, it can work for you! HAPPINESS IS: putting Wu Tang Clan on the record player, turning it up to 11, and cooking Mexican food. I can pump out a pico de gallo in the time it takes to rap 'As High As Wu Tang Gets'.
I find music is a magical accompaniment to cooking so try it out next time you're feeling unmotivated to cook! Some of my favourite musical matches include Johnny Cash and/or Wanda Jackson and barbecuing, and classical music is perfect for baking 🎂 Thought I'd share what I had and love for breakfast today! It is a grain-free, protein and fibre packed bircher that needs to be soaked overnight, making it perfect for people who don't have time to make breakfast in the morning. I also like eating this in the afternoon as a snack; like a female Ron Swanson, I have nothing against eating breakfast foods at all times of the day! I ate mine with my current obsession FIGS but I also adore it with grated pear 🍐
INGREDIENTS (makes enough for 2 serves/2 breakfasts) - 3 tablespoons white chia seeds -1/4 cup EACH of raw almonds, sunflower seeds, walnuts and shredded coconut - 1 cup coconut milk (coco quench you guys. I won't stop repping it! I love it) -1 teaspoon cinnamon (and pinch of nutmeg/ground ginger if you're into it) Combine all ingredients THOROUGHLY (get all them chia seeds!!) in a mason jar or bowl and cover, refrigerate overnight. ENJOYYYYYY babies! X I loveeeee broccoli and often get hectic broccoli cravings where I MUST get broccoli or else someone gets hurt..... But sometimes I like to roll it in glitter and make it double good by adding extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice and crushed almonds. Tasty tasty calcium bomb! Give it a crack! X
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Sophie ManolasNutritionist. Archives
July 2016
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