Soothing thyme & rosemary tea

Yes, it's July. I know. But i just came back from Italy and after two days I started to get ill, a cold that slowly turned into a chest infection. No reason to panic, I am now on antibiotics (sometimes you just have to..) and hopefully I will be able to enjoy normal interaction with other people soon, as at the moment all my energy goes into trying not to cough into everybody's face.. 

In the meantime though, I really needed something to help soothe the cough and my painful throat.

As studies have shown that rosemary possesses anti inflammatory, antibacterial and anti fungal properties amongst others, and thyme contains compounds that might be helpful in respiratory infections, I thought these two ingredients should definitely end up in my tea!

I added them to my regular fresh ginger (anti inflammatory), lemon (vitamin C hit) and raw honey (antibacterial and anti fungal) concoction...

This tea that felt so soothing in my throat, was also incredibly delicious and smelled heavenly.

I knew I had to share this discovery with you. 

So if you find yourself in need of some TLC for your throat, give this a try and let me know what you think.

I hope you are enjoying this gorgeous summer day, 

Love.

Foodolina

REFERENCES:

Ribeiro-Santos R, Carvalho-Costa D, Cavaleiro C, Costa HS, Goncalves Albuqurque T, Conceicao Castilho M, Ramos F, Melo NR, Sanches Silva A (2015) 

A novel insight on an ancient aromatic plant: The rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.). Trends in Food Science & Technology, 45: 355-368.

1. A. Fabio, 
2. C. Cermelli, 
3. G. Fabio, 
4. P. Nicolet, 
5. P. Quaglio (2007)
Screening of the antibacterial effects of a variety of essential oils on microorganisms responsible for respiratory infections. Phytotherapy Research, 4: 374-377.




Sasikumar, B. (2012) Rosemary. In K. V. Peter (Ed.), Handbook of herbs and spices,
pp. 452e468.


Shigeharu Inouye, Hideyo Yamaguchi, Toshio Takizawa (2001) Screening of the antibacterial effects of a variety of essential oils on respiratory tract pathogens, using a modified dilution assay method.Journal of Infection and Chemotherapy, 4: 251-254. 

Very Berry Smoothie

Hot weather. Frozen smoothie.
That's right, here's one more smoothie recipe for you! Quick to make in the morning, so you can have your refreshing, creamy breakfast on the go with zero effort.
Filled with antioxidants, protein and healthy fats, plus mint will give it a wonderfully refreshing kick. You gotta try this.

Enjoy.x

INGREDIENTS

1 handful mixed frozen berries

1 handful fresh pomegranate

1 small frozen banana (you can omit this if you are looking for lower GI option)

1 large handful fresh mint

Half avocado

1 cup Almond milk 

1tbs cinnamon

1 heaped tbsp protein powder

1tbsp almond butter
1 tbsp ground linseeds (optional, but they would increase the smoothie anti-inflammatory power)

As always, everything goes in the blender. Whizz it up till creamy and enjoy right there and then, or take it away with you to have at work.

Have a fabulous week,

Love,

Foodolina

Peach & Banana Frozen Smoothie

In honour to the summer weather we have been enjoying throughout the weekend, I give you a creamy, cold, delicious smoothie recipe to enjoy for breakfast as the days get warmer.

It's got fruit, protein to keep you going for longer and sources of healthy fats like coconut oil and avocado (which also adds extra creaminess). I also like to add spinach to get some green goodness, but if you are just starting out then stick to the original recipe. If you choose to add linseeds like I do, you will get a nice boost of fibre to keep you tummy regular, and a plant based source of anti-inflammatory action. Not bad ah?

INGREDIENTS
1 small frozen banana
1 fresh peach
1 handful of oats
1 tbsp protein powder
1 tbsp almond butter
1 heaped tsp cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp coconut oil
1/2 avocado
1 cup unsweetened almond milk
1tbsp ground linseeds (optional)
1 handful fresh spinach (optional)


You know the drill by now. Pop everything in your blender and whizz it up baby!

xxx

Love,

Foodolina

Pretty in Pink Beetroot Hummus

You might have noticed that I haven't posted anything in about a month. Reason being that I got ill, I was literally on the floor. I have never felt that exhausted for that long, ever. In addition to exhaustion I had a chest infection which meant I had to give up and take antibiotics. They really helped and slowly I started to recover.
So, forgetting this sad "oh poor me.." story, let's get back to the important stuff. Food!
During that month I had to find meals that were nutritious, but did not need any effort to make, as I simply did not have the strength.
And so this BEETROOT HUMMUS came into my life.
It's tastier to roast the beetroot yourself (better do it with its skin on to retain nutrients), however if you are in a rush you can buy the organic cooked ones.
This hummus is sweet and creamy, in addition to providing you with a protein punch thanks to the beans and tahini.
I had it with falafel for dinner, and vegetables sticks as a snack, but it's super versatile: you could cut a cucumber in thick round slices, and add a dollop of the hummus on top as a fresh and healthy canapé at a party for example. Or use it with some greens and sweet potatoes in a wrap for lunch.
Go crazy!

INGREDIENTS
1 can butter beans
1 medium roasted beet
3 tbsp olive oil 
1 heaped tbsp of tahini
juice of 1 lemon
salt and pepper to taste

All you have to do is roast the beetroots in the oven at 200C for about 30-35 minutes till slightly soft (unless of course you have the already cooked ones). Let cool and peel them, before popping all ingredients in a food processor and whizzing it up for a minute. Not bad ah?

Enjoy your bank holiday,

Love.x

Foodolina

Heavenly Gluten and Dairy free Tenerina Cake

What you see above is a typical chocolate cake from Ferrara. I tasted it last summer (without the reindeer decorations..) for the first time, during a wedding's brunch in that very same town. After the first bite, my whole face lit up with sheer joy and surprise! This cake was light, super chocolaty and moist. It was heaven.

I had the chance to try it again this winter when my gorgeous friend Silvia made it at her house here in London.  

I wanted to try a gluten and dairy free version of Tenerina to prepare during my family Christmas lunch, as both me and my cousin were not having either, but were surrounded by Panettone and Pandoro everywhere! My mother only had white sugar in the house,  however this Easter I will be experimenting with coconut palm sugar or other different, more nutritious alternatives to white sugar.

To my surprise, this gluten and dairy free version was a huge success with my whole family!

I used coconut flour which, in addition to being gluten free, is also high in fibre. And instead of regular milk I used unsweetened rice milk ( as I couldn't find my regular unsweetened almond milk in Milan) and swapped the same amount of butter for the delicious coconut oil. Worked like a charm.. I love using coconut oil in my recipes as it has antimicrobial properties and your body uses it straight away as energy rather than storing it as fat. 

But less talking and more cooking. Let's go!

200g dark chocolate, chopped

3 tbsp coconut flour

3 tbsp unsweetened rice milk

100g coconut oil

150g white sugar

3 eggs ( dividing eggs whites from egg yolks) 

Powdered sugar to decorate ( optional) 

Pre hear your oven at 180 degrees.

Melt your chocolate with the coconut oil on a low heat. Put it to the side to cool lightly, and in the meantime you can whisk your egg whites till you get stiff peaks and put to the side.

Add the rest of the ingredients to the go chocolate mix. Add your egg whites last, folding them in slowly in order to keep the air in. This will make the Tenerina cake nice and light when you taste it!

Pour the contents in a baking tin lined with baking paper and pop in your oven for 20-25 min. Check that the cake is ready by inserting a toothpick in the middle and making sure it comes out dry.

Let the cake cool for 5-10 min before enjoying it with your friends!

Have a delicious Easter :)

xxx

Ciao!

Foodolina

Warming spiced almond milk

It's Sunday morning...It's really chilly outside...And you've been so busy during the week, that you realise there is nothing for breakfast left..Nada. Except for leftover almond milk.
This is exactly what happened to me yesterday.

Did I end up freezing and hungry? I didn't.

Instead, I used a cup of almond milk and added some spices from the cupboard.
The result was a warming cup of deliciousness, that felt like a giant hug and kept me going for another couple of hours till I managed to grab some lunch.

Ready in 4 minutes.
So, about to cosy up on the couch and chill? Warm up with this spiced drink and relax...

INGREDIENTS (serves 1)
1 cup of almond milk
3 cardamom pods crushed
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp ground cardamom
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1 star anise
1tbsp of maple syrup

Bring the milk and spices to a boil, then simmer for 3 more minutes.

Pour in your favourite mug, add the maple syrup, stir and enjoy.

Love,

xxx

Foodolina

Mussels and fries: welcome to Belgo

On Sunday I met up with two of my best friends, one of the Jean Louis, is a very talented chef whose suggestions on food spots to try in and around London I am always happy to follow.

Today I was in for a little treat.

You see, one thing that I miss as a Mediterranean girl is mussels. I live on mussels when I go back to Italy in summer. I love the texture, the smell and the different types of ways to serve them  you can choose from. 

Today Jean Louis took me to Belgo in Covent Garden ( there are other London branches) a Belgian food chain famous for its mussels and frites. I was sceptical. "Jean Louis are you sure? Can we trust having mussels here in London? Are they going to be as tasty and safe to eat?" Once again Jean Louis was right on the money..

For £13.50 I got a lovely steel pot brought to my table filled with the freshest, cleanest and tastiest mussels a la Provencale. That is, served with both sundries tomatoes, fresh plum tomatoes and basil.oh yeah. They were absolutely delicious. Mussels are served with double cooked fries, crispy and not greasy, light and tasty. 

And since I was in the mood for trying new things, I also got a started of duck croquettes served with pickled daikon salad. Oh my.. The croquettes were crunchy, light and the duck filling moist and tender. The daikon salad was smoothly tangy and just perfect and complemented the croquettes perfectly. It was £6. 

I also got a still water with lemon. As a Sunday treat, I happily spent £20 for good quality, mouthwatering food. I also saw mussels served in a way that was new to me: open mussels with a mix of spinach and cheese on top. Looked incredible!

And I'll tell you more, when I go back, because I will, I will not shy away from trying one of their warm Belgian waffles with ice cream for dessert. Looking forward to it.

The bottom line is that I am about to become a nutritional therapist, one that believes in eating fresh wholefoods 80% of the time, but that is against guilt and deprivation, supporting a healthy 20% of times when you just need to get out there and enjoy whatever types of food you might want to eat. Just make sure they are the best quality you can afford. Treat yourself right. Life is too short not to.x

Belgo (Covent Garden Branch) 

50 Earlham Street

London WC2H 9LJ 

0207 8132233

http://www.belgo.com

Weekend Apple Walnut Cake

This past weekend I was home with the flu.

Just before it kicked in I watched a great documentary by Michael Pollan called Cooked. And within this documentary someone said a very interesting thing: "if we told someone who was craving dessert, such as an apple pie, that he could have as much as he wanted, that he could it the whole thing if he wished, AS LONG AS he made that pie himself..He probably would not have it at all...".

It really made me think. It is true, most of us end up eating unhealthy snacks or sweets or desserts or some other kind of processed foods just because they are there, ready available, sometimes we might not even be that hungry but they are there. We might just be bored. And end up having something containing ingredients we might not even be able to pronounce...

So on Sunday, when I started to feel a bit better and started craving something sweet and comforting. I decided to use the time it took for my flatmate to take a shower, to get up and whip up a home-made apple cake. My first one. Gluten and dairy free.

I am always worried about making "healthier" version of desserts as Patch (my flatmate) is often not convinced... But this time he was happy and asked for seconds!

So here it is, takes 10 minutes to put together and 35 to cook. Enjoy.x

INGREDIENTS

1 1/2 cups brown rice flour

1/2 cup coconut palm sugar

2 tsp baking powder

1 cup plant milk (I used unsweetened almond milk)

2 flax-eggs (a total of 2 tbsp ground flaxseeds and 6 tbsp water mixed together)

1 tbsp cinnamon

1 tsp vanilla

2 handful of walnuts

2 organic apples

HOW TO..

Pre heat your oven on fan, 180C.

Mix together the dry ingredients. Add milk and flax-eggs and mix it all until smooth. Slice you apples thinly (after washing them of course and ps: I kept the skin on) and add 3/4 to the mix and keep 1/4 to add on top. Add all walnuts.

I used a round baking tin, but a heart shaped one would have been cuter...Lined it with baking paper and added the mix. Then added the last 1/4 of apples on top.

Pop the cake in the oven for 35 minutes. When you take it out just check that a knife comes out fairly dry (you have lots of apples in so there will be some moisture) and leave to cool for 20 minutes.

Both me and Patch were still poorly, so we enjoyed it with a Camomile, vanilla and manuka honey tea. And a good movie!

Hope you'll like it too.

xxx

Valentina

Salad & Blogging..

This happy salad was made during my first ever  event for food bloggers here in London. They had a salad styling competition with lots of colourful ingredients to choose from for our creations and this recipe is what came out of it! A happy and tasty salad. Enjoy :) 

Ingredients:

Black and white quinoa ( a handful of each)

A handful of rocket 

4 Roasted sweet potato wedges 
2 radishes sliced thin to decorate

A handful of broccoli sprouts

1tsp Pumpkin and sunflower seeds each 

Sliced carrots 

Pomegranate seeds to sprinkle on top and make it pretty 

The dressing was simple the juice of one sweet orange!

You can put it together however you want it. For the purpose of the competition I used rocket first, followed by quinoa,sprouts, wedges leaning on each other, carrots and radishes all around. To finish,  all seeds were sprinkled on top before squeezing my orange all over it!

Pretty easy and delicious :) Enjoy.

Love,

Foodolina

Chocolate walnut smoothie

I am thinking... What better way to start the week than with chocolate? And what if this delicious breakfast also contained some delicious nutrients that are oh so good for you?

I am going to keep this short and sweet.

It has been my go to smoothie during this crazy busy week, takes 1 minute to make and it's like having chocolate ice cream for breakfast. You're welcome.

Maybe keep it in mind for mornings when it is not 2 degrees outside ( she thinks.. Shivering while waiting for her train..).

In addition to pure cacao powder with its antioxidant goodness and magnesium burst to help your nervous system work efficiently, you get healthy fats from walnuts and avocado ( you will not taste it, but it'll make your smoothie super creamy...), a hit of potassium from banana, sweetness and a hand to keep your energy levels steady thanks to cinnamon, and some protein deliciousness from almond butter ( and again, walnuts). Oh, I forgot your 1 of 5 a day with spinach ( my favourite to add to

smoothies as there is no taste).

So what are you waiting for?

Ingredients (serves 1)

1 frozen banana chopped

1 handful spinach

1 tbsp almond butter

1 handful walnuts

2tsp cinnamon

1tbsp protein powder (optional, I use Pulsin' Brown Rice protein)

1tsp vanilla extract

Half ripe avocado

1cup almond milk ( or any other plant milk) 

Pop in your blender and whizz it up!

Top with crushed walnuts if you wish...x

Now grab a spoon and enjoy...

Happy Monday!

Xxx

Foodolina

Salted Caramel Chocolates

On Saturday, I attended a seminar on nutrition for fertility organised by a wonderful and incredibly knowledgeable nutritional therapist called Belinda Blake. She runs these workshops called Fabulous Foods, focusing on which foods can help for different conditions.
Each time the focus is on a different topic and on this occasion the subject was fertility. Throughout the seminar Belinda suggested delicious recipes made with specific foods that would help women looking to conceive, and each delegate got a sample to taste. Oh boy... There were smoothies, beetroot fish cakes, asparagus hummus and much more. However, this post popped into my head towards the last part of the seminar, the one dealing with libido. You heard me.. And since Valentine's Day is around the corner, I thought you MIGHT be interested in her recipe for Salted Caramel Chocolates. These mouthwatering bites contain magnesium, a mineral that many people seem to be depleted in and can help the body to  produce energy but also helps the nervous system to function efficiently.   

And.. They happen to also have Maca powder in them, Maca is a Peruvian root which, in addition to help the body deal with stressors, is also thought to have an aphrodisiac effect. Just saying..

So here it is.. 

Makes 12 

Ingredients for the chocolate:

70g cacao butter

60g coconut oil

Pinch of Hymalaian pinch rock salt

85g pure maple syrup or Sweet Freedom

65g Cocoa Powder

For the salted caramel centre:

8 fresh mediocre dates pitted 

2 tbsp almond butter

2 tbsp pure maple syrup or Sweet  Freedom

1tsp Maca powder

Pinch of Himalayan pink rock salt 

To make the chocolate:

Bring a small pan of water to the boil and then take off the heat. 

Place the cacao butter, coconut oil and salt una. Heatproof bowl and place in top of the pan of steaming water, stirring occasionally until fully melted.

Once melted, remove the bowl from the heat and stir in the remaining ingredients.

To make the salted caramel centre: 

Place all the ingredients in a food processor until you have a smooth caramel.

To assemble:

Line a mini muffin tin with sweet paper cases.

Drop a spoonful of the raw chocolate into the bottom of each case and then place in the freezer for 5-10 minutes to set.

When firm to the touch, remove from the freezer and drop a teaspoonful of salted caramel into each cup, smoothing down where needed.

Lastly, spoon or pour the remaining raw chocolate into each cup, ensuring the caramel is covered.

Return to the fridge to set.

Happy Valentine's Day to all of you..

Love,

Xxx

Foodolina

PS: The next Fabulous Foods events with Belinda are taking place at Institute of Optimum Nutrition (click on the link and call the institute on 020 8614 7800 to book your place) in Richmond, and here are the date for you all:

5th March 2016: Women's Health- The Menopause and Beyond
2nd April 2016:  Digestive Health
11th June 2016:  Pregnancy and Weaning

Should you want to have a one to one consultation with her instead, you can email her at: blakenutrition@googlemail.com

WOKIT baby, WOKIT!

This is a place I discovered just before Christmas, my flatmate Patch swore to me I would have loved it and boy, was he right.

I as a little sceptical on my way there, Patch said they did stir-fries and I thought it would just be another Wagamama.. I was wrong.

Wokit is just in front of Borough Market, it's cosy and colourful inside. Just a couple of regular tables at the back, and two high ones with tall stools just next to the cooking area. And that's the great thing, you can see everything that's happening, it's all out there, right in front of your eyes for you to take  in: the fresh ingredients you can choose from, and the fabulous smells from the different types of dishes being sautéed just next to your table.

They have anything you might need, gluten free noodles, vegan options such as tofu if that's what you want. If not, then you can add some delicious salmon, beef, duck, pork and chicken...

But what I loved the most were the noodles, oh wow the noodles! I was looking for a gluten free option and decided to try the buckwheat and sweet potato noodles. Absolutely incredible, trust me, light and tasty.The stir fry comes with a mix of vegetables ( carrot, garlic, ginger, beansprouts, cabbage and spring onions) to which you can add some extra one from their menu. You add your source of protein,  I chose salmon, and a miso coriander dressing. Yes, you also choose your dressing people! You create a stir fry that is perfectly tailored just for you.

The prices are affordable and the portion is large. I couldn't finish mine, but Patch was very happy to finish it for me. Kind man.

Take a look at their menu and start drooling. Then get yourselves down there and enjoy every single bite, you'll be back for more. I know I will.

This is where you are headed:

Borough Market

3 Stoney Street

London, SE1 9AA

Tel: 0207 74032111

Happy Monday!

xxx

Love,

Foodolina

FOODOLINA'S MONDAYS ARE HERE!!!

Yes, my detox journey has come to an end. However, the lovely feedback and reaction I got from many of you, has made me decide to have a weekly post.

Monday is a day not loved by many, the week starts again and it takes a little more effort to get going... So I am starting Foodolina Mondays! That's right!

Every Monday a new post, be it a new recipe or a review about a delicious food spot in town you might want to try,. Who knows? Something for you to read on the journey to work, or back from it.

If you have any requests, feel free to comment here on the blog, or Instagram or on my Foodolina Facebook page.
All the links are on the main Foodolina Blog's page.

And with this I leave you to your lovely evening... See you Monday!

Love,

xxx

Foodolina

MY FIRST DETOX, DAY 9: bye bye detox..

So this is where it all ends for me, on the night of day 9 of my first ever detox journey.
As I wrote in my previous post, it's not easy for me to give up on something.
Thankfully though, I have been lucky enough to have an honest chat with Louise, a sweet and incredibly knowledgeable nutritional therapist from NutriAdvanced.
As soon as she read on the detox Facebook group that I was really struggling, she contacted me immediately to assess the situation. And together, we agreed that it was time for me to stop. So from tomorrow no more supplements from the programme, and I will be reintroducing one of the foods that were not allowed, such as eggs, every couple of days. This will allow my body to adjust and give me the chance to notice any potential reactions. Slowly and easy.

Only a handful of participants in this program did not have positive results by the end. But as I said before, everybody is different. And also, yes, I am repeating this again, this is why it is so important to be supervised by a professional practitioner: so you can have the support and guidance you need throughout the programme, whatever the final outcome might be.

Unfortunately I experienced noticeable bloating, worsening of skin and increased forgetfulness, in addition to a change in mood. And not for the better. I am generally the happiest, bubbliest of people and trust me, these three past liquid days especially..You did not want cross me. It did not feel like me. And unexpectedly, the first day of liquid only, when I stood in front of the mirror with a bloated belly that looked like I was 3 months pregnant, a thought jumped into my mind which I had not experienced for many years, since I had eating issues as a teenager. "I look fat".

I am not sure how that happened. Everyone that knows me will tell you that I love to eat, I truly enjoy it. And I do not eat like a bird. The opposite. I do not overdo it (except maybe at Christmas, and a little at Easter and ok...a couple of days when I fo back to Italy in summer...hihi..) but I will finish whatever is my plate. I love vegetables, fish, meat, fruits and I also have dessert. I think of it as an 80:20 balance, you know? Eating fresh and nutritious food makes me feel great and I like that, but I also do not deny myself a dessert if on the weekend I am at a street food market and something catches my eye, or if I am with friends and we want to have ice cream. Without guilt. Because life is too short not to enjoy your desserts.

So, that toxic thought might have been a combination of mental stress which as I mentioned before, has not made me think clearly, and too much sudden bloating. I am not sure. Nevertheless, I will be having a chat with another nutritionist at Nutriadvanced who specialises in eating disorders, just to check if she can give me a clearer explanation. I want to be able to know myself as best as I can, if I want to be able to help people at the best of my capabilities.

Back to the programme: this experience has taught me so much. And I am not only talking about the science behind detoxification. But I know how much attention I am going to pay to my clients' lifestyle, health and emotional history before deciding which kind of detox could be the best approach for them. If detoxifying should indeed be what they need.

Would they benefit more from just a cleaner diet? Could they also add a few helpful supplements? Can they go through the whole programme? Would then enjoy it, or would it add additional stress to their current lifestyle? Different people respond to stress in different ways, so it would all depend on the type of person sitting in front of me. The time when that will happen is getting closer and closer, only a few months to go and it's both scary and very, very exciting.

Learning more about myself and the type of practitioner I want be? I couldn't have asked for more.

And I would like to close the detox posts on high..With a delicious smoothie recipes tried out this morning!

SMOOTH MANGO, SPINACH & STRAWBERRY SMOOTHIE (don't knock it till you tried it..)

1 chopped frozen mango

2 organic strawberries

1 bug handful of spinach

1 tbsp almond butter

1/2 avocado

1 tbsp protein powder ( optional)

2 tsp cinnamon

1tsp vanilla extract

1 small handful mint

Unsweetened almond milk

1 tbsp ground flaxseeds ( optional. If you use them make sure you drink the smoothie straight away otherwise it becomes too gelatinous.)

Pop everything in the blender and whizz it up.

Enjoy with a spoon...

Love,

xxx

Foodolina

PS: For any of you who have been following this Blog, not sure why I did not let you know before..Sorry..
I am telling you now, if you have ever thought about seeing a nutritional therapist for any kind of issue you might be experiencing such as low energy, skin problems, weight loss or whatever it might be..Feel free to contact the training clinic at ION (the Institute of Optimum Nutrition), and you could book two or three sessions with a third year student (under the supervision of an experienced and qualified nutritional therapist), at a much lower fee that you would with a qualified one.

Two sessions are £40 and 3 are £55. They are currently looking for clients for the months of February and March. I am not entirely sure how many places are left, so if you want to book or just know more, feel free to call the  teaching clinic on:  020 86147822 or email training.clinic@ion.ac.uk

And yes, you can tell them you heard it from Valentina, I am a third year student too :)

MY FIRST DETOX, Day 8: enough is enough. Getting back to happy.

Today is my last day of liquid detox, and solid foods are back in for tomorrow, my last week of the 14 days!!! I cannot express how happy this makes me feel. I have not stopped thinking about food all day today. Do not get me wrong, I love soups and smoothie but boy have I had enough for a while.

Smoothies are always a good option for breakfast though , especially if you are running late.

Like I was this morning... So thank you Nutribullet!

Unfortunately, nothing else to report today. Lots of running around, one smoothie, two soups and my metabolic food shakes. 

Will try and get another soup tonight on the way back from the theatre... Hopefully my stomach won't be rumbling during the show :)

UPDATE at 9.13pm on the train back home..

I can't stop smiling. I have a hot delicious roasted chicken in my shopping bag and I cannot stop smiling! The girl at the counter actually asked if I was in love, I replied: much better! I am having solid foods again after a 3 day liquid detox! She said she had never seen someone so happy to buy a chicken. She had obviously never done 3 days of liquids only.

I am stopping this 4 hours early but enough is enough, for me the one more soup or smoothie tonight would not have made a difference. After these three days three different girls on Facebook raved about how wonderful and glowing they felt and looked, but for me, for my body and mind, it did not work. 

I felt worse physically and mentally. Not to mention I was turning into an angry bitch. That it is not me.

However I am happy to go back on the regular detox plan filled with delicious vegetables, proteins and fruits. Very very happy with that.

Detox can be good but learn to listen to your body I say. I was pushing even if I felt horrible just because I admit I can be stubborn and I do not like to quit. Anything.

I have previously stayed in abusive relationships or depressing unfulfilling jobs because I did not want to give up.

But it's not about giving up.It's about being strong enough to do what is best for you your body and your mind.

After all isn't that what nutrional therapy is all about? Feeling your healthiest and happiest with the help of the right kinds of food, active lifestyle and positive attitude?

At least that's what I think. And that is how I am going to help my clients starting from this summer, helping them feel happy and healthy, while enjoying all the right kinds of foods that are just right for them.

I am finishing this post now at 10.15pm, with a happy tummy, zero guilt and smile on my face. 

What more can I ask for?

I hope you all have a lovely night.

Xxx

Foodolina

MY FIRST DETOX, DAY 7: fighting the opposition.

What I learnt today: liquid detox and a weekend filled with lectures do not go hand in hand.

Also, my friends are not currently happy with my liquid days detox and think I should stop. I explained the liquid days are only 3 out of 14, but they stopped listening when my hands could not stop shaking before lunchtime. A little sugar drop... Not to worry, it all went back to normal after I had one soup from Planet Organic, plus other 3 containers of my homemade pea soup. Summary of my lunch= 4 soups.

Hands stopped shaking and I kept drinking water till the end of my lectures at 5.30pm when I was really glad to have my metabolic foods shake. Actually my brain kind of turned itself off around 5pm,  so I had to ask about a million questions as I couldn't really understand any concept about the statics bit we were doing.

As for tonight, I have bought a soup at Planet Organic as I cannot be asked to cook one and I finished all the ones I  had made. I normally avoid any shop bought soup as it tends to give me a bit of acidity, we'll see how this one goes down.

I am not enjoying this 3 liquid days to be honest, it is tough, I am not feeling any better and actually my friends said I do not look too good and actually skinnier.. i am hoping these results will change once I go back to solid foods, and hey, what do you know, by the end of the 14 days I might be actually be glowing! A whole new woman. We'll see. 

I am finding really interesting though how the same detox is affecting in a different way everyone who is taking part in it, some women feel great and loved the liquid days, others not so much. It really strengthens the concept of what is called biochemical individuality, which talks about how every single person is biochemically different and therefore will thrive with different types of foods/lifestyle to someone else. Detox is the same. I am currently thinking that It can be a useful tool to give a break to your liver and pancreas, however the type of the detox and for how long really needs to be tailored to the specific individual. That it exactly why I am so excited about becoming a nutritional therapist in a few months: not one client is the same, everyone will have his own specific protocol to help them get back to their healthiest and happiest. 

The idea of being able to help feel this way makes me feel really happy.

I hope you all had a great weekend and enjoyed a Sunday Roast for me too.

love, 

Foodolina

Detox Challenge Day 6: first day of liquids only..(Plus a smoothie AND a soup recipe!)

I'm on the way back from my eight hours of lectures.Eight hours trying to focus on chronic fatigue syndrome and cancer, while drinking my smoothie, sipping my pea and mint soup, drinking my metabolic foods shake.  And in between plenty of water and herbal teas. Yes, there were quite a few trips to the loo.

But let me tell you, I felt cocky. Until about 11 am. I thought I was the Bear Gylls of nutrition students, the one who didn't find 3 days of liquids only challenging AT ALL!!! Muahahahha! I Could do it with my eyes closed!

Then 11.30am struck, and my metabolic shake filled my almost hunger. Until 12.15pm, when I had to finally open my 1.2L mega flask of homemade pea and mint soup ( which by the way, was insanely delicious! I'll get you the recipe)...And had my first cup. 

Lunch was at 1.30pm and I decided to buy a different soup in order not to get bored with mine which I will have for the next two days as well... On the way to the shops though, I was not expecting to see a street food market. Damn it.

I know I am Italian and an actress, so obviously prone to being a little dramatic at times but man..When the smell of barbecue hit my nostrils, I genuinely wanted to cry. I was not happy.

Nevertheless, I held my head up high, bought a gluten and dairy free sweet potato soup and went back to my classmates.

I can do this.

Second half of the day, more scientific background on cancer. More cups of pea soup. And another metabolic shake. And water.

On the plus side I was still feeling ok, good energy levels so far. 

Until I finished at 6pm, and on the way to the tube I started to feel really weak and a little dizzy. Never a good sign for me. It was cold and I was almost at the tube but I did not want to risk fainting in front of strangers, so I marched back to Planet Organic and got myself a celery, spinach, apple and ginger juice. That seemed to do the trick. Hopefully once I get to Balham station my train home will arrive promptly so I won't have to squat and pee on the platform, while smiling politely at people walking by. "I'm doing a detox challenge sir! Have a lovely evening!".

Anyway..

Tonight, carrot soup. I am actually feeling rather excited about the fact that I will be adding some shredded leftover chicken and coriander before blending the whole thing again. Wow. 

Physically, let's say good energy for most of the day ( sitting) but I have to admit, I do feel bloated. Doesn't feel nor looks particularly good..Maybe it's just the first day and the body adjusting to this massive amount of liquids.. My friend Mari, who I love and honestly idolise, said she felt absolutely great on these juicing days. Who knows, tomorrow that could be me.

For now though, let's finish this post on a positive note, with both my pea and mint soup recipe plus a yummy velvety green smoothie! Enjoy!

PEAR, CINNAMON AND ALMOND SMOOTHIE 

1 pear chopped

Half avocado ( good source of healthy fats. You will not taste it I promise, and it's going to make the smoothie super creamy)

2 tbsp smooth almond butter ( creamy protein source) 

4 frozen strawberries ( they were leftovers)

1 cup 1/2 unsweetened almond milk

2 heaped tsp cinnamon ( helps balance potential sugar spikes in the blood after this meal) 

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 handful organic spinach (magnesium anyone?)

A few mint leaves

If you have any protein powder feel free to add that too. I ran out...

Pop everything in your blender and whizz it up! 

NEXT!!!

PEA AND MINT SOUP (cheap and super quick to make) 

2 medium red onions sliced thin

2 garlic cloves chopped

500g frozen peas ( I had them leftover from the 1kg bag I got during my last grocery shopping)

1 vegetable stock cube ( preferably organic)

A generous handful of chopped fresh mint

Salt and pepper to taste

Add some olive oil ( I would have used coconut oil which is much healthier to cook with but ran out, sorry) to the pan with onions and garlic, leave on low/medium heat for five minutes till soft.

Crumble the stock cube and add boiling water and peas. Salt and pepper. 

Bring to a boil then down to a simmer and leave it for about 25 min. 2 min before the end add your mint.

Leave to cool for 5 minutes then use a hand blender to make it super smooth!

When you serve it in the bowl, remember to add a little swirl of olive oil. It always makes the sunup that little bit more delicious.

Buon Appetito.

Xxx

Foodolina

Detox Challenge Day 5: can you smell the fear?

I don't why I am feeling so terrified about the idea of having to go three days on liquid foods only starting from tomorrow..I am sure I have already done it at some point in the past if I was ill with a big of some sort. When all you can stomach is a little bit of chicken broth..

Maybe it's because this time I am not I'll, I am very much ok and full of energy and as always, hungry and happy to dig in many different kinds of meals.

And I am used to eating a lot, ask any of my friends who while lectures go on for 8 hours, every time they look at me I am always munching on something being it a piece of fruit or some nuts.

Let's start by saying that not everyone should be snacking, in fact, most people will do well with three complete meals a day and no snacking in between. Others, like me, need to keep their blood sugar levels balanced by having snacks ( the right kind of course, always containing protein to help keep levels balanced for longer as protein takes longer to be processed in your body). 

I eat a lot especially when I am studying hard and people, tomorrow and Sunday I have 8 hours of lectures each.

I was supposed to buy a 0.7L soup flask to keep with me throughout the day but found out that it was out of stock today. PANIC. dId I go for the slightly smaller 0.47L that was available to me?

Of course not. In my sheer terror of potentially dying of hunger while listening to my tutor talk about chronic fatigue, I decided to reach for the 1.2 L flask. So I am now heading home with something looking like a giant missle stashed in my bag. Great. I am most definitely not gonna be stopped and searched from head to toe if a policeman goes by.

Back to the food part.

I have already a carrot soup ready, and as soon as I get home I will try a pea and mint soup ( frozen peas= quick and cheap). So two big batches to keep going at least 24/48 hours don't you think?

I am planning a super thick and nutrition packed smoothie in the morning, incorporating the metabolic food powder provided with my Plan which I have to increase to three times a day for the next three days. I wonder if I will still feel as excited about on Monday as I did the first time I tried it..hihi.

I will keep you updated on my physical and mood changes, good or bad. Hopefully great.

But for tonight, the last supper, I still have my turkey burgers and peas and why not, a fresh carrot salad too ( rock'n'roll!). 

And hey, looking at it from a scientific point of you, these three day will hopefully give my digestive system a well deserved break.

Stay tuned.

Xxx

Foodolina

Detox Challenge DAY4: not looking forward to the weekend...

It is day 4 of this challenge and I have been feeling much better since adjusting the amount of supplements originally given.
The only things I have been noticing for the moment is that my stomach is not as flat as it used to be and I look a little paler and with more break outs (rare event in my case). I think it could be a result of the toxins that my body is trying to excrete?
Othere than that, I have been enjoying creating new recipes and discovering new skills (flax eggs anyone?), however, I have to admit I am feeling a little nervous about the three day of liquids only starting on Saturday.
I will be in school on 2 of those days, with no microwave available to heat up my own soups which means buying from Planet Organic or such, if the ingredients are allowed..I do not have a juicer either so I will have to stick to smoothies, but again, will have to buy some whle out as I do not like to leave morning made smoothie for too long as their consistency becomes unpleasant and they generally turn brown from the veggies inside.
I might look for a soup flask tomorrow, and if not too expensive, it could be a good option to bring my lunch to school and keep it warm as long as possible (much needed in this freezing weather here in London).
For now, I have made a batch of carrot soup and will soon make one of pea and mint soup (always the cheapest ingredients allowed in the list). This way I have them ready for those days. I will probably make a third one that might taste more thick like cauliflower and lentils...Hoping there won't be too much gas involved...hihi..
But for today and tomorrow, I am still enjoying  delicious solid food, this morning I had pear and cinnamon pancakes with almond butter...Mmm...yummm...
And tonight I'm re cooking my favourite pasta with walnut sauce and spinach.
Tomorrow will be a double shift at work, so I'll bring my leftover turkey burgers and peas (that's what batch cooking is after all right?).

And so I leave you for now.. Doing well and keeping positive.

Have a lovely evening everybody!

xxx

Valentina

14 Days Detox Challenge, DAY3 : feeling better PLUS a Turkey Burger Recipe!

Here's the end of day 3, and I have to say I am feeling much better than yesterday.
It is probably because this morning I had a chat with one of the nutritionists running the detox, the wonderful Louise Joyce, and we had a chat about my symptoms. She tweaked the amount of supplement for me. Less of this, move this to the afternoon etc.. And I feel good so far.
This is why I keep saying, if you choose to embark on a detox, please make sure you are being supervised by a professional practitioner. They'll be there to support you throughout this adventure and monitor any adverse effects you might have. Everyone is different, so many people will not react like I did, they might however face different challenges and require support for those.
I started today with a berry, pear and almond butter smoothie which I really enjoyed.

and ended it with a crazy delicious dinner using all foods allowed: rosemary turkey burgers made with flax egg (flaxseeds and water instead of an egg as that is not allowed in program), with baked sweet potato fries and peas with red onions (my mom's recipe). I also mashed an avocado and dipped both burgers and fries in it. Oh yeah..
Detox has never tasted so delicious!

CLEAN TURKEY BURGERS

500g turkey mince (preferably organic)
1 large or 2 smaller red onions sliced thin
1 thumb sized piece of ginger (peeled and chopped really small)
1 garlic clove chopped
2 sprigs of rosemary chopped
2 handfuls of nutritional yeast
1tbsp ground faxseeds (linseeds)
3 tbsp water
salt and pepper to taste
1 tbsp coconut oil

Turn the oven on 180C (356 F).
Add the ground flaxseeds and water to a small bowl, mix and pop in the fridge for 15 minutes, this will be your egg substitute.
Melt the coconut oil in a pan and add, onions, garlic and ginger. Stir every now and then till soft and add rosemary for one last minute before taking off the heat.
Grab a bowl and put the turkey mince, nutritional yeast, flax egg and onion mix. Add salt and pepper and mix everything together.
Line a baking try with baking paper, and use the mix to create burger patties similar in size.
Once all your burgers are on the tray, pop everything in the oven and cook for 10 minutes. Flip the burgers on the other side and cook for a further 10 minutes.

One minute before the burgers are done, slice in half a soft avocado, scoop out the flesh. add the juice of half a lemon and a pinch of salt, mash everything together and use that as a dipping "sauce" for both burgers and sweet potato fries.

Happy detox baby!

Love,

Foodolina