photo shoot

the biggest thanks to Greg Sims who took his valuable time to come and take these amazing photos...

This is the third photo shoot that I have done for my sweets and meals. After the cold weather and having richer foods I couldn't wait to make some dishes which are lighter and some raw as well. Many people have started realising the benefits of having more fresh vegetables and sprouts. There are so many reasons to include this exciting diet in your whole foods cooking. I have added a brief information on my website so be sure to check it out.

-almond cream filled puff pastry topped with spiced sliced pear
-raw marble cheesecake with goji berries and chocolate
-sourdough sprouted sandwich filled with pate, tamarillo and apple chutney and sunflower seed yoghurt.
-tiramisu
-mushroom and avocado quiche topped with millet white sauce served with romera and wild rice salad
-raw zucchini pasta marinated in teriyaki sauce
-black bean and almond burger coated with dessicated coconut, served with buckwheat dhal
-sprouted quinoa stack with avocado and grapefruit
-coconut macaroon
-amazake and fruit kanten

food sensitivity

Gluten- free, wheat free, dairy free, soy free, nuts free... When you shop at a health store or even now at a supermarket you will see many products available for people who cannot have certain foods. They are everywhere and I am sure there weren't much of those available only a few years back.
So does that mean more people are affected by food sensitivities more now than before?

Apparently food sensitivities affect more than half of the population, diagnosed or undiagnosed. Many are not aware because there are so many symptoms that can be caused by them.
The Most common sign is chronic fatigue but other symptoms include food addictions, cravings, swollen lymph glands, chronic infections, puffiness under the eyes, chronic diarrhea, intestinal malabsorption, irritable bowel, catch colds easily, eczema, psoriasis, migraine headaches, hyperactivity, ear infections......the list goes on and on.
Any food can cause adverse reactions but the main ones are dairy products, eggs, nuts, chocolate, caffeine and cereal products.

Is there anything that we can do to avoid having the food sensitivities?
there are plenty.
The foods most likely to trigger reactions are those eaten most frequently. Explore different foods that you don't normally eat. You can also try rotation diet
If your food sensitivities are caused by weak digestive system, it is important to strengthen it. You may try to supplement with inadequate levels of digestive enzymes.
Check your thyroid glad is working efficiently because most people with food allergies also have low thyroid functions
Adrenal support is important as many allergies are more pronounced under conditions of stress.
Consume organic foods to reduce the body's exposure to potential pollutants and to increase one's intake of vital nutrients.

nutrition for a broken arm

some of you may know that I had an accident. I ride my bicycle everywhere, and I have to admit i can be called a bit "clumsy"... But this one was pretty bad. how did it happen? well, one of those car opening without looking out for a bike incident.
Anyway now I have a broken arm and smashed elbow bones that are somehow put together with wires. I had to go under general anathetic and stayed at the hospital for a couple of nights. As much as I disliked being at the hospital environment I have a new admiration for such caring people who work there. Such special people.

As a person who tries to stay away from conventional medications having all those antibiotics and pain killers they put in my body was not pleasant. And because my body was not used to it it affected me more.

Cortisone in a pain killer tablets made me feel dizzy and fainted. And the antibiotics made my stomach weak and irritated.

After the accident and the operation I only took 2 tablets of pain killers after all.

So It has been a week. I thought I 'd write down the micronutrients that are good for my current condition

Bone building nutrients - calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and vitamin D as well as chlorophyll
Silica to help the body absorb calcium and promote bone tissue healing
Vitamin C to promote bone healing
EFA to help regulate the inflammation response
Zinc for wound and tissue healing
lactobacillus acidophilus and bifidobacterium bifidus after the doses of antibiotics
Garlic for antibacterial property.

Basically good wholefood diet!

I can't wait for the recovery but at the same time I have to thank for this opportunities to realise a few things. Thank you for the people who helped me and supported me physically and emotionally. And thank you for making me realise how the life is so precious and also fragile.

tiramisu

i had an order for two tiramisu cakes this week and they were picked up this afternoon.
The traditional italian dessert is usually made with two layers of sponge or biscotti soaked in coffee syrup and whipped cream fillings made with eggs, sugar and butter.

Here of course mine do not contain refined sugar, dairy or eggs. I made almond biscotti sponge cake to make the cake layers. The fillings are made with dairy free milk, coconut juice, yam, agar agar, kudzu and almond, vanilla, resulting creamy but not overpoweringly rich filling.

If you think you are missing out on delightful sweets just because you wanted healthy eating I can tell you you don't have to. The moderation is the key to long term healthy lifestyle. If your body desires something yin (aka something sweet) and a bit of fruit pieces are not satisfying the desire. try healthy alternative. maple syrup, coconut syrup, rice syrup, amazake, dried fruits. they all make a beautiful decadent dessert.

If you'd like to order any of my creations, let me know. I can send you a list of products available. also I'd love a challenge!

companies I don't buy from

We do have a choice and voice. If you don't agree with what a company is doing don't give them your money. You don't have to support them there are so many other alternatives.

there are too many companies to list here. I don't really go to a supermarket and buy mainstream products anymore. But If you do Here are a few companies that I would avoid.


Nestlé
aggressive marketing of baby milks and foods and undermining of breastfeeding,
in breach of international standards;
trade union busting and failing to act on related court decisions;
failure to act on child labour and slavery in its cocoa supply chain;
exploitation of farmers, particularly in the dairy and coffee sectors;
environmental degradation, particularly of water resources;
promotion and use of genetically modified crops.
animal testing

MILO
UNCLE TOBYS
NESCAFÉ
MAGGI
CARNATION
LEAN CUISINE
POWERBAR
MUSASHI
ALLEN'S
NESQUIK
NAN Toddler
PURINA
COUNTRY CUP
BUTTER MENTHOL



Kraft
Heavy use of GMO and the company has fought to prevent the passing of labeling requirements.
Kraft and its subsidiary Nabisco continue to market unlabeled GMO tainted foods, including products target towards children such as teething biscuits, Kool-Aid and a variety of cookies and cereals. plus cheese products from milk produced by cows treated with genetically engineered bovine growth hormones.

According to Oxfam's report on Kraft's coffee trade practices, "Kraft failed to ensure a decent price was paid to farmers"
limiting efforts to ensure a higher standard living.

Kraft brands are everywhere!
vegemite
philadelphia cheese
oreo
premium crackers
captain crackers
other processed cheese products
peanut butter
ritz
dressings and marinade
toblerone


Unilever
failure to take environmental or worker safety precautions when handling mercury
child labour
extension of palm oil plantations

Bertolli
Bushells
Choysa
Continental
Flora
Flora pro-active
Lan-choo
Lipton
Raguletto
Streets

other products such as
laundry -drive, comfort, jif, omo, persil, domestos, surf
personal care- dove, impulse, lux, lynx, pears, lifebuoy,radox, rexona, st ives, simple, sunsilk, vaseline, vo5, TRESemmé

Cadbury-Schweppes
homebrands,
coles
john west.....

the lists go on and on because there are so many companies that are more worried about their profits more than the consumers rights, growers safety and living conditions and environment impacts.

Please be a responsible shopper. Good place to start is have a look at True food network. They have a list of companies that use GMO.
if in doubt choose organic.


But then the lists go on and on

another new store for the truffles

Here is another store that you can get the decadent raw chocolate truffles from!

BEZELA DELI
105 Elgin street,
Carlton
(03)93479393

earthling and my decisions

I just finished watching "Earthlings" I don't know where to start.

When I first made a decision to eliminate animal products except seafood from my diet my main reason was an environment one. Then I realised there are health benefits. I was fortunate enough to meet and hear Peter Singer in person and after that I slowly started to eliminate seafoods as well. The environment and health were the main reasons for me to not to have any animal products and desire for my daughter to do the same. (Though I know she is her own person and she is and will be making her own decisions).

Knowing the truth and doing something about it are two totally different thing. Some people don't want to hear it. Some people find out about the facts but don't change their behaviour. For me it was the decision already made. I knew the fact and I had to decide which way to go. there was no middle.
I have struggled with this decisions, not because it was hard for me to switch my way of eating and living. But because of the pressure I felt from my friends, family and society. It constantly challenged my beliefs and philosophy and some occasions I doubted my motives. Is this my way of trying to control myself, family and my environment? Is this because I am not happy or have too much time? I swayed a couple of times to make people other than me happy, or so that they would feel that I listened and was not selfish. Deep down I knew what I was doing was right for me so I always came back to the way I wanted to live.
If you know me personally my life turned in a different angle a month or so ago. It was not easy but I can now say that it was the right thing to do. I feel happier and more confident about who I am and what I believe in. This positive feeling has made me become more tolerant and flexible.
Life is a journey. I will come cross other things that will challenge me in the future. That might change me in a different direction again. I can not make any promises. All I can do is live now and appreciate the things and feelings that I have with me now. If you look back and look forward all the time we do not see what we have right at this moment.

I have read and watched many sources about how the animals are unfortunately treated. "Earthling" is the most powerful one for me so far. I couldn't help myself but fearing for our human souls and feeling some kind of responsibility for these animals. How could anyone do this to other living creatures? That was my first thought and probably for most people's.
"I can't watch", "I would never treat animals in such ways"you may say. Even you are not doing this directly are you and am I still doing this to our other earthlings?
Felling sad is not changing anything. Only thing I could do is to change the way I live. If you can't do it every day. how about just one day. And then two days a week. It does get easier.