Category: Healthy Living

1. How to Create Hygge in your Home

   Posted on 6:58pm Tuesday 25th Oct 2016

   

   Scent is incredibly powerful. There is much research to detail how our limbic systems comprise of olfactory neurones that attaches scent to our memory, behaviour, mood and emotion. Scientists argue that smell plays a crucial role in our overall psychological wellbeing.

   This Autumn, books about Hygge have been launched by authors such as Meik Wiking and Louisa Thomsen Brits. The term is Danish and is pronounced as ‘HUE-gah’. There is no direction English translation. However the meaning of the phrase is to experience cosiness, relax and enjoy life’s simple pleasures.

   One way the Danes achieve a moment of Hygge is to spend an evening with friends and family and enjoy a candle lit dinner. Candles often feature in relaxation rituals due to their aromatherapeutic qualities.

   Soveral has natural candles that are drawn from places where nature has inspired Alexandra’s perfume work. These include Fields of provence, Woodlands of Avalon and Flowers of Iberia.
   They are hand blended and made out of soy wax from sustainable sources. Soveral’s candles promote a feeling of warmth and overall wellbeing. They are the perfect way to create a hygge ambiance in your home.

    

2. Flaxseeds - AKA Linseeds

   Posted on 8:02am Sunday 21st Feb 2016

    

    

   

   Flaxseeds - AKA Linseeds

   The super food of super foods!! Nutritious and delicious!

   Various papers of published research are proving what we believed for centuries; flaxseeds are a great aid for us to get healthier.  The Journal of Nutrition has published a promising study on the effect flaxseeds may have in weight loss.  Other studies reveal that flaxseeds being rich in so many essential nutrients are very likely to help with high cholesterol, cleanse and protect the digestive system, support the immune system and course let’s not forget it can also improve all kinds of skin conditions and make our hair stronger and healthier.

   They are the best plant source of Omega 3 Fatty acids and if this wasn’t reason enough to start adding it as part of our diet, they are also rich in fibre, protein, Selenium, Vitamins B1 and B6, Magnesium, Potassium, Copper, Zinc, Phosphorus and Manganese.

   I buy organic golden linseeds and then grind some every week and put them in a little glass jar in my bag.  This way I always have some for when I’m out and about, I can then sprinkle them on my lunch and smoothies. Remember that its best to buy the whole seed and then grind them into a powder as you need it.  Once they are in ground form they lose their power quicker.

   Various ways to use Flaxseeds:

   In soups and stews – They act as a thickener

   Pancake mixes - Use whole for a nutty crunch or use ground up to thicken up the batter.

   Smoothies

   Sprinkle on salads and all other foods

   Sprinkle on Yogurts, porridge and desserts

3. Cookbooks I Just Could Not Live Without

   Posted on 10:28am Wednesday 21st Oct 2015

   When I visit my family we spend most of our time in the kitchen cooking, that’s how we catch up on what is going on in our lives. Our conversations are mingled with interceptions of how much sugar to pour in, how to better slice the runner beans, how many times one should soak and rinse the rice before cooking (3 times is the correct answer) and a whole load of food related comments that come up as we prepare, cook and bake.

   This is all very lovely but I find myself at a slight disadvantage... my sister is a Chef who had her own restaurant for over 15 years and my mum’s cooking is so legendary that wedding planners have asked for her recipes. Even my brother’s girlfriend Veronica is an accomplished cook, despite being a strict vegetarian she knows how to gut fish and make a good chicken soup for her daughter. I try my best to impress them but despite my best efforts I don’t quite cut the mustard!

   Instead of envying their amazing cooking skills I’m trying to learn from them, so I always take my notepad when I visit. Over the years have put together a nice selection of dishes and techniques, I usually adapt the recipes to better suit my style of eating, such as substituting flours with starch free versions and some potatoes with other root vegetables.

   Instead of relying on cook books I rather learn those who’s food I like the taste of. However there are a couple of books I just could not live with:

   

   The Art of Eating Well by Hemsley & Hemsley – My number one book for inspiration, this new way of eating has really improved my health and changed the way I look at many different kinds of foods. For example, I would never now eat nuts without pre-soaking them so that they are easily digested.

   

   Jamie Oliver – The Return of Naked Chef - I’m not a good baker at all, so when it comes to desserts for a dinner party I know I can trust Jamie’s recipes.... because they ALWAYS work!

   

   Deliciously Ella – Really cute and easy recipes... I also use this mainly for inspiration.