‘I need chocolate to help me cope’
Weight loss is one of the top 5 reasons why people seek my help. That’s hardly surprising, given that Australia is now the 5th-fattest nation in the OECD, with 28% of Australian adults classed as obese (Body Mass Index [BMI] greater than 30 kg/m2) and a further 35% overweight (BMI 25-29.9 kg/m2). It also probably won’t…
Beetroot and Coriander Dip
I love spicy Lebanese-style beetroot dips, and now that I’ve discovered the secret to perfect non-dairy yogurt (read on :)), I can make my own vegan beetroot dips. Here’s today’s version. Ingredients: 1 medium beetroot, quartered and baked, with skin still on, at 180°C until soft – about 40 minutes 1 cup natural, unsweetened soy…
The trouble with eggs
I’ve noticed a troubling trend as I examine the 5 day food journals that I ask all new clients to fill in before their first appointment with me. While many people have taken on board that meat and dairy products are foods they should be cutting down on for their health’s sake, these same people…
Aduki Choc-Cherry Bombs
Yes, I’m obsessed with aduki beans at the moment! But there’s so much to get excited about – this little red bean is super-nutritious, packed with antioxidants, fibre, folate, zinc and iron; as well as being super-versatile, and way quicker to cook than most other legumes. The mild, nutty flavour of aduki beans blends perfectly…
Big Fat Myths
Last month, I had the honour of speaking at the Cruelty Free Festival in Sydney. I titled my presentation ‘Myth-Busting the Vegan Diet’, and boy, are there a lot of myths to bust. In the Q&A session afterward, several people asked questions relating to fat intake. This is actually one of the most contentious areas…
Sweet Potato Ice Cream with Red Bean Paste
My daughter’s verdict on this marriage of favourite ingredients in the diet of the Okinawans, famous for their longevity, was “Weird, but good”. Let me know what you think! I haven’t specified quantities in the recipe below, as it’s very much a ‘chuck it together’ kind of deal. Ingredients: Ice cream Orange-fleshed sweet potatoes (kumara)…
‘I think I’ll have to get new friends’
That’s what one of my clients, whom I’ll call Helen, said to me recently, only half-jokingly. We had been discussing the dietary changes that she needs to make in order to overcome an aggressive autoimmune disease. One of the major barriers to change that Helen keeps bumping up against is that her social life revolves…
Aduki Bliss Balls
The typical bliss ball is made from roughly equal parts dried fruit and nuts, which means they’re pretty high in fat and kilojoules. Substituting nutritious rolled oats and sweet, smooth-textured aduki beans for most of the nuts makes for a satisfying, yet much less energy-dense treat. Ingredients: 1 cup cooked and well-drained aduki beans 1/2…
Lost your mojo? Check your lipid levels!
Let’s talk about sex. To be more specific, let’s talk about enjoying sex, especially if you’re a woman. Because the sad fact is, a lot of women really don’t enjoy it, especially as they get older, even if they’re in a loving relationship with a caring partner who knows how to take care of them…
Crispy Baked Eggplant Fritters with Tamarind Yogurt
Tangy tamarind is the perfect complement to these spicy, crunchy eggplant fritters. Ingredients: 2 medium eggplants, sliced in 1 cm rounds 1/2 cup besan (chick pea flour – I made my own by grinding chick peas in the Thermomix at speed 9 for 90 seconds) 1/3 cup unsweetened plant milk (I used oat milk) 1/2…