For those of you who can tolerate nuts, they're a great way to boost your intake of protein and good fats - helping to keep you satiated, and I've got the most delicious muffin recipe, highlighting the humble almond, for you to indulge in . . . 

Today is all about the final fat-soluble vitamin in my little series - Vitamin K.

Want to know more about why you should get more of this vitamin into your life?

Today it's all about fat-soluble vitamin No. 3

Vitamin E

Along with a quick, simple and absolutely delicious tapenade recipe filled with vitamin E and good fats!

So we recently chatted about fat-soluble vitamin A and how if you want your body to absorb all of the brilliant benefits this vitamin provides, then you had to consume it with fat.  Fact!

Today, it's all about vitamin D . . .

One of the main reasons my body is now thriving since embracing fat, I believe, is since I now include a good source of it with every one of my meals, my body’s now able to absorb all those wonderful and essential fat-soluble vitamins that I went for years (even decades) without absorbing.  They’re not called fat-soluble vitamins for nothing - and they say nutrient deficiencies can lead to autoimmune disease…..hello Hashimoto’s!!!

I have a new toy in the pantry - Great Lakes Beef Gelatin!  

Curious ?

Iodine. 

To take or not to take.

A controversial subject when talked about in conjunction with Hashimoto’s, it seems.  People are either for or against.

Want to know why I take it?

Did you know that micronutrient deficiencies and imbalances are extremely common in those of us with an autoimmune disease?

Today I'm focussing on increasing the nutrient density in my diet.  Want to know why?

I truly believe that healing your body requires more than simply taking a few pills or herbs.  I believe it requires a complete overhaul of your body, mind and spirit.  

When it was first discovered that I had a thyroid issue, I was automatically put on conventional pharmaceutical thyroid medication by my doctor, and at the time, I felt sooo much better.  The swelling in my thyroid went down and the symptoms disappeared.  To be honest with you, at the time, I thought that was it.  Done and dusted.  I was fine.

And then a year later the symptoms all came back.  Tenfold!

Well hello there lovelies,

Tell me something.  Are you feeling a little sluggish now that Winter has been with us for a little while? 

Perhaps you’ve been experiencing fatigue, apathy, insomnia and irritability?

Maybe craving a little more energy in your life, pep in your step, clarity and focus?

My hands are in the air….hell yeah!

Can I also ask, have you perhaps thought it might simply be due to a lack of Magnesium in your diet?  Hunh!

Turmeric.  A powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant containing a mix of manganese, iron, vitamin B6, fiber, copper and potassium.

It's what gives curry both its flavour and yellow colour, but did you know it has also been used for thousands of years to help with numerous health conditions?   

Studies suggest that this super root helps with inflammation in our bodies, reduces tumour growth and aids in liver detox.  It helps protect our bodies against heavy metal toxicity and can also potentially benefit those of us with autoimmune thyroid conditions as a happy liver is crucial for proper thyroid hormone conversion.  

COOKBOOK: Nourish

December 30, 2015 

 Cookbook, Recipe

It's no secret that I'm a fan of the cookbook Love Bake Nourish by Amber Rose, so when she released her new book Nourish, in collaboration with 2 of her talented friends, I was first in line.

Nourish is not your typical cookbook as it's split into 3 sections.  The first section (I'm being honest) is my favourite as it's filled with gorgeous fresh recipes by Amber.  The other 2 sections cover health and nourishment for the mind, body and soul.  This book gives tips, tricks, solutions and answers for getting your health back into shape, stilling your mind and just simply maintaining a positive and happy outlook.  It's simply stunning.

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My Home For The Holidays !

December 27, 2015

Christmas + the countryside = one very happy girl!

It really is pretty simple.  A house surrounded by bushland (no neighbours please!), Bing Crosby, twinkling Christmas lights and a big bowl of fresh prawns.  That's all it takes to make me forget about the working year that's been, allowing my shoulders to drop and the biggest smile to appear permanently on my face.

This is my perfect Christmas, all wrapped up with a big red bow.

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My Christmas Tart !

December 23, 2015 

 Recipe

3 simple words that when said apart, make me smile, but when said together, make me swoon .... Fruit.  Mince.  Tart.

In my old life, these 3 simple little single syllable words would conjure up so many good memories, making me feel comforted, happy and oh so "Christmassy".

Now, having run away from gluten and sugar, these words when said together do (if I'm being honest) bring up a little feeling of deprivation, but more so bring up feelings of sugar highs and slumps, sleepiness and foggy brain.  Not to mention a swollen thyroid!  I’m not one to say “never”, but with the knowledge I now have of how sugar affects my body, I just can’t imaging EVER consuming these little tarts that I once held in such high esteem, again.

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Christmas Cake !

December 20, 2015 

 Recipe

Plump, boozy dried fruit, glace cherries and nuts.  All the things I loved in the Christmas cakes of my past.  The denser and the darker the better.  Cake that would (and could) last for months (if I didn't eat it sooner).  And cake that stayed moist without the need for refrigeration.

My body and taste buds may no longer be able to tolerate these sweet fruit cakes of my youth, but I still have a need (and a desperate want) for a boozy, spicy and dense sliver of cake to sit proudly and lovingly alongside my cup of tea on Christmas day.

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Avocado + Sweet Potato

December 16, 2015

Do you ever get a food fetish where all you think, dream and eat is a particular food? 

I get it ALL the time, and at the moment my fetish is avocado.

I’m eating it like a machine. 

Breakfast, lunch and dinner - there’s no stopping me, and my favourite way of eating it is in this most delightfully, fluffy, light and zingy way….

Celeriac.  Have you ever seen a more ugly vegetable?  By golly it's delicious though!  Probably one of the least used and most under-rated root vegetables, which is such a shame as it has some serious health benefits.  It’s high in fiber, potassium, magnesium, and vitamin B6, which help our bodies absorb nutrients, expel waste, improve immunity and maintain our blood sugar levels.  

And that's just the tip of the iceberg.

Today I'm talking about my tummy.  My poor, sore and bloated little tummy.  It's one of the joys I've been recently discovering that comes hand in hand with having a dicky thyroid (can your hear my sarcasm?).  This is a real struggle as I've always had a stomach that could take anything I threw at it.  

Out of desperation I've been voraciously researching ways of improving my health without having to resort to pharmaceuticals, and one of my favourite discoveries (giving me a glimmer of hope) has been finding Lee Holmes' website Supercharged Food , and in particular, her Heal Your Gut program.

As you've guessed it...I signed up.  

These purple balls of joy may have the highest sugar content of all vegetables, but they're also packed full of some amazing things, including immune boosting Vitamin C, Fiber, Potassium (for healthy nerve and muscle function) and Manganese (good for your bones, liver kidneys and pancreas).  

Beetroot helps to lower blood pressure, boost stamina and fight inflammation (due to their unique source of betaine).

When buying beetroot, you want them to be firm with a smooth, undamaged surface and they'll last in the fridge, stored in an unsealed plastic bag, for a couple of weeks.  

To get the most nutrients out of your beetroots, rinse and brush them clean, but do not remove the skin or root until after cooking.

Did you know that researchers have found that just a handful of mushrooms have approximately 12 times more of the powerful antioxidant (L-Ergothioneine) than wheatgerm?  Did you know that antioxidants slow the ageing process from the inside out, which not only affects your appearance but more importantly, helps prevent degenerative disease.

I didn't!  Thank God I'm already a fan!