HOW TO: Cauliflower Rice

It's not a new concept, and it's definitely not my concept, but I'm a lover and wanted to share how mind-blowingly easy and delicious Cauliflower Rice is.

Whilst I'm currently off grains while my tummy heals (yep, even the gluten free grains), and whilst it's at its peak and in season, cauliflower rice has been a staple in my home. Not only is it sooo good for our bodies (see here) it's been a wonderful addition to mid-week stir-frys or served alongside a slow cooked casserole made on the weekend.

However you want to eat it, it takes only two steps.

Yep, just 2!

Recipe, Thyroid HealthLeighAugust 10, 2016How To, Grain-Free, Gluten-Free10, Vegetarian10, AIP, Small Bites10, vegan, Paleo6

Raw Organic Cacao + 4 Recipes

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!

Recipe, Thyroid Health, Nourish1, Nutrition 101LeighAugust 7, 2016Winter, Thyroid Health, Nutrition3

IN SEASON: Cauliflower

Cauliflower. Oh so rich in antioxidants and immune-strengthening nutrients, this humble white (and often overlooked) should never be underestimated. Chock full of Vitamins C, K and folate as well as protein, magnesium and potassium, this veggie can actually help prevent various kinds of infections in our body as well as strengthen our defense mechanisms.

Such a smart little veggie to be in at its peak and in season just when we need it the most…during the cold and flu months of Winter.

One of my personal goals when I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s was to try and sooth all the symptoms I was experiencing as naturally as possible through using whole organic foods. If this is something you’re also wanting to try, then perhaps cauliflower could be your first step? It’s such a brilliant source of dietary fiber (helping aid our digestion and our bodies to eliminate toxins), and as it protects the lining of our stomach, this miracle veggie has been shown to prevent the risk of various tummy disorders, from indigestion, hypertension and stomach ulcers right through to colon cancer.

Recipe, Thyroid HealthLeighJuly 25, 2016Soup10, Vegetarian10, Winter, Thyroid Health

3 Tips for a Healthy Thyroid

Suffering the horrible effects of thyroiditis? I hear ya sista!

For me it varies, from a swollen/sore thyroid, a splitting headache and extreme lethargy to dry skin, mood swings and the desperate wanting to curl up in a ball and not interact with anyone!

Chatting about these symptoms with my everyday GP last year, I was told there was nothing I could do – this was just “how it was”. Seriously????

So you guessed it, I started to research this fact for myself.

I turned to whole, organic foods and I listened to my body…very closely. Straight away I implemented 3 simple everyday steps into my daily routine as an experiment. So far, I haven’t looked back. Perhaps you may also like to experiment with them? I figure, anything is worth a shot when trying to support your healthy thyroid.

Vitamin A + Thyroid Health

Vitamin A. A fat soluble vitamin, which means it MUST be consumed with fat in order to have optimal absorption.

A vitamin I am sadly deficient in, as revealed by my naturopath.

Vitamin A is essential for our vision, for boosting our immune function and for giving us healthy glowing skin. It is also needed in the production of T3 (thyroid hormone) – which is just one of the many reasons I suffer hypothyroidism symptoms (and perhaps you too?)

Did you know that without this essential vitamin, our thyroid levels can suffer?

Did you also know that there is a strong connection between vitamin A deficiency and hypothyroidism?

Coconut Flour - A Gluten Free Alternative

Coconut Flour.

A pain in the arse to bake with, but when you get the combination right....oh my!

One of the first struggles I encountered when I took gluten from my diet was the vast array of "gluten-free" alternatives out there. The supermarket shelves these days are packed to the brim with them and I found it hard to decipher between those that were actually nourishing and helpful to my body, and those that are synthetic, processed, bleached and potentially contain gut irritating soy products. Clever marketing can be very persuasive.

I don't know about your story or reasons for going gluten free, however removing gluten from my diet was for health reasons, so I certainly didn't want to then start adding all that crap into my body, just because it didn't contain gluten.

Turmeric - The Super Root

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.

Recipe, Thyroid Health, Nourish1, Nutrition 101LeighJune 26, 2016Mains1, Winter, Thyroid Health, Paleo2, Nutrition1

Potassium

I play the love/hate game when it comes to getting test results back. Are you the same?

I love knowing exactly what is happening with my body (especially the why), as it gives me the opportunity to be the true Taurean that I am and run head first into finding a solution.

Sometimes, however it’s like opening a can of worms.

Needless to say, the list that’s as long as my arm received from my recent visit to my Naturopath of all the vitamins and minerals I’m severely deficient in and the list of all the vitamins, minerals and metals my body is inundated with has left me a little overwhelmed, to say the least.

So I’m taking it a step at a time and thought I’d share my finds with you, just in case you too are a little overwhelmed with it all at the moment.

So first up to the plate, is da da daaaaa…….Potassium.

Should you quit sugar?

It’s a big, and somewhat daunting question.

Perhaps you could ask yourself this:

Do you get an energy slump in the afternoon?
Do you need something sweet after lunch and/or dinner?
Are you unable to eat just one slice of cake or one piece of chocolate and then walk away?
Do you have hypothyroidism and wonder if quitting sugar might make a difference?

If you ticked yes to the above (I ticked yes to all!) then perhaps sugar is playing a bigger role in your health and your life than you thought.

Pecans + Your Thyroid

Pecans. Rich in monounsaturated fatty acids, they can help decrease “bad cholesterol” and increases “good cholesterol” levels in the blood.

Seriously. A simple nut can help do this?!

They’re also a wonderful nut to consume for those of us suffering the effects of hypothyroidism, as they’re a rich source of manganese, potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc, and selenium.

A Plum Tart

About 2 years ago a dermatologist insisted that steroids were the answer to the mind-numbing “scratch till you bleed” rash that was taking over my body (and my patience).

That was the day I left her office in tears (without the prescription) and stumbled across the I Quit Sugar website. I was signed up to the program within minutes, and have never looked back.

By the end of the 8 week program, the rash had all but gone, my eyes shone, my skin glowed and I once again felt in control.

Recipe, Thyroid HealthLeighMay 15, 2016Gluten-Free10, Sugar-Free10, baking10, Dairy-Free, Chocolate, Grain-Free, Paleo6

Dairy + Hashimoto

It was inevitable. I knew it, but ignored it.

My new thyroid naturopath recently confirmed it.

It was time to say bye-bye to cow’s milk dairy.

Crapola!

Recipe, Thyroid Health, Nourish, Nutrition 101LeighMay 4, 2016Mains1, Thyroid Health, Paleo2, Nutrition2

Almond Meal

Almond Meal. Probably my favourite gluten-free “flour” to bake with as I substitute it 1:1 with any plain flour recipe.

I absolutely love its soft and moist texture, however sometimes it does need a little hand to hold so it can keep its shape - like adding in a little buckwheat flour or perhaps some brown rice or quinoa flour.

To store, like all nuts, I keep enough almond meal/flour readily available in a glass jar in my fridge. It will last for up to 6 months this way, although mine disappears a hell of a lot sooner as I bake A LOT! The remainder, as I buy in bulk (soooo much cheaper to do so), gets stored in the freezer.

Recipe, Thyroid HealthLeighApril 27, 2016Gluten-Free10, Sugar-Free10, Grain-Free, Summer, Dessert10, Paleo2

Buckwheat + A Biscuit

Something I read recently … “A healthy thyroid keeps the body warm, youthful, and energized”. Hmmm….this ain't me anymore.

But I’m working on it!

One of the biggest things I decided to change in my diet about a year ago was to go 100% gluten free, and I’ve never looked back. There was an almost instant difference in the way my body felt, especially in both my tummy and thyroid when I made the commitment to stop “fluffing” around the edges. I’m not coeliac (I’ve been tested), but having experimented on myself with this subject for quite some time – gluten will not be passing these lips any day soon……not sure how I’ll go when I head back to France though….hmmmm….

Recipe, Thyroid HealthLeighApril 6, 2016baking10, Gluten-Fee10, Sugar-Free10, Dairy-Free, Autumn, Winter, Grain-Free

IQS

I have Hashimotos.

It's an autoimmune disease that affects my thyroid gland. That little butterfly-shaped ball located at the base of my neck where a lot of important activities take place, from controlling metabolism, female hormones and energy levels. Basically, everything that makes you feel good.

Jeez Louise!

One of the first and best things I did when I found out was to QUIT SUGAR (an absolute must, I believe, if you also have Hashimotos). What my research has been teaching me and what my body has been telling me ever since that date is that sugar causes absolute havoc on the digestive tract, leading to “leaky gut” (a joy I’ve been dealing with for the past year) and which in turn can then trigger the development of autoimmune diseases….and round and round the cycle goes.

Cookbook, Recipe, Thyroid HealthLeighMarch 30, 2016Mains1, Thyroid Health, Paleo6

Easter + Rocky Road

What contains magnesium, zinc, iron and manganese, Vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B9, C and E, contains essential heart-healthy fat, protein AND fibre?

My Easter present to you does silly.

Recipe, Thyroid HealthLeighMarch 27, 2016Sugar-Free10, Chocolate, Dairy-Free, Grain-Free, Paleo3, Vegan2

Pistachio + Cakes

A punch of lemon, the crunch of nuts and a soft, sticky texture - these little cakes are pure Summer in a white paper wrapper, waiting impatiently to be de-robed and gobbled greedily.

They stick to the wrappers a little, giving you total permission to indulge in the lady like ritual of "licking the paper". A favourite past time of mine, normally completed behind closed doors, but when taken to a picnic on a hot Summers day.....bring it on, is all I'm sayin'.

Recipe, Thyroid HealthLeighMarch 20, 2016Gluten-Free10, Sugar-Free10, Grain-Free, Autumn, Summer, Spring, Paleo3

Avocado + Sweet Potato

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….

Recipe, Thyroid Health, Nourish1, Nutrition 101Chit Chat ChompDecember 16, 2015Vegetarian, Small Bites, Thyroid Health, AIP, Paleo, vegan, Nutrition2

Macadamia Nuts !

Cookies.

A word my bro despises (preferring ‘biscuits’).

A word that conjures up sugar and gluten laden treats.

A word that brings back memories of New York (interested in why, see here).

However, these cookies are different. They’re part of my religion as they’re mixed, rolled and baked so often in my house. Containing only the smallest amount of sweetener, they’re refined sugar, fructose, gluten AND dairy free. They’re crunchy and delicate, and they’re addictive. Trust me.

Yesterday, I tweaked them with macadamias.

Recipe, Thyroid HealthChit Chat ChompNovember 4, 2015Gluten-Free, Sugar-Free, Chocolate, Grain-Free, Dairy-Free, Paleo3, Vegan2

No dairy + Elixir !

I've been taken off dairy. Crap!

I'll happily live my life without twirling wheat pasta, buttering bread with gluten and sucking on sugary lollies, but the thought of not being able to enjoy my daily, creamy, fluffy, life altering cafe latte is killing me.

Yes, it may only be for the next 6 weeks, but it will be 6 weeks of hell for me and for everyone around me. That's a promise. Especially those little sh*ts who insist on drinking their lattes in front of me. They will pay. (See - me not drinking my latte could be a health hazard).

Recipe, Thyroid Health, Nutrition, NourishChit Chat ChompOctober 21, 2015Thyroid Health, Dairy-Free, Small Bites10, Paleo, AIP, vegan

~ blog ~

COOKBOOK: Nourish

My Home For The Holidays !

My Christmas Tart !

Christmas Cake !

Avocado + Sweet Potato