Coming down from cacao...

So I was going to politely ask you all to bear with me whilst the perfectionist in me looks over the 40-odd pages of notes I took last weekend to condense it all down into something quick, easy, informative, and interesting for you to read... but in doing so the playful child in me is yelling "who gives a rats ass, it's more fun to write as you're thinking, in the moment, wing it, and see how it goes".

So here I am!

I love that I sit here typing to you guys like I’m really typing to myself, talking with myself… I am still beaming and buzzing from what was one of the best weekends of my life to date! And no, that is no exaggeration!

Cacao come down...

So I met my superhero! Number one. My living breathing superhero. David Wolfe (Never come down from that one). The man I know I will work with one day. I have seen him before but never actually went up to talk to him. This time I did. So a self-confessed-David-Wolfe-junkie if there ever were such a thing, I was over the moon when I sat down to talk to him. Speechless even – stupid really. But I did infact tell him I’m a bit if a groupie, that I’m gonna be the first aussie female version of him (watch this face), that I couldn’t contain my excitement when I found out about his raw nutrition certification course (booked in baby!) and I’ve been following his teachings for a couple of years now. YAY! He was excited. I was excited. He was smiling. I was smiling. All hugs and smiles. Best day(te) ever!

So last Thursday night is where it all began. A lecture here in Sydney where I was on the edge of my seat waiting to dive into all the information about to be presented to me. Surrounded by like minded individuals, pen and paper in hand, ready to go!

“YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT”

Take it, leave it, try to ignore it, forget it, or prove it wrong… those few simple words have stood the test of time and will continue to do so. And these few words are what David usually starts with. And where I feel the strongest connection.
Food. Nutrition. Education. Throw them all together and that’s me. That is my passion. It is also David Wolfe’s passion – thus the self-confessed-DW-junkie right here. Loud and proud.

I went along with my good friend Jess, but ran into loads of people I knew; friends and trainers, my colon hydrotherapist, people who recognized me from the raw café, from work, from my blog even (and finally met the woman behind The Raw Butterfly). It was a fantastic mix of people all with similar interests and a few really different backgrounds. I love that!

We learnt fascinating facts, figures and fantasies about hormones and how to correct your own; this stuff is all very new to me still – I started getting into hormones about 8months ago and every little bit I learn is incredible interesting to me so I loved all that! David also spoke in depth about bone density, Chinese medicine philosophies, Chinese herbs and jing, Ormus, calcification in the body, cancer, herbal immune boosters, detoxing, cell rejuvenating, longevity, immortality, goal setting, thought processes, he even gave his thoughts on what he believes 2012 to be all about.

But the core underlying of the whole weekend was YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT. This is the fundamental principle to it all. To everything. For so many reasons. And on so many levels. It's something I really want to dig deeper and deeper with you guys on. Explaining in more depth the reality behind those few words.

Fruits, veggies, nuts, seeds, sprouts, seaweeds, grasses, superfoods, superherbs.

This is exactly what my diet consists of currently. Of course some things more than others like anyone really, but in learning more about different things I am trying more and more, seeing what my body can handle and handle well. Seeing what impacts me, works well for me and what doesn’t work well for me.

A human guinea pig. It excites me! High doses of different superfoods daily, then not at all. Sporadic taste testers, more of one thing, less of another, mixing it up, all together, each on their own. Surprising my body. I get kicks out of seeing how my body takes to different things and how I feel. And what gets me jumping even more? When I can then tell someone else about my experience – along with things I’ve read, heard, or researched. I get customers, clients and friends asking me all the time about different supplements, superfoods, healing foods, natural remedies and more… and I love when I can give them a solution based solely on my research, my education, AND my own experience. That is the icing on the cake in my books. And usually what most people are wanting to hear about I find.

"Eat the best food ever and observe the results over time. Eat the worst food ever and observe the results over time. Compare and contrast."

YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT.

But enough of that for now, we'll revist that later on...

On Saturday Jess and I had way too much energy (I take that back - there's no such thing) so were outside during our lunch break lazing about on the softest grass ever, and then both had the same impulse to start doing cartwheels...

and handstands...

crashing down all over the place but having a ball, both filled with childlike energy and enthusiasm. Buzzing with all the knowledge we were taking in! So we thought we'd take it one step higher - with CACAO! Yep we both had our first Sacred Heart chocolates (well my second as I caught one David threw in the crowd on Thursday night - that was pure manifestation baby). So this stuff is the bomb! The creme-de-la-creme of raw chocolates.

Here's me opening the Immuno Mushroom - cacao nibs, maple sugar, cacao butter, whole cacao beans with their skins on, pine pollen, and the good stuff - medicinal mushrooms, and quite the list - chaga, turkey tail, reishi, maitake, shiitake, cordyceps, himematsutake, mesima, oyster and lions mane, all made to perfection in a chocolate that is so prefectly rich and creamy, bitter and sweet, melt-in-your-mouth soft yet with a delectable snap of a bite. I've never had any raw chocolate come close to how good this stuff is!

So I got loads! 69% whole bean with vanilla. 58% "milk" choc. 70% Sun Sweet with inulin (jerusalem artichoke) - which was my first one and so rich, no sweetener at all, my fav so far. 83% Midnight (looking forward to that one). And 52% Amazonian - the powerhouse choc. Get this -

amazonian jungle peanuts, coconut, brazil nuts, quararibea funebris, incan berries, cashews, purple corn extract, maca, acai, lucuma, vanilla bean, stevia leaf, sacha jergon, camu camu, sacha inchi nuts, yacon leaf, clavo huasca, yacon root, andean salt, chuchuhuasi, tahuari golden, canchalagua, iporuro, pasuchaca, hercampuri, pau d'arco, guayusa, chancapiedra, yerba mate, cats claw, and manayupa amongst the cacao nibs, cacao butter and maple sugar.

Could you get a better chocolate?

I think not. But you could (and we did) combine that with awesome music, awesome people, more cacao, and have yourself a RAW CACAO ECSTACY PARTY! Welcome in Saturday night.

Cacao smoothies, cacao mousse, cacao ice cream, cacao brownies, and superfood bliss balls. Jess and I made sure we tried them all (and went overboard with 2 serves of ice cream).

After a cacao celebration ceremony to honour the sacred bean, we danced our butts off with David and friends we ran into as the weekend progressed. Bare foot, arms up, hips moving to the drumming beats from Ganga Giri, blissing out on cacao, having the time of our lives!




THE BEST WEEKEND EVER!! I had an absolute ball :)

Health through (not just) Nutrition

I got an email from a long-time family friend this week that got me very excited! Excited just to hear from her but also excited about what she was writing to me about - her health.

The very thing I want to do is EDUCATE, HELP and INSPIRE people towards optimum health, nutrition and a life they LOVE.

So when this friend was outlining some struggles she had experienced and wanted to know any suggestions I had or, anything she could try, I was thrilled!

So it got me thinking - when we are not at our best and feel like we've gone astray for some time how can we successfully come back to our true selves to live harmoniously? To walk, talk and BE HEALTH?

Health. One little word that most probably has a different meaning to everyone on the planet. Is health eating fruit and vegies more? Is it riding your bike instead of driving to work? Is it sleeping 8hrs a night? Is it drinking 2L of water a day? What about healthy relationships? Exercise? Spirituality? Mental health? It goes on and on and on...

I think we all have one "thing" we turn to first when we need to get "back on track". For me, nutrition is "my thing" so I usually (correction - I always) look there first. It's the easiest thing for me to tweak/change/improve to start me in the direction I want to be heading in (again).

I bought a book called "Eating Well For Optimum Health" the other day and so far I LOVE IT. Within the first few pages I read:

"Diet has special significance among lifestyle factors in that people have total control over it, at least potentially. You cannot change your genes, control the quality of air you breathe all the time, or avoid stresses of everyday life, but you can decide what to eat, or what not to eat..."

And that resonates so strongly with me.

For myself, the past month has been kinda tough. I've been experiencing some difficulties in my personal life and this filters out into everything else - including what I'm eating. So once I spot this and decide to make changes and eat the way my body feels best doing so, alot of other things seem to start looking better also.

Now that all might sound easy in the scheme of things but I know too well that it's not always the case. So baby steps are key. And taking one day at a time. Dont worry yourself with tomorrow, or the weekend. Just focus on today. Or even better, the next meal and the next meal only.

Start with breakfast. When I'm lying in bed about to doze off for the night I think about what I'm going to make for brekkie the next morning. I'm usually up very early, off to the gym or work so if I decide ahead of time it saves me thinking time and space as well as preparation time.
As I lie in bed I think about what's in the fridge, what I'll be doing all morning to know how much energy I'll need, and then begin to get a sense of how GREAT I'll feel from the healthy choice I have made.

Quick and easy smoothies or chia-gel ceral are the 2 top favourites that I usually alternate between. If I've done a weights session I'll also thrown in a raw protein drink immediatley after and eat my brekkie when I get to work.


My lunch break is between 1130am and midday so I know not to have much at morning tea or I wont look forward to my lunch - and for that reason I make sure my packed lunch is something DELICIOUS, colourful and tempting. That always stops me from munching too much mid-morn.






BIG kale salads with tomatoes and a coconut oil, dulse flakes and nutritional yeast dressing is my latest must-have. Having something you really enjoy, know you'll hang out for and that get's you excited just thinking about (whilst being high in nutritional value of course) is key here.
A handful of nuts works well for me with lunch as it staves off any hunger pangs that might crop up before I finish work mid-arvo. Otherwise I'll delight in a little raw ginger bar at work or a few bits of choccie for something sweet (I'm a big believer in making sure you eat those yummy pleasurable foods as well as loads of fruit and veg or you'll never achieve "balance" - which like the word "health", is very controversial in my opinion)

The rest of the day I'll be munching on fresh fruit, chopped up vegies, herbal teas, lots of pure water, and dinner is a big salad again most nights.

There are also a few things that I try to make sure are in my diet each day (or close enough too).

- chia seeds (for me the greatest thing they do is move through my bowels. I eat these for brekkie like a pudding with added bits n pieces for extra yumminess. They are also very high in omega 3 fatty acids - lubricating joints, maintaing brain health, warding off depression - protein, irona an calcium)
- cold pressed oils (aldo high in essential fatty acids, GOOD FATS, I'll make sure to mix it up between olive oil full of vitamin E, flax oil with omega 3, or to excite a meal I'll use sesame oil or another nut oil)
- pure water (the Source, for more fascinating info on water go here)
- herbal teas (I'm a big fan of green tea for many reasons but due to my adrenals at the moment I'm tstaying off it, and bumping up other teas such as peppermint, passionflower, skin teas, licorice tea)
- dark green leafy's (do you want a seperate post of dark green leafy's to tell you why you should try eating more?)
- nuts and seeds (high in proteins, calcium and other vitamins and minerals depeding on the nuts and seed)
- colourful fruits (different colours = differnt nutrients)
- cheat foods (these are vegie juices where the nutrients are going straight into your blood stream withint 15minutes as there is no digestion required, or coconut water where your body is hydrated twice as mcuh as water, your blood is getting an instant beneficial kick, and being supplied with electrolytes and potassium at the same time)

There are a few other things I have recently added to my diet to get me back on my path sooner rather than later. I mentioned here that my iron levels were low last blood test so I've been cranking up the greens and spirulina each day which feels great. I'm also taking a zinc supplement again to help with my immunity, and only this past week have brought some homeopathics into the mix along with some high strength adrenal herbs (in addition to maca and licorice which I already consume - both great for your adrenals).

But it was confirmed to me during a kinesiology session I had this week that I need to do more about my health. Another bit in the book I'm reading mentioned:

"Just as diet is only one factor influencing health, so dietary change is only one therapeutic approach, never recommended in isolation. Exercise, relaxation training, dietary supplements, botanical remedies, as well as referrals to both conventional and alternative practitioners for further diagnostic evaluations and treatments are all recommended..."

So I'm seeing a kinesiologist who is fantastic, and a facialist who specialises in lymphatic drainage for my acne issues. These two are the main people I see at the moment, but in the past I've regulalry seen colon hydrotherapists, naturopaths, counsellors and coaches, as well as personal trainers.

So in addition to my diet, to regain my optimum health that I know I have experienced before and can again, I need to rest and do some relaxation work. A self-confessed stress head that covers it all so well at times, it scared me but didn't shock me to find out that I'm one small step away from getting chronic fatigue syndrome. Where your adrenals have have enough wear and tear over time that they decide they're taking time off. 6 months, 12 months, 2 yrs. Who knows. Something I definatly do not want to experience ever. And I'm not going too. So that's where my adrenal herbs come in (and in high doses mind you), as does rest, relaxation, saying NO to myself more than to anyone else, and trying (my very best) to not do so much.

So far I'm feeling alot better. Day by day. Eating well. Supplementing where I feel I need too. Exercising where I can whilst being very aware to not do too much. Communicating with my partner (a BIG part of my health). Journalling. Resting. Reading and educating myself more. Looking after me. Baby steps.

I'd love to know what you guys do to keep your health in check?

Christmas Cheer is near

Ok so I'm getting reeeeeeally excited now! Not that I wasn't previously, but now... XMAS IS TOMORROW GUYS! And I cannot wait!

But before I dive into all the festivities, fun, unwrapping presents, sharing hugs, and FOOD I wanted to make mention of the latter; FOOD and what it conjurs up around this time of year.

Lately I've seen so so many articles in magazines and in emails floating around about party-proofing your diet, and keeping trim this festive season. Sometimes I shake my head at the things mentioned, but on the whole I think it's a really good thing to have a look at, as research has shown that the few kilos that we sometimes (easily) put on over Xmas time can make huge changes in our systems - slowing down our metabolisms for one - and these things can lead to negative changes for life.

The key to continuing with the "healthy" (which I put in inverted commas is because everyone's definition of the word if usually very different) balanced diet we usually have throughout the year is simple - STICK TO BASICS. The basic things that work for you and make a difference for you, so when there's loads of temptations going round you don't go nutts for it all to only later feel ill (and possibly beating up on yourself a bit - I know I do).

So BASICS. For me it's starting the day with a smoothie (or a brekkie bowl). Filling up on fruits, superfoods, and whatever else I fancy throwing in so I know I can soldier on and feel great from word go.

Or have it in a bowl like you all know I love to do...

It's making a big green salad for at least one meal incase the other falls to pieces.




It's also having at least one tasty "healthy" food, that you love, that's really good for you, that you will actually be excited about eating, no matter what. Like today - I'm in the kitchen all day surrounded by cacao and nut butters making sweet treats so I said to myself "Christie you're gonna have a whole head of celery today" (easy for me coz I LOVE the stuff). So knowing I've had that makes me feel good about my day so far, and not so ill if I do indulge in taste testings :)

So when tomorrow rolls around (and Boxing Day here too when all the relos come on over), remember to tap into what you know works for you.
I'll be having powered-up smoothies, lots of fresh water, big green salads, and choosing at least one delicious vegie for the day when I feel like snacking.

And then without a doubt I can have my cake and eat it too!! :)

Here's a sneak preview...

These are the pie cases for my raw fruit mince pies that currently look AMAZING!

And these babies are miniature raw fruit cakes.

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night xx

Get ya juice on!!

In the past I've been more of a smoothie girl. I had read about all the benefits of JUICING but I still couldn't get into it (only when one's really ready right?). Well my time has come! I've been JUICING everyday for the past week or so and I CAN'T GET ENOUGH! I'm LOVING IT!!

So now that I'm a convert, I'll preach a bit :)

JUICING, obviously, is not the same as BLENDING (I get that now). Don't hear me wrong - blending is still a FANTASTIC addition to anyones diet, but is not a replacement for juicing. WHY? Because juiced foods have all the fibre and solids removed making it EXPONENTIALLY easier for your body to absorb all the nutrients - with maximum speed and efficiency, and minimum effort from the digestive system! Every bit of nourishment can then be used to REGENERATE rather than digest (and for those of us that are on a journey to learn all about our digestion issues, and to help them function better - JUICES ARE A GOD SEND).


But be warned about that beer-like frothy head!! Ideally, you don't want this. I strain my juice, strain again, and strain again, then pour it into a big tall glass (and a little extra one) ready to drink. I do this so my LIQUID VEGIE JUICE is as LIQUID as it can be. Sounds ridiculous hey? Well here's the scoop; that frothy head is SOLID in comparison to what's beneath it. To drink juices that still have the pulp present would be MORE taxing on your digestion than it would be to eat and properly chew all those fruits and vegies in their solid form. And then you're in for digestion upsets! If there is ANY fibre present in your 'meal' (think smoothies), chewing is necessary to prepare the stomach for digestion (I'm sure you all know someone who doesn't chew their food well enough and wonders why they always have tummy troubles).
Heard the line "drink your food, chew your juice" ... a rather odd one in my opinion anyway, haha, but I get where they're going with it.

You want the purest VITAMIN - MINERAL - RICH - ELIXIR you can get!

(Beetroot obviously...then... lemon, ginger, loads of greens... I can't remember what else!)

On a RAW FOOD DIET, juicing is extremley important in order to get sufficient nutrients; they're like the missing puzzle pieces.
Even if you're a meat eater, green vegie juices will do you wonders! Try drinking a green vegie juice before your meaty meal. By lowering your body's pH from a more acidic state to a more alkaline state, green juices will conteract the acidic animal protein and put your body back into balance. Beautiful! (and you might find you want meat less... well there's my little wish anyway)

GREEN JUICES ARE A BEAUTY SECRET says Matt Monarch. I truley believe this now. I feel FANTASTIC, my acne is clearer, my eyes are brighter... I'm a juicing groupie. Loud and PROUD.

(This one had 3 small apples, 3 carrots, 1/2 lemon, a big chunk of ginger, 6-8 big Chinese broccoli leaves, and 3-4 stems of celery - leaves and all)

The benefits of JUICING could easily fill a book (and there's loads of proof already out there). I did go into a little detail with you guys (as I'm a brand new groupie with so much excitement around this topic!!), but to be as straight to the point as I can be;

TRY IT YOURSELF!

For me - it's cause and effect. I didn't need to know all the scientific research stats - I did know them and that still didn't start me juicing until now. But I tried it. I only had to try it. I put it to you also - try a VEGIE JUICE everyday for a week and get back to me on how you feel :)

As for what you can do with all that left-over fibre rich juice pulp... you'll have to wait til the next post ;)

The Tree Of Life

COCONUT OIL is a staple ingredient in my pantry and one that I still tend to shop around for. These days there are so many differnt types, brands and varieties available it makes for a lengthy shopping trip around Sydney on a sunny Monday :)
I've bought and tried numerous brands before and today I bought another one to try;

Banaban Extra Virgin Coconut Oil.

It's 100% raw and extracted from fresh organically grown wild Fiji coconuts with the least amount of processing so that the natural vitamins, antioxidants and fresh coconut "essence" are retained. It cost me about $16 which is pretty good considering prices can vary considerably!





Coconut oil has been described as "the healthiest oil on earth." Once mistakenly believed to be unhealthy because of its high saturated fat content, it is now known that the fat in coconut oil is a unique and different from most all other fats and possesses many health giving properties. It is now gaining long overdue recognition as a nutritious health food.

Coconut is highly nutritious and rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals. It is classified as a "functional food" because it provides many health benefits beyond its nutritional content.

These include hair care, skin care, stress relief, maintaining cholesterol levels, weight loss, increased immunity, proper digestion and metabolism, relief from kidney problems, heart diseases, high blood pressure, diabetes, HIV and cancer, dental care, and bone strength. These benefits of coconut oil can be attributed to the presence of lauric acid, capric acid and caprylic acid, and its properties such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, antifungal, antibacterial, soothing, etc.

There is a more comprehensive list of what coconut oil can help with, at Bruce Fife’s site, The Coconut Research Center.

How do I use it?

As a moisturiser! Everyday. Top to toe, I cant finish my day without it - and I smell like a tropical sunny holiday :)
I use it in raw sweets like my Fruitty Nutty Carob Bark.
Jazz up salads with something different (great with curry powders) or drizzle it over vegies.

How do you use coconut oil?

You are what you eat

This past week I was blessed by being able to attend 2 different lectures in the city both on health, wellbeing and particulary nutrition, which is my passion.
On Thursday I went and saw Don Tolman who is an author, public speaker, trainer, educator, entertainer and experimental nutritional-eating researcher and all about wholefoods. I hadnt really heard much about him before Brock asked if I wanted to go, but my closest friend Maya is a big fan so I thought OK I'll see what he's all about. And I'm so much more than glad I went along. Fascinating to listen too with a wealth of knowledge under his belt, I really resonated with alot of what he spoke about;

Your bodys' only purpose is to maintain life and health.

Noone can heal you - only your body can heal itself.

And then on the weekend I went and saw David Wolfe who I do know about, have his books, and love his work. To sum him up is impossible as the list of work, credentials, experience, travel and everything else he has done is AMAZING, but any raw foodie would know him as either the "avocado guy" or the "chocolate guy" - he won’t be shy to tell you why chocolate is the greatest, most prosperous, nutritious, mood-elevating, highest energizing, and top weight loss aphrodisiac food on the planet!

... by 'chocolate' I mean RAW, organic, unsweetened, vegan CACAO... a source of calcium, omega 3, zinc, iron, copper, sulphur, beta-carotene, protein, potassium and stree relieving magnesium - the reason women crave chocolate every month. Food of the Gods.

And I'm happy to hear it!!



Seeing him was INCREDIBLE! Just sitting in the university lecture hall where he was speaking, surrounded by 450+ like minded individuals, immersed in raw nutrition education, there was an energy in the room and I myself was buzzing!! That's my thing. My purpose. My BUZZ! It's what I live for!

He spoke about superfoods liks goji berries, cacao, noni, maca, mangosteen, bee pollen, MSM, avocados, spirulina... working with your strengths, eating raw foods, LIVING! I loved how he said "we've survived the worst... now it's time for the best". Forward movement. Get into LIVING! LIVING FOOD. LIVING BODIES.


YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT :)