Hands up if you're a creature of habit...

I have to admit, I'm definitely a 'creature of habit'....

Hey, I've learnt what works for me, and I know what I like, especially when it comes to eating well.


I recently had the opportunity to try out a cleanse with Eat Fit Food. They make beautiful fresh meals, created by chefs and nutritionists and deliver to your home.


I was looking forward to the parcel arriving at my door, but when it but when it did... oh dear.

For the next two days "someone else" was going to decide what I eat!? My go-to healthy snacks are off the menu and my morning breaky routine will be turned upside down, my whole world might fall apart... kidding (kind of). 

So anyway, I tucked into my first meal. A delicious salad with lots of seeds and saltanas. There that wasn't so hard. Actually, it was quite delightful!  

Delish seedy salad was my first Eat Fit Food experience. 

I love, love, bliss balls. My fridge is always stacked with dozens of the things. Just ask my boyfriend.. he's happily my taste tester!

Like many of you, I eat yummy healthy food at every meal, but this cleanse reminded me that sometimes, you just need to mix it up. 

This idea popped up again at a gorgeous dinner event at Kitchen by Mike, with a panel of experts. A cardiologist, chef and a nutritionist- Cassie Mendoza-Jones.

My kind of health professional is one who gives practical advise, wrapped in compassion and understanding. That's just the kind of nutritionist Cassie is. 

Here are the little take away tips which struck a chord with me. I feel we can always improve our health when we 'know' more. Casey says:

• Your body should have thirty different foods a day.. yep 30!

• Don't be afraid to add salt.. himalayan sea salt, that is. Cassie says, if your body's craving it salt, sprinkle to some warm water in the morning, your porridge, bread, whatever. This is Cassie's top "super food", full of vitamins.

• Eat/use the 'whole' egg. That means the yolk and the white. Your body won't absorb the white if you don't have the (good) fats in the yolk. 

• Mix it up. It can be easy to fall into a pattern of having the SAME lunch at work every day, the SAME greens with dinner, but she says, even if it's healthy food, your body needs a variety of good food to receive all the nutrients it needs. 

Cassie also gave a great example of what 'not' to do. Have you had almond milk for breakfast, almonds as a snack in the morning and then again in the afternoon... without even thinking about it? That's a lotsa almonds right? 

So this week, thanks to the wonderful team at Eat Fit Food, I've enjoyed messing up my menu! Practising being comfortable out of my comfort zone. I'm inspired to make new salads at home, and whip up some different snacks. 

Having said that, I'll still always love peanut butter and porridge and dark chocolate (not all together mind you!) and I won't apologise for eating a lot of all three in my life.

mmm porrige will never get old. This is an Eat Fit Food creation. I now add different nuts and fruit to mix mine up.

Wishing you all a happy healthy week. 

 xxx

JT

Here's Cassie's website by the way:

www.elevatevitality.com.au


And Eat Fit Food:

www.eatfitfood.com.au

About "quitting Sugar"...

As I set up to interview Sarah Wilson in her simple sunny home, She 's distracted with a bowl covered with a tea towel, sitting on the edge of the kitchen bench. 

"Move anything you need to, just not this bowl" 

Sarah is tells me she's growing a probiotic in her kitchen, it's a living breathing organism and it shouldn't be moved around. 

Sarah lives what she sells. Her fresh, tanned beauty is the perfect ad. 

Between takes at Sarah's sunny place.

I wanted details about this "quitting sugar thing"... I eat very clean, but just cannot eliminate my two squares of dark lindt each night. 

It’s what helps me be “good”, knowing I can have a little sweetness and that I’m not depriving myself. 

But the good news is, according to Sarah Wilson, the author of "I Quit Sugar" you don't necessarily have to deprive yourself to find your healthy happy place and not be a slave to the white stuff. 

Sarah want's everyone to eat when their body needs to eat, feed it the nourishment it deserves, not too  much, not too little and not obsess.

She says she doesn't constantly think about her next meal or sugar hit, or fret about calories, because she's no longer addicted.

I spoke to Sarah about the new film “Fed Up” (by the producers of The Inconvenient Truth, see the link below.) about American's addiction. The way they're going, this generation will be the first to die before their parents. 

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=aCUbvOwwfWM

Sarah says it's a film Australians need to see, because the same thing is happening here. 300 000 people have done her plan and her book is a New York Times best seller, so people are starting to get an inkling.

For me, the "take away" is we have to be our own health researchers, and advocates. With so many mixed messages, we have to be smart about the choices we make.

I used to crave sugar. When I was single, sometimes I’d have wine and dark chocolate for dinner. (Each week you can read “new research shows” these are good for you!) After my trainer gave me a healthy eating plan a year ago, I‘m balanced and healthy and in the right place for me.

Sure I still love chocolate, but don't long for the weekend when I can eat cake. 

Here's what works for me:

*The best lesson has been, rather than punishing my body, I think about nourishing it and listening to what it needs and doesn’t need. It really does work itself out when I have that mindset. 

*I'm always working at ignoring any mixed messages about food and not worrying about what others appear to be doing. 

*I only eat what I really love. I pack my lunch for work every day because I don't want to have a disappointing meal or have to make a choice to eat something which isn't good for me.  

So anyway, as I left Sarah's place after the interview, she gave me a peek at what was inside that mysterious bowl, under the tea towel.. a strange looking milky liquid, which she tells me looks funky but tastes yum. It's in her wonderful cookbook if you're interested... 

Who said clean living is boring?

xx JT 

Here's the story which went to air by the way:

http://youtu.be/fFygMPPrT18

A Hong Kong Weekend

Hello lovely readers,

It seems as though many of us have just returned from little holiday breaks, or relaxing long weekends. Sometimes that extra day of downtime, makes me feel more cool and calm for weeks.

Though, my weekend away wasn't exactly about relaxing.. more an amazing Hong Kong whirlwind adventure!

I feel like I now have me feet (and my mind!) firmly back home and I want to tell you all about it.

I love exploring new cities, eating the food, understanding the culture.. Oh and squeezing in a bit of shopping of course.

I collected lots of Hong Kong tips from friends before I went, so now I'm paying it forward- here's my list of must do's:

Real deal Hong Kong food:

I touched down in the morning, so after a nap, at about 11am.. it was dumpling-o'clock! We went to a Luk Yu Teahouse on Stanley Street. I'm not usually a dumplings for breakfast kind of girl, but with the encouragement of my boyfriend, I dove right in. Yum!

Prawn dumplings are my favourite. I love the fun picture menus, being able to see exactly what I'm ordering- no need for "food envy".

Make sure you go before 11:30am to guarantee a table because you can't book.

Delicious dumplings. 

Date night:

My wonderful boyfriend and I had a gorgeous date night at Felix in the Peninsula Hotel at Kowloon. We had beautiful food, wine and amazing dessert. If I'm at a great restaurant and there's something extreme and chocolaty, it's a definite "yes" to sweets which I'll share with my boyfriend. Life is too short. 

Extreme chocolate desert.

The menu is presented on an iPad, which again, I love because you can really see what you're ordering, you know when you can't really imagine what a dish is "like"?

Book a table at the window and watch the light show, with lasers flashing across the buildings in the city centre. 

Drinks:

The bar at Sevva is great rooftop spot, in the heart of the action and a great place to take in all the city lights. Perfect for holiday snaps and a cocktail. 

Amazing rooftop spot for a cocktail.

Ladies Lunch:

My boyfriend had to work for a bit, so I took myself out on a date. It was me, my thoughts, my instagram and some fashion magazines.

I went to the Mandarin Grill at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel. A beautiful light lunch in a lovely fresh, elegant, formal setting. It would also be great for a girls lunch or a date. 

Seafood on the menu for my "me date".

Shopping:

Before I left, with a trip looming, to a city with so much shopping potential, I made sure I stashed a little cash away, for holiday "investments" I call them... 

When I go away, I love buying classic pieces which I know will make me smile for years, rather than trendy impulse buys which I'll forget about. It's always great when things are a little cheaper than they are at home.  

I've had my eye on a beautiful McQueen silk scarf for a while and I finally made this one mine at the gorgeous department store, Lane Crawford.

My pretty new "Hong Kong scarf".

I love Balenciaga, and held off buying a new purse until this trip. There are no stores in Sydney, so with one on every corner in Hong Kong, I was in heaven. I fell in love with this little pink number I saw online a few weeks ago, and since we finally met in Hong Kong, well it must be fate.

This was fate. Seriously.

What shopping trip is complete without gorgeous shoes?

Being a "pink girl", these Saint Laurent heels really "popped" out at me. I want to wear them with everything!

I just can't take them off ..

It wasn't all 'fun stuff".. I did buy an exceptionally practical bag for work. A beautiful navy Michael Kors oversize tote, which fits my iPad and my little work lunchbox, perfect!

My "practical " purchase.

I also found some great cheap and cheerful earrings in one of the many jewellery stores too. Great to dress up a basic black top or dress. 

Pretty costume jewelery.

Sundays:

A stroll around the city on a Sunday is fascinating. The roads seem empty, but the parks, pathways, even the gutters and roads are filled with thousands of gorgeous women, chatting, taking photos, sharing packed lunches and giving each other manicures...

Sunday is "maids day off". No need to spend money or be in a beautiful setting, all you need is a home-packed lunch, your girlfriends and a bit of gossip to bring to the table, no doubt. Girl bliss.

Until next time..

Settling in for the trip home. 

Hong Kong has a great big-city vibe, the four days was perfect for me, enough to experience the city and head back home feeling like the luckiest girl in the world to have seen it.

xx

Jt

Chocolate remorse anyone?

It's been a few days since the sugar high of Easter and I'm having a bit of a "sugar come-down".

Over Easter I had some of my favourite chocolate, which I don't apologise for, but it's the other bits and prices of sweetness, "just because it's Easter" which make me feel sluggish and not at my best.

One of my favourite chocolates, soft and rich and also vegan-friendly. 

Even my wonderful healthy trainer is working at undoing a little chocolate damage this week!

Here's what I'm doing to feel my best again:

Not beating myself up too much .. It's Easter and I'm human!

Adding in some intervals, like running up stairs, to my regular walk to sweat a little.

Drinking lots of water so I don't mistake thirst for hunger.

Doing a longer weight training session,

just because I "feel" so good after weights and when I feel good, I'll make healthy choices.

Having lots of cups of tea, which can curb hunger and relax you at the same time. At the moment I love peppermint or liquorice teas which are great for digestion. 

Planning my meals as I always do, but this week, I'm not giving in to any small afternoon cravings or temptations to "have a little extra" because I don't need it! 

Set a goal. "By Saturday, my jeans will feel better".

I believe being healthy is about balance and listening to what your body truly needs. I can't be perfect, but if I do this most of the time, I'm happy. 

X JT

Guest Blog: Cas' Special Smoothie

Hello lovely readers, I can't believe we are already in April. I've been looking back at the healthy intentions I set for the year.

I've been meditating, doing more yoga and increasing my strength, using heavier weights at the gym.  But .. I know I need to get more sleep and drink more water.  I do religiously eat a healthy breakfast each day: peanut butter, chia seeds, water coffee, oats, muesli or an omelette.  A nourishing breakfast sets me up for the day. If I have something that's not good for me, it's easy to think "what the heck" and continue eating badly for the rest of the day.

A smoothie is such a great way to nourish, with lots of different ingredients.  A dear friend of mine is kindly sharing her special smoothie recipe with you all.  Cas is a lawyer, blogger, writer and motivator. 

With her busy schedule it's vital she's always 100 per cent switched on. This one of her secrets. 

I know you'll love it.  You can check out her blog at www.lawyercas.blogspot.com.

JT xx

I don't know about you, but with me, I love my down time!  I spend a lot of time at work, at the gym and catching up with friends so when I do get some time to myself, I want to spend it wisely.  My typical Saturday morning sees me at the gym, followed by a steam room visit and then home.  Then I love nothing more than to curl up with a protein laden post workout meal, a great book or magazine and completely immerse myself in it.  Lately I have been experimenting with different flavoured smoothies to get me through post workout until lunch.

Here is the quick and easy recipe to my super green protein smoothie (pictured above).

• 1 ripe banana
• 2 spoons of Vaalia lactose free French vanilla yoghurt
• 3 spoons of mango sorbet (or you can use mango nectar)
• 1 Vaalia probiotic (you can use any probiotic, I just love Vaalia's passionfruit one)
• 1 scoop of protein powder (I use Evolve Lipo Whey )
• 1 teaspoon of Hawaiian spirulina powder (this smells gross, but once in the smoothie has no taste at all!)
• 2 spoons of LSA mix
• 1 spoon of shredded coconut
• 1 teaspoon of chia seeds
• couple of ice cubes

Blend until all mixed together and serve with shredded coconut to taste.

The above measurements are a guide - I am a big fan of approximates when it comes to smoothies.  If you find the smoothie is too thick for your liking, add in a dash of milk or juice.

This smoothie is one of my favourites as I am getting my greens, protein, fibre and a bit of sweetness all in one hit!

I don't drink coffee (shock!), but recently bought a takeaway thermos so I can pre-make my smoothies and take them with me to have after the gym of a morning.  

I hope you enjoy.

Cas x

Peanut butter coconut protein balls

I don't know about you, but I'm a girl who needs to eat every three hours!  It's a tricky one when during my busy days on the road reporting, I don’t know where I’ll be from one hour to the next.  I always need to have some emergency sustenance tucked away in my handbag.

I like to snack on protein, but I need a little sweetness too!  I took the best bits from all my favourite blogs and recipe books to make my own protein balls (amazeballs I call them!).  They have my favourite mix of salty and sweet and they’re also really good for you.  The ingredients are all organic. 

I freeze the balls and carry them in a little container so they stay cool all day.

For me being healthy is about planning, boring I know, but these protein balls are not!

Happy snacking!!

JT x

Protein Balls

• 1/2 cup peanut butter 

• 3 tbs organic honey

• 1/4 cup shredded coconut

• 1/3 cup protein powder

• 2 tbs plain steel cut oats 

• 6 dates

Pop all ingredients in a blender to mix, roll into little balls and sprinkle with coconut. Store in the fridge.  The consistency can vary with the types of peanut butter you choose, so if they're too sticky, add protein powder and if they're not sticky enough, add a little more honey and peanut butter. 

 

Review: Chiswick's Second Birthday

19/04/14 

Chiswick is one of my favourite Sydney restaurants.  I love the cozy dining room which feels as though you're in someone's home.  

Of course the food is great. 

At Chiswick's birthday, the food was described as "home-style food on steroids"! 

 

 

  

The bomb Alaska birthday cake was just that ... The bomb. So yum!   
Owner Peter Sullivan, Kerri-Anne Kennerley helped blow out the candles.

Speaking of birthdays, this is where I had mine!  A great spot for a lunch time girls gathering or a date night.

JT x

Review: New Bondi Fish

One of my favourite things to do is try out new restaurants and when I find delish food which is also healthy, I'm in foodie-heaven. Matt Moran and Peter Sullivan's, North Bondi Fish is one of Sydney's newest hot spots. 

The food is simple and clean.  You can go as low key or as fancy as you like with oysters to burgers, but the salmon is my pick.  

Do look at the dessert menu.  They're pretty good for a fish shop!  And hey, if you've had a yummy healthy dinner, you don't have to feel guilty saying yes to dessert!  If you're that way inclined .. I recommend the chocolate. The restaurant has the same lively feel as it did when it was "North Bondi Italian", but the decor is much brighter and more casual. 

Great venue for a girls lunch.

JT x