First published 6/10/2011 updated 18/6/2019 Seaweed has long been an essential part of the Japanese diet and noted for its healing properties in the East since 3000 BC, now modern cuisine has begun to embrace mineral rich marine algae with abundance. Seaweed, also known as sea vegetables, are predominantly edible with varieties that include wrack, […]
Many moons ago when I was still a wayward, moped riding teenager I managed a great Japanese restaurant in Melbourne. A glamourous izakaya bar with plush tatami rooms and serious table cooking that I would perform on a nightly basis strapped inside a glorious orange and silver silk kimono – sadly no photos were ever […]
Australia Day strikes a bittersweet note on our calendar signalling the end of long summer holidays and heralding the return to work and school. Many Aussies honour the landing of white man onto this great southern land, while others prefer to label it Invasion Day. Whatever your beef, there’s no better way to get ready […]
First published on: Sep 24, 2013 So here’s the thing, I was never a fan of raw food – because of its cooling and abrasive effect on the digestive system for some – until I moved up to Byron Bay where I started to investigate the merits of living foods and over the past ten years I […]
A celebration cake not for everyday dining yet will be a sure fire hit for any special occasion. Rich in protein and a little too much sugar – even though I have modified it – so be careful if you have a hot electric oven as it may burn. I actually baked this at around 170 […]
Here’s a handy list of sustainable fish and seafood for Australian waters. Choose wisely and choose well. Snapper is very prominent in our local waters near Byron Bay, as are Tweed Heads’ prawns, so it’s a good idea to check with your local supplier or fishmonger what is happening near your home. Buyer beware: Blue-fin Tuna […]
When I was a 19 year old whippersnapper, I studied Japanese language and managed a Japanese Restaurant in Melbourne. I wore a traditional kimono everyday – can you imagine – and learned the tricks of the trade from my hilarious, sake infused Japanese colleagues. 2 x 120 gram salmon fillets 1 teaspoon macadamia oil for coating 1 […]
Here’s a fancy festive salad to make the most of leftovers from Christmas day or as a beautifully healthy alternative to the traditional roast bird. This recipe will work well with berries, cherries, nectarine or mango. For the salad […]
It’s not always about Paleo – a high fibre diet also holds a great deal of merit for some and these wholegrain and seed bars are a homespun delight – and the perfect grab ‘n’ go anywhere wholefood filler. Gowings grab ‘n’ go muesli bars Makes 16 1 teaspoon coconut oil, melted 1 cup rolled […]
Want to speed up your metabolism so you burn more fat? Eating chilli is a well known tactic in the fight against unwanted body fat and a spoon or two of killer chill jam is just the ticket to boost your digestive fire. All hot chillies contain capsaicinoids, natural substances that produce a burning sensation. This […]
Sardines are rich in omega-3 essential fatty acids which have an anti-inflammatory action and beneficial to the nervous system. Quinoa is native to the Andean region of South America, the principal food of the area. The leaves are similar to the spinach plant and seeds are cultivated for their nutritious protein and calcium components. High in […]
This recipe was originally created for one of our famous Easter Bluesfest birthday parties. But it’s not just for Easter, it’s a great Paleo desert anytime of the year. Enjoy. For the base 1 cup almonds 1 cup macadamia nuts ½ cup currants ½ cup Medjool dates, pitted 2 tablespoons raw cacao ½ cup cacao […]
Now me and Clare Bowditch go back a long way – as do most of the rockin’ women posted here. According to CB, I am the “original health coach”. She should know ‘cos she came to me as a patient way back in 2002 for nutritional support. She then wrote the following blessing – the introduction […]
At the time of writing this post early 2014, I was becoming more and more intrigued by the Paleo way of life. The more I read, the more it maked sense, especially from an unprocessed, wholefoods point of view. Essentially it’s about minimising your grain intake and upping the ante on premium organic meat and enjoying […]
This is a recipe once created especially for Shrove Tuesday, the day that precedes Ash Wednesday that heralds the beginning of Lent. Traditionally it’s Pancake Day, a day to indulge yourself before the dietary restrictions of “Giving it up for Lent”. However it is also a great treat for any holiday or sunny sunday. Serve […]
This recipe is one of my staple food as medicine must haves. It is so easy to make and so very good for you. The rich, red colour of this tea helps to tonify the blood and cleanse the liver. Because beets have strong detoxifying properties, as they are high in chlorine, this little tonic […]
After a whirlwind book tour that took us to Bali, Melbourne (twice!) onto Sydney and home to Byron, “The little red book that could” has been well received across land and sea. Here’s a few snaps and snippets of local media, radio and the Byron Bay book launch at St. Elmo last week. Stock up […]
I can’t take all the credit for this little ripper ‘cos my super smooth chef Jasmine (a.k.a. Jazzy Pops) did all the work, but she insisted I call it this so here it is. We have one of these every morning to break the Paleo Intermittent Fasting 16 hour fast. It’s packed full of everything a […]
As it’s Melbourne Cup day in Australia, I thought I’d trot this wonderful story out to my readers whom may not know this lovely tale. The Day before the running of the 1985 Melbourne Cup we were at Gowings Restaurant. The torrential rain began around lunchtime and continued throughout the night. With every downpour, came […]
Everyone seems to love a green smoothie these days. Years ago all we had was a banana vibe but now it’s supergreen kale to the rescue and anything else you can get your hands on. This recipe has been formally published in the brand spanking new Byron Bay Cookbook launched this week. The gorgeous pic is […]
In all honesty, some of the best ingredients I’ve ever found are right on my doorstep – take the local produce offerings nestling in the Honesty Boxes of the Northern Rivers for example. Here they are, just crying out for a home and hopefully, a tasty recipe to showcase their loyalty to the season. So […]
Ever wondered how the food at raw food cafes tastes so good? On most occasions it is due to a high volume of raw cashews. These kidney shaped nuts grow at the end of the cashew apple and their rich creamy texture when processed creates the perfect texture for the sweet and healthier alternatives that raw […]
Here’s a favourite spring salad that’s so quick and easy and full of liver friendly cauliflower, with a hint of sweetness form cranberries and a kiss of mint. Raw cauliflower couscous with macadamia nuts and cranberries 1/2 head cauliflower, roughly chopped 1 cup macadamia nuts ½ cup parsley, finely chopped ½ cup mint, finely chopped […]
Bugger. I’ve got the lergy. Although it’s not a completely debilitating one, it’s enough to keep me out of the kitchen – ‘cos nobody wants to see a sick chef – especially in a health retreat. So I’ve been tucked up in bed for a few days, just crawling out to absorb some vitamin D […]
Just pulled this one out from my hat as the planets have aligned to bring me to Melbourne at the end of the month so there’s never been a better time to host an exclusive masterclass in two of the most talked about diets to date – Raw Food and Paleo. I’ll be sharing my knowledge of both […]
Since it’s quinoa week on Healthtalks TV here’s another recipe that Jess and I have thrown together for you. Click the image below to watch A quick and healthy alkalising quinoa recipe 1 cup cooked white quinoa 3 fresh shitake, finely sliced 2 stalks celery, finely sliced 1 teaspoon grated ginger 1 tablespoon Brookfarm macadamia nut […]
In today’s episode of Healthtalks TV Mel and I get green and seedy with quinoa. You can read the full quinoa story here and watch the clip by clicking the image below. _____________ Botanically, quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) is derived from the Chenopodium or goosefoot family – as is spinach, chard and beets. It is native to […]
I reckon that turkey is one of the underestimated sources of protein packed, lean meat. I’ve always loved Christmas for the big bird feast, so when I met Ewart and Suzanne Sylvester from the Darling Downs, owners of Green Ag Turkey at a trade show a while back, I was instantly smitten with their product and hired […]
A stay at this boutique, ocean-side, health-spa retreat is almost worth it for the cuisine alone: who knew food could be so seriously delicious and healthy? In today’s Age and Sydney Morning Herald my Surf Spa Food was chosen as Australia’s best Spa Food destination. Food Cabarita Ocean Health Retreat, NSW A stay at this boutique, ocean-side, health-spa […]
In case you missed all the fuss this week about the Naked Truth about Raw Food on Healthtalks TV here’s the clip for you and some of my favourite raw desserts. Raw tiramisu Individual Raw-spberry Rose Cakes
From little things big things grow – so Paul Kelly tells us – and it sure is true when it comes to my little friend Tracy Kingman (TK) who was a whippersnapper of a thang when we met. I was 16 and she’s a good deal younger. Over our very long friendship we have had […]
The best thing about putting Rockin’ Women Wednesdays together is that I get to hook up with my mates who I haven’t touched base with in yonks. Meet Kerri Simpson, one of Australia’s original rock chicks with a heart as big as the moon. I love ‘Simpsoni’ – she’s the real deal with a dry wit […]
Once upon a time before I became an organic chef and devotee to all things healthy, I was the licensee of the historic Grace Darling Hotel, on Smith Street in the gritty, inner city Melbourne suburb of Collingwood from 1990-1998. My brother Chris and I owned and operated the famous old bluestone pub. We proudly […]
We all know how delicious those superfoods can be especially when cacao and chia meet, marry and have baby muffins with a whole bunch of other stuff. Now if you’re of the gluten free variety and ditching the spelt, wheat and other rising stars then chances are you might be sprinkling a few pinches of […]
A funny thing happened on the way to the market to make this smoothie for today’s Healthtalks TV epsidsode…. Ok, so it’s not that funny. In fact, it was quite frightening. I’d just had a cuppa with my buddy Carram, Byron Bay’s best Personal Trainer, then popped into the Green Garage – a cavernous gourmet joint […]
Here’s a sneak peak inside the pages of my new ebook, The Healing Feeling which you can buy for a very tasty price of just $19.95 here. It’s packed full of health tips, nutrition tables and superfoods. You’ll love it!
Here’s our final segment for 2012 and what a hoot it is! We had a cracker of a time shooting season two of HeathtalksTV in Melbourne this month. Graciously hosted by organically minded friends (whom I have known since my Collingwood days) Walter and Dorota Trupp from Trupp Cooking School who let us use their fab […]
This elegant summer salad of crab is just the ticket for soothing the senses on a hot day. It will make the perfect entree for Christmas lunch or a refreshing accompaniment to Boxing Day leftovers. I have used spanner crab meat which I buy in small sous vide sachets of 100 grams from here. These […]
At Healthtalks TV we dish you up the naked truth on all things raw, skinny, good fats and bad. It’s the only online TV show where you’ll get the ins and outs on all that’s well and truly. Checkout the final episode for our pilot season – it’s an absolute cracker!
In this week’s episode of Healthtalks TV, I’m rocking an awesome Brussels sprout salad just in time for a post Spring Carnival cleanse. These mini cabbages are jam-packed full of sulphurous compounds which help to cleanse the liver and purify the blood. If you hated Brussels sprouts as a kid because your mother over cooked […]
This living salad is one of the highlights of my Surf Spa Food menu. Best to buy activated nuts and seeds for this if you don’t have a dehydrator to do it yourself. In this episode of HealthtalksTVs Nat Kringoudis and I talk about the healing properties of sea vegetables. Here’s a excerpt from my book The Healing Feeling […]
These little beauties are the ultimate bliss ball packed full of superfoods, most of which come from our friends at Maretai. I love this company because they work in close relationship with local farmers and producers in Mexico, so they’re are able to supply wild crafted products at a competitive price while supporting the sustainable growth […]
We had an absolute ball shooting this episode of Healthtalks TV in Melbourne. This uplifting recipe is inspired by a Middle Eastern version from Dani Valent’s Thermomix book called In the Mix that you can buy here. Beetroot, pepita, rosewater and pomegranate salad Serves 8 *Please note, this recipe works best if you use a Thermomix […]
Nikki knows her food. But what she didn’t know was how far insight and honesty goes when it comes to mentoring an expert like her. — Meet Nikki Fisher, the Wholefood Mama for who writing and cooking have been constants in her life from an early age. These days her connection to cooking focuses more […]
A tisane is a herbal infusion usually consisting of leaves and flowers, steeped for a few minutes so as to release the essential oils. I have created this fragrant, subtle blend of lymphagogues, to help clear my lymphatic system after enjoying Naked Treaties‘ energising spring liquid cleanse of juices, smoothies and vegetable broths. I have noticed […]
I’ve been in Melbourne over the weekend teaching my Organic Superfoods Masterclass and shooting an amazing new wellness project for TV with my good friend Nat Kringoudis (gorgeous in gold) and two new BFFs, Jess Ainscough (in red) and Melissa Ambrosini (next to me). The show is called HealthTALKS and I invite you all to like our Facebook page […]
There’s a couple of seats left for next weekend’s Melbourne Masterclass. This is the last Melbourne class for the year. Can you come? Hope so, here’s the details. __________________________ Organic Superfoods Masterclass NEXT CLASS: 1st September 2012 12pm HURRY! LIMITED AVAILABILITY $250 inclusive of HANDS ON class, lunch and nutrition handbook Register or call 0411 852 […]
Who would have ever believed that something so healthy could taste so damn fine?! I guarantee that you will just love these sweet rich treats. But go easy, one a day is more than enough! 1 tablespoon coconut oil, melted 2 cups pecans 2½ cups Medjool dates, pitted 1 cup raw cacao 1 cup activated […]
My beautiful friend gave me a bounty of his handpicked organic garden leaves and flowers yesterday. They are so gorgeous that I didn’t want to eat them but I knew how good just a handful would be blended up into a breakfast smoothie for my fabulous breakfast chef Jasmine and I. Here’s what we did… […]
FODMAPs are Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides and Polyols – a collection of molecules found in food that are poorly absorbed by some digestive systems. which in turn may present with Irritable Bowel Syndrome like symptoms including abdominal pain and bloating. The usual food suspects are most dried fruit, onions, garlic, artichokes, asparagus, honey – and […]
Here’s a way to your Mother’s heart – that is if she’s not a vegan! So get quacking down to your local Chinatown, pick and pluck a duck to take home. They’ll cut it for you and take the bones away of you ask nicely. This is the fastest way I know to get that […]
Here’s a sunny post surf pick me up for any day. Be sure to use only the absolute best quality protein powder, I prefer the Sun Warrior, which you can find here You’ll find a great selection of superfoods including raw cacao and the important hormone regulator Peruvian maca here The Melbourne Superfoods Masterclass sold out […]
These little beauties are just the ticket if you’re avoiding grains or heavy muesli first thing. A well appointed superfood, chia is from the annual herb family of mint (Salvia) and is action packed with complete protein, which means it has of the nine essential amino acids in proper proportions including other non-essentials. In fact chia seeds […]
4 fresh ripe figs, trimmed and cut into quarters 2 tablespoons coconut yoghurt Cut figs and serve alongside coconut yoghurt I am forever devising concoctions that are dairy free for my readers who are dreaming of that cheesy feeling. So if there’s no cow or sheep’s milk yoghurt for breakfast, his means that necessity and consumer […]
This tropical celebration cake is entirely gluten free and comprising of coconut flour for the starch, this is the healthiest guilt free cake I have ever made and perfect if you are avoiding processed grains and flours. You can even grind your own coconut in a Thermomix if you have one. 50 grams/½ cup goji […]
Aren’t these a ripper?! These ultimate bliss balls come from Deepak Chopra’s secret recipe to promote a healthy digestion and purify the body – mind. I reckon you’ll love ’em too – they’re best kept chilled to keep their shape and will keep for up to 7 days in the fridge. 1 cup toasted sesame seeds […]
There’s a huge swell mounting off the coast here in Byron Bay, with waves of up to 4.5 metres predicted for Christmas Day due to the remnants of tropical cyclone Fina meeting the low that might swing up from the Great Australian Bight. So here’s another great Australian bite – not traditional, but certainly a ripper […]
Thanks to our Balinese Cosmic Sister Janet DeNeefe from Casa Luna Cooking School and her Honeymoon Guesthouse for the recipe. This highly nutritious, famous pudding is mainly eaten in Indonesia as an afternoon snack. It’s great topped with fresh fruit, toasted coconut and, of course, a liberal amount of coconut milk. Next time you’re in Bali, head up […]
Just knocked their socks off at our trial week for the new retreat. This little charmer proved to be the best friend to the sensational organic sirloin from Jack Spratt’s butcher in Tweed Heads. Do yourself a flavour this weekend and whip it up. Perfect with fish, chicken or red meat and even better with […]
You know passionfruit, turmeric and eggs are not normally ingredients who play together, however turmeric and passionfruit are kinda yellow so I reckoned they’d blend up well with a few egg yolks and make a cracker of an accompaniment to a handful of local grilled prawns. Passionfruit, an obvious aphrodisiac, also has powerful healing properties […]
Ume-sho-kuzu is one of the most widely prescribed Japanese macrobiotic home remedies. It is made from kuzu, umeboshi, a pickled sour plum and shoyu. Kuzu is the root of a Japanese plant like arrowroot, which grows wild in mountainous regions. This tonic helps to strengthen the blood, improve circulation, restore energy and promote good digestion. Great […]
The peach blossom is blooming heralding the approach of spring here in the Northern Rivers. This means that the root vegetables of winter will not be as full bodied shortly, so best get onto those beets you’ve been waiting to pickle asap! They’ll be ready in a few weeks if you do them now and are […]
This deliciously warming Ayurvedic gluten-free breakfast idea came from my good friend Brenda when she owned Mondo Organics in Brisbane. I’ve tweaked it a little to suit what was in my pantry today. The perfect brekky after Sunday morning yoga and a great way to start your surfing day. Rolled rice is available at most good food stores […]
This comes from the sub-continental paradise of Sri Lanka where I tailor made a range of menus and wellness programs for Kahanda Kanda in Galle. KK offers deliciously healthy food including Cleansing, Alkalising and Macrobiotic menus. All incorporate elements of traditional and contemporary nutritional medicine, combined with local and seasonal produce. This muesli is wheat free, not gluten free and showcases the […]
Aduki bean with black jasmine rice, red slaw and crunchy pepitas This colourful, crunchy combo will help to dry out any damp conditions such as excess mucous, phlegm and digestive stuff! The cabbage helps to cleanse the liver and the black rice will support the kidney Qi. Great for acute coughs and head colds. The […]
This recipe was originally created for a segment on What’s Up Down Under TV with Frankie J Holden, which you can watch here. The shoot was at Hastings Point, about 25 minutes north of Byron Bay on a very windy weekend morning. Frankie J was just hilarious and we had a ball together! I’ve swapped […]
This recipe is one of our most popular and originally featured in Sarah Wilson’s Tuesday’s Eats 1 cup red quinoa, rinsed 2 cups water 1⁄4 cup macadamia nuts, roughly chopped 1⁄4 cup goji berries 1 vanilla pod, split and seeds scraped 2 teaspoon chia seeds 1 teaspoon ground ginger Pinch cinnamon ½ lime juice only […]
This is the kind of dish you can throw together when there’s nothing in the fridge, especially if you’ve been travelling and take away is just not an option. Providing you have a few Japanese staples kicking around the pantry, you’ll have a quick, nutritious and gluten free fix in no time. 125 grams (½ […]
This special tonic is the perfect pick-me-up to keep your immunity in tiptop shape before a cold or flu unfolds. Its rich golden yellow hue comes from beta-carotene. Inspired by the great Jamu kunyit at Bali Janet’s Casa Luna, this is my version with the fresh stuff created for the cooking school in 2005. Like its […]