The Food Remedy - Figs

  Are you a fan of figs? I love September becausee fresh figs are in season. Whilst dried figs are available throughout the year, there really is nothing like the unique taste and texture of fresh figs. There sweet intense taste makes them an ideal match for equally sharp ingredients, such as salty prosciutto or my personal favorite crumbled Greek feta!

Figs have many health benefits.

They could help lower cholesterol, as they contain Pectin a soluble fiber. When fiber moves through the digestive system, it helps clear up excess clumps of cholesterol and eliminates them from the body. Soluble fiber may also help you feel fuller for longer because it absorbs water in the digestive tract, which means food moves through the gut slowly.

Figs may help control blood pressure. This is because figs are rich in the nutrients potassium, one of the key mineral accountable for balancing fluids and minerals in our body. Potassium intake helps minimise the effects of sodium on blood pressure.

Figs are also good for your bones as they are rich in calcium, an important mineral that is essential in the development and maintenance of strong bones. They contain 35 mg of calcium per 100g which compare to other fruits is fairly high. They are also rich in phosphorus, which encourages bone formation and spurs regrowth if there is any damage or degradation to bones.

It’s worth noting that figs do not ripen after picking, so choose the ripest fruits you can and eat them within a few days as fresh figs have an extremely short shelf life. They have a thin-skinned that can bruise easily so store carefully. When time permits I try to leave figs in sunlight (usually on my kitchen windowsill) which helps enhances their delicate flavour and gives of a beautiful scent.

FED UP OF DIETING?

Eating is cheating

This is what I used to say to myself this was of course during my meal replacement faze. Convinced food was the enemy and I simply didn't need it. I convinced myself I had all the nutrients I needed in my meal replacement shakes. I was depressed but slim, surely this wasn't how my life was supposed to be. Every where I went people even commented on how well I looked, (which shocked even me) I loved the praise so food was the devil to me and I believed that to look nice I had to basically not eat. Health became second to looks, that was the message that was imprinted on my brain, what a strange world we live in. But it wasn't sustainable, my body constantly cold, and weak, my skin slightly grey my lips very often a light blue I cried most days and was driven to binged when I was too weak and miserable to stop.

Then I started another diet club I was allowed food again but this time the saying was little pickers wear big knickers. Avoid fat this particular diet was low fat high carb the rollers coaster and confusion continued.

I read ever diet book going, bought every magazine publish on diet, watched every program on health, yet I felt like a failure why couldn't I stick to a diet? where was I going wrong?

I followed so many diets you name it I tried it, I had a hunger for information but it was so confusing! I wanted to full understand the biochemistry, physiology and psychology of what drives us to do what we do and how to change...so I went back to study nutrition.

I learnt so much, the first one was mind blowing - I wasn't to blame for my cravings the diet industry had set me up to fail. I learnt food never was the enemy, food is essential for life, it's ok to be hungry and its normal to eat food - what a revolution!

I finally learnt how to eat, how to nourish my body with whole unprocessed food and I learnt to love myself,  a shift in mindset. I learnt how truly magnificent the body is and I learnt to truly appreciate the body I had. I over came IBS and poly cystic ovary syndrome.

If you are stuck in the cycle of yo-yo dieting or perhaps you are constantly comparing yourself to others, and confused about what to eat and when. I can help you!

Join me on October the 7th for a fun packed evening where I will teach you how I overcame the constant dieting, negative mindset and body loathing, how you too can eat delicious nourishing food that is easy to make a delicious. I can show you a way of eating that will kick cravings to the curb, stop the bloating and help you glow from the inside out.

Nourish your body. Empower you mind. Inspire your soul.

Starting at 6.30 with healthy nibbles on arrival. An interactive talk from 6:45-7:45 followed by a cooking demonstration and more tasters. Finishing of with a Question and answer session.

Tickets are £15 and you will each have a good bag to take home.

Spaces are limited so book your space today! By calling 07780007361 or by going to

https://www.eventbrite.com/publish?crumb=41a1bd02f5c917&eid=13234949089

Can't wait to met you all!

Lots of love Kirst xx

Sexy Salmon Salad

Sexy Salmon Salad  that Serves 2 Ingredients

* 2 salmon Fillets

* 40g of spinach leaves

*40g of butter head lettuce

* 2 courgettes (zucchini)

* six spring onions (white and green bits)

* 16 cherry tomatoes

* teaspoon of coconut butter

*Juice of 1/2 a lemon

For the dressing

*Extra Virgin Olive Oil

* Balsamic Vinegar

*1/2 lemon

* Pink Himalayan sea salt and freshly ground pepper

Heat the Oven to 180 degrees

Put the salmon fillets in an oven proof dish and dress with 1/2 teaspoon of coconut butter, the juice of 1/2 a lemon and a sprinkle of freshly ground pepper

cook for 15 minutes or until cooked through

In a griddle pan heat the remaining coconut butter

Dice the courgette and spring onions and cook until heated through

Wash and chop the lettuce leaves, quarter the cherry tomatoes and divide between two plates, On top place the courgettes and spring onions and salmon

dress with a teaspoon of extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar and lemon juice and s pinch of salt and pepper.

ENJOY!!

Hazels Raw Fudge

If you are looking for a delicious clean tasty desert, then Hazel aka The Food Medic has created this delicious clean treat for you! For more treats like these you can buy Hazels 'clean eats and protein treats'  here

http://thefoodmedic.co.uk/2014/05/22/the-food-medic-clean-eats-and-protein-treats/

Hazel’s Raw Fudge

Ingredients 

(Makes 20 pieces)

2/3 Cup of Nut butter

¼ cup of raw cacao powder

¼ cup of Lucy Bee’s coconut oil

1 tbsp of Organic Burst Maca

2 tsp of vanilla essence

1/3 cup of agave nectar/organic honey

Extras: raw cacao nibs, roasted hazelnuts and goji berries

Method

1. Bring a saucepan of shallow water to boil and then turn the heat down to simmering. Add the ingredients, apart from the ‘extras’, to a mixing bowl and place over the saucepan of hot water.
2. Stir constantly for approximately 1-2 minutes until the mixture is completely combined. Be careful not to overheat the mixture as this will disturb the texture of the fudge.
3. Line a baking tray (I used a bread tin!) with cling film and pour the mixture into the tray.
4.  4. Cover with cling film and pat down the mixture so the top layer is even.
5. Chill in the fridge for approximately 1hr, or until the mixture is solid, and remove from the cling film. Chop into bite sized pieces and store in a jar in the fridge.

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Blog: http://thefoodmedic.wordpress.com/

cucumber

Did you know that cucumber could help to dissolve uric acid? So are great for people who suffer from gout! Food is a Remedy!