What is square breathing? It is breathwork that works within a framework and can be used similar to diaphragmatic breathing which I often recommend with my clients. I generally recommend a form of breathwork for clients with digestive issues, anxiety, and stress. In fact, we can all benefit from it! It can increase feelings of calm by minimising stress, it achieves this through moving a shift from the sympathetic nervous system ("fight or flight") to the parasympathetic nervous system ("rest & digest"). It is referred to as box breathing, square breathing, 4x4 and essentially is about breathing in counts of four as illustrated below. How to start square breathing It is a good idea to sit in a chair, the earth or the ...
Beef & Broccoli Stirfy
This is big for me, I have only recently been including red meat in my diet after not eating red meat from circa 2002! And when I say including, I've eaten it about two times this year as I simply just don't fancy it that often. I don't have rules around what I eat and tend to eat what my body feels it requires. Although I am very aware if I've not taken a break all day and suddenly feeling the need to devour "all the things" but mostly the things with a hefty sugar punch that I've likely left eating too long rather than a desperate physiological need for my body weight in sugar. I was going to include a post for iron using plant-based foods, however, I thoroughly enjoyed this dish, super simple and worth a share. Ingredients (serves ...
Raspberry Collagen Smoothie
There are many nutrients that support the prevention of injury and recovery from injury. Does collagen have superpowers, no. Is it going to give you an instant facelift, thick hair, and long nails, no. But has it been shown to be beneficial for joint pain and recovery with a faster return to training. Vitamin C, omega3 and calcium featuring in this smoothie as other great nutrients to support recovery from injury. the recipe below serves one. Ingredients 150ml coconut milk3 tbsp natural pot set yoghurt1/2 banana1/3 cup strawberries & raspberries2 tsp ground chia seeds1-2 tbsp collagen powder1/2 cup ice Instructions Add all ingredients to a high-speed blender/VitamixBlend until smooth and enjoy! - Remember to chew your ...
Salmon Nourish Bowl
These bowls are quick and a great way to get a bowl full of nutrients. This bowl has salmon, seaweeds, edamame, and greens, lots of nutrients to support a healthy menstrual cycle with magnesium, iodine, essential fatty acids (omegas), and carbohydrate. Serves 3. Ingredients 2 cups cooked rice (choose your favourite)150g edamame1 avocado1/2 cup fresh seaweed1 sheet dried seaweed or dulse flakes345g sashimi salmon100g tempeh2 handfuls baby spinach3 radishes1tbsp sesame seeds Instructions Cook rice. I like to do absorption method. Add around 1 cup rice to a saucepan with 2 cups of water. Bring to the boil, take lid off stir, drop the heat to low and simmer with the lid on until all water has goneAdd cooled rice to the ...
Fish with Plum & Herb Salad
Someone once said to me, "wow, you're a nutritionist and you don't love to cook?". 100%!! It surprises some people that not all nutritionists are recipe creators, chefs, and love to spend every spare moment in the kitchen. If I'm honest I'd rather be out trail running. I'm lucky enough to have a partner who loves to cook and is bloody amazing at it - yep I know, scored on that one. The food I make is simple, fresh, doesn't take a lot of time and can often be made in one pan, because cleaning up isn't fun either, right?! This one is simple, contains all of your macronutrients and lots of colour to feed your gut microbiome. Ingredients 450-500g flathead fillets4 large potatoes2.5tbsp extra virgin olive oil2 tsp grass-fed butter2 ...
DIY Sports Drink
There are many brands of ready made sports/electrolyte drinks to choose from to recover from those big sessions or a summer training session. I generally look for brands that have little added to the essential ingredients as possible. One of my favourite brands currently is PURE Sports Nutrition. Ingredients 600ml filtered water1/4 cup lemon juice1/4 cup lime juice1/8 tsp Celtic/Himalayan salt3 tbsp maple syrupIce it up, baby! Drinking it chilled is bliss! Extra Bits... If you are seeking a carbohydrate-free mix you can use stevia as a sweetener, however, keep in mind this will not provide energy.Can add 100mg magnesium citrate/bisglycinate to the mix.Not a maple syrup fan? Swap for honey or 60g glucose. ...
Peach Porridge
It's not even cool weather, but I had a hankering for a bowl of porridge this morning and I was after a protein hit post-training so here was the protein peach porridge. Oats are a nourishing breakfast, particularly in winter! They are a source of fibre and contain beta-glucans which are helpful at maintaining healthy cholesterol levels. Enjoy! Ingredients 40g vanilla protein powder1/2 cup rolled oats1/4 tsp cinnamon1/2 small apple (grated)Fresh peach1/4 cup coconut yoghurt Instructions Mix the oats, grated apple and cinnamon with 3/4-1 cup of water (this will depend on how thick you like your oats!Bring to the boil, add protein powder and simmer with the lid on until cooked.Serve with sliced fresh peach and coconut ...
Why I think BMI is actually BS
I started to write this after having a handful of clients this week who have been told by PTs and GPs that their BMI indicates they are obese and need to lose weight. These clients have been given various protocols to lose weight from shake diets to ongoing 1200kcal diets. None of these practitioners have been trained in nutrition or considered the effects of this dietary advice. The effects of the comments and the advice lead to stress, revisited weight trauma, self-esteem loss, and unhealthy eating practices and relationships to food. Let alone the impact these diets can have on the gut microbiome and hormonal health. What is BMI? It is body mass index, an equation designed by an astronomer and statistician to categorise people ...
Gut Health: How to have a rockin’ microbiome
How many plant foods have you eaten this week? The power of plants can’t be ignored and why would we, plants are delicious and provide so many nutrients for multiple functions in our body. This blog I’m chatting about gut health or more specifically the gut microbiome and how plants are the key to a rockin' microbiome. Am I suggesting vegan, no. Including animal proteins in the diet have incredible benefits for overall health, however, the plant foods should always be the hero of the plate. This is plant-based eating, plants are the shining heros! What is the microbiome? "A microbiome is the community of micro-organisms living together in a particular habitat”. We often hear about the gut microbiome (it’s a hot topic!), ...
Eating Rainbows vs Counting Macros
Has counting macros become one of your daily habits? Or counting points in Weight Watchers world? Counting calories? Weighing yourself daily on the scales? I mean I get it, I used to count. Once upon a time I could’ve told you how many calories were on my plate, so I hear you loud and clear! It can feel like a sense of control, it means you are looking after your health and if I stop counting it’ll all go pear-shaped, right? No, it doesn’t and it won’t. It makes me shake my head because counting leads to disengagement with what we physically need, our bodies will tell us what we need, if we listen. If counting calories, macros, whatever it may be, you will often overeat or undereat, all to fit in the daily quota. And let’s be honest, ...
