January is the Savasana of the Holidays

Twenty Seventeen is here, but still at the airport.

Landed but not disembarked and yet to claim a few bags (no year is baggage free). By the time 2017 has passed customs and gone through the usual airport arrival rigmarole and found a ride home, then it'll be Feb and you'll be ready....er. 

You'll be readier. 

It's taken me a while to figure this out, but: I think readiness is another one of those things that never can be. A glorious fallacy, a wasteful preoccupation. An illusion like that 'water' in the hot road on the horizon- always out there in front, never closer.

For some January is an entire month of Mondays. 

I've resolved to see January as the savasana of the holidays - the 30-day corpse pose to assimilate all of the stuff, effortlessly, and to focus less on what has to change and more on what may, by all means, stay the same. 

I made a thai-peanut-noodle-salad that's worth writing home about

Friends! Behold:

 The EASIEST, 100% innocent GF, Vegan, Dairy-free Thai Noodle Salad. 

('Thai' is used here in the 'Recipe Title' because the addition of peanuts or lime to any savoury dish automatically makes it Thai and/or Vietnamese and/or exotic, right?) 

This is what happened, and it COULD HAPPEN TO YOU: 

I spotted a packet of gluten-free soba noodles (100% buckwheat) in my pantry cupboard and then forgot about it. Later, same day, whilst strolling the outdoor aisles of the Union Square Farmer's Market, a table of round and shining neon-purple cabbage heads caught my eager nerd eye. Anything from the cabbage/cruciferous family is always welcome in my cart and my life, because: 1. Sulphurous veg and 2. Phase Two detoxification. (Do not ask, simply trust)

1. Shred said cabbage into the most delicate white-and-mauve ribbons using a big sharp knife, drop them into the biggest bowl and then cover them in this dressing:

• 2 tablespoons crunchy peanut butter (organic, 100% raw peanuts)
• 3 Tblspns Tamari sauce (or Soy, if you're cool with gluten)
•  The juice of 1 big lime
• 1 heaped, dripping Tbspn of local raw honey
• A half-thumb size of fresh ginger, finely chopped
• 1 clove garlic, finely chopped
• three shakes of you favourite hot sauce
• more lime luice ;)

2. Boil the gluten-free noodles as per cooking instructions on the packet. While they're boiling, slice some mushrooms into a bowl and cover them in tamari sauce until they're swimming. 

3. Drain the cooked noodles well & pour them all over your dressed-up red cabbage. Mix it all together with your clean hands (don't burn). Feel the noodles, cabbage and peanut sauce slide all over the place like uncontrollable slippery snakes. Inhale a hit of garlic and ginger scent. Be dramatic. 

4. Top the lot with your juicy not-cooked mushroom slices and some avocado if you want to, but whatevs - anyhting from here on out is just details.  I'm dreaming up all kinds of toppings for future feasts  -- bbq prawn;  sesame crusted oven-grilled tofu;  shredded spicy carrots;  sliced green onions and pan-heated peanuts!  What else?! 

Oh, the food nerdery!  

Bon ap, rabbits. Let me know how it goes.

All the x's and o's. 

Day dreaming for dumbos -- Careful what you don't wish for.

Our thoughts are constantly trying to express themselves in our lives. 

What we think ,we attract. Or become attracted to. Simples. You know this. I know this. Oprah knows this.  But sometimes we forget it. We forget to be crystal clear about our intentions. We get sloppy, or maybe scared. But probaby just sloppy.

Fact is: we can use mental imagery to direct our actions and our life towards getting more of what we want and less of what we don't want. No biggy.  

So, do you have a visualization practise? 

Jim Carrey does. In the early 1990’s as a struggling actor he wrote himself a check for $10 million for “acting services rendered”, dated for 1994.  Then Dumb and Dumber happened and Jim got paid exactly $10 million for playing Lloyed Christmas. Today he continually credits his success to constant visulaization -- using mental imagery to create clear visions of what you want in your life.

Jim's not the only not-so-dumb daydreamer. Everyone and their uncle are doing it. Say what you may about Oprah Whinfree, but while the rest of us were getting our preparation plans ready Oprah pulled herself up from poverty and became one of the wealthiest women in the world. She knows for sure that we should:

“ Create the highest, grandest vision possible for your life, because you become what you believe.”

I mean. Amen, right? But who here is actually doing this on the regular? 

We've heard it since forever. We know that our thoughts are powerful creative forces.  We know that we gravitate towards the shit we think about the most. We get it. But do we use it?  

We do train our cardio vascular system to be stronger and last longer. We work out and stretch so that our bodies will keep working for us. We have savings accounts and pensions and wills; we window shop for houses and procrastinate like PROS . Honestly, “One day” is going to be the longest, weirdest day ever. 

How can we communicate even better with our minds? How can we lift the ceiling of what we subconsciously tell ourselves is possible? How do we get the most out of all this wishing and waiting white noise? 

With images. Clear, vivid, visuals. 

There's always a picture pulling your actions in a very specific direction. You may as well think  ahead and make it an image you actively, deliberately designed. And colored and signed. 

The power of visualisation is real. By imagining yourself already having achieved your goals, you allow your thoughts and actions to follow suit, effortlessly. It's like magic but not. 

Mental imagery and affirmations are used by athletes, celebrities, leaders and everyday dudes like us to focus in and mentally rehearse. Thoughts stimulate the nervous system in the same way that actual events do. Makes sense. The coaches of Olympic Athletes can tell you why. In the meantime, ...

Here's some help with a lil 10 minute visualisation exercise: 

Get a pen and paper or have someone que you on the following questions and write down what you come up with. Take your time. Get super comfy and shift your attention from the outside buzz to the chill within. (granted, now might not be the best time to do this, in which case check in again later. I'll be here. Peace) 

• Rest your attention on nothing but your breathing for a few deep inhales and loooong exhales. Now, pull up an imaginary picture of yourself. Any image. JUST IMAGINE YOU. If you need to put some time to it, picture yourself in like 2 years time. Avoid any and all limits here --financial, physical, mental, historical, geographical. This is really a World and Oyster situation. Don't cramp your style. Take the time. Get a nice ideal, romantisized image of yourself, anywhere.

Then elaborate. Start describing it:

·      what can you see all around you?  List everything you see. What does it feel like to be you in that image? If you're content, how come? Why are you so chill? 

·      What kind of people are in your life? What do they look like? Confident, comfortable, peaceful? Or how? What are they doing?  What do they value ? How do they make you feel? What do they do to support you? What do you do to support you? 

·      What are your hobbies? What gets you to jump out of bed with excitement? How do you care for others? How do you take care of yourself? By doing what? 

·      In this ideal vision of you, how do others see you? Your friends and family and the wider community - how are you viewed by others? What do people appreciate or admire about you? When people introduce you professionally what do they say? What’s your bio? Write it. Write out your DREAM BIO. 

·      What do you do for 'work'? What do your days look like? Draw out the plan of your IDEAL 'work' day. From dusk till dawn, draw it out. Pin it, see it, save it. Keep it. Like Jim Carrey's check. And check it regularly. 

Clarifying your intentions. Be detailed and deliberate about where you're heading. 

You will get what you wish for. Tony Robbins says it: 

“Whatever you hold in your mind on a consistent basis is exactly what you will experience in your life.”

Namastè genies. Go create your highest vision. 

And wear sunscreen for goodness sake. 

What you wish you knew about Nutrition

Sup butts!? 

In the first of a series that will answer all your Qs about the mad world of HEALTH + FOOD, here is our first answer to question one, asked by some sweet anonymous reader who we will call Ravin Junior, because that was one of Klara's lie names as a kid:

1. " Since when is healthy food such a big deal? If you're not obese why should you give a HOOT about what you put on your plate?? " 

WERD! (insert applause emoji). Here are the 3 main surprising things that happened to make us REALLY start to care about what we ate : 

• insulin, the hormone that keeps our blood sugar nice and steady for optimal brain and body functioning is very closely linked to the food we eat at every single meal. SO WHAT?  Here's what: HORMONES (e.g. thyroid hormones, sex hormones, sleep hormones, happy hormones, motivation hormones) ENERGY CONVERSION (metabolism and fat storage), FERTILITY (Polycystic ovaries, irregular ovulation, PMS symptoms) CONCENTRATION (brain fog, memory issues, attention deficit), INFLAMMATION (soooo many widespread inflammatory disorders these days unfortunately), CRAVINGS, MUSCLE MASS, EYE HEALTH, NERVE HEALTH, etcetera, etcetera!) Insulin affects a lot of stuff in the body. So we learned that, in this modern world of hyper-processed high GI everything, keeping insulin chilled-out and managing the glucose we eat can go a loooooong way in keeping our cells young and functional. Viva protein and complex carbs. 

• artificial chemicals in everything started taking its toll. We are animals after all. And such resilient beasts too. But something from nature will tolerate a foreign 'poison-like substance' only for so long before it reaches an exhausted, fed-up state and starts dysfunctioning in the most mysterious of ways. Examples? Remember when margarine was awesome and everyone jumped on it like it was the last fucking train to Disneyland, ever? We ate that crap and any version of it for years until some scientists wondered why heart disease is getting worse not better, then proceeded to figure out that an almost 14-step process of emulsifying, dyeing, hydrogenating and bleaching a food product can actually cause serious health issues in the body, beyond just our arteries. Wooopsies. So we started testing all kinds of chemicals on our food - pesticides on fruits and veg, chemicals in the plastic around all our food, colourants, preservatives, GMOs, syrups-, non-sugar sweeteners, all those big words on the ingredients list... we discovered that these foreign, factory creations are interfering big-time with our perfectly smart, self-correcting, self-healing bodies. More chemicals, more complications, more toxins, more cell confusion, more cancer?

• drugs and 'medicine' companies got very powerful and we stopped trusting them.  Healthcare became all about pharmaceuticals -- killing symptoms with chemicals in the form of patentable, profitable pills. Medical care became dishonest as it priorotized superficial, quick-fix surface 'treating' and ignored fundamental, deeper healing and prevention. A few really smart and still-sick patients realsized that modern medicine is great for acute emergency care but sucks when it comes to the chronic, more mysterious long-term health issues like heart disease, diabetes, digestive disorders, inflammatory conditions, fatigue, age-related issues, etc. Taking health into their own hands, these brave individuals removed toxins like drugs and focused on just supporting their whole bodies with the good basic building blocks - clean unprocessed, non-sprayed whole foods; pure untreated water;  fewer artificial chemicals, more natural nutrients, less psychological stress. And YES, slowly their bodies started to get stronger and healthier again. No way. Suddenly,  we all got super curious and the medical research exploded!  Now it's a widely accepted verity: The healthcare needs of the 21st century can only be met with a medical model that is personalized, looks at all the interconnected body systems together, and addresses the underlying causes of disease rather than just numbing the after, aftermath signs and symptoms. 

Now holistic health very much is the new black. Quinoa is the go-to not-grain that even your pet prefers. Smoothies are the cool self-care accessory, and Avocados are the Oprah of Instagram. 

It's a good day to be alive. Ish.  I got you. Stay tuned for satiety and sanity and everything in between. 

Next question, next week. Love you like peanutbutter pie (with a quinoa crust).  xox 

The Mother of all Snack Attacks

Here's the thing about bites and nibbles:

 They're deeply comforting. And they complete every almost-perfect picture. What is a sky-full sunset drink on the beach without that ultimate bite of something salty crisp? What is the 4-hour super-soundtrack scenic road trip without the half-way surprise emergence of a packet of fresh chewables for all?  Edible gifts are often a welcome substitute for actual face-to-face verbal expression of gratitude or condolence or commendation or affection (hello chocolate industry). Snacks have a magical transformative power also: Any proper, awkward situation is instantly softened into a warm-hearted familial gathering as soon as someone pulls out a box of homemade cookies or a packet of sour worms to share with the group. The ice breaking is almost as audible as the communal lip-smacking and suddenly everyone is best buds, "Wow, so sour! Thank you! Here, try some of my beef jerky. In Africa we call it billtong. Like the tongue of a bull. No? okay". 

I'm not here to shun the snacks that clearly serve as butt-savers (ironically) in many a tongue-tied, thumb-twirled situation. I totally get your need to chew (who else tripped hard on sugar at age 5 from marathon eating 38 bubble-gum chappies all at once while watching The Magic Schoolbus at 7am on a Saturday?! No? okay). 

We're all adults now and can calmly accept that The Snack is here to stay. But our recent regard for the wellness of our insides proposes an all new challenge. My sister recently asked me, "What super easy healthy snacks can I have?"  I was like, "Uhm, how about carrot sticks with hummus!". To which she replied, "Carrot sticks? Like, I have to cut normal carrots-that aren't-sticks into stick shapes to eat them?! OK, no. What else?" 

So here, for my sweetest sibling, and any other semi health-aware, busy as balls, lazy as butts, modern working peeps out there, I present to you 10 lesser evil snack ideas for your sharp tongues and ever-empty tums. 

1. A small-ish whole wobbly carrot, washed not cut, dipped in hummus before each bite. 

I have, finally, mastered the art of dipping anything into hummus. Raw cauliflower mini-trees (super detoxifiers!), radishes, apple slices, peppadews, endive leaves, cherry tomatoes (yes, it's messy) and then, when the crudites are all out, my index finger.  Hummus is a flavour-dense, all natural plant-based dip made from high-protein chick-peas, making it the perfect spread. Where there is protein, there is satiety, stable blood sugar, and hope for humanity! I make my own hummus because its easier than pie, and cheaper than... buying anything already made . But you can buy yours next time instead of reaching for the mayo or cream-cheese or dressing. (The fewer ingredients in your hummus the better e.g. chick peas, tahini, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, maybe chili)

2. Banana bites with dollops of nut butter on them.

Not much more explanation needed here. Just again, "protein for president!". I prefer almond butter these days. Apples work real nice too. So do strawberries! (peanut butter and jelly/jam sandwiches sans the sticky stuffy bread).  

3. Fancy popcorn. 

Microwave all natural, non-flavoured, popcorn and then whilst hot, carefully open and sprinkle garlic-salt, onion powder, and a sprinkle of truffle oil  in there. Also add some finely grated parmesan or a few shakes of nutritional yeast (for a non-dairy/ vegan option) Then hold the top closed and SHAKE HARD!! serve.

3.  Parmesan crisps

Who likes melted cheese that cooled a bit and got hard? Right?  Pile and press small circular heaps of grated parmesan (or any cheese really) and bake on a baking sheet in a pre-heated oven 400 degrees F (200*C) for 3-5 mins until melted and golden almost-crispy. Sprinkle with some dried herbs (thyme, rosemary, pepper) if you feel fancy, and let them cool before you package or serve. Dip them in hummus! No?! Okay. 

4. Crispy chick-peas. 

You must get on this already. Drain and rinse a can/jar of cooked chickpeas, pat them dry and toss them in some coconut oil (preferable)/ olive oil/ ghee, then spread them on a baking sheet and bake in a pre-heated oven (400F/200C) for about 30-40 mins until super golden crispy. While they're warm, sprinkle with sea-salt and any spice blend you like (Cajun/ Garlic) or grate over some lemon zest for a surprising side-kick flavour. Let them cool and then dig in to crunchy, nutty low-carb high protein saltiness. 

5. Avocado nori roles

These are killer and vegan and silky and fancy. Not the fastest on the list but worth it.  Mush 2 avocados in a medium sized bowl. Add to it: the juice of a lemon or lime; 2 palm-fulls of finely-chopped chives or shallots; some freshly grated horseradish (or a tablespoon of wasabi paste); some grated cucumber/raw zucchini; half a cup of roasted pine-nuts; sea-salt and black pepper to taste.. Then spread this almost-guacamole onto 2 nori sheets and roll into sushi-like rolls. Cut into bites with a super sharp knife! (Wet the blade with water after every slice to cut through the tough Nori). Then make a dipping sauce of Tamari /Soy sauce with fresh ginger juice and some chili flakes (add a spoon of melted honey for sweetness). 

6. Hard-boiled eggs and hot-sauce avocado spread

I know, a literal mouthful. Hard-boil a bunch of free-range farm eggs. (boiled eggs are always to be found in my fridge, for you just never know) then cut them in half and serve with a dollop of the following creamy spread: Avocado mashed with a few shakes of your favourite hot sauce (Tabasco/ Tapatio/ Huy Fong Chili Garlic/ Cholula), lots of fresh black pepper and a dash of tamari (saltiness). If you want to be fun and ridiculous soak your boiled eggs in tamari sauce over-night so they get brown and salty and zingy (One of my favourite bars in Paris Le Mary Celeste does a similar thang). 

7. All of the round things. 

This is an ode to all of nature's round pearls of nurture. Grapes, berries, cherries, cherry tomatoes. I like to throw these glorious little balls into one pretty bowl and serve them ice-cold to my self and/or non-annoying others. Toddlers and elders alike love this situation. And unless you've been hiding in a cave with your sleeping mask over your eyes and new Hot Chip in your ears, then you will certainly know by now that berries are basically the healthiest things on earth, just ahead of red grapes (resveratrol please) and cherry tomatoes (lycopene thanks). So there's that. Up the fancy (and protein content) by adding tiny mozzarella balls or cubes of special mild hard french cheese) 

8. Leftovers that once were warm.

Never underestimate the accumulative flavour of yesterday's dinner, now served cold with some avocado or rucola to garnish. I'm talking sliced steak, fish, cold grilled mushrooms, peppers, eggplant, onions,crispy grilled green beans, sweet potato fries dipped in a garlic mustard sauce?! 

9.  Smoothies! 

I'm sorry but I really can't resist adding the super-star of nutrition here because 1. who doesn't like a creamy sweet milkshake and 2. what else gives you so much fulfilling wellness in 3 minutes? The base of any successful smoothie is a sliced frozen banana, a handful of green leaves, some water and non-dairy milk (almond/rice/hemp) a spoonful of nut butter and then whatever else you want to play with (berries, matcha powder, a date, chia seeds). 

10. The darkest chocolate. 

Cacao is enjoying worldwide fame all over again after the breaking news that it is in fact so full of health that we just don't know what to do with ourselves. Now unfortunately some idiot a long time ago decided that the perfect compliment to the world's healthiest natural antioxidant aphrodisiac, would be cow's milk (intended for baby cows) and toxic sugar (intended for no one) and voila! "Chocolate" as we know it was born. Not ideal. Stick to dark dark dark for extra beneficial bitterness. You'll get used to it and you'll end up being satisfied with much less. And do, for goodness sake, ENJOY every melting mouthful. 

Thanks for reading sweet treats. If you like what you've learned then feel free to spread it all over like glitter, thereby assisting my dream of reaching the entire wide world. Casual.  

Thank yooouu.  I'll never forget your deeds :) 

Together in munching, xox