All posts tagged: health

That Sugar Film – Review

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Firstly, I want to say this is not a health blog. I don’t preach health advice because I’m not a health professional and I don’t feel like I have any business writing about health. I write about food because I enjoy cooking and eating food. However, this is a film review about a health documentary. For those who are doing JunkFreeJune, this film may be the push you need to get through the second half of the month. The premise Australian director/film maker/writer Damon Gameau does not eat sugar. His diet of healthy fats, proteins, fruits and vegetables is one that we could probably all aspire to. To try and prove a point and to make a documentary, he embarks on a 60 day “average sugar diet” while eating “healthy food” to see the changes to his body and mind. Watch the official trailer here: The average Australian (man, woman or child) consumes 40 teaspoons of sugar a day, which is mostly hidden in processed foods. I found it really interesting is that Damon didn’t eat any …

Grave Diagnosis and Diet

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The diagnosis I have Graves’ Disease. It sounds ominous and is characterised by hyperthyroidism. Since being diagnosed with Graves’ Disease a month ago, I’ve been reviewing my eating habits. I’ve lost around 7kg (15lb) due to illness, most of this is muscle so I’ve been super hungry and craving protein like a mofo. I’m on medication but I feel there is more that I can do than just popping a bunch of pills. I’m not going to get into my other symptoms here (I am a textbook case) but I’m focusing on improving my overall health through diet. In the last month… I’ve been focussing on eating whole foods with specific nutritional benefits. I’ve cut out pasta completely and have only had bread a couple of times. I bought a gluten free loaf which a few slices remain. I haven’t eaten much rice or rice noodles but have them once or twice a week. I’ve had 1 coffee since I have been diagnosed and an average of 2 alcoholic beverages a week. I was surprised at myself …

Didn’t we do well?

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It’s Saturday and I’m so glad the challenge is over. This week has been torturous, emotionally, physically and mentally draining. Here’s a rough visual on what I ate while living below the line this week. I didn’t take photos of every freaking peanut butter sandwich or toast, so each picture of toast is just a symbol for the slice/s of toast or sandwiches I ate. I stuck to 3 meals a day over the first two days, but I soon found out that the portions were either too small or not nutritious enough and I wasn’t coping. So from day three onwards, I had more meals. Note a whopping five meals on day four! I can’t get over how tired I was all week and even light headed and dizzy at times. I was super forgetful and felt stupid and foggy a lot of the time. It could be caffeine and sugar withdrawal as well as lack of nutrients. Most days after work, I ate something and then napped for a few hours, got up, …

Junk Food Day

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Next Saturday is Junk Food Day. Who knew that junk food needed it’s own day? I’m sure the fact that it falls on a Saturday this year will give us all a good reason to gorge all day. We’ve got a whole week to think about what naughty things we can gorge ourselves on. Some celebratory ideas: Have a junk food shared lunch or picnic Junk food quickfire challenge (cook/prepare something using junk food as ingredients) Invent a new junk food Junk up a healthy dish (bacon and potato chip salad) Make a home made version of junk food for dinner (burger, pizza, fried chicken, potato chips etc)

Salad for Super Skin

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With my skin still in the wars and a list of things NOT to eat, I decided to eat foods I should include. Most of the stuff I read about eczema is about stuff to avoid, but finding foods to eat is much more fun. I really enjoy cooking from a list of superfoods that I keep stored in my memory and more so when they’re delicious superfoods. There are a few foods out there that are good for your skin. These include salmon, avocado, olive oil and pinenuts (in pesto) which are all in this recipe. With half a bag left of orzo, I made this delicious salad for super skin. For those not on a restricted diet, some halved cherry tomatoes would be a lovely addition. Add some parsley too and hey look! You got yourself a red and green festive looking dish just in time for Christmas. Is this health food? Maybe. Does it work on eczema and other skin problems? I don’t know. Would I eat it regardless? Yes. Orzo Salad with smoked …

Magical Elixir

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I was recently watching Nici Wicke’s World Kitchen, specifically the Hong Kong episode. I was born in Hong Kong and it will always have a special place in my heart. In this episode, while sipping on snake soup, Nici and her Hong Kong guide Denny, talk about soup. In Western society, soup is often eaten when we are sick. Chicken soup is consciously or subconciously considered to a magical elixir that will cure what ails you. Soup is nourishing and easy to digest. In Chinese society, a nourishing soup is served with dinner to prevent sickness. Take a magical elixir every day for good health. How cool is that? I grew up with soup as a course before dinner. Chinese soup is a savoury broth and light enough to have before every meal. Meats like pork or chicken are boiled with various dried roots, vegetables, dried fruits and even nuts. It’s an important aspect of every Chinese dinner. We were often encouraged to have a second bowl of soup after our meal too. I serve soup …