All About That Bone Broth

Hello from hibernation!

Waking up to the cold and rain today was quite revitalising after some seriously high Aussie summer temps! I find there’s something comforting about putting on warm clothes and being cool about being inside. I thought in tribute to the bizarre Sydney cold snap and ridiculous snow storm hitting the East Coast of America, I would send some warmth to the world and my Irish family in Europe who are in the middle of winter by talking about an old fashioned fave, bone broth!

Super-magical-amazing bone broth, have you heard of it? Your first reaction to the thought of drinking the product of slow cooked animal bones and caracas may be, girl you cray! But let me tell you why this cuppa goodness should be a part of your every day life:

• Bone broth is easily digestible and helps heal the lining of your gut and contains many valuable nutrients
• It assists in liver detoxification
• It reduces joint pain and inflammation through the compounds extracted from the boiled down bone cartilage
• It also reduces infection caused by the common cold and flu virus
• Bone broth promotes healthy stronger bones due to the high amounts of magnesium and calcium extracted through the boiling process which helps strengthen your bones
• The broth helps nail and hair growth through the high gelatin content
• And this wonder broth also is able to reduce the feelings of nausea and morning sickness found in early pregnancy (WINNER!)

So I’m pretty sure your convinced now this stuff is the shiz. We’ve all had chicken stock or beef stock before so no need to freak, bone broth is just a richer, taster meal-version of this.

If you have a slow cooker your in luck, it’s easy to just chuck all the ingredients in and leave for 12-24 hours to simmer down, otherwise low heat and a reliable stove that won’t burn your house down will do the trick. Your going to want to get a hold of some quality organic chicken bones and carcasses as a base and go from there, this stuff is cheap and should cost you under $5 for the lot.

1 whole organic chicken carcass and or 2-3 kg of organic chicken necks, wings and bones

1/2 cup Apple Cider Vinegar

3-4 Litres of filtered cold water

1 large onion chopped

1 head of garlic

1 handful of mushrooms

1 bunch of parsley

3 sticks of celery

3 carrots peeled and chopped

Salt & Pepper to taste

Put all your bones, Apple Cidar Vinegar and veggies in a big pot or in your slow cooker. Cover everything with water and add about an extra inch over the chicken and veg. Bring to the boil for 10 minutes then turn down low on the stove and leave for 12-24 hours or leave low on your slow cooker for as long as possible!

Now here comes the hands on part, remove all the big bones and what’s left of the veggies with tongs and put aside. You will need to strain into a large bowl and place in the fridge. All the fat will rise to the top and harden, remove the layer of fat and disregard (or if your super keen and wholesome you can use the fat for cooking), then voila your left with the soupy delight of bone broth.

It will keep in your fridge for several days or divide it up into take away containers or jars and pop in the freezer for those rainy days.

Bone broth is a cheap, easy and tasty way to help heal your gut and give your body some vital nutrients and love it needs.. I hope everyone is keeping warm today on the inside and out!

Teena x

 

 

Wholesome Cooking in The Kitchen

I can’t help but drool a little on my keyboard looking at these tasty treats from My Wholesome Kitchen … Delish!

lovely lady Rachel Gorney grew her hobby of health food into a successful catering and wellness business. Her snacks are beautifully made with local organic produce that are free of gluten, refined sugar, diary, eggs, preservatives and additives delivered to your door.. score!

It was such a delight to take a look inside My Wholesome Kitchen and catch up with Rach for a cuppa and a chat about what we love most.. organic food! woo hoo!

Q. Rachel you have created a deliciously fresh and accessible organic catering business, amaze! What inspired you to create My Wholesome Kitchen?

Thank you Bondi Organic. My Wholesome Kitchen (MWK) started in quite an unconventional way and to be honest with you, I actually had no clue I was starting a business until it happened. Cooking for me has always been second nature and more importantly it’s made me feel very happy and fulfilled. When the business did actually start I noticed a positive change in my wellbeing so I knew I had to keep going. I guess there was no real inspiration when I did begin this business as it unfolded in front of me, but now it’s inspired me to keep motivated and ultimately live a healthier lifestyle.

Q. How would you describe your relationship with food and organic eating?

My relationship with food and how I look at food has evolved so much over the years. When I was young I became very strict about what I ate and deprived myself from a lot of food groups. I was dieting all the time and became very obsessive about what I would put in my mouth. I didn’t look at food for it’s nourishment but rather how it would make me look on the outside.

It has taken me quite some years to reprogram how I think about food and it’s true purpose but now I don’t feel so attached and emotional when I’m eating a really nice and tasty meal. I’m not so strict about my diet and the rules I should stick by, if I feel like some dessert or diary for example then I will eat it and really enjoy it. When it comes to organic I do my best to include organic produce in my meals where I can, but again I’m not so strict about it. If I’m at a café or restaurant that isn’t organic or when I’m at home eating with my family I won’t make a fuss, I will enjoy what’s in front of me.

Q. Your business seems to be expanding more and more every day! Are you planning on launching any new offers or new ventures for your clients?

 I realised early on when I started the business that you always have to keep launching new ideas, products and concepts to allow the business to grow, remain fresh and exciting. We are always updating the shop with seasonal products, special holiday hampers and MWK merchandise. Last week however we did launch something very special that has been in the making for quite some months, The Wholesome Subscription Box. This new concept makes for an easy and simple way to purchase our products without needing to reorder your snack box every month. You simply order your subscription and your snack box is delivered to your door fortnightly or monthly.

We do have another fantastic new product coming to the store later on in the year, I won’t give too much more away but it will allow you to bring our brand and recipes into your own kitchen.

Q. What is your favourite meal to cook for friends or family at home?

Sunday Brunch at home is always a highlight of my week. I will prepare some very simple dishes and spend quality time with my family. Some items that are always repeated on the menu are bircher muesli, shakshuka eggs (baked eggs), homemade dips, quinoa tabouli, sautéed mushrooms and poached eggs. I hope I haven’t tempted you too much.

Q. If there is one piece of nutritional advice you can give our readers to improve their life the most, what would it be and why?

I’m not sure if I’d call this nutritional advice, but the most important thing I could pass on is “do what makes you happy” and the rest will fall in line. I found that following my passion has made me feel much more content, happy and at peace with all areas of my life.

Find My Wholesome Kitchen:

• Website: www.mywholesomekitchen.com.au
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/mywholesomekitchen
• Instagram: @mywholesomekitchen

It’s Cool be Amber Le Strange

Everything about Amber Le Strange screams cool, calm and organic. You may have seen her golden curls bouncing around Sydney social pages over the past few years, or her bright smile may look familiar from a bevy of TV commercials and magazines. Amber is a triple threat of model, actress and wellness icon. Leaving the sandy shores of Bondi Beach for the bright and tasty streets of Venice Beach, I was thrilled to have a chat with Amber about her journey to California and her relationship with food and the universe.

Q. How does living in California help you achieve your health and wellness goals?

One of the things I LOVE about living in California is how supportive this city is of health/wellness and spiritual development. There seems to be a yoga centre and healthy meal option on every corner! With so many facilities available to look inward and choose the healthier option, it seems almost an effort to make the more unhealthy choice!

The fact that I am part of the Cafe Gratitude community is also a great way to keep in line with my health and wellness goals. This restaurant seems to be a meeting point of people who are interested in being the best they can emotional, mentally and physically. There are many cleanses, workshops, musical nights, charity events and community gatherings that people can be apart of. I also live in Venice which i find a sweet village culture that supports being outside, on your bike, on the beach and involved in the happenings of the neighbourhood.

Q. What do you miss most about Australia?

The ocean is definitely what i miss most about Australia! Our coast really is something special. I have been all round the world and in my opinion, Australia has the freshest, best quality oceans around. I make an effort to swim daily when i am in Sydney, no matter what the weather is doing!! I have a whole new appreciation of the ocean and its healing qualities since i have moved away from Bondi Beach!

Q. If you could recommend one thing for people to change in their diet or lifestyle what would it be and why?

One thing i would recommend people focus on in their diet is… the quality and quantity of water consumption! I am currently fascinated with the concept the hydration and it being so essential to our base health and quality of overall functioning. Look into the idea charged water at hydrablue.com .

Another dietary idea that I am committed to is the importance of protein! The building blocks of our health… But before we can breakdown protein properly we have to have healthy guts! Producing enough bile and stomach acid to breakdown the proteins is imperative. Otherwise you end up being bloated and blocked up which further adds to the toxicity factor we are all trying to manage! I am currently working on an online wellness cooking show that deals with such topics as healthy digestion and what easy meal we can prepare to support correcting digestive issues ourselves.

Q. What is your food philosophy?

My food philosophy is LISTEN TO YOUR BODY and have ORGANIC fresh produce whenever possible (support local farms and businesses). We all have unique constitutions and some peoples path to optimum health may be quite different to their neighbours! I believe if a person is finely tuned into their instinct and knows their body well then they can navigate their way into a program that works from them. I find a practice of meditation/yoga/looking inward essential for keeping your inner voice clear.

One universal belief i do have is that limiting sugar in our diets greatly supports a more balanced and thriving immune system and overall health. Sugar seems to have sneaked its way into almost everything these days and it does more damage to our systems than people realize. I try use stevia where i can (lowest GI possible) as my sweetener and be careful not to over do it on the fruit or carbohydrates (which breakdown into sugar in your body).

Q. How important is eating local and organic to you?

Eating organic and locally are two of my major rules! I think it is our responsibility to make choices that support the rejuvenation of our planet and in turn our health as a whole. If each one of us made the effort to support local farmers, grow some of your own produce, compost and only eat organic, as a collective we could help shift the current devastating state of the planet.In my opinion, It is essential to shape ones lifestyle choices around environmentally friendly and sustainable concepts if we wish to have clean air, water and soil for the future generations!

The quality (taste and nutritional value) of our food depends greatly on the quality of the SOIL. If a larger, non organic organisation is farming TRUCK LOADS of a particular vegetable or fruit, most likely they are looking at quantity rather than quality which leads to quick fixes such as using toxic pesticides to make the managing the produce easier. This toxicity doubled with the lack of nutrients in the soil directly effects the food grown in these conditions, which directly effects the health of the person consuming the produce!

To keep up to date with Amber’s adventures or If you are interested in knowing how to makes your own compost to grow your own herbs or veggies, check out Amber’s blog lestrangeland.tumblr.com

xx

Feeling Grateful at Cafe Gratitude

Yo yo!

If Coachella wasn’t already a life-highlight, I was possibly even more excited to spend a few days in Venice Beach to immerse myself in all my organic dreams. For years now I have been itching to go to Cafe Gratitude , I had read so many awesome reviews on blogs and had my daily instagram feed nourished by rad pics of the cafe menu. Reason number 2 for wanting to spend time in Venice was that so many great I people I admire call the beach home, and I was frothing to get amongst it all for a few days.

Abbott Kinney Blvd is by far my fave! So many amazing boho shops, great restaurants and a laid back vibe. I forgot how rugged the beach board walk was with dozens of homeless-hipsters busking and sharing their latest conspiracy theories. Yet only a few blocks back is this wholesome wonderland of vegetable juice and loose cotton clothing.

After a long drive back from Palm Springs, we decided now was the time to pop into Cafe Gratitude for an afternoon tea. It was even nicer than I had imagined with a beautiful neutral toned streamlined fit-out complimented by whitewashed tables and chairs. The menu dazzled me with raw vegan treats, and my mint tea was uber refreshing after a day on the hectic LA freeways.

Things were about to be taken to an even higher level of excitement as I spotted my musical hero sitting beside us enjoying the afternoon sun.. It was Brandon Boyd the lead singer of Incubus and his gorgeous girlfriend Baelyn Neff. Yep, all my dreams had collided over a mint tea. Epic.

So all I can say is, I was definitely feeling grateful at Cafe Gratitude.

Spending time in Venice Beach reinforced how happy I am on my organic journey. I was reminded that the universe works in amazing ways, and I am lucky to be exploring my health and the world each day.

Thanks for the memories!

Teena x

 

California Dreaming

I’m baaaaack!

What an epic adventure I have just had, a jammed packed musical-spiritual-organical exploration to LA and Palm Springs with my girls for Coachella!

Now for those of you who have been living under a rock or haven’t taken a look on a little application called “Instagram” Coachella is a 3 day, desert-chic music festival set agains the gorgeous back drop of Palm Springs California. Besides showcasing every epic DJ and band ever, Coachella is also a visual delight of celebrities, boho-chic fashion and a whole lot of palm trees.

If you ever find yourself in Palm Desert and need some organic hydration, we stumbled across this little gem Fresh Juice Bar. We managed to find some time every day in between our shopping marathons at Forever 21 to down a smoothie on the go. It’s conveniently located in town, has a huge variety of organic cold pressed juice, fruit bowls and mega smoothies.. and trust me nothing tastes better than an icy cold fruit-n-veg bonaza while your schvitzing away in the desert sun!

It was such a fun drive out to the desert, and driving from LA for Palm Springs for Coachella is the ultimate girls on tour adventure! But if your anything like me, the idea of truck stop fast food makes you a little queasy.. and if beef jerky or soda isn’t your flavour, here’s a little secret to help keep you going on the open road.. Introducing California’s famous In-N-Out “Protein Style Burger” without the bun, genius!

If your still struggling to navigate a road side diner menu, I found American’s are mad for an Omelette, and every place we stopped at had a “Veggie Style” option if your in need of some carb free eggy-nutrition.

Next on the itinerary, we are headed to my new organic-homeland Venice Beach baby! Can’t wait to tell you about it..

Talk to you laters!

Teena

#Fitspiration: Matilda Finnegan

Hello crunchy kids!

Can you believe that February is well on it’s way, how did that happen?! Like many others I started the year with a motivational bang, getting majorly stuck into my new years resolutions as soon as the clock struck 12. Somewhere between number 1 “Caring less about what other people think about me”, and number 3 “Drink a green smoothie every day” I have lost sight of resolution number 2 “Get fit”. I am definitely in need of some old fashioned #fitspiration and what better way to help me get into shape than to speak to a Lorna Jane ambassador, Miss World semi-finalist and international model Matilda Finnegan. With one of the most amaze bodies I’ve ever seen, Matilda shared with me her secrets to body success.

Matilda your body is absolutely amazing! Do you feel diet or exercise is more important in staying healthy?

Thank you, I work my butt off to try look good. I aim to eat as healthy as I possibly can, but being in the model industry it is very easy to get sucked into the unhealthy ways to try and be a unrealistic size. So every now and then, I indulge in chocolate goodness! It’s all about balance and enjoying life 🙂

How do you keep motivated to stay in such great shape?

Instagram – as silly as it sounds. It’s true. #Fitspiration is the ultimate way to get you moving and be inspired by some amazing people who have changed their ways and now motivate the world!

Do you have a favourite power smoothie or treat to keep you going on a long day or shoot?

I’ll be honest, I try not to drink too much water before a shoot – with my body, it bloats me. However, the night before I drink lots of water and eat blueberries and 1 slice of cheese with honey 🙂 it helps my skin and makes me feel fresh the next morning. If I am just hanging around the house, I usually just go my basic: spinach, kale, green apples, chia seeds, honey, a teaspoon of vital greens & lastly whatever I have left over in the fridge I think may work!

Your also a beach girl! What is your relationship like with the ocean?

I have pretty much lived on the Northern Beaches of Sydney all my life. Learning to swim by volunteers at my local rock pool, I graduated and joined a surf club with my family. Enjoying Saturday Rock look swims & Sunday nippers, I developed a strong connection to water. The surf just relaxes me, whether it be a quick dip or a surf with my gfs – I have to love near the beach. Otherwise I go a little stir crazy!

What does eating clean and organic mean to you?

Whatever swims, walks or grows you can eat it. As unappetising as that sounds – the best things for your body are red meat, chicken, vegetables & fish. Clean eating help any body moving, breathing easy and staying healthy! It’s such a vital process of good health, now more than ever with the greater volume of pollution and our busy lifestyles! It’s so easy to jump in your car and go to the drive through at Maccas. Clean eating is all about preparation and treating your body like the temple it is!

I personally have cheat meals every now and then, but being a model, my body is my work so I have to take good care of it!

Should I be counting my calories?

I am a complete sucker for a quality before and after weight loss shot.

There’s something about the dramatic change and ability to transform that makes me inspired, impressed and concerned at the same time. Concerned because it makes me look at myself and think, geese why aren’t I undergoing a personal extreme makeover and should I be happy with the way I look?

I would like to think I have become bulletproof to image insecurities but I am only human and from Bondi, so it would be rude to not care what everyone else thought about me right! I recently I had my final wedding dress fitting where the dress maker bluntly barked at me “Lady how much weight you loose before wedding?” THANKS. There is a lot of bridal weight loss hysteria, and with 6 months till the big day I am feeling what 99% of females feel, should I be trying to loose weight and what’s the right way to go about it?

For the past year I have been prescribed to the Whole Foods Plant Based Diet, eating anything organic, fresh and locally grown from the ground and not out of a packet. My focus has been on food for wellness not weight loss. My health and well-being have never been better.

1 year later and with low blood pressure, low cholesterol, low stress and high on life I am totes winning! So my approach to the pending wedding and my dress maker who is trying to give me an eating disorder, is to continue on the path of food for healing yet be more aware of how much I am eating and exercising to maintain BALANCE rather than try to start depriving myself of nutrients for a quick weight loss fix.

This week I am test driving the My Diet Diary & Calorie Counter App. Instead of looking to eliminate all food and fun in my life, I like the idea of monitoring my daily intake and exercise trying to stay under my prescribed 1984 Calories per day to reach my goals, while allowing myself to keep it real along the way.

 

It’s super easy to use, just plug in your meals and it tells you the calorie content and nutritional guide, cool hey!

We all want to look our best and feel confident in our bodies, bikini’s, full piece or wedding dress. Whatever your goals may be, it’s important to remember food is to be enjoyed and to nourish our cells, it has been created to heal our body and to keep us connected with the gifts that mother earth has to give.

Stay smiling kids!

Teena x

 

 

Petite Organic Paris

We came, we ate, we conquered!

I have spent the past few months at home researching all the potential organic hot spots in Paris. I printed my google maps, wrote down all the directions and starred at the metro line trying to coordinate my path to Parisian wellness. However soon after arriving in France I realised half the fun of travelling is not only nourishing yourself, but also being immersed in the local culture of a destination.

I have learned a valuable lesson in Paris, the importance of moderation. Taking a break from diets, indulging in some carbs every now and eating that extra piece of cheese on your baguette can be just as important as being super disciplined and food conscious all the time.

Sometimes being dedicated to your health can also lead you to being Captain of the fun-police. It was such a delight to relax this week and enjoy the culinary playground of the Parisian streets. There is an abundance of fresh produce and cooking in the air. On Saturday and Sunday you will be amazed by the fresh food markets on many street corners such as the Aligre market (12th arrondissement), Bastille market (11th arrondissement) and if you have the time pick up some snacks for your busy day of sightseeing drop into the all-organic food market over at the Marché Raspail (6th arrondissement) on every Sunday morning.

One of my favourite days was spent sipping on a fresh mint tea at the incredibly lush and extravagant Hotel Le Meurice (the preferred hotel of celebrities such as Jay Z and Beyonce), at 16 Euro’s a pot it was the best herbal tea of my life!

And if the thought of another croissant is a little too much to bear and your after some affordable healthy food, we found this super handy and delicious bio-organic food store called EXKI. With locations all over Paris that offer a wide variety of organic soups, salads, sandwiches and desserts to suit any fussy and busy traveller.

And last but not least, if your just hanging for some vegetarian love, head the to Le Marais district. We stumbled across this amazing Indian/French fusion restaurant TANDO at 22 Rue Rambuteau and enjoyed vegetable crepes with side salads for under 10 Euro. You can also check out Potager du Marais an organic vegetarian restaurant door if you fancy a more formal evening.

It’s been an amazing few days in Patis and if I was Julia Roberts starring in Eat Pray Love, Paris was definitely a whole lot of eating, and so much loving.

Au revior for now!

Teena

An Apple Cider a Day

Aloha!

About a year ago a friend of mine gave me the book “Apple Cider Vinegar: The Miracle Health System”, I looked at the cover which resembled some sort of strange Christmas card a creepy neighbour might write you and thought, is this a handout for an Apple Appreciation Cult or a book on healing?

Welcome to the world of Bragg Apple Cider Vinegar! I went from being a sceptic to a full convert preaching to any sick person who would listen  “Have you tried some Apple Cider Vinegar for that?”.

There are so many cleansing and healing qualities of the apple golden sparkle it’s hard to believe that it actually works. But for under $10 a bottle it is worth a try. I now drink one tablespoon of Apple Cider Vinegar mixed in a glass of water every day as part of my morning ritual. I find it helps keeps my body Alkanied, works as a natural mouth wash and  maintains a happy digestive system.

So what is this cray cray stuff? It is made from fresh, crushed apples which are allowed to mature naturally in wooden barrels, as wood seems to “boost” the natural fermentation. Natural Apple Cider Vinegar should be rich, brownish colour and if held to the light you might see a tiny formation of “cobweb-like” substances that we call the “mother”.

The other day I was walking past the health food store and right in front of me was the leader of apple enthusiasts society, the actual creator and founder of the famous Bragg Apple Cider Vinegar Patricia Bragg! Standing no more than 5 foot tall, this small elf like lady was a total veggie rock star. She made me laugh out loud with her suggestions  “Have you used it as a douche?” and gave me a total buzz that at any age you can wear a novelty hat made of fruit .

Some other interesting properties of Apple Cider Vinegar include:

– Cureing hiccups

– A natural remedy for assisting and preventing Urinary Tract Infections

– Helping to relieve morning sickness during pregnancy

– An easy remedy for sunburn

– Assisting in weight loss

– Cleansing the skin and clearing acne and pimples

– As a cmecial free household cleaning product

Make sure you buy organic cold pressed Apple Cider Vinegar which you can find from your local health food store. Check out more on healthy apple healing and learn about Patricia the hat lady at www.bragg.com

Aussie Model Brigitte Warne on Wellness

What do you get if you mix an international model with a dash of healthy lifestyle and a sprinkle of chia seeds? Brigitte Warne. This week I was lucky enough to have a chat with the model turned health advocate as she launches her new line of raw seeds and her health food company Green Zebra.

Brigitte you are a picture of health! How important is good nutrition and a healthy lifestyle to a successful modelling career?

Awww Thank you!! Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and good nutrition is pretty much essential if you want to last in the modelling industry! A lot of models come and go because they don’t know how to look after and maintain their bodies and health. Thankfully these day the Australian modelling industry is really into fit and healthy models, they want to see models that are full of energy an have healthy figures that can be positive role models for their brands. Good health and nutrition comes hand in hand with great bodies, hair, skin, teeth and mental health (just to name a few!) which is something that everyone should aspire for, including models!

Congratulations on launching Green Zebra! How did your new business develop and what inspired you to create a pure raw seed company?

Thanks!! Launching Green Zebra has been a dream of mine, I had been making the seed mixes for myself and was constantly being asked what my secret was to maintaining my figure. Of course exercise is a big part of my daily routine, but it is diet that plays the biggest role on shaping our bodies. I wanted to bring the Green Zebra products out to offer people a different product that will effectively and SAFELY help with weight loss and weight management by detoxing and cleansing the colon and but would also provide huge amount of vitamins, mineral, protein, fibre and good fats, all of which are vital for good health. Green Zebra is all 100% natural and raw, and is suitable for everyone!

What does a day in your food diary look like?

A typical day in my food dairy starts with a big bowl of yoghurt, grated apple, strawberries and a large spoonful of Green Zebra seed mix.

Lunch is usually avocado and feta on spelt or sourdough bread, sometimes with a poached egg too!

Dinner always changes, but some of my favourites are tempeh stirfry with lots of veggies and quinoa or grilled fish with fresh salad! I add green zebra seed mixes to most of dinners for extra nutrients and good fats, and to keep my metabolism going!

Snacks are usually nuts, whole grain Museli bars, sugar free chocolate (or a little bit of regular milk chocolate) and fresh juices smoothies!

I’m all for moderation so when it comes to weekends I will indulge In whatever I feel like, I just watch my portion sizes!

What is the most important aspect of maintaining health to you?

I believe the most important aspect of mainting health is to lead a happy and balanced lifestyle. To me this means lots of fresh clean and nutrient dense food (but still being able to enjoy some treats!) getting outside and being active, surrounding yourself with positive and supportive people and looking after you body and knowing that what you put into your body ultimately shows on the outside 🙂

Learn more about Brigitte and her new business at www.greenzebrahealth.com/