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

Sesame Oil: Get the JLo Glow

I love moisturising my skin, and given the chance I would bathe in the stuff like a baby walrus splashing around out at sea. The issue I’ve been having is that after a few hours in the summer sun or winter chill, my skin would become dry again and needing further treatment. I would often stop and think wow my skin must be so thirsty and high class drink up all this expensive moisturiser! But wait a minute, where is it all going?

After a while the empty bottles in my recycling bin were stacking up. Could this really be healthy putting litres of chemicals all over my body? I stared to question my beauty routine and budget, and after reading a very inspiring post from a Gerson Cancer survivor who said “I don’t put anything on my body that I wouldn’t eat” it then hit me, how could I preach about only eating organics and living a healthy life when I was subliminally consuming masses of processed manufactured chemicals every day in my moisturisers. No more!

After doing my research I settled for the Queen of all oils, Sesame. Organic cold presses Sesame oil from your local organic store is around $9.95 a bottle, you can cover your entire body every day and a bottle will last you a month. Cha-ching savings! I use sesame oil as an all over face and body moisturiser, first thing in the morning and then night time after a shower.

Within 2 weeks of using sesame oil on my body, a chronic skin condition which a doctor once told me was “erect hair follicles” (random I know) on my arms was gone. The raised red rashes on my upper arms that I have had since I was a kid was now smooth and no longer apparent, my summer tan was lasting  longer and my skin tone was more even. I could apply sesame oil in the morning and still have hydrated looking skin 12 hours later. I was not only saving hundreds of dollars I was feeding my skin a tasty chemical-free treat and the results were superb. In my mind it looked something like this..

It’s not just the physical benefits of sesame oil that has me hooked but also the internal wonders it is doing for my body. As one of the oldest cultivated seeds, sesame also helps combat diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, gum disease and has some great anti-bacterial properties that really help with skin conditions such as psoriasis, eczema, fungus and rashes.

If you stop and think, would you eat the  moisturiser you are currently using on your skin? You would probably vomit. So maybe it’s time to look for a cleaner, natural and cheaper alternative to processed package moisturisers like sesame oil.

Get some!

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

Happy in Ireland

Hello hello from fresh Ireland!

Yes it is a long way from Bondi, but the organic adventures continue as I search for all things wholesome and green whilst experiencing my first winter and Christmas abroad. I’m sure we all feel like we have eaten our weight in carbs over the silly season, and being whisked away from 36 degree Sydney to 3 degree Ireland was an added shock to the system.

After a long plane journey, days of Christmas celebrations and a potential addiction to a little thing called Irish Soda Bread I was absolutely hanging for a taste of wellness. Before I left Sydney I had googled a bit on any cool organic places around Dublin and stumbled across a complete gem which I was lucky enough to be taken on a tour of today called The Happy Pear in the town of Greystones in County Wicklow.

It was such a crazy feeling being on the other side of the world and finding people passionate about the same great cause, fresh, local, organic accessible produce for a local community. And that is exactly what’s on offer at The Happy Pear. Stephen and David Flynn are the owners and brothers behind the pear. They greeted me with beaming smiles, Irish accents and a warm steamy bowl of fresh porridge with homemade granola and fruit compote for breakfast. What a great combination.

I had a fab time on a guided tour of the grounds learning more about the organic scene in Ireland. The boys have their own farm where food is grown locally and people travel near and far for groceries and meals. It’s exciting to hear how things have changed in their local community, Stephen mentioned that years ago people said they were crazy hippies and today it might even be “almost cool in Ireland” to eat organic. Nice one.

The Happy Pear has a large selection of fresh produce, seeds, grains, treats and all your staple cooking essentials. I absolutely loved the cafe and especially enjoyed sitting by the fireplace upstairs sipping on a warm peppermint tea.

The Happy Pear is an easy day trip to Greystone on the DART from Dublin, and I look forward to visiting again.

And you can visit them here at www.thehappypear.ie

Gossip Girl on Groceries

Hey y’all!

I heard a rumour swimming around the other day that About Life organic supermarket had sold out to Woolworths. A part of me felt disappointed that one of my staple stores in Bondi Junction had moved on to juicier pastures so I spoke with Rebecca Piraino About Life Marketing Manager to see if there was any truth to the talk, immediately these rumours were swiftly squashed that there is “Absolutely no truth to that at all” .

So where did the gossip all start? It’s a shame that everyone from my parents to the lunch lady at the school canteen thought that a company which remains part owned by the original founders and a local Sydney couple had been swallowed by Woolies. My inner beans sprouted with joy to hear that About Life remains privately owned and it’s definitely not happening. There is a growing rise of the middle-business-man, companies that are bigger than the local little guy but smaller than a corporate killer whale who continue to stay true to their potato roots even in the light of success. It’s great to see everyone on the up, especially in the world of organic produce.

About Life continues to provide us fresh food, a great selection of organic and free-range meats and all the supermarket staples any aspiring masterchef may need.

So after putting on my Dora The Explorer hat and investigating the word on the street, it just goes to show you can’t believe everything you hear from the lunch lady, and rumours are not always true except for the fact that unicorns may still exist even without solid evidence.

Chai Tea and Honey Bee's

Morning Sunshine! If you’ve managed to shake off last nights hangover and scrape yourself out of bed before midday, it’s well worth then walk  down to The Bondi Organic Farmers Markets conveniently located in Bondi Public school on Campbell Parade. 

There’s something about strolling around in the sunshine listening to an acoustic guitar that makes me want to smell the roses and buy some fresh baby spinach. It’s a great local atmosphere with lots of “hey’s” and “hi’s” as you walk around chai tents and fresh honey stalls.

The Saturday Farmers markets gives you a warm fuzzy feeling of being a part of such a rad community. After dropping off our old kitchen knives off for a friendly sharpen by the Knife lady and downing a free sample of Apple Cider, we had both a buzz for life and adventure all before 11am.

The Bondi Organic Farmers Markets 

Every Saturday 9-1pm

Home

 

Harris Farm Opens Organic Bar

Hold onto your horseradishes! Harris Farm Bondi has opened with a crispy crunch, dedicating a small section of the new supermarket to an organic produce bar.

Locals didn’t know what to expect when the shopping spectacular moved to the beach, but we have all been delighted by the rows of colour coordinated apples, and the constant flow of free food samples. It’s great to see that behind every truck loads of fruit and veg, there is also place in store for promoting organic produce to the wider community.

Harris Farm has brought new life to the upper end of Hall St. We continue to support the local little guys but it’s comforting to know that the trek up to the Junction is no longer essential when you can’t find that gluten free treat at 9pm in the convenience store.

Teena x