What does it mean to be healthy?
The key to being healthy is to eat, sleep, digest, supplement, move and think right. Eat foods that are clean, unprocessed, organic and made with love. Sleep and rest are imperative for sustained energy levels, proper digestion, good mood and balanced hormones.
I don’t believe seven hours is enough; eight hours should be the minimum and anyone who can get a nap in the middle of the day should get a gold star! Making sure your digestion is working properly (pooping regularly!) and that your body is assimilating all of the nutrients you are taking in will keep your immune system strong and your skin clear.
“Sleep and rest are imperative for sustained energy levels, proper digestion, good mood and balanced hormones. I don’t believe seven hours is enough; eight hours should be the minimum.”
Adding supplements to a clean diet is imperative. We now know that the amount of actual nutrients in our produce is around 25 times less than the amount our ancestors used to get, even when we eat organic. To move right can be any form of exercise or activity that brings you joy and gives you that post workout ‘buzz’. If it’s not fun, you won’t do it.
Last and most importantly, to think right is the key to a healthy life. We can’t always eat and move in the way we deem virtuous but we can control our reactions to the things we cannot control. A positive attitude and having the intention to enjoy the upside to what life brings is the only way to be healthy.
Do you follow any specific way of eating?
I follow a fairly strict Paleo way of eating which means a diet high in phytonutrients and good-quality protein and fat. I find that this is the most hormone-balancing and detoxifying way of eating.
Why is it important for you to feel (and look) healthy?
If you don’t have your health, what do you have? Being healthy is a must. For most of my life, I have been challenged with hormonal imbalances and I know that the most important macronutrients for hormonal balance are fat and protein. I am allergic to gluten and grains – they just do not work for my body type so I stay away from them as much as possible.
“If you don’t have your health, what do you have? Being healthy is a must.”
What foods or groups of foods (if any) do you avoid?
Gluten – I am completely intolerant and get the worst ‘gluten hangover’, including severe joint pain. The inflammation is so fierce; I just know it is poison to my body.
And sadly I am allergic to dairy – it goes straight to my sinuses. To those who are lucky enough to tolerate dairy, I always recommend unpasteurised, organic and full-fat dairy. Always pass on non-fat items… Why mess with something nature made perfect in the first place?
Do you cook every day?
I do cook almost every day! I absolutely love it. When I come home from a long day I can’t just sit on the sofa; I have to chop veggies. It is part of my meditation practice as well as a hobby. I can’t follow a recipe to save my life – it’s not fun for me unless I put my own twist on it, or better yet, I just get creative with what I receive in my weekly veg box and whatever meat I have on hand.
My trick to cooking when life is hectic is a slow cooker. They are a great and inexpensive investment creating incredible meals with minimal effort. I also make my own high-calcium and gut-healing bone broth after slow cooking a whole chicken then drink the broth as a warm health beverage.
What’s your shopping routine?
I am an online girl. For the last four years (since living in London) I have received a weekly veg box from Abel & Cole. I order meat from Fordhall Farm; it’s all organic grass-fed meat and free-range poultry. I use Ocado as they have some great choices and can deliver the next day. I always enjoy going to Whole Foods Market to see what is new and exciting in the health food and product world.
What do you think are the most nutritious foods?
Bitter greens. The astringent nature of greens is incredibly important to the digestive tract and helps clean the liver. In the summer I live on salads and cold watercress soup and in winter I add kale to soups and eat steamed, buttered broccoli rabe (butter makes the nutrients in broccoli more bioavailable… and tasty!).
“The astringent nature of greens is incredibly important to the digestive tract and helps clean the liver.”
What is your optimal breakfast?
I eat meat, poultry or fish and a small handful of nuts or vegetables first thing in the morning. I know it might seem gross but if I start my day with any form of sugar (even fruit), then I crave sugar for the rest of the day.
Favourite snacks?
inSpiral Kale Chips, Cru8 Tomato and Red Pepper Crackers with turkey slices and avocado, and RAW Organic Hemp Protein Balls.
What is your food routine?
Usually, I eat breakfast, two snacks (or mini lunches) and dinner. On days when I feel hungrier I will eat a larger lunch but will always want a snack at 4pm. I do love to end the day with a couple of squares of dark chocolate and a cup of herbal tea.
When you go out to dinner, how do you navigate the menu?
I always ask if they have a gluten-free menu first. You never know where gluten can be hiding! I go for a high-protein starter or a vegetable side and then usually pick a meal I am not used to cooking myself to give me inspiration the next time I am in the kitchen. If the meal includes a high-carb vegetable or grain I will substitute it for additional green vegetables.
What is the hardest part of the day for you to avoid temptation?
If I have to eat dinner late (like 6:30pm), then I have a hard time at around 6pm and start snacking. I call it my ‘witching hour’.
“Inspiral clearly know that a successful company is not a one-man-band but a collective. As a business owner, I just love and admire that!”
Any specific food brands you love?
I really appreciate what inSpiral is doing. They not only make incredible raw snacks such as Kale Chips and Raw Crackits but they also recruit the community to be a part of the organisation. They clearly know that a successful company is not a one-man-band but a collective. As a business owner, I just love and admire that!
How do you treat yourself in terms of food?
Montezuma’s Organic 73% Cacao Very Dark Chocolate. It’s truly the best… and, yes, I have tried them all!
Have you ever tried a diet or detox that worked for you?
I have tried numerous detoxes and diets. I find that they are good at resetting your mind and setting your intention for what you will put in your body. In our polluted world, it tends to be more successful to make your body an excellent ongoing detoxifier and assimilator than it is to try and avoid all of the ‘nasties’, which is impossible.
“In our polluted world, it tends to be more successful to make your body an excellent ongoing detoxifier and assimilator than it is to try and avoid all of the ‘nasties’, which is impossible.”
I am a firm believer in finding your own lifestyle design that works for you. The word ‘diet’ has a negative connotation and ‘detox’ is a temporary solution. We should all feel positive and secure when it comes to food and what we put in our bodies, not ashamed or that we are ‘being bad’.
Do you power-up for exercise with specific foods?
I try just to eat protein and fat before training and I always try and drink a green juice from Joe and the Juice as the alkaline nature of the juice helps balance the acid that working out creates.
What do you wear to work out?
I love leggings from Lululemon and Lucas Hugh. I prefer non-technical and inexpensive cotton tank tops. My favourite hoodies are by Aviator Nation – they are extremely soft and come in fun colours.
Any tips you have for fitting exercise into a busy schedule?
This is why I think barrecore is a great choice for busy people. You don’t have to shower (although we do have them). You get everything you need in your workout in an hour and you only need to wear your normal work out wear and a pair of socks… no lugging around bulky trainers.
Is there anyone you consider a healthy role model?
I am impressed by Dr Sara Gottfried. She is a brilliant, inspiring, cutting-edge doctor specialising in balancing hormones naturally. She promotes all the things I believe contribute to a healthy life: quality food, sleep, supplements, good digestion, a full sex life, exercise and a positive attitude. I sure hope she practices what she preaches!