EWG's Shoppers Guide to Pesticides Sneak Preview

I am an ardent fan of the EWG (Environmental Working Group), an amazing resource that you just have to bookmark. I have learnt so much over the years by reading their research, supporting their campaigns and following their advice. One of the best book I have ever read on chemicals was written by two of their scientist. FYI, it's called "Slow Death By A Rubber Duck" and it made a profound impact on my life. I suggest that you get a copy and read it, it's one of the best gifts you can give yourself.

As I am on their favorite list, they send me info before it's released to the general public. I have been waiting with bated breath for the release of their annual "Shoppers Guide to Pesticides" that lists the "dirty dozen" the top 12 ingredients that are most loaded with pesticides. SO, ensure that you only buy these foods organically:

1. celery
2. peaches
3. strawberries
4. apples
5. blueberries
6. nectarines
7. capsicum
8. spinach
9. kale
10. cherries
11. potatoes
12. grapes

So, go ahead and explore all of those links I have given you and let me know your feedback!

Emm
xxx

Get Involved with Earth Day on April 22!

Forty years after the first Earth Day, the world is in greater peril than ever. While climate change is the greatest challenge of our time, it also presents the greatest opportunity – an unprecedented opportunity to build a healthy, prosperous, clean energy economy now and for the future.

Earth Day 2010 can be a turning point to advance climate policy, energy efficiency, renewable energy and green jobs. Earth Day Network is galvanizing millions who make personal commitments to sustainability. Earth Day 2010 is a pivotal opportunity for individuals, corporations and governments to join together and create a global green economy. Join the more than one billion people in 190 countries that are taking action for Earth Day by clicking here.

My Favorite Product of the Week

My absolute favorite product at the moment is my “I Love My Hair” black coconut and Tahitian vanilla conditioner. I have found myself washing my hair on an increasingly frequent basis just so that I can be enveloped in the incredible aroma! It reminds me of my beautiful spiritual mentor, lazy afternoons in Thailand and that warm cosy feeling after a day at the beach.

Apart from the smell, the philosophy of this company (owned by singer, Toni Childs) is just perfectly aligned to my own vision. They use organic ingredients, embrace the concept of ‘love thy self’ and donate 5% of net profit to women’s charities!

“It’s time to stop using products in an effort to be loved, and instead begin to use them to love ourselves...” How perfect is that statement.

Honouring ourselves as women is a tradition that has been lost to the busy, multi tasking, perfecionistic expectations that we place on ourselves. It’s time to get back to these rituals and each time I wash my hair I now take the time to stop and think about me. On my shower door is taped a piece of paper with the following written:

“If you are going to dream, dream BIG, it’s FREE!!”

Let me know your favorite ritual in which you honour yourself as a woman – let’s share them!

HypnoBirthing Makes the Media!

I have just had the most wonderful experience - a newspaper wants to feature me and HypnoBirthing! I have already been interviewed and this was one of the quotes:

What are the benefits of Hypno-birthing?

“From the statistics collected by the HypnoBirthing Institute, we know that caesarian rates are halved! 65% of HypnoBirthing women do not use any pain medication and the epidural rate is decreased by two thirds. I would say that these are very impressive statistics as in Australia we have one of the highest Caesarean rates in the world – 30.8%. That’s double the World Health Organisations recommendation of no more than 15%. In my experience HypnoBirthing promotes a rapid postnatal recovery, facilitates a beautiful bonding experience and returns birth to the natural process it is meant to be.”

HypnoBirthing is an incredible tool that I teach people and I recommend that you read more about it here if you are pregnant. Or forward this on to any pregnant friends.

I did a photo shoot this morning with the gorgeous Noah Raeburn who was such a star! He slept peacefully throughout the whole shoot and only stirred briefly with the sounds of the shutter. I want to thank Noah’s parents, Ash and Brian, for letting me come to their home and take these photos. I will let you all know when the article comes out!

Rocket Pizza

Last night after a busy day at the office i came home and cooked another favourite recipe of mine which is my rocket pizza!
This pizza is light but very tasty and has minimal toppings which is the way i like it. It is cooked in a matter of minutes. It is so delicious that it makes a healthy meal to have anytime but I especially like it in front of the TV.


Rocket Pizza
Serves 1

1 x 20cm round wholewheat flat bread
3 Tablespoons organic tomato sauce
1/2 buffalo mozzarella cheese, pulled in pieces (shredded)
1/4 bunch rocket, washed and shredded
1 Tablespoon aged balsamic vinegar

1. Preheat oven to 210ºC.
2. Place flat bread on baking tray and spread with tomato sauce, top with cheese and bake in oven for 5-7 minutes until cheese has just melted and base is crispy.
3. Remove pizza from oven and immediately slide pizza to a serving plate, cut into quarters then top with rocket and drizzle with balsamic vinegar.


Happy Cooking and Eat Well !


Michelle :-)


Food Styling, Photo, Recipe and Words by Michelle Thrift 2010

Buffalo Mozzarella and Tomato Salad

I hope everyone had a great weekend ? I was at Sydney Royal Easter Show on Saturday and looked at Industry Districts Fruit and Vegetable displays, Cookery Competition Winner displays and Oh course, can not go to the show without having the famous Country Woman's Scones as a Devonshire tea ! What a delight ! After a excellent day at the show and eating to much, the following day i indulged into something a little lighter; my Buffalo Mozzarella and Tomato Salad for lunch. If you are stretched for time but want something healthy and tasty give my salad a go!

Buffalo Mozzarella and Tomato Salad
Serves 1

1 baby cos, washed and shredded
1/2 buffalo mozzarella cheese, pulled in pieces (shredded)
1 large tomato, roughly chopped
1 Tablespoon lemon infused extra virgin olive oil, cold pressed
1 Tablespoon apple cider vinegar (ACV) - Organic Mother Apple
freshly ground sea salt and black pepper

1. In a large bowl toss all ingredients together, season to taste with salt and pepper and serve in a bowl and eat immediately.

Delicious!

Happy Cooking and Eating Well !

Michelle :-)

Food styling, photo and words by Michelle Thrift copyright 2010

Easter Bunny Delivers More Than Just Eggs!

The Easter Bunny may be delivering more than just a sweet treat over Easter with research finding that consuming just six grams of chocolate per day may lower blood pressure and the risk of stroke and myocardial infarction. German researchers examined the association between chocolate consumption and vascular disease based on food frequency questionnaires and blood pressure measurements in nearly 20,000 people aged 35 – 64 years who were free of stroke and myocardial infarction.

After eight years of follow up, those with the highest chocolate consumption (an average of six grams daily) had a 39% lower relative risk of myocardial infarction and stroke compared to those who consumed less than two grams per day.

The inverse relation of chocolate consumption appeared stronger for stroke than myocardial functions. Baseline blood pressure measurements accounted for 12% of the lower risk of cardiovascular events, the researchers said. “Flavonols appear to be the substances in cocoa that are responsible for improving the bioavailability of nitric oxide from the cells that line the inner wall of blood vessels” the researchers stated.

Participants were asked how frequently they consumed a 50gram chocolate bar from “never” to “five times a day or more”. In a subset of 1568 participants asked to recall their chocolate consumption over a 24 hours period, 57% reported eating milk chocolate, 24% ate dark chocolate and 2% ate white chocolate.

So, this research proves that a little bit of everything is ok and eating a small square of dark chocolate every day can be extremely beneficial to your health! Oh I am so happy to read this research ; 0

Source

European Heart Journal, online 31 March 2010

Sustainable Seafood

As it is the Easter Weekend you may be planning on having seafood, something to consider if you haven't already is purchasing seafood from either fished or farmed sources that maintain or increase production in seafoods future without jeopardizing the ecosystems from which it was acquired. The sustainable seafood movement has gained momentum as more people become aware about both overfishing and environmentally-destructive fishing methods.

Australia's fishing fleet and aquaculture farms are moving towards low impact, responsible fishing to improve ocean health and provide for a sustainable seafood future. This weekend and in the future when purchasing seafood ask questions to your seller such as; is the fish caught locally?, is it fresh and in season?. Be an aware consumer buy Australian local seafood and avoid deepwater or long-lived species that are over-fished, such as orange roughy, sea perch, shark, tuna, redfish, scallops, warehou, gemish, swordfish. Try leather jacket, sand whiting, mullet, calamari, squid and ocean trout.

To find out more visit:

www.amcs.org.au

www.seafood.net.au

www.greenpeace.org.au

www.tarongafoundation.org.au

Happy Seafood Cooking and Happy Easter!

Mich xx

Words Information sourced from Wikipedia and Taronga Foundation.

Hot Cross Bun

Tradition says that these sweet spiced buns were once made from leftover leavened dough used to make the christian communion wafer to which they added dried fruit and marked with a cross as a symbol of the crucifixion and only eaten on Good Friday.


Now days Hot Cross Buns are a sweet, glazed bread like bun made in many different flavours such spice, spice and fruit or chocolate and sold in most supermarkets, cafes, bakeries all over the world leading up to Easter and over the Easter Weekend. They are a delicious treat served warmed and spread with butter and are best eaten with your loved ones and a cuppa tea!

I must admit that i have been sampling Hot Cross Buns allover Sydney these past few weeks and even today i had a bun for my morning tea which i thoroughly enjoyed. However to me the most pleasurable way to enjoy a Hot Cross Bun is to make a batch of buns from scratch to share with family and friends as they visit for Easter. Find a recipe your like then create it your own maybe by adding in a little extra spice or a little more chocolate and then once you have mastered the recipe have this as your family favourite tradition to make each Easter Holidays to share with everyone.

Happy Cooking and Happy Easter!

Mich xx