Y H T journal

My journey through Yoga, Health and Travel

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Are you nuts about C O C O N U T?

I started cooking with coconut oil a few years ago. That is when I read first that cooking with olive oil is actually really bad, as it burns even on low heat. So I was hunting for alternatives and was recommended coconut oil. I will be honest, it was not love at first sight. I could taste, smell coconut in dishes that did not go well with the 'sweet' taste and I did not like it. But reading all the benefits of it, I kept using it mainly for curries and sweets and as time went by, I slowly introduced it to other types of meals as well. I am so used to it by now, that I use it in almost everything. (Err no, I still would not make a nice Hungarian goulash with coconut oil. It did not turn me completely nuts! :) 

Here are a few benefits of it and if you would like to read about it more, I have added a few links.

1. It helps to speed up metabolism. Coconut oil consists almost entirely of Medium Chain Fatty Acids (These are a type of saturated fat that is actually good for you. Yes fat is good for you. Your body needs it.) and they are metabolised entirely differently than other oils. Meaning: it may promote healthy weight loss. More on it HERE and HERE.

2. It is safe to use for cooking.  It is due to it's high smoke point.

3. It can fight infections. Coconut oil contains fatty acids that are also found in human breast milk, such as: lauric, capryllic and capric fatty acids. They fight bacterial and viral infections by deactivating viruses and preventing them from growing. More information HERE.

4. It is great as a hair treatment. I love applying coconut oil on my hair. I leave it on for a minimum of half an hour then wash my hair as usual. It makes it really smooth and soft. :)

5. Apparently it is great as a coffee creamer. Umm I don't think I could ever drink my coffee with coconut oil, but feel free to try! :)

6. Great as a moisturizer. I have tried and did not see much of the benefits. I might be one of the weird ones though. 

7. Great eye-makeup remover. This is true, I have tried it and it works wonders. 

You can read more about the miracle uses of coconut oil HERE.

Happy coconutty day!

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Motivation time. I had an accident about 2 months ago and had to stop practicing yoga. Today was the first time back and it felt really good even though I've lost a lot of my core strength and flexibility. It is a challenge to get back to where I was before and I am up for it! What doesn't challenge you doesn't change you. 💪

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Lemon, almond, coconut & blackberry biscuits

I love sweets. I am your pancake girl. And yes. I can eat a whole jar of nutella with my fingers. So when it comes to detoxing times I need alternatives that taste amazing, and are sugar, gluten and dairy free.

These biscuits tick all the boxes. They are perfect for morning tea or as an afternoon snack. 😊 During the initial period, I allow myself to have 2 of these a day. I always listen to my body and I am okay with this quantity.

I use xylitol in this recipe, if you are not on a strict detox feel free to use other types of sweeteners.

The original recipe comes from Lisa Richards, I tweaked it a bit.

Ingredients:

1+1/4 cup almond meal

1/4 tsp salt

1 tsp baking powder

1 egg (organic preferably)

1TBSP coconut milk (the creamy bit) 

2TBSP coconut oil

1/4 cup xylitol

zest of 1 lemon

a handful of frozen blackberries (feel free to use any types of berries)

Pre-heat oven 180C (fan-forced).

Mix all dry ingredients, then in a separate bowl whisk wet ingredients. Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients. Fold in the blackberries.

Once ready, place baking paper on a baking tray. The dough is quite runny so I used a spoon and put dollops of the mixture on the baking paper. Then using a cookie cutter or I used a small glass cut into shapes, about 0.5 cm high. Should look something like this:

Bake for approximately 15-20 minutes. (They will expand while baking so don't place them too close to each other.) Cool when ready, and try not to eat them all in one go!

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Lunch Inspo:

Roasted veggie coconut tart (Recipe by Lisa Richards, link here)

Ingredients:

Crust:

3/4 cup coconut flour

4 organic eggs

4 TBPS coconut oil

pinch of sea salt

Filling:

1 red onion

3-4 zucchini (or 1 eggplant + 1 zucchini)

2 tomatoes

1 red pepper

1 yellow pepper

2 cloves of garlic

salt, pepper and fresh herbs, I used coriander and thyme

Preheat oven to 180C fan forced. Oil a tart pan with coconut oil.

Whisk eggs in a large bowl, add coconut oil when eggs are foamy and stir.

In another bowl mix coconut flour with salt, then sift the flour mixture in the eggs. Stir until a dough forms. Press dough in tart pan and bake for approximately 10 minutes. Wait until it cooled completely.

Slice all vegetables and spread them on a baking tray (baking sheet), toss them with 4 TBPS of coconut oil, add herbs and roast veggies for 40 minutes. Then fill tart and voila! So yumm!

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Day 1 Breakfast:

Buckwheat cereal with natural yoghurt and a handful of berries. Sprinkle with cinnamon and add a pinch of stevia if necessary. 

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Starting the detox - Week 1

Day 1.

( I am no medical expert so this blog is based purely on my research and experience.)

I decided to start this year with deep cleansing.

This time I want to take it to the next level and instead of focusing purely on my diet and I will combine it with a yoga challenge. I will document my progress, foods that I eat, or I choose not to and I will share lots of inspiring pictures.

So what is this cleansing hype, is it really that great?

Although I have read it is not necessary as your body cleanses every day, as long as you eat a healthy and balanced diet you are fine. I still believe it is important to cleanse. For me it's like a spring clean. Even though you keep your house clean during the year, a spring clean is still on the cards. I have done it many times before and I always felt amazing after. I think it is good to cleanse out all the toxins once in every 6 months at least. Mental clarity, clear vision, clear skin, shiny and smooth hair are just the start but I also have an abundance of energy and I feel like I am my ‘old, young self’ if that makes sense. Weight loss is an added extra, I don’t mind that either :)

Initial period: 8 weeks 

A lot of the times, I hear people say they do a detox diet or cleansing for 4 weeks. Although it is better than nothing at all, I believe that time is only enough for all the toxins to starting to be released and you will only feel awful and won’t have the feeling of ‘wow, so this is how I should be feeling normally. It was so worth it.’ 

Starting on a detox is not easy, especially if this is your first time of doing it. The secret of success lies in planning. Meal plans and always having food with you so you won’t feel the urge to cheat.

Foods I will avoid during the initial phase:

Sugar of all  kind (yes, including honey and maple and coconut syrup and brown rice malt syrup etc.)

Gluten ( I fully avoid gluten because I react to it, but if you are not gluten intolerant, you should be fine just avoiding wheat and have rye, spelt and oats instead)

Dairy, with the exception of organic butter and natural unsweetened yoghurt

Vinegars except raw apple cider vinegar

White rice, potatoes (except sweet potatoes in moderation)

Alcohol: all forms of alcohol is to be avoided for 8 weeks

Soy products

Preservatives and other nasties 

Processed food

Fruits ( I put this here, because you I will keep fruit consumption to a minimum at least for 4 weeks. Fruit contains fructose which is a form of sugar. You can have 1-2 cups of low fructose fruits a day such as berries.)

Avoid eating lots of red meat

Foods that I will eat during the initial phase:

Coconut products: coconut flour, milk, cream etc Please read the labels, many of them have preservatives added and other fillers and nasties. Stick to the purest forms. The local health food stores will stock many kind and also in Australia Woolworths and Coles have plenty of options available now.

Almond flour

Nuts ( no peanuts)

Quinoa

Quinoa flour

Buckwheat 

Lots and lots of vegetables except for normal potatoes 

Any meat

Fish ( large fish contains high mercury levels, I wouldn’t consume it too regularly)

Brown rice

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