-
Product review: Black Leaves teas
Black Leaves teas include a selection of high quality loose leaf and herbal teas especially crafted with health and wellbeing in mind. Black Leaves teas The company from Perth was founded by a young entrepreneur who had a noble motivation: to help his mother regain physical wellbeing. The full story is longer an way more interesting, so I encourage you to jump on their website (link below) and had a read in the About section. Black Leaves teas come in 50g and 250g pouches (a couple of items are available in 1kg bags) and are sold under the following categories: Detox: blends designed to accelerate metabolism, improve digestion, reduce appetite,…
-
Recipe: Low carb silverbeet and ricotta pie
This low carb silverbeet and ricotta pie is a spin on “pastel de acelga” (a.k.a. “torta Pascualina” in Argentina and Uruguay). It’s great for brunch or any other time of the day. In Perú, “pastel de acelga” is commonly found in bakeries and cafes, from the humblest to the fanciest. The filling commonly features bread, milk and Parmesan cheese. I prefer to use ricotta for better texture and flavour. I used an almond meal crust to make it both low-carb and gluten-free but you can use your favourite savoury pie crust recipe or pre-made pie crust.
-
Product review: Nonie’s hot cross buns
Nonie’s hot cross buns are an Easter treat by the artisan gluten-free bakery from Botany NSW. They come in classic and chocolate flavours. Nonie’s hot cross buns Nonie’s hot cross buns come in two flavours: classic and chocolate. They are gluten-free and vegetarian. You can buy them in bags of 4 or 6 buns, each weighing 125g (classic) or 110g (chocolate). They are available on the weeks leading to Easter at Nonie’s HQ in Botany and some of their stockists. Check their website (at the bottom of this post) for more details. Ingredients The ingredients list in these buns is long, mainly because getting a good texture in gluten-free baked…
-
Recipe: Papa rellena pie
Papa rellena pie is a casserole dish similar to shepherd’s or cottage pie with a Peruvian twist. Papa rellena (stuffed potato) is a typical Peruvian dish consisting of a mashed potato “dough” stuffed with a beef mince filling. The original papa rellena is shaped like a rugby ball and deep-fried. Instead, this version in pie format is baked similar to other mash-topped dishes, saving you oil, hassle and extra calories from fat. As many other Peruvian dishes, papa rellena is usually served with rice and salsa criolla. I like to serve mine with salad instead of rice and splash some hot sauce on top. The filling is made with the…
-
Muscle cramps during exercise
Muscle cramps during exercise are relatively common and have been investigated for decades but remain a mystery. Scientists have identified potential risk factors, causes and solutions but evidence is not very solid. Exercise-associated muscle cramps Also known as EAMC, these are cramps that happen during or immediately after exercise (1, 2). Muscle cramps occur in a wide range of athletes participating in a variety of disciplines. These are most commonly reported in endurance-type sports and team sports (1) although this could be due to research bias. EMAC are usually a minor inconvenience but they can vary in intensity and duration, with a very small percentage of the population experiencing severe…
-
Product review: Nutriboost
Nutriboost is a high protein flavoured milk drink made with no added sugar. It is enriched with fibre and vitamin D and has a 5 health star rating. Nutriboost Nutriboost is made by infamous Coca-Cola Company. Before you stop reading, remember that they also make water, juice and other not-so-bad-for-you beverages. Nutriboost is enriched with milk proteins, polydextrose as a source of fibre, and vitamin D. It is sweetened with an artificial sweetener. The drink comes in 3 flavours: chocolate, vanilla and banana. It is available at Woolworths supermarkets, and often discounted when buying 5 or more. Ingredients Below are the ingredients lists for the current 3 flavours. Note they…
-
Salad dressings
Eating salads is great but some salads are better than others. Beside the actual salad ingredients, salad dressings make a huge difference and can become an issue for people with certain health issues. We have all heard that a salad in a fast food restaurant is “worse for you” than a burger. These “claims” are made on the basis of energy (kilojoules/kilocalories) and/or fat content alone, without taking into account actual nutrient content. To be clear, a “salad” made with pasta, bacon and mayonnaise is not great for you, but a vegetable salad that is high in fat and energy coming from extra virgin olive oil, olives and/or avocado is…
-
Recipe: Green shakshuka
Green shakshuka is a tasty variation to the traditional tomato-based Middle Eastern breakfast dish. It is a great way to get a few serves of vegetables during the first half of the day. The beauty of green shakshuka is that you can use any green vegetables and herbs you have in hand. In that sense, it’s a lot more customisable than the original version, in my opinion. This recipe is gluten-free and low-carb. It can be made dairy free by omitting the cheese or using a plant-based one. Serve it with your choice of bread. I used some outstanding gluten-free pita from Nonie’s Food.
-
Food and migraine
The relationship between food and migraine does exist but it’s not crystal clear. Many foods can act as triggers and certain dietary interventions may decrease the frequency and severity of migraine attacks. What is migraine Migraine is a disabling headache disorder (1) which may present with symptoms such as extreme sensitivity to light, sound and smell, nausea, vomiting and movement sensitivity (1, 2). Both genetic and environmental factors influence migraine (2). Food triggers of migraine Some foods are commonly reported as migraine triggers, including: chocolate (1, 2, 3) citrus fruits (1, 2, 3) some vegetables such as tomatoes (2, 3) and onions (2) nuts (1, 2) dairy products such as…
-
Product review: Denada ice cream
Denada ice cream is another healthier treat alternative for those following a low carbohydrate or keto diet. Some flavours are also vegan. Denada ice cream Denada ice cream comes in colourful 475ml tubs. They contain (mostly) natural ingredients and no added sugars. They are sweetened with xylitol and are low in carbohydrates and sugar and gluten-free. A couple of their flavours are also dairy-free and vegan. There are currently 8 flavours which you can find in Coles and other smaller supermarkets (such as IGA and Foodworks) and health food shops. Check Denada’s website at the bottom of this page for more information about stockists. Not sure if this is the…
