A MATTER OF NOURISHMENT

Barley salad with courgettes and blue cheese

Do you sometimes cook with barley? Do you know that barley has a good content of beta-glucan? Yes, the same fibre that you can find in oats! Beta-glucan is a glucose polymer (polysaccharides) found in the cell walls of cereals and other food (for example yeasts, seaweeds, and some mushrooms like shiitake or reishi – it’s also found in other foods in smaller amounts).

The positive effect of grains like barley and oats on cholesterol has been associated with their content of soluble fibre. The beta-glucan structure is different based on the food source (so they are for example soluble fibre in cereals and insoluble in yeasts.. the power of chemistry!). Taking good care of yourself through your food and lifestyle choices CAN BE EASY AND ENJOYABLE.. You just need to give it a go!

Below you’ll find the recipe for a salad with barley, courgettes, and blue cheese – I have used a cheese that has easily become a favorite in my house: Young Buck, a delicious raw milk blue cheese made in Northern Ireland. You can check it out if you’ve never tried it or do a little bit of research until you find one that you really like!

Barley salad with courgettes and blue cheese

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Barley Salad with Courgettes and Blue Cheese

Ingredients (serves 2)

120 g barley
approx. 340 g courgettes
approx. 40 g blue cheese
1 small handful of alfalfa sprouts (or your favorite sprouts)
1 tsp dried thyme
juice of 1 lemon
1/2 tsp fennel seeds (crushed in a mortar)
extra virgin olive oil
1 small handful of fresh mint leaves
a pinch of black pepper

Cook the barley according to the instructions on the package. When it will be ready, simply rinse it with cold water and drain well. While you wait for the barley to cook, you can prepare the other ingredients: cut into small slices the courgettes and cook them in a pan with a little bit of olive oil for 1-2 minutes – you can also decide to divide the courgettes into two parts, then cook some of them and leave the remaining veggies raw (to get the best results, I’ll do this only with small, fresh and crunchy courgettes). Once the courgettes will be cold, place them in a large bowl with spices, dried thyme, lemon juice, barley, cheese, and extra virgin olive oil. Mix well all the ingredients and set them aside in the fridge for approx. 10 minutes. Add the sprouts just before serving and top your bowls with some mint leaves.

If you liked this post, share it with your friends using the buttons below. Don’t forget to tag me @amatterofnourishment on Instagram if you try this recipe: I’d love to see your creations!

Brownies ai Fagioli Neri

(read in English)

Mi piace tantissimo riuscire a condividere il momento della colazione con il mio ragazzo – purtroppo non capita tutti giorni, ma cerchiamo di fare del nostro meglio! La vedo come un’occasione per passare più tempo insieme, parlare dei nostri impegni per la giornata, e condividere una colazione nutriente… Tante volte è anche un’opportunità per provare delle nuove ricette – esattamente quello che è successo con questi brownies. Li ho preparati un po’ di settimane fa provando ad ottenere una buona consistenza con alcuni ingredienti che avevo in mente: la prima volta erano decisamente troppo asciutti ma il sapore era promettente! La seconda volta, invece, erano buonissimi: con un po’ della classica consistenza da brownies, ma non troppo “bagnati”.. con la crosticina sopra, ma non troppo asciutti. Noi li abbiamo mangiati sia a colazione (accompagnati da un frullato), sia dopo cena come dessert.. ottimi in entrambi i casi!

Brownies ai Fagioli Neri

Ingredienti

180 g fagioli neri cotti
110 g farina di riso integrale
2 1/2 cucchiai di cacao in polvere non zuccherato
1 1/2 cucchiai di sciroppo di datteri
25 g ghee (ammorbidito – puoi utilizzare l’olio di cocco per una versione vegana, ma aggiungine un pochino di più rispetto al ghee)
1 1/2 cucchiaino di lievito per dolci
1 1/2 cucchiaino di zenzero fresco grattugiato
circa 200 ml bevanda agli anacardi

Frulla i fagioli, la bevanda agli anacardi, e lo zenzero finchè non ottieni una crema omogenea. Mettila poi in una ciotola ed aggiungi gli altri ingredienti (includendo il lievito per dolci alla fine) – mischia bene affinchè non ci siano grumi. Metti l’impasto dei brownies nella teglia, aggiustando la superficie con una spatola o il retro di un cucchiaio. Cuoci in forno preriscaldato a 180°C per circa 20-25 minuti – saranno pronti quando la parte superiore inizierà ad essere rigida ed si sarà formata una crosticina. Lascia raffreddare i brownies prima di tagliarli.

Puoi servirli con sopra yogurt Greco, cannella, e lamponi.

si conservano in un contenitore ben chiuso in frigo per qualche giorno
è importante che l’impasto dei brownies sia omogeneo e non ci siano pezzi di fagioli, per ottenere poi una buona consistenza dei brownies quando saranno cotti
i dolci o simili fatti con la farina di riso tendono a seccarsi facilmente, quindi non lasciarli troppo a lungo nel forno
sia la bevanda agli anacardi, sia il ghee (o olio di cocco) sono importanti per ottenere la classica consistenza “umida” dei brownies finiti

Vorresti iniziare ad avere uno stile di vita ed un’alimentazione più sani, creando anche una serie di abitudini che possano diventare parte della tua vita d’ora in avanti? Non sai esattamente da dove iniziare? Clicca sul link qui sotto per fare il primo passo:

INIZIAMO!

Pesto con Kale e Basilico

(read in English)

Estate significa abbondanza di basilico fresco… quale modo migliore di utilizzarlo se non preparando un po’ di pesto? Per quanto mi piaccia quello tradizionale con formaggio e pinoli, mi annoio anche facilmente e mi piace dunque sperimentare un po’ in cucina con nuove ricette! Questa, ad esempio, è incentrata su basilico, kale (o cavolo riccio), e semi di zucca: il sapore è ovviamente un po’ diverso da quello del pesto classico, ma è comunque un mix dal gusto ricco e che si sposa benissimo con una fetta di pane o con un piatto di pasta.

Parliamo un pochino della kale! Siete tra quelli che vanno matti per la kale o no? Durante gli ultimi anni, la kale è stata uno dei cibi “healthy” più di tendenza, ma onestamente, se non vi piace, non c’è ragione per forzarsi a mangiarla! Ci sono tanti altri tipi di verdura che potete includere nelle vostre giornate e sono comunque ricchi di nutrienti. Da me la kale è uno dei punti fissi della spesa della settimana e la usiamo principalmente nelle insalate, ma anche per preparare delle chips al forno e, ovviamente, per il pesto! Una piccola curiosità: sapete che qui in Irlanda in realtà la kale è sempre stata coltivata, ma era passata un po’ in disuso ed è ritornata in auge negli ultimi anni?

La kale fa parte della famiglia dei cavoli, è ricca di vitamine come la C, A, K, B6, ma anche minerali come magnesio, ferro, potassio, calcio. Insieme alla vitamina C ed al beta-carotene, ha anche altri composti che svolgono il ruolo di antiossidanti, come i flavonoidi ed i polifenoli (gli antiossidanti sono composti molto importanti che ci aiutano rivestendo un ruolo protettivo dagli effetti dello stress ossidativo e dei radicali liberi – quindi, ad esempio, possono aiutarci con fattori come l’infiammazione o l’invecchiamento). La kale contiene anche alcuni composti che possono essere d’aiuto per abbassare il livello di colesterolo. Una verdura ricca di sorprese, giusto?

Alcune ricerche interessanti:
Antioxidants and kale
Binding of bile acids by kale (for cholesterol)
Kale and postprandial glucose level

PESTO CON KALE E BASILICO

Ingredienti

100 g semi di zucca
circa 40 g di basilico, gambi inclusi
circa 150 g di kale
succo di 1 limone
circa 100-120 ml di olio extra vergine d’oliva
1 cucchiaio e mezzo di capperi (opzionale – un’alternativa buonissima ispirata da un post di Green Kitchen Stories)

Fai tostare i semi di zucca in forno preriscaldato a 150°C per alcuni minuti, giusto finchè non inizieranno a diventare dorati. Lasciali raffreddare, poi aggiungili nel frullatore insieme al succo di limone, ed una parte del basilico: risulta pratico aggiungere il basilico e la kale in piccole parti, frullando man mano – ogni tanto ferma il frullatore e togli il mix dalle pareti del frullatore, per poi continuare a prepare il pesto. Quando questi ingredienti saranno tritati grossolanamente, inzia ad aggiungere l’olio, sempre in piccole parti. Puoi adattare secondo le tue preferenze sia la quantità di olio che quella di limone. Conserva il pesto in frigorifero in un vasetto chiuso per alcuni giorni con un sottilissimo strato d’olio sopra (giusto la minima quantità necessaria per tenere il pesto coperto con l’olio).

INIZIAMO!

Kale and Basil Pesto

(read in Italian)

Summer means plenty of fresh basil available.. and what a better way to use it than making pesto? I like the traditional one with cheese and pine nuts, but I get bored easily so I always like to get creative and try new food combinations. This recipe calls for basil, kale, and pumpkin seeds: the taste is a little bit different obviously, but it’s rich in flavor and pairs well with a slice of sourdough bread or some pasta.

Let’s briefly talk about kale! Are you among kale lovers or not? Kale has been one of the most trendy healthy foods around for the last few years, but honestly, if you don’t like it, there’s no need to force yourself to eat it! There are many other nutritious veggies that you can include in your days. I honestly love kale and is usually a weekly staple in my grocery shopping – I mainly use it in salads, oven-baked chips and, obviously, pesto!

Kale is a member of the cabbage family, rich in vitamins like C, A, K, B6, but also minerals like magnesium, iron, potassium, calcium. Among vitamin C and beta-carotene, it has other compounds with antioxidant activity, like flavonoids and polyphenols (antioxidants are important compounds that help us working as a protection from the effect of oxidative stress and free radicals – so, for example, they may help us dealing with inflammation and aging). Kale contains also some compounds that may help us to lower the cholesterol levels in the body. Sounds like a mighty little plant, right?

Interesting studies:
Antioxidants and kale
Binding of bile acids by kale (for cholesterol)
Kale and postprandial glucose level

KALE AND BASIL PESTO

Ingredients

100 g pumpkin seeds
approx. 40 g basil, stems included
approx. 150 g kale
juice of 1 lemon
approx. 100-120 ml extra virgin olive oil
1 1/2 tbsp capers (optional – delicious variation inspired by a post from Green Kitchen Stories)

Toast the pumpkin seeds in a pre-heated oven at 150°C for a few minutes, just until they start to turn golden. Wait until they are cold to add them in the blender, with the lemon juice and a small part of the basil: it’s better to add basil and kale in small portions – blend for a few minutes, pausing from time to time and scraping the walls. When your ingredients will be finely chopped, start adding the olive oil in portions. You can adjust the amount of both oil and lemon juice to your preferences. Store in the fridge in a closed jar for a few days with a thin layer of olive oil on top (just to keep the top covered with oil).

Would you like to start having a healthier diet and lifestyle, but also start building lifelong healthy habits? Are you ready for a change but need some help to get started? Click on the button below to take the first step:

I’M READY!

Almond, Pecan and Pumpkin Seed Butter

How many times have you planned to start a diet next Monday, next January, next week? And, honestly, how many times did you give up before starting or just after a few days? What if today you decide to stop looking for a quick fix or trying to follow the latest trendy diet… and you simply start working on yourself?⠀

rethink your goals⠀
set intentions⠀
be sure that what you’d like to achieve is something that really matters to you⠀
focus on simple changes first⠀
work on your mindset⠀
start creating LIFELONG healthy habits⠀

Not easy, not quick… but so rewarding! Start all of this process by speaking clearly to yourself in a non-judgemental way. Just be honest and have a better look inside yourself!

What can be your first simple step today? Write down your shopping list for this delicious nuts+seeds butter and get ready to make it soon! Use it as a chance to

spend a little bit of time in the kitchen
cook something tasty and packed with nutrients
get more creative in the kitchen
prepare in advance something to add to your next breakfast or snack
be more aware when cooking and eating

Enjoy your nut and seed butter on toasted bread with some berries, as topping for your porridge, or use it for energy balls! Chiara x

Almond, Pecan and Pumpkin Seed Butter

Ingredients:

100 g almonds
50 g pecan nuts
150 g pumpkin seeds
a pinch of vanilla powder

Place your nuts and seed on a baking tray and roast for approx. 10-15 minutes in a pre-heated oven at 150°C (I prefer to start with nuts only, then add the pumpkin seeds a little bit later since they tend to burn quite easily). Leave them to cool down almost completely and then use your mixture to prepare the butter in a food processor or blender: this part will take some time, especially depending on the kitchen appliance that you have – if your blender or food processor starts to warm up too much or smell a little, simply stop for a while and start again later. It takes a while for both nuts and seeds to release their oil and get into a smooth paste – below you’ll find the step by step photos, to understand better how this process works. Store your butter in a closed jar in the fridge.

Are you ready to work on your diet/lifestyle and change what doesn’t work well… but need some help to get started? Click on the button below to take the first step:

SCHEDULE A FREE CONSULTATION

Brownies with Black Beans

(read in Italian)

Love when I can manage to share a nice breakfast with my better half – unfortunately, it doesn’t happen every day. I see that as a chance to spend some extra time together, talk about the day ahead, and share nourishing food… or even try new recipes! This is what happened with these brownies. I have prepared them a few weeks ago trying to get a nice texture with some specific ingredients: the first time they turned out too dry, but definitely promising! The second time they were delicious: moist but not too chewy, with a lovely crust, but not too dry. We enjoyed them as part of our breakfast (with a smoothie), and as a dessert to share after dinner.

Brownies with Black Beans

Ingredients

180 g cooked black beans
110 g brown rice flour
2 1/2 tbsp unsweetened cacao powder
1 1/2 tbsp date syrup
25 g ghee (softened – you can use coconut oil as a vegan option, add a little bit more than ghee)
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 1/2 tsp freshly grated ginger
approx. 200 ml cashew drink

Blend beans, cashew drink, and ginger into a smooth paste. Place it in a large bowl and add all the other ingredients (add the baking powder at the end) – mix well until there are no lumps. Pour the batter into the pan, then smooth the top with a spatula or a spoon. Cook in a preheated oven for approx. 20-25 minutes at 180°C – they will be ready when the top is firm and you start to get a nice crust. Allow the brownies to cool down before cutting them into squares.

You can serve them with Greek yogurt, cinnamon, and raspberries on top.

Store them in an air-tight container in the fridge for a few days
It’s important to get a smooth black bean paste to get a great final texture for your brownies
Rice flour tends to get dry easily, so don’t leave them too long in the oven
Both the cashew drink and ghee (or coconut oil) are important to get the characteristic moist texture

I’M READY

Whole grain scones and Raw Raspberry Chia Jam

Before moving to Ireland, I never had a scone before… but they are such a lovely idea for breakfast or brunch that after trying them a couple of times, I ended up experimenting at home with several combinations. I always use whole grain flour as a base, but all the other ingredients are different every time (sometimes I also sneak in a part of almond flour) – being creative while cooking can actually be the key to really enjoy your food choices and be more aware of what you choose (and what you actually like or not).

“DO YOU HAVE LIMITED OPTIONS? DO YOU END UP EATING THE SAME FOODS EVERY DAY?” …these are just two of the most common doubts for someone who wants to start having a healthier diet and lifestyle. And don’t make me start mentioning the fear of eating tasteless and boring food.

Well, speaking from my personal experience, when I have decided to embrace a healthier lifestyle, paying attention to what I was eating, cooking more from scratch, and reading the labels of products before buying them… my diet changed completely and has been an exciting journey made of new foods, preparations, combinations, flavours, and colours! It’s incredible because on one side I had this “discovery journey“, and on the other side I was learning more about myself, my body, tastebuds, cooking skills, and (last but not for importance) I was learning more about the FREEDOM to choose and not to be limited by a diet or a food trend or an impossible goal! After more than 10 years, my journey is not over yet and I’M SO GLAD that every day I’m still OPEN to experiment and learn!

Below you will find an example of what I’ve written… Scones and an easy raw jam that pair well with them!

Chiara x

WHOLE GRAIN SCONES

Ingredients

200 g whole grain flour (I usually use wheat or spelt or a mix of them)
2 tbsp coconut oil (measured solid)
2 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tsp cinnamon powder
1 tbsp date syrup (optional)
almond or hazelnut drink

If the coconut oil is solid, start by placing your 2 tbsp in a small cup and wait until it gets warmer and softer. In a large bowl, mix the flour, date syrup, and cinnamon – in a cup/glass, mix the 2 liquids (mix approx. 100 ml of vegetable drink with the vinegar, then if you will need more liquid, simply add some extra plant-based drink). Add the coconut oil to the dry ingredients and mix with your hands until the flour starts to “crumble”. Then, add the baking powder and, straight after, start including the remaining ingredients in small portions, checking if your dough really needs more liquid or not. When the dough is ready and doesn’t stick to your hands anymore, quickly cut the scones – I use a cutter that has a diameter of 7.5 cm and I roll out the dough to approx. 3-5 cm (but you can decide how to make them – in this way, you will make 4-5 large scones with the quantities listed above).

Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C for approx. 20 minutes. When they are almost ready, I brush them with a mix made with a splash of almond drink and a little bit of date syrup (approx. 2 tbsp drink + 1/4 tsp date syrup) – you can do this step twice so the scones will be more golden on top.

Serve them warm with Greek yogurt (or coconut yogurt) and fresh berries or the raspberry chia jam that you find below.

DSC_0408 (2)

RAW RASPBERRY CHIA JAM

Ingredients

250 g fresh raspberries*
3 tbsp chia seeds
juice of 1/2 lemon
optional: add a pinch of vanilla or 1/2 tsp freshly grated ginger

Mash your washed raspberries with a fork, add the lemon juice and the chia seeds (add also some vanilla or ginger, if you are using them). Mix well and leave in the fridge for at least 15 minutes before using it (you can add more lemon juice or 1-2 tbsp of water to get your preferred consistency for the jam). You can store the jam in a closed container in the fridge for a couple of days.

* my suggestion if you use frozen raspberries: heat them for approx. a couple of minutes in a pan with 1/2 tsp of ghee, mash them with a fork and leave to cool down before adding the seeds.

I’M READY

Noodles with Asparagus and Courgettes

Asparagus is one of those veggies that many people avoid to cook at home because of their characteristic taste, not so easy to pair and to prepare. The key is actually “keep it simple” – find a way to eat asparagus that you like and that at the same time allows you to celebrate them and really appreciate their flavour.

This Spring vegetable comes in several colours (green, purple, white) and it’s actually packed with nutrients*

low in calories
good amount of fibre (important to keep the body overall healthy)
rich in vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin C, A, K, and E – folate, potassium, phosphorus (folate is important for many processes in the body (among them, cognitive functions) and it’s a key nutrient for women who are pregnant or are planning a pregnancy – many other nutrients come in a smaller amount in asparagus, making this veggie really useful for our health and well-being)
good amount of antioxidants (important compounds that help us working as a protection from the effect of oxidative stress and free radicals – so, for example, they may help us dealing with inflammation and ageing)
being a source of potassium, they are one of those foods that help us get our daily intake of this important mineral (potassium helps to regulate blood pressure and the amount of sodium in the body – for many people, the daily diet is often rich in sodium and lacks in potassium)

Asparagus is also pretty famous for something else… the distinctive odour sometimes called “asparagus pee”! Wondering why? Which is the chemistry behind it? Asparagus contains a compound called asparagusic acid, which our body converts into sulfur-containing chemicals that have a characteristic strong odour. But what’s more interesting about this topic, is that not everyone can smell it. In a study published in the British Medical Journal, the researchers tried to know more about asparagus and the reasons why some people smell them in urine and others don’t (a genetic variation was associated with asparagus anosmia (=> inability to smell asparagus in urine)).

* if you have a specific medical condition, for example, uric acid kidney stones, talk to your doctor about having asparagus as part of your diet.

LET’S GET PRACTICAL! Here there is a simple recipe that will help you to fall in love with asparagus – it’s simple, rich in flavour, and really quick to prepare. You can use your favourite noodles, I have decided to go for the brown rice ones, that are pretty basic, and are a staple in my pantry (you never know when you’ll want to make a bowl of ramen or a stir-fry!).

Hope you’ll like it!

Chiara x

Noodles with Asparagus and Courgettes

Ingredients
(serves 2)

1 medium-sized courgette
approx. 200 g asparagus
120 g brown rice noodles
100 g plain tofu
1 tbsp tamari
1 tsp of freshly grated ginger
a pinch of black pepper
a pinch of hot paprika
black sesame seeds
some finely chopped Spring onions (to add on top before serving) – approx. 1 tsp of chopped pieces for each person, but you can also put some in a bowl and leave it on the table
extra virgin olive oil

Cut the vegetables (courgettes and asparagus) in thin slices (leave the tops of asparagus as they are) – chop the tofu into small cubes and mix it with the tamari, black pepper and paprika. Heat a little bit of olive oil in a pan and then cook the tofu until it starts to get golden brown on the outside, then add the vegetables, mix well, and keep cooking for a minute (the vegetables are thin and you want to keep them crunchy).

Cook the noodles in boiling water following the instructions on the package and when they will be ready, rinse with cold water, drain the excess of liquid, and add them to the pan – add also the grated ginger, mix well, and get ready to serve. Add a little bit of olive oil just before serving, together with black sesame seeds, and some finely chopped raw Spring onions.

Would you like to start having a diet and lifestyle that are a real support for your well-being? Learn how to:

CELEBRATE your body
TAKE GOOD CARE of yourself
LOVE the food that you CHOOSE to put on your table

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5 simple ways to start having a “zero waste” kitchen

(read in Italian)

There are plenty of ways in which you can easily reduce waste in your home and use less plastic or single-use objects: the kitchen can be a great starting point for this kind of changes. I truly see as part of a lifestyle that is a real support for my well-being, even things such as:

being creative in the kitchen: useful not only to reduce waste but also to keep learning and remain curious about food (find here 5 simple and delicious recipes made with leftovers)
re-connecting with the nature around me
taking more conscious choices and being more aware of what we can do to reduce our negative effects on the planet

It’s always a good idea asking yourself from time to time “is my lifestyle exactly how I’d like it to be?“, “what can I change/improve?“, “if right now I’d take a step back and look at my lifestyle from a different perspective, what would I notice?”, etc.

5 simple ways to start having a zero waste kitchen

Let’s talk about 5 ways to start having a more Earth-friendly lifestyle

1) GET CREATIVE, SAVE MONEY, AND REDUCE WASTE

You can put this idea into practice in several ways. For example:

leftovers can be a chance to have some food ready for your next meal or a starting point to get more creative in the kitchen
since cereals or legumes can have quite long cooking times, you can decide to prepare more than what you need for 1 meal and store them (plain) in the fridge for a few days: in this way, they’ll be ready whenever you need to put together a quick meal
start cooking more from scratch: obviously, there’s no need to suddenly go from only putting together a toast to start making bread, yogurt, tomato sauce, and fresh pasta for all your family every day! Start doing it step by step, following your own schedule, cooking skills, and needs: there’s always room for improvements!
start discovering food markets, local producers, organic products, and seasonal foods. It’s a good way to reduce waste (usually in a food market most of the products have less packaging), eat more according to the seasons, and get involved in all the social part that’s around food markets
do you have some empty glass jars? Recycle them properly or give them a new life!
when possible, try to buy more products without packaging or avoiding plastic. Try also to think about what are you buying and which kind of packaging are you choosing (an example: “for 2 people, should I get the bigger yogurt (500g) or 6 of the small ones?“)

2) BRING YOUR OWN REUSABLE BAGS

Whenever you plan to go for your grocery shopping, remind yourself to bring the bags with you. It can also be handy having one of them with you all the time: keep it in the car, in your purse or in the pocket of your coat (here there are some examples).

3) RECYCLE

Get organised with the different bins and be sure that everybody in the house knows how to use them. Wondering if you can or can’t recycle something? Check with your local recycling station or have a look online for specific guides made for your city/area.

4) CUT DOWN ON ALL THE SINGLE-USE STUFF

I’m talking about paper towel, cling film, parchment paper, aluminium foil, plastic bags, etc. First, take a step back and check how much of this kind of stuff are you using and start choosing reusable alternatives more often. Here there are some examples:

get a few beeswax wraps (there are also alternatives made with soy wax) to cover bowls, plates, or to store an open lemon or watermelon (an example: check out Bee’s Wrap)
get a reusable baking mat (here there are some examples)
be sure to have always a tea towel and a sponge on hand so it will be easier to swap the paper towel for them for example when you spill something
get cotton produce bags and air-tight containers to store everything properly. Some examples: the lunch boxes from Black+Blum, sandwich bags made with the beeswax wraps mentioned above, and reusable silicone bags like the ones from Stasher
what do you use to pack your lunch for the office? What can you change/improve? A couple of examples: swap single-use cutlery for a reusable option (you can consider a bamboo set) and get a reusable cup for you coffee on the go (like the KeepCup)

5) GIVE “UGLY” FRUIT AND VEGGIES A CHANCE!

It’s pretty common to choose the apple that looks perfect over one that has some imperfections – we have all done that! But by choosing every time those perfect looking fruit and veggies, you keep sending a message to the shop about customers’ preferences so they will adapt the offer. The result? More waste! So, give those not-so-perfect apples a chance and you’ll find out that they are tasty and nutritious exactly like they are supposed to be!

Now it’s your turn: have a look at your cooking/buying habits and check what you can start improving right now! You can also check out my product recommendations HERE

This post contains affiliate links. This means that I’ll receive a small commission at no extra cost to you if you use one of the links provided. All opinions are my own; I only recommend your products I value and find helpful.

3 Benefits that you can get from being more aware around food

Wondering how being more aware and eating with intention can change/improve your everyday life or your relationship with food and with yourself? Wondering how starting to be truly aware of the entire process of eating and don’t only mindless getting some fuel for your body can make a difference for you? Let’s talk about 3 main benefits that you can get.

1) RECLAIM YOUR TRUE SELF AND START FEELING YOUR BEST

Starting to be more AWARE of the entire process of nourishing, means working on the connection with your body and the food that you CHOOSE to eat, but it also means that you’ll truly put into practice the idea of moving from eating to nourishing. Learn how to listen and trust your body – start giving it what it needs, and not ignoring the messages that will eventually send you even in the busiest times. Start putting yourself first and love taking care of yourself, so you’ll be able to start felling your best!

2) LEARN MORE ABOUT YOURSELF AND WHAT YOU WANT

Check the difference between “I want to lose weight so I will start a diet next Monday” and “Lately I have been eating too many sweets because I look for them every time that I’m stressed, so I want to sort out this issue at its roots, find a way to de-stress and try new healthier snacks”

=> the idea behind the first sentence is looking for a quick fix without questioning the resolution or asking yourself why you should do that and how you feel now or which benefits you will get from accomplishing this goal

=> read again the second sentence. Can you see how this one is not only more complete but is already getting you on a different pathway and motivates you to ask yourself more questions about that idea of losing weight?

You don’t need to COMPARE yourself to others
You need to be focused on what really matters TO YOU
You don’t need to fit into a general resolution but what you should do instead is create INTENTIONS with a non-judgemental approach

Big, bright and shiny resolutions are definitely attractive, but WORKING ON YOURSELF is so rewarding in the long term! Being more aware means start doing this every day and get to know yourself better.

3) START BREAKING UP WITH THE DIETING MINDSET

A few days ago, I was talking with a new client about diets and why they aren’t the right tool to start having a healthier lifestyle or a better relationship with food.

For example: the idea of cheat days – when you have a healthy relationship with food, you don’t need this kind of things. The idea of a restrictive diet for 5/6 days a week and then a free day is only creating more limitations and a wrong mindset: you finally feel free to eat on that day and end up overeating because you know that all those things are NOT ALLOWED on regular days.

how can this approach help you to learn more about your body and its needs?
how can you truly enjoy your food if the idea is “I NEED to follow these restrictions today, then I will finally eat EVERYTHING that I want on my cheat day“?
how can you truly learn to eat with intention, and understand what you like or don’t like?
what will you do when your diet will come to an end? Which teachings will you get for your future?

The main goal is generally just one: lose weight. But there are a bunch of things that can help you in reaching your goal and that the classic dieting mindset doesn’t take into account, such as:

which are the reasons why you need to lose weight?
what else you can do apart from working on the food that you eat?
how do you feel about having to lose weight?
do you have a healthy relationship with your body?
how is your appetite? Do you recognise well when you are full or hungry?

I truly believe that it’s important to check-in with yourself very well before starting a journey like this one or any other wellness-related programs. You need to be aware of what can be disruptive for your mindset and what can help you in MOVING FORWARD.

Unfortunately, it’s so easy to lose confidence in your body or your food choices, and feeling like you are NOT ENOUGH… but, on the other hand, it’s not so easy to get back having a positive, strong and motivated mindset. So, try to PUT YOURSELF FIRST every day, try to choose what is best for you with a critical point of view and start being more AWARE. It’s NOT wasted time!

REMEMBER: if you are not willing to take action, you can’t expect the results that you are looking for!

Chiara x

Would you like to start having a different approach to WHAT YOU EAT AND WHY YOU CHOOSE IT? Are you ready for a change but need some help to get started? Click on the button below to take the first step:

I’M READY!