Fundraising

It is very hard to try and support the foundations we would like to help out, however we must remember that every little bit counts. So donating $10 here and there, even though its a small amount, it really goes a long way!

Every year I try to support significantly to one foundation, as well as donating a few coins here and there to the door knockers, and highway volunteers. This year I was fortunate enough to be able to help out three amazing foundations - the Breast Cancer Foundation, Ovarian Cancer Australia and the Cancer Council.

One friend had a "Pink Ribbon Breakfast" to raise money for the Breast Cancer Foundation and another has an annual "Australian's Biggest Morning Tea" to raise money for the Cancer Council. I had an "Ovarian Cancer Australia" fundraiser morning tea too. 

It is so easy to host a fundraiser, an is a lot of fun as well. You simply contact the foundation, get the ok to go ahead, they will sometimes sned you some info of the symptoms etc to put up at your fundraiser, and often send you some merchandise to sell to. You ask people to bring a donation amount (mine was $20), and you supply them with morning tea. It is a great way to catch up with friends and raise money for a great cause at the same time!

Fundraisers don't have to be for Cancer foundations either, they can be for animal shelters, Hospitals (Dry July is a great one to raise money for a cancer research at a particular hospital of your choice), Mental Illness foundations etc.

To hold a fundraiser, just go to the website of the foundation you would like to support and look at their "fundraising" section - if there isn't one, just find the "contact us" tab and give them a call or e-mail.

Coco for Coconuts

I am obsessed with Coconut, I love to eat it, put it in museli, use the oil in smoothies, drink Coconut water... everything, love it!

I wanted to share some of the benefits of Coconuts...

1. Coconut is considered a "functional food" as it is rich in fibre, vitamins and minerals

2. Coconuts contain Lauric Acids, these help keep your digestion up to scratch and boost the immune system.

Coconut Water:

1. Helps with weight loss as it speeds up the metabolism

2. Helps Hydrate your body as it has many natural electrolytes (Cocobella Coconut Water has 5)

3. Unlike Coconut Milk, Coconut Water doesn't contain much fat, so is a guilt free way to enjoy a little big of sweet each day.

Coconut Oil:

1. Coconut Oil contains 50% Laric Acid

2. Boost energy and endurance

3. Kills germs and viruses such as te flue, herpes, measles and other illnesses.
4. Coconut Oil also helps improve Magnesium and Calcium absorption.

I have 1 jar at home for cooking, 1 at work for my morning smoothies and 1 by my bed for moisturising each night. It smells amazing, is delicious and so so good for you!

Here are some of the brands I have tried...

For more info on the goodness of Coconuts please visit: http://www.coconutresearchcenter.org/

Fresh Juice

There are many benefits from drinking fresh fruit and vegetable juice each day.

Not only does it make you feel great but it is a feat source of energy and vitamins and minerals your body needs to function at its best throughout the day.

I have done a little research and found the following fun facts about the importance of juicing and consuming your fruit and veggies each day.

When you drink your fruits and vegetables you absorb up to 80% more of the nutrients!

Fruit and Veggie juice reduces the amount of work your digestive organs have to do and has been show to increase the health of the liver and kidneys. Not only does this lead to better immunity and overall better long term health, but a cleaner and healthier liver also helps with weight loss.

Drinking fresh fruit and veggie juice can also prevent diseases such as cancer – although no cancer is completely preventable, keeping your fruit and veg intake up is a lifestyle decision that is believed to reduce the risk of developing cancers.

My fave juices are Oranges, Apples, Mint, Spinach, Cucumber, Celery, Ginger and Carrots all mixed together and consumed cold. Or Watermelon, Mint and Apple served on ice on a hot day.

If your not a fan of veggie juice, OJ is a great alternative. It is high in Vitamin C which is great for your immune system, and it is also high in the following vitamins and minerals:

- Folic Acid which boosts brain health

- B Vitamins which is good for the production of haemoglobin in the body

- Beta carotene which helps prevent cell damage

- Calcium which is good for bone health

- Potassium which is helpful in maintaining normal blood pressure

- Pectin which is a dietary fibre which assists in maintaining a healthy weight.

For more fun facts about juicing please visit boostjuice.com.au or thedailymind.com

Bok Choy, Orange, Tomato, Carrot, Apple, Spinach, Ginger, Chia seeds, Coconut Oil (make sure you melt it prior to adding it into your juice. I only use a teaspoon and melt it by putting it in a heat proof dish over a saucepan with boiling water in it - don't use the microwave, the good fats will melt away)

Clean Eating 101

Sorry for the lack of posts - getting up at 5am 3 times a week is exhausting - but great fun and makes you feel fantastic!

So thought I would give you an update on my meals.

For the first few weeks I was having a protein shake consisting of berries, fat free natural yoghurt, chia seeds, water, coconut oil and vanilla protein powder (a good brand is Sun Warrior - its $$ though but lasts a while).

I have since switched to porridge as I was getting a little bored with the same thing every day. I buy the High Fibre Uncle Toby's sachets of porridge (not flavoured), and use hot water, manuka honey and coconut oil to mix it into a warm breaky. I add berries, yoghurt and chia seeds for a little extra flavour.

For lunch I have been having meat and salad:

This is a chicken sausage roll made with chicken breast, grated zucchini and garlic, wrapped in a rye wrap and put in the oven for 30 mins.
The salad is made with avocado, spinach, tomato, spring onion, chia seeds and olive oil.

This salad is the same as above with tofu which has been cooked in olive oil and garlic, and a, organic Mediterranean veggie burger from IGA.

This salad is the same as above minus the Tofu. Then I have a sausage roll made with Steak instead of Chicken.

It is easy to eat clean if you are organised - doing a big cook on a Sunday and freezing your meals until you need them is a great way to get around planning your clean eating week.