3 months RAW and still going....

Good Morning! I hope this finds you well….I thought it was about time I updated you all on my RAW diet situation….3 months ago I was put on a RAW diet for ‘at least’ 3 months…you can read more about it here….

1st August was the mark of 3 months being up….but as I can not get in to see Catherine (my Naturopath) until 21st August I am still going…. 

Being RAW has had its ups and downs and to be perfectly honest I can not decide if I enjoy it or not! Here is a run down of my thoughts…

* Positive: Easy to prepare, nutritious, fresh, tasty and oh so filling! I am so unbelievably surprised that I eat no where near what I use to eat BR (Before Raw!) …. as I am just SO FULL! I love the freshness of the food and stick to salads, juices, salads, juices, juices and salads!!!!!!! I am grateful for my  dehydrator for snacks (LOVE sweet potato chips!) 
I have lost 1 dress size. I don’t own scales  as I don’t agree with being hung up on weight and I know a lot of people with scales are…and having 3 daughters this is important to me. I feel good for losing this dress size in the sense that I feel more comfortable within myself. Its something that I don’t think I needed to do and I don’t think it would be noticeable to others but I feel less bloated all over which is nice.
My health feels AMAZING….the best it has felt in a LONG time….so that is super positive!!!!! I can’t wait to hear if Catherine agrees with me! 

My 2 1/2 year old twins love green juices as much as me!

Picking oranges at my parents….look at the size of that tree!

* Negative: Due to my intolerances I can only have limited nuts, avocado and coconut which I find is a massive part of most Raw recipes so this has limited me a lot. I think a Raw diet would be MUCH easier if I didn’t have to cut out so many things because of my intolerances.
Its cold. A big GGGRRRRR to eating salad when its cold. I would much prefer doing this in the warmer months – especially when all the stone fruit is in season!
I am bored. I think. I have lost a lot of inspiration for food or the love and passion of eating. I now eat because I ‘should’ …. not necessarily because I am even hungry and it has made me realise just how much we eat breakfast, lunch and dinner out of habit….because thats what we are told to do….not because we actually need it! 
My periods are horribly  irregular – going from a set 30 days to day 20, day 26, day 20 (for 24 hours) and day 25. I do not get the period pain I use to get or the bloating but my hormones have been evil  and exhausting (sorry hubby!)

* Interesting: I am finding myself being able to eat a little more nuts and avocado than I could before raw….but not being able to tolerate more than a mouthful or 2 of coconut. 
I am intolerant to all berries (and stupidly test this out every summer with no luck!) but I can eat the Super Reds and Greens from Nutra Organics which I shouldn’t be able to eat and I haven’t been able to before…..I have been excited about this and these energy bars have been my saviour for days out to have in my handbag in case of emergency….
These are things I don’t understand….maybe Catherine will shed some light on it! (not complaining though as a few macadamias to snack on and the bars are super yum!!!!!) 

At my girls sports carnival the other day….a thick pulpy juice and a super reds and greens bar to keep me chasing the twins!

* What I miss the most: Fish and stir fry veg! As soon as I am allowed I will be cooking a big gorgeous bit of white fish to have on the side of a mass of crunchy stir fry veg!

* What I don’t miss at all: Meat, Chicken and cakes. 

I will be sure to keep you posted with what happens at my appointment in a few weeks! 

Talk again soon, 

Take Care of You,
Collette x

PS GUESS WHAT….my next book “Cut out the Crap with Style” is at the printers!!!!!!!!!

3 months RAW and still going....

And the winner of the Lhami give-away is....

A huge Congrats to Meredith who wrote this: (7week boy = he makes me smile with his smiles, and his ability to poo his nappy right after have changed it.
2.5yo girl = her sense of humour (like her dad’s) and the love in her eyes when she cuddles her brother)
YOU are the lucky winner of the Lhami give-away!

Please email at info@cutoutthecrap.com.au with your postal address.

A MASSIVE THANK YOU to everyone who entered this comp…I did post this random winner last night but for some reason it didn’t post? Computers hey

I hope you are all having a great week so far….will be in touch again soon with an update on how my RAW diet it going.

Take Care of You
Collette x

And the winner of the Lhami give-away is....

And the winner of the Lhami give-away is....

A huge Congrats to Meredith who wrote this: (7week boy = he makes me smile with his smiles, and his ability to poo his nappy right after have changed it.
2.5yo girl = her sense of humour (like her dad’s) and the love in her eyes when she cuddles her brother)
YOU are the lucky winner of the Lhami give-away!

Please email at info@cutoutthecrap.com.au with your postal address.

A MASSIVE THANK YOU to everyone who entered this comp…I did post this random winner last night but for some reason it didn’t post? Computers hey

I hope you are all having a great week so far….will be in touch again soon with an update on how my RAW diet it going.

Take Care of You
Collette x

And the winner of the Lhami give-away is....

Guest blog and recipe from Kristin - MAMACINO!

Good afternoon! I hope this finds you all well and that you had a beautiful weekend!

I am thrilled to be able to bring to you another guest blog and free recipe from a gorgeous Facebook friend of mine, this lady is funny, smart, obviously gorgeous and has a beautiful blog that I just love following…..I hope you enjoy reading her story as much as I have and I am sure you will LOVE keeping up with her wonderful blogs too!

Kristin from ‘MAMACINO‘

 

Tell us a little about yourself and your Family…

I’m Kristin.  I am a mother to three gorgeous children who are 9, 6 and 2.  My husband works away from home about six months of the year so I’m a sole parent a lot of the time.  We live at the beach which we love and enjoy an outdoors kind of lifestyle.  My daughter has a condition called Pyroluria which means we need to take a lot of care with what we eat.  I am really passionate about organic, whole food eating and I love to cook and share food with friends and family.

I am mostly a stay at home mum but by trade I am a teacher and still make guest appearances at my kid’s school as an Emergency Teacher.  Most days for me involve cooking, transporting children around, getting organised and writing for my blog, Mamacino.

How big a part does food play in your overall daily health?

Food plays a really big part in my family’s health, in fact, I would say it’s the most important factor.  We try to stick to real, whole foods and have a mainly gluten free and dairy free diet.  My mother’s family is Italian and so I have inherited the need to feed! It makes me feel great when I know my family are getting as many nourishing and nutritious meals and snacks as possible.  Some may say I am even a little food obsessed!

What inspires you?

When I look around and see some of the amazing things other Mums like me are doing for health and well being I get incredibly inspired.  I’m also a very visual person so anything that is presented beautifully, from a gorgeous recipe on a favourite blog to a big display or organic fruits and vegetables at the Farmer’s Market inspires me and gets the creative juices flowing!

What is one piece of advice you could pass on to other Mums?

Appreciate every effort that you make to secure the health and happiness of your family and yourself.  I have been known to be a bit of a perfectionist, but this doesn’t serve me well.  Aim to do better.  Every small step that is taken in the right direction a better life should be celebrated and even if things go a little awry, don’t worry about it…tomorrow is a whole new day.

If you could have dinner with any three people in the world, who would it be and why?

This question has really got me thinking…just three people?  I’ll keep it food related.  Firstly, I think I would invite my Italian Great Grand Mother so I could ask her lots of questions about traditional Sicilian cooking and hopefully get her to teach me how to make her famous ravioli.  I think Gwyneth Paltrow – seems like a funny choice but I really relate to her and we have shared a very similar path health wise (not so much the movie star, famous millionaire side!).  She seems down to earth and has an equal passion for health and wine!  It would be great to chat about motherhood with her.  And finally…maybe the Olivers.  I love Jamie and Jools and would love to have their entire brood around for a big rowdy fun filled feast and chat about how real food is making a come back!

Please tell us three fun facts about yourself.

I have a passion for nineties rap music and do a mean Ice T impersonation…but only after several champagnes.

I am the world’s worst disco dancer, despite studying dance fairly seriously until I was eighteen.

My secret dream is to travel the world learning about food and different cultures and then to write a book about it…despite being happily married, I AM Liz Gilbert and that was my book, she just wrote it before I could get to it!

QUINOA AND VEGETABLE SURPRISE

This recipe is so versatile; it’s not really even a recipe!  This is how I made it but you could really use whatever you have in the fridge.

Makes 4 large or 12 small slices

 

Ingredients:

2 carrots, grated

Small piece of pumpkin, grated

Kernels from one cob of corn

A handful of parsley, chopped

1 cup of cooked quinoa

4 eggs, free range or organic

Sea salt and freshly ground pepper to season

A handful of grated parmesan to top with, if you like – optional

What to do:

Mix all ingredients in a bowl (except parmesan which you will sprinkle on top before cooking) and pour into a lined 20cm, square cake tin.

Bake for 30 minutes at 180C or until brown and set firm.

Allow to cool a little before slicing.  Serve hot or cold with a favorite sauce.

Options:

• Add some chopped cooked chicken or a can of drained tuna.
• Substitute the quinoa for cooked brown rice.
• Add chopped tomatoes and basil for an Italian twist or spinach and feta if you prefer Greek.
• Use other vegetables such as zucchini, potato, capsicum, peas, asparagus (risky, but some kids like it…don’t they?).
• Put slices in a whole grain roll with lettuce and good quality tomato sauce to make a veggie burger.

http://mamacino.wordpress.com

https://www.facebook.com/mamacinoblog

A MASSIVE Thank you to Kristin for taking the time out to do this interview!

Wishing you a wonderful week ahead….chat again soon!

Take Care of You,

Collette x

Guest blog and recipe from Kristin - MAMACINO!

Guest blog and recipe from Kristin - MAMACINO!

Good afternoon! I hope this finds you all well and that you had a beautiful weekend!

I am thrilled to be able to bring to you another guest blog and free recipe from a gorgeous Facebook friend of mine, this lady is funny, smart, obviously gorgeous and has a beautiful blog that I just love following…..I hope you enjoy reading her story as much as I have and I am sure you will LOVE keeping up with her wonderful blogs too!

Kristin from ‘MAMACINO‘

 

Tell us a little about yourself and your Family…

I’m Kristin.  I am a mother to three gorgeous children who are 9, 6 and 2.  My husband works away from home about six months of the year so I’m a sole parent a lot of the time.  We live at the beach which we love and enjoy an outdoors kind of lifestyle.  My daughter has a condition called Pyroluria which means we need to take a lot of care with what we eat.  I am really passionate about organic, whole food eating and I love to cook and share food with friends and family.

I am mostly a stay at home mum but by trade I am a teacher and still make guest appearances at my kid’s school as an Emergency Teacher.  Most days for me involve cooking, transporting children around, getting organised and writing for my blog, Mamacino.

How big a part does food play in your overall daily health?

Food plays a really big part in my family’s health, in fact, I would say it’s the most important factor.  We try to stick to real, whole foods and have a mainly gluten free and dairy free diet.  My mother’s family is Italian and so I have inherited the need to feed! It makes me feel great when I know my family are getting as many nourishing and nutritious meals and snacks as possible.  Some may say I am even a little food obsessed!

What inspires you?

When I look around and see some of the amazing things other Mums like me are doing for health and well being I get incredibly inspired.  I’m also a very visual person so anything that is presented beautifully, from a gorgeous recipe on a favourite blog to a big display or organic fruits and vegetables at the Farmer’s Market inspires me and gets the creative juices flowing!

What is one piece of advice you could pass on to other Mums?

Appreciate every effort that you make to secure the health and happiness of your family and yourself.  I have been known to be a bit of a perfectionist, but this doesn’t serve me well.  Aim to do better.  Every small step that is taken in the right direction a better life should be celebrated and even if things go a little awry, don’t worry about it…tomorrow is a whole new day.

If you could have dinner with any three people in the world, who would it be and why?

This question has really got me thinking…just three people?  I’ll keep it food related.  Firstly, I think I would invite my Italian Great Grand Mother so I could ask her lots of questions about traditional Sicilian cooking and hopefully get her to teach me how to make her famous ravioli.  I think Gwyneth Paltrow – seems like a funny choice but I really relate to her and we have shared a very similar path health wise (not so much the movie star, famous millionaire side!).  She seems down to earth and has an equal passion for health and wine!  It would be great to chat about motherhood with her.  And finally…maybe the Olivers.  I love Jamie and Jools and would love to have their entire brood around for a big rowdy fun filled feast and chat about how real food is making a come back!

Please tell us three fun facts about yourself.

I have a passion for nineties rap music and do a mean Ice T impersonation…but only after several champagnes.

I am the world’s worst disco dancer, despite studying dance fairly seriously until I was eighteen.

My secret dream is to travel the world learning about food and different cultures and then to write a book about it…despite being happily married, I AM Liz Gilbert and that was my book, she just wrote it before I could get to it!

QUINOA AND VEGETABLE SURPRISE

This recipe is so versatile; it’s not really even a recipe!  This is how I made it but you could really use whatever you have in the fridge.

Makes 4 large or 12 small slices

 

Ingredients:

2 carrots, grated

Small piece of pumpkin, grated

Kernels from one cob of corn

A handful of parsley, chopped

1 cup of cooked quinoa

4 eggs, free range or organic

Sea salt and freshly ground pepper to season

A handful of grated parmesan to top with, if you like – optional

What to do:

Mix all ingredients in a bowl (except parmesan which you will sprinkle on top before cooking) and pour into a lined 20cm, square cake tin.

Bake for 30 minutes at 180C or until brown and set firm.

Allow to cool a little before slicing.  Serve hot or cold with a favorite sauce.

Options:

• Add some chopped cooked chicken or a can of drained tuna.
• Substitute the quinoa for cooked brown rice.
• Add chopped tomatoes and basil for an Italian twist or spinach and feta if you prefer Greek.
• Use other vegetables such as zucchini, potato, capsicum, peas, asparagus (risky, but some kids like it…don’t they?).
• Put slices in a whole grain roll with lettuce and good quality tomato sauce to make a veggie burger.

http://mamacino.wordpress.com

https://www.facebook.com/mamacinoblog

A MASSIVE Thank you to Kristin for taking the time out to do this interview!

Wishing you a wonderful week ahead….chat again soon!

Take Care of You,

Collette x

Guest blog and recipe from Kristin - MAMACINO!

Check out these gorgeous environmentally friendly ‘Snack’ POCKETS….that can be used again and again….

BIRDS design perfect for girls of all ages.

Use anywhere that you would normally use plastic wrap or foil! My kids love them and I love that I am not hurting our environment by using cling wrap daily!

$9.90 each

Direct from the company website: Easy for both children and adults to open and close, not like some plastic containers that can be very hard for little fingers to open.

Ideal for all your snacks, biscuits, rice cakes, cut up fruit and any other small items. A really versatile wrap!

· Easy for both children and adults to open and close.

· Wraps/pockets can be put in freezer.

· Wraps act as a clean place mat to eat your food off.

· Lightweight, yet extremely strong.

· Stores flat for easy and simple storage.

· Label has space for you to write name on.

· Hand or machine washable

SIZE 11-12CM X 11-12CM

The wraps and pockets are Ethically handmade in India.
With so many concerns with plastics and their effects on our bodies such as preservatives 320 & 321 4MyEarth® Fabrics are a great alternative to clip seal bags and plastic wrap.At 4MyEarth® we have worked out a rough guide as to how much a child would use in plastic wrap based on a sandwich, muffin and nuts/sultanas in their lunch bag each day for a year. We worked it out to be 105meters of plastic wrap that would be dumped into our ever increasing landfill. Times this by a small school of 450 students and it comes to a massive 47’250meters per year!

4MyEarth Snack POCKET - Birds

4MyEarth Snack POCKET- Aliens

Check out these gorgeous environmentally friendly ‘Snack’ POCKETS….that can be used again and again….

ALIENS design perfect for boys of all ages.

Use anywhere that you would normally use plastic wrap or foil! My kids love them and I love that I am not hurting our environment by using cling wrap daily!

$9.90 each

Direct from the company website: Easy for both children and adults to open and close, not like some plastic containers that can be very hard for little fingers to open.

Ideal for all your snacks, biscuits, rice cakes, cut up fruit and any other small items. A really versatile wrap!

· Easy for both children and adults to open and close.

· Wraps/pockets can be put in freezer.

· Wraps act as a clean place mat to eat your food off.

· Lightweight, yet extremely strong.

· Stores flat for easy and simple storage.

· Label has space for you to write name on.

· Hand or machine washable

SIZE 11-12CM X 11-12CM

The wraps and pockets are Ethically handmade in India.
With so many concerns with plastics and their effects on our bodies such as preservatives 320 & 321 4MyEarth® Fabrics are a great alternative to clip seal bags and plastic wrap.At 4MyEarth® we have worked out a rough guide as to how much a child would use in plastic wrap based on a sandwich, muffin and nuts/sultanas in their lunch bag each day for a year. We worked it out to be 105meters of plastic wrap that would be dumped into our ever increasing landfill. Times this by a small school of 450 students and it comes to a massive 47’250meters per year!

4MyEarth Snack POCKET- Aliens