natural medicine

Autumn the colour of hope.

Time for Inner exploration

I have realised recently that energy and stress are two of the biggest obstacles we face in reaching out your goals of health. I was working so much during summertime, kids holidays etc that I have reached the point of exhaustion. I was not very excited when the first of March arrived, our first day of Autumnn. I wanted to think that we were living in a little piece of hot paradise; I loved summer very much , but I have to say that I have not stopped taking pictures of the sky on fire, the amazing orange, red, pink and blue sky in the mornings and even the amazing sunsets.One of the beauties of Qt is having the pleasure of enjoying every season with its different emotions, smells and colours.Interestingly I have seen some of my friends going through depression, sadness, or not good quality sleep, even starting having colds and flu. Not motivation whatsoever.Do you see yourself identified ?I don’t want to say that this beautiful season is bringing people down but I would like to take note about what is happening. After having amazing time during the summer season, it is time to stop and take care of ourselves. Taking care of ourselves is not selfish, is our responsibility. In other worlds by taking care of ourselves first, we can look after anybody around us, we can give the best advice and we can give the love to the ones we live the most or our close friends who may need a little bit of help.When we make one healthy and positive choice, you open the door to one additional one. What is your new choice now?Have you being generous to everybody but not generous to yourself. I am sorry but we have to start making little changes. I have been helping lately to my friends emotionally when I am not in my hundred percent and I don’t feel good at all. This is why I feel exhausted I need to start eating healthier and maybe drop a couple of kilos that I have put on lately.I feel terrible because I did not do enough exercise during summer time and I think I’m paying the consequence.One lady in her middle sixties came to my workplace and she said something that I want to share… She said… You really need to move or do any kind of exercise otherwise when you get to my age you won’t be able to move and your joins will be stiff and sore so remember this. Any kind of gentle or strong exercise is good not just for the present moment, is good for your future, the rest of your life.Stress is constant in our lives, everybody experiences a different level so this is why is important to check on ourselves, check our levels of performance and productivity and the duration of it.What happen when our body is under stress? The body produces more energy to handle the stressful event or even by having to handle someone else’s problem.We need to understand what stress can cause in our body and our emotional state. If the stress is allowed to build with no release it will rob the body good nutrients, and the energy and the capacity to fight off bugs. The following are some tips to help you to reduce the amount of stress.– Practice the exercise of your preference but move. Between 30 mins to one hour. – Breathe help you to reduce stress – Take at least 5 mins to meditate or pray if you prefer and be grateful for the wonderful things around you. – Listen to your favourite music. If you come from another country like me, put on your favourite music and sing out loud. – Have a lovely bath with Epsom salts to give you relaxation and good minerals to your skin. – Always be surrounded by positive people!

What are the nutrients that give you happiness or improve your nervous system ?

Magnesium is good to reduce, stress, relaxing the muscles and eliminating cramps.Echinacea, boost your immune system give you energy.Vitamin B, this vitamins are vital to reduce levels of stress in your body.Garlic, anti-inflammatory and boost your immune system.The most important person is YOU, remember to stop, think and check internally how you feel and take note of the changes you have to make. I would like to share my Autumn salad. Hope you like it. This combination of autumn ingredients is the perfect combination of salty, sweet, sour and savory.You won’t want to eating this salad… It’s so good!AUTUMNSALAD Ingredients1 bag of baby spinach1 cup very thinly cut of red onion1/2 cup of dried cranberries1 cup of raw walnuts1 cup of apple cored and thinly sliced1 cup of crumbled cheeseDressing1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil1/4 cup balsamic vinagretteSalt and pepperToss the spinach with the red onions, cranberries, walnuts, the apple and the blue cheese.Then add the vinaigrette and voila!! Blessings!Andreap

Mi ensalada

I have been vegetarian for three years, and I have to say that has been the best changes I have ever made. When I was living with my parents back in Bogota (Colombia) I used to be very unwell. I was always constipated or the opposite, I remember I used to be scared of eating just because my stomach and my digestion did not work well I could be constipated for a week. I used to have a very strict diet just vegetables, fruits and protein, rarely I eat breads or potato or rice but it did not seem to be working.

The only sin I was doing was eating lots of cheese.

I could not give up. I did not even accepted the idea of cutting of what I liked the most.

Why did I decide to be vegetarian?

It was not because of the cheese 🙂 of course it was because I wanted to make changes in my life style and my eating behaviour.

I was not a big meat eater and I loved my salads and I started to think about all the stressed the animals were induced because of us.

I don’t know but It did not make me feel right. I was doing lots of yoga , meditation, being surrounded by beautiful human beings so I decided to cut meats and eat earthy.

I am vegetarian, but the vegetarian that eat fish and eggs and cheese. Hahaha

A real vegan or paleo will laugh at me ..

I could not give up on cheese but I avoid protein from animal sources like (beef ,pork,chicken) but I eat fish.

In Colombia, people eat usually very healthy, we always have salads and vegetable soups and women and men look after themselves very much. Too much that sometimes they decide to go superficial and put silicone. Hahaha

Sadly lots of women do that!

Fortunate I do believe in natural beauty and healthy eating and exercise without being obsessed.

I love salads and I love to make them.You just need motivation, creativity, good fresh vegetables and fruits if you prefer especially in the Summertime and the dressings are a plus.

Love my salads very much! Every day all the time!

This salad recipe is called Mi Ensalada meaning “ My salad “

My Untie Martha is an amazing cook and I always remember when we were having a getting together with the family she was simply the best.

She mixes , she creates she is just amazing in the kitchen.

I spoke to her last week and I asked her to share one of her favourite salads so I Could share it with you all.

Thank you Martica (untie) for sharing your recipe with us and I hope you can share this salad with us.

Let me know If you make it and what do you think about it?

Love and health

AndreaP xxx

Portion: 4 people

Duration: 10 mins

Ingredients

2 cups of lettuce

1 bunch of Basil

1 bush of mint

1 cup of strawberries sliced

1 green apple sliced in Juliana’s

1/2 cup of Corn

Dressing

1/cup of sugar free, fat free yoghurt like kefir or Greek

1/2 cup of nuts cut them in littles pieces.

1 tbsp of maple syrup

Mix the ingredients together, make a dressing and put it in the salad.

Omg! The combination of fruits and vegetables are irresistible.

Then the sauce was exquisite with the nuts beside.

I want to know what you think.

Thank you, dear Martica.

The salad was absolutely delicious!

With Nutritious love!

andreaP

2 cups of lettuce, break it with your hands and add the basil and mint together.

Add the strawberries and slice them, then add the strawberries to the greens.

Then take the green apple and slice it, add it to the greens.

Add the corn to the mix of greens, strawberries, it can be bought from a can, or frozen or fresh corn, whatever you feel is good for you.

Hmm! You can see in the photos the mix of colours and good nutrition. I am so looking forward to finishing it so I can sit with the boys and enjoy during this hot day of spring here in Queenstown.

Now it comes s the good part the dressing.

Mix the greek yoghurt or sugar and fat-free yoghurt, add the chopped nuts and add the maple syrup.

Maple syrup is a good source of sugars, and perfect for Vegans.

perfect!

Now we have a delicious nutritious Ensalada Mia, the recipe was provided by my lovely and adorable untie Martica.

A disfrutar amigos Mi Ensalada.

Gracias a todos!

With nutritious love!

AndreaP

Sugar free Matcha pudding

The most powerful Green tea in the world now in a form of dessert.

It is very healthy, detoxifying , cleanser and has a delicious taste.

Serve Matcha pudding with Berry fruits and Greek yoghurt in the morning or afternoon tea, with family and friends.

Write me any comments and tell me what you think.

With light and love!

Andrea

The sugar-free lemon cake

Hmm. November the month of the Diabetes I want to share sugar-free recipes for the family and friends or just for YOU, one of those days when you feel like staying home and have a treat with a cup of coffee or tea.

I am not a fan of baking, because it takes me a little bit of time to prepare, and to wait until is finished so I am more keen on cooking recipes that can be eaten straight away, although when I find a sugar free recipe that I can bake to my boys I will go for it.

This recipe was very delicious especially because is not sweet, I used a normal sugar-free yoghurt but if you want to have more lemony flavour please find a lemon yoghurt is soft, not very sweet, but sweet enough for a dessert. Is a perfect dessert in any season, good for lunchboxes, or afternoon teas, or even for breakfast, is healthy and kids love it.

In the video, I did not put the ingredients but just watch the video to see how to make it.

Let me know what you think about it and share it with me

Much love

xxx AndreaP

INGREDIENTS

3 eggs
1 sugar-free lemon yoghurt (125ml)
3 cups of wholemeal flour
1 cup of coconut oil or almond oil
1 lemon (the juice and the skin)
3 tbsp of stevia
3 tsp baking powder
pinch of salt

STEP 1
Separate egg yolk and egg whites in two different bowls. In the bowl with the egg yolks, add lemon juice, lemon peel, yoghurt, oil and stevia. Mix them together.

Once everything is mixed add the three cups of flour plus the baking powder, it will become a little thick but just keep mixing until is soft.

STEP 2
We have the other bowl with the egg whites, so mix the whites until fluffy approx for 2 minutes.

STEP 3
Let’s mix the dry ingredients with the fluffy egg whites then put the mixture into a fully oily tin

STEP 4

Put the tin in the oven for 40 mins, test with a knife, and make sure the knife will come out clean.

STEP 5

Let it cooled and enjoy!

The cake will be delicious warm or cold with some yoghurt on the side or cream with some berries or even kiwi fruit.

If you have any comments please do .I want to hear from you.!

Adios

Honey and garlic

Have you ever wondered why our grandmothers and mothers always wanted to give us a spoon of honey and lemon or garlic when we were cold?

I have done it a few times with my boys, especially when they were under five.

They used to be coughing and being cold all the time. It was a mission to get them to like the honey and garlic, although is sweet, the new texture was not very appealing to them.

Here are the benefits of having garlic and honey together. Here in New Zealand, we have a kind of honey called Manuka honey. It does have antibacterial benefits and this kind of bee( abeja) is found just here in New Zealand, although there are lots of kind of honey around the world. Make sure is pure and better organic.

This combination of Honey and Garlic have properties:

Antibacterials

Antioxidants

Antiinflammatories

Antiseptic

Antiviral

Antifungus

Keep it as staple in your pantry

love

AndreaP