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Month: July 2020

The Health Benefits of Turmeric For Autoimmune Diseases

Posted on by venadmin

Did you know that all disease starts with inflammation? In fact, it is one of the drivers and main symptoms of most autoimmune diseases, from Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis to Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Inflammation typically appears as swelling or joint pain, but can present itself in many ways and can also be silent.

When it comes to autoimmune diseases, the natural anti-inflammatory properties of turmeric can help – and that’s why we’ve made it the main ingredient in our Turmeric Blend.

Turmeric, along with 12 other natural whole-foods, work in harmony to reduce inflammation and the pain that comes with it.

For someone with an autoimmune disease, the natural anti-inflammatory properties of turmeric can truly make a difference in day-to-day life.

What are autoimmune diseases?

Autoimmune diseases all have one thing in common, which is that they cause your immune system to attack the healthy cells within your body.

In this condition, your body cannot tell the difference between those cells that keep you healthy and functioning, and those that are foreign and potentially dangerous. All of this confusion leaves your body at the mercy of a mistaken immune system.

Turmeric has the ability to assist the immune system to regulate or modulate itself, and this helps place the autoimmune condition into remission.

The following are a list of autoimmune diseases that a natural anti-inflammatory like turmeric could help:

  • Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, which attacks your thyroid, the small gland at the base of your neck responsible for metabolism, growth and development.
  • Rheumatoid Arthritis, which causes swelling around the joints that leads to redness, stiffness and joint pain.
  • Graves Disease is another autoimmune condition affecting the thyroid gland. It causes an overproduction of thyroid hormones and can result in hand tremors, weight loss, a swollen thyroid and puffy eyes.
  • Psoriatic Arthritis affects only those who already have psoriasis, causing inflammation of the joints as well as scaly skin patches and a flaky scalp.
  • Crohn’s Disease inflames the bowel, affecting the digestive tract and resulting in diarrhea, weight loss and abdominal pain.
  • Multiple Sclerosis affects the central nervous system. By causing severe nerve damage, it can sever the communication link between the brain and the body.

Our personal experience with autoimmune disease

Co-founder of Flourish, Chris Ashton was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in 2003. Upon receiving his diagnosis, Chris began researching what lifestyle changes he would need to make in order to minimise the impact of MS on his life.

With a Master of Business Administration, a Bachelor of Chemical Engineering and a Bachelor Health Science (Nutritional Medicine), Chris’ methodical brain helped him to see and understand the impact of food as medicine.

Using this knowledge – including all of their research and further studies into autoimmune disease – the Flourish team understands the intricacies of autoimmune disorders.

They know what can help to significantly reduce, and in some cases even reverse, the inflammatory symptoms associated with autoimmune conditions.

How the health benefits of turmeric can help

It is not the turmeric itself that has anti-inflammatory properties, but the curcumin component within it. The remaining nutrients in the spice help with absorption, utilisation and protection from the curcumin itself so that the body is able reap its anti-inflammatory benefits.

Like all foods, turmeric is best consumed in its natural form in order to fully reap all of its nutrients. We always recommend staying away from curcumin extracts – and extracts in general – because mother nature intended turmeric as a whole food.

Turmeric contains over 300 different phytonutrients which work together to ensure that all of them are put to use within the body.

By only taking curcumin as a single extract, you won’t receive all of the health benefits of the whole food, and it may even have harmful effects on the gut.

Because a key driver of autoimmune disease is inflammation, treating these diseases is about finding a way to reduce the inflammatory levels in your body.

Our Turmeric Blend harnesses the health benefits of turmeric and its natural anti-inflammatory properties to relieve painful inflammation and reduce the many associated symptoms of autoimmune diseases, which can include a multitude of ailments from joint pain to digestive issues.

Choose a plant-based diet

If you really want to quell the effects of an autoimmune disease, the best advice we can offer is to transition over to a plant-based diet.

Highly processed foods like refined sugars, refined flours and refined carbohydrates all cause inflammation in the body, as does consumption of red meat and dairy.

By cutting out processed foods like lollies, chocolate, fried food, breakfast cereals and bread – and replacing them with whole foods that fight inflammation like fruits and vegetables – you will have a much better chance of reducing the impact that an autoimmune disease can have on your everyday life.

By making positive lifestyle changes that last and embracing natural anti-inflammatory herbs like turmeric, you have the power to change your life for the better – just like Chris did!

A natural anti-inflammatory like turmeric has the power to heal.

Why Beetroot Powder Is a Superfood, And How To Add It To Your Diet

Posted on by venadmin

Beetroot is one of only a select few vegetables with the power to cleanse your liver naturally, which makes beetroot powder a superfood.

Not only does it help with liver function, but beetroot powder also has the ability to improve athletic performance and heal fatty liver naturally. Because beetroot has so many beneficial health properties, we’re not surprised that the red veggie has earned superfood status.

With over 500 essential functions to perform within the body, the liver needs all the assistance it can get to continue working at optimum capacity. By taking a natural beetroot powder supplement like our Daily Detox blend, you can help your liver get the job done.

Beetroot powder recipes

Our beetroot powder blend is an all-natural health supplement packed with beetroot and 9 other plant-based whole foods that work together to improve liver function as well as blood, digestive and kidney health.

Taking a beetroot powder supplement also helps the cardiovascular system by increasing the release of oxygen from the blood by 20% and thereby enhancing athletic performance and endurance.

There are a huge number of everyday recipes that beetroot powder can be added to in order to ensure your liver is getting the love it deserves. Here are some of our favourites:

Detox Chia Pudding

Who doesn’t love a sweet dessert packed with nutritional goodness? Beetroot powder is what lends our Detox Chia Pudding its delicious strawberry colour and powerful liver health boost.

Thanks to the added bonus of satiating chia seeds, our Detox Chia Pudding is a tasty treat jammed with protein, fibre, Omega-3 and antioxidants.

Chocolate Smoothie

It’s easy to add healthy extras like beetroot powder to your breakfast smoothie while still maintaining that delicious fruity flavour.

Switch out the Prebiotic Blend in our Chocolate Smoothie for Daily Detox and you can wake up to a liver-loving breakfast every day of the week.

Hummus

For a yummy afternoon snack with carrots or corn chips, use roasted beet or beetroot powder to create a fast and easy hummus dip with a twist.

Add 1 flat tablespoon of Daily Detox to our favourite Hummus recipe and enjoy a nutritious pink treat that your liver will love.

Raisin Cookies

Combining raisins and beetroot powder might sound like a strange mix, but the two make a surprisingly flavourful pairing.

With an added tablespoon of Daily Detox to our Raisin Cookies recipe, you can satisfy your cookie craving and delight your liver all at the same time.

Heal and cleanse your liver with beetroot powder

There are so many different ways that you can add beetroot powder to your diet, and your liver will reap the benefits when you do. By embracing this bright superfood, you can help to detoxify and heal your body naturally.

If keeping it simple is more your style, all you have to do is stir into a glass of water a tablespoon of our Daily Detox blend and drink it down after dinner. Whichever natural way you choose to consume beetroot powder, your body and liver will benefit.

 

Cooking For a Healthy Gut – Book Your Spot!

Posted on by venadmin

Gut-healing foods

Learning what foods heal or harm the gut and then how to prepare those foods, so they taste super awesome.

About this Event

Do you suffer from bloating, decreased moods, sugar cravings, aches and pains?
Do you suffer from a leaky gut, constipation or diarrhoea?
Would you like a gut that feels calm, flat and happy?
Have you got a health challenge, thyroid maybe, autoimmune?

Then this cooking class is for you. Book your spot here

Medicinal Nutritionist Kathy Ashton – founder of Flourish Live Naturally – teaches you how to cook foods that help your gut microbiome flourish. All disease begins in the gut, according to Hippocrates, and this has never been more evident than today.

Most of us know that eating refined, processed, sugary, packaged foods is bad, but often it is these very foods that we crave. So how can you create healthy foods in your own kitchen, foods that are not only delicious but also allow your gut microbiome to flourish.

Kathy is a science nerd, and a passionate cook, who loves to impart knowledge about why you should and shouldn’t eat certain foods. Her goal is to educate and show you some tools that allow you to cook foods for a healthy gut with confidence.

After all what you eat today, walks and talks tomorrow.

This two-hour cooking class is more than just a cooking class, it is focused on educating you about your gut and the food you eat, as well as being interactive.

When you book your spot, the ingredients list will be emailed to you so you can cook along with Kathy, should you desire.

Alternatively, if you would like to simply watch and focus on what is being said and done and write down notes, you can do that too.

There will be time to ask questions, both from a cooking perspective or a health topic perspective, Kathy will be only too happy to answer these.

Kathy is often seen at the Mind Body Spirit Festivals cooking up a storm on the Soul Kitchen to very large audiences, but due to Covid-19, MBS has been postponed.

She is now bringing those cooking classes online and into your kitchen.

Best Plant-Based Proteins

Posted on by venadmin

Why do we need protein?

The world is fixated on the word ‘protein’. But where do you get your protein from if you’re following a whole food plant-based diet?

Protein is a macro element found in food – both in plants and in animals. Despite what the influential dairy and meat industries might have you believe, proteins are not just found in animal products. In reality, all plants are made up of proteins too.

Proteins help to build and repair our muscles, skin and internal organs. They also produce enzymes and hormones and help our immune systems to fight off infection. Loaded with vitamins and minerals, the list of benefits that proteins provide is long.

How much protein do we need?

When following a plant-based diet, it is important to eat plants that are high in protein. By eating plants with a higher protein content, you won’t have to graze all day like a gorilla or a cow in order to consume all the protein your body needs to repair, rebuild and grow.

As a growing human (e.g. a child or an athlete building muscle mass), we need 0.8 grams of protein per kilo of body weight. However, to simply maintain and repair our bodies as an adult, we really only need 0.4-0.5 grams of protein per kilo of body weight.

Here’s an example for putting these numbers into your day-to-day: 1 bowl of porridge is 7-8 grams of protein, and 100 grams of potato is 100 grams of protein.

The best sources of plant-based proteins

It’s important to note that animal proteins are pro-inflammation, which means that the more you consume, the higher your level of inflammation. Stick to plant-based protein and you won’t have to worry about inflammation overload.

Protein can be easily obtained from an entirely plant-based diet. Some plant-based foods are much higher sources of plant proteins, such as the following:

Chickpeas

Also known as garbanzo beans, chickpeas are the main ingredient in our Flourish hummus recipe, and they make for a delicious curry or salad.

A great source of plant-based protein, chickpeas also contain several vitamins and minerals including iron, folate, manganese, phosphorus and copper – all of which work together to keep your body in harmonious health.

Lentils

With up to 9 grams of protein per 100 grams, lentils are pretty high on the list of plant-based protein sources. These legumes are also packed with fibre, and like chickpeas, they contain numerous healthy vitamins and minerals.

Try incorporating lentils into your next veggie soup, or using them as the base for homemade lasagna. Both meals are perfect for keeping you warm this winter!

Vegetables

Vegetables are, and have always been, an excellent source of protein. There are a whole lot of tasty veggies that pack a protein punch, many of which are classics:

  • Green peas
  • Asparagus
  • Broccoli
  • Brussel sprouts
  • Bean sprouts
  • Spinach

Most of these veggies are easy to dish up with your favourite meals, but if you’re unsure or haven’t tried them before, it’s easy to look up a simple recipe for inspiration.

For example, brussel sprouts mightn’t be very popular, but sautee them with some pine nuts, sea salt and garlic, and you’ll wonder why you weren’t eating them sooner.

Nuts and seeds

Like vegetables, there are plenty of nuts and seeds around that are packed just as full of protein. These include:

  • Hemp seeds
  • Chia seeds
  • Pumpkin seeds
  • Almonds
  • Pistachios
  • Cashews
  • Hazelnuts
  • Walnuts
  • Brazil nuts

Many of the nuts in this list can be made into nut butter, which makes a tasty treat when spread over some apple, banana or toast.

It’s also worth noting that chia seeds are exceptionally protein-heavy, as just one tablespoon contains up to 2 grams of protein. You can add chia seeds to smoothies, soups or salad, and there’s always the option to whip up a classic chia pudding.

Oats

Namely known for their vital role in the making of porridge, oats are a surprisingly high source of protein, with 10 grams of protein to every 100 grams of oats.

Oats are also a significant source of fibre, and studies suggest that they offer a number of health benefits including lowering cholesterol and promoting the feeling of being full after eating.

Protein is an important part of a healthy diet

Not only do proteins build and repair muscles, produce enzymes and hormones and boost our immune system, but they are also a significant energy source.

While too little protein can lead to shrinking muscle tissue, a build-up of fluids in the feet and ankles, and an iron deficiency in the blood, too much protein can be just as harmful. Finding the right balance of protein for any diet is an important element to be aware of.

There is a huge range of plant-based veggies packed full of protein, including nuts, legumes, vegetables, grains and more. To ensure you’re consuming enough protein whilst on a plant-based diet, all you need to do is eat the right foods to give you that boost.