THURSDAY: Coconut swing

I had a coconut at my favourite breakfast spot in Manly, Pure Wholefoods this morning. Get a spoon with yours so when you've guzzled all the water you can get to work on the juicy meat inside. Don't listen to the player haters who say that coconuts are too high in saturated fat; what they didn't tell you is that the fats in coconuts are medium chain fatty acids, which you will barely find in other components of your diet. Medium chain fats go straight to the liver and are totally obliterated there and then, releasing a nice parcel of energy for you to enjoy for the morning. Coconut water is teaming with electrolytes so it's the perfect compliment to an active lifestyle; a natural alternative to a sugary, junky sports drink. Stick a straw in a coconut and see how you feel today.

WEDNESDAY: a perfect start to the day

This morning's feed consisted of poached eggs, avocado and cherry tomatoes; the perfect combination of protein and good fats to keep me buzzing and satisfied through to lunch time. I'd usually chuck a few salad leaves on the plate for a bit of fibre, but I went to Harris Farm in Manly yesterday and treated myself to some Samphire (sea asparagus) and I couldn't wait to sink my teeth into the stuff. A big mug of pure green tea married beautifully with this dish and gave me the caffeine hit I needed to kick start my day.

p.s I hope you are appreciating my poached egg effort! The secret is to add a few drops of vinegar to the water, and trust yourself.

TUESDAY: Meat 'n' nuts

Charles Poliquin, my health and fitness idol, reckons you can’t get a better brecky combo than nuts and meat. His clients rave about the increased energy levels and mental acuity reaped from starting your day like this; “The meat allows for a slow and steady rise in blood sugar. The nuts provide a great source of healthy smart fats that allows the blood sugar to remain stable for an extended period of time.” Check out 

more of what Poliquin has to say here.

I gave chicken breasts and walnuts a whirl. I added a few salad leaves to mine because I try to add something green and crunchy to every meal I have to make sure I’m getting my fibre. I washed it down with a big cup of Oolong tea; a delicious brew that revs up your metabolism to the max.

Breakfast week

Breakfast is probably on my top 5 list of favourite things and should rate pretty highly on yours too. A good brecky will kick-start your metabolism for the whole day, so make it count. Try your hardest to make the time to have a hearty breakfast; if you’re really pushed for time, have SOMETHING. I always bolt a spoonful of Udo’s Choice oil blend before I’m running out the door, and I’ve always got pre-boiled eggs in my fridge which I can grab at the ready for an on-the-go protein hit.


MONDAY: Xanthe's raw protein shake

This dreamy concoction contains more antioxidants than you can shake a stick at and is totally 100% natural with none of the nasty chemicals and synthetic nonsense you find in commercial protein powders. It is a mix of the following all whizzed up in a blender:
2 raw eggs
1 handful of blueberries
1 banana
1 handful of rolled oats
1 heaped teaspoon of cacao powder
Rice milk ( you can use milk/ yogurt/ any alternative you feel like)


Good morning!

It's gonna be nuts

I live in Manly; this is happening in Manly next week... am I excited?

It's mental to think that this cruisy little town is going to be hosting a bunch of world class skaters and surfers. A lot of talent on one tiny peninsula. Might explode. Had a surf yesterday and three amazing ladies, Laura Enever, Quincy Davis and Nage' Melamed were paddling out. My friend, she absolutely forbids me to mention her name, failed to recognise them and told them "careful paddling out girls, use the rip over there" haaaa!

The Bean of the Gods

I’ve had a lot of crap to deal with lately which has caused me to crumble into a grouchy, neurotic  hollow husk of the lady I once was. So yesterday I made a trip down to my local health food shop and picked up a bag of my secret stress busting weapon –cacao.

Hailed ‘the bean of the gods’ by the Mayans, this super food contains a nourishing cocktail of zinc, magnesium, omega 3, chromium, calcium, amino acids, potassium… and as many anti-oxidants as 21 cups of tea.

Get it powdered to make delicious smoothies or hot cocoa drinks; or get some lovely crunchy cacao nibs and mix them into muesli or yogurt and you’ll be floating in raw chocolatey heaven.  I always grab Cacao Power powder from Power Super Foods because they are super careful in processing the beans, no exposure to harsh temperatures, so as to retain all the juicy nutrients.

My favourite breakfast: Whizz up some cacao powder with a banana, an egg and some coconut water (or milk or yogurt if you have no qualms about lactose) for a perfect energizing protein smoothie.

Walk it off

It’s boxing day, and if you did Christmas day the way it’s supposed to be done, you’ll be feeling like a sack of spuds. Why wait until the turn of the new year to make a resolution? Put on the snazzy new socks the unimaginative soul inevitably gave you for  chrimble and get yourself out into the fresh air for a good old fashioned stroll.

Walking is an energiser, getting blood moving through your body and pumping oxygen to all your muscles. It’s also a de-stressing activity, especially if you choose a green, leafy route or along the beach. Psychologists reckon trees and the ocean are natural stress busters. The brisker you walk, the better you’ll feel for it.

Just 30 minutes a day can reap siginificant improvements to your health, up your fitness levels and ultimately increase quality of life. You don’t even need to do all 30 minutes at once. Break it up into three 10 minute walks if you’re pushed for time and think twice next time you get in your car just to go down the road. Do the environment a favour, and do your body a favour –get your boots on.