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.

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.