You've probably heard the term "nightshade foods" before, but do you know exactly what it means and which foods are included in this category? Nightshade foods refer to a group of plants that belong to the Solanaceae family. They were given this name because some of them were known to thrive in shady areas or bloom at night. Common nightshade foods eaten in the UK include Potatoes, Bell Peppers, Tomatoes, Aubergines, and Chili Peppers. These foods offer great nutritional valu

Benefits: Warming for the body and rich in phytonutrients. Ingredients 1 tbsp hemp oil 1 leek 2 spring onions 1 tbsp tomato purée 2 sprigs thyme 2 sprigs rosemary 2 bay leaves 400g tin chopped tomatoes 1 litre hot vegetable broth or stock 1 handful dried spelt pasta 1 handful of green kale and green beans Small handful of fresh parsley and basil, finely chopped Instructions Heat the oil in a saucepan and fry the spring onion/leek, thyme, and rosemary for 5 to 10 minutes unti

Feeling "out of sorts" is something many women between the ages of 30 and 50 can relate to. The symptoms are all too familiar—difficulty focusing, irritability, poor concentration, memory problems, and an overall sense that something isn't right. However, what if we told you that the key to unlocking mental clarity might lie in understanding the intricate dance of hormones within your body? Our hormones such as estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone play pivotal roles in ou

Hormone imbalance is a term that resonates with many women in the age group of 30 to 50, yet its full implications are not always entirely clear, even for those who recognize some of the uncomfortable symptoms associated with it. This imbalance occurs when there is an excess or deficiency of a particular hormone circulating in the bloodstream. Experiencing some form of hormone imbalance during pivotal life stages such as puberty, the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause

Benefits: Rich in Alkaline Foods, rich in protein and fiber Ingredients ¼ cup hemp seed oil, plus extra for drizzling 1 tbsp finely...

Any form of hormonal imbalance can provide a range of unwanted symptoms and or associated conditions leading to one of the main reasons women struggle to lose weight. Conditions such as PCOS can impact a woman's ability to lose weight effectively. While PCOS affects each woman differently, it often leads to inflammation in the body and insulin resistance, which can result in the deposition of fatty tissues around the waist. Being insulin resistant is related to the body's ina

Netflix has a new documentary titled Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones . It is a 4-part series revealing the secrets of those who live in certain parts of the world who have a high population of individuals who are living over the age of 100. While my interest in this programme peaked from a nutrition point of view, I was also interested in the other factors that have contributed to a life expectancy of over 100. Despite what I may personally believe or learn from resear

Benefits: High in Potassium, low calorie, rich in vitamin A, vitamin E, and rich in antioxidants Ingredients 1/2 orange pepper 1/2 red...

Are you feeling exhausted all the time? As women, we juggle so much, and it's no wonder we often feel drained. In today's fast-paced Western society, we're constantly on the move, working long hours, and grabbing quick, unhealthy meals. No wonder our energy levels suffer. But fear not! There are practical steps we can take to boost our energy and vitality. Here are some concise and actionable tips for you: Balance Your Lifestyle: Take a step back and assess your daily routine

Eczema, a skin condition that affects approximately 4% of adults, is often linked to poor gut health and a compromised immune system. While the exact cause of eczema remains unknown, evidence suggests that a weakened immune system and gut issues play a significant role. Poor gut health can stem from various factors, including consuming inflammatory foods such as sugar, unhealthy fats, and refined oils. Additionally, food sensitivities or allergies to common culprits like dair

Benefits: Made from ancient grains and a good source of fibre Ingredients 1 Spelt Pizza Base 1 jar Tomato Sauce {Homemade or...

For some of us, we may have thought we bid farewell to acne in our teenage years, only to have it resurface later in adulthood. Unfortunately, adult acne is a common occurrence, often associated with hormonal imbalances that lead to increased oil production in the pores, resulting in clogged pores and pesky pimples. The primary hormones involved in adult acne are estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. Women are more prone to experiencing this issue due to their fluctuating

Benefits: Natural Sugar, a good source of antioxidants, supports healthy digestion, and is a good source of magnesium Ingredients 1...

Vaginal dryness, yes, I said it. It's something so many women go through, and we don't talk about it enough, or we feel ashamed of it. But let's not be ashamed because it is happening. Why? Because our estrogen levels may be declining or low. This is one of the main reasons why it's a common symptom for women going through menopause. However, women can also experience it during breastfeeding, after childbirth, or due to certain medications. The symptoms of vaginal dryness va

The risk of women having heart attacks post-menopause is 5 times more likely than those who are pre-menopausal. Why is this? This is because oestrogen protects the arteries of a woman’s heart and when a woman goes through menopause her oestrogen levels decline. Low oestrogen also means a change to a woman's cholesterol levels, with an increase in bad cholesterol {LDL} and a decrease in good cholesterol {HDL} as well as changes in blood pressure levels. While heart disease is

Acknowledging Stress Awareness Month. What is Stress? Stress is a feeling of emotional or physical tension. It can come from any event or thought that makes you feel frustrated, angry, or nervous. It’s the body's reaction to a challenge or demand and can have both a positive and or negative impact, as the body can react to these changes physically, mentally, and emotionally. As mentioned in pt 1 of the Stress Awareness series, stress can negatively impact our hormone and gut

April is Stress Awareness Month, so I wanted to talk a little bit about the impact stress has on our bodies due to diet, lifestyle, and environment. Stress shows up in many ways however it is known to be one of the common causes of hormone imbalance and poor gut health both of which set the foundation for both minor and major health issues. Even if you eat a healthy balanced diet when the body is in stress mode it is unable to absorb key nutrients from food because of the i

Benefits: Plant-based, good source of potassium, improve and support blood sugar control, rich in fibre and high in vitamin K...

Over the last few weeks, I have been listening to various radio interviews with artists such as Erykah Badu and Queen Aura. Both women were speaking about their spiritual journeys, holistic healing, and the work they do to help women heal from womb trauma, etc. The one thing that stood out for me from listening to these interviews was when Queen Aura referred to our homes as being our own natural pharmacy. I really felt like I could relate when I think about some of the prod

I specialised in this area because there are a lot of women who are struggling to lose weight despite all the efforts they have put in at the gym and with their diet. We know when women go through menopause weight gain is something they may experience, but women not going through any form of change may also struggle due to hormone imbalance. When hormones are out of sync, whether it is one or more it can cause an array of issues with weight gain being one of them. Which horm