ReWild yourself – Daniel Vitalis 

Today we live in a well-ordered society, where most people are civilised – most of the time. Most of us are fortunate that we can relieve any passing hunger pangs with a trip to the fridge or the supermarket.

But of course it hasn’t always been like that. Not so very long ago, humans lived a very different life as hunter-gatherers, long before they had access to processed foods, or anything even close to GMO. 

Their diets contained only what they could find in nature. 

In the last few thousand years our lifestyles and diets have changed out of all recognition. It’s becoming increasingly apparent that our bodies and metabolisms haven’t had a chance to catch up. Evolution, after all, is a much more gradual process. Whales, for example, still have the bones of legs they haven’t used in millions of years, and the human appendix is a ‘relic’ from the days when our diet included a lot more vegetation and roughage. 

Nutritionists and thought leaders are beginning to study the effects that our modern, or ‘civilised’ diet is having on our bodies, and comparing this to what are known as ‘paleo’ or ‘cavemen’ diets. It’s not hard to imagine how our cave-dwelling ancestors may have been healthier than us – they would have been much more active, for one thing, and they would never have encountered GMOs, gluten, refined sugar, caffeine or food preservatives. The only ways they had to preserve food were by either cooking it, fermenting it or trying to keep it cold in the ground or in a cave.

Our ancestors would have risen and gone to bed with the sun, and never experienced jet lag or work deadline stress. True, they may have had to deal with sabre-toothed tigers, but they had the skills and resources to defend themselves.

Many people today live a fast-food, bright lights life that means that they are completely detached from the rhythm of the sun, and of the seasons. In consequence we are seeing far more health issues caused by fatigue, stress and poor diet. 

We’ve grown used to thinking of ‘civilised’ as being a good thing, and in many ways it is – but perhaps not when it comes to our health.

Another of Antonia’s lifestyle and nutrition inspirations is Daniel Vitalis, who writes superbly on the idea of ‘re-wilding’ ourselves – getting back in touch with nature and natural wild foods, rewinding ‘progress’ and rediscovering ourselves as natural beings. 

Here at Leafy Greens we are blessed that we can spend time on our farm, feeling and tasting the changing seasons, but we realise that not everyone can. 

You can, however, learn much more about being ‘less civilised’ – but more alive – from Daniel’s riveting articles: http://www.danielvitalis.com/rewild-yourself-magazine as he explores strategies for genetically ancient humans (that’s me and you) to thrive in a modern world, awakening our instincts and freeing our bodies, and minds, from the degenerative effects of domestication. #antoniasfoodblog #eatwelldogood @antoniadeluca #rewildyourself #antonias #backtobasics

Words to live well by – David Wolfe

Here at Leafy Greens, we’re inspired by the rhythm of the seasons, the amazing organic produce on the farm - and the rain. Especially the rain that we have had – we’re loving the new life it is bringing to all the fruit and vegetables. 

We’re also inspired by the wisdom and knowledge of some of the world’s leading thinkers on nutrition and superfoods, and living better through eating better. We really enjoy sharing what we’ve learnt on this blog. One of the most influential thought-leaders working in this field at the moment is the American David Wolfe. 

David empowers and inspires people to take charge of their health, even up against all the modern-day demands of bills, technology, environmental pollution, commuting, and inflation. By making simple, informed decisions, he demonstrates how we can all enjoy quality time for ourselves and with our family, because, as he maintains, health is wealth! 

He’s acquired the nickname David ‘Avocado’ Wolfe for his advocacy of this fantastic fruit, and the logo on his website even includes half an avo in the middle of his name. So we thought we’d start with a few of his thoughts on this wonderful pear… 

Trying to choose the perfect avocado? Pick one that has more weight for its size than most. Once you’ve got your avo’s home, don’t put them in the fridge as they will take longer to ripen. Rather keep them next to bananas in your fruit bowl – as the bananas ripen, they naturally release ethylene gas which causes the avo’s to ripen too. Try it! 

And to save half an avocado, keep the pit in it, and add a few drops of lemon juice before wrapping it tightly in plastic film and keeping it in the fridge for a day at most. 

As long as avo's are in season, you will find them on our lunch buffet - smooth guacamole or mango, avo and tomato salad (the best salad in the book!)

David’s curiosity about the world around us is really inspiring. It’s not just nutrition that he writes about – we really enjoyed one recent blog post where he mused on why we always seem to have our best ideas in the shower. Apparently it’s because showering is such a regular task that we don’t need to give it any thought. Which means that our brains can wander, and when we daydream, our brain relaxes and switches on its ‘default mode network’ freeing up neural pathways so that we can be more creative.

Exactly the kind of free-thinking – combined with first rate nutritional advice – that we enjoy at Leafy Greens… For more of David Wolfe’s eclectic and brilliant thoughts on health, nutrition, raw foods and more, check out his website: www.davidwolfe.com 

#eatwelldogood #eatclean #eatraw @antoniadeluca 

Too good to be true?

Easter is just a few weeks away now and already the supermarket shelves are full to bursting with chocolate eggs, bunnies and teddy bears. These present a veritable minefield of refined sugar and dairy, and yet many people might find it difficult not to over indulge.

You may have seen articles claiming that chocolate is good for you, and that it can be included in the best category of all: superfoods. However, these articles can often be misleading. The problem with most chocolate available in shops and supermarkets is that it is usually heated to temperatures exceeding 150˚C, destroying all the valuable enzymes and anti-oxidants found in chocolate. In addition to this, it is usually  loaded with refined sugar which poses a number of health risks.

The trick is to get your hands on raw cacao, and preferably the organic variety.  

The benefits of raw cacao have been understood for centuries. Archaeologists have found evidence that it was used by the Olmec and Aztec peoples to make beverages up to a thousand years ago. They might not have understood the science behind what makes cacao so good for us, but they instinctively knew that this plant was something special. 

Cacao is choc-full of disease-busting compounds like flavonoids and theobromine - which translates as ‘food of the gods’ – and although it’s an ‘ancient’ food, these compounds can help with some very modern health problems. 

Flavonoids can control insulin sensitivity, helping prevent the onset of diabetes. They have been shown to reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes, and also to promote a feeling of satiety – the sense that you have eaten enough. This helps with portion size control and weight management.  

Cacao flavonoids have also been shown to boost the skin’s natural defences against sunburn, and even to boost performance in intelligence tests. Of course these benefits would be offset by all the sugar in mass-produced chocolate, so it’s important to stick to chocolate that is high in organic cacao and low in refined sugar.

One sure fire way to get all the goodness of cacao and none of the harmful sugars is to pop in to Leafy Greens and enjoy our Chocolate Bliss smoothie. 

It contains maca, another superfood that has amazing effects when combined with cacao, and is sweetened using bananas and dates – perfectly healthy! 

http://lgcafe.blogspot.co.za/2016/02/chocolate-bliss-yes-you-read-right-this.html 

So there you have it – a superfood that’s also a smart food which can be included in some really delicious but guilt-free recipes. 

One less thing to stress about – oh yes, flavonoids lower stress, too! 

HAPPY EASTER!

#antoniasfoodblog #eatwelldogood @antoniadeluca 

More about MORINGA

This month at Leafy Greens Café we’re excited about one of nature’s miracle plants – it’s time for some March Moringa Madness!

We’re delighted to make Moringa Raw Potent Leaf Powder available in South Africa, and we wanted to share with you just what is so special about this amazing product. 

Originally from Asia, the Moringa or Miracle Tree (Moringa oleifera) has been used by healers for centuries. Every part of this tree has beneficial properties, from the roots upwards, and the more we learn about it the more excited we are to get everyone to try it.

Taking Moringa powder is a bit like a giving your body a full service. It helps maintain good overall health and helps prevent disease, but that’s just the start of the good news. 

Moringa the leaves contain twenty five times more iron than spinach, fifteen times more potassium than bananas and more seventeen times more calcium than milk. It also contains more Vitamin C than oranges, and more Vitamin A than carrots. The list goes on and on!  

Rich in essential amino acids, Moringa powder can help boost your immune system and improve your eyesight. It also helps regulate blood sugar levels, which is great news for diabetics. 

Breastfeeding mothers might want to know that consuming Moringa products can help boost breast milk production, giving your baby more of what’s best for her. 

And there’s more: Moringa is particularly good for your hair as it naturally contains everything you need for healthy, glossy hair, from vitamin A to zinc. Plus, we know you will love the anti-ageing effect of moringa on your skin – it even helps prevent city pollution adhering to your skin.

What’s not to love? A natural, healthy supplement that prevents diseases, boosts overall health, and leaves you looking and feeling younger. Nothing short of miraculous! 

So how can you include more Moringa in your diet? The taste isn’t perhaps to everyone’s liking so we don’t recommend you take it on its own. 

Instead, try sprinkling one tablespoon of Moringa powder in stews or on salads to start enjoying the benefits of the Miracle tree today – just ensure that you don’t cook the powder, as this destroys all the valuable compounds. You can also include it in your favourite bread or porridge recipe to boost nutrient levels. 

Invest in a miracle today: http://leafygreens.co.za/shop/shop/product/moringa-powder #antoniasfoodblog #eatwelldogood @antoniadeluca 

A good night's sleep

Doctors are still trying to understand the science of sleep, but it is known that sleep is the time during which our bodies heal, rejuvenate, and restore. Sleep is also the time the brain uses to process all the information received during the day, forming new memories and ideas. It is undeniable that of the most important components of good health and vitality is that of a good quality, deep sleep.

It’s ironic, then, that one of the most common complaints revolve around sleep. Whether it’s not sleeping long enough, or not sleeping well enough, almost everyone struggles to get the sleep they need We all know we should get eight hours of sleep a night, but very few of us seem to manage to get to bed on time and, when we do, we often find we have so much on our minds that we simply can’t nod off.

These simple tips will help you sleep longer and better, and feel like a new person in the morning:

Skip the coffee

While we all love an almond milk cappuccino, too much caffeine can very easily lead to a poor sleeping pattern – improper sleep at night leads to the need for more caffeine during the day, which again leads to improper sleep that night. It’s a vicious cycle, but it can be broken. Cutting out caffeine, especially after 2pm, will help you get feel far more relaxed come bedtime.  

Eat with the sun

When you eat a meal late in the evening, your stomach is still digesting it well into the early hours of the morning. Digestion requires energy, and this means that your body cannot rest the way it needs to. A good rule of thumb is to only eat during daylight, and limit yourself to liquids after sunset.

Hello darkness my old friend

The body needs darkness to sleep deeply. As the sky gets darker, our brains are programmed to release melanin, the sleepy hormone, but extra lights from TV’s, computers and cellphones disrupts this process and leads to sleeplessness. A good practice is to completely ban any electronic devices in the bedroom and to avoid using them before bed.

#antoniasfoodblog #sleepwelldogood @antoniadeluca 

SUPERFOODS

Modern life, despite all its creature comforts, brings with it a number of harmful effects. Toxins present in the air we breathe, the water we drink, and in processed foods contribute to many health problems. 

Could it be that something as simple as food can provide a solution to these issues?

There is no such thing as a miracle food. However, current research is identifying certain fruits and vegetables that excel when it comes to nutritional value and positive effects on your body. These foods have come to be known as superfoods.  

Here at Leafy Greens we know that the health benefits are maximised when food is organic and local, ensuring that no life is drained from the harvest by chemicals and added food miles. A short journey from farm to table guarantees that everything we grow reaches you while it’s still completely fresh and bursting with goodness. 

While there isn’t an official definition of what superfoods are, a good one might be this: foods that make you feel super. 

These are nutrient-dense food powerhouses that work to boost health and immunity. They contain high levels of anti-oxidants, vitamins, minerals and other vital nutrients. Superfoods can also help slow down the ageing process, and protect against lifestyle conditions such as cancer and heart problems. 

While we can proudly say that we’ve never met a fruit or vegetable we didn’t love, we wanted to introduce you to a few of our favourite superfoods. Think of them as the superheroes of the food world! 

• Spirulina increases the haemoglobin content of your red blood cells, so that your blood can transport more oxygen, giving your body more fuel.
• Goji berries are one of the top competitors worldwide in terms of anti-oxidant content, and help to recharge your immune system.

GOJI BERRY BARS:

• Raw cacao, also known as the beloved chocolate, is one of nature’s most potent superfoods. With more than 5 times the anti-oxidants of goji berries, cacao is sure to get you feeling radiant.

RAW CACAO TRUFFLES:

• Maca, a root grown in the Peruvian mountains, is reported to have many benefits including hormone stability, mood improvement, and increased energy.

If you’re looking to get your daily dose of super, our Superfood Smoothie delivers all of the above ingredients in one delicious drink!

http://lgcafe.blogspot.co.za/2016/02/superfood-delicious-and-nutritious-this.html 

Superfoods are not, however, a one-stop fix-all wonder cure for bad lifestyle habits. It wouldn’t work to eat processed foods loaded with chemical additives and then expect to fix things with the occasional superfood. The best way to think of superfoods is as key ingredients in a super diet. Including these delicious and nutritious superfoods in your diet will give you the extra boost you need to be your very best self, and be a superhero in your own life. 

And it’s far easier than getting changed into tights in a phone booth! #antoniasfoodblog #eatwelldogood @antoniadeluca 

About Antonia

I was brought up a vegetarian, in an Italian household. My parents founded and operated Casalinga like machines. They worked day and night and never took a holiday together for the first 8 years of business (as one always had to stay at work). This lifestyle of late nights, too much food and drink, entertaining guests 24/7 and partying after work began to take its toll on my parents health. My father had a terrible ulcer in his stomach and cerisus on his face and head and my mother was terribly overweight. They decided to change their life. My father went to school with Mark Shearer, husband of the well-known Mary-Ann Shearer in the health world. They reconnected and the Shearer’s recommended water fasts. My father did his first 17 day water only fast and healed himself completely of his ailments, my mother followed suit with a 12 day water fast and their lives turned around. We started juicing, mainly carrots, but this is where the consciousness about what we ate was at its strongest. Being Italian, we always ate seasonal food, from our garden that we grew, we had a natural love for fruits and vegetables and we knew how to cook them. This was a great help at first with our transition to a vegetarian diet. 

 

At the same time, my mother was educating herself about health. She read whatever she could get her hands on about health, raw food, vegetarianism, colon health, cancer prevention, eating for longevity, etc. 

Our organic garden on our farm produced many bountiful crops of artichokes, spinach, black figs, tomatoes and much more. My Italian grandmother Margarita De Luca taught us how to preserve this beautiful produce by pickling and bottling. She has the most inspiring pantry full of bottled peaches, pears, beetroot, artichokes, beans, plums, jams, chilies, spreads, tomato sauces and whatever else is in season that she can save. In turn, I have developed a great love for preserving food without sugar and preservatives, using old fashioned methods of a boiling hot consol jar and preserving lids that seal. 

We have also been so blessed to have wonderful crops here on the farm at Casalinga. My grandmother passed on many of her heritage seeds to my father who has made his vegetable growing into very successful operations too. 

I was born into a family truly inspired by and in love with food, the way it grows, the seed it comes from, the soil it grows in and the way it tastes in its own right. This is the depth of what inspired me for Leafy Greens too. Is that people have forgotten what true vegetables taste like. They have forgotten the flavour of a dark red tomato that has just come off the vine, hand grown and hand picked. This is where the joy is. Knowing where your food comes from and having a hand in growing at least some of it. 

Even with having Casalinga Restaurant for over 24 years, we have always mainly focused on fruits and vegetables and how we could make proper use of what we grew here on Rocky Ridge Farm. We are in love with organic produce!

I look for ward to hosting you all at Leafy Greens Cafe

www.lgcafe.org

A new webpage is up at http://www.lgcafe.org/