Healthy Eating – Bliss Active

Posted on 11/09/201827/06/2022 by Natalie

Fermented Pineapple, Sauerkraut and all the good gut health essential oils

Jars of Fermented Pineapple and Saurkraut

Hands up if you’d like to live healthier, happier lives? Full of energy and vitality.

Well it all comes down to your guts and how well you can balance that baby out with good bacteria. Have beautiful support for your immune and digestive systems with healthy gut flora growing happily. Easily said but in a world where we are bombarded with chemicals, toxins and food on the go, it can be hard to maintain good gut health.

Think about the food you put in your mouth – fresh or steamed vegetables, good fats such as avocado, coconut oil and your Omega 3s – hello fish! These will all greatly benefit the work your digestive system is trying to do. Fermented foods also greatly benefit there is also Natto – a little rare to find unless you live in Japan, and very much acquired taste. However you can make your own fermented goodness in the form of sauerkraut, fermented pineapple or kimchi. Relatively easy and will last for months, as a little bit goes a long way. You don’t sit down to a bowl of it instead have it as a condiment to flavour up your meals. A probiotic supplement such as PB Assist will go a long way in helping maintain good health bacteria also. All of my family take this or the junior PB Assist with is a huge hit with the kids. Read more about the importance of a good probiotic and PB Assist here.

Recently I had the privilege to take part in a pineapple fermenting workshop at the local community farm and was delighted to see how simple this process is and delicious. You will see my pineapple jar on the left, and the typical sauerkraut made from red cabbage on the left.

Another very accessible and simple way to support your gut health is via essential oils. Here are my top picks:

Peppermint

With its cooling and reliving effect, peppermint is perfect to inhale or to add a drop into peppermint tea to help settle the tummy. A favourite is also the peppermint beadlets for pop in your mouth on the go support, instant alertness and breathe freshener. Also great in pregnancy for those morning green feelings. During breastfeeding it is cautioned as can lower milk supply.

Ginger

Used for its benefits since ancient times ginger is great at supporting the immune and digestive systems back to optimal health. Soothing and assisting in digestion, as great to have on hand for those that don’t travel well in cars or boats. Perfect to add to your homemade kimchi or fermented foods. Our fermented pineapple has a healthy dose of ginger and tumeric. Delicious in stir frys, gingerbread, apricot and ginger balls, ginger cookies and especially with a drop with lime in soda water for a refreshing drink.

Cardamom

With its unique chemical composition Cardamom gives both digestive and respiratory support. With its calming soothing effect it can help settle tension and contractions in the digestive tract. Also very calming and relaxing for the airways, a key oil in Easy Air, the key oil for respiratory support as well as my “Cough be gone” blend. It is a hidden gem in the cooking world too, delicious in apple pie, poached pears, chai lattes and banana bread. Would be amazing addition to the Fermented Pineaple too.

What do you like to use as your healthy gut nutrition and support? Love to hear others suggestions.

Here is the recipe for the Pineapple Sauerkraut:

1kg cabbage (rid of core, save outer leaf)
3 tsps Sea Salt
Small Pineapple diced
1 tsp powered tumeric or grate fresh
2-3 drops of Ginger – Doterra Essential Oil

Method:

Shred cabbage finely, place in bowl
Mix the salt with cabbage, set aside for 10-15min
Massage the cabbage until it releases its juices
Mix the diced pineapple, Tumeric and Ginger through well
Pack into sterilised jar. Place the saved outer leaf on top of the jar with the bump side to the top. To help keep the cabbage and pineapple under the juices. You can weigh down the top of the leaf too with a ceramic disc.
Leave to ferment on bench for 5- 7 days out of direct sunlight. During fermentation you need to release the gases as they build up by “burping the jars. Not too much air in but just lift lid slighlty.
Then discard outer cabbage leaf and place in fridge to store.

I’d love to help you get set up with your own essential oils and help guide you along the way. Please feel free to reach out to me via phone / text 0400 228 762 or email: info@blissactive.com.au

Learn How to Become a DōTERRA Member and Save 25-40% on Essential Oils

Visit: https://www.mydoterra.com/blissactive

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Posted on 06/09/201828/04/2020 by Natalie — Leave a comment

Gut Health – Is this your key to better wellbeing?

“All disease begins in the gut.” -Hippocrates

The Engine of your body – you want to have this firing on all cylinders!

Gut Health is critical to the body’s immune and digestive functions. Essentially everything is linked back to gut health. Be it some skin irritation to the more obvious tummy upsets, the link is back to your digestive system. Do you replenish your good health bacteria?

A few simple ways to do this is through fermented foods such as sauerkraut or kimchi, kombucha and yoghurt. To help with the bodies natural systems. When you are trying to restore balance in your system a good probiotic such as PB Assist is a must for happy healthy gut. PB Assist is comprised of a prebiotic fibre and six strains of probiotic microorganisms, delivered in a double layer time release capsule. The prebiotic is in the outlayer. The unique benefit of the second layer to pass through the harsh stomach acids to allow the probiotic to reach the intestinal walls and deliver active benefits of the cultures to providing a comprehensive intestinal flora support.

Click here to pick up your PB Assist and have it delivered directly to your door.

Or reach out by phone / text 0400 228 762 Email: info@blissactive.com.au

And I will help you get set up to receive at the wholesale price, smartest way to shop and earn extra bonuses.

For those already with a Doterra account, please remember to select US shop to find this item. Or reach out if like a hand, happy to help you.

Posted on 27/10/201728/04/2020 by Natalie — Leave a comment

Taking Essential Oils Eternally To Eat or Not to Eat? That is the question……

One of the first things that really intrigued me was taking Essential Oils internally the idea that I could put a couple of drops of lemon into my morning water was very appealing in a convenience sense. However, I questioned how it would affect my body. I researched and consulted others with a scientific background and interest in the health industry.

It simply came down to this, I knew in every day foods that I consumed there were food colourings and additives. So why wouldn’t I try an essential oil derived directly from the plant, distilled and ensuring there are no synthetics added. It was a no brainer. My morning ritual for over a decade, relied on lemons and not only were they expensive, also a stressor if I was going away as I would need to have lemons first thing in the morning. It is so ingrained into my daily habitats. This helps rehydrate, cleanse and get the metabolism going for the day. I had been using real lemons but at times they were inaccessible – too expensive, unavailable or I forgot to buy them. So I had Lemon Squeeze as a backup. However that itself is full of preservatives and additives. To get something from the real thing in the most potent, pure form was amazing.

Over a year of using the lemon essential oil I noticed my teeth sensitivity had diminished, to the point of almost being non-existent, I didn’t need sensitive tooth paste anymore. I am certain it has to do with not having that acidity from the lemon essential oil a huge bonus for me.

Cooking with Essential Oils has definitely enhanced my culinary expertise. It is fun to experiment and add extra flavour enhancers knowing its not adding calories. Some of my favourites are Peppermint Brownies, Jaffa Slice, Bliss Balls Apricot and Ginger, Apple Pie Slice with Cinnamon and Cardamon, Chai Latte. Then to whip something up for dinner and have a little Lemongrass and Ginger add into spice up the Stirfry or Oregano and Basil for Italian. Salad Dressings with Lime, Lemon and Spearmint so refreshing. Completely non-exhaustive list.

When you think about Essential Oils they have been around since the beginning of time, and are found in the pharmaceutical industry, make up, perfume, cleaning, and food industry. It certainly came as a surprise they are most commonly found in the food industry, think about multinational giant Coke a Cola they use essential oils as part of their flavouring. If we be honest with ourselves can you fully interpret the ingredients on packages?

As a devoted health professional, wholefoods are key for me and knowing that the essential oils come directly from the plant product itself without any additives reassures my questioning side. When selecting goods off a shelf I am looking for wholefoods listed on the ingredients and not numbers or names I can’t pronounce.

This is where you can see not all oils are created equal you can purchase oils from the supermarket or over the counter. I have done exactly that, however they don’t work as well and aren’t in the purest form. The support and community from Doterra has really changed my life in the most beautiful way. At my fingertips I have access to members support groups that will respond to my queries in minutes for all array of things from basic first aid, beauty tips and emotional support. Knowing someone else has gone through this before. I put my faith and backing in Doterra Essential Oils knowing they are Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade CPTG, that they wouldn’t allow any contamination of an oil. That the oils are produced and harvested from plants in their indigenous habitat and as a result helping small communities often very remote with education and water available on tap. This is Doterras strong social and community ethical work that makes me proud to be associated with them.

Posted on 24/06/2017 by Natalie — Leave a comment

Home baking with Essential Oils – Chocolate Peppermint Brownies & Apple Slice

Cooking some yummies. 👩‍🍳 Made these simultaneously Apple Slice first as bakes for longer & for the chocolate lovers – peppermint brownies. 🍎Apple Slice with cinnamon, cardamon & lemon. Brownies with Peppermint 🍃

Peppermint Brownies

Date Brownies (sugarfree, gluten free)

200 g dark chocolate
200 g pitted dates
1/2 tsp baking powder
55 g coconut oil
3 eggs
1 tsp vanilla paste/essence
6 drops of Doterra Peppermint Essential Oil

RECIPE’S PREPARATION

Preheat oven to 160deg
Add chocolate and baking powder to bowl and grate for 5 seconds on Speed 8.
Add dates to bowl and mix for 5 seconds on Speed 6
Add eggs, essential oils, vanilla and oil and mix on Speed 7 for 20 seconds. Check consistency and repeat if necessary.
Pour into lined square pan and bake for 15-20 minutes or until set. Careful not to overcook though, it should still be a little soft in the middle.

Recipe adapted courtesy of the Thermomix recipe see here:

https://www.recipecommunity.com.au/baking-sweet-recipes/date-brownies-sugarfree-gluten-free/wxza0xya-30129-659321-cfcd2-i05u1mgl

I have tried a few healthy alternative brownie recipes and this is hands down my favourite, yummiest and most simple. Slice up and put an extras in the freezer so not tempted to eat more and have some great school lunch snacks and weekend treats.

Apple Slice

This Apple Slice uses only few ingredients, it’s really easy to make (and even easier to eat)!

Ingredients

2 cups self raising flour
1 cup sugar
3 apples, peeled, cored and diced (1cm)
125g butter or margarine
1 egg

2 drops Cardamon Essential Oil

3 drops Cinnamon Essential Oil

Directions

Toss apples with self raising flour and sugar in a medium mixing bowl.

Melt butter in a small saucepan on the stovetop or in a small bowl in the microwave. Stir in egg. Add in Essential Oils.

Pour butter and egg into the apple mixture and mix until combined.

Spoon into a greased and lined slice tin.

Bake at 180 C for 35 to 40 minutes or until the top is golden brown and a skewer inserted into the middle comes out clean. Keeps for about 3 days.

Bake and Freeze, perfect for school lunches or snacks.

Posted on 03/09/201331/10/2016 by Natalie — Leave a comment

Kids eating salad & vegetables

Do you struggle to have your kids eat salad or vegetables? Sure there are ways that you can trick them into eating it or bribe them, wouldn’t it just be nice if that enjoyed eating them?

Here’s some tips on things you can try to encourage healthy vegetable eaters in your home:

Role model, Role model, Role model that’s you Mum & Dad. They look up to you and need to see you enjoying salad & vegetables first.
Serve up a small plate of salad before putting anything else on the plate such as chicken or pasta. Once the salad is all eaten you can move onto the next part of the meal.
Try lots of different salads and vegetables, they may not like tomatoes, that’s ok, there are plenty of other vegetables carrots, cucumber, corn, asparagus, spinach leaves, snowpeas. Try steaming, roasting, boiling, fresh cut.
Be consistent, you may have very little eaten at first, just keep putting it out there – ask them to just eat 2 or 3 pieces. Over time the plate will go by itself.
Vegetable patch, grow your own vegies or visit a friends vegie patch, if they can see and be involved in the growing process they will certainly be eager to eat the fruits of their labour.

If all else fails:

Make funny faces using salad or vegetables
Skewer the vegetables for kebab vegies.
Grate the veges and hide it in your risottos or pastas. Over time make the pieces of vegetables larger till they become accustom to eating it in larger whole like pieces.
Super powers, yes tell them it will give them the super power and muscles they are looking for like Dora or Spiderman to grow big and strong 😉

With my 4 year old, 3 year old & baby it hasn’t always been a perfect salad eating home, now we have plain salad regularly and it is all eaten except for a little tomato. You will get there and it is rewarding to know they are eating as healthy as possible. It’s also great when you can make up a wrap with lettuce leaves, cucumber and sliced meat that it is all devoured rather than dissected and only the cheese consumed.