H o w T o R e m o v e H a r m f u l F o o d s F r o m Y o u r D i e t

Before I begin, it's really important to address the title of this post. I am not referring to quick fixes or cutting out treats. I'm discussing removing foods from your diet which are harmful to you. Let's put flavours, textures, comfort factors to one side and appreciate that (as poop as it is) there are just some foods which point blank do not, and will never agree with us. Removing foods from your diet is a choice to be taken seriously and really needs to be calculated and sustainable. But it's not all doom and gloom! Removing various food types from my diet have been some of the best life choices I have ever made, and I eat healthier and more diversely than ever before! And you can too. 

~ ~ ~

My experience: So basically my stomach is my arch nemesis. Since I was a child I would always have an uncomfortably bloated belly or an ache or a pain. For me, it was relentless. Growing up I went through a number of stages trying to persevere, I would feel frustrated, confused, tired and eventually numb. I adopted some really awful eating habits and became severley self consious. Well, I was going to be bloated anyway - may as well have a three course meal at Pizza Express right? (and a hot chocolate to finish, really.)

Over the last couple of years my stomach situation went from bad to worse. Not only was my digestive system failing on me I was becoming aware of a load of different symptoms which were really badly affecting me like chronic fatigue, severe bloating, headaches, mood swings, decreased energy and sometimes even affected my monthly cycle - to name a few. It sucked.

Around this time last year I made a concious decision to better myself. Having been to a load of pointless doctors appointments I was determined to make changes. I spent hours and hours online looking into my symptoms trying to figure out what could be causing everything. Eventually I identified that each of these symptoms all had a direct correlation with food, and the foods I was eating. It became clear that foods containing wheat and gluten were right at the forefront making me feel awful. So just like that, I cut out wheat and gluten. Six months later it was become clear that dairy was affecting me negatively. So just like that, I cut out dairy. Was it easy? Nope, I won't lie. But alas, realistically I have no choice but to remove such foods from my diet because they simply aren't worth the bother. I can however make a choice to look at it all as positively and healthily as I can - which is actually very exciting and rewarding. 

~ ~ ~

If you have the right motives and determination, you've got this in a bag. If I can remove wheat, gluten and dairy from my diet (this is coming from a bonafide ex-chocoholic, pizza addict) then I'm pretty sure a monkey can. And if a monkey can, you absoloutely can. Let's get started!

Removing specific foods/food types from your diet will be challenging but it's so doable and will make such a positive impact on you and you need to remember the bigger picture and your motives for doing so. Throughout the process remember be fair on yourself, don't be too hard on yourself, accept that it will be trial and error and that you may feel fed up at times. After the first couple of bumps you will feel the benefits, you will be trying different foods, you will be cooking more organically. You can make the change, it's all in your mindset. For me, I see it as free from wheat, free from dairy, free from gluten, full of nutrients, full of flavour, full of textures. 

I hope you enjoyed reading this post and that this can be helpful to anyone who is considering making changes to their diet. I am not a dietician or a nutritionist, these tips come from my own personal experience and have made a hugely positive impact on me. Please comment below if you have any other tips and tricks!

H e a l t h y H o w T o: S c r u m p t i o u s S t r a w b e r r y S o r b e t

Is it really the 12th of September? There is still over a week of Summer left and we are determined to cling to it for dear life. Optimistic? Absoloutely!  In denial? Possibly... With that being said we are hopeful for some sunshine and so we must prepare some scrumptious strawberry sorbet for when we are graced with it's presence, before we are completely abandoned come Autumn(we live in Scotland). Alas, we shall sit patiently with our sorbet and wait. 

This refreshing strawberry sorbet ticks all the boxes, it's easy to make, it's super healthy and - it's freakin' tasty. Strawberries contain fibre and antioxidants which can boost immunity and regulate blood pressure which means you can feel really good about eating this gluten free, dairy free, completely vegan option, as opposed to overly sugary store bought sorbets. Let's get started! You will need:

Step 1: Measure out your ingredients.

Step 2: Combine the strawberries and soy milk in your food processor/blender. (Be sure to hold the lid down firmly to avoid any strawberry showers!)

Step 3: Add the chia seeds and agave nectar. 

Step 4: Scrape down the sides of your food processor/blender and serve.

Step 5 (optional): Add your favourite toppings. We opted for pistachio's, flaked almonds and grated dark chocolate which we have in our cupboard. Toppings are a great way to add some extra colour and texture to your sorbet so go crazy! Now let's eat.

So there we have it, easy, tasty, healthy strawberry sorbet. This can be great for a light snack between meals, a fruity desert or the base for a strawberry milkshake/smoothie. If anyone decides to give this a go please share your thoughts in the comments below! Or, if you have any other healthy sorbet recipes on your blog then please share your links and we can check them out. Thank you for reading, we hope you enjoy!

H e a l t h y H o w T o: C h o c o l a t e B a n o f f e e M u d M i l k s h a k e

A delicious thick, sweet, chocolatey banoffee inspired milkshake. Healthy, you say? Oh yes! Believe it or not this baby is gluten free, wheat free, dairy free, completely vegan and packed with incredibly healthy ingredients. The oats and chia seeds will give you a great dose of fibre, aswell as a generous burst of protein from the almond butter and soy milk. To make this milkshake matter even more heavenly - it will only take you around one minute to whip up - and I'm about to tell you how you perform such wizardry. Simply add the ingredients into the food processor and blend. Just like that! The above measurements should make around two servings.

This chocolate banoffee mud milkshake will do wonderfully as breakfast, an easy snack on the go or to indulge your chocolate cravings. If like me, the thought of wasting even a smidgen of chocolate milkshake is severely upsetting then do make sure to grab a spoon and scoop up every last drop! Super healthy, tasty AND easy, what are you waiting for? Go, go go!

What are your favourite dairy free milkshakes? Do you know of any desert inspired milkshakes? Please comment below if so, or if you decide to give this a go! Thank you for reading!