Watermelon And Fetta Salad

Light and refreshing for a balmy summer evening. Serve this salad on its own or as an entrée, prepared in just 3 minutes.

Ingredients

Watermelon

Spanish onion

Fetta cheese

Fresh mint sprig

Slice the watermelon thinly, removing the skin, white flesh and any pips.

Place on plates with a thin slice of fetta cheese on top.

Place a slice of Spanish onion on top and sprinkle with a sprig of fresh mint.

Option: Drizzle ½ teaspoon of balsamic vinegar on top.

By Claudette Wadsworth
BHSc, BA, Adv DN, Nut D, DRM, PostGrad NFM, MATMS, MNHAA
Naturopath, Nutritionist, specialist in Women's Health and Fertility
Bondi Junction 02 9389 3689 
info@claudettewadsworth.com.au

Say Goodbye To Summer Mosquitos

With over 2 500 different species of mosquitos throughout the world, mosquitos are the uninvited guest to your summer barbeque. While there are many ways to deter mosquitos from biting you, some are more toxic than others, particularly for children and babies. Commercial mosquito repellents are a concentrated chemical solution containing DEET which does have toxic side effects. However, mosquitos are not only a nuisance – their bites can cause serious complications including the transmission of diseases such as malaria, Ross River fever, yellow fever, encephalitis and West Nile virus to humans and animals. The following suggestions are some easy, safe and non-toxic ways to repel these pests:

• Adequate dietary B vitamins, particularly vitamin B1, repel mosquitos from biting. Increase your intake of sunflower seeds, rice bran/brown rice, wheat germ, rolled oats, wholemeal grains, lima beans, mung beans, peas, eggs, Brazil nuts, lentils and broad beans. 
• High blood sugar attracts mosquitos so reduce your intake of sweets, sugary drinks, alcohol and lollies!
• Avoid bananas during mosquito season. The way your body processes the banana oil attracts these sugar-loving insects.
• One of the best natural insect repellents is Vick’s Vaporub.
• Also highly recommended is citronella oil. You can now purchase citronella candles, incense sticks, burner rings, roll-on/spray solutions or add a few drops of the essential oil to an oil burner.
• Make your own homemade insect spray by adding citronella, tea tree and lavender essential oils to a base of vinegar and water. Shake well and spray on the body.
• Make sure you drain all pools or buckets of water (unless you have fish of course) as they become breeding grounds. If you have your own rainwater tank, pour ½ cup of oil into the tank.
• Planting marigolds around your garden or pots on the balcony works well because the flowers give off a fragrance that the mosquitos do not like.
• MooGoo Tail- Swat Body Spray is a natural mosquito repellant suitable for adults, children and babies without smelling like a citronella candle. www.moogoo.com.au

When all else fails – get a frog!

By Claudette Wadsworth
BHSc, BA, Adv DN, Nut D, DRM, PostGrad NFM, MATMS, MNHAA
Naturopath, Nutritionist, specialist in Women's Health and Fertility
Bondi Junction 02 9389 3689 
info@claudettewadsworth.com.au

Join The Juice Trend

Summer is the perfect time to detoxify your body and cleanse your winter waste so you will be refreshed and energised for summer action! Out with trapped toxins, in with new nutrients. Commit to a pure diet and reap the benefits.

Most people treat their cars better than their bodies. They would never ignore a warning light for an oil change or regular maintenance, but they often ignore the tell-tale signs that their body is in desperate need of a tune up. An unfortunate fact of our modern life is that even the healthiest body struggles with inferior nutrition, pollutants in the air, water and food supply and a lack of healthy activity. It’s no wonder that most of us don’t feel like the Formula One racing cars like we should!

Freshly squeezed juices have become the newest health trend. Drinking freshly squeezed juice flushes your body with antioxidants and vitamins in an easily digested form. This takes a load off your digestive system and allows the body to heal and repair. Benefits of juicing range from luminous skin, enhanced energy, mental clarity, detoxification of stored toxins, modifying the body pH to a more alkaline state to combat diseases such as gout, arthritis, liver damage, gastric ulcers and more. In comparison, bottled juices have been pasteurised so they do not go off on the shelf, but this heat destroys the vitamin C and other nutrients, leaving you with only fruit sugar and water.

However, in today’s modern age, when you are still working, exercising and under stress, I feel it is too much strain on the body to do a juice detox for longer than a couple of days. An easy way to incorporate the antioxidant potential of juicing would be to elect one day a week of juices only, or drink one juice everyday. Otherwise make sure you have time to rest and relax during any detox.

The gold standard of juicing is cold pressed juices. These juices are made with a traditional centrifugal machine. As the name suggests, the fruit and vegetables are pressed rather than sliced by spinning blades, which can overheat and oxidise the juice. Pressed juices are thick with an intense and vibrant taste, retaining the maximum amount of nutrients possible as well as the enzymes to aid digestion. They are the powerhouse of essential minerals and antioxidants and it would be difficult to eat enough greens to get the same nutrient impact.

Botanica is a hand crafted cold pressed juice company with a big vision for improving the health vitality of Australians. Started by juice converts, Richard and Nadia, together with an ex-Fratelli Fresh chef and food microbiologist, the Sydney based Botanica's blends taste as incredible as they make you feel. 
Try the mean, green Turtle Power ( kale, spinach, celery, cucumber, green apple, lemon) to the sweet, creamy Nut Bar ( almonds, vanilla bean, agave, medjool dates, cinnamon, and filtered water). Botanica juices are made from nothing but organic or chemical-free fruit, vegetables and nuts, freshly pressed by hand. Now available in Harris Farm Bondi, their landmark store at 547 Bourke St, Surry Hills and delivered to your door or workplace www.botanicalife.com.au

Detox Tips

• Rather than a morning coffee to pep you up, opt for a fresh juice instead. Carrot, celery, beetroot, ginger are particularly effective, while watermelon, pineapple and mint give a little summer zing. When the afternoon slump hits, rather than reaching for the biscuit jar, head to the juice bar for a healthy kick.
• Green Smoothies are all the rage! Rather than juicing, buy a blender and simply blend your green veges with water for a quick antioxidant-rich, filling snack in itself: kale leaves, spinach, half a cucumber, half a lemon, 1 green apple or a banana for taste: bon appetit!
• Elixir of Life: Drink at least 2 litres of water every day, carry a bottle of water with you wherever you go, always keep a jug of fresh water on your desk or at home. Contrary to popular belief, the more water you drink, the less fluid retention you will hold. If exercising a lot, add a little sea or Himalayan salt to your water to replace your electrolytes.
• Summer Coolers: Make some iced herbal tea by adding ice cubes, slices of lemon/lime and a sprig of fresh herbs. Herbal teas can even be frozen into ice blocks for your children with added honey.
• Going Herbal: Green tea and roasted dandelion coffee help the liver detoxify, while lemongrass and spearmint teas have a refreshing zing for summer.
• Detox Your Mind: A good detox also includes some decluttering of your mind and your life to make space for the new to unfold. Take some time out for yourself to relax and rebuild your energy stores - there's plenty of summer parties ahead so you won't miss out! Consider what no longer serves you in your life....and let it go. Spend time doing what you love and are passionate about rather than wasting your time worrying about what everyone else is doing. Surround yourself with those people that genuinely care and bring out your best rather than simply boosting your ego.

By Claudette Wadsworth
BHSc, BA, Adv DN, Nut D, DRM, PostGrad NFM, MATMS, MNHAA

Naturopath, Nutritionist, specialist in Women's Health and Fertility
Bondi Junction 02 9389 3689 
info@claudettewadsworth.com.au

2014 Bondi Junction Clinic Expansion

After two wonderful years both professionally and personally at the Jocelyn Centre in Clarence St CBD Sydney, I have decided to consolidate my practice to Better Health Clinic, Bondi Junction. My last working day at the Jocelyn Centre will be Wednesday 18th December 2013.

I will continue to practice on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday at Better Health Clinic in Bondi Junction. I thank my city patients for their support and loyalty over these years and I look forward to seeing them in Bondi Junction in 2014.

Better Health Clinic

40 Grosvenor St
Bondi Junction NSW 2022
Ph: 02 9389 3689

E: info@betterhealthclinics.com.au

Better Health Clinic is a highly regarded group of health practitioners including two very experienced osteopaths, Sam McCarthy and Luke Rickards as well as offering acupuncture, Shiatsu massage and counselling services.

Better Health Clinic is easily accessible from the city CBD. Bondi Junction train and bus interchange is only a two minute walk from the clinic. Use the Grafton St exit and we are across the road from the back of the train station, David Jones and Westfield.  There is 1 hour free parking on Grosvenor St, a car park next door to Better Health Clinic on the corner of Grosvenor St and Grafton St as well as free 2 hour parking in the Bondi Junction Westfield.

By Claudette Wadsworth
BHSc, BA, Adv DN, Nut D, DRM, PostGrad NFM, MATMS, MNHAA

Naturopath, Nutritionist, specialist in Women's Health and Fertility
Bondi Junction 02 9389 3689 
info@claudettewadsworth.com.au

Christmas Pudding To Share With Santa

What’s Christmas without a traditional pudding and here is one that’s healthy as well as delicious, designed by Teresa Cutter. I love the smell of spices wafting through the house on Christmas day. This recipe is so simple, quick and won’t make you bloated; it will only bring more good cheer! It is also gluten free with no added sugar. The almond meal gives it protein and healthy Omega 3 oils which are anti-inflammatory and important for luscious skin, hair and a healthy heart. The spices are antioxidant and improve circulation, while the dried fruit are high in iron and are natural sweeteners. 

Ingredients

225g fresh pitted dates- approx. 10-15 dates depending on their size

zest from 1 orange

250g organic dried apricots, chopped

150 g (1 ½ cups) almond meal / ground almonds

1  teaspoon vanilla bean paste or extract

1 tsp ground cinnamon

¼  tsp ground nutmeg

¼ tsp ground ginger

Combine dates, orange zest, apricots, vanilla, ground almonds, cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger in a food processor.

Process until mixture is combined and looks like fine crumbs.

Spoon mixture into a large bowl and add 1 – 2 tablespoons orange juice, then mix again. Your pudding mix should come together in the hands when lightly squeezed.

Divide puddings into 6 small puddings. The best way to do this is to line the base of your desired mould with glad wrap and press the pudding mixture into it firmly.

Invert the pudding and remove the glad wrap. Repeat until all the puddings are formed.

Arrange onto a serving plate and set aside until needed.

Store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

Serve puddings with cold mango coconut custard.

Note: You do not need to bake these puddings.

Mango Coconut Custard

1 mango, chopped

1/2 cup coconut milk

Juice from ½ orange

Combine all the ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth.

Other serving suggestions 
Garnish with fresh red strawberries and top with yoghurt or thick cream

Christmas Pudding- The Baked Traditional Version

Makes 12, Preparation time- 20 minutes. Cook for- 1 hour 15 minutes

Ingredients

450g pitted dates

1 whole orange, chopped, including skin.

1  1/2 cups (375ml)  water

1 ½ cups (250g) raisins

1 2/3 cups (250g) organic dried apricots, chopped

3 cups (300g) almond meal

1 tsp ground cinnamon

½ tsp ground nutmeg

¼ tsp ground ginger

2 eggs, lightly beaten

Preheat oven to 180C fan or 200C. Grease 10 x ½ cup dariole moulds.

Combine dates, orange and juice into a saucepan and bring to boil.

Simmer for 15-20 mins until all liquid has evaporated and dates and orange are soft. Set aside to cool.

Place date and orange mixture into a Vitamix or food processor and process until a paste forms.

Transfer to a large bowl. Add sultanas, apricots, almond meal, spices, eggs and mix well. Add another egg if needed.

Divide between prepared pudding / dariole moulds.

Place into a deep baking dish.

Pour enough hot water to come half way up sides of pudding bowls.

Cover each with a layer of baking paper and foil, pressing around the edges of the pan to completely seal.

Bake for 1 hr 15 mins.

Invert puddings onto serving plates.

Serve with homemade custard and enjoy.

By Claudette Wadsworth
BHSc, BA, Adv DN, Nut D, DRM, PostGrad NFM, MATMS, MNHAA

Naturopath, Nutritionist, specialist in Women's Health and Fertility
Bondi Junction 02 9389 3689 


info@claudettewadsworth.com.au