whole foods – Happy Parent UK

Whole living

I was rereading a perennial favourite book (Rose in Bloom, by Louisa May Alcott) and the following quote jumped out at me:

Of course this could not last, and disappointment was inevitable, because young eyes look for a Paradise and weep when they find a workaday world which seems full of care and trouble till one learns to gladden and glorify it with high thoughts and holy living.

This resonates (despite a slight bristle at the religious word “holy”, preferring to think of its etymological roots of “whole” or “health”) because I live very much in a workaday world full of care and trouble. And yet, I do think it is possible to “gladden and glorify” it. That is a large part of what Happy Parent UK is about – defining the ‘high thoughts and holy living’ that make life happier.

In the book, our heroine finds her high thoughts and holy living in wise words, charitable works, ongoing self betterment, and the love and friendship of those dear to her. And in fact, this is very much the same recipe I find in my life — Continue reading “Whole living” →

Recipes

Recipe: Spinach and strawberry salad

This is a quick, easy, nutritious and delicious salad I’ve lived on this summer. The recipe below is for a smaller side salad, but you can easily scale up. I regularly make a double portion and have it as a main. And as you can read below, it’s actually super healthy for you.

Nourishing health benefits

Flax seed oil is high in Omega-3 fatty acids, low in saturated fat, and has been shown in laboratory studies to reduce risk of certain cancers (1).

Spinach is rich in iron and a good source of vitamin K, vitamin A, vitamin C, folate, manganese, magnesium, and vitamin B2 (2).

Strawberries are a good source of potassium as well as vitamins C and K, folic acid, fibre and manganese (3) and have been shown in numerous studies to contain significant levels of protective phytochemicals and micronutrients (4).

Cottage cheese is a complete protein and rich in vitamins B2 and B12 (5).

Studies have shown balsamic vinegar can stabilise cholesterol, blood glucose levels and blood pressure, and is low in calories (6).

So basically, EVERYTHING IN THIS SALAD IS BENEFICIAL – and yet it tastes delicious, and is quick and easy to throw together. Continue reading “Recipe: Spinach and strawberry salad” →

Personal story and reflections

Eating for wellness

“Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.” – Hippocrates

As I recently wrote, health is fundamental to happiness and something I’ve been borderline obsessed with lately. I have recently been trying to eat much more whole, unprocessed foods, as well as monitoring my nutrients.

It’s. Been. Brilliant.

Here are some of the things that have made a big difference for me, resulting in losing a few extra pounds (despite weight loss not being my focus), more energy, better sleep, and an all around better mood. Continue reading “Eating for wellness” →