Tag: health journey

Cheesy Cauliflower Curry, a recipe

Today I’m sharing a favourite recipe – Cheesy Cauliflower Curry.

This last week has been so busy with work and other commitments, I’m glad I got back into meal planning. It was really helpful having meal ideas bookmarked, knowing that all the ingredients were in the fridge and pantry.

The original recipe for this dish comes from a book called ‘The Inspired Vegetarian’, that I received from a very dear friend.

We are still endeavouring to eat more of a plant-based diet. So with that in mind, this is an easy recipe to create and is a repeat winner according to Scott. Though not good for anyone on a ‘dairy free’ diet, it is a very tasty dish and quite filling.

As per his suggestion, I am sharing it with you today.

Cheesy Cauliflower Curry

Serves 4

Ingredients,

1 medium sized Cauliflower, cut into small florets.

1 medium onion, diced

2 eggs, hard-boiled and chopped

3 tbsp plain, gluten free flour

2 tbsp margarine or butter

1 tsp curry powder (I used 2)

2 cups milk

100 g grated cheese

½ tsp thyme (I used fresh thyme)

1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

2 tbsp of toasted pepitas (or if you prefer – a handful of ‘soup croutons’ )

Method

*Sauté the onion and put aside into an ovenproof dish.

*Steam the cauliflower till just tender. Drain and add to ovenproof dish, mixing with the onion.

*Scatter over chopped egg.

*Put flour, curry powder, butter into a saucepan and mix well.

*Slowly add milk, mixing till the sauce thickens.

*Add chopped herbs and allow to simmer for a minute or two, to allow the flavours to develop.

*Remove from Heat and stir in ¾ of the cheese.

*Pour the sauce over the cauliflower mix and sprinkle with remaining cheese.

*Scatter the pepitas (or croutons) over the top and put the dish in the oven under a hot grill until golden.

 

We ate this as a main meal, however it would also work well as a side dish.

 

I hope you enjoy this dish as much as we do.

 

Till the next post,

 

 

Live Clean n Prosper

Atmospheric Ions and Health

Todays post is about the affect of atmospheric ions on our health.

Recently Scott and I were discussing the benefits of spending time outdoors, in a relaxed environment. As with most people, we have found that just spending time at the park or at the beach improves our mood and sometimes our health.

This prompted me to consider if there was any documented science to support this theory.

So, I did a bit of research and am sharing what I found.

I found several scientific studies and articles discussing the relationship between the atmosphere and its influence on health and mood. I am not taking about the attitudes of others around us either, though this can play a part.

First, what are Atmospheric Ions?

Science has found that the atmosphere we breathe normally is full of positive and negative ions. Air ions are invisible, electrically charged molecules or atoms in the atmosphere. Some particles are positively charged and some are negatively charged.

Negative air ions (NAIs) were actually discovered more than 100 years ago.

These ions are also present in our bodies, the positive and the negative ones.

NAI’s are abundant in nature. In fact, you will find the highest concentrations of negative ions around waterfalls, on the ocean, at the beach and after a storm. They are widespread in mountains and forests.

In polluted cities, crowded areas and in confined spaces such as offices, industrial areas, schools and cars, you will find the highest concentration of positive ions. These “Concrete Jungles” minimise the natural production of negative ions by disrupting the delicate electrical balance between the atmosphere and the earth.

Positive ions have been found to have a disruptive influence on our health. Headaches, sleepiness, low attention spans and a general sense of feeling unwell are just some of the side effects of spending too long indoors.

Atmospheric ions and health

Once they reach our bloodstream, ions are believed to produce biochemical reactions. Research has found that negative ions contribute to overall well-being and health.

High concentrations of negative air ions are essential for high energy and positive mood. This is why fresh air and sunshine have an invigorating effect. Alternatively, being closed in with little light corresponds with depressed feelings.

Scientists are now working with manufacturers to develop NAI generation systems. Systems that can be used to freshen indoor air and in addition to enriching oxygen content in homes, schools, hospitals, airports, and other indoor areas.

Health benefits of NAI’s include:

  • Decreased blood pressure
  • Increased concentration and productivity
  • Improved psychological health
  • Revitalised cell metabolism.
  • Enhanced immune function.
  • Purify the blood.
  • and finally they balance the autonomic nervous system, promoting deep sleep and healthy digestion.

There was so much more information available, but it is too confusing to share.

Basically, this explains why we feel so much better after spending some relaxing time outdoors, in the fresh air.

So, we are not imagining it. It’s important to schedule a date with nature to upload on negative ions.

Till the next post,

Live clean n Prosper

Sources: Study Resource – National Library of Medicine – The Owner’s Manual for the Brain, Everyday Applications from Mind-Brain Research –

First Post for a new year

Happy New Year

A new year and a time for re-evaluation and making plans for the year ahead.

Thank you for joining me for another year of thoughts, research and recipes.

I have decided to make a change this year and post every second week instead of every week.

This is to enable you to have time to read the post and respond if you would like. I would love to hear from you.

Email me any questions in relation to my posts or recipes. My vision for this blog was for it to be somewhat interactive as well as informative. If I write about a topic that you would like to know more about, let me know.

I have also created a Recipe page where I have copied across all of the recipes so far. If I write a post that contains a recipe, I will also copy it to the recipe page.

Live Clean n Prosper has always been about sharing information we have learned or as we learn about it. For this reason, Scott’s studies will continue to be a catalyst for some of my posts. Along the way, we are also learning more about our own health, bodies and diet.

A couple of points that I think are important are;

  • It’s not about finding the ‘right diet, it’s about changing your lifestyle. Short-term diets don’t really last and we don’t learn how to make sustainable change.
  • The trick is to find what suits you and your situation; don’t just follow the latest ‘fad’ in the media. What works for one person, doesn’t always work for someone else.
  • I also think the 85-90% rule is important. Sticking to your meal plans and exercise routines 85 to 90% of the time allows for enjoying the occasional day of binge TV and take away.
  • Most important of all, is finding time to relax and have some ‘me’ time. I learned the hard way many years ago. That not spending enough time to look after you, leads to poor physical and mental health.
  • Last but not least – If you get off track, just make a new goal and start again.

So with that all in mind, here we come 2018!

Till the next post,

Live clean n Prosper