Little Heston Blumenthal's in the Making?

My two daughters and I have got into quite a lovely habit lately of snuggling up at the end of the evening (if there is time after dinner, bath, homework, reading) and watching a pre-recorded episode of Masterchef.  Obviously the Masterchef winner has just been announced, but I’ve managed not to spill the beans to my girls, who both have their predictions on who is the most deserved of the title.

Yes, it’s just a tv show.  But it’s also been nice bonding time with my daughters, sharing our opinions on what way the contestants have chosen to cook that day, or ingredients they are using (eeew, they use squid ink, really Mum??)  or which herbs they are racing out to the Masterchef garden to grab (just like my 7 year old does for me a lot during dinner prep).   What I have loved with this little temporary tradition we’ve got going (is that an oxymoron?) is that it has sparked some extra culinary imagination for my children. When the contestant’s challenge is announced by Gary, George and Matt, we hit the pause button and each of us has a turn at saying what they would choose to cook for that particular Masterchef challenge.  Last night my 7 year old was creating (in her head) a Heston Blumenthal inspired fruit platter, involving green yoghurt and some grapefruit sauce.  Ok, so maybe it wouldn’t have won dish of the day, but I love that she believes there are no limits to what is possible.

My 9 year old is a basic as basic gets when it comes to eating. Yep, your cut and dried ‘fussy eater’ no matter what attempts we make to expand her dietary repertoire.  The most adventurous she has been as of late, is to wrap meatballs and some plain rice in a lettuce leaf and call it San Choy Bau.  Being different from each other is what makes life interesting though, including with our tastes in food.  I just love the idea that we continue to explore and experiment in our cooking and tasting and broaden our culinary horizons.  I guess this continuous pushing of the envelope is what leads to society’s evolving food styles, but perhaps that is a conversation for another day…..

Eve

Food and Health - First Guest Blogger

I would proudly like to introduce my first guest blogger....my Dad!  My Dad is a New Zealand based health professional and a lover of crunchy (not soft and chewy) cookies. We'd love to hear any thoughts. Enjoy!

Most people only look at their health in very broad terms.  We feel well or unwell, we are tired or energetic, our muscles look good or flabby, digestive system works, or doesn’t.  If we consider our bodies from the single cell, many of us would change our habits, possibly profoundly.

If a single cell in the liver was known to be cancerous, but could be killed off by a lifestyle change, would we not make that lifestyle change immediately? If a single lung cell was actually seen failing due to smoking and other bronchial cells would follow rapidly, only the obtuse would not cease smoking in the first instance.  

The problem for all of us is, we wait until several cells are ‘unwell ‘before we take notice of our bodies.  In other words we only look at the gross. A dictionary definition of a gross is twelve dozen. A grocer was originally someone who sold in larger quantities.

When we ingest and digest food do we really consider the quantities of the formulae that make up that product. As humans evolve, so will the finesse of what we eat, drink and do, transform and become more precise. 

Healthy and Delicious Baking, Let's Get Started!

First day of my new blog, which I am pouncing upon in great anticipation. I hope that this becomes a place to find a warmth, comfort and a shared interest in health and well-being. At it's heart, the joy of baking wholesome, delicious and nutritious goodies that cater to a wide range of food allergies and intolerances.

I've lined up some great guest bloggers, who are not only close to my heart but are incredible resources in the human quest for enhanced mind, body and spirit.

I've always loved baking and now with two growing daughters and school lunch boxes to fill, it motivates me even more to be able to create yummy wholesome treats made with love.  I know that so many mums out there love to do this too and are fighting the good fight against some of the foods that for too long we have accepted in good faith. Foods that are loaded with gluten, refined sugar and refined white flours. It's no wonder there is a dramatic increase in food allergies and intolerances and an obesity crisis. Navigating food choices has become harder than ever.

I am proud to be even just a tiny part of the people's revolution in taking charge of their health and well-being.

Join me!

Eve