My favourite borough in London.

'London city is made up of 33 small 'boroughs', each with their own governments, schools, centres, suburbs, and sense of identity.' 

Now, while a Sunday afternoon history lesson would be fun, today I am here to introduce to you (and show some serious appreciation for) my favourite 'borough', the aptly named Borough Market. 

Before I go any further, the Borough Market is not a borough in the traditional sense, but instead the oldest and largest food markets in London. Those cheeky Brits are just pulling our leg.

Tucked away behind a beautiful old church at the south-end of London Bridge, these markets could almost pass nondescriptly. So, when offered a guided tour from a fully-fledged London-ite, I was only too happy to oblige. Tourist duties OK, the idea of vege burgers and grilled cheese sandwiches had nothing to do with it.

Its 2pm on a sunny Saturday afternoon and the markets are buzzing. By buzzing, I mean there is people left right and centre and barely any room to move. While some would rather steer as far away from the crowds as possible, I think the busyness only lends to the atmosphere. After all, the Borough Markets are a wholesale market first and foremost, opening to more boutique stallholders and the public on certain days only. You can expect to find the regular fare here on a Saturday; bakeries, charcuterie, coffee, fresh produce, seafood and meat. 

We first stop at arguably the most famous stall at the Borough Markets, Kappacasein. These guys are a dairy specialising in cheese, and to showcase their product they sell Raclettes and the aforementioned grilled cheese sandwiches. The Raclette is a plate piled with baby potatoes, covered in melted cheese, served with gherkins and pickled onions. Deceptively simple, but after one bite you will be shifting hell and high water to visit this stall weekly.

If only to make ourselves feel less guilty, we chased lunch with a fresh juice from Kappacasein's neighbours; Total Organics. A Portobello Road local, they've set up camp here on weekends to inject health and vitality into those who need it after a less than healthy lunch, uh um.

Since that first, momentous visit, I have returned.. once or twice. Each time, I am seriously blown away by the incredible food, the passion, and the creativity that exists here. 

My one and only tip for anyone who is planning a visit; go on an empty stomach. For those outside of the UK, avert your eyes away from the following pictures.

Jaimee.

The breakfast club.

Like Shannon, breakfast is a huge part of my daily routine. If I skip breakfast, my entire day is thrown out of sync - I am lethargic, irritable and unmotivated. These feelings are my body expressing its unhappiness with the choice I've made. 

Beginning the day with a nutritionally balanced meal only seems natural. If you think about it, your body has been fasting for around 8+ hours while you sleep. Going for long periods of time without eating has many ill-effects, including slowing your metabolic rate and depravation of glucose to your brain which is a requirement for any normal function. 

You all would have heard the old adage 'Breakfast is the most important meal of the day'. While it does sound cliche, there is actually plenty of truth behind this statement. That is, if your intent is to raise your energy level, keep you on track for weight maintenance and curb cravings later in the day.

Energy:
Skipping breakfast leads to less energy later in the day. This not only negatively impacts your productivity and focus levels, but will also leave you feeling less motivated to hit the gym after work or take the stairs versus the elevator. 

Weight Maintenance:
The double headed spear here is not only will you be less inclined to exercise, your metabolism will be missing that morning boost and thus be more reluctant to burn calories. While the logic seems off, skipping a meal will not lead to quick weight loss, it will lead to your body storing any fuel you provide it with as fat rather than processing it as usual.

Cravings:
I always do my grocery shopping when I am well fed. Why? Because when you're hungry, it is hard to distinguish between good and bad food choices.
The same rule applies to breakfast, or a lack there of. Without a nutritious breakfast to fuel your day, that muffin for morning tea is going to seem like a great idea. High fat, high calorie items will not sufficiently subside your hunger, instead send you high on a sugar roller coaster to only come crashing down moments later. When that happens, aren't you going to wish you filled up on a healthy breakfast and avoided those cravings in the first place?

My breakfast of choice at the moment is mixed granola with yoghurt, honey and blueberries. My delicious granola was handmade at the Whole Foods Muesli Bar (more on this later), and is packed full of raw oats, puffed millet, raw almonds, raw hazelnuts, pumpkin seeds, shredded coconut, dried cranberries, sunflower seeds, and chia seeds. 
I am still on the hunt for the perfect yoghurt, but am currently using Yeo Valley 0% Fat Natural. I squirt a teaspoon of raw honey on top to sweeten. Lastly, I add blueberries, which are a year round breakfast staple for me.

Now kids, eat your breakfast!

Jaimee  x

More reasons to increase your fruit and veggie intake.. besides them being delicious.

Here are a few plain and simple facts to store away in that brain of yours and hopefully help you to make wise food choices in the future!

Eating fruit and veggies can cure common ailments like belly aches and headaches, and can also contribute to the cure of serious diseases like cancer, diabetes, heart disease and obesity.

A vegan diet reduces cholesterol, aids in weight loss, reduces body aches and increases energy. I can totally vouch for this; I am so energetic of late, and each week I feel better.

So, next time you are hit with a snack attack, always choose an apple over a muesli bar!

• Most fruit and vegetables are naturally low in fat and calories, but will still fill you up.
• Fruit and vegetables provide the essential vitamins and minerals, and fibre important for good overall health.

Here is a list of the 10 best foods to provide you with energy when you need it most!

• Almonds (natural/raw of course)
• Apples
• Berries
• Broccoli 
• Sweet potatoes - opt for the orange variety which is lower in carbs and fat than the red
• Whole wheat
• Bananas
• Salmon (Not part of a vegan diet but a great option for any meat eaters)

Choosing foods rich in vitamins and nutrients will make you feel better, contribute to a longer life and increase energy levels. Remember life is about choices. Everybody has a choice to eat well or at least better.

If you won't do it for your body, do it for your soul.

Shannon x

Friday feastin'

I love Fridays. For me they mark two things; the end of a working week, and the start of my weekend. Both are reason enough to celebrate with a feast!

Tonight I'm making stuffed capsicum.Super quick and super tasty makes for a happy belly. As a whole, this meal is low in calories and is sure to boost your vegetable intake for the day, and of course, serve your body well. Vegetables provide nutrients vital for the health and maintenance of your body, so fill up!

You will need -

For the stuffed capsicum;
1 red capsicum (medium to large)
2 brown mushrooms
1 courgette

For the salad;
Baby rocket
Sprouts
Avocado 
Carrot (grated)
Beetroot (grated)
Sunflower and pumpkin seeds to serve

Half your capsicum and stuff with sliced mushroom and courgette. Bake on baking paper for around 15 minutes before adding seeds for the last few minutes to toast. Using baking paper means there is no oil requirement.

The side salad is nice and colorful and of course, includes beetroot the superfood I am swearing by at the moment. 

Beets have no trans fat and no saturated fat. They are a source of sodium, magnesium, calcium and iron. They are considered a high fibre food, and contain both vitamin-A and C. 

I dressed with balsamic to flavor, my favorite. 

Shannon x

Good-morning! Let's make it a gooood morning.

I am passionate about breakfast, I truly believe the biggest food crime you can commit is not eating it.

This is my largest meal, and the only time in the day where I eat carbohydrates. My focus is to fuel my body for a busy day, so I always include foods which will get me through.

My breakfast of choice includes the following;

1/2 cup organic wholegrain oats (I use Harraways)

1 medium sized banana

1/4 cup blueberries (fresh or frozen (OOB if frozen))

1 kiwifruit

2 tsp LSA (I use Macro Organics)

Natvia/Queen Maple Flavoured Syrup, to sweeten

Bananas are a must in the mornings; they provide a combination of carbohydrates and B-vitamins which when eaten for breakfast, kick-start your energy and keep you full to lunchtime. Bananas are also a perfect snack to enjoy 30 minutes before a workout. 

Need I tell you the endless benefits of eating Blueberries. These tiny, blue gems behold the highest antioxidant capacity of all fruits and vegetables; rich in nutrients such as Anthocyanin, vitamins A, B-complex, C and E, copper which is a very effective immune builder and anti-bacterial, selenium, zinc, and iron which promotes immunity by raising haemoglobin and oxygen concentration in blood.

If I haven't convinced you yet, Blueberries also assist in slowing the ageing process and reducing belly fat. 

Kiwifruit is a proven immune booster, most likely due to its extremely high vitamin-C content and antioxidant compounds. 

Justifiably, these ingredients all make the cut for my breakfast.

My oats are cooked with LSA and water for around five minutes in the microwave. 

To sweeten, I use either Natvia, a natural, plant-based sweetener or my favourite sugar-free maple syrup made by Queen.

Eat to live, Shannon x

I'll take the Risotto, please.

Tonight was my second night in my first London flat. Last night I was too exhausted to cook, so instead spent the night trawling my favourite food websites for recipe inspiration. 

I knew I needed to cook something delicious, comforting and memorable for my honorary 'first' night in my new place, and what better way to christen the cookware than with Risotto. Brown Rice Risotto with Portobello Mushrooms & Rocket, to be exact.

I must credit Julia of Julia & Libby for this recipe as I didn't personalise it vastly. 

Ingredients:

1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 brown onion, finely chopped
1/2 red capsicum
4 large Portobello mushrooms, sliced
1/2 cup long grain brown rice
1.5 cups vegetable stock (I used Kallo)
2 handfuls rocket
Parsley to serve

Method:

• Saute garlic, onions, capsicum and mushrooms on medium heat in a large pot for about 3 minutes.
• Add brown rice, stir for a few minutes to cover in oil.
• Meanwhile, dissolve stock cubes (as instructed) in 1.5 cups boiling water. 
• Once dissolved, add stock to the vegetables and rice, and bring to the boil.
• Reduce to a simmer and place the lid on the pot.
• Stir the risotto every 5 or so minutes to avoid sticking. Cooking time is approximately 45 mins.
• Stir parsley through and serve with rocket. 

Jaimee x

So, who are we?

We are sisters. We are kindred spirits. We are separated souls.


We share everything, including a passion for food.


This blog is designed to share that love, and inspire our readers to come along on a journey to body and mind nourishment.


Jaimee:


Growing up in New Zealand, I was surrounded by fresh produce, meat, milk, nuts, grains; thanks to the strong agricultural economy the country beholds.

I also lived on a farm for my first 10 years, so most of what I ate was locally & organically grown, free of pesticides or chemical fertilizers, and as close to its natural form as possible. 


Fast forward 13 years and I am now living in London; I turned my life upside down this year. I packed my belongings into a suitcase and moved to the other side of the world. I left a job I loved and a family I love beyond expression. I am also now confronted with the reality of food outside clean, green God Zone.


London is like nowhere else, it is so huge, and there are so many people that I guarantee you would never accidentally see the same person twice. It is a cultural melting pot, has the first and most advanced underground rail system, and yet it is truly lacking in providing affordable food for the health, nutrition and safety conscious 21st-centurion. 


The large supermarket chains, for example Sainsbury's, Iceland, and Tesco’s have a satisfactory offering; they stock well known brands on their shelves and market products at a price level affordable to most middle-class Britons. However, without generalizing, I believe these supermarkets pride themselves on providing groceries cheaply, and not necessarily caring how they achieve that.


Which leads me to this; my quest to eat whole, organic, vegetarian food in a city with more grey than green.


Shannon:


Over the last year, I decided to change my lifestyle drastically. Following years of having a negative relationship with food, I decided to live my life by one motto; 'You are what you eat, so don't be fast, cheap, easy or fake.'


Implementing this saw me cut out almost all processed foods and carbohydrates. I immediately felt better for it. I began extensive research; where was my food coming from, and what were the effects it was having on my body and the environment.

This led me down an obvious path; converting from a vegetarian, to a vegan - a welcome change as I see my body and general health reap the rewards.


All it took was three things. A heart. A brain. And the willingness to use them both.


While I don't agree that a vegan lifestyle is for everyone, I do believe it is something we should all consider and at least understand. Ignorance really is bliss, but do think occasionally of the suffering of which you spare yourself the sight.

Here, I will share my knowledge and beliefs, what I'm eating and what I am excited about.

Based in Auckland, I often struggle with accessibility to quality vegan products, so my recipes often involve thinking outside the square. I hope I can help and inspire you on your road to optimum health.




We may be worlds apart, but together we hope to motivate and educate.


Yours in food, Shannon & Jaimee x