Parc Cafe - a haven of food awesomeness AND great customer service!

You know already I am a huge advocate for a high standard of customer service. I am also Taurean which means I am all about food.  When the two come together in the most delicious way, my stars have truly aligned.

Yesterday I caught up with my dear friend Tina who suggested we meet at Parc Cafe.  It's on the corner of Clovelly Rd and Earl St at Randwick, not far from Centennial Park.

I cannot lie. I was starving by the time I arrived.  And stinging for a coffee.

With coffee ordered - and delivered by the time we did the usual and mandatory 10 minute (could have been 15 perhaps?) initial catch up assuring the waitress we only needed two more minutes, um, maybe another two please (we've all done it) - we decided to get serious and peruse the menu.  

Oh the menu!

E V E R Y THING on the menu looks enticing. I'm not just saying it.  Go there. You will see what I mean.

My eyes locked on the Poached Eggs, Quinoa Tabouli with Haloumi, Pistachio and Green Dressing.  I have to put it in bold.  It deserves it.  I did ponder for a moment the Smashed Avocado and Feta with Poached Eggs (I'm a sucker for avocado) but when I asked the waitress for her advice in my decision making, she told me the Haloumi was "pretty good".  With a smile and a nod.  

Her "pretty good" actually translates to a dish I could eat often. Every. Single. Day. Every day. It was without a doubt THAT good.  

The service at Parc Cafe is great.  I love a place that is equipped with enough staff to ensure the ordering and delivering of meals and drinks is not held up (well, except by patrons who keep asking for two more minutes!)  The staff are friendly and very helpful and always just over your shoulder should you need them.

I love a menu that is simple yet has such a diverse range of dishes on offer, not to mention freshly squeezed juices to boot.  All eat in or, wait for it....

I noticed a fridge that stocked pre-made take away dishes from the menu - from salads to soups to yoghurts to curries.  Coupled with the pricing which I thought was very reasonable, I thought the convenience of having those dishes (including the Quinoa Tabouli) there already done for you was hard to resist. 

That did it for me.

I am in complete love with Parc Cafe.

Would I go again?  Of course!  I need to make my way through that menu!

Would I recommend it?  Absolutely!  I am, right now!

The fridge-full-of-take-away-options is such a simple idea, but it extends the customer service of Parc Cafe beyond their venue.  When they can achieve extra sales by offering affordable convenience it is a win / win for both Parc Cafe and their customers.  

Parc Cafe have achieved a winning formula.  The location and atmosphere is awesome.  The food - well, if you don't know by now how I feel.... And the customer service is an all round great experience.  That you get to take home too!


Photo credits go to Parc Cafe Instagram and Facebook sites.

Autumn - Soup Season!

It's Autumn, which means it becomes Soup Season in our house.  I also revive Slow Cooker Tuesdays and even though it is Tuesday, I have not used the Slow Cooker today so will save that for another post!  Why on earth did I even mention it then?

Back to the soup.

You know that I am all about giving credit where credit is due.  I love this soup and back when Mum was still with us, she would ask for this soup which was a real compliment given she was rapidly reaching the point of not eating much at all.  This little beauty however seemed to always hit the spot.

So without any further ado...

Today's soup is by the lovely Kim McCosker over at 4 Ingredients: the super delicious and ridiculously simple LEEK AND POTATO SOUP.

Here are the 4 ingredients you will need:

45g butter
4 leeks, chopped
350g diced potatoes
1 litre chicken stock

I sauteed my leeks first up in the butter.

The remaining ingredients are added.  Ignore the cheeky bit of leftover cauliflower I snuck in!

Once the soup has boiled, reduce to a simmer, cover and cook until the potatoes are tender - about 40 minutes.  Zhoosh with a stick blender or blend in a blender (funny that) until smooth.  Your soup is now ready to serve.  The photo below is Kim's from her
4 Ingredients One Pot One Bowl book.  The link I have included will take you straight to purchase a copy should you wish.

This is not a sponsored post, just simply giving credit where credit is due and sharing the good secrets I happen to come across.  In this case, I happen to have the whole book of them!

Do yourself a 'flavour' and follow 4 Ingredients on Facebook, Instagram and lose yourself in their Pinterest page.  Or head straight to their website http://www.4ingredients.com.au/

Bon appetit!  I'm off to serve dinner!

Herb or Dukkah Yoghurt - Healthy Snack Option

I love the benefits of eating yoghurt, I just never seem to eat enough of it.

Enhancing my yoghurt with herbs or Dukkah has solved this issue.  I spread it on my morning toast in place of butter and it is DELICIOUS.  And healthy!

Yoghurt on toast I hear you say?  Trust me, I would have said the same thing until I tried it.  Still balking at the idea?  Try the yoghurt spread on to some crackers or use as a dip with crudites instead.

Here is how I make it:-

I take one 1kg tub of Greek Yoghurt and stir through about 2 teaspoons Salt.

Take a piece of muslin and lay it in a sieve that is sitting over a bowl.  Fill the muslin with the yoghurt.  You can tie the muslin if you like, to cover the yoghurt. 

Place the yoghurt, sieve and bowl in the fridge for the next 1 - 3 days.  This drains all of the liquid from the yoghurt.

Once your 1 - 3 days are up, it is time to add your herbs or your Dukkah.  Or you can split the quantity of yoghurt in two and make both!

For my herb yoghurt, I used Rosemary, Mixed Herbs, Oregano and Garlic Salt.  You can use whatever dried or fresh herbs you like.  I took half of the drained yoghurt mixture and stirred the herbs through.  Place this into a container and keep refrigerated.

For the Dukkah yoghurt, I made my own Dukkah.  You can use store bought or make your own as well.  For mine I used Sesame Seeds, Coriander, Cumin, Moroccan Seasoning, Salt and Pepper.  Once again, I stirred this through the plain, drained yoghurt, then placed it into a container to store in the fridge.

Try it - let me know what you think!

My 3 Fav Budget Friendly Items For A Healthy Summer Glow

Summer is finally here.  That means sun, swimming, Christmas and lots of socialising.

If, like me, you are conscious of the sun's effect on your skin and don't have time to lay around getting a tan (even with +30 SPF on) then you will love these products that help you achieve that healthy summer glow.  The added bonus? They are all budget friendly!  

For a natural looking tan that doesn't compromise my health, I look to the following products:-

LACURA BB Cream - available at Aldi for AUD7.99

I use the Medium Tint colour because I am olive skinned.  For the days I don't want a full face of make-up but just an even coverage that looks like I have gone to some effort, I love this.  I don't look made up, my complexion just looks natural, even and fresh.


LACURA Foundation - available at Aldi for AUD5.99

For days, and nights, when a full make-up face is required, this has been my go to foundation now for a few years.  I have tried many foundations in my time (being a make-up artist by trade) and for me, this one just works.  I like the coverage, I like how it blends, I like its staying power and for those that are budget conscious, you will love its price!

DOVE Summer Glow Body Lotion - available at supermarkets and pharmacies for approximately AUD7.00 per 250ml bottle.

Hands down, this has been my 'go to' self tanning lotion for years.  The reason is two fold: a) it gives a gorgeous and natural looking tan to my skin and b) it does not have an offensive scent. I use this as my sole body moisturiser during spring and summer, and some other times of the year if I want a tanned look. Upon first use for the season, I find it takes about 3 days to build up to the colour I like and then I just maintain it.  I constantly receive questions about where I have been - on holidays, out in the sun etc.  If you like self tanning and want a lotion that doesn't streak, this is it.

With these 3 'Not So Secrets' out and about, have a fabulous weekend enjoying the sunshine - or looking like you already have!

Note - this is not a paid or sponsored post.  It is just me giving credit where it is due and sharing the secrets!!

Cord Blood Donation

Whilst on the topic of Donate Life Week - running from 31st July - 7th August - I thought it would be a great time to briefly talk about cord blood donation.

My personal view, as with organ donation, is that if I am finished using it, then whoever needs it can have it.

I first became aware of cord blood donation back in 1993 when it was an option looked at to help save my nephew's life.  Unfortunately, it wasn't the match it needed to be, but the story still ends well. You can read it here.

Cord blood is the blood from the umbilical cord and placenta that your unborn baby uses up until birth.  Once your baby is born, in most cases, the umbilical cord and placenta are discarded.  You can however choose to donate your baby's cord blood.

My first son was born at Royal Prince Alfred Womens and Babies (RPA) which is one of the hospitals registered as a cord blood collection centre.  I had wanted his cord blood donated but because he was an emergency caesarian it was unable to happen.

My second son however was a much more orderly birth, also at RPA.  I had made known my request for donating his cord blood so the collection team were on hand to take the umbilical cord and placenta soon after his birth.

The cord blood collection team rang me the following day to say the blood taken from the cord was just shy of the amount needed to donate to someone.  His cord blood would therefore be used for research.  They apologised that it could not be used for a donation.  Are you kidding me? He was still helping someone.  Or many!  The fact my son's cord blood could be used for research could potentially save countless lives.  I was not upset in the slightest.

To save a life or lives on the very day he drew his first breath?  What greater gift is there that my son could give?

If you would like to find out more about cord blood donation, you can do so here.

Photo cred: plus.google.com

Turkey & Cranberry Patties

The deliciousness of this recipe is all in the Cranberry and Caramelised Red Onion Chutney.  One word. Yum!

TURKEY & CRANBERRY PATTIES

500g turkey mince

1/2 cup dried breadcrumbs (add more if required)

3 tbsp cranberry and caramelised red onion chutney

1 tbsp parsley

1 egg

1 clove garlic, crushed

Photo Cred: Yours truly!

1 tbsp olive oil

plain flour

Mix all ingredients (except oil and flour) in a bowl.

Roll mixture into the size patties you prefer, and toss in the plain flour to give them a slight dusting.

Chill in the fridge for 15 minutes.

Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a frypan and cook patties to your liking.

Serve with your preferred side of salad or vegies.  Or put them on a burger!

Bon Appetit!

NB: I have modified the original recipe because that is what I tend to do in the kitchen a lot...is improvise!  If you cannot get your hot little hands on the cranberry and caramelised red onion chutney (I got mine from Aldi), then finely chop 1 small red onion and use 2 tbsp cranberry sauce.  I also use minced garlic from a jar instead of crushing a clove.  

Recipe: Sweet Potato and Coconut Soup

Simple, easy and
ready in no time!

I have long been a fan of 'kumara' since I spent some time many years ago living in New Zealand.  I came across this recipe for Sweet Potato and Coconut Soup, tried it, and have made it every winter since. It is simple, easy and ready in no time which makes it a fantastic mid week meal!  Enjoy... 

SWEET POTATO & COCONUT SOUP

1 tbs olive oil
1 brown onion, chopped
2 tsp fresh ginger, grated
1 tsp ground cardamom
3-4 large sweet potato (kumara), peeled and sliced
3 cups chicken stock
400ml can coconut milk
1 tbs lime or lemon juice
salt and black pepper to taste

1.  In a large saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat.  Add the onion
       and ginger, cooking until soft.
2.  Turn the heat up to high and add the cardamom.  Stir to coat the onion.
3.  Add the sweet potato and stir.
4.  Add the chicken stock and cover.  Once boiled, turn the heat down to a 
     simmer, covered, for about 10 - 15 minutes, until the sweet potato is soft.
5.  Puree the soup with a stick blender or food processor.
6.  Stir in the coconut milk and juice.  Add salt and pepper to taste.

Serves 4.

Bon Appetit!



Photo Cred: Superfood Magazine.

Prioritising Myself

I had a check weigh and measure at the gym this week....my moment of truth!  As I said in my twitter post, I was quietly confident about my impending results.  As it turns out, I had every right to be!  I had lost centimetres off everywhere and 1.5kg of body fat. I didn't think that sounded like much (not when there are a few more kilograms to go!) but the trainer at the gym all but did a back flip with excitement with the timeframe in which this 1.5kg had removed itself.  She even got the rubbery fat chunk examples out to show me how much 'fat' I had lost!  So pretty chuffed was I as well.

Where I am thrilled with my results so far, it has been the other added benefits that I am finding have (re) entered my life that get me all happy as well.

Whilst I have chosen to put less on my food plate, I have also put less on my 'to do' plate. I have found that week after week, I have achieved all that I had on my daily list of things to do.  I have not overwhelmed myself with grandiose ideas of thinking I had all the time in the world on my days off to achieve a grocery list of 'to do' items.

I have widened my wardrobe selection and the feeling is so exciting.  I would previously - and by that I mean only a few weeks ago - scan my clothing selection for what didn't need ironing and what would fit.  I am now finding that I am standing looking at my clothes wondering what I feel like wearing.  There are still items that are in the 'don't fit into' section that I am working towards adding to my repertoire of fashion, but having more choice has been very uplifting for my spirits.  

I have begun to take more time with my makeup before leaving the house.  I usually, and still will on occasion, do it in the car at a red light.  I am talking eyeliner, mascara and lipstick.  That's it.  It can pretty much be all done by the time the light turns green!  Now however, I have found that I am adding in a few other bits and pieces whilst I am getting ready and again find myself feeling really happy at the seemingly less effort of putting in a little more effort.

I am still mindful of my food choices and really loving it.  I can very clearly see the effects on my body with my energy or how I feel physically if I slip in a food group at the wrong time of the day.  Mainly a sugar or a carbohydrate.  It hasn't happened often, but stands out like the proverbial when it has.

Speaking of energy, my energy levels have increased hugely.  Just yesterday I was amazed at how 'alive' I felt for the whole day.  Not an afternoon slump in sight!

So what is it that has changed?  What has really changed is that I have prioritised myself. I have pushed me up the list of what is important in my life and the pay off has been nothing short of wonderful. A shift in attitude about me, and Newport Skinny Tea, was all it took.

This is how good I feel

Have a wonderful week ahead everyone!

Photocred: imgarcade.com

Snack Time - Super Healthy Cookies

One of the things I always find the most difficult when it comes to healthy eating, is snacks.  It's the whole 'grab and go' thing.  In the past, if I have had to prepare a snack, that's when I have tended to become unstuck.  I just haven't allowed myself the time.

Whilst doing the Newport Skinny Tea Teatox program, I promised myself, and all of you, that I would be going in to this knowing that planning and deliberate decisions about my food would be a big part of my success.  Whilst these are still true, I also had no idea at the time how easy the tea makes it.  This is honestly the easiest lifestyle change towards a healthier me that I have ever done!  No word of a lie.  This is one secret soooo worth sharing!  In my past attempts, I try to eat healthy but my biggest thing has been that sugar craving in the afternoon.  I just haven't been able to escape it....until now. Drinking the Newport Skinny Tea in the morning before breakfast and again just before lunch has worked wonders.  The even easier part?  It is delicious!  How easy is that?

Going back to snack time, I still wanted to be prepared and this week got back to baking on Tuesday so that I had a 'grab and go' healthy snack.  I found a recipe and after improvising on some of the ingredients that I either don't like or didn't have, this is what I came up with:-

2 cups self raising flour

2 cups rolled oats

1 cup psyllium husk

1/2 cup chia seeds

1/2 cup protein powder (I used chocolate flavoured)

1 cup LSA (Linseed, Sunflower and Almond)

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 cup sultanas

1 cup dried apricots diced

125g butter

1/2 cup golden syrup

1/2 cup boiling water

Pre-heat your oven to 150 deg C.  Line your baking trays (you'll need 2-3).

Pour all of the dry ingredients into a large mixing bowl.

Melt the butter in a saucepan (or microwave).  Add the golden syrup, mix and then add the boiling water and mix again.  Pour this into the dry ingredients.  Mix together.  If the mixture is too dry, add a little more of the boiling water.  You can either mix with a spoon or get your hands in and give it a good go.

Scoop out about a dessert spoon size of the mixture and mould into a ball.  Flatten it out a little on the baking tray.  Keep each cookie about 5 cm apart on the tray.

Pop the trays in the oven for about 20 - 25 mins or until the cookies are golden on top. Allow the cookies to sit on the tray for 5 minutes once you take them out of the oven before transferring them to a cooling wire rack. The cookies will continue to harden as they cool.

This mixture made 24 for me.

I have had one of these with a cup of green tea as one of my snacks this week.  Delicious. I highly recommend them!

Turning Over A New (Tea) Leaf

For those of you who have been following my posts the last couple of weeks and who also follow me on Instagram and Twitter, you may be interested to know how I have been going on my journey drinking Newport Skinny Tea and eating more healthily.  Who knows? You may have also been inspired to do this along with me!  

When I chose to re-set my sails and send myself into a healthier direction, I decided that if I did it, I would blog about it to track my progress.  Everything from what I ate, to how I felt, to numbers and photos.  One, it helps me remain accountable but secondly, and true to the theme of my whole blog is that nothing about this should be a secret.  Why keep it to myself?

I have been very mindful.  That is probably the biggest stand out for me.  I have been very deliberate in food choice.  I think about everything from what sort of food group it is, the time of day I am eating it and therefore the impact it will have on my body to portion size and being aware of how I am feeling.  I have cut right back on processed foods, I have not had any carbs at night with our evening meal, really switched up my snacks and drank more green tea and water than I ever have before.

When exploring healthy eating plans, I am always interested in snacks.  And by that I mean snacks I will like.  So for my snacks I have been choosing from any of the following:

• Edamame Beans - not quite a handful (say, 3/4 cup)
• Green Tea
• Protein Shake
• Smoothie
• Juice
• Nuts
• Carrot

These don't sound like a lot of options but I am only one and a half weeks in to my 3 week program and so far these have worked for me.  

I have been trying to cut back on my daily coffee intake for quite some time now, having allowed it to increase over the last few years on an 'as needs' basis.  As needs being dependant upon the night's sleep I had had, with small children in the house!  I prefer my daily limit to be two but it had crept to (more often than not) three.  On this program, I am easily keeping it at two, no problems at all.

At the evening meal times, I have tended to replace any carbohydrate (pasta or potato) with greens.  My choices have been grated zucchini lightly stir fried (though I don't use any oil, just some pepper), rocket, kale or baby spinach.  Yes they are healthy options, but I think the mental impact it has is big too.  I just feel so much better mentally as well as physically.  I don't feel as weighed down.

What I can say so far about Newport Skinny Tea - Daytime Tea in particular - is it is an amazing appetite suppressant.  Of everything, this is the part that I am amazed at the most.  It is not a false appetite suppressant, such that I am ravenous by the time it is my next meal, but a true feeling of satisfaction.  I truly am stunned and in love with this product.  It is a natural tea and really damn delicious.  So it is not something I am taking that is just confusing my body into thinking it is not hungry.  I have not craved anything sweet - and for anyone who knows me, they know I love my lollies and don't mind the odd bit of chocolate either.  I haven't craved chips or biscuits.  I have honestly (and amazingly) been satisfied with the healthy food choices I have made.

I haven't weighed myself or taken my measurements this week.  I want to wait until the end of the program to do this.  I can say however that I can feel a gradual change physically.  My stomach is beginning to feel flatter.  My skin is looking a whole lot better in just a week!  I have been sleeping pretty good but to be honest, that is more to do with the kids not waking than anything else.  If they sleep, so do I.  As for energy, I have felt pretty good.  Normally I have that lag at about 3pm when I would have a sugar pick-me-up of some sort but I have not had the lag, or therefore needed the pick-me-up.

All in all, progress is going well.  I can certainly give the thumbs up to Newport Skinny Tea and a big thumbs up to my personal efforts that have aligned with that.  I'm pretty proud of how the two of us are going as travelling partners!

Stay tuned.  I'll be keeping you posted on how we're going over the next week.  

(I would like to just say that this is not a paid sponsored post.)

  

Upgrading My 'Normal'

The day of reckoning has arrived.  

I gave myself a gradual grace period up until my Newport Skinny Tea arrived, to eeeeease myself into my new self.

Now my Newport Skinny Tea has arrived along with my moment of truth.  I am super excited.

Tea Diffuser - check
Commitment - check
Discipline - check
"Before" measurements done - check
"Before" weight done - check
"Before" photo done - check

It will also take a consistent and conscious thought process in my food choices which will also mean regular planning.

It is so easy to fall back into old patterns.  Timely as it is, I re-read recently, a saying that was first said to me years ago:

You can't keep doing the same thing and expect a different result.

Seems logical doesn't it?  But I suffer from blindness to the obvious at times.

They say it takes 21 days to form a habit.  Funnily enough, my Newport Skinny Tea supplies happen to be in an amount that will last me for 3 weeks.  Coincidence?  I think not!

I am looking forward to having more energy, to having clearer skin, better nutrient absorption, less brittle nails and fitting into the loads of clothes that I have waiting for me.                                                                Exhibit A here ->

(and they don't include the ones I have hanging!)

I have to create a 'new normal' for me.  Creating a 'new normal' has been a term that I have used several times, as required, over the past 7 years. It would have been relevant earlier than that, I just became aware of and coined the term then.  I wasn't thrilled with my 'new normal' at the time.  However, it is better if I am in control and create my 'new normal', than it be created for me.  It is when it is created for you that you tend to be less happy with it.  In the instance of living healthier, I would rather create a 'new normal' of health, than my health deteriorate and subsequently dictate a 'new normal' to me.  After all, my organs have been working for me for 44 years now and for them to last the distance, I need to do the right thing by them.  I am very aware that I am in the age bracket when 'things' can start to go wrong.  And no, I am not being paid for how many times I can mention 'new normal' in one paragraph!  But thank you for your tolerance anyway.  7 times.  It will save you going back and counting.  

The buck(wheat) stops with me.  Thankfully though I have all of you to help keep me on track and accounted for during this transition to my (say it with me) 'new normal'.

If you are doing your own journey towards a healthier you this summer, or fall for our northern hemisphere friends, feel free to share your progress, tips and stories with us in the comments below.  And good luck!  Let's re-define our "normal's" together.

Complete Hones-tea

Have you ever bought clothes in the size you would like to be with the plan that you will one day fit into them?  Or is it only me that has done that?

If I'm completely honest with myself though, and carrying on from last week's goal update, the whole "I'll do it later" theme has spilled over from my paperwork into my well-being.

On the one hand, life is short, why not treat myself?  On the other hand, life is short, I have two children I would like to be healthily here for and treating myself as often as I do has pitfalls now that I am in my 40's and the extra calories don't seem to remove themselves as easily as in my 20's.  So my whole thought process along the lines of "I'll train harder at the gym tomorrow", "tomorrow I will eat better", "I'll start on Monday", "I'll start on the 1st" etc etc, just aren't cutting it for me anymore.  

Really, what am I waiting for?

The truth is, I gave myself two years grace after baby number two was born.  I had been pregnant for two years consecutively so figured that I would take the same amount of time to undo the baby weight as it took to get it there.  Baby number two just turned 4!  

I actually think I did lose the baby weight to a large degree what with pushing a double pram and running around like a mad chook after two babies.  I burnt a lot of calories and often ate on the run.  Since I've stopped pushing a pram and walking everywhere with the kids, the kilos have crept on.  I could add in a thousand excuses as to why and how this has occurred but I would only be kidding myself.

It is time!  Time to sort myself out!

And speaking of timing, two things.  Fate really is a funny little character! The gym I was attending closed, so I have joined a new gym. This in itself gives the body a bit of a much needed wake up call and I am loving it so far - 4 workouts in, my fifth in forty minutes! 

Secondly, the fun and wonders of Instagram have lead me to discover Newport Skinny Tea.  As you now know, I love natural remedies. I am constantly intrigued at how the body works and how particular foods, herbs, oils and natural therapies will assist the body back on track.

The tea at Newport Skinny Tea is all natural so I am really looking forward to receiving my package of tea, eating a whole lot more healthily than I have been and preparing for summer!  It is fast approaching and so is my brother's wedding in December! 

I want to feel like I can approach my wardrobe and choose what I want to wear rather than what I currently do: what doesn't need ironing, what will fit and what hides the multitude of sins?  I want to feel happy within myself and within my skin.  I want to feel proud of myself for what I have achieved.  I want to feel energized.  Every year one of my goals is to tone up.  I have no idea why I keep it as an elusive goal and why I don't just achieve it? I guess it is something to do with having a 'to do' list, but it is time to switch up the items on that list and tick 'tone up' as done.

My reward goes without saying.  How I feel in all aspects will be my number one reward. But I will mention two others.  I have a pair of jeans that I just love. They're sitting patiently on my shelf waiting for me and I plan to rock those champs before the end of the year.  I also saw a leather wrist wrap bracelet about two years ago at one of those pop-up stands in a shopping centre.  It was stunning and a unique piece that in hindsight, I should have bought there and then.  So I am presently looking for another piece just like it and when I find it, I'm going to reward myself with that purchase when I have achieved my goal!

To keep myself accountable, I plan to track my progress here, so stay tuned.  Or join me? After all, summer is approaching for everyone, not just me!

Photo credit www.dreamstime.com

Organ Donation - A Personal Story

Today marks a very special anniversary in our family.  

Twenty years and one month ago, my nephew - Master M - was diagnosed with a rare disease called Aplastic Anemia.  In layman terms, his bone marrow was failing to produce platelets which are the blood cells required to clot your blood. This meant that he would bruise wherever he was touched and receiving a cut could prove fatal.  

At the time, Master M was 6, the second of (nearly) 4 children.  Miss L had just turned 9, Master J was 2 and Master S was still in utero.

The only cure for Aplastic Anemia is a Bone Marrow Transplant from a compatible donor. Until the transplant could occur, Master M required a series of platelet transfusions which he received from compatible family members, including myself.  That and so many prayers was the least, in fact all, we could do.

The best option for a perfect match with the bone marrow is always to turn to the siblings first.  My pregnant sister-in-law was due to give birth and on the 6th October gorgeous Master S came into the world.  As the first option, his cord blood was taken and tested to see if it matched Master M's.  It didn't.  The two remaining siblings were then to be tested.  9 year old Miss L who detests needles to this day had not only agreed to be tested "if it would help save" Master M, she was also the closest match.  It was up to her, entirely, to be the one to save her brother's life. 

As a matter of course, Miss L bravely underwent the operation to retrieve her bone marrow and donate this to Master M.  It was not without pain for her - the procedure is such that your pelvic bones are drilled and the bone marrow drawn out, leaving the donor (especially at 9) on the sore side.  The bone marrow was 'patched' to provide a 100% match to Master M's requirements.  After undergoing necessary chemotherapy to deplete his immune system (this increases the chance of acceptance of the transplant), the Bone Marrow Transplant took place.  

Today - the 20th October 2013 - is the day that marks the 20th anniversary of Master M receiving this life saving gift.

The bond created between a then 6 and 9 year old brother and sister runs deep.  What is amazing is that they accept and treat this bond with the same innocence now as when it occurred. To them, it just is.  Because it had to be.  

For us as a family, we realise the enormity of what Miss L did and did without hesitation. A child who hated needles yet 'took one for the team' because options were not just running out, she was it.  But for her, he would not be here.  It's that simple.

This was a time that touched our family incredibly and continues to do so.  We are all listed as organ, plasma, platelet and bone marrow donors.  We have seen it in action and there is no feasible reason for us not to be.  If ever you were wondering whether or not it was something you could do, I say this: if a 9 year old can be a donor without complaint, so can you.  The life, or lives, you could save and the families you would help cannot be counted.

The Secret To Glowing Skin Is In Your Kitchen

I make no secret of the fact I am all for natural remedies first where possible.  I don't turn away from medicine, I believe it absolutely has its place, and do use it.  However if I can maintain or return to health naturally, then that is my preference.

I could shout from the rooftops about LEMON JUICE! 


I first came across this little wonder a few years ago when a massage therapist suggested I put some lemon juice in my water in order to bring my body back to a more alkaline state. Huh?  I failed to understand science at school and this proves why.  How could I take something acidic to make my body alkaline?  An explanation is lost on me when I can't even get past the first molecule, so I just accepted that what she said was true and tried it.

I'd had a rash on my face as a result of taking a course of antibiotics.  It usually settles about two weeks after finishing them, but in this case, hadn't.  Fast forward three months past a dermatologist, more antibiotics and the ongoing rash to my discussion with the massage therapist.  Overnight the rash began to clear and within 48 hours was gone.  I was stunned.  Happily stunned of course with a fresh and glowing face!

I have since learned that the lemon juice helps to remove toxins from the body and does so at a pretty rapid rate.  Hence the glowing skin because you are 'detoxing' from the inside, out.  

I use a squeeze of approximately 1 maybe 2 tablespoons into just one of my bottles of water per day (I use a 600 ml bottle).  If you don't have time to squeeze a lemon, you could use the bottled lemon juice instead.  Either way, I can guarantee it will have a positive effect on your skin's appearance. 

Try it, and let me know what you think!


I will note that I am not a medical or natural therapies practitioner, and have the lemon juice with a fairly well rounded healthy diet.