Happy New Moon and Welcome to my very 1st post on “LoveBomb”

2013 so far…12 days in and I’ve kept up with my NY resolutions! Simple ones:

1: To move my body with yoga, running, cardio, walking etc, whatever feels right on the day.

2: To start this blog (yay to me!)

3: To be kinder to myself, to make sure I look after me first. We, as women tend to put so many others in our lives before us. Our partners, children, family, friends, even the dog. So I’ve vowed to read those books, go for that massage, laze by the pool and even go for a few days of not speaking to a soul to come back to myself, if that pleases me I’ve done it.For those of you with children I know just how precious your ‘me’ time is!

I love this site for some great encouragement. http://www.marcandangel.com/2013/01/11/10-ways-to-make-life-good-again/#more-561

I’ve had the luxury of having time to myself as my gorgeous fiance is off at Vipassana meditating. He will finish today, so after 10 days I will get to pick him up from the airport and I simply can’t wait. I have so much love, time and patience to give him because I have had this special time to myself.

Last year I got engaged to Marty, my partner of 6 years. We spend our lives between Los Angeles (He is an actor) and Bondi, Sydney. We have been through so many ups and downs and roundabouts but have come sailing through still so much in love with each other and loving hanging out together. This year we hope to be lucky enough to start our own family.

We’ve recently become vegan for ethical and health reasons. After years of being a slightly dodgy vegetarians we took the plunge to remove all animal products from our diets. We look better, we feel better and we have more energy, and my skin looks and feels like never before. Ive also switched to all natural and organic products. I’ll share some scary chemical facts about that in a few posts. Most importantly at nearly 38 I feel better and more comfortable in my own skin than ever in my life. We all want that, right!

I have worked in my 37 years in two arenas, with flowers: as a florist and with families: as a nanny when living overseas, and now my passion lies in combining a love of food, my nutritional studies and family nutrition.

I’m a traditional girl at heart, I didn’t have a picture perfect family but I believe so greatly in the family unit and eating meals together (Studies show the great benefits of regular mealtimes as a family) I loved cooking with my Nan when I was younger, who only knew how to cook for seemingly a herd of people just in case someone in the family dropped by. I seem to have inherited that talent and no-one in my vicinity ever leaves our home hungry!

So in getting this blog together my plan is to share with you all recipes, and anything related to food & nutrition, family health and great websites that I think is of interest to us all.

I am learning this blogging business so please bare with me. It may well change shape a few times as I find my way…Id love your input, questions or requests of particular foods. I do a lot of googling and combine different recipes, I try to cut out uneccessary sugars and make meals gluten-free. I generally don’t measure when I’m cooking, much to my sisters annoyance but I will try to keep to the program for you all!

Ive just started with a simple recipe first up, a great breaky smoothie. SO important to get the goodness in at the start of the day and get your metabolism started. (We generally start the day with fresh lemon in warm water and then have our smoothie about 45-60mins after, usually after our workout) Enjoy and don’t be scared to use what you have in the fridge/freezer that is handy. Try to use the recipes as a guide

I look forward to sharing this beautiful life and journey with you my new LoveBomb friends!

I hope to make our lives all a little easier, a whole lot healthier and super delicious, with a side of gratitude for good measure!!

Thanks so much for your support

Peta x

Berry Smoothie (raw, vegan, gluten free, soy free)
Serves 1

• 1/3 cup strawberries
• 1/3 cup blueberries
• 1 frozen banana
• 1/2 small avocado
• 1 tbsp chia seeds (these need to soak for about 10 mins so put the milk in your blender and then add the chia seeds to sit while you get everything else ready)
• 1 tbsp flax meal
• 1 handful spinach
• 1 1/3 cup almond milk (or coconut water if you have access to fresh coconuts. Throw in the meat as well, yum)

Blend all ingredients to your desired consistency, and serve.

If you need a little more to your breakfast add some things like cacao (tastes just like a choc milkshake then) a good quality nut butter, hemp seeds, maca (great for women and balancing hormones) a date for sweetness… The choices are endless. Get creative. Always source your fruit and veges locally and seasonally for the greatest nutritional benefit

My gorgeous niece Zali loving her berry smoothie