Hello and welcome to my blog: Lena's Kitchen.
I am a passionate (not preachy) vegetarian, a wellness coach and certified RSPH Nutrition Coach. I believe true health starts from the inside out! Eating natural foods, herbs and spices can heal our body and nourish us within; what we eat has a profound effect on every aspect of our physical and mental wellbeing.
I have created an online course which teaches the 7 steps to wellbeing and a soon-to-launch podcast entitled: InsideOut Wellbeing.
These are signs of a poor gut health – acidity, abnormal stomach acid, H.pylori,, recurring bloating, and constipation
Below are some tips on what messes our gut health and how to improve gut health with sfood and lifestyle changes.
What messes up your gut health?
👉 Having a diet of Junk and processed foods.
👉 Living a Sedentary lifestyle.
👉 Chronic emotional stress.
👉 Sleep deprivation.
👉 Self-medicating yourself
👉 Overdosing & taking antibiotics without probiotics or vitamin B complex.
How to heal your gut.
👉 Eat a rainbow of fruit & veg.
👉 Cut down on refind sugars.
👉 Inculde more Whole grains into your diet.
👉 Don’t do to fat diets for extreme lose weight.
Other gut-friendly foods
✅ unsalted nuts (almonds and pistachios are best)
✅ Yogurt is an natural probiotic to populate your gut.
✅ Mushrooms are rich in beta-glucan and excellent for the gut.
✅ Over night soaked oats are the best, they are an excellent sources of beta-glucan and high in fibre that promotes gut health and keeps fuller for a longer time.
✅ Lean protein is an excellent source for someone that has poor gut health. like chicken, fish.
✅ For severe gut problems, following a plant-based diet for a month will reduce inflammation, repair thr gut and then slowly
✅ Triphala is more then a lexative. It is amazing for the gut while allowing to pass motions easily.
We naturally start to lose muscle mass after the age of 30. This is called sarcopenia and is part of the aging proccess. We can however slow this proccess by making simple lifestyle changes. Bulid lean muscle is one of the changes. It can help with Mobility, bone health, physically strong and toned , longevity, good posture, hormonal balance.
Bulid lean muscle can also also help with boosting the human growth hormone, mental health, and your gut health
Below are the best exercises to create lean muscle:
Bodyweight exercises (lunges, squats, pushups)
Using a Resistance band
Mobility exercises
Yoga asanas
Isometric exercises (such as plank, wall sit)
Learn how eating 11 overnight soaked black raisins daily can heal the body naturally from the insideout.
All you have to do is soak 11 black raisins overnight. In the morning eat the soaked raisins on an empty stomach.
By soaking dried black raisins, it enhances the bioavailability of the raisins nutrients and antioxidants. This allows the bobdy to absorb the better.
Health benefits of eating Overnight soaked raisins:
My Sabudana waffle recipe is quick and easy to make and very tasty. It’s a popular Maharashtrian delicacy, crispy form outside and soft from inside. It’s best enjoyed warm, with a cup of coffee.
Ingredients
1 cup soaked & washed Sabudana
1 cup chopped coriander
1 tsp ginger paste
1 green chilli chopped
3 small potatoes
Salt as needed
1 tbs lime juice
1 tbs sunflower oil
Method
• Wash and soak Sabudana overnight.
• Steam the potatos and mash them.
• Drain the sabudana and & air dry.
• Place the Sabudana, in a bowl, add in the mashed potato, ginger paste, chopped green chilli, chopped coriander. salt and lime juice .
• Mix well
• Make small flat pattys out of the mixture.
• grease the heated waffle maker with oil.
• Now place the flat patty in waffle maker and close it.
• Cook till the waffle patty is crispy from both sides.
Sagg paneer/ sagg tofu is very popular in northern India and originates from the Migdalia cuisine.
Saag tofu is my healthy variation of saag paneer. This is a healthier, low fat version, but Still delicious and full of taste. I prefer to use tofu instead of paneer when making this curry, as tofu contains last calories and fat then paneer. If you prefer to use paneer, please do so.
Tofu paneer is really easy to make, it takes me about 25 minutes to make. It’s a really simple but tasty curry to make, as it only needs a few ingredients. Sagg Tofu is best served with rice, chapati or naan bread.
Ingredients
6 ounces of tofu & cut it into 1 inch cubes
1 bag of spinach chopped up.
2 tbs olive oil
Tomato puree
1 tsp ground turmeric
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsb garam masala
1tsp ground coriander
2 tsp salt
1 medium onion chopped
2 garlic cloves (mashed)
1 tsb of fresh mashed ginger
1 cup low-fat plain yogurt
Instructions
• In a large pan, heat the oil and add in the onion and tofu.
• Let it cook for 10mins on a medium heat (the onion should be soft and brown and tofu golden brown.)
• Now add in the the spices garlic, salt and ginger. Let it cook for 2-3mins till the spices mix together.
• Now add in the tomato puree & chopped spinach.
• Mix it well and let it cook for a further 5-7 mins.
• Lower the heat, stir through the yoghurt.
• Now remove from the heat & garish with fresh coriander.
Food has the power to heal. It’s a potent tool to treat and prevent illnesses.
Inflammation & Nutrition. Inflammation acts like the body’s defense mechanism. The immune system recognises harmful and foreign stimuli and starts to elimate it from the body so it can start the healing process .
Food has power to heal. It’s a potent tool to treat & prevent Illnesses.
There are 2 types of inflammation:
Chronic inflammation: Is referred to as a slow, long-term inflammation lasting for prolonged time in the body. It’s mainly connected to the environment around us, our dietary choices, stress levels and general health. It can be harmful and may increase the risk of several diseases.
Acute inflammation occurs when our body sees harm coming like an infection, and starts to fight in a short period. Thus, known as a normal response for the body ans immune stern to promote the healing process.
Nutrition & inflammation. Our daily diet choices can help to keep both our body and immune system healthy and strong.
Plant based protein. Research over time has shown us that consuming high intake of red meat and dairy products in our diet can increase high level of inflammation in our body. Where as Plant bases proteins such as lentils and beans have a lower levels of inflammation levels. They consist of high fibre levels and anyhocyanin.
Herbs and spices. Herbs and spice have high levels of antioxidants and phytonutrients and have many anti-inflammatory properties. They can help to flavour our meals without adding excess salt and fats. Turmeric, Cardamom, Rosemary, Black pepper and Cinnamon are antiinflammatory herb and spices and should be included in our diet to naturally lower inflammation.
Dietary Choices. Eating a high intake of rainbow colour of fruits and vegetables can help to fight inflammation and strengthen our immune health. Fruits such as cranberries, blackberries, and blueberries are known as anti- inflammatory foods. Anti inflammatory veg includes brocli, cabbage and leafy green vegetables.
Garlic consist of organosulfur compounds and flavonoids. These are known to help with fighting inflammation, infections and cardiovascular diseases.
Ginger is packed with antioxidants and contains gingerols. Gingerols has proven to fight inflammation and with high levels of antioxidants, ginger is able to prevent free radical production anti inflammatory disease.
Onions Onions has a flavonoid called quercetin, which is know as the following Anti- carcinogenic, Anti- inflammatory, Antiviral
Other factors that can help with fighting inflammation.
Vitamin D Research has shown that having low levels of vitamin D in the body can cause inflammation. It always good to check Vitamin D levels and correct them if needed to.
Sleep. A good sleeping pattern is vital for optimal health. Disturbed sleep patterns has been associated weak immune system and increased inflammation levels in the body.
Managing stress Excessive stress levels can have an effect on our physical and emotional health. This also contribute to high level of inflammation in the body. The best techniques for stress management at home is to practice meditation daily and simple breathing exercises. Alway consualt a healthcare professional for ongoing support is advised if needed.
Lena's Kitchen 