Sweet potato and Acai smoothie bowl

Guilty as charged! I promised you guys more recipes and to be honest, with the launch of my cookbook WHOLE - bowl food for balance, it has been crazy! I am hoping that this insanely delicious smoothie makes up for it. If you haven't shopped my book yet then click here to get your hands on a copy! 

As you guys know I have PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome) This is an endocrine disease that stops me from having a regular cycle. I used to feel really ashamed about sharing it with others. However, I have since learned that 8-10% of females at childbearing age have it. I have also learned along the path of discovering my health that it is a solvable problem through healthy eating and lifestyle changes. 

It can be overwhelming when you look at the whole picture and you have so many people telling you what not to eat and what to eat. I have learned that the only way I am going to succeed is to make one small change a day or even in a month. All the little changes eventually add up and before you know it you will be leading a healthier lifestyle. 

This smoothie bowl is unique because I recently discovered that banana isn't ideal for me to be having as someone with PCOS because it is higher in sugar and sugar triggers hormonal acne. It's not to say a banana is bad. It's just to say that it isn't necessarily good for me as an individual right now. The problem is though, is that I love creamy smoothies. I mean duh, who doesn't. I went down the rabbit hole to find out what solution and I found it. Steamed sweet potato. Yes, you heard me. I steam it, then I freeze it, then I blend it and it is glorious! It makes the smoothies super decadent and delicious and it doesn't overpower the flavours. It's a healthy carb and a great kick starter to my day! I steam the sweet potato then I freeze it placed out on a baking tray so that it doesn't stick together. Once frozen I add them to a freezer safe Tupperware.

If you do this you end up with at least a weeks worth of supply and you can give the bananas a break. Try it and see how you feel. Does your body love it or not so much? It's about listening to what works for you. For now, I am on a mission to make as many small changes as I can in order to achieve normal health and hormonal balance! 

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Ingredients:

1 1/2 steamed and frozen sweet potato (about 2 cups) – white or orange sweet potato
1 cup of frozen berries of your choice (I used blueberries) 
1 teaspoon acai
1 teaspoon chia seeds
1/2 ripe avocado
1 serving of pea protein powder or protein powder of your choice
2 majool dates, pitted
1 tablespoon of almond butter + extra for drizzling on top
1/4 cup almond milk, you can add more if needed. 

toppings all optional:

chia seeds
raspberries
sliced banana
coconut
strawberries
almond butter
pumpkin seeds
buckwheat
sunflowers seeds
 

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Instructions:

Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth. Decorate with toppings and serve! 

-Melissa 

AfrikaBurn - Art, Dust & Dancing

We are in the universe and the universe is within us. Every atom in your body came from stars that exploded and we are made of stardust. So don't be so small. 

Look up into the night sky, you are a part of it. We are children of the stars. So at the moment where you forget this, in the moments where you doubt yourself or think that you can't. In the moment where you think that you are insignificant. Just remember that you are so gloriously wonderful. That you have the ability to love, be kind, communicate and uplift. You can lend a hand or change someone's day around by smiling. You can give, offer and contribute for the better. Focus on the right, not on the wrong. Create a safe space for others to be vulnerable and to be able to show you their souls. You can create, inspire and move your body to the music. You are able. So be willing because many out there aren't. Stop complaining and start doing. 

How do I know this all? I've seen it. In a magical place filled with art, dust, and dancing. For those that moved with me, thank you. I couldn't have asked for a better Burn. AfrikaBurn you have my heart.

"As above, so below, as within, so without, as the universe, so the soul" - Hermes Trismegistus

Until next year, namaste.  

How to bust a sugar craving with my blueberry smoothie

I used to get extreme sugar cravings. Mostly when I was a sugar addict. I never admitted to myself that I was but if I look back, yup, I had a problem. I had to have something sweet after dinner or a chocolate at lunch. When I hit a slump at 3 pm at my desk then I would need something sweet to 'pick me up'. Sugar in my tea and syrup with my peanut butter toast. All loaded with refined sugar and SO not good for me. 

I learnt that in life balance is possible and it has since become my mantra. It has taken time, practise and patience with myself. It's a journey and one that I am still working on. I want freedom with food and to have a healthy relationship with food. This blog post is not here to promote extremes but by all means, if it works for your body to completely cut out sugar then listen to that. The reality is that sugar is an inflammatory food and it isn't good for you in a refined form and studies have shown that it is responsible for diseases such as diabetes, chronic migraines, obesity and cystic acne. The scary thing is how many products have hidden sugar in them or label the sugar as something else. Make sure you read the ingredients on labels, not how many calories you are consuming because not all calories are created equal. Sugar is highly addictive and sends more serotonin to the brain than cocaine. Here is a list of few names to look out for and avoid:

• Corn syrup or high-fructose corn syrup
• Dextrose or crystal dextrose
• Fructose
• Maltose
• Lactose
• Sucrose
• Glucose
• Evaporated cane juice or fruit juice
• Caramel
• Carob syrup
• Brown sugar
• Raw sugar
• Dextrin and maltodextrin
• Rice syrup
• Molasses
• Evaporated corn sweetener
• Confectioner’s powdered sugar
• Agave nectar (really spikes blood sugar even though it’s natural)
• Other fruit nectars (for example, pear nectar) - be careful of this as most orange juices will claim 100% fruit juice but if you read the ingredients you will soon realise this is not the case. 

I personally do not have a problem with fruit. I don't eat too much and when I do; I feel like I am indulging. Fruit can be packed with vitamins and fibre and can help bust a sugar craving. I try to have my fruit with a handful of nuts such as almonds since the combination of fibre and fat keeps my blood sugar stable and satiates me. 

When you first undertake to quit sugar it is going to be hard. You might even experience physical reactions such as headaches and nausea. The detox is real and I suggest that you commit to breaking through this barrier. I upped my water intake during the first week (a good habit to adopt in general) and I focused on taking in high protein foods with high fibre dark leafy greens and veg. Having meals that are nourishing helped me be 'full' and happy. I also learnt that allowing myself to get hungry was not a good idea. Catch yourself before you are hungry and invariably end up in a space where you'll make bad decisions. Focus on what your triggers are and what makes you feel weak at the moment, then focus on avoiding it. Set yourself up to succeed.

Here are a few things I do that help me when I am craving sugar:

1 - I enjoy a big cup of herbal tea without sugar or milk. I find that peppermint helps me bust a craving or chai tea. The spices let the brain think you are having something sweet. 

2 - I indulge in a piece of good quality dark chocolate. Paired with a cup of peppermint tea - its a match made in heaven. 

3 - I keep fresh majool dates in the fridge. I don't overindulge in them as they are still sugar but they are a natural sugar and when they are cold, they go like fudge. Give them a try! One is usually enough. 

4 - I up my dark leafy greens when I am craving chocolate. Especially around my period. I find that it not only helps with cravings but it also helps with bloat. 

5 - Have a big glass of water and if you can add a teaspoon or two of apple cider vinegar. Make sure it is unfiltered with the mother. More often than not when I am craving food - its actually thirst. Did you know that one of the first symptoms of dehydration is hunger? Before I would just go for the fridge and binge on everything in front of me. Now I am more connected to my body and I have a glass of water when I feel like snacking on sugar, give it twenty minutes then see how I feel. 

6 - Eat a high protein snack instead of the sugar. Try having some carrot sticks and hummus or a boiled egg. This helps me and often fills me up until my next meal. 

7 - If I feel for a treat, I have some sliced apple drizzled with almond butter. I try to have this mid-morning not later in the afternoon. Focus on high protein food in the afternoon rather than sugar. This also helps me with over eating at dinner.  

When I find myself craving something super decadent and indulging, I make myself this smoothie. It's better than any milkshake out there and filled with natural goodness that won't leave you feeling awful about it afterwards. 

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Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup frozen or fresh blueberries 
• 1/2 frozen banana 
• 1 tablespoon almond butter 
• 1 tablespoon pea protein powder 
• 1 tablespoon pumpkin seeds 
• 1 tablespoon sunflower seeds 
• 1 teaspoon chia seeds
• 1 cup almond milk, unsweetened 
• 2 blocks of ice
   

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Instructions:

Add all the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. If it is too thick then add a little almond milk to thin it out. I personally like it thick. Serve cold topped with a drizzle of almond butter and berries. 

-Melissa

 

Abalone Pool Villas, Paternoster

Picture pristine beaches, luxury seaside accommodation, your own sapphire blue private pool overlooking the ocean, set in a quaint fisherman's village made up of whitewashed dwellings and you have Abalone Pool Villas in Paternoster. I experienced this amazing accommodation through Miles For Style. An online platform in partnership with SAA voyager where you can shop products, experiences and of course accommodation. The cool part? You can use Voyager miles to shop or earn them when you shop! 

Situated a two-hour drive outside of Cape Town this gorgeous fishing village makes you feel as if you have stepped into a simpler time. Everything here moves slowly and a long walk on the beach or a lazy afternoon activity is just what the doctor ordered. 

The villas are self-catering and come with a private butler that will attend to your needs. The stay includes breakfast and can be (on request) set up overlooking the blue waters of the bay. The interior is elegant and the deep blue theme runs throughout the establishment. Each villa sleeps 4 in two bedrooms and has a private pool and braai (BBQ) area.

The bedrooms all overlook the private swimming pool with stack away doors that welcome in the sea breeze. With king size beds, air conditioning and big bathrooms what’s not to love? 

With award-winning restaurants a stone's throw away you will be spoilt for choice should you choose to wander out for dinner and lunch. I made my way down to a popular spot called Gaaitjie (bookings essential) which is on the beach and boasts some of the best views in my opinion. definitely, request a patio seat. 

Be sure to order the seafood as most of it has been freshly caught that morning by the local hardworking fisherman. Washed down with crisp white wine you will feel as if you are sitting in some delicate version of heaven while taking in the views and sunshine. 

With whale watching, beach visits, and west coast park day tours you will have plenty of activities to choose from or take a load off and simply soak in all the relaxation poolside or visit Abalone House & Spa, the sibling boutique hotel of the Abalone Pool Villas. They have a spa for pampering and I recommend a full body massage to work out all the city knots. 

Paternoster is a special place on the west coast and two days will leave you feeling as if you had a full week’s break on an island somewhere in the Mediterranean.

If you do it in the comfort and luxury of Abalone Pool Villas then you cannot go wrong! 

-Melissa 

*This blog post is sponsored by Miles For Style and Abalone Guest house. All opinions are my own. 

Experiencing ONE at Cavalli Estate

I was recently invited to experience One at Cavalli Estates restaurant. Run by executive Chef Michael Deg; One is a celebration of a single fresh hero ingredient from the garden showcased in classic dishes that let the ingredient shine. Created to celebrate Michaels appointment I couldn't wait to experience what he has on offer. 

Our ingredient was Celeriac. I must admit I was a little sceptical as I haven't had many great celeriac dishes. A humble root vegetable that tastes a bit like it’s cousin, the celery. 

The setting in gorgeous with a modern upmarket bistro interior with strong lines in the architecture. The patio has two fire pits, which I imagine would be wonderful in winter and overlooks a vista of magnificent mountains. Since it was a hot summers day it was most welcome to sit close to the waters edge with a light breeze, misting spray and crisp wine. 

It has been a while since I have had such a perfectly paired wine to meal experience. Farai Magwada is the sommelier and hats off to him! Each and every wine was perfectly in sync with the meals I experienced. Of course, this also meant I finished each and every glass of my five-course meal. Not a bad way to spend a Sunday in my opinion. 

The flavour journey began with a celeriac gazpacho that reminded me how much I love simple things such as the flavour pairing of pea and mint. Topped with goats cheese it was, melt in your mouth creamy. Paired with Cavalli's Vendetta, a white blend that is one of their premium flagship wines - it was by far my favourite wine. 

The journey continued through celeriac tartare topped with crisp ginger served with an easy drinking rosé. 

One of my top dishes of the day was the vegetable dumpling in an umami broth. Perfectly paired with Paul Cluver's Gewurtztraminer. Also, a spectacular wine that was matched with an equally spectacular dish. I will dream of those flavours for a while to come! 

The top dish of the day award goes to the Roasted Cauliflower and celeriac pureé. The dish was inspired. Its flavour profile reminded me of a bobotie (a South African curried mince dish) with its saltiness and curry spice but then it was elevated by the macadamia nuts and fried caper berries. Each bite had texture and flavour that was bursting at the seams. 

If you find yourself at the estate make sure to visit the Well Worn exhibition. I worthwhile visit exploring some of the amazing art from great South African Artists and a perfect way to end off a gorgeous afternoon! 

-Melissa 

*this blog post is sponsored by Cavalli estate. All opinions are my own.