A new year is a good time to reflect on what you would like to do differently.
As a naturopath, I always get an inbox full of eager people wanting appointments to lose weight in January; by April, the focus is back to stress management.
Research shows, time and time again, that New Year's resolutions don't tend to last. So what can we do differently to make this year better?
I believe that learning about and understanding your body helps you to make better choices. When we feel better, we are generally happier.
The 14th Dalai Lama states that ``The purpose of our lives is to be happy''. We know that happy people are more productive at work, are better leaders and negotiators and have more friends and social networks. They are also more resilient in times of stress and have stronger immune systems, are physically healthier and even live longer.
This year, you might focus on creating a way of life that best serves your physical, nutritional and emotional health.
The way you choose to eat is the most basic way you can look after yourself. Nothing replaces a highly nourishing way of eating. There is no amount of exercise that can burn off poor food choices and the genes that are activated.
Consuming whole, unprocessed food the way nature intended it is the basis for great health and will hugely affect your wellbeing.
For great recipe inspiration, I love Nadia Lim's Fresh Start, Pete Evans' Family Food (cookbooks) and Donna Hay's Fresh + Light (quarterly magazine).
We have access to amazing farmers markets, butchers, seafood shops. Why not aim to support local this year and eat more unprocessed fresh produce the way we were designed to eat it.
Freshly picked produce has more live nutrients and enzymes in it. This nourishes the cells in our bodies which creates vitality.
Kale pesto
Ingredients
2 cups chopped kale, stalks removed
1 garlic clove
3 Tbsp hulled tahini
½ cup macadamia nuts, soaked for 1 hour in water, then rinsed
125ml (½ cup) olive oil
salt flakes and freshly ground black pepper
Method
Pop everything into a food processor and pulse until it is the consistency that you prefer.
Drizzle over salads, new potatoes, roast vege salad or use as a dip with raw vege sticks.
-By Deanna Copland
