I'd like to think that I don't do the bias thing when it comes to choosing a Master of The Month for the most festive, sparkly, happy, inspirational and love-packed season of the year and then...

I meet a fellow Antipodean, same age as me, who also happens to be a best selling Hay House author, has a weekly radio show, lives in one of my favourite cities in the whole entire world - New York, has a hell of a health transformation story and she's drop dead gorgeous!

Liana Werner-Gray from The Earth Diet, made quite an impression.

She recently interviewed me on everything healthy, fun and alkaline for her Hay House US Radio show (available to listen here) and I was so excited to carry on the conversation, this time all about Liana, right here on the blog...

Meet our December's Master of the Month...

DESCRIBE YOUR TYPICAL DAY OF EATING AND DRINKING.

I do “The Earth Diet”. Custom made to my lifestyle is 70% raw foods and 30% cooked foods. I do incorporate some meat here and there, but I am a majority plant based/vegan including my skin care products, household products and clothing!

After rising: I usually start the day with lemon water or apple cider vinegar. Sometimes I do oil pulling with sesame seed oil.
Breakfast: I love chia seed cereal with sliced tigernuts and hemp seeds as a topping! Then I have one fresh vegetable juice everyday. My favourite is cucumber, celery, kale, parsley, lemon and ginger – just pure goodness!
Supplements: I usually take 2 supplements throughout the day: bentonite clay and activated charcoal. Snacks: I will eat as much raw whole foods as possible like avocado or straight up cauliflower. I always get my whole raw greens in everyday like a salad or at least a Phresh Greens which is just mixing the powder into water for an instant serving of daily greens!
Lunch and Dinner: I usually have one cooked meal a day. Usually a recipe from my book like the Cumin Quinoa, vegan Mac n Cheese (gluten free using brown rice pasta) or Tacos. Everything I eat is as natural as possible that comes straight from nature.
Desserts and treats: I have something sweet every single day, whether it is a piece of fruit, or organic candy, or a Raw Chocolate Almond Butter cup – which is why I created my own raw chocolate line so that I could eat it everyday! :p I used to be addicted to the worst kind of chocolate with refined sugar, soy and dairy, and I broke my binge eating cycle by replacing it with raw chocolate that gives me so many antioxidants, nourishment and protein!

WHAT (OR WHO) INSPIRES YOU TO EAT WELL AND STAY HEALTHY?

The “feeling” good is what keeps me wanting to stay healthy. I spent way too many years (5 years in total) of intense suffering every single day around food. I had an addiction to junk foods and I would binge eat, emotional eat and over eat. I so badly wanted to break out of that vicious cycle and feel better, and I achieved that with doing 365 days of eating only from nature (documented daily at www.TheEarthDiet.blogspot.com) and now I am so grateful to have relief and freedom around food. Now I actually enjoy food and I don’t even crave junk foods at all which amazes me. I love how I feel now and so I want to maintain this peace, harmony and health that I experience.

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST WEAKNESS WHEN IT COMES TO FOOD AND HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH THAT?

When I get emotional, stressed or tired I crave a lot of sweets and carbs and then I usually over eat on them. They are all organic though so I don’t get trapped in it for long. I tell myself the affirmation “It is better than eating a whole lot of junk food, and still a major upgrade from my past habits”. However I am aware of it, and I have set an intention to break out of the habit of over eating when I am emotional. I am choosing instead to replace it with other things like asking God for help, breathing and just being ok with feeling uncomfortable emotions knowing that they will pass soon.

I also eat handfuls of TigerNuts when I am craving or feel like I am about to overeat, because they are a root vegetable so there is no guilt attached to eating vegetables haha, plus they are mostly fibre so they fill me up, but don’t have crazy amounts of calories. Plus they have the same amount of iron as red meat so it makes me feel strong. Also when I crave candy like gummy bears, I will go get organic gummy bears and allow myself to enjoy them as it’s a major upgrade from eating corn syrup candy that is full of gluten!

MY TOP TIP FOR:

Improving your diet is… focus on what nature/God provides us with! The Earth has it all there for us – just eat as many whole foods that come directly from nature as possible!

Staying healthy while travelling is… always carry raw chocolate or your favorite superfoods!

Detoxing is… drink bentonite clay daily. It will absorb toxins, parasites, worms and heavy metals. It is volcanic ash.

Immunising is… drink beet juice and green juice every single. It will literally transform the body!

Beauty is… whiten your teeth with baking soda! No need for harsh chemical whiteners these days. Baking soda costs just a few dollars and comes straight from earth. After you brush your teeth with toothpaste, scoop a nice amount of baking soda up on your toothbrush and then buff your teeth clean with it. Do daily for 14 days and you will notice a new shade of whiteness to your teeth! Stop and take a break if it stings.

WHAT’S THE NICEST THING ANYONE HAS EVER SAID TO YOU?

One of my clients who came through my one-on-one health coaching, Monica Rowsom said, “I could not have done this without you, I don’t know how I could ever repay you. Thank you for having the confidence in me that I could lose weight and improve my thyroid condition when doctors told me I would never be able to lose weight. Now I have lost 38 pounds and feel the best I have ever felt. Thank you.”

And the people who I have helped with cancer are dear to my heart, like Marie Wellens “Liana your book is awesome and I feel so blessed to have it. It has helped with many physical problems including cancer and emphysema. Everyone should have your book at their fingertips.”

HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE REMEMBERED?

For founding The Earth Diet and helping people achieve their healthiest and happiest life possible.

IF YOU GOT TO KEEP ONLY 3 OF YOUR BELONGINGS: 1 THING FROM YOUR KITCHEN, 1 THING FROM YOUR GARDEN AND 1 THING FROM YOUR BOOKSHELF- WHAT WOULD THEY BE?

Kitchen: Vitamix

Garden: Cilantro (Coriander)

Bookshelf: My Louise Hay Daily Affirmations calendar

IF YOU COULD HOST A DINNER PARTY FOR 3 GUESTS (DEAD OR ALIVE)- WHO WOULD THEY BE AND WHAT WOULD YOU SERVE?

1) Walt Disney – my Cashew Cheesecake recipe

2) Oprah – my Gluten Free Chicken Nugget recipe with a coating of almond flour, turmeric and real salt

3) Eckhart Tolle – Earth Diet Burritos

Can I invite more? LOL! Katy Perry – my candy recipe and raw cookie dough!

Selena Gomez – tea and cookies, and tacos

Mother Teresa – my Turmeric Rice recipe

WHY DO YOU BELIEVE THAT LIFE IS BETTER RAW?

Because raw foods provide us with high high high amounts of nutrition and most of us are nutritionally deprived. Raw foods help our spirituality, they connect us with nature and help us to live in harmony. Raw foods also cure eating disorders like binge eating, emotional eating and overeating. We can heal our mind, body and spirit using raw foods – no joke! And it’s extremely hard to binge eat and overeat on raw foods because they are so nutrient rich! It’s easier to overeat on junk processed foods because they are empty and our digestive system sends a message to the brain “Didn’t get real food, need nutrients, send more food please!” and hence we are left feeling so so hungry after eating huge amounts of junk food. Raw foods fill our cells with nothing but wholeness!

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Our Master of The Month shares her favourite recipe…

INGREDIENTS:

For the Base

4 cups almond meal

5 tablespoons maple syrup (or raw honey)

1 tablespoon coconut oil

For the Cheesecake Filling

½ cup lemon juice (approximately 2 large lemons)

3 cups of cashew nuts, soaked in water for 3 hours to soften

¾ cup maple syrup

¾ cup coconut oil

1 table spoons pure vanilla extract

1/8 teaspoon salt

ACTION:

1. Make the base. In a bowl, combine the almond meal, maple syrup (or honey), and coconut oil. The mixture should be dry, but moist enough to hold together. Add a little water if the mixture is too dry.
2. Turn the base mixture into a deep pie dish (large enough to hold 2½ quarters) and press it evenly to cover the bottom and sides of the dish. Set aside.
3. Make the cheesecake filling. Put all the ingredients in a powerful blender and blend until filling is very smooth and light in texture. Pour the filling into the prepared crust.
4. Freeze for 4 hours. Once set. Cut into slices and serve.

TIP:

To make a smaller cheese cake, halve the recipe.

VARIATIONS:

1. Spoon 1 tablespoon of cheesecake filling into each of 32 paper baking cups for Mini Cheesecakes.
2. Top with a few fresh berries.

Calories: 368 Total Fat: 28g Carbohydrates: 23g Dietary Fiber: 6g Protein: 10g

*Recipe excerpted from The Earth Diet book published by Hay House October 2014

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For more on Liana, and The Earth Diet, go here>>

Joshua Rosenthal is my amazing teacher from The Institute for Integrative Nutrition and is a pioneer and visionary in holistic health and wellness. He holds a Master’s of Science in Education and has over 30 years of experience in health and wellness including creation of the concept of Health Coach.

Long before the benefits of proper nutrition and lifestyle were mainstream, Joshua's fascination with personal growth and development led him to experiment with simple changes to his own diet and lifestyle. Through this process, he realised that food changes everything. He knew that if he could spread this message, he would make the world a healthier and happier place. With this mission in mind, Joshua founded the Institute for Integrative Nutrition 25 years ago. IIN started with a small group of students in a rented kitchen in New York City and has grown into an online global phenomenon with over 60,000 students and graduates from over 120 countries. His vision and leadership have empowered people to reach their personal and professional goals, and continue to exponentially improve the landscape of the health and wellness industry around the world.

That's a pretty big deal and I couldn't be more excited to be getting to know him on a more personal level through our interview.

Meet our November's Master of the Month...

DESCRIBE YOUR TYPICAL DAY OF EATING AND DRINKING.

What I eat really depends on how I feel and what season of the year it is. Over time, I’ve learned to really listen and tune in with what my body is craving.  In the morning though, I always start my day with a big glass of water with lemon and a green juice or smoothie.  The next time I’m hungry, I’ll sit down to a big raw kale salad and dinner is usually another plant based dish.  I work pretty much all day long because I’m very involved with each department at IIN.  It’s important to me that they feel supported, so I’m lucky that my partner, Alex is an absolutely amazing cook.  I take breaks so we can eat every meal together.

WHAT (OR WHO) INSPIRES YOU TO EAT WELL AND STAY HEALTHY?

Alex, my family, and Integrative Nutrition – its mission, our students, and graduates.  I want to stay healthy so I can be the best version of myself in every aspect of my life.

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST WEAKNESS WHEN IT COMES TO FOOD AND HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH THAT?

I love chocolate, but I don’t consider it a weakness.  When you start considering foods as weaknesses it creates a dependency on utilizing them as a crutch or reward.  Just like we teach bio-individuality in our program, in my book no food is “good” or “bad”, it’s all about learning what works for you and how to treat yourself when your body is truly craving it.

MY TOP TIP FOR:

Improving your diet is… learn how to understand where your cravings are coming from, it’s usually because something else is missing in your life.

Staying healthy while travelling is… really important, but it’s also important to enjoy what other cultures have to offer. I always look to eat what is fresh and local.

Detoxing is… A food that feels detoxifying to me may feel toxic to someone else.

WHAT’S THE NICEST THING ANYONE HAS EVER SAID TO YOU?

That IIN’s Health Coach Training Program changed their life and the lives of their families and communities.

HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE REMEMBERED?

As someone who had an impact on the world and helped others.

IF YOU GOT TO KEEP ONLY 3 OF YOUR BELONGINGS: 1 THING FROM YOUR KITCHEN, 1 THING FROM YOUR GARDEN AND 1 THING FROM YOUR BOOKSHELF- WHAT WOULD THEY BE?

Kitchen: Juicer. Alex and I love our morning juices!

Garden: the kale, there are so many nutrients that have positive effects on my mind, body, and soul, I could never give it up.

Bookshelf: my book, Integrative Nutrition Feed your Hunger for Health & Happiness, it’s just something I’m really proud of.

IF YOU COULD HOST A DINNER PARTY FOR 3 GUESTS (DEAD OR ALIVE)- WHO WOULD THEY BE AND WHAT WOULD YOU SERVE?

To be honest, the best dinner party I can imagine would have all of the people I love most in my life.  When I’m around those people is when I feel most fulfilled, happy, and content.  There’s nothing quite like it.  Alex and I would serve a table of food cooked with love – everything from raw salads with veggies from the garden to grass fed meat bought at the local farm and whole ancient grains.  I would want to make sure there was something for everyone!

WHY DO YOU BELIEVE THAT LIFE IS BETTER RAW (OR WITH MORE PLANTS IN YOUR DIET)?

I believe that moving towards a more plant based diet can make people more balanced and vibrant. I tend to eat a primarily plant based diet. However, it’s important for people to keep bio-individuality in mind.  What works for me and what works for you may not work for someone else.  I recommend experimenting with different types of protein and various foods to see how you feel and fulfill your dietary needs based on what you learn and understand that what your body needs day to day can change, and that’s okay!

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Our Master of The Month shares his favourite recipe…

ZUCCHINI NOODLES WITH PESTO
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Serves 2

3 large zucchini/ courgette

2 bunches basil

1/2 cup pine nuts, toasted

Juice of 1 lemon

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

1 tbsp sea salt, or to taste

Black pepper, to taste

· Wash, pat dry, and trim zucchini ends. Create noodles using a spiralizer tool.

· Option: Sauté your “noodles” in olive oil over medium-high heat for 4-6 minutes. Add salt and black pepper to taste.

· Wash and dry basil and add to blender with pine nuts, lemon, extra virgin olive oil, and salt.

· Blend until smooth, adding more olive oil and/or water as needed.

· Toss zucchini noodles with pesto

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For more on Joshua, his book, the IIN health coach program and to sample a free class, go here>>

I just returned from Holland & Barrett and had to tell you the news ASAP!

There in my local Fulham store, right before my eyes, Superfoodies granola was flying off the shelves like hotcakes!

No. Big. Deal…

H&B is only the UK’s biggest health store chain and Superfoodies granola is only the healthiest raw food breakfast ever!

Wow. The pride I felt nearly moved me to tears. Not only is this something I dreamed of for the raw food industry ever since the day I got into it six years ago, but because the owner of Superfoodies happens to be a dear friend and I know how hard he works and how kind he is and how amazing his food is…

Jesse van der Velde, featured several times on this blog, you might even recall this Master of the Month post>>

So the reason I had to rush to tell you this is that if you get 2 packets of granola, you get Jesse’s book ‘5 Steps to becoming a Superfoodie’ free AND H&B are having a ‘Buy One Get One Half Price’ sale right now. What timing!

Already at just £5.99 per packet of granola, I think it’s the most affordable raw superfood product on the market, but for only £8.99 you get two granolas AND a book!!!!!

Here are the flavours:

1. Red Granola – Goji & Acai (my favourite ever EVER)
2. Brown Granola – Cacao Nibs & Maca
3. Green Granola (Coconut & Spirulina)

And here’s a little about the book, in which you’ll discover how to:

– improve your Omega 3:6 balance
– get more iodine into your body (essential for healthy thyroid function)
– benefit from blue breen algae (with amazing recipes!)
– enjoy natural low glycemic sweeteners
– why to love chocolate! (my personal favourite, especially the recipes)

And here’s a peek inside the book:

And here’s more on Superfoodies:
www.superfoodies.com

And here is where you can find your nearest H&B store (the freebie is an instore only special):
www.hollandandbarrett.com/stores

I get to meet a lot of nice people working in the wellness industry but there’s always that someone who stands out and touches you with their beautiful spirit.  The very first time I met Madeleine Shaw she gave me the warmest hug and the loveliest smile, and I’ve seen her treat other friends, fellow bloggers and even fans in exactly the same way. She has almost 150K follows on Instagram and I’m not surprised- Madeleine’s posts are just as joyful and uplifting as she. This girl is the nutritionist to the stars, a health coach, a trained yoga instructor and an author of a brand new stunning book, Get the Glow. The book contains a wide variety of recipes with a good balance for vegans and carnivores, and I personally love her approach to focusing on the good stuff, rather than beating yourself up about the bad.

Meet our June’s Master of the Month…

DESCRIBE YOUR TYPICAL DAY OF EATING AND DRINKING.

Breakfast is a green smoothie – kale, avocado, fresh mint, lime and mango

Lunch – Poached salmon, avocado and a spicy salsa

Dinner – Pumpkin curry with cauliflower rice and some raw chocolate fudge

WHAT (OR WHO) INSPIRES YOU TO EAT WELL AND STAY HEALTHY?

My family, my boyfriend, my readers – i love feeling healthy and well to spend time with them and be the best version of me.

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST WEAKNESS WHEN IT COMES TO FOOD AND HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH THAT?

Croissants

I never have them at home

MY TOP TIP FOR:

Improving your diet is… Eating whole foods, nothing processed, packaged or refined.

Staying healthy while travelling is… Easy if you plan ahead – bring nuts, raw balls, some veggie sticks and an eye mask.

Detoxing is… Ok, but I’m more about eating healthy everyday.

Immunising is… Essential to do everyday, it keeps you healthy and strong. I love fresh ginger and turmeric shots.

WHAT’S THE NICEST THING ANYONE HAS EVER SAID TO YOU?

I love you.

HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE REMEMBERED?

The girl who got everyone to eat well, love their bodies and glow.

IF YOU GOT TO KEEP ONLY 3 OF YOUR BELONGINGS: 1 THING FROM YOUR KITCHEN, 1 THING FROM YOUR GARDEN AND 1 THING FROM YOUR BOOKSHELF- WHAT WOULD THEY BE?

Kitchen – food processor

Garden – My blueberry plant

Book – The Alchemist

IF YOU COULD HOST A DINNER PARTY FOR 3 GUESTS (DEAD OR ALIVE)- WHO WOULD THEY BE AND WHAT WOULD YOU SERVE?

Marilyn Monroe

Clint Eastwood

Will Smith

WHY DO YOU BELIEVE THAT LIFE IS BETTER RAW?

I don’t personally follow these rules all the time, I eat healthily but enjoy meat and fish too, it works for me. I think its all about finding the right diet for you.

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Our Master of The Month shares her favourite raw food recipe…

RAW CHERRY CHOCOLATE FUDGE
Serves 6

If you struggle to fall asleep, cherry can be a great sleep aid – and the raw gooey texture makes this fudge a perfect treat with a cup of chamomile tea before bed. Don’t forget the active ingredient, almond butter – it provides lots of vitamin E for your skin.

100g almond butter (or any other nut butter)
100g coconut oil, plus extra for greasing
50g raw cacao powder
100g honey
1 tsp vanilla extract
pinch sea salt
50g dried cherries

Put the nut butter and coconut oil in the food processor and mix for 1 minute or so. Sieve in the raw cacao, then put in the rest of the ingredients (apart from the cherries) and whizz for a few minutes until totally gooey. At this point throw in the cherries and mix with a spoon.

Scoop out the mixture with a spatula into a coconut oil-greased 24cm baking tin, then put it in the freezer for 30 minutes until firmly set.

Cut the fudge into bite-size bites with a sharp knife, then pop them back in the fridge.

This keeps for 2 weeks in the fridge.

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For more on Madeleine Shaw, visit her website www.madeleineshaw.com . For Madeleine’s book, Get The Glow, see Amazon UK.

A while ago my mum Skyped me and said that she heard a voice in the night telling her that she will write a book which will change the lives of many and that it will be called ‘The Return from an Irreversible Past’…

Today, tears streaming down my face, I’m holding this book.

The pride I feel goes beyond my own comprehension.

I’m not so fast at reading in Russian after living in English speaking countries now for 20 years, but this story is so good, pages can’t be turned fast enough. Each word contains so much light, lessons, bravery, love, hurt, betrayal, risk and truth, that you can’t help but see a little reflection of yourself in every character.

The best part is that while mum (Elena Alekseeva- Master of The Month- in English or Russian) revealed each chapter to dad, my sister and me, she was just as eager to read it herself… The entire book was channeled in her Vilcabamba energy portal, where the plot unfolded and new chapters were revealed.

Yes- channeled- my amazing mama is the carrier of this light.

If like me, you were crazy about ‘Anastasia’ by Vladimir Megre, ‘The Return from an Irreversible Past’ will simply blow you away.

It is based on real life of Russian folk and a girl whose only family, her dearest and beloved witch mother, vanished into the woods. When this girl gives birth to a baby daughter, she is soon to learn of her child’s extraordinary gift, which had us all worrying, crying and laughing way beyond the final page.

For now, this book is only available in Russian and I have the VERY FIRST 10 copies ever printed!

I’m keeping 2 and sending one to the cover designer Natasha Bu, but for a lucky 7 – you can now grab a copy for only £18 + postage.

Grab it while you can, because if the PayPal button doesn’t work- it means the books are gone: