Kat Farrants is a former city solicitor whose experience of getting stressed out about getting to the very best yoga classes led her to ask the best teachers if they would make videos so that we could say when class starts.  She founded Movement for Modern Life in 2013. She is passionate about ensuring that everyone has access to the very best yoga and wellbeing teachers, even those who work long hours in the home or office or live remotely.

And today is the launch of Kat’s seriously exciting The Cellular Renewal Online Retreat!This 7 day online course combines delicious raw food detox recipes (can you guess whom by?) with transformative daily yoga and wellbeing practices to deeply cleanse, nourish and restore your body and mind. Free to member and only £37 otherwise. Check it out>>

Meet our January’s Master of the Month…

DESCRIBE YOUR TYPICAL DAY OF EATING AND DRINKING.

I start the day with two large cups of hot water and lemon. That makes me feel better about the next step, which is a cup of coffee. I then have my power smoothie, which I’ll sip on throughout the morning. Lunch is usually salad, again, with tons of seeds. I drink enormous cups of herbal tea throughout the day. At the moment I’m loving PositiviTea’s blends. I love my juicer and I may juice myself my favourite drink in the course of the day, which is carrot and apple. Delicious if the veg is organic and fresh. For dinner, I love a good vegetarian curry, simple veg stir-fry or a veg chilly which my friend and co-worker Victoria has given me the recipe for. This may be accompanied by a glass of wine, if I have company. After dinner I usually have a peppermint tea and before bed, always always a cup of camomile tea.

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

I’m inspired to eat healthily purely by watching and noticing how my body feels. I like feeling light and energetic. So if I have a carb or sugar binge (which does happen!) or if I’ve been dining out on rich food, it’s just that I hate feeling less fresh inside me, so I’ll naturally probably have just juices or raw food the next day.

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

I have many weaknesses. Coffee is one. Cheese is another. My method for dealing with both is to make sure I buy the best quality (small producers, always organic) of both – which means that I need less of them and enjoy what I do have more. I couldn’t afford to binge on either if I’m buying the best of them!

MY TOP TIP FOR:

Improving your diet is… ‘Eat less. And eat mostly plants’.

Staying healthy while travelling is… spend time working out the best places to buy and restaurants to eat where they prioritise locally produced food, then you’ll see the real heart of the new town.

Detoxing is… start every day with a detox of hot lemon and ginger. You’ll become addicted to how good this makes you feel.

Immunising is… I make all of my dishes with lots of garlic. I love it, but also it’s great for the immune system. But I am also single.. It has it’s downsides!

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

‘You can do it’. Only when we have the confidence in ourselves will we be able to take risks, and really live life.

HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE REMEMBERED?

As someone who tried her best.

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?

1. My blender! I’d starve without it!
2. From my garden – my apple trees.
3. ‘The Four Desires’ by Rod Stryker. This book changed by life and will continue to do so.

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

Maya Angelou.
Saffy, my dog who died two years ago – if I can bring her back for just one meal that would be heaven.
Ellen De Generes.
I think that Maya and Ellen would be such fun, it’d be a riot to have them there. And Saffy would just sit at the table with us, I’d cuddle her whilst I enjoyed and joined in with the fun and giggles with Maya and Ellen.
Saffy would eat raw bones – her favourite. We’d have a lovely, raw, vegan curry with cashew cream. Everyone eats raw!

WHY DO YOU BELIEVE THAT LIFE IS BETTER RAW?

Simply because you can live a fun, filled life when you’re full of energy and health. I often get asked where I get my energy from. Raw food and eating mostly plants is the answer.

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

POWER WAKE UP SMOOTHIE
Serves 1-2

Kat says: I love this morning smoothie as I’m so busy I don’t get the time to make all the right food, and I know that this is the best way to start the day. It keeps me going til lunch – there’s a lot of it, I keep sipping it throughout the morning. All the seeds make it filling and provide me with lots of energy. I like to use Spinach and apples as they both grow in my garden, so I know that they are organic and fresh (in season!) – the spinach is a lovely veg to grow, it seems to keep giving right until heavy frosts. I try make my smoothie seasonal and is always organic, so alternate it according to what’s going on in the garden or available from the organic delivery company.

• two handfuls spinach
• root ginger to taste
• root turmeric to taste
• 1 x banana
• 2 x apples
• squeeze of lemon
• 1 x tablespoon flax seeds
• 1 x tablespoon sunflower seeds
• 2 x tablespoons ground hemp
• filtered water

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For more on Kat, Movement for Modern Life and The Cellular Renewal Online Retreat, which starts today- go here movementformodernlife.com/crprogramme

The UK has seen such a gorgeous and long summer, that I still get shocked each time I walk outside nowadays.

I forgot what it’s like to be cold and my lordy it is coooold!

Winter is well and truly here, or so it seems, and right around this time is when I dust off the printed versions of my eBooks ‘Nourished- Comforting raw foods for winter‘ and ‘Festive- The best raw food Christmas recipes‘.

I wanted to share with you a recipe from Nourished, which is the most perfect side to any meal, just like mashed potatoes, except there’s not a potato in sight. There’s also no starch. Or dairy. Or anything cooked or processed for that matter. Instead though you get a beautiful combination of nourishing seasonal ingredients to keep you balanced, comforted and immunised this winter.

Oh and I thought I’ll compile a few other recipes, that were a big hit during last frosty season and share with you below. You’ll be happy to know that no dehydrator is required for any of them.

There are also some epic recipes, that have been featured on the blog recently but not yet in my newsletters. Keep scrolling for the round-up from our four most recent Masters of the Month…

CREAMY RAW FOOD MASH

1 head of cauliflower, chopped

1 cup cashews, soaked
¾ cup warm water
¼ cup olive oil
4 tbsp nutritional yeast
3 tbsp manuka honey
2 tbsp lemon juice
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp paprika
salt and pepper to taste

-First blend the cashews and water to make a creamy paste.
-Add the remaining ingredients to the blender and blend until smooth.
-Serve as a side dish or with ‘Never Miss Meat’ Stroganov recipe (pg. 48 of Nourished) or Mushroom Jus (pg.16 of Festive).

APPLE & CINNAMON CHIA PUDDING

2 cups nut milk
1-2 apples, peeled and deseeded
3 pitted dates
2 tbsp chia seeds
½ -1 tsp cinnamon
Optional sprinkles: bee pollen, raw honey, goji berries, chopped fruit, fresh berries, cacao nibs, figs, etc.

For instructions, go to the original post here>>  

GINGER HEATERS

10 inch ginger root

2 apples

small bunch of mint leaves

For instructions, go to the original post here>>  

BUTTERNUT SQUASH SOUP

3 cups butternut squash/ pumpkin
1 cup pure water
1 golden sweet apple
juice of 1 lemon
2 Tbsp tahini
1/2 inch ginger root
1/2 red chilli, deseeded
2 garlic cloves
1 Tbsp fresh thyme
1 tsp turmeric
1/2 tsp salt pinch pepper
optional: fresh thyme, pumpkin cubes and seeds to garnish

For instructions, go to the original post here>>  

NATIVE SUPERFOODS' PROTEIN BALLS

1/2 cup almonds

1 cup walnuts

1 tbsp cacao nibs

10 pitted medjool dates

3 tbsp almond butter

2 tbsp virgin coconut oil1 teaspoon vanilla paste or vanilla powder

2 tsp spirulina powder

1 – 2 tsp water

1/2 cup shredded coconut to coat

For instructions, go to the original post here>>

FOOD MATTERS' SKIN BEAUTY SALAD

2 handfuls of young rocket
2 handfuls of baby spinach
1 carrot 2 radishes
2 small cucumbers
1 small red onion
3 limes, juiced
1 avocado
1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 pinch cayenne pepper
1 tsp raw honey
1 handful fresh herbs
¼ tsp sea salt

 For instructions, go to the original post here>>

TARA STILES' GREEN DREAM SMOOTHIE

1 handful of spinach

1 banana

1 cup of almond milk

For instructions, go to the original post here>>

DELICIOUSLY ELLA'S GLUTEN FREE ENERGY BALLS

1 cup medjool dates
3/4 cup almonds
3/4 cup walnuts or any other nut
2 Tbsp chia seeds
2 Tbsp ground flax seed
1 Tbsp coconut oil
1 Tbsp hemp protein powder
1 Tbsp raw cacao powder
For instructions, go to the original post here>>

I’ve come to a conclusion that if you live in New York, you are automatically cool. Marie Forleo lives in NYC. Gabrielle Bernstein lives there. Sex and the City ladies. My own sister! And the NYC girl I was lucky enough to meet recently definitely confirms my assumption.

Tara Stiles is the founder and owner of Strala, the movement system that ignites freedom. Strala is the first branded yoga program to be available at major gym chains and thousands are teaching it. She partners with W Hotels and guests staying there get to learn yoga and and healthy recipes from this gorgeous, inspiration and cool expert.

Tara is the author of top-selling books, including Slim Calm Sexy Yoga, Yoga Cures and the most recent, Make Your Own Rules Diet. She is a Reebok ambassador and supports The Alliance for a Healthier Generation, President Clinton’s initiative to combat childhood obesity, bringing Strala classes to 20,000+ participating schools.

Meet our December’s Master of the Month…

DESCRIBE YOUR TYPICAL DAY OF EATING AND DRINKING.

It super depends on where in the world I am and what the day ahead is looking like. Today I’m in Maldives leading an event at W. Schedule was filled with yoga, scuba and swimming. I needed some good fuel so I had a pretty hearty breakfast of juice, fruit, and a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and a scrambled egg. Had some snacks of nuts and fruit during the day, and lets be honest, and ice cream sandwich! Lunch was a light salad and dinner was a big plate of veggies and some spicy south east asian tapas with coconut sorbet. If I’m in NYC and regular schedule with Strala and office hours, I eat a bit lighter in the morning, a smoothie and have a big salad or veggie sandwich for lunch and a nourishing dinner like quinoa and veggies or a hearty soup and bread. Dessert always, something fresh and delicious like almond butter fudge or sorbet.

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

For me, energy is everything. I eat well so I can feel fantastic and do all the things I want to do every day. It’s all about feeling for me.

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

Pizza and ice cream. I enjoy both a ton but avoid getting into a habit of having it often. That way it becomes a treat and doesn’t make me feel sick the morning after.

MY TOP TIP FOR:

Improving your diet is… getting your body moving and paying attention to how you feel.

Staying healthy while travelling is… making healthy choices but still enjoying yourself.

Detoxing is… unplugging from self induced stress.

Immunising is… self care.

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

I love the way you make me feel.

HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE REMEMBERED?

Generous and kind.

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?

Vitamix.
Lime tree.
Siddhartha.

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

Mom and both grandmas. All their recipes. Grandma’s veggie soup, potato salad, and a billion country sides.

WHY DO YOU BELIEVE THAT LIFE IS BETTER RAW?

Sensitization to how we feel and being in touch with our intuition happens when we are clear physically and mentally. Eating mostly plants aligns us with the natural state that we are. Eating away from nature is unnatural and is a cause of a lot of stress and tension in the body and mind.

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

GREEN DREAM
Serves 1

1 handful of spinach
1 banana
1 cup of almond milk
blend
enjoy!

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For Tara's most recent book 'Make your own rules diet', buy it on Amazon.com or Amazon.co.uk . For more on Tara Stiles, her coolness, class schedule and recipes, go to http://tarastiles.com/

It’s no secret that Ella Woodward, aka Deliciously Ella is one of the leaders of the new generation wellness warriors. The success of her recipe App has spread globally like wild fire, her blog is read by celebrities, her first book isn’t out till next March, but pre-orders are going nuts, she has 220K fans on Instagram (220 THOUSAND!), she’s in every top UK media publication and did I mention that Ella is drop dead gorgeous? Probably didn’t even need to mention that part, but I met her for the first time over lunch at Tanya’s Cafe, no make-up, casual gear, she was effortlessly stunning in every way.

Meet our October’s Master of the Month…

DESCRIBE YOUR TYPICAL DAY OF EATING AND DRINKING.

What I eat in a day changes all the time depending on what I’m doing but for breakfast I love porridge as its so cold at the moment! Recently I’ve been having a hot bowl of porridge with almond milk, sliced banana, fresh berries and almond butter – it’s so delicious! In the summer when it’s warmer I like having smoothies for breakfast though.

I find that lunch varies so much, I’m writing my second cookbook at the moment, which means I’m always recipe testing so lunch is nearly always different. If I’m not trying something new though I’ll have something like a quinoa bowl with mixed veggies or a marinated kale salad with avocado, homemade hummus and seeds.

For dinner I nearly always have something warm, I love warm dinners. At the moment I’m really into veggie curries and stews. I made an aubergine coconut thai curry last week, which im pretty obsessed with. I also love brown rice pasta with homemade pesto and sautéed green veggies.

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

I find that feeling awesome is the most inspiring thing to stay healthy! I love waking up every morning feeling energized, positive and happy and that feeling is too amazing to want to compromise on!

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

I love having a positive relationship with food and don’t feel that there’s an area of the way I eat to feel is a weakness. I love dessert but it’s all made of awesome ingredients so I feel great enjoying it!

MY TOP TIP FOR:

Improving your diet is… eat more veggies and enjoy your food, it’s so important!

Staying healthy while travelling is… being prepared, I always travel with a mini travel blender so that I can make smoothies. Plus I bring snacks like trail mix and raw energy bites with me so that I always have something to eat.

Detoxing is… not something I totally believe it, I think life is about balance and we should aim to nurture our bodies everyday.

Immunising is… taking care of your self – sleeping well, exercising, meditating and eating nourishing food.

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

That I changed their life, it’s a pretty crazy thing to hear but its so humbling and inspiring to know that you’re truly helping people.

HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE REMEMBERED?

As a happy and positive influence in the people I love’s life.

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?

From my kitchen I would take my kitchen shelves, they’re made of such beautiful wood and they’re filled with amazing glass jars that I’ve been collecting for years. I sadly don’t have a garden so I wouldn’t take anything from there, but from my house I’d take my photo albums as they’re full of awesome memories. Finally from my bookshelves I’d take the first copy of my book as it’s something that 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?

I’d invite Kris Carr as she inspired me to change my diet and eat plant based goodness; Jo Tastula, as she’s my favourite yoga teacher, I’ve been doing her online classes for years and they’ve inspired me so much and finally I would invite Gabrielle Bernstein, I love her books on self love so much and would love to meet her. I’d probably serve my aubergine thai curry since I’m so obsessed with it at the moment, plus a marinated kale salad with sweet potatos and some chili beetroot brownies with a coconut glaze!

WHY DO YOU BELIEVE THAT LIFE IS BETTER RAW?

I love mixing raw food and cooked food. There’s so much goodness in raw food so I try to include it in every meal, often I eat fresh berries and bananas in my morning porridge. slices of avocado in my lunch and a kale salad with my dinner – so there’s some raw in everything! I find this gives me amazing energy as it’s such an influx of vitamins and minerals.

1 cup of medjool dates
3/4 of a cup of almonds
3/4 of a cup of walnuts or any other nut
2 tablespoons of chia seeds
2 tablespoons of ground flax seed
1 tablespoon of coconut oil
1 tablespoon of hemp protein powder
1 tablespoon of raw cacao powder

-Start by placing the almonds, walnuts, ground flax seed and chia seeds in your food processor. Blend for 1 minute, until the a flour forms and the nuts have crumbled.

-Then add the remaining ingredients, pitting the dates before adding those. Blend for another minute until a stick dough forms.

-Use your hands to roll the mixture into little balls, place in a bowl and store in the fridge.

-Bite and enjoy! Just try not to eat them all at once!

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For more on Ella Woodward, visit www.DeliciouslyElla.com

To pre-order Deliciously Ella cookbook, go to Amazon for US orders here>> and for UK orders here>>

If you grew up in NZ, you probably remember a kiddie show called Sticky TV. Even if you were a teenager, you can’t deny watching it after school, because the hosts were also teenagers and not just your standard kind, they were pretty cool, fun and not to mention good looking. Fifteen years later and I bump into one of them at an event organised by the New Zealand Business Women’s Network. Anna Hart doesn’t look like she’s aged a day and as soon as I learn about her clean diet and her raw protein bar product range, it becomes clear why.

Meet our August Master of the Month…

DESCRIBE YOUR TYPICAL DAY OF EATING AND DRINKING.

Varies a lot in our household, and Tim eats A LOT. We order a mixed box of meat from Athleat.co.uk, who source organic, free-range, grass-fed and wild game from British farmers. Whatever is on the menu has to be easy and quick to prep and cook because we both tend to work late, and is always accompanied by loads of greens – broccoli, beans, spinach and kale are favourites.

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

My partner, Tim Blakey is a huge source of inspiration and encouragement. As a Physiotherapist, Trainer and Nutritionist eating healthy is really important to him too. He’s also a walking encyclopaedia and my number one go-to if I have ANY health related questions!

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

My biggest weakness with food is that I’m a creature of habit, so if I find something that I love – whether it’s an ingredient or recipe – I’ll tend to make it over and over again! Since cutting out gluten and processed sugars I’ve definitely found that my repertoire has expanded. As they say, ‘necessity is the mother of invention’!

MY TOP TIP FOR:

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

Every time I catch up with my girlfriends back in New Zealand and there’s so much mutual love, and rallies of long-distance adoration down the line that I positively bounce off the phone. Besties always say the nicest things. 

HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE REMEMBERED?

With a smile.

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?

The food processor from the kitchen, the herb planter from the window (we live in London darling, what garden?!) and my Stephanie Alexander Bible. Literally, name any ingredient and it’s in there, along with ways to prep it and enjoy it.

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

Ooo, that’s a tricky one. Fortunately I have had a chance to think about it as my lovely friend Tanya Ellison, of The Wellness Hub, asked me the same thing recently! I would definitely have another meal with my Nan. She passed away when I was in my early teens so I never got to really cook for her. I would love to make her my paleo take on scotch eggs, followed by a goats feta, rocket and pear salad, and I’d ask her to tell me more about growing up in London during WW2, and invite my brother and mum along too. We always had a good laugh with Nan, she was such a cheeky character.

WHY DO YOU BELIEVE THAT LIFE IS BETTER RAW?

 After being introduced to ‘the caveman diet’, I was in no doubt that Mother Nature provided the best, kick-ass, nutrient-dense food needed to grow warriors with healthy bodies, hearts and minds.