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 feels like a whole lifetime has passed since I last wrote to you, but the irony of it is that there has been a passing of someone in my life.

The death of my young, sweet, brave and beautiful friend, Polly Noble, has affected me in more ways that I could've ever imagined...

From connecting with her in my meditation the day after and her guiding me to write this post, to resetting her passwords for the many groups and memberships, which we were both part of, to preparing raw foods in her own kitchen, with her own Superfoods, using her own recipes... for her own funeral, I spent the past two weeks in a blurry cloud of deep sadness and in total awe of her family's strength.
And what's the book, that's helping me through this weird and emotionally draining time?

It just so happens to be Polly's very own book 'The Cancer Journey- Positive steps to help yourself heal'. I really recommend it to anyone not only with a cancer diagnosis, but to their friends and relatives also- it's gentle, comforting, hopeful and full of interesting tips, healing techniques and delicious recipes.

She also left a little bit of a debt behind, so by purchasing this book, you'll be helping not only yourself, but also Polly's family to recover.

Here's the link again for the book, but the same goes for all of her shop items from juicers to crystals to the super awesome glass straws!

The day I learned about Polly's passing was the day I was gearing up to release my brand new website and show off what's been going on behind the scenes over the past couple of months. This didn't happen for obvious reasons, as all of my priorities shifted. I also no longer had the energy, nor the enthusiasm or any interest for that matter. And that's just not the right attitude for something which required as much love and energy as it did to produce. So I stepped away. Trusting that everything happens in its divine time, I will start making updates to my website slowly (rather than all at once) and the first stage is to share the gorgeous new eBook...  
'One Day Raw- A beginner's guide to living foods' is designed by my super clever friend, Nikki Alice and written for you, by me, in a way I wished was available to me, when I first got started with raw foods. 

I did my best to write it in the most concise fashion, because a beginner's guide should be far from overwhelming.

Depending on the equipment you have handy, I've included 2 x menu plans, one for a blender and the other for a juicer, a shopping list for each, plus some of my favourite snack ideas.

I've also included a menu planning guide, eight reasons why I choose raw food, what to do after your mini cleanse and in the last paragraph of 'About Tanya' page, I've revealed something coming to London, that no one even knows of ... except you now! 

I hope you find it valuable x

If you are already a subscriber to our emails, please check your inbox- this gift is there and waiting for you.

If you are new here, welcome and please subscribe via this link to receive your free copy :)

I do enjoy my daily vitamins in liquid form.

There’s just something about picking out your fresh ingredients and witnessing exactly what goes into your juice or smoothie, watching them blend into the most vibrant colours of life, taking in the sunny holiday scent as you open the lid and then slowly pouring this smooth creamy delight into your favourite glass jar.

That is one eventful moment right there! And all before you even get to taste your creation.

But tasting it is the real reward. I want so badly to sit down and share at least one drink with you, but until I open a cafe of my own, the best I can do is pick two of the most liked and shared smoothie pictures from Better Raw’s Facebook page of all time and give you the recipe…

GREEN JUICY SMOOTHIE

For the juice:
100g spinach
20g mint
10 inch turmeric root
2 inch ginger
1 large cucumber
2 Granny Smith apples
seeds of 1/2 pomegranate

For the smoothie:
3 cups juice (above)
1/2 pineapple, peeled and chopped
1/2 avocado flesh
1 banana, peeled and frozen

-Slice all the juicing ingredients into strips, thin enough to fit your juicer.
-Feed the ingredients through the chute of your juicer.
-Transfer the juice into your blender and add the smoothie ingredients.
-Blend and enjoy.

TANGY & PASSIONATE SMOOTHIE

1 + 1/2 cups orange juice (juice of about 4 oranges)
1/2 cup pure water
2 kiwifruits, peeled
1 ripe mango, peeled and de-stoned
1 banana, peeled and frozen
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
toppings: 2 passion fruit, 1 tsp cranberry powder

-Juice the oranges using a citrus press.
-Transfer all smoothie ingredients (apart from toppings) into your blender.
-Blend and pour into glasses.
-To serve, top with the inside pulp of passion fruit and sprinkling of cranberry powder.