What happened in NOVEMBER

Yes, November is almost at an end and this is just a short newsletter to give you a quick low down of new developments in the world of Star Anise Organic Wholefoods.

---

1. NEW PRODUCTS 

A) Brothsicles are back for summer!

These no-guilt ice blocks have summer written all over them! Infused with our unsalted signature organic beef broth to boost their nutrient-density, they are free of all concentrated sweeteners, artificial ingredients and other nasties. Just pure clean goodness boosted with bone broth. When frozen, beef broth is completely tasteless, so don’t even mention to fusspots that we’ve snuck a little in for extra nourishing goodness (shh!). Your kids can now enjoy iceblocks that are good for them! (As can you!)

Our brothsicles come in 5 delicious flavours:

RAW CACAO | MANGO | RASPBERRY | KOMBUCHA | SHOT-PROOF COFFEE

All are dairy-free (other than the shot-proof coffee which is designed for adults). 

For list of ingredients for each flavour click here and scroll to bottom of page. 

Sold individually for $5.50 or bags of 5 for convenient freezer storage. 

Please note that Brothsicles cannot be delivered via our online store - they are eligible for pick up at the Broth Bar & Larder in Bronte only. 

I look forward to hearing what your favourite flavour is! And if you would like these all year round?!

---

B) Gut-loving gelatin gummies

The 3 ingredient raspberry gummies we included in our healthy Halloween trick or treat bags were such a hit that parents asked us to make them as a permanent addition to our product range….which is exactly what we have done. 

Made with organic raspberries, GelPro gelatin powder from pastured cows and the teeniest amount of maple syrup (less than 1/10 teaspoon per gummy), these yummy squishy no-guilt treats are my kids’ latest obsession.  

---

C) Chicken noodle and zoodle soups are now available pre-packaged. 

We have pre-packaged our signature dine-in and takeaway chicken NOODLE and chicken ZOODLE soups for you to be able to heat up in your home at your own convenience. 

Kids love chicken noodle soup! Big ones too! But there was no such soup on the market free of gluten and other nasties. So I decided to craft my own with angel-hair rice noodles and some sneaky veggies in our signature long slow cooked chicken bone broth with chicken meat off the bone. 

For those wishing to avoid grains entirely, I crafted the chicken zoodle soup using spiralised zucchini noodles. 

Heat up and eat as is or add some broth bombs to add your own flavour sensations e.g. make an Asian infusion by adding lemon juice, grated ginger, tamari, Red Boat fish sauce and chilli flakes. Or add turmeric and minced garlic for an anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting hit. 

Both soups are available in 500ml BPA-free plastic containers ($14.50) OR glass jars ($16.50).

---

Our products can be purchased in the following ways:

1. At our retail store Broth Bar & Larder in Bronte open 7 days 8am – 6pm

2. Via our online store. We deliver dry goods Australia wide and refrigerated items to Sydney and Wollongong. At this stage, only the Star Anise Organic Wholefoods products can be purchased on our online store and not third party products like lunchboxes, Red Boat sugar-free fish sauce, fermented cod liver oils, raw milk cheeses, wild Canadian salmon and tuna, GelPro gelatin and collagen powders, beef jerkey, olive oil etc. Also note that Brothsicles cannot be delivered - they are eligible for pick up at the Broth Bar & Larder in Bronte only.

3. By emailing orders@staraniseorganic.com and you can either collect from Broth Bar & Larder or we can ship to you as above. Feel free to add our third party products in your email order. 

4. At various stockists (note that not all stockists stock the entire range of our products. Best to call ahead to confirm if they have what you’re after). 

---

2. NEW STOCKISTS     

We welcome the following stockists to the Star Anise Organic Wholefoods family - 

Kingsmore meats: Kingsmore Meats (previously known as Kingsley Meats) are now re-stocking our activated nuts at their Rose Bay store at 22 Plumer Road.  We warmly welcome them back on board. 

Earth Walker & Co: Earth Walker & Co located at Coledale (north of Wollongong) are stocking our activated nuts. 

Little Kete: Little Kete makes and sells hampers filled with nourishing wholefoods including our activated nuts and muesli. Something to kept in mind for Christmas presents!

 
Oooobi: Ooooby is a fresh produce and organic food delivery service buying from artisan food producers. They will be supplying our artisan activated nuts from the end of November. 

For Good Health: For Good Health at 2/46 Morts Rd Mortdale are integrative pharmacists specialising in gut-health consulting (GAPS, SIBO, IBS, food sensitivity testing) and sell non-toxic natural products.

---

The full list of our stockists can be found here.

---

3. UPCOMING WORKSHOPS 

I have a couple more spaces left in my RETHINKING BREAKFAST WORKSHOP on 30 November. If you would like to book into please text me ASAP on 0407 871 884. 

This will be the last of my cooking workshops for this year. The cooking school will reopen with gusto after the school holidays end in 2017.

On the agenda for 2017 will be the following workshops:

gluten-free cakes and muffins
dips, sauces and dressings
kids in the kitchen
catering for a junk-free kids birthday party
casseroles
bone broths
essential oils – basics and advanced workshops

I have not set dates for the above. Simply keep abreast by subscribing to my newsletter and/or social media posts. 

If anyone is interested in being a helper at one of my workshops in the new year please contact me at info@staraniseorganic. The helper comes to the workshop for free, obtains all the leanings and the workshop booklet in return for assisting with greeting the arrival of clients and helping to clean up throughout and at the end of the workshop. It is a small way of giving back to the community especially for those who would love to attend one of my workshops but may not have the financial means to do so. I especially encourage this for students studying health and nutrition. 

---

4. WE ARE HIRING
 

Star Anise Organic Wholefoods is expanding under the pressure of increased demand for our products and we are seeking 1 more kitchen hand to join our ever growing and dynamic team at Broth Bar & Larder in Bronte working 5.30am- 2pm (ish) Monday to Friday (up to 38 hours a week). 

The work involves helping to strain and packaged our beautiful bone broth and produce and package our other organic artisan wholefood products from activated nuts, raw dark chocolate, fermented foods and drinks, power bars, bliss balls, broth-based soups, chicken liver pate, brothsicles, gummies and loads more. 

We are after someone who:

- works super fast/efficiently (this is key!!)
- is on the same nutritional page (traditional wholefoods)
- takes initiative (esp with washing up!)
- is clean/ hygienic
- is tidy/organised
- follows procedures/ instructions/ lists carefully
- is reliable
- can work under tight time frames/pressure
- has a sense of humour ☺

If you think you fit the bill, or know someone who does, contact creator / director Soulla Chamberlain on 0407871884. 

---

MY BLOG STARTED OVER 6 YEARS AGO AS A WAY OF EXPRESSING MY LOVE FOR REAL FOOD AND THINGS THAT MAKE ME TICK. I LOVE SHARING WHAT I KNOW. I HOPE YOU ENJOYED READING THIS NEWSLETTER. MY XMAS NEWSLETTER WILL BE OUT IN A COUPLE WEEKS!

UNTIL NEXT TIME, Kali Orexi (that’s Greek for good appetite!) SOULLA X 

This is not about deprivation! This is about healthy swaps!

One factor that might deter people from migrating to a more clean, holistic, 'low tox' (whatever you want to call it) lifestyle is the notion that they are "giving up" their favourite foods, drinks, perfumes, personal care products, household cleaners or other creature comforts. 

But since having been in this journey for 2 decades and intensively for the past decade these are my observations:

---

1. 'LOW TOX' = BETTER TASTE SENSATIONS

Image Credit: http://www.halfbakedharvest.com/

A more natural / 'low tox' version of just about everything exists in today's market. From food, drinks, perfumes, make up, household cleaners, linen, pillows and everything in between there is a whole world of 'low tox' living that is just as if not more enjoyable. You get all the benefits (e.g. taste sensations) without the chemical load. 

Most of my clients don't appreciate the hidden dangers in commercial products. Once they appreciate that alternatives exist, and know where to source them from affordably (which is exactly the information that I provide in my health coaching sessions) they are more than happy to "healthy swap it". 

Some easy "healthy swap" quick wins on the nutrition front are switching:

✔️ margarine to butter
✔️ grain fed animal products to grass fed
✔️ industrial seed oils to natural fats
✔️ refined sugars to natural low-fructose sweeteners
✔️ yeasted breads to sourdough breads
✔️ refined salt to unrefined salt
✔️ microwaving to stove-top cooking 

There's no feeling of deprivation here!

Just a feeling of increased taste sensation (as more nutrient-dense foods = more tasty food), increased satiety (as wholefoods and natural fats are more filling than refined foods) and increased health and vitality.  

I don't feel even slightly deprived. My kids don't feel deprived.

We eat like kings 3 meals a day. Bacon, eggs, fatty meat on the bone, game meat, organ meat, raw meat, stews, slow cooks, juicy steaks, buttery greens, full fat dairy, cured meats, smoked salmon and caviar. This is the very food of the Royal family! We have access to healthy treats and desserts whenever we want. The fluro blue icing cakes made with refined flour and refined sugar don't appeal in the slightest. I don't even view them as real food. We are not giving up anything - just all the toxins...The artificial flavours, colours, and preservatives, soy lecithins, refined sugars, milk powders, seed oils, trans fats and other processed crap. Sign me up baby! 

---

2. CLEAN LIVING = SIMPLE LIVING

Image Credit: http://lamignonette.tumblr.com/

Clean living means living more simply.

Reducing all the crap and clutter and distilling life down to what really matters. From 10 household cleaners I now have 1. From 17 different brands of moisturisers, I now use extra virgin olive oil. From 3 brands of milk I use 1. From umpteen brands of perfumes I use one brand of essential oils. From packaged foods containing a truckload of ingredients we choose products with a handful of  ingredients or better yet make our own. From numerous mediocre restaurants offering poor quality food, I choose a handful of quality ones. 

Life is more simple, less complicated. And our bodies are less taxed. That's a win win.

---

3. FOLLOW YOUR OWN PATH

Image Credit: http://www.brit.co/

Accept and be at peace with the fact that your choices might be a little unconventional and that's ok. If your friends stick their noses up at your choices, what's that really saying about them? Do what's right for you and your family. Put your and your family's health first. Instal the confidence in your children to make good choices in all aspects of their life- from their friends, food and drinks. Remind them that diversity is the spice of life. Not everyone will agree with you and that's ok. There's no judgement lauded upon those who follow a different path. They may change their path a million times in their life. I've bought and worn many Tshirts in my time (vegan, macrobiotic vegetarian, etc etc). Do what serves you best irrespective of what others think. So often we are afraid to step outside the well trodden path but that's where juicy adventures and treasure lies. 

My recent trick or treating experience with my kids last week was proof in point of the above 3 issues. It was the easiest Halloween I've experienced. With our healthy Halloween treat bags in tow, my kids enjoyed healthy treats whenever they wanted. No deprivation. We simply healthy swapped the crap with nutrient-dense, no guilt treats. We simplified life. Instead of 75 different sugar and crap laden junk on offer, I made 5 different treats.  No feeling ill. No sugar spikes and crashes. No preservative-induced temper tantrums. And we were happy to follow our own path. Well, to follow the existing path down Chesterfield Pde, with our own quirks. 

So that's it. Healthy swaps is the name of my game. 

How about you?? Have you "healthy swapped" many things in your and your family's life? How has it been received by your family and your friends? Do you still have a way to go? What's been hard and what's been easy? I'd love to hear from you!

Veggie-Packed Fried Rice (and why I prefer white rice over brown rice and why I like to eat my rice cold)

My kids LOVE fried rice. Although I try to limit grains as much as possible in favour of more nutrient-dense foods to fill their little bellies, we still do have grains occasionally IF they are properly prepared through soaking, sprouting or fermenting. This proper preparation process adhered to by all traditional societies the world over is important to remove anti-nutrients (such as phytates) found in all grains (as well as nuts, seeds and legumes) that can cause digestive havoc (such as trapping the nutrients found in grains, irritating the lining of the gut making it leaky, and destroying enzymes needed to digest out food). Proper preparation reduces phytates thus liberating the nutrients therein and making the grains more digestible and nutritious (as well as more delicious). 

Rice tends to be favoured as a grain of choice in the ancestral health community because it is doesn’t contain any gluten (the same can be said for buckwheat, amaranth, millet and quinoa). Gluten is another anti-nutrient but, unlike phytates, it is not removed through proper soaking preparation and thus stays in the grain. Gluten can be a difficult protein to digest and for some it can lead to non-celiac gluten sensitivity or in more extreme cases celiac disease which is a full blow auto-immune condition triggered by gluten. Strict proponents of the Paleo diet would say we should avoid gluten grains (wheat, rye, oats and barley) altogether because the risk of gluten causing a leaky gut is too great (and a leaky gut = digestive distress and is one step away from auto-immunity) . For those who do react after they consume gluten then this is sound advice. Life is too short to feel crappy after a meal. For those who do not notice any symptoms after eating gluten, whether or not you should eat it is a matter of great debate and often comes down to your lifestyle choices. You may (or may not) be influenced by whether or not you have the celiac gene which can be determined via a blood test  (and if you do, you might consider it too risky to tempt fate with gluten-containing grains). As a side note if you DO wish to avoid gluten in entirety, it might surprise you to know that grains are not the only place where gluten can be found- there are numerous hidden sources of gluten in non-food everyday household objects as set out in this article here. For those with leaky gut and autoimmunity then all grains (whether they contain gluten or not) are best avoided until the gut wall is fully healed. 

Ok, so back to our friend, rice. White rice contains much less phytates than brown rice because the outer husk has been removed. The outer husk is where most of the phytates are located, so brown rice contains much more phytates that white rice. For almost 10 years as a macrobiotic vegetarian, I was eating brown rice thinking it was healthier than white rice (anything brown must be healthier, right?!?) but as it turns out the opposite was true. Go figure. Even though white rice contains less phytates than brown rice I still do properly prepare it through soaking it overnight then straining and rinsing it to remove as much of the phytates as possible. You can think of white rice as glucose – a source of carbohydrates that (unlike fructose) is well absorbed by the body and taken up as fuel by our cells. Our bodies can handle glucose in moderate amounts. Obviously consumption of too much glucose (in any form) for your energy expenditure will lead to weight gain but in the context of a balanced diet (i.e. along with the consumption of protein and fats from natural sources and above ground veggies rich in phytonutrients) and an active lifestyle,  the occasional or even frequent consumption of white rice shouldn’t be anything to be worried about for those who do not suffer digestive issues. 

Hopefully the above background will explain why I soak rice in this recipe and why I choose white rice over brown rice. People often ask me which TYPE of white rice to buy – short grain, basmati etc. I don’t think the type of white rice really matters. I typically buy short grain white rice as it is the most versatile.  And the reason why I cook rice in bone broth (aka stock) instead of water is because it is a more nutrient-dense way of eating rice – all of the minerals and other goodness in the bone broth get absorbed into the rice, giving you more bang for your buck. Not to mention that it is a hell of a lot more tastier! Why I prefer to eat this meal as leftovers cold the next day is set out at the end.  

Ingredients:

1 cup white rice
2 cups (500ml) chicken bone broth (stock)
1 onion, diced
1 packet of bacon, diced
3 tablespoons natural fat of choice (eg butter, coconut oil, beef, tallow, ghee)
1 punnet (150g) mushrooms, sliced
1 cups frozen peas
1 cup of broccoli florets, finely chopped  
1 cup of cauliflower florets, finely chopped  
1 carrot, grated
1 teaspoon turmeric powder
5 cardamon pods, ground up in a spice/nut/coffee grinder
1 cinnamon quill
1 teaspoon unrefined salt

Directions:

Soak the rice from the day before in a bowl with plenty of filtered water. The following day strain the rice and place in a saucepan with 2 cups of chicken stock (or if no stock, use filtered water).

Cover and bring to boil, then gently simmer until all liquid has been absorbed. The rice should be cooked through and tender.  

In a large frying pan or wok, melt natural fat of choice (I like to use 50/50 butter and coconut oil for this recipe) and sauté the onions and bacon on low heat for a couple minutes.

Add turmeric powder, ground cardamom pods and 1 whole cinnamon quill. Sautee for 5 - 10 minutes or until onions become translucent and golden brown. 

Add mushrooms, peas, broccoli, cauliflower and carrot, and sauté until veggies are tender, stirring occasionally.  Season with salt.

Add cooked rice to the frying pan and combine well. Garnish with coriander leaves. 

For a more Asian infusion, omit the turmeric and season at the end with a drizzle of Red Boat fish sauce, tamari and lime juice, and a scattering of chilli flakes and a handful of activated cashews. 

Serves 6.

View fullsize

View fullsize

I purposely made the quantity of this recipe substantial so that there will be plenty of leftovers. Leftovers are terrific eaten the following day cold. Rice that has been cooked and cooled for 24 hours is a form of resistant starch. Resistant starch is one type of prebiotic i.e. food for the good bacteria already in our gut that keeps these little critters alive, healthy and kicking. Unlike cooked and heated rice, cooked and cooled white rice is not digested in the stomach or small intestine, reaching the colon (the large intestine) intact.  Thereby “resisting” digestion.  This explains why resistant starch does not result in spikes in either blood glucose or insulin, and why we do not obtain significant calories from resistant starch.  Once resistant starch reaches the large intestine, bacteria attach to and digest, or ferment, the starch.  This is when we receive the benefits of resistant starch. You can read more about resistant starch in one of my previous blog posts here.