Hot Chocolate

One of my favourite hot drinks is a hot chocolate. I have it most days without guilt as it’s free of any sweetener. Cosy, comforting, and warm. And I’m a sucker for raw cacao powder. Sometimes I think I eat my body weight in it.

Luckily raw cacao powder is the fourth most nutrient-dense food on the planet according to the Mat Lalonde scale of nutrient density – super high in phenols and anti oxidants. Yay! Because it is uplifting it is also a healthy swap for a coffee (without the jagged nervousness and heart-racing anxiety) and I personally have used it in this manner to circuit-break a coffee addiction as have many of the my health coaching clients. 

I make my hot chocolate in numerous ways depending on the amount of richness I crave. So instead of listing different ingredients I set out my recipe below in terms of a formula (much like my smoothie recipe) as that’s how my brain works:

---

Ingredients

—  Liquid base: 1 cup full fat milk, coconut milk, almond milk or boiling water (or combo of one or more). If I’m after something light I’ll go for boiling water, if I want something more substantial and satiating I’ll go for full fat milk. 

— Raw cacao powder: ½-1 tablespoon depending of taste.

— Optional protein booster: 1 tablespoon Collagen Hydrosolate and/or Gelatin Powder which you can purchase direct from GelPro Australia here or here respectively or from our retail store Broth Bar & Larder.  I discuss the virtues and differences between Collagen Hydrosolate and Gelatin Powder in my online bone broth workshop. The former provides additional osteo skeletal report and support for hair skin and nails, whereas the latter is more about gut healing and sealing. So if you need support in these areas, consider adding these in. Both products are tasteless and dissolve in hot liquid (collagen also dissolves in cold liquid but gelatin only dissolves in hot liquid). 

— Optional fat bomb: ½ - 1 tablespoon cream, Brain Octane, MCT oil, virgin coconut oil, grass fed butter, or 1 egg yolk, or 2 raw cacao butter buttons. Good to add a fat bomb in if your liquid base is simply water. These traditional fats makes your hot choccy more nourishing and satiating. 

— Optional flavour bomb: these add not only flavour but also therapeutic benefits:

• A drop of Young Living essential oils such as cinnamon bark (my fav!), orange, tangerine, citrus fresh, peppermint (very uplifting), cardamom, or Vanilla. To read why I exclusively use Young Living essential oils and how to purchase them please click here.

• 1/2-1 teaspoon of medicinal mushrooms. Reputable brands include Masons Mushrooms by Superfeast or Lilium Love

• A sprinkling of chilli flakes (with a drop of Young Living orange essential oil for a choc orange hot choc).

Directions

If making with boiling water, place everything (other than essential oils) in a blender and process until mixed. If making with milk, then place everything (other than essential oils) in a small saucepan and gently heat (do not boil!) and blend with stick blender. Add in any essential oil. Pour into a cup and dust with raw cacao powder if desired.

Sip slowly and enjoy!

thermomix version

If making with boiling water, place everything (other than essential oils) in a blender and process until mixed. If making with milk, then place everything (other than essential oils) in a small saucepan and gently heat (do not boil!) and blend with stick blender. If making with Thermomix, heat at 60-70 degrees, for a few minutes on speed 4.

Add in any essential oils at the end of heating. Pour into a cup and dust with raw cacao powder if desired.

Melbourne talk on Food is Medicine & The Fundamentals of Robust Nutrition

I am super excited to announce that I will be presenting a unique 3 hour presentation in Melbourne on Food is Medicine and The Fundamentals of Robust Nutrition, limited to 20 people on Saturday 4 August.  

In my renowned uncomplicated, no-nonsense, practical approach I will discuss the fundamentals of good nutrition and bust mainstream myths that have contributed to the epidemic of modern illness and degenerative disease. I am deeply passionate about educating people on how to reduce the mismatch we experience every single day between our ancient DNA and our dietary choices. By educating ourselves on what our DNA is designed to consume and experience, we can take simple steps to reduce the mismatch which causes illness and disease.

Health issues, pharmaceutical band-aids, and confusion and stress over what, when and how to eat might be considered “normal” in today’s society, however, this is not a natural state of being and you don’t have to settle to live that way.  

While health is multifactorial (and directly dependent upon factors such as movement, sleep, breath, stress management, spending time in nature, having some fun and play, and feeling connected to ourselves and to others), nourishing your body with the anti-inflammatory nutritionally-dense foods that we are designed to eat is, I believe, the fastest and easiest way of reclaiming and maintaining spectacular health and has the most profound impact. 

Even though the information I will present is source of general information only and not tailored to individual or specific health issues, what I have witnessed and experienced over the past 2 decades is that in the vast majority of cases consciously addressing the foundations of our health -  starting with simple, positive and meaningful dietary changes -  can seamlessly resolve specific health issues and can result in profound shifts in our health and wellbeing. Small changes can have a big impact that can make you function properly and perform your best to reach your true potential.  Without a solid foundation of health, you have nothing and will only ever be a fraction of what you can truly be.  

By the end of the presentation, my mission is to make you feel empowered that you have all the information, tools and resources you need to reclaim and maintain your and your family’s health and wellbeing so that you can be the best possible version of yourself and live the full and vibrant life that you so truly deserve. 

I am thrilled to also announce that I have secured Marieke Rodenstein, Australia’s preeminent wholefoods dietician based in Melbourne whom I have had the privilege of working closely with over the past 8 years, to attend this talk with me. Marieke will be available to answer your questions. Our collective forte is to combine the wisdom of ancestral diets with the latest developments in nutritional medicine and robust science, to provide you with all the tools and resources you need on your journey towards robust health and renewed vitality. Due to being in overwhelming demand across Australia, Marieke only takes on board a limited number of new patients who have been directly referred to her should you wish to work with her going forward after our presentation to address your specific health issues. 

What I Will Discuss:

I will explain in a group setting all the subject matter that I typically only discuss in my one-on-one 3 hour health coaching sessions charged for a fraction of the cost. I appreciate that not everyone can afford the financial investment of a one on one health coaching session with me, and due to numerous requests, this is precisely why I am rolling out group sessions and pleased that I can kick off my first group session in Melbourne where I lived for almost 10 years  - a city that ignited my love of food and all things culinary. 

I will be discussing:

• The 2 broad epigenetic factors that influence our health and well being
• A brief overview of the 8 Foundations of Health before homing in on nutrition and hydration
• The 3 distinct periods of evolution from a nutritional point of view
• Why the standard western diet has been a complete failure
• Why traditional societies pre industrial revolution lived in a state of perfect robust health
• My nutritional philosophy on what we as a species are designed to eat
• What are the most nutrient-dense wholefoods that we should be eating
• Where our food comes from (provenance) and how its been processed 
• Where to source wholefoods most affordably and the relevant due diligence questions to ask 
• Myth busting around saturated fat
• Macronutrient ratios and what your plate should look like
• How to properly prepare food super simply and efficiently while maximising its nutritional benefits and flavour
• The 3 main buckets of dietary toxins and why they wreak havoc on our health
• Safe sugars, safe grains, and safe fats
• How to transition from a conventional diet to nutrient-dense wholefoods diet with step by step healthy swaps. 

COST IS $140 PER PERSON AND INCLUDES:
 

Detailed nutritional theory discussion covering the same ground that you would receive in a one-on-one 3 hour private health coaching session with me that is valued at $450 (this is a massive saving of over $200).

• A 20 page folder with numerous fact sheets to take home that will set you up for life
• Wholefood tastings of our activated nuts, chicken liver pate, raw dark chocolate, tea infused with peppermint essential oil, and filtered water infused with lemon essential oil.
• Opportunity to ask questions of myself and of Marieke Rodenstein

THIS presentation IS IDEAL FOR:
 

• Those who are stressed and confused about what to eat, how much to eat, when to eat, macronutirent ratios, where to source wholefoods from most affordably (especially if you’re on a budget) and how to properly prepare their food.
• Those who suffer, or have family members who suffer, from health issues (such as low immunity, git issues such as gas, bloating or constipation, excess weight, under weight, skin conditions, lethargy, troubled sleep, absent /irregular periods, PMT, inability to conceive, recurrent colds and flues, excessive mucous, osteo-skeletal issues such as aches and pains, depression, low libido, brain fog, cavities).
• Those who want to reduce time in the kitchen and/or simplify meals without ever compromising nutrient-density.
• Those who deal with picky and fussy eaters.
• Those who are worried that their children are not thriving or functioning as best they could be.
• Those wanting to reduce or eliminate gluten, refined sugar and processed foods generally but don’t know where to start and don’t want to feel deprived of their favourite treats or deprive others in their home of their favorite foods.
• Those who want to know recommended practitioners in Melbourne that they can work with who are on exactly the same nutritional and lifestyle page (including GPs, Naturopaths, Dentists, Osteopaths and Building Biologists). 
• Those who are generally healthy, fit and food conscious but want to take their health and well-being to the next level by solidifying their nutritional knowledge and practical how-to skills

WHEn and where:

Saturday 4th August 9AM - 12PM

Please arrive by 8:45am at the very latest so that we can promptly kick off by 9am. I’m expecting a large turnout so please book in early as places are strictly limited as this is at a residential home. Please forward to any family and friends who might be interested. 

Where: 14 Huntingtower Road Armadale, Victoria, 3143

HEALTH COACHING TESTIMONIALS:

“Thank you so much for yesterday - you absolutely OVERDELIVERED & I am so grateful to have found someone who was able to meet me at my level of expertise and take me to the next level!”

— Abbie

“I LOVED our session and am so grateful for your knowledge and keeping things simple and congruent...just the reminder I needed and other key information to help me make changes”

— Shayne

“Soulla, you are incredible, thank you. Since I saw you last, I have confidence again, and so much passion for cooking. You have opened up my eyes and brought out my domestic goddess. It’s exactly the push I needed. What a difference a day with you made! My 1 year old daughter is glowing, her skin rash gone, she is thriving, most importantly her appetite has come back ten-fold, and she is really enjoying eating the meal-plan, as are we! She is having fist-fulls of organic bacon and egg cheese scramble and kraut and olive oil carrots. She also now loves her bolognaise since I have started adding bone broth to it every dinner meal. She has a little spoon of pate daily too, it’s so yummy. I’ve noticed she is no longer relying on formula milk too. She actually goes to bed just on a bit of a breast feed and she is happy with that - amazing. I’ve also noticed with myself, that the more bone-broth and salted water I have, the more it curbs my sugar cravings too. Love your work, just love you. Thank you for being so open and caring and sharing your knowledge and recipes. Can’t wait to try them out and use them to improve my family’s nourishment. Such a gift...”

— Dominika

TO SECURE YOUR SPOT YOU WILL NEED TO:

CLICK HERE AND FOLLOW THE STEPS TO CHECKOUT & PURCHASE YOUR SPOT!

I look forward to seeing you in Melbourne!

---

CANCELLATION POLICY: Once payment has been made, your place is non-refundable. If you can not make it due to last minute unforseen circumstances, feel free to gift your place to a friend and let me know. Thank you for your understanding.

Seven Oils of Manifestation

I am excited to announce that I will be collaborating with Bruce Scott (aka The Body Magician) on the 9th of August 2018 to run a Seven Oils of Manifestation workshop. 

Bruce Scott is a healer and massage master. He is also a highly accomplished martial artist, yoga teacher and qigong practitioner. His style of massage is deeply rooted in the traditional massage style of Japan- where he lived and studied for a number of years. Bruce has built a reputation of being a unique master in his field of body and energy work. I have been a client of Bruce for over 2 years and no one can transcend me into a parasympathetic state as quickly and deeply as Bruce.  He reads his clients like a book and has a gift to give people exactly what they need, when they need it. 

Like many intuitive body and energy workers that I see, Bruce uses in his body work sessions with his clients Young Living essential oils (both singles and blends), due to their unparalleled quality and highest vibrational frequency, to assist clients in effecting profound energy shifts.   

---

IN THIS WORKSHOP Bruce will cover
 

• The following 7 powerful blends of oils: Joy, Gratitude, Forgiveness, Clarity, Magnify Your Purpose, Believe & Release 
• The underlying neurological systems for cultivating positive mental and emotional states 
• How to use these 7 powerful oils to support being in a state that is positive for you more often, more deeply and for longer periods of time as well as a technique for developing your own intuition. 
• A practice or meditation for each of the 7 oils that will allow you to create new neural networks, strengthen positive existing neural networks, and dissolve networks that no longer serve.
• Why Young Living are our oils of first choice and what makes them the world leaders in the global essential oils movement. 

---

COST IS $50 PER PERSON AND INCLUDES:
 

• Hands-on practical experience 
• Theory discussion that supports the practice
• Opportunity to ask questions 
• Opportunity to smell, use, learn about, and purchase Young Living essential oils (anyone who purchases the Premium Starter Kit of 11 x 5ml oils and diffuser on the night for $270 (valued at over $530) will receive my comprehensive 30 page workshop booklet plus a Young Living lip balm)
• A small sample of one of the essential oils to take home
• Lemongrass oil infused tea
• Lemon oil infused filtered water
• Peppermint oil infused artisan raw dark maple-sweetened chocolate (made by yours truly) 
• Opportunity to meet new people and try out new things 

---

THIS WORKSHOP IS IDEAL FOR:
 

• Those who wish to deepen their understanding of essential oils and how to use them as a powerful tool to shift from one emotional or energy state to another
• Those who want to learn more about these 7 essential oil blends that they may have never used before
• Body or energy workers who are interested in learning how to integrate the oils into their practice for the benefit of their clients 
• Those who want to try new things, to feel more empowered, less stressed and more centred, and to meet new people!

---

WHEN AND WHERE:

When: 9 August 7PM - 9PM ISH (please arrive no later than 6:50pm to settle in so we can promptly kick off by 7pm)
Where: The Body Magician’s studio at 1/12 Daintry Cres, Randwick, (FREE STREET PARKING)

---

TO SECURE A SPOT:

CLICK HERE AND FOLLOW THE STEPS TO CHECKOUT & PURCHASE YOUR SPOT! PLACES ARE LIMITED TO 20 PEOPLE.

(please note the cancellation policy below)

---

CANCELLATION POLICY: Once payment has been made, it is strictly non-refundable. If you can not make it due to last minute unforseen circumstances, feel free to gift your place to a friend and let me know. Thank you for your understanding.