IPG Weekly Roundup: 14/9/14

Hey all! Another week has gone by, and that means another Weekly Roundup! 

It has been another very busy week here in IPG HQ! Lots to do and I am grateful to be keeping busy.

I was busy marketing my new clinic locations in Naas Co Kildare and Ashford Wicklow. I am looking forward to taking clients this week in Naas and starting to help people get healthier through food. Nutritional therapy can be useful in a range of conditions such as thyroid issues, diabetes, PCOS, fertility, digestive complaints, energy fluctuations, weight loss and lots more. If you are interesting in booking a nutrition consultation in either of my clinics, please email me on theirishpaleo@gmail.com I am really excited about getting started! 

I also met with Niamh of The Ivy Cookery School in Rathdangan Co Kildare to speak about a Paleo cookery evening we plan to run next month. I am SO excited about it and Niamh's cookery school is really beautiful! The evening will be held on 2nd October and will include an hour long nutrition seminar presented by myself. This will then be followed by a Paleo themed food demonstration and tasting. Niamh aims to cook up some delicious dishes for you all to sample including an easy family favourite recipe and a more elaborate dinner party dish to wow your guests with as well as lots of other ideas. It will be a great evening and will be a chance for like minded people to get together around good food. The cost for the evening will be €40. Don't miss out! Places are limited. Email me on theirishpaleo@gmail.com to secure your place. 

I had my weekly meeting with the participants of Resurrection 8 Crossfit box in Celbridge at the weekend. They are all doing fantastic with great results coming from them all. They are a great bunch and have been really enthusiastic so far. Keep up the good work guys! 

Wholesome Wednesdays

I also got busy in the kitchen this week and cooked a new recipe for you all for Wholesome Wednesdays. The recipe, which was for Carrot & Ginger muffins was delicious and nourishing and my family really enjoyed them. Try them for yourself! They are a really nice breakfast option or lunch box filler and are full of anti-inflammatory ginger and other yummy ingredients. 

Try the recipe here. 

Nutrition News

In other news I came across this great piece detailing the historical demise of saturated fat in nutritional science and why we should not be afraid of fat. Worth a look. Read it here

I have a really busy week ahead which is great. Until next week Paleo peeps! 

Keep It Paleo

Wholesome Wednesdays: Carrot and Ginger Muffins

For this weeks Wholesome Wednesday recipe, I decided to put up a more sweet dish. I dont bake much, even Paleo foods, because I dont have a sweet tooth and because I prefer to have baked foods as a treat food. 

These muffins are made from ground almonds which I tend to avoid using too much. This is because I think ground almonds can be too easy to overeat (how many almonds does it take to make 1 cup of ground almonds?!) and also because of the high omega 6 content which is pro-inflammatory. But as a treat, I tried these. 

They are not too sweet and have a nice little hit of ginger which is nice and warming. Ideal as a treat with a cup of tea or as a quick portable breakfast idea, these are naturally gluten, dairy and refined sugar free.

Ingredients

200g ground almonds (2 cups)

1 tbsp baking powder

1/2 tsp sea salt

3/4 tsp ground mixed spice

1/2 tsp ground ginger

130g of grated carrot

1 tsp grated fresh ginger

1/2 cup coconut oil (melted)

3 eggs

1/2 cup honey

Add the dry ingredients in a bowl (almonds, baking powder, sea salt, spices) 

In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs and add in the honey and coconut oil 

Combine the carrot and ginger and add in the egg and oil mixture.

Combine these wet ingredients and the dry ingredients, mix well. 

Place in 12 muffin cases.

Bake at 180C for about 20-25 minutes until cooked through and a skewer comes out of the centre clean. 

The Importance Of Taking Time Out

Yesterday I posted on my facebook page about how important it is to take time out for ourselves. It really hit home for many of you, and I decided that it would be a good idea to do a blog post on it.

We live in a society where there it is almost considered socially acceptable to be stressed out and overworked. We almost boast about our level of busyness and sigh at the amount of work we have. The thought of taking time out for ourselves seems selfish or unnecessary and we are almost ashamed to admit that we might actually need time out.

I have been guilty of this in the past. I scoffed at people who had time for TV or baths - what is the point in wasting time on that when you could be working? Overworking myself - working full time, studying, being a mother and wife and also taking care of my home. I am not looking for praise here. I am pointing out the busy situation I was in, like many other people, and I was afraid to admit that I might actually need a break.

The past few months have been hectic for me. Finishing out my diploma, working, moving house, starting my own business and I have been guilty of working too hard and not taking time out.

Yesterday I decided to shut down my laptop, turn off my phone and leave the housework! Something clicked with me and I realised something - It is so important to take time out and look after yourself. Taking time out is not an indulgence, it is a necessity and it can be a great way to deal with stress and clear the brain when things have been a little hectic. It is important for your mental health.

Do not compete with friends and family over how busy you are. Rather rejoice in time out and boast about how much you enjoy your time to yourself. Life is short. It is important to work hard and be successful. But it is also important to be happy and spend time with family.

Give yourself some time out today. You may be a wife, mother, employee, entrepreneur or a work at home Mum but you cannot be good for anyone else if you don't look after YOU.