Home cooking reset

Hello Bright Bod!

The cooler weather is upon us and for many it is a time to stay home, rest, catch up on sleep and reset before the busy spring period. Home cooking can be a marvelous way of being creative and grounding at this time.

Try a new recipe, have a scratch dinner or surprise chef meal, the challenge is to keep that balance of protein, carbs and veggies in the right proportion. Perhaps cook a large amount and freeze for a time poor day or week.

We would love hear and see how you have been creative in the kitchen, Go on, inspire us on our Bright Bods Facebook group.

What's New

Introducing Bright Webinars

I am excited to announce I have my Eat Like A Super Star webinar available to purchase via The Bright Shop. Check it out as well as my free Welcome To Bright Diets video.

Thank You

I love helping people of all ages and abilities feel happy, healthy and vibrant with the power of food. If you were happy with your consultations and wondered how to say 'Thank You', the best way is by sending a referral my way and mentioning me to your health care team!

I can help manage and prevent the progression of a range of health conditions such as heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, cancer, weight management, bowel conditions such as IBS, IBD, Coeliac Disease or reflux, food allergies, food intolerances, fussy eating, nutrition deficiencies, child nutrition, vegan or vegetarian.

I believe everyone deserves to get the best help to get the most out of life!

Clinic Appointments

I am now working fortnightly Tuesday mornings at Central Coast Family Psychology for nutrition consultation in addition to Thursdays. Please call 02 4339 7497 or email admin@ccfamily.com.au to book your appointment.

For all other enquiries, you can contact me directly on 0413 77 44 11 or brightdiets@gmail.com.

Events

- Eat Like An Eco-Warrior: Sustainable Eating Workshop: 2.30pm Saturday 27th June at Narara Ecovillage

- Build Your Edible and Sensory Garden Tour with seedd packet and seedling pot workshop - Tuesday 7th July 10am

- Zumba Party for MND fundraiser- All welcome

If you would like us to host a nutrition workshop at your workplace or community group on the Central Coast, please get in touch with Carin on 0413 774 411 or dietitians@brightdiets.com.au

Zumba Love

Due to family committments and smaller class number my Monday 5.30pm Zumba class will be stopped over the cooler months.

Regular classes are:

- Mondays 9am at Gosford 50 Plus Leisure and Learning Centre - school term only

- Fridays 11am at Narara Ecovillage

Zumba Gold is a low impact version of the fast paced regular Zumba dance class. We have people from their 20's to 80's, various abilities and genders come along and we would love to see you there too.

You can try before you come with free access code in the details:

https://www.zumba.com/p/Carin-Clegg/2756837

See you on the dancefloor!

Zumba Kids Coming Soon!

Zumba Kids is a space kids can:

express their personality
explore their creativity and imagination
learn respect, leadership and teamwork
build pride and self-esteme
improve their co-ordination and confidence

With no uniform or performance pressures we will travel the world, learn about different dances and cultures and have some fun dance games too.

Looking at Mondays at 11am at Gosford (Roundabout Circus) during school term and Narara Ecovillage during the holidays for ages 4-6 or a little older in the holiday classes. Class times and day could changes depending on interest. Contact me on 0413 77 44 11 or email brightdiets@gmail.com if interested. Please share the flier here.

Grow It Know It

Madagascar Beans

Madagascar beans are a perennial, monster of a climbing bean. They are super easy to grow, but perhaps not that easy to harness if you put them in a smaller than required spot. They need a big trellis!

They are very simmilar to white or canellini or lima beans, but they have a purplish dappled colour on the bean. Harvest when you can see the size is at least 1.5cm per bean and you can hold the pod up to the light to see the inner bean's shadow.

You can eat them raw, when white, and they have a great bity crunch to them, bit like eating a soft nut. Or, you can wait for them to dry out and harvest so you can soak and cook at a later time, such as traditionally in the winter when food is not as abundant.

Madagascar beans are a great source of protein and fibre, bit of iron, magnesium and folate.

If you are interested in buying some Madagascar seeds to grow your own, check out the Bright Shop and purchase a pack of 5 seeds for 5, just send me a message to brightdiets@gmail.com or 0413 77 44 11 include a Madagascar seed pack in the mix.

Bright Blogs

Learn how sleep and nutrition are inter-related with my latest Bright Blog.

Recipe of the Month

Garden Pasta

A garden pesto pasta is my go to when we have very little in the house. This was a surprise chef type recipe that I hope you enjoy!

Serves:4

Ingredients

250g pasta
1 onion
1 clove of garlic
1 cup bok choy
1.5 cup peas
2 cups Madagascar beans
1 cup green beans
1 shallott - finely sliced
1/2 cup olives
1 tablespoon Extra Virgin olive oil

Pesto

1 cup of roughly chopped herbs or greens: basil, parsley, chives, shallott, Okinawa spinach or any greens: silverbeet, warrigal greens, spinach, dandelion leaves, chickory leaves, chickweed.
100g pine nuts
pinch of salt
pepper to taste
1 Tb Extra Virgin olive oil

Method

Boil the pasta as per the packet instructions
Place a medium frying pan on medium heat and add 1 Tablespoon of oil.
Stir fry garlic and onion until fragrant.
Then add green beans and stir fry until just cooked and add the shallott, peas, Madagascar beans and greens and stir fry until soft.
Drain the pasta and add back to the pot.
Blend the ingredients for the pesto and add to the pot with the vegetables from the pan.
Mix well and serve.

For more healthy food ideas check out Bright Diets Facebook Album

Keep Shining!