Adapting

Hello Bright Bod!

The world happenings is starting to impact all of us. It might be time to reassess our weekly activities and how much we use our cars.

Could staying at home and growing your food garden be an activity you could enjoy instead of going elsewhere? It could keep you fit and healthy, reduce your food budget and may even help you connect more with your neighbours. Could you learn to ride a bike and get bike fit?

Scheduling in your self care is also important: meal planning healthy meals and snacks, stopping to eat for a mental time out and 'me' time, keeping phyeically active, getting an early night sleep, yoga, meditation, listening to music or even forest bathing.

If you are feeling times are tough please reach out and ask for help. There are plenty of community organisations, churches and charities who can help.

We would love for you to share how you are adapting in our Bright Bods Facebook group.

What's New

Celebrate Word Permaculture Day

Sunday May 3rd is World Permaculture Day. Permaculture (permanent culture) is a design pattern for creating systems that increase ecological health while providing for human needs. It is all about Earth care, People care and Fair share for all on our mother Earth.

Growing food in a sustainable way is a big part of permaculture and something I encourage you to keep giving a go.

I am fortunate enough to be on the committee to be organising the next Central Coast Edible Garden Trail in spring this year. The theme: Love Local! I am looking forward to helping more people to love, buy, connect with, and grow local food. Keep posted!

Dietitians Week

This year from May 11-19th is Dietitian's Week and we are celebrating our collective impact. Dietitians now work in a range of areas: research, hospitals, community health, aged care, rehabilitation, insurers, public health with health promotion, public policy, population health, corporate and food industry, pharmaco-nutrition and supplements, tech-enabled nutrition and workplace well-being.

However, with so much nutrition information out there more than ever, such high rates of chronic diseae in such a wealthy and intelegent country such as Australia, we still have a lot of work to do.

Please join me to celebrate and add to our collective impact by adding your voice to the Give Us An Add Break Campaign. This is just a small start to shape a better future for our eating culture and health for the next generation. Put the health and well-being of the ones you love before big business profits.

Clinic Appointments

I am now working fortnightly Tuesday mornings at Central Coast Family Psychology for nutrition consultation in addition to Thursdays. Central Coast Family Psychology have moved their Umina clinic to Woy Woy, just next to the Gnostic Corner and I look forward to working from there in the future for workshops and clinics.

Please call 02 4339 7497 or email admin@ccfamily.com.au to book your appointment.

For all other enquiries, including home visits or telehealth consultations, which I have limited availability for, you can contact me directly on 0413 77 44 11 or brightdiets@gmail.com.

Events

- Sunday 3rd May Gosford Block Party: Join me and Maria from Zumba MEU for Gosford Strip Block Party Zumba Dance session at 3.40pm on Manns Rd near Erina St. Come along to dance some Zumba Gold, Zumba Kids and regular Zumba including a Bright Spark favourite! To prep for Zumba Gold you can check out my online dances.

- 10am Saturday 2nd May Oyster Mushroom Making Workshop at Everything IncrEdible- A few tickets left. Buy here.

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

Mother's Day Gift Vouchers

Keep you and your mum fighting fit with our Mother's Day Gift Vouchers.

Our nutrition consultation gift vouchers are designed so you and your Mum can attend an initial assessment session and a first review consultation either together or seperately via Zoom.

Or keep your mum energised, happy, strong and living independently with our Zumba Gold gift vouchers for any amount of classes you desire. Available to purchase via The Bright Shop.

Grow It Know It

Native or Atherton Raspberry

Native Raspberries are super easy to grow as long as you have the space: 1mx1mx1m at least. Ideally they should be grown in a pot or somewhere where their roots are contained to prevent runners spreading. However, I tend to dig these up and give away or sell to spread the home grown love. They are a little thorny, less so then the common raspberry, but worth it!

Mine is fruiting a little early this year, as I usually get a winter harvest. I have had my native raspberry for a few years now and I generally get 1 cup of berries a day for at least 3 months.

It does really make me think about the price we put on food, as harvesting is time consuming, but mindful and rewarding. I might give it the occasional water if it is dry weather and the berries are small, then a good prune after fruiting. I don't mind putting in the time and effort because it gave me so much food. Then, I get a smaller Summer crop.

Native raspberries make a perfect snack especially when in the garden. They are high in vitamin C, vitamin A and fibre.

If you are interested in buying a native raspberry bush, get in touch and I can let you know when I have one availble to purchase for $15.

Bright Blogs

Time to get Super Savy with our Food Budget with my latest Bright Blog.

Recipe of the Month

Home-toasted Muesli

This is my favourite breakfast to make, fresh, just for myself, when I have a bit of time in the morning. Most store bought muesli have added sugar to make it crunchy, and dried fruit i.e. concentrated energy, also not good for dental hygeine. Plus there are other ingredients that I am not sure where they come from, how they make them or how long it has all been sitting around in the box. Plus with the price of food, this is super cheap compared to the store bought muesli.

Ingredients

1/2 cup per serve of rolled oats, you can use more if you need more energy for the day. Eg for 4 serves: 2 cups, 8 serves 4 cups.
1 Tablespoon per serve of mixed seeds: eg sunflower seeds, pepitas, linseeds, poppy seeds
1/4 cup per serve nuts of choice: cashews, almonds, walnuts, pecans- optional
A spray of mild olive oil to coat the pan

Method

Place a medium pan on medium heat and spray with a little oil.
Add the oats and stir with a wooden spoon or spatula until golden brown.
Add the seeds and /or nuts and stir.
Serve with 2-3 heaped dessert spoons of Greek, natural yoghurt or soy yoghurt, hear that sizzle! and top with fresh fruit. Delish!
Allow any leftover muesli to cool and store in an air tight container for up to 1 week.

For more healthy food ideas check out Bright Diets Facebook Album

Keep Shining!