Get the Glow (4 page)

• 
Dress your own salad:
Most salad dressings contain added sugar, so opt for no dressing but ask for some olive oil so you can dress your own.

• 
Think simple
: The best choices include fish of the day, a good roast, veggies or a fresh salad.

Restaurants tend to be very accommodating these days, so don’t be afraid to ask for alternatives. Aim to get your plate mainly consisting of a nice bit of delicious protein, healthy fats and some fresh veg.

Q&A

Q: Is soy milk OK?

A: No. Whatever you do, please ditch the soy milk. Often my clients smile with pride when they tell me they’ve switched to soy milk lattes, as we are constantly told that soy is good for us. The problem is that soy milk doesn’t resemble traditional soy found in Asian cultures in the slightest. There it is consumed in the form of miso, tempeh, natto and soy sauce, which have been fermented. This fermentation process breaks down the phytic acid – but soy milk contains copious amount of this acid. Phytic acid is present in the outer portion of all seeds, and blocks the absorption of essential minerals such as calcium, magnesium, iron and zinc in particular – meaning all your good work in getting these minerals into your system is being undone! So switch to organic milk, rice milk, oat milk, nut milk or make my Almond Milk (see
here
) or Coconut Milk (see
here
) instead.

Q: I have the biggest energy slump at 4pm – how can I combat this?

A: Quitting sugar and introducing fat is going to help to stabilise your blood sugar levels. So it should help you to get of that rollercoaster off highs and lows during the day. However, that 4pm slump can still kick in, so the trick is to have healthy snacks on hand – like an apple with nut butter, half an avocado, a handful of nuts or a green juice. It’s good to change your space when your energy is low: go for a walk, do a lap of the office, make yourself a herbal tea or grab a coconut water.

Q: I feel like I need something sweet after a meal, just to satisfy my taste buds. What do I do?

A: I know this feeling! I suggest you opt for something wholesome, like toasted coconut flakes, a handful of cinnamon-toasted nuts or some berries with coconut yoghurt. My lifesaver is peppermint and liquorice tea. Liquorice root not only tastes super-sweet – combating your cravings – it also feeds the adrenal glands, reducing stress.

Q: Am I intolerant to dairy?

A: The best way to know whether you are allergic or intolerant to something is to remove it from your diet for two weeks. See how you feel, then reintroduce it after two weeks. Your body will react if it’s intolerant, and if you feel OK then you are probably fine with it. Quite a lot of this is about using your intuition; you can best tell what your body likes and doesn’t. Week 4 of this programme is about healing the digestive system to help cure intolerances and beat that bloated feeling.

Q: I never have enough time to be healthy. How do you do it?

A: I’ve had clients who are the CEO of multinationals, and busy working mums without a moment to spare. I’ve seen it all. It’s all about preparation – use Sunday to plan ahead. Make my Smoky Roast Chicken with Sweet Potato Wedges (see
here
), Green Queen Quinoa Dish (see
here
) and Raw Chocolate Balls (see
here
) for the coming week ahead. Also, take a look at my Speedy Suppers section – this chapter was made for you.

EAT

clean,

THINK

clean

week three

Eating clean goes hand in hand with thinking clean.
Get the Glow
isn’t just for six weeks – it’s about the amazing person you will be for life.

self-love

We have talked a lot about food so far, but this week is all about how you think. I want you to fall back in love with yourself! To truly love every inch of you.

This may sound silly and a little esoteric, but hear me out . . . Every muscle in the body needs to be used daily to grow and function properly. This is the same with self-love. To really fall back in love with yourself you need to commit to being kind to yourself everyday. First I want you to write down all the negative things you say to yourself on a daily basis. We all do it . . . be honest.

I will help you out. I’m talking about thoughts like:

I am too fat. I look dreadful today. I hate my body. My skin is terrible.

Imagine if your best friend or loved one said this to you. Well, frankly, you wouldn’t want them to be part of your life. So why do you tell yourself these things? And of course, negative thoughts impact on other areas of life too.

I never have enough money. I am so unlucky in love. I hate my job.

The problem is, we focus our energy on negativity and pain, which isn’t good for us. The relationship you have with yourself is precious, so it is essential to start flexing your self-love muscle.

So let’s begin!

positive affirmations

Your first step is to use positive affirmations. Don’t roll your eyes – these do work!

A belief is something you say to yourself over and over; we can change the way we think by mastering our thoughts. So every morning, I want you to tell yourself
three positive things that you like about yourself. These can be related to your body, or your life circumstances.

If you don’t know where to start, how about reversing the negative thoughts you may have about yourself? Or try this affirmation:

I live, love and learn every day.

I like to say my positive affirmations in the shower before I start the day . . . along with a good sing-song.

Continue this exercise everyday, and just like brushing your teeth it will become an ingrained habit. Then sit back and watch your confidence sparkle. And remember that positive vibes create positive lives!

don’t compare . . . congratulate!

We are a nation obsessed with celebrities; we love to watch their highs, and especially their lows. It makes us feel less alone in our own flaws. But other people’s shortcomings don’t really make our lives any better.

Neither is lusting after what others have a good use of our time. Comparing yourself to friends – whether it’s their clothes, body shape, wealth or beauty – can make you feel inadequate, different and isolated. Instead, stop comparing yourself, and start loving your amazing body.

Try congratulating, rather than comparing. Give that person a compliment on their outfit, hair, skin or circumstances, even if it’s just in your head. This change will make you feel connected and happy, and will attract more praise your way.

In truth, the other person is looking right back at you comparing themselves to you, so why not break down those boundaries?

you are not alone

No one is perfect. I don’t always look at my body and think ‘yes!’ However, what has really changed for me is that I don’t dwell on it; I don’t pity myself or bathe in negativity.

So when you’re feeling negative and down, don’t reach for the ice cream or starve yourself. Promise me that you’ll do something positive instead – like go for a walk, have a delicious nutritious snack, call a friend or buy a new lipstick – spoil yourself with love, and focus on all that is good and positive in your life.

We are all on a journey, and writing this book is part of my journey; it’s part of my healing. Don’t wait to figure life out, just get on with living it.

be authentic

Unhappiness often comes from not feeling understood. If we are true to ourselves and behave and act as we really are, then we feel connected to our sense of self.

The problem is we often lie to ourselves, creating a false image to make others like us. Being authentic is the key to happiness.

be happy in the moment

We all put off happiness. You know the thoughts:
Once I lose weight, meet the guy, get the perfect job . . . I’ll be happy
.

But if we can’t be happy in this moment, with what we have right now, how on earth are we going to happy in the future?

I used to be a runner (sadly not the marathon kind); I used to run away from situations. Whenever something got tough, I would leave – I’d change job, change friends, even change country. I thought that I would find happiness somewhere else; that someone else would fix me, change me and make my life better. I soon realised that a state of peace and completeness could only come from within. It isn’t something we learn overnight, but practising clean thoughts will help you fall back in love with yourself.

I know I am getting a little hippy on you, but I’m just trying to teach you that your attitude is so important.

The following simple steps will help you create more happiness in your life.

• 
Affirm:
Repeat your positive affirmations every day.

• 
Help others
: Start spreading the love and feel it bounce back.

• 
Treat yourself:
Give yourself gifts; they can be tiny like a bubble bath, magazine or pedicure, or curl up with a book.

• 
Get social:
Surround yourself with people you love and who light you up.

• 
Talk it out:
Whatever you’re going through, don’t face it alone; talk to your friends or family.

• 
Nourish:
Feed your body with healthy food that you love.

• 
Get active:
Move your body every day to help produce serotonin, the happy hormone.

• 
Give gratitude
: Write down everything that is going well in your life, and reflect on all the wonders you have.

• 
Smile big
: It actually makes you feel happier.

• 
Think positive
: You can do it!

Q&A

Q: But I hate my body – how can I love it?

A: Like you learned to ride a bike, you will learn to love yourself. You will get up and fall off, but eventually you will get on and stay on. You may even become brave enough to take your hands off the handlebars! Just practise the steps above and trust that it will come.

Q: I feel like my healthy lifestyle is making me antisocial. My friends keep saying I’m boring; what do I do?

A: Living healthily doesn’t mean you can’t go out or spend time with your friends. It just means you may socialise in a few different ways – why not go to a yoga class, or go out for brunch instead of a boozy night out? If your friends aren’t being supportive of your life change, then perhaps it’s time to branch out and widen your circle of pals. I’ve made a lot of new, like-minded friends at fitness classes and wellness events.