Weight Loss for Women over 40

VEGAN VERSUS PLANT-BASED: WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE?
As more people than ever embrace a diet partially or entirely free from animal products, it is important to understand what the major differences are between a plant-based and vegan diet.
What is Veganism?
Although it is largely based on what one consumes, veganism is not just a type of diet. Someone who follows a vegan lifestyle believes it is wrong to consume or use any products which contain an animal product. Like vegetarians, vegans do not eat meat, but will also avoid dairy products and eggs.
Further to this, vegans won’t use honey, collagen, gelatine, wear leather, silk, fur, cashmere or wool and will avoid any products which are tested on animals.
It is an important distinction to make as many products that appear suitable for vegans may contain animal products.
There are some products that might surprise you, such as wine and beer, which don’t necessarily contain animal products, but due to the production method are deemed as not vegan. Did you know that fining agents used in the production of wine include blood and bone marrow, milk protein, egg albumen, fish oil, gelatine and isinglass. Isinglass is derived from fish swim bladders and is also used in the clarifying of some beers.
Outside of food and beverages there are some less obvious products such as candles, which can contain either beeswax or stearic acid which is usually produced from animal fat but can be made using coconut.
The above is by no means definitive but should clarify that being vegan is more than a dietary choice and serve as an insight into what it takes to lead the lifestyle.
What is meant by plant-based?
A plant-based diet is in essence the same as a vegan diet, but someone observing the former will not necessarily go out of their way to avoid other things which contain animal products.
Someone who eats a plant-based diet may still for example wear leather, use products containing beeswax and drink wine which has been produced using isinglass.
There are different reasons for following a plant-based diet besides following a vegan lifestyle, a major factor being for health reasons. Consuming a higher proportion of plants, including fruits and vegetables, and a very limited amount of animal products including meat, animal fats, eggs and dairy has been seen to contribute to a reduced risk of heart disease, stroke, cardiovascular disease, some cancers and premature death according to many studies.
Another reason is sustainability, as a plant-based diet has been determined as having a much smaller impact on the environment than a diet that includes a lot of meat or animal products. Generally, farming meat and dairy products has a higher volume of greenhouse gas emissions than crop farming, depending on the farming practices.
Why has plant-based cuisine become so popular?
Plant-based and vegan cuisines have exploded into the mainstream market in recent years. With more transparency around animal welfare and the environmental impact of farming practices, people are deciding to either cut out animal products all together or buying better quality meat and animal products but less often.
As a result, demand has grown for more quality vegan and vegetarian options on menus and in shops, and the industry has responded to this with innovative dishes in restaurants and products on shelves.

5️⃣ foods to help ward off the flu 🦠

It’s important to be conscious of what you’re putting in your body. Reduce your intake of processed foods and focus on whole foods like fruits and vegetables. These will give your body a needed boost of vitamins and minerals.”

Garlic and onions 🧅
These powerful foods are not only packed with strong flavors and smells, they have been shown to possess anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal benefits. Essentially, they have compounds such as alliin and other sulfur-containing molecules that help the body’s systems fight germs. They can reduce the length and severity of flu symptoms by increasing the activity of natural killer cells.

Citrus fruits 🍊
Fruits such as grapefruit, oranges or kiwis are filled to the brim with flu-fighting vitamin C. This vitamin may help shorten symptoms, boosting both blood circulation and immunity. If sweet fruits aren’t appealing, there are many other foods that can provide a dose of the antioxidant, including red bell peppers, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, butternut squash, sweet potatoes and tomatoes.

Mushrooms 🍄
As well as adding flavor to your salad, mushrooms have antiviral and immune boosting properties that can help your body ward off the flu virus. This is due to special structural sugars called beta-glucans which help to modulate the immune system. Other benefits include stress reduction and providing the body with anti-inflammatory properties and antioxidants. Optimize these benefits by having a variety of mushrooms in your diet — including maitake, white button and shiitake.

Ginger
This special little root contains the chemical sesquiterpenes, which specifically targets viruses found in the common cold and flu. Ginger has other benefits, including helping to suppress coughing and containing anti-inflammatory gingerols that can fight infection. It is also useful to calm the stomach and reduce nausea. It can be used in many things such as stir-fries, beverages, baked goods and marinades.

Selenium-rich foods
Brazil nuts contain your recommended daily value for the mineral selenium, which helps boost your immunity. The mineral increases your body’s production of cytokines which help fight the flu virus. Selenium can also be found in brown rice, sunflower seeds, oatmeal, lentils, spinach, cashews, bananas, milk and yogurt.

Remember to drink lots of water which will flush out harmful toxins from your immune system.

🍎“An apple a day, keeps the Doctor away”🍏

Ever wonder where the phrase comes from?

So what’s so wonderful about the apple that gives it its celebrity status?

🌟 5 WAYS APPLES KEEP YOU HEALTHY 🌟

1. It regulates your day 💩
- Chronic constipation can cause straining and lead to many gut conditions e.g. diverticular disease, haemorrhoids + even hiatal hernia
- Eaten with the skin can give you the fibre you need

2. Keep your body young 🧒🏽
- high antioxidant power slows ageing

3. Reduces risk of heart disease 🫀
- magnesium, potassium + the flavonoid quercetin
- Protects artery walls from damage and keep blood flowing smoothly
- Lowers cholesterol

4. Protects your joints 🦴
- rich in BORON
- Eat apples alongside peanut butter and raisins which are also rich in boron

5. Helps you breathe deeply 🫁
- The antioxidant, quercetin, increases protection of the lungs allowing you to breathe deeper

How will you get your apple a day into your daily diet? Post below with all your ideas and recipes!

📚 And for all you trivia buffs, the phrase itself originated in Wales in 1866 and was originally stated as: “Eat an apple on going to bed and you'll keep the doctor from earning his bread.” It was changed to the simpler version we all know in 1913. 🧠

Bone Broth Recipe

Summer has arrived early in Provence 36 degrees in the shade 🥵

Fabulous apéritifs - Living WILDFIT

I had the had the great pleasure of being enrolled in Lisa’s group for three weeks after I ended WildFit90 in May. I was a bit scared about being left with no support after the challenge.
Lisa Plutoni was always ready to answering questions. And we had contact live three times a week. Once in the kitchen, once with Garuda (a gentle way to move your body) and the third was a Zoom call.
I was in the group with some lovely ladies who also were a good support.
And all those delicious recipes that Lisa brought up, very inspiring. Wow 😮
Participating in this group gave me the last self consciousness I needed to go on living WildFit and trust myself to be able to find my own way.

~ with thanks to Mette Jensen for her testimonial

This is what our food pyramid should look like