What’s In Season This Month
Artichoke, Beetroot, Savoy Cabbage, Carrots, Chicory, Cucumber, Leeks, Parsnip, Purple Sprouting Broccoli, Radishes, Sorrel, Spring Greens, Spring Onions, Watercress Cauliflower, Jersey Royal Potatoes, Spinach, Spring Greens, Early Asparagus, Arugula Rocket, Beans, Beets, Chives, Dandelion Greens, Fava Beans, Fiddlehead Fern, Horseradish, Leeks (end of season), Lettuce (leaf and head), Limes, Morel Mushrooms, Papayas, Peas, Ramps, Rhubarb, early Strawberries, Sweet Onions, Turnips, Kale, Salsify, Spring Onions, Wild Nettles, Carrots, Kale, Morel Mushrooms, end of season Parsnips, Rhubarb, Spring Greens, Radish, Sampire
Herbs: Basil , Chives, Sorrel, Mint, Wild Garlic, Lavender, Baby Nettles.
Fruit : Bananas (Windward) kiwi fruit, Grapefruit, Oranges, Passion Fruit, Rhubarb,
Sustainable Fish is produced in different parts of the UK depending on what is available: Avoid eating line caught fish- wild is best although not affordable for everyone. This is whats in season now across the UK for April . Sea Bream, Cornish Squid, Atlantic Cod, Hake, Whiting, Guarnard, Haddock, Cockles, Mussels, Oysters, Plaice, Prawns, Red Mullet, Salmon, Shrimp, Whitebait, Winkles, Dover sole, Dab, Lynthe or Pollack,Mackerel, Pilchards, Sardines, Scallops ,Sea Bass and Whelks
Full Moon 31st March- was in Libra- consider all options and contemplate before making any changes. Plans are best with reflective time.
Enjoy your month – Eat well and eat seasonally!
| Full Moon | March 31st 13:36P.M. EDT |
The Full Moon and its influence – 31st March – 1st April
The doubling beneficial effects of the Full Moon are the ideal time to undertake a DETOX. This is because the body can let go of toxins and the push phase of the full moon can be really helpful to this otherwise known as the time for the body to let go. I talked about the deep cleanse in last months newsletter and again with the full moon waxing it is the ideal time to take full advantage of the natural affects of the moon for detoxing. Letting go of old patterns are especially good at this time and you may find you can change behaviours and feel more encouraged and creative too.
The full moon is in Libra (31st March and 1st April 2018) and is particularly good for the bladder, kidneys and urether, which are the tubes between the bladder and the kidney. I advise you to drink more water between 3-5pm on these days as doing so will have a double affect on these organs. Try drinking warm nettle tea or simply warn water, which will help to remove toxins from the body through the kidneys and liver. Elimination of toxins will tonify the kidneys, liver, lymphatic system, colon and bowel. You might want to eat less on these days or try a liquid fast for the as this helps the cleansing process during the 2 or 3 days after the Full Moon and helps in the releasing of toxins through the lymph system. Dry brushing of he skin is also particularly helpful. Always brush towards the heart. Refer to my 10 Steps to a healthier you for further details for further tips .
The Liver is the great eliminator so this is a perfect time to have a detox plan created for eliminating toxins.
What are the benefits?
The benefits of any detox will show up quickly in your skin health, energy levels, digestion, weight management, libido and mood and can be helpful in preventing common diseases if undertaken with guidance from a qualified practitioner.
I advise anyone interested to have a personalised consultation to support a cellular cleanse. This can be carried out safely following your personalised consultation. Call me on 07976686592 if you want to book a consultation. Get in touch and talk to me about food that can help you undertake a detox.
Nourishing Families
Last month I talked about taking something up that you loved. I also asked you to consider eating different food and recording them and would love to hear how you all got on with this. I suggested this as it is known that the microbes in our guts need to be cultivated to help support and build a stronger autoimmune response which becomes particularly important when fighting viral infections and bacteria which no doubt lots of you have had over the last 2 months. I can now provide you with some broad understanding of why a balanced diet which has a broader range of food can help our defence in a couple of sentences. Simply put, we need to rotate the food we eat to grow healthy microbes and bacteria in our gut. There is also a very close relationship between what we eat and how we feel and their is a close relationship between our gut and out brain health. We are naturally exposed to so much by virtue of the way we move and come into to contact with others and if we eat seasonally our bodies defence can be better supported. Particularly if we buy locally produced foods that have not travelled half the globe to reach us. There are obvious benefits of eating food produced in the UK and food with less pesticides and herbicides. This helps us in building a natural defence and wards of unknown harmful pollutants used by other countries.
I recently discovered that Herbicide glyphosate (an active ingredient used in Roundup), that is sprayed on non-organic grain crops for desiccation, has been shown to affect the gut microbiome in female rats which showed up as an overgrowth of gram-negative (endotoxin-producing) bacterial strain at the expense of glyphosate-sensitive lactobacteria. Such effects on microbes is predicted to challenge the immune system’s response for inflammation and will in turn exacerbate allergies and asthma. Simply put this mean the are increased risks to autoimmunity and chances of inflammation responses in people eating non organic sprayed produce. See my blog posts on cleaning off pesticides. Go Away Pesticides !
Folic acid, is now routinely added to ‘enrich’ white flours, cornmeal, and rice products, and been discovered to have an inhibitory effect on the so-called NK (natural killer) cells, which are known as tumor-killing cells in the innate branch of our immune systems. Read your labels and get better informed about what the food industry is doing to the food we eat. Eat Organic wheat and rice products which includes shop brought breads if possible or take care to wash thoroughly all vegetables and fruits that are non organic.
Recipes this month- I am offering 2 recipes this month
Nettle and Spinach Pesto
Ingredients
2/3 colander full of freshly picked nettles
1/3 colander of Baby spinach
60g Pumpkin seeds or Pine nuts ( I use Pumpkin seed as these are omega 3 rich- soak for 4 hours so they release the oil)
45g of vegetarian hard cheese (grated) . I use hard cheese which is Vegetarian Society approved. If you’re not vegetarian then any hard cheese, such as parmesan or Vegetarian versions, see the vegetarian society fact page on cheeses https://www.vegsoc.org/cheese that can be used.
6 raw cloves of garlic
160 ml of olive oil
juice 1.5 lemons – limes
1/2 teaspoon of celtic salt or bullion
1/2 teaspoon of pepper
Optional: 1/4 teaspoon of roasted chilli flakes (more depending on your taste)
Instructions
Wash the nettles, and place in a large pot of hot water – leave for 3 mins without heating.
Remove the nettles after the 3 mins and strain -splash cold water over them and or pour over cold water – place in the bowl .
Toast pumpkin seeds in a dry pan (no oil) until golden brown.
Place nuts/seeds, cloves of garlic, grated cheese, celtic salt, pepper and lemon juice, pepper, bullion 1/2 tsp all into the food processor, and add cold pressed olive oil after 1 or 2 blitz. (add red chilli flakes if you want this to be a hot pesto!). Pulse again for approximately 2 mins or until you have a right consistency you like. If it looks grainy thats the right texture.
Add nettles and squeeze out the water, add Spinach and blitz in with other ingredients- 1-2 mins will do. Add to soups, toast on preferred bread type or your choice of pasta. I have mine on home made wholewheat ciabatta with tomato/garlic brushed on it and more cold pressed olive oil drizzled over. I usually make my own bread.
The FACTS
When cooked, nettles lose their sting and have a similar flavour to spinach. They are a good source of vitamin C, iron, and calcium and also provide a surprising amount of protein. They can be eaten raw, although its important to only eat baby nettles at this time of year.
Immune Booster
Nettles contain vital boosting properties for the immune system including autoimmunity vitamins A, C, E, and K. It contains minerals that help the body stay healthy. Vitamins A and C support the immune system directly. Boosting Women’s Health: Baby Nettles
More research is needed, but stinging nettle is also said to:
- Promotes lactation
- Stimulates hair growth
- Help control blood sugar in patients with diabetes
- Reduce bleeding connected to gingivitis
- Treat disorders of the kidneys and urinary tract
- Provide relief from water retention
- Reported to help treat diarrhoea
- Decrease Menstrual flow
- Provide asthma relief
- Heal wounds
- Treat hemorrhoids
- Stimulate contractions in pregnant women
- Treat insect bites
- Treat tendonitis and other inflammatory conditions
- Treat anaemia
Marinaded Masala Fish /Paneer wraps
Marinade for Fish or Paneer wraps
6 cloves garlic- finely chopped
1 juice of lemon-
3 inches of fresh coriander- finely chopped
1/2 a green kenyan chilli – finely chopped
1 inch fresh ginger grated
1 tsp of fennel seeds- pulsed fine , 1 tsp black nigella seeds,
3 tbsp cold pressed oil oil
Mix all ingredients together and marinade fish or paneer
Cut Salmon/paneer into chunks- 3 inch pieces and mix with marinade- leave mixture in the fridge all day.
When ready to eat- grill / flash fry or bake on 160 degrees C for 25 mins and eat accompanied with a Kidney bean dhal or salad.- This dish can be placed inside a tortilla or wholewheat roti- use fresh natural yoghurt when serving.
Salmon can be substituted with Paneer or Tofu.
Salmon FACTS
- Rich in Omega-3 Fatty Acids. …
- Great Source of Protein. …
- High in B Vitamins. …
- Good Source of Potassium. …
- Loaded With Selenium. …
- Contains the Antioxidant Astaxanthin. …
- May Reduce the Risk of Heart Disease. …
- May Benefit Weight Control if used as part of a nutrition programme and eaten as directed by practitioner.
Please share with people you think will enjoy and sign up to my monthly newsletter. Questions or comments are also welcome. Thanks for reading. Get in touch below if you are interested in having a consultation or nutrition plan created. Call me on 07976686592 (Randhiraj Bilan)
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