How we eat and nourish ourselves has a marked effect on how we react to the world around us. When we are at the whim of blood sugar highs and lows, we can tend to lurch towards fear-based stress responses more quickly. 

What we drink also has a profound effect on our nervous system and reactions. Our most important drink is water and dehydration can trigger anxiety.  This happens as hormones are unable to reach their destined locations because of poor blood flow. Water loss can cause muscles may tense up and our brains may experience weakness or changes as a result of water loss. Panic attacks can become more likely as dehydration is linked to some of the triggers; light-headedness, muscle fatigue and weakness, headaches, feeling faint and increased heart rate.  

In this blog we explore how best to hydrate and ways that can also provide extra help for soothing and calming the nervous system to quieten tendencies for overwhelm, fear, worry, anxiety and the...

Reducing too much reliance on grains in our diets can help us turn to alternatives that provide less potential for agitating inflammation and more brain soothing healthy fats, like coconut flour and almond butter. These muffins are a great snack or breakfast-on-the go option, where the protein and dense nutrition in the eggs and nuts works alongside the cinnamon for blood-sugar balancing.

As a sweet treat, they satisfy without setting off future cravings. There is no sugar added and if they don’t taste as sweet as you’re used to (or want!), bear with it – our taste buds change their expectations within a few days and this can also help us turn to less sweet foods as self-medication.

Serves 12

Prep time: 5-10 minutes

COOKING TIME 20-25 minutes

INGREDIENTS

4 medium bananas (adjust amount depending on size of bananas)
4 eggs
2 tbsp coconut oil
½ cup/125g almond butter
½ cup/65g coconut flour
1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
1 tsp baking powder
½ - 1 tsp...

Beetroot (beets if you are Stateside!) are a stalwart of liver support, as they contain the highest amount of a substance TMG (tri-methyl glycine) that is crucial for detoxification and other conversion processes that take place in the liver. The kick of horseradish belies the substances that it contains that help the liver heal and regenerate. It contains significant amounts of cancer-fighting compounds called glucosinolates, which increase the liver's ability to detoxify carcinogens; substances that prompt our production of cancer cells.

Having this dip to hand a few times a week can support all liver processes, including metabolism and blood sugar balance.

Cooking time: 1 hour (although you can opt to buy pre-cooked beetroot if you would like to make a quick dip)
Prep time: 10-15 minutes
(serves 4-6)

INGREDIENTS
4 beetroots (approx. 250g/8oz.)
10-15g/ ½ oz. fresh rosemary
50ml balsamic vinegar
1-2 tbsp. olive oil
½ tsp salt
2-3 tsp fresh grated horseradish (if unavailable...