A naturally derived sea salt, such as this brand Harker Herbals Celtic Sea Salt and Kelp . Natural sea salt delivers naturally occurring minerals and trace elements including selenium, potassium, iodine, calcium and magnesium. These beneficial trace elements help the body absorb nutrients from food and are required for healthy adrenal, immune and thyroid function. Harkers have added New Zealand Giant Kelp to our blend to ensure a good source of iodine (127mcg/gram of salt). Iodine is essential for healthy thyroid function. But isn't salt dangerous? Listen to this talk with Dr Zach Bush and decide for yourself.

Generally soak legumes for 1 -2 days. It is better to soak over night and then cook them up, freeze them if you aren't going to use them within 3 days. Once cooked keep in the fridge. You do need to pre cook your legumes before freezing.

Look for a stock that is organic and with the least ingredients, and does not contain additives like maltodextrin. Better yet here is a recipe to make your own vegetable stock or chicken stock.

Most Supermarkets now stock a lot of ingredients, and our main supermarkets have quite extensive health food aisles. Another great place is Asian food markets, you can buy in bulk and they are also stocking organic products. And then there are Health Food Stores where you can get certain products as well.

These vegetables are higher in simple carbohydrates and have high glycemic value so it may be best to consume in moderation. Potatoes Corn Other vegetables that may be disruptive are members of the nightshade family, these foods are completely healthy for most people, however if you are a person that struggles with certain digestive issues such as bloating and gas, food sensitivities, and allergies, Nightshade vegetables might be contributing. Warning signs such as joint pain, digestive issues, reddening of your skin or any type of inflammatory response. Nightshade vegetables include Potatoes Tomatoes Capsicum Eggplant Paprika Cayenne pepper If you feel unwell when eating vegetables, you may have issues with vegetables containing oxalates or salicylates, called Fodmaps. xxxxx

Arugula / Rocket Kale Asparagus Kohlrabi Bok Choy Leeks Broccoli / Broccolini Lettuce Brussel Sprouts Mushrooms Cabbage Onions Carrots Peppers / capsicum Cauliflower Pumpkin Celery Radishes Chives Sauerkraut Collard Greens Silverbeet /Swiss Chard Cucmbers Snow Peas Daikon Radish Spinach Dandelion greens Squash Eggplant Tomato Fennel Watercress Garlic Zucchini Green Beans

Probably not, we are all unique and depending on how healthy your diet is prior to starting the program you are being introduced to a variety of different flavours and textures. The initial 2 weeks of the program are designed to give your body a break from acid forming foods and to aid detoxification. Look at the meals in weeks one and two and if you really don't think you can stomach something swap it out for something you did like, as long as you are swapping a breakfast replacement with another breakfast choice, or lunch/dinner with the like you will be fine.

Cast iron, stainless steel or ceramic pots and pans are safer in that they don't have a chemical coating. Teflon and other non stick pans contain a chemical coating. Teflon cookware manufactured prior to 2013 contained a toxic compound called PFOA, after 2013 companies where forced to alter the manufacturing process to eliminate PFOA . So newer brands may be safer, over time as you use the cookware the coating may flake away.

Healthy fats include healthy oils such as unrefined olive oil ( olive oil has a low smoke point so it is best not to cook in olive oil - you can steam or saute your vegies in broth or water and sprinkle olive oil over when ready to eat). Other healthy fats include avocado oil, coconut oil, grass fed butter, avocados, nuts, seeds, salmon, olives.

Your liver is constantly detoxing. Foods that aide detoxification Garlic Leafy greens, including spinach, kale and chard Beets and carrots Green tea Olive oil Walnuts Tumeric Citrus fruits, lemons, limes and oranges Apples contains pectin , the fibre in apples cleanses the liver. Grapefruit Cruciferous vegetables, broccoli, cauliflower and brussel sprouts Berries Avocado Fish Radichio Raw nuts especially almonds and hazelnuts Artichokes Dandelion leaves Asparagus Watermelon

Organic spices are grown and processed without the use of synthetic pesticides, fertilisers, or any other harmful chemicals. On the other hand, most regular spices are often grown with the use of chemicals and pesticides, even heavy metals and dyes. Some spice blends may contain sugar, salt ,artificial flavours, colours, even fillers and additives , the later such as maltodextrin, starches or anti caking agents to improve texture or avoid clumping.

Water saute vegetables and protein. Add enough water to cover the bottom of the pan. Add your veggies and meat. Cover the pot to create a steaming effect. Make sure your don't burn all the water in the pan. For added flavour you could saute' in chicken or vegetable broth instead of just water. Use salt, pepper, herbs and spices to add flavour. Try new herbs and spices to keep things interesting, this also adds nutrient density. Don't be afraid to experiment. Cook extra at dinner time so you can eat for lunch the following day. Bulk cook rice, quinoa , buckwheat and freeze in portions. This is a very easy way to take out and prepare a quick meal. When you get your groceries for the week, pre wash, spin and chop/store in the fridge ready to just take out and cook when needed. This also saves a lot of waste.

As rice noodles are gluten free they can be a great alternative to regular noodles which are made with flour. They are very fast to prepare. You can purchase either thin vermicelli or thicker stick noodles. These are widely available now at most supermarkets.

Eat 120 - 150 gms of protein at per day. Protein Sources Beef Venison Rabbit Pork Chicken Turkey Seafood Vegetarian sources of protein Eggs Tempeh & Tofu Organic Soybeans Edamame beans Cottage cheese 6 oz cooked beans or lentils

* Yoghurt look for yoghurt with live and active cultures for best probiotic benefits * Kefir a fermented probiotic milk drink, * Sauerkraut, fermented cabbage rich in probiotics and vitamins, ensure that its unpasteurised, pasteurisation kills beneficial bacteria * Kimchi a Korean dish made from fermented veg, primarily cabbage with a variety of seasonings, rich in probiotics, often spicy in flavour * Miso - a Japanese seasoning made by fermenting soy beans and salt, and a fungus called Kogi, used in miso soup and other dishes * Tempeh a fermented soy product from Indonesia that’s a great source of probiotics and a good protein source for vegetarians and vegans * Pickles in brine, cucumbers fermented in a salt water brine, not vinegar are a great probiotic sources. Ensure they are naturally fermented. * Traditional butter milk, liquid left over after making butter. * Nado, a traditional Japanese food made from soy beans. * Kombucha a fermented tea drink. * Cheese, certain types of fermented cheese. * Lasi a traditional Indian drink

Tofu and Tempeh are soy based products and are great sources of protein. Tempeh is a fermented product. When purchasing these products always purchase organic. A lot of soy sold is produced overseas and has been genetically modified, genetically modified soy is also present in many processed foods. If you don't use all of the tofu or tempeh, keep in the fridge in an airtight container for 3 days, or put in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Walnuts are a great source of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), an omega-3 fatty acid that is important for reducing inflammation. In fact, it is the only nut significantly high in these omega-3 fatty acids.

Yes this can be common, even when you are drinking extra water and eating more vegetables. Think of your body like a house - if you don't take out the trash, things start to pile up and get smelly. Similarly, if your body can't properly cleanse, drain, and detoxify, it gets overwhelmed and you feel exhausted, headachy and sick. A regular ( at least once a day) bowel motion is basically like taking out the trash from your body. What does a healthy bowel motion look like? Bristol Stool chart Here are a few things that may help to regulate your bowels and ease discomfort. * Increase fibre, eat more greens. * Increase water, add a pinch of good quality sea salt. * Go for a walk. * Magnesium Citrate, this form of magnesium draws water into the bowel helping with evacuation, along with other amazing health benefits. * Try a Squatty potty, or toilet stool, ( even an upside down bucket will work here) our modern toilets aren't ideal for healthy bowels as everything flows better if your knees are sitting higher than your bottom * Try a Bowen treatment to relax your body.

Prepare and cook your food mindfully. There is such a thing as cooking with love. Eat in a setting where you feel relaxed, not distracted with devices or eating on the go. Sit down and take a few deep breaths before starting your meal. Express gratitude for all the people involved in growing and making your food, including yourself. Eat a range of colours, red, orange, yellow, green, brown, white, purple to ensure you get enough of the important nutrients that have health benefits. Eat in season, instead of buying foods that aren't normally grown locally and at a particular time of year. Eat what ever is in season. Eat with others, in a communal environment. If eating alone savour your food, chew it slowly. Eat a variety of flavours and textures - salty, sweet, bitter, savoury, crunchy. Chew thoroughly. The process of digestion beginsin the mouth where enzymes are secreted in saliva to break down food. If you inhale your food and do not properly chew your food you may be subject to indigestion and other digestive problems. Listen to your body. Recognise when you have had enough to eat. Waiting five minutes before getting seconds.

Look out for a filter system that filters out up to 99% of chemicals such as chlorine, heavy metals and fluoride. I have purchased portable water filters through, Waters . Do your own investigations, ideally getting a whole house filter system would be great as then your drinking, bathing, clothes washing and garden water is all as pure as you can get.

To start off with you may experience headaches * mild constipation * agitation * deprivation why can't I eat what others are eating? doubts * you may feel a little worse * have flu like symptoms However within a week or two of being on the program you should feel cleaner *clearer *more energised *less gassy *less stomach bloating *have better sleep *start to feel empowered with knowledge in control of your health

The Maca root is a sacred plant from the high mountains of Peru that is traditionally used as a natural remedy to bring balance, boost energy and combat stress and fatigue. Maca may benefit natural hormone balance, promoting both libido and sexual function in men and women and returning hormonal harmony during hormonal transitions in women (e.g. menopause or PMS). Maca is also an adaptogen that helps the body cope better with stressors and naturally returns balance to the nervous and endocrine systems. Seleno Health are a New Zealand company, some brands of raw Maca can be hard on the body to process and cause stomach ache, so they cook their Maca. They also have a wealth of information on their website Seleno Health

A lot of skin care products and makeups are toxic to the body. Did you know that your skin is the largest organ in your body. Anything you put on your skin goes straight into the body.

Most foods you can freeze for up to 3 months in air tight containers. Its a great idea to have sticky labels to put the name and date you froze on.

Chickpeas are one of the most nutritious of all the legumes, high in calcium, phosphorus and potassium. They are very high in iron, vitamin C and contain B complex. Like other pulses they are rich in essential fatty acids, however chickpeas are also high in omega-6 fatty acids which can be inflammatory so shouldn't be consumed in excess.

Intermittent fasting is a great way to give your body the break it needs to fully rest and digest. Eat lunch and dinner during an 8 hour window and fast for the remaining 16 hours. For example have something to eat mid morning at 10am and your dinner at 6pm, or 11am to 7pm.

Yes, this is actually recommended to do on your kitchen prep day so you are organised for the weeks meals. Pre soak quinoa for 6 hours or overnight, then rinse well and cook ready for the week. Quinoa will keep for 3-4 days in the fridge and it freezes really well for up to 6 months. Pre soak buckwheat overnight, then rinse well and cook ready for the week. Buckwheat will keep for 3-4 days in the fridge and it freezes really well for up to 3 months. Cooked rice will keep for 3-4 days in the fridge and it freezes really well for up to 6 months.

BPA free containers, even better opt for glass storage containers. Immersion blender or stick blender, very reasonably priced and so easy for blending soups or sauces. And homemade mayonaise. Slow cooker or pressure cooker - look for ceramic or stainless steel bowls. Mini grater or microplane, ideal for grating whole spices like nutmeg. Whole fresh ginger, lemon or lime zest.