Fragrant Fennel & Recipes
Walk through many home gardens across the Eastern Bay and you’ll spot silverbeet (chard ), lettuce, broccoli and maybe rhubarb. But fennel? That still feels a little exotic to many New Zealanders. Why is that? Partly because fennel has long been associated with...
The Good Dirt on Figs + Recipes
By Paula Sharp, Nutritional Therapist There’s something quietly luxurious about a ripe fig. Split one open and you’ll find a jewel-like centre, soft, fragrant, and naturally sweet. Figs are far more than a seasonal treat, they have a long history, impressive...
It’s All About Persimmons + Recipes
By Paula Sharp, Nutritional Therapist There’s something quietly luxurious about biting into a perfectly ripe persimmon. Sweet, smooth, and almost honeyed in flavour, it’s a fruit I’ve loved since I was a little girl. When we moved home from the UK, my children took...
The Calming Power of Lavender: 7 Evidence Based Ways to Use This Timeless Remedy
Lavender has been used for over 2,500 years—and now modern research is catching up.
From calming the nervous system and improving sleep to easing pain and supporting hormonal balance, this simple oil can be a powerful addition to your daily routine, when used correctly and sourced well. In this article, I break down 7 evidence-based benefits of lavender, how to use it safely, and why quality matters more than most people realize. If you’re looking for gentle, natural ways to support your body, this is a beautiful place to start.
Tomatoes: Summer Nutrition & Recipes
Juicy, vibrant and bursting with goodness, tomatoes are a true summer staple across Whakatāne and Ōpōtiki. Whether picked from your own garden, bought from a roadside stall or added to a shared family meal, tomatoes are one of those foods that quietly support health...
Recipe – Roasted Cauliflower (or Ghost Florets)
Roasted Cauliflower or Ghost Florets Ingredients: 1 whole cauliflower, cut into florets 2 tbsp coconut oil 1 tsp smoked paprika ½ tsp turmeric Salt & pepper Halloween Option: Greek yoghurt and black sesame or olives for “eyes” Method: Heat oven to 200°C. Melt oil...
Recipe – Simple Sauerkraut
Ingredients (for 1 x 1-litre jar) 1 medium cabbage (1–1.2 kg), green or savoy 1 Tbsp sea salt (15–18 g) — about 2% of cabbage weight Optional aromatics: 1 tsp caraway or dill seed, ½ grated carrot, or a little onion for depth Method 1. Shred & saltFinely slice the...
Recipe – Tahini Chocolate
A delicious way to indulge in a ‘sweeter’ dark chocolate. Add the flavours which make your tastebuds tingle. Ingredients 100g 70% (or over) dark chocolate 120g tahini 2 tablespoons maple syrup Optional extras – bee pollen, coconut, orange zest, sea or Himalayan salt,...
Recipe – Celery Brine Fermented Vegetables
An easy, quick and versatile pickling system. This is stored in the fridge once fermentation has happened. Delicious as a side, in sandwiches or with cheese. You’ll Need Clean glass jar (500ml–1L, depending on batch size) Fermentation weight or clean stone (optional,...
Recipe – Spring Avocado & Herb Smash
Recipe – Spring Avocado & Herb Smash
Recipe – Creamy broccoli and pumpkin soup
A perfect soup. So filling there’s no need for toast or dipping bread.
Recipe – Roast leeks and mustard vinaigrette
Recipe – Roast leeks and mustard vinaigrette
Potato, leek and coconut milk soup
Soup for your belly!
Recipe – Energy (Bliss) Balls
My family adore these energy balls. They are a bite size snack packed with quality protein and give a slow-release energy. My husband uses them for cycling while my son eats them between school and his sports clubs for an extra physical boost. In a food processor...
Hydration is KEY
Our bodies are made up of 70% fluid. The list of what these fluids are is extensive and ranges from blood and lymph to gastric juices, mucus, salvia and ear wax right through to menstrual blood, breast milk, sweat and tears. In order to keep these fluids flowing,...
Bo-Peep Pie (Vegetarian Shepherd’s Pie)
(NB: No Bo-Peep or Shepherd was harmed in the making of this dish) Serves 4 Ingredients 6 medium potatoes (cooked & mashed) 1 large diced onion 6 cubed carrots 300g sliced mushrooms 2 cups frozen peas 1 Tablespoon coconut oil 2 Tablespoons tomato paste 2...
Avo-Berry Smoothie Bowl
Why? Because you're hungry & seeking a bowl of comfort & colour. A part of you wants yoghurt, but that's too heavy & mucus forming. This is the smoothie bowl for you. In a Nutribullet or blender, whizz together the following. 1 banana 1/2 a large avocado 1...
Super Green Soup
I love a green soup. My body specifically loves a Super Green Soup. With the kids, green food means 'go', and always has done. It means energy, a happy tummy (gut), a great poo (in house, quite the talking point) and in a soup it's quickly 'in' (absorbed). Ingredients...
Smoothie – Blue Lagoon
This smoothie is for you if you’re feeling; busy, overwhelmed, your hormones are unstable (moody, impatient), hungry/not hungry.
Lover’s Cheesecake
Ingredients CRUST 1 cup packed pitted dates* 1 cup raw walnuts FILLING 1 1/2 cups raw cashews (quick-soaked*) 1 large lemon (juiced) 1/3 cup coconut oil (melted) 2/3 cup full-fat coconut milk 1/2 cup agave nectar or maple syrup or honey FLAVOUR ADD-INS optional 2 Tbsp...