I’ve been working as a nutritionist for the past 4 years, seeing clients all over the world one-on-one via Zoom and face-to-face, to help them with their nutrition goals. As well as this, I’ve been sharing delicious recipes, nutrition education and plenty of myth-busting on my Instagram!

WHAT ARE SOME DIETARY CONSIDERATIONS YOU ARE MINDFUL OF WITH RAISING A VEGAN TODDLER?

I guess with all diets it is super important that our children (and us adults!) are receiving adequate vitamins and minerals, such as iron, B12, calcium etc. There seems to be a misconception that all vegans should be supplementing iron but in reality there are so many yummy iron-dense foods such as lentils, tofu, chickpeas, nuts, seeds, quinoa, leafy green vegetables, dried fruit, oats and molasses. Iron is best absorbed alongside vitamin C so we ensure that Elijah eats lots of foods that are also high in vitamin c such as broccoli, strawberries, oranges, melon, sweet potato and mango. He eats plenty of foods that are fortified with B12 such as Weetbix and nutritional yeast, but to be on the safe side we also give him a spray of a sublingual B12 supplement once a week. From what I have read, even non-vegans should be supplementing with B12 as it is incredibly important for a healthy central nervous system.

HOW IMPORTANT FOR YOU IS IT TO CREATE HEALTHY HABITS FOR YOUR LITTLE ONE?

Ensuring Elijah has a healthy diet is extremely important to us. We make sure that his food is mostly organic, fresh and free from refined sugar and try to ensure that a substantial percentage of his daily food intake consists of fruit and vegetables. I truly believe that as a parent our main priority should be ensuring the health of our children (both physical and mental health) and providing Elijah with a diet rich in nutrients is how we have been achieving that.

WHAT TIPS/IDEAS WOULD YOU GIVE TO MUMS WITH FUSSY EATERS (VEGAN/NON-VEGAN) WHILST KEEPING IT NUTRITIOUS?

WHO ARE YOU INSPIRED BY AND WHY?

There are so many people that inspire me including my family and friends but in terms of a vegan inspiration I am a massive fan of the author and illustrator Ruby Roth. She creates the most beautiful children’s books about veganism, such as “V is for Vegans”, “Vegan is Love” and “That’s Why We Don’t Eat Animals”. Elijah is 2 and a half years old and is now starting to love sitting down and snuggling us whilst we read him a book each evening. His absolute favourite is “V is for Vegans” as the pictures are ever so cute and I truly think he understands the message that animals are “our friends” and are not here to be eaten. Having access to books like these definitely makes vegan parenting easier as it is a great way to teach our little ones about the benefits of veganism and show our children just what a compassionate and healthy lifestyle they are living.

WHAT DOES YOUR MORNING RITUAL LOOK LIKE?

Elijah has always been an early waker so usually our mornings consist of us playing with toys until the sun comes up and then going outside in the garden to ride his bike, find bugs, and play in the sand pit. Elijah is super energetic so he just loves to be outside exploring 24/7. He usually has his breakfast at about 7.30am and that is when I get to finally sit and have my coffee.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE WAY TO USE NUT MYLK BASE?

I absolutely love using the nut mylk base in homemade turmeric lattes. I simply warm a cup of Ulu Hye mylk with a tsp of turmeric, a pinch of cinnamon, ½ tsp of maca powder, a sprinkle of crushed black pepper, 1 tsp of coconut oil and 1 tsp of maple syrup. It is absolutely delicious and has so many wonderful health benefits.

WHAT’S FOR BREAKFAST NOW THAT IT’S COOLER AND CAN YOU SHARE YOUR RECIPE?

We have been loving “chocolatey” overnight oats recently. I prepare them each evening by placing 2 cups of oats in a Tupperware container with 1 mashed banana, 1 tbsp of chia seeds, 1 tbsp of flaxseed meal, 1 tsp of maca powder, 1 tbsp of raw cacao, 1 tbsp of organic blackstrap molasses, 1 tsp of maple syrup and 1 cup of Ulu Hye mylk. I leave this mixture in the fridge overnight and then in the morning I gently heat the oats (adding more mylk if needed to get the desired consistency) and then serve it in a bowl with a giant dollop of natural peanut butter, pumpkin seeds and sliced banana.

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TELL US ABOUT YOUR PANACEAS JOURNEY.

Our Instagram page started just before the birth of my first Daughter. It had no direction, as was really just a bit of fun. Overtime it developed into a successful career, something that happened organically and with a lot of hard work. I’d never planned to be where I am today, but love my job as a advocate for the vegan lifestyle and food photographer.

BEING A NATUROPATH, HOW DO YOU INCORPORATE THIS INTO YOUR COOKING?

Nutrition is one of my true loves, and something I’m deeply passionate about. While I’m aware of balancing my diet across the day, (ensuring I get in all the essential macro and micronutrients)  I primarily believe in using seasonal and organic ingredients, cooking for the seasons, and using herbs and spices as my main source of flavour.

WHAT DOES YOUR MORNING RITUAL LOOK LIKE?

I wish I had one. I don’t know how people have kids and also a morning ritual haha.

WHAT IS ONE KITCHEN APPLIANCE YOU CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT?

My blender, of course. I use it every day, multiple times a day.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE WAY TO USE NUT MYLK BASE?

Lately I’ve been adding it to my morning matcha- so good! I blend a mix of almost boiling water (about 70 degrees), matcha powder, nut milk base, adaptogens and voila; the best morning potion you ever had.

WHAT IS ONE CHANGE YOU HAVE IMPLEMENTED TO REDUCE WASTE AROUND YOUR HOME?

Shopping at bulk food stores is a big one (where you can bring all your own jars/bags), but I’m also a big composter, love cloth nappies/wipes, and think menstrual cups are the best investment ever.

xx

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AT WHAT AGE WERE YOU DIAGNOSED WITH MS, AND HOW DID THIS AFFECT YOUR LIFE?

I was diagnosed with MS when I was 24 years of age after living with many chronic and debilitating
symptoms for years prior to my diagnosis along with painful Fibromyalgia.

The diagnosis was initially terrifying and I spent the first several weeks moving between grief, fear,
despair and numbness. The first four years following my diagnosis I was constantly fatigued, living
in chronic pain and discomfort, depressed and experiencing regular relapses which resulted in
numbness to my face and hands and left me terrified for my future.

BACK THEN, WHAT WAS YOUR DIET AND LIFESTYLE LIKE?

When I was diagnosed, and in those four years following, I was a smoker… I was working shift
work and I lived off cigarettes, energy drinks, lollies, and the typical aussie meals such as chicken
curries, spag bol, cheese filled rissotos, pastas, stir fries, burgers, fish and chips, soft drinks,
juices, etc…

WHAT WAS THE TURNING POINT THAT LEAD YOU TO TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR HEALTH?

When I was diagnosed with MS I received a package from MS Australia in the mail and inside was
some information about the disease and the current available treatments (mostly beta interferons)
however, along with this I received 2 pages of information regarding some research conducted by
Dr Roy Swank regarding the impacts of saturated animal fats on MS. The 30 year study found that
those who stuck to a diet very low in saturated animal fats seemed to suspend their disease
progression and those who did not worsened and most were deceased due to complications of MS
by the completion of the study. The idea that something I had been eating was at least partly
responsible for my disease made so much sense to me however, my Neurologist repeatedly
advised me not to bother changing my diet stating “there’s no science to diet having any impact on
MS” and so I went off and on this way of thinking for 4 years whilst my condition worsened. In
August 2008 I woke up numb from the waste down and it’s amazing how quickly you’ll take control
of your health when you can no longer feel yourself go to the bathroom. I quit smoking that day
and adopted the SWANK DIET (I altered this to the Overcoming MS diet established by Dr George
Jelinek and eventually to a low fat, whole food, plant based diet) and never looked back!

WHAT CHANGES DID YOU IMPLEMENT, AND HOW DID THEY IMPACT YOUR HEALTH?

I completely cut out ALL animal products, saturated fats except those found in whole, plant foods
and those I limited to 20% or less of my daily macro intake. Within 12 months I regained energy I
never knew I had since childhood, I began running for the first time in my life. I overcame years of
depression, and ceased having monthly bouts of Candida and regular constipation. I lost around
35 kilos without dieting, my chronic pain from Fibromyalgia dissipated along with all symptoms of
MS. Since 2008 I have had zero relapses and now have 2 young children and live a life filled with
an abundance of energy and JOY!

WHAT DOES YOUR MORNING RITUAL CONSIST OF?

I can’t start the day without scraping my tongue first thing and cleaning my teeth and cleaning my
mouth and washing my face. Usually I skin brush, drink a large mug of hot lemon water or a shot
of apple cider vinegar to get my digestion moving. Usually I walk/run the dog or do some yoga or
pilates and meditate for between 10-20 minutes and then write 3 things I’m grateful for and 3
things I need to accomplish to have a great day in my journal. Then I have a shower finishing off
with cold water and most days I practice intermittent fasting until 11am.

WHAT ARE THREE WAYS TO STAY BALANCED MENTALLY, EMOTIONALLY AND SPIRITUALLY?

Walking/running/cycling in nature, yoga, meditation/mindfulness, sitting in circle with my sisters,
rituals such as New Moon releasing and intention setting, journaling, singing, drawing, dancing,
earthing and practicing gratitude.

WHAT IS ONE THERAPEUTIC FOOD YOU CAN’T  LIVE WITHOUT?

Freshly ground flaxseeds.