“Honestly good snacks for the peckishly-minded!” – Harvest Box

Do you suffer from three thirtyitis?

Lapses in concentration that usually occur in the afternoon – typically 3.30pm? These lapses in concentration typically occur because you are hungry and you feel that internal stomach monster wake up and roar at you?

Well it’s time to feed that inner hungry lion with something a little bit tasty, slightly nutty and completely healthy! What is it? It is the convenience of Harvest Box! No longer do vending machines need to swap your hard earned cash for your sugary snack desk affairs, Harvest box delivers straight to your office, they can even plonk it on your desk!

Stash this box in your draw and allow yourself to go a bit nutty when you indulge in the surprise packets jam-packed full of goodness!

Do you like the Samba? They can dance with you, with their natural banana coins, coconut, mango and cashew mix or do you prefer wasabi? Packed with vitamins, mineral, antioxidants, phytochemicals & a big kick get heated with Harvest’s OMG Wasbi mix! Perhaps you aren’t a morning person and need the Rise & Shine kind of deal or you could be the complete opposite and feel like trekking through the Kokoda Trail…we could go on for hours with Harvest’s 50 different blends so be assured there is something for every office taste bud!

“I think everybody’s nuts.” – Johnny Depp

How does it work?

“You get 4 portions of snacking pleasure in each box. You tell them what you like and don’t like by rating our product range. Based on your choices, they select from a growing range of over 50 mixes of nuts, dried fruit, seeds and fill the box just for you. Each time, they will deliver a different variation to you. That means maximum flavour and variety in your munch mix and no more calorie-laden junk-stops at the vending machine.

Tell them how often you’d like a delivery and on which weekdays. Provide your details, they deliver it, as per your instructions, straight to your desk. Harvest box are the experts of easy, the kings of convenience. It’s seriously simple, nutritious snacking delivered to your desk. Fuss-free. Guilt-free.”

If one box isn’t enough for your workplace go super nutty with Harvest’s SUPER BOX – check it out here!

[Surprise Mix 1] – All about almonds (Only roasted almonds)

[Surprise Mix 2] - HB Super Mix (Cranberry, pineapple, pistachio, pepita, roasted almonds, sunflower seeds & white chocolate)

Thinking nuts are full of fats, bad fats? So you have cut them out of your diet and are sticking to a low fat, low carb, high protein kind of thing? Re-think what you are doing because you are missing out on some serious goodness…

Unfortunately, many people aren’t acknowledging any of the important health benefits associated with nuts and ‘good fats’, choosing instead to follow mainstream advice and follow a low-fat diet, which means nuts are out because of their fatty nature and high calorie content.

Yes, nuts are high in fat but they contain high levels of healthy fats that are known to have heart-protective benefits. As Lawrence Kirk, a naturopath and lecturer in diet and medicine at the British College of Osteopathic Medicine, explains: ‘What many people don’t appreciate is that the fat contained in nuts is mostly the healthiest monounsaturated type. Most nuts are quite low in artery-clogging saturated fats’.

Dr Hannah Theobald, a nutrition scientist for the British Nutrition Foundation in London, says: ‘Numerous studies have shown that replacing saturated fatty acids in the diet with unsaturated fats can lower bad, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL).’ It is LDL cholesterol that increases the risk of heart disease and strokes. 
The famous Nurses Health Study, which included over 86,000 participants, is an example of the heart-protective benefits of nuts. The participants in this study who ate nuts at least five times a week were found to have a 35 per cent lower risk of heart disease compared with those who rarely ate nuts or avoided them.

In addition, research conducted by Professor Penny Kris-Etherton of Pennsylvania State University, found that participants who ate peanuts and peanut butter experienced a 10 per cent reduction in triglycerides and also lowered their levels of LDL cholesterol. High triglyceride levels, like LDL cholesterol, are strongly implicated in increasing the incidence of cardiovascular disease.

The list of health benefits attached to each individual nut is endless. Other nuts that are particularly good include: pistachios for their high iron, protein and fibre content and high levels of magnesium, which helps control blood pressure; hazelnuts because they are one of the richest sources of the antioxidant vitamin E; and cashew nuts for their high iron content which is needed to make haemoglobin – the red pigment in the blood.

For more informations about why bLANk and Harvest Box love nuts, click here and for some nutty trivia click here.

*Obviously it goes without saying that nuts should not be eaten by anyone with an allergy to them.

[Surprise Mix 3] - Seville (Natural orange, roasted almond & dark chocolate)

“You gotta go nuts. You never know how long this is gonna last. You get in these crazy situations and the only way you can deal with it is to not take it seriously.”

[Surprise Mix 4] - Mount Blanc (Dried blueberry, white chocolate & crown sultanas) 

Snack is not a dirty word…

Snacks got a bad rap, and it’s true – snacking on food high in fat or sugar is not going to do you any favours, but if you’re snacking on healthy Harvest box snacks several times a day, then there are many benefits.

For one, snacking is a proven way to feed your metabolism, which in turn aids in weight maintenance and weight loss. It also assists in boosting your energy, as eating at regular intervals stabilises your blood sugar levels. So, instead of that mid-afternoon slump, you’ll be full of vigor and sparkle right through to dinnertime.

Consistent nibbling from your Harvest box throughout the day controls hunger pangs and keeps unhealthy temptations at arms length. You will also be less likely to overeat or binge, helping you to say no to that second or third helping, resulting in consumption of less calories overall.

So, with proper portions and healthy food choices, between-meal munching will actually enhance, rather than hurt your diet. Feeling hungry?

1. Walnuts - Boost the ability to recall, thanks to the omega-3 fatty acids. Walnuts contain more fatty acid than tuna and salmon – and no need to worry about mercury. Eating 1/4 cup daily provides the recommended daily amount needed to prevent depression and Alzheimer’s.

2. Almonds - Will help eliminate a headache because, like aspirin, almonds contain salicylates, the same natural chemical that will reduce inflammation and block pain signals. Just a handful will provide the same benefit as two aspirins without the possibility of stomach upsets.

3. Chestnuts - Help ease stress and are the only nut that contains vitamin C, a nutrient that helps ease stress. Chestnuts are also the nuts lowest in calories and fat. They can be eaten roasted, boiled or raw.

4. Macadamia Nuts - Are good for the heart due to the natural oils high in heart-healthy monounsaturated fat – which contain oleic fatty acids and palmitoleic fatty acids. Macadamia nuts have the highest amount of monounsaturated fatty acids in a natural food.

5. Brazil Nuts - Reduce anxiety due to their selenium. Just three Brazil nuts will give you a day’s worth of this important mineral. Selenium has mood-boosting, and anti-anxiety properties.

6. Pecans - Will lower cholesterol because of their high amount of plant sterols, vitamin E, and beta-sitosterol – which is a cholesterol-lowering compound. Pecans can lower LDL (bad) cholesterol by 16 percent. Pecans also have a higher antioxidant content that other nuts.

7. Cashews – Reduce the risk of heart disease due to the monounsaturated fats, which, in turn, help to lower bad cholesterol. Cashews are also rich in iron, phosphorus, magnesium, selenium and zinc, as well as phytochemicals and antioxidants beneficial in protecting us from cancer. The magnesium is good for bone growth.

8. Pine Nuts – Are appetite suppressors because they are a good source of a polyunsaturated fat known as pinolenic acid, which stimulates secretion from a hormone produced in the intestines – and signals your brain that you are full. Pine nuts also slow down the rate of how quickly your stomach empties, helping you feel full longer.

9. Peanuts - Peanuts are often grouped in the nut category, but are not on the list because they are neither nuts nor seeds, and are actually legumes (beans are legumes). However, they are worth listing with nuts due to their amazing anti-aging benefits. This is because peanuts have resveratrol – the flavonoid found in red wine and purple grape juice. Resveratrol helps to stave off age-related cell damage and boosts blood flow in the brain by as much as 30 percent which, in turn, reduces the risk of dementia and stroke. Peanuts also have over 30 vital nutrients and has a higher antioxidant content than apples, carrots and beets. Roasting the peanuts boosts their antioxidant content by as much as 22 percent.

Get started here with your first Harvest Box delivery straight to your workplace! Now you can justify your nuttiness at work! Happy Harvesting!

[Stained Pomegranate Seed - Everything in between]

…and that’s how ice cream is done! Banana, mango, coconut & almond ice cream with mint in a co-co-coconut! A big YES!

Cheers to bLANk! A belated 1st birthday (I feel like a mum who’s forgotten their kids 1st birthday!) It’s been over a year since bLANk was born [8/2/12] & I honestly don’t know where I would be without it – starting with a normal camera using my brother’s bed as my photography platform (best natural light) and literally just trialing and error and practicing by myself everyday, writing, constantly looking, following over 600 blogs to find a niche, all the endless hours & people who have told me no, to all the work that no one sees – a year has really made all that difference.

A place where I could share my mind, passions, food, to just share myself but beyond anything it saved me – it was the one thing I could count on never leaving or hurting me, it got me out of my 3 year struggle with depression and it guided me, helped get my life back, gave me peace of mind and has brought so much happiness to me. It really is all about creating your own life, bLANk was once just an idea and now it’s becoming something beyond anything I thought it would, to me bLANk is priceless and I hold it closest to my heart. Everyday I celebrate it but today I am just taking that extra moment with my Kombucha to say simply thank you to myself a year ago – celebrate yourself and what you have done & are doing – “…a year ago today you will wish you had started today…”

“The Van Dieman” – Elderflower, cucumber + mint crushes at Gypsey & Musquito. Bon voyage Sophie – be safe missy x

A boiled egg with avocado on Ezekiel bread – simple and oh so perfect!

Spontaneously booked some flights…’Why the hell not!’ is the attitude I had when I woke up so it only seemed fit to go with the gut instinct! No point waiting if you can do it now, then just do it! [The 'use-everything-in-Sophs-pantry-before-she-leaves kind of rhubarb, pear & apple pie with a LSA & coconut crumble crust - turned the juice from the stewed fruits into a warm tea]

Homemade Chai Kombucha thanks to Ryan! What I call ‘The Mother Ship’ [The mushroom looking thing] is the Kombucha culture which is very alive creating a wide range or organic acids, vitamins + enzymes that give it extraordinary value – it is an effective metabolic balancer, probiotic, adaptogen and detoxifier. Extremely interesting process and nutritional value behind this fermented drink!

HOLY SH!T… this will actually change your life – hence the name, ‘the life changing loaf of bread’ by My New Roots. Literally bread made solely out of nuts & seeds, top it with avocado and it will blow your mind!

It’s been a day of ‘life changing food’ – flipped out trying Monk Bodhi Dharma Avignon Apple Pancakes – anyone who’s experienced these knows just what I am talking about! Literally blew my mind again! And all the better sharing it with one beautiful goddess who just glows with life, can not wait to collaborate with you Tasha ♥ Thank you for your energy & story xx

I bought this organic wheat-bag at the Finders Keepers Market because I needed something to save my neck and when it is made in Australia from organic wheat, organic cotton and clove herbs with such beautiful fabrics, I couldn’t resist! Check out Emiti Designs, she does some really beautiful work! Thank god for this, it has saved my neck & keeping me warm with Melbourne’s weird weather!

I made gluten free, dark chocolate, cranberry, pistachio & poppyseed clean biscuits – yep and that’s it! Oh and they kind of exploded in the oven!

We all deserve to spoil ourselves. A very close friend send to me at the start of the year to give myself a gift every week whether it be a facial, a new moisturiser or a lunch date with myself, time out, anything I wanted but I had to make sure I made this a priority.

As it goes, life happens and we forget about ourselves. Doing this isn’t selfish, it is actually giving you a chance to catch up with yourself, to have your time and to do something that little bit special, you know why? Because you’re worth it! I booked into the Lyall Hotel for a Remedial massage – my body was almost crying out for it! With valet parking, welcoming staff and a receptionist enthusiastic approach to life that re-vamped my spirits and soothed my body. Don’t feel guilty, just do it, seriously, don’t forget number one – that being YOU!

[Stained Pomegranate Seed - Everything in between]

“Pressed Juices was founded on the principle that we need a simple, effective means of nourishing our bodies, relieving them from the stress of everyday life, and restoring ourselves to a state of wellbeing. We understand the difficulty of proper nourishment in today’s stressful and hectic world. At the same time, we realise the vital importance of giving ourselves optimal levels of nutrients to allow our bodies and minds to function at their highest levels. Pressed Juices exists to deliver the uplifting and healing powers of raw, cold pressed juice to you through the most efficient and convenient means possible.

Life is quite complex. Let us simplify one of the most important aspects of it for you so that you can look and feel your best.

Clarity of mind. Purity of body.”

Hands up if your kitchen turns into a ‘green room’ after making just one green juice? Skin of vegetables, roots of plants, green extract everywhere – the walls, ceiling, on the babies face, well here’s what I suggest: put the juicer back in the cupboard, your vegetables in the fridge and whether it be by bike, foot or car (please consider an alternative to this option) get yourself to Melbourne’s first Cold Pressed Juicery – the time has come that you can now simply enjoy the convenience of optimum health in a freshly cold pressed (daily) 450ml bottle within a second, literally.

…it’s a ‘pressing’ kind of matter. 

Most of us think of juicing, the LA born practice of blending anything from kale, fennel and watercress into a murky green drink as a habit of the scarily health obsessed. But its far from just a passing fad; not only does knocking back a rich cocktail of nutrients in one drink give you a hit of antioxidants that boost your health, downing vegetables in their purest form acts like a miracle cream for your skin, hair and nails too.

Research by the University of St Andrews, UK, highlighted the powerful effect of fruit and vegetables in our daily diets. Participants who increased their intake of fresh produce found their skin tone changed and ‘glowed’. And it’s not just younger looking skin that’s the plus; the increased vitamin content can help with everything from hair growth, acne, headaches and insomnia.

It has only been within the past two centuries that people have generally awakened to the realization that the condition of the human body is inextricably dependent on the QUALITY of the food, and no less in its compatibility with the needs of the body…

The LIFE in your food is what counts and the LIFE in Pressed Juice’s juice is certainly alive.

Raw juices contain…

Living enzymes to improve digestion and break down mucous – Powerful antibiotic substances to reduce pain and swelling – Antioxidants such as vitamin c, vitamin e, flavonoids, beta carotene and other carotenoids which help fight cancer – Polyphenols are the plant molecules that give colour to fruit and vegetables, all these varied colours are even more powerful in the protective healing effects than vitamins are (The precious polyphenols, which are potent antioxidants are made much more concentrated by juicing) – Organic sulfur compounds, which can detoxify poisonous chemicals and cleanse the liver and bloodstream – Minerals such as magnesium, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, iron, copper, zinc, boron and selenium -Vitamin k which is found in dark leafy vegetables, is beneficial for bone strength, the immune system and the blood.

It is important to note that juices enable you to take in and use highly concentrated amounts of phytochemicals (substances that can help fight off diseases) that would be almost impossible to obtain by eating a normal daily quantity of raw fruits and vegetables.

Conventional juicers destroy a large number of life giving enzymes in the juice by subjecting them to high speed centrifugal rotation, heat and oxidisation.  However, cold-press juicers producing minimal heat and oxidation, ensuring that the cellular structure of the fruits and vegetables is not disrupted, and preserving far more living enzymes and nutrients, to produce a nutritionally superior, cold-pressed juice which has minimal froth and virtually none of the separation seen in conventional fresh juices.

Conventional freshly squeezed juice also deteriorates very quickly.  However, the living enzymes in a cold-pressed juice ensure that it retains appearance, flavour and nutrients for up to 48 hours when stored in the refrigerator.

“Green Juice is the best medicine we can give our bodies. Not only does it ensure we are consuming an adequate amount of Green Leafy vegetables in our diet, but it is particularly good for our digestive system. Green Juice also provides our body with natural Chlorophyll, which oxygenates the body and therefore allows us to easily release stored toxins we may have in our body. As a result drinking Green Juice can increase energy levels due to an increase in your Metabolism and decrease your cravings for sugar.

Greens 1 is a good source for Calcium, Vitamin C & A & K, Magnesium, Manganese, Iron, Lutein & Fibre” – Pressed Juices

Apple, Coconut and Strawberry

Apple

Vitamins: B and – Minerals: Potassium, calcium, phosphorous, iron, silicon and chlorine – Benefits: High in soluble fibre pectin, which soothes the intestines and heals stomach ulcers. It also improves colonic flora and reduces unfriendly colonic bacteria and parasites, aids in digestion and when juices, the core, skin and flesh increase mineral and antioxidant content.

Coconut

Vitamins: B, C and E – Minerals: Calcium, phosphorous, potassium and iron as well as a good source of protein – Benefits: Serves as an excellent base for combination juices that contain other fruits and contains natural antibiotic substances.

Strawberry

Vitamins: B, C and beta carotene – Minerals: Potassium, calcium, iron and phosphorous – Benefits: It is an excellent skin cleanser and has antioxidant effects.

With 29 juice combinations, you will find something that tickles your taste buds, makes your eyes pop and super charges your digestive system. Bottled every day, using only the highest quality fresh fruit and vegetables, a team behind our heavenly nectar starts at 10pm and finishes at 6am just to make sure that we give you the creme de la creme sealed within one bottle – although it has a shelf life of 2-3 days, it won’t be around long once you take that first sip…

bLANk’s Pressed Juices favourites: Green’s 1 [Celery, cucumber, kale, lettuce, parsley & Spinach] – Zest 2 [Green apple, lemon, mint & pineapple] – Blueberry, coconut & pear – Vanilla Bean Almond Milk [Almonds, dates, filtered water, sea salt & vanilla bean].

For a full menu please click here.

“If life gives you lemons, make some kind of fruity juice” – Conan O’Brian

“By cleansing your body on a regular basis and eliminating as many toxins as possible from your environment, your body can begin to heal itself, prevent disease, and become stronger and more resilient than you ever dreamed possible!” – Dr. Edward Group III

To find out more about Pressed Juices in general, the Cleanse Packages or juice delivery visit Pressed Juices website, http://www.pressedjuices.com.au/ and like them on facebook http://www.facebook.com/pressedjuices.   

1230 High St, Armadale Melbourne 3143

Store hours: Monday – Saturday (7am – 6pm), Sunday (8am – 5pm)

E-mail: info@pressedjuices.com.au

Other reviews: http://meltonyc.blogspot.com.au/2013/03/pressed-juices.html http://www.broadsheet.com.au/melbourne/food-and-drink/article/take-pressure-cold-pressed-juices

Homemade Mixed Vegetable Rice Paper Rolls – You always appreciate them more when you make them yourself!

Significant changes in my skin using Marocaine’s Argan Oil in combination with daily green juices, living algae’s, coconut oil and of course healthy food! Beauty comes from the inside…literally.

I spent too much…but it’s only here for two days and the products are just too beautiful and well designed to not buy! www.thefinderskeepers.com 

Soothed my cravings with this very clean coriander and cashew stir fry!

Playing with boxes and building forts at the studio before the Finders Keepers market! Only the quirkiest, super coolest popup market! Unpacked, repacked, unpacked and restacked these boxes – Got to love pop up design emporiums!

Ingredients for Fermented Kimchi – done & jarred. I’ll share the story behind this soon!

This is what gets me super excited! SPROUTING! It fascinates me, living food! Basically by soaking and rinsing the seeds/grains you get rid of the enzyme inhibitors and allow to the seeds to germinate!

During this the resting nutrition in the seed will begin to break down into its simplest components. Protein breaks down into separate amino acids, complex starches break down into simpler carbs and meanwhile, the seed starts to MULTIPLY IN ITS NUTRIENT CONTENT. Sprouting heightens the quality of the enzyme and adds in digestion! Get sprouting!

Orange AND PURPLE roasted sage carrots with garlic, pomegranate, garden herbs, and seeds! Heavenly lunch!

Couldn’t be more thankful – it makes a difference when you do things you love every second of the day! I live in an incredibly beautiful country with the most warming of sunsets!

Little piece of heaven – market blueberries and blackberries, raw almonds and cashews!

My banana bread’s straight out of the oven, warm, self-caramalized and of course…the healthy version!  They were too cute to unwrap!

Forest + Ferns + Recovery! Buckwheat, maca, coconut, coyo dairy free yoghurt, frozen blueberries, lecithin granules, cinnamon, bee pollen, psyllium husk, chia & banana jar ‘takeaway’ breakfast!

Sunday is without doubt the best day every week! Enjoying some fresh oj, beetroot, carrot & quinoa salad, ladyfinger banana and mixed nuts at my favourite view/spot in Melbourne! Yoga, forest ferns and jar breakfasts, market day and a new health food store to explore, sneaky massage and a cute little gift to myself, quick girls date with Abbie, chemistry lectures done + week planned, afternoon lunch date with myself on ‘The Rock’ before the family bbq! Beyond grateful and full of much needed renewed energy fields – nothing beats being able to live in the present second.

[Stained Pomegranate Seeds - Everything in between]