There was a time, not too long ago, when I couldn’t function without a few cups of coffee a day. Thankfully, the addiction is well under control now and I’ve moved on to exploring a new world of tea along with the occasional Nespresso, of course.

Twinings recently launched some new tea blends as part of their international Origin range and sent across an assortment of flavours for me to taste. My tea haul included  Moroccan Mint & Rose, Bollywood Chai Latte and Jasmine Petals & Pearls. All sounded fabulous and I couldn’t wait to start sipping…

I met The Saucy Fish Co. team at the Be: Fit London  (see blog post here) show a couple of weeks ago and they sent me home with a selection of meals to enjoy at my convenience.

The Saucy Fish Co. started three years ago with an aim to make cooking with fish simple and exciting. They offer a range of attractively packaged fish (sourced from certified farms in Scotland and Norway) paired with delicious pre-made sauces.

Mr. A & I ate a lot of fish last week thanks to The Saucy Fish Co. Here are the meals we sampled:

Be:Fit is London’s largest exhibition devoted entirely to women’s health, nutrition and fitness. Formerly known as the Vitality Show, Be:Fit London was held over the weekend and I attended the show for a few hours on Friday.

Old Billingsgate Market (the venue) was buzzing with excitement on the first morning and from what I hear, the energy only got more electric as the weekend crowds rolled in.

Here are a few photo highlights from  Be:Fit London featuring my favourite discoveries and moments!

A postcard view of Tower Bridge outside Old Billingsgate Market (the venue).

I had the opportunity to speak to Dr. Christy Fergusson aka The Food Psychologist a few days ago. Dr. Christy Fergusson is a psychologist, nutritional therapist and clinical hypnotherapist who uses her personal experiences and training in nutrition to counsel young girls and women through a range of health issues.

Image provided by WIre Media

Christy’s own health troubles started at the age of 12 and lasted throughout her teenage years with a range of diagnoses such as chronic fatigue syndrome, severe acne, bulimia, endometriosis, poly cystic ovaries, depression and more. Her battles with her own health sparked an interest in pursuing psychology and clinical nutrition at university. However, the turning point for Christy was a consultation with a naturopath following which she realised that the source of all her illnesses was nothing else but a poor diet. Once her diet changed, everything changed.

Happy International Women’s Day to all the incredible women in my life! Today is all about proudly celebrating our strength and femininity and there couldn’t be a better opportunity to introduce you to an inspiring women’s health and fitness festival coming up in London in a few weeks.

Be:Fit London, previously known as The Vitality Show, returns at the end of March with London’s largest women’s health and fitness event. Be:Fit London celebrity ambassadors include inspiring Olympic athletes  such as Victoria Pendleton and Denise Lewis, supermodel and sports personality Jodie Kidd, as well as Sky Sports News presenter Kirsty Gallacher who will formally open the show.

Today marks exactly one month of my love affair with the NutriBullet. I’ve juiced up a storm with fresh vegetables and fruit every morning and couldn’t be happier with this healthy new addition to my life.

Gorgeous fruit and veg ready for the NutriBullet!

I have had my share of bad luck with juicers in the past. They have been too bulky, tough to store and a pain to clean making it really difficult to form and sustain a healthy habit.

I was invited to attend a breakfast at The Marylebone Hotel yesterday to meet Joe Cross, the author of ‘The Reboot with Joe Juice Diet’ who is in London on a book tour. The event was held at the hotel’s 108 Marylebone Lane restaurant which is also home to The Juicery.

The invitation was  timely since my brand new NutriBullet  (featured on my top 5 foodie Christmas gift list) was finally being delivered and some healthy juicing inspiration was much-needed.

The liquid breakfast began with a potent shot of lemon, ginger and cayenne pepper.

I read a book by Mireille Guiliano some years ago, annoyingly titled ‘French Women Don’t Get Fat’. The book focused entirely on how French women manage to look good and stay healthy whilst enjoying a diet rich in bread, cheese, wine, steak, chocolate and other good things.

I couldn’t help but think about this book throughout my recent Parisian food adventure. Yes, I savoured every bit of the deliciousness on offer but indulging in Paris for more than 5 days is a dangerous thought.

Cold salads on wintry January days aren’t easy.  Especially, when it is gloomy outside and all you want is a hot plate of comfort.

I wanted something fresh, spicy and Thai yesterday. And, I needed it to be raw. A gorgeous Thai green papaya salad came to mind but I wasn’t going to find a Thai green papaya anywhere in my neighbourhood. Luckily, there was an unripe green mango at home with my name all over it. 😉

It took no effort to put together this cheerful Thai style Mango Salad. It is packed full of flavour, healthy and so easy. Try it sometime – it makes being good, taste fabulous!

I braved the crowds at Harrods over the weekend and oh my goodness, what a nightmare!! There are way too many people out and about this time of year and I left Knightsbridge feeling extremely thankful for online shopping. 😉

My Top 5 Beauty Gifts blog last week was popular and I hope you all found it useful. Today, I am sharing some delicious foodie gift ideas. As you can imagine, it was quite a challenge to stick to a list of five as there are some fabulous options out there. I could have easily gone on and on and on…

The countdown has officially begun – there is only ONE month till Christmas.  I am still recovering from the big fat Diwali binge and it is already time to eat, drink and be merry. There goes the detox.

Thankfully, I’ve got all the holiday party hangovers sorted thanks to a fresh stock of Prefunc.

If you have spent time with Mr. A & myself recently, you will know how much we love and swear by Prefunc. Our lives have changed (and how!) since the little one and yes, we do still get out and about but as with any parent, everything in life requires planning. Even a hangover!

Judging by the enthusiastic response to my blog on Post-Diwali Detox, it is clear that many of you are craving a clean-up!

I am sticking with the detox theme today and sharing a simple tip that I learned on my recent spa break at the Thermae Bath Spa. My massage therapist spoke to me at length about trying the simple technique of dry body brushing to help the body’s natural detoxification process.

All you need is a long-handled body brush from Boots or your local health shop. Prices range from £6 for a Boots body brush to £20 for the Elemis brush pictured below.

You know it is Diwali time when your days and nights are planned around excessive consumption of delicious Indian food and decadent mithai (desserts). This year, Halloween was also thrown into the festivities which meant bonus treats of chocolates, cupcakes and sugary candy. Aaaahhh!

I am not kidding – sweet things were literally pouring out of  every corner of my kitchen ALL weekend long. I have had more than enough and my body is craving a post-Diwali detox. Here are my tips for anyone else out there feeling bloated, tired, sluggish, and full of sweets!

My friend Hina & I spent this past weekend rediscovering Bath, a historic town located an easy 90 minute train ride from London. I have been to Bath many times before and am always mesmerized by the Georgian architecture and stunning scenery in and around town.

Pictured below are some of my favourite shots of Bath from the weekend.

After wandering the beautiful streets of Bath on Saturday, we spent Sunday relaxing at the Thermae Bath Spa, Britain’s only thermal day spa fully serviced by the mineral rich, healing waters that have made Bath so famous. The spa boasts of a warm open-air rooftop pool overlooking Bath and the countryside. Cameras aren’t allowed in the spa but hopefully these images from their website will give you an idea of the experience we had!

It seems like almost everyone in London (myself included) is down with one bug or another these days. Cold, flu, ear infections and a nasty tummy virus, there is more than enough going around to make a self-confessed hypochondriac like me cringe….eek!

Today’s post is recycled from my early days of blogging as I just can’t think straight AND needed a reminder to stock up on some elderberry syrup for the winter to ward off these nasty London germs. And, perhaps you do too! 😉

Organic Flu-Fighter  First posted on  26/4/2013

I think I have finally discovered the holy grail of super foods – Chia seeds. I first came across jars of The Chia Co seeds at Whole Foods a few months ago and have been curious about them ever since.

One of my purchases at Neal’s Yard Remedies last week was a packet of Chia seeds also known as Salvia Hispanica.

I was shocked when I heard about the nutritional potency of these tiny miracles and you will be too. Get ready for it!

2 tablespoons of Chia seeds contain:

My friend, Shikha, told me about a special event at the Neal’s Yard Remedies store in Wimbledon last week. Guests were being offered a choice between a free mini-facial or organic makeover and a 20% discount on everything at the store. Shikha knew this would be right up my alley and sure enough, up the hill I went for some shopping and pampering to the Neal’s Yard Remedies in Wimbledon Village.

Neal’s Yard Remedies is an organic health and beauty brand passionate about finding natural solutions to improve health and well-being. I have used a few of their products over the years and always been impressed by the contents of the signature blue bottles (specifically designed to keep light out and ingredients fresh!).

Many of you will remember my blog last month on  ‘The Beauty Detox Solution – Part 1′.  It has been the most popular post on Hungry Aphrodite so far!

I have embraced many of the ideas that Kimberly Snyder recommends in ‘The Beauty Detox Solution’ and am slowly easing myself into a new way of eating. Of course, there are occasional indulgences but I hate the way my mind and body feel afterwards so something is clearly working.

‘The Beauty Detox Solution – Part 1’ gave you a super brief summary of the first half of the book. As promised, here is Part 2!

I recently blogged about ‘The Beauty Detox Solution’, a book by nutritionist Kimberly Snyder, that has motivated me to make some serious changes to my lifestyle.

I have much reduced my intake of animal protein and made a dedicated effort to add more raw fruits and vegetables to my diet. A salad a day is my motto these days and so far, so good.

Today’s lunch was a simple Greek salad of tomato, cucumber, olives and feta cheese,  lifted up to superfood status with miracle grain, quinoa.

Quinoa is packed full of protein, iron, fibre and what not?

I have gone crazy over raspberries this week. Bright red, plump and the perfect balance of sweet and tart – raspberries are clearly at the peak of the season and I  just can’t get enough. Finally, a healthy addiction! 😉

Raspberries are a lot more than a tasty fruit. Below are some very good reasons to grab yourself a juicy bowl of raspberries….NOW!

Immunity

Raspberries are extremely rich in vitamins, anti-oxidants, minerals and all the other good stuff. Raspberry anti-oxidants help to inhibit the growth of infections and protect the body from all sorts of damage. Research has also shown that a specific anti-oxidant found in raspberries can also help to fight cancer and other diseases.

After a sunny summer spent wearing pretty dresses, sipping cocktails/wine, and eating gorgeous food, it wasn’t much fun struggling to breathe in my ‘comfortable’ pair of jeans last week. Ugh. I think it might be time for another round of detox.

As a ‘foodie’, I don’t have the desire or discipline to ‘diet’ so my focus will be on eating right and making better choices.

In need for some serious inspiration and guidance, I turned to ‘The Beauty Detox Solution’, a book by celebrity nutritionist and beauty expert, Kimberly Snyder.  I am not even half way through the book and seem to have already found the motivation to make some changes.

The coconut palm tree isn’t called the ‘tree of life‘ for nothing. In addition to being an extremely nutritious superfood, coconut also has a number of beauty uses, specifically for skin and hair care.

Here are some ways to add some wonderful coco-nuttiness to your beauty routine!

Skin

There is nothing more hydrating and rejuvenating than fresh coconut water. Perfect for shooing off that hangover!

But, did you know that regular intake of fresh coconut water can also work wonders for your skin? High in antioxidants, coconut water is known  for its anti-aging properties and can make your skin glow. Coconut water can also be used as spot treatment for cellulite, acne, eczema, wrinkles and stretch marks.

I gave up coffee on June 1st. And I am still standing! Hooray!

Finding healthy (and tasty) replacements for my morning cuppa has been easier than I thought. I have a renewed love for green tea and am mixing it up with other detoxifying drinks such as hot water with honey and lemon (yum), wheatgrass powder (not so yum) and other fresh juices and concoctions.

I met up with a friend this morning at Le Pain Quotidien and tried a delicious detox juice from their seasonal menu  made with pink grapefruit, turmeric, agave syrup and sparkling water. Never knew detox could taste so good!!

Most of you will know what I am talking about.  A fun night out followed by a sore head, and horrible nausea the morning after. Ugh. And of course, the looming, long day at work or an even more frightening one spent taking care of a toddler in your own delicate state. Eeek!

Honey is renowned worldwide for its health and beauty benefits.Besides being the world’s most natural sweetener, honey is also anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-viral. It is used widely in alternative medicine as a cure for all kinds of ailments and is considered a ‘power food’ that should be included regularly in one’s diet.

Here are some simple ways for you to include some sweet honey in your life!

Weight Loss –  A spoonful of honey mixed with warm water and a squeeze of lemon is a well known weight loss aid and great for detoxifying the body. Have it every morning as soon as you wake up and you will see the results on your skin and general well-being!

A friend recently recommended I give my two year old a daily dose of organic elderberry syrup to boost his immunity. A naturopath had advised her of the wonders of elderberries in reducing the number of colds/coughs and other viral infections in both children and adults. I was about to take off for a long holiday to India at the time, and was naturally concerned about keeping my child healthy and germ-free throughout our hectic trip.

Elderberry syrup (sambucus nigra) is a remedy that has been around for centuries in Europe. According to research, elderberry syrup is anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, rich in vitamin C and high in anti-oxidants. It is safe to use for adults and children over 12 months of age.

Hubby and I recently attended a friend’s wedding at the gorgeous Park Hyatt Resort in Goa, India. It was here that I was first introduced to products made by “Forest Essentials: Luxurious Ayurveda’. Founded in 2000, Forest Essentials has revived ingredients used in many old Ayurvedic recipes. Their products are sourced from plants, trees and herbs naturally grown in forests in the Himalayas – Music to my ears!

The shampoo, conditioner and sugar soap bar that we tried at the hotel were fabulous and definitely inspired me to pay a visit to their Delhi store before we headed back to London.

According to Greek mythology, Aphrodite was the goddess of love, beauty and eternal youth.  It was only natural that she would appear numerous times while I brainstormed a unique name for this blog. I knew I was going to be writing about all that Aphrodite represents. However, my blog would have been incomplete without a focus on another one of my passions – good food! Hungry Aphrodite called out to me straight away, and without a doubt, I had finally found my online, creative avatar!

Hungry Aphrodite is a chronicle of my experiences with divine food, beauty and oh yes, the pursuit of good health and eternal youth. I hope that you will enjoy being a part of my creative space.