Non fiction

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Review: The CSIRO Healthy Gut Diet – Pennie Taylor, Dr Michael Conlon, Dr Tony Bird

CSIRO Healthy Gut Diet

The CSIRO Healthy Gut Diet

Pennie Taylor,Dr Michael Conlon, Dr Tony Bird

Pan MacMillan Australia

ISBN: 9781925481501

RRP $34.99

 

 

Description:

In recent years, we’ve come to realise that a healthy gut is pivotal to a healthy metabolism, a healthy brain and a healthy immune system.

The explosion of scientific research in this field – with CSIRO at the forefront – has also led to the discovery that feeding our gut bacteria with a particular type of fermentable fibre called resistant starch is a major piece in the gut health puzzle.

This book provides information on how the gut functions and what can go wrong, along with a collection of recipes specifically developed to be high in fibre and resistant starch.

Written by a team of experienced CSIRO researchers, including nutritional scientists and dietitians, many of whom are internationally recognised authorities in nutrition and gut health, this book contains simple, practical advice and a wide range of tasty, easy-to-make recipes designed to benefit the gut and overall health.

AUTHOR INFORMATION

The CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, has been dedicated to the practical application of knowledge and science for society and industry since 1928. Today the CSIRO ranks in the top one per cent of world scientific institutions in twelve out of twenty-two research fields. CSIRO Health and Biosecurity conducts research into human health, including disease prevention, diagnosis and innovative treatment.

Pennie Taylor is the senior research dietitian at CSIRO Health and Biosecurity.

Dr Michael Conlon is a senior research scientist with CSIRO Food and Nutrition.

 

My View:
As a reader of my blog you will already be aware of how important I feel gut health is to all of us. This book is a very important addition to my Gut Health Library; it contains information and dietary advice on how to improve your gut health, the importance of resistance starch in our diet (not all fibre is created equally) and how to increase the amount of this in your diet.  It provides advice on how to maintain a low fodmap high fibre diet (FODMAP is an acronym for a group of poorly absorbed carbohydrates (sugars) in foods… P.34) and a useful chart comparing the fibre content of common foods and a Heathy Gut Eating Plan and a guide on how to use the recipes and sample meal plans provided in the book.

All in all very useful, well rounded book that provides accessible science, recipes and advice. Start your journey to good gut health today with The CSIRO Healthy Gut Diet book.

 

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Review: Unnatural Causes – Dr Richard Shepherd

Unnatural Causes

Unnatural Causes

Dr Richard Shepherd

Penguin

Michael Joseph

ISBN: 9781405923545

RRP $34.99

 

Description:

A gripping memoir by one of the UK’s most prominent and experienced pathologists. His work has turned cases on their heads and put murderers behind bars. But his obsession with trying to learn what the dead are telling us began in medical school during his first autopsy. Holding the heart of the patient in his hands, he thought of his late mother, who’d died young from coronary heart disease. He wanted to help the living by learning about death. And, in the case of his criminal work, he wanted to see justice.

 

Intelligent, insightful, chilling – sometimes bizarre – and always unputdownable.

 

Unnatural Causes is the true crime book of the year from an expert who’s opening his records and sharing his casebook for the first time.

 

 

My View:

For a pathologist this author makes a wonderful wordsmith!

 

This is an intriguing narrative, a creative memoir that discusses the changes in society and attitudes to policing, medicine and science in an easy to read format that is engaging and illuminating. The discussion around autopsies, mass shootings/acts of terror and suspicious deaths are handled sensitively and considerately, the writer’s humanness shines through these sections of the book.

 

The author is open, honest and empathetic.  This is a sensitively and intelligently written book that will appeal to lovers of memoir, history, true crime and social science.

 

 

 

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Book Launch: Find Your Creative Mojo – Josh Langley

Yesterday I was privileged to attend the launch of the new inspirational book by Josh Langley. Josh knows how to encourage, support, inspire… all whilst enjoying life’s journey.

I love the heading of the first chapter: “If you have a heart, you can create art.” This says it all.

 

Thanks Josh for your continued support of my creative journey.

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Review – Food Hacker, Clever Cooking For Busy People: Rosie Mansfield

Food Hacker by Rosie Mansfield cover art

Food Hacker 

Clever Cooking for Busy People

Rosie Mansfield

Penguin Random House Australia

Ebury Australia

ISBN: 9780143788782

 

Description:

A recipe book of innovative food hacks to make preparing delicious, simple meals quick and easy.

Rosie Mansfield is a food hacker. She’s also a professional nutritionist, and has created an innovative and fun recipe book of hacks – simplified recipes to make cooking, quick, easy and stress-free.

These kitchen tricks and shortcuts will inspire you to whip up homemade snacks and meals that will nourish a long and happy life. Every recipe is nutritionally balanced and delicious, and designed to be as straightforward as possible to fit into busy lifestyles. Recipes have been stripped down to their bare essentials – this is the most basic of food preparation using equipment and ingredients we all know and love. Learn how to whip up cheap, fast and simple weekday meals in a jiffy, like rustling up an omelette in a mug, nachos in a sandwich bag or pad thai in just one pan.

All the nutrients, half the time and less washing up.

https://www.penguin.com.au/books/food-hacker-9780143788782

 

My View:

This little book is  a jem.  The recipes are easy to follow, quick and tasty. At last a book that caters for one serving 🙂

 

Check out the link discover more about Rosie and to score a free recipe extracted form the book.

 

 

 

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Herby Salt Rub: The Art of Herbs for Health – Rebecca Sullivan

 

The Art of Herbs for Health by Rebecca Sullivan ($19.99), published by Hachette Australia.

 

Taken from The Art of  Herbs for Health by Rebecca Sullivan. Published by Kyle Books.
Photography by Nassima Rothacker.

 

HERBY SALT RUB

Turn boring meat and veg into a restaurant quality meal simply by adding some herbs and spices. Make a jar of this to keep in your pantry and use it on everything. This is another great little jar that makes a lovely gift. p75

 

MAKES 1 SMALL JAR
1½ tablespoons fresh rosemary leaves
1 tablespoon dried chilli flakes
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoons whole yellow mustard seeds, crushed
2 tablespoons paprika
2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves
1 tablespoon dried oregano
2 dried bay leaves, crushed
125g good-quality sea salt

sterilised small jar with lid or airtight container

 

Place all the ingredients in the jar. Put on the lid and shake until the ingredients are combined, then store in a cool, dry place for up  to a year.

Use as a rub or a sprinkle on raw meats and veggies before roasting, as required.

 

Tip: Mix and match with your choice  of herbs and spices with salt.  Shake, store and rub.

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Toilet Bombs: The Art of Natural Cleaning – Rebecca Sullivan

The Art of Natural Cleaning by Rebecca Sullivan ($19.99), published by Hachette Australia.

TOILET BOMBS

These are so cool. I prefer to make them without a mould, but you can do either. If you’re not using a mould, you may find your mix is too dry, so just add a few drops of water until you can shape the mix into balls. Leave them to dry properly before storing. If they break, fret not, as they still do their job. p.44

 

Toilet bombs

Taken from The Art of Natural Cleaning by Rebecca Sullivan

Photography by Nassima Rothacker

MAKES 10–12
250g bicarbonate of soda
80g citric acid
food colouring (optional)
dried flower petals, such as rose or lavender to decorate, slightly crushed (optional)
10 drops of rose essential oil
10 drops of lavender essential oil
5 drops of lemon essential oil

rubber gloves
cotton face mask
spray bottle
glass jar, for storage
ice cube trays or jelly molds

Wear rubber gloves and a face mask, not because the citric acid is a bad chemical, but it is strong and if it goes down your throat the wrong way you will cough. Mix the bicarbonate of soda and citric acid together in a glass bowl. Fill a spray bottle with some cold water and then very gradually spray water into the mix in the bowl, stirring as you go. You want to add just enough water (so hardly any) to make the ingredients stick together. You can add a few drops of food colouring or dried flower petals too, if you like.

Add the essential oils and continue mixing. Form the mixture into single-use sizes by pressing into small ball shapes or similar walnut-sized balls using your hands (or you can use individual moulds, such as ice cube trays, to shape the mixture). Place them on a tray and leave to dry overnight, then carefully transfer the bombs (popping them out of the moulds, if necessary) to a glass jar or other airtight container and close the lid. These will keep for up to 3 months.

To use, drop one into the toilet pan, leave it to dissolve and flush on the next use. Use as necessary, but no more than once a day

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Post Script: The Art of Natural Cleaning, Natural Beauty, Edible Flowers and Herbs for Health – Rebecca Sullivan

 

    The Art of Edible Flowers ISBN: 978 0 85783 478 8

    The Art of Natural Beauty ISBN: 978 0 85783 478 2

     The Art of Natural Cleaning ISBN: 978 0 85783 475 1

    The Art of Herbs for Health ISBN: 978 0 85783 477 5

Rebecca Sullivan

Hachette Australia

Kyle Books

Description:

As there are 4 books in this series I am having trouble fitting the descriptions into my format – so I’ll just post one description– as a sample of the type of chemical free products you can make from these books.

 

From The Art of Natural Beauty:

From Avocado and Rose Face Oil to Salt and Macadamia Hair Spritz, this handy little guide is the perfect companion for anyone who wants to save money (and the planet) by ditching chemical-filled, mass-produced beauty products and making their own natural ones at home. Rebecca Sullivan has researched and tested a whole range of treats and treatments for your face, body and hair, and even your teeth.

 

Keep skin touchably soft with Chocolate Orange Body Butter, and create your own make up palette using petal powders. With Lavender Lip Scrub and Elderflower Night Cream, the ideas in this book will inspire you to overhaul your entire cosmetic collection and embrace the art of natural beauty.

 

My View:

I love this how to series of natural products/recipes, the books are perfect for anyone who is trying to detox their home, live a chemical free life and save money.

 

“Rebecca Sullivan is an eco-agronomist, activist, food writer, urban farmer, entrepreneur and home cook. She is passionate about heritage, preserving traditions, and passing on a wealth of ‘granny skills’ to future generations. She is the author of The Art of the Natural Home, also published by Kyle Books, and Like Grandma Used to Make, published in Australia. @grannyskills (Instagram).” https://www.hachette.com.au/rebecca-sullivan/

 

The ingredients used in these books are not difficult to source – many you will find in your kitchen pantry or garden and Rebecca provides a section at the back of each book called “resources” where she lists suppliers – by region.

 

Over the next few days I will post a couple of the recipes that I am keen to try. Easy to make, cheap and chemical free- what’s not to love?