Second Nature Blog - A Healthy Lifestyle in the 21st Century

03 / 10 / 2016

7 Reasons to Eat more Yellow and Orange Foods

Denisa mango, smoothie bowl, squash 0

Earlier this year when I was recovering from my spinal surgery, all I could dream of were yellow and orange coloured smoothies and lots of orange fruits, like papaya, mango, peaches, oranges, grapefruits etc. The reason? The beta carotene present in these gets converted into Vitamin A, which is important for good skin and bone health. And since I had a BIG scar across my entire back and a pierced spine to heal, it only seemed legit to crave what I needed in order for that to happen swiftly. Aren’t our bodies amazing?

30 / 09 / 2016

Raw Carrot and Chocolate Cheesecake Recipe

Denisa carrot cake, chocolate, raw cake 3

To continue the orange theme of the season, here’s something to make you smile even more. It always works for me! Meet CAKE. RAW CARROT CAKE.

This was a Thanksgiving inspired cake that I prepared for the Yes Group London a while ago, and it vanished from the table in minutes. It’s a mixture of a carrot – pumpkin cake with a LAVISH raw chocolate layer. We’re going to town with this.

I wanted to make a pumpkin cake, but the thing is, when using raw pumpkin or squash in desserts they tend to be very starchy and can ruin the taste of the cake. Ooops. We don’t want that! That’s why I decided to keep the orange, spicy theme, yet go for carrots instead. Oh holy guacamole, it’s a winner!!

27 / 09 / 2016

Sweet Potato + Squash Salad Recipe

Denisa batch cooking 0

We’re officially in autumn and I’m feeling this through the vast amount of sweet potato and squash I’ve started eating!

As the outside temperature started dropping, the oven and steamer started increasing and I’ve been diving into orange veg county. A couple of sweet potatoes go a very long way in a green salad or mixed grain one.

The great thing is that the autumn harvest is packed with root veggies ready for you to dive into them, whether you’re steaming, roasting or stewing. They’re generally warming in nature and also happy looking, uplifting your plate and mood.

26 / 09 / 2016

Energising Protein Smoothie – Recipe

Denisa green smoothie, pomegranate, protein 0

Need some Monday Motivation? I’ve got you!

We’re beating the Monday Blues with Monday Greens and today I have a protein smoothie to energise you and repair you after a workout session. Even without the workout, you’ll still benefit from this blend.

Pomegranates are fantastic (one of my favourite fruit, and so are persimmons!) and we’re just entering their season! Bring them on! With a history of more than 5000 years, the pomegranate was originally found in Persia and Brought in Europe by the Spanish Colonists.

23 / 09 / 2016

Vegan Rustic Blackberry Galette Recipe

Denisa autumn, banana, blackberries, brunch, cake, dessert, tarte 0

Oh English autumn! Every morning I wake up and get out of the house for some fresh air. I take a small container with me and within 5 minutes I have it full of blackberries. I must be turning purple from all the berries I’ve eaten! Yet they’re so good for you. I promise I’ll try making use of other ingredients in the next few weeks, though I am enjoying the abundance.

You can easily replace blackberries for any other fruit in this recipe, so just make use of what you have at home. For this messy looking sugar-free, vegan rustic blackberry galette I’ve used some elderberries too!

19 / 09 / 2016

Motivation Smoothie – #MondayGreens Recipe

Denisa blackberries, celery, green smoothie, spinach, spirulina 0

I love Monday! What a perfect day to be alive!

If the Monday Blues sneak in and you’re all grumpy for no reason and longing for some comfort and uplifting music, food, drinks I’ve got the perfect mix for you! It’s seasonal, easy to make and delicious! It’s called Motivation Smoothie for a reason. Welcome to the new #MondayGreens!

14 / 09 / 2016

Sugar-Free Plum and Blackberry Cake Recipe

Denisa autumn, baking, banana, blackberries, cake, plums, recipe 0

If you have sugar cravings and don’t know what to do with them anymore, this cake recipe is a great alternative to the processed sugars and an easy way to start replacing them. Giving up sugar cold turkey can be quite strong as you experience jittery, drug like symptoms. And it makes sense when you see how sugar messes up with your body…

12 / 09 / 2016

Day 8 of the 10-Day Bloom Launch Giveaway

Denisa 0

Hi there my friend! Hope you had an amazing weekend!

It’s DAY 8 of the 10-Day Bloom Launch Giveaway and I have a super special treat for you! Today’s prize is a mega sweet treat for you and two friends at Tanya’s, Chelsea’s amazing raw food eatery. Tanya Maher, the soul, and co-creator of the café, is a raw food chef fellow, that’s inspired many of us to dream bigger on what you can do with food and spread the message of healing and thriving on plant based living foods. And wait until you see the desserts! I love making them, but at the same time, I love having them ready to go and Tanya’s is the place to get them.

It’s my absolute delight to share it with you today and I wish I could enter the competition too!

11 / 09 / 2016

Day 7 of the 10-Day Bloom Launch Giveaway

Denisa 0

It’s DAY 7 of the 10-Day Bloom Launch Giveaway and today is all about gratitude.

I chose to focus on this subject today, as Sunday is for most people a day of rest and reflection. Are you practicing gratitude in your daily life? When I wrote Bloom, I included the 7 principles of healthy living, which are the basis of achieving optimum health, but the most underlying one is probably gratitude.

10 / 09 / 2016

Day 6 of the 10-Day Bloom Launch Giveaway

Denisa 0

It’s DAY 6 of the 10-Day Bloom Launch Giveaway and today’s prize is a very dear one to me. OllyBars are one of the best natural energy bars out there. Unlike other brands, which are packed with dates, overpowering any other ingredients, Ollybars are packed with chia seeds, nuts, superfoods and different dry fruit. They’re the perfect snack, all day breakfast or workout fuel. I sometimes live on them when travelling or doing events!

Olly, the founder, is also a great friend of mine and I can tell you that he’s very passionate about what he does. The whole brand started in his kitchen some years ago and the bars are still handmade in Hackney to this day. I absolutely love that, and whenever I visit the production kitchen I feel like a kid in a candy store. The good candy! Hope you’ll enjoy today’s bundle! Happy days!

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Hi there beautiful! I’m Denisa, Health Coach, Healer, Plant Based Chef

Whether through food or developing an emotional and spiritual practice, my passion is to help you lead a much healthier, happier and fulfilled life, without being constrained by appearances or a poor relationship with what and how you're eating.
Food is so much more than fuel. Food is an experience. It's passion, energy, memory, connection, and plays a big role in the healing of our minds and our bodies.
On this website, you can find recipes and lifestyle tips and explore different ways of healing through food and I'll be there for you every step along the way, as your coach and mentor to guide you back to better health.

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All information and tools presented within this site are intended for educational purposes. Any health, diet or exercise advice is not intended as medical diagnosis or treatment. If you think you have any type of medical condition you must seek professional advice even if you believe it may be due to diet, food or exercise.

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