Welcome to the #realrawradiant woman interview series. This interview series feature women who live in a REAL, RAW and, RADIANT way. From the foods they eat to the lifestyle they lead.
Living #realrawradiant is not a 1 size fits all lifestyle or diet rather, it celebrates the individual and unique ways to live life on your own terms. It also highlights the nutrition and nourishment needed to fuel your best life. Each Q&A will also include a real food or raw food recipe. Bonus!
It gives me so much joy to introduce you to our very first #realrawradiant woman – Kelly Fielding of Bella & Bhakti. I have been following Kelly via Bella & Bhakti for some time now and, consistently drool over her delicious vegan fare.
Kelly understands that ‘food is indeed medicine’ and, passes her knowledge on via eBooks, catering, raw food classes and consultations. I know you’ll agree, she is a stunningly elegant and authentic woman.
Introducing Kelly ..
How do you live in a real and raw way?
I turned vegetarian when I was fifteen and stumbled across raw vegan cuisine when I was 21 living in California. I fell in love with raw food immediately. I had always enjoyed being creative in the kitchen and the art of raw food preparation gave me a whole new plethora of ideas to play with! Since then I have embraced a raw food lifestyle and my passion for living a vibrant, sustainable and cruelty free life just continues to grow and grow. Eating a raw vegan diet feels like the best way I can nourish and nurture my body, while also contributing in a positive and real way to the world, to the environment, to the people around me and the other creatures we share this world with.
What do you do to nurture yourself?
I have always been a really early riser and I love this time of the day when the rest of the world is asleep. I use this peaceful time to practice yoga, to meditate, to set positive intentions for the day ahead and then I go for a run or walk along the beach. I start my day like this every day and it means that no matter what the rest of the day holds, I know I have taken time for myself to nurture the things that are important to me. Other than my morning practice, I also take lots of long walks during the days in nature, travel when I can and always make myself the best life-giving food possible to fuel my body, mind and spirit.
Do you have self care non-negotiables?
They are pretty much the morning routine I mentioned above! Yoga, exercise, time in nature, traveling, experiencing the world- these are all non-negotiables for me. In terms of diet, although saying I don’t eat meat, dairy, sugar, wheat or anything artificial sounds restrictive, it’s really not at all- these food categories simply don’t exist in my mindset at all! I feel my healthy diet is rich and abundant in such wonderful food so I never ever feel that I am missing out on anything.
When do you feel most radiant?
When I am out in the world experiencing new places and new cultures I always feel the most alive. I am a real solitary person- I love being on my own, traveling solo, experiencing the world around me quietly. I am an avid writer and if I can move around, writing about my journey, finding insights into myself and the greater human condition, this fills me with such a great joy. I live very simply, I’m not an extravagant person. A beautiful sunrise, a perfectly ripe mango, a walk through dense jungle or a night sleeping under the stars is my idea of living a radiant life.
What is you favourite food/meal right at the moment?
Although it sounds a little dull, a big fresh salad is what I crave most days! I am lucky enough to live near a wonderful farmers market and I am able to always stock up on the best and tastiest fresh greens, tomatoes, golden beetroots, crunchy cucumbers, sweet potatoes, homemade sprouts and sauerkraut and local avocados and tempeh. I do have a favorite salad dressing at the moment which is a combination of tahini, turmeric, coconut oil, sea salt and apple cider vinegar- it’s the best! I like to go to trouble when I’m making food for others or if I’m writing for my blog, but I could very, very happily live day in and day out on green smoothies and salads!
Can you share a fav recipe with us?
I’ve been working with a company called Rawsome Foods lately, they have a great superfood called Baobab which comes from Africa and is wonderful for immunity, digestion and stamina! I made this raw granola for them and its lovely- not too sweet and the perfect thing to put on top of my green smoothie bowls in the morning!
Raw Buckwheat Granola with raisins, ginger and vanilla.
Ingredients-
- 3 cups of soaked buckwheat (soak for 4 hours in filtered water and then strain and rinse well)
- 1 cup of chopped walnuts
- 2 cups of desiccated coconut
- ½ cup of pumpkin seeds
- ¼ cup of flax seeds
- ¼ cup of chia seeds
- ¾ cup of raisins
Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl and set aside.
In your blender add-
- 1 ½ cups of soft dates
- 1 ripe banana
- 2 tablespoons of baobab powder
- 10 drops of vanilla flavored stevia
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- one inch piece of fresh ginger
- 1 teaspoon of cinnamon
- Optional- ¼ cup of coconut nectar if you like your granola sweeter
Blend all ingredients until smooth.
Add this wet mixture to the dry ingredients and mix well to combine.
Spread the mixture over 3 or 4 dehydrator trays with the teflex sheets on and dry for around 12 hours.
After 12 hours you can remove the teflex and dry for another 4-6 hours or until the granola is totally dry and crunchy.
Serve with fresh almond milk, coconut yogurt and seasonal fruit.
The granola will last a couple of months in an airtight container.
To connect with Kelly at Bella & Bhakti, click these links: