Welcome to #RealRawRadiant Woman edition #3! An interview series where I chat with inspiring women who live REAL, RAW and, RADIANT. Living RR&R may incorporate the foods you eat, the lifestyle you lead, or the way you show up in daily life. It looks so different for each individual!
I am more than a little honoured to have an incredibly experienced and educated guest on #RealRawRawdiant Woman this week – Katie Tymms! As impressive as her formal qualifications are (she is a Naturopath, Nutritionist and, Wellness & Life Coach) Katie’s personality and character are equally inspiring! She is a woman full of compassion and kindness with her motto being to ’embrace positive change with courage and strength’. Read on to find out what foods a Nutritionist actually eats, nab her essential health tips and, grab a delish Breakky recipe!
Katie Tymms
How do you live in a real and raw way?
For me it all comes down to living my truth, and just simply being ‘me’ at all times and with everything I do. Kindness envelops everything. It’s a huge part of who I am in everything I do and everything I say. Being authentically ‘me’, doesn’t mean I need to share every precious detail of my life, but it does mean that I speak and live my truth in a way that always feels and is right for me, and allows me to connect with others in a real way also.
I live a very authentic and intuitive life. Even more so these days. If I’m a little open and honest, that’s naturally evolved from my own personal life experiences – including living with a chronic illness and periods of grief and deep sadness in my own life. I truly believe that through dark times, we can emerge into the light – I’ve been able to choose and embrace this for myself – and it’s from these life experiences that I have really learnt a lot about myself and who I am deep ‘within’. And have come to a huge level of acceptance with a lot of things, which has had profound influence on how I perceive things and how I live. And how I am – not only with myself, but with others.
I am a very intuitive person and if something doesn’t feel right – a situation or a person – I really am aware of it, I feel it and I think very carefully about the why’s and reasons behind it. And ultimately, I have to do what feels right for me. I don’t allow negativity to surround me these days and sometimes that means taking a step back or even walking away. It’s not always easy to do so, but if I am living in a real and authentic way, it’s sometimes necessary and wise.
I am also a very intuitive with the foods I eat – from managing Celiac in my life as well as a chronic health condition, I am very passionate about foods for wellness and foods which make me feel good. I know how my body feels with certain foods and I’m incredibly mindful of choosing the right foods so that I can feel the best I possibly can, at all times. That’s a message for myself but also one which I encourage others to take up also – to choose healthy and nutritious foods to support your body…on all levels…as this can create healing and wellness.
As a Nutritionist, what foods feature in your daily diet to give you energy for your life?
I choose plant based foods. That’s not to say I think everyone should be a vegetarian or vegan. But for me, it’s a way of eating that works best for me and plant-based foods are so nutritious, healthy, healing and full of all the things I believe we need, to thrive.
I always have a fridge full of organic vegetables. I love organic food for it’s natural health benefits, but also because it means that I am eating with the seasons (rather than supermarket produce that’s been sitting in the store room) and I love that way of eating. For me, I invest in organic food for my health – it’s a choice I believe in as I want to get the most nutrition and health benefits I can from the foods I eat. I enjoy different foods in warmer months to colder months. In warmer months, I have more raw foods and salads, and in winter I enjoy more cooked foods, including nurturing root vegetables, curries with lots of warming and healing herbs and spices, and soups.
My fridge and pantry are full of only healthy ingredients and natural foods. I know that sounds boring to some, but I suppose as a wellness practitioner, I do practice what I preach! I minimise packaged foods and when I do, I make sure they only contain natural ingredients with no preservatives or additives. If I don’t recognise an ingredient, it’s not something my body will thank me for. And that’s ultimately what healthy eating is about for me – every cell of my body thanking me for the foods I’m choosing to eat, for me to feel the best I possibly can.
I would say that my way of eating is very anti-inflammatory and healing – it’s these foods which give me energy and feel best for me. Plant based foods are easily digested, so the nutrients are all absorbed easily. And my way of eating is free from refined sugar, salt (except for a little tamari and miso) and dairy products. Instead I eat very clean foods – vegetables, fruit (banana and berries mostly), brown rice, potato, legumes (chickpeas, lentils, and other pulses), nuts and seeds, avocado, flaxseed oil and I cook with coconut oil always. I have some tofu, but it’s often silken tofu as it’s easier to digest for me.
I also use a lot of spices and herbs. Turmeric is a stand out favorite! but I use a lot of garlic, ginger, chilli, coriander, cinnamon…I love the healing properties of spices with cooking.
What are your self-care non-negotiables?
Meditation is top of the list. I never thought I’d say it, but it’s a ritual I couldn’t do without these days – for personal self care, for pain management, and to manage stress and anxiety. There are so many benefits and I will always have my meditation teacher to thank for creating this beautiful ritual in my day, to also share with my clients. I call it my number one drug of choice. In all honesty, I use mediation as people might use panadol. It’s the first thing I go to for healing – body, mind and soul.
Time for myself and truly knowing when to say “no” to things if and when I feel I’m taking on too much, giving too much and needing to nurture myself. This has only come more so over the last few years. I used to feel that not giving and taking time out was selfish and I now know it’s essential for myself, as well as creating more quality time with those around me. The more self love I can create in my own life, the more love I have to give.
I really like to get to the pool 3 times a week for activity and motion. I don’t use the word exercise for myself or with clients as I feel it can then sometimes become something we “have” to do, rather than a self care activity. Having come from a background of long distance running and having to give that up from injury, I realised that exercise can become so addictive that it can take over our lives and thought processes. Working through that was a huge challenge and life changing experience for me – and finding something that works for me, to replace that, has been challenging but manageable. And I know that going to the pool and moving my body in water is important for me and feels good.
Surrounding myself with the right people. For many years I was someone with a lot of friends and acquaintances, and I have realised over the last few years especially, that a handful of very very close and best friends is far more important to me – quality rather than quantity. And that feels right for me in life now too. Surrounding myself with the right people, I feel, is such a huge part of self care. And it’s a huge part of living an authentic life for me, as I know those friends I connect with are truly there for the right reasons. And we are mutually supportive and encouraging of each other.
And spending time with my dog. She is pure, unconditional love and I adore her. And I think there’s a lot to be said that those with pets, can be healthier and happier. I certainly have a happy heart with Bronte dog in my life. And a happy heart is very important for wellness.
When do you feel most radiant?
When I spend time with people I love. When I’m eating the right healthy foods, full of nutrients to best nourish and nurture my body. Sunshine and warmer weather. Fresh air and nature. When I embrace acceptance with dignity and grace and find beauty in simple pleasures in life. When I feel I have balance in my life and am able to feel grounded, centered and have clarity.
Also , when I am supporting a client to believe in themselves and to truly shine – this makes me feel radiant. Seeing others shine truly lights me up and makes me shine along with them. My clients remind me always of why I do what I do and really love it.
Feeling radiant comes with all these things, along with simply knowing that I’m being true to myself in every way and with others. And kindness brings radiance also.
Best health tip?
To learn to create positive thought processes. Our minds control everything and I truly believe that if we can change our thinking, we can live a happier and healthier life. Despite our life situation, difficulty and limitations – these don’t define us – the way we think about things is our choice and only we can control our thoughts and emotions.
Nutrition and healthy eating is a huge part of health and wellness, but if we’re not happy with who we are ‘inside’ and the thoughts we’re thinking and creating about ourselves and others around us – we can’t be truly “well”. Wellness comes from peace of mind and truly having a loving relationship with ourselves.
Create a healthy relationship with yourself – that’s my number one health tip!
What is your favourite food/meal right at the moment?
Right now – it’s a very simple thing for dinner tonight. I’m not a gourmet chef. I cook clean foods in a very simple way. Tonight it’s a baked potato topped with stir fried brocolini, mushrooms, carrot and spinach – topped with toasted cashews. I add a tablespoon of flaxseed oil to the top, tahini and hummus (always homemade). Very simple but very delicious.
Tomorrow it will be pumpkin and chickpea soup. Another simple, yet healthy and delicious meal.
Can you share a fav recipe with us?
I have to say I’m in love with my breakfast at the moment – it’s very simple but a great start to the day. All organic ingredients!
1 small banana, cut into pieces
3 strawberries, cut into small pieces
Handful of blueberries
Handful of cashews
Handful of pumpkin seeds
Handful of sunflower seeds
Tablespoon of shredded coconut
2 tablespoons of flaxseed oil
All mixed together – it’s basic, but very delicious! Healthy fruits, protein, healthy fats – it keeps me going until lunchtime.
Connect with Katie here:
Web: Katie Tymms
Facebook: Katie Tymms
Instagram: katiewellnesscoaching
