So lovely to be heard. So great to have people out there asking questions. And being heard at the same time.

Mum has been an absolute ambassador for eating out in her new vegan lifestyle and has been brilliant at requesting what places can do for her - either ringing ahead/visiting in advance or asking on the day. Each time she's been really pleased with the options and returned often to find that more is available.

Today's trip to the Wheatley Arms again reinforced that. And not only that, there were two dishes available on the menu (one to come without the parmesan) that were naturally vegan.

Service was fabulous - friendly, helpful and engaging. As for myself, eating raw (whilst I've been corrupted by a certain person recently into cooked vegan and enjoyed some great meals, I want to return to fully raw for a while and regain that fantastic energy that comes with eating raw and exercising well), they were brilliant.  I requested what I'd like - they checked out options and then provided a beautiful salad of leaves, sweet potato, courgette, pepper and sundried tomatoes.

I've learnt over time that dressings make a salad, and as salads become a big part of eating raw I've learnt to make dressings. Restaurant dressings don't often do much for me so I take my own and then REALLY enjoy the salad they've provided.

Today's (new to me - I've had it as a raw soup before with more cucumber in - 1:1 ratio) was my mango and cucumber dressing which was fresh, light and tasty. And went well with the great salad I was brought.

Yum. It was a quick dash home for #homeopathyhour - the twitter driven chat hour that I run on a Monday evening, then maybe it was that I'd been out and the meal was smaller (still a great size it's just my salads tend to be HUGE) than usual, I really fancied dessert.

Again another new to me - but worth sharing again - the cinnamon, vanilla pud.  Simple, easy to make and tasty. The way I like 'em.

So went another lovely Bank Holiday Monday afternoon and evening... Here's to a great week of eating well, exercising lots, laughter and love.

After a wonderful day I decided it was time to say a huge thank you! For so much really, but right here to say thanks to everyone who's been a part of my journey. It's been a crazy 7 years since qualifying as a homeopath and I had no idea I would be where I am now with everything 7 years ago. So thank you! For whatever part you've played in that I am full of gratitude.

Today has been a clinic, research and workshop day. A wonderful day with laughter, learning and love. And thinking about self love - how much the food we eat nourishes and supports us. 3 times a day (maybe more if you're like me!) we get to choose whether we eat for instant gratification or for long term health.

So I thought I'd share some books I've read that have played an instrumental part of my learning - in particular for my latest newsletter participant but I thought they may be of interest to many of you on the email list.

Eat and Run by Scott Jurek was the initial spark that started my journey.
The China Study by Dr Colin Campbell kickstarted my evangelical look at food and alongside it The China Study Cookbook has provided us with many great, easy to cook, tasty meals which nourish and delight.
Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease by Caldwell Esselstyn is a brilliant, eyeopening book (at times summarised in The China Study so if there's only one you're getting get TCS).
The Engine 2 Diet - a story of how a team of firemen in the states changed their lives, improved their health and boosted their energy - by Rip Esselstyn
Power Foods for the Brain by Neal Barnard (he's written lots of others but am working through them...)
Forks over Knives - all you can eat of these - the book, the film and the cookbook.

The basis of them all is a Whole Food, Plant Based lifestyle - or as Rip (who's also a keen triathlete - and looks like a fireman should if you know what I mean ladies ;) ) coined it - plant strong. This shift in lifestyle it turns out, can be huge in terms of increasing health.  Don't believe me? Grab one of the copies of the texts above - from triathletes to doctors to ultra runners - and see for yourself.

Wishing you a tremendously healthy, happy Bank Holiday weekend,

With love and gratitude,

Em x