Foodie Friday: Maz Pugoy

Posted July 13, 2012

One of my best friends who lives in Sydney is always keeping me in the loop about awesome organic products and people she thinks I should connect with. Her latest find is Maz from Sadhana Kitchen, the new wholefoods café in Newtown, Sydney.

Maz is a yoga teacher, a raw food and Star Wars enthusiast, and a nutritional medicine student. She believes that what we put into our bodies everyday is part of our Sadhana (conscious spiritual practice), and that eating kindly and consciously unlocks the doors to an abundance of sustainable health and happiness for all beings, our environment and our world.

Meet Maz …

What was the catalyst that turned you into a healthy foodie?

Yoga. Yoga has been the catalyst to so many positive changes in my life. In short, it has encouraged me to be more mindful, more conscious of my thoughts, words and actions. This includes what I put into my body. Yoga has taught me the value and importance of a Sadhana (conscious spiritual practice) and I believe that what we eat every day in an integral component of our Sadhana.

What are your non-negotiables when it comes to your diet?

Food has to be delicious and a pleasure to eat and it has to serve you, therefore it has to be nourishing. This means consuming alive, organic, natural and unprocessed foods.

If you were trying to convert someone to your dietary philosophy, what would you make for them?

Sadhana Kitchen’s raw vegan Tejas Tacos which is comprised of spiced walnut mince, fresh salsa and guacamole, topped with fermented cashew cheeze. For dessert, I’d make them our tiramisu or mango float – all raw, vegan, sugar-free, dairy-free and gluten-free and full of deliciousness and love.

How do you stay healthy while travelling?

I invested in a mini personal blender so that I could ensure I consumed enough awesome vitamins, minerals and enzymes in the form of a green smoothie every morning. There are many types available on the market. Mine weighs less than a kilo and has a mason jar attachment so I can take my smoothie around with me throughout the day. I used to travel almost every day for work and it saved me!

What are your go-to meals and snacks when you are super busy?

Nothing beats a fresh salad. It’s so versatile and you can literally toss in whatever you have on hand. It’s also easy to boost the nutrient content by adding superfoods such as chia seeds and hemp seeds. Smoothies and juices are also a winner because they are so incredibly nutrient dense, quick to prepare, easy to consume and digest and so very tasty.

Juices or smoothies: Which do you prefer? What’s your favourite combination?

I think a mix of both is important. Juice is easier to digest and the nutrients absorb quicker, but smoothies have fibre and we all need as much natural fibre as we can get! My favourite combination is a whole lot of seasonal greens (kale and Cos lettuce if its available) with some frozen organic mango, banana and hemp seeds.

What’s the biggest nutrition misconception you are always having to clear up for people?

When I run raw food workshops at Sadhana Kitchen, I always get asked where plant-based foodies get their protein and iron from if they don’t eat meat and where they get their calcium from if they don’t consume dairy. The truth is, there are so many plant based foods that yield an abundance of all of those nutrients and best of all, they’re a lot easier for the body to digest and a lot kinder on our bodies, our animal friends and our environment.

If you could prepare a meal for anyone (dead or alive) who would it be and what would you make?

I come from a Filipino heritage and traditional food includes a whole lot of meat, sugar, salt and rice so if I could choose anyone, I would make a raw vegan feast for all my grandparents. They have left their bodies now, but if they were alive, I’d really want them to experience how delicious, uplifting and enjoyable raw vegan food can be. Plus I’d get a huge kick from tripping them out with my plant0based mince, cheezes and creams 

What does being a Wellness Warrior mean to you?

Being a wellness warrior means connecting people to their own personal wisdom so that they are empowered to make positive choices that encourage health and happiness. As Jedi master Yoda says, “already know you, that which you need”

A Recipe From Maz:

Raw Vegan Mini Cinnamon Doughnuts

This recipe makes approx 10 mini doughnuts:

Appliances you will need:

Food processor
Dehydrator (if you don’t have one, turn your over on at it’s lowest temp, leave the door slightly open and dehydrate for as long the instructions require for a standard dehydrator)

Ingredients (I use good local organic produce – if you can, you should too!):

Doughnuts

3/4 cup activated almonds
1/4 cup activated cashews
1/4 cup shredded coconut
1/4 activated buckwheat flour (grind activated flax seeds in a coffee grinder)
1/4 cup flaxmeal (grind activated flax seeds in a coffee grinder)
1 Tbsp. lacuma
1 Tbsp. mesquite
3-4 pitted dates (soaked for 1 hour)
1 tbs coconut nectar
1 tsp cinnamon powder
pinch of Himalayan pink salt

Glaze

1/4 cup coconut nectar
1 tsp cinnamon powder
1 tsp mesquite

After preparing all of the above:
Place all ingredients except for the dates and coconut nectar in a food processor and mix until the texture of fine crumbs. Add the remaining ingredients and process until a dough forms. If the dough is too dry, add a tiny bit of filtered water. The dough shouldn’t be too sticky.
Shape dough into about 10 mini doughnuts and arrange onto dehydrator trays mesh sheets. Dehydrate for 2-4 hours at 40 degrees Celsius.
Mix all the glaze ingredients in a small personal blender or by hand and spoon over mini doughnuts.

Om nom nom!

Want more from Maz? Check out her:

Website: sadhanakitchen.com
Blog: sadhanakitchen.com/blog
Facebook: facebook.com/sadhanakitchen
Twitter: @sadhanakitchen

Positive affirmation for the day: My happiness depends on no one else but me.

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