Celebrity Foodie Friday: Teresa Palmer

Posted September 14, 2012

 

You may know her from movies such as I Am Number Four, Bedtime Stories, The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, Transformers and December Boys. Or, because she once dated (my love) Russell Brand. However, Teresa Palmer is gracing the screen of this website because she is a glowing example of a healthy celebrity foodie. Teresa honours her body like the temple that it is.

Along with BFF Phoebe Tonkin (last week’s Celebrity Foodie Friday), Teresa is working on a wellness website called Your Zen Life, which I cannot wait to see launch.

Meet Teresa …

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

I was working on a movie a few years back called I Am Number Four and I was doing very rigorous stunt training for months leading up to filming. My diet at the time wasn’t too unhealthy but it was heavy and I just couldn’t sustain the energy I needed to be able to perform my job adequately. So little by little I started cutting things out and adding more vegetables and plant based foods into my diet. During this transition I felt as if a shroud had been removed from me. I had an incredible amount of energy, such a bounce in my step and I felt vitality that I haven’t felt in years. The shift to embracing healthy food choices was such a significant time in my life and I have never looked back and never felt happier.

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

No land animals! I eat vegan and raw vegan 90% of the time and incorporate fish every now and then when dining out. I also always stay away from refined sugar, anything deep fried, dairy, white foods like white pasta, bread and rice and of course no GMO foods.

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

For breakfast I would make them a baked ‘berry crumble’ with berries, lemon juice, sprouted buckwheat groats, almond butter and coconut baked in the oven and topped with chopped pistachios! So delicious and filling.
I would also bake them Japanese kabocha ‘fries’ in the oven with a little coconut oil and rolled in cinnamon

How do you stay healthy while travelling?

I bring a little goodie bag for the plane which usually has almond butter, Mary’s gone crackers, sun dried tomatoes, raw almonds and pistachios, dates, some unsweetened carob chips and sprouted buckwheat groats. I also pack my own avocado/spinach salad too. Whenever I arrive into a new city I make sure that I’ve done my homework and sourced out all the local vegan stores and organic markets.

 

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

Lotus root packed in a miso broth, raw almond butter with cucumber sticks and kale chips are great on the run snacks. I can always whip up a quick salad with kelp noodles, hijiki, tomatoes, spinach, onion with guacamole as the dressing for those days that I’m in a rush.

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

I like both! Every day I try to have a green smoothie and use cucumber, spinach, kale, romaine, celery and juice from one lemon and one lime and add 1/4 cup spring water. I then sprinkle cinnamon on top, it’s so refreshing and full of an incredible amount of vitamins and minerals.

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

Ahh the dreaded low-fat diet fad! It’s just awful. I know many people who have succumbed to this and have felt sluggish, depressed and haven’t been able to shift any weight. By taking away the fat, most companies who make processed foods add sugar to make up for the lack of ‘taste’ and of course added sugar is even worse for you! Instead try a diet that’s rich in healthy fats such as raw nut butters, olives and seeds and natural sugars from fruit and vegetables.

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

It would be Alicia Silverstone and Kris Carr! They are two incredible (vegan) women who are so inspirational and are very passionate about spreading the message of health and wellness. I would be so nervous to cook for them as they both have published recipe books themselves but I know I’d have such a nice evening of healthy inspiration and good life chats!

As for the food – I would start with a pistachio basil pesto kelp noodle salad, then have a ‘no-pasta’ eggplant lasagna with a side of cinnamon kabocha baked ‘fries’ for the main course and finish off with my cacao and carob blueberry baked protein muffin for dessert. Hopefully they’ve got big appetites!

What does being a Wellness Warrior mean to you?

It means being in balance with your mind, body and spirit and fighting for that connection everyday. Knowing yourself well and treating yourself well with the right attitude, healthy food choices and passion to live your best life possible whilst trying to encourage and inspire as many people as you can along the way.

A Recipe From Teresa:

Tez’s Baked Pear, Blueberry and Banana Crisp

 

I LOVE this recipe for breakfast and even as a dessert, it’s filling – full of antioxidants and has the right balance of protein, carbs and healthy fats!

(serves 2)

Baked pear, banana, dates and blueberry topped with coconut, almond butter, nuts, mint

What’s you’ll need:

1/2 banana
1/2 pear
3 dates
Handful Blueberries
Lime
Lemon
Mint
Raw sprouted buckwheat groats
Raw Almond butter
Pistachio nuts
Cinnamon
Dried coconut flakes
Vanilla extract

What to do:

1. Pre-heat oven to 380 degrees F or 190 degrees C
2. Chop up banana, dates and pear. Put in tin foil (molded into a bowl shape). Add blueberries.
3. Squeeze lemon and lime juice all over the fruit until the fruit is sitting in a thin layer of juice.
4. Sprinkle and coat with cinnamon and set aside.
5. In a separate bowl combine 1/4 cup buckwheat groats and 2tbs of almond butter. Add big pinch coconut flakes and a cap full of vanilla extract. Stir it all in so it forms a big gooey clump.
6. Then spread your clump of yumminess on top of the fruit, trying to cover all of the fruit.
7. Add some more groats if it doesn’t cover all of the fruit. Squeeze a little more lemon on top.
8. Mold a makeshift lid for your bowl from tinfoil, poke holes in the top of it and place in the oven for 25minutes.
9. Once it’s finished, bring it out and scoop it into 2 bowls. Add some pistachios, some more coconut (if you like) and fresh chopped mint. Top with a little more cinnamon and serve!

Positive affirmation for the day: I am in control of how I feel, and I choose to feel calm and peaceful.

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