Foodie Friday: Tara Bliss

Posted September 21, 2012

First thing’s first. This week’s Foodie’s name is Tara Bliss. With an awesome name like that, there is no real need to toot her horn any longer. However, Tara deserves all the horn tooting we have ears for. As her name suggests, Tara is lovely. She is soulful, spiritual, sassy, sexy and lots of other ‘s’ words. On a professional note, Tara is the founder of Such Different Skies and a life coach who helps women all over the world dissolve overwhelm, self-doubt and limiting beliefs. She is also a dream strategist and a crystal healer in training.

Meet Tara …

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

I was exhausted! I was so sick of burning the candle at both ends and partying my life away; eventually I awoke to the realisation that for me to live a fulfilling life meant I needed to pull my finger out. Slowly I became a much healthier girl, but it was definitely my wedding in September last year that motivated me to experiment with the whole ‘glowing-bride’ notion. I started juicing like a crazy person, became obsessed with raw foods and eventually transitioned from meat-crazy omni to super passionate vegetarian.

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

Green juice, coconuts and mountains of vegetables. I can go weeks without eating fruit, and I can take or leave grains and legumes – but hydration and veggies? Gimme!

Why do you eat the way you eat?

I eat a mostly plant-based diet and I’m passionate about it because I like to feel energised, peaceful and like I’m making a difference. About a year ago I watched the documentary Earthlings; I was already well on my way to drastically changing my diet, but that movie catapulted my dietary journey to green and clean a whole lot faster. Since then I’ve become aware of a lot of the conspiracies that surround the health information that’s available to us – and adopting this lifestyle change was the most rebellious, most important thing I could do to fight them (I love a bit of rebellion!).

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

I’d crack open a fresh young coconut and serve the coconut water on ice with a funky straw, and the flesh in a cute bowl covered in passion fruit pulp. Who could say no to that?

How do you stay healthy while travelling?

I always eat what the locals eat. Sometimes this means relaxing my diet a little (to include wild-caught fish and fresh bakery products), but ultimately I’ve found that it makes the experience all the more enjoyable. Also, I hike everywhere, snowboard a lot, and – in tropical countries – flail in the water (this is what it looks like when I attempt surfing).

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

Young coconuts, veggies and hummus, and pistachios.

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

Definitely juice. I’m sure if I owned a Vitamix it might be a different story, but for now, I’m diggin’ juices. The more punchy the better. Celery, cucumber, leafies, grapefruit, lemon and ginger is a goodie. Zing!

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

The protein thing. The calcium thing. The ‘you’ll turn into skin and bones’ thing. Enough already! I’m okay!

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

I’d cook for my man! He’s a chef himself and I’ve sat down to the dinner table countless times to his amazing meals. I’d probably keep it simple; a crunchy, sprouty salad, gorgeous roasted veggies and sweet corn on the cob – all fresh from our garden. Light and fresh.

What does being a Wellness Warrior mean to you?

Being responsible for my own energy and compassionately spreading the awareness of that on to my peers (and anyone else who will listen). It’s imperative for us all to stake a positive claim on what we have control over. I love to hear stories of rebellion and warrior-like passion that gives status quo a run for its money. Wellness Warriors unite for similar causes and are the catalysts for infinite change!

A Recipe From Tara:

Jaffa Chia Pannacotta

 

What you’ll need:

½ cup chia seeds
¼ cup raw organic cacao powder
Juice of 1 orange
Zest of 1 orange
1 tbsp coconut oil
1 tbsp coconut shreds
1 tbsp goji berries
1 tbsp mulberries
1 cup hot water (not boiling)

What to do:

1. Melt coconut oil in 1/2 cup hot water. Add cacao powder and stir until dissolved.

2. Throw in shredded coconut, berries, chia seeds, orange juice and zest. Stir thoroughly. The warm water will plump the chia seeds up rapidly, so add the rest of hot water little by little.

3. When everything is combined, you can leave it as is and pour the mixture into moulds, or you can do as I did and give it a whizz with a stick blender.

4. Molding this mixture is entirely optional. You may well just want to pour it into a jar, let it cool and then dig in (awesome for road trips and eating on the run). I put them in the freezer for about eight minutes – enough to set the outside (the coconut oil gives this stability when it cools), while the middle remains gooey and typically chia-dinosaur-eggy-textured.

5. Flip your mold upside down, garnish with some more zest, a few orange segments and sliced almonds, and you’ve got yourself one sexy half pannacotta, half jaffa fondant, 100% all natural, delicious breakfast, dessert or snack!

 

Connect with Tara on:

Her website: suchdifferentskies.com
Facebook
Twitter
 

 

Positive affirmation for the day: Self kindness is my number one priority.

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