Being happy in your own skin (Dr Xandra van Heerden and Khilona Natha)

If you link passion with paycheck you’ll never work a day in your life, especially if you think about it from a mindful perspective. How can your knowledge change and positively impact the lives of others? 

In the latest Mindful Living podcast with Izelle Hoffman, we meet two women of science who are doing incredible things in their field.

Dr Xandra van Heerden is a chemical engineer and Khilona Natha is a geneticist and both women use science and technology to assist other women in “unlocking a healthier future”. Click below to find out how.

Izelle paired her popular Roasted chickpeas 4 ways recipe with Dr Van Heerden and Khilona Natha.

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cooking time: 35–40 minutes

Servings: 4–6

2 x 410 g cans chickpeas, drained

2 Tbsp olive oil

2 Tbsp Raw Honey

Cinnamon chocolate

2 tsp caramel essence

1 tsp Oryx desert salt

¼ cup raw cacao powder

2 tsp ground cinnamon

1 tsp ground nutmeg (optional) 

2 Tbsp almond flour

Turmeric and black pepper

2 tsp onion powder

2 tsp ground turmeric

2 tsp ground black pepper

2½ tsp Oryx desert salt (reserve ½ tsp for sprinkling over once cooked)

Honey-mustard and rosemary

2 tsp onion powder

2 tsp mustard powder

2 tsp mustard seeds

2 tsp dried rosemary

2½ tsp Oryx desert salt (reserve ½ tsp for sprinkling over once cooked)

BBQ

2 heaped tsp paprika

1 tsp ground black pepper

2 tsp dried parsley

2½ tsp Oryx desert salt (reserve ½ tsp for sprinkling over once cooked)

1.      Preheat the oven to 190 °C and spray a baking tray with non-stick cooking spray.

2.      Rinse the chickpeas, pat dry with paper towel and place in a mixing bowl.

3.      Drizzle the chickpeas with the olive oil and honey and add the flavouring of your choice.

4.      Mix well until all of the chickpeas are evenly coated.

5.      Bake for 35–40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until crisp.

Why do we make use of these ingredients:

Chickpeas

I love chickpeas, whether grilled and flavoured as a snack, served in a vegetarian curry or pulped and mixed with a few other ingredients to form the base of a cake! Chickpeas are a good source of fibre, rich in calcium and anti-inflammatory, and boost the immune system.

Olive Oil

We all have our reasons why we prefer certain oils, but without a doubt my oil base of choice is olive oil, specifically for its amazing health benefits. Olive oil helps reduce inflammation and prevent osteoporosis, and is essential for bone health because it assists in the absorption of calcium and the mineralisation of bones, all of which are qualities I look for in a product, given my hip dysplasia and related joint pain.

Raw Honey

Salt needs sweet and vice versa to enhance taste and flavour. So when you add sweetness, choose a sweetness that has a healing effect on your body and health. Raw honey is antiviral and antifungal, and contains powerful antioxidants. Its helps ward off allergies, stabilise blood pressure and balance blood sugar levels. It also boosts the immune system and promotes digestive health.

Cinnamon

Cinnamon is loaded with antioxidants, lowers blood sugar levels and has a powerful anti-diabetic effect. It is anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antifungal and antibacterial.

Almonds

Whether in the form of milk, flour, butter or flakes, almonds are packed with nutritional benefits. They boost the immune system, help repair damaged skin, help prevent cancer, reduce the risk of osteoporosis and have alkalising properties. They are also a source of vitamin E, magnesium and high-quality protein. 

Raw Cacao

Raw cacao contains very high amounts of antioxidants, reduces appetite and helps with weight loss. It alleviates stress, helps manage depression and regulates blood pressure. It is a fantastic source of calcium too.

Oryx Desert Salt

What is the purpose of adding salt during cooking? It’s to enhance flavour, right? So why not start by using a good-quality salt to do the job? Sundried and unrefined with no additives will bring out the best in your food in the healthiest way possible.

Ground Black Pepper

Why do we add pepper to our food? When I ask this during cooking demonstrations, I always get the most interesting answers, but mostly people cannot tell me why they add pepper to their meals. My reason? It increases nutrient absorption and improves digestion, so you can get the most out of every meal, every time.

Onion

Onions are a natural antibiotic and antiseptic, so are a big YES, especially in winter. They purify the blood, regulate blood sugar levels and improve digestion. They are also anti-inflammatory. In addition to fresh onions, in my pantry you will find dried onion powder and flakes.

Mustard

Mustard contains calcium, phosphorus, manganese and magnesium in sufficient amounts to make it highly beneficial for the development of strong bones. Because I am prone to osteoporosis, I try to include mustard in my diet on a weekly basis in the form of powder and seeds by making honey-mustard flavoured dishes or dressings. Mustard also assists in the reduction of intestinal inflammation and suppressing the appetite.

Rosemary

Rosemary is not just another herb! It is an anti-inflammatory, antibacterial immune booster that helps liver detoxification and improves blood circulation.

Paprika

Smoked or sweet, paprika is antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and high in vitamin C. It helps ease arthritis and joint pain, and aids in iron and antioxidant absorption.

Parsley

Parsley is so much more than just a garnish; it packs an unsuspecting nutritional punch. High in vitamins A and C and calcium, it is anti-inflammatory, improves bone health, is a blood purifier and boosts the immune system.

ALSO LISTEN TO: Health food guru meets junk food lover

In the last episode of Mindful Living, we met a woman who lives to create gorgeous and mindful spaces for us to spend our time in. When we think Mindfulness, it’s not only about living in the moment but also about where you find yourself in that moment.

Bianca Boas is a multi-functional Fashion and Interior designer and advisor who's designed everything from Sheikh’s palaces to a McDonalds. She shares her story with Izelle Hoffman - explaining where it all began; why mindful spaces matter and how you can create your own mindful space at home. Listen below.

Find more episodes from Mindful Living with Izelle Hoffman in the channel below.

More about Izelle:

Lifestyle chef and cookbook author Izelle Hoffman is a rising star in South Africa's culinary firmament. Raised in a farming environment that placed great importance on good food, she’s convinced that eating correctly adds significantly to a life of overall wellness.

Izelle is well known to local television audiences as the lifestyle chef on a number of programs and she has also been food editor on a range of fitness magazines. She is author of Mindful Eating.

Follow Izelle on social media:

@IzelleHoffman on Instagram
Izelle Hoffman Lifestyle Chef on Facebook