Sunbed controversy...are they as bad as they seem?

I have always been highly apprehensive of sunbeds due to the bombardment of negative press in the media enforced upon us. We all know the claimed health risks; cancer (particularly skin), increased ageing, and damage to the eyes such as cataracts. So obviously, like many people of society I avoided them like the plague, fearful of these 'risks', yet ironically I would happily lie all day on the beach on holiday with my family, experiencing the same if not greater level of exposure. 

So if UV rays are so damaging, then why are people in warmer climates with constant exposure to the sun, often healthier, happier and more vibrant than those trapped in the cold climates, freezing with 'sad' disorder? The answer is vitamin D. Vitamin D boosts the 'happy hormone' making us feel more radiant from the inside and prepared for the day. It also aids the immune system, maintains cognitive functions, helps maintain a healthy body weight, protects against radiation damage, increases recovery for those suffering from T.B. and reduces the risk of contracting cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, M.S. (multiple sclerosis) and heart attacks. It is a salvation!

So where do all these health problems come from? If sunbeds arent to blame then what is? The answer to that is your lifestyle! As I am sure all of my fellow foodies are aware, what we put into our body and what we expose it to has a huge effect in its well being. If you are currently living on the typical American 'SAD' diet then you are exposing your body to a mountain of toxins from animal products, dairy, processed food, fast food and artificial preservatives that are building up in your body and will be rejected! Your body cannot thrive when it is lumbered with such disease and malnourishment. Imagine having to carry twice your weight on your back for the entirety of the day, wouldn't life be far more difficult? So, let us all make life easier and cherish the holy temple we have been given.

I am not saying you must be vegan to be healthy and happy, but following a plant based diet will definitely help! Ofcourese, don't deny yourself the foods you love, I myself love chai latte, falafel, vegan chocolate and a good curry so I am not trying to take over. But it is all about the small changes that will make all the difference! Once you start to feel the benefits you will never go back I promise you! I have been vegan for 9 months now and it is the best decision I have ever made! Not only am i appreciating my body but the world and its inhabitants! What could be more satisfying? 

Broccoli biryani

Indian food is one of my favourite cuisines as it is so full of flavour and surprsies, that I am actually entertained by the food I eat! I used to focus on heat rather than flavour and just go for the spiceiest option, but now my tastebuds enjoy a tasteful jalfrezi or balti over a fire burning vindaloo. So why not embrace the culture and give my own recipe a try? Well that is what this bizarre creation turned out to be :)

Ingredients:

Salad

• 1 head of broccoli
• punnet of mushrooms (chestnut are my favourite)
• 350g of spicy cherry peppers (or you can use one red bell pepper)

Sauce

• 4 large vine tomatoes
• 1/2 zucchini/courgette
• 1 very hot chilli
• 2 spring onions
• 1 heaped tsp garam masala (this is what provides that indian flavour sensation)

Instructions 

1. Begin by making the base of your salad, chop and food process the whole head of broccoli until it forms a rice like consistency (sometimes I prefer it fine, sometimes chunky, so just follow your tastebuds!) and place into a seperate bowl.
2. Chop the mushrooms and peppers into bite sized portions and mix with the broccoli 'rice'.
3. Now move onto the best part...the dressing! Finely chop the tomatoes, zucchini, chilli, onions and place into a blender and add the garam masala, simply let your blender do the work! Unfortunately, I do not have this privilege as my blender is in blender heaven ;)  So, I had to hand blend in a bowl, but it is definitely worth it! 
4. Add the dressing to the salad mixture and stir thoroughly until it is all coated with the delicious sauce. You can be civilised and use a spoon to do this, but I personally like to get involved with my food and mix my hands (you get the added bonus of licking your fingers this way!)
5. Et Voila! Enjoy as it is or put in lettuce or collard leaves and make indian tacos (if that even exists.)

Hope this satisfies your indian cravings and you enjoy the flavours! Let me know what you think by joining the google crowd and commenting below, and please inform me what else you would like me to post about! I would love to hear your thoughts and interests. 

10 fun facts about me :D

I thought it was time to do more of a personal post as there is nothing more hypocritical than sharing my opinions without you actually knowing me, I feel I would be unrelateable and unbelivable. So I hope that these silly facts will bring me closer to all of you wonderful human beings that I admire and adore so much. 

10 RANDOM FACTS

1. My full name is Chelsea Louise Little but my nickname is 'Smiley', somehow I am not sure where they got that one from (grin). My mom was actually going to call me 'Summer' which I think is such a beautiful name and is quite appropriate considering I despise the cold and could bathe in the sunshine forever.
2. I have been on a 'Yorkshire Tea' commerical on the television dressed as a teabag, you can youtube it my face is unmissable. I personally think I rock the teabag outfit (not!)
3. I used to have really goofy teeth, then at the age of 10 I was given braces for a year, my teeth aren't perfect but I love them for what they are, and believe me it is a huge improvement from before.
4. I want to go to drama school and study BA Honours in musical theatre, I just love being on the stage singing, acting and dancing the experience is indescribable and just brings me alive. It is the one true place I feel utterly free and indestructable.
5. I once went to 'Nandos' with my best friend painted blue and dressed as a smurf...it was halloween however it was so fun I might do it again!
6. I never used to eat raspberries because they were furry and made me imagine an old wrinkly person in my mouth, strange but I am still struggling to remove that mental image. 
7. I love seeing and experiencing new countries and cultures, I just find it so soul nourishing and invigorating for the mind. I am actually tempted to just leave the pressures, stress, rigidity and commerciality of the generic world and live in an exotic country as a yoga instructor with an abundance of fresh fruit and veggies.
8. If you follow me on instagram you will know that my current addiction is persimmons/sharon fruit. I literally cannot get enough, however I am very impatient and eat them when they are imbetween super squishy and firm. I can managed 2kg in one sitting now :P
9. I am awful with crying at films. I hate to see anyone sad or distressed and it just breaks my heart, I have only watched 'Bambi' once as it literally made my soul weep.
10. I carry vaseline and hand gel everywhere, it is my OCD. Smoothe lips and clean hands are essential!

Well there is a cheeky insight into the strange and random character that is me! I hope you enjoyed reading this post and please keep commenting and emailing, I love to keep in contact with my followers. I also have a postal address if anyone is interested <3

Lots of love and smiles! Be you, it is what makes you so great!

The master curried corn salad

I used to hate salads, but after experimenting with different dressings and flavour combinations, I can't get enough! And this is my all time favourite meal that I have at least 3 times a week because I love it so much. Just call me a corn addict :)

Ingredients

Sauce

• 4 ears of corn (frozen corn works too)
• 1/2 red pepper
• 1/2 zucchini (courgette)
• 2 spring onions
• handful of fresh dill
• 1 chilli pepper
• water to blend (add a bit at a time)

Base

• 1 iceburg lettuce
• 350g cherry tomatoes

Directions

1. I always make the dressing first (but that's because I like to eat it as I make the rest :) If your using the fresh corn then using a sharp knife remove from the cob and place in the blender. If your using frozen then soak required amount in luke warm water to defrost without cooking it.
2. Chop the pepper, zucchini, spring onions and chilli into smaller chunks and add to corn.
3. Simply tear the dill off the stems so you don't have huge strips.
4. Add 1/4-1/2 a cup of water before blending to ease the process and create a sauce consistency (you can add more if needed but it's best to start of with less.)
5. I use a food processor to make my sauce because I like it a bit chunky, but you can also use a blender to make it thinner depending on your tastes.
6. The base is simple, chop the lettuce into chunks and place in a bowl with the cherry tomatoes which I cut in half (the juice oozes out and adds extra flavour).
7. Voila! You are done.

I enjoy a lot of sauce so this may to be much for you but adapt the quantites to what you desire. This sauce is so easily manipulated you could create a variety of dishes:

• on top of zucchini noodles with your favourite veggies
• as a raw soup, let's call it 'corn chowder' raw vegan style
• as a healthy dip for potato wedges, veggies, tortilla chips whatever you fancy

This is my favourite recipe and I hope you enjoy it as much as I do! Comment below on your thoughts and tag me in your picture on instagram if you try it @smiletohealth.