Monthly Guest Blog: Bella & Bhakti

Meet Kelly Fielding from Bella & Bhakti. A passionate writer and raw/vegan chef who combines her love of writing with her forays into health and wellness. Kelly has traveled and worked extensively across the world in health resorts, detox centers, raw food restaurants and wellness retreats, sharing ways to live simply, mindfully and sustainably.

Her work is regularly published on several online journals as well as her own website ‘Bella and Bhakti’ which offers information about plant-based living, vibrant nourishing recipes as well as inspiration to encourage others to share their own passions and dreams. A gypsy heart and lover of nature, Kelly finds inspiration in the world around her and translates her visions into whimsical stories and edible creations.

The words of Kelly …

I think I knew from an early age that my attitude towards food and my approach to eating was a little different from the other kids my age.

I wasn’t exactly a fussy eater, but I was innately selective with what I chose to put in my body. I remember turning down fast food, sodas and lollies and opting for salad and fruit- food that tended to be nourishing and vibrant.

In my early teens I became vegetarian and started to enjoy making food for myself and for family and friends. I loved experimenting in the kitchen, discovering new recipes, spending my pocket money on vegetarian cookbooks and finding hidden cafes in the city that offered things like tofu, spelt pasta, organic salads and brown rice sushi!

When I left home I spent the next decade of my life travelling, living and working in various places- Thailand, England, America, Canada, Central America and Bali. Places such as the Sanctuary Retreat in Thailand, Cafe Gratitude in San Francisco, Gorilla Food in Vancouver and Punta Mona in Costa Rica helped to fund my travels and simultaneously provided me with an exceptional education in vegan and raw food, health, wellness, detoxification and healing.

I came to understand food as medicine and it became my desire to pass this knowledge onwards and help people on their own journey to health, vitality and radiance. I wanted to show people that eating well, eating a diet rich in living plant-based foods need not be boring, complicated or lacking in flavor. My goal was to celebrate nutrition, to offer colorful, vibrant food that was both visually pleasing and also incited a sensation of radiance and vitality.

Returning to Australia I began catering yoga, detox and rejuvenation retreats. Simultaneously I began to work with several raw food and holistic businesses on the East Coast of Australia. I love the interactions that this type of work opens and encourages- meeting people from all walks of life each on their own journey to health- utilizing food for its particular ability to nourish, heal, inspire and enliven.

Since childhood, I have always been an avid, almost fanatical writer and Bella & Bhakti became my outlet- a place where all of my musings, recipes, learnings and daily insights or inspirations could co-exist and be accessible to anyone anywhere.

I often hear people say they don’t have the time to cook themselves proper meals or they don’t have the financial means to buy organic produce and expensive superfoods. I enjoy showing people that eating a healthy and well-balanced diet can be far more financially viable than convenience food- sometimes it just requires a little extra thought and preparation.

When I work with people who wish to create change their diet and lifestyle my emphasis is on encouraging people to introduce more fresh, raw, plant based food into their diet, rather than focusing on what to cut out. Once people experience for themselves how wonderful they feel with this variety of food, the habits that are not serving them begin to fall away. I believe that we are all innately intelligent and that our bodies know what they require to thrive, it is simply a matter of learning how to listen and provide.

My relationship with food hasn’t always been so loving, but my own challenges and experiences have only strengthened and furthered my learning and my ability to relate and assist others. Sharing my personal story, educating people in nutrition, helping people with disordered eating and dietary requirements, Bella & Bhakti has become my vehicle, my voice, my tool- offering what I can to the world and accepting and appreciating what comes back in return.

I love smoothie bowls!They are my favourite way to start the day- creamy delicious goodness, packed with leafy greens, super foods, fruit and veggies (Yes! Veggies!) and then topped with a little extra yumminess in the form of seeds, nuts, dried fruit or coconut. They really are a great meal in a bowl. And this, is one of my favourites…

Superfood Green Smoothie Bowl

 Ingredients

• 1 frozen banana
• 1 kiwi fruit
• ½ a small zucchini
• 2 kale leaves (without the stem)
• ¼ cup of soaked chis seeds (I soak my chia overnight in almond milk)
• ¼ of a ripe avocado
• ½ a teaspoon of maca
• ½ a teaspoon of lucuma
• 1 teaspoon of your favorite green powder
• ¼- ½ cup of almond milk (depending on how thick you like your smoothie!)

Method

1. Add all of the ingredients to a high speed blender and blend until completely smooth.
2. Pour into a bowl and add your toppings of choice- I love fresh kiwi fruit, blood orange, goji berries and coconut but you can add cacao nibs, almonds, hemp seeds- whatever you love and have on hand!
3. In winter I like to add some fresh ginger and cinnamon to this smoothie recipe. In summer I love to add some fresh lime juice and mint leaves.

Do you love a good Smoothie Bowl? We wold love to know your favourite mix!