Since the release of our first book, 4 Ingredients: Over 340 Quick, Easy and Delicious Recipes Using 4 or Less Ingredients, we have been constantly asked to bring out a recipe book that focuses on a healthier lifestyle. As everyone knows, our forte is making meals simple and easy to prepare. So when the opportunity came up to work with the foremost authority on mind-body medicine in the world Deepak Chopra, we believed that this was perfect timing. Through our collaboration, we believe we have come up with the best of all worlds when it comes to delivering healthy and simple meals.

For those of you who have not been exposed to Ayurvedic principles, it’s a tried and true ancient system that is followed by millions of individuals around the world. Ayurveda, in Sanskrit, means the science of life. It is a philosophy that’s been around for at least 4,000 years, focusing on prevention, healing and wellbeing. Balance is very important in Ayurveda and strives to harmonize through the combination of diet, meditation, massage, essential oils and herbs.

The pure Ayurvedic principles that Deepak and many others follow are much deeper and more precise than what we have presented in our new book, 4 Ingredients: Fast, Fresh and Healthy. [Please note: Only available in Australia at leading retailers or by clicking here.]

Our intention is to introduce the concepts of what has worked so well in the East, in the hope that our readers can apply them to their very busy and demanding lifestyles. We wish to encourage everyone to explore all forms of a healthy and holistic lifestyle so that healthy and simple choices become the obvious ones to make.

The Basic Ingredients for a Healthier Mind & Body
By Deepak Chopra

If you understand just these four basic ingredients for healthy living you will be well on your way to a healthier mind and body.

1. There is a genius inside you and me. Our bodies have an inner intelligence. In other words, our bodies know exactly what it is we need to eat (and when) for us to be healthy. Just as your brain takes in certain pieces of information and works out what to do with them, your digestive system takes in the food you eat and works out what it can use, what it will get rid of and what it will store.
2. Your cells recreate themselves over and over millions of times in your lifetime. We are being created anew each day. The skin, for example, replaces itself once each month, the stomach lining every five days, the liver every six weeks, and the skeleton every three months. In fact, each year around 98 per cent of each one of us is made up of brand new cells. So, even if you are feeling overweight or unhealthy today, there is no reason that you have to stay that way.
3. There is a mind/body connection. In recent times science is confirming more and more what some cultures have known for thousands of years: your thoughts and feelings can have a direct affect on your body's organs and cells, so it makes sense to keep a positive attitude around eating and exercise.
4. Everything you eat has an effect on your body. There are many books and research papers to prove this, but for now, let's just say that YOU BECOME WHAT YOU EAT. Just for the record…Food is more than just protein, carbohydrate and fat.

Your relationship with food needs to provide you with a sense of joy, growth and enrichment. You don't need to count calories, kilojoules or grams of fat; you need to simply develop more of an awareness around the food, you are choosing to eat day to day. When you pay attention to what your body wants to eat and when it wants to eat, you will experience positive change.

Healthy food was designed over millions of years to be pleasurable. Food doesn't have to be bland to be healthy. The flavors of life in the right proportion add richness to our food and our experience. Your body will respond well if you spice up the food you eat. If you are not enjoying your food the nutritional, emotional, psychological and physical benefits of a meal will be greatly reduced.

Kim and Rachael have created recipes and food preparation ideas that incorporate wonderful colors, stimulating aromas and a variety of flavors, textures and spices to completely satisfy your taste buds. The recipes are simple, healthy and environmentally sustainable.

By becoming aware of the way you currently behave toward food, you will be able to make changes for the better. When you change your way of eating by changing a few simple rules, you will create a healthier, more vital body that is capable of providing you with more strength, joy and pleasure!

Hawaiian Breakfast
Serves 4
A recipe from the inspiring Wayne Dyer.

• 2 oranges
• 2 tbs. honey
• 1 mango
• ½ pineapple

Since I now spend so much of my time in Hawaii, I have taken to eating whatever is fresh and in season. This is my favorite breakfast and it’s so simple. Cut oranges in half and juice, then strain. In a tbs. hot water, dissolve the honey then combine orange juice. Slice and cube the mango and pineapple and mix all the ingredients in a bowl.