At JSHealth we can’t get enough of the incredible raw chocolates from Loco Love. From Hazelnut Praline to Wild Orange with chaga & reishi – her creations are thoughtful, nourishing and insanely delicious. We’re so excited to feature Emica on the blog today, sharing her plant-based Day on a Plate and words of advice for anyone starting their health journey…
- Tell us a little bit about yourself – who you are and what you do.
This question often has me stuck, as there’s many ways I can answer it.
I don’t want to get too deep though I also don’t want to put myself in a box. I am human, just like everyone else, doing my best to live a life that fulfils me.
At the moment I make chocolate, something that I have realised is a fine art. The more I learn about chocolate making the less I feel I am any good at it! It’s enjoyable, though chocolate is extremely sensitive and the get the right temper and thickness etc. can be frustrating. I guess if it was too easy though I would be bored and probably be doing something else challenging.
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- What was the ‘uh ha’ moment that inspired you to get in to health and wellbeing?
I grew up in Byron Bay, so have always been exposed to a healthy lifestyle.
In saying this though before the age of 19 I was not a healthy eater at all. I was naturally very thin and wanted to gain weight, so ate a lot of unhealthy food. Which then lead me to being unwell and after that, learning to look after myself.
I then I started modelling full time, which wasn’t the healthiest of lifestyles either. I was so strict with myself, then ended up bingeing on the foods I was not allowing myself to eat.
It was a very tumultuous time for me, I am sure a lot of the JSHealth readers can relate. After many years of abusing my body, I reached some pretty low points and I decided from there that I wanted to help others and contribute to something helpful in the world.
So I decided to study naturopathy, which is a mix of nutrition, herbal medicine and homoeopathy. I fell in love with herbs and alternative ways of healing, learnt to love myself and look after my body in a balanced way. It wasn’t an easy road, though it’s been so wonderful to learn about healing and to heal myself at the same time.
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- Talk us through a typical day in your life…
When I wake up I like to drink water (not tap water), occasionally I will put lemon or apple cider vinegar or hemp charcoal. After this I always have tea, generally Japanese Matcha with coconut milk or chai with almond milk.
Breakfast changes! Often it’s a mix between smoothies laced with herbal powders or eggs, avocado, spinach etc. Or sometimes porridge.
My snacks are always Loco Love chocolate, even after 4 years! I also love macadamia nuts, gluten-free seeded crackers and sheeps milk yogurt with honey.
For lunch I generally have a salad, pretty standard greens, cucumber tomato, avocado, parsley, coriander, seeds of some sort and feta cheese or an organic egg.
Dinner is a curry or organic protein with roast vegetables and quinoa.
And dessert tonight is grain free carrot cake that I made yesterday!
- Coffee or tea?
Japanese Matcha tea with coconut milk and vanilla stevia, I do enjoy coffee though it’s not an every day thing.
- What is your indulgence of choice?
Mexican food, I love soft shell tacos with organic sour cream and nachos. Chocolate has become an everyday food for me so it’s not so much an indulgence any more.
- Three foods you can’t live without?
Avocados, green leafy plants and vegetables and raw chocolate.
- What’s your go-to snack for those days on the run?
Smoothies with berries, avocado, medicinal mushrooms, coconut milk, protein powder and brain octane oil.
- And any last words of advice or tips for those starting out on their health journey?
Relax and have fun, life isn’t about restrictive diets and rules. Drink good quality water, choose green vegetables over starchy ones, always organic meat and dairy if that what you choose and rest when you need too.
Meditation and creativity are great ways improve health and reduce stress.
Ultimately it depends on where you are starting health wise, for instance if you are really unwell, I would advise seeing a health professional, such as a naturopath and doing a more personalised program.
To find out more about Emica and her beautiful products, click here!
