WITH that GREEN GODDESS GLOW, it’s no wonder wellness coach and clinical nutritionist Jessica Sepel is changing lives around the globe. Jessica’s approach to health and wellness grew out of a personal struggle – one where food was the enemy and the body a burden. She replaced her carb-restricting, fad-dieting, self-loathing mindset for a much healthier one aimed at achieving physical and psychological balance. She shares her story and lessons learned with an international following in her book The Clean Life and on her namesake website.
Jessica believes optimum health is dependent on many lifestyle choices and habits including sleep, stress, food, physical activity, relationships, work and the natural environment. And the root of it all is food. She believes that we must view food as a source of nourishment – not as the enemy – and eat in a way that heals. In her practice, Jessica examines lifestyles, not just diets, and treats each client as a whole person with customized plans to suit individual needs. With her approach, getting that glow is both easy and sustainable. Enjoy a peek into Jessica’s daily routine as she reveals her favorite supplements, superfood recipes, and strategies for radiant health!
Living well with Jessica Sepel
My daily supplements:
Vitamin B complex, multi mineral, probiotic, fish oil and magnesium at night.
Can't live without my:
My family. They are my biggest inspiration and teachers. They keep me grounded, positive and enriched. I feel very blessed to have them in my life.
Daily Breakfast:
Superfood smoothie that usually contains greens, berries, chia seeds, protein powder, almond milk and cinnamon.
5 things always in my medicine cabinet:
Digestive enzymes – for foods more difficult to digest.
Coconut oil for…well, anything! It’s great for itchy spots and burns.
Green superfood powder – for my immune system and energy.
Apple cider vinegar – for pimples. Yes! Dab some on a cotton ball, apply it to your blemish, and watch it disappear.
Tea tree oil – for any kind of infection.
Grapeseed oil and milk thistle tablets – for a natural nausea or hangover remedy.
Fave Workout:
Yoga and music! Nothing wrong with practicing yoga with a little Jay Z! I am a HUGE fan of Tara Stiles and Strala Yoga.
Once a week for my health:
I have a massage and a day completely free from social media. It is life changing!
On tap: filtered or bottled, how do you drink your water?
I love to jazz up my waters! I make homemade vitamin waters. Some combos I love:
Basic citrus – 1 sliced orange, 1/2 sliced grapefruit, 1 sliced lemon.
Peach and vanilla – 1 sliced peach, 2 vanilla pods, 1 pinch of stevia.
Mint, cucumber and lime – 1 handful of mint leaves, 1 sliced Lebanese cucumber, 1 sliced lime (and juice).
Best fast food option:
Asian food. Asian greens and a light stir-fry with vegetables and protein is delish.
Best healthy restaurant tip:
Always go for a fresh salad and lean protein. Avoid creamy and oily sauces, and always go for grilled over fried. Have a satiating snack before you head out (raw nuts, a boiled egg or some Greek yogurt with cinnamon) if you’re not sure there will be good options.
At least once a week I cook:
Roasted spicy cauliflower or cauliflower rice (see recipe below).
If I could give just one piece of advice it would be:
A rested body is a healthy body. Reduce stress in your life as much as possible and your body will heal itself.
Reading list:
Rushing Woman’s Syndrome by Dr. Libby Weaver, REVIVE by Dr. Frank Lipman, You Can Heal Your Life by Louise Hay, In Defense of Food by Michael Pollan, and Living Foods Lifestyle by Dr. Ann Wigmore.
Go-to healthy resources:
Crazy health idea that actually works:
Dabbing apple cider vinegar onto pimples, and using honey and brown sugar to make rough, chapped lips smooth and luscious.
My food philosophy in once sentence:
I don’t subscribe to any dietary labels; instead, I believe in fueling and nourishing my body with real, whole foods. That means clean, unprocessed foods that are as close to their natural state as possible.
Non-negotiable:
Rest every day and eat greens at every meal.
Simplest way to improve health:
Choose one simple thing you can change this week. Perhaps you can swap one cup of coffee for a green tea. Or white bread to wholegrain. Or diet soda to mineral water with lime. Or sugar to stevia. Or milk chocolate to cacao/dark chocolate. Make simple swaps and watch your body transform.
Fave healthy getaway:
Byron Bay, Australia with my family.
My current mantra:
Rest is not indulgent; it is essential to good health. Stress is the number one health killer.
My health passion:
“Healthifying” meals and desserts. I get so excited about creating nourishing, nutrient-rich versions of favorite not-so-healthy treats.
Health trend to skip:
Give up on fads. All of them. They don’t work, and they only cause the body added stress.
My go-to juice or smoothie:
Power Protein Smoothie (recipe below).
Power Protein Smoothie
Ingredients:
1 serving of protein powder (100% natural whey protein/sprouted brown rice protein) OR 1 or 2 raw eggs OR 1 Tbsp LSA (linseed, sunflower seed, almond) mix
1-2 tsp stevia
1/2 tsp cinnamon ground
1 tsp vanilla extract/powder (optional)
1 tsp chia seeds
1/2 cup frozen berries
1/2 frozen banana
1/2 cup spinach leaves
1⁄2 cup of milk (good quality cows milk/almond milk/rice milk)
1/2 cup ice blocks (the more ice the creamier!)
1/2 cup coconut/filtered water
Directions:
Simply blend all ingredients in a food processor, and top with chopped nuts or berries if you like!
Roasted Spicy Cauliflower (Cauliflower Rice)
serves 4
Roasted Spicy Cauliflower (Cauliflower Rice)
serves 4
Ingredients:
1 cauliflower head
1 leek, sliced
1 garlic bulb, crushed
2 Tbsp olive or coconut oil
1 tsp. curry
1 tsp cajun spice mix
1 tsp turmeric
1⁄2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp Celtic sea salt
ground pepper
1⁄2 cup walnuts, crushed (optional)
Directions:
Wash and cut cauliflower into small florets.
Add florets to food processor and process until they reach a tiny, rice-like consistency, about 20 seconds depending on your machine.
Add 1 tablespoon oil to a heated frying pan.
Add leek and garlic, frying until crispy.
Add cauliflower and spices to the pan, frying until golden. Once plated, sprinkle with optional crushed walnuts.
