FebFast

The start of February usually rings in the end of the festive and party season. This means you may be feeling a little less than fabulous perhaps having indulged on your holidays and attending more parties and get-to-togethers than usual. There really is no better time to check in with yourself and see where you can begin to make some positive changes to your health and wellbeing.

One great way of doing this is to join FebFast. FebFast is an initiative in support of Youth Support and Advocacy Service (YSAS) where you can put a pause on your alcohol and/or sugar intake to not only better your own health, but to raise money in support of young people facing serious disadvantage across Australia. To get involved, simply head to FebFast and sign up! You can also join as a team, so grab your friends and workmates to support your journey to better health and feel even better knowing that you guys are raising vital funds for young people who need it most.

So, now the tough part, how can you cut down your sugar and alcohol intake? I've got a few tips that are easy to use in day-to-day life.

1. Swap sugary beverages for homemade iced teas with herbs and fruit. Now that doesn't sound like fun but think of iced matcha tea with raspberries, iced green tea with lemon and fresh mint, or even iced black tea with vanilla and a little pear juice.

2. Try experimenting in the kitchen to create your own healthy sweet treats instead of heading out to indulge. Use natural and unprocessed sweeteners like dried fruits such as dates, pure maple syrup, or coconut sugar. You could even make some Raw Peanut Butter Cheesecakes, a nutritious and warming Golden Milk Hot (or iced) Chocolate, or snack on some of these glorious Coconut 'marshmallows'.

Click the picture to try Miss Marzipan's Golden Hot Chocolat

3. Trade that glass of wine for sparkling water with citrus fruits, coconut water or even some non-alcoholic sparkling grape or apple juice.

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Click the picture to try I Quit Sugar's Coconut Marshmallow

4. Use lots of herbs and spices in your meals instead of adding store-bought sauces, and mayonnaises. Mix together 1/2 tsp salt, 1 tsp paprika, 1/2 tsp cumin, 1/2 tsp ground coriander, pinch of chilli powder and some black pepper and sprinkle it onto BBQ meats, mushrooms, sweet potato or tempeh to fill your plate up with loads of flavour minus the sugar.

And it's not all about deprivation, below is a gorgeous pineapple, mint and coconut mocktail recipe so good that you will wonder why you hadn't tried this sugar and alcohol-free version before!

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Pineapple, Mint & Coconut Mocktail

by February-2-2016

Recipe from the FebFast website penned and photographed by the incredible Kenko Kitchen.

Ingredients

• half Pineapple
• 1 cup Coconut water
• 1 tsp Lacuma
• A couple Mint leaves

Instructions

Place the lucuma into a jug and then pop in your bruised mint leavesJuice your pineapple and place into the jug as well as adding the coconut waterHand whisk the ingredients until slightly foamy on topAlternatively place all ingredients in cocktail shaker with ice and shake up. Serve in two glasses on top of iceDecorate with a couple of mint leaves in each glass with a slice of lemon, lime or orange on the side and enjoy!

Details

Prep time: Cook time: Total time: Yield: 2