Chloe Leal
Jessica Sepel was born in South Africa and is currently living in Australia. She is a qualified Sydney nutritionalist, author, health blogger and a wellness coach. You may have seen one of her attractive recipes on social media, Instagram or Facebook where she shares her daily health mantras, food rituals and inspirations.
Sepel’s health blog reaches out to all her followers giving them tips on how to form a healthy relationship with food and learning to love you who you are in the process. Through her Instagram stories she displays images of her followers notes that explain how Jessica has changed the way they see food and themselves.
We were able to interview Jessica the inspirational healthy food and lifestyle blogger and understand what health means to her!
Why is a healthy lifestyle important to you?
Healthy living gives me the energy to live a good and full life!
What is your morning health routine?
Now that I’m settling back at home after my recent travels, I’ve been happy to get back into a more steady routine. Granted, things change daily and I’ve learned how to embrace it! What works for each of us will, of course, be different. At this stage of my life I am grateful for a flexible schedule. I still believe, though, that morning rituals are such a good way to get centered and balanced for whatever the day brings. This is a typical morning in the life of JSHealth:
6:30am: Upon waking, I make a conscious effort to not look at my phone or email until AFTER my morning routine.
6:35am: I meditate for ten minutes. This usually involves me saying thanks and manifesting a good life. I’ll share more about this in a future blog post, because it’s really done incredible things!
6:45am: I prepare and drink a cup of warm lemon water – a typical nutritionist!
7:00am: Time to get moving! I love to work out before my day begins as I don’t enjoy exercising in the afternoon as much. It’s such a great time to get out in the fresh air and clear your mind. And you can’t beat the extra hit of endorphins! I usually take a walk outside, got to yoga or Pilates, or take a barre class – but I also embrace 2-3 days of rest each week.
7:30am: Coffee break! Typically I have 1 coffee a day that I savor and just adore. I normally have a piccolo (full cream milk) or sometimes an almond milk piccolo if I’m taking a break from dairy.
8:00am: Breakfast time. I usually prepare a healthy breakfast at home – either eggs, a protein smoothie or on a cold da, I love a bowl of porridge. And when I’m feeling creative, I’ll work on a new breakfast recipe! All of my favourite recipes are in my book, The Healthy Life.
What exercise do you enjoy doing weekly?
I do yoga 2x/week, brisk walking 2x/week and 1-2 gym/HITT sessions and I enjoy 1-2 rest days!
What would you say the key techniques are in order to achieve a healthy lifestyle?
You need to have a healthy relationship with yourself and your body – this is more important than any healthy food choice. You need to treat your body with kindness and respect.
Having a healthy relationship with food is essential for a healthy life.
How to be patient in achieving healthy goals?
Make one small change a week – the body responds to small changes!
Being from South Africa! What healthy places (cafes, workouts) do you enjoy the most?
Johannesburg:
Yoga- Yoga Love in Illovo and Go Yoga Jozi –both amazing
Tashas- (in many different areas)- delicious salads
Leafy Greens- vegan and organic restaurant
The Green Side Cafe- vegan and vegetarian cafe
Life in Hyde Park- best salads you create yourself
Cape Town:
Nu Health Café- Loved the open omelets, smoothies and quinoa salads. The gluten free brownies are also a delicious treat. Missing it!
SWEAT 1000- for the most vigorous and motivating workout you will ever do. The owners will make your experience the best yet. Their protein shakes are a little too delish
Nuri Sushi- for ‘rice less’ sushi. Amazing!
Giovannias – delicious deli where you can create your own salads and buy pre packaged salads to make a healthy picnic. Take your picnic from there and sit on Clifton beach to watch the sunset
Skinny Legs and all- apparently amazing salads and home cooked dishes
Health shop- Wellness Warehouse on Kloof
Koi Restaurant Bantry Bay- loved their steak with edamame mash, sashimi salads, sesame crusted tuna
Babel @Babylonstoren- a piece of health paradise. Organic vegetables, fruit trees and a restaurant that creates food art
Del Aire Winery – loved the cured trout and quinoa dish
Le Residence Hotel and Villas – for a massage, lunch and an amazing relaxation session by the pool. Gorgeous setting.
What is your favourite winter meal recipe?
The Cauliflower Parmigiana
Ingredients:
- 1 head cauliflower
- 2-4 tbsp of Napoletana/Tomato-based sauce (good quality, without additives or sugar)
- 1/2 onion, chopped
- 1 tbsp coconut oil
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
- Handful of chopped basil
Method:
Pulse a cauliflower head in a food processor until it reaches rice-like consistency.
Heat up a large saucepan and melt coconut oil.
When the oil has melted, add half a chopped onion.
Once the onion starts to brown, gradually add the cauliflower rice.
Drizzle olive oil and sprinkle salt over cooking cauliflower.
When the rice starts to cook (4-5 minutes) – add in 2-4 tbsp sauce. Stir to combine.
Turn off pan. Sprinkle over Parmesan and chopped basil.
Spoon on to plates and enjoy!
