One of the best things about blogging is growing a community of like minded lovelies, like you. And one of our best initiatives was to launch the Sub of the Month program, giving dietitians and nutritionists a chance to learn the ropes. We’ve had 26 Subs so far and just love catching up to find out about the great success they are having with social media.
About our expert:
Sharon Brooks was the Scoop January 2012 Sub of the Month. She is a Registered Nutritionist with a Bachelor of Applied Science (Food Science and Nutrition) degree and is currently completing a Master of Human Nutrition. Sharon’s Nutrition, is her nutrition consulting business that specialises in proactive health and well-being. Services offered include individual and group/family consultations, adult workshops and seminars, food demonstrations, fridge/pantry makeovers and supermarket/market tours.
During her time with us Sharon showed great passion for nutrition and successfully launched the Facebook page for her business, which is going strong. Her nutrition consultancy is growing and I was thrilled to pop along recently to one of her market tours and cooking classes at South Melbourne Market. I’ve been shopping here (with my mum) since I was a baby, but Sharon was even able to show this veg lover a newcomer or two!
We kicked off with a glass of Winter Immune Booster Juice made from purple carrots, dutch carrots, beetroot, Lebanese cucumber, lime and a secret ingredient to show you soon. Plus Sharon had whipped up a salad using grated sweet potato and cooked, shredded spaghetti squash with an Asian dressing of miso and tamari. Then we headed off around the market stopping at produce stalls, the health food shop and an olive oil tasting. One of Sharon’s fab finds was wassabi micro greens!
We also popped in to see Georgie and Michael from Georgie’s Harvest – one of my favorite stalls specialising in potatoes. Michael has an immense food knowledge and grated us fresh horseradish to taste and another highlight food of the day – fresh turmeric – the secret ingredient in our juice. Sharon talked about steeping fresh slices in hot water as a reviving drink on a frosty evening.
But you should have seen Sharon’s face when Michael started talking to our nutrition tour group about the best potatoes and cooking methods for chips! Hehe. Do make sure you follow Georgie’s Harvest on twitter and grab their excellent tips and recipes, just save the indulgent for special occasions – my Christmas spuds were the bomb last year thanks to their roast potato recipe. And yes, you have been warned, duck fat is involved.
We then returned to the South Melbourne Market LG Cooking School and Sharon took us through her whole food philosophy and ingredients, while she whipped up a crepe with besan (chickpea) and buckwheat flour and fresh turmeric. Plus braised greens and an avocado and bean hummus. And some nom nom banana and tahini balls – in case we weren’t already completely satisfied. Sharon’s warm nature and love of nutritious food is infectious – and I loved seeing her pass this on to our group.
I highly recommend signing up for a class or a foodie tour. It’s such a great way to break out of a food rut or just get new inspiration. Even popping into a market can inspire. And no matter where you shop, make sure you look out for fresh turmeric and our wonderful winter vegetables including:
Beetroot, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, purple carrot, cauliflower, celeriac, celery, fennel, horseradish, Jerusalem artichokes, kale, kohlrabi, leeks, okra, parsnips, potatoes, pumpkins, silverbeet, spinach, swedes, sweet potatoes, turnips, witlof.
