What are your ‘non-negotiables’ when it comes to diet & lifestyle?

I always have to have a good walk and stretching session everyday. Plenty of water and real homemade food otherwise I get grumpy. I prioritise a bit of down time in my day, whether it be taking photos, cooking something special, reading my favourite magazines, just sitting and listening to music or cuddling my puppy Blaze. You end up happier and more productive for the rest of the day when you do.

I love spending the time body brushing and moisturising with essential oils to give my body some nurturing, plus they smell amazing. Fill my body with fruits, lots of veggies, complex carbs, healthy fats, nuts and seeds, and maintain a good balance of sweet and savoury. I also really try to be relaxed before I go to bed, no study or stressful activities to help me have a deeper more restful sleep.

{image - Caramelised Banana Buckinis Popsicles}

When & how did you first begin cooking?

I’ve always been doing some form of cooking since I can remember. I loved helping my mum in the kitchen and absolutely loved baking things. When I moved over to Whistler, Canada for two snow seasons I really learnt a lot of things and developed my cooking ability. I was cooking for myself and found all these new ingredients, I remember cooking garlicy kale for the first time (Heidi Swanston’s recipe) and now I couldn’t live without it. That was when I discovered all these amazing food blogs and the inspiration to cook and create just blossomed. I had an organic veggie box delivered so I got to cook with different veggies each week. Now, I just get so excited by all the variety of items and flavours there are to make that cooking is rarely a chore for me. I love eating different things each day and trying out new recipes. My creativity is released in the kitchen…. which can sometimes end up in a not so great meal but next time it might be the most delicious thing you have ever eaten.

 When did you realise how much you loved it?

When it just came to me naturally, I get excited about new recipes, flavour combinations and tastes. When your cooking flows though to how great your body feels, and the smiles you get from loved ones that are enjoying your food. Nothing can beat that.

{image - Giant Chocolate Cookie Slice}

What inspired you to start doing what you do? 

A massive reason for people not eating well is that they don’t think they have the time so I want to make it easier for them so Paradise Pantry Made to Order section was born, I have a passion for it so why not offer it to the world. If I can make help make a family/individual a bit healthier then that puts a smile on my face. I am the option instead of getting something from a takeaway shop or buying something at the supermarket that’s advertised as healthy but really isn’t. Paradise Pantry is the real fresh food that our bodies crave.

How has your brand developed and what have been some milestones for you?

The blog first started off as a little homemade wordpress site and I uploaded recipes when I got the time and really enjoyed it. I knew I wanted to do something with it so I had a stall at The Village Markets on the Gold Coast for a while, it was great but a lot of work with a full time uni degree. Thrive, a design company in Burleigh Heads redesigned the blog Paradise Pantry and made it a lot easier to use and more professional. I got a new camera, Canon 6D EOS which changed my life, the food became so much more fun to photograph and looks amazing, it has become a great passion of mine now. A huge step for me was selling my food at Zen Soul Life’s yoga classes in Paradise Point. I make different items for each class, freshly baked. Perfect for hungry yogi’s who also place regular orders. The next big things that I am really excited for are demonstrated how essential oils can be used in cooking at a workshop at Zen Soul Life and I am beyond grateful and happy to be Loving Earths featured foodie for November!

{image - Chocolate Mandarin Tarts}

What do you love about the Gold Coast? Are there any restaurants, cafes, stores you visit for inspiration? 

Mandala Organic Arts Café, Giri Kana, Green House Factory, Blendlove. All great, delicious, real food places.

{image - Neapolitan Icecream Cake}

When did you first become aware of Loving Earth?

Wow, I don’t even remember, it must have been so long ago. LE has always been my go to brand for powders, chocolate, nuts, seeds and all the amazing products. I trust Loving Earth full heartedly to be providing me with the best quality, sustainable products there are.

What's your favourite way to use our foods? 

In everything, full stop. But seriously is there a recipe that Loving Earth’s products won’t make better? No. I do particularly enjoy using the hot chocolate mix & acai and maca powder in smoothies. Cacao nibs sprinkled on everything. Coconut paste in desserts and curries. Choc, coconut spread and ABC butter on berries or banana, Buckinis as a cereal, activated nuts and seeds in everything.

{image - The Sunday Smoothie}

For more foodie inspiration check out Holly's Instagram and website Paradise Pantry!