I am delighted to be writing this weekly column on health and wellbeing. I’ve spent two decades learning tools and techniques to help people and my work as a nutritionist has taken me around the world. I’ve now settled with my family in Clare, the heart of East Anglia, and what a wonderful region we have. Each week we’ll focus on a different subject of how to lead a happy and healthy life.

I’d like to start with where we are right now. How are you feeling? What goals would you like to achieve this year, in terms of your health, work, relationships, home? As the late, great George Harrison sang in the last album he recorded: “If you don’t know where you’re going any road will take you there.”

I have found that writing down my plans, hopes and dreams has been a useful tool in helping me achieve. The former body builder and film star Arnold Schwarzenegger has a saying: “See it, believe it, achieve it.” Though I’m not a fan of his films, politics or cigar smoking, this is good advice.

At the start of the year there is a wonderful energy of transformation and positive change. We can use this, and the plethora of support and help out there to step up a gear (or two) and really be the best that we can be. So it’s good to think about what do you want to achieve. And why.

The great architect Frank Lloyd Wright was interviewed near the end of his life. He was famous and respected, with enormous wealth. Despite this he said: “I’m still not happy.” If reaching the top of your profession and earning vast sums of money doesn’t bring happiness, what does?

I think that we should listen to the advice of people who have achieved greatness in what we seek. One person who seems truly happy is the founder of The Art Of Living, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. This guy has got such a sweet nature and beautiful smile, and his techniques have helped millions of people around the world.

Two simple things Sri Sri recommends are to gently exercise and practise breathing techniques every day. Why is this a road to happiness? The body works best when it has periods of movement and relaxation. Exercise is also scientifically proven to benefit your mind too. Breathing properly isn’t rocket science: more oxygen in and the body and brain will function better, more carbon and other waste products out and we remove more toxins, leading to greater balance.

Another important change we can make to our wellbeing is in the food we eat. Making healthy, delicious food is my specialist subject and each week I’ll be sharing my top nutritional tips and recipes. I’d like to start with a recipe for a simple cleansing green smoothie that will start your day with a burst of nutrients. Don’t be put off by the colour – it tastes delicious.

Green Smoothie

Serves 4 small portions

1/2 pineapple

1 cup kale or spinach

1 banana

1 apple

1 tsp green superfood powder

2 cups water

1/2 cup ice

Blend and serve.

So, here’s my first bit of advice: Have a green smoothie to fill your body and brain with nutrients. Then go for a walk in our beautiful East Anglian countryside and breathe deeply the fresh air. Take a few moments to think about what you want to achieve and why. Write it down and with simple steps, joy and determination – you can be the best you can be.

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