Yes! I’ve finished all of the nutrition plans for this week, rounded off my interviews and meetings and I’ve packed the trunk of my car with loads of groceries. Check, check and double check! I’m totally ready to hit the road to Friesland, in the North of the Netherlands. It’s another one of those weekends… One in which I’ll be testing tons of new recipes back to back! At times like this, I prefer to have a little more work space than usual. I love my cute little kitchen, but when there’s lots of cooking to do, I usually ask my mom if I can hijack her kitchen for a weekend. It’s so great to try out new recipes and drum up some inspiration with a little peace and quiet surrounding me. And of course, my family and I taste and try everything I whip up.

In addition to that enormous kitchen, my mom’s garden is truly Valhalla. She has hectares of land on which she grows her own veggies and herbs. It’s heaven on earth! I pick and gather everything I need and get to work. Also, when I’m in Friesland, I love trying out new herbal teas! I can’t help myself… I’ll drink about 1,5 liters of it a day! My balcony in Amsterdam is also home to an impressive array of herbs, but having a huge garden like this where you can pick the most delicious mixture of herbs is a totally different ball game.

Herbs for 1-½ liters of tea 
– A small handful of lemon balm
– 10 sage leaves
– 5 lavender stalks
– 5 sprigs of rosemary
– 4 pansies

Pick the fresh herbs from your garden, terrace or balcony and place them in a sieve. Rinse them with some water and transfer them to your teapot. Boil 1,5 liters of water and let it cool to 80°C – this helps to retaining the aroma of the herbs. Let your tea brew for 10 minutes, pour some in a little cup, add a teaspoon of honey and enjoy your delicious healthy cup of tea! 

Effects of the herbs
Lemon balm: Strengthens your nerves, calms your nervous system and stimulates menstruation. It’s great for alleviating heart palpitations and migraines and it helps you sleep soundly with pleasant dreams. A great drink before bedtime! 

Sage: Works as an antimicrobial, but doesn’t harm any of the good bacteria help your body function properly.

Lavender: A great herb that helps relieve headaches and calms your nerves. It also combats flatulence, dizziness and bad breath. 

Rosemary: Cleanses your body from the inside out and is great for digestion. 

Pansies: A cleansing herb that relaxes and clarifies your skin – especially the skin on your face. Great for people who suffer from acne!