Healthy Q&A's

Day on a Plate: Jasmine & Melissa Hemsley

06 October 2016
  • FacebookTwitter

For vibrant recipes, nourishing food and a serious passion for health in the UK look no further than Jasmine & Melissa Hemsley! Long time friends of JSHealth, these sisters have been on our radar since they started their blog in 2010. We love their simple approach to overall wellbeing and their Days on a Plate? Even better. Read on to find out what these sisters pack into a day and stay tuned for an incredible recipe of theirs (Tahini & Date Freezer Fudge anyone??)…

 

  1. So who are the Hemsley sisters?

 

Loved by the food, fitness and fashion industries alike, sisters Jasmine and Melissa Hemsley have taken the health and wellness industry by storm since launching their family-run wellness business in 2010 for people who want to live healthier happier lives. Within two weeks of creating their blog the girls were asked to contribute to Vogue.co.uk, where they are still regular columnists. The Art of Eating Well is Jasmine and Melissa’s best-selling first cookbook which champions nourishing, home-cooked food. Their philosophy is poured into every page, from their love of bone broth to championing natural fats as a diet staple. Packed with over 150 exciting recipes, it’s hard to believe that these delicious dishes are free from grain, gluten and refined sugar. Last year the Hemsleys launched their sell-out Hemsley Spiralizer, a must-have kitchen tool for instantly turning fruit and vegetables into noodle-like spirals. Hemsley + Hemsley continue to cook and consult for celebrities and high-profile events (some clients include Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Vivienne Westwood) around the world. Good + Simple, Jasmine and Melissa’s highly anticipated second book, is out now. The girls’ first ever day-to-night café, Hemsley + Hemsley at Selfridges, London opened its doors in April 2016. Their debut TV series, Eating Well With Hemsley + Hemsley launched on Australia’s Foxtel channel and is currently airing internationally.

 

Heathy-eating gurus Jasmine and Melissa Hemsley the Body Studio at Selfridges London. The space is the largest bodywear destination in the world, dedicated to women selling everything from underwear and swimwear to sportswear and athleisure. The Body Studio which is 37,000 square feet, was created around a concept of fitness and wellness. The space also features the Hemsley sisters' first restaurant venture. For more information contact Georgia Frost on georgia.frost@selfridges.co.uk or 07872544077 PHOTO MATT WRITTLE © copyright Matt Writtle 2016.

 

  1. What was the ‘uh ha’ moment that inspired you to get in to health and wellbeing?

 

We have always been interested in food and aware of it’s connection to health. Jasmine worked as a model for 15 years so was very aware of eating for good skin, energy and vitality and had already started researching all the many different ideas and philosophies around healthy eating and putting them into practise. After a trip to Australia 7 years ago we, along with Jasmine’s boyfriend Nick, were determined more than ever to bring that holiday feeling of sunshine and vitality back to our hectic London lives. We also came across several books whilst away that confirmed that the natural foods such as animal fat that had been labelled bad these past 40 years were actually good for us – something that we had come to realise through all of our own research into eating. We jokingly said – wouldn’t it be great to have a family business making the food we all want to eat, food that keeps us happy and energised without struggling and be able to share it with everybody…and with no concrete plans but plenty of passion and willingness to continue learning and work hard here we are today!

 

  1. Talk us through a typical day in your life…

 

There’s no such thing as a typical day really – every day is very different, but that’s great! From one day to the next we might be recipe developing and testing, on a photo-shoot, at an interview, curating a menu for a large event, at our Hemsley cafe in Selfridges, cooking for a private client or on the road at events or festivals doing book signings, demos, talks, Q+As, or even hosting a cookery class. Whatever we’re up to on an average day though we always try to fit in some exercise – a class or at the very least 20 minutes of yoga – and 20 minutes of meditation to keep us feeling our best! In terms of meals, here’s an example of what we’d eat in a day…

 

First thing upon waking: Warm water with fresh lemon juice and a little turmeric.

 

Morning: Buckwheat porridge with coconut oil, grated apple and goji berries, Chia Chai Butternut Breakfast Pudding or eggs anyway – even with kimchi!

 

 

Lunch: Leftover meat stew, Vietnamese Chicken Pho with Courgette Noodles or a Flaxseed Bun with whatever fillings we can find.

 

https://www.instagram.com/p/BJ0DlPsDJBY/?taken-by=hemsleyhemsley

 

Supper: Mung Dahl or a stew like our Moroccan Meditation Stew which we’ve had in the freezer. We are big fans of batch cooking as a little preparation on the weekend (something we like to call a Sunday Cook-Off) means all we need to do is heat up our food and throw in some spinach or greens at the last minute. In the most frugal and efficient way we’ve created something to eat that’s comforting, delicious and easy to digest.

 

 

Snacks or sweets: Carrot and Flax Crackers with Mung Bean Hummus or Broccomole and a Tahini Date Fridge Fudge or even a small bowl of leftovers, like our Quinoa and Roasted Vegetable Salad with Brazil Nut Pesto. (Recipes in The Art Of Eating Well and Good + Simple.)

 

 

 

  1. Coffee or tea?

Pep-up tea! It’s an invigorating blend of turmeric, lemon, ginger and cayenne that is caffeine free. You can find the recipe in our first cookbook The Art Of Eating Well. We love this homemade brew and even serve it hot or chilled at our Hemsley Cafe at Selfridges, London.

 

hemsleyhemsley_pep_up_tea_2014-0033

 

  1. What is your indulgence of choice?

 

Melissa: A glass of red wine,  although I don’t count it as an indulgence as quality red wine is good for the soul!

Jasmine: I have a sweet tooth so I’d say something hot, gooey and chocolatey with cream or our Paradise Bars if I have any to hand.

 

paradise_bars_6478

 

  1. Three foods you can’t live without?

Butter, bone broth and eggs!

 

  1. What’s your go-to snack for those days on the run?

 

M: A smoothie! They’re a great way to get your greens in and are the perfect breakfast or snack, I pack them in a stainless steel canteen and sip on the go.

J: A Quinoa Cranberry Breakfast Bar. They keep well in the fridge and I like to make a batch during a Sunday Cook-Off so I can just grab and go. I also love our Southwestern Spiced Nuts for another salty, crunchy snack. We soak the nuts to activate then coat in buttery spices and dry them overnight in a dehydrator until ‘crispy’ and the southwestern flavours make a winning spice mix. Both recipes are in The Art Of Eating Well.

 

  1. And any last words of advice or tips for those starting out on their health journey?

 

Everybody is different and has different needs so finding something that works for them is important. Start with sleeping more, kicking off your day with water and fresh lemon and avoiding caffeine, try cutting down every day and swapping in zingy fresh ginger tea instead for a natural boost. Take time out for yourself to meditate, just 10 minutes a day makes the world of difference. You can feel the benefits from trying a few of these simple positive changes even before you start cooking any of the recipes from our books!

 

For more of this incredible duo, check out their website www.hemsleyandhemsley.com or follow the sisters on Instagram!

You might also like