‘A window into my kitchen’

Stanwell Park’s Florencia Martinez has founded a website called LiveliFOOD. Her aim is to help busy mums and dads feed their families a healthier diet – and discover the sweet rewards of going sugar-free!

Please tell us a bit about yourself.

I am Flo; a surfer, a mum, a designer and the creator of LiveliFOOD.

I studied Industrial Design in my home town, Buenos Aires, and as a product designer, I learned how to pull things apart to understand how they worked. As the years went by, I became passionate about understanding how our body works too –specifically, what happens in my body when I eat food?  What is in the foods I eat?

I found myself on a quest to find the answers. I was sure that there had to be a way to maximise my diet and lifestyle to live healthier and longer.

I want to be able to age healthily and avoid diseases. My mum suffers from severe arthritis, my aunty has Alzheimer’s disease, and my dad died of cancer at 76.

What inspired you to start LiveliFOOD?

I created LiveliFOOD to inspire people to live a healthier and longer life. LiveliFOOD is a window into my kitchen – where I share my tasty food and research, as well as how I plan meals to eat wholesome and sugar-free every day. I always had a sweet tooth, so the idea was to inspire others to transition to a sugar-free diet. The benefits were so amazing that I couldn’t keep it to myself.

How do you feel about sugar?

I grew up eating a lot of carbs and sweets, so when I started researching our biology and the effects of certain foods on our bodies, I realised I was missing out BIG TIME and was damaging my body. This inspired me to quit sugar and processed foods. Over an extended period, refined sugars and highly processed foods create stress and inflammation in our brains and bodies. As a mum, I know it’s not possible to always avoid sugars and low-nutrient foods at parties or when we eat out, but there’s no need to eat those foods at home.

What are your goals?

My goal is that all the knowledge that has inspired me to make radical changes in my lifestyle can also inspire everyone in my community. That is why I love to create the LiveliFOOD educational animations, which you can watch on my website with the entire family.

On your website, you’re offering a free desserts e-book to subscribers. Where have you sourced these recipes, and what’s your family’s favourite treat?

I always loved making (and eating!) desserts, so when I decided to quit sugar, I definitely wanted to keep dessert on the menu.

My recipes are inspired by top chefs from around the world, tweaked to suit family life or be sugar-free.

Our favourite is the Protein Ice Cream Carob and Pistachio Bliss. Check out the full recipe at www.livelifood.info and follow our Instagram for a daily source of sugar-free and healthy food inspiration.

Visit www.livelifood.info