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I was recently featured in a commercial for Soft and Gentle's new deodorant. When the call sheet came through the night before the first day of the shoot, it asked if anyone on the shoot had any dietary requirements. I didn't want to look like a Mariah Carey DIVA or a fussy so-and-so, so I didn't reply. When it came to lunchtime the next day, it surprised me how many people on the shoot had a gluten sensitivity, dairy-free diet or, in one case, a complete coeliac. There was more Almond and soya milk than cow's milk on set; this is a complete change from when I was on shoots a few years ago when most people hadn't even heard of Almond milk. So much so that if you wanted it, and you lived any distance away from Planet Organic or Wholefoods, you had to make it yourself (yep, in the days before Almond milk in cartons, you made your own by soaking Almonds in Water – recipe below!). The growth has been phenomenal, with supermarkets, cafes and restaurants offering gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan options; everyone seems to have a dietary requirement, even if that's to eat cleaner! Here is a pic of me, the set of the Soft and Gentle commercial last week, drinking Green Tea in between takes. Look out for the commercial from 14th August 2017.

This month as many of my friends plan to go on holiday, over 3 in 5 (67%) women change their health and exercise habits in the run-up to bikini season: 41% eat more healthily, almost a quarter (23%) try to tone up, and about one in 10 (11%)cut out sugar in a bid to prepare for their holiday. However, eating cleaner is a way of life now. It's not a 'diet' or something you do long enough to reach a particular goal. Clean eating refers to unprocessed, unrefined and nutrient–rich food. Food in its most natural form – it's what I generally follow and the way of life I choose to follow for my daughter, Ava. Putting the proper nutrients into your body helps you lead a more active life, fight disease, improve your well-being and boost your happiness, and for me, it supports my Yoga practice. Both emotionally and physically. Here are my tips for essential clean eating:

1) Vegetables are going to make up the majority of your diet.

2) Fruit should be high on your supermarket list – go for seasonal fruit if possible; they will have more nutritional benefits, taste better, and be cheaper! (I'll do another blog post on this subject this week)

3) Good fats are the following. Get plenty of nuts, seeds, avocados, olives, coconut oil, and eggs.

4) When choosing dairy options – make sure you go for organic, not low-fat ones, as they usually have hidden extra sugars

One of the first things you can change TODAY is your cereal. Try making your cereal CLEAN EATING CEREAL by choosing any of the following ingredients or a combination of some or all of them:

75g jumbo rolled oats (organic)

50g bran flakes (gluten-free if you wish or wheat germ)

75g puffed rice, barley or rye chips (gluten-free if you want to)

75g Toasted coconut flakes

50g mixed seeds (including Flax, Chia, and Sunflower)

75g of Nuts (hazelnuts/Almonds/pecan/walnut or a combination)

75g dried cranberries or ready-to-eat dried apricots (chopped organic)

50g of sultanas or dried prepared-to-eat figs (chopped organic)

Check out my latest blog post to make your own Almond Milk. It's so much tastier than the shop-bought stuff, and you know exactly what is in it (just water and almonds!)