MARLO MEETS: AMELIA FREER
We are thrilled to announce this week’s Marlo Meets as Amelia Freer (FdSc, Dip ION), one of the UK’s leading Nutritional Therapists and healthy eating experts. Amelia is also an internationally bestselling author with her fourth book, Simply Good For You, recently released.
1. We often see gorgeous glimpses of your garden in Wiltshire, but you also spend lots of your time in London. Are you a city girl or a country girl at heart?
I am a country girl through and through. I come alive when I’m in the countryside. I grew up in Northumberland. I don’t think I really appreciated how beautiful it is, and how much I adore being in nature, until I moved to London in my early 20’s. We are moving to Wiltshire full time in July and I am so excited. There will of course be lots of things that I’ll miss about London, especially my friends and my home there. But I’ll hopefully visit London often for work and friends.
2. Describe your perfect Friday night?
Having good friends over for a simple supper around the kitchen table is always something I look forward to. I like to keep things simple but I do enjoy setting the table as that makes me happy and I hope makes our guests feel special too. I tend to make pasta or some kind of easy casserole or soup. I love that end of the week feeling, that first glass of wine and knowing that there are a couple of days to slow down a little bit.
3. What is your favourite season for vegetables?
Asparagus season (now) just fills me with joy. It is the first vegetable to appear in our vegetable garden and as it is only around for such a short time, it becomes a real celebration. We ate our first spears this morning for breakfast with poached eggs and it was such a treat. But of course June / July when the first courgettes, lettuces, tomatoes and beetroot are ready is always a time of such gratitude and joy. But I really do celebrate all of the seasons and enjoy the foods that they bring and have heaps of recipes on my website that offer ideas for all seasons.
4. What is the one piece of advice you would give to readers who want to overhaul their diets.
Eat more vegetables. If you just add one extra portion of vegetables each day, over 10 years that is 3,650 more portions of vegetables. That's a lot of nutrition! It is so important to think of the big, long term picture with healthy eating. Consistency, not perfection. Make small changes that you can see yourself doing for the long term rather than being “good” for a week here and there. I suppose the other thing that I say so regularly to clients who battle with making healthy choices is to ask “what is the kindest thing I can do for myself right now”. It’s a really empowering question to ask and helps people to connect a little bit more to themselves and hence their food choices, which so often are emotionally driven.
5. What book is on your bedside table at the moment?
Mostly cookbooks! I was just sent a copy of Your Daily Veg by Joe Woodhouse and it like diving into the most delicious sea of vegetables - I can’t put it down. I adore his recipes and I just want to cook everything. But when I do try and unwind and switch off from the world of food, I love a good novel to escape with but I just haven’t got around to reading any lately. I must make this a priority, especially for the summer. Lastly, I am very excited to read Rooted by Sarah Langford and it's about to arrive any day now. I know it will be a fascinating and brilliant read.
6. When you are completely exhausted what is your go to easy meal?
Pretty much always something with beans, I adore a quick white bean and veggie soup or casserole. But I suppose if I’m absolutely exhausted then a slice of sourdough toast with tahini, tomatoes, cucumber, chilli flakes and a squeeze of lemon juice is always a winner. There are heaps of super quick and simple, healthy recipes in my forth book called Simply Good For You. It was written purely with speed and simplicity in mind.
7. Cats or dogs?Both. I only have a dog as my other half is allergic to cats, but I’d definitely have cats as well, if I could. I’m a vet’s daughter - I’d have a whole farm if I could!
8. Do you have any exciting projects coming up?
Yes I do! I’ve been a bit quiet for the last couple of years. But my team and I have been working away behind the scenes and any day now we can hopefully share our newest project. Sorry I can’t tell you just yet but hopefully soon. I am so excited and nervous too.
9. When celebrating, what is your favourite tipple?
I love champagne. I have never really liked cocktails. But a glass of fizz is always a real treat. I love Nyetimber. Otherwise a lovely glass of Rose in the summer is always a joy.