Anthia's organic guide to living a healthy & happy life

Anthia Koullouros is a walking example of everything she believes in and teaches. Raised by Greek Cypriot parents in a household devoid of junk food, with a focus on eating what was home grown and using herbs to treat minor illnesses, she is the picture of health and happiness. Inspired by a nutritional manual she discovered on her parents’ shelf at the age of 12, she followed her passion into the world of naturopathy, setting up her own clinic in Sydney’s Paddington, creating her own award-winning range of organic teas, and writing the acclaimed book 'I am Food.'

 GCT recently had a chat to Anthia about championing food as the ultimate medicine, and educating people to take better care of their minds and bodies.

 
What is your line of work?

I'm a Naturopath, Herbalist, Organic Food, Health & Lifestyle Educator and author of' I Am Food'. I'm also the Founder and Creator of Ovvio Organics.

Tell us about your journey with health and nutrition? Were these topics that interested you when you were young? What led you to become a naturopath?

I have over 20 years consulting as a Naturopath, but my roots in holistic health and herbal medicine extend much deeper. I was inspired by a faded nutritional manual on my parents’ shelf when I was 12.  I didn’t realise it at the time, but that book was seminal in influencing the direction my life would take. In addition, I was born in Australia to Greek Cypriot parents and enjoyed a childhood free of junk food, eating mostly what had been grown by my parents. My mother and grandmother used herbs to treat minor illnesses and I grew and used dandelions and calendula in my first experimental poultices and tinctures.

In 1994, I opened a clinic in Paddington and began my Naturopathic career. Combining Homoeopathy, Herbal Medicine and Nutrition to provide clients with life-long tools for health, I continued to champion food as the ultimate medicine and educating and inspiring people to take care of their minds and bodies with natural, sustainable solutions. My naturopathic consults offer a no-nonsense, fad-free, honest and informative approach to achieving health and happiness.  I also worked in health centres, pharmacies, other consultancies as well as my own clinic, meeting and treating people from all walks of life and suffering from an array of illnesses.

Come 2004, I felt strongly to share with the public, not just my clients, my passion for chemical free, organic, clean living.  I found a quintessential Paddington corner terrace and opened Ovvio: The Organic Lifestyle Store & Naturopathic Clinic. Paying homage to the 18^th Century Apothecary, herbal remedies, antique china and rustic, organic offerings- bringing old-world charm to modern Naturopathy.

I wanted to recreate the allure and healing power of the teahouse with my own range of Ovvio Organic teas. Each cup contained only the finest bark, flowers, fruits, seeds, leaves and twigs blended with love and respect for humankind, flora and fauna. Every sip offered a pure and delicious remedy for health and happiness. Tea aficionados and herbal newcomers alike delighted in the whole, unprocessed, aromatic and gustatory sipping experience.

In 2011, Ovvio’s continuing evolution saw the store and clinic relocate to its current home in Five Ways, Paddington. A fresh façade and charming location inspires every customer to cherish the beauty of health over a warm cup of tea.

What are your favourite Ovvio products and why?

Ruby Heart Berry Tea and Paddington Tea. Ruby Heart Berry Tea won as the best herbal tea blend award and overall best herbal tea by the Golden Leaf Tea Awards in 2015. It’s very special - red, rich and bejewelled hibiscus flowers, juniper berries and rosehips. Excellent for circulation and rich in antioxidants. It tastes like tart berries and delicious hot or as a cool iced tea. And Paddington Tea was named after its place of origin. It is a very dear and precious tea. The very first tea blend I ever created. It tastes like sweet lemons made from lemon myrtle, lemongrass, and licorice root, it helps curb sugar cravings, relieve stress and a sore throat and can also be enjoyed as a pick me up tea.

Tell us about your book I Am Food? What was your main goal in writing this book?

As an extension of my love for education, I released my eBooks; 'I Am Food Guidebook' and companion Recipe Book and have since become a hardcopy book published by Penguin in 2014. In 'I Am Food', I explain how to ‘unscramble the scramble’ and transition from eating processed foods to eating the food that’s best for your body, soul and the planet. Simple, nourishing, traditional dietary foundations underscore my philosophy. Basically I wrote this book for my patients after years of gathering information, clinical experience and visiting farms I was ready to share my simple message which is all food can be good or bad for you but it all depends on the source and processing or preparation. Source means the health of soil, farm plant and animal, and processing means how food is prepared to retain nutrition and flavour or increase shelf life with additives and intense chemical and high temperature.

What are you working on at the moment?

So much - a new tea collection, a new book, a warehouse move and training new team members. We are also in the middle of completing our 21-Day Summer Cleanse Program.

Did your upbringing influence the work you do today? 

Yes, my parents’ ethos was very much about whole food and clean food eating.

In an era where every channel on TV features shows laden with dessert challenges, bake-offs and reality cooking shows, how do we combat the indulgences so that people can consider food as medicine? 

Well food is food really rather than medicine. It can be used as medicine when we are unwell but the goal is to eat what we have evolved to eat - healthy plants and animals not just to survive but to thrive. It is as important as clean water, clean air, sunlight, movement, rest, sleep and connecting with one’s heart and purpose. When we eat this way and look after ourselves every day we can prevent disease. By eating what we have evolved to eat most of the time we can combat cravings for processed food and when you eat not just for your own health but what I call considerate eating you are actually eating for all. There is nothing wrong with a delicious piece of cake as long as we consider the ingredients and how it is prepared.

Have you seen a shift in the last decade or so in terms of people seeking naturopaths and alternative therapies before seeking western medicine?

Yes, there seems to be a shift towards complimentary and alternative natural therapies. People are wanting to take responsibility for their health and are aware that can make a difference through daily, healthy self-care practices. So they are eager to learn from experts like us. And with the rise in chronic illness such as cancer, heart disease and infertility, patients are seeking preventative health and lifestyle measures.

What are some small changes people can make when trying to overhaul their health and diet this summer?

• Eat seasonally, enjoy seasonal summer produce it is fresher, full of flavour and cheaper then non seasonal produce.
• Eat raw, cooling and light foods in the warmer weather.
• Stay hydrated, drink plenty of water
• Eat bitter foods, they stimulate the digestive process and support liver health.
• Eat mindfully, chew your foods slowly and enjoy your favourite festive treats in moderation or look for healthy alternatives.

What inspires you? 

Art, good design and architecture, anything botanical as well as my patients who embrace their health journey, my partner, my friends, my family and my Ovvio team.

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