health reset

Chocolate Protein Pudding

Sometimes I just want something sweet, creamy, and chocolatey. But it has to fit within my animal based way of eating. That’s where this little gem of a recipe comes in.

I call it my Chocolate Protein Pudding, because it really feels like a sweet, no bake pudding treat. It’s a nourishing snack, a yummy dessert, or a quick breakfast if you’re short on time and want something satisfying that won’t spike your blood sugar.

Personally I love to eat this protein pudding for breakfast as it gives me a great, protein filled way to start the day that satisfies my appetite for hours.

What I love about this pudding:

It’s high in protein – around 22–24 grams per serve depending on the brands you use.
It’s gently sweet, not overly sugary. I find overly sweet foods distasteful since I quit processed sugar. Most of the sweetness comes from the honey and yoghurt.
It’s rich but light. The peanut butter and cream give it a velvety texture without being too heavy.
It’s flexible! You can leave out the honey if you’re cutting back on sugar, you can use a different (or no) nut butter or add some berries and whipped cream for a decadent dessert.

When I eat it:

As I mentioned, this is a breakfast food for me as I don’t tend to eat snacks or desserts regularly. But there are some days where I’m hungry and I want something sweet! This would be the perfect afternoon treat in this instance.

Top It Up!

Another thing I love about this recipe is the possibilities for toppings if you want to add even more nutrition or just like to jazz it up. Berries, other fruits, nuts, cream, dark chocolate, chopped medjool dates or seeds ( I love raw pumpkin seeds) are just some of the possible toppings.

Macro Breakdown

Here is an approximate nutritional breakdown for this recipe:

240 calories

22-24 grams protein

13 grams fat

12 grams carbs

Chocolate Protein Pudding

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Ingredients Method

Ingredients

1/2 cup Greek Full Fat Yoghurt
1 tsp Natural Peanut Butter
1 tsp Raw Honey
1 scoop (15g) Collagen Powder
1.5 tsp Cocoa Powder
1-2 tsp Pure Cream (optional)

Method

Place all ingredients together into a bowl or container.
Mix thoroughly with a spoon until all ingredients are blended.
Serve into bowl or cup.
Eat immediately or place into fridge for a firmer texture.

A Word on Collagen

I’ve used collagen powder in the past but I’ve recently restarted to add protein and hopefully boost my hair, skin and nails. It’s a really simple way to add protein to your diet if, like me, you struggle with that.

The collagen powder I now use is the best I’ve had, it’s available in Australia from Gelpro. It’s flavourless and great quality with no weird flavour additives. If you’re not in Australia, I recommend trying to find a quality, grass fed collagen powder like this one and take it consistently. A flavourless powder dissolves easily in your morning coffee and actually makes the coffee creamier!

If you give it a go, let me know how you like it or which variation worked well for you. I’m always up for a bit of protein-rich inspiration!

Interested in starting your own health reset journey after 40? Check out my Happier, Healthier, Hopeful on Youtube for videos on perimenopause, animal based eating, auto immune disease and motivational help.

See you soon

Kelly 💕

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Animal-Based Diet Results: My 8-Week Health & Weight Loss Journey

by Kelly 3 Comments

8 Weeks on an Animal-Based Diet: My Health Reset Journey

Today, I’m finally sitting down to share my 8-week update on my health reset—what I’ve been doing, how I’ve been feeling, and the incredible changes I’ve seen. I kept putting this off, wanting to organize everything perfectly, but at some point, I just had to sit down and do it. So here I am, showing up!

A Size 12 Moment

Let’s start with some exciting news—I’m wearing a size 12 dress! Now, I know clothing sizes vary depending on where you are, but for reference, I’ve been between a size 14 and 18 for a while now. Seeing that shift has been such a rewarding moment, and honestly, it’s just the beginning of what this journey has done for me.

Why I Started This Health Reset

A few months ago, I reached a breaking point. I was completely fed up—fed up with feeling sluggish, fed up with the cycle of dieting and gaining the weight back, and fed up with ignoring what my body was trying to tell me. I also have an autoimmune disease (Hashimoto’s) and have landed (or been hurled into!) peri menopause. I was struggling so much and I knew something had to change.

One of my biggest struggles was constant hunger. I’ve been a classic yo-yo dieter, losing weight through extreme calorie restriction and then inevitably gaining it back. The hunger would always catch up with me. But this time, I knew I couldn’t do that to myself anymore. I needed something sustainable, something that made me feel good, not deprived.

The Two Biggest Changes I Made

I took a big leap and made two major changes at once:

More Movement
An Animal-Based Diet (my version of it!)

For some, changing everything at once might feel overwhelming, but for me, it worked. Let’s break it down.

1. Movement: Finding Strength I Didn’t Know I Had

I’ve always enjoyed walking, especially being out in nature, but I wasn’t consistent. Weather, busyness, or just not prioritizing it would get in the way. So, I made a commitment to move every day—whether that meant a walk outside, mowing the lawn or an indoor workout.

I started with 10-minute beginner workouts, five days a week, following my 10 minute rule. That first week was tough—my fitness level wasn’t where I wanted it to be. But something amazing happened: by the second week, I looked forward to my workouts! I even found myself planning ahead, excited about what I’d do the next day.

Over time, I gradually increased my workouts from 10 minutes to 15 to 20 – 30 minutes. Yes, I hit some muscle fatigue along the way (it felt like wading through mud at times), but I adjusted, found balance, and kept going. And today’s workout? I modified up for the first time! I made the movements harder instead of modifying them down. That felt like a huge victory!

2. The Animal-Based Diet: More Energy, Less Hunger, and a Total Reset

Now, let’s talk about food. I’m not on a diet—this is not a diet. I’ve ditched the diet mindset entirely. In fact, before I started this reset, I was so desperate I almost bought meal replacement shakes! (So glad I didn’t 🤢)

I eat real, whole foods—mostly animal-based. Here’s a glimpse of what my diet looks like:

✅ Lots of protein from meat, eggs, and some dairy like full fat greek yoghurt
✅ Some fruit & vegetables
✅ A little raw honey
✅ Minimal to no processed foods
✅ Dark chocolate (yes, still a must-have!)

Something incredible has happened—my body has reset. I used to crave sweets all the time, but now, things that once tempted me seem too sweet. Most of the time I don’t feel deprived. Instead of feeling like I “can’t” have something, I just don’t want it. It’s my choice to do what I know is best for my body. That mindset shift has been everything.

What’s Next?

This journey is still unfolding, but I can already say it’s been life-changing. I feel stronger, I have more energy, and most importantly, I feel free from the cycle of hunger and restriction. I’m excited to see what the next few months bring!

If you’re thinking about making changes for your health, my advice? Find what works for you. Whether it’s small steps or a big reset like I did, just start. Your body will thank you!

Have you ever tried an animal-based diet? Or something different that is working for you? Let’s chat in the comments—I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Thanks for visiting, I’ll see you soon 😉

Kelly

What My Health Reset is Teaching Me: Overcoming Excuses and Finding Strength

by Kelly Leave a Comment

Five weeks ago, I never would have believed I could finish a 25-minute workout—let alone with no modifications. If I had seen this workout back then, I would have said, “That’s too hard. I can’t do that.” But today? I didn’t just do it—I felt strong, energized, and unstoppable. The secret? I didn’t start here. I started small, with just 10-minute beginner workouts. And those tiny steps added up to something life-changing.

Instead of dreading workouts, I wake up excited to move, to walk, to get as much activity in my day as possible because it makes me feel amazing. This shift didn’t happen overnight, but it’s proof that consistency and mindset matter more than we think.

The Turning Point: Breaking Free from Victim Mentality

For those following my journey, you know I’ve struggled with my weight and health for a long time. I’ll be sharing a more detailed update soon, but today I want to focus on the biggest lesson I’ve learned.

The one thing that changed everything? Letting go of my victim mindset.

For years, I told myself:

“I’m gaining weight because I have Hashimoto’s disease.”
“Perimenopause makes me too tired to work out.”
“I can’t exercise because it’s bad for autoimmune disease.”
“I’m always hungry because of my condition.”

Excuses. I had convinced myself that my circumstances were impossible to change. I genuinely believed that I couldn’t lose weight, build muscle, or feel better at my age with my health issues. And that belief kept me stuck.

But here’s the truth: I was wrong.

You Are Not a Victim of Your Circumstances

I know that everyone’s situation is unique. Some have severe illnesses, injuries, or other major challenges. I’m not saying you need to follow exactly what I’m doing. But what I am saying is that things can get better from where you are today.

It might take small changes, or maybe big ones, but the most important shift happens in your mind. The moment I stopped playing the victim and started asking, “What CAN I do?” everything changed.

Every Day is a New Opportunity

Every morning, I wake up and say, “Thank you, Lord, for a new day.” I no longer see my health challenges as roadblocks—I see them as opportunities to find better ways to live.

I still have Hashimoto’s. I still have anxiety. I’m still in perimenopause. Those things haven’t disappeared. But what has changed is how I manage them. I’ve discovered that even with my setbacks, I can make progress. I can feel stronger, healthier, and more energetic than I ever thought possible.

You Already Have the Tools—You Just Need to Use Them

Looking back, I realize that I always had the tools to improve my health. I just didn’t know how to use them. I was stuck in a cycle of self-pity, telling myself life was unfair.

But when I cleared out that negative mindset, everything became easier. The hardest part? Just getting started.

So if you’re struggling, feeling stuck, or making excuses like I was—know that you’re not alone. But also know that things can change. You don’t have to be perfect; you just have to take one step at a time.

I hope this post inspires you to look at your own journey with fresh eyes. Start where you are, make small changes, and believe in your ability to improve. You are stronger than you think.

Until next time, friends—keep moving forward!