This week Wonky Meets Michelle Hunt, AKA Peachy Palate a sensational food-loving blogger, fitness fanatic and all-around amazing human from Wicklow!
Peachy Palate is a website Michelle uses as a hub for all of her recipe creations, hoping to inspire people to think outside the box, eating whole foods that truly nourish. Fuelled by a desire to improve her own health she loves to create sweet and savoury recipes, sharing them with the world ensuring that no one feels deprived regardless of their dietary restrictions or preferences.
When not dreaming up recipes you’ll find Michelle lifting with the ‘menfolk’ in her local gym, tapped into social media or out on the road delivering, merchandising and being a super duper brand ambassador for a local health food company Dr. Coys.
Her relationship with food wasn’t always so bright, in fact, it wasn’t at all harmonious for quite some time. Having overcome a decade of eating disorders she is now in the best place she’s ever been. Happy, healthy, confident and enjoying every nourishing mouthful – and if her Instagram feed is anything to go by she is eating some of the most amazing foods ever. FACT.
One of Michelle’s favourite quotes from a sensational foodie… “Nothing is too much trouble if it turns out the way it should.” Julia Child
First up, when did you start your food blog and how did you come up with the name?!
My mum actually came up with the name after some brainstorming one night after work. I set it up about 7 years ago having fallen in love with reading other people’s blogs. I felt it would be a great way for me to share my passion for food and journey to health at the same time.
Why is eating healthy important to you?
I suffered from eating disorders for the best part of 11 years and so now that I have developed such a healthy relationship with food I really appreciate it, more than the average person perhaps. Food to me is my passion, but also my medicine. I now have a healthy body and a healthy mind, both of which I will forever more but first and foremost to live my healthiest and happiest life.
Your Instagram account is jam-packed full of food porn! Where did your love of cooking and food photography come from?
I always had a passion for food which got a little messed up when I was unwell. Through my recovery, I fell back in love with food. I’ve always been a creative person, so food photography is a skill that I continue to work on to try and showcase my creations. I want to show people that you can eat healthy, nourishing food every day and that it doesn’t need to be bland or boring.
What is your most popular Instagram post of all time?
Ooh, that is a hard one! I’d have to look back over numbers but instantly I would suggest that my either my brownie batter oats or fudgy brownies. Chocolate always seems to win people over!
Check out the recipe for Michelle’s Vegan Gluten Free Buckwheat Waffles here!
What is your favourite meal of the day?
Breakfast! I’m a pancake and waffle addict. That first meal of the day, for me usually post workout, is always the one my body appreciates the most!
If you were stuck on a desert island and could only live off one meal, what would it be and why?
I genuinely love simple good quality food, the kind that doesn’t really require too much messing with. Pan fried crispy skinned salmon, ideally with a bit of maple glaze, jasmine rice spinach and roasted red peppers. Fat, protein, carbohydrates, all the nourishment my body needs, easy to digest, absolutely deeeeelish and truly satisfying!
What does a day in the life of the Peachy Palate look like?
I spend a good part of my week working for Dr. Coy’s foods so my days always look a little different. The only constant is getting up at 7.30am, training around 8/8.30am and eating every 3 to 4 hours! Otherwise, I could be recipe testing, photographing recipes, out on the road, doing in-store tastings… And I’m pretty much always in bed before 10 pm.
5 quick-fire questions at the end for a little bit of fun!
What is your coffee order?
Americano with unsweetened almond milk on the side… I like to put my own in so I can add just the right amount!
If you were a fruit or vegetable what would you be?
I should say a peach… actually yes a peach! It’s one of my favourite colours, and with another season of bodybuilding competitions on the horizon I’m focused on growing the peachy 😉
What is the one thing you can’t live without?
Dark Chocolate…
Who is your biggest inspiration?
I have different people for different aspects of my life but I suppose overall my mum. She’s just an amazing woman.
Where is your favourite place on earth?
I need to more travelling as I reckon there are so many more that could be my number one. I would love to go to Bali and Thailand!
Be sure to check out Michelle’s AMAZING Buckwheat waffle recipe here and all of her social channels, Facebook, Twitter & Instagram, she’s always sharing amazing food snaps on the gram! Plus she just updated her website here and it is jam-packed with tasty treats!
Keep an eye out for the next instalment of Wonky Meets in 2 weeks time!
