Nourishing Works

Nourishing Works Welcome to Nourishing Works. I was born and raised in Eastern Europe in a small country called Moldova, which used to be part of the Soviet Union.
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➰root-cause nutrition & organic tallow skincare
➰gut healing, restored energy & ancestral skincare solutions
➰book a consult & shop now 👇🏻

https://nourishingworks.com/ I have happy memories of my childhood – loved and protected by my parents and grandparents, their love was expressed in many ways, but especially through food. My jewish ancestors cooked their food from scratch, nothing went to was

te, every part of the animal and plant were lovingly prepared and served at the family table. My mum loves telling this story about her grandmother making five meal courses from one chicken: bone broth, stuffed chicken neck, meat jelly, chicken liver pate and chicken mince patties – oh and schmaltz (chicken fat) with crackling! I grew up on lovingly prepared, seasonal, locally grown foods. In the Soviet Union, we had no processed foods in stores, no variety of brands, no advertising, and the food shortages were real. Yet people were creative and industrious with their food growing, making and preserving. Our small kitchens in the hearts of our tiny apartments were places for everyone to gather, share stories and eat. When we immigrated to New Zealand in the late 80s, we couldn’t believe the abundance and variety of foods in the supermarkets. My mum was crying on our first visit to a food store while walking through the animal food aisles – New Zealand pets were fed better than people in the Soviet Union. Little did we know that all these processed foods were making humans and animals sick. In the last few years, living through my personal health challenges, as well as chronic diseases in my family – I became increasingly disillusioned with conventional medical care but learnt a great deal about my own body and how our environment (including what we eat) influences every aspect of our health. That’s when I decided to make changes to the ways I ate and lived. These changes were evolved out of pain and fear of losing my life purpose, fear of medical authorities, statistics, genetics, and fear of losing my energy and drive to fully embrace and enjoy life every day. I’m still on my healing journey, but day by day I feel more energy and vitality than ever before in my life. I want to share my knowledge to empower others to heal themselves. I want to make difference in people’s lives where they can take charge of their own health and vitality through common-sense tools of nourishment and self-compassion. I became a Functional Nutritional Therapy Practitioner to help people who feel exhausted, inflamed and brain-fogged to make better nutritional and lifestyle choices so they can reduce their pain, eliminate fatigue, and start enjoying their lives to the full.

If you’ve been waking up already drained, feeling wired but exhausted by mid-morning, and noticing that even small thing...
26/05/2026

If you’ve been waking up already drained, feeling wired but exhausted by mid-morning, and noticing that even small things feel overwhelming lately… you’re not alone.

This is often a sign that cortisol is running high.

I put together this gentle carousel with some clear insights on what’s happening in the body and simple, nourishing ways to support balance again. No restriction, just real support.

Which part spoke to you most? Or which small step feels doable? I’d love to hear in the comments 💛

If you’re looking for more personalised guidance, I also offer 1:1 coaching support. Feel free to send me a message.

19/05/2026

Slow evenings that gently melt into self-care ✨

There’s something so special about the end of the day: golden light slowly fading through the windows, stepping outside to pick a few wild roses from the garden bush, sinking into a warm bath, and then heading to the kitchen to create something nourishing.

I combine nature’s richest oils with grass-fed tallow and whip it all by hand (well… with my trusty mixer!) into the most luxurious, buttery tallow cream. It feels like bottling up a moment of slow living.

This is Nourishing Tallow Cream — made slowly and intentionally for skin that’s been through the day and deserves real care. Deeply moisturising, beautifully simple, and completely free from all the unnecessary stuff.

If you’ve been craving something honest and comforting for your skincare routine, this one’s for you.

Now available in the shop → https://nourishingworks.com/shop/

Would love to hear what your favourite evening ritual is at the moment 💛

Swipe through real ancestral meals from my kitchen → nutrient-dense, nose-to-tail and deeply nourishing.In my work with ...
06/05/2026

Swipe through real ancestral meals from my kitchen → nutrient-dense, nose-to-tail and deeply nourishing.

In my work with clients we return to these traditional foods and watch energy, digestion, hormones and vitality transform - without restriction or overthinking.

Which slide is calling your name? Tell me in the comments 💕

A new chapter for Nourishing Works ✨It all started in my home kitchen in Teddington, near Lyttelton, NZ.I couldn’t find ...
29/04/2026

A new chapter for Nourishing Works ✨

It all started in my home kitchen in Teddington, near Lyttelton, NZ.

I couldn’t find clean skincare that’s free from endocrine disrupters, so I began making my own tallow moisturiser in small batches.

What began as a personal project has now grown into something much bigger - we’re stocked in stores with loyal customers across New Zealand.

I’m so excited to finally share our beautiful new branding and packaging with you! The formulas remain exactly the same: minimal, ingredient-led, hand-crafted in small batches and rooted in ancestral wisdom. It just has a fresh new look that better reflects where we are now.

A huge thank you to the incredibly talented Georgie Armstrong who designed our new branding, packaging, professional product images, and the beautiful new website. We appreciate you so much, Georgie!

The new site is now live and looking wonderful. Shop the new range at nourishingworks.com

I’d love to hear what you think - drop a comment below 💕

With love,

Irina
Nourishing Works

Real talk about the texture of our Nourishing Tallow Cream. ✨I’ve had a few of you ask about how it feels in the jar (an...
09/04/2026

Real talk about the texture of our Nourishing Tallow Cream. ✨

I’ve had a few of you ask about how it feels in the jar (and on skin), so here’s the honest low-down, including why that occasional bit of graininess happens when it gets cold. I pulled in some real insights from other NZ tallow makers too.

Swipe through for the full breakdown on the whipped texture, why the graininess is completely normal (and doesn’t affect quality) and the easy fix.

Quick note: Our current site nourishingworks.com is still fully open and taking orders while we completely rebuild the new version on a fresh platform (it’ll go live at the same address soon).

We’re updating with new branding and packaging, so if you order now you’ll get the cream at the current price but in the beautiful new packaging.

Have you tried tallow skincare before? What’s your experience with the texture or scent? Drop your experience in the comments, I’d genuinely love to hear 💛

When we create the right conditions with ancestral nutrition, targeted support, and simple shifts, the body remembers ho...
08/03/2026

When we create the right conditions with ancestral nutrition, targeted support, and simple shifts, the body remembers how to heal and thrive.

Exciting news: I’m rolling out a refreshed structure to my 1:1 services soon!

Clearer package options tailored to your pace - whether you want steady monthly guidance, a focused 3-month foundation or deeper 6-month transformation - so you get exactly the level of support that fits your life and goals.

If you’re ready for more energy, better digestion, clearer skin, balanced hormones, and that productive, vibrant feeling again… let’s get started.

DM me if you have questions - I can’t wait to support you! 💕

Simple days, real nourishment. Out here in rural New Zealand, surrounded by mountain light, we choose ingredients - some...
06/02/2026

Simple days, real nourishment. Out here in rural New Zealand, surrounded by mountain light, we choose ingredients - some from the land around us, others from regenerative and organic sources we trust - and bring them into the kitchen with care.

Meals made to truly support the body… quietly, consistently, mindfully.

What nourishes you today? 🧈🍳🍊

I’m always in the mood for ceviche - it’s bright, refreshing, and lets the natural flavour of fresh fish shine through.T...
17/01/2026

I’m always in the mood for ceviche - it’s bright, refreshing, and lets the natural flavour of fresh fish shine through.

The lemon and lime juice gently “cooks” the fish with citric acid, giving it a tender, cooked-like texture and a clean, delicate taste. I love adding a creamy coconut twist, plus avocado, crisp veggies, fresh coriander, and a hint of chilli for balance.

In New Zealand, sustainable ocean fish like snapper, kingfish, or salmon work beautifully. This recipe uses snapper, but choose whatever looks freshest from a trusted supplier.

Coconut Ceviche (serves 4 as a starter)

Ingredients
• 500g fresh snapper fillet (or kingfish/salmon), skin removed
• ½ cup fresh lime juice (about 4–5 limes)
• ½ cup fresh lemon juice (about 4–5 lemons)
• 250g coconut cream
• 1 avocado, finely diced
• 1 red capsicum, finely diced
• ½ red onion, finely diced
• ½ cup fresh coriander, finely chopped
• 1 jalapeño or mild chilli, finely chopped (remove seeds for less heat)
• Sea salt, to taste

Method
1. Cut the fish into 2–3 cm cubes.
2. Place in a glass bowl, lightly season with salt, then pour over the lime and lemon juice - the fish should be fully submerged.
3. Cover and refrigerate for 1.5–2 hours (or less if you prefer a more “raw” texture). The fish is ready when it turns opaque/white throughout.
4. Drain and discard the citrus marinade.
5. Gently fold in the coconut cream, avocado, red capsicum, red onion, coriander, and chilli.
6. Taste and add more salt if needed.
7. Serve chilled - perfect on its own or with corn chips or lettuce cups.

Quick note: Citric acid doesn’t kill bacteria like heat does, so always use the freshest, sushi-grade fish from a reliable source.

Want more simple, nourishing recipes and personalised guidance to feel your best? I’d love to support you - head to nourishingworks.com to sign up for my nutritional services.

How do you like your ceviche — classic or with a twist? Drop your favourites in the comments.

Summer holidays are almost here, and every year I face the same dilemma: more solitude or more human connection? From my...
04/11/2025

Summer holidays are almost here, and every year I face the same dilemma: more solitude or more human connection? From my quiet rural farm, I made this post to unpack the functional science behind both, because I live this question daily.

Save it, share it, and try the simple daily practice before the holiday season starts.

Comment: How do you usually feel after too much quiet or too much people? I’ll reply to everyone.


BORSCH RECIPE🫜🫜 + bonus SOUR CREAM RECIPE 🍶Soups are a wonderful wholesome foods, which heal the gut, improve digestion ...
20/10/2025

BORSCH RECIPE🫜🫜 + bonus SOUR CREAM RECIPE 🍶

Soups are a wonderful wholesome foods, which heal the gut, improve digestion and balance your blood sugar levels.

Made with bone broth or meat stock, soups are extremely nourishing, full of minerals, vitamins, amino acids and other nutrients in a very bio-available form.

If you feel like you need some soup in your life right now, try making my BORSCH - traditional beetroot soup that is served throughout Russia and Eastern Europe all year round. It’s usually served with generous scoop of sour cream, dill and lots of love! You’ll feel overwhelmingly satisfied and nourished after eating a bowl of this truly ancestral dish, and your digestion will feel amazing too. Enjoy! 💞


BORSCH RECIPE 🫜
Ingredients (organically grown if possible):
• 0.7 kgs grass-fed beef, cubed (use up a cheap cut here if you want)
• 1/2 a small green cabbage, chopped
• 2 large red beets, peeled and grated
• 3 large carrots, chopped
• 3 stalks of celery, chopped
• 2 large onions, minced
• 4 large garlic cloves, crushed
• 7 cups of chicken or beef bone broth or meat stock
• 2 Tbsp raw apple cider vinegar (ACV)
• 1 Tbs tomato paste
• 1 Tbsp. free range lard or tallow
• 2 tsp. sea salt to taste
• Fresh dill to garnish.

Method:
• Heat fat in a large stock pot on medium heat.
• Add cubed beef and garlic, sauté until it browns.
• Add the ACV, onions, and celery.
• Continue to sauté another 5 min.
• Add all remaining ingredients, cover and bring to a boil.
• Turn heat to low and continue to simmer until all the vegetables are soft.
(1-2 hours)
• Serve topped with a spoonful of sour cream and garnish with dill.

SOUR CREAM RECIPE 🍶
Ingredients (organic and raw if possible):
• 500 ml cream
• 2 tablespoons greek yogurt

Method:
Place the cream and yogurt in a jar, stir well and leave in a warm spot at room temperature for 12-24 hours, depending on how sour you want it to taste. That’s it. Place it in the fridge and enjoy with your borsch.🫜

Address

309 Chartreis Bay Road
Lyttelton
8971

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