Sunday, January 1, 2012

MY New Years Resolutions... so I do not forget
1: If it isn't fun, does not make me better, does not better my environment, or those around me... I am not doing it.
2: I am going to try to step outside myself (an my immediate environment)to be more conscious of everything.
3: I am going to try to read at least 1 book every couple of months. I do believe I can learn faster by surfing the internet but there is something to be said for relaxing with only 1 distraction... a good book.
4: I am going to try to keep in touch with distant friends and family members. I suck at staying in touch with those outside my office. I have become a work-a-holic.
5: I am going to eat healthier and promote it among people I love. Life is too short to keep putting toxins in our bodies.

Here are some good tips on how to eat healthier via wholeliving.com


1. Make 2012 your healthiest year yet. Increase your consumption of fruit, vegetables and cut down on starch- based carbohydrates. 
2. Eat more super foods. These include antioxidant rich foods including: strawberries, blueberries, broccoli, tomato’s capsicum, salmon, walnuts, beetroot, carrot, avocados, etc. These foods boost the immune system, fight off cancer cell production and prevent heart disease.
3. Eat less meat. Try incorporating “Meatless Monday” into your diet, and have at least one meat free day per week.
4. Make your kitchen healthier. Stock your fridge and pantry full of fruit, vegetables, lean protein and legumes so you are not tempted to snack on junk food and can always be sure you have the ingredients to make a healthy dinner.
5. Eat in a greener and more sustainable way. 
6. Always eat breakfast and if you can make it a ritual to incorporate a piece of fruit into your breakfast every morning. 
7. Eat more nuts! Nuts are a potent super food rich in essential fatty acids which fight off harmful free radicals in the body. They are also full of protein and are a great snack. Try walnuts or almonds chopped and topped on yoghurt for breakfast or in a salad. 
8. Cut down on alcohol- try and keep the booze to the weekends only. 
Check out these delish and healthy foods via A Color to Watch
Lunch! Roasted pumpkin, chickpea, avocado & basil salad tossed with some balsamic vinegar & seasalt. Fresh herbs make or break a salad and not only do they give flavour, but added nutritional content. The basil in this bad boy was unbelievable.
Roasted pumpkin, chickpea, avocado & basil salad tossed with some balsamic vinegar & seasalt
Pumpkin, quinoa, rocket & sunflower seed salad.
Pumpkin, quinoa, rocket & sunflower seed salad
Bouncing back from a weekend of too much food & alcohol I was in desperate need of a large salad. Spinach, pea’s, chickpea’s, sprouts, cherry tomato’s, cucumber, mint, parsley & of course roasted pumpkin & avocado. Smashing.
Spinach, pea’s, chickpea’s, sprouts, cherry tomato’s, cucumber, mint, parsley & of course roasted pumpkin & avocado
My idea of heaven. I love eggs and I love avocado. What more could you want on a plate together. Eggs and avocado are a great source of protein, as well as omega 3 fatty acids and important antioxidants. There has been a misconception that eggs need to be consumed in moderation, however this has recently been amended and the guidelines suggest the consumption of up to several eggs per day has no negative health consequences whatsoever. So my advice is get on the googs because they are an excellent alternative to meat a couple of times a week and a hard boiled egg is a low fat delicious snack. Loves it. 
Eggs and avocado on rye
 
MEATLESS MONDAY!
Quinoa burgers with tahini yoghurt sauce is what I made for this weeks Meatless Monday. It was pretty easy & ridiculously tasty. 
Burgers: half a cup of cooked quinoa, 1 can of chickpeas drained & rinsed, 2 eggs, large handful of fresh parsley, coriander & chives, tsp sesame seeds, 1 chopped carrot, 2tbs lemon juice, 1 clove of garlic, as much salt as you like. 
Tahini yoghurt: 1 cup natural organic yoghurt, 1/3 cup of organic tahini, grated lemon zest of half a lemon. Whisk all together until smooth and season with salt. 
Blend burger ingredients in a food processor until smooth, heat a fry pan with some spray on olive oil, roll mixture into balls & place in fry pan, flatten with spatchula into patties cook for 2-3 minutes either side. I placed my burger on a bed of fresh sliced cucumber and a dollop of tahini yoghurt. DELISH!
Quinoa burgers with tahini yoghurt (Burgers: half a cup of cooked quinoa, 1 can of chickpeas drained & rinsed, 2 eggs, large handful of fresh parsley, coriander & chives, tsp sesame seeds, 1 chopped carrot, 2tbs lemon juice, 1 clove of garlic, as much salt as you like) Place burgers on slices of cucumber. YUMMMMMMY 
Pear & avocado salad.
Pear and avocado salad
PEPITA’S PLEASE! Since having lightly spiced/salted pumpkin seeds at Golden Fields, I have become mildly obsessed. I have always loved these little seeds as they are an amazing source of magnesium, iron and zinc but found them a little un-inspiring. However, I found this little recipe on elanaspantry.com and BAM they are a phenomenal tasty snack full of goodness and seriously addictive.
Chilli roasted pumpkin seeds: 1 cup of pumpkin seeds, 2 teaspoons olive oil, 2 teaspoons of chilli powder, 1 teaspoon of sea salt. Place pumpkin seeds in a large pan over medium heat stirring frequently for 3-5 minutes until seeds make a crackling noise, remove from heat and stir in olive oil, chilli powder and salt, cool and serve. 
Chilli roasted pumpkin seeds: 1 cup of pumpkin seeds, 2 teaspoons olive oil, 2 teaspoons of chilli powder, 1 teaspoon of sea salt. Place pumpkin seeds in a large pan over medium heat stirring frequently for 3-5 minutes until seeds make a crackling noise, remove from heat and stir in olive oil, chilli powder and salt, cool and serve. 

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