YOGA NUTRITION
Comfort food – nothing quite like it! Even a one man organic bean eating yoga wonder Guru such as myself, gets the urge from time to time. My philosophy in life is to know the rules so you can break them properly (that said you’ve got to know the rules).
And one of those rules is to make fruits, and especially vegetables, the bulk of your mainstay diet. Not the five-a-day’ as recommended, and not from a tin either, but in their simple natural wholefood state. So, knowing that fruits and vegetables are good for us is one thing; finding tasty ways to add them to our diets is another. Here are some easy ways to fill your plate with more fruits and vegetables. I hope that you enjoy them.
Use veggies as a base for everything. Take a break from grains and carbs. and serve all your main courses over fruits and vegetables. Grilled fish is delicious over a fruit salsa, or on a bed of sauteed kale seasoned with curry powder. Bell peppers or tomatoes can be hallowed out and stuffed with cold bean or grain salads.
Eat vegetables for breakfast. Vegetables first thing in the morning may feel strange if you typically eat yogurt and cereals, but there are many delicious ways to squeeze them in. When your scrambled eggs are almost cooked, stir in a % cup of chopped spinach. Cooking for just a minute releases all of the flavours and makes for a delicious Saturday morning treat! You can also create a breakfast sweet potato hash by cooking
1 cup of chopped kale and a 1/4 cup of chopped onion in a 1/2 tablespoon of olive oil. Stir in 3/4 cup of peeled and chopped, baked sweet potato. This one is seriously delicious.
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Set a minimum number of veggies for your salads. Vow never to make a salad with fewer than five fruits and vegetables. You will get a variety of nutrients and much more flavour than the standard cos-only version. (Cos lettuce is mainly water and is actually the most nutrition-less lettuce on the market) Add chopped bok choy, kale, cabbage, green onions, broccoli, cooked sweet potato, grapes, or even mango – endless fun!
Never snack without them. Regardless of the snack you choose, always include a fruit or vegetable. If you are feeling like some nuts, try adding half of an apple or a handful of carrot sticks. If you want some yogurt, you can eat some berries with it. Not only will this create a more nutritionally balanced snack, but it will boost your intake of fruits and vegetables.
Stretch your servings. Vegetables can make a meal go much further. When you double the amount of chopped vegetables in pasta salads you can reduce the calories and serve more people. Add diced bell peppers, onion, courgettes, and aubergine to your sandwiches!
Load your sandwiches Whether your sandwich is stacked with feta cheese or spread with hummus, load it with fruits and vegetables. Think beyond lettuce and tomato, and go for fresh pineapple, apple, avocado, shredded cabbage, mushrooms, or red peppers.
Add vegetables to your smoothies. Don’t fear the colour or the flavour. A cup of fresh kale or spinach added to a berry smoothie brings out an unexpected taste that is surprisingly delicious. A few slices of fresh cucumber taste great blended into smoothies with lime or ginger.
Look to other cultures for inspiration. Asian and Indian cuisines are rich in fruits and vegetables. You can incorporate some of these ideas from these styles of cooking to create new combinations for your own meals, check out sauteed pak choi, banana and avocado in your salads. Sumptuous!
‘Three healthy lunch suggestions for you to take into work
Weekday lunches can be really difficult. We often do not have access to a full kitchen and unhealthy options are tempting. Luckily, you can still eat healthily and save money with a little planning. Here are three delicious ideas for lunches that are nutritious and easy to prepare:
