Healthy & Easy Lunch Recipes

Lunch is that time where I load up on all of the good carbs to keep me going for the rest of the day. It makes sense to more carbohydrates earlier on in the day rather than at dinner time right? 

Recipe #1 Courgette/Zucchini Pizza boats

  

• Preheat your oven to gas mark 5, get 1 washed courgette split in half, cut the ends off & scoop out a bit of the centre.
• Toppings: 1/4 cup of tomato puree,

1. Small handful of cooked chopped turkey
2. Chopped green beans
3. 1/4 of a sliced red bell pepper
4. 3 chopped cherry tomatoes
5. Small handful of chopped feta 
6. Light grated cheese.

• Spread on the puree, use the toppings and pinch of salt & pepper, don't forget the mixed herbs
• Place in oven for about 15-20 mins & TA DAH! 

This recipe was inspired by Nichola. She's a UK Dietitian who offers amazing health & fitness advice on Youtube and her website. 

Recipe #2 Scrambled Stuffed Sweet Potatoe

• Boil a washed sweet potato for 15 minutes on gas mark 5 (quickens the oven time)
• Place in oven on gas mark 5 for a further 15-20 mins.

Don't forget to flip half way!

2 eggs, washed handful of kale, small handful of purple diced onions, clove of  garlic, 4 chopped cherry tomatoes

Fry onions & garlic, followed by egg then SCRAMBLE for 5-6 mins (Gas mark 4)

• When sweet potatoe is soft on the inside, cut open with knife.
• Place scrambled eggs in the centre and add chopped cherry tomatoes. 

Courgette/Zucchini contains vitamins C and A, and folate which acts as powerful oxidative stress that can lead to many types of cancer.

Sweet potatoes are high in vitamin B6 which helps reduce the chemical homosysteine in our bodies. It has been linked with diseases ie. heart attacks. They are also a great source of magnesium which is the anti-stress and relaxation mineral.

"Man does not live by bread alone" -Moses

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Healthy No-Bake Protein Balls Recipe

This ball of energy is the easiest recipe that is high in fibre and protein! It makes the perfect pre or post workout snack you can also have it on the go. 

I made five large sized protein balls.

You will need;

1. Oats
2. Peanut butter
3. 1 scoop of protein powder
4. Milk of your choice
5. Chia seeds click here for benefits
6. Dried fruit 
7. Nuts of your choice 
8. Desiccated coconut (for coating) 

Mix all the ingredients adding the milk slowly. If it's too wet add more dry ingredients and vice versa. Wet your hands to prevent sticking. Roll into a ball and coat with coconut. Refrigerate or freeze!  

                            "Eat clean to train mean to get lean" - Jenny Olatunji

Bananas vs Plantains + Recipe

This is a new series where I compare foods and share with you a recipe. Let the games begin....

You can purchase plantain at any African/ Asian Food Store

1. A plantain is a vegetable whereas a banana is a fruit.
2. Plantains are a lot bigger and have a thicker skin than bananas.
3. Plantains are mainly used in Afro-Caribbean and Asian main/ side dishes. A banana is consumed in most continents.
4. Plantains should be cooked before eaten because it's rich in starch. Bananas are usually eaten raw.
5. Just like a banana the riper the sweeter. 
6. Plantains are  slightly higher in dietary fibre. They are both high in vitamin A which helps maintain healthy eye-sight, skin, hair & tissues. Vitamin C which aids in healthy teeth, gums & blood vessels.

Well who wins? 

I prefer the plantain as it's more satisfying than a banana. It's versatile, it can be baked, boiled, fried, grilled, made into chips and some people eat in raw when the skin is nearly black. The only disadvantage would be that it's not as convenient as a banana because of the preparation and cooking time.

Plantain Chips Recipe

1. Pre-heat oven to gas mark 3.
2. Peel the plantain and thinly slice and lightly season with cinnamon and salt.
3. Place onto baking tray lined with baking paper.
4. Place into oven and bake for 20-30 minutes (until crispy).

It's vital that you slice it up thinly to get it crispy!

Have you ever tried plantain? Which do you prefer? How do you like to eat it?

            "More die in the United States of too much food than of too little"
    - John Kenneth Galbraith

Veganism 101

To celebrate World Vegetarian Awareness month (October) I wanted to let you know more about vegetarianism. I'm not a vegetarian but I decided to interview one Megan Roosevelt, Registered Dietitian and Founder of HealthyGroceryGirl.com

• As a Registered Dietitian what exactly do you do?

There are a variety of fields of practice for a Registered Dietitian (RD) such as working in a hospital, out patient clinic, public health, private practice & more.

For me personally I own & run a business, am an author, producer & host. As an RD & through my business Healthy Grocery Girl I provide nutrition coaching & also create & provide multi-media nutrition resources such as our online nutrition programs, weekly cooking & healthy lifestyle show & I am also a nutrition expert for magazines & television.

• Why and When did you decide to become a vegan?

For me personally I became vegan for health reasons, because I love animals and because it’s good for the environment. I became a vegetarian 10 years ago & slowly transitioned into a vegan lifestyle.

• As a vegan could you tell us about your plant-based diet?

I eat a variety of fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, legumes (beans) & grains. The Healthy Grocery Girl website, cooking show & our nutrition programs provide a variety of plant-based vegan recipes, which are the exact recipes I make for myself & for my family.

• What are the pro's to adopting this lifestyle?

For me personally, eating plant-based has provided me with more energy, has helped clear up my skin & has improved my digestion & bowel regularity, just to name a few benefits. By eating plant-based I feel healthier in the present day & I also know I am being preventive from diet-related diseases long-term.

• What would you recommend to those who want to become a vegan?

I would recommend to anyone who is looking to make dietary changes, such as going vegan, to meet with a Registered Dietitian to assist in nutrition education & guidance. Meeting with a nutrition expert such as an RD will ensure your personal nutritional needs are discussed & help you gain further understanding, tools and resources to support eating a balanced vegan diet.

• Any further comments on veganism?

Eating a plant-based vegan diet can be affordable, realistic, delicious & meet your nutrition needs! Our Healthy Grocery Girl Nutrition Plan provides a 90-day transitional meal plan program with a grocery shopping list, recipes & nutrition education, which is as a guide to help someone transition into a balanced plant-based lifestyle.

Huge thank you to Megan for taking the time out for the interview. Hopefully it clears things up for you! 

BIO:

Megan Roosevelt is a plant-based Registered and Licensed Dietitian as well as the founder and CEO of healthygrocerygirl.com. She is an author, web TV host, producer and regular nutrition expert for magazines as well as local and national television. Healthy Grocery Girl® provides nutrition services and multi-media resources that help individuals and families shop, cook and eat healthy including the Healthy Grocery Girl® Nutrition Plan and Online Community and the "Healthy Grocery Girl® Show", a free weekly online cooking and healthy lifestyle show.

Megan Roosevelt, RD, LD

Founder l CEO at Healthy Grocery Girl LLC

w. healthygrocerygirl.com

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"Animals are my friends, I don't eat my friends..." -George Bernard Shaw