Showing posts with label meals. Show all posts
Showing posts with label meals. Show all posts

Thursday, 4 December 2014

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
                                                                               -

    Thursday, 20 November 2014

    Can Certain Foods Prevent Cancer?

    I decided to take part in the Prostate Cancer Awareness Month (November) Campaign by informing you on the implications of the foods that we consume daily. I decided to interview an expert meet Megan Roosevelt, a Registered Dietitian.





    • People say the foods we eat and how we cook them is linked to certain cancers, is that true?
    According to the National Cancer Institute (also known as cancer.gov) cooking certain foods such as meat (beef, pork, fish, poultry) at high temperatures produces chemicals known as Heteroclycic Amines (HCAs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The National Cancer Institute states that, “HCAs and PAHs have been found to be mutagenic—that is, they cause changes in DNA that may increase the risk of cancer.”

    • What are the foods we should be avoiding?


    To start, I definitely recommend that we avoid all artificial ingredients for example, artificial sweeteners. Also eliminate and reduce the intake of processed foods and increase intake of real, whole & plant-based foods.

    • What foods can we eat to prevent certain cancers?


    According to research studies by Dr. T. Colin Campbell as found in his book "The China Study", eating a plant-based diet can help prevent the growth & development of cancer. Be sure to check out my interview with Megan on her plant- based diet here.





    • With the change in weather, what should we be eating to prevent illness/flu?

    Foods high in antioxidants will help boost the immune system so eating more fresh fruits and vegetables also reducing intake of foods made with added sugars and or foods lacking in nutritional value is smart. A few foods that contain antioxidants such as vitamin C include sweet potatoes, broccoli, bell peppers, oranges & lemons.

    • Do you have any further comments on this topic?

    Eat real food and always be learning!


    Thank you Megan for informative interviews! 

    References:


    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

    NEW! Nutrition Plan and Online Community  

    "The best time to plant a tree was 10 years ago, the second best time to plant a tree is now" -Chinese Proverb