3 FRUIT INFUSED WATER COMBINATIONS

Natural vitamin waters that are packed with fruit are the perfect "pick me up" drink when you are lacking energy or motivation. It's much more delicious and interesting to sip on one of these creations rather than just plain water.

 

Raspberry and Lime

with a hint of cucumber and mint

Limes contain calcium and folate, two crucial nutrients for women's health. Lime has also been seen to lower cholesterol; which as we know the higher the levels, the more health implications.

Raspberries increase immunity and slow down ageing, aids with eye health, manages diabetes, protects from potential cancerous growths and much more.
 

 

Grapefruit and Cucumber

Grapefruit for Vitamin C and Cucumber for hydration. This refreshing and hydrating duo will keep you going throughout the day.

Grapefruits are always somehow part of diets and the reason being that they contain enzymes that specifically target breaking down fats. These citrus fruits cleanse and nourish you inside and out.

Cucumbers are known to be the perfect "pick-me-up" food due to the presence of B vitamins. It also aids in digestion, controls blood pressure and promotes joint relief.
 

 

Blueberries and Oranges

Blueberries are a great source of antioxidants while oranges provide vitamin C.

 

Blueberries not only contain antioxidants but they too are a great source of vitamin, improving the immune system. They are also known to contribute in reducing cancer risks and improving heart health.

 

Oranges are most well known for their vitamin C properties but this amazing citrus goes beyond that and has been found to assist in the prevention of many cancers and diseases. They also help to alkalise the body, protect skin and maintain blood pressure.

 

So why not take a couple of minutes out of each morning to put together some delicious fruit infused water. Your body will definitely thank you for it.

 

 

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HEALTHY WHOLEMEAL PASTA RECIPE



A quick and easy recipe that is a different spin on your everyday pasta. Perfect to whip up in a big batch and take to work or university with you.

 

Ingredients

1 cup wholemeal spiral pasta
Slithered Almonds

Parsley

Olive Oil
Sea Salt

 

Method
1. Cook your pasta in boiling water for about 6 minutes or until tender.

2. Brown your slithered almonds on a frying pan with some olive oil until golden.

3. Drain your pasta, add a dash of olive oil and sea salt.

4. Combine pasta and browned almonds with some finely cute parsley.

It will definitely satisfy any pasta cravings, without being overly bad for you due to the replacement of white pasta with wholemeal and no white sauce or extra fat added other than a dash of olive oil.

 

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THE FOUR CORNERS OF HEALTH

 

Although health can often seem like a two sided coin with working out on one side and healthy eating on the other, there are two other very crucial elements that are just as important.

 

Drinking Water

I have been recently making it my daily goal to get enough water and it has made me feel 100x better. I recommend adding fruit, especially citrus and berries to your water to infuse it with natural energy and make it taste delicious. I also think it's a great idea to stock up on a bulk pack of waters and keep them everywhere; your fridge, office, lounge room, car etc. That way you always have fresh water on hand.

 

Working Out

This is definitely an obvious one and I think working out each day is a fantastic goal to have. Whether it be a high intensity cardio training or just a walk with your dog around the block, getting your body moving regularly is crucial to a healthy lifestyle.

 

Healthy Eating

To me, eating healthy is a lot easier than working out because it doesn't require heaps of motivation to get up and get moving. You just have to pre plan your meals so that you don't get lazy and end up eating junk. Stock your fridge with vegetables and fruit bowl with a selection of in season items and you will never go hungry. The best part about this is that you can eat as much as you want and feel completely guilt free. 

 

Sleeping Well

This is another underrated aspect of a healthy lifestyle because too often people put sleep at the bottom of their priorities list, thinking other to-do list items demanding their attention are a better idea than going to bed early. The right amount of sleep can change your mood and mindset dramatically, it makes you see a whole lot clearer and overall you are much happier.

 

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HEALTHY DINNER IDEAS

Dinner is my favourite meal of the day because I'm able to feed my vegetable addiction and stuff myself on my favourite healthy versions of comfort food. 

Tofu Stir Fry
Nothing beats a good stir fry and there's so many variations but I think I have found my absolute favourite so here is the ultimate recipe for a killer vegan stir fry. See the recipe here.

Vegetable Sushi 
Save money and time making sushi from home. If you have been in the house all day and have some sushi cravings, why go out and pick up some sushi when you can make your own? This way you know exactly what is going into it and can make it to your specifications. 
See the recipe here.

Spaghetti Squash Pasta 
Are you a pasta addict but trying to cut down on the white carbs? Well if I told you that you can eat a vegetable and satisfy your spaghetti cravings I bet you wouldn't believe me! Introducing spaghetti squash pasta, it's a roasted vegetables mixed with some salt, pepper and lemon juice but tastes just like the real thing. This is a must try for a guilt free dinner that really satisfies.
See the recipe here.

Vegetable Pasta
This is a quick and easy dinner for those of you with a hectic lifestyle. This pasta dish if satisfying but also a great way to get a heap of your veggies in for the day. Not to mention it's super simple and consists of chucking some ingredients in a wok and cooking pasta.
See the recipe here.

Vegetable Quinoa 

If you are looking for a way to pack heaps of veggies into a meal, this is one of my go-to meals. It not only includes lots of different veggies but it's also extremely filling and satisfying. Quinoa is an amazing slow releasing carbohydrate and will keep you fuller for longer while you can add in all your favourite vegetables for minerals and vitamins.

See the recipe here.

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HEALTHY LUNCH IDEAS - GIANT MEALS FOR THOSE WITH A BIG APPETITE

We are going to be discussing healthy lunch options, but don't worry just because they are good for you doesn't mean you will be left starving of unsatisfied. 

Vegetable Sandwich

My preferred ratio is 80% vegetables and 20% bread so I like to skip that piece in the middle and instead pack it to the brim with vegetables. They are amazing when fresh, roasted, lightly pan cooked or all of the above. I like to use capsicum, zucchini, eggplant, salad onion, mushrooms and anything else I can get my hands on and stuff this baby full of vegetables. So incredibly nutritious but you are left feeling satisfied and have energy until dinner time.

Rice Paper Rolls
It's basically like eating a salad that is wrapped up in delicious rice paper. It's a great way of stuffing in the vegetables if you dislike just chomping on raw salad because this way you dip it in some sauce and it feels like you're eating a really healthy sushi roll or something. It's also a great way of getting your herbs in because parsley and mint always taste incredible mixed with veggies and dipped in sweet chilli sauce.

Greek Salad
I use the term Greek salad loosely because really what I do is chop up any vegetables I can get my hands on, ensuring there is red salad onion, olives and cucumber. I like to skip the feta cheese because I'm not a huge fan of dairy products and probably only eat eggs or dairy once or twice a month, if that, and generally it's in the form of mayonnaise on sushi or something.

Roast Vegetable Wraps

Have some leftover roasted veggies from the sandwich you made the day prior? Whip them out of the fridge and chuck them on a wholemeal wrap. I love to have mine cold and they taste the gormet deli food. Similar to the sandwiches, I like my wraps to be mostly veggies with a tiny bit of wrap so generally mine come out looking like the ones pictured above.

Vegetable Sushi

Ah, we have come to my favourite lunch option of all...sushi. I am so obsessed with this stuff and could eat it every single day if you let me. It's one of those foods I just don't get sick of because it's not only delicious but still leaves you feeling light and fresh rather than weighed down. I alternate between white rice and brown rice but for me rice is a staple and definitely not a carb that I avoid. My favourite kind of sushi is where they have packed in avocado, cucumber, asparagus, carrot and oak lettuce...delicious!

I hope that these healthy lunch ideas have given you inspiration and encouraged you to pack more vegetables into your meals. With so many nutritional benefits from amazing veggies, I go out of my way to eat as many as possible each day. Sometimes my dinners consist of ridiculous amounts of broccoli and beans but we will get to that in a future post about healthy dinner ideas.

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EASY, BALANCED AND DELICIOUS BREAKFAST IDEA

Start your morning out right with this nutritious and fulfilling meal that will balance you out for the day. Due to this recipe being so simple and easy, I thought I would focus more on how this breakfast is balanced and refer to each element and its nutritional value.

Ingredients + Nutritional Information

Almond Milk and Coconut Milk- I've actually been mixing these two milks for about a year now and recently they released an almond and coconut milk mixture. With great reason since they're both delicious and both great for you. They are the perfect dairy substitute and will leave you feeling lightweight rather than dairy weighing you down.

Fruit (Kiwi Fruit and strawberries)- Full of antioxidants and natural sugars, these babies will make you feel great throughout the day and naturally give you energy.

Muesli- These complex carbohydrates will keep you full for extended periods of time. Since the muesli is made up of seeds and grains, it packs a heap of energy to keep you going throughout the day.

Nuts (Pecans and almonds)- A great source of natural fats that keep you satisfied and nourished. The healthy oils help with the health of your hair, nails and skin.  

Method

Now this one is definitely not too hard. All you need to do is cut up your fruits, sprinkle on your granola and nuts then spill in a dash of almond and coconut milk.

I definitely recommend trying this out for breakfast and once you have all of the ingredients they will last you a while. Not to mention that it's super quick and easy to make so it won't take much time out of your day.

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SNACK ON THE GOOD STUFF- HEALTHY SNACK IDEAS

Today we are taking about the food you can eat that prevent you from snacking on junk. So that there's no excuses for snacking on chips or ice cream; we have both sides covered with 3 sweet options and 3 savoury.

Dark Chocolate- Not only does dark chocolate contain feel-good endorphins that give you a natural high but the sweet taste also helps curb cravings. So next time you are trying to resist the chocolate, allow yourself a couple of squares and see how much better you feel. Remember, health isn't about restriction it's about moderation.

Almond Butter- Exactly how snacking on a handful of almonds is good for you, eating the naughtier tasting almond butter is no different. Packed full of protein and healthy fats this is a very satisfying snack that you can spread on some bread or enjoy straight from the jar.

Greek Yoghurt- If you're craving something a bit creamy like ice cream then this is the perfect alternative packed full of protein and healthy bacteria. It's also a great alternative for sour cream and that brings me into the savoury snack ideas..

Soup- I absolutely love chucking a bunch of vegetables and lentils into some stock and leaving it to simmer for a few hours. It's almost like nutritional water packed full of minerals and vitamins. It is so incredibly filling and great for you so I definitely recommend trying this as a snack or a big bowl as a light lunch.

Popcorn- If you have those salt and crunch cravings that potato chips satisfy then popcorn is the perfect healthy alternative, so long as you don't drench it in butter or too much salt. They're light and airy but you can snack on it by the handful since it's a great source of grains and airy in texture but a great and fulfilling snack.

Hummus- I'm the kind of person who enjoys eating chickpeas on their own, in salads and on the side of any meal so you can just imagine my love for the delicious spread that it makes. It is the perfect thing to dip celery and carrot sticks into for a crunchy and creamy snack.

So next time you're reaching for a sugar coated ice cream or salty fatty chips, keep these healthy alternatives in mind because they fulfill those cravings without making you regret eating it.

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THE MOST DELICIOUS SALAD EVER

Don't let its weird appearance fool you, this salad is pure deliciousness and extremely moreish. It will satisfy your sweet tooth and salt cravings at the same time without being unhealthy.

Ingredients
1 Wombok
4 Shallots
1 Pkt Asian Noodles
1/2 cup Slivered Almonds

Dressing
2 tbsp. Sesame Oil
1 tbsp. White Vinager
2 generous tbsp. Honey
1/3 cup Soy Sauce

Method
1. Cut up your wombok and shallots and place them in a bowl.
2. Put your slivered almonds on a frying pan with some sesame oil and allow to brown then add them into your bowl.
3. Make the dressing by combining all four of the ingredients then cover your salad in it.
4. Add some crispy Asian noodles on top and serve.

This meal is perfect on it's own for a lunch or with some protein or some type of carbohydrate perfect for a dinner. It's the perfect amount of sweetness from the honey and saltiness from the soy, making it a delicious sweet and sour combination.

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