DELICIOUS WAYS TO USE AVOCADO

 

Most of my favourite foods incorporate avocado somehow and it's easy to taste why with all of the delicious recipes avocado is such an integral part in. If I see avocado in an option on the menu, I'm definitely getting that meal. Or if I see an option I really want but it has meat in it, I always ask for avocado as the replacement. Although you may be initially hesitant of avocado due to all of it's natural fats, you realise how amazing they are for your whole body once you find out more about them.

 

Avocados include 20 vitamins and minerals in every serving such as potassium for blood pressure and lutein for eyes. With vitamins B, C and E you will receive benefits ranging from your hair being shiny and soft and a reduced risk of cancer and other such diseases.

 

The most simple and delicious recipe is avocado on bread such as toast or a bagel. Simply add it onto whatever else you desire such as tomato, cucumber, cream cheese etc. Otherwise it is a great butter replacement that you can thinly spread onto your sandwich along with other ingredients. 

Guacamole is my go-to at any Mexican restaurant or I have a few killer recipes of my own. Smooth or chunky, by itself or with lemon juice and onion...guacamole is a delicious method of using avocado.

 Chuck some avocado in the next salad you make for a creamy element that turns bland leaves into a rich and delicious meal.

Got some pitas lying around? Fill them with avocado and goats cheese then lightly toast them on each side for a satisfying and easy dinner.

Avocado sushi is always a good idea. Enough said.

Those are my favourite ways of incorporating this delicious and creamy fruit into my meals. With so many health benefits and such a great taste, it's hard not to buy a couple of these every time you're grocery shopping.

 

 

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FOODS TO COMBAT STRESS

When your stress levels are through the roof, maybe due to an exam or hard time at work. Diet has a lot to do with your mood and emotions so here are some foods that will calm you down and de-stress you.   

Asparagus

These little stalks of goodness are packaged full of folate.

Avocado

This deliciously creamy "fruit" is packed full of glutathione, lutein, beta-carotene, vitamin E, VB vitamins and folate. Perfect for keeping you balanced.

 

Cashews

These nuts are the perfect combo of protein and fat, keeping you full and satisfied. They are also deliciously salty and crunchy making for a great chip replacement.

Camomile Tea

This tea is famous for being calming and soothing so why not sit down and enjoy a lovely cup of camomile tea when you are feeling a little stressed.

Green Tea

Theanine is the property within green tea that makes it incredibly beneficial for boosting mental performance.

Oranges

Absolutely packed with the feel good Vitamin C, these oranges will brighten and uplift your mood.

 

 

So next time you are feeling stressed out and in a not so great mood, try sitting down to a cup of tea (camomile or green) and some healthy fats, vegetables or vitamin C boosters and feel your mental state change for the better.

 

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WEEKEND ACTIVITIES TO GET YOU MOVING

 

Trying to fit in exercise throughout the week can be part, especially if you work full time and the best you can do is make it to the gym a couple of times. I am a huge fan of outdoor activities and exercising in nature so I use my weekends to get out there and get moving. These are five of my favourite physical weekend activities.

 

1. Go on a hike

It's almost a guarantee that you will have access to a hiking trail somewhere around where you live. I love finding new routes to go and exploring new mountains to climb. My favourite hike I have ever done was climbing the top of a mountain on top of Hamilton Island to reach "passage peak". At the top is an incredible view as far as the eye can see of crystal blue waters and little islands surrounding Hamilton Island. Now of course not all hikes have that kind of amazing end result but there will be beauty and excitement in every hike you go on.

 

2. Hire out a tennis court and play a few games
Grab a sibling or turn this activity into a couples sport and play tennis matches against each other. It's fun, exciting, a bit competitive but a great bonding experience and awesome exercise. Similar to the hiking trails, tennis courts are everywhere and usually fairly inexpensive to hire out (around $35-$45).

 

3. Go on a picnic and walk to get there
Pack up a little picnic basket or lunch box and put it in a backpack then walk to a local park and sit down and have your lunch there. Then go and have a walk on the walking track before heading home. If you bring a friend or rope your boyfriend into this activity, you can spend the time socialising and chatting.

 

4. Take a walk along the beach
Walking on the sand really gives your legs a great workout so mix up your weekend walk and do it on the beach. Not to mention you get that amazing fresh cool breeze, salty air and beautiful scenery. For additional exercise you can jump in the ocean and have a swim which is a full body exercise.

 

5. Walk your dog

Get you and your best friend some exercise by going on a nice walk, jog or run with your dog. It's really simple and the perfect last minute exercise if the weekend is coming to an end and you don't have enough time to organise something else.

 

So this weekend get out there and try one of these activities because it is definitely something that will lift your mood, open your eyes to the nature around you and if you can, spend time doing this with those you love.

 

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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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