So for a while now, I’ve been on a bit of a healthy food craze.
My mum always made my lunches for me while I was at sixth form and I’d take them with me. Now that I’m at university I really do miss them. If it wasn’t delicious cold leftovers, then it was more than likely the most appetising salad. She was and still is, just ace at making them.
So when I left for uni, I tried to be like her. And then I found out just how expensive vegetables are – which is ridiculous. We should not be paying soooo much money to eat healthily. But ranty argument aside, veg is worth the cost.
Within the last online grocery shop I did before leaving uni (courtesy of Asda because CHEEEEEEAP), were four avocados. Ok so I probably went a little mad on the amount. But I used them all before I left a week early due to the heavy flooding in the north.
My Gran, who once was as a WeightWatchers advisor, warned me that too much of a good thing can be bad for you. Avocados in particular. She said something about “too much fatty acids”. Everything in proportion of course. So I did a little research on avocados…here are my findings (oh look at me all studenty):
- Avocados are nutrient rich – 1/5 of an avocado “has nearly 20 vitamins and minerals”
- They are sodium and cholesterol free
- “More than 50% of the fruit’s fat content comes from monounsaturated fats.
- “An ounce of avocado contains 81 micrograms of lutein. Lutein has been shown to be concentrated in the macula of the eye, and research suggests that it may help maintain healthy eyesight as we age.”
You can find more about avocados on: avocadocentral.com. This website also gives some great recipes using avocado that I am going to try when I return to uni next week.
My favourite lunch using avocado is a bacon and avocado sandwich. The bread I recommend for this is Allison’s seeded white loaf. It’s to die for with nothing on it. Instructions:
- Take an ripe (it should be slightly but not too squishy) avocado and cut it in half.
- Save one half of the avocado. Wrap it in cling film or tin foil – keep the stone inside of it (apparently it keeps it fresher for longer).
- Scoop out the flesh from the skin using a spoon – it does not need to be neat.
- To not risk wasting the flesh, mash the avocado with the back of a spoon on one of the pieces of bread. There is no need for any butter.
- Add your two rashers of bacon, put a slice of bread on top and voila!
I also am a spinach lover. It is the perfect accompaniment to chicken, or a jacket potato as a side salad. Sometimes I even throw it in my stir fry I like to whip up every so often. I don’t know what it is about the taste, but this leafy green is just that little bit nicer than your traditional iceberg lettuce or rocket (although that is something I also enjoy tucking into).
Since being home, the healthy eating has kind of come to a standstill. I’ve started snacking again, and drinking fizzy pop – but to my surprise I’ve only put one pound back on! And hey, it’s Christmas. Or, it was Christmas… I should get back to healthy eating now.
Smoothie bowls have been on my radar for a while now. I’ve seen a lot of them on Instagram and on Pinterest too. But for me, a simple cereal and milk breakfast is much more beneficial; especially as I usually get my 5aday through simply eating a banana and having veg or salad with lunch or dinner.
But I recently came across recipes for veggie bowls. Interesting, I thought. Although logically, that’s just salad in s bowl. Nothing that amazing. However, on Pinterest I found some delicious recipes. If you want to have a look at them find me on Pinterest (@kulayrosas) and go on my recipes board. There’s some great recipes on their anyway, and my food board is filled with the most fabulous food ideas.
On New Year’s Day, we had lunch at my grandparents. And despite stuffing our faces with five courses, there were leftovers – we brought them home with us of course! One of the goodies was a packet of smoked salmon. Ok smoked salmon is like my favourite food in the world. Nothing, except Nutella, is better. So today, when my mum left us to our own devices for lunch, I made myself this beauty below. It is simply a piece of lightly toasted bread, plenty (why not) cream cheese, plenty smoked salmon, a little bit of rocket to garnish and a plum tomato chopped in half. Oh, and I can’t forget, lots of cracked black pepper. I can hear your tummies rumbling.
One final lunch recipe I recommend is something my mum put together over the holidays. It’s quick and easy to make.
- Take a flat bread (alternatively you could use pitta bread or even just bread) and smother it with cream cheese.
- Add rashers of bacon (choose your own number).
- Add rocket or spinach, sliced cucumber and tomatoes.
- Slice into three sections and serve.
If you have any healthy recipes yourself please share them with me!! Either direct message me on Instagram (@ku_layrosas) or comment below.
Love,
Anna
kulayrosas 