A new year, new resolutions. Fired up by that strange energy that comes after casting our eyes back (briefly or poignantly) over the year we leave behind, once again we resolve to make a fresh effort in the new year: to lose weight, to join the gym, to eat more healthily, to cook more… The list is endless, but it won’t be so daunting if you take short steps. You’ll soon find yourself with redoubled energy, eager to make small changes to your daily routine. Here are some starters:
Drink water with lemon first thing in the morning
It’s an antioxidant, a diuretic and a cleansing tonic. Starting the day with a glass of warm water and lemon is both simple and healthy. It helps flush out toxins, boosts your defences, reduces fat and balances your pH. It’s also a great remedy for regulating your digestion.
Steam more
Did you know that steaming food keeps far more nutrients? Broccoli, spinach, asparagus, salmon, hake, mussels, clams… you’d be amazed at the range of delicious foods you can steam. Drizzle with a little extra-virgin olive oil and a dash of vinaigrette or serve as a garnish for a pasta dish, as we suggest in these recipes.
Soups without cream
We all like to add a dash of cream or cheese to a basic vegetable soup to bring out new textures and flavours. But if you’re trying to eat more vegetables and cut down on the calories, it’s best to leave it out. Simply lightly fry in a little extra-virgin olive oil beforehand and liven it up with spices afterwards.
Homemade cereal bars for snacks between meals
There’s no point in eating healthily at mealtimes if you stuff yourself with any old junk from the vending machine at work between meals. Try eating a handful of nuts, some fresh fruit in season or one of the cereal bars you can learn about in this post as a handy alternative energy boost.
