|
Re-energise your new year |
 |
 |
 |
|
 It’s that time of year again where we feel that we have shopped till we dropped, celebrated till we could no more and, let’s face it, indulged in too much alcohol, too much fat and too much sugar for too long! So how do we re-energise ourselves and regain that lost vitality without the rigours of a full de-tox program. Here are a few tips to get you started in the new year:
- COOL OFF & HIT THE POOL. Whether it's lap swimming, water aerobics, or just splashing about, you'll feel refreshed and your body will start to come alive again as well as utilising some of those recently gained fat stores. The perfect antidote to overindulgence.
- BE TEMPTED by luscious summer fruit low in kilojoules and bursting with vitamins and minerals. Serve platters of mangoes, melons, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, kiwi fruit. Or blend with fat free fruit yoghourt for a summer sorbet treat, or add a yoghourt drink for an icy cold drink. Chunks of fresh fruit on skewers, lightly BBQ, make a delicious dessert.
- KEEP IT LIGHT AND BITE SIZE (no large meals or high fat snacks like chips). Serve bite size nibbles like smoked salmon slices rolled up with a little Greek style yoghourt on top of sliced cucumber. Circles of pumpernickel rye bread topped with prawns and avocado or freshly shucked oysters with a squeeze of lemon.
- FOCUS ON SALADS at night (so you're not sleeping on an overfull stomach). An array of different lettuce varieties, slices of turkey breast (low in fat, but tender), lightly steamed asparagus, spring onions, avocado and mango slices or baby spinach leaves topped with cherry tomatoes, snow peas, cucumber chunks, thin slices of super lean beef, tossed with a little chilli, balsamic vinegar and olive oil.
- THINK HEALTHY BBQ SEAFOOD MEALS. Skewers of prawns. Or salmon or blue eye cutlets (cook on Glad Bake or wrap as parcels - no added fat, the seafood won't stick, and individual meals can be made to suit different tastes - like no chilli for the kids. If cooked on a naked flame, wrap the paper parcel in foil).
- IN THE RAW. Too hot to cook? Raw vegetables are crisp and crunchy in a salad or with a fruit yoghurt dip or on the side with canned tuna or salmon mixed with natural yoghourt and a squeeze of lime juice with freshly ground pepper.
 HAVE ALCOHOL FREE DAYS (or if you've really overindulged, make it an alcohol free week). Get into anti-oxidant rich tomato juice with all the condiments or a cranberry spritzer (cranberry juice and sparkling mineral water) to help flush toxins through.
- START COUNTING. How many different foods do you eat each day? Definitely not enough! Variety will give your body the array of vitamins and minerals and other anti-oxidants it craves. Aim to at least double your choices now.
- GO GRAINS. Whether you start the day with a healthy whole grain cereal, make a wholegrain wrap sandwich for lunch or serve a grain based salad such as tabouli or brown rice and corn with dinner, healthy grain foods help your body stay healthy, energised and ward off major diseases.
- DO DRINK THE WATER. In summer heat, you need plenty of water to help your body flush out all the waste products and keep you well hydrated to cope with everything you have to do.
- KEEP FOOD CLEAN. Try to eat foods that have not been adulterated with too many preservatives, colourings, artificial flavours and other additives. Prepare as much as you can yourself using the freshest of ingredients.
 |
