First things first …. Has the festive over indulgence gone? If you answer no, you need to address it sooner rather than later! February is a short month and if the damage isn’t recovered by the end of February you will be on the slippery slope and heading for the next over indulgence of Easter! It is very easy to add a few pounds at xmas, birthdays, Easter, holiday, etc and before you know it you are looking at half a stone plus, each and every year. This can be a factor in deteriorating health as we get older. It doesn’t have to be like that. If the weight goes on quick, it can come off quick, but you have to address it in the short term, don’t let it drift as one over indulgence can quickly morph into the next. SUGAR is HIGHLY ADDICTIVE, be that sugar in drinks, including alcohol, or sugar in foods.
February is traditionally the month of love and let me give you a formula for LOVE Healthy Mind + Healthy Body = LOVE. Without the above formula in balance you aren’t maximising your precious gift of life and enjoyment on this planet. Do not feel guilty for allocating “me” time to your daily schedule. It’s essential. Me time can be anything from exercise, home or salon beauty treatments, a soak in the bath, listening to tunes, to cooking and eating! Farm shops are full of fresh produce to make beautiful meals. I’m going to add to my monthly article a quick and easy
My favourite meal at the minute requires very little preparation, hardly any washing up and tastes delicious and nutritious. It’s like rocket fuel for the body, and leaves you feeling full and satisfied.
Preparation time: 5 minutes
Ingredients:
- 2 x large field mushrooms
- 6-8 asparagus spears
- 2 x fresh eggs
- Salt and pepper seasoning
Nutrition:
Mushrooms: National cancer institute have published that mushrooms can help prevent a variety of cancers, they provide folate, fibre, antioxidants, vitamin Bs and D which all help with muscle movement, learning and memory.
Asparagus: vitamins A, B6, C, E and K, calcium, iron, fibre, chromium, which helps insulin to transport glucose from the blood stream into cells. It’s low in fat and calories and research suggests it can aid constipation and help lower cholesterol.
Eggs: a high quality protein and a natural source of many vitamins and minerals, A, Bs, D, E, K, calcium and zinc which is basically providing a little bit of every nutrient your body needs. Eggs are high in cholesterol, but don’t adversely affect blood cholesterol. Research shows that for 70% of people eggs don’t raise cholesterol at all, however people with genetic disorders may want to limit or avoid eggs. If you aren’t sure you should always check with your doctor.
Method:
All you need is a good non stick pan (worth the investment), pop in a couple of really large field mushrooms, sliced and chopped to your preference, add some chopped asparagus that is now back in the shops, and cook on a medium heat. A pan lid over the mushrooms and asparagus will help create the juices quicker, you can remove the lid once you have enough juice. Pop a couple of fresh eggs in vigorously boiling water (that’s the trick for firm, tight whites, and dippy yolks!), when the froth bubbles on the egg pan rises, skim it off and turn off the heat, the eggs will continue to cook. That should be the mushrooms and asparagus done, simply stir and add to the plate, add the eggs and season with salt and pepper. You will likely not have had the hobs on for more than 5 minutes!
Whether we are talking about meals or “me” time, if you don’t plan, it won’t happen. Each morning you wake up you should know what you will be eating for the 3 meals that day and when you will be taking your “me” time. Take control, write a list, shop it, and stick to it.
Everyone knows to move more, and eat less, but it’s not always that simple for everyone. If you have any questions, I am happy to answer them in the next edition. Just email me dianne@rejuvenateathypoxi.co.uk.