Summer Salad Sensation

Summer in New Zealand showcases an abundance of fresh fruit and vegetables.  This summer salad is enhanced with roasted red peppers that add a robust flavour, cashews that add protein and and chai seeds.  A homemade dressing of balsamic and flax seed oil compliments the fresh vegetables.

This salad was originally used as a compliment to a meal, however, this time became a meal on it's own.

Summer Evening Selection

Summer evening and a light meal will be perfect option for dinner. 

Wholemeal hazelnut crackers were topped with a small piece of fresh avocado. Hazelnuts are rich in dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals packed with numerous health benefits. Hazelnuts are exceptionally rich in folate., vitamin E, and many of the B-Complex group,  avocados remain a good addition to a meal.  Also rich in folate which has shown promise in protecting against certain cancers. Avocados are also rich in Vitamin K which assists in bone growth. And they are good for vision.

A small piece of smoked salmon was placed on top. Salmon is a good source of protein, fats that assist with brain function, and iron that helps support metabolism.

Coconut water replaced wine. Coconut water aids digestion and boosts hydration. It is rich in nutrients and helps to reduce blood pressure.

A few strawberries were added as they are an excellent source of antioxidant promoting Vitamin C and magnets.  They are also a good source of dietary fiber.

Top Your Toast

Breakfast packed with nutrients included sliced tomato, onion, olives with a light spread of avocado on whole grain bread with linseed. 

A key to #healthy options is maximizing the nutrient packed fresh foods in each meal. 

What #healthyoptions do you choose to top your toast?

Bountiful Blueberries

It was an early morning start to get some writing done on the summer book project. The cool summer mornings are pleasant at peaceful. 

Daughter cooked another healthy breakfast.  A Jamie Oliver recipe for Vegan Blueberry Pancakes.  Warmed blueberries replaced maple syrup adding antioxidants to the meal. A wholemeal, eggless mix using almond milk and chai seeds actually tasted really nice.  The added fresh kiwi and strawberry topped the meal off nicely. 

Wilted Spinach in Coconut Oil

It is a cool New Zealand morning with rain hanging in the clouds.  Eldest daughter cooks breakfast before heading off to work.  She makes a few changes to an ordinary breakfast to make it step up a level in nutrition.

Coconut oil, considered a superfood, was used to cook the egg and wilt the spinach. Growing up I always remembered watching Popeye eat his spinach.  I didn't like it much then but I sure do now.  Spinach is considered by some as the world's healthiest food. Finally, avocado replaced the margarine on the wholegrain toast.

A few simple adjustments to a normal breakfast made this breakfast extra healthy.  

‪#‎healthyoptions‬ ‪#‎fitfantastic‬