Confucius say: it’s bad luck not to indulge fully in the excesses of Lunar New Year. And it’s bad luck not to heed Confucius. We know it’s been fun but, ladies, the party’s over. Here are 10 healthy recipes to undo holiday gluttony, and get you back into those skinny jeans before Valentine’s Day.
Those double English brekkies at the resort buffet each morning have finally shown up long after your tan has faded. Say no to that muffin(top) and start off right with a massive dose of protein and fibre to keep you filled up for the rest of the day. We love this way to start the day: Veggie Quinoa Breakfast Bowls. And, they’re not just for breakfast.
We heart kale. Packing the punch of this green superfood with super antioxidant strawberries, this Green Holiday Detox Smoothie makes a smooth and deeelish pick me up when you don’t want to chow down like you did last weekend.
Guard yourself against the chill of Singapore’s February (although we are quite enjoying those cool winds from the South) and get all warm and fuzzy with Pumpkin and Lentil Curry Soup with Maca. With metabolism-burning ginger and curry, along with nutrient-rich pumpkin and fibre-packed lentils, this super soup makes the grade with the addition of maca powder.
Here’s a sweet treat in 5 quick and simple steps: this hot-off-the-press, deeelish recipe for Blueberry, Coconut & Chia Seed Pudding from Retreat Yourself (top image):
Ingredients
2 cups almond milk
1/3 c chia seeds (white or black)
1 cup of fresh blueberries
1.5 tablespoons desiccated coconut
1 tablespoon B Grade maple syrup or raw honey
Directions
1. Add almond milk, maple syrup and blueberries to the blender and blend until smooth
2. Transfer to a bowl and stir in chia seeds and coconut
3. Pour into pretty glasses and let stand for 10 minutes
4. Cover and put in fridge for at least 2 hours, or overnight. Chia seeds will set.
5. Top with a few fresh berries and a sprig of mint and enjoy!
A way to keep your Thai island vacay still fresh in your mind is through this recipe for Thai Curry with Tilapia and Veggies. The curry gets your heart rate up (cheater’s cardio workout), while the tilapia gives you the high-protein energy to keep chasing the kids around. Vegans will be chuffed to substitute tempeh for the tilapia!
Snack attack? Yes, please. Do a little number on those tins of Pringles you hoarded and try these Maple Roasted Chickpeas instead. Little taste testers agree, this is the nicest nosh for 2014.
Teach your kids a lesson in good eating by sharing your Brussels Sprout Salad with Lemon and Mint Dressing. Ranking 89 out of 100 on the nutritional completeness scale, this dish is high in protein, fibre, minerals and vitamins. Lemon and mint make an interesting complement to the bitterness of the Brussels sprouts, and the addition of tahini gives it that extra yummy boost of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.
Kale? Check. Lentils? Check. A good way to stave off hunger pangs and feed your face with food that feels heavy, this Lentil, Kale, and Sweet Potato Stew will stick to your ribs, giving you that full-feeling for a lot longer than that box of pineapple tarts that winked at you all weekend long.
Stop shouting “what the frock?” every time you attempt to slink back into that dress that fit perfectly only yesterday. The high protein, low fat combo of quinoa and black beans, coupled with digestive enzymes in the Greek yoghurt, make Black Bean Quinoa and Veggie Burgers a topper on our list. Skip the carbo-bun and substitute with pita or flatbread to focus only on the yum.
Who doesn’t like hummus? Add the sweetness of sweet potato, offset it with cajun, and you’ve got a nutritional kapow! in your mouth. Try this recipe for Cajun Spiced Sweet Potato Hummus. This didn’t last in our kitchen very long!
Images: How Sweet It Is, Reclaiming Provincial, Prevention RD, Patty Nguyen, MindBodyGreen, Pastry Affair, Jenessa’s Dinners, Dough-Eyed Girls, Simpletarian, Healthy. Happy. Life.