food

Get that Healthy Glow

10 healthy recipes to undo holiday gluttony

Wednesday, 15 Jan 2014

So you’ve decided to be brave this week and step on the scale, only to realize you’ve kept on those few extra LBs from the holidays. Fear not, beautiful ones. We know you’re struggling, that’s why we’ve decided to go beyond just drinking lemon water in the morning (for amateurs!) and share our 10 healthy recipes to undo holiday gluttony, getting you out of your mom jeans and back into those skinny jeans before reunion dinners and Valentine’s Day creep up on you. (Hint: you can share these with the fam!)

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 fiber to keep you filled up for the rest of the day. We love this take on wide-eyed and bushy tailed withVeggie Quinoa Breakfast Bowls. And, they’re not just for breakfast.

We heart kale (trust us, you’ll see more of it in this list!) 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 Christmas.

Guard yourself against the chill of Singapore’s January (it’s strange wearing long sleeves, ain’t it?) 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 fiber-packed lentils, this super soup makes the grade with the addition of maca powder, ladies.

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
Directions1. 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 theseMaple 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, fiber, 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 just winked at you.

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. Become Glenda the Good Witch with this recipe for Cajun Spiced Sweet Potato Hummus. This didn’t last in our kitchen very long!

Now that you’ve got the fuel, keep rollin! There’s no better way to top off your post-hols detox than under the guidance of wellness pros Christina and Amy, who have designed the perfect mind and body retreat, Retreat Yourself.  Leave hubby with the kids for 5-days of Bali bliss, combining holistic wellness techniques through health coaching, yoga, meditation, and nutrition counseling. You’re welcome.