HAPPY EASTER!

The average Brit will spend approx £65 on Easter eggs, which experts reckon equals 53,000 calories - that's a lot of 'eggstra' calories being consumed!
Just one standard size Easter egg can easily add up to 1,000 calories, and of course those calories are made up of mainly sugar and fat - not ideal if you are watching your weight!
So here are my top 3 tips for not gaining lots of unwanted pounds this Easter......
1. Choose or ask for a dark chocolate egg. It will satisfy your taste buds much more than milk chocolate, so you will probably be happy eating less at one time.
2.  Break your egg into 100 calorie portions. You can do this by checking the nutritional information on the packaging. Then put the portions into small food bags & store at the top of a cupboard, out of easy reach.
3. Don't just mindlessly nibble your egg, and especially avoid eating while watching TV - it will be gone before you know it! Plan when you will eat some - maybe after dinner, so you have something to look  forward to. Then eat slowly, savour, taste and enjoy.

The beautiful photo is of some real eggs I saw in Harrods Food Hall last week. Aren't they lovely? Why not paint your own eggs, so you can have a pretty egg for breakfast on Easter Sunday? If you have children I'm sure they'd love to paint their own eggs in a box - get creative!

Hope you have a very happy healthy eating Easter,

Bev

Sustainable Weight Loss Manchester

LENTIL & RICE CASSEROLE

Oh the Great British weather! It's trying to snow again & is bitterly cold whilst I type this. So I thought a lovely warming & healthy casserole would be just the ticket.
This is one of my favourite recipes when I want a hearty, comforting meal that is also full of great nutrients. Why not give it a try.....

Put 8oz red lentils & 4oz brown rice in a large saucepan. Add 2.5 pts of vegetable stock. Bring to the boil & then simmer for 15 mins. Meanwhile chop 1 leek, 1 red pepper, 4oz broccoli florets & 2oz green beans & then add to the lentils & rice. Also add 14oz tin chopped tomatoes, 1tsp cumin, 1tsp chilli powder & 1tsp garam masala. Continue to simmer for another 15-20 mins or until the rice is cooked. Finally add 1-2 tbsp tomato puree (depending on taste) & a handful of shredded basil.
You can add any vegetables you like really - these are my favourites. This amount will serve 4-6 according to appetite! But it's also a dish that you prepare in advance & freeze, or try reheating a portion for lunch the next day.
The men in my house usually eat this as an accompaniment to chicken or pork chops - you don't have to serve a vegetarian meal to those who don't want it.

Enjoy!
Happy healthy eating,

Bev
Sustainable weight loss Manchester