Everybody loves a good pizza, but let’s be honest they aren’t always the healthiest option. By swapping out your traditional pizza base with pitta bread and greek yoghurt for cheese, this pitta pizza will satisfy all of your pizza cravings without all of the unwanted extras. Best of all, this recipe takes 10 minutes.
Lean Lunches
Kale + Mushroom Buckwheat Pancakes
Every morning I have the same debate at breakfast – sweet or savoury. It’s always a tough call right? This recipe ticks the pancake box, while being all kinds of deliciously savoury. It’s a win-win.
Japanese Sesame Pancakes
These pancakes are inspired by dumplings I once tried my hand at (and failed miserably). These guys are much easier – no messy filling to contend with, and even better, become a pancake hybrid when fried in sesame oil. Perfect as an appetiser with friends, or as a quick dinner after work.
The Better Burrito
My healthy take on this Tex-Mex favourite, this burrito won’t leave you feeling weighed down. Traditionally loaded with refried beans, rice, cheese and sour cream, for some they can be difficult to digest leaving you feeling sluggish. Next time you’re craving Mexican, make this your go-to for an option your tastebuds and tummy will love.
Apple, Goats Cheese and Pecan Pizza
Just when you thought pizza was off the menu (’cause the healthy cauliflower base ones are WAYY too much effort), I come swooping into your life to deliver this slice of good news. WHOLEMEAL PITA BREADS work a treat. Top them with crisp, juicy Jazz Apples, salty goats cheese, bitter rocket and nutty pecans, and you can kiss Domino’s goodbye. #sorrynotsorry. Healthy pizza in 10 minutes. Done.
Avocado + Lime Soup
I know what you’re thinking, avo soup sounds kinda weird. It’s actually deliciously filling (unlike most soups) and more like a smoothie bowl than a consommé. I used to hate avocado when I lived in the UK – it was always kinda slimy (aka overripe) and rarely made it onto my plate. Since living in Aus, I’m a convert – they’re fresh, firm and truly nourishing. Australians eat more avocados per head then any other English speaking country – 3.4 kilos a year. I think I personally raise the country’s average score by eating around 4 whole fruits a week, but whatevs. Packed with healthy fats and fibre, this soup will keep you full for hours – no dipping bread or croutons required! If you want to amp up the protein, you can add a scoop of unflavoured protein powder before blending, or top with some freshly cooked prawns. Yum.
Raw Cashew Pesto Linguini with Nut Crumble
This easy recipe is made from all-raw ingredients, which means no hanging around for the damn thing to cook. No need to boil pasta – zucchini makes an amazing low-carb substitute. These green squashes comprise mostly of water, making them a great low-calorie option if that’s your bag. They also help to keep you hydrated – perfect during the summer months when salad seems like the only option!
Roast Vegetable Tartlet with Herbed Chickpea Crust
I love this recipe. It was inspired by a delicious deep-dish vegetable pie I had in Adelaide last year at vegan restaurant Pollen 185. The chef there told me how she had played around with the crust recipe for weeks before perfecting it, and then very generously passed that onto me. I’ve tinkered a little with it myself, but the deliciously crumbly texture remains the same. Fill it with whatever you want – I’ve gone for nutrient dense pumpkin and beets, but you can literally throw anything in there. Turn it into a quiche by pouring in whisked eggs into the crust.
Chickpea flour is made from either raw or roasted chickpeas, milled finely. It contains a higher proportion of protein than many others. It’s also
gluten free, making it a great flour alternative for anyone who suffers from gluten intolerance. It’s also mighty tasty. Grab some at your local health food store and let’s get baking!
10 Minute Creamy Tomato and Basil ‘Pasta’
You can whip up this nutritious ‘pasta’ dish in under 10 minutes flat! No cooking required. Just blend, pour, and eat. This dish hits my dinner table at least a few times a month, particularly when I’m strapped for time. If you need something more hearty, add protein by the way of poached chicken, fish or tofu. Bookmark this page – you’ll be making this time and time again.
I love pasta but it makes me feel all ‘gluggy’ inside. The kinda meal you always regret afterwards that sends you into a food coma. I’ve totally cut it out of my diet for that reason. Why eat anything that makes you feel less than fantastic? There are far too many fabulous substitutions to eat stuff that makes you feel gross. If your pasta love-affair has strong game, stick with it (opt for wholewheat) and skip the noodles.
How to make Mason Jar Salads
Mason jar salads are just that – a salad in a mason (or glass) jar. I’m not sure who came up with this concept, but I think it’s genius. Storing the salad in a jar keeps it fresh for 5-7 days. What’s easier than jamming loads of fresh ingredients into a jar? It will save your loads of cash if you usually buy from the local cafe, not to mention the calories you’ll save! Theres a strategy to assembly to keep all the contents at their freshest:
Layer 1 – Dressing: 1-2 tablespoons
Layer 2 – Hard vegetables: carrot, celery, capsicum, red onion, cucumber
Layer 3 – Complex carbs: Brown rice, pumpkin or quinoa (if desired)
Layer 4 – Soft vegetables: avocado, tomato
Layer 5 – Protein: chicken, tofu, egg and cheese
Layer 6 – Salad greens: lettuce or baby spinach
Now admittedly the one I’ve made here, I ate straight away, so I totally ignored this method. If you’re going to eat it soon, or dressing with citrus (lemon / lime) and just leave a wedge in the top, you don’t need to worry too much about the layering method. If you’re storing it for a while, ensure the dressing is kept at the bottom, and then mix through the salad just before lunch time.
Let’s get to it!