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I made these to end my jealousy with green pancakes popping up on my instagram feed every damn minute. There’s a simple reason they’re so popular – they taste amazing. They’re so quick to make too – there’s no excuse for a bowl of processed, sugary cereal. Matcha comes with some awesome health benefits too, including a metabolism boost and super amounts of antioxidants. Time to get flippin’.
I’ve tried a fair few pizzas in my time. I wouldn’t go so far as to call myself a connoisseur, but I know a good slice when I taste one. I’ve played around with some low-carb cauliflower bases but they just don’t fill me up, so I turned to beans for something more substantial. This Pizza is pretty phenomenal actually, both on nutrition profile and more importantly, taste. It’s cheesy, herby and chewy – the perfect start to the weekend, minus the hefty bill from Dominos.
The healthy stuff: A one-cup serving of black beans contains nearly 15 grams of fibre (50% of the RDA) and 15g of protein (equivalent to 60g chicken). This outstanding protein-fibre combination doesn’t exist in other fruit, vegetables, grains, meats, dairy products, nuts and seeds, or seafood. The antioxidants found in the skins of the beans promote better eyesight, cardiac health, capillary strength, skin appearance, and an improved immune system. They’re also great for energy, maintaining blood sugar levels, and digestion!
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!
I know y’all like ‘but porridge is sweet’, and you’d be right…until now. Oats can be enjoyed just like quinoa, rice or buckwheat in many recipes. Just because your mum used to cover them in honey, doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy them in a savoury dish too. To confuse you more, this is a breakfasty dish – but also great at lunch or as a side for dinner. Oats are a great source of soluble fibre that will keep you regular and lower cholesterol. The beta-glucan fiber found in oats helps regulate your appetite for up to 4 hours too, so you’re less likely to be snacking.
Once you make this, you’ll wonder why you haven’t been having it for years. Expect to start seeing it on restaurant menus soon! *2016 prediction*
My mother-in-law has a knack for risotto. You might say it’s her signature dish (though, she has a million of those). She spends hours stirring it until it’s a delicious creamy consistency and tops with a mix of roasted balsamic vine tomatoes, garlic and mint – it’s an incredible combination. For me, it’s missing a protein element for muscle repair and satiety, and is pretty heavy on refined carbs. It’s more of an ‘occasion’ food – which I hate, so here’s my take on low-carb risotto, using cauliflower rice instead of arborio. No white wine (though you could add it if you wanted!) and served up with some hearty organic chicken breast. Now that’s one balanced, every-day kinda risotto I can get on board with.
The humble cauliflower provides a high amount of nutrients for a small amount of calories. Cauliflower is also high in both fibre and water content, which helps to prevent constipation, maintain a healthy digestive tract and lower the risk of colon cancer. A ‘regular’ risotto indeed.
This is my take on the beautiful Mexican Fajita. We’re going salsa-less. Have you ever read what’s in a jar of the store-bought stuff? Sugar, sugar, and more sugar. Not great for your insides. I’ve swapped it for tahini – kind of like peanut butter, but made with sesame seeds. It’s packed with healthy fats to keep you satiated for longer. It’s also an amazing source of calcium (for those of you who don’t eat dairy) and is rich in minerals such as phosphorus, lecithin, magnesium, potassium and iron.
Triple the recipe, invite some friends over and lay it all out in bowls – it’s the easiest, healthy dinner-party pleaser that is sure to impress. DIY food is always a winner and means you can cater for fussy eaters too!
Sometimes you need something hearty on a weeknight. It’s been a long day and you simply don’t have the time (or energy) to start gutting and chopping a chicken. In true Fit Foodie style, there’s a work-around. Grab a pre-marinated chook from the good folk at Lilydale, who very kindly haven’t loaded their sauce with flavourings and other nasties. Whack it on a foil tray, and focus on the most delicious rice you’ve ever eaten. Super nutritious, and all pulled together in one hour, with minimal slimy chicken contact. Winning.
What’s better than having a raw vegan Snickers bar? One that is rich in protein, GOOD fats (to those nasty trans ones) and at the same time tasting just as delicious as the actual Snickers. Because “You’re not you when you’re hungry,” right?!
I could eat Greek food all day, every day, no problem. It’s usually super healthy, fresh and flavourful. With this green twist on tzatziki packed with antioxidant herbs, don’t even get me started. Chicken breast is of course a lean, high quality protein to help build muscle, but being a low-carb recipe to boot, this is a great dish for when you’re looking to lean-down too. On your table in under 20 minutes, it’s also perfect for busy weeknights – it’s on rotation in The Fit Foodie household at least once a week.
Sometimes I don’t feel like having an omelette after a workout. It’s not always easy *or palatable* to get your protein needs. After much testing *poor me* this muffin recipe gets the Fit Foodie tick of approval and is a great post-workout snack. Not dissimilar in taste to your typical cafe muffin, but this one is loaded with muscle-loving amino acids that help build and repair. Also known as super muffins. That’s right.
