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Smashed Avocado & Egg on Sourdough Toast

This Smashed Avocado & Egg sourdough toast is delicious, easy to make and is packed with so many healthy ingredients.

Now that the lockdown season is extended and we are back in our homes, going out for our breitling replica watches regular brunches is still a distant dream. So here I am, looking for ways to bring my favourite brunch right on my dining table and that’s why I made this Smashed Avocado & Egg sourdough toast. Since I’m working from home, all my recipes have to be easy and I prefer ones that can be put together with the ingredients that are available in my pantry. But I never cheap replica watches compromise with taste and health- just want the best of both!

This Smashed Avocado & Egg sourdough toast recipe is packed with great taste and good health, along with the ease of being ready in minutes. swiss Replica Rolex Submariner Let me share it with you and I’m sure you will love it as much as I do.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CAsBveFpD8V/

Print Recipe

Smashed Avocado & Egg on Sourdough Toast

I created this amazing one that packs great taste and good health, along with the ease of being ready in minutes. Let me share this one with you, I’m sure you will love it as much as I do.

Prep Time10

Cook Time5

Total Time15

Course: Breakfast, Snack

Keyword: Avocado Toast, Egg Toast, Sourdough Toast

Servings: 1

Author: Archana

Equipment

Toaster

Ingredients

Sourdough Bread
Avocado & Lime Smash
Crumbled Feta Cheese
Poached Egg
Chilli Flakes
Black Pepper
Toasted Pinenuts

Instructions

Toast the sourdough bread.
Spread the avocado and lime smash generously onto the toast.
Sprinkle crumbled feta over the toast.
Top it with a poached egg.
Sprinkle some freshly cracked black pepper and chilli flakes.
Garnish with toasted pine nuts for that extra crunch.

Serve with fresh orange juice and have a restaurant-style brunch at home. Do try this simple and scrumptious dish and share your experience.

Healthy Salad Bowls for Summers

Salad bowls are my favourite thing to have in summers as they are healthy & easy to prepare. Here are my 5 most-loved salad bowls.

It’s summertime and apart from the sunshine, the thing I love about summers are colourful, fresh salad bowls. Healthy salad bowls are my favourite thing to have for lunch in summers as they easy to prepare and keep me full for a long period of time. I like my salad bowls vibrant, that’s why I mix lots of colourful veggies. They don’t just look fantastic, but are full of goodness and taste amazing too. Find more healthy food recipes here.

Healthy eating has been on my agenda for a long time now and I try to stick to it as much as I can. Over the past year I have tried many new healthy recipes and experimented with various salad bowls. I like trying new combinations and getting creative with my salad bowls to make them just the way my family and I prefer. Here are 5 tasty and wholesome salads bowls that I absolutely love and are perfect for summers.

Mediterranean Salad: Black Beans & Avocado Salad Bowl

No one is unknown to the nutritional benefits of black beans and avocado. Black beans are rich in antioxidants, protein, fiber & carbohydrates. Avocados are a great source of vitamins C, K, B-6 and E and are high in good fat which makes them beneficial for heart health. Combined with other vegetables, this bright and wholesome Black Beans & Avocado salad bowl gives the much-needed kick on a lazy afternoon.

Ingredients

Cooked Black Beans
Sliced Avocado
Sliced Cherry Tomatoes
Boiled Sweet Potato
Chopped Red & Yellow Pepper
Chopped Cucumber
Chopped Coriander
Chopped Red Chilli
Lemon Juice for dressing
Salt & pepper to taste

Edamame Beans & Sweet Corn Salad Bowl

Edamame beans are low in calories, gluten free, full of magnesium and are a good source of protein, fiber, vitamin K. Rich in essential minerals like zinc, magnesium, iron, copper, and manganese, sweet corn is amazing for the overall health. It also promotes eye health, as it has antioxidants lutein, carotenoids and zeaxanthin. Mix edamame beans & sweet corn with other nutritious ingredients to make this vibrant Edamame beans & Sweet Corn Salad bowl.

Ingredients

Cooked Edamame Beans
Boiled Sweet Corn
Roasted Cherry Tomatoes
White Sesame Seeds
Beetroot Hummus
Chopped Cucumber
Salad Mix

Moroccan Salad: Chickpea & Falafel Salad Bowl

Chickpeas also known as Garbonzo Beans aids in weight loss and help in managing diabetes as they are an amazing source of plant-based protein. They are packed with essential minerals, carbohydrates and vitamins like Vitamin B6, B12, A, C & K, and niacin. Falafel is a Middle Eastern food made with chickpeas, herbs and spices. It is usually deep fried but I baked it to keep my Chickpea & Falafel salad bowl healthy.

Ingredients

Boiled Chickpeas
Baked Falafel Balls
Hummus
Sweet Potato Fries
Cherry Tomatoes
Salad Leaves
Herbs Dressing
Lemon
Tahini Sauce with Herbs

Roasted Sweet Potato & Beets Salad Bowl

Sweet Potatoes are high in fiber & antioxidants and promote gut health. They contain various vitamins & minerals and are good for building immunity and boosting heart health. Beetroots high in iron and help in regulation blood pressure. The antioxidants present in beetroots detoxify the body, boost stamina & energy and improve skin. The blend of these two superfoods and few other healthy ingredients results in this scrumptious Roasted Sweet Potato & Beets salad bowl.

Ingredients

Roasted Sweet Potato
Roasted Beetroot
Feta Cheese
Spinach Leaves
Sunflower Seeds
Pine-nuts
Lemon Juice for dressing
Olive Oil for dressing
Vinegar for dressing
Salt & pepper to taste

Quinoa & Sweet Potato Salad Bowl

Quinoa is gluten-free and is loaded with protein. It is high in fiber, iron, magnesium, B vitamins, vitamin E, calcium, phosphorus, potassium antioxidants and has sufficient amounts of all the nine essential amino acids. Sweet Potatoes are a great source of healthy fiber, antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and are filling. They support the immune function and are good for overall health. This Quinoa & Sweet Potato salad bowl is a treat for taste buds.

Ingredients

Cooked Quinoa
Roasted Sweet Potato
Roasted Shallots
Boiled Chickpeas
Baby Kale
Walnuts
Rosemary
Maple Syrup for dressing
Olive Oil for dressing
Salt

So, these are 5 of my most-loved salads bowls. I hope you like these and will try them for yourself. If you do try any of these, don’t forget to share with me on Instagram.

Stay tuned for more fashion, food and lifestyle blogs.

Press London 28 Days Meal Plan Review

Press London’s 28 days meal plan is great if you want to build healthy eating habits and switch to clean, plant-based eating.

Healthy eating is something that I bet we all want, but sometimes we fail either because of our busy schedules, or we find it’s too much work to stick to a meal plan & cook it every time. Find quick, easy & healthy recipes here.

I have been there, and it feels like there is a constant battle between the cravings and the need to eat healthily, and eventually, I fail and give up. I can’t even recall since when I have been trying to get on track with my eating habits, it goes well for a few days and then before I even know it, I am back to square one. The same thing happened this time, but just when I was about to give up, Press London came as a blessing and introduced me to their 28 days healthy meal plan.

I had heard of Press London’s meal plan before and even thought of giving it a try, but I never got to it. I like my food fresh, and I am not a big fan of packaged food; that’s why I was a bit sceptical before giving their meal plan a try. Now that I’ve tried their meal plan, I will share my experience with you all.

About Press London & 28 Days Meal Plan

Press London is a UK food & juice company. They have 100% plant-based foods & cold-pressed juices to help people live happier, balanced lives.

They have100% plant-based meal plans that are customised to hit all of our body’s macronutrient targets. The meals are nutritionist-designed, chef-prepared, and all plans have little but frequent meals & juices throughout the day to keep us full. Every 28 days plan comes with a set of smart scales, giving us the ability to track our weight and body fat %, muscle mass, total body water %, visceral fat, and an overall physique rating. Once the meal plan is selected that suits us the best, it is delivered every week.

The first step before choosing the perfect meal plan is to calculate the calories our body needs daily. The system asks for height, age, gender, weight, exercise routine and based on that calculates our daily calorie intake. And then, we decide what we want to achieve, if we wish to lose weight, build healthy eating habits, or feel more active. Once we have our calorie count and are clear on what we want from their meal plan, it is now time to select the meal plan.

My Goal and Meal Plan

I wanted to build healthy eating habits and switch to clean, plant-based eating with the Press London’s meal plan. I have always struggled with eating clean, so I thought the 28 days plan is a good way of getting used to it.

So, this is what my meal plan for the day looked like:

07:00 AM – I used to start my day with their cold-pressed daily celery juice.
08:00 AM – For breakfast, I had a smoothie. There were different smoothies for each day, Green Smoothie, Berry Smoothie and Creamy Smoothie. They send all the ingredients for the smoothie, all one has to do is put them in a blender and blend.
11:00 AM – It was now time for the morning snack, for which I had their Lean Green & Ginger Shot. Their Ginger Shot can either be had straight from the bottle or with a cup of hot water. I had it with water.
01:00 PM – Lunch consisted of their plant-based, super soup and protein bread. There were different soups for each day, Balance soup, Glow soup, Pea & Mint soup and Refuel Soup. I had to pour the soup in a bowl, heat it for some time, and ready.
04:00 PM – For an evening snack, I had their MisFits Protein Bar.
08:00 PM – Dinner consisted of their chef-prepared meals. For each day, there were different meals, Coconut curry, Mac & Greens and Vegan Chilli.

My Experience with Press 28 Days Meal Plan

I am happy to say that Press London has impressed me with their service and meals. Their meal plan comes with a chart telling you what to have when, it is super-easy to follow. The delivery of the meals was done on time every week, and the meals were delicious & fulfilling. Just after trying their meal plan for one week, I could see the changes. I felt more energetic, fresh and healthy. Although weight-loss was never one of my goals, I have still managed to lose a bit of weight. After being on their meal plan for three weeks, I have lost around 3 pounds.

The meal plan has made it easier for me to stay in alignment with my healthy eating goal and I haven’t gone off track even once. It has saved me so much time on the meal preparations in the past few weeks, and I feel like I have more time for myself now. Press London lives up to the claims they make and serve plant-based, nutritionist-designed and chef-prepared meals that are delicious..

If you also want to switch to healthy eating and a plant-based diet, then you should try Press London’s 28 Days Meal Plan. I am sure you’ll love it just like I did and would be happy to eat clean, wholesome food and be on track with your health goals.

Healthy Snack Recipes E-book out now!

This Healthy Snack Recipes E-Book has some delicious and easy-to-make snack recipes that will come in handy for every occasion.

It is often said, “You are what you eat” and this statement is truer than you might think it is. Healthy eating is something that I have always been fond of, but during this lockdown, I have started loving it even more, as I got a chance to try many new Healthy food recipes. I think I have become the biggest advocate of eating healthy in my family (pun intended) and I am always telling my family members about the benefits of eating healthy.

According to me the food that you consume shows on your face and affects all the areas of your life directly. When you eat clean and healthy your skin becomes clear, your mood is uplifted and you feel more energetic. Fast food may seem tempting, but the impact that it has on your health is not very good. We can’t change our habits overnight, but a few simple choices can make a huge difference.

Why Eat Healthy?

1. Improving Overall Health

Eating healthy and nutritious food can help improve your overall health, making your body stronger from within, and helping you perform day-to-day activities better.

2. Better Mood

Good food = Good mood. Healthy food not only improves physical health but also your mood. It is a tested fact that healthy food makes you feel better and uplifts your mood.

3. Reduce Weight

When healthy eating is combined with regular exercise, it can help you reduce and maintain a steady weight.

4. Prevents Heart Diseases

Healthy eating maintains the blood pressure and cholesterol level of your body, thus helps in reducing the risk of heart diseases.

5. Good skin & hair

Eating healthy food that is rich in vitamins & other nutrients can help in improving your skin and hair health over a long period of time.

The most common reason why people usually don’t like healthy food is that they think it wouldn’t taste good. There was a time when I used to think the same, but over time as I tried and experimented with new recipes, my opinion changed. My favourite recipes have to be the Cauliflower Alfredo Pasta, Sweet Potato Salad and Coriander Pesto Pasta.

When it comes to healthy eating, the thing that I used to fail miserably at the most was snacking between the meals. I would eat healthy for breakfast, lunch and dinner, but snacking was where I failed almost every day. Whenever those hunger pangs used to hit, I would always find myself reaching out for chocolates, chips, etc. So, one day I finally decided to make a list of some healthy snacks that are easy to make & also taste good.

Once done with the list, I thought why not combine them to create a 21 Healthy Snack Recipes E-Book for you and that’s what I did.

This 21 Healthy Snack Recipes E-Book has some delicious and easy-to-make recipes. Whether you want a snack for a quick bite, a family dinner, or a movie night, this e-book will come in handy, I promise. So, what are you waiting for, click here to download and indulge in tasty food almost every day.

Quinoa and Sweet Potato Salad Recipe

This Sweet Potato Quinoa Salad is all you need if you are looking for a super-healthy, filling and delicious salad recipe.

Hey everyone, I’m back with the next amazing recipe for the healthy lockdown recipes series! After the power-packed green smoothie and the kids’ favourite choco-cornflake muffins, I decided to conjure something super-healthy and filling which I could have for lunch or dinner, apart from breakfast or in-between snacking. So I just hunted around and found some healthful and tasteful ingredients and here it was Quinoa and Sweet Potato Salad – the yummiest, healthiest salad I’ve ever cooked or tasted.

What really is amazing about this Quinoa Sweet Potato Salad is that, it is a treat for your taste buds- with warm roasted sweet potatoes, crisped chickpeas and caramalized onions literally causing an explosion of flavours in your mouth. And you can add to the aroma with fresh rosemary, thyme or coriander. The energy kick comes from quinoa and walnuts while fresh greens add to the nutrient count of this heavenly-tasting salad. The best part is that you can have it warm or cold, without worrying about adding on flab during the lazy lockdown time.

Print Recipe

Quinoa Sweet Potato Salad

This Quinoa Sweet Potato salad is a treat for your taste buds-with warm roasted sweet potatoes, crisped chickpeas and caramalized onions literally causing an explosion of flavours in your mouth. You can add to the aroma with fresh rosemary, thyme or coriander. The energy kick comes from quinoa and walnuts while fresh greens add to the nutrient count of this heavenly-tasting salad. The best part is that you can have it warm or cold, without worrying about adding on flab during the lazy lockdown time.

Prep Time45

Course: dinner, lunch, Snack

Keyword: healthy food, healthy recipes, quinoa salad, sweet potato salad

Servings: 4

Calories: 424kcal

Author: Archana

Ingredients

2 Sweet potatoes (peeled & diced)
1 cup Whole walnuts
1 can of Chickpeas
2 Shallots (peeled & roughly chopped)
1 sprig of Rosemary, Thyme or Coriander
2 tbsp. Maple syrup
Olive Oil
Salt as per taste

For Serving/Dressing

Cooked Quinoa
Baby Kale
Lemon/ Honey mustard/ Olive oil & salt (you can use any dressing of your choice)

Instructions

Start by preheating the oven to 425 degrees.
Spread the diced sweet potatoes, chopped shallots and herbs on a large sheet pan. Toss with salt and olive oil. Roast in the oven for 20 minutes.
Next add chickpeas to the pan and stir up all the ingredients together. Roast again for another 20 minutes.
Pour the walnuts in a bowl and toss them with maple syrup and a little salt. Add them to the pan and stir it up. Roast for 5 minutes.
The healthy and delicious salad is done. Just remove the stems of the herbs and serve the roasted mixture with cooked quinoa, baby kale and a dressing of your choice.

I recommend this recipe because the entire ingredients are easily available; generally all of us would have them or something else that we can substitute. So there isn’t a need to step out for anything. You may replace sweet potato with potato or carrot. Or add eggs, goat cheese or cottage cheese to make the salad more wholesome, which is something I usually do if I want to serve it as a meal rather than have it as a filler or snack at my work desk.

For me, brown rice also works as a nice replacement for quinoa, just to create some variety as I do mix this salad a few times a week. And of course, I can experiment with the dressing as well. So practically, I have the option to come up with a different flavour every time, depending on how creative I can be with the ingredients I have in my refrigerator or kitchen cabinets (or even the herbs in my little kitchen garden, I love that one)

Apart from the fact that the salad tastes so good and is easy to mix, I wouldn’t want to skip mentioning its nutritional value. Let me just list them ingredient-wise.

Sweet potatoes– Great source of healthy fiber, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, they are filling but don’t result in weight gain. They even support your immune function, something that everyone wants to do at this time.
Walnuts– A fistful offers a healthy supply of omega-3s and antioxidants. They support weight loss and promote gut health as well. Moreover, they support your gut health and decrease inflammation, which can keep disease at bay.
Chickpeas– Packed with proteins, they are an excellent substitute for meat for vegans and vegetarians. They also add vitamins, minerals and fiber to the salad. Chickpeas are good for satiating your appetite but you can have them without worrying about gaining pounds.
Shallots– Not only do they enhance the flavour of food, but also supply
antioxidants, promote weight maintenance and help fight germs (which
makes them all the more important right now).
Quinoa– A super health food, quinoa is gluten-free and loaded with protein. It also brings sufficient amounts of all the nine essential amino acids. And it is also high in fiber, iron, magnesium, B vitamins, vitamin E, calcium, phosphorus, potassium and various beneficial antioxidants.
Baby kale– Kale offers a rich supply of fiber, antioxidants, vitamins C and K, calcium, iron, and a range of other nutrients. The antioxidants in it stimulate the release of unwanted toxins from the body, which makes it an ingredient of choice the lockdown season.

Such amazing benefits are only half the reason I toss up this salad at least thrice a week. The other half is the taste! Surprisingly, my little one loves it as much as I do, so this is something I can cook up for the family rather than just myself and my husband. And the best part of the deal is that it is so filling that it is as good as a full meal, so all the time I invest in cooking it is worthwhile.

More than anything else, this salad is as guilt-free as it is delicious. The quinoa version is the best one from the weight management perspective though you can be judicious with the servings of the rice version if you prefer to keep the extra weight off.

Now that I’ve given you plenty of reasons to try this incredible Quinoa Sweet Potato Salad, go ahead and mix it up. And if you have some cool ideas for experimenting with the ingredients, do share them!

Immunity-Boosting – Green Smoothie Recipe

My favourite that I’d want to share with health buffs is the super-healthy, awesome Green Smoothie recipe that I mixed up by chance. But believe me, it is my choice now as I shake it up every other day. Vegan and made with lots of healthy ingredients, this amazing shake is just right for breakfast and keeps my energy levels up all day long.

Now that I’m pretty well settled in the lockdown routine and know that it’s going to be a long time ahead, I’ve decided to unlock my culinary talent. And the last thing I want to indulge in is the unhealthy goodies that sound so tempting. Rather my agenda for this period is to eat healthy and feel energetic, that too while relishing the recipes I create. And the fact that I have two fussy eaters at home makes the challenge even bigger. Still, I love cooking for the family and discovering recipes that are delicious and healthy at the same time.

Jump to Recipe

The best thing about my Green Smoothie is that it has ingredients that are all easily available at home. And if you don’t have one of them, you can find an easy alternative in your refrigerator or kitchen cabinet. So here is a list of the ingredients I use to shake up a jugful for my family.

Print Recipe

Immunity-Boosting Green Smoothie

My favourite that I’d want to sharewith health buffs is the super-healthy, awesome Green Smoothie recipe that Imixed up by chance. But believe me, it is my choice now as I shake it up everyother day. Vegan and made with lots of healthy ingredients, this amazing shake isjust right for breakfast and keeps my energy levels up to match the challengesof work from home, even while I juggle with loads of housework and an energetic6-year old!

Prep Time5

Cook Time1

Total Time6

Course: Breakfast, Drinks

Keyword: green smoothie, healthy, immunity boosting, smoothie

Servings: 1 person

Calories: 220kcal

Author: Archana

Cost: £2 – £3

Equipment

Blender

Ingredients

1 Cup Chopped Kale
1 Cup Spinach Leaves
1 inch cube Ginger
1 tablespoon Flax Seeds
7 pieces Almonds
1 tbsp Honey
1/2 Banana
125 ml Coconut Milk

Instructions

Once you have all the ingredients onyour shelf, it’s time to get started. Here is a list of instructions to createthe most yummilicious, gorgeous-looking Green Smoothie in just three steps anda couple of minutes.
Put all the ingredients in a blenderand blend them till smooth; make sure that there are no chunks of the leafygreens or fruits.
Once you mix up the perfect smoothie, taste it and perfect it. Ensurethat it has just the right consistency and temperature. If you want your kid totry it, I’d suggest adding some honey for the healthy sweet kick. You can evenadd a dash of lemon to balance the bitterness of the greens. My secretingredient is ginger because I love the zing it brings to the drink. Even mylittle one loves it!
After perfecting the flavours, justgive it a final whisk in the blender to get that amazing smooth consistency andvibrant green colour. You can refrigerate the drink for up to 24 hours, thoughI prefer blending a fresh batch every time. If you do want to use arefrigerated batch, be sure to shake it up before drinking.

Video

Notes

I’m sure you’d love this recipe as it is just the pick-me-up you need when you feel the blues of the lockdown effect. You can try a few variations every time as I do. For instance, you can use pineapple or mango in place of banana. Toss in nuts and seeds of your choice. Or just experiment with any juice, water or any other milk. I like honey and ginger, though they are optional too.

And I’d surely want to list down the nutritional benefits of each of the ingredients so that you appreciate my smoothie’s health value as much as its taste.

Kale–High in antioxidants and vitamin C, detoxifies naturally, lowers cholesterol levels
Spinach- Loaded with folic acid, carotenoids, vitamin C, vitamin K, iron, and calcium, cleanses your skin inside out
Ginger–Improves digestion, protects from cold and flu, reduces inflammation naturally
Flax seeds – Rich in fiber, omega-3 fats and high quality proteins, give instant energy boost
Almonds-Contain fiber, healthy fats, protein, magnesium and vitamin E, reduce hunger and promote weight control
Honey – Healthiest alternative to sugar, rich in antioxidants
Banana-Nutritious, filling and hefty source of energy, minus unhealthy fats and cholesterol
Coconut milk- High in antioxidants, strengthens immunity and aids weight loss

Seeing these benefits, you will probably understand why I have settled for these ingredients for mixing up my Green Smoothie. And if you have some great ideas, do share them here.

Happy Blending!!

Eat Healthy!

Delicious Diet Foods – So Shape Making Dreams Come True!

I like to believe that I am maintaining a healthy lifestyle, but then fall off the fitness bandwagon sometimes. In fact, I often get queries from friends, family, and followers regarding the secret to my fitness. The answer is simple – I try to eat the right kind of food and add enough physical activity to my daily routine.

The next question I’m then asked is what it is that I’m eating. Well, let me introduce you to a healthy-eating option I recently discovered. A French Smart Meal brand called So Shape provides a range of easy-to-prep food options that are perfect for people like me who are always on-the-go.

So Shape has a simple food philosophy. Their meals are carefully created to optimize nutrient value and minimize calorie intake. The proposed method for getting the best out of So Shape is replacing your regular diet with 2 So Shape Smart Meals and one open, healthy lunch.

What I like about the So Shape way of eating is that it is sustainable. The main reason for this is that their meals are as delicious as they are healthy. Most attempts at dieting typically fail because you begin craving other tasty foods, all too soon. With So Shape Smart Meals, your cravings are taken care of because their preparations themselves are so tasty. Also, since they are nutrient-rich, you feel healthy, energetic, and satiated for longer.

I have tried their pancake mix and flavoured shakes so far. They were filling, delicious, and super-easy to make. The best part is, you have a whopping 22 options of Smart Meals to choose from. These include a wide variety of shakes, frappes, soups, and pasta, which allows you much flexibility regarding planning your meals. With So Shape Smart Meals, the likelihood of getting bored with eating the same bland food is very low.

Another thing to note about So Shape Smart Meals is that they have vegan and some gluten-free options as well. This feature gets them an extra thumbs-up from me because it can get very difficult to find vegan/gluten-free meals that do not require too much prepping.

If you’re wondering about the price-point, all meals are priced between £2.5-£3, which makes them affordable meal-replacement options. Apart from the Smart Meals, So Shape also has Smart Foods which are inherently healthy snacks you can have in-between meals. I think these Smart Foods are also a brilliant idea because unhealthy snacking is a habit that many people are guilty of.

So, if you are looking to transform your diet into nutrient-rich, low-calorie intake, and that too, in the least time/effort consuming way, So Shape Smart Meals can be your food angel. Have a go at it, and let me know if you enjoyed them as much as I did!

Use code ARCHANACUSTOM to save £9.50 and double flavours on the 14 & 28-day challenges
Store Link – https://uk.soshape.com/collections/challenges

Healthy Food Habits to Start the New Year

2018 is here and it’s time to make sure our resolutions are followed through. There might be a long list to consider, but one thing that everyone wants to make sure is to be healthier and happier in the year to come. When it comes to being healthier, a lot depends on the kind of food you eat and the lifestyle you follow. So if you are looking to revamp your food habits in the next year, here are a few tried and tested tips I would recommend:

Pack variety in your daily diet

The best way to give yourself a kick start in the New Year is to pack variety in your daily diet. Balance your nutrients, with plenty of protein and vitamins, healthy carbs, and minerals in your daily menu. I suggest at least five servings of fresh fruits and veggies in a day, with precedence to high-antioxidant sources such as berries and leafy greens. Look for some colour in your plate as coloured foods are high in anti-oxidants.

Be selective with your fats

Who says that fats are always unhealthy!! Learn to differentiate between “good” fat and “bad” fat so that you can be selective. I have experienced the difference after switching over to the healthier options such as olive oil and coconut oil. Omega-3s are the healthiest form that you can get from sardines, salmon, walnuts and almonds. On the other hand, keep away from processed foods that are high in unhealthy trans-fats.

Start the day with a healthy breakfast

If you have been ditching your breakfast in the last year, it’s time to start having a hearty one now. Believe me, you are not doing any favour to yourself by missing your daily bowl of cereal. A full breakfast keeps you satiated and gives you all the energy you need through the day. At the same time, it prevents hunger pangs, which is great news for weight-watchers.

Go low on sugar and salt

This year, cut down on your sugar and salt intake so that you can curb weight gain and bloating. This healthy habit can also alleviate the risk of chronic health issues such as diabetes and hypertension too. Substitute this with healthier options such as honey, rock salt and spices. Try out healthier recipes with these healthier ingredients and who knows, you may come up with a stellar one!

Be generous with water

And, the best resolution that you can make for a healthier 2018, is to increase your daily water intake to at least 10 glasses. Water is a superb natural detoxifying agent and does wonders for your digestion, skin, hair, and the entire body. Opt for water instead of drinking energy drinks, flavoured juices and sodas. Warm water after meals makes a great way to digest food faster and easier.

Aren’t these food habits simple to adopt? Yes, they are and most amazingly, the changes they can bring are really, really effective. And most importantly, combine them with regular exercise and healthy lifestyle to have a great year 2018.

10 Things to Swap for Living Healthier

Following a healthy lifestyle is the key to living longer and healthier. Nutritious diet and an active routine is the mainstay of improving your lifestyle for better. You can do this by incorporating some healthy swaps in daily schedule…have a look:

White Bread/Brown Bread – The next time you are at the grocery store, ditch white bread and pick the wholesome brown variant instead. The latter is more nutritious and easier to digest as it is made of whole grains instead of processed ones.

Fried Eggs/Boiled Eggs – Cooking technique can make all the difference in the health value of the food you eat. You can make your breakfast platter a lot healthier by avoiding fried eggs and opting for boiled eggs in their place.

Chips/Butter-free Pop Corn – The bag of your favorite potato chips supplies a whole lot of calories, fat and salt; swap this unhealthy snack with butter-free popcorn which is high in fiber but low in fat.

Fruit Juice/Whole Fruits – Another smart way to go high on fiber is to have whole fruits instead of fruit juice. Though you may love your glassful of delicious fresh juice, the whole ones offer a hefty dose of fiber and keep you fuller for longer.

Energy Drinks/Power Nap – Energy drinks may seem like a great way to pep up your energy level but a mid-day power nap is much better way to replenish your energy reserve as it relaxes your body and mind.

Fast Eating/Chewing Slowly – Swap the habit of fast eating with chewing slowly. This way, you will not only enjoy the food but also will be satiated with smaller quantities.

Jumping Right In/Warming Up –A good change that you can make in your exercise regime is to start by warming up and not jump right in. This helps your body adapt to the change and feel less tired.

Big Goals/Small Milestones –It is vital to be mentally healthy for maintaining physical health. Aspiring for smaller milestones instead of big, unattainable goals helps you be mentally relaxed and fulfilled.

Dwelling in the past/Focusing on the future – Take a progressive approach, with all your focus on doing better in the future rather than dwelling on what has been lost due to the mistakes you have made in past.

Over Committing/Saying No- Learn to say no instead of over-committing in personal as well as professional lives. Making unrealistic commitments, is one of the biggest mistakes that people make as it can stress them out and take toll on their health.

All these smart swaps can improve the quality of life manifold and help you live longer, happier and healthier!!!

5 Healthy Food Substitutions for Better Hair and Skin

One of the easiest ways to embark on your journey to healthy living is to substitute unhealthy food items for healthy options that serve the same purpose. Not only does this technique ensure long-term wellness; it also has multiple benefits for your weight, hair, skin and nails. Wedding season is right around the corner and every one of us wants our hair and skin to be looking their very best – these five food substitutions are the way to go!

Glowing skin: avocado puree instead of butter in baking

Though both these fats are quite different in nature, they have pretty much the same consistency and work the same way when it comes to baking. Plus, the subtle taste of the avocado works really well in chocolate bakes like brownies and cakes! Avocado is loaded with antioxidants that help in repairing damaged skin and protecting it from the harmful rays of the sun. Lots of antioxidants also create a gorgeous glow, unlike anything that a bronzer can give you!

Healthy hair: cacao nibs instead of chocolate chips

Cacao nibs are loaded with protein, vitamins, minerals and all that good stuff! Needless to say, they have multiple benefits for your health and skin, but did you know that they work wonders on your hair, too? That’s right! The most important hair benefit is that cacao increases the blood circulation in your scalp, which promotes hair growth and makes your tresses shiny and lustrous. On the flipside, it also minimizes the chances of hair fall. Win-win!

Softer skin: quinoa instead of oatmeal

Quinoa is a grain seed that is really, really good for you, which is why this super food has sprung into the limelight this year. It works as a really good substitute for oatmeal – just cook it with milk and add a dash of cinnamon. Quinoa is loaded with riboflavin, a vitamin that helps in restoring elasticity in your skin, making it soft and supple. It also prevents fine lines and wrinkles from developing prematurely.

Hair growth: chia seeds instead of cornflakes

Chia seeds are another type of super food that are loaded with protein and a host of other health benefits! Not only do they taste absolutely amazing when soaked in almond milk – they are also much healthier than your usual bowl of cornflakes, and they keep you full for longer, so your snacking tends to reduce. More importantly, chia seeds are made up of a lot of protein, which helps in restoring damaged hair, encourages hair growth and strengthens weak tresses. After all, our hair is primarily made up of protein, too.

Revitalised skin: lettuce instead of regular tortilla wraps

Apart from the huge number of calories that you are saving on, lettuce also works miracles on the skin. It can do a lot of things – fight acne, remove toxins, protect your skin from UV rays and give your skin cells the nutrition they need. Additionally, lettuce is great for revitalising damaged or tired skin because of its high vitamin A content. Give it a shot and say hello to healthier skin!