Lazy Days: New Year, (slightly) New You, by Faith Toogood
We’ve partnered with Faith Toogood, an experienced and fully qualified dietitian with a NHS and a TV background and a passion for making healthy eating accessible and enjoyable for all.
Faith brings us her recipe for healthy Lentil Soup and some life advice for a healthier outlook for the year ahead.
“The start of a new year tends to involve a series of health and fitness goals and general life decluttering. No surprise then, that by mid-January, we are totally overwhelmed and have given up on most of the above!
2018 is all about being kind to yourself; setting realistic, achievable and sustainable health and wellness goals that have one outcome, to make you feel GREAT! With that in mind, here are some gentle suggestions to guide you through the minefield of setting some brilliant intentions for the year ahead and we will start with food and eating. Rather than cutting out foods/food groups, focus instead on how you shop and cook. Aim to spend time planning your week’s food and your shopping and incorporate some tasty but really simple dishes into it. Ditch the complicated recipe books, and the pressure to create a MasterChef style meal. A jacket potato with tuna, avocado and salad is just great!
This recipe below for lentil soup is a staple of mine for a light supper, lunch or even a warming and sustaining snack. It costs very little to make and is suitable for those wanting vegan, lactose-free and gluten-free options. It is a source of protein, fibre and plenty of vitamins, so great for warding off winter illnesses. Make a big batch and bag up into individual portions which can then be frozen and pulled out at a moments notice for a speedy meal.”
Lentil Soup
1 tbsp rapeseed oil
2 x large carrots, chopped
2 x sticks of celery, chopped
½ mug red lentils (rinsed)
1000mls vegetable stock (I use bouillon powder)
Saute the celery and carrots in the oil for 5 minutes until slightly softening.
Tip in the red lentils and stock and simmer for 15 minutes until the lentils are soft and pulpy.
Blend until smooth, season with black pepper, and that’s it!
“So, with the lentil soup under your belt, this should free up some extra time to focus on other wellness goals. Whatever you choose to do in the new year, make it fun and flexible. We are aiming to get outdoors more, try a new sport (why not look to give paddleboarding a go when the weather warms up!), be generally more ‘present’ and a little bit kinder to our brilliant bodies.”
Happy New Year!
Faith Toogood
For more food and recipe, inspiration follow @faithtoogood on Instagram