Who's stopping you: Healthy food is boring? These recipes will change your mind

My kind of balanced eating: a flavour-filled feast with good-for-you ingredients

Sport and fitness were not high on my agenda when I was growing up. I was famous in my school for scoring the only own-goal in the school’s sporting history. I knew, as I sat in the school bus on the way home, filled with shame, that sport would not be my forte.

Thankfully, my interest in food kept me occupied during my formative years, but now that I am slightly older and working in a job that requires plenty of eating, finding an activity that keeps me active and I actually enjoy has been important.

Recently, when I moved to Los Angeles, with a lack of cliffs and green landscapes to hike with the dog, I was all set to finally find an activity I could call my own. A crossfit gym in the neighbourhood was offering free trial classes, so I signed up. A week of not being able to walk after dropping a kettle bell on my foot, combined with muscles that were in protest after what they had been subjected to, meant that crossfit was certainly not for me.

After a couple more false starts, with a soul cycle class – pedalling to music while going nowhere fast on a stationary bike – that nearly caused me to collapse, and a cardio barre class that had me exercising with a ballet bar, I stumbled across hot yoga. 

I had been to regular yoga classes before and had fallen in and out of them over the years, but this time I became completely obsessed. I go almost every day. For the first time, I’m excited about exercise, and with all this extra energy being expended, having a balanced diet has never been more important to me.

The recipes this week are aimed at more-balanced eating. Fresh vegetables, good grains and protein are all high on the menu.

A niçoise salad with the spoils of summer, a spiced fish dish full of vibrant colour and flavours and – for those looking for a sweet treat minus the processed sugar – mango, chia seed and yoghurt ice pops to keep you cool.

This is my kind of balanced eating: a feast of flavour filled with ingredients that are good for you.

NIÇOISE TUNA WITH TENDER BOILED EGGS

A niçoise salad might feel somewhat passé, but it’s time for a comeback. This is instant summer food: fresh summer vegetables arranged on a platter with the best-quality tuna – or fish of your choice – pepped up with salty capers, olives and peppery French mustard dressing. Add or subtract ingredients as you wish: this is an ideal salad for interpretation.

Serves 4
200g small, waxy purple and red potatoes
3 large free-range eggs
250g green beans, topped and tailed
2 baby gem lettuce heads, washed and leaves separated
A good handful of watercress, washed
300g of line-caught tuna in olive oil
200g olives, pitted
8 radishes, halved
100g cherry tomatoes, halved
3tbs capers

For the French mustard dressing:
3tbs extra virgin olive oil

Continue Reading >> Source: https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/food-and-drink/healthy-food-is-boring-these-recipes-will-change-your-mind-1.3145707