Salads don’t have to be boring, and they certainly don’t have to mean scrimping on flavour. Our TV mum tells us how to jazz up our summer lunches and whip up something even the kids will love!
I consider myself very lucky in that I love, love, love salad ! So the summer months are a great time for me to eat really healthily. But, I’m not talking any old salad. I like mine to be a party on a plate; a voyage of discovery, a glorious pick and mix. Eating a salad packed with gorgeous ingredients, such as chicken, nuts, seeds, avocados, roasted peppers, and a fabulous dressing, literally gets me hot and bothered with excitement! My kids think I’m lame and will whisper behind my back ‘is it normal behaviour?
Sadly, they are at the age that demands that they love fried chicken in a bucket to look supercool. That’s why the pressure is always on to encourage them to love my food, even though they won’t actually admit it. I have to say, I haven’t managed to convince them that one of my other summer favourites, gazpacho, is a bowl of seasonal heaven. They can’t stand it and have named it ‘disgusting salad soup. I think I will have to acquiesce with that one.
But I adore it and it’s a great way to fill up before your main meal. If you’ve never tried making it at home please do, as it’s so easy and utterly delish, too.
Summer loving
I’m loving Skinny Cow mint choc chip ice creams on a stick. They’re low-cal, low-sugar and totally moreish.
Healthy summer tipples
I’ve just discovered Fentiman’s rhubarb tonic water and I love it. I’m trying to limit myself to two drinks a week this summer, because I’ve signed up to do a Himalayan trek for the charity Coppafeel and I really need to be as fit as possible. And, the great thing about this little beauty is that it’s just as delicious without the gin as it is with it!
Watch out for hidden cals
If you’re buying a salad over your fave pasta dish this lunch time, be careful of anything with mayo, as your seemingly saintly lunch could end being more calorific than a Big Mac meal!
