I don’t know about you, but I have a real love / hate relationship with summer. Like most people, I guess, I love the thought of summer when I am sick of winter. And then, when summer is making it unbearable to go outside, I am begging for winter to return.
When it is hot, it is hard to think. It’s hard to find the desire or motivation to cook in a hot kitchen. So for summer meals, I have tried to go really simple this year. We use our BBQ a lot – steak with fresh corn has been on heavy rotation. We also had seared butterflied lamb with potato skewers and the kids have both gone back for seconds (this is unheard of!).
Today’s healthy meal plan is great for summer! I love the addition of the summer fruits to my breakfast – juicy, fresh nectarines are my go-to over summer. I’ve also chosen to use the wok because it doesn’t heat up the kitchen and it is so quick and easy to get a meal on the table. With the never-ending list of things to do after work, it makes our family a lot happier if I’m not moaning about having to make dinner!
Since 30 January 2017, I’ve pretty much eaten the same breakfast and lunch each day. It makes it so much easier to prepare for the week and it’s another decision that I don’t have to make. It’s helped me to lose more than 5kg in four weeks.
Breakfast – a few tablespoons of greek yoghurt, a few tablespoons of cereal. You can use oats, granola, whatever you like, really. I would try to stick to something as unprocessed as possible and with no added sugar. Or if that really makes you think ‘bleh’ then maybe go half oats and half cereal? Then I top it off with a piece of sliced fruit – whatever is in season. This summer it has been peaches and nectarines because they are so juicy and delicious! If it was in the cooler months, I would grate half an apple or pear and add a sprinkle of cinnamon. I guess that’s how to add some variety to this breakfast – change the fruit and add cinnamon or cardamon (so good).
Lunch – my friends all groan at me about my lunch. I have the same thing every day. Because it is so freaking amazing!! I grab a bag of coleslaw and add a drained tin of tuna (I only use Sierna tuna in oil), add the dressing that comes with the coleslaw (it’s a southern ranch dressing) and then top it all off with Franks RedHot sauce. It is a match. made. in. heaven. I can’t tell you how good it is – you won’t believe me until you try it. The tuna I use is usually the basil infused one. You might be asking why I choose tuna in oil? Well for starters, I don’t count calories but I know (because my friends told me) that if I were to buy tuna in spring water, it would save me about 50 calories. But I’m not eating this salad because of the calorie content. I’m eating it because it tastes so good. And when I eat something that is good for me and it tastes so good, well it makes me feel amazing!!
Dinner – this dinner is so simple. I use a recipe from www.taste.com.au – their beef, broccoli and almond stir fry. The only difference is, I don’t eat the rice. I add lots more broccoli and beans and sometimes mushrooms and it is more than enough food for me.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the recipe – stir fry beef in a wok (over high heat) in portions (so that you don’t overcrowd the pan and it turns into a stew, ew). I am still using the same wok that I received as a wedding gift some 14 years ago but if it accidentally broke, I would buy this one
Remove the beef and put into a bowl. In the wok, add sliced onion, broccoli and green beans with a drizzle of water. I usually pop the top on the wok and give it a minute or so to steam under there.
While it’s steaming, mix together sweet chilli sauce, hoisin sauce and soy sauce (1 tbs of each), add crush garlic and grated ginger and then pour over the vegetables. Leave the lid off and stir it around until you can smell all the deliciousness. Add the beef and give it another stir and then it is ready to serve.
Sprinkle the almonds over the top. The recipe says to roast or toast them first, but it tastes good just straight out of the packet (and it saves you another step and time, which we could all do with a little more, right?).
Here’s the recipe – http://www.taste.com.au/recipes/beef-broccoli-almond-stir-fry
Healthy meal help
I use this container for my breakfast – especially when I prep ahead for the week. They are also great to store homemade healthy bites as well.
I use this container for my salads – it has a container for the dressing so that it doesn’t get all soggy. Which also means I can make it ahead at the beginning of the week.
Finally, some woks.