Tag Archives: magnesium

Lunch, Recipes, Tea

African-Spiced Peach and Pomegranate Chicken

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I am stuck in not-so-sunny Cardiff so I thought I would make a summery spiced salad to cheer me up! Using North African flavours, this light and easy meal can be used as a lunch and a tea, and provides a load of vitamins and minerals for health.

INGREDIENTS:

  • 3 chicken thighs
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp turmeric
  • 2 tbsp pomegranate seeds
  • 2 peaches, quartered
  • 1 courgette, stripped
  • 3 Brazil nuts, chopped
  • 1 tsp olive oil
  • Seasoning

METHOD:

  1. Preheat the oven to 220/8.
  2. Mix the spices together and put half on the chicken thighs and cook for 10 minutes.
  3. Meanwhile, add the remaining spices to the peaches and add to the oven after the 10 minutes is over. The peaches and chicken thighs should now take a further 20minutes to cook.
  4. When they are nearly done, heat the olive oil in a pan on a medium-high heat. Add the courgette strips and cook until slightly browned.
  5. Plate up the courgette, peaches and chicken thighs, and top with the pomegranate seeds and Brazil nuts.
  6. Enjoy!

NUTRITION:

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Chicken – a good source of protein which is high in the vitamins thiamin, riboflavin and niacin for energy production; and zinc for enzyme function, immune control and protein synthesis.

Peaches – High in vitamin A for vision, and C for antioxidant and immune function.

Brazil nuts – One of the best sources of selenium which has a massive role in the immune system and in thyroid hormone function.

Pomegranate seeds – Considered a superfood, pomegranate is high in vitamin C for immune function, folate for DNA synthesis, and potassium for fluid balance.

Courgette – High in vitamin A for vision, fibre for digestion, and magnesium for chemical reactions in the body and immune function.

Lunch, Recipes

Quick and Easy Egg Noodle Salad

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Need a pack up lunch idea, meal-prep, or just have a busy schedule and need a quick and easy meal to fuel your day? Look no further, this veggie noodle bowl is perfect!

Serves 1

INGREDIENTS:

  • 1 boiled egg
  • Handful of spinach
  • 1 large tomato, chopped
  • Half an avocado, chopped
  • 50g dried egg noodles (1 nest)
  • 1 tbsp reduces-salt soy sauce

METHOD:

  1. Boil the egg noodles as per packet instructions
  2. Toss all ingredients together
  3. Enjoy!

NUTRITION

Eggs – Eggs are the most useful protein source as they provide essential amino acids (the building molecules of protein), which are also absorbed most efficiently by the body.

Noodles – A good carbohydrate base to keep you fuller for longer, and relatively low in calories.

Avocado – High in unsaturated (good) fats and relatively low in saturates (bad).

Tomatoes – massively high in vitamin C for protein and neurotransmitter synthesis; it also has functions in detoxification and as an antioxidant. It also gives you vitamin A for vision and immune function, and potassium for fluid balance and muscle contraction.

Spinach – An excellent source of vitamin K for cell signalling and to aid calcium absorption, and magnesium for nerve transmission and heart function.

Recipes, Tea

Easy Mediterranean-Style Chicken

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Protein-packed, 3 of your 5-a-day, and perfect paired with crusty bread or sticky rice!

Serves 3

INGREDIENTS:

  • 3 chicken thighs and 4 chicken drumsticks
  • 2 courgettes, chopped
  • 1 vine of tomatoes
  • 3 onions, chopped
  • 1/2 bulb garlic
  • 1 tbsp mixed herbs
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • Seasoning

METHOD:

  1. Preheat the oven to 220/8
  2. Mix the vegetables with most of the oil, mixed herbs and seasoning in a baking pan.
  3. Rub the chicken with the remaining oil and herbs, season.
  4. Place the chicken on top of the vegetables.
  5. Bake for 40minutes – the vegetables may need tossing halfway through.

NUTRITION:

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Chicken – a good source of protein which is high in the vitamins thiamin, riboflavin and niacin for energy production; and zinc for enzyme function, immune control and protein synthesis.

Courgette – High in vitamin A for vision, fibre for digestion, and magnesium for chemical reactions in the body and immune function.

Tomatoes – massively high in vitamin C for protein and neurotransmitter synthesis; it also has functions in detoxification and as an antioxidant. It also gives you vitamin A for vision and immune function, and potassium for fluid balance and muscle contraction.

 

Recipes, Tea

Clam Chorizo Linguine

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Spanish food fever has hit; being in Barcelona inspired this meat and fish combo. Easy to make but super impressive.

Serves 2

INGREDIENTS:

  • 300g clams, washed (tap on hard surface before cooking, if they remain un-open they are safe to eat)
  • 70g chorizo, chopped
  • 4 sprigs parsley, chopped
  • 150g dried linguine
  • 1 tsp olive oil
  • 1 glass rosé wine

METHOD

  1. Boil the pasta in a pot of salted water for 1minute less than the packet states.
  2. Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large pan on a medium-high heat.
  3. Add the chorizo and cook for 3minutes until slightly crispy.
  4. Add the parsley, clams and red wine, stir once, and then cover and simmer for 3-4minutes – the clams are cooked when they ping open.
  5. Uncover, mix in the linguine, and simmer for a further 1 minute so it can absorb all the juices.
  6. Season and serve.
  7. Enjoy!

NUTRITION:

Clams – high in protein, low in calorie, and high in the B vitamins for energy release, iron for protein and neurotransmitter synthesis, and magnesium for nerve function

Chorizo – Although relatively high in fat and salt, this meat is good for adding texture and flavour to meals.

Pasta – High in carbohydrates for a filling base, and high in fibre if a wholewheat spaghetti is picked.

Recipes, Tea

Mini Fish Pie Fillets

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Good for a light tea or as nibbles at a buffet, these dairy-free fish pie fillets are fun to make and super healthy!

Serves 1

INGREDIENTS:

  • White fish fillet
  • 50g prawns
  • 1 small potato, halved and sliced
  • 1tsp olive oil
  • Seasoning

METHOD:

  1. Preheat the oven to 220/8.
  2. Put potato in microwave and put on full heat for 5-6minutes.
  3. Take out and put white fish in microwave for 3minutes.
  4. Put fillet on baking tray, top with prawns and potato.
  5. Cover in olive oil and season.
  6. Put in oven for 10-15minutes.
  7. Serve with green vegetables.
  8. Enjoy!

NUTRITION:

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Fish – low in fat and calories, and high in protein, this base provides a tasty alternative to higher calorie meat pies – swap for salmon if wanting something higher in calories and to provide you with omega-3 fatty acids.

Prawns – also low in fat and calories, they are a good source of magnesium for skeletal development and muscle contraction; zinc for enzyme and immune function; and selenium for thyroid and immune function.

Potatoes – a starchy, low-fat base they will provide you with energy for the rest of the day.