Eating well is essential to being healthy and happy. Food doesn’t only have an impact on the body, but also the mind. Eating well can reduce the stress that is often caused by today’s busy lifestyle. Ironically a common excuse I hear for not eating well is being too busy. Don’t compromise time or taste with my top 10 favourite, deliciously nourishing dishes:

Breakfast

These days it is tough to find a quick breakfast option that isn’t full of sugar or highly processed. The following options are a perfect alternative.

Brunch loaf – This delicious no-bread toast option is simple, yummy and full of goodness. I mix up the ingredients for a new loaf every week! Find the super simple recipe over at Fitter Food.

Hot tip: Make this on a Sunday evening and have breakfast ready for the working week.

Mushroom, Capsicum and Egg Breakfast Stack – This recipe does take a little more effort, but is well worth it. From my most used recipe app – Food Fix up, this is a truly nourishing weekend breakfast treat. Here’s how:

Serves 2

Ingredients:

1 Red capsicum, halved and stalk removed.

2 Portobello mushrooms, stems removed

2 Eggs

1 1 Handful basil leaves

½ Avocado, sliced

Sea salt

Black pepper

2 Tbsp macadamia or coconut oil

1 Handful cherry tomatoes, halved

1 spring onion, sliced

Method:

Pre-heat grill, medium to high

Rub a little oil over each capsicum half, season with salt and place under grill, cook for 10 minutes, turning a couple of times.

Meanwhile heat a frying pan, medium to high, rub the mushrooms in a little oil, season with salt and cook for 3-4 minutes, turning occasionally, until they are just softening.

Transfer to an oven-proof plate and place in the bottom of the oven to keep them warm.

Keep the frying pan on the heat, add a tablespoon of oil and carefully crack the eggs in, cook for 3 minutes, or to your liking.

Take the mushrooms out of the oven and divide between two plates, layer the spinach and basil leaves on top, followed by the capsicum.

Lay the avocado on top of that then finally put the egg on.

Season with salt and pepper and serve with tomatoes and spring onion.

Have access to all of the amazing Food Fix up recipes by downloading the app.

Hot tip: Save this for a weekend brunch. 

---

Lunch

It is far too easy to grab a quick, easy, and not too healthy lunch. Prepare with these recipes and be winning through to dinner.

Mediterranean vegetable salad – Whist studying, I (and the rest of the class) would often have lunch envy over one girl’s lunch. Thankfully she now has a great food blog to share her secrets. This is my favourite.

Hot tip: This will last in the fridge for around 4 days. Make a big batch and you have lunch and side dishes for half a week. Tastes great served cold.

Witlof-sardine-boats – The easiest lunch recipe ever! I omit the homemade cream cheese for ease and it still tastes divine.

Hot tip: Use organic canned sardines to make it even easier.

---

Dinner

A fast paced lifestyle makes it difficult to make the right dinner choices. Check out these ‘fast food’ recipes for a quick, healthy option.

Speedy & Spicy Beef Stir Fry – Another winner from the guys at fitter food. This is one of my fail safe quick and yummy dinners.

Hot tip: Try it with chicken, pork or whatever you have in the fridge; it is still speedy and yummy.

Red Curry Snapper & Ginger Honey Carrots – It is hard to believe that this delicious dish will take only 20 minutes out of your busy day.

Hot tip: Try pumpkin instead of carrots for a heartier dish.

Dessert

Even the most disciplined of us give in to dessert occasionally, we all deserve treats. With these recipes, treatin’ doesn’t have to mean cheatin’.

Coco Cacao ice cream – This one I created all by myself. I love experimenting with different foods, I love time-efficient food and I love dessert. I came up with this super simple ice-cream just in time for Sydney summer to arrive.

Serves 4

Ingredients:

160ml Premium organic coconut milk

Flesh of one whole young coconut

½ Tbsp coconut oil

25g Raw organic cacao powder

5g 100% natural xylitol

Pinch Cinnamon

Method:

Blend all the ingredients together in a blender or food processor, transfer to a clean bowl and place in fridge for 30-40mins.

Hot tip: I find placing the mixture in the freezer makes it too solid; the fridge gives it a good, ice-creamy texture – play around with this depending on your preference.

---

On the side:

Paleo Cauliflower ‘rice’ – This is the BEST! The yummiest and healthiest side dish I have ever come across. Forget mushy bland and overcooked cauliflower ‘rice’. This recipe from Real Food Connection is fluffy, has a light crunch and does not involve over cooked vegetables!

Ingredients:

1 head cauliflower – finely chopped

1 small onion – pealed and finely chopped

1 carrot – finely chopped

1 clove garlic – crushed

4 tablespoons (60 g) oil (olive or coconut)

Pink salt and pepper for seasoning

Method:

Heat half the oil in a non-stick frying pan over medium heat. Add onion and garlic and sauté until for around 2 minutes. Too the pan then add the chopped carrot and sauté for a further 3-5 mins or until onions are soft and light brown.

Add cauliflower and remaining oil; sauté for 10 minutes.

Season with salt and pepper

Hot tip – the cauliflower heads need less chopping/ food processing than the stalks. Chop them separately for a more consistent size

Still don’t have the time? Real food connection offers an awesome food delivery service – freshly prepared, nutritious and affordable meals delivered to your doorstep. These guys have often been my saviour during those REALLY busy times. Check-out what they have on offer.