Bean and Beetroot Burgers

Looking for a new take on the classic bean burger I raided the 'fridge and came up with this tasty delight. I've yet to develop green fingers and grow my own herbs and I'd already used up my fresh supplies so I resorted to the store cupboard for the dried varieties. If you have fresh, use them but up the quantity to a tablespoon.

Week 2 - Living healthy

The second week has passed and we are sticking to our oh so good healthy eating plan. I started the week feeling well rested after a relaxing weekend with plenty of good quality sleep. The massage on Saturday worked wonders for my aching muscles after all the running and I was ready to start over again.

Our weekly plan was made on Sunday so off I popped to the local supermarket to stock up on the veggies we'd be having this week, plus a few extras including steak, dried herbs, dried beans, tinned tomatoes and sweetcorn.

Cauliflower tabouleh

Monday
Hot water with fresh lemon juice and ginger
Porridge oats with blackberry and apple compote
Cup of tea
Cauliflower tabouleh with grilled aubergines, peppers and herbs
2 ryvita with butter and marmite, cup of tea
Kiwi fruit
Panfried herb marinated steak with red cabbage,rocket and beetroot salad

Intolerance? Imbalance? Allergy?

In recent months there has been a certain hype in the media over gluten-free celeb diets, particularly after comments made by Hunger Games star Jennifer Lawrence that it was a new "eating disorder". There are around 27 million people world-wide who suffer from Coeliac disease and for whom eating products with gluten in can be seriously detrimental to their health. Gluten is typically found in wheat and related grains such as spelt and durum but also in rye, barley and sometimes suffers are sensitive to oats too. 

Yet there is a growing trend in diets which suggest that avoiding wheat and other gluten products is beneficial to health. Many people seem to be finding that they have become intolerant, or have an increased sensitivity, to wheat resulting in bloating or an overfull feeling, which is not so surprising when you have a bran cereal for breakfast, sandwich for lunch and pasta for dinner. I know if I indulge in lots of fluffy white bread over the weekend that I can feel lethargic and bloated - that doesn't stop me eating it but I may well choose to avoid it when I have a dress I wish to fit into for a special occasion!