By Teresa Cutter
I don't believe in New Year's resolutions. While most of us will have the best of intentions to get fit and healthy after the holiday season, we shouldn't wait until the New Year – the change in habits needs to start now!
Being healthy is a lifestyle you need to adopt for the rest of your life, not just a few months of juice cleanses or even giving up sugar. One reason many people crumble when their goal is to lose weight is because they change everything too quickly, rather than focusing on making small, gradual changes every week until it becomes a habit. They also get fixated on certain foods – or they return to their previous diet once their eating Being healthy is a lifestyle you need to adopt for the rest of your life, not just a few months of juice cleanses or even giving up sugar. One reason many people crumble when their goal is to lose weight is because they change everything too quickly, rather than focusing on making small, gradual changes every week until it becomes a habit. They also get fixated on certain foods – or they return to their previous diet once their eating program has concluded. Finally, most diet plans are complicated, costly and take too much time to prepare.
Watermelon SaladCredit: Paul Cutter ACS
The key to healthier eating is to keep it simple and make it yourself. Eat when you're hungry, not when the clock tells you to. I choose my foods according to how my body feels, my overall health, my activity level and what's in season. We should all take the time to think about what foods make us feel good and what foods don't. Take a step back, breathe and listen to your body. We're all different and what works for you may not work for the next person. Eat wholefoods and customise your diet based on your unique needs.
SUMMER WATERMELON SALAD
Serves 6
This delicious watermelon salad is loaded with electrolytes and is perfect for a summer day! Enjoy on its own or as an accompaniment to barbecued sweetcorn and roasted vegetables. Leftover watermelon can be blended with ice and a squeeze of lime for a refreshing drink.
• 100g rocket leaves
• 800g seedless watermelon flesh
• small bunch freshly chopped parsley leaves or a few handfuls of micro herb
s • ½ small red onion, thinly sliced
• 1 pomegranate
• 60g pistachio nuts, roughly chopped
• 250g feta cheese
• cold-pressed olive oil, to drizzle
Wash the rocket leaves and arrange on a serving platter. Slice the watermelon fl esh into bite-sized wedges and gently mix with the leaves. Top with parsley or micro herbs and sliced onion. Remove the seeds from the pomegranate and add to the salad along with pistachios and crumbled feta. Drizzle with cold-pressed olive oil and serve immediately
Hero ingredient: watermelon. Watermelon is packed with electrolytes (magnesium and potassium), and because it's 92 per cent water it will keep your body hydrated. It's also an anti-inflammatory and high in vitamin C, which helps the body create the collagen needed for healthy skin. Last but not least, watermelon helps to lower blood pressure, which in turn improves cardio function.