WORK LUNCHES // MEXICAN RICE

So I discovered Pinterest a few weeks ago.  All the stuff I love will go there now.  

Every Sunday I try to get some food prepped for the week as many of us do.... Today, my throat is super sore and I am exhausted (hooray for colds!  I thought I'd escaped) so I only got one meal out.

The point with doing something like this is if you have a few good base flavours, you can throw any vegetables you have in, a protein and then some rice/qinoa/pasta - whatever is taking your fancy that week.

Healthy, not hard.

WORK LUNCHES // MEXICAN RICE

So pretty much if you have these ingredients in your pantry (even then you can cut out the beans and chilli), you can make something tasty.

Chop up that onion and clove of garlic to fry them off (and chilli if you like it), toast the paprika for half a minute before adding the tomatoes and the oregano. 

Then add whatever vegetables you have lying around... I always try to get some corn in as M likes it, and I think capsicum and paprika are tasty together.  

I added some brocolli as I had an aging head on my fridge top shelf.

(exact quantities I used were -
- 1 onion

- 2 garlic cloves

- 2 tsp smokey paprika

- 1 fresh red chilli with seeds

- 1 tsp oregano

- 1 can peeled chopped tomatoes

- 1 can of kidney beans (use black beans if you have a choice, much tastier with this)

- 1 capsicum
- 1 cup of frozen corn kernels

- 1 head of brocolli
- 1.5 small mugs of uncooked basmati rice (for 2 generous servings (M) and 2 mid-size servings (me))
- I added a handful of peas at the end)

Leave it to cook for at least 20 minutes (I go longer and add water at intervals so it doesn't dry out - I prefer canned tomatoes to be cooked a while).  Add salt to taste.

If you want to use chicken, beef etc - I'd fry it up with the onions.
If you have pre-cooked beans like I did, rinse them super well and add for the last 2-3 minutes.


Boil up some rice/quinoa/whatever you like (M is a cous cous fan but I like basmati rice) and layer it up in containers.

I thought this would be a great come back post but it was actually a little too simple.

Perhaps that's where the focus on healthy food needs to return to - simplicity.

Nat x

LAST WEEK ON INSTAGRAM

Follow me @_lemonliving 

Always time for coffee in Melbourne.
(This was at La Manna in Essendon Fields)

A little Buckley snuggling under an old t-shirt of M's on the spare bed.
None of us are loving winter.

Facing the freezing cold insane wind for a morning walk (which soon became a jog to warm up!)
El Cheapo giant sunglasses optional.

I'm not eating sugar for July. Maybe even longer if I feel as good as when I did this last time.

Sarah is the inspiration, but I don't avoid fruit on any level.
I'll see how I go and let you know.
I started July 1st and don't miss it yet!

Japanese on a Friday night.
Always good.

After a Saturday morning work out.  No better way to start the weekend.
No fancy gym gear or equipment required!

A simple lunch of toast, ricotta, tomatoes and rocket 

(or, as I sometimes see it spelt, roquette...?)

I've had a super busy few days but I'll be back blogging this week!

Happy Sunday and give yourself something to look forward to for tomorrow.... (15 minutes of extra sleep, anyone?)

Nat x

EIGHT HEALTH Q&As

So I saw this interview on Vogue with Lorna Jane Clarkson and thought answering the questions myself would be a good quick way to give you a glimpse into how I live - especially for those that don't know me or only just started visiting my blog.

I adapted one of the questions as I didn't just write a book (I hope, one day, I can say I did..).

So, hi, I'm Natalie!
I don't own a fabulous brand (though, for the record, mine would be Natalie Joan.. catchy?) and I'm not famous, but I'm pretending like I am just for a minute...































What is the first thing you do in the morning? I stream line my morning as much as possible, so apart from get ready to head out the door there's not much for me to do. As soon as I get up I do a little stretch at my bed side. If I have the energy (rare in winter), I change and head straight for my back room to either cycle (stationary) or do some yoga.  Mostly, though, I walk straight to the kitchen, drink a glass of warm water (sometimes with lemon juice or apple cider vinegar, depends how I feel), and then jump straight in the shower to get ready.  I drink a cup of green tea while I do my hair and make up and another 1 or 2 with breakfast.  

What is your exercise routine? I make sure I exercise a minimum of 5 days a week (this means two of the days I'm super-busy I'm not squeezing it in and can relax once I get home).  I try to just do what I feel like doing on the day but I do make a point of fitting in 2 weights sessions a week (one focused on upper body and one on lower) as it makes me feel the strongest and makes the biggest difference to my shape. I also set myself little challenges (at the moment I'm working towards 50 push ups in a row).  I don't focus on 'get abs' or whatever, I just like to feel strong.

What is your philosophy towards nutrition? Practice common sense and look to your healthy relatives and especially grandparents. Eat the healthy foods you like - you don't need to make a green smoothie to be healthy.  There is no one solution for everyone so don't get hung up reading hundreds of nutrition books trying to find 'the answer'.  Listen to your body, experiment and see what makes you feel your best.
What does your typical daily diet include? I change every day, I would go insane being one of those (fabulously dedicated) competitive body-trainy-weight people who meal prep and eat the same thing brekky lunch and dinner 5 days in a row.  

For me, breakfast is always a must as it is my favourite meal of the day, either overnight oats or home made fruit-free muesli with berries (I buy the frozen 1kgs Nanna's bags from the supermarket freezer if fresh isn't available or affordable), or other fresh fruit - whatever I have available, maybe some spinach and plain or greek yoghurt, or some toast with eggs, peanut butter or avocado most mornings.  

Morning snack is always needed at work and is always a piece of fruit.

Lunch totally changes all the time - left over dinner, usually soup, stew, pasta, rice.. I eat most of my carbs at lunch.  Salads in summer, always with some protein - eggs, beans, sometimes tuna.  I'm not a fan of sandwhiches but I will occasionally take fresh bread and the ingredients for a salad sandwich.  
Dinner is never the same as I adore coooking.  I only eat rice or pasta one night a week as I feel very full and heavy after a big meal at night, but apart from that it's whatever is in season, in the fridge, was on special or looked beautiful at the store cooked into whatever I can think of when I get home from work!


You have five minutes to make a nutritious meal – what do you do? 
Either a salad with spinach, feta, grated vegetables or left over roasted ones, a hard boiled egg, avocado, maybe smoked salmon.... whatever's in the fridge! Or miso soup as I adore the stuff and with some broccoli, mushrooms, rice noodles and tofu it is too easy and so comforting.
What is your favourite recipe?
I don't have a favourite and I very rarely follow recipes which is why I am so bad at writing them... but I do follow recipes for most non-cake desserts, so a good pudding or chocolate mousse is always a winner!
How do you keep your health in check when travelling? I carry a snack everywhere no matter what - it's usually nuts and fruit.  On planes I take my own snacks.  I seek out supermarkets in foreign towns and cities as there is always a salad pack or some carrots or cheese and fruit.  The eggs, mushrooms, spinach and tomatoes are always my pick at a breakfast buffet as the muesli and yogurt is usually packed with sugar. I opt for soup in restaurants or for lunch and always get a green side and I walk everywhere as it's the best way to see everything anyway!  I don't worry about sticking to an exercise regime while travelling - for me, it's always a holiday and the walking is enough.  If I feel like burning some energy then squats, push ups, sit ups etc travel quite well!  Putting on a kilogram or two on holiday is not the end of the world, but I like to feel healthy and vibrant while I travel.  
What is your favourite restaurant dish? I pretty much always order some sort of seafood pasta.  I make them at home but they are always better in a restaurant for me.  My favourite restaurant recently changed owners and the new chef is no where near as talented as the previous, so if you have any suggestions for a great seafood pasta in Melbourne I'd love to hear it!
So, what's your favourite restaurant dish?Do you work out on holidays?
Nat x

SEEKING SUN? BROOME & CAPE LEVEQUE

Early last year I told my travel agent I was seeking a sunny holiday within Australia to escape the coming Winer and could she look into Noosa for us as I've always wanted to visit.  She said yes, but she had a better idea.

Broome and Cape Leveque.

M & I took this trip in August last year.  My grandfather was so ill that we considered not going, so I didn't really share the trip at the time (and he passed a month later).  But, in the depths of the Melbourne cold right now and no plans for another sunny escape as I save my pennies for a big trip next year, I am reminiscing.

If you've never been to this beyond stunning part of Australia, you absolutely must visit.  It is so beautiful it doesn't seem like real life (and if you need a travel agent to organise it I am happy to pass on the details of mine).

Here comes the photo spam!

This is Broome Airport as you arrive.
Yes, the shed.

Pearls EVERYWHERE.

Had lots of fun renting this big 4WD (everyone has them up there - they are needed!) and a Prado to get up to Cape Leveque.

Palm trees at Cable Beach.

Matso's - by FAR the best place for a drink and a feed.

Although they don't look all that, possiby the best F&C I've ever had.

Cable Beach Sunsets will not disappoint.

I'm obsessed with the flowers you find in northern Australia.

Cable Beach at sunset.

This guy sets up a wood-fire pizza trailer nightly.
I believe he was called M&J's pizza and he was outside the school - definitely look for him if you're in town!

Just a bit excited.

On the road to Cape Leveque - Bumpiest ride of my life!  3 hours of red sandy road.  M drove the whole way.  Amazing experience.

Road to Cape Leveque.

The view from our tent (Pop Louie) at the ridiculously amazing Kooljaman at Cape Leveque.

From our tent balcony.
Yes, tent balcony.
I kid you not we watched whales play in that ocean.

Sunset from Pop Louie.

The most beautiful beach I have ever seen.  Ever.
Still at Cape Leveque.

In the camp grounds.

The effect of the sunset on the rocks.
I couldn't believe my eyes it was so breathtaking.

As it's a camp site you have to take your own food up to Kooljaman (pack a collapsable esky if you're flying), but they do have a restaurant which uses bush tucker in the dishes.
Like everything else up there, it is amazing.

Back in Broome at the markets trying local ice cream.

The amazing plant life at the oasis of a b&b our agent booked us for our last night.
After a couple of hot nights in a windy tent it was divine.

Have you been to Broome or Cape Leveque?

Would you go?

I want to go back SO badly.  

I get really sad when I meet people that have been all over the world but never beyond Melbourne or Sydney within Australia.  We have such a stunning country right here.

Do you have any winter escapes booked?

Nat x

HAPPY MONDAY!

So it's Monday again and I, like everyone else working full time whether they love it or not, can't currently stand the thought of hearing the alarm tomorrow morning and having to get up to another freezing cold rainy day and an inbox full of emails I can't be bothered with.

So this morning I am sharing what I do to make Mondays, and every day, more enjoyable.  Yes it might sound cliche, yes you might have heard 100 other web sites say similar things, but after years of just being generally wound up on Sunday night's I've found the following works for me.


1. On Sunday night do something you love and can look forward to.  For me, I have a Sunday night ritual of a glass of wine, a face mask, good-bad TV (you know the stuff - reality shows, local travel shows, whatever's going) and a longer-than-normal shower.  

2. Prepare for your day in advance.  The night before work, choose your outfit and leave it hanging where you get dressed, make your breakfast in advance (overnight oats, get spreads out for toast, hard boil some eggs, whatever it takes), make sure that if you pack your lunch all you have to do is take a container out of the fridge and put it in your bag.  A million people have said it and it really seems true - the less decisions you have to make in the morning, the easier it will be.

3.  Give yourself a Monday morning treat.  Mine is that I always stay in bed an extra 15 minutes on a Monday morning (and a Wednesday morning, actually).  I start my tea while I do my make up and eat my breakfast in less time (or take it to work) to make up for it.  It works, gives me something to look forward to and I love it!

4. Decide to be happy.  I know this sounds silly but try deciding to see the good side to everything.  If you don't believe it or don't feel it, fake it until you make it.  If someone asks you how you are, (unless there is something very wrong or you really are out-of-sorts down beyond Monday morning blues - I'm certainly not suggesting you suppress feelings!), just say you're really well and had a great weekend.  It might not work for everyone but it sets me in the right frame of mind for the whole day!

5.  Realise you're not stuck.  You can change jobs if you want to, you can take an annual leave day next week and have a rest, you can walk away from your emails for 5 minutes during the day for a breather.  You can even sell your house, or move overseas.  Often knowing we can change something we don't like makes the situation more bearable.  


I leave you with this!

I love it.

How do you cope with day 1 of 5?
.. or are you lucky enough to work a job that you adore beyond words and can't wait to attend daily?

Happy Monday!

Nat x

AN APPLE A DAY

I always buy loads & loads of granny smith's when they're on special at the fruit & veg shop or market knowing I can stew them and eat them for breakfast - especially good in the colder months.

Give the skins a thorough wash (I scrub them), put 2-3 cms of water in the bottom of a pot and add a cinnamon stick, a sprinkle of mixed spice & some star anise.

You can add some honey if you have a sweet tooth (or your kids do).

Cook on a medium heat stirring every 2-3 minutes.

This will take 2 minutes to prep and around 10 minutes to cook for 5 apples and gives you a super easy way to eat an apply every morning without even trying.  In fact, 30 seconds in the microwave from the fridge gives you an awesome warm base for some oats or muesli and a bit of yoghurt - it really does feel like apple pie for breakfast.

I never go a day without eating fruit as I love it so much, especially at breakfast.

How do you get your daily fruit?

Have you ever quit fruit as part of a sugar-dropping regime?  I could never!

Nat x

OPEN FISH TACOS

I shared this post on my other blog I just decided to ditch, so I thought I'd bring it over.

My whole thinking at the moment revolves around a little annoyance that, if you look at many health-promoters, you might get the impression that protein powders and chia seeds are required for health.  They are so insanely not.

Health and eating well should be simple, and mostly affordable.  Most people (think time poor, or young families, or those on a budget) do not have time to make a raw cheesecake with a hazelnut crust.  The people that seek out these recipes are already healthy.  The coconut oil is already in the pantry next to the cacao powder.

I'd much prefer to help those not already living healthy lifestyles and eating good food realise it's not hard and give it a go.

Let me know what you think of this recipe as a start...

OPEN FISH TACOS

Serves 4.

White fish (we used flake, you could use any white fish or prawns) - 3 small portions will work fine for 4 people with all the other ingredients.
Marinate in 2tsp of olive oil, 1/4 of a teaspoon of cayenne pepper (omit this if you're feeding it to kids!  Or you can substitute with paprika), zest of half a lime and a few shakes of salt.  Cover and put in the fridge while you prep everything else.

Shred 1/4 of a red or green cabbage, 1/4 of an iceberg lettuce and grade 1 carrot. Toss together and add 2 tsps of mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons of Greek or plain yoghurt (if you don't keep any in the house, you can use sour cream or a little more mayo, some olive oil and water to help coat the mix), the other half of your lime's zest, salt, pepper and a little water to help it all mix through.  (I usually make this dressing separately then add it).

Dice 3-4 fresh tomatoes (remove the pulp if you can be bothered) and stir in 1/2 tsp of paprika (I use smoked but whatever's handy is fine).  Set aside.

Peel and mash 1 whole avocado with the juice of 1/4-1/2 a lime (or lemon), 1 small clove of minced garlic, salt and pepper.  Set aside.

Lay 1 piece of mountain bread (this is the healthiest option, but you could use any flat bread) on the plate.

Top with even amounts of your lettuce/cabbage/carrot mix.

Cook the fish you marinated earlier in a hot pan until you know it's done.

Lay the fish on the lettuce mix, top with your diced tomatoes, mashed avocado and finish with the Greek yoghurt (or plain yoghurt or sour cream).

Serve with wedges of your zested lime!

Fresh coriander or fresh mint is amazing added to these if you can get it - just chop and add at the very end so they stay fresh and crunchy.  Coriander is by far my favourite and doesn't even need to be chopped - just add the whole lot in like it was more lettuce.  Don't buy one of those squeezie herbs for this, it won't be as nice - better to keep it fresh without.
Don't be scared to serve them with a side of a corn chip or 3 (the plain ones work best).

Finished!  Yummy, simple and good for you.
.. and if you have kids, laying the fish in the wrap and then putting all the other ingredients on the table so they can put them together themselves could be a fun.


Let me know if you try it or if you have a similar recipe or just some feedback on if you think this is simple.

Happy eating,
Natalie x