Cheap as chips

_{© 2010 groundselCreative Commons license} 

Some of my family never seem to get round to eating much fruit.

It's not that they don't like it - they do - but they come up with all sorts of reasons for not eating it. 

One of the reasons they give me is that fruit is too expensive.  But it's just not!

Over the rainbow ...

Copyright Elena Norbiato 2007 Creative Commons

So there really is a crock of gold over the rainbow!

It turns out eating a "rainbow" of different coloured fruit and veg each week is great for us because each colour group is packed full of different good stuff.  All these different things together can protect against cancer and heart disease.  

This got me thinking about my all the fruit & veg I like in each colour group:

Red & pink: Strawberries, peppers, tomatoes, raspberries, rhubarb, radishes, beetroots, blood oranges, cherries, red grapes, red onions, chilli pepper, red apple, cranberries, guava, papaya
Yellow & orange: Bananas, melons, peaches, carrots, apricots, grapefruit, peppers, squash, corn, mango, pineapple, lemons, nectarines, pumkins, sweet potatoe
Green: Spinach, peas, spring greens, chard, courgettes, beans, broccoli, apples, pears, gooseberries, avocado, cabbage, cucumber, grapes, lettuce, limes, kiwi fruit, celery, samphire, asparagus, leeks, sugar snap peas
Purple, blue & black: Blueberries, blackberries, aubergines, sprouting broccoli, bilberries, blackcurrants, plums, damsons, figs, grapes, prunes, raisins
White: Mushrooms, onions, potatoes, parsnips, garlic, ginger, cauliflower, white peaches, shallots

Wow! I never realised how many different fruit and veg I love to eat!

What about you? What are your absolute faves in each colour group?

Note to self: Eat your way over the rainbow every week!
Did you know? The nutrients in red fruit and veg can help to protect joint tissue in those with arthritis

Enjoy more posts about fruit & veg:
Favourite fruit
Tastes like chocolate
Hidden Gems

Water water everywhere

And not a drop to drink!

How does it happen? There really is water water everywhere but I often end up thirsty.  And you really want to stay out of my way when I'm thirsty - I am tired, I can't concentrate on anything and I am so grumpy!

_{“Glass of Running Water” © 2010 elitatt  Creative Commons Licence}

I know some people are not big fans of plain water but I don't even have that excuse.  I like it, nice and cold from the tap either just as it comes or in a great glass of squash.  But I still don't remember to drink it. 

And then I get thirsty.  And then I get grumpy.  And then I want a nap or a fizzy drink or a cup of coffee but none of them actually make me feel better.  The only thing that really does the trick is nice cold water drunk regularly throughout the day so I never get thirsty.

Now I've got a big plastic jug for home that I fill up first thing with either water or squash.  I don't know why it works but somehow it does - I remember to keep filling my glass from the jug.  It would be just as easy to fill from the tap but for some reason the jug reminds me to have a drink when the tap doesn't.

I've also cadged a plastic beaker from my daughter that I can fill up for when I am out and about as if I can help it, I just refuse to fork out for the bottled stuff.

Do you like water? Flat or fizzy? Over a load of ice? With squash or a splash of juice or a twist of lemon? Are you grumpy like me when you're thirsty?

Note to self: Fill up the water jug in the morning and don't leave home without a beaker of water.

Did you know? Water helps your body get rid of the bad cholesterol that contributes to heart disease.  It can also help to reduce the risk of bowel cancer, regulate blood sugar in diabetics and symptoms of IBS such as constipation.

Beans means?

What do beans mean for you?

Baked beans are great - everyone loves baked beans don’t they? - and so versatile but my absolute fave at the moment is black bean tacos.

 Grilled Taco © 2009 N Muryama Creative Commons Licence 

I love them with loads of creamy guacamole and spicy tomato salsa.  They all disappear at super speed in our house. 

My other big bean favourites are a nice hot chilli, stomach warming Italian style pasta and bean soup and - if I can count chick peas as beans -  a lovely thick dahl. 

They are all really great now autumn is here and I need something filling to keep out the cold and the wet. 

What are your favourite bean recipes?

Note to self: Hold off the hunger pangs with a big bean fest!

Did you know? Medical research shows brilliant beans can reduce bad cholesterol AND regulate blood sugar in people with diabetes AND reduce the risk of bowel cancer AND reduce blood pressure. Wow!

Walking the walk

  "Duck Pond" © 2005 Zemlinki Creative Commons license

We have a lovely park close to us in London and as I'm a mum with a toddler we spend lots of time there - at the playground, feeding the ducks and right now collecting conkers. 

But when I'm working I find myself not getting there.  It's a shame because I love seeing the trees change throughout the year, listening to the escaped parakeets screeching importantly and watching everyone who is out there enjoying themselves.

It's a shame and it's daft because the nursery drop off is just as quick if we walk through the park as if we go on the bus.  And although the bus can be fun it doesn't help me relax.

And that's what's wonderful about walking - it's just so relaxing!  It doesn't matter if it's a gentle stroll or something brisker the stress drops out of my shoulders and my mind clears.

So I've decided - I don't care if it's raining - I am going to enjoy a brisk constitutional in the park every day.

What about you? Do you have a park nearby or somewhere you enjoy going for a stroll?

Note to self: Wind down with a walk

Did you know? Walking can reduce your risk of cancer, heart disease, stroke and diabetes. 

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