Seasonal Eating

As the weather finally turns cooler, we start to crave more warming, comforting foods rather than the fresh, chilled salads of summer. Hearty casseroles, soups, baked puddings and roast dinners can satisfy our appetites and souls, but comforting foods can still be nourishing without bloating or adding inches to your waistline!
Adding in legumes (lentils, split peas, chickpeas, cannelini beans) and extra veggies to your soups and casseroles will provide you with additional fibre to keep you satisfied and healthy on the inside. Tempt your tastebuds with fruit based desserts such as poached pears or stewed tamarilloes for a sweet end to your winter dinner.

Mother Nature gives us plenty of seasonal fruit and vegetables that provide us with exactly what we need for a strong immune system to help ward off winter ills. Feijoas, mandarins, lemons, broccoli, leafy greens and root vegetables give us a variety of essential vitamins and minerals including vitamins A and C, and magnesium to enhance our immunity and nourish our cells.

Be generous with your serves of colourful vegetables at this time of year, and make your plate a rainbow with lots of different colours. Next time you are having a roast, pop in an extra tray of vegetables including kumara, pumpkin, beetroot, capsicum and carrots – these will make a great base for a delicious roasted veggie salad the next day or blend up the pumpkin or beetroot with spices and feta for a tasty dip or sandwich spread.
Winter can be a drying time especially if you work or live in areas with heat pumps running regularly. Mild to moderate dehydration can cause tiredness, dry skin, headaches, dizziness and constipation and usually by the time we feel thirsty, we are already dehydrated.

Soups, herbal teas and hot water with lemon can ensure we stay hydrated in artificially heated and drying conditions, while warming us up from the inside out.
Stay warm and well this winter, see you in August!

Tea Retreats
Each month, Sarah Percy, Registered Dietitian and Sarah Donaldson, Clinical Psychologist provide a comprehensive approach to health and wellbeing to help you make 2016 your healthiest year yet. The “Tea” in Tea Retreats stands for Think, Eat, Act – a positive mindset, good nutrition and keeping active are 3 crucial areas in our life which are essential for good health. If you need some help getting your health sorted please get in touch, we’d love to help. www.tea-retreats.co.nz