Healthy breakfast options

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day! If you skip breakfast you're more likely to go off track and pick at things, the calories soon mount up!

So here are a list of healthy break fast options, tried and tested by myself. They definitely keep me full until lunch time!

Option 1 - Porridge

It sounds simple, but it works! And it definitely doesn't have to be boring! I make mine with semi skimmed milk and then mix in a low calorie sugar substitute and a table spoon of low sugar jam but you don't have to stop there! Chop up as much fruit as you like - raisins, sultanas, a banana or apple and at seeds or nuts if you like a bit of a crunch to it! - to bulk it up and add extra flavor.

Options 2 - Poached egg on toast with creamy mushrooms

Using brown or granary bread - two slices - (i love the kind with the seeds on top) to make the toast and a low fat spread is the healthier option and keeps you full for longer. The poached eggs (2) provide you with a good amount of protein. And the creamy mushrooms count as one of your 5 a day and provides you with calcium (the recipe for creamy mushrooms on toast will be posted soon).

Option 3 - mixed cereals, fruit and nuts.

It sounds boring but it doesn't have to be! Mix a hand full of muesli (i like the low sugar type with extra fruit in it) and a hand full of of bran flakes, both of these help your body release energy slowly and i find a handful is useful when cutting down portion sizes. Pour over skimmed or semi skimmed milk (full fat is not a good idea) and top with a few nuts (i like walnuts or cashews) and any fruit you fancy like a banana or apple.

Option 4 - boiled egg and fruit salad

Boil one egg for 3 - 5 minutes depending on if u want it soft or hard. Have with one slice of granary toast with low fat spread. That's your protein and fiber sorted! Next have mixed fruit (as much as you like) like apple, grapes, orange segments, grapefruit pieces and kiwi and pour on some organic low fat Greek yogurt and you're ready for round two! I recon that counts as at least 3 portions of fruit!

These are just a few things i have found both yummy and really filling! So enjoy. You can vary them in any way you like, you definitely don't have to do exactly what I've written! Don't be afraid to put your own twist on things. Just remember, make sensible healthy choices!

Take care guys xx

A Healthy Lifestyle

We all know that there are things we can to improve our overall health. From changing what we eat and even when we eat it, to the activities we do and the way we think.

I'm on a mission, a full on lifestyle change is in order for me and i thought it would be a good idea to put all my thoughts and ideas on here to motivate not only myself but others too! Doing it with someone always helps keep you on track, and if you do go off track then there is always someone there to pull you back up when you fall.

So I'll begin with the basics that i have found useful!

• Small changes - It's important to make small changes to begin with, after all its a lifestyle change, not a diet.
• Set goals - But don't be hard on yourself if you don't reach them in time! Its not the end of the world after all!
• Don't deprive yourself - Life is for living! If you go out for a meal and you want desert afterwards, then go for it! Its not like you're eating chocolate cake every night of the week. Be smart about the choices you make.
• Variety - Eating the same thing every day/week is going to get boring, and if you get bored your going to get off track because you will crave other things.

Remembering these basic steps has helped me to keep on track over the past couple of weeks. I went of track for one night of poker with friends where lots of beer and pizza was involved...but when i woke up the next day, after recovering from a well deserved hangover, i got back on it!

So if your are interested in reading more keep an eye out for more ''healthy lifestyle'' blogs that are going to include things like recipe's and exercise routines as well as hints and tips. And don't forget to leave comments!I'm no professional but i will do my best answer any questions you guys have.

Take care guys xx