menopause, motivation and more

“Please sir, can I have some more?” A favourite line of mine from Oliver Twist.

Food choice, variety and availability to the majority of us nowadays is wonderful.

Fish, white meat, and veg were plentiful growing up. Continuously people remark on my my healthy diet. I feel this stemmed from habit rather than health reasons. Habitual due to my parents. Not much has changed.

Fish

We’d venture to a huge fish market, an hours drive away. Armed with giant plastic bags ready for our haul. My mum was a genius at bartering. Kilos and kilos of fresh whole fish were loaded into the bags. From lemon and dover sole, plaice, tuna, salmon and more. Once home scaling, gutting, de-boning, chopping and bagging, for our chest freezer. Salmon remains my favourite to this day, along with trout from the region where we live. There are many benefits to eating fish, such a protein, omega-3’s, healthy fats. Healthy fats are associated with cardiovascular health. I take an omega-3 supplement mentioned in my Vitamins and Supplements post

Meat

Red meat is not my go to, nothing to do with health more habit. I blame my parents! I have a tendency to be low in iron. Incorporating lean red meat into my diet every now and then I’m sure would be a benefit. I should take the opportunity when I’m out for dinner. Cooking is not my forte especially meat.

Veg

We had a vegetable patch at the top of our garden. My mum had ‘green fingers’ she grew almost everything including fresh herbs. Runner beans were consistently on the menu.

Back in day I’d visit a store with my mum. It sold produce akin to my parents. Sweet potato, yam, plantain, green banana, spanish lime, mango, eddo, avocado, bacalao, ackee, breadfruit and so on. Brown rice was a staple served with black eye peas. Need I mention coconut oil and coconut butter. This all purpose sometimes solid sometimes fluid was for hair, (yes) skin and cooking.

I’m not a mango lover, an orange fits my bill and on average contains more vitamin C. Same with sweet potato, I’m more than happy with butternut squash and carrots, equally nutritious with benefits relating to vision. My dad told me I’d be able to see in the dark, some truth! I still use coconut oil when cooking. I’ve progressed when it comes to my skin and hair. I’ve grown accustom to pumpkin seed oil, a speciality from Styria, southeastern Austria. A rich nutty taste, deep brown and slightly bitter. I add to salads and pumpkin soup.

Fruit and veg are essential to our diets, important sources of antioxidants, vitamins A, C, E. Anti-ageing benefits vitamin C provides are well documented.

Eating healthy can be confusing with so much information and misinformation. I make it easy by growing what I like and can. Eating what’s in season when I’m able. Buying locally and regional. And as much as possible buying products produced by the country where I live.

We all have different relationships with food. Food is fuel for my body. Food is enjoyment with friends and family.

What are your favourite foods?

If you need or want specific dietary information, always consult a registered professional.