Great winter meals - All low calorie!

So we all want to stay slim during the winter, but know it is hard to look like Jennifer Aniston all year round. I have found some yummy winter dishes to keep you going throughout the day and through those tricky winter months.

Lets start with breakfast!

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so lets make it exciting, filling but still low-calorie. Here is an idea for you to kick start your day!

Why not try a fantastic Skinny Pepper, tomato and ham omelette.

Serves - 2 people
Preparation - 15 mins
Cooking time - 10 mins
Calories - 206

Ingredients

2 whole eggs and 3 egg whites
1 tsp olive oil
1 red pepper, deseeded and finely chopped
2 spring onions, white and green parts kept separate and finely chopped
few slices wafer-thin extra-lean ham, shredded
25g reduced-fat mature cheddar
wholemeal toast, to serve

There are just two easy steps to this recipe.

- Mix the eggs and egg whites with some seasoning and set aside. Heat the oil in a medium non-stick frying pan and cook the pepper for 3-4 mins. Throw in the white parts of the spring onions and cook for 1 min more. Pour in the eggs and cook over a medium heat until almost completely set.

- Sprinkle on the ham and cheese and continue cooking until just set in the centre, or flash it under a hot grill if you like it more well done. Serve straight from the pan with the green part of the spring onion sprinkled on top and some wholemeal toast.

Dinner

Most of us love a good dinner, it is family time in lots of house holds so why not have a nice pie! Pie's are normally full of calories but not this one. Take a look!

Winter Vegetable Pie

Serves 4

Preparation 15 mins

Cooking 45 mins

Calories - 388

Ingredients

2 tbsp olive oil
2 onions, sliced
1 tbsp flour
300g (about 2 large) carrots, cut into small batons
½ cauliflower, broken into small florets
4 garlic cloves, finely sliced
1 rosemary sprig, leaves finely chopped
400g can chopped tomatoes
200g frozen peas
900g potatoes, cut into chunks
up to 200ml/7fl oz milk

-Heat 1 tbsp of the oil in a flame proof dish over a medium heat. Add the onions and cook for 10 mins until softened, then stir in the flour and cook for a further 2 mins. Add the carrots, cauliflower, garlic and rosemary, and cook for 5 mins, stirring regularly, until they begin to soften.

-Tip the tomatoes into the vegetables along with a can full of water. Cover with a lid and simmer for 10 mins, then remove the lid and cook for 10-15 mins more, until the sauce has thickened and the vegetables are cooked. Season, stir in the peas and cook for 1 min more.

-Meanwhile, boil the potatoes for 10-15 mins until tender. Drain, then place back in the saucepan and mash. Stir through enough milk to reach a fairly soft consistency, then add the remaining olive oil and season.

-Heat the grill. Spoon the hot vegetable mix into a pie dish, top with the mash and drag a fork lightly over the surface. Place under the grill for a few mins until the top is crisp golden brown.

If you have any interests or want any tips for lunchtime or deserts please email us at info@richardtaylorpt.co.uk

Richard Taylor Personal Training Club
www.richardtaylorpt.co.uk


"Changing your lifestyle to incorporate exercise and proper nutrition is not easy. But it is defiantly a journey with endless rewards that are well worth achieving!"