Christmas Infused Waters

Posted on 22/12/2020 by Cathie Lowe

Infused waters can be a refreshing way to drink water when you’ve had enough water. Those people in hot weather know exactly what I mean. Infused waters have minimal sugar so are an alternative drink for people with diabetes. This photo is an example of some Christmas colour infused drinks.

Cucumber slices, mint leaves and sliced chilli – this was quite refreshing.
Cherry, lemon slices and mint – my favourite for colour and taste.
Peach slices, lemon slices and ginger – not a strong flavour, so next time I’ll be adding more ginger and peach.

There are plenty of websites with recipes and suggestions for infused waters. I’d love to hear any favourite recipes that you have.

Wishing you all a happy and healthy festive season and a fantastic 2021. Cathie

Festive Mexican Rice Salad

Posted on 24/12/2019 by Cathie Lowe

I have been experimenting with this salad as it has Christmas colours, has mexican flavours and a great source of fibres.

If you use the cooked brown rice from the supermarket and start grilling your corn while layering the rest of the ingredients, this salad can be finished in 15 minutes. Put with grilled salmon (and chilli sauce) and you have a very quick easy meal.

Ingredients

2 cups cooked brown rice (buy prepared packet)

1/2 tspn ground cumin

400g can drained kidney beans

30g baby spinach leaves

1/2 diced red or green capsicum

200g punnet of cherry or other small tomatoes – halve the tomatoes

1/2 Spanish onion, sliced

2 cobs of corn

1 avocado

1 tbsp. lite sour cream

chilli powder to taste

cayenne powder to taste

handful fresh parsley

1/2 lemon juiced

1 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil

Method

Heat a non stick pan and start grilling corn cobs (takes about 10 minutes), turn every few minutes.

In a salad bowl, layer the brown rice and sprinkle cumin over top, then kidney beans, spinach leaves, diced capscium, tomatoes and onion.

Mix lemon juice and olive oil and sprinkle over the salad.

Once the corn has been grilled, slice the corn from the cob and sprinkle over the salad.

Slice half the avocado and layer on top.

Mash the other half avocado with lite sour cream, chilli and cayenne pepper and place on top of the salad and sprinkle with parsley.

Serves 6

Nutritional Information

Per serve Energy 1340kJ, Protein 10g, Fat 11.8g, Carbohydrate 37.3g Fibre 11g

It’s National Nutrition Week – Try for 5 Challenge

Posted on 12/10/2015 by Cathie Lowe

Happy Monday Everyone,

It’s feeling like summer in Queensland which is when I start looking for salads. Which is one way of boosting vegetables if you aren’t getting your 5 vegetables a day. Have a look at the link below for recipe ideas for vegetables.

The Asparagus Crumbed with Parmesan on Bocconcini Salad is a different way to eat asparagus which is in season now. The Rice Paper Rolls are a great way to boost vegetables and these could be used at a party with the dipping sauce for a different snack. Continuing on with the Asian influence the Asian Salad with Snow Peas and Cashews is a refreshing crunchy salad.

http://pickrightfeelbright.com/nutrition-recipes

And finally a link to a website to help get ideas for how to encourage children to eat more vegetables….

http://www.nutritionaustralia.org/national/resource/vegetable-snacks-kids

Hope you take on the 5 Vegetable a Day challenge this week.

Regards Cathie.

Texture Modified Diets and Thickened Fluid Resources

Posted on 07/11/2013 by Cathie Lowe

When people have swallowing problems, a Speech Pathologist may recommend different textures of food (soft, minced moist, smooth puree) or thicknesses of fluids (mild, moderate, extremely thick). Many people have difficulty preparing foods that look appetising with the change in texture.

I’ve included resources that I have found that may be useful for carers, nursing home staff and kitchen staff.

Education in Nutrition DVD Food and Nutrition Considerations in Dysphagia – presented by Janet Martin APD and author. This DVD discusses the swallowing process, signs of swallowing problems, the different texture and fluid levels and how to prepare meals that are interesting and taste great. View information.

Janet Martin is the author of two recipes books for texture modified diets. Good Looking, Easy Swallowing Recipe book is available from most book shops.

Her second recipe book is available through Nestle and is called A Kitchen Manual for Preparation of Modified Texture Diets and has recipes such as Chicken and Apricot Mousse Salad to get everyone thinking differently about puree foods!

For nursing homes and hospitals or for carers there is a poster of the different texture modified diets and thickened fluids if you follow the link below. View poster.