HEALTHY LIVING
RECIPE
WORDS BY BY ZANNA MUNRO —FOUNDER OF ZAN’S GIVING PLATE // FACEBOOK—ZAN’S GIVING PLATE // INSTAGRAM—ZANS_GIVING_PLATE
TOTAL WELLNESS
Plant POWER
ZAN’S SPINACH & RICOTTA LASAGNA
WITH THE GLORIOUS SUNSHINE AND THE LONGER DAYS UPON US, IT’S CLEAR TO SEE THAT SUMMER IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER.
T
he perfect time to fire up your Barbie! If you haven’t already, I’m sure it’s on the agenda for the coming weeks. This usually means snags, steaks, kebabs and other meat sources are a big part of your summer diet. This can encourage us to eat a lot of meat. Is your diet and higher in meat or plant based foods? Personally, I try and make my diet 75% plant based foods and 25% meat. Why you might ask? Let me explain. A large majority of meat
products on the market are from animals injected with hormones and antibiotics, which can be very detrimental to your health. The animals often live their life in cruel conditions too. When I incorporate any meat products into my diet, wherever possible, I only buy organic free range, grass fed products. As well as being kinder to animals, a plant-based diet can also save you money – timely at this time of year! Legumes, organic tofu and fresh fruits and vegetables are much cheaper
than meat products. More and more research is showing that a plant based diet can be very beneficial for your health. Meat products, especially red meat, are very hard for the body to break down. Did you know that its takes 3 or 4 days for your body to digest red meat?! I don’t know about you but that’s not very appealing to me! Often when people consider reducing their meat consumption, they are concerned they won’t have enough protein in their diet, but protein doesn’t need to
come from meat products. Lentils, hemp seeds, chia seeds, quinoa, Spirulina, nutritional yeast, nuts and seeds and organic tempeh and tofu are all wonderful sources of meat-free protein. This week I want to share with you a delicious vegetarian lasagna recipe. Instead of firing up the BBQ with lots of meat, why not invite your friends around for a delicious vegetarian meal with a fresh salad. Eat well, live well, be well...
Zan
Ingredients 1 medium brown onion, finely diced 1 small red capsicum, finely diced 2 cloves of minced garlic 2 400g tinned tomatoes (I use Macro organic basil and oregano) 450G fresh ricotta (available from the deli at the supermarket) 280G fresh lasagna sheets (I use Latina gluten free sheets) 2 cups grated cheese 120G English spinach leaves 2 tbspoons extra virgin olive oil Salt and pepper to season Method 1. Heat pan over medium heat and cook meat for 3 – 4 minutes
on each side, depending on how rare you like it, place in a bowl and set aside 2. Combine ingredients for dressing in a small jar and shake well 3. Prepare noodles according to packet instructions and rinse with cold water once cooked and place in a bowl 4. Drizzle 1/3 of dressing over meat and 1/3 dressing over noodles 5. Combine lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, herbs and rice noodles in a large bowl and toss well 6. Serve salad in individual bowls, top with meat, chopped nuts and drizzle with remaining dressing 7. Enjoy
REALLY REALLY
LAME JOKES Why can’t pirates finish the alphabet? Because they got lost at C! Why did the hipster fall in the lake? He went ice skating before it was cool. Why do seagulls live by the sea? Because if they lived by the bay, they’d be bagels. What do you call an alligator that reads maps? A Navigator. Did you hear about the kidnapping at school!? It’s okay. He woke up. What do you call birds that stick together? Velcrows! What did the hat say to the tie? You hang here, I’ll go on a head! What do you call a lost wolf? A where-wolf Have you got some terribly awesome/awesomely terrible jokes that you think people should hear? send them in to reception@oclife.com.au 40
NOVEMBER 10–16, 2016
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