5 healthy recipes that don't taste "healthy".

Image via iStock

So, how are all of those New Year’s Resolutions going?

It’s easy to fall off the wagon when all a sudden the festive season is over and you’re back in the rat race, preparing your kids for school (if you have ‘em) and trying to squeeze in a couple visits to a gym, too. It’s hard to juggle and keep all the proverbial balls in the air.

But guess what? There’s one thing we all have one thing in common – and that is that we’re all human. And sometimes, it’s just about realising that falling off the wagon is inevitable, especially when it’s hurtling forward at 100kms per hour.

One of my resolutions for 2015 is to improve my digestive health. I definitely don’t fall into the category of a strict Paleontolist – or whatever Paleo peeps like to call themselves, but I do think, if I can help it, I’d like to cut out more processed foods and some carbs. Because bloating – I’m just not that into you.

And I’m sick of having dark circles under my eyes and falling ill easily – all signs of a dodgy diet and food intolerances that I’m choosing to ignore. So this year I’m going to do my digestive health a favour, and hopefully boost my immunity along the way.

As a self-proclaimed ‘foodie’ (someone that likes stuffing food into one’s mouth) great tasting food is always preferred.

So if your resolutions are anything like mine, choosing the RIGHT food is the key to success.

Here are four recipes from The Glow Team’s recommended food Instagrammers and bloggers.

I love these recipes because they’re delicious, quick and easy and are kind to the waistline – bye-bye bloat.

1. Duck, Orange and Pomegranate Salad.

INGREDIENTS

• 200 grams baby spinach leaves, washed and spun dry
• 2 oranges, peeled, sliced and halved
• 1 small red onion, peeled and sliced
• 1 roasted duck from a Chinese restaurant (ask them to chop it up for you)
• 1 pomegranate, seeds only
• 1 punnet red currants, gently washed
• 1 small bunch mint (optional), washed
• 80 grams roasted hazelnuts (optional)
• 1 tablespoon top quality extra virgin olive oil
• 1 teaspoon red wine vinegar
• 1 teaspoon freshly squeezed orange juice
• 1/2 teaspoons honey
• Salt flakes and freshly ground pepper to taste

Arrange spinach leaves on a large platter and arrange orange slices and onion on top.

Arrange duck pieces on top.

Sprinkle over pomegranate seeds, plus mint and hazelnuts if using.

Make dressing by whisking olive oil, vinegar, juice and honey in a small cup and spooning it over the salad.

Season to taste and serve. Mix the salad up at the table.

Via http://hungryaustralian.com Instagram click here

2. Raw Pad Thai.

INGREDIENTS (sauce)

• 1/2 cup almond butter
• 1/4 cup tamari/coconut aminos
• Juice of a small lemon
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed
• 1/2 inch of ginger root, finely grated
• 1 cup coconut milk
• 1/2 cup cilantro (coriander) finely chopped
• 1/2 cup cashews or almonds, chopped

Reserve half of the cilantro and all the nuts for topping at the end. Then you can simply throw everything in a food processor or mix it by hand with a whisk. If you do it by hand, mix the almond butter with the tamari first so that it is well combined then add the ginger, garlic and lemon juice and finally the coconut milk until it’s the thickness you want. I like it thicker (less coconut milk) for a dip or to use in lettuce wraps, and thinner (more coconut milk or some water too) for a sauce over veggies. If I have the sweet water from soaking dates I’ll add 1/4-1/2 cup of that in too to thin it, I like the little hint of sweet.

Veggies: just chop them up and throw them together!

• 1/2 head cabbage
• 1 bell pepper
• 1/2 cup peas
• 1 cup mushrooms
• 2 cups bean sprouts
• 2-3 carrots, julienned
• 1 zucchini, julienned

Via www.thewholefooddiary.com Instagram click here

3. Mango and Tomato Brushcetta.

INGREDIENTS

• 2 green onions, diced
• 2 mangoes, diced
• 1 jalapeno, seeds removed, minced
• 2 limes, juiced
• 3 tablespoons coriander, snipped
• Fresh cracked black pepper
• 1 large French baguette, sliced
• 1t ablespoon olive oil

Put tomatoes, pepper, onions, mango, and jalapeno, sea salt, garlic in a large bowl. Add in the lime juice Toss to combine. Add in coriander and pepper.

In a preheated oven, bake bread slices for 11-12 minutes or ‘til toasted. Place 1 heaped tablespoon of the mix on the toast, and serve. Drizzle with a little olive oil for flavour.

4. Balsamic Pork & Pineapple Skewers.

Preparation time: 5 minutes plus marinating time

Cooking time: 25 minutes

INGREDIENTS

• 500g/1lb. pork fillet tenderloin or whatever cut you like, cut into walnut sized pieces
• 1 teaspoon ground fennel seeds
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander seeds
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 3-4 tablespoons oil
• 1/2 pineapple, peeled
• 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
• 2 tablespoons honey

If you are using bamboo skewers, soak them in water. Mix the fennel seeds, coriander seeds, salt, cayenne and black pepper together in a ziplock bag and shake to combine. Place the pork pieces in with the spices and shake. Marinate for as little as 10 minutes or as long as 24 hours (if you intend to marinate it for 24 hours, omit the salt and add it in just before you cook the pork).

Heat the balsamic vinegar and honey together and simmer until it has thickened to a brushable glaze.

Preheat the grill. Cut the pineapple into pieces. Thread the meat and alternate with the pineapple. Drizzle with oil. Grill the pork skewers for about 10 minutes turning over half way. Then brush with the glaze and then grill for another 5-8 minutes turning over halfway and brushing the other side.

Via www.notquitenigella.com Instagram click here

5. Yoghurt Smoothie Bowl.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 big banana
• 2 frozen kiwis
• Handful of baby spinach
• 1.5L yogurt
• 1tsp wheatgrass powder

The night before (or earlier), chop your kiwis and freeze them overnight. You don’t need to peel them but remove the hard parts.
In the morning, simply process all your ingredients in your smoothie machine or with a stick blender until smooth. You can leave some banana for toppings/decoration.

Top with berries, muesli, seeds or whatever you like and enjoy!

Via www.blueberryboost.com Instagram click here

How do you make healthy eating more fun?