Eat Like an Italian: A Pick of Summers Best (Foodie Favourites)

12 years ago on a family holiday I discovered a love for Italian food and and everything Mediterranean really. I've been eating pizza and pasta ever since (who hasn't) and have dreams of living there one day.  The truth is that Mediterranean diets are scientifically proven to be some of the healthiest in the world, full of fresh fruit and veg and monounsaturated fats (the healthy fats). Families in some parts of Italy (such as Sardinia) regularly live beyond 100. Parmiagana melanzane is an aubergine and mozzarella dish and is up there as one of my favourites!

For a simpler summer salad that isn't all green lettuce and rabbit food (can you tell I'm not fond of the stuff?) try a basic Caprese salad by slicing mozzarella and tomato, sprinkling with olive oil, salt and pepper and adding basil leaves.

Frittata or quiche are other options for using up veg and eggs without eating lettuce all summer long. This is a sweet potato and green bean frittata made by my mum.

Strawberries and blueberries are great but peaches have to be the best of the summer fruit, right?

I hope you enjoyed this post and maybe even got some ideas for your shopping list or menu. Ciao!

Carpe Diem xx

Foodie Friday: Fruitarians for the Day (A Spitalfields Market Adventure)

There are amazing wholesale fresh fruit and veg markets all over Europe and the world. They are often hidden gems that masterfully supply produce to restaurants, market stalls and traders. I love an adventure and when I was invited to go the Spitalfields New Market in Leyton, East London, at 5am, I said yes. Secret melting pots of culture and languages, places like this are even better when you find them 'under your nose'.

We came back with plenty of mangoes, strawberries and cherries to start a health kick and become fruitarians for the day. Homemade foodie chutney, jam, ice cream and sorbet to come!

If you could exist on one fruit alone, which would it be?

Carpe Diem xx

Foodie Friday: The (Un)bearable Goodness of Green Tea (or Reasons Why You're Drinking the Wrong Tea)

Two weeks ago I was a green tea virgin. It was 'that thing what they give you before your Chinese'. I couldn't have been more incorrect. Since popping my green tea cherry with a trip to Sainsbury's and tasting my first proper full mug of green tea, I have discovered its amaranthine qualities and become addicted. (And so should you).

If you consider these possible side effects of drinking green tea as healthy, and want to incorporate it into your diet, then you'll see why it's my 'food' of this Foodie Friday!

1) Prevent tooth decay

2) Boost metabolism to increase weight loss (boosting the metabolic rate 4% without increasing the heart rate)

3) Containing powerful anti-oxidants it inhibits the growth of cancer cells

4) It's a legitimate use of study breaks

Happy sipping! (But maybe give the Chinese meal a miss before EVERY cup!)

Carpe Diem xx

Spring Into Summer

The infamous sun has been spotted behind the clouds, I have a new fedora, and the Easter chocolate has been eaten, so there's no better time than to start the post-uni health kick!

Here are some ideas for nutricious and delicious dinners:

Halloumi, aubergine, and sweet potato salad with tomato sauce

Homemade carrot, mushroom, cabbage and egg ramen with rice

Carpe diem xx

No-Sugar No-Cook Quick "Cheesecake" Dessert

Source: http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/quick_cheesecake.html

(For 1 serving, 1 person):

2 wholewheat crackers (Fox's Wholemeal Crackers)

2 tablespoons ricotta cheese

4 teaspoons jam (St Dalfour and Clearspring are only sweetened with fruit concentrate)

Carpe diem xx