Trying kale for the first time and a healthy dinner

Yesterday I tried kale for first time, I had no idea what to expect and no idea how to cook it so I turned to Google.

I decided to try it in a salad, so I made a kale, lettuce, cucumber, feta cheese, olive and hummous salad dressed with balsamic vinegar. It was delicious. After doing some research I discovered that kale is very tough and chewy so it was advised to 'massage' the kale in a teeny bit of olive oil then leave in the fridge for 10 mins. This is exactly what I did and it slightly softened the kale and made it easier to chew.

I took the advice of how to dress the salad from one of the pages of Lucy's book:

For dinner I had the most delicious curry, Mum gave me some leftover to take to uni and one of these was a red thai curry. I don't have the recipe for it but its made completely from scratch using a number of herbs on spices, you make a paste. I think the recipe is from the Hairy Bikers Asian cookbook. In it included cauliflower, butternut squash and then I added green beans. I served it on a bed of brown rice. It was advised to eat brown rice instead of white, so I did. I have never tried brown rice before and it was yummy! 

I think its all these little changes to the diet that will most definietly help. Its not wise to jump straight into the whole eating too healthy as it will be a shock to the system and easier to give up!

I have booked a personal training session at the gym for next Monday, where the instructor is going to make me an exercise plan which will be fab! I never know what to do at the gym and am always too scared to go on the big weights but this programme will teach me which weights to use and how and when. 

Be Body Beautiful: My guide to a healthy, happy new you

This year I have no exciting holiday plans to look forward to, unlike last year. Therefore I wanted something to focus on. I have always been active and go to the gym 3-4 times a week and enjoy a variety of gym classes, I also enjoying running 10km. However I eat absolute rubbish, I snack on sweets, chocolate and have such a sweet tooth that I have dessert after almost every dinner.

However, this is all going to change, I want to become fitter and I want to tone up. I often feel bloated and sick after meals, however this is all going to change. My new years resolution this year is to become a fit, happy and healthy Rachel. This all starts with reading Lucy Mecklenburgh's book Be Be Body Beautiful: My guide to a healthy, happy new you. I started reading it last night and cannot put it down.

The book starts with a story as to why Lucy has decided to write this book, and with a little history behind her Result's With Lucy programme.
Then there are meal plans and exercise plans too. The meal plans look fantastic and I cannot wait to start making the healthy juices, eating healthy and nutritious meals and doing the workouts.

I will document my progress on this blog. It's funny this blog started out as a food, travel and lifestyle blog. However I feel that this year it will be focussed on a healthy diet and exercise.  Then next January my adventure to somewhere in the world will begin!

I feel very motivated and cannot wait to have something to focus on and aim towards.

Here's to a happy and healthy new me! xoxo