Now that we are into the New Year and the celebrations are behind us, it is a great occasion for starting afresh. Whether you had a good year last year, or are pleased to say goodbye to it, it is always good to begin with a period of reflection.
What do you want to achieve this year? A good starting point is always good health, because whatever else you want to achieve or change, start from a position of strength. And that comes from a healthy body. If you think of your body as the ship, then your mind is the captain, but if you want to have a happy voyage in 2009, you need a strong ship. The turn of the year is often a busy period so now is a good time to give yourself time to assess your priorities. The year ahead is a blank page for you to write upon, but begin by reflecting on the past year. What did you achieve? What were you happy with? And what would you like to change? Then add to that list, Good Health.
So start by taking care of that most precious possession, your body. Exercising first thing in the morning when you step out of bed gets your circulation going, and a simple 10 to 20 minute programme for your whole body in the privacy of your bedroom will keep you supple and strong. It will put you in a positive frame of mind to begin the day. My Mini-Morning Workout is ideal for this, and you can email for a free copy to [email protected]. Then decide to give your body a healthy start to the day with a good breakfast to keep it fuelled until lunchtime.
Recipe of the week
Turkey Saltimbocca
Serves 2
Ingredients
2 turkey steaks (275g in total – choose fairly equal-sized steaks)
6 slices Parma ham (weighing about 75 g in total)
8 large fresh sage leaves
225 ml turkey stock
1 tsp. Olive oil
salt and freshly milled black pepper
Medium-sized frying pan and eight cocktail sticks
Method
Place turkey steaks between two large pieces of clingfilm and gently pound them using a large rolling pin, being careful not to break the meat. Then cut each flattened steak into four pieces measuring about 7.5 x 9 cm. Separate slices of Parma ham, trim away fat and cut a 4 cm strip off the end of each slice. Place ham on each slice of turkey, folding and creasing it up to fit, if necessary, then divide the six smaller pieces of ham between the last two turkey slices. Finally, top each one with a sage leaf and secure together with a cocktail stick. Season on both sides with salt and freshly milled black pepper.
Measure turkey stock into a small saucepan and heat gently until it begins to bubble. While that’s happening, cook the turkey: heat the oil in the frying pan over a fairly high heat; when it’s really hot, put in half the pieces of turkey, sage-side down, reduce the heat to medium and fry for 2-3 minutes, until crisp and golden. Then turn them over and give the other side about a minute before removing them to a warmed serving dish.
Do the same with the remaining pieces and when they’re done, keep them warm with the others. Now pour the warmed stock into the frying pan, turn the heat right up again and let it bubble and reduce to a syrupy sauce, which should take 4-5 minutes. Return the turkey pieces to the pan and turn in the sauce. Serve on warmed plates (not forgetting to remove the cocktail sticks!) with the syrupy sauce poured over.
Ask Alva
I am a housewife and a mother of 3-year-old kid. After I stopped my baby breast feeding, my weight had increased. I want to lose weight. Is it all right to exercise in the afternoon, as I get up in the morning around 11 o’clock, then have my breakfast and start kitchen work? Asma
It is not unusual to gain weight after stopping breastfeeding since the body has fewer demands on it. So it is important now to follow a healthy eating plan. You say that you do not get up until 11 o’clock. I would always recommend exercising first thing when you get up, and for this purpose if you email again to [email protected] I will send you a free copy of my Mini-Morning Workout.