Let’s Have a Bowl

Getting the Best From our Piece of Paradise

So you’ve discovered the ‘new year, new me’ ambition has become a too-distant memory, as we creep towards the second quarter of 2023. It’s become all too easy to slip back into the old habits – you know, the not-so-good ones. 

But it doesn’t matter, all is not lost, we can start afresh any time – today, tomorrow or even next month. Don’t let the lack of stickability of those enthusiastic New Year promises bring you down.

Instead, ask yourself: what do you want to change in your health and well-being today? Choose just one thing. Set a goal. Then, work out how you will get there; who will support you; and what small steps you can take from today. One of the keys to stickability is to not be tempted to change too many things at once. Pick one.

Is it a nutrition goal? A movement or fitness goal? A lifestyle goal?

Shall we start with nutrition? Look at what you eat now; identify one small adjustment you could make to your current meals. Maybe replace white bread with whole grain; starchy vegetables with some green ones; chocolate with yoghurt and fruit. Start small, and once this becomes second nature, choose the next thing to adjust.

Or perhaps a fitness goal? Identify a realistic time when you can commit to something new. More importantly, make sure it’s something you enjoy. Walking? Swimming? Weight training? Pick one and aim to do it three times a week for 20 minutes, then build from there. Slow and steady is key.

How about a lifestyle or wellness goal? What does that really mean, and how can you make sure your environment is one that lends itself to the lifestyle you want? It’s important to have a support network; put yourself in the right situations and surround yourself with positive experiences that place value on your particular lifestyle.

The key to any new habit or lifestyle change is to make it as ‘user friendly’ as possible and find what works for you. Don’t compare yourself with others. We are all different, and lead such varied lives; we cannot expect real change without first assessing the real you. 

Pick a theme – any theme – let’s base it on nutrition. In our home we love ‘bowl life’, where we chuck everything into one bowl. We find this a great way to get a varied and colourful range of vegetables, grains and protein, while still enjoying it. Choose a wholegrain base (we love black rice, quinoa or buckwheat pasta – perfect for vegans and gluten free too), add a handful of protein (lean meat, fish, eggs or legumes), a selection of raw and cooked vegetables (lots of colour, cooked in herbs, spices, and garlic), and sprinkle with seeds or feta. The options are endless, not only making mealtimes easy, but healthy and fun too!

A perfect storm

Roasted kumara, sauteed onion, greens bean, edamame, broccoli, with avocado, feta, fresh basil and toasted pumpkin and sunflower seeds.

The vegan dream

Quinoa, edamame, pickles, with fresh carrot, tomato, spinach, mung beans, spring onion, avocado and
sesame seeds

Fit n’ Lean

Smoked salmon, roasted kumara, sauteed green beans and mushroom, fresh tomato, avocado, mung beans and spinach with toasted sesame seeds

The ‘bowl life’ may not be for you, but the key is finding something that is. As they say, keep it simple, varied and healthy – which has gotta be good for you! 

And what a place we live in, right? The Coromandel, for us, is our piece of paradise. We have access to the great outdoors, where we can feed and enrich our souls with walks on the beach, swims in the ocean, endless tracks to walk and ride. Access to all things that feed fitness, health and lifestyle is on our doorstep – right there – so leap into it. GO! 

– Words by Rebecca Smith

Certified nutrition, health and wellness coach

Real Nutrition: realnutrition.co.nz