balance on…..Brussels Sprouts

Love them or loathe them, there's no denying that Brussels Sprouts are an incredibly healthy addition to any plate. At balance, we're determined to get them on the dinner plates of Great Britain in less than two weeks' time, and also controversially, on days other than Christmas Day!

So why do we want to 'shout about the sprout'? There are so many reasons!

                                                                             

Image courtesy of -Marcus- at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

1) They may prevent against cancer.

Sprouts contain Glucosinolates, organic compounds containing sulphur and nitrogen which may offer protection against carcinogens, those substances that cause cancers. It appears they may be particularly effective in protecting the organs in the body but more research is being carried out to find out why. All of the Brassica vegetables, broccoli, cabbage and sprouts convey these benefits so be kind to the sprout and don't leave it out.

2) They lower cholesterol.

Because they are high in fibre they are an excellent foodstuff for controlling cholesterol levels in the body. Given that Christmas tends to bring with it a lot of substances that do the opposite like alcohol, cake, milk chocolate etc, the sprout is definitely worth adding to those Christmas dinners.

3) They're anti-inflammatory.

Sprouts contain Omega-3 and other specialist Glucosinolates that help decrease inflammation in the blood vessels, whilst other research has shown that they may even protect our DNA from damage. All this means in the long-run they may form part of a great team of foods that'll help you to enjoy even more Christmas dinners!

4) Special K.

Sprouts are rich in Vitamin K which has numerous important roles in the body, helping blood to clot properly when required, looking after bones and acting as a strong antioxidant.

5) They taste great!

If you're not a fan of the sprout on his own, then get inventive this Christmas. Steam enough sprouts for a handful per person, chop them finely and add them into a pan with your choice of chopped walnuts, roast chestnuts, cubed pancetta or bacon, and even grapes or slices of satsuma orange. Cook in a little bit of butter or duck fat to get the pancetta nice and crispy and then serve with your Christmas dinner and for the rest of the winter.

Hopefully we've persuaded you that this little green fellow is worth adding to your shopping basket, so we'd politely ask you to:

Shout about the sprout!!!

The balance advent calendar day 2: Surviving the Christmas Party!

At this time of year, party season kicks into full swing. Friends, work, family, another work do, sports clubs and a whole host of other groups get together to celebrate.

And celebrating can mean food and more often than not it means copious amounts of alcohol!

So here's 10 ideas that are absolute crackers for surviving the festive season and not eliminating all of your good work to achieve your goals.


1) The Water Chaser Method - a tried and tested method for limiting the effects of alcohol. For every drink consumed order a glass of water with it. Ok so you'll spend more time in the loo, but hey that's less time at the bar!

2) The Small Plates Method - this is backed by scientific research. Smaller plates means two things, firstly smaller portions and secondly, it means that even a small portion looks bigger and more filling.

3) The Scrooge Method - take only the amount of money you intend to spend. Alright, you can sponge a few drinks off others, but every little helps.

4) The Grinch Method - don't feel obliged to say yes to absolutely every invite. Choose your celebrations wisely, arrange to meet at times and locations that are unlikely to turn into epic eating and drinking sessions.

5) The Eat Before You Go Method - control your food intake by eating before you go. This method can be used with buffet affairs where the temptation to consume at least one of absolutely everything is hard to resist. By eating at home and choosing something healthy and filling, appetite is reduced later on. It also means that the alcohol you consume won't have as large an effect on you.

6) The Pre-Booked Taxi Method - arranging for someone to pick you up at a specific time can prevent nights from rolling on, and on, and on, until they become day!

7) The Support Crew Method - everyone knows that there's power in numbers, so team up with someone equally determined not to let Christmas send them off the rails and offer each other support across the evening (or evenings) in question.

8) The Big Night Out Method - ok so you won't find us recommending bingeing sessions very often, but for some people recognising that they are going to go out, relax and enjoy themselves can be a good way of preventing post-party guilt. All you've got to to do is get yourself back to your normal routine afterwards and the damage can be minimised. And remember, life is about balance after all.

9) The Day After The Night Before Method - one of the biggest dangers of a big night out is often the food consumed during the hangover period. Plan ahead like you're planning a military operation. Get food in that you know is healthy and make sure you don't have the junk food you know you'll crave. Drink plenty of water when you get home and have healthy fluids available for the next day. Get lots of rest and try a gentle bit of exercise, a walk for a little fresh air is a good idea, a big circuits session is not!

10) The Public Confession Method - many of us don't like to tell people just how bad we've been. So resolve to confess your sins publicly and post all of the food you ate and alcohol you drank on your social media feed.


Above all, as we've said, life is about balance. So it's up to you if you want to use December as your month to enjoy yourself or you want to find a method that allows you to be that little bit healthier. Whichever you choose, make sure you enjoy yourself, it is Christmas after all!

the balance advent calendar day 1

Image courtesy of samarttiw at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

With Christmas just around the corner, thoughts turn to festivities, food, family and friends. As it's the 1st day of December, we've found you a great recipe online for a partridge and pear dish! OK we know, today isn't the 1st day of Christmas as the well known song says, but for many the 1st December signals the start of the festive season (some started celebrating in August)!

What's so great about partridges and pears? 

Well, partridge is a very lean game meat, packed full of protein, rich in iron (about three times as much as beef), and other vital nutrients like vitamin B6 and selenium. If you're worried about your cholesterol levels then game is a good choice for you.

Pears come packed with vitamin C and around 20-25% of you daily fibre requirements, as well as providing key trace minerals like copper and a fair chunk of your daily vitamin K needs. Between them this can help to:

• Boost your immune system
• Keep your brain functioning properly (essential for Christmas shopping!)
• Ensure your blood clots as it should
• Keep all of those festive treats moving through your insides and out again!

Make this great partridge and pear recipe to get you feeling festive and guilt-free:

http://www.greatbritishchefs.com/recipes/partridge-with-pears-recipe

Image courtesy of -Marcus- at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Enjoy :-)