Breaking Down the Barriers to Change

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Written by Staff Reporter

Thursday, 06 May 2010

Every day I hear excuses. People seem to have a whole pocket full of them. As soon as you mention making positive or healthier changes in their lives, they come up with at least two reasons why they can't do it. My job is to break these down and come up with a number of feasible and possible alternatives.

So if you are one of those people with a list of can't(s), how about using the fact that is summer on its way to start changing these to can(s).

Change is not always easy but it's always possible. We often get into habits, for example, always having a biscuit with our cup of coffee/ tea, always stopping in a cafe or garage for our breakfast scone, or getting a ready meal on the way home from work.

Often breaking a habit is a simple as creating an alternative. For example, buying some fresh ingredients and cooking up a large meal once a week can cover you for 2-3 evenings, meaning you don't need the ready meals as often! Having a quick bowl of muesli or a smoothie in the morning can cut out the scone on the way to work. It's really about supplementing one thing for a healthier alternative.

This fresh salad can be made in moments and is perfect for an evening meal. Bulghur wheat is considered a whole grain and is packed with nutrients.

Bulghur wheat and baby spinach salad

400g of bulghur wheat
2 red onions
250g spinach - washed
100g pumpkin seeds

Dressing
100ml of extra virgin olive oil
Juice of 2 lemons
Handful of fresh mint – destalked and chopped
Handful of fresh parsley - chopped
Salt and pepper

Slice the red onions very thinly and marinate in the juice of one of the lemons. Place the bulghur wheat in a large bowl and cover with 400ml boiling water. Cover with plate and leave for 15 mins. Once all the water is soaked up, fluff with a fork.

Toast the pumpkin seeds in a dry frying pan for 5 mins. Make dressing by adding all of the ingredients and mixing well. When ready to serve, mix all of the ingredients and pour over dressing,

For more information on my 'Lose weight for summer' cookery course contact me on This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit the 'What's coming up' section of www.foodforliving.ie

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