SEASONAL SUPPER

One of the most exciting things about changing seasons is the new dishes it brings. Winter brings butternut squash, kale, beetroot, apples and other tasty options which are plentiful. What’s more, this abundance of new seasonal ingredients paired with the change in season leaves us all with an appetite for healthy eating. Something, foodie blogger (@healthyfitbella_) and one of Arnotts Cooking Club favourites, Lorraine Fanneran feels every year. “After the summer holidays we are all ready to get a bit of structure back into our lives so come September, we’re eager to try and live a healthier lifestyle.”

Changing to a healthier and more balanced diet is easier said than done. The common mistake being that we often set unrealistic goals. “I’m a big believer in trying to not change too many things at once,” says Lorraine. “Start small, eat a healthy breakfast and do that for a few days. Then change to another meal.” The important thing to remember when making healthy changes is that this isn’t diet, it’s a lifestyle choice. “I’m not into diets and I prefer to do something that is sustainable in the long term,” explains Lorraine. “For example, I might start by making sure to up my daily water intake, eat a bit more protein. I’ll still have treats, but I’ll just cut back. I don’t believe in restricting anything as you just end up craving it more. Everything in moderation!”

But as the nights get darker and the temperature drops, it can be easy to fall back into old habits and spend the evening curled up on the couch with a takeaway. To avoid this, Lorraine’s advice is simple: Be prepared and plan. “I always have a good selection of fruit, veg and protein in my fridge so I have no excuses and can always throw together a healthy smoothie or quick salad, omelette, etc.” Further to that, she says “the problem when you don’t plan is you end up eating a takeaway or snacking on the wrong foods. I never go hungry as that’s when I will start snacking. Having a proper dinner is so important in our house because when we are satisfied we tend to not snack as much.” As well as a fridge stocked with healthy options, it’s also important to allow yourself to indulge in the foods you enjoy the most. “We always have a selection of treats too. I keep my treats for the nighttime, it’s a habit now and I find I never crave chocolate or anything sweet during the day as I know I’m having it after dinner.”

Coming up with tasty, healthy dishes the whole family will enjoy on a daily basis is the ultimate challenge. Luckily Lorraine is on hand with a true table-pleaser. “This fried rice dish is handy for after school for the kids, or for a mid-week dinner when you are looking for something that is quick and healthy,” she explains. “You can use leftover rice or cook up some fresh rice during the daytime and then quickly throw it together when it’s time to eat. It’s a great one too for meal prepping for lunch. You can add in lots of veggies and switch out with any protein you like.”

Want to cook even more delicious healthy recipes with Lorraine? The Arnotts Cooking Club is back for autumn with Lorraine returning to the kitchen. “I loved being part of the Cooking Club last March. It was so exciting to see myself up there with the Irish foodie royalty,” she comments. “I love the community aspect to it, bringing like-minded people together, those who have a passion and love of food. I love that it encourages people to try new recipes and brings families together around the table and what’s more important than that?” As for what you can expect from Lorraine’s next trip to the Arnotts kitchen, she teases that there may be an Italian theme. “My in-laws are Italian so family and food is a huge part of my life so it will be great to share an authentic Italian recipe through the Cooking Club again.”

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