I absolutely hate feeling full, it can really drag you down physically and mentally.

One simple thing you can do straight away is use smaller dinner plates. Don’t be tempted to load your small plate with food, that defeats the purpose!

Other ideas include:

• Don’t buy large packets of food. I know it’s often cheaper to buy bulk but you really don’t need it around your waist!
• Serve meals on individual plates, don’t put all the food on the table as you might be tempted to keep eating.
• Freeze leftovers.
• Be aware. Really think about the portions you are dishing out and make an effort to cut back your usual size.

Small changes like the ones suggested here really can make a big difference!

Last Friday I prepared a really yummy salmon served with asian greens, ginger and a side of rice. Fresh ingredients really do make a huge difference and just take your meal to a new level.

Salmon provides a great source of omega-3 fatty acids that help to keep your arteries clear. On top of that, fatty acids have been shown to improve your mental health and strengthen your immune system.

Consider adding salmon to your diet, you really can’t go wrong!

Salmon with sesame greens & ginger-soy dressing

Ingredients (serves 4)

• 4 (125g each) skin-on salmon fillets
• Olive oil spray
• 60ml (1/4 cup) salt-reduced soy sauce
• 2 tsp brown sugar
• 2 tsp grated fresh ginger
• 3 tsp sesame oil
• 1 bunch gai lan (Chinese broccoli) or other asian greens
• Steamed jasmine rice, to serve
• 1 tbs sesame seeds, toasted

Method

1. Heat a large non-stick frying pan over high heat. Spray both sides of the salmon with olive oil spray. Add salmon to the pan, skin-side down, and cook for 2-3 minutes or until crisp. Turn and cook for a further 1-2 minutes for medium or until cooked to your liking.

2. Meanwhile, combine the soy sauce, sugar, ginger and half the sesame oil in a small bowl. Stir until the sugar dissolves. Cook the gai lan in a saucepan of boiling water for 30 seconds or until bright green and tender crisp. Drain.

3. Divide the gai lan and rice among serving dishes. Drizzle over the remaining sesame oil and sprinkle with half the sesame seeds. Top with the salmon. Drizzle over the soy sauce mixture and sprinkle with the remaining sesame seeds to serve.

I found this really interesting article detailing 6 different types of tea for different moods. The first one I found of particular interest because I would like to cut back on my coffee and as the article suggest, black tea is a lite caffeine fix. Perfect!

Other teas listed include chai, barley, green and fruit flavored.

Read the full article here.

My work and an injury later in the year really did put a bit of a dent in the spirits and I must admit that I was quite happy to say goodbye to 2009 and a big hello to 2010!

Although I felt like I let myself down last year in relation to changing jobs, which by the way I really must do this year otherwise I may go completely mad! I am very thankful that everyone I love continued to be healthy and reasonably happy in 09. The thing I am most grateful for is that I got to spend another wonderful year with my dear Nan who despite losing her leg a few years back continues to amaze us all with her fighting spirit. She is 84 this year and I am incredibly proud to have her in my life. Nan is a true inspiration to me and everyone she meets and a true blue Aussie, good on ya Nan! ;-)

Exercise and diet have remained pretty stable although Christmas was a challenge, as always.
Today we hiked for 3 hours, it was great to be back outdoors and enjoying the West Australian coast and bush. We are so darn lucky in this great land downunder.

My focus this year is get myself sorted work wise as it has slowly been dragging me down for sometime. That being said, I am incredibly grateful that I have a job and thankful I live in a State that offers many opportunities in a World still struggling with finance and employment.

I wish everyone a very happy and healthy 2010, lets work together to make ourselves the very best we can be this year and beyond. Don’t dwell on the past as there is nothing you can do to change it, look to the future with fresh optimism and a simple promise to do the very best you can and not lie to yourself when you don’t.

Happy New Year everyone!!!!!