Orange Foodathon!

A couple of weeks ago a friend and I set ourselves the challenge of eating each colour of the rainbow two days at a time.  The various colours of fruit and veg highlight the different anti oxidant and other nutrients common amongst them i.e. orange is for beta - carotene - a source of Vitamin A.  So eating lots of different colours helps make sure you're getting a wide range of nutrients.


I love a good challenge!!  Although these aren't recipes from the actual challenge it has been great as it's got me focused on picking out lots of different colours in my food.


Here are some orange inspired tasties!!

Why not start the morning with this delish juice.  A grapefruit and 2 carrots.  It's ideal that you like the taste of grapefruit of course.  It's a good one to wake you up!!!  Try adding an orange and / or some honey if you need to take the edge off.  Yum!

This soup is from a cleanse I came across on My New Roots, though I haven't done the cleanse yet (not sure if I will), the recipes are delish and pretty close to the sorts of things I would have anyway so it was good to try some out.  Go here for the butternut squash (could also use pumpkin) soup recipe.  It's fragrant and sweet.  Would be delish with some shredded chicken in also!!  I have been buying these veggie crackers lately (from local health food or organic grocer stores) and having them in the soup.  They go nice and chewy and are a great substitute for bread or croutons!  Also try nuts, seeds or chunks of grilled haloumi for something to chew on!

As I was making the soup I was thinking ahead to meals of the next day (no surprise) so I cut up a good chunk of the butternut to roast, I sprinkled turmeric, cardamon and clove on (as was using it for the soup), some big glugs of sesame oil and roasted in the oven at 180 degrees for about 20-30 minutes.  Once soft, allow to cool and pop in the fridge ready for tomorrow's lunch.............to this I added spinach, sunflower and pumpkin seeds, walnuts, radish, green pepper (capsicum) and a salad onion...then I add some leftover quinoa from my morning porridge so that went in too!!  Was so unbelievably yummy!

If you suffer with poor digestion and find raw foods and salad can be upsetting and result in bloating, make sure you have the salad at room temperature.  Eating cold foods and drink puts out the digestive fire!!  Also chew really well.  Be mindful of your chewing and notice when you have to urge to swallow and how much more chewing there is left to do.  Food should be chewed down to liquid or a pulp, this ensures the tummy knows it's coming, it's mixed with saliva and enzymes which start to break down the starch in the mouth and that the digestive enzymes have the best chance in the stomach because the pieces of food are small enough (with a tiny enough surface area) to cover and stop bloating!!  Give it a whirl.  It can also help to sip some warm tea afterwards to help wash it down!!


I also note that eating on an empty tummy can cause problems.  You can combat this by ensuring you keep your fluids up and eat regularly!!


Any delish orange food recipes you have to share?