Table of contents for Vol 36 in LOSE IT! The Handbook

For a healthy morning boost, try SCHECKTER’S RAW’S RANGE OF DRINKS. We enjoyed Chok A Blok nut mylk (R69) made of homemade activated almond milk, organic cacao powder, organic coconut oil, Medjool dates, vanilla and cinnamon. Or try Black Magic (R58), made of activated charcoal, apple, lemon and alkaline water. Visit: www.schecktersraw.com Enjoy the smokey, spicy flavour of HUNGRY BROTHERS SMOKED PAPRIKA ROASTED CHICKPEAS. This snack is a healthy replacement for chips and an allergen-friendly alternative to roasted nuts. Flavoured with natural spices and free of artificial additives. About R48 for 80g from Faithful to Nature. The range also includes beetroot roasted chickpeas and dark chocolate roasted chickpeas. OH MEGA ALMOND NUT BUTTER is a 100% natural nut butter that is deliciously smooth and packed with protein and essential minerals.…

‘I’ve had a passion for food for as long as I can remember,’ says Desiré de Vincenzo. ‘My parents’ home was always filled with family and friends on weekends and I spent a lot of time in the kitchen with my dad, cooking meals.’ But Desiré’s childhood hobby was put on hold as she grew older. ‘I had been working in the technical field for 15 years, but I just wasn’t happy.’ In 2014, at the age of 34, Desiré quit her job and enrolled in the Christina Martin Culinary Arts Programme. ‘When I started chef school I was overweight; around 89kg. Being there didn’t help much – which good chef doesn’t taste their food?!’ But this wasn’t the first time Desiré’s love for food had sent her weight fluctuating…

• Are you struggling to beat the sugar habit? • Do you feel tired and lack energy and focus? • Do you suffer from acid reflux, digestive problems or even anxiety? • Do you suffer from joint pain and inflammation? • Have you been gaining weight? These could all be symptoms of eating a diet high in sugar and processed carbohydrates (starches). The good news is that you can change this with in six weeks and benefit from increased energym and health. • You will start to feel better after only one week on the meal plan. • You will have more energy and mental clarity. • You’re going to feel and look so much better that you will never want to go back to a high-sugar and processed food…

CHOCOLATE ALMOND FUDGE MAKES 32 BLOCKS KEEP ON TRACK per block FAT 8G CARBS 3G PROTEIN 1G 1 cup solid coconut oil¼ cup powdered xylitol½ tsp vanilla extract¼ cup almond butter½ cup cocoa, sifted2 tbsp almonds, finely chopped 1. Beat the coconut oil, xylitol and vanilla extract together. 2. Add the almond butter and cocoa until well combined. 3. Line a loaf tin with baking paper, allowing it to cover the sides of the tin. Pour the cocoa mixture into the tin and spread it out. 4. Sprinkle the chopped almonds over and set for 2 hours in the fridge. 5. Remove from the tin and cut into 32 pieces. Keep refrigerated between layers of baking paper. TIP If you can’t find powdered xylitol, simply add xylitol to a food…

HUEVOS RANCHEROS SERVES 4 KEEP ON TRACK per serving FAT 26G CARBS 10G PROTEIN 43G 2 tbsp olive oil1 onion, finely chopped2 garlic cloves, finely chopped1 jalapeno, chopped10ml smoked paprika500g beef mince400g tin chopped tomatoes⅓ cup coriander, roughly chopped, plus extra to serve100g mozzarella4 eggs1 jalapeno or long green chilli, thinly sliced, to serve 1. Heat the oil in a large pan (with a lid) over medium-high heat. Add onion, garlic and jalapeno and cook, stirring, for 3–4 minutes until soft. Add the smoked paprika and stir through. Add the beef and cook, stirring, for 5 minutes or until browned. 2. Add the tomatoes and coriander, season with freshly ground black pepper and reduce heat to medium. Cook for a further 5–6 minutes until slightly thickened. Sprinkle the mozzarella in…

MEGHAN MATTHEWS’ FESTIVE BLACKBERRY MOJITO SERVES 4 KEEP ON TRACK per serving FAT 0G CARBS 6G PROTEIN 1G 8 tbsp lime juice½ – 1 tsp liquid stevia3 cups sparkling water2 sprigs mint1 cup blackberries2 cups ice, crushed 1. Add the lime juice, stevia and sparkling water to a glass and gently stir. 2. Add the mint sprigs, blackberries and ice. 3. Serve immediately. CALLING ALL READERS Send your favourite low-carb recipe to info@loseit.co.za -it could be featured in the next issue!…

Finding workout clothes to wear during and after pregnancy can be a challenge, but Nike is making it easier with the launch of its first dedicated maternity collection. Nike M Collection is designed for pregnant women who want to remain fit and active. The collection of tanks, leggings and reversible pullover ensures the perfect fit and feel – and is made with sustainable materials. www.nike.com/za/maternity…

THREE WAYS TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE PRINTED MAGAZINE • Call 087 353 1300 • Email subs@media24.com • SMS the keyword LOSEIT to 32361 (SMSes cost R1,50; free SMSes don’t apply.) WHATSAPP 087 353 1333 SUBSCRIBE TO THE DIGITAL MAGAZINE To read LOSE IT on a device of your choice, subscribe through ZINIO or Magzter: go to www.zinio.com or www.magzter.com, search for LOSE IT and follow the prompts. PRICES VALID FOR DELIVERY IN SOUTH AFRICA ONLY FOR INTERNATIONAL RATES, CALL 021 065 0033 OFFER VALID UNTIL 19 JANUARY 2021 GO TO www.zinio.com OR www.magzter.com…

ZUCCHINI AND FETA TART SERVES 4 KEEP ON TRACK per serving FAT 51G CARBS 10G PROTEIN 29G FOR THE PASTRY 10g butter, melted for greasing165g ground almonds30ml sesame seeds1 egg½ tsp salt30g butter FOR THE FILLING 2 medium zucchinis, cut into ribbons100g Greek feta cheese, crumbled4 eggs60ml cream60ml Parmesan cheese, finely gratedsalt and freshly ground pepper1 tbsp fresh chives, finely chopped grated zest of 1 lemon1 green chilli, finely chopped70g mozzarella, coarsely grated fresh mint, to serve 1. Preheat the oven to 200°C. Brush an 18cm loose-bottom tin with melted butter. 2. Combine the almonds, sesame seeds, egg, salt and butter together in a food processor and process until it comes together. 3. Roll the dough out between two pieces of baking paper. Remove the top piece of baking paper…

Samsung’s Galaxy Watch3 is the next generation companion for managing your routines, smashing your fitness goals and taking charge of your health. It records your REM cycles and sleep routines, is equipped with more than 120 home workouts, displays your heart rate in real time and has a running guide that helps you keep pace and gives you tips on the go. The advanced algorithm analyses your movements to help improve your form. You can even measure VO2 max values and keep up with your daily, weekly and monthly performance! The watch automatically detects hard falls, sending an SOS to your emergency contact with your location, lets you make calls, stream and text. www.samsung.com/za/watches…

Hormones affect everything from your sleep to your energy and mood, and when they’re off-balance, life can seem pretty unmanageable. Irregular bowel movements, unexplained weight gain or weight loss and irritability are all on the list. The good news, says US dietitian Carrie Gabriel, is that there are certain foods that can help balance hormones naturally: Hormones affect everything from your sleep to your energy and mood EGGS lower your levels of insulin and ghrelin. You’ll feel fuller for longer and consume fewer calories. FATTY FISH, such as salmon, herring, mackerel and sardines are rich in vitamin D, which helps manage female testosterone levels (linked to weight gain and fatigue) and stabilise your hunger hormones. POMEGRANATES are full of antioxidants, but they’re also known to help block excess oestrogen production.…

Originally from Zimbabwe, Candice and her family moved to South Africa in 2000 when she was pregnant with her twins, Joshua and Sarah. Her eldest son, Kyle, was very young at the time. ‘We’re hardware store owners,’ says Candice. ‘For a long time, our focus was getting the store up and running, making sure everything was set in place. I was also very focused on my young children.’ As a result, Candice’s own health and wellbeing fell by the wayside, and her health issues began to mount: high blood pressure, stomach ulcers and severe acid reflux. On holiday in July last year, she realised it was time to make a drastic change to her lifestyle. ‘I really battled to do simple things, like going down to the river to fish.…

FROM THE EXPERT ‘I suffer from severe eczema, what foods should I eat?’ and two other reader questions for our clinical nutritionist, Ruth Marcus. Q I’ve decided to try out the Paleo approach to improve my overall health. Why does low-carb include dairy, but Paleo excludes it? A A strict Paleo diet excludes all dairy products, including butter, milk, yoghurt, sour cream and all cheeses. There are some Paleo diet followers who believe certain dairy products, such as grass-fed butter and ghee, are beneficial to our health, and therefore include it in their meals in limited quantities. Fermented dairy products such as kefir are also included in some Paleo diets because of their reduced content of lactose and casein. (The two key concerns Paleo dieters have with dairy). If you prefer…

RICH AND CREAMY SALMON SOUP SERVES 6 AS A STARTER KEEP ON TRACK per serving FAT 31G CARBS 9G PROTEIN 19G 2 tbsp olive oil20g butter1 onion, peeled and finely chopped15ml tomato paste410g tin salmon, drained and grey skin removed500ml fresh cream zest and juice of 1 lemon pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper TO SERVE 100g crème fraiche100g smoked salmon20g salmon roe few sprigs fresh dill 1. Heat a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the olive oil and butter, heat through. Add the onion and fry until soft and translucent. Add the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute. 2. Add the drained and cleaned salmon to the onions and cook for 2 minutes. Add the cream, lemon juice and zest and reduce the heat. Season…

MOROCCAN CHICKEN SKEWERS SERVES 4 KEEP ON TRACK per serving FAT 9G CARBS 10G PROTEIN 30G 500g chicken fillets, cubed pinch of salt and coarsely grated black pepper FOR THE RUB 1 tsp ground cumin1 tsp ground ginger½ tsp ground cinnamon½ tsp ground coriander1 red chilli, finely choppedjuice and grated zest of 1 orange 7.5g fresh mint7.5g fresh coriander40g pistachio nuts40g pomegranate seeds 1. Season the chicken cubes with salt and black pepper. Set aside. 2. For the rub: Combine all the ingredients in a small bowl. Place the chicken in a glass or plastic container and rub the spices over the chicken until covered. Mix it through with your hands to ensure that it is well coated. Leave at room temperature for 2–3 hours. 3. Soak 12 large bamboo…

How to work with GELATINE • Powdered and leaf gelatine are usually interchangeable. For best results try to use the type specified in the recipe. • Two gelatine leaves equal 5ml of powdered gelatine. • You need 15ml of powdered gelatine, or six sheets of leaf gelatine, to set 500ml of liquid. For a softer set, such as panna cotta, you need 7.5g of powdered gelatine or three leaves to set 500ml of liquid. • Boiling destroys gelatine’s ability to set. Use the lowest temperature, for the shortest time, to dissolve it. • Some fruits, such as pawpaw, pineapple, figs and kiwifruit, contain enzymes that prevent gelatine from setting. These need to be cooked before they can be set in gelatine. • Gelatine leaves are available from Woolworths and baking shops.…