< Previous40 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY HEALTH & FITNESS nuts and seeds (though your heart may well thank you for it given their saturation of healthy fats) but to eat an increased variety of food, so that our gut becomes better at digesting food and dealing with illness. There are some foods that don’t count, however. These typically mean anything that has been processed too much - white bread and rice, for instance, are made from only the inner part of the grain, with the fibre-rich bran stripped away and discarded. That’s why it’s so much less nutritious than wholegrain food. Fruit juices also don’t count unless you squeeze them yourself. That’s because the process used to make them adds chemicals that change the make- up of the fruit juice, essentially ridding it of much of the healthy bacteria you’re looking to gain. The challenge isn’t difficult to follow, however. Using the example of having a handful of different nuts or seeds each day, and then having at least one meal with brown rice, one with wholegrain bread, and another with wholewheat pasta, and you’re already on 10/30 points for the week -without adding a single fruit or vegetable. The hardest part is keeping track and forcing yourself to try a little more variety in what you eat, be it in not relying on the same salad ingredients day after day, or switching out the daily banana for a banana one day, an orange the next, some cherries the day after, etc. Keep in mind that different coloured foods count for different points, which can be surprising. If you like peppers then green, red and yellow peppers will count as 3 separate points due to them having different make-ups of healthy bacteria. Try the diet out yourself, as it’s both affordable and health- promoting and also doesn’t involve cutting calories or eating less meat if that’s what you like. As far as diets go, the 30-plant challenge has to be one of the least intrusive in years. © stock.adobe.com/Bipul Kumar Are sports sunglasses different to my everyday pair? If you’re passionate about your sport, investing in specific sunglasses should be on your to do list. From getting a hole in one to overtaking your opponent and clocking the finish line, your vision is essential to any and every sport. The latest optical developments and high-quality materials mean key design features will aid you in your favourite sport, whether that’s running, cycling, skiing, playing golf or cricket. • Wrap around styles provide eye protection and keep out wind, glare, rain and harmful UV rays. • Lightweight frames for extended wear comfort whilst maximising grip to ensure they stay in place. • Durable and strong materials designed for impact resistance and controlled flexibility with impact resistant & shatterproof lenses to prevent sports-related eye injuries. • The addition of your prescription to ensure you have an enhanced line of sight giving a more accurate picture and help keep yourself and others safe from accidents, injuries or potential hazards. • Anti-fog lenses. • The option to choose different lens colours. Standard sunglasses tend to have grey lenses which only dull light, without adding contrast. With sports sunglasses other colours will be added to provide visual enhancement. Lens colour choice will depend on light, background colour and the sport they will be used for. At Holland & James we are proud to stock Oakley sunglasses which are available in a variety of styles and come with the added benefits of Oakley PRIZM™ lenses. PRIZM™ lens technology as well as filtering UV rays, boost certain wavelengths of light whilst filtering out any "noisy" light that could interfere with vision, providing colour and contrast-enhancing to the environment around you. Perfect for outdoor activities, these sunglasses make it easier to spot changes in terrain and hazards, all with maximum clarity to deliver top-notch performance. Charlie Holland and Neil James42 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY FOOD & DINING Prawn Salad You’ll need: * 300g Cooked king Prawns * 1 Avocado * 1/2 Cucumber * 1/2 bunch Spring onion * 6 Small red sweet Peppers (or 1 large regular bell pepper) * 1/4 bunch Parsley * 1/4 bunch Coriander * 1/4 bunch basil * Olive oil * 1 Lemon * Salt * 2 Baby gem lettuce What to do: * Chop the spring onion and cut the peppers in half and then slice. * Remove the stone of the avocado and slice into small chunks. * Cut the cucumber in 4 lengthwise and then chop. * Chop all the herbs. * Place the avocado, cucumber, red pepper, chopped herbs, spring onion into a bowl, add the prawns, juice from the lemon, pinch of salt and drizzle with olive oil. You can leave to marinate in the fridge for a little while if you wish at this stage. * On a serving tray, arrange the loose leaves of the baby gem lettuce and then add the prawn salad over the leaves and serve. © stock.adobe.com/Food Cart With the weather warmer, hot meals can sometimes feel a little overpowering - here are some exotic choices to fill you up and keep you feeling fresh. FOOD & DINING LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 43 Chicken Sushi You’ll need: * 300g sushi rice (not white or brown, look for sushi rice) * 3 tbsp rice wine vinegar * 4 inches of cucumber * 1/4 red pepper * 1/2 avocado * 1 large lettuce leaf * 1 chicken breast (boneless) * 2 tbsp vegetable oil * 2-3 sheers of nori (seaweed paper, available in most supermarkets) * Bamboo sushi mat (optional, but helpful) * Soy sauce to dip if desired What to do: * Cook the sushi rice by adding 2 parts rice to 3 parts water. Make sure to rinse the rice beforehand. Bring to a boil on medium heat, then reduce to low and leave to cook until water is absorbed, which takes about 20 minutes. * While this is happening, cook the chicken breast to your liking in vegetable oil and then set aside to cool - it can be kept in the fridge if necessary. Feel free to make the chicken spicy, chilli, or however you like it. Sushi is that versatile. It can be helpful to slice the chicken into long, thin strips before you cook, but it isn’t strictly necessary. * Mix the rice wine vinegar (sometimes called sushi vinegar) into the cooked rice and stir for about 2 minutes with a wooden spoon. The rice will be incredibly sticky at this point. * Cut your vegetables lengthways so that you have long and thin stick-like vegetables. You can cheat with the avocado and just brush it over the vegetables as a paste if that’s too hard to cut. * Lay out a bamboo sushi mat if you are using it, or clingfilm if not. Place a sheet of nori over it and then use a spoon or your hand to lay out a coating of sticky sushi rice onto the seaweed. * Place your vegetables and chicken in a line in the centre of the rice from one left to right, then take the sushi roller (or clingfilm) and gently curl the bottom up, rolling the sushi into a tune, like a Swiss roll. Tuck the end in and press firmly, allowing the sticky rice to hold it shut. * Repeat until all ingredients used, then remove the roller mat or clingfilm and cut with a knife (a wet knife can help prevent stickiness with the rice) to cut into sushi sections. Keep in the fridge and enjoy. Tip: You can replace the chicken and vegetables with just about anything - and add things like mayo, spices, seeds or more for taste. © stock.adobe.com/Enlightened Media A lot of people have fallen in love with sushi for its taste and convenience, but even more assume it always involves raw fish. That’s one particular kind of sushi but you can make it with just about anything - from vegetables to cooked meats to fruit or even topped with a slice of sirloin steak if you want. The ingredients for these can be found in most supermarkets nowadays. To promote your services call Angie Cooper on 01472 310302 or email: a.cooper@blmgroup.co.uk Click’em Inn Swinhope, Nr Binbrook, Market Rasen, LN8 6BS Tel: 01472 398253 Web: www.clickem-inn.co.uk The Click’em Inn is a family-owned freehouse, established for over 30 years in its current incarnation. Steeped in history, the inn is open 6 days a week, Tuesday- Sunday, offering a wide choice of drinks, including six real ales available at any time, with a regularly changing selection of personally recommended guest ales. The Kitchen is open Tuesday-Sunday for evening dining, plus lunchtimes Friday-Sunday. The menu varies from day-to-day with the chef’s specials, alongside regular meals. 44 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY FOOD & DINING Prep time: 5 mins Cook time: 5 mins Serves 2 You’ll need: * Hollandaise sauce * 4 eggs * 2 English muffins * Butter * 80g Watercress * Black pepper What to do: 1. In a pan of boiling water, poach the eggs to your preference. 2. Meanwhile, slice each muffin in half and toast. Spread with a little butter. 3. Assemble the muffins on plates, topping with the watercress and eventually, a poached egg on each muffin slice. Drizzle with Hollandaise and cracked black pepper. Recipe provided by: www.thewatercresscompany.com © stock.adobe.com/Pixel-Shot Eggs Florentine with WatercressLINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 45 Woolliss & Son Butchers –– AWARD-WINNING LINCOLNSHIRE BUTCHERS –– LOOKING FOR A TOP QUALITY BUTCHERS IN LINCOLNSHIRE? Look no further, we have a proven track record when it comes to providing top quality cuts of meat and home made pastries at a competitive price. We are proud of our locally sourced produce and our 5 star hygiene rating. 29-31 Mercer Row, Louth LN11 9JG. T: 01507 603230 E: orders@woolliss-butchers.co.uk W: woolliss-butchers.co.uk FOOD & DINING Berry Smoothie Bowl You’ll need: * 1 cup of frozen berries * 1 and 1/2 frozen bananas * 1/3 cups of almond milk * Blueberries * Crushed or sliced almonds * Chia seeds What to do: 1. Blend together the frozen berries with the almond milk and one of the bananas. You can add honey to taste at this stage if desired. 2. Pour the smoothie mixture into a bowl. 3. Add the remaining 1/2 of a banana sliced, along with a handful of blueberries, crushed almonds and some chia seeds. Tip: You can easily add other toppings as desired. Strawberries, raspberries and cherries are good choices, along with other seeds and nuts. © stock.adobe.com/azurita46 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY WEDDINGS I t takes a brave, or perhaps foolhardy, couple to go at it alone with many opting for a wedding planner. We can’t sing the praises of wedding planners highly enough. They’re literal experts when it comes to weddings, so you can trust that their advice is golden. A well-orchestrated wedding is their job well done and so it’s worth bearing in mind everything they suggest and offer. Many of the best venues and wedding facilities across our region will come equipped with their own personal wedding planner. This can feel like a godsend as trying to get the venue of your dreams at the same time as a decent wedding planner can be tough. This option is also advantageous as the planner will know the ins and outs of their venue and will be able to shape it around your unique wants and needs. Some people find the idea of a wedding planner off-putting, thinking that they micromanage every aspect of the wedding, leaving nothing for the soon-to-be bride and groom (or bride and bride, or groom and groom) to do themselves. This, however, simply isn’t true. A wedding planner will undertake as much or as little as required. If you just want to have them Your perfect day Organising a wedding of any size can sometimes feel overwhelming. There’s so much to consider – from the venue, to food, entertainment, seating plans, favours and on and on it goes. But don’t worry, Lincolnshire Today is here to help. oversee the logistical minutia, then so be it. Planners can also help you make decisions, such as choosing between dresses, or which colour scheme works best. Choosing the right venue is perhaps the most significant decision to make when it comes to organising any wedding. Yes food, entertainment and the rest are all important, but everything depends on the venue. If there’s one thing that will ruin your special day, it’s a subpar backdrop. As we’re sure wedding planners will advise, it’s important that you do your research. While online reviews can be included into your decision-making process, they shouldn’t be the deciding factor. It’s worth visiting any venues you’re interested in to get a sense of the place and get a feel for how your wedding would play out. If it’s a hotel or restaurant, you could even go and have a meal there, or stay a night. That way you can sample the quality of the food, the service, and the rooms. Many modern couples only have the formal wedding ceremony in a church for the sake of 48 ÁLINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 47 WEDDINGS © stock.adobe.com/Igor48 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY tradition, even if they themselves aren’t religious in the least. More and more couples are departing with tradition and tying the knot in a registry office before having the lavish reception of their dreams or getting married on-site at a beautiful hotel. Many of the best venues across our region are licensed to host weddings, meaning you can forgo the church altogether, should you wish. Traditionally, the new bride and groom would be given household goods as presents as their wedding would make the point at which they began living together. But as couples typically live together and even have kids before getting hitched, this practice has largely been rendered obsolete. Although presents for the bride and groom remain a popular pastime, there are some other options. Some couples have asked for donations to a chosen charity in place of presents, for example. One of the traditions that few, if any, people depart with is the stag and hen dos. What a lot of couples are doing lately is opting to combine the two together for one big celebration bash. After all, the getting-drunk-and-hiring-strippers approach isn’t for everyone. Some people want something a bit more memorable. Sport and outdoor activities will always be a favourite, from paintballing and airsoft to zorbing and assault courses. There’s a good chance that not everyone you’re inviting to the wedding will know one another, so this is a great opportunity to break the ice before any possible awkward encounters on the big day. For the perfect combined couples do, pair an outdoor activity with a spa day and everyone will feel well looked after and left with memories they’ll cherish. You could always go one step further and have a reverse honeymoon. Instead of having a getaway after the wedding, why not take your friends and relatives along before the wedding for the hen and stag dos. This way everyone will feel included and you don’t have to worry about the weather. Some of the best ideas arrive unexpectedly, whether a sudden epiphany in the middle of the night, a flash of inspiration walking down the high street, or a brilliant idea for your wedding when driving down the motorway. These and other final flourishes will add pizazz to proceedings, leaving photos you’ll want to flick through for years to come and memories to revisit again and again. It’s amazing how big a difference banners and bunting can have, especially if they’re personalised and conform to the set colour scheme. Confetti or dried flower petals can likewise add a fun touch that looks dazzling when filmed and will no doubt leave guests with a smile. If there’s any kids in attendance, frolicking in confetti may just be the highlight of the evening. A step further is to use a bubble machine, just make sure it’s pointed away from the buffet table! It’s probably ill advised to leave seating arrangements to a free-for-all scenario; after all, the church is usually divided up LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 49 WEDDINGS A dress for every love story www.theivoryroombridal.co.uk into the bride and groom’s family so why not follow with the reception? Name cards are a fun way to establish a seating arrangement, as well as giving guests a little keepsake along with any favours. When it comes to seating arrangements, it’s worth sparing a thought on any potential pairings. It could be a wonderful opportunity to introduce friends and let the newly joined families get to know one another a bit better. As well as having one or more photographers documenting the event from all angles, having a photo booth is an inspired idea to involve guests in a more informal way. Alternatively, the photographer might have several backdrops to pick from, as well as accessories to pose with. Or there’s the green screen option, leaving the couple free to choose whatever they want to incorporate. It might be that they’re both fantasy fans and having a backdrop of castles and dragons might be their idea of romance. Even with smart phones and photo apps at our disposals, disposable cameras are still hugely popular for weddings. They’re cheap, easy and fun to pass around, letting everyone get in a few snaps. For a quirkier alternative, Polaroid cameras print snaps instantaneously, giving guests something to take home or leaving you with plenty of fodder for a wedding-themed scrapbook. Lincolnshire is blessed with some of the best hotels, restaurants and facilities in the country. These facilities will help to realise the wedding of your dreams whether it’s taking place in winter or summer. © stock.adobe.com/Natalia Chircova© stock.adobe.com/Wedding photography© stock.adobe.com/Viktar Vysotski © stock.adobe.com/kharchenkoirinaNext >