If you are trying to lose a few post-Christmas pounds – you do still need to eat well!  Don’t panic and go on a crash diet – it won’t work and your body will start storing whatever food it gets. A much more effective approach to losing weight is to eat a healthy, fresh, balanced diet and increase your exercise – you will soon see the pounds drop off and your energy levels shoot up.
Here are some healthy balanced recipes to give you inspiration:

Soups
• Adzuki butternut squash soup: http://snipurl.com/txi3u 
• Healthy Minestrone soup: http://snipurl.com/txifs
• Red Lentil soup: http://snipurl.com/txi2j

Healthy Winter Salads
• Crunchy beetroot salad with feta and pear: http://snipurl.com/txif6
• Roast Carrot and Avocado salad: http://snipurl.com/txill
• Tasty Broccoli Salad: http://snipurl.com/txibd
• Delicious Winter salad: http://snipurl.com/txibz
• Moorish Crunch salad: http://snipurl.com/txico
• Roast Pumpkin and Red Onion salad: http://snipurl.com/txivf

Dinners
• Sicillian Aubergine Stew: http://snipurl.com/txigw
• Mushroom Casserole: http://snipurl.com/txi4w
• Hamilton Squash: http://snipurl.com/txigh
• In a Hurry Green Curry: http://snipurl.com/txi5u
• Pad Thai: http://snipurl.com/txi68

Upcoming challenges for 2010
A little something to aim for....? Nothing like a deadline to get you moving!

The Bupa London 10K, 31st May -  starts and finishes in St James Park, and is a fantastic run taking you past many of the capital's most famous landmarks including the proposed route for the 2012 Olympic Games. www.london10000.co.uk

Great London Swim, 3rd July - one mile open water swim in the Royal Victoria Dock, London. The one mile course will be set against the magnificent London skyline: http://www.greatswim.org/

The Mazda London Triathlon, 7th & 8th August -  Set yourself a real challenge and combine a run, swim and cycle all in one day : http://www.thelondontriathlon.com/ 

Race for Life, Summer 2010 - run either 5K - http://snipurl.com/txj4b (women only) or the 10K http://snipurl.com/txiz9 (men and women) or join one of the Bobby Moore Fund races: http://tinyurl.com/yju889f  (men only)

Run to the Beat Half Marathon, Sept 26th: a half marathon with live music played around the course. http://snipurl.com/txirqThe course starts and finishes at the O2 Arena and takes the runners around Greenwich.  http://www.runtothebeat.co.uk/

Wishing you health and happiness in 2010.

Best

Jo