#virtuslifestyle

[virtus-life]

Healthy Recipes No. 5 - Chicken and Chorizo Bake

Ingredients:

400g chicken fillets

400g chopped tomatoes

Mushrooms, chopped 2 cups

Red peppers, chopped 1 cup

Chorizo roundels, approx. 12 (I get a chorizo sausage and cut into rounds)

2 garlic cloves, finely chopped

Half onion, finely chopped

1 – 2 jalapeno chillies as per taste

Half cup red wine

2 tbsp light olive oil

1.5 tsp Salt

Paprika to taste

Parmesan to taste

 Method

Heat the oil in a pan. Season the chicken fillets with salt and paprika and pan sear for a minute or two on both sides. This is done so the seasoning sticks to the fillets. Once done, place the fillets in a baking dish. Pre-heat the oven to 180 degrees C.

Saute the onions in the pan. Add the garlic and chilli a few minutes later. Once the onions are golden brown add the tomatoes and let it cook for a few minutes, add the red wine and salt. Stir occasionally.

Put the tomato sauce over the chicken fillets in the baking dish. Then spread the mushrooms, peppers, chorizo and parmesan over it. Bake for 20 minutes.

Once baked, shred some basil leaves on top and serve with warm crusty bread or quinoa, a side salad and olives.

Go easy on the chorizo if you are trying to lose weight. It is quite fatty!

Enjoy! Virtus for your well-being!

[virtus-life]

My 'Sun Shake' - containing turmeric. Turmeric has been used in indian cooking and Ayurvedic medicine for a long time. It contains curcumin which has anti-inflammatory effects. Turmeric has gained popularity overthe last year with cafes serving up 'golden lattes'. I decided to use it's anti inflammatory properties in my post workout drink to aid muscle recovery. What do you think is going to be this year's superfood - my prediction is Moringa aka the drum stick tree. We add it to pigeon pea daal. It is available in health food shops in powder form to sprinkle over your porridge or add to shakes. A complete source of protein with all 9 essential amino acids, fibre, vitamins A K and E, fibre and antioxidants!

[virtus-life]

Reasons to make use of your local park for exercising this Spring/Summer: • Make use of your tax subscription ;) • Save on gym membership • Sunshine - when it shows up! ;) • Fresh air • No sweaty bodies right next to you • Plenty of space for a great workout • There are many effective exercises you can do with your own body weight. check out: https://www.google.co.uk/amp/greatist.com/fitness/bodyweight-playground-workout/amp

[virtus-life]

Tap into ‘Hygge’ and Combat the Winter Blues - a concept from Denmark, the world’s happiest nation

It is ‘Blue Monday’ on 16th January. The third Monday in January is said to be the most depressing day in the year – The weather is terrible, Christmas and new year’s festivities are long gone, people are back into the daily grind, get-to-gethers with friends and family have become infrequent, most people are out of pocket following the holiday season, new year’s resolutions may not be going according to plan….

At Virtus Medica, we feel this does not have to be the case. All one has to do is look to the Danish for inspiration. Tap into what they call ‘Hygge’. Hygge, pronounced as ‘Hoo-gah’, has no direct translation in English – It is a feeling of warmth, a burst of fresh energy, a lifestyle of simple pleasures… As one person puts it - the word is a feeling, it was never meant to be described. The Danish, ranked as one of the happiest nations in the world, (even though it is not a tropical paradise!) have clearly got something right – Could it be Hygge?

I sit here, with my laptop, wrapped warm in a blanket, with a mug of hot tea and warm fluffy socks – Could this be Hygge? I think so. Hygge is all around. You just have to tap into the feeling – Enjoying a home cooked meal and a glass of red with close friends or family; Wrapping warm, sipping hot chocolate and watching a good movie; Enjoying a pain au chocolat with a smooth, intense coffee for breakfast whilst reading the paper, Curling up in bed and reading a good book, Sitting with a furry friend, Taking a stroll on a clear winter’s day and feeling the fresh cold air on your face, Running out in your underwear, dipping yourself into the snow and coming back to the warmth; relaxing in the hot tub after a work out... – It is all HYGGE.  

To combat the blues, create a ‘Hygge’ environment in your home this winter – Keep some warm throws in your living room and lay out a furry rug. Light some candles, burn some scented oil and listen to your favourite tunes or simply use an Amora Scent Hub to create a delightful ambience. The Amora scent hub uses an advanced technology to create a multisensory experience using light, scent and sound to stimulate both the mind and the senses creating a lovely ambience. It also acts as an air purifier and a humidifier (handy when the radiators have been switched on all day!). The Amora scent hub is on special offer on www.healthcare-wellbeing.co.uk

To wind up, remember be mindful and take pleasure in the simple things. The fantastic thing is you do not have to be a millionaire to tap into this energy!