After the excesses and lack of exercise at Christmas and New Year it is all too common for one’s digestive system to feel rather sluggish. When I am cooking for myself I eat far more fruit, vegetables and wholegrains than when I am away, and it is remarkable how quickly my tummy feels happy again after just one day concentrating on eating fruit and vegetables.
I have one simple mantra for a healthy diet – “Eat a generous portion of (raw) vegetables with every meal whenever you can” – and I find that starting the day on the right track, with a portion of vegetables in my breakfast, is an easy way towards a happy tummy.
I usually have a green smoothie – leafy green vegetables and a portion of fruit whizzed up to silky smooth perfection in a high speed blender – if you have not tried them then you must as you simply cannot taste the green vegetables. Another alternative is bircher muesli; a handful of oats, soaked overnight in orange juice with a generous amount of grated carrot and squash, then served with fresh berries. It is the perfect breakfast for those with busy mornings – make the night before and simply grab and go before the commute to work or the school run.
If I eat more of the good stuff (vegetables, fruit and wholegrains) I feel more energetic and actually want to get active. By exercising I then want to eat less of the bad stuff – why would I want to undo all the good? I sleep better and wake up feeling refreshed and then can enjoy a small mug of coffee without actually needing that caffeine jolt to get me going first thing in the morning. My concentration span is increased which means that I work more effectively and thus have more time to do the things I want to. All in all a good cycle of positive reinforcement.
The folks at Activia are on mission this January to help you enjoy life’s little moments by having a #HappyTummy.
They have brought out a new product – Activia Fibre – a pot of creamy Activia yoghurt with five live cultures, including the exclusive Bifidus ActiRegularis® and a topper containing wheat bran fibre that contributes to an acceleration of intestinal transit. The claimed effect is obtained with a daily intake of 10g of wheat bran fibre. It is intended to be enjoyed as part of a healthy balanced diet and lifestyle.
If you do not have time, energy or the equipment to make a healthy breakfast then Activia Fibre can be a useful part of your breakfast – have it with some fruit, seeds, a smoothie or even some vegetables to make a complete meal.
- 1 small carrot – coarsely grated
- 25 g butternut squash – peeled and coarsely grated
- 75 g porridge oats
- Freshly squeezed juice one orange
- 1 Activia fibre pot
- 20 g blueberries
- 2 tsp pumpkin seeds
- 2 tsp granola – optional
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Place the carrot, butternut squash and oats into a bowl, pour over the orange juice and add half the yoghurt and the fibre topper. Mix well, cover and leave in the fridge overnight for the oats to absorb the liquid.
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In the morning stir in the blueberries and pumpkin seeds and serve topped with the remains of the yoghurt and an optional spoonful of granola.
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Keeps for two days in the fridge.
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Throughout January Activia will be giving away a #HappyTummy hamper everyday on Facebook, packed with products to promote well being and to help you enjoy life’s little moments more, as well as a luxury retreat once per week.
Post commissioned for Activia’s #HappyTummy campaign. Find out more on their Facebook page.
Sarah @tamingtwins
This looks delicious Helen, I’d never considered grating carrot into bircher muesli. I too always feel so much better when eating well. I think a good breakfast is key as it really does set you on the straight and narrow for the whole day doesn’t it?
Helen
I agree. Also if I spring out of bed and straight to my desk it is always a good day too.
Kerry @ Kerry Cooks
I never considered it either! But it’s a great idea when you think about how sweet it is – delicious!
Helen
Exactly. And it seems even sweeter when it is chopped up small or grated!
Katie Bryson
I love the idea of grated butternut squash in this breakfast recipe Helen, bet that’s lovely! My health kick is going to start soon… really it is ;-)
Helen
Any excuse for #ExtraVeg Katie. the BNS is really very sweet.
Helene @Croque-Maman
This looks great. I never put too much effort into making breakfast but this makes me reconsider the all thing… Looking great. Thank you for sharing.
Helen
The beauty of it is that you can make it in the evening. I prep the veg whilst making supper.
Urvashi
Beautiful. I love bircher muesli. Got totally hooked on it when I was at University in Germany.
Helen
The best I ever had was in Canada – so creamy – turns out they folded whipped cream through it – one for the weekends only.
Jeanne @ Cooksister
I love bircher muesli but it’s one of those things I never make for myself… Maybe this is the year to change that! Intrigued by adding grated carrot – I definitely need to give that a go.
Helen
A batch will last at least 2 or not 3 days in the fridge. Perfect grab and go breakfast. Make it in jars.
Jan Bennett
Yum! I could eat that right now Helen, lovely recipe.
Helen
Thank you Jan. So easy too.
Bintu @ Recipes From A Pantry
I am completely in sync with Activia and their happy tummy campaign. I need more of their Activia Fibre in m life. Lovely recipe Helen.
Helen
It is a good campaign. My tum is miserable when I overindulge.
Isabella
This looks so tasty, the photograph is gorgeous! I know exactly how you feel, after an indulgent Christmas I feel eating more fresh fruit and veg is definitely needed!
Helen
Simple steps- #ExtraVeg with every meal. More of the good stuff, less room for the bad stuff
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This idea is definitely one I will be trying out. Carrots and squash are so naturally sweet, I think they would add bags of flavour to your lovely Bircher muesli. I do prefer vegetable that are either raw or lightly cooked and it’s a good way to increase daily intake without any hassle.
Helen
I do think that the way with raw vegetables is to either blend them, cut them very small or grate them. I use a Fresh Express which grates in seconds with virtually no effort.
Emily @amummytoo
This sounds amazing! I haven’t tried working with raw veg in this way but I certainly shall. And the photo is beautiful.
Helen
Raw veg is so much easier to eat when grated or chopped up – and surprisingly sweet too. Thank you for the lovely comments about the photo!
Sarah Maison Cupcake
I feel I need to learn to love bircher muesli. I want to like it but not keen on the texture, I think I need to persevere.
Helen
I am really keen on it, as it saves so much time in the morning and fulfills the brief of being cereal without milk.