Healthy Lifestyle

Fast food or manufactured meals is easy to turn to when life gets busy. Working mother of three Ella Grant, however, swears by her 5-minute Mediterranean meal plans to keep her family happy and healthy.

“I’ve always loved Mediterranean flavours—fresh herbs, olive oil, and colourful veggies,” Ella says. “I came to see I didn’t need hours in the kitchen to bring them to the table.”

Her first choice for dinner is a colourful Mediterranean wrap. She loads hummus, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, spinach, and feta cheese on whole-grain tortillas.

“The youngsters love it,” she says. Made with canned chickpeas, olive oil, lemon juice, parsley, and a small bit of salt and pepper, her chickpea salad is another favorite. Ella says, “It’s ideal for busy evenings.”

Ella enjoys also cooking her quick couscous bowls. “I simply toss some couscous with olive oil, lemon zest, chopped mint, and whatever veggies I have on hand,” she says.

She usually tosses grilled chicken strips or canned tuna for protein. “It takes no time at all and is quite flexible,” she remarks.

“Keep basics like olives, canned beans, and pre-washed greens on hand,” Ella says to families trying to eat better without the stress. They rescue lives.

She also stresses the need of including children in cooking. “They are more likely to try novel foods if they have helped create them,” Ella says.