Sydneysiders: The Best Fruit and Veg Delivered to Your Door

So the weather in Sydney has been a little insane lately. Half of Hyde Park has been shut down because there are broken tree branches everywhere. Storms have been ripping through the city and I have cocooned myself up in my little apartment to keep safe and dry. All well and good, but I missed my trip to the farmers market and alas, the fridge quickly fell bare. Enter fruit and veg delivery.

Here at Fit Foodie HQ, we’re all about convenient healthy living options. Because, the truth is most of us can barely make time in our busy schedules to get to the farmers market or health food store on the weekends let alone during the week – even more so when bad weather hits. Which is why I love the idea of getting all my fave wholefood products delivered straight to my door.

Chris prides himself on delivering the best fruit and veg boxes in Sydney, making grocery shopping so much easier for us busy bees. With everything from avocados to bananas, if you’re based in Sydney this will become your go-to grocery shop (without the actual GO)!

I was lucky enough to receive my own box packed with delish goodies – including okra, figs, blueberries, carrots, capsicums, an array of herbs and so much more. The ‘Big Chris’ box is awesome value with 40-50 pieces of fruit + veg, and because it’s delivered so fresh, the shelf-life is longer than the supermarkets too. You can also build your own box, or order regular, smaller boxes – there’s something for everyone.

To top it off – theres minimal packaging and it arrived in a re-usable wooden crate (which is now sitting under my bed full of puppy toys!). I’ll use my next one for the boot of the car.

“Growing up we always had the freshest fruit and vegetables on the table at home and living in the eastern suburbs, so close to the beach, a healthy lifestyle is what it was all about. These days, fast food and supermarkets make it hard for households to source quality fruit and vegetables on a daily basis.”

“We all live busy lives – certainly my friends and I do and it’s one of the reasons I decided to start Chris Antico Fruit. I saw a way to add value and make our healthy lifestyles simpler and more convenient.” says Chris. Just don’t be fooled by the name – he also bring the goods on the veggie front too!

Staying fit and healthy is a priority for Chris. We’re totally on the same wavelength in that regard, which makes him a fave local business of mine! He knows eating the right foods and getting outdoors is the key to feeling fabulous.

 

Chris began by going door-to-door in the eastern suburbs delivering his boxes 3 days a week. Within a few short weeks he has now expanded into the North Shore, Northern Beaches and the Inner West.

 

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 Read more >> WIN: Celebrate World Gratitude Day in Style with the Lifestyle Channel

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WIN: Celebrate World Gratitude Day in Style with the Lifestyle Channel

Update: this competition has now closed.

If you’ve been on this earth and ever watched cable TV (at your home, friends / family or other) you’ve undoubtedly watched something on one of the Lifestyle Channels. Kind of my guilty pleasure when I need to switch off. I’m a sucker for a bit of Nigella on Lifestyle Food, Grand Designs and River Cottage Australia to name a few,

It’s packed with real-life stories, reality shows and all the fun things that a girl needs. The channel is all about our passions, and how they connect us. For over 20 years, they’ve been entertaining us, and now it’s time to P-A-R-T-Y with them. To mark their 20th birthday milestone and launch their fabulous new look, they’re throwing a big bash in Sydney over two nights in September at a secret location… and YOU can win tickets for you and a friend. Get excited fitties!!!

It’s being held in conjunction with World Gratitude Day (cool huh?!) over two nights – 21st and 22nd September, but the location is hush-hush for now. Oooo errrr!

There are a select number of tickets for the public to win – with flights and accomodation being provided to four winners and their partners around Australia. For those based in Sydney (hey neighbour!), you can get a $100 Uber credit to get you there and back with ease.

The winner will enjoy a menu inspired by Maggie Beer, Jamie Oliver, Donna Hay, and Matt Moran and catered by ARIA.

You don’t want to miss this!

To watch the action on the night and in the lead-up, keep your eyes peeled on Instagram: @lifestylechannels @foxtel, plus Facebook @ThelifestyleChannel @foxtel. A secret squirrel also tells me I may be there on the night too posting some fun stuff. Hope to see you there for some epic celebrations.

Source: the-fit-foodie.

Read more >> Clever wholefood hacks that will save you money

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Clever wholefood hacks that will save you money

 1. Buy in bulk

Often family packs of chicken breast, salmon fillets and other foodies offer much better value for money.
If you know you’re not going to eat it all while it’s fresh, freeze them into portions and just thaw them as you need them. Not only does it mean you have shop a little less (yahoo!) but you’ve saving money too.

2. Keep your eyes peeled for offers

It might sound a bit simple, but offers on everyday items can make a huge difference at the checkout. Look out for reduced fish and meat that is near its use-by date and eat it the same day or freeze it for later use. I buy most of my organic meat that way – it makes it much cheaper and reduces waste too!
I also use my American Express Card to snap up great offers at small businesses, supermarkets and local retailers. I love The Source Bulk Foods in Balmain for buying dry whole foods in bulk to save the planet and my wallet, and AboutLife for organic roasted chickens and delicious raw treats! Have a look at your local small retailers on the Shop Small map.

3. Look up!

Grocery stores generally put more expensive items on the shelves we see first at eye level, so look up and down to spot the deals.
Try comparing similar items by their price per kilo or millilitre to know how much bang you’re getting for your buck. This info is usually under the price on the store’s label.

4. Get Credit-Card Savvy

It’s great to use supermarket rewards programs to earn points, but have you thought about the power of your credit card? Using the right credit card when you shop could mean massive savings and benefits at the checkout.

I use my American Express Platinum Edge Card which gives me a massive three points per dollar spent at leading supermarkets. You can then redeem your points for gift cards to use in major supermarkets and save, save, save! Winning.

5. Buy groceries that are in-season

While seasonal prices never seemed to affect the produce in the UK (thanks to the lovely free-trade EU arrangement that no-longer exists!), Australia’s groceries are very price-sensitive. That’s what you get when you import things from half the way around the world. Eating fruits and veggies that are in season not only saves on air miles and does wonders for local farmers, but it means you save dollars too. Some staple veggies such as tomatoes are available year-round (hallelujah!), but things like blueberries and citrus are cheapest when they’re in abundance. Right now, strawberries are super cheap, so stock up and freeze some for when the price rise kicks in!

6. Shop the perimeter

Supermarkets generally place all the essentials (such as produce and eggs) at opposite ends of the store so you have to pass through the middle and buy stuff you don’t need. Stick to the perimeter for fresh, wholesome stuff and stay focused on your shopping list!

7. Freeze leftover greens

If you’ve got a few limp-looking kale leaves chasing around in your crisper, throw them into your freezer. They make a great addition to your morning smoothie and give them a thicker consistency. Plus the extra vitamins in the morning can’t hurt right?! I love freezing slices of zucchini to thicken my protein shakes after a workout.

Source: the-fit-foodie

Read more >> Sydney's best Post-Workout Nourishment!

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Sydney's best Post-Workout Nourishment!

When I’ve worked hard at a sweat-sesh, I always look forward to the refuel. I’ve earnt it! But where do I go to find the right kind of fuel? The stuff that leaves me feeling light, but satisfied? And better still…read on about how I do it on the regular….for free. Uh huh.

There’s so many cute cafes in Sydney, but when it comes to post-workout, I’m pretty particular with my nourishment. It’s got to be clean, lean and packed with protein – otherwise it feels like a wasted effort. There’s lot of health food stores, and a few cafes doing great smoothies, but my favourite of all has to be Proteini in Darlinghurst.



It’s a hidden gem, and if you haven’t been before you’re missing out on a super inventive menu. Not only that, the staff are just lovely. Owner Meg and her small team lovingly craft protein balls, raw treats, smoothies, salad bowls, healthy dressings and turmeric lattes from scratch every single day. Nothing comes from a tin, sauce bottle or other such stuff, so you can be sure you’re looking after your body in the best way. It’s one the few places I don’t have to ask for amendments to the menu (yes, I’m that annoying person).

You can feel their passion in the food, and their ethos is event inscribed on walls – LOVE YOUR GUTS!

If you only have chance for one visit here (though I’m sure you’ll be hooked after one trip!), get the Protein Pancakes (pictured below), or if you are hankering for something savoury, my favourite is the Caveman Bowl – the wedges of roasted pumpkin cooked in cinnamon are just delish. You can be sure all meals are sugar, gluten and dairy free. SO MUCH YUM!

Everything is made from scratch from natural, healthy ingredients. It’s my favourite spot in Sydney!

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GET IT FOR FREE!

Sadly telling everyone I’m a food blogger doesn’t always score me free food (sad face), but for my regular trips here I use points from my Membership Rewards points earned from using my American Express Platinum Edge Card to cover the cost. Sounds crazy right?! But here’s the health hack… earn points on your everyday spend using your American Express card, and use membership points to reduce your account balance. So for example, I might earn points on my weekly grocery shop, or by paying for my gym membership, and then I spend my accumulated points on reducing the total amount owing on my card – turning my points into credit – which covers my healthy brekkies.

Talk about being financially savvy…!  Saving money never tasted so good.

SHOP SMALL + GET REWARDED

Not only do I love my Platinum Edge card for that super-cool benefit (who doesn’t love free smoothies?!), but I also love their Shop Small initiative. You’ve probably seen or heard about it at some point through their marketing campaigns or through a friend, or even on a banner in-store. To explain it simply, American Express work with small businesses to offer Card Members cash back when they spend $20 or more in their stores – and you can use it up to ten times! When the campaign is live (which seems to happen pretty regularly), I head down the road from Proteini to Maloney’s Grocers on Crown Street – a beautiful store that holds all the healthy goodies a girl could need. When I spend $20 or more using my American Express Card, my account is credited with $10. It’s like a pat-on-the-back for supporting local shops. Isn’t that lovely?! Save money, support local – such an awesome perk. I don’t know of any card that looks after local business like that, and I’m all for it.

You can of course use your points in other ways too – travel, online shopping, or reducing your account balance for other treats you might reward yourself with for that sweat session. Winning.

 

Source: the-fit-foodie

Read more >> What you should look for when buying fast food

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What you should look for when buying fast food

 
It’s inevitable that we have to eat out. We can’t always be in the kitchen with heaps of veggies at our disposal – where is the fun in that anyway? Sometimes we just need food, and fast. Ego, fast food. So how do we order without going all-in and getting the triple Big Mac with extra cheese and bacon? I chat to Jessica Rutledge – Resident Nutritionist at Bondi foodie newcomer Mr Perkins, to get the low-down on how to make healthy fast-food choices.

1. Fresh
   

   Look for options that are made on site with fresh produce such as salads, soups, rice paper rolls or juices and smoothies. If you can have it made in front of you with fresh produce that’s a big tick as the nutritional value of produce decreases from the time it is blended, chopped and whizzed.

2. Go Green
   

   Make sure you include some type of ‘greenery’, this will almost always up the nutritional value of your meal; think green smoothies, soups or salads. My personal favourite is the Cauliflower and Kale Soup and the Green Glow Smoothie from Mr Perkins in Bondi, both include nutrient dense green leaves and other healthy vegetables.

3. Vegetarian/Vegan options

   Vegetarian and vegan options are generally made with plant based foods; think fruit, veggies, nuts, legumes and seeds. Animal products tend to have a higher saturated fat content, meaning our bodies take longer to digest them, therefore promoting inflammation. Eating vegetarian or vegan options promotes a more alkaline, anti-inflammatory and bio-available nutrient dense diet, which is exactly what you want!
   
   
   

4. Avoid Fried Food

   Oils used in commercial setups are generally heated at such high temperatures that it turns the oil into ‘trans fats’ which are essentially toxic to the body. Trans fats are not recognised by the body to have any nutritional value and are therefore treated like toxins in our system; the body stores them in fat cells to protect us from their harmful oxidative effect. So next time you’re looking for extras to go with your fast food meal, swap out hot chips for baked potatoes or a side salad.

5. Be Wary of ‘ Buzz Words’

   We are extremely lucky that in Australia there is a great appreciation and understanding of health and nutrition, and we are therefore spoiled for choice when it comes to finding healthy fast foods; most menus have a vegan or vegetarian option, nut milks, gluten and dairy free options and plus there are so many venues dedicated to offering pure healthy food, such as the newly opened Mr Perkins. However, make sure you do your research beforehand and don’t be a sucker for ‘buzz words’! Anyone can put a ‘natural or ‘organic’ label on their product, make their signage green, or display fake fruit and vegetables in store to make it look ‘healthy’. Make sure you read the fine print and ask questions when you going into a store so you can truly trust that you are making a healthy choice.

Source: the-fit-foodie

 Read more >> How sleep deprivation is affecting your life + how to fix it

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