A taste of summer

Glastonbury, Wimbledon, long evenings sat in the garden, all of these can only mean one thing, it’s mid-summer. To celebrate this here’s two simple, healthy, tasty, balanced desserts you can serve for the family or after a barbecue using the most quintessentially English fruit, the strawberry.

Strawberries are a great addition to a balanced diet because:

   They’re rich in vitamin C, with one cup providing your entire daily requirements

   They’re low Glycaemic Index and have been linked to better blood sugar regulation

   They contain a good source of dietary fibre

   Also found inside are numerous antioxidants, vitamin K, manganese, magnesium, iodine, folate, potassium, phosphorous and copper

   The richness of antioxidants means this little berry has been strongly linked to the prevention of both heart disease and a range of cancers

   They may even help to slow down the effects of ageing!

Natural Strawberry Yoghurt

Strawberries

Pumpkin or sunflower seeds

Halved walnuts

Honey

Plain natural yoghurt

1 square of dark chocolate

Slice as many strawberries as you desire (4-7 per person depending on size is normally enough) and mix in to the yoghurt with the walnuts and pumpkin seeds. Grate the dark chocolate on top and add a small spoon of honey.

The 60-Second Mini-Strawberry Cheesecake

Plain digestive biscuits

Chopped strawberries

Cream cheese or mascarpone

Natural yoghurt

Sliced almonds and mixed seeds

Honey (optional)

Roll or whack the digestive biscuit into small crumbs (you choose which but the latter is a fantastic choice for stress relief) and place into the bottom of a bowl or champagne flute. It tastes the same but the glass gives it a more arty appearance! J

Mix the cream cheese or mascarpone with a few spoons of yoghurt and if desired mix a little honey in for extra sweetness. Pour this mix on top of the biscuit base. Add the chopped strawberries, sliced almonds and mixed seeds to suit.

Fancy more recipes like this? Then download my new guide ‘A Week in Balance’, with seven days’ of breakfasts, snacks, lunches and dinners plus a home exercise routine to keep you fit, healthy and balanced. It’s only £2 with half going to charity, get your copy here: http://bit.ly/1GQEhRO