Emily Chan

Did you know that people need to eat at least five vegetables and fruits daily? However, many of us don’t

even eat half of this. Everyone knows that eating more fruits and veggies is good for the health, as it helps

prevent flu, fight colds, reduce the risk of cancer, and provide your much-needed energy for the day ahead.

Considering these facts, why aren't we eating more healthy food? Convenience is definitely to blame for

this.

I’ve lost count of the times I've been walking around London on an empty stomach, craving food that I

know will nourish my body. However, the available choices are the exact opposites of what our body needs.

There’s your buttery croissants, overly sweet soda, muffins loaded with sugar, chocolate bars, coffees with

lots of milk, pre-packed sandwiches, and more. How frequently do you encounter baskets of veggies or

mounds of fresh fruits? Maybe, I’d be the only one in the world who'd rejoice upon seeing a vending

machine along a train platform that churns out fruits and vegetables (I might even do cartwheels out of

sheer joy!). Well, just a wishful thinking that might come true someday... For now, I’ll wait for my train in

Balham with a basket full of cherry tomatoes. Or you may spot me heartily eating a bag of peas, my favorite

healthy on-the-go snack. I simply put some peas in my bag before I leave the house. Just by munching on

peas, I can easily get two servings of vegetables that provide a sustained dose of energy better than that

post-carb crash.

If you're living a sedentary or inactive lifestyle, our series about Fruit & Vegetable as well might inspire you to eat more fruits and vegetables. I’ve begun with

breakfast and explained dessert in detail, with very simple yet tasty recipes. Almost every single recipe

includes at least one portion of vegetable and fruit. A number of recipes even have five portions in just one

serving.

Although this isn’t a vegetarian book, the recipes are angled in such a way that encourages people to eat

less meat and more fruit & vegetable, and it presents a variety of vegan choices. There’s also an attempt to

meet certain dietary requirements. Midway through writing this cookbook series, I had to begin a strict

detox program after suffering from parasite infestation. I consulted a nutritionist who provided me with a

list of foods to avoid such as dairy, sugar, and wheat. I was also given a list of foods I MUST EAT. Loads of

vegetables and fruits were at the top of the nutritionist’s list. And they worked! Most of the recipes in this

book came from my detox program. I strongly believe in a healthy balance. Sometimes, everyone needs a

slice of the cake.

You also see more different types of fruit and vegetable recipes such as:

* Banana Recipes

* Beans & Peas

* Mushroom Recipes

* Potato Recipes

* Squash Recipes

* ...

Let’s live happily and eat more fruits and vegetables every day!

Enjoy the book,