1. Kitchen
karma
Make healthy eating a pleasure, not a chore, by
creating a work space that’s a joy to cook in
80
80 Sort your surroundings
80 Smart storage solutions
82 Healthy eating heroes
83 Small wonders
84 Dine in style
82
83
words and styling jo moody PhotograPhs trevor richards
84 Stuck in a recipe rut?
Try something
new each week to
keep cooking
interesting
WeightWatchers 79
magazine

2. Kitchen
karma
Sort your
Keep utensils on a
rail above the hob
– it’ll save time
finding the right
tool for the job.
surroundings
if you keep biscuits and
sweets for the family, store
them in opaque rather than
glass jars to keep temptation
firmly out of sight.
Put knives in an easy-
to-reach block and
Is your kitchen making you eat more? Rethinking your keep them sharp. a
blunt knife that slips
environment is key to making better food choices can be more dangerous
than a sharp one.
G
ive your resolve a fighting chance n If you’re short of space, consider buying
by ditching anything in your a mobile kitchen trolley that can be stashed
kitchen that might throw you off out of the way when not in use.
course, such as high fat snacks n Store key ingredients neatly, so that there
or a glass jar of biscuits on the counter. Next, isn’t a landslide whenever you open a door.
reorganise. It will help you plan healthy n Make sure that what’s instantly visible in
meals rather than making bad choices food cupboards is the most nutritious, and
Make space for
because nothing else was there. These that basics, such as herbs, spices and oil
healthy cooking
simple steps will put you on the right track... misters, aren’t hidden behind layers of cans. gadgets like blenders.
Place electricals near
Bust the clutter Quick fixes a socket, so you can
easily use them.
n Empty cupboards and chuck anything n Declutter your spice rack. Chuck out have lots of healthy
food on display and
that’s high fat, sugar-laden or a trigger food anything old and make a list of what you
you’ll find that you
for you. Alternatively, donate unopened need to stock up on next time you shop. automatically make
food (within date) to a homeless shelter. n Find a jug that fits in your fridge. Fill it wiser food choices.
Then move on to the fridge and freezer. with water, add slices of lemon, then chill.
n Next, go through equipment and get rid You’ll drink more water if it looks tempting.
of any appliances that you’ll never use. n Choose three easy meals and ensure you Pull-out cupboards are great for
filling narrow spaces. a cupboard
always have those ingredients in stock.
beside the cooker is the perfect place
reorganise
Add bold flashes
to keep key ingredients, such as
Finishing touches
n Take a look at the layout of your kitchen condiments, oil bottles and misters.
of colour to your
and divide it into different zones. Give n Make your kitchen a place you enjoy
kitchen with
glasses and crockery their own designated spending time in. New accessories will
it’s easier to get to things at the back of a drawer
lots of bright
area. Cooking utensils, pots and pans bring it up to date without busting the than it is a cupboard. Choose deep drawers for
should be near the oven and you’ll also budget, but investing in new handles, accessories
pots, pans and even crockery, and shallow ones
for cutlery, linen and staples such as foil.
need an area for preparation. worktops and taps can totally transform it.
3
1 2 4 5
Smart
storage
solutions
top-of-the-range kitchens not only look
drop-dead gorgeous, they’re full of neat
ways to maximise space and help you stay organise your cutlery and utensil drawers with this clever design means items are easy to access Built-in baskets allow air to circulate, keeping veg a pull-out larder gives access from both sides and Corners are hard to access but carousels sort the
organised. Be inspired by these clever clever designed-to-fit dividers. Drawer divider, from when you open the door. Pull-out cupboard, from a fresh. Vermont cupboard with two-tier vegetable basket, provides plenty of shelf space. Larder unit, from a problem instantly, and are good for pots and pans.
£15.93, Alno (0870 043 3742). B&Q also has a range selection, Peka at LDL (0870 350 0080). Homebase has £364, John Lewis (0845 604 9049). Or install Rationell selection, Peka at LDL (as before). B&Q has pull-out larder Corner carousel, from a selection, Peka at LDL (as before).
ideas (and seek out copycats from ikea, of stylish drawer inserts, from £6 (0845 609 6688) a similar design, from £250 (0845 077 8888) wire baskets, from £7, Ikea (0845 355 1141) units, from £189 (as before) Ikea also has carousels, from £25 (as before)
mFi, B&Q and homebase!)
WeightWatchers 81
80 WeightWatchers magazine
magazine

3. Kitchen
karma
Small
Healthy eating wonders
heroes Great gadgets take the hard
these little helpers can save you time and effort when
work out of eating wisely
you’re cooking. Plus they’ll brighten up your kitchen too
a hand Blender is a godsend when it comes to
1 weight watChers POINTS KitChen
blending small portions. Use it to blitz food in the pan or £5.99, Cargo (0870 011 2119). Whisk (in jug),
sCales calculate the POINTS values of foods.
in the beaker provided to make quick and healthy soups, from £13.50; spatula with wooden handle (in
Weight Watchers POINTS Kitchen Scales, £39.95,
sauces and smoothies. Philips hand blender, £17.99, Argos jug), £4.50, both Le Creuset (as before). Crazy
(0870 600 3030) Weight Watchers At Home (08456 788 999) Daisy jug, £25, Portmeirion (01782 743456)
a slow CooKer means you can come home to a 2 raMeKins are the perfect size for making 6 a Pestle and Mortar is the best way to
healthy casserole that’s ready to eat, so you won’t be individual bakes and puds. Ramekins, £10 for grind herbs and spices. Pestle and mortar, £15,
tempted to snack or order a takeaway. Rival Crock-Pot, two, Le Creuset (0800 373792) Sophie Conran for Portmeirion (01782 743456)
3 y-Peelers are good for making vegetable 7 Measuring sPoons ensure quantities are
£19.97, Argos (as before)
an eleCtriC steaMer doesn’t just do healthy veg. ribbons for stir fries and salads. Y-peelers, £1.40 correct. Spoons, from £4.99, Cargo (as before)
8 Measuring CuPs help with portion
You can load this one up, switch it on and put your feet up each, Lakeland (01539 488100)
4 sMall Freezer-ProoF Containers are
while it cooks a complete meal. It even packs down to take control. Limited-edition lavender measuring cups,
up minimal storage space. Tefal Steam Cuisine, £29.95, ideal for leftovers. Lock & Lock containers, from £20 for four, Nigella Lawson’s Living Kitchen at
Lakeland (01539 488100) £1.59, Lakeland (as before) Bliss (blisshome.co.uk)
a Mini ChoPPer makes short work of dicing veg. 5 and 9 a good seleCtion oF utensils 10 these ChoPPing Boards can be colour-
This one chops herbs, spices, nuts, onions and more in is essential. Blue spatula, pink tongs and fish slice coded (red for meat and green for veg). Chopping
seconds, and is a dream to clean. Kenwood Mini Chopper, (all in jug), masher and blue tongs, all from boards, £5 each, John Lewis (0845 604 9049)
£18.95 (02392 392333)
a Blender is a kitchen must-have. Buy the best you
can afford – it’s well worth the investment. This one is
powerful enough to crush ice, so it will make light work of
smoothies and soups. The motor is guaranteed for a lifetime
too. Waring Pro blender, £149 (01252 813000)
this juiCer has a citrus press attachment and is
Smooth silicon tools 5
designed to extract maximum juice from fruit and veg.
have no food traps,
It’s quick, quiet and easy to clean in the dishwasher.
which makes them
Magimix Le Duo juicer, £99.99 (01483 528030)
super-hygienic
Essential ingredients
herbs and spices
stock up your store cupboard, fridge and freezer, and you’ll always be able to rustle up a tasty, balanced, low fat meal
cumin seeds bay leaves 4
3
Basics stock cubes tomato purée coriander seeds thyme
sea salt gravy granules porridge oats chilli flakes cinnamon
black peppercorns canned chickpeas runny honey nutmeg sticks/ground
low fat cooking spray, and butter beans artificial sweetener oregano cinnamon
2
olive oil and light canned/frozen sweetcorn
Fresh basics
cooking oil frozen peas 6
balsamic and canned fruit in onions
wine vinegars natural juice garlic
soy sauce canned tomatoes root ginger
mustard (wholegrain canned fish potatoes 7
and Dijon) crispbreads lemons
8
1
pasta frozen bread/mini pittas skimmed milk
noodles Parmesan cheese low fat plain yogurt
rice (brown, basmati olives in brine low fat soft cheese
10 9
and risotto) anchovies in brine or quark
couscous/bulgur wheat capers low fat spread
lentils sundried tomatoes eggs
82 WeightWatchers
magazine

4. Kitchen
karma
Large plate, £3.49,
Ikea (0845 355 1141).
cutlery, £10 for
16 pieces, Next
(0844 844 8000).
dinner plate,
from £1.97, Tesco
(0800 505555). Large
bowls, £1.99 for two;
small bowls, £1.49 for
two, both Ikea (as
before). tumbler,
£6.50; jug, £24; fruit
bowl, £28, all Sophie
Conran for Portmeirion
(01782 743456).
salt and pepper
mills, £13.99 each,
Cole & Mason
(01252 522322)
At meal times let
Dine
everyone serve
in style
themselves to as
much or as little
as they like
I
t doesn’t matter if you’re eating like a jug of iced water with slices walls or the table, can make you eat
a plate of pasta alone or of lemon, and garnish dishes with faster – and eating too fast usually
sharing food with family and freshly chopped herbs. means eating more than you need.
friends, with a little thought You’ll also enjoy meals more if you It takes 20 minutes to “feel the
meal times can become an occasion have nice surroundings in which to food”, so give your brain a chance
that you look forward to. Instead of eat. When decorating your dining to catch up with your tummy. Take
slumping in front of the television, area and table, choose calming time over your food. This is the
make the effort to lay the table, even colours. Bright, stimulating shades perfect opportunity to chat and catch
if you’re alone. Add finishing touches like reds and yellows, whether on the up on everyone’s day.
84 WeightWatchers
magazine