Eating Well

by jacqueline wong

Remember the phrases “slow and steady wins the race” or “we are what we eat”?

Take time to prepare, eat and savour your food and you will reap the rewards. Regardless of which

food philosophy you choose to embrace, go ahead and enjoy these meals with a guilt-free

conscience and revel in a healthier you!

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The idea behind Ashley’s by LivingFood is to make good food accessible to not just vegans or vegetarians but also to meat-loving carnivores. According to chef Ashley Yiin, this means food that has been prepared using both the best ingredients as well as the best cooking methods. Attention and care are put into every step involved in presenting the fi nal dish in front of you including how it is prepared and cooked right down to the type of seasoning used. The restaurant also prides itself on making as much of its ingredients in-house as possible, including its stocks, soups,

ASHLEY’S BY LIVINGFOODsauces, granolas, bread and dairy-free nut creams which are free of additives, fl avouring, colouring, binders and softeners.

Known for its diverse menu incorporating all sorts of styles and fl avours, around 40 per cent of its menu comprises raw foods, meaning food that has been prepared under 40 degrees Celsius to retain its optimum nutritional benefi ts. Do remember to save some tummy space for Ashley’s delicious array of healthy desserts. #Ashley’s, Ground fl oor, 2 Jalan Telawi 3, Bangsar Baru, Kuala Lumpur

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“Real food, done right”

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There has been a sprout of food delivery services in the Klang Valley, making it even easier for the health conscious to get wholesome meals without having the need to leave their premises. Datin Dian Lee started Healthy Ever After for that very reason: to be able to have the luxury of eating clean, healthy meals whenever she wanted. “Our programme is like a spa day for your insides,” shares Datin Dian. Together with a team of chefs, Datin Dian set up the cardinal kitchen rules that include using only dairy- and gluten-free, organic and fresh ingredients to craft eating plans. Modern-day foods can be fi lled with heavily processed ingredients, animal meat and produce that are laced with hormones and antibiotics. Animal meat also takes up to 8 hours for the body to digest so Datin Dian believes it is better not to eat meat when you want to let your body cleanse and heal.

HEA programmes help your body detox, heal, lose weight and feel amazing. Choose between the 1, 3 or 5 day healthy eating plan or order the TLC express option for a quick pick-me-up. All food preparations begin at 5am each morning and delivered to you on the same day to ensure the freshness of the produce. In addition, menus are changed

daily to ensure an interesting variety of food and dishes.

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KECHARA OASIS NEW AGE RESTAURANT At Kechara Oasis, healthy diet entails a bigger picture of responsible and compassionate eating through the practise of vegetarianism. Vegetarianism is a diet that abstains from consuming meat and other animal products. A study by the German Cancer Research Center following more than 1,000 vegetarians over 21 years has found that these individuals had a 30 per cent lower risk of dying from ischemic heart diseases compared to non-vegetarians. Pay a visit to Kechara Oasis and it will debunk the myth that vegetarian food is bland and boring. The extensive menu offers dishes from the Himalayas infused with local Malaysian fl avours and spices, Chinese fare and eclectic vegetarian dishes that would appeal to even the most picky health conscious diners. The restaurant’s posh setting provides a relaxing and comfortable ambience for a new vegetarian dining experience.

Never compromising on the quality of food, the team at Kechara Oasis supports local producers whenever possible in line with promoting a more sustainable and environment-conscious lifestyle. In addition to the mouth-watering delicacies, it also serves organic coffee, booster shots of superfood, healthy juices and herbal tonics for a complete and satisfying meal. #Kechara Oasis, 63 & 67-P1, Block D, The Suites, Jaya One, Petaling Jaya

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more decadent options such as the big breakfast seem less healthy. However, we use olive oil and back bacon instead of heavy vegetable oils and streaky bacon. The aim is to keep the calories down and deliver minimum oils on the plate.” In short, Alun encourages people to make informed choices rather than avoiding certain food types.

Healthy eating at Antipodean entails taking quality products and fashioning them into food that is both nourishing to the body and delicious to the palate. All the ingredients are self-sourced and the cakes, biscuits and sweets are baked in-house using recipes handed down by famous Kiwi chefs in order to control sugar and butter contents. #Antipodean Café, No 20, Jalan Telawi 2, Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur

ANTIPODEANIf you’ve ever experienced the cafe culture Down Under, you would appreciate the vibe and food offerings at Antipodean. The team at Antipodean Café works hard to offer a unique ‘antipodean’ style cafe food menu. Favourites include a BLT (bacon, lettuce and tomatoes) on sourdough bread, double salmon fi sh cakes, Burmese shredded chicken salad and a range of delicious and healthy breakfast choices for all ages.

Owner Alun Evans believes that healthy eating should and can be fun. Alun says, “We realise that some of our “Eating in

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nutritional value. For instance, brown rice is

used for all the Asian dishes. The nasi lemak

is tossed with extra virgin coconut oil instead of using

santan. Meals contain lots of fresh vegetables and lean protein. Other yummy, healthy meals include Moroccan meatballs with cous cous pilaf, curry leaf pesto pasta as well as pumpkin and barley salad. Make your order now via its website or for the more tech-savvy, Foodmatters.me has a dedicated mobile app for added convenience. my.foodmatters.me

FOODMATTERS.MECraving for local delicacies but dislike the excessive oil and sugar? Nutritionist and the brains behind Foodmatters.me, Alexandra Prabaharan has you covered. Foodmatters.me is the fi rst healthy lunch delivery service in Kuala Lumpur and offers healthier versions of local favourites like nasi lemak. Their mantra is using whole grains, fresh and cooked vegetables, and lean protein packed with lots of spices, herbs and fl avour. This results in meals that are nutritious without sacrifi cing on taste.

Alexandra shares, “Our target customers are those who are on the fence about eating well. With our bold fl avours, we’re here to show them that they can lead a more nutritious lifestyle without the unnecessary calories. You’ll also fi nd that the more you eat well the more your body will crave for it.”

At Foodmatters.me, little tweaks to traditional recipes amp up the

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