Imperfectly Paleo

Kelp noodles are still a new discovery for me but it makes  a nice change from courgette (vegetable) noodles as the texture has much more bite and is slightly crunchy. It amazes me that they are raw, gluten free, low carb and basically made from seaweed and water. Massaged Kale and Kelp Noodle Salad with Chicken

A beautiful (and healthful) dish to adorn the table whatever the season - whether a sunny picnic lunch or a festive Christmas side dish, the jewel bright pomegranate seeds and fresh flavours are always a welcome addition. Paleo Tabouleh

This simple dish is how I envisage umami. Salty anchovies balanced with zesty lemon juice and fresh coriander all enhanced by the taste and crunch of nori seaweed. Big bold and intense flavours of the topping are paired perfectly with the diametrically opposed fresh cucumber base. Anchovy Avocado and Seaweed Cucumber Boats

There's something irresistibly delicious and luxurious about houmous - rich and thick in texture, garlicky and flavourful, making even the most mundane chip or crudite utterly more-ish! Smoked Paprika and Porcini Artichoke 'Houmous'

This is less a recipe than a documentation of a delicious flavour combination I enjoyed for lunch and want to remember so I can make it again some time! Achingly simple but pretty enough to serve up to guests. Shaved Fennel, Mint, Avocado, Orange and Pistachio Salad

This is a wonderful side dish to any curry, roast meat or barbecue. The warming flavours (and colour) of turmeric, cardamom, cumin and cinnamon shine through. It can be served warm or cold and can be transported in a large lidded container as part of a picnic lunch. Or if you fancy a vegan meal just eat it unaccompanied - the pine nuts give plenty of protein as well as texture. Spiced Pilaf Cauliflower Rice with Mushrooms and Pine Nuts

This morning a kindly elderly lady stopped me in the gym to tell me I have a "lovely running style" - she'd been watching me on the treadmill! I graciously thanked her and held back from regaling her with epic tales of my running related injuries (shin splints, stress fractures, patella pain, ITB injuries, tendonitis etc etc). These days my runs are limited to a ceiling of 5km and I focus on sprint training. Coriander (Cilantro) and Lemon Pesto

A hugely versatile side dish that can be bulked up with protein and some extra fat from avocado or a handful of nuts, to make a simple and satisfying meal. I like to make a big bowl leaving plenty of extras in the fridge for lunch the next day. Asian Courgette Noodle Salad with Smoked Oysters and Avocado

This is such a pretty dish to look at as well as tasty to eat and full of good fats in both the salmon and avocado. Salmon in Avocado Sauce on a Fennel and Sweet Potato Nest It is perfect when hosting a light meal for guests - just make sure not to overcook the delicate soft pink salmon and only very gently stir it through the velvety vibrant green aocado sauce so it doesn't fall apart too much.

It was only a matter of time before I caved into the Paleo peer pressure of bone broth consumption! Bone Marrow Broth and Vegetable Soup with shredded beef, a bundle of seaweed and a side of oven dehydrated sweet potato crisps For months I have been using Great Lakes gelatin in my Nutribullets but the time has arrived. Throughout my childhood and teenage years and even now, whenever I visit my parents or grandparents, I am always presented with bone broth in some guise - chicken with red dates and goji berries well before they became a fashionable superfood, pork bones with a host of obscure roots, like wai san etc.

Affectionately known as "Nutter-But Squash"by the 6 year old when she was younger, I can't rate this fruit (yes, technically a fruit as it has seeds, like melon, cucumber etc) highly enough. Simple Roast Butternut Squash

If it were up to my children, the only vegetable they'd eat meal after meal would be broccoli and carrots. As much as I love those vegetables, there's much to be gained from broadening their tastebuds as well as diversifying their dietary intake. Garlic Sesame Roast Cauliflower Cauliflower is in abundance at the moment. A huuuuge head almost the size of a child's head costs just £1! Who says healthy food is expensive?

Citrus Quinoa Salad I've mentioned the controversial nature of including quinoa in a Paleo diet in a previous post. I still choose to include it in moderation as it is definitely not without its health benefits.

In just over a week it will be Chinese New Year. Growing up, one of my mum's yummiest dishes was actually stir-fried broccoli. Our school friends would actually request it when they came round; which in the context of the '80s Pop Tart and Findus Crispy Pancake era, highlights how children gravitate towards nutritious and 'real' food.

Simple Roast Fennel with Easy Green Eggs and Avocado I am the only member of my household who actually enjoys the slightly aniseed flavour of fennel so I only make a small amount. It works well as an accompaniment to any grilled or roast fish or meat. Feel free to double or even quadruple the quantities.

I usually use this to make coleslaw with an Asian flavour twist. It makes about a cup of dressing. I put all the ingredients in a jar with a tight fitting lid (an old almond butter jar works well), which serves the dual purpose of emulsifying the dressing (giving it a vigorous shake with the lid on to combine the oil) as well as a storage vessel for any remains left for later use. Asian Style Dressing

'Dear Mummy, Enjoy your sprouts." Tahini Roast Brussel Sprouts That is exactly what my 6 year old wrote in her Christmas card to me last month!