5 Easy Ways to Spice Up Everyday Meals

Variety is the spice of life and putting your own spin on existing creations can be super fun. That’s why we’ve enlisted personal trainer and presenter Monique Craft to share some of the ways she jazzes up her MYMC meals.

If there’s been one certainty in my life in this crazy, uncertain year we’re all experiencing, it’s my MYMC orders. Coming every fortnight to my door, I’ve learnt that heroes can come in the form of cardboard boxes! All year, MYMC has never failed to turn up, satisfy my taste buds and fuel my body well.

Now, while MYMC has a huge and incredible range of meals to choose from, I’ve definitely got my faves that make my shopping cart each fortnight. I’ve also started getting creative with spicing up the meals, just to ensure I keep things super interesting!

Spicing up my meals not only mixes things up but it’s a great way to bulk up meals. This is great on those days you’ve had big training sessions, you’re busy on your feet at work and expending a lot of energy… or simply just hungrier!

So, here are 5 super simple but game changing MYMC hacks I use to spice up my meals. And I’m not just talking about adding chilli sauce, although you can bet I do that too!

1. Add Spinach

OK, I’m spinach obsessed! Being a vegetarian, it’s definitely handy to be, as it helps with iron levels. But there are many more reasons to love this superfood and add it to your meals.

Spinach is loaded with tons of nutrients in a low-calorie package. In fact, a full cup of spinach is only 7 calories, and adding that one cup to your meals will provide your body with…

• 30 milligrams of calcium

• 0.81 grams of iron

• 24 milligrams of magnesium

• 167 milligrams of potassium

• 2,813 (IU) of Vitamin A

• 58 micrograms of folate

• 0.86 grams of protein

Spinach also contains vitamin K, fibre, phosphorus, and thiamine. There are near endless benefits to this dark leafy green.

OK, so you may ask, “What are your favourite meals to add spinach to?” That’s actually a hard one to answer, because I add it to all of them!

This morning, I had the Breakfast Spicy Vegetable Frittata with Fetta with spinach. Lunch was the Thai Yellow Curry with Black Rice & Vegetables with spinach, and then a handful of the leafy greens got added to the Vegan Butter Chicken with Green Peas & Ancient Grains at dinner too!

If you’re after a more meaty affair, why not try adding spinach to the Beef Lasagne, Spaghetti Bolognese, Cajun Chicken with Dirty Rice or Beef Massaman Curry with Brown Rice? The opportunities are basically endless!

Now, wait ‘til you hear what more I do to spice up the frittata…

2. Fancy Frittata

Get ready, because I’m getting a little fancy here with more than just the spinach. Have you ever thought to crush walnuts and put it on top of your frittata? Oh my God, thank me later!

Walnuts are the top nuts for brain health (they even look like a little brain!) as they have a high concentration of DHA, a type of Omega-3 fatty acid. A perfect little boost for your morning, before you start your day at work, they may be small, but have huge health benefits.

I also chop up cherry tomatoes, which are delicious and nutritious - tomatoes are an excellent source of vitamin C and other antioxidants - and add them to my frittata.

3. To Cheese or Not to Cheese

The answer to how to make any food better is invariably: melt cheese onto it. And this list, while not limited to that, is no different! Try sprinkling some shredded cheese or melting some of the good stuff on your Mexican Beef Burrito Bowl, Crumbed Chicken with Roasted Potatoes, Chipotle Chicken Burrito Bowl, Spaghetti Bolognese or anything else you think some gooey, chewy cheese might make better.

“But Monique, this is all meat and dairy. Aren’t you vegan?” I hear you asking. OK, so I’m not going to say I’m 100% vegan, but I often avoid dairy. Which sucks when you love cheese, right?! Luckily, I’ve got a healthy alternative for those in the same boat that will blow your mind: nutritional yeast.

This vegan-friendly cheese hack is a great source of complete protein, B vitamins and trace minerals required for optimal health. I add it to my frittata, but also to the Mexican Superfood Bowl and to the Spaghetti Bolognese with Lentils and Mushrooms! You simply buy it from your local health food store and sprinkle it on! Yum!

4. A Beautiful Bulk

Why not bulk up your meal size, fibre and nutrient content with a bunch of beautiful fresh vegetables? Veggies are full of vitamins and minerals that our body craves and functions optimally on! Adding veggies can also make you feel fuller, therefore resisting the desire to eat ice cream after your MYMC.

Simply cut up a bunch of fresh veggies (don’t forget your greens), throw them into a fry pan with a dash of olive oil and sauté them. After this, add your MYMC meal to the pan, mix it all together, transfer to a bowl or plate and bon appetit. Delicious and nutritious!

Think versatile veggies like broccoli, cauliflower, carrot and the like, then think dishes like Crumbed Chicken with Roasted Potatoes, Osso Bucco in Red Wine Sauce, Spinach Ricotta Ravioli in Pumpkin Sauce, Lemon Garlic Chicken with Potato Bake and a whole host of others. Marriages made in heaven, really.

5. A Final Flourish

OK, I’ve saved my fave ‘til last: the Mexican Superfood Bowl Hack!

I’m going to keep this short, sweet and simple. When you’re done reading this, you’ll be making your way to the supermarket as fast as possible to try this, because if you haven’t already, it’s going to change your life…

Add organic corn chips. Mic drop. Walk away. Then run back to try this delicious hack!

Simply add a handful of corn chips and use them to scoop up the MYMC Mexican Superfood Bowl! Warning: Side effects of constant cravings for this meal will occur!

Of course, I call it the Mexican Superfood Bowl Hack because that’s what I do it to, but there are plenty of others you can crumble corn chips into as well. Try it with the Chipotle Chicken Burrito Bowl, Cajun Chicken with Dirty Rice, Naked Beef Fajitas or similar to the original, the Mexican Beef Burrito Bowl.

OK, now I’ve shared some of my MYMC hacks, I’d love to know some of yours! What do you do to spice things up? Send us your pics or tag us on Instagram @mymusclechef @monique_craft_.

To try out some of these hacks or even some of your own, check out our Menu Builder and grab whatever tickles your fancy.

And check out our Positive Vibes playlist below for a great soundtrack to spicing up your meals!