​Healthy recipes to see in the new year

After the festive indulgence of Christmas, it's great to welcome in the new year with some healthy recipes! Smoothies, soups and vitamin 'shots' are all great ways to pack vital nutrients into your body after a long period of depletion. Alcohol, stress, a high-sugar diet and a lack of sleep all combine to deplete vitamins and minerals in your body. But fresh, natural fruits, vegetables, herbs and spices, in particular, are packed with the beneficial micronutrients our bodies need.

You can also save time and stick to your new year's resolutions with ease by meal-prepping. Healthy recipes can often be made in advance and stored in glassware inside the fridge. For example, you can make up layered salads beforehand and store them in screwtop jars with the dressing at the base. When you're ready to enjoy one, simply invert the jar so that the dressing drizzles over the contents. You can also make up healthy smoothies and thickies and store them in glass bottles, or even make your own yoghurt and store it in a glass bottle or jar, with a little fruit compote to taste. Here are some ideas to inspire you:

Ginger mini shots

Chop a pound of fresh, peeled ginger, juice five large lemons and add both to a blender with a little cold water and some honey to taste - if you wish. Blend the mix into a pulp and then allow it to drain through a cheesecloth. Compost the pulp and store the powerful shot liquid in a glass bottle. You can also decant it into small glass bottles for a morning pick-me-up. For an added kick, add a little cayenne pepper. This is a fantastic shot to drink in the morning, but you can also dilute it with sparkling water to make a cordial, or add a little touch to fresh soups for a zesty, warming kick. These 50ml bottles with screwtop lids are great for shots: https://www.waresofknutsford.co.uk/50ml-glass-bottles-screw-lids-the-titus-singles-6-12-24-36-100-200-300-500/

Fresh smoothies

The secret to a great smoothie is to experiment with ingredients you enjoy and try new things. For example, you can make a great green smoothie by blending together a quarter of an avocado with some cucumber, a pear, a handful of spinach and half a kiwi. Try additions such as a little spirulina or wheatgrass for a powerful vitamin shot and a bright green colour. A squeeze of lime adds zing, and a little coconut milk or vanilla protein powder adds body and calories.

You can also experiment with ingredients such as nut butter. Make a delicious and healthy Banoffee Pie smoothie by blending a banana, cinnamon, a scoop of vanilla protein powder and some oats, with milk, soy or nut milk of your choice. A dollop of peanut butter adds a delicious twist and makes your smoothie a meal in its own right. This glass bottle is great for larger juices and smoothies: https://www.waresofknutsford.co.uk/new-style-500ml-juice-bottles-retail-and-wholesale-packs/.

Chilled soup to go

If you've not tried chilled soup, you're in for a treat. Chilled soups are perfect for making in advance and you can tailor the ingredients to meet your nutritional needs. Chilled tomato soup is a great way to use up any salad or vine tomatoes you might have languishing in the bottom of the fridge, and it works well with peppers. Gather your tomatoes, peppers and onion, along with anything else that catches your eye, such as a courgette. Chop the vegetables and roast them for 45 minutes in a medium oven. Then, add the roasted vegetables to a pan with your choice of stock, briefly bring to a boil and add fresh basil leaves. Allow the soup to cool, season it and then use a hand blender to blend it to a smooth consistency before pouring the soup into glass bottles and allowing it to chill in the fridge. Simply add your lid or stopper before you take it with you and enjoy a healthy takeaway lunch with a few crackers and some cheese on the side.

Making use of glass bottles and jars

With a ready stash of beautiful, eco-friendly glass bottles and jars of different sizes, you've got everything you need to meal prep and store your healthy drinks, soups - and even dips - in the fridge. Glass is environmentally friendly as it can be recycled so readily, and it doesn't have any harmful chemicals that can leach into your food. Buy a lunch bag and you can transport glass bottles and jars with ease, and simply pack a spoon and a napkin to have a stylish and healthy lunch on the go!

You'll find a great range of glass bottles online at Wares of Knutsford, with every size and stopper style available. We also sell by the pallet for low unit costs on bulk orders, with competitive and fast delivery: https://www.waresofknutsford.co.uk/glass-bottles

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