VIRTUOUS MEALS

Dishes by Shona Vertue that’ll nourish from the inside out

Achieving wellbeing inside and out just got that little bit easier with these totally delicious recipes from social media star Shona Vertue. You know it makes senseFor Shona Vertue – the woman who put David Beckham through his sweaty paces and founder of The Vertue Method – to achieve total-body wellness, you need to develop your strength and flexibility, sure – but just as important is supporting your body from the inside with nutritious food. ‘To support a strong, agile body, you need to nourish it properly,’ she says. ‘That’s why equilibrium is of the utmost importance.’ To achieve this harmony, Shona has divided her approach into three pillars, as she explains: ‘Lift things that are heavier than a handbag to grow muscles and build strength; lengthen your spine and free your joints using daily yoga and mobility practices; and nourish your body and mind with wholesome food and meditation.’ Best bit? Shona has offered up some of her tastiest and most rewarding recipes for you to try yourself. Then find something heavier than your over-filled handbag…

If you’re ‘not a salad person’, I think this combination might change your mind (and taste buds). I’ve converted many an avid salad-hater with this alliance of flavours. It’s important to choose your figs wisely as they don’t ripen after picking, so make sure you buy fruit with a deep purple colour and an unbroken skin.

INGREDIENTS

1 chicken breast, grilled • 40g baby spinach • 20g rocket • 5 pecan nuts • 1 fresh fig, sliced • 50g low-fat feta, crumbled

For the dressing: juice of ½ lemon • ½ tsp honey • 1 tbsp olive oil

METHOD

1. First step’s easy: slice the grilled chicken into strips and set aside.

2. Toss the salad leaves, nuts, fig and feta in a large bowl.

3. Make the dressing by stirring the ingredients together in a small dish. Add the chicken strips to the salad, then pour the dressing over. Good food ought to be way more complicated than this.