Are bacon and eggs something I recommend often? Well I guess not in the traditional sense, no! But this is a dish we came up with for the Healthy Kickstart and proved to be a real hit. It’s a great one to roll out when you think you don’t have time to cook, as it really does just take 30 mins max, start to finish.

At our kickstart launch night we presented the idea of saying – instead of “I don’t have time to cook” – that “cooking is not a priority for me right now”.

It’s handy reality check, because it forces us to acknowledge the message that we are sending to ourselves.

There are many valid reasons for not having time to cook … maybe someone is caring for an elderly relative, maybe they’re working on an insane and pressured project at work.

But if the reason is procrastination, Netflix (come on, we all do it!) or having after-work drinks, then we have to accept that we do have time, we are just not prioritising it. And are we comfortable with that?

It’s a good exercise in accountability! And speaking of exercise, this works for exercise too. Do we genuinely not have time, or is it not enough of a priority? Hmmm!

The tricky part of this self-assessment is where we have long-term work or family commitments that are standing in our way of success with dietary or lifestyle change.

For example, many of us have busy work/life/kid-logistics and find it hard to find a window of time where we feel we can exercise.

I’ve been in that position and it’s hard! But If you brainstorm the problem with a friend or partner, they are likely to be able to more objectively show you where you could carve out time, or help you find a window by providing cover.

I know two moms who each get to yoga each week by looking the other ones toddler.

I know executives whose assistants religiously make time in their schedule for PT or gym sessions, because busy season often never ends!

Too many people feel selfish for prioritising themselves, but it’s so important to take yourself off the back burner.

Everyone gets a better version of you when you are fit and healthy.

And cooking doesn’t have to take for ever. Addressing another obstacle – healthy doesn’t have to be boring either!

This dish came about because I’d been craving bacon and eggs and wanted to enjoy them in a healthy way. And though we sometimes do “breakfast for dinner” everyone in my house demands vegetables (even the teens!)

We don’t do pasta all that often but when we do, we keep the portion size small by packing in lots of protein and veggies.

The combo of the soft-boiled egg, salty bacon, roasted tomatoes, Italian herbs, comforting pasta and blanched broccolini is so good!

To keep your bacon healthy, make sure you buy English cut from a reputable brand (Miles has a brilliant UK option that avoids American factory farming) and then ideally, discard the thicker strip of fat at the top.

Whether you do or not, the fat ratio is far better than with American streaky bacon.

The rule is though, if you are going to have the bacon, you have to have the broccolini – so no skipping the greens!

Bacon & Egg Pasta with Broccolini and Roast Tomatoes (GF, DF)

Ingredients (per person):

1 serving Garofalo or Tinkyada gluten-free pasta

½ cup MadeWith organic pasta sauce (or similar)

2 slices English cut bacon

1 egg

½ bunch broccolini

1 handful baby tomatoes

Italian herbs

Salt and pepper

Light olive oil

Method:

Pre-heat the oven to 400F

Add the baby tomatoes to a small baking tray, drizzle with a little light olive oil and sprinkle with salt, pepper and the herbs.

Place the bacon on a separate tray, lightly greased with the light olive oil.

Place both trays in the oven for approximately 20 minutes until the bacon is crispy and the tomato skins have cracked and softened.

Remove from the oven and place to one side. Blot the bacon with paper towel to remove excess fat and discard the large strip of rind from the top.

Blanch the broccolini by placing in a large bowl or empty saucepan and covering with boiling water.

Cover the bowl or pan with a plate or lid so that it’s airtight. Leave it while you prepare the rest of the dish, at least 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, cook and drain the pasta. Stir in the sauce, set to one side.

Boil the egg to your liking. Keep it warm until you are ready to assemble and serve.

Drain the broccolini well and pat dry. Place the pasta/sauce in a bowl and add the bacon, broccolini and roast tomatoes.

Finally, peel and quarter the egg and pop it on top. Sprinkle with black pepper and serve immediately.

Substitutions

You can use any type of pasta sauce and feel free to switch up the veggies! Peppers and mushrooms could work well.

• The advice given in this article is not intended to replace medical advice, but to complement it. Always consult your GP if you have any health concerns. Catherine Burns BA Hons, Dip ION, BNTA is a fully qualified Nutritional Therapist trained by the Institute for Optimum Nutrition in Britain. She works at Waterfront Wellness in Bermuda. Join Catherine on Facebook: www.facebook.com/nutrifitandnaturalnutritionbermuda or instagram @naturalbda