I'm either married to Mr. Romance himself, or to a very devious person indeed! My day got much brighter this afternoon when a message from my husband popped up in my inbox.

He thought I'd been working too hard ? so he booked me into Willowstream for some pampering at the weekend.

A wonderful yet totally schizophrenic move seeing as we'd just had a serious chat about cash ? and me spending too much of it ? buy hey, who am I to complain? I'm more likely to start working for KFC than turn down a session of Hot Stone Therapy!

So, needless to say, I was already pretty happy when I arrived home.

But next I was told that he was cooking so I could get started on my article instead (thereby preventing my usual deadline chaos later in the week.)

How thoughtful!

Or so it would seem?. What this also means is that I'll be hidden away for the next couple of hours, in the quietest corner of the house, totally unable to subject him to two hours of American Idol!

A cunning ploy indeed and I suspect the spa may have something to do with an all-day game of golf? We'll see!

However, regardless of his specific motive, he's clearly picked up on one thing ? that life has recently become a bit too hectic.

And I think this is true for so many of us, which is why this month I've been focusing on quick and easy recipes that give you quick and easy nutrition.

Because when you're rushed off your feet and something has to give, it would be a shame to cheat yourself of the valuable nutrients that boost your energy, mood and immune system.

Whilst there's nothing wrong with the occasional take-out meal, there's no need for it to become a habit when you can fix yourself something nutritious in a matter of minutes. In this way, fast food can be healthy ? just not the kind that comes out of a deep-fat frier!

This stir-fry recipe is an example of how you can cook quickly and healthily over a high heat.

I always add vegetable stock to the bottom of my stir fry pan ? as this prevents the olive oil getting too hot (which damages it), and allows the vegetables to steam a little too.

This recipe happens to be vegetarian, with the protein coming from the cashews, and the combination of chickpeas and brown rice (both of which contain some carbohydrate and some protein.)

Stubborn carnivores can replace the chickpeas or the cashew nuts with chicken or strips of very lean beef ? but whichever way you cook it, this is healthy fast food, that's easy and tasty too!

Spicy Cashew Nut Stir Fry (serves 4)

Ingredients:

l 1 medium sized red onion, finely chopped

1 yellow pepper, cut into thin strips

1 large head of broccoli, broken up into small florets

2 large handfuls of beansprouts

1 tin organic chickpeas, drained and rinsed

2 small handfuls of cashew nuts (plain ? unroasted and unsalted)

1 small handful chopped fresh basil, or 2 tsps dried

1 lemon, juiced

? cup (4 fl.oz) vegetable stock

1 tsp chili powder (mild or hot, depending on your taste)

Olive oil

Black pepper

Brown rice

Method:

1. Cook the brown rice, set to one side, keeping it warm.

2. Brush your wok or stir-fry pan with a thin layer of olive oil. In addition, add 1 tbsp olive oil to the bottom of the pan and warm gently.

3. Add the chopped onion and chili, and soften over a medium heat.

4. Stir in the chickpeas, then the yellow pepper and broccoli.

5. Add the vegetable stock and half the lemon juice and turn the heat up to high.

6. Let the vegetables steam as the stock evaporates, for approximately 6 minutes (this depends on how crunchy you like your veg). Stir frequently.

7. Add the beansprouts, cashews and basil. Heat through for another 2 minutes.

8. Add black pepper and extra lemon juice, according to your taste.

9. Serve immediately with the brown rice.

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