India Power’s Dublin Diary

Last I met up with India Power who is quickly gaining a name for herself as a healthy food blogger with a hugely popular blog
Little Green Spoon that has fans from all over the world keen to find the tastiest but guilt-free recipes available. We met for lunch in Alchemy where we chowed down cabbage rolls, beef kale salad and drank lemon shots while chatting about her favourite spots in the city and her tips for eating clean in Dublin.

First things first, where is your favourite place for brunch in the city?

Probably
Brother Hubbard, I live in Stoneybatter so it’s really close to me. I like to walk over there for the Eggs Menemen. It’s my favourite, especially with the crumbled chorizo on top.

Good call, I’m addicted to their Moroccan Eggs Special! If you wanted to have a really healthy lunch where would you go?

Now that I’ve tried it, here (
Alchemy). I hope they open for dinner!

You’re a total health guru, are there any health shops or delis that you could recommend?

Select Stores in Dalkey are my favourite, they have absolutely everything you could possibly imagine. Loads of different varieties of health foods from almond flour to arrowroot flour, they’re probably the best in Dublin. Even for things like chocolate, they sell beautiful dark, raw and organic chocolates. Now that I’ve moved out I’m stuck trying to find somewhere nearby my house, so I tend to go to Nourish in town. There’s meant to be a really good place in Cabra too that I need to check out.

You’re a big advocate of clean eating, how do you find restaurants in Dublin fare nowadays for healthy eating?

It’s gotten way better, but still dinner isn’t great. There are no healthy takeaways. I often end up running to
Staple Foods at 4.45pm before they close to get a takeaway and keep it for dinner.

For anyone starting to eat clean, what are the best changes to make?

Definitely swapping butter for coconut oil in baking and cooking. I don’t really drink milk in tea, but in general swapping out cows milk and using almond milk instead helps. They’re easy swaps to make, if you cut out everything you love it’s just not going to work so gradually make little swaps instead. Also, make sure you’re still having little treats like dark chocolate.

Any favourite recipes from your blog that you suggest to someone who is trying to start eating clean?

People who are starting to eat clean tend to start off with trying sweet recipes- the
clean snickers are my absolute favourite. The blueberry banana bread and my caramel squares are hugely popular too though.

They sounds delicious, where’s your favourite place for dinner?

Coppinger Row, I usually get whatever white fish special they have on. I love a white fish with buerre blanc sauce and a nice drink, I had a great steak there last week too.

And your favourite place to head to for a night out?

I’d generally like to just go to Coppinger Row for a drink or two with a meal, otherwise I like
Sams Bar for a night out.

If you had one day off in Dublin and could do whatever you want, what would you do?

It would probably start off with a nice brunch in Brother Hubbards. I love my dogs so I’d take them to Pheonix Park for a walk. After that I’d go home and do some baking before heading out for a nice dinner.

Sounds good. Finally, do you have any tips for anyone who is trying to stay healthy over Christmas?

I’d say try and focus on the sides. It’s so easy to make some roasted squash and sweet potatoes rather than just loading up on regular potatoes. Fill your plate with as many vegetables as you can. I’d still try everything as you have to enjoy your Christmas dinner, but I’d eat a little bit of everything rather than loading up a huge plate of food.

Thanks Indy, some nice places there for people to check out and hopefully those tips will help some of us avoid going overboard during the holidays!