Derval O'Rourke: How to make my couscous salad - ready in 15 minutes

Plus: joining a group of powerhouse women in business at Going for Growth's annual forum

Derval O'Rourke's Couscous Salad

I recently attended the annual forum for the “Going for Growth” community. 

This is a nationwide community of female entrepreneurs set up by Paula Fitzsimons and supported by Enterprise Ireland and KPMG. 

In its fifteenth year, it has attracted some absolute powerhouses of women. 

Within this group there’s a strong focus on taking care of yourself and what it means to live a good, contented, and fulfilling life. 

No matter what you are achieving in a work context it is massively diminished if your own wellbeing is being compromised.

I applied for a place on the “Going for Growth” female entrepreneurship programme seven years ago and have been part of their community ever since. 

We meet to discuss work but the intersection between work and life is impossible to ignore. 

These are some of the most inspiring women I’ve had the pleasure to spend time with. 

When joining the community I thought I was getting the rules of the road of running a business, but what I actually got was a group of supportive women who continuously reminded me to mind myself and not get lost in life’s chaos.

Across the world, our societies are constantly evolving, in many ways making it easier and more efficient to do many daily activities. 

The average life expectancy for men and women has risen drastically in the last 50 years. In Ireland, we had an average life expectancy of about 70 years, now it’s 82 years. Consider that huge change and what that means for how you live and make decisions.

Interestingly, this is still significantly lower than the average life expectancy in other places that have been dubbed the “Blue Zones” where living to 100 years of age, and older, is a regular occurrence.

“Blue Zones” are regions around the world where people not only consistently live longer, but also healthier lives. People living in these regions are much less likely to suffer from chronic illnesses, like heart disease, diabetes and cancer, in comparison to the rest of the world.

One might assume that these regions are close to each other but they’re not. As of 2022, there are five “Blue Zones”: Sardinia in Italy, Okinawa in Japan, the community of Seventh-Day Adventists in Loma Linda in the US, Ikaria in Greece, and Nicoya in Costa Rica.

One of the secrets to longevity in “Blue Zones”, also identified in a recent Harvard study on longevity, is social connection, with people nurturing and investing time in their relationships.

Family and extended family are a priority and hold a high level of prominence for people. Social activity and interaction are a vital part of life in “Blue Zones” too.

Having a purpose outside of work is equally important to your quality of life. In many places, like Ireland, our work is deemed an important part of life. Often it can feel like the most important part. 

In “Blue Zones” societies recognise that while work is important, life outside work is equally as important, if not more so. Having a purpose that isn’t solely focused on your career is essential.

The “Going for Growth” group that I’ve been fortunate to get to know have always made me stop and consider work’s importance in my life. 

These are some of the most ambitious and capable women I know, yet their capacity to take a “helicopter view” of their overall life is exceptional. 

Here are three things I learned from them:

• Find ways to juggle family and work that suit you, not others.
• Are you the best person for this job? Whether it is a task in the office or at home, consider the time and effort you put into it and figure out if that’s where you should be.
• Stop and enjoy it. This is something that I often struggle to do. If you can’t take the time to enjoy the moments you work towards then what is the point?

Every positive experience we have in life not only helps our own wellbeing but it has a domino effect on those around us. 

Living a good, contented life that is fulfilling isn’t always easy but it’s so important for our lifelong health.

Derval O'Rourke. Photo: Joleen Cronin

Wellness Tip: Take some time to consider connection. How connected do you feel to those in your life and how can you enhance that feeling of connection.

Fitness Tip: Do you move your body naturally everyday? Try incorporating a simple bodily movement into your routine everyday.

Couscous Salad

This is perfect with a chicken fillet or fish or a dollop of hummus. It’s great to make in a batch and keep in the fridge for a couple of days.

Servings

6

Preparation Time

 3 mins

Cooking Time

 12 mins

Total Time

 15 mins

Course

 Main

Ingredients

• 280g couscous

• 500ml chicken or vegetable stock

• 2 garlic cloves, crushed

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• 1 tsp salt

• 1 tsp cinnamon

• 1 tsp cumin

• 1 tsp ground ginger

• 1 tsp turmeric

• 80g sultanas

• 1 cucumber, peeled, halved lengthwise, deseeded and diced

• 1 red pepper, diced

• 1 yellow pepper, diced

• zest of 1 lemon

• freshly ground pepper

• For the dressing:

• juice of 1 lemon

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• ½ tsp salt

Method

1. Place the couscous in a large bowl.

2. Place the chicken stock, garlic, olive oil, salt and spices in a large measuring jug and whisk until combined.

3. Pour the stock over the couscous and stir to combine.

4. Scatter the sultanas over the couscous. Place a tea towel over the bowl and leave the couscous to cook for 10 minutes or according to the instructions on the package.

5. Fluff the couscous with a fork.

6. Stir in the chopped raw vegetables and lemon zest.

7. Place all of the ingredients for the dressing in a jar with a lid and shake to combine.

8. Pour the dressing over the couscous and toss well. Season with pepper and divide the salad between serving plates.