So I'm finding it very hard to concentrate this evening as I've just switched on the dishwasher, washing machine and dryer all at once. The result? An indoor thunderstorm ? who said open-plan was a good idea? To top it all off there's also a mosquito buzzing around. I can't see it, I definitely can't hear it, but I know it's here as it's bitten my little toe ? which is now SO ITCHY!! Aaagh!

Anyway, noisy it may be, but not quite as rowdy as hurricane Florence. And I know it's wrong to admit it, but I really did enjoy my first hurricane day in Bermuda. A day off, minimal damage, no lives lost ? it was all pretty good really. We even kept our power! The most worrying moment was when I was forced to take Jasper out for a pee (again, that's the dog, not the husband?.) He'd timed it perfectly so that he was standing by the door yelping just as the winds reached full force. So, bravely, in my pajamas and a bike helmet, I ventured outside. Despite nearly losing my top, and getting covered in lawn mower clippings, I made it back indoors safe and sound ? feeling like some kind of intrepid explorer.

Good thing it didn't last long though. Hurricane supplies are never very healthy are they? I was caught in Lindos by a colleague with a shopping cart full of beer, popcorn and chocolate ? oh the shame!

You see, just like everyone else, I'd used the opportunity to stock up on treats, because healthy food doesn't have a very long shelf-life. Or does it?

In my post-hurricane shame I turned Lindos upside down in my quest for healthy tins and snacks.

Buying healthy tinned soup should be easy, but instead I found myself navigating my way round ingredients like disodium guanylate, modified corn starch and turkey fat.

Even those with more natural ingredients tended to be really high in salt and sugar.

For example, Campbell's Select Italian Tomato soup with Basil and Garlic contains over 3 teaspoons of sugar per serving.

It also has 820mg of sodium per serving ? that's 34% of your recommended daily maximum in one small cup of soup.

However, some of the Healthy Choice soups were reasonable and the Amy's Organics range, though sometimes a little high in salt, is pretty good.

In fact Amy's organic low-fat Butternut Squash soup tastes great and even has more protein than a Baxters chicken and vegetable soup.

Main meals are just half the battle though.

Hurricane snacks are a killer! But try popping some Redenbacher's "Natural Light" popcorn before the storm and storing it in zip-lock bags. Other healthier snacks include Kashi Go-Lean granola bars and wholegrain crackers (such as TLC or Ryvita) with a natural, unsweetened peanut or almond butter.

So you see you can eat healthily during a hurricane.

This one even delivered healthy food right to our doorsteps!

All that wind blew down so many avocados, that almost everyone has a bowl of free avocados available at work, or neighbours with a wheelbarrow full.

And although we are so often told that avocados are high in fat, what's often forgotten is that they are high in good fat and rich in other valuable nutrients such as potassium and vitamin E.

So in moderation, avocados can be a perfectly healthy part of your diet.

As well as containing good fat, the kind that supports the nervous system and balances hormones, avocados also contain very slow releasing sugars ? meaning that they keep you feeling full for longer.

Avocados also make guacamole ? an excellent alternative to calorific cheesy dips.

So courtesy of hurricane Florence, use all those free avocados to make this delicious dip!

@EDITRULE:

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 is a fully qualified Clinical Nutritionist. She can be contacted at 291 4725 or clinicalnutritiongmail.com