Thursday, September 18, 2014

Sunday, September 14, 2014

Whole 30 - Week 2

Breakfasts are looking pretty much the same as last week but I've tried to completely vary the mid-day and evening meals -


Do you do fruit omelette? My s.i.l used to work in a mountain refuge and on bad weather days when the clients were few and far between, her boss would to make her runny omelette with sugar and jam!  I don't like runny eggs and obviously sugar and jam are out at the moment but I tried some blackberries that the kids had picked, with a kale, bacon and mushroom concoction and it tasted just delicious.


Avocado stuffed with sardines and boiled egg - mushrooms and broccoli.


Salmon and salad


Ground Beef Chilli (minus the kidney beans) over lettuce.


Cauliflower Fried Rice - this would have been even better with some peas but I didn't have any!


 Tuna Steak.


Roasted Veggies with Bolognaise Sauce.


Chicken Stew.

Still going strong, but don't know how I'd get through this with out avocados (which unfortunately are ridiculously expensive here).
Missing my morning porridge!!



Wednesday, September 10, 2014

Yarn Along - A little catching up...



It's been a while since I last joined in for a Yarn Along.  My needles haven't completely been in summer hibernation but they've definitely been putting their 'tips' and enjoying a rest.
However, I've finally finished my Nordic Trail Vest - with a little arm hole modification.  The arm was meant to be in the same rib as the front bands but I just couldn't seem to pick up the correct number of stitches, which made the arm hole too tight.  I opted in the end for one row of backwards single crochet (I think it's called scallop stitch).


As it's getting a bit chilly here in the mornings  I've been wearing it quite a bit - no photo's of it been worn I'm afraid - I'm three months into growing out a pixie cut and lets just say every day is a bad hair day!!


And I had just enough yarn left to do the sole's for a pair of slippers.


My Favorite Things Scarf is coming along slowly, just added these owls and am thinking of an abstract motif next in pink and purple.


Also made this little guy for my little guy.  Must admit, I don't enjoy sewing all those little pieces together at the end.

Currently on my night stand is A Tale of Two Cities which I'm quite enjoying.  Found the first chapter a little tough going but now the characters are a bit more established I'm getting in to it.  I'm also being inspired by Junk Genius and Rediscovered Treasures.


As you can see it's not really a night stand - it an old box.  It was the kids outdoor toy box but they have this annoying habit of not putting their toys away - (they throw them into the sand pit at the end of the day, at least that's something) so I reclaimed it - sanded it down, put on a coat of clear varnish and voila!


Linking up with Ginny for Yarn Along, what are you knitting and reading this week?

Sunday, September 7, 2014

Whole 30* - week one

30 days of Meat, Fish, Seafood, Eggs, Vegetables, Fruit, Nuts and Seeds
or
30 days of NO Grains (wheat, rice, quinoa etc), Dairy, Alcohol, Sugars (including honey or maple syrup) or Legumes
Easy peasy!
Well it is only week one.

Last time I did the Whole30 was back in November and apart from a wee slip up with a slice of cake and glass of bubbly on Rémi's birthday I managed it.
But this time round it seems much easier.
I think it's the time of year, the garden is giving plenty and an 'endless' supply of veggies to hand makes things far more simple.


 This time I've planned a little better, re-read the book...
but like I said it only week one...

Here's a little sample of what the Whole 30 is looking like in my kitchen...
(the light in some of the photo's is a bit off as they were taken either at 6.30 am or 7 pm)


Roasted Beetroot (this is basically the only time I use tin foil,  I've tried kitchen paper and a covered pyrex dish but it just doesn't cook the same)
Creamy Ranch Coleslaw (I added carrot and red cabbage to mine)


Chicken with Cauliflower Rice


Salmon, Sweet Potato and Avocado


Coconut Wonder Bars


Pumpkin & Bacon Soup with Coconut Cream


Grain free pancakes - mashed banana, teaspoon of almond butter & egg.
Mix and fry in coconut oil just like a regular pancake.


Omelette with Kale and Horn of Plenty Mushrooms.


Chopped Un-Sweetened Dates, Nuts, Pumpkin Seeds and Shredded Coconut with home made Almond Milk, Blueberries and Peaches.


White Fish on a bed of Courgette Spaghetti


Roast Meat & Salad

*Potatoes are not on the Whole30 approved list but I can't resist a few fresh from the garden!

This eating program is great, I'm not craving anything that I can't have (well maybe dark chocolate just a little bit) and my energy levels stay constant throughout the day!
I may or may not have lost a few pounds, I don't know as I don't own a weighing scales but I'm certainly feeling good and 'trimmer'!!

Bring on week two!